Software battery gauge for portable computers
US5691742A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/97
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for transparently executing in a graphical operating system environment a battery gauge utility that provides accurate battery status information adaptable to different users' needs. In a preferred embodiment, a software battery gauge of the present invention utilizes the primary display of a PC on which it is executing to present information on the exact current charge status of each of one or more batteries of the PC without relying on the presence of a Microsoft/Intel Advanced Power Management driver and compatible BIOS and without continually impinging on the APM or XBIOS interfaces to derive such status information. The battery gauge interfaces with a user through a user interface comprising an animated graphical status indicator and a textual status indicator, which display battery status information continuously such that changes therein can be immediately and conveniently perceived by a user. In addition, the battery gauge comprises a conventional windows system menu, which can be accessed by using the mouse or pointing device, for controlling the appearance of the user interface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.