Patents by Inventor Michael F. Habicher

Michael F. Habicher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100102774
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile electronic device is provided. A universal serial bus (USB) interface may be used for connecting the mobile device to a USB host. A processing device may be used to control operation of the mobile device and receive an enumeration acknowledgement signal from the USB host via the USB interface and generate an enable signal upon receiving the enumeration acknowledgement signal. The method and apparatus may further include a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, a timing circuit, and a battery charger enabling circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin G. A. Guthrie, Dusan Veselic, Alexei Skarine, Michael F. Habicher
  • Patent number: 7679316
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile device is provided. A universal serial bus (USB) interface may be used for connecting the mobile device to a USB host. A processing device may be used to execute programs and to control operation of the mobile device, the processing device may be further operable to receive an enumeration acknowledgement signal from the USB host via the USB interface. A rechargeable battery may be used for powering the processing device. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the USB interface and operable to receive a USB bus voltage from the USB interface and use the USB bus voltage to power the processing device. A timing circuitry may be used to disable the voltage regulator from powering the processing device after a pre-determined amount of time has expired, the timing circuitry being operable to measure the passage of the pre-determined amount of time upon detecting the USB bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Martin G. A. Guthrie, Dusan Veselic, Alexei Skarine, Michael F. Habicher
  • Patent number: 7663338
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile electronic device is provided. A universal serial bus (USB) interface may be used for connecting the mobile device to a USB host. A processing device may be used to execute programs and to control operation of the mobile device. The processing device may be operable to receive an enumeration acknowledgement signal from the USB host via the USB interface and generate an enable signal upon receiving the enumeration acknowledgement signal. A rechargeable battery may be used to power the processing device. A battery charger may be used to receive a USB bus voltage from the USB interface and use the USB bus voltage to power the processing device and to charge the rechargeable battery. The battery charger may be further operable to receive a charge enable signal that enables and disables the battery charger from powering the processing device and charging the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Martin G. A. Guthrie, Dusan Veselic, Alexei Skarine, Michael F. Habicher
  • Patent number: 7657290
    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 of 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dusan Veselic, Michael F. Habicher
  • Publication number: 20090213512
    Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
  • Publication number: 20090058359
    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, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification 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 identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel M. FISCHER, Dan G. RADUT, Michael F. HABICHER, Quang A. LUONG, Jonathan T. MALTON
  • Patent number: 7453233
    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, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification 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 identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer, Dan G. Radut, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong, Jonathan T. Malton
  • Patent number: 7239111
    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, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification 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 identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer, Dan G. Radut, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong, Jonathan T. Malton
  • Patent number: 7034503
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dusan Veselic, Michael F. Habicher, Jacek S. Idzik, Jonathan T. Malton
  • Patent number: 7035070
    Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
  • Patent number: 6946817
    Abstract: A system for powering and charging a mobile communication device includes a processing device, a rechargeable battery, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, and a charging subsystem. The rechargeable battery is configured to supply power to the processing device. The USB interface is configured to connect to a USB port via a USB cable. The charging subsystem is coupled to the USB interface, and is configured to charge the rechargeable battery using power received from the USB interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer, Dan G. Radut, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong, Jonathan T. Malton, Charles B. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6936936
    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, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification subsystem. The plug unit is operative to coupled 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 identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer, Dan G. Radut, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong, Jonathan T. Malton
  • Patent number: 6833686
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dusan Veselic, Michael F. Habicher, Jacek S. Idzik, Jonathan T. Malton
  • Publication number: 20040164707
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Dusan Veselic, Michael F. Habicher
  • Publication number: 20030076642
    Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
  • Publication number: 20030052547
    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, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification 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 identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer, Dan G. Radut, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong, Jonathan T. Malton
  • Publication number: 20030054703
    Abstract: A system for powering and charging a mobile communication device includes a processing device, a rechargeable battery, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, and a charging subsystem. The rechargeable battery is configured to supply power to the processing device. The USB interface is configured to connect to a USB port via a USB cable. The charging subsystem is coupled to the USB interface, and is configured to charge the rechargeable battery using power received from the USB interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel M. Fischer, Dan G. Radut, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong, Jonathan T. Malton, Charles B. Meyer