Portable devices having multiple power interfaces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
- a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, when executed from the memory, cause the processor to perform one or more functions;
a battery coupled to provide power to the processor and the memory; and
a battery charging manager coupled to charge the battery using power derived from a plurality of power sources including a solar power source, the solar power source including one or more solar cells to provide solar power to be used to charge the battery, wherein the one or more solar cells are capable of being plugged into and removed from the portable electronic device, wherein the battery manager is configured to automatically detect when the one or more solar cells are plugged in or removed from the portable electronic device and to select the one or more solar cells as a power source to charge the battery in a plug-and-play fashion.
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Abstract
Portable devices having multiple power interfaces are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device includes, but is not limited to, a processor, a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, when executed from the memory, cause the processor to perform one or more functions, a battery coupled to provide power to the processor and the memory, and a battery charging manager coupled to charge the battery using power derived from a plurality of power sources including a solar power source. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
95 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a processor; a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, when executed from the memory, cause the processor to perform one or more functions; a battery coupled to provide power to the processor and the memory; and a battery charging manager coupled to charge the battery using power derived from a plurality of power sources including a solar power source, the solar power source including one or more solar cells to provide solar power to be used to charge the battery, wherein the one or more solar cells are capable of being plugged into and removed from the portable electronic device, wherein the battery manager is configured to automatically detect when the one or more solar cells are plugged in or removed from the portable electronic device and to select the one or more solar cells as a power source to charge the battery in a plug-and-play fashion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing power to a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
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determining statuses of a plurality of power sources available to the portable electronic device, the plurality of power sources including a solar power source, the solar power source including one or more solar cells to provide solar power to be used to charge the battery, wherein the one or more solar cells are capable of being plugged into and removed from the portable electronic device; and selecting one of the plurality of power sources to charge a battery of the portable electronic device, including selecting the solar power source when an operating environment is appropriate, wherein the one or more solar cells are plugged in, the one or more solar cells are detected and selected automatically in a plug-and-play fashion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for providing power to a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
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means for determining statuses of a plurality of power sources available to the portable electronic device, the plurality of power sources including a solar power source, the solar power source including one or more solar cells to provide solar power to be used to charge the battery, wherein the one or more solar cells are capable of being plugged into and removed from the portable electronic device; and means for selecting one of the plurality of power sources to charge a battery of the portable electronic device, including selecting the solar power source when an operating environment is appropriate, wherein the one or more solar cells are plugged in, the one or more solar cells are detected and selected automatically in a plug-and-play fashion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A portable solar power package, comprising:
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one or more solar cells; a solar power charger coupled to the one or more solar cells; and a power output interface coupled to the solar power charger capable of being coupled to a portable electronic device, wherein the solar power charger is configured to charge a battery of the portable electronic device using solar power derived from the one or more solar cells, wherein the solar power charger is automatically detected and selected to charge the battery of the portable electronic device in a plug-and-play fashion when the portable electronic device is coupled to the power output interface. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification