Patent ID: 7608943
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: G06F,H01M,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A power supply adapter to supply power to an electronic device and/or an internal battery of the electronic device, the power supply adapter comprising: a portable housing capable of being hand carried by an individual having at least a connection for a fuel cell that provides a DC voltage output based on an electrochemical reaction; an AC/DC converter contained within the portable housing providing a DC voltage based on conversion of an AC voltage; the portable housing having an AC voltage input connection and a DC voltage output; a control circuit contained within the portable housing for providing selection control signals based at least in part upon inputs from first, second, and third detection circuits so that the electronic device and/or the internal battery is selectively supplied with either the DC voltage generated by the fuel cell or the DC voltage provided by the AC/DC converter; and a switching circuit contained within the portable housing which receives the DC voltage from the fuel cell and the AC/DC converter directly or indirectly, and which under the control of the control circuit operates, such that in a first state, the switching circuit provides the DC voltage from the AC/DC converter as an output and disconnects the fuel cell, and in a second state, provides the DC voltage output from the fuel cell as an output, wherein the control circuit provides control to drive the fuel cell and supply power generated by the fuel cell to the electronic device and/or the internal battery of the electronic device when power supplied from the AC/DC converter is unavailable and only when it is determined that the power supply adapter is currently connected to the electronic device and/or an internal battery of the electronic device; and wherein said first detection circuit detects a voltage from the AC/DC converter and provides a corresponding first detection signal to the control circuit, the second detection circuit determines whether the electronic device is connected and provides a corresponding second detection signal to the control circuit, and the third voltage detection circuit detects a voltage on the output of the fuel cell and provides a corresponding third detection signal to the control circuit.