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

• US 9,806,548 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2016
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies Incorporated (Comarco Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies Incorporated (Comarco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lanni, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US15/229,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20160344215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 307151
• 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 method of providing power to an electronic device comprising:

detachably mating an output connector to the electronic device;

selecting a power adapter identification signal generated by one or more power adapter identification circuits, for transmission to the electronic device via the output connector;

sending the selected power adapter identification signal from the power adapter identification circuit to the electronic device via the output connector; and

selectively transmitting DC power to the electronic device via the output connector based on the selected power adapter identification signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power adapter identification signal is selected by a user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the power adapter identification signal is selected by the configuration of a cable, the output connector, or the output connector adapter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the configuration of the cable, output connector, or output connector adapter selectively determines the transmission of a code which is sent from the output connector to a switching mechanism in the power adapter identification circuit.