(13) United States Patent
`Bork et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`USO(J6633932B1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR llSl.NG A
`UNIVERSAI. SERIAI. BUS TO PROVIDE
`POWER TO A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE
`
`Inventors: Stephan Bork, Dallas, TX (US); Carl
`Panasik, Garland, TX (US)
`
`Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated,
`Dallas, TX (US)
`
`(V)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC. 154(_b) by 0 days.
`
`(31)
`(22)
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. Cl.
`
`Appl. No.: 09/395,127
`Filed:
`Sep. 14, 1999
`Int. Cl.7 ..................... .. G061" 13/00; GOGF 15,/177;
`G061" 1/26; II()2.l 7/()0; Il()’ZM 7/[I0
`............................. .. 710/72; 710/8; 710/10;
`710/15; 710/18; 710/19; 710/62; 710/63;
`710/64; 710/101; 710/103; 710/104; 710/129;
`713/1; 713/3()[I; 713/340; 363/13; 320/107;
`320/110; 320/112; 320/113; 320/114; 320/115
`Field of Search .............................. .. 710/1, 2, 7, 8,
`710/10, 11, 15, 18-20, 29, 62-64, 71-74,
`100-105, 126, 12‘); 713/1, 100, 300, 320,
`340; 363/13; 320/107, 110, 112-115
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1999 Amoni et al.
`5,884,086 A *
`S/199*) Svancaiek ct al.
`5,935,224 A *
`5.991.546 A * 11/199‘) Chan et al.
`,
`,
`A * 12/199‘) Hcnrie .,
`,
`'.,138 A *
`l2/199‘) Chung
`
`6,044,428 A *
`3/2000 Rayabliaii ,
`6,105,097 A *
`8/2000 Larky et al.
`6,105,143 A *
`S/2000 Kiln
`6,131,125 A * 10/2000 Rostoker et al.
`
`.. 7'13/300
`710/63
`395/882
`714/40
`713/300
`710/12*)
`710/129
`713/324
`.. 709/250
`
`
`
`6,131,134 A V 10/2000 Huang et al,
`6,138,242 A * 1(,)/2tJ(J(,) Massinan ct 211.
`6,147,682 A V 11/2000 Kim
`6,151,653 A * 11,/ZIJUO ]_in et al.
`6,170,062 B1 V
`1/2001 Hemie .
`6,178,514 B1 V‘
`1/2001 Wood
`6,184,652 B1 V
`2/2001 Yang .
`(1,255,8(')TJ H1 V‘
`7/2001 Bork .
`6,263,392 B1 V
`7/2001 MeCaule_v
`(1,279_,()(1TJ H1 V‘
`S/2t'I01 Luke et al.
`6,334,160 B1 V‘ 12/2001 Emmett et al.
`6,334,793 B1 V‘
`1/2002 Amoni et al.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`. 710/103
`
`.
`. 713/340
`
`. 713/SOT)
`. 320/110
`$20/115
`. 710/129
`711')/64
`710/11
`. 43‘)/680
`
`
`
`
`
`Instant USB USB-
`“USS—720
`Lucent Technologies,
`to-IEEE 1284 Bridge”, Advanced Data Sheet, Rev. 5, Nov.
`1997, pp 1—27.*
`* cited by examiner
`
`Pr1Tnmry Exam1Tner—Jetfrey Gaflin
`A.s.s'i.sra.m‘ Fxtzminer—Tanh Q Nguyen
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method and apparatus for using a universal serial bus
`“USB“ in a computer as a power source for a portable
`electronic device. In one embodiment of the invention, a
`computer (26) having an external USB connector (38) is
`coupled to the external power input connector on a portable
`electronic device, such as a cellular telephone (14). The
`computer (26) is coupled to the cellular telephone (14) via
`a cable having one end connected to a tirst connector and
`another end connected to a second connector,
`the llrst
`connector being connected to the USB connector (38) on
`said computer (26), and the second connector being con-
`nected to external power input connector on the portable
`electronic device. The cable includes electronic circuitry
`(42, 62) for converting the voltage level supplied by the
`USB to a voltage level usable by the portable electronic
`device.
`
`35 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
` TO CELL PHONE
`
`REGULATOR
`35 I
`
`USB FUNCTION
`CONTROLLER
`
`1 N
`
`
`
`52
`
`0-
`
`+3.7V
`370mA
`
`BATTERY MANAGEMENT
`SYSTEM
`
`l6
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1037
`
`Samsung v. Affinity
`IPR2014-01181
`
`Page 00001
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1037
`Samsung v. Affinity
`IPR2014-01181
`Page 00001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`7
`FIG.
`(pR10R ART)
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Page 00002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`FI G. 5
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Page 00003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`FIG. 6
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`FIG. 7
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Page 00004
`
`

`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`[319
`
`Page 00005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct 14,2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`UPSTREAM
`DATA PORT
`
`UPSTREAM VBUS
`1 UNIT LOAD (MAX)
`
`FUNCTION
`
`____
`
`_.l
`
`W.F_I
`TOR I
`REG
`'L__”_LA__ _,
`
`7 7
`
`FUNCTION
`CONTROLLER
`
`FUNCTION
`
`UPSTREAM VBUS
`5 UNIT LOADS (MAX)
`
`r"“"1
`'._ _RE_GELfT9R_ _,
`
`Page 00006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`CnOH
`
`4|.
`
`4,
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`1I
`
`MRmmNO3mmmam2WC
`
`T0 CELL PHONE
`BATTERY MANAGEMENT
`
`16
`
`Page 00007
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`30024:1LcO
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`Page 00008
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`30024:1LcO
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`68
`
`BATTERY MANAGEMENT
`
`TO usa FUNCTION
`
`70 CONTROLLER IN
`CELL PHONE
`
`Page 00009
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`30024:1LcO
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`Page 00010
`
`

`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING A
`UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS TO PROVIDE
`POWER TO A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE
`
`FIEI D OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the field of providing
`power to a portable electronic device for operation and/or
`recharging of the device’s batteries. More specifically, the
`present invention relates to a method and apparatus for using
`a Universal Serial Bus “USB” in a computer to power and/or
`recharge batteries in a portable electronic device.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Electronic devices typically require a power source for
`proper operation. Some devices obtain their power from a
`power cord coupled to a conventional power supply (such as
`a power receptacle—for example, H0 VAC). Devices hav-
`ing an input voltage requirement less than the supply voltage ”
`may also have a step down transformer or voltage reducing
`circuit. For example, a transformer or other voltage conver-
`sion or regulator circuitry may be used to reduce a supply
`voltage of M0 VAC, supplied by a power receptacle on a
`wall, to the required input voltage of the device. For devices
`requiring DC voltage, an AC/DC converter may also
`coupled between the step down transformer and the device.
`Many electronic devices are also portable. While some
`portable electronic devices derive their power from batteries
`all the time, others derive their power from batteries while
`the device is in a portable mode and from a power cord
`coupled to a conventional power supply, as described above,
`when the device is near a permanent power supply. In either
`situation, the batteries will eventually run dow11 if the device
`is operated when there is no power available from an outside
`source. When depleted, batteries of the rechargeable type
`can be recharged while non—rechargeable batteries must be
`replaced.
`Portable electronic devices having rechargeable batteries
`may have their batteries recharged in one of three methods.
`First, batteries 10 within a portable electronic device may be
`whysically removed from the device and placed in a battery
`recharge mechanism 12 until recharged, as illustrated in
`FIG. 1. The batteries are replaced in the device after being
`recharged. Second, batteries 10 may be recharged within a
`aortable electronic 14 device (in this case a cellular
`elephone) via a power cord 16 (typically having a trans-
`former 18 at one end of the power cord—typically the
`aortion that plugs into the power source) coupling the _
`Jortable electronic device to a conventional power supply
`20, as discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2. Third,
`Jatteries (not shown) within a portable electronic device 14
`may also be recharged within device 14 while the device is
`alaced within a charging receptacle 22 that is coupled, via a ,
`aower cord 16,
`to a conventional power supply 20, as
`illustrated in FIG. 3.
`
`,
`
`is awkward and
`The first method (shown in FIG. 1)
`aurdensome. The electronic device using the batteries is
`ypically unusable—if of the battery only type—while its
`Jatteries are removed. There is also the potential problem of
`losing or damaging the batteries and/or the device itself
`hrough mishandling of the device or batteries and wear
`resulting from the continual process of removing and replac-
`ing batteries. If the device is of the type allowing operation
`from a power cord only, the mobility of the device is limited
`0 the length of the power cord. The second method (shown
`
`2
`in FIG. 2) is more convenient than the first method in that
`the batteries are not removed from the device while
`recharging, which facilitates immediate operation of the
`device, even if the batteries are not fully charged. There
`remains, however, the problem of having a recharge cord
`available when you need it. This is particularly so with small
`portable devices, such as cellular telephones, pagers, PDAs,
`etc., since the recharge cord itself may take up more storage
`space than the device itself. The third method (shown in
`FIG. 3) is the most convenient since the device can be
`simply placed in the charging cradle,
`recharging the
`batteries, while the device awaits reuse. One disadvantage of
`the charging cradles of the prior art is that they require a
`power cable coupling the ciarging cradle to a dedicated
`power source, such as a 110 VAC wall outlet or 12 VDC
`outlet (such as a11 automotive cigarette lighter power
`supply). Such recharging teciniqu es are useless in situations
`where there are no, or insu icient, discrete power sources
`available to plug in the power cord of the charging cable.
`SUMMARY OF TIIE INVENTION
`
`The invention disclosed herein comprises a method and
`apparatus for using a universal serial bus “USB” in a
`computer as a power source for a portable electronic device.
`In one embodiment of the invention, a computer having ar1
`external USB connector is coupled to the external power
`input connector on a portable electronic device, such as a
`cellular telephone. The computer is coupled to the cellular
`telephone via a cable having one end connected to a first
`connector and another end connected to a second connector,
`the first connector being connected to the USB connector on
`said computer, and the second connector being connected to
`external power input connector on said portable electronic
`device. The cable includes electronic circuitry for convert-
`ing the voltage level supplied by the USB to a voltage level
`usable by the portable electronic device.
`In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic cir-
`cuitry is in the first connector. In another embodiment of the
`invention, the electronic circuitry is in the second connector.
`In still another embodiment of the invention, the circuitry is
`placed in the cable somewhere between the first and second
`connectors. In still yet another embodiment of the invention,
`a method and apparatus for using a universal serial bus in a
`computer as a power source and data port for a portable
`electronic device. The cable includes electronic circuitry for
`converting the voltage level supplied by the USB to a
`voltage level usable by the portable electronic device and for
`providing a data port between the computer and the portable
`electronic device. As with previously discussed embodi-
`ments of the invention, in one embodiment, the electronic
`circuitry is in the first connector. In another embodiment of
`the invention,
`the electronic circuitry is in the second
`connector. In still another embodiment of the invention, the
`circuitry is placed in the cable somewhere between the first
`and second connectors. Advantages of the invention include:
`elimination of the need for a separate power cable when the
`computer and the portable electronic device are used
`together—saving both cost of acquiring the additional power
`cable and travel space, a reduction from two dedicated
`power sources (one for computer and one for the portable
`electronic device) to one (for the computer only); and a
`convenient way to supply power to the portable electronic
`device from the computer’s batteries when no external
`power source is available for either device.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
`are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
`
`Page 00011
`
`

`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`3
`however as well as other features and advantages thereof,
`will be best understood by reference to the detailed descrip-
`tion which follows, read in conjunction with the accompa-
`nying drawings, wherein:
`HG. 1 illustrates a battery pack being recharged in a
`battery recharger.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a cellular phone coupled to a dedicated
`power supply via a power cable.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a cellular phone resting in cradle which
`itself is coupled to a dedicated power supply via a power
`cable.
`
`~
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates a cellular phone coupled to a dedicated
`power supply via a power cable and coupled to a data source
`(computer) via a data cable.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a cellular phone resting in a cradle which
`itself is coupled to a dedicated power supply Via a power
`cable and coupled to a data source (computer) Via a data
`cable.
`
`FIG. 6 illustrates a cradle for a cellular phone in which the ~
`cradle has a first connector coupled to a dedicated power
`supply via a power cable and a second connector coupled to
`a data source (computer) via a data cable.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a cradle for a cellular phone in which the
`cradle has a combined power/data connector coupled to a
`dedicated power supply via a power cable and a second
`connector coupled to a data source (computer) via a data
`cable.
`
`FIG. 8 illustrates a computer having a universal serial bus
`“USB” connector.
`
`HG. 9 illustrates a bus topology for a universal serial bus.
`FIG. 10 illustrates a USB cable.
`
`FIG. 11 illustrates a low-power bus-powered function.
`HG. 12 illustrates a high—power bus-powered function.
`FIG. 13 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in the connector that plugs into the USB
`of a computer) couples a USB connector of a computer to a
`power connector on a cellular phone in order to power
`a11d/or recharge the cellular phone’s batteries.
`FIG. 14 illustrates the electronic circuitry of FIG. 13.
`HG. 15 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in a module or protective case some-
`where along the length of the cable) couples a USB con-
`nector of a computer to a power connector on a cellular
`phone in order to power and/or recharge the cellular phone’s
`batteries.
`
`FIG. 16 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in a connector that couples to the power _
`connector in the cellular phone) couples a USB connector of
`a computer to a power connector on a cellular phone in order
`to power and/or recharge the cellular phone’s batteries.
`FIG. 17 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in the connector that plugs into the USB ,
`of a computer) couples a USB connector of a computer to
`power and data connectors on a cellular phone in order to
`power and/or recharge the cellular phone’s batteries and to
`facilitate the exchange of data between the portable com-
`puter and the cellular phone.
`FIG. 18 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in the connector that plugs into the USB
`of a computer) couples a USB connector of a computer to a
`combined power/data connector on a cellular phone in order
`to power and/or recharge the cellular phones batteries and
`to facilitate the exchange of data between the portable
`computer and the cellular phone.
`
`,
`
`4
`FIG. 19 illustrates the electronic circuitry of FIGS. 17 and
`18.
`
`FIG. 20 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in a module or protective case some-
`where along the length of the cable) couples a USB con-
`nector of a computer to power and data connectors on a
`cellular phone in order to power and/or recharge the cellular
`phone’s batteries and to facilitate the exchange of data
`between the portable computer and the cellular phone.
`FIG. 21 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in a module or protective case some-
`where along the length of the cable) couples a USB con-
`nector of a computer to a combined power/data connector on
`a cellular phone in order to power and/or recharge the
`cellular phone’s batteries and to facilitate the exchange of
`data between the portable computer and the cellular phone.
`FIG. 22 illustrates a system in which a cable (having
`electronic circuitry in the connector that plugs into com-
`bined power/data connector on the cellular phone) couples a
`USB connector of a computer to a combined power/data
`connector on a cellular phone in order to power and/or
`recharge the cellular phones batteries and to facilitate the
`exchange of data between the portable computer and the
`cellular phone.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Cellular telephones are but one of many portable elec-
`tronic devices that utilize batteries for their power supply. If
`equipped with rechargeable batteries (typically in the form
`of a battery pack), the batteries can be recharged in any of
`the methods described above in FIGS. 1-3. When the
`method of FIG. 2 is selected, the cellular phone is powered
`and its batteries are recharged via a clumsy power cable
`(presumably including a transformer 18 to reduce the volt-
`age down from a higher voltage (e.g., H0 VAC), to a lower
`voltage, say 3.7 volts at 370 mA)). If the method of FIG. 3
`is selected, the cellular phone is powered and batteries are
`recharged while the cellular telephone rests in the cradle 22.
`In either recharging scenario,
`the phone makes all
`the
`choices as to whether or not it takes the power, how much,
`and for how long. The required power management
`is
`already in the phone. Delivering raw power is the sole
`function of the directly connected power cable 16 of FIG. 2
`or power connector in cradle 22.
`For devices that further require data synchronization, such
`as selected personal digital assistants “l’DAs” or selected
`cellular phones, in addition to a power cable 16 as described
`above for supplying power,
`the PDA or cellular phone
`requires a separate cable 24 coupling the PDA or cellular
`phone (in this case cellular phone 14) to a data source 26,
`such as a computer, which itself is typically coupled to a
`dedicated power source 20 via a power cable 28, as shown
`in FIG. 4. Acradle may also be adapted to supply both power
`and data to an electronic device 14, as shown in FIG. 5. In
`one embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, cradle 22 has both a
`connector for power 30 and a data connector 32. In another
`embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, cradle 34 has a single power
`and data connector 36 for coupling power (via cable 16) and
`data (via cable 24) the cellular phone 14.
`Unfortunately, in the prior art embodiments of FIGS. 4-7,
`three separate cables are required: power cable 16 coupling
`cellular phone 14 or cradle 22 or 34 to dedicated power
`source 20; power cable 28 coupling data source 26 to
`dedicated power source 20; and data cable 24 coupling data
`source 26 to cellular phone 14 or cradle 22 or 34. If there is
`
`Page 00012
`
`

`
`US 6,633,932 B1
`
`5
`but one dedicated power source, then one of the devices—
`cellular phone 14 or data source 26, must draw power from
`its own batteries. If no dedicated power source is available,
`then both cellular phone 14 and data source 26 must rely on
`their own batteries for power. Additional problems can arise
`from the space requirements of all three cables—the two
`power cables each having a bulky integrated transformer
`and/or voltage regulator, which take up a lot of valuable
`space while traveling. In addition to the space requirements,
`the cost of the cables are not insignificant, especially the
`power cables which typically include an expensive trans-
`former. What
`is needed is an apparatus or method for
`allowing a cellular phone (or other electronic device) to
`draw power from a non-dedicated power supply on data
`source 26 instead of from a dedicated power supply.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a portable computer 26 equipped with at
`least one universal serial bus “USB” connector 38. USB
`connector 38 is coupled to a USB within computer 26 (not
`shown). Universal serial bus is defined in the Universal
`Serial Bus Specification Revision 1.1, Sep. 23, 1998, incor-
`porated herein by reference. FIG. 9 illustrates a bus topology -
`of the USB. The USB connects USB devices with the USB
`host. The USB physical interconnect is a tiered star topol-
`ogy. A hub is at the center of each star. Each wire segment
`is a point-to-point connection between the host and a hub or
`function, or a hub connected to another hub or function.
`There is only one host
`in any USB system. The USB
`interface to the host computer system is referred to as the
`Host Controller. The Host Controller may be implemented in
`a combination of hardware, firmware, or software. A root
`hub is integrated within the host system to provide one or
`more attachment points.
`USB devices are one of the following: hubs, which
`provide additional attachment points to the USB; or
`functions, which provide capabilities to the system, such as
`an ISDN connection, a digital joystick, speakers, etc. USB
`devices present a standard USB interface in terms of the
`following: their comprehension of the USB protocol; their
`response to standard USB operations, such as configuration
`and reset; and their standard capability descriptive informa-
`tion.
`
`The USB transfers signal and power over a four—wire
`cable, shown in FIG. 10. The signal occurs over two wires
`on each point-to-point segment. There are two data rates: the
`USB full—speed signal bit rate is 12 Mb/s; and a limited
`capability low—speed signal mode is also defined at 1.5 Mb/s.
`The low—speed mode requires less EMI protection. Both
`modes can be supported in the same USB bus by automatic
`dynamic mode switching between transfers. The low—speed
`mode is defined to support a limited number of low-
`bandwidth devices, such as mice, because general use would _
`degrade bus utilization. The clock is transmitted, encoded
`along with the differential data. The clock encoding scheme
`is NRZI with bit stuffing to ensure adequate transitions. A
`SYNC field precedes each packet to allow the receiver(s) to
`synchronize their bit recovery clocks. The cable also carries ,
`Vbus is nominally +5V at the source. The USB allows cable
`segments of variable lengths, up to several meters, by
`choosing the appropriate conductor gauge to match the
`specified IR drop and other attributes such as device power
`budget and cable flexibility. In order to provide guaranteed
`input voltage levels and proper termination impedance,
`biased terminations are used at each end of the cable. The
`terminations also permit the detection of attach and detach
`at each port and di erentiate between full—speed and low-
`speed devices.
`There are also both low and high power bus-powered
`functions. A low power function is one that draws up to one
`
`,
`
`6
`unit load from the USB cable when operational. FIG. 11
`shows a typical bus-powered, low-power function, such as a
`mouse. Low-power regulation can be integrated into the
`function silicon. Low-power functions must be capable of
`operating with input Vbus voltages as low as 4.40V, mea-
`sured at the end of the cable.
`A function is defined as being high—power if, when fully
`powered, it draws over one but not more than five unit loads
`from the USB cable. A high—power function requires staged
`switching of power. It must first come up in a reduced power
`state of less than one unit load. At bus enumeration time, its
`total power requirements are obtained and compared against
`the available power budget. If sufficient power exists, the
`remainder of the function may be powered on. A typical
`high—power function is shown in FIG. 12. The functions
`electronics have been partitioned into two sections. The
`function controller contains the minimum amount of cir-
`cuitry necessary to permit enumeration and power budget-
`ing. The remainder of the function resides in the function
`block. High-power functions must be capable of operating in
`their low-power (one unit load) mode with an input voltage
`as low as 4.40V, so that it may be detected and enumera ed
`even when plugged into a bus-powered hub. They must also
`be capable of operating at full power (up to five unit loads)
`with a Vbus voltage of 4.75V, measured at the upstream p ug
`end of the cable.
`
`As a result, the universal serial bus in computer 26 has
`power lines (+4.5 VDC and GND), which may be tapped to
`power and/or recharge the batteries of a peripheral portavle
`electronic device, such as cellular telephone 14. FIG. 13
`illustrates a method and apparatus for using the voltage
`available on a universal serial bus in a computer as he
`source of power to power and/or recharge the batteries of a
`non—USB enabled peripheral portable electronic device. In
`the embodiment of FIG. 13, electronic circuitry within a
`connector 40 couples a USB connector 38 on portanle
`computer 26 to a power cable 16
`this embodiment a two
`wire cable). Power cable 16 is connected to the power
`connector on cellular telephone 14. Electronic circuitry
`within connector 40 converts the voltage outputted by he
`USB of portable computer 26 to a voltage that may be used
`to power and/or recharge the batteries in cellular phone 14.
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the electronic circuitry 42
`within connector 40. Electronic circuitry 42 comprises a
`voltage regulator 44 coupled to a USB function controller 46
`(such as an Intel 930). Regulator 44 has a first lead 48
`coupled, via a conductor in USB connector 38, to receive the
`+45 VDC available on the USB of portable computer 42,
`and a second lead 50 coupled, via another conductor in USB
`connector 38, to ground. USB function controller 46 has a
`first lead 52 coupled, via a conductor in USB connector 38,
`to receive data D+, and a second lead 54 coupled, via a
`conductor in USB connector 38, to receive data D—. And
`while circuitry 42 is disclosed as being within connector 40,
`which is directly connected to connector 38 in the present
`embodiment, circuitry 42 could just as easily be placed in a
`module spaced anywhere in the cable coupling connector 38
`to cellular phone 14. As an example, FIG. 15 discloses an
`embodiment of the invention in which circuitry 42 is in a
`module or protective case 56 coupled to connector 38 via a
`four—wire cable 58. Circuitry 42 is further connected to
`cellular phone 14 via two-wire cable 16. In another embodi-
`ment of the invention, circuitry 42 is placed within a
`connector 60 coupling a four—wire cable 58 to cellular phone
`14, as shown in FIG. 16.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 17, electronic circuitry within
`a connector 60 couples a USB connector 38 on portable
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`US 6,633,932 B1
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`7
`computer 26 to a four-conductor cable 58 (for power and
`data). Power and data cable 58 is connected to the power 62
`and data 64 connectors on cellular phone 14 (in the case of
`phone 14 having separate power and data connectors), or to
`a single power and data connector 66 (in the case of phone
`14 having a single power/data connector), as illustrated in
`FIG. 18. Electronic circuitry within connector 60 converts
`the voltage outputted by the USB of portable computer 26 to
`a voltage that may be used to power and/or recharge the
`batteries in cellular phone 14 and also facilitates the move-
`ment of data back and forth between portable computer 26
`and phone 14.
`FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the electronic circuitry 62
`within connector 60. Electronic circuitry 62 comprises a
`voltage regulator 44 (such as a TPS7133) coupled to a USB
`function controller 64 (such as a member of the Intel SX930
`family). Regulator 44 has a first lead 48 coupled, via a
`conductor in USB connector 38, to receive the +4.5 VDC
`available on the USB of portable computer 42, and a second
`lead 50 coupled, via another conductor in USB connector _
`38,
`to ground. Regulator 44 further has a third lead 66
`coupled to the +VDC connection and a fourth lead 68
`coupled to the ground “GND” connection of the power
`connector (or power/data connector), of cellular phone 14.
`USB function controller 64 has a first lead 52 coupled, via
`a conductor in USB connector 38, to receive data D+, and a
`second lead 54 coupled, via a conductor in USB connector
`38, to receive data D—, a third lead coupled USB function
`controller 64 further has a third lead 70 for providing data
`D+to a first data connection and a fourth lead 72 for
`providing data D—,
`to the data connector (or power/data
`connector), of cellular phone 14. And while circuitry 42 is
`disclosed as being within connector 40, which is directly
`connected to connector 38 in the present embodiment,
`circuitry 62 could just as easily be placed in a module spaced
`anywhere in the cable coupling connector 38 to cellular
`ahone 14. As an example, FIG. 20 discloses an embodiment
`of the invention in which circuitry 62 is in a module or
`arotective case 61 coupled to connector 38 via a four—wire
`cable 58. Circuitry 62 is further connected to cellular phone
`14 via a second four—wire cable 74. In the embodiment of the
`invention shown in FIG. 16, cellular phone 14 has separate
`aower and data connectors. The power leads of cable 74
`erminate in connector 62, which couples to the power
`connector in phone 14, while the data leads of cable 74
`erminate in connector 64, which couples to the data con-
`nector in phone 14.
`FIG. 21 discloses an embodiment of the invention in
`which phone 14 has a combined power/data connector. In
`his embodiment,
`the power and data leads of cable 74 _
`erminate in connector 66, which couples to the correspond-
`ing power/data connector in phone 14. FIG. 22 discloses an
`embodiment of the invention in which circuitry 62 is placed
`within a combined power/data connector 66 which connects
`o a corresponding data/power connector on phone 14.
`All embodiments of the invention facilitate the elimina-
`ion of a need for a power cable that couples cellular phone
`14 to a dedicated power source—which eliminates the
`expense of the cable, and the extra room required to trans-
`aort
`the cable during mobile operations. The invention
`facilitates using the power available on a universal serial bus
`in a computer as the power source for powering and/or
`recharging batteries for a portable peripheral device, such as
`cellular phone 14. The USB is able to accommodate the
`power needs of cellular phone 14 since computer 26 has a
`voltage converter or regulator which can easily provide for
`the small additional demands of a cellular telephone.
`
`8
`Moreover, the USB controller in the connector 40, module
`56, or connector 60 contains at least the minimum amount
`of circuitry for a USB function controller to permit enu-
`nieration and power budgeting. There is a USB host in the
`computer but no USB function controller (in general there is
`always a USB host in a USB enabled computer while the
`USB function controllers are in the devices that are con-
`nected to the computer via USB cable. Therefore,
`the
`circuitry must enumerate the USB device (which in this case
`is the connector), in order to draw current out of the USB
`port on the computer. The actual amount of current drawn
`could vary from, e.g., 1 .
`.
`. 5 Lmit loads or the USB function
`controller could negotiate with the USB host the niaxiniuni
`amount of current the host will grant to the connector, and
`convert the voltage level from Vbus to whatever voltage
`level is required by the phone. The result is cost and space
`savings.
`Yet another advantage of the present invention is the fact
`that a cellular phone can draw power from computer 26
`while computer 26 is running solely on its batteries—e.g., no
`power source is available to plug into. This is an important
`advantage while traveling. The batteries in computer 26
`have more capacity than those in cellular phone 14 and can
`easily be used to supply the small additional amounts of
`power the cellular phone requires. Indeed, in such a situation
`where the computer is running on battery power, only one
`cable is required to supply power and/or power and data to
`cellular phone 14.
`While this invention has been described with reference to
`illustrative embodiments, this description is not to be con-
`strued in a limiting sense. Various modifications to the
`illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of
`the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art
`upon reference to this description. For example, while a
`universal serial bus has been used in the embodiments of the
`invention, other buses having a source of power within the
`bus could also be used. Further, while a cellular telephone
`has been given as an example of a portable electronic device,
`other devices could be used, such as personal digital assis-
`tants “PDAs”, pagers, short distance portable telephones. It
`is even possible to use the power supplied by the USB of the
`computer to operate electronic gaiiies/toys, and/or recharge
`their batteries. It is therefore contemplated that the appended
`claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as
`fall within the true scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A system, comprising:
`a computer having a universal serial bus “USB” being
`terminated in a connector;
`a non-USB enabled portable electronic device having a
`connector for the external