Method for Prioritizing Load Consumption Within a Notebook Computer

• US 20090309419A1
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: SUZUKI, Keiji, YAMASAKI, Noritoshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,248,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A function extending apparatus for receiving a portable computer is disclosed. The function extending apparatus includes an AC/DC adapter, a second charging system and a controller. The AC/DC adapter is capable of supplying power to the portable computer equipped with a system load and a first charging system having a first charger and a first battery. The second charging system of the function extending apparatus includes a second charger and a second battery. The controller reduces power consumption of the second charging system when the output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches a first threshold value. The controller reduces power consumption of the first charging system when the output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value.

Claims

1. A function extending apparatus comprising:

an AC/DC adapter capable of supplying power to a portable computer equipped with a system load and a first charging system having a first charger and a first battery;

a second charging system having a second charger and a second battery; and

a controller for reducing power consumption of said second charging system when the output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches a first threshold value, and for reducing power consumption of said first charging system when the output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches a second threshold value, wherein said second threshold value is higher than said first threshold value.

2. A power consumption control method comprising:

assigning each of a plurality of charging systems within a portable computer and a docketing station a threshold value along with a priority;

measuring output power of an AC/DC adapter capable of supplying power to said portable computer;

reducing power consumption of one of said charging systems having a first threshold value when output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches said first threshold value; and

reducing power consumption of one of said charging systems having a second threshold value when output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches said second threshold value, wherein said second threshold value is larger than said first threshold value.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein upon recognizing that said load corresponding to a threshold value having a higher priority is not present, said controller sequentially moves up said threshold values of said loads having lower priorities than said predetermined threshold value corresponding to said non-present load.

4. A power consumption control system comprising:

a power source having a predetermined rating capacity;

a first load that receives power from said power source and is capable of controlling power consumption thereof;

a second load that receives power from said power source and is capable of controlling power consumption thereof, wherein said second load has a higher priority than said first load;

a third load that receives power from said power source and of which power consumption varies, said third load having a higher priority than said second load; and

a controller for controling power consumption of said first load and said second load so as to reduce the power consumption of said first load when output power of said power source supplying power to said first load, wherein said second load, and said third load reaches a first threshold value and to reduce the power consumption of said second load when said output power of said power source reaches a second threshold value larger than said first threshold value.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said predetermined power source is an AC/DC adapter, said first load is a first charging system that includes a first charger and a first battery pack, said second load is a second charging system which includes a second charger and a second battery pack, and said third load is a system load of a computer.

6. A power consumption control method comprising:

assigning each of a plurality of charging systems within a portable computer and a docketing station a threshold value along with a priority;

measuring output power of an AC/DC adapter capable of supplying power to said portable computer;

reducing power consumption of one of said charging systems having a first threshold value when output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches said first threshold value; and

reducing power consumption of one of said charging systems having a second threshold value when output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches said second threshold value, wherein said second threshold value is larger than said first threshold value.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first charging system and the controller are mounted on a function extending apparatus, the second charging system is mounted on a portable-type computer which is connectable to the function extending apparatus, and the AC/DC adapter is connected to the function extending apparatus.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said controller controls the power consumption of said first charger so that the output power of said AC/DC adapter gets closer to said first threshold value when the output power of said AC/DC adapter exceeds said first threshold value.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said controller gradually decreases the power consumption of the first charger to the second threshold value when the output power of the AC/DC adapter is gradually increasing up to the second threshold value from the first threshold value.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein said controller stops the operation of said first charger when said output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches said first threshold value.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said controller applies said second threshold value to said first charger upon recognizing that a portable-type computer is not connected to a function extending apparatus, and controls the power consumption of said first charger so as to reduce the power consumption of said first charger when the output power of said AC/DC adapter reaches said second threshold value.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said controller applies said second threshold value to said first charger upon recognizing that said first battery pack is not connected to the portable-type computer, and controls the power consumption of said first charger so as to reduce the power consumption of said first charger when output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches said second threshold value.