Power supply equipment providing multiple identification signals

• US 9,118,240 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comarco Wireless Systems LLC (AppBrilliance, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies Incorporated (Comarco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lanni, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cavallari, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US13/222,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20130049487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 307/151
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc

Abstract

Power supply equipment is provided for supplying an appropriate power adapter identification signal, as well as DC power, to various types, brand and models of electronic devices. The equipment includes a power adapter having conversion circuitry for converting power from an external power source to the DC power utilized by a particular electronic device. The power adapter also includes circuitry to generate a plurality of power adapter identification signals. Selection circuitry, responsive to user selection or to the configuration of a cable, connector or connector adapter included with the power supply equipment, selects a particular one of power adapter identification signals appropriate for the particular electronic device. The selected power adapter identification signal and the DC power are transferred to the power input port of the electronic device.

Claims

1. Power supply equipment, including an adapter and an output connector to power an electronic device, comprising:

conversion circuitry, within the adapter, to convert power from a power source, external to the adapter, to a DC power for powering the electronic device;

circuitry, within the adapter, including a memory for storing a plurality of power adapter identification signals; and

selection circuitry, having a switch responsive to user selection or to a configuration of a cable, connectors or connector adapter electrically coupled to the adapter, to select one of the plurality of power adapter identification signals,

wherein the output connector has a size, shapes and pin-out configured to detachably mate with a power input port of the electronic device, and receives the DC power and the one selected power adapter identification signal for transfer to the electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tool, having a first end, for operating the switch, wherein the switch comprises an input configured to detachably mate with the first end of the tool, wherein the input is substantially inaccessible to the user without the tool.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the cable is configured to detachably mate with the adapter.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distal end of the cable is further configured to detachably mate with the connector adapter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each power adapter identification signal identifies a different brand of an electronic device.

6. Power supply equipment, including an adapter and an output connector, comprising:

conversion circuitry, within the adapter, to convert power from a power source external to the adapter to a DC power for powering an electronic device;

means for generating a plurality of power adapter identification signals; and

selection circuitry, having a switch responsive to user selection or to a configuration of a cable, connector, or connector adapter electrically coupled to the adapter, to select one of the plurality of power adapter identification signals,

wherein the output connector has a size, shape, and pin-out configured to detachably mate with a power input port of the electronic device, and receives the DC power and the one selected power adapter identification signal for transfer to the electronic device.