POWER ADAPTER FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE

• US 20150221414A1
• Filed: 12/03/2012
• Published: 08/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Matsuoka, Yoshimichi, Leiba, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US13/692,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20150221414A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C

Abstract

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a power adapter for a computing device having at least one processor may include a power interface for supplying power to the computing device including the at least one processor via a multi-functional cable interposed between the power adapter and the computing device. The power adapter may include a network interface for communicating with the at least one processor via the multi-functional cable and a remote server over a wireless network. The multi-functional cable may be configured with a first transitory medium for supplying power to the computing device from the power interface and a second transitory medium for transferring information between the computing device and the network interface.

Claims

1. A power adapter for a computing device having at least one processor, comprising:

a power interface for supplying power to the computing device including the at least one processor via a multi-functional cable interposed between the power adapter and the computing device; and

a network interface for communicating with the at least one processor via the multi-functional cable and a remote server over a wireless network,

wherein the multi-functional cable is configured with a first transitory medium for supplying power to the computing device from the power interface and a second transitory medium for transferring information between the computing device and the network interface.

2. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the power adapter is configured to be disposed away from the computing device by a distance of less than or equal to a length of the multi-functional cable.

3. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor of the computing device is configured to communicate with the remote server via the network interface of the power adapter by transferring information over the second transitory medium of the multi-functional cable to the network interface, and the network interface transferring the information received from the at least one processor to the remote server over the wireless network.

4. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional cable is configured to enclose the first and second transitory mediums, and the first transitory medium is separate from the second transitory medium.

5. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein:

the first transitory medium comprises first wiring for supplying power to the computing device including the at least one processor from the power interface of the power adapter via the multi-functional cable, and

the second transitory medium comprises second wiring for transferring information between the computing device including the at least one processor and the network interface of the power adapter via the multi-functional cable.

6. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein:

the first transitory medium comprises first shielded wiring; and

the second transitory medium comprises second shielded wiring,

wherein the first transitory medium is shielded separately from the second transitory medium.

7. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the network interface of the power adapter is configured to transmit and receive wired communication signals to and from the computing device over the second transitory medium of the multi-functional cable.

8. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the network interface of the power adapter comprises one or more communication components including at least one of a transceiver, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna to communicate with the remote server over the wireless network.

9. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the network interface of the power adapter is configured to transmit and receive wireless radio frequency (RF) communication signals to and from the remote server over the wireless network.

10. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the power interface of the power adapter is configured as a power converter adapted to transform an alternating current power signal received from an alternating current power source via a power cable to a direct current power signal for supplying to the computing device including the at least one processor via the first transitory medium of the multi-functional cable.

11. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein:

the power adapter is configured for attaching to the computing device, and

when attached, the power adapter serves as a handle for carrying the computing device by a user.

12. The power adapter of claim 11, wherein:

the power adapter is configured for detaching from the computing device, and

when detached, the power adapter is configured to be disposed away from the computing device by a distance less than or equal to a length of the multi-functional cable.

13. The power adapter of claim 1, further comprising a communication port interface for communicating with the at least one processor via the multi-functional cable, wherein:

the multi-functional cable is configured with a third transitory medium for transferring information between the computing device and the communication port interface including one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) port, an Ethernet port, a firewire port, a serial port, a parallel port, and a digital visual interface (DVI) port,

the multi-functional cable is configured to enclose the first, second, and third transitory mediums, and the third transitory medium is separate from the first and second transitory mediums,

the third transitory medium comprises third wiring for transferring information between the computing device and the communication port interface of the power adapter via the multi-functional cable,

the third transitory medium comprises third shielded wiring, and

the third transitory medium is shielded separately from the first and second transitory mediums.

14. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the power adapter comprises a charger configured for supplying charge power to a battery of the computing device via the multi-functional cable.

15. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a portable computing device including at least one of a laptop computer, a notebook computer, and a tablet computer.

16. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises a wireless communication network adapted to communicate with the Internet.

17. A system comprising:

a computing device comprising at least one processor;

a multi-functional cable comprising a first transitory medium for supplying power to the computing device and a second transitory medium for transferring information with the computing device; and

a power adapter comprising a power interface for supplying power to the computing device including the at least one processor via the first transitory medium of the multi-functional cable when interposed between the computing device and the power adapter, the power adapter further comprising a network interface for communicating with the at least one processor via the second transitory medium of the multi-functional cable and a remote server via a wireless network,

wherein the multi-functional cable electrically connects the computing device to the power interface of the power adapter via the first transitory medium for supplying power to the computing device from the power interface, and

wherein the multi-functional cable electrically connects the computing device to the network interface of the power adapter via the second transitory medium for transferring information between the computing device and the network interface.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the power adapter is configured to be disposed away from the computing device by a distance less than or equal to a length of the multi-functional cable.

19. A method comprising:

assembling a power adapter with a power interface and a network interface for use by a computing device having at least one processor; and

assembling a multi-functional cable having a plurality of transitory mediums for electrically connecting between the power adapter and the computing device, wherein the multi-functional cable provides for supplying power to the computing device including the at least one processor from the power interface of the power adapter via a first transitory medium of the multi-functional cable when interposed between the computing device and the power adapter,

wherein the multi-functional cable provides for communicating between the at least one processor of the computing device and the network interface of the power adapter via a second transitory medium of the multi-functional cable, and

wherein the multi-functional cable provides for communicating between a remote server and the computing device via the second transitory medium of the multi-functional cable and the network interface of the power adapter over a wireless network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the power adapter is configured to be disposed away from the computing device by a distance less than or equal to a length of the multi-functional cable.