Charging and communication cable system for a mobile computer apparatus

• US 20060103642A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Charles Hawkins, Karl A. Townsend, Peter Skillman
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Charles Hawkins, Karl A. Townsend, Peter Skillman
• Inventors: Skillman, Peter, Hawkins, Jeffrey Charles, Townsend, Karl A.
• Application Number:
  US11/241,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20060103642A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/211
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging and communication cable system for a handheld computer system is disclosed. The charging and communication cable system includes a first interface for connecting to the handheld computer system, a second interface for connecting to another computer system, and a third interface for coupling to a charger system. In one embodiment, the third interface used to coupled to a charger system is the same as the interface on the handheld computer system such that the charger may be coupled to the charging and communication cable system or directly to the handheld computer system.

Claims

1. A charging circuit for a handheld computer system, said charging circuit comprising:

a battery;

a first transistor for charging said battery;

a charging control circuit for controlling said first transistor; and

an indicator circuit, said indicator circuit powered by said battery using leakage current passing through said first transistor when said transistor is turned off.

2. The charging circuit of claim 15 wherein said indicator circuit comprises a light emitting diode.

3. The charging circuit of claim 15 wherein said first transistor comprises a field effect transistor.

4. The charging circuit for a handheld computer system of claim 15, said charging circuit further comprising:

a second transistor for controlling said indicator circuit.

5. The charging circuit for a handheld computer system of claim 15, said charging circuit further comprising:

a processor for controlling said charging control circuit.

6. The charging circuit for a handheld computer system of claim 18, said charging circuit further comprising:

a processor for controlling said second transistor.