METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CHARGING OF ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CHARGING DEVICE SUPPORTING THE SAME

• US 20140300321A1
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: KIM, Chulkwi, KIM, Juyong
• Application Number:
  US14/225,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20140300321A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/111
• 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 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition

Abstract

A method for controlling a charging of an electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting a connection of a charging device, providing a connection control signal for the charging device, forming a communication channel with the charging device, and determining a charging power level based on the communication channel.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a charging of an electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting a connection of a charging device;

providing a connection control signal for the charging device;

forming a communication channel with the charging device; and

determining a charging power level based on the communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting connection of the charging device determines an external device is the charging device when a signal received from the external device is identical to a signal transmitted to the external device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the connection control comprises one of:

providing a pull-up voltage as a connection control signal for the charging device; and

providing a connection control signal for the charging device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the charging power level comprises:

identifying a chargeable voltage of a battery and transmitting a charging control signal corresponding to the identified chargeable voltage to the charging device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

changing a setting of a charging circuit for the battery to an electric power level corresponding to the charging control signal transmitted to the charging device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting a screen including a plurality of charging mode selection items when the electronic device forms the communication channel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting charging level information corresponding to the determined charging power level.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a connector configured to include a power supply terminal, a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, and a ground terminal;

a switch configured to be connected to the connector;

a charging circuit and an application processor configured to be connected to the switch; and

at least one charging control line configured to be disposed between the switch and the application processor.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising:

a pull-up voltage connected to at least one line of the at least one charging control lines.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the application processor is configured to form a communication channel with the charging device by transmitting a signal for detecting a device when an external device is connected and to provide a connection control signal if the external device is a charging device.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the application processor is configured to provide a charging control signal for the charging device in order to determine a charging power level through the communication channel.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising:

a temperature sensor configured to be disposed in the charging circuit,

wherein the application processor is configured to control to terminate the charging or to transmit a charging control signal in order to request a changing of a charging power level if a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than a threshold temperature.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising:

a display unit configured to output a screen including a plurality of charging mode selection items when the communication channel is formed.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the display unit outputs one of charging mode guide information, quick charging time information and charging level information corresponding to a selected charging mode.

15. A charging device, comprising:

a plug;

a power line configured to be connected to the plug;

a power circuit configured to provide a specific level of power by transforming a power supplied by the power line;

a charging connector configured to be connected to the power circuit and to include a power supply terminal, a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, a short terminal for connecting the first and second connection terminals, and a ground terminal; and

a detection line configured to provide the power circuit with a voltage by detecting the voltage formed at the short terminal.

16. The charging device of claim 15, wherein the power circuit performs a preparation for communication if a threshold voltage is formed at the short terminal.

17. The charging device of claim 15, wherein the power circuit is configured to perform a setting change to supply a power of a specific level according to a charging control signal received through the short terminal.

18. A charging device, comprising:

a plug;

a power line configured to be connected to the plug;

a power circuit configured to provide a specific level of power by transforming a power supplied by the power line;

a charging connector configured to be connected to the power circuit and to include a power supply terminal, a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, a power switch disposed between the first and second connection terminals, and a ground terminal; and

a detection line configured to be disposed between the power switch and the power circuit.

19. The charging device of claim 18, wherein the power circuit is configured to control the power switch to maintain the first and second connection terminals in a short-circuited state, and to disconnect the first and second connection terminals and to connect the first and second connection terminals to each detection line if a threshold voltage is formed between the first and second connection terminals.

20. The charging device of claim 19, wherein the power circuit performs a setting change to supply a power of a specific level according to a charging control signal received through the detection line.