Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-24
2001-03-06
Sheikh, Ayaz R. (Department: 2781)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
C713S310000, C713S320000, C713S330000, C710S002000, C710S008000, C710S108000, C710S108000, C710S108000, C320S106000, C320S125000, C320S165000, C702S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199168
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to personal computer (PC) cards, particularly to the power management of PC cards.
2. State of the Art
PC cards are a common way to add peripheral devices to a personal computer. Elements such as memory or communication devices, can be placed on a PC card having a standard interface with personal computers. A common interface standard for PC cards is the Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association (PCMCIA) standard. The PC cards are typically powered by the personal computer to which they are attached. This causes no problems when the PC cards are used with desktop computers connected to a wall power outlet. This can cause problems, however, when the PC cards are used with portable computers, especially handheld personal computers. For example, some handheld personal computers are powered by two AA batteries, and thus there is little spare current for power-using elements on the PC card. This can effectively limit the types of PC cards used with handheld computers.
It is desired to have an improved method and apparatus for managing the power supplied to the PC card.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention, generally speaking, relates to providing a detachable battery pack on a PC card. Thus, the handheld personal computer is not required to supply power to the power-hungry elements on the PC card and these elements, such as radio transceivers, can be added to the PC cards used with handheld personal computers.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a PC card with a battery pack can be selectively powered either by the personal computer or by the battery pack. This provides for flexibility in the power management. If a handheld personal computer has a lot of power, such as when the personal computer is connected to an external DC power source, the handheld personal computer can supply power to the PC card. The battery pack can even be removed from the PC card. Otherwise, the power for the PC card can be supplied by the battery pack. In one embodiment, the detachable battery pack is rechargeable from the personal computer when the personal computer is connected to a DC wall adapter.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the PC card has a power controller which is always powered by the personal computer. Thus, the PC card can turn-on even if the battery pack is missing or is low in power. In a preferred embodiment, the power controller is a personal computer interface circuit controlled by software running on the personal computer.
The PC card is preferably such that power from a DC adaptor can be supplied to the PC card or battery pack directly so that the PC card can be powered by the DC power supply. This allows the battery pack to save its charge when a wall outlet is nearby.
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Burns Doane , Swecker, Mathis LLP
Jean Frantz Blanchard
Sheikh Ayaz R.
Sierra Wireless Inc.
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