Reducing battery discharge current by throttling CPU power
First Claim
1. An apparatus for reducing average discharge current of a battery pack, the battery pack supplying power to a portable computer, the apparatus comprising:
- a first circuit which generates a throttling signal when the average discharge current exceeds a threshold level; and
a second circuit responsive to the throttling signal for slowing a processor of the computer system, wherein the slowing of the processor causes the average discharge current to be reduced.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
CPU power consumption is throttled in relation to the discharge current of a battery pack to prevent battery cells of the battery pack from reaching a critical temperature. When a discharge current measuring circuit detects that discharge current exceeds a threshold level, a throttle signal is activated. In response, a CPU stop control line is modulated to reduce CPU power consumption. When the discharge current falls below another threshold and/or after a prescribed time delay, the throttle signal is withdrawn. The duty cycle of the CPU stop control line is determined as a function of the excess discharge current (i.e., actual discharge current level less safety threshold current level). The more excessive the actual discharge current, the larger the duty cycle on the CPU stop modulation line, and the greater the degree that CPU power consumption is reduced.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reducing average discharge current of a battery pack, the battery pack supplying power to a portable computer, the apparatus comprising:
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a first circuit which generates a throttling signal when the average discharge current exceeds a threshold level; and
a second circuit responsive to the throttling signal for slowing a processor of the computer system, wherein the slowing of the processor causes the average discharge current to be reduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computing system, comprising:
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a processor;
a battery which generates a discharge current to supply power to the processor;
a first circuit for generating a first signal corresponding to the discharge current;
a second circuit responsive to the first signal and a reference signal for generating a throttling signal when the first signal exceeds the reference signal; and
a third circuit responsive to the throttling signal for slowing the processor, wherein the slowing of the processor causes the discharge current of the battery to be reduced. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for reducing an excess discharge current from a battery, wherein said excess discharge current is relative to a threshold level, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring discharge current from the battery;
determining a difference between the measured discharge current and the threshold level;
generating a throttling signal when the measured discharge current exceeds the reference signal; and
slowing a processor powered by the battery in response to the throttling signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for reducing average discharge current of a battery pack, the battery pack supplying power to a portable computer, the apparatus comprising:
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means for generating a throttling signal when the average discharge current exceeds a threshold level; and
means responsive to the throttling signal for reducing power demand of a device of the portable computer, wherein the reduced power demand causes the average discharge current to be reduced. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification