Patent Abstract:
A method of and device for providing voltages to USB ports using an independent electrical channel during a device sleep mode or a power-off mode.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/870,756, filed Aug. 27, 2013 and titled, “SINGLE OUTPUT CHANNEL ADAPTER FOR CHARGING DURING LAPTOP SLEEP MODE,” which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of battery charging. More specifically, the present invention relates to device charging using alternative circuits. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     USB ports on a laptop are used to charge various electronic devices, such as cell phone and music players. Typically, the electrical power is cut-off to the USB port when the laptop goes to a sleep mode or shut down, such that the electronic devices cannot be charged through the USB ports. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a typical charging module  100  including an adaptor  102  couples with a laptop  104 . The adaptor  102  can output a voltage V 1  in a battery  106  charging mode. During the charging mode, switch S 1   108  is on “ON” or closed. A DC/DC converter  112  converts V 1  from 12V˜20V to V 2  (such as 5V). V 2  can be used for one or more USB ports  114  through a switch S 2   110 . S 2   110  can be controlled by a controller to protect USB port at over current, short circuit and other abnormal conditions. When the laptop  104  goes into a deep sleep mode or power off conditions (S 1   108  and/or S 2   110  is OFF), the USB ports  114  cannot be used. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of and device for providing one or more voltages to USB ports using an independent electrical channel during a device sleep mode or a power-off mode. 
     In an aspect, a method of maintaining power supply comprises sensing a sleep mode or a power-off mode of an electronic device and supplying electrical energy through an alternative path to an electric energy output port. In some embodiments, the electric energy output port provides an informational signal. In other embodiments, the electric energy output port comprises a USB port. In some other embodiments, the supplying electrical energy through an alternative path provides an uninterrupted power supply. In some embodiments, the method further comprises sensing an open circuit between a power source and the electric energy output port. 
     In another aspect, a power supply device comprises an electrical pathway allowing a transmission of electrical energy during a sleep mode of an electrical device. In some embodiments, the electrical pathway comprises a conducting wire. In other embodiments, the conducting wire is within a body of the electrical device. In some other embodiments, the conducting wire further comprises a switch. In some embodiments, the switch is in an open state when the electrical device is not in a sleep mode. In other embodiments, the switch is in a closed state when the electrical device is in a sleep mode. 
     In another aspect, an electronic device comprises a first electrical circuit, wherein the first electrical circuit is configured to be turned into a sleep mode in a predetermined condition and a second electrical circuit, wherein the second electric circuit is configured to supply power when the first electrical circuit is in the sleep mode. In some other embodiments, the first electrical circuit comprises a first sub-electric circuit and a second sub-electric circuit. In other embodiments, the first sub-electric circuit couples with a battery. In some other embodiments, the second sub-electric circuit couples with a USB port. In some embodiments, the second sub-electric circuit comprises a DC/DC converter. In other embodiments, the second sub-electric circuit comprises a switch. In some other embodiments, the second sub-electric circuit is configured to have a voltage less than 7V. In some embodiments, the second sub-electric circuit is configured to have a voltage close to or equal to 5V. In other embodiments, the electronic device comprises a laptop, a server, a cell phone, or a combination thereof. In some other embodiments, the predetermined condition comprises a non-use for a predetermined duration. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reviewing the detailed description of the embodiments set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will now be described by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting. For all figures mentioned herein, like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a typical charging module. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method and device for a charging module in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a charging architecture in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a method of charging in a device sleeping mode in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference is made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with the embodiments below, it is understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments and examples. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which can be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to more fully illustrate the present invention. However, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the prior art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and procedures, components and processes have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. It is, of course, appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it is appreciated that such a development effort can be complex and time-consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a method and device for a charging module  200  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The charging module  200  can include an adaptor  202  coupled with a laptop  204 . The adaptor  202  can output a voltage V 3  in a battery  206  charging mode. In the charging mode, the switch S 3    208  is on “ON.” In one example, a DC/DC converter  212  converts V 3  from a voltage in the range of 12V˜20V to V 4  (such as 5V). V 4  can be used for one or more USB ports  214  through a switch S 4   210 . S 4   210  can be controlled by a controller to protect USB ports at over current, short circuit and other abnormal conditions. When the laptop  204  goes into a deep sleep mode or power off conditions (S 3   208  and/or S 4   210  is/are OFF), the switch S 5   218  of electric loop/circuit  216  in “ON.” The adaptor  202  can provide a V 4  voltage (such as 5V) for powering/charging the one or more devices electrically coupled with the USB ports  214 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a charging architecture  300  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. A power source  302  can couple with an electronic device  304 . The electronic device  304 , such as a laptop or a cell phone, comprises a component  306 . The component  306  comprises a sleep mode for saving energy uses. The electrical coupling between the power source  302  and the component  306  can be controlled/regulated via the switch  310 . Independent circuits  316  and  318  can be included as independent charging routes. The circuits  316  and  318  can be controlled by the switches  312  and  314  respectively, such that the power ports  308 A and  308 B can electrically coupled with the power source  302  with switches/controls  312  and  314 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a method  400  of charging in a device sleeping mode in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The method  400  can start at Step  402 . At Step  404 , a sleep mode or a power-off mode of a device is determined. The device can be a laptop, a cell phone, or any other electronic devices with a sleep mode mechanism. At Step  406 , electric energy is provided via an alternative route if the device in a sleep mode. At Step  408 , electric energy is supplied to a power outlet, such as a USB, via the alternative route. The method  400  can stop at Step  410 . 
     The charging mechanism can be utilized for uninterruptedly providing an electric energy to a power port, such as USB ports, while the electric device is in a sleep mode. 
     In operation, when a sleep mode or a power-off mode is detected, a switch is turned on (close the loop) allowing the alternative electric pathway/circuit for continuously providing electric energy to the one or more USB ports. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications can be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6