United States Patent (19)
`Gabehart et al.
`
`54 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`CHARGING A BATTERY
`75 Inventors: William A. Gabehart, Fort Worth;
`Mario A. Riveron, Keller, both of Tex.
`73 Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
`
`USOO6130518A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,130,518
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`6,044,280 3/2000 Muller ..................................... 455/572
`
`Primary Examiner-Peter S. Wong
`Assistant Examiner Pia Tibbits
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R. Louis Breeden
`57
`ABSTRACT
`
`21 Appl. No.: 09/470,552
`22 Filed:
`Dec. 22, 1999
`7
`51) Int. Cl.' ........................................................ H02. 7700
`52 U.S. CI.
`320/103; 320/114
`-rr s
`58 Field of Search ...................................... 320/103, 114
`56)
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6/1987 Dubovsky et al. ..................... assists
`4,673,861
`5,675,813 10/1997 Holmdahl ................................ 713/310
`5,926,006 9/1999 Burroughs et al. ..................... 320/114
`
`A portable communication device (300) powered by a
`batterv (210) has an external connector (202) that includes
`y
`an external power node (220) and a data bus (204) having an
`integral power node (218). A processing System (228) of the
`device senses (402) whether power is available at the
`external power node, and controls a charging Switcher (216)
`to charge (406) the battery from the external power node
`whenever power is available at the external power node. The
`processing System enables (412) battery charging from the
`integral power node when power is not available at the
`external power node.
`15 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`402
`
`SENSE WHETHER POWER
`IS AVAILABLE AT THE
`EXTERNAL POWER NODE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`408
`
`CHECK WHETHER USER HAS
`ALLOWED BATTERY CHARGING
`FROM INTEGRAL POWER NODE
`
`
`
`CHARGE BATTERY FROM
`EXTERNAL POWER NODE, AND
`DISABLE CHARGING FROM
`INTEGRAL POWER NODE
`
`ENABLE BATTERY CHARGING (LIMITED
`TO PREDETERMINED MAXIMUM CURRENT)
`FROM INTEGRAL POWER NODE
`
`400
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1005
`IPR USP 7,239,111
`Page 1 of 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`6,130,518
`
`102
`
`EXTERNAL
`CONNECTOR
`
`106
`
`DEVICE
`CIRCUITS
`
`100
`
`Af7G 7
`-PRIOR ART
`
`Af7G 2
`
`200
`
`
`
`DATA 2
`
`INTEGRAL POWER
`
`218
`
`230
`N
`INT1
`INTEGRAL y
`
`1212
`
`EXTERNAL
`CONNECTOR
`
`PROCESSING
`SYSTEM
`
`EXTERNAL
`INT2
`
`204
`
`226
`
`DEVICE
`CIRCUITS
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1005
`IPR USP 7,239,111
`Page 2 of 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`6,130,518
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`324
`
`210
`
`
`
`
`
`222, 224
`
`CHARGING
`SWITCHER
`
`PROCESSING
`SYSTEM
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`E.
`Atto"ABILITY
`ENE
`
`POWER CONTROL
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`310
`312
`314
`316
`322
`
`
`
`USER
`CONTROLS
`
`3.18
`
`300
`
`Af7G 3
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1005
`IPR USP 7,239,111
`Page 3 of 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`6,130,518
`
`402
`
`SENSE WHETHER POWER
`IS AVAILABLE AT THE
`EXTERNAL POWER NODE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`408
`
`CHECK WHETHER USER HAS
`ALLOWED BATTERY CHARGING
`FROM INTEGRAL POWER NODE
`
`406
`
`CHARGE BATTERY FROM
`EXTERNAL POWER NODE, AND
`DISABLE CHARGING FROM
`INTEGRAL POWER NODE
`
`
`
`ENABLE BATTERY CHARGING (LIMITED
`TO PREDETERMINED MAXIMUM CURRENT)
`FROM INTEGRAL POWER NODE
`
`400
`
`Af7G 4
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1005
`IPR USP 7,239,111
`Page 4 of 7
`
`

`

`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`CHARGING A BATTERY
`
`6,130,518
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a prior-art battery
`charging apparatus.
`FIG. 2 is a simplified electrical block diagram of a first
`embodiment of a battery charging apparatus in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of a portable
`communication device comprising a Second embodiment of
`the battery charging apparatus in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the operation of the battery
`charging apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a prior-art battery
`charging apparatus, comprising an external connector 102
`for providing an external B" charging power and ground
`Supplied from a external charging element. In the prior-art
`battery charging apparatus, the external B" charging power
`and ground are coupled to a battery 104 through the device
`circuits 106 The device circuits 106 can include communi
`cation circuits powered from the battery 104 and circuits for
`regulating the charging Voltage and/or current.
`FIG. 2 is a simplified electrical block diagram of a first
`embodiment 200 of a battery charging apparatus in accor
`dance with the present invention, comprising an external
`connector 202 that includes an external power node 220 and
`a data bus 204 having an integral power node 218. The data
`bus 204 preferably meets the well-known Universal Serial
`Bus (USB) standards as defined in the Universal Serial Bus
`Specification Revision 1.1. The data bus 204 preferably
`includes differential data input/output (I/O) lines DATA 1
`and DATA2 and a ground reference GND, as well as the
`integral power node 218, all of which are preferably coupled
`to the device circuits 206. The Universal Serial Bus is
`commonly found on modern computers, including portable
`laptop computers, and other communication devices that
`have a need to exchange data with one another. It will be
`appreciated that, alternatively, other types of buSSes can be
`Substituted for the USB.
`Both the integral power node 218 and the external power
`node 220 preferably are coupled to a charging Switcher 216,
`which is coupled to a processing System 228. The integral
`power node is coupled to a first interrupt port 230 of the
`processing System 228, So that the processing System 228
`can Sense, through well-known techniques, whether power is
`available at the integral power node. The external power
`node 220 is coupled to a second interrupt port 208 of the
`processing System 228 So that the processing System 228 can
`Sense, through well-known techniques, whether power is
`available at the external power node 220. A first I/O port 224
`of the processing System 228 is controlled by the processing
`system 228 to maintain a HIGH state, e.g., 5 volts, whenever
`power is available at the external power node 220, and a
`LOW State, e.g., near Zero Volts, whenever power is not
`available at the external power node 220. A second I/O port
`222 of the processing system 228 is controlled by the
`processing system 228 to maintain a HIGH state whenever
`power is not available at the external power node 220, and
`a LOW state whenever power is available at the external
`power node 220. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, the
`processing System 228 can evaluate additional information,
`e.g., a user-programmed instruction, before changing the
`second I/O port 222 to a HIGH state.
`A first transistor 214 is coupled between the external
`power node 220 and a charging node 226 preferably coupled
`
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates in general to battery chargers, and
`more Specifically to a method and apparatus for Selectively
`charging a battery in a portable communication device from
`an integral power node of a data bus.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Battery chargers are well known. Such devices generally
`receive power from a Standard AC electrical outlet and
`convert the power into a proper DC voltage for recharging
`a battery. There can be times, however, when it is inconve
`nient or impossible to use a prior-art battery charger to
`recharge a battery in a portable communication device. For
`example, when one is travelling, there may be no Suitable
`power outlet for powering the prior-art battery charger, or
`one may not have brought the battery charger along on the
`trip.
`Thus, what is needed is an alternative method and appa
`ratus for recharging a battery. Preferably, the alternative
`method and apparatus will not require an AC power outlet or
`a battery charger, but will utilize power from another device
`to which the portable communication device can be coupled.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`An aspect of the present invention is a method for
`charging a battery in a portable communication device
`having an external connector that includes an external power
`node and a data bus having an integral power node. The
`method comprises the steps of Sensing whether power is
`available at the external power node, and charging the
`battery from the external power node whenever power is
`available at the external power node. The method further
`comprises the Step of enabling battery charging from the
`integral power node when power is not available at the
`external power node.
`Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for
`charging a battery in a portable communication device
`having an external connector that includes an external power
`node and a data bus having an integral power node. The
`apparatus comprises a Sensor for Sensing whether power is
`available at the external power node, and charging circuitry
`coupled to the Sensor for charging the battery from the
`external power node whenever power is available at the
`external power node. The apparatus further comprises
`enabling circuitry coupled to the Sensor for enabling battery
`charging from the integral power node when power is not
`available at the external power node.
`Another aspect of the present invention is a portable
`communication device. The portable communication device
`comprises a receiver for receiving a message, and a pro
`cessing System coupled to the receiver for processing the
`55
`message. The portable communication device further com
`prises an external connector including an external power
`node and a data bus having an integral power node. The
`portable communication device also includes an apparatus
`for charging a battery. The apparatus comprises a Sensor for
`Sensing whether power is available at the external power
`node, and charging circuitry coupled to the Sensor for
`charging the battery from the external power node whenever
`power is available at the external power node. The apparatus
`further comprises enabling circuitry coupled to the Sensor
`for enabling battery charging from the integral power node
`when power is not available at the external power node.
`
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`3
`to the device circuits 206 for powering the device circuits
`206. The device circuits 206 preferably are coupled to a
`battery 210 for charging the battery 210 and for receiving
`power therefrom. The first transistor 214 is controlled by the
`first I/O port 224 to power the device circuits 206 and to
`charge the battery 210 from the external power node 220
`whenever power is available at the external power node 220.
`A Second transistor 212 is coupled between the integral
`power node 218 and the charging node 226. The second
`transistor 212 is controlled by the second I/O port 222 to
`enable battery charging and device circuits powering from
`the integral power node 218 when power is not available at
`the external power node 220, and to disable battery charging
`and device circuits powering from the integral power node
`218 when power is available at the external power node 220.
`This arrangement advantageously allows the battery 210 to
`be charged from the power available on the data bus 204
`when the primary battery charging means, i.e., a mains
`powered charging element for providing power to the exter
`nal power node 220, is unavailable.
`FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of a portable
`communication device 300 comprising a Second embodi
`ment of the battery charging apparatus in accordance with
`the present invention. The device 300 comprises a conven
`tional receiver 304 for receiving a message. The receiver
`304 is coupled to an antenna 302 for intercepting a wireless
`Signal carrying the message. The receiver 304 is further
`coupled to the processing System 228 for processing the
`message and for controlling the operation of the charging
`Switcher 216. The device 300 further comprises the external
`connector 202, including the external power node 220 and
`the data bus 204, both of which are coupled to the processing
`system 228. In addition, the external power node 220 and the
`integral power node 218 are coupled to the charging
`Switcher 216. The charging node 226 is preferably coupled
`to a power management circuit 324 for regulating the
`Voltage and current delivered from the charging Switcher
`216. When the power is supplied from the external power
`node 220, the power management circuit 324 is controlled
`by the processing system 228 to limit the current to a first
`predetermined value, e.g., 500 milliamps. When the power
`is Supplied from the integral power node 218, the power
`management circuit 324 is controlled by the processing
`system 228 to limit the current to a second predetermined
`value, e.g., 100 milliamps. This advantageously allows the
`maximum current demanded from the external power node
`220 and the maximum current demanded from the integral
`power node 218 to differ in accordance with the capabilities
`of each node.
`AS described above, the charging Switcher 216 advanta
`geously allows the battery 210 to be charged from the
`external power node 220 whenever power is available at the
`external power node 220, and from the integral power node
`218 when power is not available at the external power node
`220. The device 300 also includes conventional user controls
`318 coupled to the processing system 228 for providing user
`control of the device 300. The user controls 318 can be
`utilized, for example, by a user to generate a command to
`allow or disallow battery charging from the integral power
`node 218. The user may want to disallow battery charging
`from the integral power node 218, for example, when the
`power of the integral power node 218 is supplied from
`another battery powered device whose battery is nearly
`depleted.
`The processing System 228 comprises a conventional
`processor 308 and conventional memory 310. The memory
`310 comprises Software and variables used in accordance
`
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`4
`with the present invention. The memory 310 includes a
`space for storing an allowability variable 312, which indi
`cates whether the user has generated a command to allow or
`disallow battery charging from the integral power node of
`the data bus 204. The memory 310 also includes a deter
`miner program 314 for checking the allowability variable
`312 to determine whether battery charging from the integral
`power node is allowed before charging the battery from the
`integral power node. The memory 310 further comprises a
`power control program 316 for controlling the States of the
`first and second I/O ports 222, 224 in accordance with the
`present invention. The memory 310 also includes a conven
`tional communications program 322 for controlling the
`communications of the device 300. While the device 300 is
`depicted as a wireleSS communication device, it will be
`appreciated that the present invention is applicable to non
`wireleSS portable communication devices as well, Such as
`electronic organizers or personal digital assistants.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart 400 depicting the operation of the
`battery charging apparatus in accordance with the present
`invention. First, the processing system 228 senses 402,
`through well-known level detection techniques, whether
`power is present at the external power node 220. If so, from
`step 404 the processing system 228 cooperates with the
`charging Switcher 216 to charge 406 the battery 210 from the
`external power node 220 and to disable battery charging
`from the integral power node 218. If not, from step 404 the
`processing system 228 checks 408 the allowability variable
`312 to determine whether the user has programmed the
`device 300 to allow battery charging from the integral power
`node 218. If at step 410 charging is allowed from the integral
`power node, the processing System 228 cooperates with the
`charging Switcher 216 to enable 412 battery charging from
`the integral power node, after which the process ends. If, on
`the other hand at step 410 charging is not allowed from the
`integral power node 218, the process Simply ends.
`It should be clear from the preceding disclosure that the
`present invention provides an alternative method and appa
`ratus for recharging a battery. Advantageously, the alterna
`tive method and apparatus does not require an AC power
`outlet or a battery charger, but utilizes power from another
`device to which the portable communication device can be
`coupled through a Standard data bus.
`Many modifications and variations of the present inven
`tion are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is
`to be understood that, within the Scope of the appended
`claims, the invention can be practiced other than as Specifi
`cally described herein above.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for charging a battery in a portable commu
`nication device having an external connector that includes
`an external power node and a data bus having an integral
`power node, the method comprising the Steps of:
`Sensing whether power is available at the external power
`node,
`charging the battery from the external power node when
`ever power is available at the external power node, and
`enabling battery charging from the integral power node
`when power is not available at the external power node.
`2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`disabling battery charging from the integral power node
`when power is available at the external power node.
`3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`providing a command for permitting a user to allow and
`disallow battery charging from the integral power node, and
`wherein the enabling Step comprises the Step of determining
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1005
`IPR USP 7,239,111
`Page 6 of 7
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`

`S
`whether battery charging from the integral power node is
`allowed before charging the battery from the integral power
`node.
`4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data bus is a
`conventional Universal Serial Bus (USB).
`5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`powering circuits of the portable communication device
`from the integral power node when power is not available at
`the external power node and power is available at the
`integral power node.
`6. An apparatus for charging a battery in a portable
`communication device having an eternal connector that
`includes an external power node and a data bus having an
`integral power node, the apparatus comprising:
`a Sensor for Sensing whether power is available at the
`external power node,
`charging circuitry coupled to the Sensor for charging the
`battery from the external power node whenever power
`is available at the external power node, and
`enabling circuitry coupled to the Sensor for enabling
`battery charging from the integral power node when
`power is not available at the external power node.
`7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising disabling
`circuitry coupled to the Sensor for disabling battery charging
`from the integral power node when power is available at the
`external power node.
`8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising user
`controls for providing a command for permitting a user to
`allow and disallow battery charging from the integral power
`node, and wherein the enabling circuitry comprises a deter
`mining element for determining whether battery charging
`from the integral power node is allowed before charging the
`battery from the integral power node.
`9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the data bus is a
`conventional Universal Serial Bus (USB).
`10. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising power
`ing circuitry coupled to the Sensor for powering circuits of
`the portable communication device from the integral power
`node when power is not available at the external power node
`and power is available at the integral power node.
`
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`6,130,518
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`6
`11. A portable communication device, comprising:
`a receiver for receiving a message;
`a processing System coupled to the receiver for processing
`the message;
`an external connector including:
`an external power node, and
`a data bus having an integral power node, and
`an apparatus for charging a battery, the apparatus com
`prising:
`a Sensor for Sensing whether power is available at the
`external power node,
`charging circuitry coupled to the Sensor for charging
`the battery from the external power node whenever
`power is available at the external power node, and
`enabling circuitry coupled to the Sensor for enabling
`battery charging from the integral power node when
`power is not available at the external power node.
`12. The portable communication device of claim 11,
`further comprising disabling circuitry coupled to the Sensor
`for disabling battery charging from the integral power node
`when power is available at the external power node.
`13. The portable communication device of claim 11,
`further comprising user controls for providing a command
`for permitting a user to allow and disallow battery charging
`from the integral power node, and wherein the enabling
`circuitry comprises a determining element for determining
`whether battery charging from the integral power node is
`allowed before charging the battery from the integral power
`node.
`14. The portable communication device of claim 11,
`wherein the data bus is a conventional Universal Serial Bus
`(USB).
`15. The portable communication device of claim 11,
`further comprising powering circuitry coupled to the Sensor
`for powering circuits of the portable communication device
`from the integral power node when power is not available at
`the external power node and power is available at the
`integral power node.
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1005
`IPR USP 7,239,111
`Page 7 of 7
`
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