Portable device having integral voltage connector

• US 20050141252A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Inventors: Mollo, Charles R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,701,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/101
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control

Abstract

A portable electronic device having integral programming circuitry for signaling a power converter connected thereto to provide suitable power signals. Integrating the programming circuitry into the portable electronic device reduces the manufacturing cost and size of the power converter cable connector that is directly coupled to the portable electronic device. Many embodiments of the present invention are provided, including integrating the programming circuitry as part of the portable device electronics, or, onto the portable electronic device connector itself. This programming circuitry can comprise of at least one electrical component that may be passive or active.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device adapted to be charged or powered by a remote power converter, comprising:

a device input adapted to receive a DC input signal from the remote power converter;

device circuitry disposed in the device being coupled to the input and responsive to the DC input signal; and

programming circuitry integral to the portable electronic device and responsive to the DC input signal creating a programming signal at the device input being adapted to establish the DC input signal provided by the power converter.

2. The power device as specified in claim 1, wherein the device input comprises a connector, wherein the programming circuitry is integral to the connector.

3. The power device as specified in claim 1, wherein the programming circuitry is integral to the device circuitry.

4. The power device as specified in claim 1, wherein the programming circuitry comprises at least one electrical component establishing the programming signal.

5. The power device as specified in claim 4, wherein the programming circuitry comprises a passive component.

6. The power device as specified in claim 4, wherein the programming circuitry includes an active component.

7. The power device as specified in claim 6, wherein the active component comprises a microcontroller.

8. The power device as specified in claim 1, wherein the DC signal is a DC voltage.

9. The power device as specified in claim 1, wherein the programming signal establishes a DC current of the DC signal.

10. A method of programming a power converter, comprising:

the power converter providing a DC signal to a remote portable electronic device having integral programming circuitry;

the portable electronic device providing a programming signal to the power converter as a function of the DC signal; and

the power converter providing the DC signal as a function of the received programming signal.

11. The method as specified in claim 10 wherein the portable electronic device has a connector including the integral programming circuitry.

12. The method as specified in claim 10 wherein the portable electronic device includes device circuitry, controlling the device, wherein the programming circuitry is integral to the device circuitry.

13. The method as specified in claim 10 wherein the programming circuitry includes at least one passive electrical component establishing the programming signal.

14. The method as specified in claim 10 wherein the programming circuitry includes at least one active electrical component establishing the programming signal.

15. The method as specified in claim 13 wherein the passive electrical component comprises at least one resistor.

16. The method as specified in claim 14 wherein the active component comprises a microcontroller.

17. The method as specified in claim 10 wherein the programming signal establishes a DC voltage of the DC signal.

18. The method as specified in claim 10 wherein the programming signal establishes a DC current of the DC signal.