Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 1 of 17 PageID #: 17867
`Case 5:19-cv-00036—RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 1 of 17 PageID #: 17867
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`EXHIBIT B
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`EXHIBIT B
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`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 2 of 17 PageID #: 17868
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Oeda et al.
`
`USOO6329794B1
`US 6,329,794 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Dec. 11, 2001
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND
`METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER
`CONSUMPTION THEREOF
`
`(75) Inventors: Shigeto Oeda, Fujisawa; Naoki Mori;
`Hiromichi Ito, both of Yokohama, all
`of (JP)
`(73) Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/657,151
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 7, 2000
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 22, 2000 (JP) ................................................. 12-154358
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................................................ H02. 7700
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................
`... 320/132; 320/130
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 320/132, 134,
`320/139, 130; 324/426, 428
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,969,529 * 10/1999 Eiraku et al. ........................ 324/433
`
`4/2000 Hwang ................................. 320/134
`6,049,210 *
`8/2000 Ryu ...................................... 320/132
`6,100,666 *
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Research File No. 5, ACPI, POS/V Magazine (1999), 7.15,
`p. 210.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Peter S. Wong
`ASSistant Examiner-Lawrence Luk
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McDermott, Will & Emery
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A power Supply Section includes a capacity detector capable
`of detecting the remaining capacity in a battery and a
`controller issuing power consumption reduction instructions
`to independently operable function devices based on usage
`priorities thereof. This allows power consumption opera
`tions to be performed Such as Stopping function devices with
`low priorities first based on the remaining battery capacity.
`AS a result, power to function devices with higher priorities
`can be maintained. Based on the remaining battery capacity,
`the controller controls the operations of the function devices
`and uses a display to show information allowing the operator
`to identify operable and inoperable function devices as the
`battery capacity drops.
`
`14 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Function Setting Control
`
`106
`
`Power Supply Circuitry
`1 O2
`
`101
`
`Capacity
`Detector
`
`Controller
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POWer Stabilizer?
`Charging Controller
`
`Changeover
`Controller A
`
`External
`POWer
`Supply
`
`109
`
`I.
`
`Changeover
`
`Controller B |
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 3 of 17 PageID #: 17869
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.1
`
`Function Setting Control
`
`106
`
`Power Supply Circuitry
`102
`
`101
`
`Capacity
`Detector
`
`Controller
`
`
`
`Power Stabilizerd
`Charging Controller
`
`Changeover L.Changeover
`Controller A
`Controller B |
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`External
`POWer
`Supply
`
`109
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 4 of 17 PageID #: 17870
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.2
`
`107
`
`External
`Power Supply
`
`information Processing Device
`106
`
`Function
`Setting Control
`
`Power Supply
`
`1100
`
`111
`
`Interface Controller
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`203
`
`204
`
`Input Device
`
`Output Device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 5 of 17 PageID #: 17871
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.3
`
`
`
`Information Processing Device
`/N 105
`
`Function
`Setting Control
`
`Power Supply Circuitry
`
`interface Controller
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`Common
`Function
`Device
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`203
`
`204
`
`input Device
`
`Output Device
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 6 of 17 PageID #: 17872
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.4
`
`
`
`401
`
`402
`
`
`
`
`
`402
`
`Get remaining
`battery capacity
`
`At or less than
`reference capacity 1
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`At or less than
`reference capacity 2
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Make notification that
`reference capacity 1
`has been reached
`
`403
`
`Make notification that
`reference capacity 2
`has been reached
`
`405
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 7 of 17 PageID #: 17873
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.5
`
`N
`
`N
`
`Changeover
`Controller A
`enabled ?
`Y
`
`N
`
`Reference capacity 1
`notification ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Permission to Cut
`off power supply to
`function device 1 ?
`
`501
`
`5O2
`
`Y
`
`504
`
`
`
`Function device 1
`power Supply Cutoff
`Warning
`
`503
`
`Cut off power to
`changeover controller B
`
`505
`
`
`
`Reference capacity 2
`notification ?
`
`N
`
`Permission to cut
`off power supply to
`function device 22
`N
`
`Function device 2
`power supply cutoff
`Warning
`
`5O7
`
`506
`
`Y
`
`
`
`508
`Y
`
`
`
`Cut off power to
`changeover controller A
`
`509
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 8 of 17 PageID #: 17874
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.6
`
`Function Setting Control
`
`Power Supply Circuitry
`102
`
`Capacity
`Detector
`
`Controller
`
`Power Stabilizer/
`Charging Controller
`
`External
`Power
`Supply
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 9 of 17 PageID #: 17875
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.7
`
`N
`
`N
`
`Changeover
`Controller B
`enabled ?
`
`701
`
`Reduction of function
`device 1 power consumption
`completed ?
`
`Y
`
`705
`Reference capacity 2 YY
`notification ?
`
`
`
`N
`
`
`
`
`
`Reduction of function
`device 2 power consumption
`completed ?
`
`707
`
`Function device 1
`power Supply Cutoff
`warning
`
`703
`
`Function device 2
`power supply Cutoff
`warning
`
`7O6
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 10 of 17 PageID #: 17876
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.8
`
`Function Device
`
`Priority
`
`Device 1
`
`Device 2
`
`LOW
`
`High
`
`FG.9
`
`
`
`Remain of
`Battery Capacity
`Designated
`Remain Capacity 1
`Designated
`Remain Capacity 2
`
`Instruction
`Subject
`
`Device 1
`
`Device 2
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 11 of 17 PageID #: 17877
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.10
`
`Function Setting Control
`
`106
`
`1101
`
`Notification
`Device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Power Supply Circuitry
`102
`
`Capacity
`Detector
`
`Power Stabilizer/
`Charging Controller
`
`Controller
`
`Changeover L.Changeover
`
`I.
`Controller A e |
`
`
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 12 of 17 PageID #: 17878
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 11, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`FIG.11
`
`Function Setting Control
`
`106
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Power Supply Circuitry
`102
`
`
`
`Capacity
`Detector
`
`Power Stabilizer?
`Charging Controller
`
`101
`
`1202
`
`Controller
`
`Changeover
`
`Changeover
`
`N l
`Controller A e |
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Function
`Device 1
`
`Function
`Device 2
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 13 of 17 PageID #: 17879
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`1
`INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND
`METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER
`CONSUMPTION THEREOF
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to an information
`processing device in which a plurality of independent func
`tion devices is driven by a common power Supply. More
`Specifically, the present invention relates to a battery
`operable information processing device and a method for
`controlling power consumption for the Same.
`Conventionally, power consumption control in battery
`operable information processing devices Such as notebook
`computers is performed using methods Such as: (a) increas
`ing efficiency of the power Supply Section or the battery; (b)
`reducing the power consumption of devices Serving as
`function devices; (c) stopping or restricting operations of
`functions when they are not used. An extension of these
`methods involves keeping power cut off from functions Such
`as modem functions in notebook computers that are used
`only under Specific conditions.
`In these conventional technologies, power conservation in
`the information processing devices is performed with the
`goal of providing the power required for operation of
`individual functions to the extent possible. In the conven
`tional technologies described above, power is Supplied
`equally to multiple function devices sharing a single power
`Supply. Thus, no consideration is given to cases where there
`are different priorities in the multiple independently oper
`able functions. For example, in an information processing
`device with an audio communication function (function
`device A) and a videophone function (function device B)
`Sharing a power Supply, the function device A would gen
`erally have a higher priority. However, with the power
`Saving control System of the conventional technology, the
`continued use of the function device B will eventually
`reduce the battery capacity in the power Supply to the point
`where the function device A will be inoperable. To prevent
`this, the user needs to explicitly Stop using the function
`device B. In this example, the basis for priority is the
`function that needs to be used when a drop in battery
`capacity means only one of the functions can be used. In
`practice, priority levels are determined based on the power
`consumed by individual functions and the Situation of indi
`vidual users.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The object of the present invention is to provide an
`information processing device that can maintain power in a
`prioritized manner to independent function devices with
`higher usage priorities. Another object of the present inven
`tion is to provide a method for controlling power consump
`tion of an information processing device.
`In the present invention, a power Supply circuitry includes
`a capacity detector detecting a remaining capacity of a
`battery and a controller issuing power consumption reduc
`tion instructions to independently operable function devices
`based on their priority levels. As a result, power consump
`tion reduction operations are possible Such as Stopping
`function devices with low priorities first based on the
`remaining capacity in the battery. This allows power to be
`maintained for function devices with high priorities. In the
`example with the phone described previously, the function
`device A can continue to be used by Stopping the function
`device B first. Thus, more convenience is provided when the
`battery capacity is low.
`
`15
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`25
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`2
`Also, in the present invention, a control circuit controls
`the operations of function devices based on the remaining
`battery capacity. Displaying means is provided So that as the
`remaining battery capacity drops, the operable function
`devices and inoperable function devices can be identified.
`AS a result, the user can easily know which functions are
`operable at a given time.
`Also, in the present invention, the function device B is
`Stopped automatically when the battery capacity reaches a
`reference value. Thus, there is no burden placed on the user.
`Furthermore, if there is adequate battery capacity, the user is
`ensured selective use of both the function device A and the
`function device B, which provide the standard functions of
`the information processing device. Compared to the con
`ventional technology described above, where the user
`explicitly stops using the function device B, ease of use is
`improved. Also, problems Such as forgetting to make Set
`tings to prohibit use of the function device B, as is possible
`in the conventional technology, can be eliminated, thus
`improving reliability.
`In an information processing device powered by a battery,
`which is a finite power Source, the present invention allows
`priority levels to be set for individual functions in the
`information processing device. Thus, battery time can be
`maintained in a prioritized manner for the function devices
`with higher priorities. This improves reliability.
`Also, as the remaining battery capacity drops, information
`is displayed to allow identification of operable function
`devices and inoperable function devices. Thus, the user can
`easily know which functions are operable at a given
`moment.
`Furthermore, the present invention can provide priority
`based power consumption control even if multiple functions
`share a function device. This allows greater ease of use.
`Also, needed common function devices can be kept operable
`while the function devices with low priorities can be limited
`first. This provides improved reliability.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`These and other features, objects and advantages of the
`present invention will become more apparent from the
`following description when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the architecture of a power
`Supply Section of an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the architecture of an
`information processing device equipped with a power Sup
`ply Section according to an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the architecture of an
`information processing device equipped with a power Sup
`ply Section according to another embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by
`a capacity detector of a power Supply Section according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by
`a controller in a power Supply Section according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the architecture of an
`information processing device equipped with a power Sup
`ply Section according to another embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by
`a controller in a power Supply Section according to another
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 14 of 17 PageID #: 17880
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the structure of a priority
`table Storing priority levels for function devices according to
`an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a function association table indicating the
`relationship between remaining capacities and function
`devices to which power consumption reduction notifications
`are to be sent according to an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the architecture of an
`information processing device equipped with a power Sup
`ply Section according to another embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the architecture of an
`information processing device equipped with a power Sup
`ply Section according to another embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`The following is a description of an embodiment of the
`present invention, with references to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4,
`FIG. 5, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. In FIG. 1, a power supply section
`101 Supplies power to the various functions in an informa
`tion processing device. The power Supply Section 101
`includes: a battery 102 Such as a primary battery or a
`Secondary battery; a power Stabilizer/charging controller
`103 stabilizing power supplied by the battery and, if the
`battery 102 is a Secondary battery, controlling charging; a
`changeover controller A104 capable of Switching between
`activation and stopping of power to a function device 1 and
`a function device 2; a changeover controller B105 capable
`of Switching between activation and stopping of power to
`the function device 1; a capacity detector 107 detecting the
`remaining capacity of the battery; and a controller 108
`controlling the changeover controllers A, B and Sending
`power consumption reduction instructions to the function
`devices 1, 2. The power supply section 101 is connected to:
`a function Setting controller 106 capable of Selecting and
`Setting up operations of the capacity detector 107, the
`controller 108, and the like; an external power supply 109
`Such as an AC adapter; and a function device 1 110 and a
`function device 2 111 implementing functions of the infor
`mation processing device.
`The following is a description of the operations performed
`by the power Supply Section of this embodiment. Usage
`priorities are set up for the function devices capable of
`operating independently. The usage priorities are set up
`using the function setting controller 106 when the informa
`tion processing device is initialized or when a user wants to
`change Settings. In practice, the function Setting controller
`can, for example, be equipped with a Settings Switch to allow
`usage priorities to be set for individual function devices. The
`usage priorities that have been set up are Stored in a Storage
`circuit in the controller 108. FIG. 8 shows an example of a
`usage priority Settings table.
`In FIG. 8, a column 801 contains each of the function
`devices in the information processing device, and a column
`802 contains the usage priorities for each of these function
`devices. The controller 108 uses these usage priorities as a
`reference to generate a function association table defining
`that indicates which function device should receive a power
`consumption reduction instruction when the battery 102 has
`a certain remaining capacity. FIG. 9 shows an example of
`this function association table. In FIG. 9, a column 901
`contains values for reference battery capacities at which
`power consumption reduction instructions are to be issued,
`
`4
`and a column 902 contains the devices to which power
`consumption reduction instructions are to be issued for these
`capacities. ASSuming reference capacity 1>reference capac
`ity 2, a power consumption reduction instruction will be
`issued to the function device 1 when the reference capacity
`1 is reached since the priority table shown in FIG. 8 indicates
`that the function device 1 has a lower priority. Also, Since the
`function device 2 has a higher priority, it will receive a
`power consumption reduction instruction when the capacity
`2 is reached. The controller 108 generates the function
`asSociation table based on the priority table by performing
`the operations described above.
`The embodiment described below will indicate a control
`method in which there are two function devices, two priority
`Settings, and two reference capacities. However, the same
`operations can be applied to arrangements with N function
`devices and M priority Settings and reference capacities.
`The following is a description of the operations performed
`for the different functions of the power supply section. The
`priority table and the function association table shown in
`FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 will be used. FIG. 4 shows the operations
`performed by the capacity detector 107. The capacity detec
`tor 107 periodically performs the operations in FIG. 4.
`In FIG. 4, the remaining capacity of the battery 102 is
`retrieved at operation 401. At operation 402, this is com
`pared to the reference capacity 1 in the column 901 of the
`function association table. If the remaining capacity of the
`battery is at or less than the reference capacity 1, operation
`403 notifies the controller 108 that the remaining capacity of
`the battery is at or less than the reference capacity 1.
`Similarly, the operations 404, 405 determine whether the
`remaining capacity in the battery is at or below the reference
`capacity 2 and notifies the controller 108 if it is at or below
`the reference capacity 2.
`FIG. 5 shows the operations performed by the controller
`108. The controller 108 performs the operations in FIG. 5
`periodically. In FIG. 5, operation 501 checks the enabled/
`disabled Setting for the changeover controller B, contained
`in the storage circuit of the controller. The enabled/disabled
`Setting (not shown in the figures) for the changeover con
`troller B can be set and changed by a user using the function
`Setting controller 106, as in the usage frequency table. By
`Setting up the enabled/disabled Setting for the changeover
`controller B, the user can enable or disable priority-based
`power consumption control. If the Setting is enabled, opera
`tion 502 checks whether there has been a notification from
`the capacity detector circuit 107 that the reference capacity
`1 has been detected. If a notification was received, the
`function association table in FIG. 9 is searched, and a power
`consumption reduction instruction is Sent to the correspond
`ing function device 1. In this embodiment, a power con
`Sumption reduction instruction is assumed to mean cutoff
`from the power Supply. Thus, in the following description
`the power consumption reduction instruction will be referred
`to as a power Supply cutoff warning.
`The function device 1 receives the power supply cutoff
`warning from the controller 108 and puts the function device
`1 in a state where a cutoff from the power Supply will not
`lead to problems. After this is done, the function device 1
`sends the controller 108 a power consumption reduction
`completion notification. In the following description of this
`embodiment, a power Supply cutoff permission notification
`will Serve as the power consumption reduction completion
`notification. The controller 108 checks for a power supply
`cutoff permission notification from the function device 1
`(110) at operation 504. Once this notification is issued, the
`
`15
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`25
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`35
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`40
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`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 15 of 17 PageID #: 17881
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`S
`changeover controller B (105) cuts off power at operation
`505. Next, at operation 506, the controller 108 checks for
`notification regarding reference capacity 2. If a notification
`is received from the capacity detector 107, operations simi
`lar to those described above are performed to cut off power
`5
`to the function device 2 using the changeover controller A
`(104). In standard operations, the controller 108 performs
`the operations shown in FIG. 5 are executed periodically.
`When the remaining capacity in the battery is detected to be
`at reference capacity 1 or lower, operation 501 through
`operation 505 are executed to cut off the power to the
`function device 1. When subsequently the battery capacity
`drops further due to use of the function device 2 or the like,
`operation 506 through operation 509 are performed when
`the capacity reaches reference capacity 2 or below. This cuts
`off the power to the function device 2.
`With the operations performed in the power Supply Sec
`tion of this embodiment as described above, power to
`individual function devices can be cut off according to the
`remaining capacity in the battery based on priority levels for
`the function devices 1, 2 as Set up by the user.
`More specifically, when battery capacity 1 is reached,
`power to the function device 1 is first cut off. Then, when
`battery capacity 2 is reached, the power to the function
`device 2 is cut off. Thus, compared to conventional power
`Supply Sections that Simultaneously cut off power to the
`function devices 1, 2, the function device 2 having a higher
`priority can be operated for a longer period.
`In this embodiment, priority levels are Set up by the user.
`However, it would also be possible to have default settings
`in the System and to have the user make priority Settings only
`if the user requests a change in Settings. Furthermore, it
`would also be possible to have a system where the priority
`levels are defined beforehand so that the user does not make
`Settings.
`Also, in this embodiment, the battery capacities in the
`function association table from FIG. 9 are defined by the
`system. However, it would also be possible to have these
`battery capacities Set up by the user using the function
`setting controller 106.
`The following is a description, with references to FIG. 2,
`of an information processing device that uses the power
`Supply Section of this embodiment as described above.
`In FIG. 2, an information processing device 201 Such as
`a personal computer, a home appliance, or a wireleSS infor
`mation device includes an interface controller 202, an input
`device 203 Such as a keyboard or panel, and an output device
`204 Such as a display or Speaker. If the remaining capacity
`in the battery is at or above reference capacity 1, both the
`function device 1 and the function device 2 can be used. AS
`the remaining capacity in the battery is reduced due to use
`of the function device 1 or the function device 2 or the like
`and drops to reference capacity 1, the power Supply Section
`101 will, as described above, target the function device 1 for
`power Supply cutoff. After the function device 1 is stopped,
`power is cut off. Thus, the function device 1, which was set
`up by the user to have a lower priority Setting, is stopped first
`when the battery capacity drops. Since the cutoff of power
`to the function device 1 provides more power capacity for
`use by the function device 2, the function device 2 will be
`uSable even after the function device 1 is stopped. Finally, as
`the remaining capacity in the battery drops further due to the
`operations of the function device 2 or the like, power to the
`function device 2 will be cut off when the reference capacity
`2 is reached.
`With this embodiment, a battery-operated information
`processing device can have usage priorities assigned based
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`6
`on different functions in the information processing device.
`Thus, more battery time can be provided for function
`devices having higher priorities, and the device is made
`more convenient.
`The following is a description, with references to FIG. 3,
`of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3
`shows the architecture of an information processing device
`equipped with a power Supply Section according to this
`embodiment. In FIG. 3, an information processing device
`301 includes a common function device 302 needed by both
`the function device 1 (110) and the function device 2 (111).
`The power supply section 101 in this embodiment operates
`in a Similar manner as the power Supply Section from the
`previous embodiment. Examples of a common function
`device 302 include CPU and memory. The devices specific
`to the functions 1, 2 are provided through the function
`devices 1, 2, and control of these are provided through the
`common CPU and memory.
`When the remaining capacity of the battery 102 reaches
`reference capacity 1 or lower, the controller 108 of the
`power Supply Section 101 issues a power Supply cutoff
`warning to the function device 1 (110). The function device
`1 performs operations associated with the power Supply
`cutoff warning Such as Stopping operations and then Sends a
`power Supply cutoff permission notification to the controller
`108. At this point, the common function device 302 contin
`ues to operate normally. Next, when the remaining capacity
`of the battery 102 reaches reference capacity 2 or lower, the
`controller 108 sends power Supply cutoff warnings to the
`function device 2 (111) and the common function device
`302. The function device 2 and the common function device
`302 each Stop operations in response to the power Supply
`cutoff warning and finally sends power Supply cutoff per
`mission notifications to the controller 108. At this point,
`power to the function device 2 and the common function
`device 302 are cut off.
`With the embodiment described above, priority-based
`power consumption control is possible when multiple func
`tions share a common function device. This provides greater
`convenience in use. Also, power to function devices with
`lower priorities can be cut off while leaving the necessary
`common function device operating, thus improving reliabil
`ity. Next, another embodiment of the present invention will
`be described, with references to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. This
`embodiment shows the operations of the power Supply
`Section according to the present invention in an information
`processing device that Switches to power-saving operation
`using only the function devices.
`In FIG. 6, a power supply section 601 includes a control
`ler 602 that sends power consumption reduction instructions
`to the function devices. Using the priority table and the
`function association table, the controller 602 controls power
`based on priority as in the previous embodiment.
`The following is a description of the operations performed
`by the controller 602, with references to FIG. 7. The
`controller 602 periodically executes the operations in FIG. 7.
`In FIG. 7, operation 701 checks the enabled/disabled setting
`for the changeover controller B in the Storage circuit in the
`controller. While not indicated in the figures, the enabled/
`disabled Setting can be set up and changed by the user using
`the function Setting controller 106, as in the usage frequency
`table.
`This enabled/disabled setting for the changeover control
`ler B allows the user to enable or disable priority-based
`power consumption control. If the Setting is enabled, the
`controller 602 checks to see if a detection notification from
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`Case 5:19-cv-00036-RWS Document 379-3 Filed 07/02/20 Page 16 of 17 PageID #: 17882
`
`US 6,329,794 B1
`
`8
`a function device 1201 can operate independently and can
`Send an operation request Signal 1202 from the function
`device 110 to a controller 1203. In addition to controlling the
`power consumption of the function devices 110, 111 as
`described above, the controller 1203 is also able to change
`the connection/disconnection State of the changeover con
`troller 105 based on operation requests in the operation
`request Signal 1202.
`When the battery capacity has dropped to or below the
`reference capacity 1 so that the function device 110 is
`Stopped and only the function device 1201 is operating, if a
`Specific operation of the function device 1202 requires a
`function of the function device 110, the function device 1201
`Sends a request to resume the operation of the function
`device 110 to the controller 1203 via the operation request
`signal 1202. The controller 1203 receives this and puts the
`changeover controller 105 in the connected State and, if
`necessary, notifies the function device 1 of the resumption of
`operations.
`In this embodiment as described above, the function
`device 110 can be put in a power-Saving State depending on
`the remaining battery capacity even if at least Some of the
`functions of the function device 1201 assume the operation
`of the function device 110. This improves the effectiveness
`of the power-saving control operations. Furthermore, when
`the function device 110 becomes necessary, the function
`device 1201 can request that operation of the function device
`110 be resumed, thus improving ease of use.
`We claim:
`1. An information processing device comprising:
`at least two function devices equipped with independent
`functions, and
`a power Supply circuit for Supplying power to each of Said
`function devices, Said power Supply circuit including a
`battery, a capacity detector for detecting a remaining
`capacity of Said battery, and a controller for controlling
`operation of Said function devices based on Said
`remaining capacity,
`wherein when Said capacity detector detects remaining
`battery capacities NA and NB (where NA>NB), said
`controller Sends a power consumption reduction
`instruction to each function device included in a Set GA
`if NA is detected, each function device of the set GA
`having a lower usage priority, and to each function
`device of a set GB if NB is detected, each function
`device of set GB is not included in said set GA.
`2. An information processing device according to claim 1,
`wherein at least one of Said power consumption reduction
`instructions is an instruction to Stop a corresponding fun