Patent Abstract:
Methods and systems for programmable power adaptors that can be programmed to adapt electrical power for one or more electronic devices. A programmable power adaptor optionally includes a user interface and/or other user input mechanism(s), which allows users to preset voltage requirements for one or more electronic devices. The pre-settings are stored in memory for future use. The programmable power adaptor is optionally configurable for multiple electronic devices, and/or multiple users. The programmable power adaptor optionally informs users of faults, proper device usage, and/or provides database access.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to power adaptors and, more particularly, to programmable power adaptors. 
     2. Related Art 
     Power adaptors are used to provide electrical power to, and/or charge batteries for, a variety of portable electronic devices, such as computers, mobile telephones, handheld personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), smartphones, MP3 players, DVD players, and the like. 
     Different portable electronic devices often have different electrical requirements. Different portable electronic devices also typically have physically distinct electrical input ports. As a result, conventional power adaptors are generally designed for particular electronic devices. Although some conventional power adaptors are designed to be interchangeable with multiple electronic devices, conventional power adaptors lack programmability and configurability. Thus, what is needed is a programmable power adaptor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to methods and systems for programmable power adaptors that can be programmed to adapt electrical power for one or more electronic devices. A programmable power adaptor optionally includes a user interface and/or other user input mechanism(s), which allows users to preset voltage requirements for one or more electronic devices. The pre-settings are stored in memory for future use. The programmable power adaptor is optionally configurable for multiple electronic devices, and/or multiple users. The programmable power adaptor optionally informs users of faults, proper device usage, and/or provides database access. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows. Yet further features and advantages will be apparent to a person skilled in the art based on the description set forth herein or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Also, the leftmost digit(s) of the reference numbers identify the drawings in which the associated elements are first introduced. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example programmable power adaptor  100 . 
         FIG. 2  is an example screen display  200  for a user interface  108  for the programmable power adaptor  100 . 
         FIG. 3  is an example pop-up display associated with the example screen display  200 . 
         FIG. 4  is another example screen display for the user interface  108 . 
         FIG. 5  is another example screen display for the user interface  108 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front plan view of an example external package design for the programmable power adaptor  100 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear plan view of another example external package design for the programmable power adaptor  100 . 
         FIG. 8  is another rear plan view of another external package design for the programmable power adaptor  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Programmable Power Adapting 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example programmable power adaptor  100 . The programmable power adaptor  100  includes an input port  102 , for receiving electrical power from an electrical source, such as an electrical wall outlet or an automobile electrical outlet. The electrical source can be an alternating current (“AC”) electrical source and/or a direct current (“DC”) electrical source. 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  further includes one or more output ports  104 , which provide electrical power (typically DC) to one or more portable electronic devices  110 . 
     The portable electronic devices  110  can be one or more of a variety of types of portable electronic devices. For example, and without limitation, the portable electronic devices  110  can include computers, mobile telephones, handheld personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), smartphones, MP3 players, and DVD players. 
     Different portable electronic devices  110  often have physically different electrical input ports  118 . The programmable power adaptor  100  thus optionally includes one or more interchangeable tips  116  that are removably coupled to the one or more output ports  104 , or removably coupled to one or more cables that extend from the one or more output ports  104 . The interchangeable tips  116  allow the programmable power adaptor  100  to be coupled to one or more of a variety of different portable devices  110 . 
     During a configuration mode, a user associates a selected portable device  110  with a corresponding set of power supply characteristics. In an embodiment, the association is made by selecting a tip  116  that fits into the input port  118  of the portable device  110 , and by fixing the tip to the output port  104 . The selected tip is then associated in memory with electrical supply characteristics of the electronic device  110 . This is referred to hereinafter as device configuration information. Device configuration information is optionally stored in a database and/or in one or more look-up tables. 
     During the configuration mode, the programmable power adaptor  100  identifies the installed tip  116  in one or more of a variety of ways. For example, the programmable power adaptor  100  optionally senses one or more characteristics of the installed tip  116 , and/or receives feedback information from the installed tip  116 . Alternatively, or additionally, the user identifies an installed tip  116  through the user interface  108 . 
     During the configuration mode, the user can provide a variety of types of information to the programmable power adaptor  100 . For example, and without limitation, the user identifies the portable device  110  by manufacturer, make, and/or model number. The programmable controller  106  obtains the power requirements for the portable device  110  automatically and/or through manual user input. For example, and without limitation, the programmable power adaptor  100  retrieves the power requirements for the portable device  110  from a look-up table or from a database, which can be internal or external of the programmable power adaptor  100 . As described below, the programmable power adaptor  100  is optionally configured to update the look-up table and/or database through an external port. Alternatively, or additionally, the user manually selects input power characteristics for the portable computer. 
     During normal operation, when the tip  116  is installed, the programmable power adaptor  100  retrieves the associated electrical supply characteristics from memory and converts power accordingly. As with the configuration mode, the programmable power adaptor  100  identifies the installed tip  116  automatically and/or through user interface  108 . 
     For example, where the portable device  110  is a portable computer, the user selects an appropriate tip  116  for the portable computer, fixes the tip  116  to the output port  104 , and, through menu selections presented on the user interface  108 , the user provides information to the programmable controller that will allow the programmable controller  110  to associate the selected tip  116  with electrical supply needs of the portable computer. 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  optionally informs users of faults, proper device usage, and/or provides database access. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the programmable power adaptor  100  further includes a programmable controller  106 , a user interface  108 , and memory  120 , which are described below. 
     II. Programmable Controller 
     The programmable controller  106  allows users to configure the programmable power adaptor  100  to power one or more of a variety of portable electronic devices  110 . The programmable controller  106  is optionally fabricated as an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), which is optionally implemented in planar transformer technology. The programmable controller  106  is optionally fabricated with both memory  120  and power conversion circuitry. Alternatively, memory  120  and/or power conversion circuitry, or portions thereof, are provided with other circuitry. 
     The programmable controller  106  converts the one or more electrical inputs  102  into one or more of a variety of outputs. For example, and without limitation, the programmable controller  106  is designed to convert a  110  volt AC source to a DC voltage in the range of up to 24 VDC. Alternatively, or additionally, the programmable controller  106  is designed to convert a DC source, such as 12 volt DC source (e.g., from an automobile), to one or more of the output DC voltages above. The invention is not, however, limited to the example voltages above. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that invention can be designed for other voltages. 
     III. User Interface 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  is configured, at least in part, by user commands entered through the user interface  108 . The user interface  108  is optionally a graphical user interface (“GUI”), such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”).  FIGS. 2-5 , which are described below, are example graphical user interface displays for the user interface  108 . Configuration and operation of the programmable power adaptor  100  is described below with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . The invention is not, however, limited to the examples of  FIGS. 2-5 . Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the invention can be implemented with other user interfaces. 
     IV. Configuration 
     During a configuration mode, a user configures the programmable power adaptor  100  by identifying a desired portable electronic device for configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is an example display  200  for the user interface  108 . The display  200  includes selectable icons for a plurality of device types. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the example icons include a Laptop icon  202 , a Cell Phone icon  204 , a PDA icon  206 , and an “Other Devices” icon  208 . The user can select from any of these categories to configure a desired component. The example display  200  also includes a selectable memory icon  210 , which is described below. 
     The icons are activated or selected in one or more of a variety of ways. For example, where the user interface  108  includes a touch screen, icons are selected by touching the screen over a desired icon, by finger and/or by wand. Alternatively, or additionally, icons are selected by way of left and right and/or up and down arrow keys. 
     When the user selects a desired category from display  200 , one or more subsequent display screens and/or pop-up screens are presented to allow the user to select a particular device within the desired category. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , when the user selects the Laptop icon  202  from display  200 , a pop-up display  300  is presented. Pop-up display  300  provides a list of laptop computers. In an embodiment, when a device is listed within the pop-up window  300 , electrical requirements of the device are currently stored within the memory  120 . The device is thus referred to as a supported device. 
     Electrical requirements for devices can be loaded into memory  120  during manufacturing. Alternatively, or additionally, electrical requirements for devices are updated periodically, such as through an internet connection. Alternatively, or additionally, electrical requirements for devices are input manually through the user interface  108 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , a Compaq Evo n800c laptop computer is highlighted in the pop-up display  300 . A box  302  within the pop-up display  300  indicates that a tip A 1  is currently coupled to the output port  104  as tip  116  ( FIG. 1 ). As described above, the programmable power adaptor  100  identifies the installed tip  116  in one or more of a variety of ways. For example, the programmable power adaptor  100  optionally senses one or more characteristics of the installed tip  116 , and/or receives feedback information from the installed tip  116 . Alternatively, or additionally, the user identifies an installed tip  116 , through the user interface  108 , as being the desired tip. 
     When the desired device is highlighted in pop-up display  300 , and when the proper tip is indicated in the box  302 , the user saves the configuration by selecting the “save” box  304 . The configuration is then saved in memory  120  for future use. 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  is optionally configurable for multiple devices and/or for multiple users. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , users can view information that is currently stored in memory  120  by selecting the memory icon  210 . 
     V. Operation 
     During normal operation, the programmable power adaptor  100  provides electrical power to one or more electrical devices  110 . The programmable power adaptor  100  adapts the electrical input  102  to one or more electrical devices  110 , based on each devices&#39; characteristics. The programmable power adaptor  100  optionally senses the presence of one or more installed tips  116 , as described above, and automatically retrieves the electrical requirements that were associated with the tip(s) from memory  120 . The programmable power adaptor  100  then converts electrical input power  102  according to the retrieved electrical requirements. 
     During normal operation, the programmable power adaptor  100  optionally provides operational information through the display  108 . For example, and without limitation,  FIGS. 4 and 5  are example screen displays for the user interface  108  during operation. The example screen displays of  FIG. 4  and/or  FIG. 5  are optionally displayed during normal operation, while a tip A 1  is coupled to the programmable power adaptor  100 . 
     In the examples of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a display box  400  indicates that the tip A 1  is associated in memory  120  with a Compaq evo laptop computer, model number n 800c. In  FIG. 4 , a connection box  402  indicates that the tip A 1  is coupled to the laptop computer. In  FIG. 5 , the connection box  402  indicates that the tip A 1  is not coupled to the laptop computer. 
     Where multiple portable devices  110  are powered by the programmable power adaptor  100  simultaneously, additional corresponding widows are optionally displayed on the user interface  108 . 
     VI. Uploadable Web-Based Database 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  optionally updates memory  120  (e.g., database and/or look-up tables) by accessing one or more internet sites or other external database(s). The internet site(s) are optionally dedicated to users of the programmable power adaptor  100 . Alternatively, or additionally, the internet site(s) are associated with one or more manufacturers of the portable device(s)  110 . 
     Accordingly, referring back to  FIG. 1 , the programmable power adaptor  100  optionally includes a data port  112 , coupled to the programmable controller  106  and/or to the user interface  108 . The optional data port  112  can be coupled to an internet service provider. The data port  112  can be, for example, a mini universal serial bus (“USB”) port that allows the programmable power adaptor  100  to couple to a computer that is coupled to the internet. Alternativley, and/or additionally, the data port  112  is a wireless port that allows the programmable power adaptor  100  to couple wirelessly to the internet. The invention is not, however, limited to USB or wireless ports. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that a variety of types of connections are contemplated. 
     VII. Battery 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  optionally includes an integral and/or externally mounted battery system  114  that, when charged, provides at least temporary back-up power for the user interface  108  and memory  120 , thus allowing active interface activity without input power at input terminal  102 . The optional battery  114  is charged during normal operation of the programmable power adaptor  100 . 
     The battery  114  is optionally designed to temporarily provide electrical power to portable electronic device(s)  110  to allow a controlled power down of the portable electronic device(s)  110 . 
     VIII. Example Design Packages 
     The programmable power adaptor  100  can be implemented in one or more of a variety of packages.  FIG. 6  is a front plan view of an example external package design for the programmable power adaptor  100 .  FIG. 7  is a rear plan view of another example external package design for the programmable power adaptor  100 .  FIG. 8  is another rear plan view of another external package design for the programmable power adaptor  100 . The invention is not, however, limited to the example design packages illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 . Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the programmable power adaptor  100  can be implemented in other design packages. 
     IX. Conclusion 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that these functional building blocks can be implemented by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like and combinations thereof. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8