Power supply system providing power and analog data signal for use by portable electronic device to control battery charging

• US 9,413,187 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2013
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comarco Wireless Systems LLC (AppBrilliance, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies Incorporated (Comarco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lanni, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US13/943,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20130300376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 307/147
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/00 Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• 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: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection

Abstract

A power supply system includes data circuitry as well as power circuitry to generate DC power for use by a portable electronic device having a rechargeable battery. The DC power, ground and two signaling lines are provided in a power supply connector which detachably mates with an electronic device power input port. In response to a first signal from the electronic device transmitted over one of the signaling lines, the data circuitry provides an analog signal to the electronic device over the other signaling line. The electronic device determines a parameter level, such as a current level, of the analog signal, and based on the determined parameter level controls charging of its battery.

Claims

1. A system including a portable electronic device and a power supply system, the portable electronic device including a rechargeable battery, the power supply system being external to the portable electronic device and providing DC power thereto, wherein

the power supply system includes:

power circuitry to provide the DC power,

data circuitry to receive a first signal originating from the portable electronic device and to provide a second signal to the portable electronic device, and

a connector disposed on a cable end, the connector having four conductors for detachably mating with a power input opening of the portable electronic device, the first and second conductors transferring the DC power and its ground reference to the portable electronic device, the third conductor transferring the first signal from the portable electronic device to the data circuitry, and the fourth conductor transferring the second signal from the data circuitry to the portable electronic device;

the portable electronic device provides the first signal;

the data circuitry, in response to the first signal, provides the second signal, the second signal being an analog signal; and

the portable electronic device, upon receipt of the second signal, determines a parameter level of the second signal and based on the determined parameter level controls charging of the battery within the portable electronic device from the DC power provided by the power supply system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power circuitry within the power supply system converts power from a power source, external to the power supply system, to the DC power.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the parameter level of the second signal determined by the portable electronic device is a current level.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is removable from the cable end.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data circuitry within the power supply system comprises a microcontroller.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the data circuitry within the power supply system comprises a memory.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device includes a controller which allows or does not allow charging of the battery within the portable electronic device in response to the determined parameter level of the second signal.

8. A power supply system for providing DC power to a portable electronic device, the power supply system being external to the portable electronic device and comprising:

power circuitry to provide the DC power;

data circuitry to receive a first signal originating from the portable electronic device and to provide a second signal to the portable electronic device; and

a connector disposed on a cable end, the connector having four conductors for detachably mating with a power input opening of the portable electronic device, the first and second conductors transferring the DC power and its ground reference to the portable electronic device, the third conductor transferring the first signal from the portable electronic device to the data circuitry, and the fourth conductor transferring the second signal from the data circuitry to the portable electronic device, wherein

the data circuitry, in response to the first signal, provides the second signal to the portable electronic device, the second signal being an analog signal having a parameter level to indicate to the portable electronic device the potential power output level of the power supply system.

9. The power supply system of claim 8, wherein the power circuitry converts power from a power source, external to the power supply system, to the DC power.

10. The power supply system of claim 8, wherein the parameter level of the second signal is a current level.

11. The power supply system of claim 8, wherein the connector is removable from the cable end.

12. The power supply system of claim 8, wherein the data circuitry comprises a microcontroller.

13. The power supply system of claim 12, wherein the data circuitry comprises a memory.