Power-supply control system for a portable data processor and method for driving the same
First Claim
1. A power supply system for a portable data processor, comprising:
- a first battery for supplying a first DC voltage;
a main converter selectively connected to said first battery in response to a first control signal, said main converter converting said first DC voltage to a second DC voltage, and being selectively enabled in response to a second control signal;
a normal logic circuit disposed between said main converter and said portable data processor;
an auxiliary converter connected to said main battery, said auxiliary converter converting said first DC voltage to a third DC voltage;
a suspend logic circuit having an input selectively connected to said auxiliary converter in response to a third control signal and an output connected to said portable data processor; and
a power management system for providing said first and second control signals to enable said power supply system to operate in a low power consumption mode in which said main converter is disconnected from said battery, said main converter is disabled, and said suspend logic circuit is disconnected from said auxiliary converter, a suspended operation mode in which said main converter is disconnected from said battery, said main converter is disabled, and said auxiliary converter is connected to said suspend logic circuit, and a normal mode in which said main converter is connected to said battery, said main converter is enabled, and said auxiliary converter is connected to said suspend logic circuit.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a power supply system for a portable data processor and a method for controlling the system. The power supply system includes a main DC/DC converter and an auxiliary DC/DC converter for operating in a low power consumption mode, a suspended mode, and a normal mode. Low voltage cut off circuits are provided to disable the main and auxiliary converters if the main and backup batteries are unable to provide a sufficient voltage level. This system offers increased efficiency and prevents the batteries from being overdischarged. Further, the function of turning power on is performed by the user'"'"'s operation of a suspend/resume switch, and the function of turning power off may be performed by software to reduce the number of power switches.
61 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A power supply system for a portable data processor, comprising:
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a first battery for supplying a first DC voltage; a main converter selectively connected to said first battery in response to a first control signal, said main converter converting said first DC voltage to a second DC voltage, and being selectively enabled in response to a second control signal; a normal logic circuit disposed between said main converter and said portable data processor; an auxiliary converter connected to said main battery, said auxiliary converter converting said first DC voltage to a third DC voltage; a suspend logic circuit having an input selectively connected to said auxiliary converter in response to a third control signal and an output connected to said portable data processor; and a power management system for providing said first and second control signals to enable said power supply system to operate in a low power consumption mode in which said main converter is disconnected from said battery, said main converter is disabled, and said suspend logic circuit is disconnected from said auxiliary converter, a suspended operation mode in which said main converter is disconnected from said battery, said main converter is disabled, and said auxiliary converter is connected to said suspend logic circuit, and a normal mode in which said main converter is connected to said battery, said main converter is enabled, and said auxiliary converter is connected to said suspend logic circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a power supply system of a portable data processor comprising the steps of:
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supplying power in a first mode from a voltage source supplying a DC voltage above a threshold level to said data processor via a first path including a main DC/DC converter connected to said voltage source and a normal logic circuit connected between said main DC/DC converter and said data processor and via a second path including an auxiliary DC/DC converter and a suspend logic circuit connected between said auxiliary DC/DC converter and said data processor; cutting off power in a second mode from said voltage source to said data processor by disconnecting said main DC/DC converter from said voltage source, disabling said main DC/DC converter, and disconnecting said suspend logic circuit from said auxiliary DC/DC converter; and supplying power in a third mode from said voltage source to said data processor via a path including said auxiliary DC/DC converter and said suspend logic circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification