Charge control apparatus for use with electronic equipment
First Claim
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1. A charge control apparatus for use with electronic equipment having a main unit, the charge control apparatus comprising:
- (a) a power switch provided on the main unit of the electronic equipment and switchable between an ON state and an OFF state;
(b) a secondary battery producing a voltage and situated in a removable fashion in the main unit of the electronic equipment;
(c) a charging circuit having an output for supplying a charging current for quick charge to the secondary battery by use of an external power source;
(d) first detector means for providing a signal indicating the state of the power switch;
(e) second detector means for providing a signal indicating whether the secondary battery is situated in the main unit;
(f) charge completion identifying means for providing a signal indicating that quick charge of the secondary battery has been completed;
(g) flag control means for receiving signals from the second detector means and the charge completion identifying means, and causing a charge inhibition flag to be set when the quick charge is completed and to be reset when the secondary battery is removed;
(h) flag status identifying means for providing a signal indicating whether the charge inhibition flag is set or reset; and
(i) charge control means for controlling the charging circuit dependent on the signals from the first and the second detector means, the charge completion identifying means and the flag status identifying means, and the charge control means controlling the charging circuit in such a manner as to cause the charging circuit to commence the quick charge when the secondary battery is situated in the main unit, the power switch is off, and the charge inhibition flag is reset, and to cause the charging circuit to terminate the quick charge when the charge completion identifying means provides the signal indicating that quick charge of the secondary battery has been completed.
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Abstract
Apparatus for effecting a control such that quick charge is automatically effected when electronic equipment is not used with its power switch off. Particularly, the quick charge is automatically effected when a battery is replaced or when an adapter is connected to the main unit of the equipment. Simply turning on the power switch does not lead the start of quick charge in order to prevent the overcharge of battery.
36 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A charge control apparatus for use with electronic equipment having a main unit, the charge control apparatus comprising:
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(a) a power switch provided on the main unit of the electronic equipment and switchable between an ON state and an OFF state; (b) a secondary battery producing a voltage and situated in a removable fashion in the main unit of the electronic equipment; (c) a charging circuit having an output for supplying a charging current for quick charge to the secondary battery by use of an external power source; (d) first detector means for providing a signal indicating the state of the power switch; (e) second detector means for providing a signal indicating whether the secondary battery is situated in the main unit; (f) charge completion identifying means for providing a signal indicating that quick charge of the secondary battery has been completed; (g) flag control means for receiving signals from the second detector means and the charge completion identifying means, and causing a charge inhibition flag to be set when the quick charge is completed and to be reset when the secondary battery is removed; (h) flag status identifying means for providing a signal indicating whether the charge inhibition flag is set or reset; and (i) charge control means for controlling the charging circuit dependent on the signals from the first and the second detector means, the charge completion identifying means and the flag status identifying means, and the charge control means controlling the charging circuit in such a manner as to cause the charging circuit to commence the quick charge when the secondary battery is situated in the main unit, the power switch is off, and the charge inhibition flag is reset, and to cause the charging circuit to terminate the quick charge when the charge completion identifying means provides the signal indicating that quick charge of the secondary battery has been completed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A charge control system for use with electronic equipment having a main unit, the charge control system comprising:
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(a) a power switch provided on the main unit of the electronic equipment and switchable between an ON state and an OFF state; (b) a secondary battery producing a voltage and situated in a removable fashion in the main unit of the electronic equipment; (c) an adaptor for supplying electric power from an external power source to the main unit of the electronic equipment; (d) a charging circuit having an output for supplying a charging current for quick charge use to the secondary battery by the use of an external power source; (e) first detector means providing a signal indicating the state of the power switch; (f) second detector means for providing a signal indicating whether the secondary battery is situated in the main unit; (g) charge completion identifying means for providing a signal indicating that quick charge of the secondary battery has been completed; (h) third detector means for providing a signal indicating whether detecting the adaptor is connected to the main unit of electronic equipment; (i) flag control means for receiving signals from the second and third detector means and the charge completion identifying means, and causing a charge inhibition flag to be set when the quick charge is completed and to be reset when the secondary battery is removed or when the adaptor is removed; (j) flag status identifying means for providing a signal indicating whether the charge inhibition flag is set or reset; and (k) charge control means for controlling the charging circuit dependent on the output of the first, second and third detector means and the status of the charge inhibition flag, and the charge control means controlling the charging circuit in such as manner as to cause the charging circuit to commence the quick charge when the secondary battery is situated in the main unit, the main power switch is off, the adaptor is connected to the main unit and the charge inhibition flag is reset, and to cause the charging circuit to terminate the quick charge when the charge completion identifying means provides the signal indicating that quick charge of the secondary battery has been completed. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification