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Battery operated ink capture device that operates in a normal power mode during active use and a minimum power mode during absence of active use

  • US 6,691,233 B1
  • Filed: 11/18/1999
  • Issued: 02/10/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A battery operated ink capture device for operating in a minimum power dissipation mode in the absence of active use thereof, and in a normal power dissipation mode during active use thereof, comprising:

  • a battery voltage terminal;

    a switched power source having a control input, a power input, and a power output, the power output furnishing a normal operating voltage during the normal power dissipation mode and furnishing effectively a zero voltage during the minimum power dissipation mode;

    a digitizer having a power input coupled to the power output of the switched power source;

    a wireless communications port having a received signal output and a first power input;

    a communications activity detector having an input coupled to the received signal output of the wireless communications port, an output coupled to the control input of the switched power source, and a power input coupled to the battery voltage terminal at least during the minimum power dissipation mode; and

    a voltage selection circuit having a first voltage input terminal coupled to the battery voltage terminal, a second voltage input terminal coupled to the power output of the switched power source, and a voltage output coupled to the first power input of the wireless communications port, the first power input of the wireless communications port being coupled to the battery voltage terminal through the first voltage input terminal of the voltage selection circuit during the minimum power dissipation mode, and coupled to the power output of the switched power source through the second voltage input terminal of the voltage selection circuit during the normal power dissipation mode;

    wherein the voltage selection circuit comprises a first diode having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode having an anode and a cathode, the respective cathodes of the first and second diode being connected together, the anode of the first diode being the first voltage input terminal of the voltage selection circuit, and the anode of the second diode being the second voltage input terminal of the voltage selection circuit.

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