Hllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilll
`US005345392A
`_
`s
`s
`5 345 392
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`United States Patent
`
`Mito et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`[75]
`
`[54] BATTERY CHARGE MONITOR FOR A
`PERSONAL COMPUTER
`.
`.
`Inventors: Toslntsugu Mito, Kanagawa, Japan;
`Leopoldo L. Suarez, Bota Raton, Fla.;
`Shaun Astarabadi, Irvine; Marcus G,
`Caleccibetta, Mission Viejo, both of
`Calif.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, NY.
`
`-
`
`[211' Appl- No; 647,120
`.
`.
`,
`[22] Filed-
`Jan 25 1991
`{51]
`Int. Cl.5 .......................... G06F 15/20; H021 7/04
`[52] us. Cl. .................................... 364/483; 324/431;
`340/636; 364/481
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 364/481, 483, 550;
`320/39, 43, 43, 21, 44, 40; 324/427, 429, 431,
`433; 340/636
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U'S‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,194,146 3/1980 Patry et al.
`..... 320/44
`4,289,836 9/1981 Lemelson ......
`
`----- 429/61
`364/481
`4,333,149 6/1982 Taylor et al.
`.
`
`.. 324/431
`4,377,787
`3/1983 Kikuoka et al.
`
`i... 324/429
`4,423,379 12/1983 Jacobs etal. ..
`6/1984 Koenck ................................. 320/43
`4,455,523
`
`4,460,870 7/1984 Finger ................................. 324/429
`
`4,553,081 11/1985 Koenck .......... 320/43
`
`4,558,281 12/1985 Codd et al.
`324/433
`4,709,202 11/1987 Koenck et a1.
`..... 320/43
`
`4,724,523 2/1988 Eaton ............
`. 320/43 X
`
`
`4,725,784 2/1988 Peled et al.
`324/427
`
`. 320/40
`4,737,702 4/1988 Koenck .
`
`. 20/48 x
`4,775,827 10/1988 Ijntema.
`
`4,885,523 12/1989 Koenck .......... 320/21
`
`4,947,123 8/1990 Minezawa
`324/427
`
`
`4,961,043 10/1990 Koenck .......... 320/21
`4,965,738 10/1990 Bauer et al.
`364/550 X
`
`9/1991 Simonsen ............ 364/550
`5,047,961
`5,055,763 10/1991 Johnson et al. ................... 320/39 X
`Primary Examiner¥Kevm J. Teska
`Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Maxim J. McKinley
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A charge monitor for a battery operated computer
`includes a processor electrically connected to a plural-
`ity of signal generating circuits. The generated signals
`represent the temperature, voltage and current charac-
`teristics of the battery being monitored. The level of
`remaining battery energy is ascertained by utilizing a
`predetermined discharge table which is dependent upon
`the battery temperature, voltage and current.
`
`5 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`20
`
`24
`
`22
`
`18
`
`16
`
`- N M - ,
`
`HDD
`
`26
`
`M 3
`
`1o
`
`LCD
`
`’03
`
`
`
`
`
`\
`
`
`
`
`LCD BLANK
`
`040nm
`
`MOUSE/K80 POWER
`H00 POWER
`BACKUGHT POWER
`MPPOWER
`PLANAR POWER
`m2 DRIVERS POWER
`RESUME LATCH RESET
`
`
`
`
`INTERRUPT
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`
`95
`
`
`V.GOOD$6
`smvomee 76
`LOWBMERY
`
`53
`UDCLOSED
`.
`SUSPEND
`7o
`
`MUX
`
`I
`83 .1“ 85
`RESUME
`84 J
`
`L
`
`78
`
`87
`
`NOT 0°CKED\aa
`92
`90
`fl 70mm“
`up OPENED
`MODEM RING
`
`85
`
`94
`
`56
`
`62J
`
`ACADAPTORATTACHED
`
`EXHIBIT
`Petitioner - Kyocera
`
`PX 1035
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`
`
`
`ago“.525“.$5.8m
`
`EmmaEmmaIO._.<._minmmmllEgon.$.sz«mama
`
`
`
`
`
`$39.on:
`
`
`
`Egon.ézoEo5:2
`
`XZSm00..
`
`Egon.8%$20252%8.20
`
`532m2
`
`
`
`Egon.59.29385284/2
`
`:
`
`.mmtkmmmeIwOOm—m
`
`finsz2m0<z<2
`
`I
`
`szamsé
`
`tango
`
`we
`
`mijmhzOO
`
`.EDmmMFZ.
`
`.l._..l.8<<288:052mokymnmmm835852x3:
`
`
`8Emma8800.>mmman886o:HmmEmozmmmam
`829.09..4we:53oohI8mzawmm\.mm8.8
`.ozE2302mmExm¥l
`
`EB;23E“9592E3.888.>.8
`
`um
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_2
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_2
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.6, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`
`
` 140
`
`144
`
`00/0C
`CONVERTER
`
`STANDBY
`BATTERY
`
`152
`
`146
`
`CHARGER
`
`MAIN
`BATTERY
`
`1,
`
`148
`
`j 108
`
`122
`
`FIG. 3
`
`142
`
`DC/DC
`CONVERTER
`
`150
`
`162
`
`POWER
`
`REGISTER
`
`CONTROL
`
`DRAM
`
`22
`
`\ 166
`
`158
`
`FET
`
`168
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_3
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`PMP
`INTERRUPT HANDLER
`
`I 170
`
`FIG. 4
`
`
`
`
`
`SUSPEND
`WATCHDOG
`
`TIMEOUT ?
`PENDING ?
`
`
`YES
`
`188
`
`
`RESTART
`
`SUSPEND
`ROUTINE
`
`
`DECREMENT
`
`SUSPEND
`
`TIMEOUT
`
`
`
`
`
`BEYOND
`
`
`TIMEOUT
`TEMPERATURE ?
`
`
`EXPIRED ?
`
`
`YES
`
`194
`
`RESET
`SUSPEND
`
`TIMEOUT
`
`196
`
`NO
`
`RETURN
`
`
`
`YES
`
`176
`
`LOW
`BATTERY ?
`
`178
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`180
`
`NO
`
`200
`
`START
`SUSPEND
`
`,
`
`YES
`
`182
`
`184
`
`UNKNOWN
`SOURCE
`RETURN
`
`NM SWITCH
`HANDLER
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_4
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6,.1994
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`'
`FIG. 5
`
`202
`
`AUTO
`
`204
`
`SWITCH
`POSITION 7
`
`
`
`MANUAL
`
`H!
`PERFORMANCE
`
`206
`
`AUTO
`MODE 7
`
`LONG
`BATrERY
`LIFE
`
`203
`
`
`
`SETUP CPU CLOCK
`20 MHz HI SPEED
`20 MHz LO SPEED
`
`214
`
`
`SETUP CPU CLOCK
`20 MHz H! SPEED
`5 MHz LO SPEED
`
`
`216
`
`
`COPY MANUAL SPEED
`FROM CMOS
`I
`l M
`
`
`(20 10 5 HZ)
`
`218
`
`SET “MANUAL“ FLAG
`
`210
`
`212
`
`CLEAR “MANUAL" FLAG
`
`RETURN
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_5
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_5
`
`

`

`
`
`
`226 g
`
`
`
` ENABLE
`.SOFI'WARE INT.
`
`,
`
`
`
`
`232
`SET CPU
`CLOCK 5 MHZ
`
`YES
`
`230
`
`N0
`V86 CPU
`MODE ?
`
`234
`
`NO
`
`STORE ALL
`REAL MODE
`
` CPU REGS
`
`238
`
`SET SHUTDOWN
`CODE TO SLEEP
`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`"WAIT ON EVENT"
`BIOS CALL
`
`222
`
`224
`
`
`YES
`“MANUAL"
`FLAG SET ?
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG; 6
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`240
`
`
`
`HOLD CPU &
`TURN OFF Vcc
`TO CPU
`
` SLEEP
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_6
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`FIG. 7
`
`RESUME HANDLER
`
`FIG 8
`
`234
`
`244
`
`246
`
`248
`
`250
`
`252
`
`254
`
`256
`
`258
`
`230
`
`232
`
`SETUP RESUME
`lN-PROGRESS ICON
`
`RESTORE PARAMTERS
`FOR FAX/MODEM
`
`RESTORE PARAMETERS
`FOR HDD/FDD
`
`CLEAR PENDING
`INTERRUPTS
`
`FLASH SUSPEND TCON
`
`SETUP RESUME TONE
`
`RESTORE TIME/DATE
`
`RESTORE CPU REGS
`
`RECOVERY FROM SLEEP
`
`233
`
`
`
`CPU RESET
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SHUTDOWN
`CODE-SLEEP MODE
`
`NO
`
`RESUME
`HANDLER
`
`270
`
`RESTORE CPU REGS
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_7
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`SUSPEND
`
`HANDLER
`
`FIG. 9
`
`290
`
`
` WATCHDOG
`TIMER ENTRY
`
`
`
`
`
`EXTERNAL
`
`DEVICES
`REQUEST WATCHDOG
`
`BUSY 7
`TIMER DELAY FROM PMP
`
`
`
`
`292
`
`
`DISABLE POWER TO
`LCD
`
`BACKUGHT
`
`HDD
`
`
`SAVE. CPU REGISTERS
`TO DRAM
`
`
` 294
`
`
`AT RESET
`
`
`296
`
`
`SET CMOS SHUTDOWN
`FLAG TO DO ”RESUME"
`
`
`
`298
`SAVE HARDWARE
`
`
`
`
`(PLANAR)
`AND EXTERNAL DEVICE
`REGISTERS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(MODEM.Erc.)
`
`
`
`300
`
`SET HARDWARE TO RES
`CPU UPON RESUME
`
`302
`
`
`DISABLE POWER TO
`
`
`POWER DOWN
`-REST OF PLANAR
`
`CPU
`~MODEM
`
`
`AND HALT
`-VGA
`
`
`-COMMUNICATION PORT ‘
`
`—KEYBOARD/MOUSE
`
`
`
`
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_8
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`CURRENT
`LEIAD
`
`FULL
`
`CHARGE
`(VFc)
`
`3£U-&%A
`
`mle
`
`aw—sJeA
`
`N£6V
`
`GAO-awA
`
`am—aaeA
`
`Lw-139A
`
`Lm-159A
`
`0.80 — 1.19 A
`
`mM—0J9A
`
`wasv
`
`uRov
`
`MJUV
`
`quv
`
`11.25 v
`
`uaov
`
`PARTIAL
`
`CHARGE
`(Vnc)
`
`1R%v
`
`NJIV
`
`1mmv
`
`malv
`
`walv
`
`msev
`
`11.00 v
`
`umsv‘
`
`LGH
`
`CHARGE
`(Vlc)
`
`amv
`
`amv
`
`Rmv
`
`awv
`
`amv
`
`awv
`
`9.83 v
`
`Rmv
`
`PREDETERMINED DISCHARGE ( 20 C )
`
`FIG.1O
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_9
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`
`
`o»czmmmam20m...22;
`
`>E=<m>m<ozoomm5:;
`
`mg00¢ohmOmmmmmoomm3onmmumcow
`EmmfiAA emmn
`
`"II!
`rum-Illi-
`17“M“I
`
`I I
`
`3.52.:
`
`wk02amp00.mu0
`
`
`
`.__.______,..,._.lgig.-
`
`lysi-
`m_.____.___.-
`
`_o
`
`m6
`
`m
`
`md
`
`m
`
`BATTERY VOLTAGE
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_10
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`
`
`IIIIIII
`
`FIG.12A
`
`150175200225250275300325350375400425
`
`
`
`
`
`“HIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIII 50
`IWMMHIIII
`g'INNIflIflIo
`
`MINUTES
`
`125
`
`100
`
`75
`
`25
`
`IIIIII!_I..!IIIIn.
`
`H.
`
`IIUMM'
`I-lmr
`I-VAWIZ
`
`
`IIZӎ!
`12.\5
`
`
`
`'—
`
`
`
`'0.as
`
`m
`
`
`
`«2
`a:
`
`co
`
`BATTERY VOLTAGE
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_11
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`
`
`mm..o..._
`
`LIIIIIIIIIIIIIg
`_II‘IIIIVIZI¢I:
`_IIIIIIIIIIIH4
`IIIIIIIIEfiI;
`
`_IIIIEflll'ln722
`
`IIEIEiI
`I.
`IIEIEII:
`
`3.52.2
`
`m~¢00¢ohm0mmmumcommum0mmmumcowm:9.:map02muonmmo
`
`BATTERY VOLTAGE
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_12
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_12
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`FIG.12C
`
`150175200225250275300325350375400425
`0
`
`5075100125
`
`25
`
`MINUTES
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_13
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`"DEAD“ZONE
`
`FIG.13
`
`
`
`- /
`
`BATTERY VOLTAGE
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_14
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_14
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 6, 1994
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`5,345,392
`
`Thr Predetermined Discharge Table selected is based on the
`following criteria,
`
`Table I -- Battery Temperature ( 20
`Table 8 -- 20 (= Battery Temperature ( 30
`Table 3 -- 30 (= Battery Temperature.
`
`The number of Fuel Indicators displayed is calculated as
`follows,
`
`3 Indicators (Panels) -- V
`
`>= VFc
`
`8 Indicators (Panels) -- VFc ) V
`
`)= Vmc
`
`1 Indicator
`
`(Panels) -- Vmc
`
`) V
`
`)= Vlc
`
`3 Indicators Blinking -- Vlc ) V
`0 Indicators
`-- Vlc > V For 1 min. Suspended
`
`The system is in a Full Charged State when the voltage
`is greater than or equal
`to VFc in the temperature
`table For the given current
`load. Three Fuel Indicators
`are DiSplayed.
`
`The system is in a Meduim Charged State when the voltage
`is less than Vfc and greater than or equal
`to Vmc
`in the
`temperature table For the given current
`load.
`Two Fuel
`Indicators are Displayed.
`
`The system is in a Low Charge State when the voltage is
`less then Vpc and greater than or equal to Vlc in the
`Temperature table for the given current
`load.
`
`. FIG. 14
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_15
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_15
`
`

`

`5,345,392
`
`1
`
`BATTERY CHARGE MONITOR FOR A
`PERSONAL COMPUTER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to the field of battery charge
`monitors and, more particularly, to battery charge mon-
`itors for battery Operated portable computers.
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The following applications filed concurrently here-
`with are directed to inventions only generally described
`herein:
`BATTERY OPERATED COMPUTER
`(1)
`POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM by Francis
`James Canova, Jr. et a1 Ser. No. 07/647,118, filed Jan.
`25, 1991.
`(2) BATTERY OPERATED COMPUTER OPER-
`ATION SUSPENSION IN RESPONSE TO ENVI-
`RONMENTAL SENSOR INPUTS, by Neil Alan
`Katz et a1 Ser. No. 07/646,304, filed Jan. 25, 1991.
`(3) AUTOMATIC DEVICE CONFIGURATION
`FOR DOCKABLE PORTABLE COMPUTERS, by
`Francis James Canova, Jr. et a1 Ser. No. 07,646,138,
`filed Jan. 25, 1991.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`High performance portable computers commonly
`include a primary (or main battery for operating the
`computer when it is not plugged into an ac power sup-
`ply. The type of battery selected is dependent upon size,
`weight, and power requirements and is preferably re-
`chargeable. While there are many battery operated
`computers available in different sizes ranging from
`desktop models, to laptops, handheld, and pocket mod-
`els, the invention is designed for use primarily in high
`performance systems such as is currently available in
`many commercially available laptop models. Generally,
`most such computers have very simplistic battery
`charge monitors. Many provide only low battery wam—
`ing signals allong the user to save any volatile data on
`a disk, before the computer is shut off.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`
`A typical prior art battery charge monitor is that
`contained within the model PC-G200 notebook com-
`
`puter manufactured by Sharp Corporation. The battery
`monitor for the PC-G200 includes three visual indica-
`
`tors (power, low battery and charge) and an audio indi-
`cator. When the battery becomes ninety percent dis-
`charged, the battery charge indicator turns red and the
`audio indicator beeps for a short time period. Other
`battery capacity or charge monitors are known which,
`require the user to “call-up” a bar graph on an LCD of
`the portable computer. The graph displays the charge
`remaining within the battery.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The principal object of the present invention is to
`provide a battery capacity or charge monitor for a por-
`table computer using a processor to monitor battery
`energy in such a manner as to allow the computer user
`to observe visual indications of particular charge or
`energy states of the battery.
`'
`Another object of the invention is to allow a portable
`computer user to obtain efficiently from the monitor
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`reasonably detailed information regarding the remain-
`ing life of the battery.
`Briefly, in accordance with the invention, a computer
`has a processor which monitors battery conditions and
`generates electrical signals for causing visual and audio
`indications of such conditions. Such processor also con-
`trols charging of the battery.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`apparent from the following description taken in con-
`nection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a battery operated com-
`puter embodying the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of the icon display shown in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the power dis-
`tribution system shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the PMP software interrupt
`handler operation;
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the A/M switch handler
`operation;
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the “wait on even ” opera-
`tion;
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the resume handler opera-
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the recovery-from—sleep
`operation;
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the suSpend operation;
`FIG. 10 is a chart showing a predetermined discharge
`table for NiCad batteries operated at 20 degrees centi-
`grade;
`FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of the chart of
`FIG. 19 and of further explanatory information;
`FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are graphs of discharge
`curves for NiCad batteries at different temperatures;
`and
`
`FIG. 13 is a generic discharge table at one tempera-
`ture showing a plurality of charge zones for identically
`rated batteries under different loads.
`FIG. 14 is a chart showing the algorithms for select-
`ing a predetermined discharge table and illuminating or
`highlighting the panels 137.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, a
`computer 10 selectively operates with power from a
`battery 11 or from an AC power source. Computer 10
`comprises a main processor 12 which is a high perfor-
`mance microprocessor such as an 80386SX micro-
`processor. Processor 12 is the main or primary proces-
`sor in computer 10 for executing application programs
`under the control of an Operating system such as IBM
`DOS or OS/2. Processor 12 is connected to a system
`bus 14 which in turn is connected to I/O devices such as
`a liquid crystal display (LCD) 20, a floppy disk drive
`(FDD) 16, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 18. Bus 14 is
`also connected to a dynamic random access memory
`(DRAM) 22, a read only memory (ROM) 24, and a
`battery backed, capacitive metal oxide semiconductor
`storage device referred to hereafter as CMOS 26. Such
`elements are conventional and are currently commer-
`cially available in portable computers such as laptop
`computers. Inasmuch as the invention is related to mea-
`suring, or controlling the battery power, only so much
`of the structure and operation of conventional elements
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_16
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_16
`
`

`

`5,345,392
`
`3
`as is necessary for an understanding of the invention
`will be described herein.
`
`FDD 16 has its own controller and turns off power
`consumption when the drive is not being accessed.
`Power to HDD 18 is controlled by the power manage-
`ment functions of the PMP 30 and allows the user to set
`the length of a time delay for turning off power to the
`HDD when it has not been accessed for the length of
`the delay. Power is restored upon any subsequent access
`to such disk. LCD 20 uses two power inputs to sepa-
`rately control blanking of the LCD screen and control
`backlighting of the screen to improve visibility. DRAM
`22 is the computer main memory and stores application
`and operating system programs for execution by main
`processor 12. ROM 24 stores the various interrupt han-
`dlers described in detail hereinafter. CMOS 26 stores
`information on user selections and control flags, as de-
`scribed in detail below.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`4
`battery energy is below a fully charged level, and con-
`tinues until the battery becomes fully charged. When
`the battery energy level is below the fully charged
`level, as determined or ascertained by PMP 30, PMP 30
`transmits a signal on line 51 to turn on a charger 50. The
`charger controls the rate at which the battery is
`charged. When the battery becomes fully charged, as
`determined or ascertained by PMP 30, PMP 30 then
`transmits a signal on line 51 to turn off charger 50.
`Desirably PMP 30 is programmed to transmit a signal
`on line 51 to turn off the charger 50 when any one of the
`following conditions is met:
`(I) the battery 11 becomes fully charged, or
`(II) the charger 50 has been operating ten continuous
`hours, or
`(III) the internal battery temperature has risen ten
`degrees centigrade since the start of battery charging,
`or
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Bus 14 is further connected to a power control regis-
`ter (PCR) 108, and a power management processor
`(PMP) 39. PMP 30 is preferably a Hitachi controller
`chip 330/H8 having its own RAM, ROM, 16-bit CPU,
`eight analog input pins, watchdog timer (WDT), and
`sixteen digital I/O pins for receiving and emitting vari-
`ous signals to and from the devices controlled and mon-
`itored by the PMP. PMP 30 is connected to a keyboard
`28 and monitors the operation of the keyboard in addi-
`tion to performing power management functions. When
`a key is actuated or pressed, PMP 30 monitors contact
`bounce and produces a key scan code when the contacts
`close and open, much in the same manner as has been
`done in prior art personal computers by microproces- '
`sors dedicated to monitoring keyboard functions. PMP
`30 includes a watchdog timer (WDT) 32 used as de-
`scribed hereinafter. PMP 30 scans the various lines on a
`time sliced, round robin basis, services those that re-
`quire it and quickly passes over those that don’t. PMP
`30 has four internal registers (not shown) shared be-
`tween it and MP 12 for commMcating therebetween.
`PMP 30 monitors or measures the ambient tempera-
`ture (AT), and the battery characteristics, namely, bat-
`tery voltage (V), current (I) and temperature (BT), and
`uses this information to control battery charging and
`power consumption and to ascertain battery charge or
`energy status. Such measurements are made using four
`operational amplifiers 38 -1—4 which are respectively
`connected to a thermistor 46, to a resistor 40 connected
`to battery 11, across resistor 40, and to a thermistor 42
`mounted in the casing of battery 11. In operation, the
`four amplifiers 38 -1-4 output four electrical signals
`which respectively represent the ambient temperature
`and the three battery characteristics. The amplifiers 38
`are each connected to a different analog input 34 of
`PMP 30. A line 44 is connected between PMP 30 and
`
`the amplifier 38-3 to allow a signal of predetermined
`value to be transmitted to such amplifier and calibrate
`measurements therefrom. PMP 30 is also connected to a
`humidity sensor 48 and a comparator 49 that produces a
`digital
`input
`indicating when the ambient humidity
`within computer 10 is above or below a preset value
`around 93% When the humidity is above such preset
`value, the computer 10 is prevented from powering up
`if it is turned off or from resuming if it is suspended.
`Further details of monitoring such environmental con-
`ditions are described and claimed in the above-men-
`tioned related application (2).
`Battery 11 is charged when the computer is powered
`by an ac power source. Such charging occurs when the
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`(IV) the battery temperature ET is below five de-
`grees centigrade or above 47 degrees centigrade, or
`(V) the ambient air temperature AT is below five
`degrees centigrade or above 45 degrees centigrade.
`The internal battery temperature (IBT) equals battery
`temperature minus ambient air temperature. In other
`words, IBT=BT—AT.
`An or gate 54 is used to reset the PMP 30 under three
`conditions: when the system voltage becomes “good”
`such as when a charged battery is installed, in response
`to a resume signal, and when the ac adaptor is attached.
`Such conditions are fed as signals V. GOOD, RE-
`SUME, AND AC ADAPTOR ATTACHED on lines
`58, 60, and 62. When the lid is closed, the system is
`suspended and most power is off. Since PMP 30 is used
`to control the charger, PMP 30 needs its own power to
`allow the battery to be recharged while the lid is closed.
`PMP 30 is thus reset when the ac adaptor is connected
`to a power source and to the computer. A line 62 indi-
`cates when the adaptor is attached.
`PMP 30 controls an icon display 52 which produces
`three icons 130, 136, 134 shown in FIG. 2. The icons are
`formed in a panel 129 mounted on the computer hous-
`ing in a place conspicuous to the user. A charging icon
`» 130 is highlighted when the battery 11 is being charged.
`This icon is in the form of an arrow pointing into the
`battery. A battery-shaped fuel icon 136 contains three
`panels 137. When the battery 11 has a full charge (Vfc),
`all three panels are highlighted. As power is consumed,
`the panels 137 are consecutively turned off to indicate §
`full (medium charge Vmc), § full (low charge Vlc).
`When the remaining battery energy is too low, (i.e., less
`than a low charge), the remaining highlighted panel is
`flashed for a short period (i.e., one minute) and then all
`of the panels are turned off indicating an empty battery.
`Alternatively, the PMP 30 can be programmed such
`that, when the remaining battery energy is too low, all
`three panels and the entire icon 136 is flashed indicating
`an empty battery. A suspend icon 134 has a standard
`shape for such function and is highlighted when the
`computer 10 is in a suspended mode. Such icon is
`flashed during resume operations and is shut off after
`the completion of resume when the system becomes
`active. In accordance with a preferred display scheme
`the predetermined discharge table selected is based on
`the following criteria:
`
`Table 1
`Table 2
`
`Battery temperature < 20
`20 <= Battery temperature < 30
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_17
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_17
`
`

`

`5
`-continued
`
`Table 3
`
`30 < = Battery temperature
`
`5,345,392
`
`The number of fuel indicator panels displayed is cal-
`culated as follows:
`
`3 panels
`2 panels
`1 panel
`3 panels blinking
`0 panels
`
`V > Vfc
`Vfc > V > = Vmc
`Vmc > V >= Vlc
`Vlc > V
`Vlc > V for 1 minute.
`Suspended.
`
`The system is in a Full Charged State when the volt-
`age is greater than or equal to Vfc in the temperature
`table for the given current load. Three fuel indicators or
`panels are displayed. The system is in a Medium
`Charged State when the voltage V is less than Vfc and
`greater than or equal to Vmc in the temperature table
`for the given current load. Two fuel indicators are dis-
`played. The system is in a Low Charged State when the
`voltage V is less than Vmc and greater than or equal to
`Vlc in the temperature table for the given current load.
`When the voltage V is less than Vlc, the system is in a
`fully discharged state.
`The PMP 30 controls the highlighting of the icons
`130, 134, 136 according to instructions and data which
`are stored in the ROM 24. For controlling the panels
`137, the PMP 30 suitably samples the electrical signals
`present on the outputs of the amplifiers 38-2, 3, 4. Such
`signals contain information related to the voltage V,
`current I and temperature BT characteristics of the
`battery 11. Dependent upon the battery temperature
`BT, the PMP 30 selects a particular discharge table
`from a plurality of discharge tables stored, for example,
`in the ROM 24. A preferred scheme for selecting a
`discharge table (e.g., table 2 of FIG. 10) is set forth in
`FIG. 14. Once the correct table is selected, the PMP 30
`uses the current signal I to determine the apprOpriate
`load curve and then uses the voltage signal V to deter-
`mine an intersection point with the appropriate load
`curve. At such intersection, the charge zone for the
`battery can then be ascertained. See FIG. 11. The
`curves of FIGS. 11, 12A—C, and 13 are obtained empiri-
`cally.
`PMP 30 outputs a LOW BATTERY signal on line 72
`when battery 11 becomes discharged and provides an
`alarm signal on line 118. Line 72 is connected to an or
`gate 76 which also receives a LID CLOSED signal on
`input line 74. An and gate 78 receives the output of or
`gate 76 along with a NOT DOCKED signal on line 80.
`Computer 10 can also be connected to a docking station
`(not shown) which is an expansion unit allowing AT
`cards to be attached to the system, and a NOT
`DOCKED signal is generated by gate 78 in response to
`the low battery signal when the computer 10 is not
`connected to the docking station. The output of gate 78
`is a SUSPEND signal that is fed by line 82 into a MUX
`96 and controls when the system is suspended. In sum-
`mary, the system is suspended when the system is not
`docked and either the lid is closed and/or the battery is
`discharged. Further details concerned with the docking
`station are contained in related application (3).
`MUX 96 has a plurality of inputs which are moni-
`tored or polled by the MUX for any active inputs. In
`response to detecting an active input on any line, MUX
`produces an interrupt request signal PMP INT on out-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6O
`
`65
`
`6
`put line 98 along with coded signals on line 99 repre-
`senting or identifying the particular input line having
`the active signal. Lines 98 and 99 are connected to a
`controller 100. Controller 100 is a Western Digital
`76C10, which includes timers 106 to control backlight-
`ing of LCD 20. Timers 106 are reset when keyboard or
`mouse activity occurs on display 20. The timers count
`up to a preset value which, when reached, shuts off the
`display while leaving the backlight on. Controller 100 is
`connected by lines 102 to processor 12 for interrupting
`the processor in accordance with its architecture and
`executing a power management interrupt handler in
`accordance with the particular type of interrupt. Con-
`troller also outputs a signal on line 104 for resetting the
`power control register when the power comes on after
`a resume operation.
`Line 64 is connected between PMP 30 and MUX 96
`
`and receives an active PMP SOFTWARE INT signal
`when the software executing in PMP 30 initiates an
`interrupt. This will happen under the watchdog time-
`out, beyond temperature, and low battery conditions
`described with reference to FIG. 4. A comparator 70 is
`connected to an input line 66 of MUX 96 and has an
`input line 68 receiving a signal indicating the system
`voltage. Such input is compared against a preset inter-
`nal value in comparator 70 and when the input is at the
`normal level of five volts, an V. GOOD signal is gener-
`ated to thereby initiate a power management interrupt.
`System voltage is the voltage at the output of the regu-
`lated converter 142 (FIG. 3). Such V. GOOD signal
`becomes active when battery 11 is replaced with a
`charged battery and when ac power is turned on.
`Another MUX input line 84 is connected to a latch 86
`that receives an input from the output of an or gate 87
`having three inputs 90, 92 and 94 for respectively re-
`ceiving a time of day alarm signal TOD ALARM, a
`LID OPENED signal, and a MODEM RING signal.
`The output of latch 86 is a RESUME signal for switch-
`ing the computer from the suspended mode to the ac-
`tive mode. This occurs when the lid is opened, when a
`modem (not shown) is ringing and when a certain time
`of day has been reached. These last two signals allow
`the computer to be operated even though the lid is
`closed giving the user the opportunity to receive
`modem signals, such as those connected with a FAX
`operation, or to accomplish a task at a certain time of
`day, e.g., emit an alarm signal like an alarm clock. An-
`other MUX input is connected to automatic/manual
`switch A/M 83 so that a power management interrupt is
`generated when the switch position is changed.
`Under battery power, computer 10 operates in two
`different modes, active and suspend. When active, pro-
`cessor 12 runs at a preselected speed dependent on the
`setting of switch 83 and the user selection of a manual
`speed. An application can also shut off power to the
`processor 12 by turning off its Vcc input, as described
`below. Processor 12 is connected to a clock speed con-
`trol 110, which is part of controller 100 and produces
`three predetermined clock rates of 5, 10 and 20 MHz.
`When the computer is nmning under battery power or
`ac power, the processor is run at a 20 MHz rate or at a
`rate preselected. When operating under battery power,
`processor 12 is run at 5, 10 or 20 MHz dependent on the
`setting of a switch 83 settable to a manual or an auto-
`matic position. When set to the manual position, proces-
`sor 12 operates at a rate preselected by the user. When
`the switch is set to the automatic position, processor 12
`is run in accordance with two options for energy man-
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_18
`
`Kyocera PX 1035_18
`
`

`

`5,345,392
`
`7
`agement one of which is preselected by the user, a “high
`performance” Option or a “long battery life” option.
`The processor speed is automatically managed in accor-
`dance with which option is selected. When in the active
`mode, the various devices including the keyboard, are
`monitored for activity and if there is no activity after a
`preset timeout period, the processor is switched to the
`“sleep” condition in which the processor is turned off
`via its Vcc input. Such condition is transparent to the
`user, and the display is not affected.
`An 01' gate 114 operates speaker 112 with tones from
`the tone generator 116 or line 118. Tones are changed
`when the system goes from a full to §, and § to g, and
`about 3 minutes before the system suspends. Different
`Tones are created when the system suspends and re-
`sumes, and for keyboard key clicking. Tone generator
`116 is controlled by processor 12 executing interrupt
`routines.
`
`The actual turning on and off of the power to individ-
`ual devices is controlled by the setting of PCR 108
`which is turn is controlled by processor 12 executing
`the interrupt handling routines. Processor 12 controls
`the settings of register 108 to provide output signals for
`controlling power to LCD blanking, mouse keyboard
`power, optional power, HDD power, backlight power,
`main processor, planar power, and RS232 drivers
`power. Register 108 also provides a signal for resetting
`latch 86 by reset line 85.
`Battery 11 is preferably a rechargeable nickel-cad-
`mium (NiCad) battery chosen because of the high watt
`hours per unit weight and watt hours per unit size ra-
`tios. Such technology has proven successful for the past
`several years, and provides to the user a relatively
`cheap, readily available replacement. As will be obvi-
`ous to those skilled in the art, some of the power man-
`agement techniques used herein are generic to both
`rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Other
`techniques are generic to rechargeable batteries. Others
`such as the particular algorithms to run the fuel gage
`and determine the battery energy or fuel level as a func-
`tion of BT, V and I, are limited to NiCad batteries. The
`difficulty with NiCAd batteries is that the relationship
`between the remaining energy is not linear with e.g.
`voltage. Also the charging control might be different
`for other types of batteries.
`Current battery operated computers sometimes have
`a low battery indicator which when activated provides
`the user with a signal that is rather indefinite as to how
`much time remains. In computer 10, the battery is pref-
`erably used until it becomes fully discharged where-
`upon operation is suspended. The user can then remove
`the discharged battery and replace it with a fully
`charged one or plug in the ac adaptor. Such operation
`has the added advantage of frilly discharging a battery
`to thereby avoid battery memory effects.
`Battery 11 is also connected to a power distribution
`system (PDS) 122, the details of which are generally
`shown in FIG. 3. Battery 11 is connected by line 146 to
`a regulated DC/DC converter 142 which converts the
`battery voltage, which varies in the range 12 to 9 volts,
`into a system voltage of 5 volts. System voltage is regu-
`lated within close tolerances, e.g., 2%. Line 150 is con-
`nected to the output of converter 142 and to a plurality
`of field effect transistors (FET) which supply the power
`to the various devices. The output lines of power con-
`trol register 108 are respectively connected to the con-
`trol inputs of the FETs so they are turned on and off
`dependent on the setting of the control register. As
`
`8
`illustrated in FIG. 2, line 150 is connected to FET 158
`and 160 whose output lines 166 and 168 supply power
`to, e.g., HDD 18 and LCD 20. As shown in FIG. 1, a
`power line 123 is connected to FET 120, and line 124 is
`connected between FET 120 and the output line for the
`MP POWER signal. The output of FET 120 is fed to
`the Vcc input of processor 12 and is used to turn the
`processor off when an application calls a BIOS wait
`loop.
`A standby battery 140 is connected by line 152 to a
`second DC/DC converter 144. Battery 140 supplies a
`lower voltage (3.3 volts) that is stepped up by converter
`144 to the system voltage level and is used to power
`DRAM 22 when the main battery has been removed for
`replacement. A charger 146 is connecte