Detachable tip for communicating with adapter and electronic device

• US 20070073420A1
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies Incorporated (Comarco Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies Incorporated (Comarco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lanni, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,868,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/00 Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection

Abstract

A detachable tip, utilized with a power adapter, includes a memory, a receiver, and a transmitter. The memory stores a character string, the character string identifying whether an approved power adapter is coupled to the detachable tip. The receiver receives an identification request from an electronic device. In response to the identification request, a transmitter transmits the stored character string to the electronic device. A controller may extract the character string from the memory and send the character string to the transmitter. Instead of a character string, the memory may store a value, which is representative of a maximum power output available. A detachable tip may include an input connector and an output connector. The input connector receives a value from the power adapter, the value being representative of a maximum power available from the power adapter. The output connector passes through the value to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A detachable tip to be utilized with a power adapter, comprising:

a memory for storing a character string, the character string identifying whether a power adapter is an approved power adapter for an electronic device which can be coupled to the detachable tip;

a receiver to receive an identification request from the electronic device; and

a transmitter to transmit the stored character string to an electronic device in response to the identification request.

2. The tip of claim 1, wherein the receiver, memory, and transmitter are located in a microcontroller.

3. The tip of claim 1, wherein the stored character string is transmitted to the electronic device via a one-wire interface protocol.

4. The detachable tip of claim 1, further including programming signal circuitry for transmitting a programming signal to the power adapter to regulate an output voltage of the power adapter.

5. A detachable tip to be utilized with a power adapter, comprising:

a memory for storing a value, the value being representative of a maximum power output available from the power adapter;

a receiver to receive an identification request from the electronic device; and

a transmitter to transit the value to the electronic device in response to the identification request.

6. The detachable tip of claim 5, further including a control circuit for transmitting a control signal to the power adapter to regulate output voltage of the power adapter.

7. The detachable tip of claim 5, wherein the memory, receiver, and a transmitter are all located in a microcontroller.

8. A detachable tip to be utilized with a power adapter, comprising:

an input connector to receive a value from a power adapter, the value being representative of a maximum power available from the power adapter to power an electronic device; and

an output connector to pass the value to the electronic device for processing.

9. The detachable tip of claim 8, further including a conductor to pass the value from the input connector to the output connector.

10. The detachable tip of claim 8, wherein the value is a value of a current magnitude.

11. The detachable tip of claim 8, wherein the value is a value in watts.

12. A detachable tip to be utilized with a power adapter, comprising:

an input connector to receive an identification signal, the identification signal indicating whether an external power source is capable of providing a power level to an electronic device, wherein the tip is coupled between the power adapter and the electronic device; and

an output connector to pass the identification signal to an electronic device.

13. The detachable tip of claim 12, wherein a programming signal is sent to the power adapter to regulate an output voltage of the power adapter, the programming signal being generated by a control circuit resident within the detachable tip.

14. The detachable tip of claim 12, wherein the identification signal represents that the external power source is a DC automobile power source.

15. The detachable tip of claim 12, wherein the identification signal represents that the external power source is a DC airplane power source.

16. A detachable tip for use with a power adapter, comprising:

control circuitry for transmitting a control signal to regulate a current output of the power adapter;

a memory for storing a plurality of character strings, the character strings corresponding to available power outputs of the power adapter;

a measurement circuit for measuring a value of the control signal to identify an available power output of the power adapter;

a controller for selecting a character string corresponding to the measured value to identify the available power output of the power adapter; and

a transmitter for transmitting the selected character string of the plurality of stored character strings to an electronic device to which the detachable tip is coupled.

17. The detachable tip of claim 16, wherein the controller and the memory reside in a programmable memory device.

18. The detachable tip of claim 16, further including a receiver to receive an identification request from an electronic device and to instruct the controller to select the character string in response to the identification request.

19. The detachable tip of claim 18, wherein the transmitter, receiver, and memory are resident within a controller or microcontroller.

20. A detachable tip for utilization with a power adapter, comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of character strings;

a comparator for receiving a data signal from the adapter, comparing the data signal to a reference voltage; and

outputting a power identification signal representative of an available output power value of the power adapter;

a controller for receiving the power identification signal and for selecting a character string corresponding to the available output power value of the adapter; and

a transmitter for receiving a selected character string and transmitting the selected character string to the electronic device.

21. The detachable tip of claim 20, further including control circuitry to generate a control signal to the power adapter that is utilized to regulate an output voltage of the power adapter.

22. The detachable tip of claim 20, wherein the power identification signal indicates that an external automobile DC power source is providing power to the power adapter.