POWER ADAPTERS FOR POWERING AND/OR CHARGING PERIPHERAL DEVICES
A power adapter for a peripheral device such as portable electronics device is disclosed. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided at a surface of the housing. The data port is configured to provide external power to the peripheral device.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/162,569 entitled “Power Adapters for Powering and/or Charging Peripheral Devices,” filed on Jan. 23, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/549,286 entitled “Power Adapters for Powering and/or Charging Peripheral Devices,” filed on Jul. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,674,558 issued on Mar. 18, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/838,397 entitled “Power Adapters for Powering and/or Charging Peripheral Devices,” filed on Jul. 16, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,222,773 issued on Jul. 17, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/698,405 entitled “Power Adapters for Powering and/or Charging Peripheral Devices,” filed on Jan. 26, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,698, issued on Aug. 3, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/125,893 entitled “Power Adapters for Powering and/or Charging Peripheral Devices,” filed on Apr. 28, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/345,252 entitled “Power Adapters for Powering and/or Charging Peripheral Devices,” filed on Oct. 22, 2001, which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to apparatus and methods for powering peripheral devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved techniques for powering and/or charging peripheral devices through a data transmission line.
The peripheral device 12, host device 14 and transmission line 16 may take many forms. For example, the peripheral device 12 may be a portable device such as a personal computer, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, digital camera, media player, and the like. The host device 14, which may be portable as well, may also be a general purpose computer such as a desktop computer. In addition, the transmission line 16 may be capable of transmitting data via a serial, parallel, PS/2, small computer system interface (SCSI), universal serial bus (USB), network, FireWire port (IEEE 1394-1995), and the like. Although some of these transmission lines include lines for transmitting both data and power, it should be noted that the power flowing through the transmission lines is typically incidental power used in processing data. That is, the power is not used to supply power for normal operation of the devices, as for example powering up or charging batteries in the case of portable devices (e.g., power is not supplied through the data transmission line when operating with power from a battery of external power source).
In order to operate and/or charge the devices 12 and 14, the system typically includes dedicated power cables that connect the respective devices to an external power source. In this exemplary system 10, the peripheral device 12 is connected to an electrical outlet 22 through a dedicated power cable 24 that includes a plug 26 that receives AC current from the electrical outlet 22, a power adapter 28 that turns AC current into DC current, and a connector 30 that distributes the DC current through a power port 32 of the peripheral device 12. As is generally well known, DC current (3 to 12 volts and less than 1 amp of current) is required to operate most electronic devices and to recharge batteries that store DC current. Although not shown in
While the system described above works well, it would be desirable to remove the total number of connections made to a peripheral device so as to reduce the number of connectors and cables needed to operate the peripheral device. By reducing the number of connectors and cables, the peripheral size and the cost of the product may be decreased as well as the ease of use of the peripheral device may be improved (less cables to tote around).
SUMMARYThe invention pertains to power adapters that allow a user to power and/or charge a peripheral device such as a portable electronic device without requiring any additional cables or connectors. The invention also pertains to a connection method for powering a peripheral without requiring a host, peripheral or hub to remain powered on. The connection method allows peripherals to operate on buses that do not supply power. The invention is particularly suitable for peripheral devices that utilize IEEE 1394 FireWire technology (e.g., ports, connectors and data transmission lines).
The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a power adapter. The power adapter includes a power connection. The power adapter also includes a data connector assembly electrically coupled to the power connection, the data connector assembly providing at least one combined power and data connection, wherein the power provided by the combined data and power connection is used to operate or charge a peripheral device.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a power adapter for a portable electronics device. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components of the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided at a surface of the housing. The data port facilitates providing external power to the portable electronics device via the data port.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a power adapter. The power adapter includes a housing configured to enclose electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter further includes a power plug capable of electrically coupling to a power source and at least a portion of the electrical components. The power adapter also includes a data port positioned within the housing. The data port is configured for receiving a data connector of a data transmission line capable of transmitting both data and power therethrough. The data port is electrically coupled to the power plug so as to provide power through the data transmission line when the data connector of the data transmission line is received by the data port and when the power plug is electrically coupled to the power source.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a data processing system. The data processing system includes a host device capable of processing data through a first data connection. The system further includes a peripheral device capable of processing data and receiving power through a second data connection. The power is configured to operate or charge the peripheral device. The system additionally includes a power adapter having a third data connection for providing the power when the power adapter is electrically coupled to a power source. The system also includes a data transmission cable capable of transmitting both power and data therethrough. The data transmission cable is configured to transmit data between the first data connection and the second data connection when the data transmission line is coupled to the host and peripheral devices. The data transmission cable is also configured to transmit the power from the third data connection to the second data connection when the data transmission line is coupled to the peripheral device and the power adapter.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a method of powering a computing device. The method includes receiving a first power from a power source via a power connection. The method also includes outputting a second power to the computing device via a data connection.
The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a power adapter. The power adapter includes a connector assembly having a first data connection capable of transmitting data to and from a host device, and a second data connection capable of transmitting data to and from a peripheral device and power to the peripheral device. The power is used to operate or charge the peripheral device.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
The power adapter 50 generally includes a power connection 52, a housing 54 and a data port 56. The power connection 52 is configured for coupling the power adapter 50 to a power supply (not shown) capable of supplying power to the power adapter 50. The power supply may take on many forms. By way of example, the power supply may be a conventional electrical outlet that supplies AC current, a car lighter outlet that supplies DC current, and/or the like. In the case of the electrical outlet, the power connection 52 typically includes a plug for connection to the electrical outlet. For example, the plug may include several prongs that are insertable into electrically active slots disposed in the electrical outlet. Plugs are generally well known in the art and for the sake of brevity will not be described in detail herein.
The housing 54 is configured to enclose various internal components of the power adapter 50. That is, the housing 54 serves to surround the internal components of the power adapter 50 at a peripheral region thereof so as to cover and protect the internal components from adverse conditions. In most cases, the internal components correspond to electrical components associated with the operation of the power adapter 50. For example, the electrical components may include a transformer for converting electrical power from one voltage-current level to another voltage current level and a rectifier that converts alternating current AC to direct current DC.
The data port 56 is generally provided at the surface of the housing 54. The data port 56, in accordance with one embodiment, is configured to provide external power for operation and charging of a peripheral device such as a portable electronic device. The data port 56 includes at least one power contact 57 that is electrically coupled to the power connection 52. The coupling may be direct or indirect. In the case of indirect, the power contact 57 may be coupled to the power connection 52 through the electrical components of the power adapter 50, as for example, a transformer or rectifier circuit. The data port 56 is arranged to receive one end of a data transmission line 58. The data transmission line 58 is preferably a data transmission line having both data and power transmitting capabilities. As was stated earlier, the power transmitting capabilities are associated with data transmissions. By way of example, the data transmission line 58 may be a universal serial bus (USB) or a FireWire transmission line. The data transmission line 58 typically includes a data connector 60 configured for insertion into the data port 56. The connector 60 includes at least one power contact 61 since the data transmission line 58 has power transmitting capabilities. As should be appreciated, the power contact 61 of the connector 60 is configured to engage the power contact 57 of the data port 56 so as to provide operational or charging power to a peripheral device when the connector 60 is connected to the data port 56.
In one embodiment, the data port is a standard FireWire 6 contact Female connector right angle PCB. In another embodiment, the data transmission line is a standard 6-conductor FireWire cable having a standard FireWire 6 contact male connector at each end. In another embodiment, the data transmission line is a standard 4-conductor FireWire cable having a standard FireWire 6 contact male connector at one end and a compact FireWire 4 contact male connector at the other end.
The power adapter 80 includes a plug 82, a housing 84 and a data port 86. The plug 82 may be widely varied. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug 82 corresponds to an AC power plug that is capable of electrically coupling to an AC power source. The plug 82 includes a plug body 88 and a plurality of prongs 90 configured for insertion into slots of a conventional AC electrical outlet. The prongs 90 may be widely varied. For example, the prongs 90 may be adapted to work with various electrical standards including, but not limited to U.S., Japan, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and the like. As is generally well known, the universal worldwide input ranges from about 100V to about 240V.
In one embodiment, the prongs 90 are movable such that they have multiple positions. As shown, the prongs 90 are pivotably coupled to the body 88 such that they may be moved between an extended position (
In another embodiment, the plug 82 is detachable. This generally gives a user of the power adapter the ability to change the plug from one standard to another. As shown in
The housing 84 additionally includes a plug region 100 for receiving the plug 82. In order to securely hold the plug 82 in the plug region 100 of the housing 84, the plug and housing include a holding mechanism. The holding mechanism may be widely varied. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding mechanism includes a notch (not shown), which is disposed on the underside of the body, for engaging a protrusion 102 that extends above a surface of the housing 84.
The housing 84 is configured to enclose various electrical components (not shown) of the power adapter 80. The electrical components are coupled to the power source through the contact pins 98 when the plug 82 is connected to a power source such as a convention AC outlet and when the plug 82 is attached to the housing 84. In one embodiment, at least some of the electrical components are configured to convert the AC power provided to the power adapter 80 by the power source into external power that is coupled to the data port 86. For example, the electrical components may include a transformer for converting electrical power from one voltage-current level to another voltage current level and a rectifier that converts alternating current AC to direct current DC. The external power may be widely varied. For instance, the power adapter may be adapted with different voltage and amperage ratings. In one implementation, the voltage of the external power ranges from about 8 to about 20 volts.
Referring to
An example of a power adapter that may be used is shown in greater detail in a co-pending design patent application entitled, “Power Adapter”; (Attorney Docket No. APLID217X1), filed on even date and incorporated herein by reference.
The host device 124, on the other hand, represents any suitable computing device whether portable (e.g., laptop computer) or substantially stationary (e.g., desktop computer). In the illustrated embodiment, the host device 124 is a desktop computer that operates from power supplied by the external power source 126 via a power cable 140. The host device 124 also includes internal circuitry 141 for processing data. By way of example, the internal circuitry may correspond to processors, controllers, bridges, memory, buses and the like. The host device 124 also includes a second data port 142 for receiving a second end 144 of the transmission line 128. The second data port 142 is configured to receive at least data through the data transmission line 128. That is, the second data port 142 includes data contacts that direct data to the internal circuitry 141 for processing. Alternatively, the second data port 142 may also be configured to receive power through the data transmission line, as for example, when the host device is a portable computing device. As shown in
Referring now to the other components of the system 120, the external power source 126 may be any suitable power source capable of supplying power. In the illustrated embodiment, the external power source 126 is a conventional AC electrical outlet. As shown, the power adapter 130 is electrically connected to the external power source 126. By way of example, the power adapter 130 may generally correspond to any one of the power adapters shown in
The power adapter 150 generally includes a power connection 152, a housing 154, a power transmission line 156, and a power-data connector 158. The power connection 152 is configured for coupling the power adapter 150 to a power supply (not shown) capable of supplying power to the power adapter 150. The power supply may take on many forms. By way of example, the power supply may be a conventional electrical outlet that supplies AC current, a car lighter outlet that supplies DC current, and/or the like. In the case of the electrical outlet, the power connection 152 typically includes a plug for connection to the electrical outlet. For example, the plug may include several prongs that are insertable into electrically active slots disposed in the electrical outlet. Plugs are generally well known in the art and for the sake of brevity will not be described in detail herein.
The housing 154 is configured to enclose various internal components of the power adapter 150. That is, the housing 154 serves to surround the internal components of the power adapter 150 at a peripheral region thereof so as to cover and protect the internal components from adverse conditions. In most cases, the internal components correspond to electrical components associated with the operation of the power adapter 150. For example, the electrical components may include a transformer for converting electrical power from one voltage-current level to another voltage current level and a rectifier that converts alternating current AC to direct current DC.
The power transmission line 156 is configured to electrically couple the power connection 152 with the connector assembly 158. The coupling may be direct or indirect. In the case of indirect, the power transmission line 156 may be coupled to the power connection 152 through the electrical components of the power adapter 150, as for example, a transformer or rectifier circuit. In one embodiment, the power transmission line is a high quality 2 conductor wire.
The connector assembly 158 is configured to act as a Y connector for allowing power to be supplied to the peripheral and host device while allowing data to be transmitted between the peripheral and host device. That is, the connector assembly includes a data input/output, a power input, and a combined data input/output and power output. The connector assembly may be widely varied. In most cases, the connector assembly 158 includes a data connector 162 and a data port 164. The data connector 162 is configured for insertion into an external data port and the data port 164 is configured to receive an external data connector. By external, it is meant that the port or connector is not contained within the connector assembly. In most cases, the external data connector is one end of a data transmission line.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one implementation of this embodiment, the data ports and data connectors correspond to FireWire connectors and ports. In most cases, the data connector 162 is a 6 wire FireWire connector that includes a pair of paired data contacts, a power contact and a ground contact. The data port 164, on the other hand, may be a 6 wire or 4 wire FireWire port. In general, the power and ground contacts of the data connector 162 are coupled to corresponding wires of the power transmission line, while the pair of paired data contacts are coupled to the corresponding paired data contacts of either the 4 or 6 wire FireWire port. By way of example, the data connector may be a standard FireWire 6-contact male connector right angle PCB and the data port may be a standard FireWire 6-contact female connector right angle PCB.
In another embodiment, as shown in
In one implementation of this embodiment, the data ports and data connectors correspond to FireWire connectors and ports. In most cases, the data port 164 is a 6 wire FireWire port that includes a pair of paired data contacts, a power contact and a ground contact. The data connector 162, on the other hand, may be a 6 wire or 4 wire FireWire connector. In general, the power and ground contacts of the data port 164 are coupled to corresponding wires of the power transmission line, while the pair of paired data contacts are coupled to the corresponding paired data contacts of either the 4 or 6 wire FireWire connector.
The power adapter 180 generally includes a power connection 182, a housing 184 and a first data port 186 and a second data port 188. The power connection 182 is configured for coupling the power adapter 180 to a power supply (not shown) capable of supplying power to the power adapter 180. The power supply may take on many forms. By way of example, the power supply may be a conventional electrical outlet that supplies AC current, a car lighter outlet that supplies DC current, and/or the like. In the case of the electrical outlet, the power connection 182 typically includes a plug for connection to the electrical outlet. For example, the plug may include several prongs that are insertable into electrically active slots disposed in the electrical outlet. Plugs are generally well known in the art and for the sake of brevity will not be described in detail herein.
The housing 184 is configured to enclose various internal components of the power adapter 180. That is, the housing 184 serves to surround the internal components of the power adapter 180 at a peripheral region thereof so as to cover and protect the internal components from adverse conditions. In most cases, the internal components correspond to electrical components associated with the operation of the power adapter 180. For example, the electrical components may include a transformer for converting electrical power from one voltage-current level to another voltage current level and a rectifier that converts alternating current AC to direct current DC.
The data ports 186, 188 are generally provided at the surface of the housing 184. The data port 186, in accordance with one embodiment, is configured to provide external power for operation and charging of a peripheral device such as a portable electronic device. The data port 186 includes one or more power contacts 187 that is electrically coupled to the power connection 182. The coupling may be direct or indirect. In the case of indirect, the power contact 187 may be coupled to the power connection 182 through the electrical components of the power adapter 180, as for example, a transformer or rectifier circuit. The data port 186 is arranged to receive one end of a first data transmission line 188. The data transmission line 188 is preferably a data transmission line having both data and power transmitting capabilities. As was stated earlier, the power transmitting capabilities are associated with data transmissions. By way of example, the data transmission line 188 may be a universal serial bus (USB) or a FireWire transmission line. The data transmission line 188 typically includes a data connector 190 configured for insertion into the data port 186. The connector 190 includes at least one power contact 191 since the data transmission line 188 has power transmitting capabilities. As should be appreciated, the power contact 191 of the connector 190 is configured to engage the power contact 187 of the data port 186 so as to provide operational or charging power to a peripheral device when the connector 180 is connected to the data port 186.
The second data port 188, on the other hand, is configured to provide a data connection to the first data port 186. That is, the first and second data ports 186, 188 include data contacts that are operatively coupled together. Similar to the first data port 186, the second data port 188 is arranged to receive one end of a second data transmission line 194. As should be appreciated, the data contacts of the ports are arranged to engage corresponding data contacts of the data transmission lines. The second data transmission line 194 may be a data transmission line having only data transmitting capabilities or it may be a data transmission line having both data and power transmitting capabilities. As was stated earlier, the power transmitting capabilities are associated with data transmissions. By way of example, the second data transmission line 194 may be a universal serial bus (USB) or a FireWire transmission line. The second data transmission line 11941[??] typically includes a data connector 196 configured for insertion into the second data port 188. Accordingly, when the first data transmission line is connected to the first data port and the second data transmission line is connected to the second data port, data may be carried through the power adapter between the first and second data transmission lines and thus to and from a peripheral and host device.
The host device 204, on the other hand, represents any suitable computing device whether portable (e.g. laptop computer) or substantially stationary (e.g., desktop computer). The host device 204 also includes internal circuitry 222 for processing data. By way of example, the internal circuitry may correspond to processors, controllers, bridges, memory, buses and the like. The host device 204 also includes a second data port 224 for receiving a first end 226 of the second data transmission line 210. The second data port 224 is configured to transmit and receive at least data through the second data transmission line 210. That is, the second data port 224 includes data contacts that direct data to the internal circuitry 222 for processing. Alternatively, the second data port 224 may also be configured to receive power through the second data transmission line 210, as for example, when the host device is a portable computing device.
Referring now to the other components of the system 200, the external power source 206 may be any suitable power source capable of supplying power. In the illustrated embodiment, the external power source 206 is a conventional AC electrical outlet. As shown, the power adapter 212 is electrically connected to the external power source 206. By way of example, the power adapter 212 may generally correspond to the power adapter shown in
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. For example, referring to
Claims
1. A power adapter, comprising:
- a transformer for converting electrical power;
- a housing configured to enclose the transformer and including a plug region; and
- a detachable plug having a plug body that is received by the plug region of the housing, the detachable plug including prongs configured for insertion into slots of an electrical outlet.
2. The power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a data port disposed at an exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the transformer.
3. The power adapter of claim 2 wherein the data port transmits both power and data.
4. The power adapter of claim 2 wherein the data port is a universal serial bus (USB) data port.
5. The power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a holding mechanism for releasably holding the plug body within the plug region.
6. The power adapter of claim 1 further comprising contact pins positioned within the plug region and operatively coupled to the transformer.
7. The power adapter of claim 1 wherein the detachable plug includes two prongs and the plug body includes two parallel channels exposed at an outer surface of the plug body.
8. The power adapter of claim 7 wherein the prongs are pivotably coupled to the plug body so that they are moveable between an extended position that allows the prongs to be inserted into the slots of the electrical outlet and a recessed position in which each of the prongs is positioned within one of the parallel channels.
9. The power of claim 1 wherein, when the detachable plug is attached to the housing, the power adapter has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners.
10. The power adapter of claim 1 wherein, when the detachable plug is attached to the housing, the housing and the detachable plug form flush exterior surfaces of the power adapter.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 19, 2019
Publication Date: Aug 22, 2019
Inventors: Daniele G. De Iuliis (San Francisco, CA), Andrew Bert Hodge (Palo Alto, CA), Jeffrey L. Robbin (Los Altos, CA), Stanley Carl Ng (Los Altos, CA), Eric W. Anderson (Cupertino, CA), Anthony M. Fadell (Woodside, CA)
Application Number: 16/389,375