Smart charging system and related method
View Patent ↗According to one disclosed embodiment, a smart charging system includes a power conversion unit having a communication module and a charging integrated circuit that can convert mains power into a managed charging power used to charge any of several electronic devices. In one embodiment, a power conversion unit can manage a charging process by communicating with a connected electronic device and exchanging a charge profile representing ideal characteristics of the charging power. In one embodiment, an electronic device receives a charge from a power conversion unit through a wired power conduit. In another embodiment, an electronic device receives a charge from a power conversion unit through a wireless power conduit. In one embodiment, the smart charging system includes a battery usable to charge an electronic device when a mains adapter of the smart charging system is not powered.
1. A smart charging system comprising:
a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC);
a power conduit configured to connect the PCU to any of a plurality of electronic devices having different charging parameters, said plurality of electronic devices, including a first electronic device with a first power requirement and a second electronic device with a second power requirement that is different than the first power requirement;
the communication module and the charging IC being disposed in the first electronic device and configured to
adjust an output voltage of the PCU based on a charging parameter of the first electronic device to charge the first electronic device at the first power requirement;
manage charging of the first electronic device over the power conduit using the output voltage;
adjust the output voltage of the PCU based on a charging parameter of the second electronic device to charge the second electronic device at the second power requirement;
manage charging the second electronic device over the power conduit by supplying enough power from the first electronic device for the second electronic device to function, but without charging a battery in the second electronic device;
discontinue charging of one or more of the plurality of electronic devices over the power conduit when a battery temperature of each of the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices exceeds a maximum battery temperature rating corresponding to each of the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices.
2. The smart charging system of claim 1 , wherein the power conduit comprises a wired power connection.
3. The smart charging system of claim 1 , wherein the power conduit comprises a wireless power connection.
4. The smart charging system of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to form a communication channel over the power conduit.
5. The smart charging system of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to form a wireless communication channel separate from the power conduit.
6. The smart charging system of claim 1 , wherein the communication module and the charging IC are configured to communicate with the first electronic device and receive the charging parameter of the first electronic device, the charging of the first electronic device being managed according to the charging parameter of the first electronic device.
7. The smart charging system of claim 1 , wherein the PCU further comprises a battery, the PCU further configured to draw power from the battery when the mains adapter is not powered.
8. The smart charging system of claim 7 , wherein the charging IC is further configured to charge the battery when the mains adapter is powered.
9. The smart charging system of claim 7 , wherein the PCU is comprised by a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device being configured to manage charging of the electronic device.
10. A power conversion unit (PCU) for use in a smart charging system, the PCU comprising:
a communication module configured to support communications with any of a plurality of electronic devices having different charging parameters, said plurality of electronic devices, including a first electronic device with a first power requirement and a second electronic device with a second power requirement that is different than the first power requirement;
a charging integrated circuit (IC) disposed in the first electronic device configured to adjust an output voltage of the PCU based on a charging parameter of the first electronic device to charge the first electronic device at the first power requirement;
manage charging of any of the plurality of electronic devices using the output voltage;
adjust the output voltage of the PCU based on a charging parameter of the second electronic device to charge the second electronic device at the second power requirement;
manage charging the second electronic device over a power conduit by supplying enough power from the first electronic device for the second electronic device to function, but without charging a battery in the second electronic device;
discontinue charging of one or more of the plurality of electronic devices over the power conduit when a battery temperature of each of the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices exceeds a maximum battery temperature rating corresponding to each of the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices.
11. The PCU of claim 10 , wherein the PCU is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of electronic devices over a wireless communication channel.
12. The PCU of claim 10 , wherein the PCU is configured to communicate with the first electronic device via a communication channel established by the communication module and receive the charging parameter of the first electronic device, the charging of the first electronic device being managed according to the charging parameter of the first electronic device.
13. The PCU of claim 12 , wherein the charging parameter of the first electronic device comprises a charging profile for the first electronic device.
14. The PCU of claim 12 , wherein the charging parameter of the first electronic device comprises a charge state of the first electronic device.
15. The PCU of claim 12 , wherein the charging parameter of the first electronic device comprises a charging power characteristic for the first electronic device.
16. The PCU of claim 12 further comprising a battery, the charging IC being configured to draw charging power from the battery.
17. A method for charging electronic devices, the method comprising:
detecting a connection between a power conversion unit (PCU) configured to draw power through a mains adapter and any of a plurality of electronic devices, the PCU including a communication module and a charging integrated circuit (IC) disposed in a first electronic device;
initially establishing a communication link between the PCU and one of the plurality of electronic devices, the plurality of electronic devices having different charging parameters, said plurality of electronic devices, including the first electronic device with a first power requirement and a second electronic device with a second power requirement that is different than the first power requirement;
using a result of the initially establishing to adjust an output voltage of the PCU based on a parameter of the first electronic device to charge the first electronic device at the first power requirement;
selecting an operating mode for the charging IC, the operating mode being configured to manage charging of the first electronic device using the output voltage;
adjusting the output voltage based on a charging parameter of the second electronic device to charge the second electronic device at the second power requirement;
managing charging of the second electronic device by supplying enough power from the first electronic device for the second electronic device to function, but without charging a battery in the second electronic device;
discontinuing charging of one or more of the plurality of electronic devices over a power conduit when a battery temperature of each of the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices exceeds a maximum battery temperature rating corresponding to each of the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices.
18. The method of claim 17 , operating the charging IC in a safe mode when communications with the second electronic device is attempted but not established.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the operating mode of the charging IC optimizes power delivery to the first electronic device, according to the charging parameter of the first electronic device.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the PCU further includes a battery, the PCU being configured to draw power from the battery when the mains adapter is unpowered.