Smart Charging System and Related Method
First Claim
1. A smart charging system comprising:
- a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC);
a power conduit configured to connect the PCU to any of a plurality of electronic devices;
the communication module and the charging IC being configured to manage charging of any of the plurality of electronic devices over the power conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to one disclosed embodiment, a smart charging system includes a power conversion unit having a communication module and a charging integrated circuit that can convert mains power into a managed charging power used to charge any of several electronic devices. In one embodiment, a power conversion unit can manage a charging process by communicating with a connected electronic device and exchanging a charge profile representing ideal characteristics of the charging power. In one embodiment, an electronic device receives a charge from a power conversion unit through a wired power conduit. In another embodiment, an electronic device receives a charge from a power conversion unit through a wireless power conduit. In one embodiment, the smart charging system includes a battery usable to charge an electronic device when a mains adapter of the smart charging system is not powered.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A smart charging system comprising:
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a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC); a power conduit configured to connect the PCU to any of a plurality of electronic devices; the communication module and the charging IC being configured to manage charging of any of the plurality of electronic devices over the power conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A power conversion unit (PCU) for use in a smart charging system, the PCU comprising:
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a communication module configured to support communications with any of a plurality of electronic devices; a charging integrated circuit (IC) configured to manage charging of any of the plurality of electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for charging an electronic device, the method comprising:
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detecting a connection between a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter and any of a plurality of electronic devices, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC); attempting to establish a communication link between the PCU and one of the plurality of electronic devices; using a result of the attempting to select an operating mode for the charging IC, the operating mode being configured to optimize charging of the one of the plurality of electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification