Charger System and Method

• US 20090267569A1
• Filed: 07/01/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC (Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Green, Steven R., Alexei, Skarine, Bayne, Ryan M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

Systems and methods of controlling a charging status indicator in a charging system for a device having a rechargeable power supply are provided. The charging system determines whether a device connected thereto supports remote control of the charging status indicator, and controls the charging status indicator as directed by the device where the device supports remote control of the charging status indicator.

Claims

1. A Universal Serial Bus (BUSBY) charger able to provide power through a USB connector, the USB connector configured to be connectable to at least one USB-equipped mobile device, comprising:

a power source interface configured to receive power from a source other than the USB charger;

a power converter coupled to the power source interface, the power converter configured to use the received power to generate power output;

a charging controller configured to control an amount of power provided at the USB connector on the power lines, the controlled amount of power derived from the power output, and configured to generate an identification signal on the USB connector'"'"'s two data lines, the identification signal usable to indicate the USB charger is not subject to the standard USB power limitations, the identification signal provided at the USB connector and comprising an invalid data line state.

2. The USB charger of claim 1 where the invalid data line state comprises both data lines pulled into a high state.

3. The USB charger of claim 2 where the data lines are pulled into the high state using at least one resistor.

4. The USB charger of claim 2 where the data lines are coupled.

5. The USB charger of claim 4 where the data lines are pulled into the high state using at least one resistor.

6. The USB charger of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of USB connectors operably connected to the charging controller.

7. A method for providing a charge current by a Universal Serial Bus (“

USB”

) charger having a USB connector, the USB connector configured to be operably connectable to at least one USB-equipped mobile device, comprising;

receiving, at a power source interface configured to receive power from a source other than the USB charger, power;

converting the received power into output power;

controlling an amount of power provided at the USB connector on the power lines, the controlled amount of power derived from the power output;

generating an identification signal on the USB connector'"'"'s two data lines, the identification signal usable to indicate the USB charger is not subject to the standard USB power limitations, the identification signal comprising an invalid data line state.

8. The method of claim 7 where the invalid data line state comprises both data lines pulled into a high state.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising pulling the data lines high using at least one resistor.

10. The method of claim 7 where the data lines are coupled.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising pulling the data lines high using at least one resistor.

12. A method for providing a charge current by a Universal Serial Bus (“

USB”

) charger having a USB connector, the USB connector configured to be operably connectable to at least one USB-equipped mobile device, comprising;

receiving, at a power source interface configured to receive power from a source other than the USB charger, power;

converting the received power into output power;

controlling an amount of power provided at the USB connector on the power lines, the controlled amount of power derived from the power output;

generating a signal on the USB connector'"'"'s two data lines, the identification signal comprising an invalid data line state; and

sending power output to the USB connector based on at least one of voltage and current draw detectable from the power lines of the USB connector, differently than normal USB power limitations.

13. The method of claim 12 where the invalid data line state comprises both data lines pulled into a high state.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising pulling the data lines high using at least one resistor.

15. The method of claim 12 where the data lines are coupled.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising pulling the data lines high using at least one resistor.

17. A method for signaling by a Universal Serial Bus (“

USB”

) charger having a USB connector, the USB connector configured to be operably connectable to at least one USB-equipped mobile device, comprising;

receiving, at a power source interface configured to receive power from a source other than the USB charger, power;

converting the received power into output power;

providing power at the USB connector, the power derived from the power output;

providing a signal on the USB connector'"'"'s two data lines, the signal comprising an invalid data line state.

18. The method of claim 17 where the invalid data line state comprises both data lines pulled into a high state.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising pulling the data lines high using at least one resistor.

20. The method of claim 17 where the data lines are coupled.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising pulling the data lines high using at least one resistor.