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`US 20080167088Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Rabu et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0167088 Al
`Jul. 10, 2008
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) APPARATUSES AND METHODS THAT
`FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF POWER
`AND INFORMATION AMONG ELECTRICAL
`DEVICES
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/620,669
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan.6,2007
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Stanley Rabu, Santa Clara, CA
`(US); Nicholas R. Kalayjian, San
`Carlos, CA (US); Jesse L.
`Dorogusker, Menlo Park, CA (US);
`Jeff Terlizzi, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
`Emery A. Sanford, San Francisco,
`CA (US); M. Evans Hankey, San
`Francisco, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ROPES & GRAY LLP
`PATENTDOCKETING39/361,1211AVENUEOF
`THE AMERICAS
`NEW YORK, NY 10036-8704
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino,
`CA (US)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 1100
`G06F 13/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 455/573; 710/100
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention is directed to apparatuses, systems,
`methods, and computer readable media that can facilitate the
`transfer of power between at least two electrical devices. At
`least one of the electrical devices is preferably a battery
`operated device. The present invention may also be used to
`facilitate the transfer of information among electrical devices.
`For example, the present invention may be used to automati(cid:173)
`cally pair two Bluetooth devices together.
`
`Couple master
`and slave
`devices to an
`apparatus
`
`402
`
`404
`
`Master device
`detects presence
`of slave device
`
`/406
`
`Master device
`queries slave
`device status
`
`408
`
`~---< Paired? >-------,
`No
`
`410
`
`Master device
`puts slave device
`into discoverable
`mode
`
`Yes
`
`418
`
`Master device
`checks for link
`status
`
`Master device
`links with slave
`device
`
`420
`
`No
`
`Linked?
`
`(416
`
`Yes
`
`End
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1043
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`102
`
`0
`
`(cid:143) ~
`
`104
`
`100
`
`FIG. 1
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`2
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 2 of 16
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`US 2008/0167088 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 3 of 16
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`US 2008/0167088 Al
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`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`(402
`
`Couple master
`and slave
`devices to an
`apparatus
`
`404
`
`Master device
`detects presence
`of slave device
`
`406
`
`Master device
`queries slave
`device status
`
`408
`
`No
`
`Master device
`puts slave device
`into discoverable
`mode
`
`Master device
`pairs with slave
`device
`
`412
`
`414
`
`Master device
`links with slave
`device
`
`r.---No
`
`Yes
`
`418
`
`Master device
`checks for link
`status
`
`420
`
`Yes
`
`End
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`202
`
`204
`
`FIG. 5a
`
`204
`
`202
`
`FIG. 5b
`
`02
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`204
`
`FIG. 6a
`
`204
`
`602
`
`FIG. 6b
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`0
`
`(0 .
`CJ
`LL
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`(cid:143)
`
`212
`
`700
`
`206
`
`FIG. 7a
`
`(cid:143)
`
`700
`
`FIG. 7b
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`No devices are
`coupled to apparatus, the
`apparatus is in powered
`down mode
`
`802
`
`r804
`
`A first device is coupled
`to the apparatus
`
`806
`
`Is the first device
`coupled to the apparatus's
`lowest priority port,
`medium priority port, or
`highest priority port?
`
`Lowest
`priority port
`
`Highest
`priority port
`
`808
`
`Activate
`microcontroller, activate
`regulator, provide
`power to the higher
`priority ports, establish
`communications path
`with the first device
`
`Medium
`priority port
`
`t 1 812
`
`Activate
`microcontroller, activate
`boost, activate
`regulator, establish
`communications path(s)
`with the first device,
`and provide power to
`the highest priority port
`
`816
`
`Apparatus remains
`in powered down
`mode
`
`r 810
`
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 9)
`
`H
`
`1 814
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 10)
`
`-818
`
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 11)
`
`FIG. 8
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`810
`
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 8)
`
`902
`
`Is the second
`device coupled
`to the medium or the
`highest priority port of
`the apparatus?
`
`Highest
`priority
`port
`
`Medium
`Priority
`port
`
`904
`
`910
`
`Establish communications path{s)
`with the second device, charge
`the second device, activate boost
`
`Establish communications
`path(s) with the second device,
`increase power provided to
`highest priority port, charge the
`second device
`
`1 906
`A third device is coupled to the
`highest priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`912
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`medium priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`908
`
`r 914
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`with the third device, charge the
`third device
`
`Establish communications
`path(s) with the third device,
`charge the second device
`
`FIG. 9
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`r 814
`
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 8)
`
`1002
`
`Lowest
`priority
`port
`
`i
`
`(1004
`
`Establish communications path{s)
`with the second device, charge
`the first device
`
`Is the second
`device coupled
`to the lowest or highest
`priority port?
`
`Highest
`priority
`port
`
`i
`
`(1010
`Establish communications
`path(s) with the second device,
`increase power to the second
`device, charge the second
`device
`
`, r
`
`/1006
`
`,,
`
`(1012
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`highest priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`lowest priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`,.
`
`(1008
`
`,.
`
`(_,,- 1014
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`with the third device, increase
`power provided to highest priority
`port, rapidly charge the third
`device
`
`Establish communications
`path(s) with the third device,
`charge the third device
`
`FIG. 10
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`818
`
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 8)
`
`/1102
`
`Is the second
`device coupled
`to the lowest or highest
`priority port?
`
`Lowest
`priority
`port
`
`i
`
`r1104
`Activate microcontroller, activate
`regulator, establish
`communications path(s) with the
`first device, establish
`communications path(s) with the
`second device, charge the first
`device, provide power to medium
`priority port
`
`Medium
`priority
`port
`
`i
`
`;""1110
`I
`Activate microcontroller,
`activate boost, activate
`regulator, establish
`communications path(s) with
`the first device, establish
`communications path{s) with
`the second device, charge the
`first device
`
`,,.
`A third device is coupled to the
`medium priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`/1106
`
`,,
`A third device is coupled to the
`lowest priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`(1112
`
`~I'
`
`,,.--1108
`
`(
`
`, I'
`
`(1114
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`with the third device, activate
`boost, charge the third device
`
`Establish communications
`path(s) with the third device,
`charge the second device
`
`FIG. 11
`
`13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`1202
`
`Three devices
`are coupled to an apparatus,
`the apparatus is facilitating the
`transfer of power and information
`among the devices
`
`A first device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`
`1204
`
`1206
`)
`
`Is the first device
`decoupled from the lowest
`priority port, medium
`priority port, or highest
`priority port of
`the apparatus?
`
`Highest
`priority
`port
`
`Lowest
`priority
`port
`
`Medium
`priority port
`
`l r 12 12
`
`1208
`
`Power is
`discontinued to
`medium priority port,
`communication paths
`to lowest priority port
`are discontinued
`
`Communication
`paths to medium
`priority port are
`discontinued,
`boost is powered
`down
`
`1216
`
`Decrease power
`provided to highest
`priority port,
`communication
`paths to highest
`priority port are
`discontinued
`
`1210
`
`A second device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 13)
`
`r12 14
`'I'
`A second device is
`decoupled from
`the apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 14)
`
`1218
`
`A second device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 15)
`
`FIG. 12
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`,,- 1210
`
`A second device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG.12)
`
`/1302
`
`Is the
`second device
`decoupled from
`the medium or
`highest prioritY,
`port?
`
`Medium
`priority
`port
`
`, ..
`
`(1304
`
`Apparatus enters powered
`down mode
`
`u
`
`(1306
`
`A third device is decoupled
`from the highest priority
`port of the apparatus
`
`,1r
`
`(1308
`
`Apparatus remains in
`powered down mode
`
`Highest
`priority
`port
`
`,r
`
`(1310
`Communication paths
`to highest priority port
`are discontinued,
`decrease power
`provided to highest
`priority port
`
`, ..
`r1312
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`lowest priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`,,.
`
`r1314
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`FIG. 13
`
`15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`1214
`
`A second device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 12)
`
`1402
`
`ls the
`second device
`decoupled from
`the lowest or
`ighest priori
`port?
`
`Lowest priority
`port
`
`,,
`
`(1404
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`,,
`
`(1406
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`highest priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`,,
`
`r 140 8
`
`Apparatus remains in
`powered down mode
`
`Highest priority
`port
`
`(1410
`
`,.,
`Communication paths
`to highest priority port
`are discontinued,
`decrease power
`provided to highest
`priority port
`
`1,
`/1412
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`lowest priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`,,
`
`r1414
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`FIG. 14
`
`16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 10, 2008 Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`1218
`
`A second device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 12)
`
`Is the
`second device
`decoupled from
`
`1502
`
`the lowest or 7
`
`ighest priori
`port?
`
`Lowest priority
`port
`
`, ..
`(1504
`Power is discontinued
`to medium priority port,
`communication paths to
`lowest priority port are
`discontinued
`
`,,.
`(1506
`A third device is
`decou pied from the
`medium priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`,,
`
`(1508
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`Medium priority
`port
`
`,,
`
`(1510
`Communications path
`to the medium priority
`port are discontinued,
`boost is powered down
`
`(1512
`~,
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`lowest priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`,,
`
`r1s14
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`FIG. 15
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`Jul. 10, 2008
`
`APPARATUSES AND METHODS THAT
`FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF POWER
`AND INFORMATION AMONG ELECTRICAL
`DEVICES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention is related to transferring power and
`information among electrical devices. More particularly, this
`invention facilitates the transfer of power and information
`from one electrical device to at least one other electrical
`device.
`[0002] Portable electrical devices are an everyday part of
`life in today's society.Among other things, portable electrical
`devices, such as iPods, PDAs and cell phones, provide enter(cid:173)
`tainment, improve productivity and enable communication.
`Some devices can be used to provide additional functionality
`to another device. For example, a cellular telephone can
`enable a laptop computer to access the Internet. Other elec(cid:173)
`trical devices are specifically designed to be an accessory
`device that enhances the functionality of a device. For
`example, a wireless Bluetooth headset enhances the use of a
`cellular telephone by allowing users to have a hands-free,
`wireless conversation through their cellular telephone.
`[0003] As a result, many people often carry a number of
`personal electrical devices with them. It is not uncommon for
`people to have a cellular telephone, wireless headset and
`digital media device, like Apple's ipod, when they leave their
`homes.
`[0004] Most portable electrical devices are powered by a
`rechargeable battery. Despite advancements in battery tech(cid:173)
`nology, many users often wish that the battery in their por(cid:173)
`table devices lasted longer. Another problem is that, fre(cid:173)
`quently, each portable device has its own charger, which must
`be carried around. Inevitably, most users are left in a situation
`where one device has power, but the device that is needed at
`the moment does not. If the user does not have the right
`charger available, the user is out of luck.
`[0005]
`In addition to carrying around more electrical
`devices, electrical devices are becoming more complex which
`causes a number of inconveniences to the user. For example,
`many different types of portable electrical devices can now be
`linked together using a number of different wired or wireless
`standards and/or protocols. Some of these standards and/or
`protocols, such as the Bluetooth standards, require the user to
`reconfigure the devices each time it is used to communicate
`with a new device ( often referred to as "pairing")). The con(cid:173)
`figurations can require, for example, that at least one of the
`devices is identified to the other device in some manner. For
`example, the pairing of a universal remote control with a
`particular electrical device ( e.g., TV, cable box, etc.) requires
`the user to follow a series of steps, one of which includes
`entering a code that represents the brand and type of the
`device. This pairing process is the cause of great frustration
`among many users.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006]
`In accordance with the principles of the present
`invention, apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer
`readable media are discussed herein that can facilitate the
`transfer of power and information between at least two elec(cid:173)
`trical devices. One or more of the electrical devices can be a
`portable, battery operated device. In the embodiments of the
`present invention that accommodate at least three devices, it
`
`is preferable that at least one of the devices has access to a
`reliable, continuous source of power ( such as, for example, a
`wall power outlet).
`[0007]
`It is preferred to have the devices electrically
`coupled to the ports of an apparatus in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention. The ports and other com(cid:173)
`ponents of the apparatus can allow each of the devices
`coupled to the apparatus to be electrically coupled to at least
`one of the other devices.
`[0008] Once the devices are electrically coupled together
`(via the apparatus), the apparatus's processor or microcon(cid:173)
`troller can facilitate the transfer of information and/or power
`among the devices. The transfer of information can, for
`example, allow two of the devices coupled to the apparatus to
`be automatically paired in accordance with a Bluetooth pro(cid:173)
`tocol. The transfer of power among the devices can, for
`example, allow at least one device to charge at least one other
`device. The power from at least one of the devices can also be
`used to operate the apparatus and execute the automatic steps
`of methods described below that are in accordance with the
`present invention.
`[0009] The devices can be assigned a priority ( e.g., low,
`medium or high), which the present invention considers,
`among other things, when transferring power to and from
`each device. In at least one embodiment, the priority assigned
`to each device is based on which port the device is coupled to.
`The devices assigned a lower priority provide power and the
`devices assigned a higher priority receive power. Medium
`priority devices can receive and/or provide power in different
`situations. In alternative embodiments, the microcontroller
`can assign a priority to each device in response to the micro(cid:173)
`controller identifying the device's type (as opposed to iden(cid:173)
`tifying the port that the device is coupled to).
`[001 OJ
`In addition to the components mentioned above, the
`present invention can also employ, for example, one or more
`switches, a regulator, a boost, and various connectors (e.g.,
`single wires, multi-wire busses, nodes, etc.). All of the com(cid:173)
`ponents of the present invention can be supervised and con(cid:173)
`trolled by the microcontroller.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011] The above and other features of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent
`upon consideration of the following detailed description,
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
`which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout,
`and in which:
`[0012] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative system that incorporates
`the present invention;
`[0013] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic block diagram
`of an illustrative embodiment of circuitry in accordance with
`the present invention;
`[0014] FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic block diagram
`of an illustrative alternative embodiment of circuitry in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the present invention;
`[0015] FIG. 4 shows a simplified flow chart of an illustra(cid:173)
`tive mode of operation of circuitry of the type shown in FIGS.
`2 and 3;
`[0016] FIGS. 5-7 show illustrative systems that incorporate
`the present invention; and
`
`18
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`

`

`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`Jul. 10, 2008
`
`2
`
`[0017] FIGS. 8-15 show simplified flow charts of illustra(cid:173)
`tive modes of operation of circuitry of the type shown in FIG.
`2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DISCLOSURE
`
`[0018] The present invention is directed to apparatuses,
`systems, methods and computer readable media that can
`facilitate the charging of a battery of at least one device as
`well as the transfer of information among different types of
`devices and platforms. The following is a description of vari(cid:173)
`ous apparatuses and methods that can be used in accordance
`with various embodiments of the present invention.
`[0019] FIG.1 illustrates docking station 100, which is elec(cid:173)
`trically coupled to three devices. The three devices are iMac
`102, cellular telephone 104 and wireless headset 106. Dock(cid:173)
`ing station 100 enables information and power to be
`exchanged among the devices. In at least one embodiment,
`docking station 100 communicates, identifies and authenti(cid:173)
`cates each device before power is transferred to or from each
`device. Docking station 100 can also be used to facilitate the
`transfer of additional information among the devices.
`[0020] Although the present inventions described below
`generally relate to portable, battery powered devices, iMac
`102 is a line-powered device which receives power from a
`power cord and requires no batteries. Other examples of
`line-powered devices include devices that receive power
`from, for example, a solar panel, a generator, or any means
`other than a battery.
`[0021] Cellular telephone 104 and wireless headset 106 are
`portable, battery powered devices. Battery powered devices,
`as referred to herein, include devices that have a self con(cid:173)
`tained battery or draw power from a battery located externally
`to the device. Docking station 100 can, for example, facilitate
`the charging of the battery of wireless headset 106 with power
`that is from the battery of cellular telephone 104. Similarly,
`power from iMac 102 can be used to charge cellular telephone
`104 and/or wireless headset 106. In some embodiments, wire(cid:173)
`less headset 106 is the same or substantially similar to the
`wireless headset discussed in commonly assigned U.S. Pro-
`visional Patent Application No. ___ , filed ___ ,
`entitled "Wireless Headset" (Client Docket No. P4672Pl)
`(hereinafter "the P4672Pl Application")) and U.S. Provi-
`sional Patent Application No. ___ , filed ___ , entitled
`"Connector with Magnetic Detent" (Client Docket No.
`P4672P2) (hereinafter "the P4672P2 Application"), which
`are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`[0022] The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is merely illus(cid:173)
`trative of one way the present invention may be implemented.
`Additional configurations of a docking system that may be
`used to charge and transfer information to an electronic acces(cid:173)
`sory (such as a wireless headset) from another electronic
`device (such as a cellular phone) are discussed in the P4672Pl
`Application. Many other possible configurations for the
`invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the
`benefit of the disclosure contained herein. The description of
`FIGS. 2-15, like FIG. 1, will therefore be understood to be
`illustrative and not limiting.
`[0023] FIG. 2 a simplified schematic block diagram of cir(cid:173)
`cuitry that is located in apparatus 200. In some embodiments,
`apparatus 200 is substantially similar to docking station 100
`of FIG. 1. Apparatus 200 is typically (although not necessar(cid:173)
`ily) implemented using a single integrated circuit. Alterna-
`
`tively, apparatus 200 could be implemented, for example,
`using a multi-chip module including two or more separate
`integrated circuits.
`[0024] Apparatus 200 can include port 202, port 204, and
`port 206, which enable devices 208, 210 and 212 to be
`coupled to be coupled to apparatus 200. Devices 208,210 and
`212, which are discussed further below, can be similar to or
`the same as iMac 102, cellular telephone 104 and wireless
`headset 106, respectively. Apparatus 200 can also include
`microcontroller214, line 216, line 218, switch 220, input 222,
`output 224, output 226, switch 228, line 230, line 232, line
`234, output 236, line 238, boost 240 and regulator 242, which
`are also discussed in more detail below.
`[0025] Ports 202, 204 and 206 are electrically coupled
`together by connections (i.e., wires, nodes, etc.) and/or other
`components of apparatus 200 that are described herein. Ports
`202, 204 and 206 can be any type of port ( e.g., wireless or
`wired), including those that receive any type of physical
`connector that can be used to couple apparatus 200 to any type
`of device, apparatus, cable, and/or component of a device or
`other apparatus. Ports 202, 204 and 206 can, for example, be
`used to couple either a male or female connector to apparatus
`200. For example, port 202 can be a female USB connector,
`port 204 can be a male 30-pin connector, and port 206 can be
`symmetrical 4-pin connector, such as the connector described
`in the P4672P2 Application. For example, as discussed in the
`P4672P2 Application, port 202 can have magnetic properties
`and each of the four pins (referred to as contacts in the
`P4672P2 Application) are about 0. 7 millimeters wide and are
`equally spaced about 1.0 millimeter apart. An exemplary
`30-pin connector and an exemplary four pin connector are
`illustrated in FIG. 6c.
`[0026]
`In alternative embodiments, ports 202, 204 and/or
`206 can be removed and other ports (not shown) inserted. This
`would allow apparatus 200 to be coupled with various com(cid:173)
`binations of devices and/or cables. For example, if port 202 is
`a female USB connector, port 202 can be removed and
`replaced by a port that is a male USB connector ( or any other
`type of connector).
`[0027] One skilled in the art will also appreciate that there
`can be any number of ports included in apparatus 200.
`Despite FIG. 2 showing apparatus 200 as including three
`ports, an apparatus in accordance with the principles of the
`present invention can include more or less than three ports,
`thereby allowing any number of devices to be coupled to the
`apparatus at any given time. In embodiments where the appa(cid:173)
`ratus includes only one port ( discussed in more detail below
`in connection with FIGS. 7a and 7b), the apparatus may also
`include its own source of power, such as battery, solar panel,
`etc.
`In alternative embodiments, apparatus 200 could
`[0028]
`facilitate the exchange of information and power among
`devices that are not physically coupled to apparatus 200. As
`such, devices can be electrically coupled to apparatus 200
`wirelessly and information and/or power can be wirelessly
`exchanged through ports 202, 204 and/or 206.
`[0029] The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2 shows device
`208 coupled to port 202, device 210 coupled to port 204, and
`device 212 coupled to port 206. Devices 208,210 and212 can
`be any battery powered or line-powered device. For example,
`devices 208, 210 and 212 can be any type of portable, fixed,
`and/or mobile device, including but not limited to a laptop
`computer, a desktop computer, an audio player (e.g., walk(cid:173)
`man, compact disc player, etc.), a video player, a media player
`
`19
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`US 2008/0167088 Al
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`Jul. 10, 2008
`
`3
`
`( e.g., Apple's iPod, etc.), a set top box, a portable video game
`system (e.g., Sony's PSP, Nintendo's Game Boy, etc.), an
`electronic book, a cellular telephone, wireless telephone, a
`hand held computer, a GPS device, a flashlight, a personal
`digital assistant (PDA) (e.g., Palm's Pilot, etc.), a wireless
`headset for a telephone, a satellite radio, a remote control, an
`automobile key fob, a printer, an automobile radio, an auto(cid:173)
`mobile computing system, an automobile cigarette lighter ( or
`other mobile power source, such as an airplane cigarette
`lighter), a camera, an accessory devices for a computer ( e.g.,
`wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, etc.), a watch, a surge
`protector, an AC/DC converter, etc.
`[0030] Devices 208, 210 and 212 can also be any device
`that can serve as a source of power such as, for example, one
`or more batteries, a generator, a solar panel, a cable (USB
`cable, serial cable, Fire Wire, power cord, etc.), a capacitor, an
`inductor, or any other electrical or mechanical device (such as
`a winding device) that can be used to provide electricity to
`apparatus 200. In one embodiment of the present invention, at
`least two of devices 208, 210 and 212 are portable, battery
`powered devices.
`[0031]
`In one embodiment, apparatus 200 includes micro(cid:173)
`controller 214. Microcontroller 214 can use control lines (not
`shown) to communicate with any other component of appa(cid:173)
`ratus 200 (described below) and/or any device coupled to
`apparatus 200 (e.g., devices 208, 210 and 212). In some
`embodiments, each control line can be a multiple-wire bus,
`which allows microcontroller 214 to communicate more effi(cid:173)
`ciently with the components of apparatus 200 and devices
`208, 210 and 212.
`[0032] Microcontroller 214 can also include or have access
`to one or more computer readable media. Microcontroller 214
`can provide intelligence to apparatus 200 by, for example,
`controlling the flow of power to and from ports 202, 204 and
`206, communicating with the devices 208, 210 and 212 via
`the appropriate lines and ports (which are discussed further
`below), facilitating communications among devices 208,210
`and 212, determining how many and what types of devices are
`coupled to apparatus 200, prioritizing the devices that are
`coupled to apparatus 200, and monitoring the entire system
`for faults.
`[0033] Microcontroller 214 can control the power trans(cid:173)
`ferred among devices 208, 210 and 212 by, for example,
`controlling the flow of power to and from ports 202, 204 and
`206. When devices 208 and 210 are coupled to apparatus 200,
`microcontroller 214 can cause power to be transferred from
`device 208 to device 210 (and vice versa). The transferred
`power can be used to, e.g., charge the battery of device 210, to
`allow device 210 to operate more efficiently, to allow device
`208 to communicate with device 210 (or vice versa), etc.
`Microcontroller 214 can also control the transfer of power
`from, for example, device 208 to device 212 (and vice versa),
`device 210 to device 212 (and vice versa), device 208 to
`devices 210 and 212 (and vice versa), and device 210 to
`devices 208 and 212 (and vice versa), and from device 212 to
`devices 210 and 212 (and vice versa). Methods for transfer(cid:173)
`ring power among multiple devices, which are in accordance
`with the present invention, are discussed in more detail below
`in connection with, for example, FIGS. 7-14.
`[0034] Microcontroller214 can use a communications path
`(which are discussed further below) to negotiate the transfer
`of powers among the devices. Negotiating the transfer of
`power involves determining how much power should be pro(cid:173)
`vided to and/or from a device and can involve, for example,
`
`resetting a device. In some embodiments, microcontroller
`214 can perform a hard reset on a device, which restarts the
`hardware of the device, and/or a soft reset that restarts the
`software of a device. One skilled in the art would appreciate
`that any other type reset can also be performed ( such as a reset
`that resets the polarity of the ports of a device).
`[0035]
`In addition to resetting a device, negotiating the
`transfer of power can include other communications between
`microcontroller 214 and a device. For example, after micro(cid:173)
`controller 214 identifies a device (which is discussed further
`below), microcontroller 214 may communicate with the
`device in order to place the device in a high power mode. The
`high power mode can be unique to a particular device and will
`allow a device to give more power to one or more other
`devices. For example, some ipods have a high power mode
`that allows the ipod to output a given voltage at a higher
`current (compared to when the device is in a default mode).
`Some devices only enter a high power mode after the appro(cid:173)
`priate handshaking (i.e., identification, authentication, etc.)
`occurs.
`[0036] Microcontroller 214 can consider any number of
`variables in determining which devices provide power and
`which receive power. For example, microcontroller 214 can
`base that determination on the priority of the ports of appa(cid:173)
`ratus 200 (which is discussed below in more detail in connec(cid:173)
`tion with, for example, FIGS. 8-15) or the priority of the
`devices (which is discussed below).
`[0037] Microcontroller 214 can also determine which
`devices give and receive power based on, for example