Charging methods and electronic devices

• US 9,929,578 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2014
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Zhou, Zhiqiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Memula, Suresh
• Application Number:
  US14/227,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20150042290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 320137
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034

Abstract

Charging methods and electronic devices are provided. According to an embodiment, provided is a charging method for an electronic device having a plurality of operating modes. The method may comprise: detecting an operating mode of the electronic device; utilizing a first charging mode corresponding to a first operating mode to charge the electronic device when the first operating mode is detected; and utilizing a second charging mode corresponding to a second operating mode to charge the electronic device when the second operating mode is detected.

Claims

1. A charging method for a first electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting a connection mode between the first electronic device and a second electronic device connectable to the first electronic device in at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode;

determining which one of a first charging mode and a second charging mode will be used to charge the first electronic device based the detected connection mode; and

charging the first electronic device by utilizing the determined one of the first charging mode and the second charging mode.

2. The charging method according to claim 1,

wherein said determining which one of a first charging mode and a second charging mode will be used to charge the first electronic device based the detected connection mode comprises:

determining that the first charging mode will be used to charge the first electronic device if the first connection mode was detected, and

wherein said charging the first electronic device by utilizing the determined one of the first charging mode and the second charging mode comprises;

determining a first energy storage unit of the first electronic device to be the one with a higher charging priority based on the first connection mode;

charging the first energy storage unit; and

charging a second energy storage unit of the second electronic device when it is detected that the first energy storage unit is in a full charge status.

3. The charging method according to claim 1,

wherein said determining which one of a first charging mode and a second charging mode will be used to charge the first electronic device based the detected connection mode comprises:

determining that the second charging mode will be used to charge the first electronic device if the second connection mode was detected, and

wherein said charging the first electronic device by utilizing the determined one of the first charging mode and the second charging mode comprises;

determining a second energy storage unit of the second electronic device to be the one with a higher charging priority based on the second connection mode;

charging the second energy storage unit; and

charging a first energy storage unit of the first electronic device when it is detected that the second energy storage unit is in a full charge status.

4. The charging method according to claim 3, wherein after determining that the second energy storage unit of the second electronic device is the one with a higher charging priority, the method further comprises:

detecting third status information indicating that the second energy storage unit is in an uncharged status; and

utilizing the first energy storage unit to charge the second energy storage unit based on the third status information.

5. A charging method for a first electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting a connection mode between the first electronic device and a second electronic device connectable to the first electronic device in at least two connection modes;

utilizing a first charging mode corresponding to a first connection mode to charge the first electronic device when the first connection mode is detected; and

utilizing a second charging mode corresponding to a second connection mode to charge the first electronic device when the second connection mode is detected,

wherein said detecting a connection mode between the first electronic device and the second electronic device comprises;

detecting first status information about proximity of a first surface of the first electronic device to a second surface of the second electronic device;

determining that the connection mode between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is the first connection mode based on the first status information;

detecting second status information about proximity of the first surface of the first electronic device to a third surface of the second electronic device; and

determining that the connection mode between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is the second connection mode based on the second status information.

6. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

a processor configured to;

detect a connection mode between the electronic device and a second electronic device connectable to the electronic device in at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode;

determine which one of a first charging mode and a second charging mode will be used to charge the electronic device based the detected connection mode; and

charge the electronic device by utilizing the determined one of the first charging mode and the second charging mode.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

based on the first status information;

detect first status information about proximity of a first surface of the electronic device to a second surface of the second electronic device;

determine that the connection mode between the electronic device and the second electronic device is the first connection mode based on the first status information;

detect second status information about proximity of the first surface of the electronic device to a third surface of the second electronic device; and

determine that the connection mode between the electronic device and the second electronic device is the second connection mode based on the second status information.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that the first charging mode will be used to charge the electronic device if the first connection mode was detected,

determine a first energy storage unit of the electronic device to be the one with a higher charging priority based on the first connection mode;

charge the first energy storage unit; and

charge a second energy storage unit of the second electronic device when it is detected that the first energy storage unit is in a full charge status.

9. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein processor is further configured to:

determine that the second charging mode will be used to charge the electronic device if the second connection mode was detected;

determine a second energy storage unit of the second electronic device to be the one with a higher charging priority based on the second connection mode;

charge the second energy storage unit; and

charge a first energy storage unit of the electronic device when it is detected that the second energy storage unit is in a full charge status.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to:

after determining that the second energy storage unit of the second electronic device is the one with a higher charging priority;

detect third status information indicating that the second energy storage unit is in an uncharged status; and

utilize the first energy storage unit to charge the second energy storage unit based on the third status information.