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Power supply for an electronic device and power delivery method therefor

  • US 5,739,596 A
  • Filed: 04/05/1996
  • Issued: 04/14/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A power supply for an electronic device, comprising:

  • first and second main power sources;

    a charge detector in communication with said first and second main power sources to individually detect the charge levels of each said first and second main power sources;

    a switching circuit in communication with said first and second main power sources for selectively routing respective power signals generated by said first and second main power sources to the electronic device; and

    a power controller in communication with said charge detector and said switching circuit for controlling the switching circuit between a single connection mode and a default multiple connection mode according to the charge levels detected by said charge detector, said power controller setting said switching circuit in the multiple connection mode upon electronic device startup;

    wherein said power controller sets said switching circuit into the multiple connection mode when the respective charge levels of both said main power sources fail to exceed a predetermined threshold as detected by said charge detector;

    wherein, in the single connection mode, said switching circuit electrically connects a selected one of said first and second main power sources to a power input of the electronic device while disconnecting the remaining main power source; and

    wherein, in the multiple connection mode, said switching circuit electrically connects both said first and second main power sources in series with respective first and second diode means and in parallel with a power input of the electronic device.

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