Abstract: The present invention is directed at a method of handling a device charging state for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connected mobile electronic device comprising the steps of sensing a presence of a bus voltage; sensing an enumeration acknowledgement signal between the device and a USB host; and transmitting a signal to instruct the device to enter the device charging state.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a master charge manager, and a slave charge manager coupled to the master charge manager. The master charge manager is coupled to a power source and one battery and is configured to charge the one battery with a first continuously decreasing portion of the available current after a voltage across the one battery exceeds a first predetermined maximum voltage threshold. The slave charge manager is coupled to the power source and another battery and is configured such that, while the master charge manager charges the one battery with the continuously decreasing portion of the available current, the slave charge manager charges the other battery with a continuously increasing portion of the available current. The total of the decreasing portion and the increasing portion are substantially equal to the current available from the power source.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device in conjunction with an improved holder for the handheld electronic device together form an improved electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a first battery, and the holder includes a second battery and a charging apparatus. When the handheld electronic device and the holder are electrically connected together, such as when the handheld electronic device is received in a cavity formed in the holder and a plurality of first contacts on the handheld electronic device and a plurality of second contacts on the holder are electrically connected together, the charging apparatus charges the first battery on the handheld electronic device from the second battery on the holder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a method of handling a device charging state for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connected mobile electronic device comprising the steps of sensing a presence of a bus voltage; sensing an enumeration acknowledgement signal between the device and a USB host; and transmitting a signal to instruct the device to enter the device charging state.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device in conjunction with an improved holder for the handheld electronic device together form an improved electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a first battery, and the holder includes a second battery and a charging apparatus. When the handheld electronic device and the holder are electrically connected together, such as when the handheld electronic device is received in a cavity formed in the holder and a plurality of first contacts on the handheld electronic device and a plurality of second contacts on the holder are electrically connected together, the charging apparatus charges the first battery on the handheld electronic device from the second battery on the holder.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a power source for supplying a primary charge current to a first battery, and a charge manager for charging a second battery. The charge manager is coupled to the power source and is configured to charge the second battery with a secondary charge current in accordance with a continuous comparison between a predefined maximum current limit and a total current drawn from the power source.

Abstract: A device and method for making a peripheral device compliant with a power management standard, such as the USB standard, are described. The device includes a power management unit (PMU) and a timing unit. The PMU is coupled to a battery pack and to a processor of the peripheral device, and manages power allocated to the processor. The timing unit sends electrical signals to the input terminals of the PMU when the battery pack is connected to the peripheral device. The electrical signals activate the processor via the PMU. The timing unit sends the electrical signals before a configurable time from the time when the battery pack is connected to the peripheral device.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for charging a rechargeable power source in a mobile device through a USB port. A power converter may be used to receive an input voltage from an external power source and generate a charger output having a regulated voltage. A signal generator may be used to generate a charger configuration signal having pre-selected waveform characteristics that are selected to identify operating characteristics of the charging apparatus. A USB connector may be used for coupling the charger output and charger configuration signal to the USB port on the mobile device. The USB connector may include a voltage bus (Vbus) contact coupled to the charger output, a positive data (D+) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal, and a negative data (D?) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal.

Abstract: A power supply includes a switching voltage regulator, and a linear voltage regulator coupled electrically in series with the switching voltage regulator. The switching voltage regulator includes a first input for receiving a DC input signal, a semiconductor switching stage coupled to the first input and configured to provide a first DC voltage signal from the received DC input signal. The magnitude of the first DC voltage signal is less than the received DC input signal. The linear voltage regulator includes a semiconductor current pass stage coupled to the output of the semiconductor switching stage and configured to provide a constant second DC output voltage signal from the first DC voltage signal. The voltage regulators are implemented together within a common integrated circuit housing.

Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a master charge manager, and a slave charge manager coupled to the master charge manager. The master charge manager is coupled to a power source and one battery and is configured to charge the one battery with a first continuously decreasing portion of the available current after a voltage across the one battery exceeds a first predetermined maximum voltage threshold. The slave charge manager is coupled to the power source and another battery and is configured such that, while the master charge manager charges the one battery with the continuously decreasing portion of the available current, the slave charge manager charges the other battery with a continuously increasing portion of the available current. The total of the decreasing portion and the increasing portion are substantially equal to the current available from the power source.

Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a notification lamp, a melody circuit coupled to the notification lamp for providing a first type notification, an electronic switch coupled to the notification lamp for providing a second type notification, and a notification controller coupled to the melody circuit and the electronic switch for selecting between the notification types. The power consumption of the second type notification is less than that of the first type notification.

Abstract: Charging and power supply for mobile devices is disclosed. A USB-compliant charging and power supply circuit includes switch-mode battery charging circuitry for receiving power from an external power source and for supplying output power through an output node to an electronic system of an electronic communication device and a battery. Battery isolation circuitry includes a semiconductor switch connecting the output node to the battery. The battery isolation circuitry senses voltage at the output node and variably restricts current to the battery when the voltage is below a minimum voltage value by operationally controlling the semiconductor switch as current passes through it. During variable current restriction the electronic system is supplied required power with said battery being supplied any additional available power.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for charging a rechargeable power source in a mobile device through a USB port. A power converter may be used to receive an input voltage from an external power source and generate a charger output having a regulated voltage. A signal generator may be used to generate a charger configuration signal having pre-selected waveform characteristics that are selected to identify operating characteristics of the charging apparatus. A USB connector may be used for coupling the charger output and charger configuration signal to the USB port on the mobile device. The USB connector may include a voltage bus (Vbus) contact coupled to the charger output, a positive data (D+) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal, and a negative data (D?) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for charging a rechargeable power source in a mobile device through a USB port. A power converter may be used to receive an input voltage from an external power source and generate a charger output having a regulated voltage. A signal generator may be used to generate a charger configuration signal having pre-selected waveform characteristics that are selected to identify operating characteristics of the charging apparatus. A USB connector may be used for coupling the charger output and charger configuration signal to the USB port on the mobile device. The USB connector may include a voltage bus (Vbus) contact coupled to the charger output, a positive data (D+) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal, and a negative data (D?) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal.

Abstract: Power management systems and methods are provided for a mobile device. A primary power management circuit may be configured to receive an input voltage and use the input voltage to supply power to the mobile device. A secondary power management circuit may be configured to select at least one or a battery input from a rechargeable battery, a first power source input, or a second power source input as the input voltage to the primary power management circuit. The primary power management circuit may use the first power source input to charge the rechargeable battery. The second power management circuit may use the second power source input to charge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A device and method for making a peripheral device compliant with a power management standard, such as the USB standard, are described. The device includes a power management unit (PMU) and a timing unit. The PMU is coupled to a battery pack and to a processor of the peripheral device, and manages power allocated to the processor. The timing unit sends electrical signals to the input terminals of the PMU when the battery pack is connected to the peripheral device. The electrical signals activate the processor via the PMU. The timing unit sends the electrical signals before a configurable time from the time when the battery pack is connected to the peripheral device.

Abstract: A system for powering a peripheral device with a host device is described. The system includes N host interface power ports, each adapted for coupling to a corresponding host port on the host device to deliver power to the peripheral device. A current adding unit adds current received from the host device via at least the N host interface power ports to produce a total current. A power terminal is coupled to the peripheral device to send the total current from the current adding unit to the peripheral device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for charging a USB device. A USB connector may be used to couple the system to a USB port on the USB device, the USB connector including a bus voltage (Vbus) connector, a positive data (D+) connector, and a negative data (D?) connector. Charger circuitry may be used to receive a source voltage and convert the source voltage into the bus voltage (Vbus), wherein the bus voltage (Vbus) is used to charge the USB device. Presence detect circuitry may be used to compare a first voltage present on the D+ connector with a second voltage present on the D? connector in order to detect when the USB connector is coupled to the USB port of the USB device.

Abstract: A convenient source of charging power for portable communication devices is an integral power node of a computer data bus, such as a USB (universal serial bus) port. Unfortunately, USB ports have limited power capacity, making them generally incompatible with battery charge controllers (BCCs) which are designed to receive a steady, high capacity input. The invention provides a battery charging circuit which adjusts to the parameters of an external power supply such as a USB port by adding a regulating circuit to a standard BCC design. This regulating circuit maximizes the current drawn by the BCC, while keeping the voltage to the BCC above a preset minimum (the low voltage shut off level for the BCC). If the voltage to the BCC begins to drop, the regulating circuit reduces the current drawn, so the voltage rises and stays within the operating range of the BCC.