Charging system for computer with docking station
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable computer, comprising:
- a portable computer unit, comprising;
computing circuitry having a power node,a first battery having a terminal,a first docking connector portion including computing circuitry interface contacts operatively connected to the computing circuitry,a second docking connector portion including power supply contacts including at least one contact operatively connected to the power node of the computing circuitry and at least one contact operatively connected to the terminal of the first battery,a docking station, comprising;
a second battery having a terminal,a third docking connector portion including computing circuitry interface contacts constructed and adapted to mate with the interface contacts of the first docking connector portion,a fourth docking connector portion including power supply interface contacts constructed and adapted to mate with the power supply contacts of the second docking connector portion,a charging circuit having a first output operatively connected to the first battery terminal, a second output operatively connected to the second battery terminal, and a third output operatively connected to the power node of the portable computer unit, and a power supply input connector constructed and adapted to mate with a connector of a power supply.
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Abstract
A portable computer and docking station combination, comprising first and second batteries and first and second battery charging circuit portions, with automatic sequencing of charging between the batteries. The system includes means for charging a first battery based on an amount of current flowing into the computer circuitry, and means for charging a second battery based on an amount of current flowing into the first battery and into the computer circuitry.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A portable computer, comprising:
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a portable computer unit, comprising; computing circuitry having a power node, a first battery having a terminal, a first docking connector portion including computing circuitry interface contacts operatively connected to the computing circuitry, a second docking connector portion including power supply contacts including at least one contact operatively connected to the power node of the computing circuitry and at least one contact operatively connected to the terminal of the first battery, a docking station, comprising; a second battery having a terminal, a third docking connector portion including computing circuitry interface contacts constructed and adapted to mate with the interface contacts of the first docking connector portion, a fourth docking connector portion including power supply interface contacts constructed and adapted to mate with the power supply contacts of the second docking connector portion, a charging circuit having a first output operatively connected to the first battery terminal, a second output operatively connected to the second battery terminal, and a third output operatively connected to the power node of the portable computer unit, and a power supply input connector constructed and adapted to mate with a connector of a power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A portable computer charging system, comprising:
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means for charging a first battery based on an amount of current flowing into computer circuitry, and means for charging a second battery based on an amount of current flowing into the first battery and into the computer circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of supplying power to a portable computer system, comprising:
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determining an amount of current flowing from a power source to computer circuitry, charging a first battery with additional current, an amount of the additional current depending on the amount of current determined in the step of determining, and charging a second battery with further current, the amount of further current depending on the amount of current flowing from the power source and the amount of additional current. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification