Method and apparatus for reducing heat generation in a portable computer

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling heat generation within a battery-powered portable computer. One aspect is directed to a computer including a battery, a battery charging circuit operatively connected to the battery to charge the battery at a charging rate, and a temperature detection and control circuit, coupled to the battery charging circuit, that detects a temperature within the computer and provides a control signal to the battery charging circuit having a control value based on the temperature detected. The battery charging circuit is responsive to the control value of the control signal to alter the charging rate. Another aspect is directed to a method for controlling heat dissipation within a portable electronic device having a battery and a battery charging circuit. The method includes steps of charging the battery at a charging rate, detecting a temperature within the portable electronic device, determining whether the temperature exceeds a reference value, and reducing the charging rate when the temperature exceeds the reference value.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.