Charging and monitoring apparatus and method of charging a battery and monitoring the power level through power supply line
First Claim
1. A charging apparatus for connecting to a communication apparatus, said communication apparatus performing data communication via a communication channel connected to a computer, said communication channel being used to make the connection between said charging apparatus and said communication apparatus, said communication channel including a communication line for data communication and a power supply line for supplying electric power, and said charging apparatus comprising:
- a monitoring circuit for monitoring the electric power level supplied through said power supply line, where data representing the monitored power level is supplied to a processor in the charging apparatus which controls the power level in the power supply line based on the monitored power level and charging ability of said communication apparatus; and
a charging circuit for applying electric power, with which it is supplied through said power supply line from said computer via said communication channel, to a connector of a data processing unit driven by a battery installed in said data processing unit, the data processing unit being formed to have said connector in order to input electric power for charging the battery, and said data processing unit being freely attachable and detachable to said connector of said charging apparatus.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A battery is charged utilizing electric power provided by a power supply line included in a cable that is in accordance with IEEE 1394. A charging apparatus and a personal computer are connected together by the cable. A power source unit in the personal computer converts AC voltage to direct voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the power supply line. The voltage is applied to a charging circuit via the power supply line, thereby charging the battery. A signal line included in the cable is used when the charging apparatus and personal computer send and receive data to and from each other.
52 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A charging apparatus for connecting to a communication apparatus, said communication apparatus performing data communication via a communication channel connected to a computer, said communication channel being used to make the connection between said charging apparatus and said communication apparatus, said communication channel including a communication line for data communication and a power supply line for supplying electric power, and said charging apparatus comprising:
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a monitoring circuit for monitoring the electric power level supplied through said power supply line, where data representing the monitored power level is supplied to a processor in the charging apparatus which controls the power level in the power supply line based on the monitored power level and charging ability of said communication apparatus; and a charging circuit for applying electric power, with which it is supplied through said power supply line from said computer via said communication channel, to a connector of a data processing unit driven by a battery installed in said data processing unit, the data processing unit being formed to have said connector in order to input electric power for charging the battery, and said data processing unit being freely attachable and detachable to said connector of said charging apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
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2. A method of charging a battery using a charging apparatus connected to a communication apparatus, which is capable of performing data communication via a communication channel connected to a computer, and using said communication channel to make a connection wherein:
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said communication channel includes a communication line for data communication and a power supply line for supplying electric power, said method comprising the steps of; monitoring, by a monitoring circuit in said charging apparatus, the electric power level supplied through said power supply line, where data representing the monitored power level is supplied to a processor in the charging apparatus which controls the power level in the power supply line based on the monitored power level and charging ability of said communication apparatus; applying electric power by said charging apparatus, supplied through said power supply line from said computer via said communication channel, to a connector of a data processing unit driven by a battery installed in said data processing unit, forming the data processing unit to have said connector in order to input electric power for charging the battery, and charging said battery by the electric power applied. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 10)
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Specification