Multifunctional Charger System and Method

• US 20110025262A1
• Filed: 10/15/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC (Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: MALTON, Jonathan T., FISCHER, Daniel M., RADUT, Dan G., LUONG, Quang A., HABICHER, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,986,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

An adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through an industry standard port is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a plug unit, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the adapter to a power socket and operative to receive energy from the power socket. The power converter is electrically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device. The primary connector is electrically coupled to the power converter and is operative to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted power requirement to the mobile device. The identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.

Claims

1. A mobile device, the mobile device configurable for use in a wireless telecommunications network, comprising:

a Universal Serial Bus (“

USB”

) interface configured to allow reception of a USB cable;

a charging subsystem, the charging subsystem operably connected to the USB interface V-bus power line;

the charging subsystem operably connectable to a battery, and configured to charge a battery if a battery is operably connected;

the charging system further configured to use power from the V-bus power line for the charging of a battery; and

, where the mobile device is configured to detect an identification signal at a D+ and a D−

data line of the USB interface, the identification signal being different than USB enumeration.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one data line in the USB connector.

3. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the identification signal is a result of using a resistance between the D+ and D−

data lines.

4. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the identification subsystem comprises a hard-wired connection of a voltage level to one or more data lines in the USB connector.

5. A mobile device, the mobile device configurable for use in a wireless telecommunications network, comprising:

a Universal Serial Bus (“

USB”

) interface configured to allow reception of a USB cable;

a charging subsystem, the charging subsystem operably connected to the USB interface V-bus power line;

the charging subsystem operably connectable to a battery, and configurable to charge a battery;

the charging system further configured to use power from the V-bus power line for the charging of a battery;

where data lines D+ and D−

at the USB interface are configured to receive signals;

a microprocessor and memory usable to process the received signals, configured such that before USB enumeration an identification signal received at the D+ and D−

lines indicating a charging connection is available is recognized by the device.

6. The mobile device of claim 5 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one data line in the USB connector.

7. The mobile device of claim 5 wherein the identification signal is a result of using a resistance between the D+ and D−

data lines.

8. A method of charging a battery in a mobile device, the mobile device configurable for use in a wireless telecommunications network, comprising:

providing a Universal Serial Bus (“

USB”

) interface configured to allow reception of a USB cable, and, receiving power on a V-bus power line at the USB interface;

providing an operable connection between the power received at the USB interface on the V-bus power line and a charging subsystem;

having a battery in operable connection to the charging subsystem;

providing power to the battery using the charger subsystem; and

,

detecting an identification signal at a D+ and a D−

data line of the USB interface, the identification signal being different than USB enumeration.

9. The method claim 8 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level at least one data line in the USB connector.

10. The method claim 8 wherein the identification signal is a result of using a resistance between the D+ and D−

data lines.