CONNECTION APPARATUS

• US 20110037428A1
• Filed: 08/10/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: SAKAGUCHI, Satoshi, KATO, Kenji, ITO, Tsukasa
• Application Number:
  US12/854,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20110037428A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/73 Battery saving arrangements

Abstract

A connection apparatus to which an electronic device having a rechargeable power unit and capable of charging the rechargeable power unit in plural charge modes, can be connected, the connection apparatus including; a connector to which the electronic device can be connected and to which are connected an electric signal line used for exchanging electric signals with the electronic device and a power supply line used for charging the rechargeable power unit in the plural charge modes; and a signal output module for delivering to the connector a simulated reconnection signal for causing the electronic device to detect a temporary interruption of an electrical connection between the electronic device and the connector and a subsequent restoration of the temporarily interrupted electrical connection after a prescribed time interval, and a charge mode selection signal which the electronic device refers to, after having received the simulated reconnection signal, in selecting one of the charge modes.

Claims

1. A connection apparatus to which an electronic device having a rechargeable power unit and capable of charging the rechargeable power unit in plural charge modes, can be connected, the connection apparatus comprising;

a connector to which the electronic device can be connected and to which are connected an electric signal line used for exchanging electric signals with the electronic device and a power supply line used for charging the rechargeable power unit in the plural charge modes; and

a signal output module for delivering to the connector a simulated reconnection signal for causing the electronic device to detect a temporary interruption of an electrical connection between the electronic device and the connector and a subsequent restoration of the temporarily interrupted electrical connection after a prescribed time interval, and a charge mode selection signal which the electronic device refers to, after having received the simulated reconnection signal, in selecting one of the charge modes.

2. The connection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the connector has a terminal receiving the simulated reconnection signal from the signal output module, and

the simulated reconnection signal is equivalent to the state where, for the prescribed time interval, a floating potential is developed at the terminal.

3. The connection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the connector has a terminal receiving the simulated reconnection signal from the signal output module, and

the simulated reconnection signal corresponds to a high impedance developed between the terminal and a ground line, for the prescribed time interval.

4. The connection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the connection apparatus can be connected to a computer, and

the signal output module changes a level of the charge mode selection signal when power supply voltage supplied to the connection apparatus from the computer changes.

5. The connection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the signal output module outputs the simulated reconnection signal when power supply voltage supplied to the connection apparatus from the computer changes.

6. The connection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charge mode indicating module for notifying a user of a type of the charge mode of the electronic device.