Patent · US Expired

Sleep mode power management

US6586911B1 · kind B1 · utility

34Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 2002
Grant dateJul 1, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A power management circuit for a battery operated electrical device that may include a number of switching circuits. The switching circuits are coupled between the battery and a corresponding one of various electronic sub-circuits. A battery monitoring circuit is arranged to monitor a voltage associated with the battery. Each switching circuit selectively couples a corresponding one of the electronic sub-circuits to the battery based on the battery voltage. In another example, the monitor circuit and the switching circuit functions are provided within the corresponding electronic sub-circuit. Battery power is conserved by selectively disabling (i.e., placing them in a sleep mode) the various electronic sub-circuits based on the battery voltage. The power management circuit may be arranged to select between charger circuits that have distinct charging characteristics, as well as to enable/disable various analog and digital electronics in the battery operated electrical device depending upon the monitored battery condition.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.