Multifunctional charger system and method

• US 8,232,766 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• 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: Luong, Quang A., Malton, Jonathan T., Fischer, Daniel M., Radut, Dan G., Habicher, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US13/175,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20110279080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 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 device, comprising:

a USB communication path; and

a charging subsystem enabled to draw current unrestricted by at least one predetermined USB Specification limit, said enablement being responsive to an abnormal USB data condition detected at said USB communication path.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined USB Specification limit is a current limit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said enabling of the charging subsystem occurs without USB enumeration.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said USB communication path includes a D+ line and a D−

line.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said abnormal USB data condition is an abnormal USB data line condition on said D+ line and said D−

line.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said abnormal USB data line condition is a logic high signal on each of said D+ and D−

lines.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined USB Specification limit is a current limit of 500 mA.

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

9. A mobile device, comprising:

a USB communication path and a USB VBUS line; and

a charging subsystem enabled to draw power unrestricted by at least one predetermined USB Specification limit, said enablement being responsive to said USB VBUS line being externally powered and an abnormal USB data condition detected at said USB communication path.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said predetermined USB Specification limit is a current limit defined by USB Specification.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said enabling of the charging system occurs without USB enumeration.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein said USB communication path includes a D+ line and a D−

line.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said abnormal USB data condition is an abnormal USB data line condition on said D+ line and said D−

line.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said abnormal USB data line condition is a logic high signal on each of said D+ and D−

lines.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein said predetermined USB Specification limit is a current limit of 500 mA.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein each said logic high signals is signals greater than 2V.

17. A method of charging a mobile device having a charging subsystem and a USB communication path, comprising:

upon detection of an identification signal on said path, drawing current in excess of at least one USB Specification defined limit; and

if said identification signal is not detected, drawing current in accordance with said USB Specification.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said USB Specification defined limit is a current limit defined by USB Specification.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the identification signal includes an abnormal signal on the USB communication path.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said USB communication path includes a D+ line and a D−

line.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the abnormal signal includes logic high signals on said D+ line and said D−

line.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said current limit is a current limit of 500 mA.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said logic high signals are signals greater than 2V.

24. A mobile device, comprising:

a USB communication path including a D+ line and a D−

line; and

a charging subsystem enabled to draw current in excess of 500 mA, said enablement being responsive to signals in excess of 2V detected at each of said D+ and D−

lines and said enablement occurring without USB enumeration.