Power distribution in a docking station
First Claim
1. A docking station comprising:
- a housing;
a first connector to connect to a portable computing device;
a second connector to connect to an accessory;
a first circuit; and
a power circuit coupled to the first connector and the second connector to provide power to the first circuit from either the portable computing device or the accessory in a first mode, and to either not provide power to the first circuit or provide power to the first circuit from the portable computing device in a second mode,wherein while in the first mode, the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the portable computing device when a voltage provided by the portable computing device is higher than a voltage provided by the accessory, and the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the accessory when a voltage provided by the portable computing device is lower than a voltage provided by the accessory.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Docking stations that may facilitate the sharing or transfer of power among a portable computing device, a docking station, and an accessory. One example may provide power from an accessory to a portable computing device. Switches may be used to avoid harm from inadvertent contact with voltages on exposed terminals. Another example may provide power directly from a battery on a portable computing device to an accessory. Another may limit this direct connection to a first type of accessory. Examples may limit a power connection to another type of accessory through a regulator. Another example may power one or more internal circuits either through a portable computing device or an accessory, depending on a mode of operation of the portable computing device.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A docking station comprising:
-
a housing; a first connector to connect to a portable computing device; a second connector to connect to an accessory; a first circuit; and a power circuit coupled to the first connector and the second connector to provide power to the first circuit from either the portable computing device or the accessory in a first mode, and to either not provide power to the first circuit or provide power to the first circuit from the portable computing device in a second mode, wherein while in the first mode, the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the portable computing device when a voltage provided by the portable computing device is higher than a voltage provided by the accessory, and the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the accessory when a voltage provided by the portable computing device is lower than a voltage provided by the accessory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A docking station comprising:
-
a first connector to connect to a portable computing device; a second connector to connect to an accessory; a first circuit; a transistor having a first terminal coupled to the second connector; a first diode having an anode coupled to a second terminal of the transistor; a second diode having an anode coupled to the first connector; and a power circuit having an input coupled to a cathode of the first diode and a cathode of the second diode and an output to provide power to the first circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A docking station comprising:
-
a housing; a first connector located on the housing to connect to a portable computing device; a second connector located on the housing to connect to an accessory; a first circuit; and a power circuit coupled to the first connector and the second connector to provide power to the first circuit from either the portable computing device or the accessory, wherein the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the portable computing device when a voltage provided by the portable computing device is higher than a voltage provided by the accessory, and the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the accessory when a voltage provided by the portable computing device is lower than a voltage provided by the accessory. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification