POWER SHARING BETWEEN PORTABLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND PERIPHERAL DEVICES
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus that allows for controlling operating time of a portable computer system and a peripheral device. A portable computing system that includes a rechargeable power supply and that includes a connection mechanism for coupling to a peripheral device is used to control operating time of the portable computer system and the peripheral device. In one embodiment, a user can choose between maximizing the operating time of the portable computer, maximizing the operating time of the peripheral device, or maximizing the life of the entire system (maximizing the operating time of the portable computer system and the peripheral device). When operating time of the portable computer system is to be maximized, power is sent from the peripheral device to the portable computer system to extend the operating time of the portable computer system. Similarly, when operating time of the peripheral device is to be maximized, power is sent from the rechargeable power supply of the portable computer system to the peripheral device to extend the operating time of the peripheral device. When operating time of the entire system is to be maximized, power is moved such that the operating time for the portable computer system is equal to the operating time of the peripheral device.
32 Citations
42 Claims
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1-22. -22. (canceled)
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23. A portable computer system comprising:
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a connection mechanism for coupling to a peripheral device; a rechargeable power supply coupled to said connection mechanism; and a charging control module coupled to said rechargeable power supply and coupled to said connection mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling the operating time of a portable computer system and a peripheral device that is coupled to said portable computer system, said method comprising:
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determining the charge within a rechargeable power supply of said portable computer system; determining the charge within a rechargeable power supply of said peripheral device; determining the operating time for said portable computer system using said determined charge within said rechargeable power supply of said portable computer system; and determining the operating time for said peripheral device using said determined charge within said rechargeable power supply of said peripheral device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A peripheral device comprising:
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a connection mechanism adapted to couple to a portable computer system;
arechargeable power supply; a boost circuit coupled to said rechargeable power supply and coupled to said connection mechanism, said boost circuit for increasing the voltage from said rechargeable power supply to a voltage sufficient to charge a rechargeable power supply of a portable computer system when a portable computer system is coupled to said connection mechanism; and a boost charging circuit coupled to said rechargeable power supply and coupled to said connection mechanism, said boost charging circuit for increasing voltage received from a portable computer system to a voltage sufficient to charge said rechargeable power supply. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification