Power adapter for powering a remote device through a computer data port

• US 6,138,242 A
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Plyler, William W., Massman, Lloyd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Application Number:
  US09/430,070
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300-340, 710/129, 710/62, 363/13, 363/34, 363/50, 365/226, 307/2-6, 307/45
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A power adapter for powering a remote device for use with a portable computer. The power adapter has a first plug for connecting to a data port of the portable computer and for sourcing power from the data port. Also provided is a power converter electrically connected to the first plug for regulating the sourced power from the data port and outputting a power requirement to the remote device. Lastly, a second plug electrically connected to the power converter for connection to the remote device and delivery of the outputted power requirement thereto is provided. Also provided is a portable computer system which utilizes the power adapter of the present invention. The portable computer system comprises a portable computer having a data port, a remote device for use with the portable computer, and the power adapter of the present invention for powering the remote device through the data port. In a preferred embodiment of the power adapter, the remote device is a cordless telephone transceiver and the power is sourced from a mouse port of the portable computer.

Claims

1. A power adapter for powering a remote device for use with a portable computer, the power adapter comprising:

a first plug for connecting to a data port of the portable computer and for sourcing power from the data port, said data port including one selected from a group comprising;

a mouse port and a USB port;

a power converter electrically connected to the first plug for regulating the sourced power from the data port and outputting a power requirement to the remote device, and

a second plug electrically connected to the power converter for connection to the remote device and delivery of the outputted power requirement thereto.

2. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the data port is a mouse port.

3. The power adapter of claim 2, wherein the first plug is a mouse plug for connection to the mouse port.

4. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a cordless telephone transceiver for providing a cordless telephone line connection to the portable computer via a cordless telephone base set connected to a telephone interface.

5. The power adapter of claim 4, wherein the second plug is a power plug for connection to the cordless telephone transceiver and providing the power requirement therein.

6. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the power converter comprises a circuit means, the circuit means having a forward biased diode for converting the sourced power to the power requirement for the remote device.

7. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the first plug and the power converter are of integral construction.

8. A portable computer system comprising:

a portable computer having a data port, the data port having a source of power, said data port including

one selected from a group comprising;

a mouse port and a USB port;

a remote device for use with the portable computer and having a power requirement for its operation, and

a power adapter for powering the remote device through the data port, the power adapter comprising, a first plug for connecting to the data port of the portable computer and for sourcing power from the data port, a power converter electrically connected to the first plug for regulating the sourced power from the data port and outputting the power requirement to the remote device;

a second plug electrically connected to the power converter for connection to the remote device and delivery of the outputted power requirement thereto.

9. The portable computer system of claim 8, wherein the portable computer is powered by an internal battery of the portable computer and the data port power source is supplied by the internal battery.

10. The portable computer system of claim 8, wherein the portable computer is powered by an external AC power source connected to the portable computer and the data port power source is supplied by the external AC power source.

11. The portable computer system of claim 8, wherein the data port is a mouse port.

12. The portable computer system of claim 11, wherein the first plug is a mouse plug for connection to the mouse port.

13. The portable computer system of claim 8, wherein the remote device is a cordless telephone transceiver for providing a cordless telephone line connection to the portable computer via a cordless telephone base set connected to a telephone interface.

14. The portable computer system of claim 13, wherein the second plug is a power plug for connection to the cordless telephone transceiver and providing the power requirement therein.

15. The portable computer system of claim 8, wherein the power converter comprises a circuit means, the circuit means having a forward biased diode for converting the sourced power to the power requirement for the remote device.

16. The portable computer system of claim 8, wherein the first plug and the power converter are of integral construction.