Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-29
2001-03-27
Wiley, David A (Department: 2781)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
C710S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209105
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic equipment system with detachable expander and a power source processing method therefor.
2. Related Background Art
Among such electronic equipment system, there has been proposed a notebook personal computer, wherein it's functions can be expanded by docking an expander incorporating an expansion board.
Such a notebook personal computer with expander is constructed so as to extend the operation time in the portable use, such that it is operable as a dual battery system by extracting the floppy disk drive of the personal computer and inserting a second battery.
In recent notebook personal computers, the portability is considered important not only in the state of the notebook personal computer but also in the state coupled with the expander, so that it is desired to extend the battery-driven time in the state coupled with the expander.
For achieving such extension of the battery-driven time, it is conceivable to employ the second battery of a large capacity or even to employ a third battery, but, for such purpose, a connection space for the battery has to be secured on the expander.
FIGS. 21A and 21B
show the configurations of the power source in the conventional notebook personal computer, wherein
FIG. 21A
shows a case of power supply to the expander from the power source circuit (DC/DC circuit) of the personal computer, while
FIG. 21B
shows a case in which power source circuits (DC/DC circuits) are respectively provided in the personal computer and the expander.
In the case shown in
FIG. 21A
, the docking connector has to be provided with power supply lines of a number allowing the supply of a current of maximum consumption. Also a signal line for controlling the battery of the expander from a power source controlling microcomputer (PMC) has to be secured in the docking connector. Also the docking connector loses the compatibility in case the maximum current consumption increases in the future by the increase of functions of the personal computer or the expander.
On the other hand, in the configuration shown in
FIG. 21B
, since the expander is provided with a power source circuit similar to that in the personal computer, the power supply lines can be maintained minimum though the cost increases by a certain amount. Also this configuration can flexibly adapt to the increase of the maximum current consumption in the future. The power source controlling microcomputer (PMC) of the personal computer often supports, in addition to the control of the power source system, other functions such as the keyboard control. In the docking, therefore, the power source systems have to be combined so as not to detrimentally affect such other functions. Also the power source modes of both power source controlling microcomputers have to be mutually synchronized in order to extend the battery-driven time in the docking state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic equipment capable of docking the power source with an expander unit without detrimental effect on other functions, such as keyboard control, supported by the power source control circuit of the electronic equipment, and a power source control method therefor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic equipment capable of extending the battery-driven time in the docked state by synchronizing the power supply modes of the power source control circuits of the electronic equipment and the expander unit, and a power source control method therefor.
The above-mentioned objects can be attained, according to the present invention, by an electronic equipment system consisting of an electronic equipment and an expander detachably attached thereto and provided with a power source circuit and a power source control circuit in each of the electronic equipment and the expander, the system comprising attachment detecting means for detecting that the expander is attached to the electronic equipment, power source control means for controlling permission or inhibition of power supply to the power source circuit of the other side, other power source control circuit activating means for activating the power source control circuit of the other side by initiating the power supply from the power source circuit of the other side to the above-mentioned power source control circuit of the other side, and informing means for informing the operation status of the power source control circuit of the self side to the power source control circuit of the other side, wherein, in case the attachment detecting means detects the attachment of the expander to the electronic equipment, the power source control circuit of the self side permits the power supply by the above-mentioned power source control means to the power source circuit of the other side, also causing the above-mentioned other power source control circuit activating means to initiate the power supply from the power source circuit of the other side to the power source control circuit of the other side thereby activating the power source control circuit of the other side, and causing the informing means to inform the operation status of the power source control circuit of the self side to the power source control circuit of the other side, thereby effecting power supply processes synchronized between the both power source control circuits.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a power source control method for an electronic equipment system consisting of an electronic equipment and an expander detachably attached thereto and provided with a power source circuit and a power source control circuit in each of the electronic equipment and the expander, wherein, in case the attachment of the expander to the electronic equipment is detected, the power source control circuit of the self side permits the power supply to the power source circuit of the other side, also initiating the power supply from the power source circuit of the other side to the power source control circuit of the other side thereby activating the power source control circuit of the other side, and informing the operation status of the power source control circuit of the self side to the power source control circuit of the other side, thereby effecting power supply processes synchronized between both power source control circuits.
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Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Wiley David A
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