Apparatus and method for the power management of operatively connected modular devices
First Claim
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1. Apparatus comprising:
- a first device powerable by a first rechargeable battery, a connector for operationally coupling the first device to a second device powerable by a second rechargeable battery, means for determining the condition of charge of the first rechargeable battery and determining the condition of charge of the second rechargeable battery, and means for charging through the connector the rechargeable battery having a determined lower condition of charge from the rechargeable battery having a determined higher condition of charge.
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Abstract
A modular electronic system is provided wherein a first device is powerable by a first rechargeable battery. A connector operationally connects the first device to a second device powerable by a second rechargeable battery. A charge control circuit is included in the first device for determining the condition of charge of the first rechargeable battery and determining the condition of charge of the second rechargeable battery. The charge control circuit includes means for charging the battery with the lower condition of charge from the battery with the higher condition of charge. In this way, by sharing power resources, the cooperative operational life of the devices can be increased.
119 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a first device powerable by a first rechargeable battery, a connector for operationally coupling the first device to a second device powerable by a second rechargeable battery, means for determining the condition of charge of the first rechargeable battery and determining the condition of charge of the second rechargeable battery, and means for charging through the connector the rechargeable battery having a determined lower condition of charge from the rechargeable battery having a determined higher condition of charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus comprising:
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a first portable electronic device powerable by a first rechargeable battery, a PCMCIA/PC Card connector for operationally coupling the first device to a second portable electronic device powerable by a second rechargeable battery, means for determining the condition of charge of the first rechargeable battery and determining the condition of charge of the second rechargeable battery, and means for charging through the connector the rechargeable battery having a determined lower condition of charge from the rechargeable battery having a determined higher condition of charge. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising the steps of:
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determining the condition of charge of a first rechargeable battery which powers a first device, and determining the condition of charge of a second rechargeable battery which powers a second device, and charging through the connector the rechargeable battery having a determined lower condition of charge from the rechargeable battery having a determined higher condition of charge. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification