Patent Application
20070055791
The present invention is generally related to power converters, and more particularly to programmable power converters adapted to power a variety of different portable electronic devices.
Power converters are well known and are utilized to power a variety of portable electronic devices, including notebook computers, PDA's, cell phones, digital cameras, gaming devices, MP3 players and so forth. Programmable power converters are universal devices having programmable output voltages and/or currents to meet the needs of different portable electronic devices. One type of universal programmable power converters is manufactured by Mobility Electronics, Inc. of Scottsdale Ariz., the Applicant of the present invention. Such converters include interchangeable tips which may be utilized with a single AC/DC, DC/DC, and AC/DC Combo power converter to program the output voltage/current generated by the power converter, and also provide a suitable mechanical fit to the portable electronic device to be powered.
There is desired an improved power converter device that is suitable to meet other needs of portable electronic devices, particularly as these portable electronic devices become more functional and more complex.
The present invention achieves technical advantages as an integrated power converter and input/output (I/O) device configured to provide both programmable power for a portable electronic device, and also interface data communications to the portable electronic device.
The device may include I/O expansion electronics adapted to receive data communications, and forward the data communications to the portable electronic device. This integrated solution provides a universal solution for providing both power and data communications to a portable electronic device. The I/O electronics may take the form of an expansion card selectively attachable to a housing, which housing may be coupled to, or enclose, the power converter electronics. A single output cord carrying both power and data communications may be provided, such as with universal tips to provide both electrical and mechanical connections to a portable electronic device.
Referring now to
A cable 30 having a plurality of electrical conductors and connector 31 is configured to be selectively coupled to connector 26, and route power signals to a connector 32, which connectors may be a generic or universal connector. A programming device connector 34 may be selectively connected to connector 32, providing an electrical interface from cable 30 to portable electronic device 36 to be powered, and also provide mechanical interconnection thereto. The tip connector 34 may be an iTip™ type connector manufactured by Mobility Electronics, Inc. of Scottsdale Ariz. This interchangeable tip 34 may program the output voltage and/or current of the power supply 12 delivered by electronics 22. The cable 30 may also have more than one set of data conductors for routing data signals to one or more devices 36, as shown in
Still referring to
As shown in
Each I/O conversion electronics 42 may be disposed on an interchangeable module, although such electronics may also be disposed within housing 40, or both. In either case, the respective electronics 42 provides the desired data interface and connectivity such that data communications provided to input 46 can ultimately be delivered via respective cable 30 to a respective portable electronic device 36, as shown. Multiple interfaces 14 may be utilized, and the respective signals to/from each being routed over separate cables 30, or collectively over one common cable. Multiple devices 36 may be connected to respective interfaces 14 via the common device 10 as well, such as configured as a data hub including power conversion.
As shown, cable 30 includes a plurality of dedicated electrical conductors, some which are dedicated to communicate power, and other conductors which are configured to communicate the data signals from one or more of the expansion slot connectors 50 to the portable electronics device 36. For instance, five conductors may be reserved for data communications, and two or more conductors may be reserved for power, i.e. positive, negative, sense, and ground if desired. More conductors may be provided to provide additional data lines, such as if more than one interface 14 is utilized to interface multiple data ports to the device 36.
Advantageously, expansion electronics 42 are also seen to be powered by the power converter 12 itself, with power being delivered to electronics 22 of the electronics 42. Hence, only one source of power needs to be provided to the device 10 to power both the power converter 12 and interface 14.
Advantageously, device 10 may be configured to communicate over a variety of networks (e.g. PSTN, Ethernet, PAN, etc.) Configured as a modem, the device 10 enables data/PIM sync between a portable electronic device and a portable computer. Configured as a modem, the device 10 allows the portable electronic device to access the internet. The device 10 may also be configured to enable many other applications over a network, including custom applications. For instance, USB to Ethernet card, USB to Blue Tooth, or to receive a Flash Memory Card. Moreover, program such as custom ringers, may be down loaded from the PC or network via the device 10 to the portable electronic device.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a Blue Tooth interface may be integrated with device 10 to communicate the various data signals from the interfaces 14 to the device or devices 36. Thus, device 10 is not limited to hardwiring of data between the interface cards 14 and devices 36.
Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.
