(12> Ulllted States Patent
`Svensson
`
`US006429622B1
`(16) Patent N6.=
`US 6,429,622 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 6, 2002
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTHENTICATING A CHARGING UNIT BY
`A PORTABLE BATTERY_OPERATED
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`1/1999 Theobald .................. .. 320/106
`5,859,522 A
`2/1999 Dias et al. . . . . . .
`. . . .. 320/106
`5,867,006 A
`5,963,012 A 10/1999 Garcia et al. ............. .. 320/106
`6,031,353 A * 2/2000 Banyas et al.
`6,295,002 B1 * 9/2001 Fukuda
`
`Inventor: Lars SVEIISSOII, (73) Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson
`
`(publ), Stockholm (SE)
`
`EP
`W0
`
`0684680 A1 11/1995
`WO 95/06994
`3/1995
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`EPO; European Standard Search Report; Jun. 20, 2001.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/711,998
`
`(22) Filedi
`
`NOV- 14, 2000
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—EdWard H. Tso
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jenkens & Gilchrist, PC.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ............................................. .. H01M 10/46
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(52) US. Cl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . . . . . .. 320/106
`
`(58) Field Of Search ............................... .. 320/106 110
`320/114 115 135 DIG 12
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,349,535 A
`9/1994 Gupta ...................... .. 364/483
`5,367,242 A 4 11/1994 Hulman
`5,369,352 A 11/1994 Toepferetal. ............. .. 320/56
`5,420,493 A
`5/1995 Hargadon et a1,
`320/15
`5,506,490 A
`4/1996 DeMuro ................. .. 320/23
`5,592,069 A
`1/1997 Dias e191 - - - - - - - -
`- - - -- 320/30
`
`57596567 A
`5’6O2’454 A
`2
`
`1/1997 deMurO ct a1~ - - - - - -
`2/1997 Arakawa et a1‘
`
`- - - - ~~ 320/5
`320/2
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`Aportable battery'operated electron“ devlce authenncates/
`identi?es a charging unit in order to prevent an incompatible
`and/or poorly designed or constructed charging unit from
`possibly damaging the portable battery-operated electronic
`device. The authentication/identi?cation is effectuated over
`a Wireless interface (e.g., using Bluetooth transceivers)
`when *‘Portable ban‘?ry'op?rated electronic device detects
`connection to a charging unit. The portable battery-operated
`electronic device requests data related to Source and/0r
`compatibility of the charging unit. If data is received and it
`indicates a proper source and/or compatibility, the portable
`battery-operated electronic device permits the charging.
`
`Otherwise, the portable battery-operated electronic device
`executes an action, such as preventing charging and/or
`memorialiZing information about the risky charging.
`
`5,734,252 A
`5,754,029 A
`
`3/1998 Griffin et al. . . . . .
`. . . . .. 320/2
`5/1998 Mann et al. .............. .. 320/106
`
`30 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Apple 1012 - Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 6, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 6,429,622 B1
`
`“O
`
`@166
`@136
`
`ml 10
`FIG. 1
`
`200
`
`250
`
`110/
`
`MT
`
`1101
`
`MT
`
`Apple 1012 - Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 6, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 6,429,622 B1
`
`rK312
`
`Speaker
`I
`
`I/3l4
`
`Display
`|
`
`I/3>16
`
`Keypad
`MT
`I
`1
`305
`MW Unit /
`
`f/3l8
`
`Microphone
`I
`K
`310
`
`110/
`
`SR
`TRX
`
`380*
`\
`
`E‘
`3
`
`Controllerl
`
`“:X _
`a — Processing nit ?340
`
`r3122 _ __ _ _ _ __
`.
`Logic
`Modules
`56L)
`
`330
`
`390“
`
`Switch
`
`Cont
`roller
`15
`L7/\ \
`210
`
`220
`
`'
`
`Memory]. /350
`ompotibil’tiy Info
`l
`|
`\
`\354 352
`
`FIG. 3
`
`A‘ 230
`
`130/
`
`F420
`
`CU
`
`SR TRX
`
`'- _ '— — — ___ _“
`— Controllerl f 430
`Logic
`TRX _
`Modules
`L70 — Processing llnit r440
`@
`Cont-
`l
`'$' _
`Memoryl
`
`/450
`
`\
`
`220
`
`240
`
`omputibiltiy Info
`l
`l
`\ 454
`
`\
`452
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Apple 1012 - Page 3
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`

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`US.
`Patent
`
`Aug
`. 6, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 6,429,622 B1
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`500
`
`1
`
`130 ‘@
`
`520
`
`540
`
`560
`
`510
`
`530
`
`550
`
`570
`
`Broadcast Page
`
`Acknowledgement w/(e.g., BT) ID
`
`Request Source ID
`
`Send Source ID
`
`Request Compatibility Info
`
`Send Compatibility Info
`
`Order (Temporary) Voltage Variation
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Apple 1012 - Page 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 6, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 6,429,622 B1
`
`600
`R 610
`
`MT Detects
`Connection to cu
`
`i
`MT Broadcasts
`520/ Bluetooth (BT) P096
`
`BT
`Ack Rcvd
`(2
`
`630
`
`MT Transmits Request
`650/ for Src./Com. Identifier
`
`670 /
`
`Charging of MT
`Battery
`Permitted/ Continues
`
`Execute Action
`— Prevent Charging
`— Emit Sound
`— Note/Report
`Charging
`Incident
`
`690%
`
`|
`:
`|
`|
`|\-689
`|
`Voltage
`Not \llaried
`
`685
`
`_. _ _L. _ .
`
`+ MT Orders CU j
`Lto Vary VoltageJ
`Voltage Varied
`‘-— ———— * — k 687 _|
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Apple 1012 - Page 5
`
`

`
`US 6,429,622 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTHENTICATING A CHARGING UNIT BY
`A PORTABLE BATTERY-OPERATED
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Technical Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates in general to the ?eld of
`portable battery-operated electronic devices, and in
`particular, by Way of example but not limitation, to identi
`fying and/or authenticating a battery charging unit When it is
`connected to a portable battery-operated electronic device.
`2. Description of Related Art
`Portable battery-operated electronic devices have become
`an increasingly important part of our modern technological
`society. No longer are these devices considered a luxury,
`available only to the rich and affluent. Rather, as people
`become more mobile through their jobs, recreational activi
`ties and lifestyle choices, they have become increasingly
`more reliant upon the convenience and services that portable
`electronic devices offer. Moreover, With the advances in
`semiconductor technology and integrated circuit
`miniaturization, portable electronic devices have become
`smaller, lighter, and increasingly more sophisticated. These
`aspects of portable electronic devices have enabled users to
`fully exploit technological advances in a manner and under
`circumstances that Would be impossible using conventional
`stationary systems. When these portable electronic devices
`incorporate communication capabilities, such as cellular
`radio, the portable electronic device becomes even more
`advantageous. Many users, in fact, rely upon their portable
`electronic device as their sole means of communication
`While they are traveling or visiting customers. Many users
`also appreciate the enhanced security provided by the ability
`to contact family, friends or emergency services from remote
`locations. With these advantages, it is no Wonder that
`portable electronic devices have experienced an almost
`exponential increase in demand and have become critical to
`the lives and livelihood of many individuals.
`One of the problems experienced With portable electronic
`devices, hoWever, is that these small hand-held devices are
`poWered by small, rechargeable batteries that normally
`provide a limited number of hours of active service. Once
`the batteries are discharged beloW a certain level, the por
`table electronic device Will cease to function. The battery or
`batteries Will then need to be recharged before the user may
`utiliZe the functions and services of the portable electronic
`device. Portable battery-operated electronic devices are typi
`cally recharged using a battery charging unit. A portable
`battery-operated electronic device may be placed Within a
`cradling area of the battery charging unit to activate and
`effectuate the recharging process. Alternatively, a portable
`battery-operated electronic device may be connected to the
`battery charging unit via a cable and a connector.
`Because a battery charging unit is connected to a strong
`poWer source and may be designed to rapidly recharge one
`or more depleted batteries, it may have the capacity to
`seriously damage the portable battery-operated electronic
`device to Which it is connected. An inadequately designed
`and/or poorly manufactured battery charging unit may there
`fore cause signi?cant harm to the portable battery-operated
`electronic device that it is intended to return to normal
`functioning by recharging the associated battery. The dam
`aging of the portable battery-operated electronic device
`results in harming tWo entities. First, the user of the portable
`battery-operated electronic device is unable to utiliZe it until
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`it is repaired or replaced, possibly at his or her expense.
`Second, if the portable battery-operated electronic device is
`under Warranty, then the manufacturer may need to expend
`signi?cant resources to repair or replace the damaged
`device.
`Frequently, When an inadequately designed and/or poorly
`manufactured battery charging unit damages a portable
`battery-operated electronic device, the defective battery
`charging unit is produced and sold by a manufacturer other
`than the manufacturer of the portable battery-operated elec
`tronic device. In other Words, one company may produce
`and sell a battery charging unit that is advertised to be
`compatible With the portable battery-operated electronic
`device of another company, but the battery charging unit is
`faulty inasmuch as it damages the portable battery-operated
`electronic device. Unfortunately, this can result in the entity
`that is responsible for the damage (e.g., the producer and/or
`seller of the faulty battery charging unit) avoiding the
`expense of ?xing the damaged portable battery-operated
`electronic device While the oWner or manufacturer thereof is
`left to pay for ?xing the damages caused by another.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The de?ciencies of the prior art are overcome by the
`method, system, and apparatus of the present invention. For
`example, as heretofore unrecognized, it Would be bene?cial
`if attempted charging using an unauthoriZed charging unit
`could be detected. In fact, it Would be bene?cial if such
`unauthoriZed charging could be memorialiZed or prevented
`before the charging begins in order to protect innocent
`parties.
`Portable battery-operated electronic devices (e.g., a com
`munication unit such as a mobile terminal, a personal digital
`assistant (PDA), a calculator, etc.) gradually deplete their
`batteries during use. In accordance With the present
`invention, such devices are enabled to pro-actively interact
`With a connected charging unit in order to limit exposure to
`faulty, potentially-damage-causing charging units. When a
`portable battery-operated electronic device detects connec
`tion to a charging unit, the portable battery-operated elec
`tronic device transmits an inquiry over a Wireless link that
`requests data related to source and/or compatibility. Acharg
`ing unit in accordance With the present invention that
`receives the inquiry transmits the requested data in response.
`If the received requested data indicates that the charging unit
`is an appropriate charging unit for the portable battery
`operated electronic device, the portable battery-operated
`electronic device permits the charging to continue.
`If, on the other hand, the portable battery-operated elec
`tronic device receives no requested data or the received
`requested data does not indicate that the charging unit is an
`appropriate charging unit for the portable battery-operated
`electronic device, then the portable battery-operated elec
`tronic device may execute one or more actions. These
`actions include noting the risky charging, emitting a loud
`noise, and/or refusing to permit the risky charging. In an
`alternative embodiment, in order to ensure that the portable
`battery-operated electronic device is connected to the same
`charging unit With Which Wireless communication has been
`established, the portable battery-operated electronic device
`orders the charging unit to vary the voltage supply applied
`to the charging contacts. If the voltage is not varied, then the
`portable battery-operated electronic device may execute the
`one or more actions as described above.
`The technical advantages of the present invention include,
`but are not limited to, the folloWing. It should be understood
`
`Apple 1012 - Page 6
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`

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`US 6,429,622 B1
`
`3
`that particular embodiments may not involve any, much less
`all, of the following exemplary technical advantages.
`An important technical advantage of the present invention
`is that it enables a portable battery-operated electronic
`device to authenticate/identify a charging unit.
`Another important technical advantage of the present
`invention is that it provides the ability to prevent or at least
`memorialiZe a risky charging of the battery or batteries of
`the portable battery-operated electronic device.
`Yet another important technical advantage of the present
`invention is the ability to reduce the chances that an innocent
`party Will be inconvenienced by or required to pay for
`damages caused by another party.
`The above-described and other features of the present
`invention are explained in detail hereinafter With reference
`to the illustrative examples shoWn in the accompanying
`draWings. Those skilled in the art Will appreciate that the
`described embodiments are provided for purposes of illus
`tration and understanding and that numerous equivalent
`embodiments are contemplated herein.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Amore complete understanding of the method and system
`of the present invention may be had by reference to the
`folloWing detailed description When taken in conjunction
`With the accompanying draWings Wherein:
`FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of an exemplary environment
`in Which an exemplary portable battery-operated electronic
`device and an associated charging unit may operate in
`accordance With an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary portable battery
`operated electronic device and an associated exemplary
`charging unit in accordance With the present invention;
`FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary portable battery
`operated electronic device and tWo associated exemplary
`charging units in accordance With the present invention;
`FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary portable battery-operated
`electronic device of FIGS. 2A and 2B in greater detail in
`accordance With the present invention;
`FIG. 4 illustrates the exemplary charging units of FIGS.
`2A and 2B in greater detail in accordance With the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary sequence diagram of
`Wireless signals exchanged betWeen the exemplary portable
`battery-operated electronic device and the exemplary charg
`ing units of FIGS. 2A and 2B in accordance With the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method in ?oWchart form
`in accordance With the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the folloWing description, for purposes of explanation
`and not limitation, speci?c details are set forth, such as
`particular circuits, logic modules (implemented in, for
`example, softWare, hardWare, ?rmWare, some combination
`thereof, etc.), techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough
`understanding of the invention. HoWever, it Will be apparent
`to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention
`may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from
`these speci?c details. In other instances, detailed descrip
`tions of Well-knoWn methods, devices, logical code (e.g.,
`hardWare, softWare, ?rmWare, etc.), etc. are omitted so as
`not to obscure the description of the present invention With
`unnecessary detail.
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`A preferred embodiment of the present invention and its
`advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1—6 of
`the draWings, like numerals being used for like and corre
`sponding parts of the various draWings.
`As alluded to hereinabove, counterfeit battery chargers
`can be very costly in terms of illegitimate Warranty Work and
`inconvenience to the consumer, for example. Unlike many
`accessories, charging units do not attach to the system
`contact. Consequently, charging units cannot identify them
`selves via the system contact. Furthermore, charging units
`have no separate signaling-channel, as the only tWo Wires
`connecting the charging unit and the portable battery
`operated electronic device are the poWer Wires. While it is
`possible to overlay identifying signals on the supply voltage,
`such schemes may be reasonably easy to defeat With an
`oscilloscope. HoWever, identi?cation/authentication in
`accordance With the principles of the present invention is
`accomplished using a Wireless link. Bluetooth technology is
`one example of Wireless communication that involves loW
`cost, short range transceivers that utiliZe cryptographic algo
`rithms for protecting the content of transmitted information.
`To that end, aspects of the air interface and other
`requirements/suggestions for the Bluetooth technological
`standard Will be used to describe a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention. HoWever, it should be understood that
`the principles of the present invention are applicable to other
`Wireless communication standards or systems (Whether cur
`rently developed or to be developed in the future), especially
`those involving a short-range transceiver technology.
`Referring noW to FIG. 1, a portion of an exemplary
`environment in Which an exemplary portable battery
`operated electronic device and an associated charging unit
`may operate in accordance With an embodiment of the
`present invention is illustrated. A (portion of) an exemplary
`Wireless communications system 100 includes a base station
`(BS) 120 and multiple mobile terminals (MTs) 110. The BS
`120 may be composed of a base transceiver station (BTS)
`and a base station controller (BSC) (neither of Which are
`shoWn), as is knoWn in the art. The (portion of) exemplary
`Wireless communications system 100 is typically composed
`of many cells (not explicitly shoWn), each With a BS 120.
`Each such BS 120 is capable of simultaneously communi
`cating With more than tWo MTs 110. The MTs 110 are one
`example of portable battery-operated electronic devices that
`are poWered by one or more batteries. As the battery (or
`batteries) becomes loW or completely depleted, it must be
`recharged using a charging unit 130. Each oWner of a MT
`110 typically has at least one charging unit 130, Which may,
`for example, be connected to the MT 110 to recharge the
`battery of the MT 110.
`Referring noW to FIG. 2A, an exemplary portable battery
`operated electronic device and an associated exemplary
`charging unit in accordance With the present invention are
`illustrated generally at 200. The MT 110 includes charging
`contact(s) 210 and a short range transceiver (SR TRX) 220.
`It should be understood that the MT 110 is presented by Way
`of example only and not limitation. The principles of the
`present invention are equally applicable to portable battery
`operated electronic devices in general. Portable battery
`operated electronic devices may include, for example, per
`sonal digital assistants (PDAs), calculators, palm-siZed
`computers, etc. The CU 130A is shoWn in operative con
`nection With the MT 110 via charging contact(s) 230. The
`CU 130A is shoWn as an exemplary desk/table-top-type CU.
`In accordance With the present invention, the CU 130A also
`includes a SR TRX 220, Which may be composed of a
`separate transmitter and a separate receiver. PoWer input
`240, Which provides poWer to the CU 130A, is also illus
`trated.
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`Apple 1012 - Page 7
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`

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`US 6,429,622 B1
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`Referring noW to FIG. 2B, an exemplary portable battery
`operated electronic device and tWo associated exemplary
`charging units in accordance With the present invention are
`illustrated generally at 250. The MT 110 is again illustrated
`With a SR TRX 220 and charging contact(s) 210. CUs 130B
`and 130C are shoWn in nearly operative connection With the
`MT 110 at charging contacts 210 via charging contacts 230
`of the CUs 130B and 130C. While CUs 130B and 130C also
`each include a SR TRX 220 and a poWer input 240, CUs
`130B and 130C are shoWn as exemplary 12-volt DC adapter
`type (e.g., for a vehicle) and 110-volt AC-type (e.g., for a
`Wall outlet) CUs, respectively. It should be noted that the
`principles of the present invention are applicable regardless
`of the type and/or shape of the CU 130. As Will -be described
`in greater detail hereinbeloW, the SR TRX 220 of the MT
`15
`110 and the SR TRX 220 of the CU 130 communicate
`therebetWeen in order for the MT 110 to authenticate/
`identify the CU 130.
`Referring noW to FIG. 3, the exemplary portable battery
`operated electronic device of FIGS. 2A and 2B in accor
`dance With the present invention is illustrated in greater
`detail. The MT 110 includes a man-machine interface
`(MMI) unit 305 that enables interaction betWeen the MT 110
`and a user. The MMI unit 305 is connected to and may
`control a speaker 312, a display 314, a keypad 316, and a
`microphone 318. The MMI unit 305 is also connected to a
`bus 320, Which interconnects various elements of the MT
`110. A controller 330, a processing unit 340, and a memory
`350 may also be connected to the bus 320. As Will be
`explained in greater detail hereinbeloW, the memory 350
`includes a source identi?er 352, compatibility information
`354, or both. It should be noted that tWo processors (e.g., a
`controller 330 and a processing unit 340) are not both
`necessary for an embodiment of the present invention. One
`or more logic modules.360 may also be present Within the
`MT 110. The one or more logic modules 360 may be
`designed, programmed, etc. to effectuate the principles of
`the present invention. In other Words, the one or more logic
`modules 360 may be softWare residing in the memory 350
`(or another memory (not shoWn) that may program the
`processing unit 340 to implement the principles of the
`present invention. Alternatively, the one or more logic
`modules 360 may be hardWare embodied in the controller
`330 that implements the principles of the present invention.
`Other hardWare, softWare, ?rmWare, some combination
`thereof, etc. alternatives are Within the scope of the present
`invention.
`The SR TRX 220 of the MT 110 may also be connected
`to the bus 320. The SR TRX 220 may be composed of a TRX
`370 and an optional controller 375. The controller 375 is
`optional if, for example, other elements of the MT 110 (e.g.,
`a controller 330 and/or a processing unit 340) are established
`so as to control the TRX 370. The bus 320 is also connected
`to a sWitch 390, Which may be activated or deactivated to
`control the application of poWer from the charging contact
`210 to the battery 380.
`Referring noW to FIG. 4, the exemplary charging units of
`FIGS. 2A and 2B in accordance With the present invention
`are illustrated in greater detail. The charging contact 210 (of
`FIG. 3, for example) of the MT 110 is connected to the
`charging contact 230 of the CU 130. The CU 130 recharges
`the battery 380 by transferring poWer that has been input
`from the poWer input 240 (after appropriate voltage
`reduction, regulation, etc.). The CU 130 includes a bus 420
`that interconnects a controller 430, a processing unit 440, a
`memory 450, a SR TRX 220, and a sWitch 490. In one
`embodiment, only one processor (e.g., the controller 430,
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`the processing unit 440, or the controller 475) is present (but
`one, tWo, three, or more processors may alternatively be
`present). The CU 130 includes one or more logic modules
`460 that control the functions and/or operations of the CU
`130. The one or more logic modules 460 may be composed
`of, for example, hardWare, softWare, ?rmWare, some com
`bination thereof, etc. that cause the elements (e.g., the
`controller 430 and/or the processing unit 440 and/or the
`controller 475, the SR TRX 220, etc.) of the CU 130 to
`operate in accordance With the present invention.
`The memory 450 of the CU 130 stores a source identi?er
`452 and/or compatibility information 454 for Wireless trans
`mission to an inquiring MT in accordance With the present
`invention, as described further hereinbeloW With reference
`to FIGS. 5 and 6. The Wireless transmission may occur by
`Way of the SR TRX 220, Which may include a TRX 470 and
`an optional controller 475. The controller 475 may be
`omitted if, for example, the one or more logic modules 460
`control the TRX 470 through one or more other processors.
`In an alternative embodiment, a CU 130 may omit the
`controller 430 and the processing unit 440 by relying solely
`on the controller 475 to effectuate the features (both standard
`ones and those in accordance With the present invention) of
`a CU. In this alternative embodiment, the one or more logic
`modules 460 may be realiZed using, at least partially, the
`controller 475. As noted above, the CU 130 may optionally
`include the (variable) sWitch 490 that may be used to alter
`(e.g., reduce, shut off, etc.) the voltage applied to the
`charging contact 230.
`Referring noW to FIG. 5, an exemplary sequence diagram
`of Wireless signals exchanged betWeen the exemplary por
`table battery-operated electronic device and the exemplary
`charging units of FIGS. 2A and 2B in accordance With the
`present invention is illustrated generally at 500. In accor
`dance With one embodiment of the present invention, the SR
`TRXs 220 of both the MT 110 and the CU 130 are Bluetooth
`units (i.e., they are short range transceivers operating in
`accordance With the Bluetooth standard/speci?cation in this
`particular embodiment). Bluetooth TRXs are designed to
`establish “impromptu” Wireless netWorks With one device
`being the master and one or more devices being slaves. The
`standard ranges are 10 meters or 100 meters.
`Advantageously, Bluetooth TRXs are designed to encrypt
`and decrypt transmissions. The Bluetooth crypto thus advan
`tageously dramatically increases the dif?culty of “breaking”
`or “cracking” the identi?cation process so as to fool a
`portable battery-operated electronic device into reacting as if
`a connected CU has been correctly authenticated. It should
`be noted that non-Bluetooth embodiments of the present
`invention may also advantageously involve the encryption
`of Wireless communications betWeen the MT 110 and the
`CU 130.
`Referring to the sequence diagram 500, after a MT 110
`detects a connection to a CU 130, the MT 110 broadcasts a
`(e.g., Wireless Bluetooth) page (510) to any and all devices
`Within range that include a compatible SR TRX 220. Having
`a SR TRX 220, the CU 130 responds With an acknoWledg
`ment that includes an (e.g., Bluetooth) identi?cation (ID)
`(520) to establish a Wireless communication link (e.g., an
`“impromptu” Wireless Bluetooth netWork). The MT 110
`requests a source identi?er (530). The source identi?er may
`correspond to, for example, an identi?er that is associated
`With a manufacturer of the CU 130. The identi?er may be,
`for example, a numeral, an alpha-numeric value, a manu
`facturer’s code and/or name, etc. If the CU 130 is perform
`ing in accordance With the principles of the present
`invention, the CU 130 responds by sending the source
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`identi?er 452 of the CU 130 over the Wireless (e.g.,
`Bluetooth) interface (540). The MT 110 may subsequently
`compare the received source identi?er 452 With the stored
`source identi?er 352.
`Instead of, or in addition to, requesting a source identi?er,
`the MT 110 may request compatibility information (550). In
`response to the request, the CU 130 sends the compatibility
`information 454 over the Wireless link (560). Compatibility
`information may include, for example, indicia that enables a
`MT 110 to determine Whether or not the responding CU 130
`is compatible (e.g., is capable of safely recharging the
`battery or batteries of the MT 110 Without damaging the
`battery and/or the MT 110). The compatibility information
`may be a single indication (e.g., a CU model type) such that
`the MT 110 can compare the single indication to a list of
`compatible CU models (e.g., the compatibility information
`354) in, for example, the memory 350. Alternatively, the
`compatibility information 454 may be a list of portable
`battery-operated electronic devices With Which the CU 130
`is compatible. The MT 110 may then determine Whether the
`MT 110, or a compatible device, is on the list by inspecting
`the list (e.g., and comparing entries in the list to the stored
`compatibility information 354).
`As alluded to and explained above, received data does not
`necessarily need to be identical to stored data. The data
`transmitted by the CU 130 may be composed of, for
`example, only a model designation that is compared against
`all alloWable CU models as stored in the MT 110. The total
`data in the MT 110 is clearly larger in this case. The opposite
`case in Which the CU 130 informs the MT 110 of all the
`types of battery-operated electronic devices that it believes
`itself capable of safely charging While the MT 110 only
`knoWs its oWn type of battery-operated electronic device is
`possible as Well. In this opposite case, the MT 110 compares
`its oWn type to all of the received types. There may be a
`match indicating a permissible/safe charging condition after
`comparison(s) in either case. For example, if a CU 130
`transmits its model designation as “ABC1344”, a match may
`be determined if the MT 110 includes stored data of
`“ABC1344”, “ABC1234, ABC1333, ABC1344, ABC1510,
`DEF2145”, “ABC13xx” (Where “xx” indicates any digit or
`any alphanumeric value), etc.
`It should be noted that if both a source identi?er and
`compatibility information are requested, then they may be
`requested simultaneously, or compatibility information may
`be requested ?rst. It should also be understood that each of
`the sequence signals 510, 530, and 550 may be individually
`or jointly referred to in a broad sense as an inquiry. In an
`alternative embodiment, after the MT 110 has authenticated/
`identi?ed a CU 130 With Which it is in Wireless communi
`cation as an appropriate CU, the MT 110 may verify that the
`CU to Which it is (e.g., physically) connected is the CU 130
`to Which it is also in Wireless communication. The MT 110
`may do so by ordering the CU 130 to (e.g., temporarily) vary
`the supplied voltage (570), as explained further hereinbeloW.
`Referring noW to FIG. 6, an exemplary method in ?oW
`chart form in accordance With the present invention is
`illustrated generally at 600. Initially, the MT (or, more
`generally, any portable battery-operated electronic device)
`detects connection to a CU (step 610). In response, the MT
`broadcasts a (e.g., Bluetooth) page (step 620). The MT
`aWaits for an (e.g., Bluetooth) acknowledgment. If the MT
`does not receive an acknowledgment (at step 630), the MT
`executes an action (step 640). The action may be one or
`more of the folloWing exemplary actions. First, the MT may
`prevent charging of the battery or batteries of the MT (e.g.,
`cause the sWitch 390 to prevent the application of power
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`from the charging connection 210 to the battery 380).
`Second, the MT may emit a loud, “attention-getting” sound
`(e.g., cause the MMI 305 to activate the speaker 312 With a
`loud noise). Third, the MT may note the charging incident
`(e.g., store details of When, Where, hoW, etc. non
`authenticated charging occurred in the memory 350).
`Subsequently, if the MT is submitted for Warranty Work, the
`memory of the MT may be inspected. If the memory reveals
`that the Warranty terms have been violated, the manufacturer
`of the MT may refuse to repair the MT under the Warranty,
`as appropriate. It should be noted that the MT may alterna
`tively execute other actions as Well.
`If, on the other hand, the MT does receive an acknoWl
`edgment (at step 630), the MT transmits a request for data
`related to source and/or compatibility (step 650). If both are
`requested, they may be requested together, separately, in any
`order, etc. The MT then determines Whether a matching
`source/information has been received (at step 660).
`Received data may be matching if any received source is in
`accordance With any stored source and/or if any received
`compatibility information is in accordance With any stored
`compatibility information (examples of hoW/When received
`sources and compatibility information are in accordance
`With stored sources and compatibility information,
`respectively, are presented hereinabove). If matching data is
`not received (at step 660), then the MT executes an action
`(step 640), as explained above. If, on the other hand,
`matching data is received (at step 660), then the MT may
`permit charging of the battery or batteries of the MT to begin
`(or continue) (step 670).
`In an alternative embodiment