Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Nokia Technologies Oy

Teemu Helenius

Seppo Järvensivu

Pekka Talmola

Kai Inha

Timo Toivola

Pekka Eerikki Leinonen

Tino Hellberg

Kristian Vaajala

Esa Eklund

Marko Sällinen

Pekka Leinonen

Apparatus embodiments of the invention are disclosed for requesting power via a wired interface. In example embodiments, a pull-down circuit in the apparatus acting as a power consumer when there is no energy in the apparatus, is connected via a configuration line over a cable to a power provider device. The apparatus may be in a power down mode, it may have an empty battery, or it may have no battery. The pull-down circuit is configured to use energy from the configuration line to pull down a voltage on the configuration line, to signal the power provider device to provide power over another line of the cable to the apparatus.

Pull-down circuitry for an apparatus

Electrical apparatuses with connector overheating protection and methods for protecting electrical apparatuses from connector overheating during current sinking and current sourcing operations are presented. The electrical apparatus includes an electrical connector and a temperature sensor, which is in direct contact with a physical part of the electrical connector. The temperature sensor monitors a temperature of the electrical connector during current sinking and current sourcing operations. During current sinking, if the temperature sensor senses a predetermined level of overheating of the electrical connector, then the sourcing of current to the electrical apparatus is switched off. During current sourcing, if the temperature sensor senses a predetermined level of overheating of the electrical connector, then the sourcing of current to the sinking device is switched off. Switching off the source of current prevents overheating of the electrical connector and protects the electrical apparatus during current sinking and current sourcing operations.

Electrical apparatuses with connector overheating protection and methods thereof

In an embodiment, a device is discussed, the device comprising: a battery, a battery charging circuit configured to allow direct charging of the battery by an external charger, a battery protection circuit configured to protect the battery from damage, coupled to the battery charging circuit; and a connector comprising: at least one sense wire coupled to the battery to sense battery voltage, and at least one wire coupled to the battery via the battery charging circuit and the battery protection circuit, configured to charge the battery.

Smart senses for direct charging

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Riihikoski, Finland

Teemu Helenius