Electronic device which is powered by actuation of manual inputs

• US 5,838,138 A
• Filed: 05/02/1994
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ezero Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: David L. Henty
• Inventors: Henty, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NAPPI, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US08/237,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 310/389, 320/2, 320/61, 320/59, 320/107, 320/123, 320/135
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/076 Key stroke generating power
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/972 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94042 Means for reducing energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A power regeneration system for a portable electronic device employs a mechanical energy converter for converting mechanical energy generated by activating keys in the keyboard and other manual operators employed in the portable computer into electrical energy. The mechanically generated electrical energy is used to power a transmitter or to recharge a rechargeable battery in the portable computer through a charging circuit. Time between charges of the rechargeable battery from external AC sources is extended due to the recapture of the mechanical energy generated through normal operation of the portable computer.

Claims

1. A portable computer power supply system for use with a portable computer having a keyboard, and a plurality of keys therein, a CPU, a memory and a display, comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

means, coupled to the keys in the keyboard, for converting mechanical energy due to activation of the keys by an operator into electrical energy; and

a charging circuit, coupled between the means for mechanically generating electrical energy and said rechargeable battery, and supplying charging current to said rechargeable battery.

2. A power supply for a portable computer as set out in claim 1, wherein said means for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy comprises a plurality of permanent magnets coupled to respective keys on the key board and a matching plurality of coils configured so as to receive the respective permanent magnets therethrough upon activation of the keys of the keyboard.

3. A power supply as set out in claim 1, wherein said charging circuit comprises a current regulator and a rectifier.

4. A power supply as set out in claim 2, wherein said coils of wire are electrically connected in series.

5. A power supply as set out in claim 1, wherein said charging circuit includes means for selectively coupling charging current to the battery from said means for mechanically generating or an outside source.

6. A power supply as set out in claim 1, wherein said portable computer includes a mouse and wherein said means for mechanically generating electrical energy converts the rotational energy of said mouse into electrical current.

7. A power supply as set out in claim 1, further comprising a second rechargeable battery and means for selectively coupling the charging circuit to said rechargeable battery or said second rechargeable battery depending upon the state of charge of said rechargeable batteries.

8. A portable computer comprising:

a keyboard including a plurality of manual operators, said manual operators including a plurality of keys, adapted to be activated by an operator of the portable computer;

a central processor unit (CPU);

a display;

a memory;

a rechargeable battery for supplying power to said CPU, display and memory;

an electrical energy generator coupled to said manual operators of the keyboard of the portable computer and providing electrical energy generated from the mechanical energy provided by activation of the manual operators; and

a battery charging circuit coupled to said electrical energy generator and the rechargeable battery so as to supply electrical energy generated by said generator to the rechargeable battery.

9. A portable computer as set out in claim 8, wherein the generator comprises a plurality of permanent magnets attached to the respective manual operators and a plurality of wire coils adapted to receive the permanent magnets therethrough upon activation of the corresponding manual operator.

10. A video game, comprising:

a plurality of manual controllers for controlling said video game;

means, associated with each of said manual controllers, for converting mechanical energy due to activation of said controllers to electrical energy;

a rechargeable battery for supplying power to said video game; and

a recharging circuit for recharging said rechargeable battery from the electrical energy provided from said mechanical energy converting means.

11. A remote controller comprising:

a plurality of input devices movable in response to manual operation thereof;

a plurality of mechanical to electrical energy converters, each associated with one of said input devices; and

a transmitter, coupled to the mechanical to electrical energy converters so as to receive power therefrom and activated by the input devices so as to transmit a control signal in response to a manual operation thereof.

12. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein said transmitter comprises an RF transmitter.

13. A remote controller as set out in claim 11 wherein said transmitter comprises an LED.

14. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein said transmitter comprises an array of LEDs.

15. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein said input devices comprise a plurality of push buttons.

16. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein one of said input devices comprises a rocker controller.

17. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein one of said input devices comprises a joystick controller.

18. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein one of said input devices comprises a mouse.

19. A remote controller as set out in claim 11, wherein said input devices comprise a plurality of push buttons and wherein the control signal is determined by the specific push button which is activated.

20. A remote controller as set out in claim 19, further comprising selector circuit means, coupled to the push buttons, for determining the control signal in response to push button activation.