Charging and power supply for mobile devices

• US 7,965,058 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• 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:
  US13/004,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20110099802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 161 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320112-114, 320/128
• 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 method of manufacturing a USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit, the method comprising:

forming a switch-mode battery charging circuitry with;

an external power input adapted to receive external power from an external power source;

an output node adapted to supply output power to;

an electronic system of an electronic communication device; and

a battery, via a switch;

an inductor;

an 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; and

forming a battery isolation circuitry with;

said switch;

a reference voltage input adapted to receive a reference voltage from said electronic system;

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

an op-amp adapted to;

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.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said forming said switch-mode battery charging circuitry further comprises:

including a converter adapted to convert battery power to converted power;

connecting a battery power input of said converter, such that said converter receives said battery power from said battery; and

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

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said forming said switch-mode battery charging circuitry further comprises connecting said voltage at said output node to a feedback input of said integrated circuit thereby providing a basis for said integrated circuit to adjust said voltage value at said output node.

4. The method claim 1 wherein said forming said switch-mode battery charging circuitry further comprises:

including a switch-mode DC-DC converter integrated circuit adapted to convert said battery power to converted power;

connecting a battery power input to receive said battery power from said battery; and

connecting a converter output to supply said converted power to said inductor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said forming said switch-mode battery charging circuitry further comprises:

including switch-mode power supply circuitry to convert battery power to converted power;

connecting a battery power input to receive said battery power from said battery; and

connecting a converter output to supply said converted power to said electronic system through said output node.

6. A method of forming an electronic communication device electrically connectable to an external power source, said method comprising:

including a device housing;

containing a rechargeable battery within said housing;

containing an electronic system within said housing; and

forming a charging and power supply circuit within said housing to include;

switch-mode battery charging circuitry including;

an external power input adapted to receive power from an external power source;

an output node adapted to supply output power to;

said electronic system; and

said rechargeable battery, via a switch;

an inductor; and

an 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 including;

said switch;

a reference voltage input adapted to receive a reference voltage from said electronic system;

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

an op-amp adapted to;

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.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said forming said charging and power supply circuit switch-mode battery charging circuitry further comprises:

including switch-mode power supply circuitry adapted to convert power from said rechargeable battery to converted power;

connecting said switch-mode power supply circuitry to said rechargeable battery to receive said power from said rechargeable battery; and

connecting said switch-mode power supply circuitry to said inductor and said output node to supply said converted power to said electronic system.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said switch is a semiconductor switch.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said forming said charging and power supply circuit switch-mode battery charging circuitry further comprises:

connecting circuitry adapted to;

determine charging of said rechargeable battery has been disabled; and

responsive to said determining, turn off said switch.