Power Supply Controller Forced Shutdown for Integrated Battery Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computers with non-removable integrated batteries cannot be forcibly terminated by removing the AC adaptor and battery, posing a challenge for resolving unexpected malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power management controller, power supply circuit, and specific switches that allow for a forced termination process by simultaneously pressing and holding the power supply switch and another switch, which resets the power management controller and embedded controller, enabling initialization and shutdown without battery removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery is integrated into the computer body for a compact design, then the portability and design integration are improved, but the ability to forcibly terminate the system by removing the battery is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power supply controller as an intermediary component that mediates between the power supply switch, second switch, and power management controller. This controller enables forced termination functionality without requiring battery removal by controlling the power management controller through reset signals, thus resolving the contradiction between integrated battery design and forced termination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically removing the battery to terminate the system with an electrical control approach. By using switch combinations that generate reset signals to the power management controller, the system achieves forced termination through electrical means rather than mechanical battery removal
2Reliability
If multiple switches are added to enable forced termination, then the system recovery capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply controller performs multiple functions: it controls the power supply circuit in response to power management controller requests, detects combinations of the power supply switch and second switch, generates reset signals for forced termination, and prevents accidental activation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
3Ease of operation
If the power supply controller is coupled to multiple switches for forced termination, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple switches into a single power supply controller that handles both the power supply switch and second switch. This consolidation allows the controller to detect specific combinations of these switches and initiate forced termination, simplifying the user interface while managing the complexity internally through integrated control logic
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus, includes a power management controller configured to perform power management of the apparatus, a power supply circuit configured to supply an operational power to components of the apparatus using power supplied from a rechargeable battery, and a power supply controller configured to control the circuit in response to a request from the power management controller. The power supply controller is coupled to two or more switches, and is configured to cause the power management controller to execute an initialization process in response to a first operation of the two or more switches.