Power distribution using bidirectional power connector
Methods, circuits, and apparatus to distribute power among devices in an electronic system where a device may receive power from more than one source, may have a bidirectional power connector, or both. One example may resolve conflicts when an electronic device receives power from more than one source. In this example, the device may determine which source may provide the most power, and may select to receive power from the power source that may deliver the most power. Other examples may have a preference to receive power from a particular source or via a specific connector. Other examples may switch from receiving power over a first connector to providing power over the first connector, while others may receive and provide power over different connectors at the same time. Another may be connected to a battery, and may draw power from the battery or not depending on the type of battery.
1. A method of distributing power in an electronic system, the method comprising, with an electronic device in the electronic system:
detecting a presence of an external battery connected to the electronic device;
determining whether the external battery is connected to the electronic device via a cable; and
if it is determined that the external battery is connected to the electronic device via the cable, then drawing power from the external battery to power the electronic device, otherwise,
if it is determined that the external battery is connected to the electronic device and is not connected to the electronic device via the cable, then not drawing power from the external battery to power the electronic device and drawing power from an internal battery to power the electronic device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device determines that the external battery is connected to the electronic device via the cable by reading authentication information from the cable.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device determines that the external battery is not connected to the electronic device via the cable by reading authentication information from a case for the electronic device.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device determines that the external battery is not connected to the electronic device via the cable by reading authentication information from a cover for the electronic device.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein power drawn from the external battery is used to power the electronic device and charge the internal battery of the electronic device.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein if the external battery is in a case for the electronic device, then drawing power from the internal battery of the electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein if the external battery is in a cover for the electronic device, then drawing power from the internal battery of the electronic device.
8. A method of distributing power in an electronic system, the method comprising, with an electronic device in the electronic system:
detecting a presence of an external battery connected to a connector of the electronic device;
reading data over the connector of the electronic device;
from the read data, determining whether the external battery is part of a case for the electronic device; and
if it is determined from the read data that the external battery is part of the case for the electronic device, then not powering the electronic device with the external battery and powering the electronic device with an internal battery; otherwise,
if it is determined from the read data that the external battery is not part of the case for the electronic device, then powering the electronic device with the external battery.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the read data comprises identifying information for the external battery.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein if the identifying information for the external battery indicates that the external battery is connected through a cable then drawing power from the external battery.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the read data comprises authentication information for the external battery.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein if the authentication information for the external battery indicates that the external battery is connected through a cable then drawing power from the external battery.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein when the read data is provided by a cable, then drawing power from the external battery.
14. An electronic system comprising an electronic device and an external battery, the electronic device comprising:
an internal battery;
a connector coupled to the external battery; and
circuitry to:
detect a presence of the external battery connected to the connector;
read data over the connector;
from the read data, determining whether the external battery is part of one of a case or cover for the electronic device; and
if it is determined from the read data that the external battery is part of one of the case or cover for the electronic device, then not powering the electronic device with the external battery and powering the electronic device with THE internal battery; otherwise,
if it is determined from the read data that the external battery is not part of one of the case or cover for the electronic device, then powering the electronic device with the external battery.
15. The electronic system of claim 14 wherein when the read data indicates that the external battery is connected through a cable, then drawing power from the external battery.
16. The electronic system of claim 14 wherein when the read data is provided by a cable, then drawing power from the external battery.