(12) United States Patent
`Kerai et al.
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll llllll llll llll llll
`
`US006531845B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,531,845 B2
`Mar. 11,2003
`
`(54) BATTERY CHARGfNG
`
`(75)
`
`loveotors: Kanji Kerai, London (GB); Kalle
`1\mlos, Turku (FI)
`
`(73) As.sigoee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited, Espoo
`(FI)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclai mer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/864,273
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`(65)
`
`May 25, 2001
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0005707 Al Jan. 17, 2002
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 26, 2000
`(GB) ............................................. 0012946
`lnt. C l.7 . ... ... ................ ......... .. . ................ H02.J 7/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. C l ........ ................................................ 320/107
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 320/106, l07,
`320/110
`
`(56)
`
`References C ited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUM ENTS
`
`12/1994 Fernandez .................. 320/136
`5,371,453 A
`.............. 324/538
`l/1997 Nelson et al.
`5,592,528 A
`5,814,969 A * 9/1998 Banyas ....................... 320/ l12
`6,087,804 A • 7/2000 Suda .......................... 320/106
`
`6,118,251 A *
`6,184,652 Bl
`6,184,660 Bl *
`6,211,649 Bl
`
`9/2000 Atwater ...................... 320/131
`2/2001 Yang .......................... 320/1 IO
`2/2001 Hattilar ....................... 320/139
`4/2001 Matsuda ..................... 320/115
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1085400
`2 286 732
`2 293 283
`200020175
`200020176
`200029544
`2000139032
`2000165513
`
`3/2000
`8/1995
`3/1996
`1/2000
`1/2000
`l/2000
`5/2000
`6/2000
`
`............ . G06F/J/26
`
`............ . G06F/J/26
`............. G06F/1/26
`............. GOS F/1/00
`. ... ... .. .. . . H02J/7/00
`............ H04M/ l/ 72
`
`EP
`GB
`GB
`.JP
`JP
`JP
`.JP
`JP
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Exmnine,.--Edward M. Tso
`Assistant Examine,.-Pia Tibbits
`(74) Altorney, Agefll, or Firm-Antonelli, Terry, Stout &
`Kraus, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A battery charging circuit is described in which power is
`derived from a communications port such as a USB interface
`(22) and is supplied to a rechargeable battery of a commu(cid:173)
`nications device. The commuoicatioos device, which may be
`a mobile radio telephone, can be cbarged from the power
`supply or internal battery of a laptop computer equipped
`with a USB port and connected thereto with a suitable cable
`thereby avoiding the need for a user to carry a dedicated
`battery charger for the radio telephone.
`
`44 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0001
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 11, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`13 -q
`
`3
`
`1
`
`-
`
`FIG. 1
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0002
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`TELEPHONE
`FUNCTIONS " ...
`
`A
`I;'
`
`TRANSCEIVER .,
`.,.
`
`A
`
`16 "'"'-
`
`I
`
`0 N/OFFY-"
`·p MENUY-o
`·p MEMOY-"
`·p
`CLEARY-d
`•p
`
`SENDY-d
`·p
`
`END~d
`
`1 Y-o
`·p
`
`4 ~o
`
`7 Y-o
`·o
`*~"
`
`2 Y-o
`·p
`5Y-o
`·p
`BY-a
`·p
`OY-a
`·p
`
`3Y-o
`·p
`
`6~a
`
`9~a
`
`#~a
`
`l
`I
`
`14
`r-18 ~
`
`MEMORY
`
`~i
`
`~
`
`17
`...__,.
`
`MICRO-
`PROCESSOR
`
`-
`-
`--
`-
`
`ITT
`
`19-....
`
`30
`)
`
`LCD
`
`21
`
`p
`25 26 ~
`0-
`(
`)
`-
`"'-"
`I
`J
`I D~
`I 7 _J
`23
`... CHARGER 27~
`>..~
`-(2f
`28VBUS
`CONTROL
`~
`CCT
`PWR
`\
`(
`20
`101 100
`
`FIG. 2
`
`15 ,..,,_
`
`BATTERY
`
`0 •
`00
`•
`~
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`
`s: r:.:
`;'I
`.....
`,........
`N
`Q
`
`8
`
`00
`::"
`~
`~ .....
`N
`
`0 -°'
`
`22
`
`~ r.n
`O'I °' ~
`~ °' t=
`
`lo-I
`Oo
`
`N
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0003
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 11, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`25
`r----- - -----------1
`22{ 23{ o-+---....-----1.,...__ _ _ _ ...,.__ _ _ -;-1-1
`
`I
`
`._.._ _
`
`__.
`
`26
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`----~­
`I
`I
`I
`1001
`
`52
`
`28
`
`;Ji-'51
`
`FIG. 3
`
`21 I
`f p
`23{: :- - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - -: _________ . !
`
`25
`
`22
`
`26
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I I ....---.---1 5 o
`
`..---....--1 50
`
`-....--- 50
`
`100
`
`1
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`r--
`
`1
`I
`1
`I
`
`;Ji-'51
`:
`~- -------- ------ - -
`FIG. 4
`
`52
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0004
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.11,2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`r - - - -
`1
`
`___ .......
`
`~ 61
`29
`
`22
`"--.
`
`62
`
`63
`
`53
`
`,-----------, --~
`
`,,---"p
`
`64
`
`25
`
`26
`
`I ~51
`
`I ~ 51
`I
`I ~51
`I
`I ~51
`
`I ~51
`
`100
`
`52
`
`I ~51
`I
`----------- -
`FIG. 5
`
`,._ __
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`FIG. 6
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0005
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.11, 2003
`
`Sheet S of 6
`
`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`t - - - POWER / DATA _ ___,.
`
`POWER CONNECTION
`
`DATA CONNECTION
`
`USS STATUS
`
`OPTIONS
`
`BACK
`
`FIG. 7a
`
`1 - - - - CHARGING - - - 4 1
`
`CHARGING USB D
`\
`
`102
`
`FIG. 7b
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0006
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 11, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`Options
`
`Power
`Data
`Statu s
`Exit
`
`1'<31
`
`...__
`
`1'<35 I .I ~ 32
`I .I ~ 33
`I INTERNAL r-34
`
`-
`
`FIG. 8
`
`...._103
`
`MAINTAIN POWER
`CONNECTION WHEN
`BATTERY LOW?
`
`j Yes I j No I
`
`FIG. 9
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0007
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`2
`charging circuit during communication activity between the
`device and a further device connected via suitable cabling
`thereto. Such communication activity may include the trans(cid:173)
`fer of data and/or control signals. A switch may be provided
`s to control the delivery of power to the charging circujt where
`the transmission conditions of the port dictate.
`According to another aspect of the present inventio n,
`tllere is provided a method of charging a battery powered
`device containing a communications port, said device fur(cid:173)
`ther including a charging circuit connectable to a battery, the
`method comprising connecting said charging circuit to at
`least one data and/or control line during delivery of data
`and/or control signals to said port whereby power is supplied
`from said at least one line to the charging circuit.
`
`10
`
`1
`BATTERY CHARGlNG
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVEN'nON
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a battery powered device
`incorporating a communication port, particularly although
`not exclusively a USB interface.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Customarily, band held electronic devices such personal
`digital as.sistants (PDA), and cellular handsets have been
`powered by a rechargeable battery, the term battery being
`intended to encompass a collection of one or more cells. As
`a consequence, it is neces.sary for the user of such a device
`to recharge the battery regularly using a dedicated charger,
`always assuming a source of electrical power is publically
`available. Where a user possesses more than one such device
`and perhaps a laptop computer, it is neces.sary to carry a
`corresponding number of chargers. Typically, battery charg-
`ers are heavy, bulky and inconvenient to transport clue to
`their trailing leads and connectors. Furthermore, where a
`user is traveling abroad, even should the charger prove
`compatible with the local electrical power supply, a power
`outlet adapter will almost certainly be neces.sary adding to
`expense and further inconveniencing the user.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome
`the disadvantages set out above and to further provide a
`device which permits a user to remove the need to carry a
`plurality of chargers and adapters when traveling. It is a still
`further object of the invention to permit the charging of a
`device in tl1e absence of a locally available electrical supply.
`Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention 35
`there is provided a battery powered device including a
`communications port and a charging circuit connectable to
`a battery, the charging circuit having a further connection to
`the communications port wherein the port, in use, provides
`power to the charging circuit.
`Although lhe port may include a power line such as is
`found, for example, in a USB port, preferably the charging
`circuit obtains power from the data and/or control lines.
`Conveniently, the connection to the charging circuit is
`switched such that the controller or proces.sor may make or 45
`break the connection in accordance with instructions
`received via a user interface of the device. Such instructions
`could arise from the detection of the onset or a comnmni(cid:173)
`cation over the data line in particular where tllis is a source
`of power. By disconnecting the charging circuit from the 50
`data line, the capacitance of the line is reduced and the data
`rate of the port is substantially maintained. It may also be
`appropriate to break the connection where an additional
`power supply is COCUlected to a dedicated input to the
`charging circuit. By disconnecting the charging circuit from 55
`the port in such circumstances, the risk of over charging the
`battery is reduced. The device may also include means for
`providing data indicative of the status of a battery connected
`to the battery charger.
`lo accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there 60
`is provided a battery powered device including a commu(cid:173)
`nications port and a charging circujt connectable to a battery,
`the charging circuit being connected to at least one data
`and/or control line of said port, whereby power is received
`by said circuit during operation of said at least one line.
`Particularly in tbe case of a so-called USB communica(cid:173)
`tions port, it is pos.sible to deliver power to a battery
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In order to understand more fully the invention, several
`embodiments thereof will now be described by way of
`example and with reference to the accompanying drawings,
`in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the topology of the
`known USB serial interface;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram o( a battery powered radio
`telephone handset according to the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a port according to a
`further embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a variant of the port of
`FIG. 3;
`FIG. S is a diagrammatic view of a further variant of the
`port of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the radio telephone handset
`of FIG. 2 connected to a laptop computer;
`FIG. 1a is a view of a display of the handset of FIG. 2
`showing a menu of a user interface;
`FIG. 1b is a similar view showing a simplified menu;
`FIG. 8 is a view of a display of the laptop computer of
`FIG. 7 showing a menu of a software application, and
`Fl.G. 9 is a similar view showing a simplified menu.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Referring now to FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown a
`typical bus topology 1 of a well known serial interface
`standard, namely the USB interface, details of which may be
`found in the Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 1.1.
`The USB standard provides that in addition to carrying
`data bi-directionally, a USB cable 2 must also supply
`electrical power unidirectionally. The power and data passes
`through pre-defined terminals or pin-outs provided on a
`standardised plugs 3,4 o n each free end S,6 of the USB cable
`2. The plugs 3,4 are defined in the standard as having
`different forms at upstream and downstream ends 7,8. Each
`plug 3,4 can mate only with a complementary shaped
`receptacle or port 9,10 provided in the USB devices 11,12 to
`be connected. Thus, the standard ensures that a cable 2 can
`only be connected to provide power from an upstream port
`9 to a downstream port 10. The USB standard further
`provides the device 11 may have its own power supply. Such
`a device is known as a self-powered device 11. A device 12
`which relies exclusively on power supplied from the
`upstream device or bub is known as a bus-powered device.
`65 Device U is a bus-powered device. A device may provide
`only a function, in which case it is defined as a node and bas
`an upstream connection only, or it may be hub to which
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0008
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`w
`
`5
`
`3
`forther USB devices (or hubs) may be connected down(cid:173)
`slream. A bub may also provide a function. The above
`s1andard further defines a root bub 13 from which all
`downstream connections depend. The root hub 13 forms part
`of a host that is normally a personal computer.
`The ~SB s~ecification was motivated, at least in part, by
`the desire to mtegrate telephony with personal computers.
`111us, FIG. 2 shows a portable radio telephone 14 powered
`by a rechargeable bat1ery pack 15. The telephone 14 includes
`a tran~eiver 16 and all the other features conventionally 10
`found in a cellular telephone, as shown schematically in
`FIG. 2. Since these aspects of the telephone 14 arc not
`directly relevanl 10 the present invention, no further de1ails
`will be given here, except to say 1ha1amicroprocessor 17 is
`employed 10 control all 1he basic func1ions of the telephone 15
`14 and to control 1he keypad and display functions. The
`1elephone 14 also comprises a memory unit 18 for storing
`user defined claia such as telephone numbers in a subscriber
`number index, or identify codes for telephone banking
`systems. A bauery cbargcr control circuit 19 is also included
`.
`111 the te lephone 14. This circujt 19 delivers power to tbc
`rechargeable battery 15. In a conventional manner, ex1ernal
`power for supplying charge 10 the baltery 15 is provided via
`a charger jack 20 localed in the housing of the telephone.
`The 1elepbone 14 furtbcr incorpora1es a USB interface or 25
`port shown generally as P. Tbe USB interface P comprises
`a connector 22 having data 23, power 24 and ground pins or
`terminals. The connector 22 is provided in the handset
`housing 10 which a downstream plug of a USB cable is
`conncctable in use. A pair of conductors 25,26 carry differ- 30
`ential data signals D- and D+ between lhe data pins 23 of
`the connector 22 and the USS interface ASIC 21 mounted on
`1he handset PCB. The interface ASIC 21 is suitably pro(cid:173)
`grammed to provide tbe benefits of USB functionality to the
`handset. In addition, ground connection (not shown) is made 35
`from lhe ground pin of 1be connector 22 to the PCB.
`A conductor 27, which carries power signals (Vbus) from
`1hc power pin 24 or 1he connector 22 10 the ln1erface ASIC
`21, is also cooaeclcd via a switcb 28 in series with a diode
`100 to a conduc1or 101 coaaec1ing tbe charger jack 20 to tbc 40
`charger conlrol circuit 19. Tbe switcb 28 is under tbe conlrol
`o( the interface ASIC 21 whilst the diode 100 prevents
`power from being supplied in an upstream direction via the
`connector 22, in accordance with tbc above USB standard.
`It wi ll also be appreciated tbat in addition to tbe above- 45
`described connections there will exist further non-illustrated
`connections with and between the above-described compo(cid:173)
`ncn1s and other c ircuit e lemenLs of the handset 14. These
`addi1ional connections, to Lbe extent that tbcy arc directed to
`providing co1wea1ioaal known functions of a radio tclc- 50
`phone 14, are nol described in further detaiJ.
`In use, a user is able to select, via a menu (see FIG. 7a)
`provided on an otherwise conventional user interface (UI)
`display 30 of the handset 14, one of a number of modes of
`operation of the power and data transfer connections. 55
`1 lowcver, before the UI permits these modes to be selected,
`the handset USil connector 22 must be connected via a USB
`cable 2 to a U D hub such as a laplop computer 29. Once
`connecled, tbe interface ASIC 21 detects lhe presence of a
`USB cable 2 connection to the data terminals D+/D- 23 and 60
`signals 1his fact via the UI to lhe user. The interface ASIC 21
`is aL5o in receipl of a signal indica1ive of the slate or charge
`of lhe ballcry 15. Wbctber 1be interface ASIC 21 closes the
`swi1c h 28 and thereby conaecls Vbus 10 the battery 15 via
`lhe charging circuit 19 will depend on tbc mode selected by 65
`lhc user. 11 is immaterial with respecl to the charger con1rol
`circuit 19, what source or power is being used.
`
`4
`In a firs1 mode, both data 23 and power 24 transfer
`connec1ions are enabled. Ia a second mode 1hc data conncc-
`1ion 23 only is enabled, although a further feature may be
`operative in this mode in which 1be charger control circuit 19
`con1inually monitors the state of the handset bauery 15 and
`in the event that the charge falls below an acceptable level
`prompts the user via tbc UI display 30 to enable tbc power
`connec1ion 24 to tbe handset 14 and thereby increase tbe
`charge of the handset banery 15. In a third (defaull) mode,
`1hc power connection 24 only is enabled.
`To facililatc both ease of use and 1he minimiz.ation or any
`changes to lhc UI software, FIG. 1b shows a simplified menu
`of lhe user interface which may be displayed as ao alterna(cid:173)
`tive to the above described menu on the display 30 of tbc
`handset 14. This simplified menu provides a single option
`I 02 of allowing charging of the handset bauery 15 via the
`USB connec1or 22. llowcvcr, this option is active only wbcn
`a USB connection is present and no power is beino supplied
`"'
`via the charger jack 20.
`Where !he handset 14 is connec1ed to a laptop computer
`29 shown in FIG. 6 via the USB connector 22, as s hown in
`FIG. 3, then further functionality may be provided in the
`form of a soflware application residing on the laptop com(cid:173)
`puter 29 and u1ilizing tbe full capability oflhe USB interface
`pro1ocol 10 communicate with the handset 4 over the USB
`cable 2. Thus, the application software may, through a
`sui1able graphical user interface (GUI) provide con1rol of the
`battery charge and dala communication connections witb the
`bandset. FIG. 8 shows a laptop computer display on which
`a graphical indication 31 of the state of charge of the handse1
`bat1ery charge is given. In addition, there are displayed icons
`32,33 indica1ing tbat both a data aod a power connection
`exist between the handset 14 aod tbe laptop computer 29. A
`further icon 34 indicates lhat the laptop computer is oper(cid:173)
`a1ing on its own internal baneries rather than on publically
`available e lectrical power. He nce the display further
`includes a bar graph 35 indicative of tbe slate of charge of
`the laptop's own battery. la use, a user may select, using
`conven1ional point and clock operations wilh a mouse,
`various options for 1he supply of power and transfer of daia
`with the handset. Most conveniently, lhe application will
`provide a set o r operation modes selectable by the user and
`similar to those provided by tbc handset U1.
`Thus in a first mode, both data and power transfer
`connections are enabled but w ith the safeguard that where
`the laptop compu1er 29 is detected as operating on interna l
`batlery power, tbe power connection is terminated when 1he
`batlery charge of tbe laptop computer falls below a presc(cid:173)
`lec1cd level. 'In Ls feature guards againsl the laptop computer
`ballery becoming comple1ely discharged.
`In a second mode, the data connec1ion only is enabled.
`Although a further feature may be enabled in lhis mode tbat
`continually monitors the state of the handset battery 15.
`Consequently, in the event that the handset battery charge
`falls below an acceptable level, the laptop compuler 29
`prompts the user, via a pop-up display, to connect the power
`connec1ion to the baadset aod thereby increase tbe charge of
`the handset batlcry.
`In a third mode, the power connection o nly is enabled
`allhough again 1he feawre of preven1ing discharge of the
`lap1op computer bat1ery is provided to end 1he connection
`when lhe laplop compuler battery charge falls below a
`predc1ermined level.
`To provide for emergencies where it may be necessary to
`charge lhc handset battery 15 even at the expense or the
`laptop compu1er batlery, there is further included an override
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0009
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`10
`
`s
`function in each of the three modes that maintains the power
`connection. It will be appreciated that the existence of the
`power connection does not imply that power will be con(cid:173)
`tinuously transferred from the laptop computer. Indeed, the
`charging circuit of the handset continually monitors the
`handset battery 15 and provides a signal indicative of the
`level of charge to the charger control circuit 19. Thus, should
`the handset battery 15 reach a satisfactory level of charge,
`the charger control circuit 19 will cause the switch 28 to
`open preventing further depletion of the laptop computer
`battery and equally preventing overcharging of the handset
`battery.
`Again, where ease of use is required and a minimal
`change to an otherwise conventional UI is desired, then an
`option box 103 (FIG. 9) is generated on the laptop computer
`display. This box provides only the first of the above
`described options in that the only option provided is that of
`maintaining a power connection in an emergency at the
`expense of the laptop battery.
`It will be understood from the foregoing that the pro(cid:173)
`gramming of the various user interfaces is within the ability
`o( those skilled in the art and the precise implementation will
`depend to some extent on the hardware.
`Using the same reference numerals to identify corre(cid:173)
`sponding elements, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 respectively illustrate
`a further embodiment of the invention and two variants
`thereof. In FIG. 3, there is shown a seria.I port P of a
`battery-powered handset 14. A pair of data terminals 23 are
`connected internally to the interface ASIC 21 by conductors
`25,26 and are also connectable, via suitable cabling, to a
`serial port (not s hown) of a laptop computer for example.
`Each conductor 25,26 is tapped, via a switch 28, to a
`respective logic detector 50. The switches 28 are operable
`under the condition of the interface ASIC 21. A connection
`from the output of each detector 50 is made to a correspond(cid:173)
`ing reservoir capacitor 51. The capacitors 51 themselves are
`connected in parallel and supply a power or charging ter(cid:173)
`minal 52 via a diode 100 with current of some tens of
`milliamps at a typical voltage of around five volts. The 40
`charging terminal 52 is connected to the battery charging
`cirmit 19 as previously described above.
`In use, the data terminals 23 are connected via suitable
`cabling to a communications port of another device such as
`a laptop computer, for example. As is well known, the data
`lines o( a serial connection are held high when the connec(cid:173)
`tion is inactive and will vary between a high and low state
`whilst communication over the ports takes place. Thus, each
`logic detector 50 detects the state of a corresponding line
`25,26 and, where the state is found to be high, permits 50
`current to flow into a corresponding capacitor 51. 'The output
`from each capacitor 50 supplies the charging tem1inal 52
`which is connected to the battery charging circuit 19. In
`order to disable the supply of current to the charging
`terminal 52, the switches 28 may be opened at the command 55
`of the interface ASIC 21. Aside from reasons set out above
`in relation to tbe UI of the handset 14, sucb a step may be
`necessary if the additional capacitance 52 is having a
`detrimental effect on the data rate of the port P.
`In a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, rather 60
`than using the data lines 25,26 to supply power to tl1e
`charging circuit 19 the control lines 53 are utilised instead.
`Such an arrangement is possible where XON/XOFF logic,
`for example, is being employed to control communication
`over the data lines 25,26 of the port P. Io which case, the 65
`control lines 53 are redundant. Consequently, the logic state
`of these lines 53 can be held high and they can then be used
`
`6
`to supply a charging terminal 52 with current. Furthermore,
`the presence of additional capacitance in the control lines 53
`should not have any detrimental effect on the data rate over
`the data lines 25,26. Nevertheless, to enable charging to be
`5 placed 11nder software control, a switch 28 controlled by the
`interface ASIC 21 is provided. The provision of switching
`for the control lines is advantageous in that it the capacitance
`mentioned above can be temporarily removed during a
`communications session where the control lines are utilised.
`FIG. 5, shows a further variant of the further embodiment
`in which a parallel port 60 of an external device such as a
`laptop computer 29 is used to communicate with a serial port
`P of the communications device. A parallel connector 22 on
`the handset 14 provides connections to an external parallel
`cable 61 of which two lines carry received and transmitted
`15 data 62,63 respectively to the paraJiel port 60 of the laptop
`29. The remaining lines 53 of the cable 61 are unused and
`are thus held high in accordance with usual practice. Internal
`connections 25,26 from the connector 22 are made to a
`parallel to serial conversion block 64 in which parallel
`20 comnmnication signals received from the external device 29
`are translated to serial signals and vice versa for signals
`transmiued from the handset 14. Tbe conversion block 64
`includes a number of I Cs (not shown) which are supplied
`with power from the power terminal 52 connected to the
`25 reservoir capacitors 51 supplied by the unused data/control
`lines 53 in the manner described previously. In addition, the
`power from the terminal 52 is used to supply the battery
`charging circuit 19 of the handset 14.
`It v.rill be recognized that although the further embodi(cid:173)
`ment and its variants dilfor io the manner in which power is
`derived from the port for charging the battery, it is within the
`ability of those skilled in the art to adapt the user interface
`(UI) described in relation to the first embodiment.
`Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the approach set out
`in the further embodiment and its variants to deriving power
`from the data and/or control lines could be used to supple(cid:173)
`ment the power obtained from a dedicated power line such
`as that described in relation to the first embodiment. Finally,
`although the foregoing embod"iments have illustrated the
`invention in the context o( mobile station such as a handset,
`the invention could, of course, be applied to any battery
`powered device having a charging circuit and a communi(cid:173)
`cation port such as a handheld computer console, a bar code
`reader and data capt11re device or the like.
`45 What is claimed is:
`1. A battery powered appararus comprising:
`a charging circuit for charging a rechargeable battery;
`a processor for controlling the battery operated apparatus
`and for communicating with an external electronic
`device including an electrical power supply;
`at least one conductor for connection to the external
`electronic device which receives data or control signals
`including when the charging circuit charges the
`rechargeable battery;
`a user input for receiving a user command;
`means for determining if charging the rechargeable bat-
`tery using the electrical power supply of the external
`electronic device is allowed, based on the user com(cid:173)
`mand; and wherein
`the charging circuit receives electrical power fro m the
`electrical power supply of the external electronic
`device through the at least one conductor and
`charges the battery with the received electrical power
`if the charging of the rechargeable battery using the
`electrical power supply of tbe external electronic
`device is allowed.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1012-0010
`IPR2018-00110
`
`

`

`US 6,531,845 B2
`
`10
`
`20
`
`7
`2. A ballery operated apparatus accoriling to claim 1
`wherein:
`the means for determining if charging the rechargeable
`battery using the electrical power supply of the external
`electronic device is allowed uses the received data or s
`control signals as a basis for the determination.
`3. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 2,
`comprising:
`a switch operable to disconnect the charging circuit from
`the electrical power supply.
`4. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 3,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`5. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 2, 15
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`6. A ballery operated apparatus to claim 1, comprising:
`the user input is a user interface for receiving the user
`command; and wherein
`the means for determining if charging the rechargeable
`battery using the electrical power supply of the
`external electronic device is allowed uses the user
`interface during the determination if charging is 25
`allowed.
`7. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 6,
`comprising:
`a switch operable to disconnect the charging circuit from
`the electrical power supply.
`8. A battery operated apparatus accoriling to claim 7,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`9. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 6,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`10. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises at least one electrical
`power line conductor and the received electrical power
`is derived from the external electronic device through
`the at least one electrical power line conductor and the 45
`charging of the battery with the received electrical
`power is derived from the at least one electrical power
`line conductor.
`11. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 10,
`wherein:
`the charging circu.it comprises a connector which provides
`an electrical connection with the electrical power sup(cid:173)
`ply.
`12. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 11,
`comprising:
`a switch operable to disconnect the charging circuit from
`the electrical power supply.
`13. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 12,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus 60
`port.
`14. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 11,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`15. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 10,
`comprising:
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`a switch operable to disconnect the charging circuit from
`the electrical power supply.
`16. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 15,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a u.niversal serial bus
`port.
`17. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 10,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`18. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 1,
`comprising:
`a switch operable to disconnect the charging circuit from
`the electrical power supply.
`19. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 18,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`20. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`21. A battery powered apparatus comprising:
`a charging circuit for charging a rechargeable battery;
`a processor which controls the battery operated apparatus
`and communicates with an external electronic device
`including an electrical power supply;
`at least one conductor for connection to the external
`electronic device which conductS data or control sig(cid:173)
`nals from the external electronic device when the
`cbarging circuit is charging the rechargeable battery;
`and wherein
`the charging circuit derives electrical power from the
`data or control signals conducted on the at least one
`conductor from the external electronic device for
`charging tbe rechargeable battery.
`22. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 21,
`wherein:
`the charging circuit comprises means for providing elec(cid:173)
`trical power from the data or control signals conducted
`on the at least one conductor from the external elec(cid:173)
`tronic device to the rechargeable battery.
`23. A ballery operated apparatus according to claim 22
`wherein the means for obtaining electrical power comprises:
`at least one capacitor.
`24. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 23
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises a universal serial bus
`port.
`25. A ballery operated apparatus according to claim 24
`comprising:
`means for determining if charging the rechargeable bat(cid:173)
`tery using tbe electrical power supply of tbe external
`electronic electronics device is allowed which uses
`received data or control signals as a basis for the
`determination.
`26. A battery operated apparatus according to claim 24,
`wherein:
`the at least one conductor comprises at least one electrical
`power l