(12) United States Patent
`Matsuda
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006211649Bl
`US 6,211,649 B1
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) USB CABLE AND M ETHOD FOR
`CHARGING BATI'ERY OF EXTERNAL
`A PPA RATUS BY USTNG USB CABLE
`
`5,723,970 • 3/1998 Bell .
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Nor iyuki Matsuda, Tokyo (JP)
`
`10-326128
`
`12/1998 (JP).
`
`(73) Assignee: Sourcenext Cor pOr'.ttion, Tokyo (.W)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, tbe term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/531,149
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 17, 2000
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application l'>riority Data
`
`Mar. 25, 1999
`
`(JP) ................................................. 11-081574
`
`.......... ......... ....... HOl M 10/ 44; HOlM 10/46
`[nt. C l.7
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl . ............................................. 320/115; 320/163
`(58) Field of Searcb ..................................... 320/105, 111,
`320/112, 113, 114, 115, 128, 134, 161,
`L62, 163, 164
`
`(56)
`
`References C itL'<i
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,510,691 * 4/1996 Pa1atov .
`
`Primary Examiner-Edward H. Tso
`(74) Allorney, Agent, or Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack,
`L.L.P.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A USB cable according to the present jnvention has a USB
`connector connected with a USB port of a PC (Personal
`Computer), a phone connector connected with a connector
`of an externa l connector sucb as a mobile pbone, a control
`unit, which is situated between tbe USB connector and the
`phone connector, for charging a battery of the mobile phone
`by using power supplied from the USB pon of the PC and
`for transmitting and receiving data w ith the PC and the
`mobi le phone, and a cable for connecting the USB connector
`and the phone connector with the control unit respectively.
`
`13 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`f
`
`30
`
`D 000
`~~~
`
`"'
`31 CONNECTOR OF
`
`MOBILE PHONE L
`i
`
`20
`
`10 T
`
`15 r;~n1 r-1 s J
`
`13
`14
`r······-------··---~---··-··········--··--·--·h-----1
`l VOLTAGE
`l
`PROTECTION
`: CONTROL I+ CONTROL
`1++-, - - - ,
`: UNIT
`SWITCH
`
`r----4~~)~~~
`CHARGE
`CONTROL
`UNIT
`........................... ... DATA ______ _........
`TRANSMISSION
`UNIT(ASIC)
`
`DATA
`4
`~
`
`1'::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I
`g
`
`21 USB PORT
`
`r-~,
`Vo
`D+
`D-
`GND
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,211,649 B1
`
`__.....
`
`0
`N
`
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`
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`~
`
`1-a:::
`0
`a..
`1- []
`a:l
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`C/)
`
`""""
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 2
`
`

`

`FIG.2
`
`10
`}
`
`20
`
`II!IIIIII!!IITTT)
`I I I I I l£1 II I I I I I
`I
`
`L I :·:::::~:·:·:·:·:·:·;a
`
`g
`2 1 USB PORT
`s
`
`4
`~
`Vo
`D+
`D-
`GND
`
`15
`I
`)
`CHARGE
`CONTROL
`UNIT
`·········•·················•
`· DATA
`TRANSMISSION
`UNIT(ASIC)
`
`30
`
`0
`
`0
`
`D ooo
`~~~ 0
`31CONNECTOR
`MOBILE PHO
`
`OF
`
`\JE s
`
`14
`
`A
`
`I"
`
`~
`
`•...•......................
`...
`
`J'
`
`DATA
`4
`~
`
`13
`.
`--···· .
`. • • .
`l VOLTAGE
`PROTECTION
`.
`CONTROL
`l CONTROL ~
`t··r n},
`! UNIT
`. . . . .
`SWITCH
`. . .
`. . . .
`. . •
`• . . . .
`
`Cj
`•
`rJJ
`•
`~
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`
`~
`"0
`~
`--~
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`N g -
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`fJ) =(cid:173)
`t'>
`.....
`t'>
`N
`c
`~
`Ul
`
`~
`rJ')
`~
`N
`""'"
`""'" t \C
`~
`""'"
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,211,649 B1
`
`FIG.3
`
`START
`
`CONNECT EXTERNAL
`APPARATUS WITH PC
`AND START
`
`STOP SUPPLY OF POWER
`TO VOLTAGE CONTROL
`UNIT
`
`301
`
`302
`
`POWER IS STABILIZED? ),----'
`YES
`START SUPPLY OF
`POWER TO VOLTAGE
`CONTROL UNIT
`
`304
`
`305
`
`REGULATE VOLTAGE
`OF SUPPLIED POWER
`(VOLTAGE VALUE Vo)
`INTO PREDETERMINED
`VOLTAGE
`(VOLTAGE VALUE Vc)
`
`"Vc" IS IN RANGE OF
`PREDETERMINED
`THRESHOLD?
`YES
`"T' IS IN RANGE OF
`PREDETERMINED
`THRESHOLD?
`YES
`CHARGE BATTERY
`
`308
`
`TRANSMIT INTERRUPT
`SIGNAL
`
`NO BATTERY CHARGING
`IS FINISHED?
`YES ..---------------J
`END
`
`309
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,211,649 B1
`
`FIG.4
`
`T1
`
`01
`
`C1
`
`C2
`
`R3
`
`MOBILE
`PHONE
`
`30
`
`11a
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`R4
`:
`-- --------------------
`
`I
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 5
`
`

`

`FIG. 5
`
`CONNECT CONNECT BATTERY
`CABLE
`AND SW:ON
`1
`
`(A)
`
`0
`
`.- ; ~
`
`ON
`
`Vee _j
`OFF I
`sw __j
`·~~~============
`0
`i OFF
`ON
`------------- -----~--------:-·-·-------------------·-----·--1 ·-----·-·-
`(
`l
`CEL
`0
`.
`.
`CHARGING OFF!
`CHARGING ON
`C~~;'V ·--------1·------------ i ~lmV USUAL CHARGING MODE
`(R3=0) O Hl
`:
`i
`~~~~~;t!~~=======
`coo_j
`
`(Bl)
`
`! CHARGING ON ' FULL CHARGE
`! SIGNAL
`SIGNAL
`-·-·-·-·---------·---·-- -· -r-·-·- ·-·- · -·-------·-· - ---- ·- ·-- ~ - - - -·- · - · -
`CEL
`1
`•
`0
`:
`.
`BATIERYLOWVOLTAGE
`CS1,2 CHARG(NG OFF !
`!
`(R3=0) O
`MODE(BELLOW 2V)
`H:
`co _j
`I
`Ll
`____________ Q ________________________________________ _______ j _________ _
`
`(B2)
`
`0 •
`'J'J.
`•
`""C
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`€
`:""
`~(Jl
`
`N g
`......
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`~ ...
`
`VI
`0
`~
`VI
`
`~
`V'J
`0\
`... N ,.....
`,.....
`~ \0
`t::d
`,.....
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 6
`
`

`

`US 6,211,649 Bl
`
`1
`USB CABLE AND METHOD FOR
`CHARGlNG BATIERY OF EXTERNAL
`A PPARATUS BY USrNG USB CAULE
`
`FIELD OF THE lNVEN110N
`
`This invention relates to a USB (Universal Serial Bus)
`cable for connecting an e>.'ternal apparatus such as a mobile
`phone with a USB port of a PC (Personal Computer). More
`particularly the invention relates to a USB cable which can
`charge a battery of an external apparatus connected with a
`PC via the USB cable, and a method for charging a battery
`of an external apparatus by using the USB cable.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVEN110N
`
`5
`
`2
`having a rechargeable battery such as a mobile phone
`connected with a USB port of a PC and a method for
`cbarging a ballery of an external apparatus by using the USB
`cable.
`According to the first fea111re of the invention, a USB
`(Universal Serial Bus) cable for charging a ballery of an
`external apparatus comprises a first connector connected
`witb a USB port of a personal computer, a second connector
`connected with a connector o r an external apparatus, a cable
`10 for connecting the first connector and tbe second connector,
`and charging means, which is situated between the first
`connector and the second connector, for charging a ballery
`of tbe external apparatus by using power supplied from tbe
`USB port.
`15 According to the second feature of tbe invention, a
`method for charging a battery of an ex1ernal apparatus
`connected witb a USB port of a personal computer by using
`a USB cable comprises the steps of (A) regulating a voltage
`of USB power (a voltage value V0 ) supplied from tbe USB
`20 porto( the personal computer to be a predetermined voltage
`(a voltage value V c), (B) outpulling tbe regulated voltage
`(the voltage value V c) to the external apparatus and charging
`the battery of the external apparatus with tbe regulated
`voltage (the voltage value V c), (C) detecting the regulated
`25 voltage (the voltage value V c), (D) detecting whether the
`detected voltage value V cis in the range of a predetermined
`threshold or not, (E) generating a voltage interrupt signal in
`case where the detected voltage value V c is out of the range
`of the predetermined threshold and (F) interrupting the
`30 cbargiog process of the step (B) in accordance with tbe
`voliage interrupt signal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIP110N OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Tbe invention will be described in more detail in con-
`35 junction with the appended drawings, wberein:
`FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the USB
`cable according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the compo-
`40 sition of the USB cable according to tine present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processes of the charging
`f11nct ion according to tbe present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a view sbowing a specific example of the
`charging unit of the USB cable according to tbe present
`45 invention; and
`FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the charging function of
`the USB cable according to the present invention.
`
`Recently, a PC bas one or more USB ports as a standard
`specification. The USB provides a function for connecting a
`device (an external apparatus) in the tree structure, a func(cid:173)
`tion for supporting two transmission speeds of 12 megabits
`per second and 1.5 megabits per second, a function for
`supporting PnP (Plug and Play), a f11nction for supplying
`power to a connected device, and a function for supporting
`bot plug (wbicb enables to connect and disconnect with a
`running PC).
`A method for supplying power to a display device through
`a USB is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.
`JPl0-326128. In this method, the power is saved effectively
`by supplying power to a display device through a USB at a
`power-saving mode.
`ln general, a keyboard, a mouse and the like, which need
`to be supplied low-level power, are connected with the USB
`port having such functions. Also as the USB port supports
`the transmission speed of 12 megabits per second, a printer,
`a scanner and the like can be also connected.
`On the other band, as Internet and a mobile phone have
`been popularized, the mobile phone is usually used as a
`communication medium while being connected with the
`Internet.
`Moreover, as the memory function and the display [unc(cid:173)
`tion of the mobile phone have been improved, the mobile
`pbone is capable of recording data not only telephone
`numbers but also addresses, names and ringing melodies
`concerned with the telephone numbers in the memory and is
`capable of displaying the data.
`Also, software for reading and editing the data recorded
`in the memory of the mobile phone and for recording tbe
`data in the memory of the mobile phone, by connecting the
`mobile phone with the PC, is sold.
`Like the above, a variety of apparatuses are connected 50
`with tbe USB port of the PC, and the mobile phone is
`generally used wbile being connected to the PC. Also, as the
`opportunity to send and receive electronic mails via tbe
`Internet increases, the mobile phone is generally used while
`being connected to tbe PC.
`In the conventional cable for connecting the mobile phone
`and the like with the PC, however, there are disadvantages
`in that the battery of the mobile phone needs to be recharged
`at the time of starting to use the mobile phone while
`connecting to the PC, because tbe batteries of the mobile
`phone and the like are charged by a special battery charger.
`
`55
`
`60
`
`SUMMARY OF THE LNVENTION
`
`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a 65
`USB cable, which is capable of transmilling da ta and
`charging a bauery simultaneously for an external apparatus
`
`DETAILED DESCRfPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`To the fo llowing, a USB cable and a method for charging
`a bauery of an external apparatus by using the USB cable
`according to the present invention will be explained in detail
`referring to the drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the USB
`cable according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the USB
`cable 10 comprises a USB connector 2 connected with a
`USB port 21 of a PC (Personal Computer) 20, a phone
`connector 3 connected with a connector 31 of an external
`apparatus 30 sucb as a mobile phone, a control unitl, wbicb
`is situated between tbe USB connector 2 and the phone
`connector 3, for chal'Jing a battery of the mobile pbone 30
`by using power supplied from tbe USB pori 21 of tbe PC 20
`and for transmilling and receiving data wi th the PC 20 and
`the mobile phone 30, and a cable 4 for connecting tbe USB
`connector 2 and tbe phone connector 3 with tbe control unit
`1, respectively.
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 7
`
`

`

`US 6,211,649 Bl
`
`3
`FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the compo(cid:173)
`sition of the USB cable according to the presem invention.
`Still, an identical number is appended to tbe thing having the
`identical composition in FIG. 2 with FIG. 1.
`In FTG. 2, the USB connector 2 has four p ins which are
`a power pin for supplying a USB voltage Y0 provided from
`the USB port 21, a ground pin connected with a ground
`(GNO: O(Y], a 0+ pin for transmitting a signal (D+) and a
`0- pin for transmitting a signa l (D-).
`1l1e control unit 1 comprises a charging uni t 11 for
`charging a battery of the mobile phone 30 (the external
`apparatus) and a data transmission unit 12 for transmitting
`and receiving data with the PC 20 and the mobile phone 30.
`Also, the charging urut 11 comprises a voltage control urut
`14 for regulating the USB voltage Y0 supplied from tbe
`power pin to a predetermined voltage Y c and for outputting
`to the phone connector 3, a charge cont rol uni t 15 for
`detecting the voltage Y c outpulled (rom the voltage control
`unit 14 and a temperature T of the control unit 1 and for
`generating an interrupt signal in case where the voltage Y c
`and/or the temperature T exceeds a predetermined threshold,
`and a protection control switch 13 for interrupting the supply
`of the power to the voltage control urut 14 in accordance
`with the interrupt signal from the charge control unit 15.
`Then, the da ta transmission unit 12 is able to be included
`in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) which
`includes the charge control unit 15 as a firmware.
`Also, the protection control switch 13 is able to be made
`of an
`inte lligen t n-channe l MOS (Metal Oxide
`Semiconductor) transistor.
`In the following, the charging function of the USB cable
`according to the invention will be explained in details.
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processes of the charging
`function according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, the
`mobile phone 30 (the external apparatus) is connected with
`the PC 20 and is available (in the step 301). Then, the
`protection control switch 13 of the charging unit ll stops the
`supply of power to the voltage control unit 14 firstly (in the
`step 302). This is for preventing the damage of the battery 40
`of the mobile phone 30 by overvoltage (overcurrent) in tbe
`starting to supply tbe power.
`Next, after the predetermined time passes, in case where
`the supplied power (a voltage value Y0) is stabilized (in tbe
`step 303), the protection control switch 13 starts to supply 45
`the power to the voltage control unit 14 (in the step 304).
`The voltage control unit 14 regulates the supplied power
`(tbe voltage value Y0 ) to the power of a predetermined
`voltage (a voltage value V c) suitable for the bauery of the
`external apparatus (in tbe step 305).
`The charge control unit 15 detects the voltage (the voltage
`value Y c) outputted from the voltage control unit 14 and the
`temperature T measured by a temperature sensor (not
`shown) in the control unit 1, and detects whether each value 55
`(the voltage value Y c and/or the temperature 1) is in lbe
`range of the predetermined threshold or not (in the steps 306
`and 307).
`In case where either of these values (tbe voltage value V c
`and/or the temperature T) exceeds the range of tbe prede(cid:173)
`termined threshold (in the steps 306 and 307), the charge
`control uoitl5 transmits an interrupt signal to the protection
`control switch 13 (in the step 308).
`1be protection control switch 13 stops the supply of the
`power for the voltage control unit 14 in accordance with the
`interrupt s ignal (in the step 309), and finishes the charging
`processing. Next, in case where either of these values (the
`
`4
`voltage value Y c and/or the temperature 1) returns in the
`range of the predetermined threshold, t:he protection control
`switcb 13 is able to restart to supply the power instead of
`lirusbing the charging processing. In this time, tbe power
`s supplied from the voltage control unit 14 would not be
`supplied to the phone connector 3 until the supply of the
`power is restarted.
`Oo the other band, while each value (tbe voltage value V c
`and the temperature T) is in the range of the predetermined
`10 threshold, the battery of the mobile phone 30 (the external
`apparatus) is charged by using tbe power (the voltage value
`Y c) regulated in the voltage control unit 14 via the phone
`connector 3 (in the step 310). When the ballery of the mobile
`phone 30 is charged perfectly (in the step 3 11), the charging
`15 processing is completed.
`FIG. 4 is a view showing a specific example of the
`charging unit ll described in FIG. 2. In FIG. 4, the charging
`unit 11 comprises a main part lla and a peripheral part llb.
`The main part lla comprises a plurality of resistances
`20 Rll-R17, a plurality of transistors Tll- Tl3, a diode 0 11,
`a plurality of buffers Bll-B14 and first - eighth terminals.
`The first terminal is an input terminal SW for controlling
`oo/off (a SW terminal), the second terminal is a full charge
`signal output terminal CO (a CO terminal), the third terminal
`25 is a ground terminal GNO (a GNO lerrrunal), the fourth
`terminal is a full charge detection terminal CS2 (a CS2
`terminal), the Hftb terminal is a currelllt detection terminal
`CS1 (a CS1 terminal), the s ixth terminal is a bauery voltage
`input terminal CEL (a CEL terminal), tbe seventh terminal
`30 is a low voltage circuit output terminal EXT (a EXT
`terminal) and the eighth terminal is a power input terminal
`Y cc (a Y cc terminal).
`The peripheral part lib comprises a power input side
`35 capacitor C1, a power output side capacitor C2, a PNP
`transistor Tl , a diode 0 1, resistances R1, R3, R4, and a
`variable resistance R2.
`In the above mentioned constitution, a power voltage Y cc
`is supplied from the Y cc terminal whell'e the SW terminal is
`ofl'. Also, a GND voltage (O[Y)) is supplied from the GND
`tem1inal where the SW terminal is on. The NPN transistor
`Tl.3 becomes "off' by an output signal outpulled from the
`CO terminal while the battery of the mobile phone 30 is
`being charged. On the other band, the NPN transistor T13
`becomes "on" by an output signal outpulled from the CO
`terminal where the ballery of tbe mobile phone 30 is fully
`charged. In the CS2 terminal, a full c harge signal is coo(cid:173)
`trolled by detecting a current from a voltage drop at the
`resistances R3 and R4 of the peripheral part ll b. In the CSl
`terminal, a constant current signal is controlled by detecring
`a current occurred by a voltage drop at the resistances R3
`and R4 of the peripheral part llb.
`In the CEL terminal, a charging voltage is s tabilized in a
`predetermined voltage by detecting a banery voltage of the
`mobile phone 30. Then, in case where [be battery voltage of
`tbe mobile phone 30 is a low voltage, and that is to say, in
`case where the battery voltage o( the mobile phone 30 is
`below a predetermined banery voltage, the charging pro(cid:173)
`cessing for the bauery of tbe mobile phone 30 is able to be
`60 interrupted.
`In the EXT terminal, a constant voltage control is
`executed by controlling a gate of a base of the PNP transistor
`Tl. ln this case, a p-cbannel FET (Field Effect Transistor) is
`able to be used instead of the PNP transistor Tl. Ln this time,
`65 in the EXT terminal, a constant voltage control is able to be
`executed by cootrol.liog a gate of a base of the p-cbannel
`FET io tbe peripheral part llb.
`
`50
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 8
`
`

`

`US 6,211,649 Bl
`
`tO
`
`25
`
`5
`The diode 0 1 of the peripheral pan llb is provided in
`order to prevent a reverse-current from the ba11ery of the
`mobile phone 30. Also, the accuracy of the charging function
`i.-, able to be improved by adjusting the variable resistance
`R2.
`·1be charging current is able to be controlled by the sum
`of the resistance R3 and the resistance R4 (R3+R4). In this
`time, the value of the full charge voltage to be detected is
`able to be controlled by a ratio of the resistance R3 to the
`resistance R4.
`FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the charging processing for the
`battery of the mobile phone 30. FIG. 5(A) is a timing chart
`of the V cc terminal and tbe SW terminal. FIG. 5(B) is a
`timing chart of the CEL terminal, the CSlterminal, tbe CS2
`terminal and the CO terminal in the situation where the 15
`battery voltage of the mobile phone 30 exceeds a predeter(cid:173)
`mined voltage (2 [V) in FIG. 5) (this situation may be
`described the usual charging mode in the following). On the
`other hand, FIG. 5(C) is a timing chari of the CEL terminal,
`the CS1 terminal, the CS2 terminal and the CO terminal in 20
`the situation where the ballery voltage of the mobile phone
`30 is below a predetermined voltage (2 [V) in FIG. 5) (this
`situation may be described the battery low voltage mode io
`the following). In this case, a value of the resistance R3 of
`the peripheral part U b is 0 [Q).
`As shown in FIG. 5, in the usual charging mode, a
`charging processing is executed, after the mobile phone 30
`is connected aod a predetermined time passes (the steps
`301- 304 in FIG. 3). Also, io the battery low voltage mode, 30
`since a charging-on signal is oot generated, a charging
`processing is not executed (the step 306-309 in FIG. 3).
`Until now, the USB cable and the method for charging the
`battery of the external apparatus by the USB cable according
`to the present invention are explained. Every apparatus 35
`having the ba11ery which can be charged by using power
`supplied from the USB port of the PC is able to be used as
`the external apparatus without limiting to a mobile phone.
`Although the invention has been described in its preferred
`form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood 40
`that the present disclosu re of the preferred form has been
`changed in the details of construction and the combination
`and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without depart·
`ing {rom the spirit and the scope of the invention as
`hereinafter claimed.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A USI3 (Universal Serial Bus) cable for charging a
`battery of an external apparatus comprising:
`a first connector connected with a USB port of a personal
`computer;
`a second connector connected with a connector of the
`external apparatus;
`a cable for connecting the lirst connector and said second
`connector; and
`charging means, which is situated between said first
`connector and said second connector, for charging a
`battery of the ex1ernal apparatus by using power sup(cid:173)
`plied from the USB port.
`2. The USB cable of claim l , wherein
`said charging means comprises:
`voltage control means for charging the bauery of the
`external appa ratus by using the power supplied from
`the USB port with a voltage controlled to be a
`predetermined value;
`overvoltagc protection means for interrupting the sup(cid:173)
`ply of the power to said voltage control means in
`
`6
`case where a voltage supplied from said voltage
`control means exceeds a predetermined threshold;
`and
`temperature protection means for interrupting the sup(cid:173)
`ply of the power to said voltage control means in
`case where a temperature of said voltage control
`means exceeds a predetermined threshold.
`3 . lbc USB cable of claim 2, wherein
`said charging means comprises charge control means for
`detecting a voltage supplied (rom said voltage cootrol
`means and a temperature of said voltage control means,
`for generating and sending a voltage interrupt signal to
`said overvoltage protection meaos in case where the
`voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold, and for
`generating and sending a temperature interrupt signal to
`sa id temperature protection means in case where the
`temperature exceeds the preclcterrnioed threshold;
`sa id overvoltagc protection means of said charging means
`interrupts the supply of the power to said voltage
`control means upon receiving the voltage interrupt
`s ignal; and
`said temperature protection means o[ said charging means
`interrupts the supJ>Iy of tbe power to said voltage
`t.'Ontrol means upon receiving the temperature interrupt
`signal.
`4 . The USB cable of claim 3, wherein
`said overvoltage protection means and said temperature
`protection means include iotelligeot n-channel MOS
`(Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistors.
`5. l'ne USI3 cable of claim 1, further comprising,
`data transmission means for transmining data between the
`personal computer and the external apparatus.
`6. ·1be USB cable of claim 5, wherein
`said data transmission means includes an ASIC
`(Application Specific Integrated Circuit).
`7. The USB cable of claim 1, wherein
`the charging means does not carry out the charging for
`said battery of the external apparatus in case where a
`voltage o f the bauery of the external apparatus is below
`a predetermined voltage.
`8. The USB cable of c laim 1, wherein
`the external apparatus is a mobile phone.
`9. A method for charging a ballery of an external appa(cid:173)
`ratus connected witb a USB port of a personal computer by
`45 using a USB cable, comprising:
`(A) regulating a voltage of USB power (a voltage value
`V0) supplied from the USB port of the personal com(cid:173)
`puter to be a predetermined voltage (a voltage value
`Vc);
`(B) outpuuing the regulated voltage (the voltage value
`V c) to the external apparatus and charging the battery
`of the external apparatus with the regulated voltage (the
`voltage value V c);
`(C) detecting the regulated voltage (tbe voltage value V c);
`(D) detecting whether the detected voltage value V cis in
`the range of a predetermined threshold or not;
`(E) generating a voltage interrupt signal in case where the
`detected voltage value V c is out of the range of the
`predetermined threshold; and
`(F) interrupting the charging process of said step (B) in
`accordance with the voltage interrupt signal.
`10. TI1e method for charging the banery of the external
`apparatus by using the USB cable of claim 9, further
`6s comprising, before said step (A), the [ollowiog:
`(AO) waiting to start said s tep (A) after the external
`apparatus starts and until precletermiocd time passes.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 9
`
`

`

`US 6,211,649 Bl
`
`7
`ll. The method for charging the battery of the external
`apparatus by using the USB cable of claim 10, wherein
`said step (A) is the step of regulating a voltage of USB
`power (a voltage value Y0) supplied from the USB port
`of the personal computer to be a predetermined voltage 5
`(a voltage value Y c), in case where the USB power (the
`voltage value Y0) supplied from the USB port is
`stabilized.
`12. The method for charging the battery of the external
`apparatus by using the USB cable of claim 9, furthe r 10
`comprising:
`(G) detecting a temperature (T) of the USB cable;
`(H) detecting whether the temperature (T) detected by
`said step (G) is in the range of a predetermined thresh(cid:173)
`old or not;
`
`8
`(I) generating a temperature interrupn signal in case where
`the temperature (1) is out of the ra nge of the predeter(cid:173)
`mined threshold; and
`(J) interrupting the charging process of said step (B) in
`accordance with the temperature interrupt signal.
`13. The method for charging the battery of the external
`apparatus by using the USB cable of claim 9, wherein
`said step (B) is the step of outputting the regulated voltage
`(the voltage value Y c) to the external appa ratus and
`charging the battery of the external apparatus with the
`regulated voltage (the voltage value V c), in case where
`a voltage of the battery of the external apparatus
`exceeds a predetermined voltage.
`
`* * * * *
`
`Samsung Ex. 1329 p. 10
`
`