Multifunctional charger system and method

• US 8,169,187 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC (Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Fischer, Daniel M., Radut, Dan G., Habicher, Michael F., Luong, Quang A., Malton, Jonathan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US13/175,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20110285346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/111, 320/114, 320/140
• US Class Current: 320/111
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

An adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through an industry standard port is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a plug unit, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the adapter to a power socket and operative to receive energy from the power socket. The power converter is electrically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device. The primary connector is electrically coupled to the power converter and is operative to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted power requirement to the mobile device. The identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a USB VBUS line and a USB communication path,

said device configured to draw current from the VBUS line without regard to at least one associated condition specified in a USB specification.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said associated condition is a current limit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said current is drawn without USB enumeration.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said current is drawn in response to an abnormal data condition on said USB communication path.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said USB communication path includes a D+ line and a D−

line.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said abnormal data condition is an abnormal data line condition on said D+ line and said D−

line.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said abnormal data line condition comprises is a logic high signals on signal on each of said D+ and D−

lines.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein each said logic high signals is greater than 2V.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein said current limit is 500 mA.

17. The device of claim 6, wherein each said logic high signal is greater than 2V.

10. A mobile device, comprising:

a USB VBUS line and a USB communication path,

said device configured to draw current from the VBUS line without regard to at least one USB Specification imposed limit.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said USB Specification imposed limit is a current limit.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said current is drawn without USB enumeration.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said current is drawn in response to an abnormal data condition on said USB communication path.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said USB communication path includes a D+ line and a D−

line.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said abnormal data condition is an abnormal data line condition on said D+ line and said D−

line.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said abnormal data line condition is a logic high signal on each of said D+ and D−

lines.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein said current limit is 500 mA.