Keyboard controller providing power management for a portable computer system

• US 20030159076A1
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Cooper, Patrick R., Hallowell, William C., Delisle, David J.
• Application Number:
  US10/291,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20030159076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode

Abstract

A keyboard controller provides power management for a portable computer system. The keyboard controller both receives data from the keyboard and controls powering of a direct current/direct current converter. The keyboard controller may include a means for receiving data from the keyboard, a means for turning on power to the direct current/direct current converter, and a means for turning off the power to the direct current/direct current converter.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

a processor;

a keyboard;

a direct current/direct current converter; and

a keyboard controller coupled to the processor, the keyboard, and the direct current/direct current converter, the keyboard controller comprising;

a means for receiving data from the keyboard;

a means for turning on power to the direct current/direct current converter; and

a means for turning off the power to the direct current/direct current converter.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard controller is directly connected to the direct current/direct current converter.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard controller drives a power enable signal to the direct current/direct current converter.

4. The computer system of claim 1, the computer system including a battery, the keyboard controller further comprising:

a means for polling the battery for battery status information.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the battery is directly connected to the keyboard controller.

6. The computer system of claim 1, the means for turning on power to the direct current/direct current converter comprising:

a means for turning on the power to the direct current/direct current converter in response to user activation of a power button of the portable computer system.

7. The computer system of claim 1, the means for turning on power to the direct current/direct current converter comprising:

a means for turning on the power to the direct current/direct current converter in response to sensing a lid of the portable computer system as in an open state.

8. The computer system of claim 1, the keyboard controller further comprising:

a means for testing the direct current/direct current converter to determine if alternating current power is present.

9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard controller is powered during a low-power mode of the portable computer system.

10. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard controller is integrated into a super input/output chip.

11. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard controller comprises a microcontroller.

12. A power management apparatus for a portable computer system, the portable computer system including a processor, a keyboard, and a direct current/direct current converter, the apparatus comprising:

a keyboard controller to receive data from the keyboard and to control powering of the direct current/direct current converter.

13. The power management apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a power enable signal line provided by the keyboard controller to the direct current/direct current converter.

14. The power management apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a battery status signal line provided to the keyboard controller from a battery of the portable computer system.

15. The power management apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a power signal line provided to the keyboard controller to indicate a state of a power button of the portable computer system.

16. The power management apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a lid open signal line provided to the keyboard controller to indicate an open state of a lid of the portable computer system.

17. The power management apparatus of claim 12, wherein the keyboard controller is powered during a low-power mode of the portable computer system.

18. The power management apparatus of claim 12, wherein the keyboard controller comprises a microcontroller.

19. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

a keyboard;

a direct current/direct current converter; and

a controller coupled to the processor, the keyboard, and the direct current/direct current converter, the controller being adapted to receive data from the keyboard and to control powering of the direct current/direct current converter.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the controller drives a power enable signal to the direct current/direct current converter.

21. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the controller polls a battery of the portable computer system for battery status information.

22. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the controller is powered during a low-power mode of the portable computer system.

23. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the controller comprises a keyboard controller.

24. A method of handling power management control with a keyboard controller of a portable computer system, the portable computer system including a keyboard and a direct current/direct current converter, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving keyboard events from the keyboard by the keyboard controller; and

controlling power to the direct current/direct current converter by the keyboard controller.

25. The method of claim 24, the computer system including a battery, the method further comprising the step of:

receiving battery status events from the battery by the keyboard controller.

26. The method of claim 24, the controlling step comprising the step of:

turning on the power to the direct current/direct current converter by the keyboard controller in response to user activation of a power button of the computer system.