Smart Charging System and Related Method

• US 20110181235A1
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walley, John, Hulvey, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,153,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/103
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/30 Reducing waste in manufacturing processes; Calculations of released waste quantities

Abstract

According to one disclosed embodiment, a smart charging system includes a power conversion unit having a communication module and a charging integrated circuit that can convert mains power into a managed charging power used to charge any of several electronic devices. In one embodiment, a power conversion unit can manage a charging process by communicating with a connected electronic device and exchanging a charge profile representing ideal characteristics of the charging power. In one embodiment, an electronic device receives a charge from a power conversion unit through a wired power conduit. In another embodiment, an electronic device receives a charge from a power conversion unit through a wireless power conduit. In one embodiment, the smart charging system includes a battery usable to charge an electronic device when a mains adapter of the smart charging system is not powered.

Claims

1. A smart charging system comprising:

a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC);

a power conduit configured to connect the PCU to any of a plurality of electronic devices;

the communication module and the charging IC being configured to manage charging of any of the plurality of electronic devices over the power conduit.

2. The smart charging system of claim 1, wherein the power conduit comprises a wired power connection.

3. The smart charging system of claim 1, wherein the power conduit comprises a wireless power connection.

4. The smart charging system of claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured to form a communication channel over the power conduit.

5. The smart charging system of claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured to form a wireless communication channel separate from the power conduit.

6. The smart charging system of claim 1, wherein the communication module and the charging IC are configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of electronic devices and receive a charging parameter, the charging of the any one of the plurality of electronic devices being managed according to the charging parameter.

7. The smart charging system of claim 1, wherein the PCU further comprises a battery, the PCU further configured to draw power from the battery when the mains adapter is not powered.

8. The smart charging system of claim 7, wherein the charging IC is further configured to charge the battery when the mains adapter is powered.

9. The smart charging system of claim 7, wherein the PCU is comprised by a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device being configured to manage charging of the electronic device.

10. A power conversion unit (PCU) for use in a smart charging system, the PCU comprising:

a communication module configured to support communications with any of a plurality of electronic devices;

a charging integrated circuit (IC) configured to manage charging of any of the plurality of electronic devices.

11. The PCU of claim 10, wherein the PCU is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of electronic devices over a wireless communication channel.

12. The PCU of claim 10, wherein the PCU is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of electronic devices and receive a charging parameter, the charging of the one of the plurality of electronic devices being managed according to the charging parameter.

13. The PCU of claim 12, wherein the charging parameter comprises a charging profile for the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

14. The PCU of claim 12, wherein the charging parameter comprises a charge state of the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

15. The PCU of claim 12, wherein the charging parameter comprises a charging power characteristic desired by the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

16. The PCU of claim 12 further comprising a battery, the charging IC being configured to draw charging power from the battery.

17. A method for charging an electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting a connection between a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter and any of a plurality of electronic devices, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC);

attempting to establish a communication link between the PCU and one of the plurality of electronic devices;

using a result of the attempting to select an operating mode for the charging IC, the operating mode being configured to optimize charging of the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the result of the attempting comprises a failure to communicate with the one of the plurality of electronic devices, and where the operating mode for the charging IC is a safe mode.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the result of the attempting comprises a communication of a charging parameter from the one of the plurality of electronic devices, and where the charging of the one of the plurality of electronic devices is optimized according to the charging parameter.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the PCU further includes a battery, the PCU configured to draw power from the battery when the mains adapter is unpowered.