Firmware controlled drain-free circuit to allow backup battery installation at time of manufacture

• US 6,426,571 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2000
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Doron, Amir
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rajnikant B.
• Application Number:
  US09/557,642
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 307/66, 307/64, 307/65, 307/85, 307/86, 307/67, 395/750, 395/750.03, 395/750.06, 395/750.08, 364/492, 364/707, 364/578, 364/528
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/00 Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting

Abstract

Described is an electronic device for performing certain operations and includes a continuous operating unit providing operations benefitting from a backup battery for providing backup power to the continuous operating unit. The battery is installed in the electronic device at the time of manufacture and is connected to the continuous operating unit through a switch which is in the open position at the time of manufacture of the electronic device. An input device allows a user to input signals to the electronic device. A central processing unit is connected to the continuous operating unit and receives the input signals from the input device. The central processing unit contains firmware for performing the operations of the electronic device and the central processing unit closes the switch when a predetermined parameter is received from the input device. A main power source is connected to the central processing unit and the continuous operating unit for providing operating power to the central processing unit and the continuous operating unit. Also described is a method of operating an electronic device including executing an initialization procedure when an on/off control of a electronic device is actuated to an on condition, obtaining input information via an input device, analyzing the input information in a central processing unit to determine if a predetermined parameter is being input for the first time and closing a circuit between a backup battery and a continuous operating unit via a signal from the central processing unit when the predetermined parameter is input for the first time.

Claims

1. An electronic device for performing certain operations, comprising:

a continuous operating unit, the continuous operating unit providing operations benefitting from a backup power source;

a backup battery for providing backup power to the continuous operating unit, the battery installed in the electronic device at the time of manufacture and connected to the continuous operating unit through a switch, the switch being in the open position at the time of manufacture of the electronic device;

an input device for allowing a user to input signals;

a central processing unit connected to the continuous operating unit for receiving the input signals from the input device, the central processing unit containing firmware for performing operations of the electronic device;

the central processing unit closing the switch when a predetermined parameter is received from the input device; and

a main power source connected to the central processing unit and the continuous operating unit for providing operating power to the central processing unit and the continuous operating unit.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the operations of the continuous operating unit includes a calendar.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the operations of the continuous operating unit includes a clock.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the backup battery is a battery selected from he group consisting of alkaline, mercury, lithium, nickel cadmium, metal hydride and lithium ion batteries.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the operations of the central processing unit includes an appointment scheduler.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the operations of the central processing unit includes a phone directory.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the operations of the central processing unit includes an address book.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined parameter is the date.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined parameter is the time.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined parameter is an appointment.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined parameter is an address.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined parameter is a phone number.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the main power source is AC power.

14. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the main power source is DC power.

15. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the main power source is a rechargeable battery.

16. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:

executing an initialization procedure when an on/off control of a electronic device is actuated to an on condition;

obtaining input information via an input device;

analyzing the input information in a central processing unit to determine if a predetermined parameter is being input for the first time; and

closing a circuit between a backup battery and a continuous operating unit via a signal from the central processing unit when the predetermined parameter is input for the first time.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the continuous operating unit includes a calendar.

18. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the continuous operating unit includes a clock.

19. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the backup battery is a battery selected from the group consisting of alkaline, mercury, lithium, nickel cadmium, metal hydride and lithium ion batteries.

20. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined parameter is the date.

21. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined parameter is the time.

22. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined parameter is an appointment.

23. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined parameter is an address.

24. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined parameter is a phone number.

25. An electronic device, comprising:

a backup battery installed during manufacturing of the electronic device and capable of providing backup power to the electronic device through a closed switch, wherein the switch is in an open position when installed in the electronic device;

a central processing unit preprogrammed to automatically close the switch when a predetermined parameter is received by a predefined input signal; and

a main power source connected to the central processing unit and for providing main operating power to the electronic device.

26. The electronic device of claim 25, further comprising a continuous operating unit connected to the switch for receiving power from the battery backup.

27. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the input signal derives from a user and wherein the central processing unit closes the switch when the predefined input signal is received from the user for the first time.