Exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to extended power sources for mobile devices and methods for extending the operational duration of mobile devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention are related to extended batteries that are operational with original equipment batteries that are configured to provide operational and security signals to a mobile device.
Disclosed is a novel battery extension for mobile devices, such as a mobile phone or computing devices. In the past, batteries/power-packs were a relatively large physical component of a mobile device. As mobile devices became smaller, more power efficient, and with the advancement of battery technology, the batteries of the mobile devices were integrated into the bodies of the mobile dc ices In some mobile devices the battery comprises the back cover of the device and in others the battery is inserted into the device.
OEM (original equipment manufacturer) batteries that are originally sold with the mobile devices are specified by the manufacturer to meet certain operational specifications, including operational duration and temperature. Duration of the OEM batteries may be sufficient for some users, but others may need or desire longer performance/operation. In such case, the user has to either carry a spare battery or find opportunities to charge or recharge the battery of the device.
One solution in the prior art is to increase the battery capacity coupled to the mobile device. This was achieved by replacing the original OEM battery with a new battery, different battery, a larger capacity battery, or piggy-backing an extension battery onto the OEM battery (collectively “auxiliary batteries”). The market and the margins for such auxiliary batteries are attractive. To capture the auxiliary battery market, the original equipment manufacturers are incentivised to exclude third parties' auxiliary batteries. In this effort, the original equipment manufacturers developed a proprietary software or hardware lockout, where the mobile device or the OEM battery expects to receive a predetermined signal for full functionality.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to the use of an auxiliary battery with a mobile device that is configured to o era e with an OEM buttery, wherein the mobile device and the OEM battery are configured to operate in the presence of an authentication circuitry or specified authentication signal and/or a set of operational parameters, such as temperature (hereafter collectively referred to as authentication circuitry).
One embodiment discloses an adapter configured on one side to accept the OEM battery and on the other an auxiliary battery. The auxiliary battery and adapter are configured to utilize the space of the mobile device that is reserved for the OEM battery. The contacts of the OEM battery are coupled to the mobile device such that the original pin connections, power flow and authentication signals and circuitry are preserved for the OEM operation with the OEM battery. Additionally, power contacts of the auxiliary battery are coupled to the OEM battery and/or mobile device such that the power capacity to the mobile device is increased. Moreover, to preserve the operational functionality, the contacts of the OEM battery, that channel the authentication signal from authentication circuitry and/or operational parameters between the battery and the mobile device, are isolated/bypassed between the OEM battery and the auxiliary battery. Accordingly, the mobile device does not sense or see the auxiliary battery, yet enjoys the extended power capacity of two or more batteries.
Another embodiment describes a method for extending the power capacity of a mobile device by isolating the contacts of the auxiliary battery from the authentication pins of the OEM battery. This method provides the means for extending the power capacity of the mobile device without interfering with the authentication parameters designed by the original equipment manufacturer.
The accompanying drawings found in the attachments are presented to aid in the description of embodiments of the invention and are provided solely for illustration of the embodiments and not limitation thereof.
Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments, Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information and signals may he represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques, including without limitation the traditional analog and digital variations of voltage and current. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields, or any combination thereof.
Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.
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Further, contacts 309 are selectively coupled to second contacts 209, which are shown
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In another exemlery embodiment a method for providing extended power comprises providing auxiliary battery 207 and connecting auxiliary battery 207 through its selected power contacts 317 to contacts 209, thus connecting power contacts 117 and 317 of of the two batteries 107 and 207 are in parallel connection and providing power to the device 103 via contacts 119 of contacts 211. In this method, the authentication signals and circuitry 315 between the device 103 and OEM battery 107 are limited to device 103 and OEM battery 107 through contacts 321 of contacts 309 connected to contacts 111 and therein contacts 315 feeding authentication signals. Thus, authentication signal(s) flowing through contacts 315 are isolated from authentication circuitry 215 and contacts 221 connected of battery 207 and from contacts 121 of contacts 211 which are coupled to contacts 109 of device 103. The configuration described herein allows the use auxiliary battery 207 by coupling the power connections of the auxiliary battery 207 in parallel with the power connections of OEM battery 107 and providing the power of both of the batteries to device 103. Therefore, by isolating the corresponding pins/connections from the auxiliary battery 207 to the OEM battery 107 and/or device 103, the authentication circuitry and signal(s) 315 of OEM battery 107 continue to be accessible and is in connection with device 103; and at the same time they are isolated or immuned from the absence or presence of authentication signals 215 from auxiliary battery 207.
While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of the invention, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and/or actions of the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the invention described herein need not he performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.
The present application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/646,038 (Ser. No. 12/761,055) in the names of C M Wong, filed May 11, 2012.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61646038 | May 2012 | US |