Power management of a battery operated computer system based on battery status
AssigneeCompaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
InventorsLih Chern, Lee W. Atkinson, David J. DeLisle, Richard S. Lin, Dallas M. Barlow
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Abstract
A battery operated computer system implements a power management scheme based on battery behavior. The battery behavior that is monitored as part of the power management scheme may include battery temperature, current, voltage, and/or capacity. In response to one or more of these battery parameters exceeding a threshold, the computer transitions itself to a lower power consumption mode. In so doing, the potential for the battery to shut itself off due to being over-extended (e.g., over current) is reduced.
Claims30
A computer system, comprising:
- a CPU;
- memory coupled to said CPU;
- a battery to provide DC power for the computer signal;
- and
- a display coupled to said CPU;
- wherein a parameter associated with said battery is compared to a threshold and when said battery parameter exceeds said threshold, said system transitions to a lower power consumption state.
A method of power management in a computer system, comprising:
- (a) monitoring a parameter associated with a battery;
- (b) comparing the parameter to a threshold;
- and
- (c) changing a power state of the computer system to consume less power if said parameter exceeds said threshold.
A power management subsystem usable in a computer system, comprising:
- a battery;
- a keyboard controller coupled to said battery;
- and
- power management logic operable to control a power state of the computer system based on a parameter associated with the battery;
- wherein said keyboard controller polls the battery for said parameter and asserts an interrupt to said power management logic when said parameter exceeds a threshold and said power management logic responds by causing a change in the power state.
A battery pack, comprising:
- at least one cell that provides output current;
- and
- monitoring electronics coupled to said at least one cell and capable of generating an alert signal if said current exceeds a predetermined threshold and said pack continues to produce output current even when said alert signal is generated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.