HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING FOR A PORTABLE DEVICE

• US 20140136863A1
• Filed: 11/14/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Terlizzi, Jeffrey J., Sims, Nicholas A., Krueger, Scott, Fritchman, Dan, Thompson, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,395,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence

Abstract

Techniques for performing high-voltage charging of electronic devices are provided. A portable device can communicate with a power supply over a data communication line to determine if the power supply is capable of performing the high-voltage charging operation. If yes, the portable device instructs the power supply to provide a specific voltage.

Claims

1. A method for charging a portable device using a power supply, the method comprising:

detecting, by the portable device, coupling of the power supply to the portable device;

receiving, by the portable device, identification information from the power supply;

enabling, by the portable device, a communication channel between the power supply and the portable device based on the identification information;

determining, by the portable device, based on additional information received from the power supply, that the power supply is capable of providing voltage of up to 20 V;

sending, by the portable device, a message to the power supply to output a specific voltage; and

receiving, by the portable device, the specified voltage.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to enabling the communication channel, determining, by the portable device, a class associated with the power supply, based on the identification information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication channel comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) transport or universal serial bus (USB) transport.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the specific voltage is in the range of between 6 V and 20 V.

5. A method comprising:

receiving, by a power supply, a message from a portable device coupled to the power supply, the message requesting capability information from the power supply over a data communication channel, the data communication channel being separate from the power output signal;

sending, by the power supply, the capability information to the portable device, the capability information including information about whether the power supply is capable of outputting between 6 V and 20 V to the portable device;

receiving, by the power supply from the portable device, another message specifying a value for a voltage to be outputted by the power supply; and

outputting, by the power supply, the specified voltage.

6. A method performed by a power supply coupled to a portable device, the method comprising:

outputting, by the power supply, a first voltage to the portable device;

monitoring, by the power supply, a communication line between the power supply and the portable device to determine whether the communication line changes from an active state to an inactive state;

if the communication line changes from the active state to the inactive state, outputting, by the power supply, a second voltage to the portable device, wherein the second voltage is lower than the first voltage.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the second voltage is 5 V or less.

8. An electronic device comprising:

a first connector including a first plurality of contacts configured to mate with a second connector of an accessory having a second plurality of contacts, wherein at least one contact from the first plurality of contacts is configured to carry power to the electronic device and at least a pair of contacts from the first plurality of contacts are configured to carry data between the electronic device and the accessory;

circuitry coupled to the first connector and configured to;

detect coupling of the accessory;

receive identification information from the accessory;

enable a communication channel with the accessory over the pair of contacts from the first plurality of contacts;

receive capability information from the accessory over the communication channel, the capability information indicating that the accessory is capable of supplying an output voltage between 6V and 20V to the electronic device;

send an instruction to the accessory to output a specific voltage between 6V and 20V; and

receive the specified voltage.

9. A power supply comprising:

a connector having a power contact coupleable with an electronic device to deliver power to the electronic device and a pair of data contacts;

a voltage regulator configured to provide an output voltage in the range of 1-20 V via the at least one contact;

a controller coupled to the pair of data contacts and configured to exchange information with the electronic device via the pair of data contacts; and

identification circuitry operable to generate identification information for the power supply, wherein the power supply is configured to;

output a first voltage over the power contact upon connection with the electronic device;

provide identification information to the electronic device;

receive a request from the electronic device over the pair of data contacts, the request being for determining whether the power supply can output a second voltage;

send a response to the request indicating that the power supply can output the second voltage over the power contact;

receiving a request from the electronic device to output the second voltage; and

output the second voltage, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.

10. The power supply of claim 9 wherein the first voltage is between 1 V and 5 V and the second voltage is between 6 V and 20 V.