`Fischer et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`*Nov. 16, 2010
`
`US007834586B2
`
`(54) MULTIFUNCTIONAL CHARGER SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`(75) Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer Waterloo (CA)' Dan
`’
`’
`G. Radut, Waterloo (CA); Michael F.
`Habicher, Cambridge (CA); Quang A.
`Luong, Kitchener (CA); Jonathan T.
`_
`Malton, Kitchener (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: Research in Motion Limited, Waterloo,
`Ontario (CA)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`EP
`
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ............... .. 320/ 107,
`320/111, 114, 140
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`.
`R f
`Ct d
`e erences l e
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`56
`(
`)
`
`3,775,659 A 11/1973 Carlsen, II
`
`Continued
`(
`)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1999
`0684680 B1
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`cjaimem
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/714,204
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 26, 2010
`(Under 37 CFR 1.47)
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2010/0148724 A1
`Jun. 17, 2010
`
`Related US Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application NO~ 12/268392 _?1ed_ on
`NOV~_ 10> 2008’ nOW_Pat_~ NO- 7731651 Whlch 1S a
`Comlnuanon of aPPhCaUOn NO~ 11/749>680> ?led on
`May 16> 2007: HOW Pat- NO- 7a4s3>233> Whlch 1S a
`Continuation of application NO~ 11/175381 ?led on
`lul- 6>_ 2005: HOW Pa? NO~ 7,23%111: which is a Con‘
`nnuanon of apphcanon NO- 10/087’629’ ?led on Mar'
`1’ 2002: HOW Pat NO~ 6>936s936~
`(60) provisional application No_ 60/273,021’ ?led on Man
`1’ 2001’ provisional application No_ 60/330,486’ ?led
`on get 23’ 2001_
`
`(51) Int, Cl,
`(2006.01)
`H01M 10/46
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................................... .. 320/107
`
`Electric Double-Layer Capacitors, vol. 2, Japan, Tokin Corporation,
`Cat. No. EC-ZOOE, Oct. 25, 1996, 40 pgs.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary ExamineriEdWard Tso
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm4Conley Rose, PC; J. Robert
`Brown, Jr.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An adapter for providing a source of poWer to a mobile device
`through an industry standard port is provided. In accordance
`With one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a plug
`unit, apoWer converter, aprimary connector, andan identi?
`cation subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the
`adapter to a poWer socket and operative to receive energy
`from the poWer socket. The poWer converter is electrically
`coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the
`received energy from the poWer socket and to output a poWer
`requirement to the mobile device. The primary connector is
`electrically coupled to the poWer converter and is operative to
`couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted poWer
`requirement to the mobile device. The identi?cation sub
`system is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is
`operative to provide an identi?cation signal.
`
`13 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`p
`c
`
`55
`54
`
`1 1 ion
`North
`HDN American
`Power
`
`Socket
`
`1 10s
`European
`Power
`Socket
`
`110
`Other
`Power
`$ockets M
`
`Egg
`
`
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 1 of 13
`LGE v. Fundamental
`
`
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1984 Banks et a1.
`4,433,251 A
`4/1985 Winkler
`4,510,431 A
`5,173,855 A 12/1992 Nielsen eta1~
`5,229,649 A
`7/1993 Nielsen et a1.
`5,272,475 A 12/1993 Eaton et a1.
`5,444,378 A
`8/1995 R9gers
`5631503 A
`5/1997 Cwf?
`5638540 A
`6/1997 Aldous
`5,651,057 A
`7/1997 Bloodetal.
`5,769,877 A
`6/1998 Barreras, Sr.
`5,850,113 A 12/1998 Wel1lI-nereta1.
`5,939,860 A
`81999 W‘ ‘m
`6,006,088 A 12/1999 Couse
`6,104,162 A
`8/2000 Sainsbury et a1.
`6,104,759 A
`8/2000 Carkner et a1.
`6,130,518 A 10/2000 Gabehart et a1‘
`6’l38’242 A 10/2000 Massman et 31'
`6,184,652 B1
`2/2001 Yang
`6,211,649 B1
`4/2001 Matsuda
`
`6/2001 Richter etal.
`6,252,375 B1
`7/2001 Bork
`6,255,800 B1
`9/2001 Tsai
`6,283,789 B1
`6/2002 Ogami
`6,397,696 B2
`12/2003 Dougheityet a1.
`6,668,296 B1
`5/2004 Milleyet 31‘
`6,738,856 B1
`1/2007 Veselic
`7,170,259 B2
`2006/0181241 A1* 8/2006 Veselic ..................... .. 320/107
`2007/0108938 A1* 5/2007 Veselic ..................... .. 320/111
`2009/0128091 A1* 5/2009 Purdyet a1. ............... .. 320/106
`
`EP
`WO
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1198049 Al
`4/2002
`200101330 A1
`1/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`.
`‘
`,
`.
`.
`illifefgggazlgolrnéilser s Manual, v01. 2, Japan, T0k1n C0rp0rat10n,
`Charging Big Supercaps, Poitable Design, Mar. 1997, p. 26.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 2 of 13
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`2B
`
` m_m._m_mc._m__0_.m_mmmm.7_m,_M_lllllllllllllomILV1.23kn*,RV.w___“hN.20:__umE_eoemzcmmmonHmm__amEla_.E_E_m."n“omEmogmv._mEQm>mnzm
`
`moSmn.$503."vm4..
`
`__I2252258wmcmmeozwS_xx”?
`
`
`
`1___wm___%_$“.9250w“e
`_"_._.,.,_mo.”_m____
`
`__.
`
`
`
` m*IHHIIHHHIIHHHNlllllllllllllllllllll4*%1_omamumm__.IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII__7,or___NV_65:00D“W__mm__.mEEchk___,cozanflnEgon_____a.Em~m>mnsm____o.m_b___5$5_mm_
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 3 of 13
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 3 of 13
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`
`.
`i
`
`'
`
`r"
`
`so
`
`)2
`Microprocessor
`| Recegtacie W @
`
`Power Distribution &
`Charging Subsystem
`
`USB Port \
`18
`
`‘S 58
`
`r54 W
`USB Connector
`m <} ------------------ --=
`
`"""""""""" 00
`
`USB Connector
`
`w @
`Power Converter
`\104 ®
`106’\
`Plug Unit
`
`Identi?cation <9
`\
`108
`11/;
`
`USB Connector
`Auxiliary
`
`q? r1140
`114% "N" Piug
`"0" Plug
`Adapter
`Adapter
`
`,-114B
`"B" Plug
`Adapter
`
`r114
`Other Piug
`Adapters
`
`F r1100
`North
`UK
`1 ‘mi American
`Power
`Power
`Socket
`Socket
`
`,4105
`European
`Power
`Socket
`
`r110
`Other
`Power
`Sockets
`
`FIG. 2
`
`d
`L
`——egi
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 4 of 13
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`NOV. 16, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`
`Voltage Detected on Vbus line
`(power portion of USB connector)
`
`210
`/
`
`Yes
`
`NO
`
`i
`
`230
`
`USB Adapter
`Detected
`
`USB Host or ___ 240
`Hub Detected
`
`,250
`
`Await
`Enumeration
`
`260
`\
`Charge Battery
`As Required
`
`FIG. 3
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 5 of 13
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`
`320
`/
`Battery
`
`30%
`
`i
`i
`s
`316 5
`Charging
`
`5
`_
`K318i UHF I
`Battery
`Power DiStflbUtiO? &
`Receptade
`Charging Subsystem
`58
`r 54
`
`60
`f 12
`Battery
`Microprocessor
`E: A
`Receptacle
`
`/10
`
`I
`
`'
`
`/1s
`USBPM
`
`USB Connector
`1
`m A
`
`Subsystem
`
`‘ 302
`W
`3%
`Dual Power Converter
`306\ Q
`Plug Umt
`
`I
`
`...... -7
`
`--
`USB Connector
`4?
`
`308
`\ Identi?cation
`
`q
`
`(314N r3140 [3148 I314
`
`
`
`IINII Adapter
`
`
`
`IIDII Adapter
`
`
`
`"B" Adapter
`
`Adapters
`
`0
`
`WK 310M
`31 D
`7
`North
`I’
`American
`UK
`Power
`Power
`Socket
`Socket
`
`310B
`f‘
`European
`Power
`Socket
`
`10
`/3
`Other
`Power
`Sockets
`
`FIG. 4
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 6 of 13
`
`
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`
`1
`MULTIFUNCTIONAL CHARGER SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`such as conventional AC outlets and DC car sockets that are
`not capable of participating in enumeration to supply poWer
`to the mobile device via a USB interface.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`This is a continuation application of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 12/268,297 ?led Nov. 10, 2008 by Daniel M.
`Fischer, et al. and entitled “System and Method for Charging
`a Battery in a Mobile Device”, Which is a continuation of and
`claims priority from US. patent application Ser. No. 11/749,
`680, ?led May 16, 2007, noW No. 7,453,233 issued on Nov.
`18, 2008 by Daniel M. Fischer, et al. and entitled “Adapter
`System and Method for Powering a Device”, Which is a
`continuation of and claims priority from US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 11/175,885, ?led on Jul. 6, 2005, now US. Pat.
`No. 7,239,111 issued on Jul. 3, 2007, by Daniel M. Fischer, et
`al. and entitled “Universal Serial Bus Adapter for a Mobile
`Device”, Which is a continuation of and claims priority from
`US. patent application Ser. No. 10/087,629, ?led on Mar. 1,
`2002, now US. Pat. No. 6,936,936 issued on Aug. 30, 2005,
`by Daniel M. Fischer, et al. and entitled “Multifunctional
`Charger System and Method”, Which claims priority from
`US. Provisional Application No. 60/273,021 ?led Mar. 1,
`2001, by Daniel M. Fischer, et al. and entitled “System and
`Method for Adapting a USB to Provide PoWer for Charging a
`Mobile Device” and US. Provisional Application No.
`60/330,486 ?led Oct. 23, 2001, by Daniel M. Fischer, et al.
`and entitled “Multifunctional Charger System and Method”
`and all incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This invention relates generally to poWer adapters. More
`particularly, the invention relates to poWer adapters for use
`With mobile devices.
`Providing an external source of poWer to a mobile device,
`such as a personal digital assistants (“PDA”), mobile com
`munication device, cellular phone, Wireless tWo-Way e-mail
`communication device, and others, requires design consider
`ations With respect to both the mobile device and the poWer
`source. With regard to the mobile device, mo st mobile devices
`provide a distinct poWer interface for receiving poWer from a
`poWer source, for instance to recharge a battery, and a sepa
`rate data interface for communicating. For example, many
`mobile devices presently use USB (Universal Serial Bus)
`interfaces for communicating and use a separate poWer inter
`face, such as a barrel connector, for receiving poWer.
`It is desirable, hoWever, to have a combined poWer and data
`interface. The mobile devices that do have combined poWer
`and data interfaces typically use non-standard and sometimes
`proprietary interfaces. Consequently, combined interfaces for
`a particular manufacturer’s mobile device may not be com
`patible With combined interfaces for mobile devices provided
`by other manufacturers.
`Although the USB interface can be used as a poWer inter
`face, the USB is typically not used for that purpose by mobile
`devices. In accordance With the USB speci?cation, typical
`USB poWer source devices, such as hubs and hosts, require
`that a USB device participate in a host-initiated process called
`enumeration in order to be compliant With the current USB
`speci?cation in draWing poWer from the USB interface.
`Although a mobile device could be adapted to participate in
`enumeration When draWing poWer over the USB interface, it
`Would be preferable in many situations, such as When a host
`Would not be available, as often happens during normal use of
`a mobile device, to be able to utiliZe alternate poWer sources
`
`An adapter for providing a source of poWer to a mobile
`device through an industry standard port is provided. In
`accordance With one aspect of the invention, the adapter
`comprises a plug unit, a poWer converter, a primary connec
`tor, and an identi?cation sub system. The plug unit is operative
`to couple the adapter to a poWer socket and operative to
`receive energy from the poWer socket. The poWer converter is
`electrically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate
`the received energy from the poWer socket and to output a
`poWer requirement to the mobile device. The primary con
`nector is electrically coupled to the poWer converter and is
`operative to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the
`outputted poWer requirement to the mobile device. The iden
`ti?cation subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary
`connector and is operative to provide an identi?cation signal.
`In accordance With another aspect, a USB adapter for pro
`viding a source of poWer to a mobile device through a USB
`port is provided. The USB adapter comprises a plug unit, a
`poWer converter, a primary USB connector, and an identi?
`cation subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the
`USB adapter to a poWer socket and operative to receive
`energy from the poWer socket. The poWer converter is elec
`trically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the
`received energy from the poWer socket and to output a poWer
`requirement to the mobile device. The primary USB connec
`tor is electrically coupled to the poWer converter and is opera
`tive to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted
`poWer requirement to the mobile device. The identi?cation
`subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector
`and is operative to provide an identi?cation signal.
`Another aspect provides a USB adapter for providing a
`source of poWer to a mobile device through a USB port. The
`USB adapter comprises a plug unit, a poWer converter, a
`primary USB connector, and an auxiliary USB adapter. The
`plug unit is operative to couple the USB adapter to a poWer
`socket and operative to receive energy from the poWer socket.
`The poWer converter is electrically coupled to the plug unit
`and is operable to regulate the received energy from the poWer
`socket and to output a poWer requirement to the mobile
`device. The primary USB connector is electrically coupled to
`the poWer converter and is operative to couple to the mobile
`device and to deliver the outputted poWer requirement to the
`mobile device. The auxiliary USB connector has data lines
`that are electrically coupled to the data lines of the primary
`USB connector.
`Yet another aspect provides a method for providing energy
`to a mobile device using a USB adapter that comprises a plug
`unit, a primary USB connector, a poWer converter electrically
`coupled betWeen the plug unit and the primary USB connec
`tor, and an identi?cation subsystem electrically coupled to the
`primary USB connector. The method comprising the steps of
`coupling the USB connector to the mobile device, coupling
`the plug unit to a poWer socket, outputting a poWer require
`ment to the mobile device via the poWer converter and the
`USB connector, and providing an identi?cation signal to the
`mobile device, via the identi?cation subsystem and the USB
`connector, that is operative to inform the mobile device that
`the USB adapter is not limited by the poWer limits imposed by
`the USB speci?cation.
`In accordance With another aspect, a poWering system for a
`mobile device having a USB connector is provided. The poW
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 7 of 13
`
`
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`
`3
`ering system comprises a power distribution subsystem in the
`mobile device that is operable to receive energy through the
`USB connector and to distribute the energy to at least one
`component in the mobile device and a USB adapter that is
`operative to couple to the USB connector. The USB adapter
`comprises a plug unit for coupling to a poWer socket and that
`is operable to receive energy from the poWer socket, a poWer
`converter electrically coupled to the plug unit for regulating
`the received energy and for providing a poWer requirement to
`the poWer distribution subsystem, and an identi?cation sub
`system that is operable to transmit an identi?cation signal that
`is operative to identify the USB adapter as not being limited
`by the poWer limits imposed by the USB speci?cation.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In order that the invention identi?ed in the claims may be
`more clearly understood, preferred embodiments thereof Will
`be described in detail by Way of example, With reference to
`the accompanying draWings, in Which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary mobile
`device Which has an industry standard interface;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a ?rst embodiment of a
`USB adapter that is coupled to an exemplary mobile device;
`FIG. 3 is a How chart illustrating an exemplary use of a
`USB adapter With a mobile device; and
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an additional exemplary
`embodiment of a USB adapter that is coupled to both an
`exemplary mobile device and an external battery.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Exemplary Mobile Device
`
`Turning noW to the draWing ?gures, shoWn in FIG. 1 is a
`schematic diagram of an exemplary mobile communication
`device 10 Which has an industry standard interface. The
`mobile communication device 10 is preferably a tWo-Way
`communication device having at least voice or data commu
`nication capabilities. Preferably, the mobile device 10 is also
`capable of communicating over the Internet, for example, via
`a radio frequency (“RF”) link. Examples of types of devices
`that could be classi?ed as a mobile device 10 include a data
`messaging device, a tWo-Way pager, a cellular telephone With
`data messaging capabilities, a Wireless Internet appliance, a
`data communication device (With or Without telephony capa
`bilities), a personal digital assistants (“PDA”), a Wireless
`tWo-Way e-mail communication device, and others.
`The exemplary mobile device 10 comprises a microproces
`sor 12, a communication subsystem 14, input/output (“I/O”)
`devices 16, an industry standard interface 18 Which in this
`example is a USB port, and a poWer subsystem 20. The
`microprocessor 12 controls the overall operation of the
`mobile device 10. The communication subsystem 14 pro
`vides the mobile device 10 With the ability to communicate
`Wirelessly With external devices such as other mobile devices
`and other computers. The I/O devices 16 provide the mobile
`device 10 With input/ output capabilities for use With a device
`user. The USB port 18 provides the mobile device 10 With a
`serial port for linking directly With other computers and/ or a
`means for receiving poWer from an external poWer source.
`The poWer subsystem 20 provides the mobile device 10 With
`a local poWer source.
`The exemplary communication subsystem 14 comprises
`components such as a receiver 22, a transmitter 24, antenna
`elements 26 and 28, local oscillators (LOs) 30, and a process
`ing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 32. The
`
`4
`particular design of the communication subsystem 14 and the
`components used therein can vary. It Would be apparent to one
`of ordinary skill in the art to design an appropriate commu
`nication subsystem using conventional methods and compo
`nents to operate over a communication netWork 34 based on
`the parameters necessary to operate over that communication
`netWork. For example, a mobile device 10 geographically
`located in North America may include a communication sub
`system 14 designed to operate Within the MobitexTM mobile
`communication system or DataTACTM mobile communica
`tion system, Whereas a mobile device 10 intended for use in
`Europe may incorporate a General Packet Radio Service
`(GPRS) communication subsystem 14.
`NetWork access requirements Will also vary depending
`upon the type of netWork 34. For example, in the Mobitex and
`DataTAC netWorks, mobile devices 10 are registered on the
`netWork using a unique personal identi?cation number or PIN
`associated With each device. In GPRS netWorks hoWever,
`netWork access is associated With a subscriber or user of a
`mobile device 10. A GPRS device therefore requires a sub
`scriber identity module (not shoWn), commonly referred to as
`a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS netWork. Without
`a SIM card, a GPRS device Will not be fully functional. Local
`or non-netWork communication functions (if any) may be
`operable, but the mobile device 10 Will be unable to carry out
`any functions involving communications over the netWork
`34.
`When required, after the netWork registration or activation
`procedures have been completed, a mobile device 10 may
`send and receive communication signals over the netWork 34.
`Signals received by the receiver antenna 26 through a com
`munication network 34 are input to the receiver 22, Which
`may perform such common receiver functions as signal
`ampli?cation, frequency doWn conversion, ?ltering, channel
`selection and the like, and in the exemplary system shoWn in
`FIG. 1, analog to digital conversion. Analog to digital con
`version of a received signal alloWs more complex communi
`cation functions such as demodulation and decoding to be
`performed in a DSP 32. Similarly, signals to be transmitted
`are processed, including modulation and encoding for
`example, by the DSP 32 and input to the transmitter 24 for
`digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, ?lter
`ing, ampli?cation and transmission over the communication
`netWork 34 via the transmitter antenna 28.
`Also, in the exemplary communication subsystem 14, the
`DSP 32 processes communication signals and also provides
`for receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains
`applied to communication signals in the receiver 22 and trans
`mitter 24 may be adaptively controlled through automatic
`gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 32.
`In implementing its control function, the microprocessor
`12 in the exemplary mobile device 10 executes an operating
`system. The operating system softWare used by the micropro
`cessor 12 is preferably stored in a persistent store such as ?ash
`memory 36, or alternatively read only memory (ROM) or
`similar storage element. The microprocessor 12 may also
`enable the execution of speci?c device applications, Which
`preferably are also stored in a persistent store. The operating
`system, speci?c device applications, or parts thereof, may
`also be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as in
`RAM 38.
`A predetermined set of applications Which control basic
`device operations, including at least data and voice commu
`nication applications for example, Will normally be installed
`on the mobile device 10 during manufacture. One such appli
`cation loaded on the mobile device 10 could be a personal
`information manager (PIM) application. The PIM application
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`LGE-1001 / Page 8 of 13
`
`
`
`US 7,834,586 B2
`
`5
`preferably is an application for organizing and managing user
`inputted data items such as e-mail, calendar events, voice
`mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM data items may
`be stored in the RAM 38 and/or the ?ash memory 36.
`The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and
`receive data items, via the Wireless netWork 34. The PIM data
`items are preferably seamlessly integrated, synchroniZed and
`updated, via the Wireless netWork 34, With corresponding
`data items stored or associated With a host computer system
`(not shoWn) used by the device user. The synchronization of
`PIM data items is a process by Which the PIM data items on
`the mobile device 10 and the PIM data items on the host
`computer system can be made to mirror each other.
`There are several possible mechanisms for loading appli
`cations onto the mobile device 10. For example, applications
`may be loaded onto the mobile device 10 through the Wireless
`netWork 34, an auxiliary I/O subsystem 40, the serial port 18,
`a short-range communications subsystem 42, such as an
`infrared (“IR”) communication system, or any other suitable
`subsystem 44. When loading the applications onto the mobile
`device 10, the device user may install the applications in the
`RAM 38, the ?ash memory 36, or preferably a non-volatile
`store (not shoWn) such as ROM for execution by the micro
`processor 12. The available application installation mecha
`nisms can increase the utility of the mobile device 10 by
`providing the device user With a Way of upgrading the mobile
`device 10 With additional and/or enhanced on-device func
`tions, communication-related functions, or both. For
`example, a secure communication application may be loaded
`onto the mobile device 10 that alloWs for electronic com
`merce functions or other ?nancial transactions to be per
`formed using the mobile device 10.
`The I/O devices 16 may be used to display and/or compose
`data communication messages. In one mode of operation, a
`signal received by the mobile device 10, such as a text mes
`sage or Web page doWnload, Will be received and processed
`by the communication subsystem 14, forWarded to the micro
`processor 12, Which Will preferably further process the
`received signal, and provide the processed signal to one or
`more of the I/ 0 devices 16 such as a display 46. Alternatively,
`a received signal such as a voice signal can be provided to a
`speaker 48, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device 40. In
`another mode of operation a device user may compose a data
`item such as an e-mail message using a keyboard 50 in coop
`eration With the display 46 and possibly an auxiliary I/O
`device 40. Alternatively, a device user may compose a voice
`message via a microphone 52. The composed data item may
`then be transmitted over a communication netWork 34 using
`the communication subsystem 14.
`A short-range communications subsystem 42 may be pro
`vided in the mobile device 10 to alloW the mobile device 10 to
`communicate With other systems or devices, Which need not
`necessarily be similar to device 10. For example, the short
`range communications subsystem 42 may include an infrared
`device and associated circuitry and components or a Blue
`toothTM communication module to alloW the device 10 to
`communicate With similarly-enabled systems and devices.
`The USB port 18 provides the mobile device 10 With a
`serial port for linking directly With other computers to
`exchange data and/ or to receive poWer. The USB port 18 also
`provides the mobile device 10 With a means for receiving
`poWer from an external poWer source. For example, in a
`personal digital assistant (PDA)-type communication device,
`the USB port 18 could be used to alloW the mobile device 10
`to synchroniZe data With a user’s desktop computer (not
`shoWn). The USB port 18 could also enable a user to set
`parameters in the mobile device 10 such as preferences
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`through the use of an external device or softWare application.
`In addition the USB port 18 may also be used to provide a
`means for doWnloading information or softWare to the mobile
`device 10 Without using the Wireless communication netWork
`34. The USB port 18 can provide a direct and thus reliable and
`trusted connection that may for example be used to load an
`encryption key onto the mobile device 10 thereby enabling
`secure device communication.
`Coupled to the USB port 18 is a USB connector 54. The
`USB connector 54 is the physical component that couples the
`USB port to the outside World. In the exemplary mobile
`device 10, the USB connector 54 is used to transmit and
`receive data from an external data/poWer source 56, receive
`poWer from the external data/poWer source 56, direct the
`transmitted/received data from/to the USB port 18, and direct
`the received poWer to the poWer subsystem 20.
`The exemplary poWer subsystem 20 comprises a charging
`and poWer distribution subsystem 58 and a battery 60. The
`charging and poWer distribution subsystem 58 performs
`many functions. It may be used to transfer energy to the
`battery 60 from the external data/poWer source 56 to charge
`the battery 60 and also to distribute poWer to the many poWer
`requiring components Within the mobile device 10. The
`charging subsystem 58 may be capable of determining the
`presence of a battery 60 and/ or a poWer circuit coupled to the
`mobile device 10, such as anAC adapter, USB connection, or
`car adapter, Which alternatively can act as poWer sources 56 to
`provide poWer for the mobile device 10 and to charge the
`battery 60.Additionally, the charging subsystem 58 may have
`the ability to determine if a poWer source 56 is coupled to the
`mobile device 10 and, in the absence of such a coupling, cause
`the mobile device 10 to be poWered by the battery 60.
`The poWer distributed by the charging and poWer distribu
`tion subsystem 58 may be derived from energy stored in the
`battery 60 and/ or energy received from the external data/
`poWer source 56. When the battery 60 is depleted, the charg
`ing and poWer distribution subsystem 58 transfers energy
`from the poWer source 56 to recharge the battery 60. Option
`ally, the charging and poWer distribution subsystem 58 may
`also transfer energy from the poWer source 56 to other com
`ponents in the mobile device 10 to poWer the mobile device 10
`When the battery 60 has been depleted and is recharging.
`When the data/poWer source 56 is not connected to the mobile
`device 10, poWer for the device 10 is derived from the battery
`60.
`Exemplary USB Adapter
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a ?rst embodiment of an
`adapter 100 that can be used to couple the mobile device 10 of
`FIG. 1 to the data/poWer source 56 of FIG. 1. In this example
`the adapter 100 is a USB adapter 100 that comprises a primary
`USB connector 102, a poWer converter 104, a plug unit 106,
`and an identi?cation subsystem 108. The poWer converter is a
`knoWn element in the art and typically includes at least one of
`the folloWing components: sWitching converter, transformer,
`DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and recti?er. In
`the embodiment shoWn in FIG. 2, the USB adapter 100 is
`shoWn coupling a mobile device 10 to one of one or more
`types of poWer sockets 110N, 110D, 110B, and 100. Also
`shoWn in FIG. 2 is an optional auxiliary USB connector 112
`that can be used to couple the mobile device 10 to a data
`source (not shoWn) such as a personal computer.
`In the embodiment shoWn in FIG. 2, the primary USB
`connector 102 is con?gured to mate With the USB connector
`54 of the mobile device 10. The USB adapter 100 is operable
`to provide poWer to the mobile device 10 through the Vbus
`and Gnd poWer pins in the USB connectors 54 and 102. The
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`US 7,834,586 B2
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`USB adapter 100 also optionally provides a communication
`path for data across the D+ and D— data pins in the USB
`connectors 54 and 102.
`The plug unit 106 is preferably a conventional plug unit
`that can be used to couple With a conventional poWer socket to
`receive poWer therefrom. For example, the plug unit 106 can
`be a tWo prong or three prong plug of the type used in North
`America that can couple to a North American AC poWer
`socket 110N that provides 115 VAC. In the embodiment
`shoWn in FIG. 2, the plug unit 106 can accept one or more
`types of plug adapters 114N, 114B, 114D, and 114 that are
`con?gured to couple to the plug unit 106 and are further
`con?gured to directly mate With one or more types of poWer
`sockets 110N, 110D, 110B, and 100. The plug unit 106 can be
`con?gured to receive energy from a poWer socket 110N,
`110D, 110B, or 100, either directly or through the use of a
`plug adapter, and is operative to transfer the received energy
`to the poWer converter 104.
`The poWer converter 104 is operative to receive energy
`from a poWer socket 110N, 110D, 110B, or 100 and to convert
`that received energy to a form that can be used by the mobile
`device 10. For example, the poWer converter 104 can be of
`conventional construction such as a sWitching poWer con
`verter that converts 115 VAC to 5 VDC. Also, the poWer
`converter 104 could comprise a DC. regulator circuit that
`converts a DC. input to a DC. output. The poWer converter
`104 could also be adapted to accept a Wide range of input
`energy levels and frequencies. Alternatively, the poWer con
`verter 104 could be adapted to accept a limited range of input
`energy levels and frequencies, Wherein the plug adapters are
`operable to convert the possible input energy levels and fre
`quencies to a range that the poWer converter can accommo
`date. The poWer converter 104 provides its energy output to
`the mobile device 1 0 via the Vbus and Gnd pins of the primary
`USB connector 102.
`Through the use of a variety of different types of plug
`adapters, the USB adapter 100 can be adapted to receive
`energy from various types of poWer sockets 110N, 110D,
`110B, or 100. For example, using the appropriate plug
`adapter 114, 114B, 114D, and 114N, the USB adapter 100 can
`receive energy from a poWer socket such as an 1 15 VAC North
`American poWer socket 110N, or a 12 VDC automobile
`poWer socket, or an air poWer socket, or others.
`For example, in North America, a type “N” poWer socket is
`commonly available. The plug adapter 114N can be releas
`ably attached to the plug unit 106 thereby alloWing any North
`American poWer socket 114N to be used as a poWer source.
`When traveling to a locale Which does not have the North
`American poWer socket 114N, an alternate plug adapter such
`as adapters 114, 114B, or 114D may be selected by the user,
`according to the poWer socket 110D, 110B, or 100 available at
`the locale. The plug adapter 114, 114B, or 114D may then be
`releasably attached to plug unit 106 in place of the plug
`adapter 114N, thereby alloWing the USB poWer adapter 100
`to connect to a local poWer supply via the local poWer socket.
`Various other plug adapters are envisioned that can be con
`?gured to operate With alternate poWer sources such as for
`instance car sockets.
`The poWer distribution and charging subsystem 58 of the
`mobile device 10 can selecti