Disclosed are devices and methods for recharging a power source of an electronic device, and more particularly, recharging a power source of an electronic device from a power source of another electronic device, the recharging controlled by a charge regulating controller of the charge providing device and based upon predetermined criteria.
Mobile communication device users oftentimes carry more than one device at a time. For example, a business person may carry two phones, one for business use and another for personal use. Another reason to carry more than one mobile communication device is that each device may operate under different mobile services or carriers. Different carriers provide varying service agreements, such as friends and family incentives. In this way, a user may chose to communicate on different mobile communication devices with certain other users for cost efficiency. A user may carry more than two mobile communication devices.
A mobile communication device is a portable device requiring a power source such as a battery. A user may find himself or herself using one device more than another device, and therefore may deplete the charge of the power source more quickly for that device. Aside from making telephone calls, mobile communication devices include features such as still and video cameras, video streaming and two-way video calling, email functionality, Internet browsers, music players, FM radios with stereo audio, and organizers. Moreover, a cellular user may download music and movies to their mobile communication device as well. Mobile commerce (M-commerce) is yet another functionality incorporated into the operations of mobile communication devices. A user may favor one device over the other for carrying out some or all of the above-mentioned functions. Accordingly, the available charge of a power source of one device may be substantially diminished while another device's charge remains at a higher level.
It would be beneficial were a user of more than one electronic device to have the ability to charge the power source of one electronic device from the power source of another electronic device. In this way, for example, if a user were to have available more than one device, for example a plurality of mobile communication devices, the user may transfer charge from one device's power source to the power source of another device, thereby enabling its continued use in the absence of a utility based charging opportunity. For example, it may be beneficial to use a charging cable between the two devices to transfer the charge under control of a charge regulating controller that may be either in software or hardware of the charge delivering and/or of the charge receiving device. It may also be beneficial to regulate a transferred charge based upon predetermined criteria and/or user defined criteria, allowing a user many options in charging a device.
Disclosed are devices and methods for regulating providing a charge via a charge receiving port of one device, the one device coupled to another device having a charge providing port. In one embodiment the ports can be coupled by a cable. In another embodiment the ports can be coupled wirelessly. The charge delivering device may regulate a charge providing process, controlled by a charge regulating controller of the charge delivering device and based, for example, upon predetermined criteria. As will be described below, a charge regulating controller can disable the charging process, monitor the charge depletion rate, or the charging process may be based upon user established criteria. A charge regulating controller of the other device can regulate the charge accepting process. Each device may take on both roles, that is providing charge and receiving charge.
The instant disclosure is provided to explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the invention principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. While the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described here, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
It is understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, up and down, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. In the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts according to the present invention, discussion of such software and ICs, if any, is limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts within the preferred embodiments.
The depicted mobile communication device 102 in this example may include one or both a charge receiving port 104 and a charge providing port 106. As discussed above, it would be beneficial were a user to have available more than one device 102 to have the ability to charge the power source of the device 102 from the power source of another electronic device (see
The mobile communication device 102 includes a power source 110 such as a battery, a controller 112 that may be coupled to, incorporated with, or independent from a charge regulating controller 108. It is understood that the charge regulating controller 108 may be in any suitable configuration. A mobile communication device 102 may further include at least one transceiver 114. A user interface 116 may be used to establish at least one user defined predetermined criterion for either or both delivering a charge to another device or receiving a charge from another device.
A memory 118 may store modules 120 that are configured to execute instructions. For example, modules may include a charge level module 140, a disabling module 142, a depletion rate module 144, a device state module 146, and a user interface module 148. The modules can carry out certain processes of the methods as described herein. The modules can be implemented in software, such as in the form of one or more sets of prestored instructions, and/or hardware, which can facilitate the operation of the mobile station or electronic device as discussed below. The modules may be installed at the factory or can be installed after distribution by, for example, a downloading operation. The operations in accordance with the modules will be discussed in more detail below.
As mentioned above, the available charge of a power source 110 (see
As discussed, a charge regulating controller 108 (see
As mentioned above, the device 102 (see
The predetermined criteria further may be used to establish conditions on accepting a charge via the charge accepting port 204, the conditions, for example, based on charge magnitude and charge duration. Additionally, the charge accepting port 204 may be configured via the user interface 116 to accept charge from another device. In this way the charge regulating controller 108 which is part of device 202 may control the amount of charge provided and/or received from another device.
Accordingly, were a user of more than one electronic device to have the ability to charge the power source of one electronic device from the power source of another electronic device, the user may enable continued use of the depleted device in the absence of a utility based charge. Furthermore, a charge regulating controller that is either in software or hardware of the charge delivering and/or the charge receiving device provides the regulation of a transferred charge based upon predetermined criteria and/or user defined criteria, allowing many options for the user in charging a device.
This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the technology rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principle of the described technology and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.