MULTIPLE FUNCTION CURRENT-SHARING CHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100213899A1
• Filed: 05/07/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC (Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Bayne, Ryan M., Simoes, Felipe O., Todd, Colin N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,816,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/124
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0019 using switched or multiplexed charge circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

Multiple function current-sharing charging systems and methods are provided. Where first and second rechargeable power supplies are connected to a charging system, a first charging current is provided to the first rechargeable power supply and a second charging current is provided to the second rechargeable power supply. Upon detection of a predetermined charge level of one of the rechargeable power supplies, a third charging current is provided to the first rechargeable power supply and a fourth charging current is provided to the second rechargeable power supply.

Claims

1. A method of charging two rechargeable power supplies comprising:

providing a charging system;

providing a universal serial bus (USB) connection;

sending an identification signal via the USB connection, using the USB'"'"'s data lines;

providing a first charging current to a first rechargeable power supply via the USB connection using the V-bus power line, the first charging current enabled to exceed USB 2.0 current draw limitations;

recognizing the identification signal to draw the first charging current at a level that exceeds USB 2.0 current draw limitations;

drawing the first charging current that exceeds USB 2.0 current draw limitations;

determining an available second charging current based on a difference between the first charging current and a maximum output of the charging system; and

while continuing to provide the first charging current using the USB'"'"'s V-bus power line, charging a second rechargeable power supply by providing the second charging current based on the available second charging current.

2. The method of claim 1 where the second charging current comprises the majority of the available second charging current.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that the first rechargeable power supply is substantially charged; and

applying to the second charging current a full charging current of the second rechargeable power supply.

4. The method of claim 1 where the second rechargeable power supply comprises a rechargeable battery configured to be substitutable for a battery in the first rechargeable power supply.

5. The method of claim 1 where as the first rechargeable power supply charges, gradually reducing power of the first charging current applied to the first rechargeable power supply.

6. A method of charging two rechargeable power supplies, the power supplies in devices, comprising:

providing a charging system;

providing universal serial bus (USB) connections at the charging system and the devices;

sending an identification signal via a first USB connection, using the first USB'"'"'s data lines, to a first device with a first rechargeable power supply;

sending an identification signal via a second USB connection, using the second USB'"'"'s data lines, to a second device with a second rechargeable power supply;

providing a first charging current to the first rechargeable power supply via the first USB connection using a first V-bus power line, the first charging current enabled to exceed USB 2.0 current draw limitations;

recognizing the identification signal to draw the first charging current at a level that exceeds USB 2.0 current draw limitations;

drawing the first charging current such that USB 2.0 current draw limitations are exceeded;

determining an available second charging current based on a difference between the first charging current and a maximum output of the charging system; and

while continuing to provide the first charging current using the USB'"'"'s V-bus power line, charging a second rechargeable power supply by providing a second charging current based on the available second charging current.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

recognizing the identification signal to draw the second charging current at a level that exceeds USB 2.0 current draw limitations; and

drawing the second charging current such that USB 2.0 current draw limitations are exceeded.

8. The method of claim 7 where the second charging current comprises the majority of the available second charging current.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

determining that the first rechargeable power supply is substantially charged; and

applying to the second charging current a full charging current of the second rechargeable power supply.