POWER DISTRIBUTION IN A DOCKING STATION

• US 20150077926A1
• Filed: 09/19/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Schneider, Gerhard A., Krueger, Scott, Watson, Robert D., Kosut, Alexei
• Granted Patent: US 9,411,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• 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: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• 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 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

Docking stations that may facilitate the sharing or transfer of power among a portable computing device, a docking station, and an accessory. One example may provide power from an accessory to a portable computing device. Switches may be used to avoid harm from inadvertent contact with voltages on exposed terminals. Another example may provide power directly from a battery on a portable computing device to an accessory. Another may limit this direct connection to a first type of accessory. Examples may limit a power connection to another type of accessory through a regulator. Another example may power one or more internal circuits either through a portable computing device or an accessory, depending on a mode of operation of the portable computing device.

Claims

1. A docking station comprising:

a housing;

a connector insert located on the housing and arranged to mate with a connector receptacle on a portable computing device;

a second connector to connect to an accessory;

a first regulator having an input coupled to the connector insert to receive power from the portable computing device and having an output coupled to the second connector to provide power to a first type of accessory; and

a switch having an input coupled to the connector insert to receive power from the portable computing device and having an output coupled to the second connector to provide power to a second type of accessory.

2. The docking station of claim 1 wherein the first regulator is a low-dropout regulator.

3. The docking station of claim 2 further comprising a second regulator coupled between the connector insert and the first regulator.

4. The docking station of claim 3 wherein the second regulator is a buck-boost regulator.

5. The docking station of claim 4 wherein the connector insert is a Lightening connector insert.

6. The docking station of claim 4 wherein the portable computing device comprises a smart phone

7. The docking station of claim 4 wherein a second type of accessory is an accessory having a first voltage requirement.

8. The docking station of claim 4 wherein a second type of accessory is an accessory made by a specific vendor.

9. The docking station of claim 4 wherein the second connector is located on the housing and comprises a connector receptacle.

10. The docking station of claim 4 wherein the second connector comprises a connector insert and the connector insert connects to the docking station via a cable.

11. A docking station comprising:

a housing;

a connector insert located on the housing and arranged to mate with a connector receptacle on a portable computing device;

a second connector to connect to an accessory;

a first circuit; and

a power circuit to provide power to the first circuit from one of a battery of the portable computing device or an accessory in a first mode, and to provide power to the first circuit from an accessory in a second mode,

wherein in the first mode, the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the battery of the portable computing device when a voltage provided by the battery of the portable computing device is higher than a voltage provided by the accessory, and the power circuit provides power to the first circuit from the accessory when a voltage provided by the battery of the portable computing device is lower than a voltage provided by the accessory.

12. The docking station of claim 11 wherein the first circuit comprises a multiplexing circuit.

13. The docking station of claim 12 wherein the multiplexing circuit multiplexes signals at the second connector such that the second connector may be reversible.

14. The docking station of claim 11 wherein the second mode is a programming mode for the portable computing device.

15. The docking station of claim 11 wherein the power circuit comprises a regulator coupled to the connector insert and further coupled to the second connector.

16. The docking station of claim 15 wherein the regulator comprises a low-dropout regulator.

17. The docking station of claim 16 wherein the power circuit further comprises a first disconnect diode between the connector insert and the regulator and a second disconnect diode between the second connector and the regulator.

18. The docking station of claim 17 further comprising a switch between the second disconnect diode and the second connector.

19. The docking station of claim 11 wherein the second connector is located on the housing and comprises a connector receptacle.

20. The docking station of claim 11 wherein the second connector comprises a connector insert and the connector insert connects to the docking station via a cable.