Motorola Corporation

Motorola Mobility LLC

Google Inc.

Freescale Semiconductor,inc.

Robert Michael Johnson, Jr

Mark J Carlson

John Wendell Oglesbee

Charles Philipp Binzel

Mark R Braun

Daniel S Rokusek

Alan L Ruff

Matthew M Nakanishi

Gregory Redmond Black

John E Herrmann

Stephen Lee Spear

Jason N Howard

Wayne W Ballantyne

Timothy Dickinson

Greg R Black

Sanjay Gupta

Arthur Christopher Leyh

Russell L Simpson

David A Winkler

Francis P Bourque

Daniel Alan Linzmeier

Daniel Harley Wagner

Irfan Nasir

Robert J Bero

Wayne G Anderson

William E Wangard

Edward D Brann

Timothy M McCune

Monefax Joseph Gilot

Mark John Lachiw

Michael Robert Gardner

Ralph D Smallwood

Edward J Yurchik

Kenneth L Kessler

Chris Hanchana Thongsouk

Richard Jakubowski

A power supply includes a connector, a power conversion controller to generate a power supply signal at the connector, and a communication and control processor. The communication and control processor is to receive a set of current control parameters including a current limit over a communication link in the connector, receive measurements of current and voltage of the power supply signal, and generate a drive signal for controlling the power conversion controller based on the received current control parameters and the measurements of the current and the voltage.

Power supply with variable configurable current limit

A power supply system is operable to contemporaneously supply power to multiple output ports when available power from a power source is insufficient to meet maximum potential power requirements of load devices coupled to the output ports. The power supply system includes a system monitor, multiple power converters, and optional temperature sensing circuits, where each power converter supplies power to a respective output port. The system monitor monitors an output power characteristic of the power source, output powers delivered to the output ports, and/or temperatures detected by the temperature sensing circuits. When the system monitor detects an overload condition is approaching based on the monitored parameter or parameters, the system monitor generates control signals which cause the power converters to maintain or reduce their output powers such that the overload condition is abated and two or more output ports continue to deliver output power to their respective load devices.

Power supply system with multiple output ports and associated methods for output port power management

An apparatus () includes at least one electrochemical cell () and at least one pass element () serially coupled with the electrochemical cell. A control circuit () is operable to open the at least one pass element when a charger () or power supply () is connected to the electrochemical cell for at least a predetermined time and to measure an open circuit voltage of the at electrochemical cell to determine a state of charge. The control circuit can then close the pass element to charge the electrochemical cell, determine an amount of the charge, and store an estimated energy capacity of the electrochemical cell based upon the open circuit voltage and the amount.

Method and system for energy storage capacity estimation of battery cells

Disclosed is a method () for charging energy storage devices. The method () can include a battery charging method in a power supply client connected by a data bus to a power supply host. The method () includes the steps of: detecting () a state of the power supply host; determining () a limit of current from the host to the client; allocating () a portion of the limit to a battery charging current; and charging () a battery of the client at the battery charging current such that the current from the host is greater than a recommended limit and less than or equal to the determined amount. Thus a client device can confidently charge at a rate which causes the port current to exceed a recommended limit, such as a USB port limit of 500 mA, when allowed by conditions of the host device. Advantageously, the method can help to expedite the charging time of a client battery, notwithstanding the number of other clients connected to the same host device for charging, thus minimizing the wait time of a user.

Method and device for charging energy storage devices

This document describes techniques () and apparatuses () for peripheral authentication. These techniques () and apparatuses () may configure data lines for authentication between host device () and peripheral (), use these configured data lines to authenticate the peripheral (), and then reconfigure the data lines for use.

Peripheral authentication

A portable electronic device employs a method for recovering power to a rechargeable battery used therein when the battery is in a low state of charge. The portable electronic device includes at least a power management subsystem (PMS), a main processor subsystem, and the battery. When the battery is incapable of supplying boot-up power to the processor subsystem, power is provided from a battery charger to the PMS to power-up the PMS. The PMS then determines the battery's type and a state-of-charge (SOC) parameter for the battery, and compares the SOC parameter to a threshold, which is based on at least the battery type. If the SOC parameter is less than the threshold, power is provided from the battery charger to the battery for use in recharging the battery. Otherwise, power is supplied from the battery to the processor subsystem to facilitate general operation of the portable electronic device.

Portable electronic device and method for recovering power to a rechargeable battery used therein

A method () and device () for augmenting the useful life of an energy storage device in a portable electronic device is disclosed. The method () can include the steps of: providing () a power module comprising a fuel cell and a battery; determining () relative humidity; and controlling () the operations of the power module in response to the determined relative humidity. Advantageously, the method () and device () can augment and prolong the useful life of an energy storage device in a portable electronic device, with minimal power drain.

Device and method for augmenting the useful life of an energy storage device

Automated software loading into a battery-less mobile phone is accomplished through attachment of a special non-standard USB On-The-Go cable to a serial connector of the mobile phone, thereby delivering power supply and unique signals for placing the phone in a special mode of operation used for production or distribution. In operation, when a unique non-standard voltage is asserted on the identification (ID) pin of the USB connector interface, it is detected by special circuitry in the serial connector. The circuitry then enables power supply to the battery-less phone and generates a turn-on signal directing the mobile phone to automatically power-on and enter into a particular state of operation, for example a test or software loading mode. Because this process is automatic, the efficiency of software loading or testing during production or distribution of the mobile device is improved.

Battery-less electronic device

A method and apparatus for power conservation is provided for a multi-mode wireless communication device () capable of operating in a plurality of networks, each of the plurality of networks having a network signal with predetermined spectral characteristics. The wireless communication device () includes a variable bandwidth signal detector (), a threshold detector (), and a controller (). The variable bandwidth signal detector () receives radio frequency (RF) signals and defines a detection bandwidth for signal detection. The threshold detector () is coupled to the variable bandwidth signal detector () and detects a network signal within the RF signals in response to determining whether a signal is present within the detection bandwidth having a signal strength greater than a predetermined signal strength. The controller () is coupled to the variable bandwidth signal detector () and the threshold detector () and offsets a center of the detection bandwidth of the variable bandwidth signal detector () in response to the predetermined spectral characteristics of the network signal.

Method and apparatus for extending network discovery range

Method and apparatus for powering and loading software into a battery-less electronic device

A method is provided for on-demand communications in a communication network with support for a plurality of communication units participating in a common communication, which includes multiple signal initiators, each supplying a signal, which are virtually simultaneously conveyed as part of the common communication. At least one example of an on-demand communication includes push to talk. Additionally, a signal initiator is provided, which is adapted to support on-demand communications in a multi-signal initiator environment.

Signal initiator and method for on-demand communication

A method and apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery () that takes into account the use patterns of the particular battery. A user may only discharge the battery a little and recharge it frequently which is a low capacity high life cycle use pattern, or discharge the battery almost completely and place the battery on charge less frequently indicating a high capacity low life cycle use pattern. Herein, a battery is installed in an electronic device wherein a battery discharge determination circuit and a discharge determination algorithm determine the discharge level of the battery when a charging circuit is placed on the battery. The measurement algorithm determines from the rechargeable battery discharge level measurement how to recharge the rechargeable battery. The measurement algorithm may also determine how to recharge the rechargeable battery based on a plurality of previous measurements stored either in the electronic device or the battery.

Method for charging a battery

A display apparatus, a display controller, and a method for optimizing a displayed image for use in an electronic devicecomprising a displayfor presenting a visual image, a processorfor determining the intensity of a backlightused for illuminating the displayand a controllerthat optimizes the visual image corresponding to the intensity of the backlightare described. As the intensity of the backlightis reduced, the brightness of the pixelsis increased to compensate the image when, for example, the backlight intensity is reduced to save power. The method and apparatus are also described for compensating for uneven backlightconditions.

Method and apparatus for image optimization in backlit displays

A battery-powered portable electronics device () including a switch interconnecting a battery () and the battery circuit (), a battery-hibernation circuit () coupled to the switch, a portable electronics device power ON switch () coupled to a hibernation disable input of the battery-hibernation circuit, whereby the switch connects battery power to the battery circuit upon actuation of the portable electronics device power ON switch.

Sleep mode batteries in electronics devices and methods therefor

This invention provides a means of protecting power dissipating pass elements from exceeding their predetermined thermal limits. In one preferred embodiment, the circuit protects a pass element in a battery charging circuit from exceeding its threshold junction temperature by predicting temperature based upon the voltage across the pass element and the current flowing through it. From this predicted temperature, current is reduced to provide charging of a battery at a constant power. The circuit includes a voltage sensing circuit and a plurality of comparators for selecting a predetermined current based upon the output of the voltage sensing circuit. The circuit provides a piecewise linear approximation of proper pass element voltage and current values to maintain a suitable threshold junction temperature.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Zurich, IL, United States of America

Robert Michael Johnson, Jr