Patent ID: 12193182

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a,” “an” and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first,” “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a schematic perspective view of a hot-swappable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.1, the hot-swappable electronic device can be, for example, a laptop, but is not limited thereto. The hot-swappable electronic device includes a first battery installation groove101, a second battery installation groove102, a first battery103, a second battery104, a first sensor105, a second sensor106, a first battery cover107, and a second battery cover108. The first sensor105and the second sensor106can be, for example, two Hall sensors. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first battery103is detachably installed in the first battery installation groove101, and the first sensor105is disposed in the first battery installation groove101. When the first battery103is installed in the first battery installation groove101, the first battery103is in contact with the first sensor105. The second battery104is detachably installed in the second battery installation groove102, and the second sensor106is disposed in the second battery installation groove102. When the second battery104is installed in the second battery installation groove102, the second battery104is in contact with the second sensor106. The first battery cover107is detachably assembled with the first battery installation groove101so as to cover the first battery103, and the second battery cover108is detachably assembled with the second battery installation groove102so as to cover the second battery104.

FIG.2is a functional block diagram of the hot-swappable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the hot-swappable electronic device further includes a controller109, a memory110, a power connection port111, a central processing unit112, a first backlight source113, a second backlight source114, and a state indicator115. The controller109can be, for example, an embedded controller, but is not limited thereto. The controller109includes a first pin P1, a second pin P2, a third pin P3and a fourth pin P4. A basic input output system BIOS is stored in the memory110, and the first pin P1of the controller109is electrically connected to the memory110. The second pin P2of the controller109is electrically connected to the power connection port111. The third pin P3of the controller109is electrically connected to the first sensor105, and the fourth pin P4of the controller109is electrically connected to the second sensor106. When the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove101, the first sensor105is triggered and sends a first trigger signal to the controller109. Similarly, when the second battery104leaves the second battery installation groove102, the second sensor106is triggered and sends a second trigger signal to the controller109.

The controller109further includes a fifth pin P5, a sixth pin P6, and a seventh pin P7. The controller109is electrically connected to the central processing unit112through a platform environment control interface (PECI) bus. The fifth pin P5of the controller109is electrically connected to the first backlight source113, and the first backlight source113can be, for example, disposed in a display panel PN of the hot-swappable electronic device. The sixth pin P6of the controller109is electrically connected to the second backlight source114, and the second backlight source114can be, for example, disposed in a keyboard KB of the hot-swappable electronic device. The seventh pin P7of the controller109is electrically connected to the state indicator115. Therefore, the controller109can control an operating frequency of the central processing unit112, a brightness of the first backlight source113, a brightness of the second backlight source114, and a brightness of the state indicator115.

The controller109determines whether or not the hot-swappable electronic device is in a power-on state according to parameters of the basic input output system BIOS. After the controller109confirms that the hot-swappable electronic device is in the power-on state, the controller109detects whether the power connection port111is connected to an alternating current (AC) power source. When the controller109confirms that the power connection port111is not connected to the AC power source, the controller109determines whether or not the first trigger signal from the first sensor105or the second trigger signal from the second sensor106is received. When the controller109confirms receipt of the first trigger signal from the first sensor105or the second trigger signal from the second sensor106, the controller109lowers a system power consumption of the hot-swappable electronic device. With regard to lowering of the system power consumption, the controller109can, for example, lower at least one of the operating frequency of the central processing unit (CPU)112, the brightness of the first backlight source113, the brightness of the second backlight source114, and the brightness of the state indicator115.

As for other embodiments of the hot-swappable electronic device of the present disclosure, the first sensor103is disposed between the first battery installation groove101and the first battery cover107, and the second sensor104is disposed between the second battery installation slot102and the second battery cover108. When the first sensor103detects that the first battery cover107is detached from the first battery installation slot101, the first sensor103sends the first trigger signal to the controller109. Similarly, when the second sensor104detects that the second battery cover108is detached from the second battery installation slot102, the second sensor104sends the second trigger signal to the controller109.

FIG.3is a flowchart of a method for preventing crash of the hot-swappable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In step S301, the controller109determines whether or not the hot-swappable electronic device is in the power-on state (as shown inFIG.3). Specifically, the controller109determines whether or not the hot-swappable electronic device is in the power-on state by reading the parameters of the basic input output system BIOS in the memory110.

When the controller109confirms that the hot-swappable electronic device is in the power-on state, step S301is followed by step S303. When the controller109confirms that the hot-swappable electronic device is not in the power-on state, step S301is executed again.

In step S303, the controller109detects whether or not the power connection port111of the hot-swappable electronic device is connected to an AC power source. When the controller109confirms that the power connection port111of the hot-swappable electronic device is not connected to an AC power source, step S303is followed by step S305. When the controller109confirms that the power connection port110of the hot-swappable electronic device is connected to an AC power source, step S303is followed by step S301.

In step S305, the first sensor105detects whether or not the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove101and the second sensor106detects whether or not the second battery104leaves the second battery installation groove102. When the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove101or the second battery104leaves the second battery installation groove102, step S305is followed by step S307. When the first battery103does not leave the first battery installation groove101and the second battery104does not leave the second battery installation groove102, step S305is followed by step S301. Specifically, when the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove101, the first sensor105sends the first trigger signal to the controller109. When the second battery104leaves the second battery installation groove102, the second sensor106sends the second trigger signal to the controller109. Therefore, when the controller109receives the first trigger signal or the second trigger signal, it means that one of the first battery103and the second battery104leaves the hot-swappable electronic device.

In step S307, the controller109lowers the system power consumption of the hot-swappable electronic device, step S307is followed by step S301. With regard to lowering of the system power consumption, the controller109can, for example, lower at least one of the operating frequency of the CPU112, a brightness of the display panel PN, the brightness of the key board KB, and the brightness of the state indicator115.

However, the aforementioned description for the hot-swappable electronic device of the first embodiment and the method for preventing crash of the hot-swappable electronic device of the first embodiment are merely examples, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Second Embodiment

FIG.4is a flowchart of a method for preventing crash of the hot-swappable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.4, in step S401, the controller109detects whether or not the power connection port111of the hot-swappable electronic device is connected to the AC power source. When the controller109confirms that the power connection port111of the hot-swappable electronic device is not connected to the AC power source, step S401is followed by the step S403. When the controller109confirms that the power connection port111of the hot-swappable electronic device is connected to the AC power source, step S403is followed by step S401.

In step S403, the controller109determines whether or not the hot-swappable electronic device is in the power-on state. When the controller109confirms that the hot-swappable electronic device is in the power-on state, step S403is followed by step S405. When the controller109confirms that the hot-swappable electronic device is not in the power-on state, step S403is followed by step S401.

In step S405, the first sensor105detects whether or not the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove101and the second sensor106detects whether or not the second battery104leaves the second battery installation groove102. When the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove103or the second battery104leaves the second battery installation groove102, step S405is followed by step S407. When the first battery103does not leave the first battery installation groove101and the second battery104does not leave the second battery installation groove102, step S405is followed by step S401. Specifically, when the first battery103leaves the first battery installation groove101, the first sensor105sends the first trigger signal to the controller109. When the second battery104leaves the second battery installation slot groove, the second sensor106sends the second trigger signal to the controller109. Therefore, when the controller109receives the first trigger signal or the second trigger signal, it means that one of the first battery103and the second battery104leaves from the hot-swappable electronic device.

In step S407, the controller109lowers the system power consumption of the hot-swappable electronic device, step S407is followed by step S401. With regard to lowering of the system power consumption, the controller109can, for example, lower at least one of the operating frequency of the CPU112, the brightness of the display panel PN, the brightness of the key board KB, and the brightness of the state indicator115.

However, the aforementioned description for the method for preventing crash of the hot-swappable electronic device of the second embodiment is merely an example, and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Beneficial Effects of the Embodiments

In conclusion, when a user removes the first battery or the second battery from the hot-swappable electronic device, the hot-swappable electronic device is still able to operate in a stable manner and does not suddenly crash. Accordingly, the user's operation of the hot-swappable electronic device will not be interrupted by the crash.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.