Bi-directional battery charging for coupled electronic devices
First Claim
1. A system for bi-directional battery charging, comprising:
- a first electronic device, comprising;
a first rechargeable battery, for providing power to the first electronic device; and
a first battery charger; and
a second electronic device, comprising;
a second rechargeable battery, for providing power to the second electronic device;
a second battery charger;
a voltage boost that receives an input voltage from said first rechargeable battery and is selectively enabled to either up-convert the input voltage as input to said second battery charger, or else to pass the input voltage through unchanged to said second battery charger; and
a controller for programmatically controlling said first and said second battery chargers and said voltage boost,wherein said second electronic device attaches to said first electronic device to operate in combination therewith, and wherein said controller is programmed to decide, based on the voltages of said first and said second rechargeable batteries;
(i) whether to supply power to said second electronic device from said first or second rechargeable battery, (ii) whether to charge said second rechargeable battery from said first rechargeable battery, and (iii) whether to enable or disable said voltage boost.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for bi-directional battery charging, including a first electronic device, including a first rechargeable battery, for providing power to the first electronic device, and a first battery charger, and a second electronic device, including a second rechargeable battery, for providing power to the second electronic device, a second battery charger, a voltage boost that receives an input voltage from the first rechargeable battery and is selectively enabled to either up-convert the input voltage as input to the second battery charger, or else to passively pass the input voltage to the second battery charger; and a controller for programmatically controlling the first and the second battery chargers and the voltage boost, wherein the second electronic device attaches to the first electronic device to operate in combination therewith, and wherein the controller is programmed to decide, based on the voltages of the first and the second rechargeable batteries: (i) whether to supply power to the second electronic device from the first or second rechargeable battery, (ii) whether to charge the second rechargeable battery from the first rechargeable battery, and (iii) whether to enable or disable the voltage boost. A method is also described and claimed.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for bi-directional battery charging, comprising:
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a first electronic device, comprising; a first rechargeable battery, for providing power to the first electronic device; and a first battery charger; and a second electronic device, comprising; a second rechargeable battery, for providing power to the second electronic device; a second battery charger; a voltage boost that receives an input voltage from said first rechargeable battery and is selectively enabled to either up-convert the input voltage as input to said second battery charger, or else to pass the input voltage through unchanged to said second battery charger; and a controller for programmatically controlling said first and said second battery chargers and said voltage boost, wherein said second electronic device attaches to said first electronic device to operate in combination therewith, and wherein said controller is programmed to decide, based on the voltages of said first and said second rechargeable batteries;
(i) whether to supply power to said second electronic device from said first or second rechargeable battery, (ii) whether to charge said second rechargeable battery from said first rechargeable battery, and (iii) whether to enable or disable said voltage boost.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for bi-directional battery charging, comprising:
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a first electronic device, comprising; a first rechargeable battery, for providing power to the first electronic device; a first battery charger; a first voltage boost for receiving an input voltage is selectively enabled to either up-convert the input voltage as input to said first battery charger, or else to block the input voltage from being transferred to said first battery charger; and a second electronic device, comprising; a second rechargeable battery, for providing power to the second electronic device and for providing the input voltage to said first voltage boost; a second battery charger; a second voltage boost that receives an input voltage from said first rechargeable battery and is selectively enabled to either up-convert the input voltage as input to said second battery charger, or else to pass the input voltage through unchanged to said second battery charger; and a controller for programmatically controlling said first and said second battery chargers and said first and second voltage boosts, wherein said second electronic device attaches to said first electronic device to operate in combination therewith, and wherein said controller is programmed to decide, based on the voltages of said first and said second rechargeable batteries;
(i) whether to supply power to said second electronic device from said first or said second rechargeable battery, (ii) whether to charge said first or second rechargeable battery from the other rechargeable battery, and (iii) whether to enable or disable said first and second voltage boosts. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling battery power supply and battery charging for two coupled electronic devices, each device having its own rechargeable battery and its own internal battery charger, comprising:
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determining battery voltages for each of the two electronic devices; determining operational modes for each of the two electronic devices; and based on said determining battery voltages and said determining operational modes, controlling the batteries and battery chargers comprising deciding (i) whether to supply power to each electronic device from its own battery or from the other device'"'"'s battery, and (ii) whether to charge one battery from the other battery. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A system for bi-directional battery charging, comprising two coupled electronic devices, each device comprising a rechargeable battery and an internal battery charger, wherein the rechargeable battery of each device is able to supply power to both devices, and wherein the rechargeable battery of each device is able to charge the other device'"'"'s rechargeable battery.
Specification