Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Battery or cell discharging – With charging
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-07
2001-12-11
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Battery or cell discharging
With charging
C320S130000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329794
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information-processing device in which a plurality of independent function devices is driven by a common power supply. More specifically, the present invention relates to a battery-operable information processing device and a method for controlling power consumption for the same.
Conventionally, power consumption control in battery-operable information processing devices such as notebook computers is performed using methods such as: (a) increasing efficiency of the power supply section or the battery; (b) reducing the power consumption of devices serving as function devices; (c) stopping or restricting operations of functions when they are not used. An extension of these methods involves keeping power cut off from functions such as modem functions in notebook computers that are used only under specific conditions.
In these conventional technologies, power conservation in the information processing devices is performed with the goal of providing the power required for operation of individual functions to the extent possible. In the conventional technologies described above, power is supplied equally to multiple function devices sharing a single power supply. Thus, no consideration is given to cases where there are different priorities in the multiple independently operable functions. For example, in an information processing device with an audio communication function (function device A) and a videophone function (function device B) sharing a power supply, the function device A would generally have a higher priority. However, with the power saving control system of the conventional technology, the continued use of the function device B will eventually reduce the battery capacity in the power supply to the point where the function device A will be inoperable. To prevent this, the user needs to explicitly stop using the function device B. In this example, the basis for priority is the function that needs to be used when a drop in battery capacity means only one of the functions can be used. In practice, priority levels are determined based on the power consumed by individual functions and the situation of individual users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can maintain power in a prioritized manner to independent function devices with higher usage priorities. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling power consumption of an information processing device.
In the present invention, a power supply circuitry includes a capacity detector detecting a remaining capacity of a battery and a controller issuing power consumption reduction instructions to independently operable function devices based on their priority levels. As a result, power consumption reduction operations are possible such as stopping function devices with low priorities first based on the remaining capacity in the battery. This allows power to be maintained for function devices with high priorities. In the example with the phone described previously, the function device A can continue to be used by stopping the function device B first. Thus, more convenience is provided when the battery capacity is low.
Also, in the present invention, a control circuit controls the operations of function devices based on the remaining battery capacity. Displaying means is provided so that as the remaining battery capacity drops, the operable function devices and inoperable function devices can be identified. As a result, the user can easily know which functions are operable at a given time.
Also, in the present invention, the function device B is stopped automatically when the battery capacity reaches a reference value. Thus, there is no burden placed on the user. Furthermore, if there is adequate battery capacity, the user is ensured selective use of both the function device A and the function device B, which provide the standard functions of the information processing device. Compared to the conventional technology described above, where the user explicitly stops using the function device B, ease of use is improved. Also, problems such as forgetting to make settings to prohibit use of the function device B, as is possible in the conventional technology, can be eliminated, thus improving reliability.
In an information processing device powered by a battery, which is a finite power source, the present invention allows priority levels to be set for individual functions in the information processing device. Thus, battery time can be maintained in a prioritized manner for the function devices with higher priorities. This improves reliability.
Also, as the remaining battery capacity drops, information is displayed to allow identification of operable function devices and inoperable function devices. Thus, the user can easily know which functions are operable at a given moment.
Furthermore, the present invention can provide priority-based power consumption control even if multiple functions share a function device. This allows greater ease of use. Also, needed common function devices can be kept operable while the function devices with low priorities can be limited first. This provides improved reliability.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5969529 (1999-10-01), Eiraku et al.
patent: 6049210 (2000-04-01), Hwang
patent: 6100666 (2000-08-01), Ryu
Research File No. 5, ACPI, POS/V Magazine (1999), 7.15, p. 210.
Ito Hiromichi
Mori Naoki
Oeda Shigeto
Hitachi , Ltd.
Luk Lawrence
McDermott & Will & Emery
Wong Peter S.
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