TW201437796A - Portable computer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable computer apparatus includes a casing, a computer body disposed in the casing, a connecting port disposed on the casing and having a power pin and a ground pin, and a switch device disposed on the casing. The switch device includes a switch button and a switch body having a power end coupled to the power pin and a ground end coupled to the ground pin. The switch button is coupled to the computer body and movably disposed on the switch body. When the switch button switches to the power end, the switch button electrically conducts the computer body with the power end to establish power transmission between the computer body and the connecting port. When the switch button switches to the ground end, the switch button electrically conducts the computer body with the ground end to stop power transmission between the computer body and the connecting port.

Description

Portable computer equipment

The invention relates to a portable computer device, in particular to a portable computer device for controlling power transmission between a computer main body and a connection port by using a switch key.

In general, portable computer devices (such as notebook computers) are usually equipped with a port, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, for the user to perform, for example, using a universal serial bus. The connection port is used to install or charge the plug-and-play device (such as a mouse, a flash drive, etc.), in the process, the portable computer device will provide the necessary power to the plug-in via the above connection port. The ready-to-use device, for example, provides charging power to charge the plug-and-play device.

However, in the case where the portable computer device is turned off, since the plug-and-play device still receives the power of the portable computer device via the connection port, the power waste is often caused, and at this time, even if it is The portable computer device is connected to an AC power cord or a DC battery. The plug-and-play device continuously consumes the power of the built-in battery of the portable computer device (such as the built-in battery on the motherboard).

Although the above problems can be solved by unplugging the plug-and-play device from the port or by using the operating system of the portable computer device to close the port, the above method will also bring about too many plugging and unplugging effects. The service life of the plug-and-play device or the inconvenience caused by the user in the operation of the port.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a portable computer device for controlling power transmission between a computer main body and a connection port by using a switch key to solve the above problems.

The patent application scope of the present invention discloses a portable computer device comprising a casing, a computer body, a port, and a power switch device. The computer body is disposed within the housing. The connector is disposed on the housing and has a power pin and a ground pin. The power switch device is disposed on the housing, and the power switch device includes a switch body and a switch button. The switch body has a power supply end and a grounding end. The power supply end is coupled to the power pin, and the ground end is coupled to the ground pin. The switch key is coupled to the computer body and movably disposed on the switch body to selectively switch to a position corresponding to the power supply end or the ground end portion, when the switch key is switched to correspond to the power supply end portion In position, the switch key turns on the computer body and the power end to establish power transmission between the computer body and the port, and when the switch key is switched to a position corresponding to the ground end, the switch key turns on the switch The computer body and the grounding end interrupt the power transmission between the computer body and the port.

The patent application scope of the present invention further discloses that the connection system is a universal serial bus connection port, and when the switching key establishes power transmission between the computer main body and the connection port, the power provided by the computer main body can be The port is transmitted to an electronic device that is plugged into the port.

According to the patent application of the present invention, the switching button is a toggle button that is slidably disposed on the switch body to selectively slide to a position corresponding to the power supply end or the ground end.

The scope of the invention further discloses that the switching button is a knob rotatably disposed on the switch body for selectively rotating to a position corresponding to the power supply end or the ground end.

The portable computer device further includes a judgment control unit coupled to the computer body and the power switch device for determining that the computer body is not coupled to an AC power source or has been When the power is turned on, the switch is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the ground end.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the judgment control unit is constructed by at least one of a software body, a hardware body and a firmware body.

The scope of the invention further discloses that the determining control unit is further configured to control the computer body to be coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source and determine that the electronic device needs to receive power transmitted from the computer body, and control the The toggle button switches to the position corresponding to the power supply end.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the determining control unit is further configured to control when the computer body is coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source and determine that the electronic device does not need to receive power transmitted from the computer body. The switch key is switched to the position corresponding to the ground end.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the connection port is a network interface and has a network status indicator. When the switch key establishes power transmission between the computer main body and the port, the network status The indicator light receives the power provided by the main body of the computer and emits light.

The portable computer device further includes a judgment control unit coupled to the computer body and the power switch device for determining that the computer body is not coupled to an AC power source. Control the switch to switch to the position corresponding to the ground end.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the determining control unit is further configured to determine that the computer body is coupled to an AC power source and determines that the network status indicator needs to receive power transmitted from the computer body to emit light, and control The switch key is switched to the position corresponding to the power supply end.

The invention further discloses that the determining control unit is further configured to control the computer body to be coupled to an AC power source and determine that the network status indicator does not need to receive power transmitted from the computer body, and control the The toggle button switches to the position corresponding to the ground terminal.

In summary, the present invention uses a switching key to switch to a position corresponding to the power supply end or the ground end to establish or interrupt the power transmission between the computer main body and the connection port, so that the portable computer device can pass the switching key. Control whether the connection is powered or not. In this way, the present invention can be coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source while the portable computer device is not coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source through a simple button switching design.埠 When the power transmission is not required, the power transmission between the computer main body and the connection port is interrupted by using the switch key, thereby further solving the problem that the connection mentioned in the prior art continuously consumes the power of the portable computer device. Waste problem.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention will be further understood from the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

10, 10'‧‧‧ portable computer equipment

12‧‧‧ Shell

14‧‧‧ computer subject

16‧‧‧Connected

18,18’‧‧‧Power switch device

20‧‧‧Judgement control unit

22‧‧‧Power pin

24‧‧‧ Grounding pin

26, 26’‧‧‧Switch main body

28, 28’‧‧‧Switch button

30, 30’‧‧‧ power supply end

32, 32'‧‧‧ Grounding end

300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310‧‧‧ steps

1 is a perspective view of a portable computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the portable computer device of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the control of switching of the switching key using the judgment control unit of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view of a portable computer device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functions of the portable computer device 10 of FIG. Block diagram. In the first embodiment, the portable computer device 10 is illustrated by a notebook computer, but is not limited thereto. It can also be other common portable computer devices, such as a tablet computer. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable computer device 10 includes a casing 12, a computer body 14, a port 16, a power switch device 18, and a judgment control unit 20. The computer main body 14 is disposed in the outer casing 12 and can include main components of a general portable computer device, such as a display screen, a keyboard, a motherboard, a central processing unit, etc., and the related descriptions are common in the prior art, and thus no longer Narration. The connection port 16 is disposed on the outer casing 12 and has a power pin 22 and a ground pin 24. In this embodiment, the port 16 is preferably a universal serial bus bar, that is, when When the power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the port 16 is established, the power provided by the computer main body 14 can be transmitted via the port 16 to the electronic device plugged into the port 16 to provide normal operation or charging of the electronic device. The power required.

The power switch device 18 is disposed on the outer casing 12. The power switch device 18 includes a switch body 26 and a switch button 28. The switch body 26 has a power end portion 30 and a ground end portion 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the power terminal The portion 30 is coupled to the power pin 22, and the ground end 32 is coupled. The switch button 28 is coupled to the computer body 14 , wherein the switch button 28 is preferably a toggle button slidably disposed on the switch body 26 for selective sliding The switch body 26 corresponds to the position of the power supply end 30 or the ground end 32. The determination control unit 20 is coupled to the computer main body 14 and the power switch device 18, and the control unit 20 is configured to control the switch key 28 to switch to the position corresponding to the power supply end 30 or the ground end 32 according to the power supply state of the computer main body 14. The power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the connection port 16 is established or interrupted, wherein the determination control unit 20 can be constructed by at least one of a software body, a hardware body and a firmware body.

The following is a detailed description of the control operation of the power switch device 18. Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a judgment of using FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 20 controls a flow chart of switching of the switching keys 28, which includes the following steps.

Step 300: The electronic device is plugged into the connection port 16; Step 302: The control unit 20 determines whether the computer body 14 is coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source; if yes, step 304 is performed; if not, step 306 is performed; The judgment control unit 20 determines whether the electronic device needs to receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14; if yes, execute step 308; if not, execute step 310; step 306: determine that the control unit 20 controls the switch key 28 to switch to the switch main body 26 Corresponding to the position of the ground end portion 32; Step 308: The control unit 20 is controlled to switch the switch key 28 to the position corresponding to the power source end portion 30 of the switch body 26; Step 310: The control unit 20 is controlled to switch the switch button 28 to the corresponding ground of the switch body 26. The position of the end 32.

The above steps are described in detail herein. First, after the electronic device (such as a mouse, a flash drive, etc.) is plugged into the port 16 (step 300), it is judged that the control unit 20 starts to determine the power supply state of the computer main body 14 (step 302) as a control switch. The key 28 is switched to the reference basis of the position of the switch body 26 corresponding to the power supply end 30 or the ground end 32. When judging control When the unit 20 determines that the power source main body 14 is not coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source, it is determined that the control unit 20 controls the switching key 28 to slide to the position corresponding to the ground end portion 32 of the switch body 26 (step 306) to interrupt. The power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the connection port 16 prevents the electronic device from receiving the power transmitted from the computer main body 14 via the connection port 16, thereby solving the electronic problem mentioned in the prior art. The device wastes power by continuously consuming power from the portable computer device via the port.

In addition, when it is determined that the control unit 20 is coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source, for example, the power source body 14 is coupled to the AC power source via an external AC power line or directly mounted with the DC battery, the control unit is determined. 20, it is further determined whether the electronic device needs to receive power transmitted from the computer main body 14, and more specifically, when the judgment control unit 20 further determines that the electronic device does not need to receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14. When the electronic device has been charged, for example, the control unit 20 controls the switching button 28 to slide to the position corresponding to the ground end 32 of the switch body 26 (step 310) to interrupt the connection between the computer main body 14 and the port 16 The power transmission, at this time, the electronic device can not receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14 via the connection port 16, thus solving the problem that the electronic device will continuously consume the portability through the connection according to the prior art. The problem of power wastage caused by the power of computer equipment. On the other hand, when it is judged that the control unit 20 determines that the electronic device needs to receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14, for example, the electronic device still needs to continue charging when the computer main body 14 is in the shutdown, sleep or standby state, or Continuing to operate for the user to operate, etc., the control unit 20 determines that the switch button 28 is slid to the position corresponding to the power source end portion 32 of the switch body 26 (step 308) to establish the computer body 14 and the port 16 During the power transmission, at this time, the electronic device can normally operate or continue charging via the connection port 16 to smoothly receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14. As for the design of the above-mentioned judging control unit 20 for controlling the sliding of the switching key 28, it can be controlled in the prior art, for example, in a hardware or software control manner, and thus will not be described again.

In addition, the manner in which the portable computer device 10 controls the switching of the switch key 28 is It is not limited to the automatic judgment control design of the above-mentioned use judgment control unit 20, and it can also be implemented by the manual judgment control mode. In other words, in other embodiments, the portable computer device 10 can allow the user to judge by himself. The power supply state of the power source main body 14 and whether the electronic device needs to receive the power transmitted from the power source main body 14 to manually perform the switching operation of the switch key 28, for example, when the user determines that the computer main body 14 is coupled to the communication When the power source or the DC power source and the electronic device need to receive the power transmitted from the power source body 14, the user can manually switch the switch button 28 to the position corresponding to the power source end portion 32 of the switch body 26 so that The electronic device can smoothly receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14 via the connection port 16, and when the user determines that the computer main body 14 is not coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source, the user can use the manual control. The mode switches the switch key 28 to the position of the switch body 26 corresponding to the ground end 32, so that the electronic device can no longer be consumed via the port 16 The power of the computer main body 14 itself achieves energy saving and power saving effects. For other related descriptions, reference may be made to the above embodiments, and thus will not be described again.

In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a design in which the port 16 is a network interface and has a network status indicator (not shown), that is, when the computer main body 14 and the port 16 are connected. When the power transmission between the network is established and the network route is plugged into the port 16, the power provided by the computer main body 14 can be transmitted to the network status indicator on the port 16 so that the network status indicator can be based on The illuminating indication function is provided by the network connection status of the portable computer device 10. As for how to establish or interrupt the power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the port 16 according to the power supply state of the computer main body 14, it can be analogized with reference to the above embodiment. In short, the network route is plugged into the port. After the upper control unit 20 determines that the power supply main body 14 is not coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source, the control unit 20 determines that the switch button 28 is slid to the position corresponding to the ground end portion 32 of the switch body 26, In order to interrupt the power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the connection port 16, at this time, the network status indicator will not receive the power from the computer main body 14 and stop emitting light, thus solving the problem mentioned in the prior art. Because of the connection, the power waste caused by the power of the portable computer device is continuously consumed.

On the other hand, when the judgment control unit 20 determines that the power source main body 14 is coupled to the alternating current power When the source and the network status indicator need to receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14 to emit light, the determination control unit 20 controls the switching key 28 to slide to the position corresponding to the power supply end portion 32 of the switch main body 26 to establish a computer. The power transmission between the main body 14 and the connection port 16 allows the network status indicator to smoothly receive the power transmitted from the computer main body 14 to provide an illumination indication function. On the contrary, when the judgment control unit 20 determines that the power source main body 14 is coupled to the AC power source and the network status indicator does not need to receive the power transmitted from the power source main body 14, it is judged that the control unit 20 controls the switching key 28 to slide. To the position of the switch body 26 corresponding to the ground end portion 32, to interrupt the power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the connection port 16, at this time, the network status indicator can stop emitting light to solve the connection mentioned in the prior art.埠 will continue to consume power waste caused by the power of portable computer equipment.

It is worth mentioning that the design of the switch button is not limited to the toggle button mentioned in the above embodiment, and other common button switch mechanisms can be used. For example, please refer to FIG. 4, which is A perspective view of a portable computer device 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same component number as that described in the above embodiment means that it has a similar function or structure. Let me repeat. As shown in Fig. 4, the portable computer device 10' includes a housing 12, a computer main body 14, a port 16, a judgment control unit 20, and a power switch device 18'. In this embodiment, the power switch device 18' includes a switch body 26' and a switch button 28'. The switch body 26' has a power end portion 30' and a ground end portion 32'. The end portion 30' is coupled to the power pin 22, the ground end portion 32' is coupled to the ground pin 24, and the switch button 28' is coupled to the computer body 14, wherein the switch button 28' is preferably A knob is rotatably disposed on the switch body 26, whereby the control unit 20 can be controlled to rotate the switch button 28' to the corresponding power terminal end 30' or the ground end portion 32' according to the power supply state of the computer body 14. The location of the device is used to establish or interrupt the power transmission between the computer main body 14 and the port 16 . The related control flow description can be analogized with reference to the above embodiment, and thus will not be described herein.

In summary, compared with the prior art, the present invention uses a switching key to switch to a position corresponding to the power supply end or the ground end to establish or interrupt the power transmission between the computer main body and the connection port. In order to enable the portable computer device to control the power supply of the connection port through the switch button. In this way, the present invention can be coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source while the portable computer device is not coupled to the AC power source or the DC power source through a simple button switching design.埠 When the power transmission is not required, the power transmission between the computer main body and the connection port is interrupted by using the switch key, thereby further solving the problem that the connection mentioned in the prior art continuously consumes the power of the portable computer device. Waste problem.

The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all changes and modifications made to the scope of the present invention should be within the scope of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Portable computer equipment

14‧‧‧ computer subject

16‧‧‧Connected

18‧‧‧Power switch device

20‧‧‧Judgement control unit

22‧‧‧Power pin

24‧‧‧ Grounding pin

26‧‧‧Switch body

28‧‧‧Switch button

30‧‧‧Power end

32‧‧‧ Grounding end

Claims (17)

A portable computer device comprising: a casing; a computer body disposed in the casing; a port disposed on the casing and having a power pin and a grounding pin; and a power switch The device is disposed on the outer casing, the power switch device includes: a switch body having a power end and a ground end, the power end coupled to the power pin, the ground end coupled to The grounding pin; and a switching button coupled to the computer body and movably disposed on the switch body to selectively switch to a position corresponding to the power supply end or the ground end portion, when the switching key When switching to the position corresponding to the power supply end, the switching key turns on the computer main body and the power supply end to establish power transmission between the computer main body and the connection port, and when the switching key is switched to the corresponding ground end In the position, the switch key turns on the computer body and the ground end to interrupt power transmission between the computer body and the port. The portable computer device of claim 1, wherein the connection port is a universal serial bus (USB) port, and the switch key establishes a power source between the computer body and the port. During transmission, the power provided by the main body of the computer can be transmitted to the electronic device plugged into the connection port via the connection port. The portable computer device of claim 2, wherein the switching button is a toggle button slidably disposed on the switch body for selectively sliding to a corresponding power supply end or the ground end The location of the department. The portable computer device of claim 2, wherein the switching key is a knob rotatably disposed on the switch body to be selectively rotated to correspond to the power supply end or the ground end position. The portable computer device of claim 2, further comprising: a control unit coupled to the computer body and the power switch device for controlling the switch to switch to the corresponding ground terminal when the computer body is not coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source position. The portable computer device of claim 5, wherein the determination control unit is constructed by at least one of a software body, a hardware body, and a firmware. The portable computer device of claim 5, wherein the determining control unit is further configured to determine that the computer body is coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source and determine that the electronic device needs to be received from the computer body. In the case of power, the switch is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the power supply end. The portable computer device of claim 5, wherein the determining control unit is further configured to determine that the computer body is coupled to an AC power source or a DC power source and determine that the electronic device does not need to receive the data transmitted from the computer body. When the power is coming, the switch is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the ground end. The portable computer device of claim 1, wherein the connection port is a network interface and has a network status indicator, and the switch button establishes a power transmission between the computer body and the port. The network status indicator receives the power provided by the computer body and emits light. The portable computer device of claim 9, wherein the switching button is a toggle button slidably disposed on the switch body for selectively sliding to a corresponding power supply end or the ground end The location of the department. The portable computer device of claim 9, wherein the switching key is a knob rotatably disposed on the switch body to be selectively rotated to correspond to the power supply end or the ground end position. The portable computer device of claim 9, further comprising: a judgment control unit coupled to the computer body and the power switch device for determining that the computer body is not coupled to an AC power source , the switch is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the ground end. The portable computer device of claim 12, wherein the determination control unit is constructed by at least one of a software body, a hardware body, and a firmware. The portable computer device of claim 12, wherein the determining control unit is further configured to determine that the computer body is coupled to an AC power source and determine that the network status indicator needs to be received from the computer body. When the power is illuminated, the switching key is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the power supply end. The portable computer device of claim 12, wherein the determining control unit is further configured to determine that the computer body is coupled to an AC power source and determine that the network status indicator does not need to be received from the computer body. In the case of electric power, the switching key is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the ground end. The portable computer device of claim 1, further comprising: a judgment control unit coupled to the computer body and the power switch device for determining that the computer body is not coupled to an AC power source or When a DC power source is used, the switch is controlled to switch to the position corresponding to the ground end. The portable computer device of claim 16, wherein the judgment control unit is constructed by at least one of a software body, a hardware body, and a firmware.