Abstract:
Adapters, electrical systems, and related methods are disclosed. An adapter includes a universal non-proprietary data and power interface configured to communicatively couple with a docking station, a power output configured to operably couple to a portable communication device, a data interface separate from the power output and configured to communicatively couple with the portable electronic device, and control circuitry. A method includes receiving electrical power and data form a docking station at a universal non-proprietary data and power interface, transmitting power to a portable electronic device through a power output, and relaying data between the portable electronic device and the docking station through a data interface separate from the power output. An electrical system includes an adapter.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This utility application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/092,033, entitled “POWER AND DATA ADAPTER,” filed on Dec. 15, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure generally relates to electrical adapters. Specifically, this disclosure provides an adapter for separating a data interface with a power output to create a data interface and a separate power output. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Disclosed in some embodiments herein is an adapter including a universal non-proprietary data and power interface. The universal non-proprietary data and power interface is configured to communicatively couple with a docking station, and is configured to operate according to a universal data communication standard to enable bi-direction data communication. The universal non-proprietary data and power interface is also configured to operate according to a universal power communication standard. The adapter also includes a power output configured to operably couple to a portable communication device. The adapter further includes a data interface separate from the power output and configured to communicatively couple with the portable electronic device. The adapter also includes control circuitry in communication with the universal non-proprietary data and power interface, the power output, and the data interface. The control circuitry is configured to relay data communications between the docking station and the portable electronic device through the universal non-proprietary data and power interface and the data interface. The control circuitry is also configured to provide electrical power to the portable electronic device through the power output. 
         [0004]    Disclosed in some embodiments herein is a method of providing a universal non-proprietary data and power interface. The method also includes receiving electrical power and data from a docking station at a universal non-proprietary data and power interface configured to operate according to a universal power standard and a universal data communication standard to enable bi-directional data communication. The method also includes transmitting power to a portable electronic device through a power output. The method further includes relaying data between the portable electronic device and the docking station through a data interface separate from the power output. 
         [0005]    Disclosed in some embodiments herein is an electrical system including an adapter. The adapter includes a universal non-proprietary data and power interface configured to receive electrical power from a docking station and enable bi-directional data communication between the docking station and a portable electronic device. The universal non-proprietary data and power interface is also configured to operate according to a universal data communication standard to enable the bi-directional data communication. The universal non-proprietary data and power interface is further configured to operate according to a universal power communication standard. The adapter also includes a data interface configured to communicatively couple to the portable electronic device and transmit and receive data from and to the portable electronic device. The adapter further includes a power output separate from the data interface and configured to communicatively couple with the portable electronic device. The adapter also includes control circuitry including a power delivery (PD) logic block communicatively coupled to the data interface and the universal non-proprietary data and power interface. The power delivery block is configured to negotiate, with the docking station, a power level of power to receive from the docking station through the universal non-proprietary data and power interface. The control circuitry also includes a PD voltage decision and output block communicatively coupled to the power output, the PD logic block, and the universal non-proprietary data and power interface. The PD power conversion block is configured to deliver the electrical power to the portable electronic device through the power output at the power level negotiated by the PD logic block. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adapter separating a docking station&#39;s data interface with power delivery, and thereby providing a remote device with a data interface and a discrete power output. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an adapter separating a docking station&#39;s data interface with power delivery, and thereby providing a remote device with a data interface and a discrete power output. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method for separating a data interface with power delivery to create a data interface and a discrete power output. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    An adapter may separate a data interface with power delivery (“PD”) to create a data interface without PD and a power output. For example, an adapter may include a body with three different interfaces. A first interface may include a data interface with PD configured to communicatively couple a first remote device to the adapter and to receive electrical power from the first remote device. A second interface may include a second data interface configured to communicatively couple a second remote device to the adapter. The second interface may not transfer power and/or may only be able to transfer a default or minimal amount of power. As used herein, an interface without PD includes interfaces only able to transfer a default or minimal amount of power. A third interface may include a power output. 
         [0010]    The interfaces may include ports or data/power cables and may be connected to one another within the adapter. The adapter may include one or more PD logic blocks or switches configured to negotiate, via the data interface with PD, with an attached remote device on a suitable electrical power level to receive from the attached remote device. The adapter may also include one or more PD power conversion block(s) that couple the power output and the data interface with PD. In such an embodiment, the PD power conversion block(s) may receive electrical power from the data interface with PD and convert to a predetermined electrical power level to be provided by the power output. In alternate embodiments, the power level to be output may be determined dynamically rather than being predetermined. In addition, the adapter may pass electrical communications between the data interface with PD and the second data interface. For example, as will be discussed in more detail below, the PD logic block(s) may communicatively couple the data interface with PD and the second data interface and transparently pass electrical communication between the interfaces. In some embodiments, the first and second remote devices may transmit and receive electrical communications as if the adapter was not present. The PD logic block(s) may also provide electrical communications to the data interface with PD for negotiating the power level to be received. In some embodiments, it may appear to the first remote device that it is negotiating with the second remote device over the power level to be received. The electrical communications to and from the first remote device and the electric power provided to the PD conversion block(s) may be combined onto a single port and/or cable. The adapter may separate the data and power received via the single port and/or cable for delivery to the second data interface and the power output respectively. Thus, the power and data may be delivered to the second remote device via separate cables due to the capabilities of the second remote device despite the power and data being received via a single cable. 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide and describe an adapter for separating a universal data interface with PD to provide a universal data interface and a power output. As used herein the term “universal” is given to mean usable by more than one platform. For example, a docking station, port, protocol, or interface that is used by a variety of brands of devices, a variety of types of devices, or for a variety of purposes may be referred to as a universal docking station, port, protocol, or interface. 
         [0012]    In certain embodiments, the adapter may utilize a single or multiple universal data interface(s), tethered or untethered, to communicatively couple one remote device to another remote device (e.g., a docking station and a computer). In some embodiments, the universal data interface may be a high-speed and/or super-speed universal data interface (e.g., USB 3.0, PCIe, PCI, SATA, eSATA, FireWire, DisplayPort™, Thunderbolt, Lightningbolt) or the like. In one embodiment, the universal data interface may include a WiGig, Bluetooth, WiFi, WiDi, Tri-Band, NFC, WiFi Direct, AirPlay™, or other wireless radio technologies. A universal data interface with PD may be any universal interface discussed above with the added capability of delivering variable or fixed voltage/amperes/wattage power to a remote device (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) with PD). 
         [0013]    The electrical power and communication may be provided in either a wired or wireless manner. For example, electrical power may be provided via a wire, cable, or other conduction point or may be provided via a radiating coil, antenna, or other wireless power coupling which induces or emits electromagnetic waves which can induce a flow of electricity in a corresponding receiving coil, antenna, or other wireless power coupling of a portable electronic device. One of skill in the art will recognize numerous methods for providing power or communicating without direct contact between devices, whether within a fixed or variable distance between devices. 
         [0014]    Embodiments may be best understood by reference to the drawing(s), wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawing(s) herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the systems, methods and apparatuses is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adapter  102  separating a docking station&#39;s data interface with power delivery  112 , and thereby providing a remote device  116  with a data interface  108  and a separate power output  106 . Power delivery enables a device to deliver or receive large amounts of power (e.g., more than a default or minimal power level) through a data interface. The docking station may only require a single cable to provide power and data and may provide sufficient power to charge the remote device over a traditional power cable  120 . The remote device  116  may include, for example, a laptop, tablet, phablet, smartphone, desktop computer, monitor, speakers, etc. The adapter&#39;s interfaces  106 ,  108 ,  110  (i.e., power output and data interfaces) may be either a port, as shown, or cables. For example, in certain embodiments, the data interfaces  108 ,  110  may be USB ports, while in other embodiments, one or both of the data interfaces  108 ,  110  may be an internally connected USB cable with a USB connector for connecting directly to the USB ports on remote devices. 
         [0016]    The docking station&#39;s data interface  112  may be capable of providing power sufficient to charge the remote device  116 ; however the remote device  116  may not be able to receive the power via a data interface. For example, as illustrated the docking station  118  may provide for a USB interface with PD, and the remote device  116  may not be capable of receiving a USB with PD. In such an example, the standard USB port on the remote device  116  may be capable of receiving around 5 volts and have a current limit of 1.5 amps. Such voltage and current may be insufficient to power/charge the remote device  116  or might not charge the device as quickly as desired. For example, as illustrated the docking station  118  may be connected to a laptop. The laptop&#39;s standard USB port may be capable of receiving around 5 volts at 1.5 amps, but this would be insufficient to charge the laptop. However, the docking station&#39;s USB interface with PD can deliver significantly more power. 
         [0017]    Thus, the adapter  102  may be configured to separate out power and data from a data interface with PD  112  to provide sufficient power to the remote device  116  on a separate line  106 . As illustrated, the adapter  102  may communicate with, as well as receive power from, a docking station  118  via a data interface  112  with PD. Therefore, the adapter  102  may be configured to separate the data interface  112  with PD to provide a data interface  108  and a separate power output  106 , which may be coupled to the remote device  116  by a data line  104  and a power line  120 . The data interface with PD  110  of the adapter may receive more power than can be provided to the remote device  116  over the second data interface  108 . Therefore, the adapter  102  may be configured to separate the power from the data interface  112  with PD for delivery over the dedicated power output  106  to provide more power to the remote device  116  than could be provided by simply connecting the data interface of the remote device  116  the data interface  112  of the docking station  118 . In certain embodiments, the data interface  112  with PD may include a PD USB cable includes different conductors. For example, a first set of one or more wires in the cable may be capable of passing the higher power (e.g., a VBus wire and/or a ground wire) and a second set of one or more wires may transmit the data (e.g., a differential pair, one or more super-speed differential pairs, etc.). The power wire (e.g., the VBus wire) and/or a dedicated wire (e.g., a configuration channel (CC) wire) in the cable may be used for negotiating the level of power to be received. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an adapter  200  separating a data interface with power deliver (e.g. PD USB Port  212 ) of a docking station  210 , thereby providing a remote device (e.g., laptop  220 ) with a data interface (e.g., USB Input  226 ) and a distinct power output (e.g., DC input  224 ). For example, the adapter  200  may separate a PD USB port  202  into a power out line  214  and a standard USB line  216 . The adapter  200  may include a data interface with power delivery (e.g., PD USB port  202 ), a power out line  214 , a second data interface without power delivery (e.g., USB port without PD  208 ), one or more PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206 , and one or more PD logic block(s)  204 . With these elements, a PD docking station  210  may be adapted to provide a power out line  214  and a data interface without power delivery. 
         [0019]    As illustrated, the adapter  200  may receive data and power from a PD docking station  210  by way of a data interface with power delivery (e.g., PD USB port  212 ). The adapter may receive the data and power by way of a PD USB port  202 . The received data may be passed through the PD logic block(s)  204 . Also, the docking station  210  may provide a power through the data interface with power delivery (e.g., PD USB port  212 ). The power may be received by the data interface with power delivery (e.g., PD USB port  202 ) on the adapter  200  and directed to the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206 . Further, the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206  may indicate the amount of power available to be supplied to the remote device. For example, the adapter&#39;s PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206  may provide the power out line  214  with 19.5 volts and up to 90 watts of power. The PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206  may indicate the amount of power available in a format readable by a laptop configured to read an analog or digital circuit (e.g., a power supply identification (PSID) chip) that indicates the amount of power available. The data and electrical power received by the PD USB port  202  are separated onto the data interface without power output (e.g., USB port  208 ) and the power out line  214  for distribution to the remote device (e.g., laptop  220 ). For example, as illustrated, the path from the PD USB port  202  may be separated into a data path to the laptop&#39;s USB input  226  and a power path via the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206  to the laptop&#39;s USB input  226 . 
         [0020]    The data interface with PD  202  may be configured to communicatively couple a remote device to the adapter  200 , and, if the remote device is PD enabled, to receive electrical power from the remote device. For example, in certain embodiments, a PD enabled docking station  210  may be connected to the data interface with PD  202  via a PD USB port  212 . This PD USB connection may provide both communication data and power to the adapter  200 . In certain embodiments, to pass the data and power, the USB line with power delivery connecting the adapter PD USB port  202  to the remote device may include a VBus wire and one or more data wires. In such an embodiment, a first set of wires in the cable may be capable of passing a large amount of power (e.g., the VBus wire) and a second set of wires may transmit the data (e.g., the data wires). 
         [0021]    The data received by the adapter  200  from either the remote device (e.g., laptop  220 ) or the PD docking station  210  may be transparently passed between the data interfaces  202 ,  208  and through the PD logic block(s)  204 . Transparently passing information may refer to passing through all information from one port to another without alteration. For example, an attached laptop may send a signal representing a keystroke to the adapter. This signal may contain more than just the keystroke data. For example, a header may be included within the sent signal. In such an embodiment, the adapter  200  may receive the signal and then pass the signal, including the header, through to an attached docking station. 
         [0022]    When a remote device is coupled to the adapter  200 , the PD logic block(s)  204  may negotiate with the remote device on a suitable electrical power level to receive from the remote device. For example, when a user connects a docking station  210  to the adapter  200  via a USB port  202 , the docking station  210  may send a source capabilities signal to the PD logic block(s)  204  indicating how much power can be provided. In response, the PD logic block(s)  204  may then send a request indicating the amount of power it requires. For example, the PD logic block(s)  204  may know the amount of power needed to charge the laptop  220  and/or to provide the predetermined power output. The power may be specified as a voltage, a current, a power, and/or the like. The PD logic block(s)  204  may indicate the amount of power negotiated to the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206 , which may then provide an appropriate level of power. In some embodiments, the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206  may decide on a level of power to output based on the negotiations by the PD logic block(s)  204  (e.g., 60 watts, 90 watts, 120 watts, etc.). The PD voltage and decision block(s)  206  may configure an indication of the amount of power available to be provided to the laptop based on the level of output decided (e.g., by adjusting an analog or digital signal output on an power identification line). As illustrated, the PD logic block(s)  204  may couple the data interfaces  202 ,  204  together as well as being coupled to the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206 . This may allow the PD logic block(s)  204  to utilize the PD USB port  202  to negotiate a level of power to be received with the docking station  210  and to remove such negotiations from communications with the laptop  220 . The PD logic block(s)  204  may also be able to control operation of the PD voltage decision and output block(s)  206  based on the negotiations. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method  300  for separating a data interface with power delivery to create a data interface and a discrete power output. The elements of the method are provided in no particular order and may be rearranged as would be technically feasible. 
         [0024]    An adapter may negotiate  302  a power level with the device to supply power. For example, an adapter may be connected with a docking station with a PD USB cable. The PD USB cable may include a VBus line and Data lines that may be separate wires in the cable. The adapter may negotiate the power over the VBus line or a CC wire. The docking station may send a source capabilities message to the adapter advertising the capabilities of the docking station (e.g., the amount of power it can provide). The adapter may send a request message requesting a specific amount of power within the capabilities of the docking station. The docking station may send an accept message to acknowledge the request message. The docking station may finally send a PS_RDY message signaling that the docking station is ready to provide the negotiated power. Then, the docking station may provide the negotiated power to the adapter. The adapter or docking station may additionally communicate with the cable (e.g., with cable plugs) to determine limits on cable capabilities. 
         [0025]    The adapter may receive  304  power and data from the device on a same line. For example, an adapter attached to a docking station via a PD USB cable may receive data and power along that same cable. The adapter may separate  306  the power and transmit it using a power interface (e.g., a laptop&#39;s power port). The adapter may be configured to provide power to a standardized DC input for the laptop and/or may interface with detachable tips to adapt to the particular laptop being powered. The power coupling may include a line via which the adapter indicates to the laptop the amount of power able to be supplied. The adapter may transmit  308  the received data and a default power level using a data interface. The adapter may transmit and receive data from the docking station and/or the laptop while negotiations are taking place. The adapter may also receive data from the laptop and transmit it to the docking station. 
         [0026]    This disclosure has been made with reference to various exemplary embodiments, including the best mode. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the principles of this disclosure have been shown in various embodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials, and components may be adapted for a specific environment and/or operating requirements without departing from the principles and scope of this disclosure. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    This disclosure is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined by the following claims.