Power supply control apparatus and method thereof and mobile apparatus using the same

• US 8,583,075 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xueshan Technologies Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MStar Semiconductor Incorporated (MediaTek, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chen, Chien-Sheng, Chiang, Chien-Shan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US13/097,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20120028575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 455418-420, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455572-574, 4553431-3436, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.33, 340/10.34
• US Class Current: 455/343.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0705 the battery being connected to a power saving arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A power supply control apparatus is applied to a communication apparatus that is applied to a mobile apparatus. The power supply control apparatus includes a switch, coupled between the communication apparatus and a power supply; and a signal detecting unit, for detecting a wireless signal via an electromagnetic introduction approach to correspondingly generate a detection signal. It is determined whether to provide power to the communication apparatus via the switch according to the detection signal.

Claims

1. A power supply control apparatus, adapted to a communication device, comprising:

a power switch, coupled to a power supply, for controlling the flow of power from the power supply to the communication device; and

a signal detecting unit, for detecting a wireless signal via electromagnetic induction to generate a detection signal for controlling the switch to determine whether to provide power to the communication device from the power supply, comprising;

a coil antenna, for detecting whether the wireless signal is received via electromagnetic induction and converting the wireless signal to an alternating current (AC) signal via electromagnetic induction;

a signal converting unit, for converting the AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal;

a filter unit, comprising a filter capacitor, for removing ripple of the DC signal and generating the detection signal when the filter capacitor is charged;

a ground switch, connected to ground;

a discharge indicating circuit, comprising;

a rectifier, for detecting whether the wireless signal is received via the coil antenna;

a discharge capacitor, for storing power received from the rectifier; and

a discharge unit, for discharging power stored in the discharge capacitor to a predetermined extent;

wherein the filter capacitor and the discharge capacitor are coupled to the ground switch;

wherein an indicating signal activates the ground switch to connect to ground when power stored in the discharge capacitor is completely discharged by the discharge unit, causing the filter capacitor to discharge;

wherein the power switch is controlled by a logical OR gate receiving input signals from a controlling unit controlled by a user operating a user interface, and the signal detecting unit.

2. The power supply control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the signal detecting unit detects the wireless signal, the detection signal is for switching the switch to a turn-on status so as to provide power from the power supply.

3. The power supply control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is a near-field communication (NFC) device, and the wireless signal is generated from an NFC reader.

4. The power supply control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, being implemented as a component of a mobile apparatus.

5. The power supply control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a battery and a power generating unit, and when power of the battery is drained, the power generating unit converts the wireless signal into power for the communication device.

6. A power supply control method, adapted to a communication device, comprising:

detecting a wireless signal via electromagnetic induction to generate a detection signal, comprising the steps of;

converting the wireless signal to an AC signal via electromagnetic induction;

converting the AC signal to a DC sign removing ripple of the DC signal;

generating the detection signal when a filter capacitor is charged;

detecting whether the wireless signal is received via a coil antenna;

storing power received from a rectifier in a discharge capacitor;

discharging power stored in the discharge capacitor to a predetermined extent;

generating an indicating signal to activate a ground switch to connect the filter capacitor and the discharge capacitor to ground when power stored in the discharge capacitor is completely discharged; and

determining whether to provide power to the communication device according to the detection signal;

controlling the flow of power from the power supply to the communication device based on a logical OR operation using input signals from a user operating a user interface, and the detection signal.

7. The power supply control method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the wireless signal is detected, power is provided to the communication apparatus.

8. The power supply control method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

providing power from a battery to the communication device when power of the battery is present; and

converting the wireless signal into power for providing to the communication device when power of the battery is drained.

9. The power supply control method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the communication apparatus is an NFC apparatus.

10. The power supply control method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wireless signal is generated from an NFC reader.

11. A mobile apparatus, comprising:

a communication device;

a switch, coupled between the communication device and a power supply, for controlling the flow of power from the power supply to the communication device; and

a signal detecting unit, for detecting a wireless signal via electromagnetic induction to generate a detection signal for controlling the switch to determine whether to provide power to the communication device, comprising;

a coil antenna, for detecting whether the wireless signal is received via electromagnetic induction and converting the wireless signal to an alternating current (AC) signal via electromagnetic induction;

a signal converting unit, for converting the AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal;

a filter unit, comprising a filter capacitor, for removing ripple of the DC signal and generating the detection signal when the filter capacitor is charged;

a ground switch, connected to ground;

a discharge indicating circuit, comprising;

a rectifier, for detecting whether the wireless signal is received via the coil antenna;

a discharge capacitor, for storing power received from the rectifier; and

a discharge unit, for discharging power stored in the discharge capacitor to a predetermined extent;

wherein the filter capacitor and the discharge capacitor are coupled to the ground switch;

wherein an indicating signal activates the ground switch to connect to ground when power stored in the discharge capacitor is completely discharged by the discharge unit, causing the filter capacitor to discharge;

wherein the power switch is controlled by a logical OR gate receiving input signals from a controlling unit controlled by a user operating a user interface, and the signal detecting unit.

12. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the signal detecting unit detects the wireless signal, switching the switch to a turn-on status to provide power to the communication device.

13. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wireless signal is generated from an NFC reader.

14. The mobile apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wireless signal is a wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) signal.