Distributed power regulation in a portable computer to optimize heat dissipation and maximize battery run-time for various power modes

A computer system comprising:

• a bus;
• a central processing unit ("CPU") coupled to said bus, said CPU, implemented within a main computer casing of said computer system, processes data and program instructions;
• a memory unit coupled to said bus, said memory unit, implemented within said main computer casing of said computer system, contains said data and said program instructions;
• a display subsystem coupled to said bus, said display subsystem, implemented within a display casing of said computer system, displays said data;
• and
• a system for distributing power within said computer system according to its existing mode of operation, said system including
• a micro-controller unit controlling a distribution of power throughout the computer system which is supplied by a selected power source,
• a switching regulator coupled to a plurality of regulated power lines, said switching regulator receiving power from said selected power source through a first power input line and generating a plurality of regulated power outputs via said plurality of regulator power lines, wherein a first regulated power output is transmitted through a first regulator power line of said plurality of regulator power lines in order to provide power to at least said micro-controller unit,
• a battery switching circuit coupled to an auxiliary power line which is coupled to said first power input line, said battery switching circuit includes at least one battery pack supplying power to said switching regulator when said micro-controller unit selects said battery pack to be said selected power source, and
• an auxiliary power source including a charging regulator and a battery, wherein said charging regulator, is coupled to said auxiliary power line and charges said battery upon receipt of power through said auxiliary power line, and said battery is coupled to said micro-controller unit and supplies power to at least said micro-controller unit when said micro-controller unit selects said battery to be said selected power source.

A power adapter comprising:

• a first charging regulator which generates a first adapter power output from an AC power output through a first adapter power output line;
• a second charging regulator which generates a second adapter power output from said AC power output and transmits said second adapter power output through a second adapter power output line;
• a first control circuit coupled to (i) an output of said first charging regulator coupled to a first end of said first adapter power output line via a first voltage sense line, (ii) a ground output of said first charging regulator via a second voltage sense line and (iii) a ground output at a second end of said first adapter power output line, said first control circuit monitors voltage loss from said first end of said first adapter power output line to said second end of said first adapter power output line to alter the power output of said first charging regulator so that said voltage at said second end of said first adapter power output line is equal to a desired voltage level;
• and
• a second control circuit coupled to (i) an output of said second charging regulator coupled to a first end of said second adapter power output line via a third voltage sense line, (ii) a ground output of said second charging regulator via a fourth voltage sense line and (iii) a ground output at a second end of said second adapter power output line, said second control circuit controls power from said second charging regulator.

A system for distributing power throughout a computer system including a first plurality of components within a main computer casing and a second plurality of components within a display casing, the system comprising:

• a processing unit controlling a distribution of power being supplied by a selected power source being one of the following:
• an external power adapter selectively chosen by said processing unit to supply power to said computer system, said external power adapter including a first charging regulator for supplying a first DC power output through a power connector coupled to said main computer casing,
• a first battery selectively chosen by said processing unit to supply power to said computer system, and
• a second battery selectively chosen by said processing unit to supply power to said computer system;
• a switching regulator for generating at least one regulated power output based on a power input by said selected power source, said switching regulator includes a first power input line receiving said power input from said selected power source and at least one regulator power line transmitting said at least one regulated power output to at least one component of said first plurality of components;
• and
• at least one display power regulating component within said display casing, said display power regulating component generating a regulated DC power output upon receipt of an incoming DC power output from said selected power source via an auxiliary power output line within said main computer casing.