Battery disable/enable control circuitry of a portable computing device

• US 20030201755A1
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Michael W., Briggs, Scott W.
• Application Number:
  US10/132,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20030201755A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/135
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/24 Resetting means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits

Abstract

A portable computing device includes at least three buttons and circuitry for sensing the pressing of at least three buttons, one being recessed, and in response to such sensing provides a battery disable signal to a non-removable battery. The portable computing device further includes circuitry for sensing the coupling of the device to a device cradle, and in response to such coupling, or in response to the press of the recess button, provides a battery enable signal to the non-removable battery.

Claims

1. A portable computing device, comprised of:

at least three buttons wherein at least one button is recessed; and

battery disable control circuitry to generate a battery disable signal in response to sensing communications from at least three of the buttons.

2. The portable computing device of claim 1, wherein at least two buttons are application buttons.

3. The portable computing device of claim 2, wherein the application buttons are non-adjacent.

4. The portable computing device of claim 1, the device further comprising:

a right side; and

a left side;

wherein one of the buttons is near the right side and another of the buttons is near the left side.

5. The portable computing device of claim 1, wherein at least one button is a reset button.

6. The portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the battery disable signal is generated after sensing communication from at least three of the buttons for a predetermined duration.

7. A portable computing device, comprised of:

a button; and

battery enable control circuitry to generate a battery enable signal in response to the sensing of a communication from the button when the device is connected to a device cradle.

8. The portable computing device of claim 7, wherein the button is a recessed button.

9. The portable computing device of claim 7, wherein the button is a reset button.

10. A method of disable generation for a battery of a portable computing device, the device comprising at least three buttons, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing button communications from at least three of the buttons wherein at least one button is recessed; and

generating a battery disable signal to disable the non-removable battery in response to the sensing step.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one button is the reset button.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least two buttons are application buttons.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the two application buttons are non-adjacent.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein one of the buttons is near a right side of the device and another of the buttons is near a left side of the device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the battery disable signal is generated after sensing the communications from at least three of the buttons for a predetermined duration.

16. A method of enable generation for a battery of a portable computing device, the device comprising a recessed button, comprising the steps of:

sensing a communication from the recessed button; and

generating a battery enable signal in response to the sensing step.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the recessed button is a reset button.

18. A method of enable generation for a battery of a portable computing device, comprising the steps of:

detecting connection of the device with a device cradle; and

generating a battery enable signal in response to the detecting step.