Cable or module identification apparatus and method

• US 6,509,659 B1
• Filed: 10/24/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramsden, Martin, Carroll, Chason
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/999,839
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 307/125, 439/955, 324/66, 320/106, 320/107, 379/446, 379/454, 455/557, 455/559
• US Class Current: 307/125
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/955 including electronic identifier or coding means

Abstract

This invention includes a universal base unit having a plurality of cables, each corresponding to a unique electronic host device. The cable is manufactured such that the ground connection of the electronic host device is routed to one of a plurality of identification pins. In one embodiment, the identification pins are coupled to a plurality of current sense resistors. When the cable is coupled serially between the electronic device and the universal base unit, the universal base unit identifies the unique electronic device by sensing which resistor is connected to the ground of the electronic host. In another embodiment, pull-up resistors are used instead of current sense resistors. The system allows a user to carry a single power supply or universal base unit with multiple cables as opposed to having to transport a different accessory for each electronic device.

Claims

1. An intelligent accessory system for identifying a particular electronic device, the system comprising:

a. a universal base unit having a control circuit, the control circuit having at least a first input and a second input, the universal base unit further comprising at least a first resistor and a second resistor coupled to the at least a first input and the at least a second input respectively; and

b. an interface device having both a first connector capable of mechanically and electrically coupling to the universal base unit and a second connector capable of mechanically and electrically coupling to at least a first electronic device, the second connector having at least a first identification pin and at least a second identification pin, wherein the at least a first identification pin is coupled to the at least a first resistor and the at least a second identification pin is coupled to the at least a second resistor;

wherein when the interface device is coupled serially between the universal base unit and the at least a first electronic device, a voltage is created across the at least a first resistor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein when the interface device is coupled serially between universal base unit and at least a second electronic device, a voltage is created across the at least a second resistor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control circuit determines the identity of the at least a first electronic device by sensing the voltage across the at least a first resistor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control circuit determines the identity of the at least a second electronic device by sensing the voltage across the at least a second resistor.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein when the at least a first electronic device is identified, the control circuit configures the universal base unit to accommodate the at least a first electronic device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the universal base unit further comprises a power conversion circuit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the power conversion circuit is selected from the group consisting of fly back regulator, a step-down, or “

buck”

, regulator, a step-up regulator, a buck-boost regulator, and a resonant regulator.

8. A method for identifying an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a universal base unit having a control circuit, at least two resistance means coupled electrically to the control circuit, the universal base unit further comprising a universal connector having at least two identification pins;

b. providing an interface means, the interface means comprising a universal mating connector and a connector of accommodating a first electronic device;

c. coupling the interface means serially between the first electronic device and the universal base unit;

d. sensing a voltage across a first of the at least two resistance means; and

e. associating a set of accommodating parameters associated with the first electronic device as a result of sensing a voltage across a first of the at least two resistance means.