Charging and power supply for mobile devices

• US 7,893,655 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2010
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC (Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Veselic, Dusan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US12/716,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20100156179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 320/128, 320/112, 320/114
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

Charging and power supply for mobile devices is disclosed. A USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit includes switch-mode battery charging circuitry for receiving power from an external power source and for supplying output power through an output node to an electronic system of an electronic communication device and a battery. Battery isolation circuitry includes a semiconductor switch connecting the output node to the battery. The battery isolation circuitry senses voltage at the output node and variably restricts current to the battery when the voltage is below a minimum voltage value by operationally controlling the semiconductor switch as current passes through it. During variable current restriction the electronic system is supplied required power with said battery being supplied any additional available power.

Claims

1. A power management method for allocating power between a rechargeable battery and an electronic system, said electronic system having a power input and a plurality of modes of operation, the method comprising:

generating output power;

receiving a reference voltage from said electronic system;

determining, based on said reference voltage, a minimum voltage value needed at a node directly connected to said power input of said electronic system;

sensing that a voltage at said node is below said minimum voltage value; and

restricting, responsive to said sensing, current from said output power to said battery, thereby increasing power allocated to said electronic system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises deriving said output power from an external power source in a manner such that said output power has a higher current and a lower voltage than power provided by said external power source.

3. A USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit comprising:

switch-mode battery charging circuitry adapted to;

receive external power from an external power source; and

supply output power, through an output node, to;

an electronic system of an electronic communication device; and

a battery, via a switch;

said switch-mode battery charging circuitry having an integrated circuit and an inductor, said integrated circuit arranged to cooperate with said inductor to supply said output power with a current of greater magnitude than current of said external power;

battery isolation circuitry adapted to;

receive a reference voltage from said electronic system;

determine, based on said reference voltage, a minimum voltage value needed at said output node;

sense that a voltage at said output node is below said minimum voltage value; and

control, responsive to said sensing, said switch to restrict current of said output power to said battery, thereby increasing a power allocated to said electronic system.

4. The USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit of claim 3 wherein said switch-mode battery charging circuitry includes switch-mode power supply circuitry adapted to:

receive battery power from said battery;

convert said battery power to converted power; and

supply said converted power to said electronic system through said inductor and said output node.

5. The USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit of claim 3 wherein said voltage at said output node is fed back to said integrated circuit and in response, said integrated circuit is arranged to adjust said voltage value at said output node.

6. The USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit of claim 3 further comprising a switch-mode DC-DC converter integrated circuit adapted to:

receive battery power from said battery;

convert said battery power to converted power; and

supply said converted power to said inductor.

7. The USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit of claim 3 wherein said switch-mode battery charging circuitry includes switch-mode power supply circuitry adapted to:

receive battery power from said battery;

convert said battery power to converted power; and

supply said converted power to said electronic system through said output node.

8. An electronic communication device electrically connectable to an external power source, said device comprising:

a device housing;

a rechargeable battery contained within said housing;

an electronic system contained within said housing; and

a charging and power supply circuit contained within said housing, said charging and power supply circuit including;

switch-mode battery charging circuitry adapted to;

receive power from an external power source; and

supply output power, through an output node, to;

said electronic system; and

said rechargeable battery, via a switch;

said switch-mode battery charging circuitry having an integrated circuit and an inductor, said integrated circuit arranged to cooperate with said inductor to supply said output power with a current of greater magnitude than current of said power received from said external power source;

battery isolation circuitry adapted to;

receive a reference voltage from said electronic system;

determine, based on said reference voltage, a minimum voltage value needed at said output node;

sense that a voltage at said output node is below said minimum voltage value; and

control, responsive to said sensing, said switch to restrict current of said output power to said rechargeable battery, thereby increasing power allocated to said electronic system.

9. The electronic communication device of claim 8 wherein said switch-mode battery charging circuitry includes switch-mode power supply circuitry adapted to:

receive power from said rechargeable battery;

converting said power from said rechargeable battery to converted power; and

supply said converted power to said electronic system through said inductor and said output node.

10. The electronic communication device of claim 8 wherein said switch is a semiconductor switch.

11. The electronic communication device of claim 8 further comprising circuitry adapted to:

determine charging of said rechargeable battery has been disabled; and

responsive to said determining, turn off said switch.