Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

David S Lin

Michael E Schneider

Dean P Perkins

Alan E Brown

A battery pack for a computer system including static memory to maintain battery operating parameters and charge information, a real time clock (RTC) for measuring periods of non-use of the battery and a communication means to exchange the battery information with a microcontroller located in the computer system. The static memory, RTC and communication means is preferably in the form of a single RAM/RTC chip. The battery pack also includes circuitry to maintain power to the RAM/RTC from the battery if AC power is not available. The microcontroller detects the presence of the battery and retrieves the present time from the RTC, a timestamp indicating time or removal of the battery and other operating parameters and charge information from the battery pack, and controls the charging functions of the battery accordingly. The microcontroller also updates the charge information of the battery pack while performing other housekeeping functions of a DC-DC converter. The microcontroller further controls a switch located in the charge path of the battery to control fast charging. Trickle charge is simulated by pulsing the switch at a predetermined duty cycle and period. The microcontroller may be placed in standby to conserve energy, while also monitoring the standby switch to pull the computer system out of standby mode if the standby switch is pressed. This allows the keyboard controller 21 to be shut off during standby mode to conserve energy.

Pulse charge technique to trickle charge a rechargeable battery

A battery pack for a computer system including static memory to maintain battery operating parameters and charge information, a real time clock (RTC) for measuring periods of non-use of the battery and a communication circuit to exchange the battery information with a microcontroller located in the computer system. The static memory, RTC and communication circuit is preferably in the form of a single RAM/RTC chip. The battery pack also includes circuitry to maintain power to the RAM/RTC from the battery if AC power is not available. The microcontroller detects the presence of the battery and retrieves the present time from the RTC, a timestamp indicating time or removal of the battery and other operating parameters and charge information from the battery pack, and controls the charging functions of the battery accordingly. The microcontroller also updates the charge information of the battery pack while performing other housekeeping functions of a DC--DC converter. The microcontroller further controls a switch located in the charge path of the battery to control fast charging. Trickle charge is simulated by pulsing the switch at a predetermined duty cycle and period. The microcontroller may be placed in standby to conserve energy, while also monitoring the standby switch to pull the computer system out of standby mode if the standby switch is pressed. This allows the keyboard controller to be shut off during standby mode to conserve energy.

Battery pack including static memory and a timer for charge management

A power supply monitoring and control circuit using a microcontroller to remotely monitor and control the functions and conditions of a power supply. The power supply monitoring and control circuit is coupled to the primary and secondary sides of a power supply to monitor important voltage and current signals of the power supply, such as the output voltages and currents, and to control the various parameters of the power supply such as the output voltage and current limits. Analog to digital interface circuitry is provided to convert the power supply voltage and current signals to digital signals which are retrieved by a microcontroller which converts the digital signals to numbers representing the values of the power supply signals, and then stores the numbers. The microcontroller is also interfaced to reference and feedback signals of the power supply to control the power supply's operation. The microcontroller further keeps track of the total elapsed time of operation and the total number of times the power supply has been powered up. The power supply monitoring and control circuit operates as a slave to a host computer system so that a system operator can retrieve all of the monitored information and can control the operation of power supply. The host computer system communicates with the power supply monitoring and control circuit through a serial link, so that the host computer can be remotely located. The present invention also provides self-calibration to assure accurate data.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

David S Lin