SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DUAL POWER SOURCE MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. An electronic circuit for managing two power sources, the circuit comprising:
- a first terminal operable to be coupled to a first chargeable power source;
a second terminal operable to be coupled to a second chargeable power source; and
a power-source selection circuit operable to;
couple the first terminal to a power supply terminal;
sense a voltage at the first terminal;
generate a power source selection signal if the sensed voltage falls below a threshold voltage; and
in response to the power source selection signal, decouple the first terminal from the power supply terminal and couple the second terminal to the power supply terminal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing power to a mobile device from two power sources. According to embodiments described herein, a mobile device, such as a cell phone, may include a main battery and an auxiliary battery. The mobile device includes a power management circuit that utilizes a charge-control circuit and a power-selection circuit for implementing a power-management schema. The charge-control circuit may exclusively couple the main battery or the auxiliary battery to an external power source for charging. The power-selection circuit may exclusively couple the main battery or the auxiliary battery for providing power to the mobile device. The system further includes a controller that controls the coupling of the main battery and the auxiliary battery such that if the main battery falls below a sufficient voltage level, the auxiliary battery may be immediately engaged without interruption of the operation of the mobile device.
29 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electronic circuit for managing two power sources, the circuit comprising:
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a first terminal operable to be coupled to a first chargeable power source; a second terminal operable to be coupled to a second chargeable power source; and a power-source selection circuit operable to; couple the first terminal to a power supply terminal; sense a voltage at the first terminal; generate a power source selection signal if the sensed voltage falls below a threshold voltage; and in response to the power source selection signal, decouple the first terminal from the power supply terminal and couple the second terminal to the power supply terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for selecting power source for a device, the method comprising:
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providing power to a device in operation from a first power source; sensing that the first power source falls below a threshold for providing power; in response to the sensing;
decoupling the first power source from the device; andcoupling a second power source to the mobile device within a predetermined amount of time such that the device remains in operation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An electronic circuit for managing two power sources, the circuit comprising:
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a first terminal operable to be coupled to a first chargeable power source; a second terminal operable to be coupled to a second chargeable power source; a charge-control circuit operable to exclusively couple the first terminal or the second terminal to a charge terminal; and a power-source selection circuit operable to exclusively couple the first terminal or the second terminal to a power supply terminal.
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10. A method for managing two power sources in an electronic device, the method comprising:
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providing power to an electronic circuit that is in operation from a first power source, the power provided exceeding an operational threshold; sensing that the power provided by the first power source falls below the operational threshold; and in response to the sensing, decoupling the first power source from the electronic circuit and coupling a second power source to electronic circuit such that the operation of the electronic circuit is maintained. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for powering a mobile device, the method comprising:
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initializing a mobile device having a first battery and a second battery, each operable to provide power to an electronic circuit; sensing that the first battery cannot provide sufficient power to power the electronic circuit; and in response to the sensing, automatically providing power from the second battery to the electronic circuit.
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16. A mobile device, comprising:
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a main battery operable to be charged and discharged; an auxiliary battery operable to be charged and discharged; a charge-control circuit operable to couple the main battery and the auxiliary battery to an external power source for charging the main battery and the auxiliary battery; a discharge-control circuit operable to couple the main battery and the auxiliary battery to a power distribution unit for providing power to a mobile device from main battery and the auxiliary battery; and a controller operable to control the coupling of the main battery and the auxiliary battery such that if the main battery is coupled to the power distribution unit, the auxiliary battery is not coupled to the power distribution unit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electronic circuit, comprising:
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a first terminal operable to be coupled to a first chargeable power source; a second terminal operable to be coupled to a second chargeable power source; a charge control circuit operable to; couple the first terminal to a charge terminal; sense a voltage at the first terminal; generate a switch signal if the sensed voltage reaches a threshold voltage; and in response to the switch signal, decouple the first terminal from the charge terminal and couple the second terminal to the charge terminal.
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Specification