METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHARGING PERIPHERALS

• US 20100066303A1
• Filed: 11/06/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Lam, Hue V., Jacobs, Robert Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,969,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the 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

The invention includes a peripheral charging system for a computer. The peripheral charging system comprises a retention mechanism configured to retain a peripheral having a battery, the retention mechanism comprising a charging mechanism, and a system battery electrically connected to the charging mechanism. When the peripheral is retained by the retention mechanism, the peripheral contacts the charging mechanism of the retention mechanism to charge the peripheral battery. The invention also comprises a method for charging a peripheral for a mobile computing device. The method comprises retaining the peripheral in a retention mechanism of the mobile computing device, and charging a battery of the peripheral device from a battery of the mobile computing device. The retention mechanism of the mobile computing device includes a charging mechanism configured to supply charge to a charging mechanism of the peripheral.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A peripheral charging system of a mobile computing device,

wherein the peripheral charging system is built into the mobile computing system, wherein the mobile computing device contains firmware and software that supports wireless use of the peripheral by the mobile computing device,

wherein the mobile computing device is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the peripheral and the peripheral is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the mobile computing device, and

wherein the peripheral comprises a wireless medical device.

22. The peripheral charging system of claim 21, further comprising a programmable voltage regulator.

23. The peripheral charging system of claim 22, further comprising voltage control interface.

24. The peripheral charging system of claim 21, wherein the system is configured to provide power at a default voltage and current.

25. The peripheral charging system of claim 21, further comprising a microcontroller configured to manage charging power.

26. The peripheral charging system of claim 25, wherein the microcontroller is configured to prioritize charging of peripherals.

27. A mobile computing device comprising a peripheral charging system configured to retain and charge a peripheral having a battery, the mobile computing device comprising:

firmware and software that supports wireless use of the peripheral by the mobile computing device and

wherein the mobile computing device is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the peripheral and the peripheral is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the mobile computing device,

wherein the peripheral comprises a wireless medical device.

28. The mobile computing device of claim 27, further comprising a charging status indicator.

29. The mobile computing device of claim 28, wherein the charging status indicator comprises LEDs.

30. The mobile computing device of claim 27, further comprising an electrical connection between the peripheral and the mobile computing device.

31. The mobile computing device of claim 30, wherein the electrical connection is configured to deliver power and to exchange information between the peripheral and the mobile computing device.

32. The mobile computing device of claim 27, further comprising a microcontroller configured to determine if the battery of the peripheral is rechargable and/or functioning properly.

33. The mobile computing device of claim 27, wherein the peripheral comprises an integrated circuit configured to report information to the mobile computing device.

34. The mobile computing device of claim 33, wherein the information includes one or more of battery type, model number, manufacturer, characteristics, discharge rate, predicted remaining capacity, almost-discharged alarm, temperature or voltage.

35. A method for charging a peripheral of a mobile computing device, the method comprising:

electrically connecting the peripheral to the mobile computing device; and

charging a battery of the peripheral device with a peripheral charging system in the mobile computing device;

wherein the peripheral charging system is built into the mobile computing system, wherein the mobile computing device contains firmware and software that supports wireless use of the peripheral by the mobile computing device,

wherein the mobile computing device is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the peripheral and the peripheral is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the mobile computing device,

wherein the peripheral comprises a wireless medical device.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising independently specifying a default voltage and current limit for each peripheral or each type of peripheral.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing an initial charge to the peripheral from the mobile computing device if the peripheral is unable to communicate.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising receiving information from the peripheral.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the information comprises one or more of charge level, remaining battery capacity, device type, device priority, preferred voltage input limit level, preferred current limit level, or system status.