Charging systems for simultaneously charging notebook computers and portable devices

• US 6,504,343 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Inventors: Chang, Tsung-Jen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tibbits, Pia
• Application Number:
  US10/063,202
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 320/124, 320/132, 320/134, 320/125, 323/265, 323/266, 323/268, 323/272, 323/282, 323/284, 323/283, 323/350, 323/351, 710/62, 710/2
• US Class Current: 320/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A charging system for charging multiple portable devices includes transformers, branch converters and converters. Each transformer is specific to a different power supply. The branch converters and converters, specific to different portable devices, can be connected in such a way to transfer power to the various portable devices. Connections are standardized within the system giving it a modular design.

Claims

1. A charging system for charging a plurality of portable devices, each portable device comprising a charging port for receiving a corresponding operating voltage of the portable device, the charging system comprising:

a plurality of transformers for transforming a plurality of input voltages into a standard voltage, each transformer comprising an output port for outputting the standard voltage carried by direct current;

at least a branch converter, each branch converter comprising;

an input port for receiving the standard voltage outputted from the output port of the transformer;

a power conversion circuit for transforming the standard voltage into a transmission voltage and the corresponding operating voltage of the portable device, each of the transmission voltage and the operating voltage being carried by direct current,

a transmission port for outputting the transmission voltage; and

an output port, which corresponds to the charging port of the portable device, for outputting the operating voltage of the portable device; and

a plurality of converters for transforming the transmission voltage into a plurality of operating voltages according to the portable devices, each converter comprising an input port corresponding to the transmission port of the branch converter for receiving the transmission voltage and an output port corresponding to the charging port of the portable device for outputting the operating voltage of the portable device;

wherein when two portable devices need to be charged, a user connects the branch converter belonging to one of the portable devices to the transformer, and connects the input port of the converter belonging to another portable device to the branch converter,so that the two portable devices are both charged by the input voltage of the transformer at the same time.

2. The charging system of claim 1 wherein the transformer is used for transforming the input voltage carried by alternating current into the standard voltage carried by direct current.

3. The charging system of claim 1 wherein the transformer is used for transforming the input voltage supplied by a car or an airplane into the standard voltage, and the input voltage is carried by direct current.

4. The charging system of claim 1 wherein the portable device connected to the output port of the branch converter is a notebook computer.

5. The charging system of claim 1 wherein the portable device connected to the output port of the converter is a mobile phone.

6. The charging system of claim 1 wherein the portable device connected to the output port of the converter is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

7. The charging system of claim 1 wherein the power conversion circuit of each branch converter comprises a first transformation circuit connected between the input port and the output port of the branch converter for transforming the standard voltage into the operating voltage and a second transformation circuit connected between the input port and the transmission port of the branch converter for transforming the standard voltage into the transmission voltage.

8. The charging system of claim 7 wherein each second conversion circuit comprises a power port for making the second conversion circuit be separably connected to the input port of the branch converter.

9. A charging system for charging at least a portable device and a notebook computer, each of the portable device and the notebook computer comprising a charging port for receiving a corresponding operating voltage, the charging system comprising:

a plurality of transformers for transforming a plurality of input voltages into a standard voltage, each transformer comprising an output port for outputting the standard voltage carried by direct current;

a branch converter comprising;

an input port for receiving the standard voltage outputted from the output port of the transformer;

a power conversion circuit for transforming the standard voltage into a transmission voltage and the corresponding operating voltage of the notebook computer, the transmission voltage and the operating voltage of the notebook computer being carried by direct current,

a transmission port for outputting the transmission voltage; and

an output port, which corresponds to the charging port of the notebook computer, for outputting the operating voltage of the notebook computer; and

a plurality of converters for transforming the transmission voltage into a corresponding operating voltages of the portable devices, each converter comprising an input port corresponding to the transmission port of the branch converter for receiving the transmission voltage and an output port corresponding to the charging port of the portable device for outputting the operating voltage of the portable device;

wherein a user connects the branch converter to the transformer, connects the output port of the branch converter to the charging port of the notebook computer, and connects the input port of the converter belonging to portable device to the output port of the branch converter, so that the notebook computer and the portable device are both charged by the input voltage of the transformer at the same time.

10. The charging system of claim 9 wherein the transformer is used for transforming the input voltage carried by alternating current into the standard voltage carried by direct current.

11. The charging system of claim 9 wherein the transformer is used for transforming the input voltage supplied by a car or an airplane into the standard voltage, and the input voltage is carried by direct current.

12. The charging system of claim 9 wherein the portable device connected to the output port of the converter is a mobile phone.

13. The charging system of claim 9 wherein the portable device connected to the output port of the converter is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

14. The charging system of claim 9 wherein the power conversion circuit of the branch converter comprises a first transformation circuit connected between the input port and the output port of the branch converter for transforming the standard voltage into the operating voltage and a second transformation circuit connected between the input port and the transmission port of the branch converter for transforming the standard voltage into the transmission voltage.