Patent Description:
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are commonly found on a variety of portable devices such as laptop computers, tablets, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc., and are also provided on desktop computers, automobile dashboard consoles, etc., to provide interconnection for serial communications between devices. In addition, the USB standards provide for charging capability by which mobile phones or other portable devices can be operated using power provided through a USB cable to the device. This power feature of the USB system also advantageously allows battery-powered devices to be charged using power provided from a connected USB-compatible device. Dedicated charging equipment is available, for example, having multiple USB ports for charging various portable devices, even where no serial communication is needed between the charging equipment and the device. The original USB implementations provided for charging at 5V with a charging current limited to 1A, and subsequent revisions to the standards (e.g., USB <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) provide for fast charging at higher levels such as using charger voltages of 5V, 12V, 20V and charging current levels of 1A, 3A and 5A, thus accommodating up to 100W charging. However, mismatching between USB charging sources and charged devices can lead to product damage and/or the inability to minimize charging time. Accordingly, there is a need for improved USB charger apparatus and electronic devices by which the charging power level can be maximized without damage to the charger or charged electronic device. <CIT> relates to a charging system with direct charging port support and extended capabilities. <CIT> relates to a variable charging voltage USB charging system, a charger and a smart terminal.

The presently disclosed embodiments provide apparatus and techniques directed to better matching between the capabilities of USB chargers and charged electronic devices in automated fashion by establishing a bidirectional communications connection or link along the USB data lines of a USB cable between the charger and the device, through which the device detects the capabilities of the charger and finds a best match to its own capabilities, with the device sending programming or configuration information to the charger through the communications connection. By this technique, the device configures or programs the charger within the operational limits of both devices and may preferentially select the highest practicable charging level for fast charging. Moreover, the charger reports status indications such as overvoltage, overcurrent and/or overtemperature conditions of its power supply, with the device being able to reconfigure the charger to a lower charging level accordingly. The present disclosure thus provides significant advantages with respect to shortening charging times while mitigating charging/powering level mismatches and product damage, and without requiring user action.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising a USB connector, a load, and a controller coupled with conductive structures associated with first and second data signal conductors of the USB cable, where the controller is operative to establish a bidirectional digital communications connection with a connected charger. The device also includes a processor programmed to obtain charger capability information from the connected charger using the communications connection, and to selectively configure or reconfigure the connected charger via the communications connection at least partially according to the charger capability information.

In certain embodiments, the device processor is programmed to determine one or more matches between the charger capability information and device charging capability information representing charging power levels suitable for charging the electronic device, and the processor selectively configures or reconfigures the connected charger at least partially according to an identified match using the communications connection.

Moreover, the electronic device receives charger status information from the connected charger via the communications connection, and the device processor selectively reconfigures the connected charger at least partially according to the charger status information via the communications connection. In certain disclosed embodiments, the processor is programmed to preferentially configure the charger according to a fastest charging match between the charger capability information and the device charging capability information. Moreover, the processor in certain embodiments is programmed to selectively reconfigure the connected charger using the communications connection to a slower charging match according to any received charger status information. In this manner, changing conditions at the charger, such as overvoltage, overcurrent and/or over temperature conditions can be used by the device processor for intelligent reconfiguration, for example, to reduce the charging level so as to mitigate or avoid charger malfunction or damage, while maintaining the possibility of the fastest possible charging in consideration of the charger conditions.

In certain embodiments, the electronic device includes a charger detection circuit providing a switching control signal having a first state indicating detected connection of the charger, and a second state indicating that no charger is connected to the electronic device. The device in these embodiments further includes a switching circuit to selectively couple the USB cable data lines with the controller when the switching control signal is in the first state and to decouple the USB data lines from the controller when the switching control signal is in the second state.

The device controller in certain embodiments implements an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I<NUM>C) bus via the USB data lines, with the device controller operating as a master controller using the first data line as a serial data line (SDA) and the second data line as a serial clock line (SCL). Further embodiments are possible in which the controller and the connected charger communicate using any suitable communications protocol, such as I<NUM>C, universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), serial peripheral interface (SPI), etc..

A method is provided according to further aspects of the disclosure, for powering or charging an electronic device from a USB cable. The method includes using a processor to establish a bidirectional digital communications connection along first and second data signal conductors of the USB cable for exchanging data between the device and a connected charger, and obtaining charger capability information from the connected charger using the digital communications connection. The method further includes determining at least one match between the charger capability information and device charging capability information representing at least one charging power level suitable for charging the device, and selectively configuring the connected charger using the communications connection at least partially according to a fastest charging match between the charger capability information and the device charging capability information. The method includes using the processor to receive charger status information from the connected charger and selectively reconfiguring the connected charger using the bidirectional digital communications connection at least partially according to the charger status information.

Certain embodiments of the method include using the processor to receive charger status information from the connected charger and selectively reconfiguring the connected charger using the communications connection to a slower charging match according to the charger status information.

Further aspects of the present disclosure provide a USB charger apparatus, which includes a connector with conductive structures for electrical connections to first and second data signal conductors and to first and second power conductors of the USB cable, as well as a power supply operative to supply electrical power at one of a plurality of output power levels to a connected electronic device. The charger apparatus also includes a controller providing charger capability information representing the plurality of output power levels to the connected electronic device using a bidirectional digital communications connection along the USB cable data signal conductors. The charger controller is further operative to receive configuration information from the connected electronic device using the communications connection, and to selectively set or adjust the power supply to one of the plurality of output power levels at least partially according to the configuration information.

The charger controller provides status information representing at least one condition of the power supply to the connected electronic device using the communications connection, where the status information represents an overvoltage condition, and overcurrent condition and/or and overtemperature condition of the power supply.

The controller in certain embodiments is operative as a slave controller, where the communications connection is an I<NUM>C bus connection using the USB cable data line conductors as a serial data line and a serial clock line.

The USB charger controller is operative to control the power supply to provide a default power output level for powering or charging the connected electronic device, and the controller selectively adjusts the output level of the power supply according to received configuration information from the connected electronic device.

The following description and drawings set forth certain illustrative implementations of the disclosure in detail, which are indicative of several ways in which the various principles of the disclosure may be carried out. The illustrated examples, however, are not exhaustive of the many possible embodiments of the disclosure. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will be set forth in the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which:.

One or more embodiments or implementations are hereinafter described in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale.

<FIG> shows a charging system <NUM> including a USB charger apparatus <NUM> and an electronic device <NUM> connected via a USB cable <NUM> for powering or charging the device <NUM> using power delivered from the charger <NUM> via the USB cable <NUM>. The device <NUM> can be any electronic device, including without limitation a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, etc., having a load <NUM> which can receive electrical power from the charger <NUM> via the USB cable <NUM>. The charger apparatus <NUM>, moreover, can be a dedicated charging device, a desktop computer or any other device having a power supply <NUM> and a USB connector <NUM> operative to provide electrical power to a connected device <NUM> via the USB cable <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, the charger <NUM> includes a USB connector <NUM> which is adapted to receive a plug or receptacle <NUM> of the USB cable <NUM>, and which provides conductive structures <NUM>-<NUM> for electrical connection to various conductors of the USB cable <NUM>. In particular, a first conductive structure <NUM> provides electrical connection to a first data signal conductor of the USB cable <NUM>, in this case a positive data signal conductor DP or D+, and a second conductive structure <NUM> provides electrical connection to a negative data signal conductor DN or D-, with third and fourth conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM> respectively providing electrical connection to first and second (e.g., positive and negative) power conductors VBUS and GND of the USB cable <NUM>. The charger connector <NUM> can be any suitable connector configured to interface with a standard USB cable <NUM>, for example, an A-type or a B-type USB cable plug or receptacle having any suitable number of connections according to relevant USB standards, where certain embodiments of the connector <NUM> can accommodate more than four connections, and can be adapted to receive or interface with a male connector <NUM> (plug) or a female connector (receptacle).

The charger apparatus <NUM> also includes a power supply <NUM> coupled to supply electrical power at one of a plurality of output power levels to a connected electronic device <NUM> via the third and fourth conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM>. In one non-limiting example, the power supply <NUM> is programmable to supply output power at 5V, 12V or 20V, and may be capable of providing output current at 1A, 3A or 5A. In other embodiments, the power supply <NUM> may implement other charging levels regarding voltage and current outputs, and may implement more or fewer combinations to provide two or more programmable output power levels.

The charger apparatus <NUM> further includes a controller <NUM> and a memory or data store <NUM> storing charger capability information <NUM> and status information <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can be any suitable processor, control circuit, programmable logic, logic circuit, etc., and may include interface circuitry for sending and receiving digital data signals. The controller <NUM> is coupled with the conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM> and operates in certain embodiments as a slave controller to provide charger capability information <NUM> representing two or more output power levels to the connected electronic device <NUM> using a bidirectional digital communications connection established along the DP and DN conductors of the USB cable <NUM> via the conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM>. In one possible implementation, for example, the slave controller <NUM> may be an electronic processor mounted on a printed circuit board, with the conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM> being implemented as conductive circuit board traces electrically connected between the slave controller <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. One or more intervening components may be connected between the slave controller <NUM> and the connector <NUM>, for example, such as filter circuit components, etc. In certain implementations, moreover, the bidirectional digital communications connection is an I<NUM>C bus connection using the first conductive structure <NUM> as a serial data line (SDA) and the second conductive structure <NUM> as a serial clock line (SCL), with the controller <NUM> operating as a slave controller to exchange data with a master controller <NUM> of the device <NUM>. Another possible embodiments, the charger controller <NUM> may operate as a master, such as in a multi-master system.

In operation, as explained further below, the charger controller <NUM> receives configuration information from the connected electronic device <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection through the USB cable <NUM>, and also selectively sets or adjusts the power supply <NUM> to one of the plurality of output power levels at least partially according to the configuration information. In addition, the illustrated charger apparatus <NUM> is also operative to provide status information <NUM> representing one or more power supply conditions to the connected electronic device <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection, for example, to indicate a power supply overvoltage condition, overcurrent condition, and/or overtemperature condition. The charger <NUM>, in this regard, may include suitable diagnostic circuitry, and the controller <NUM> may be implemented as a programmed processor operative to assess diagnostic information pertaining to the status or operating condition of the power supply <NUM> and may store corresponding status information <NUM> in the electronic memory <NUM>.

This provided charger status information, in turn, can be used by the intelligent electronic device <NUM> to selectively choose a different desired power output level and accordingly send information via the communications connection to reconfigure the charger <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the power supply <NUM> to provide a default power output level, such as 5V and 1A for powering or charging the device <NUM> and selectively adjusts the output level of the power supply <NUM> according to configuration information received from the connected electronic device <NUM> via the communications connection. Furthermore, the charger <NUM> in certain embodiments may be operable to modify or update the charger capability information <NUM> based on the status information <NUM> or based on other inputs, for example, to remove certain voltage or current capability indications from the capabilities information <NUM> if the diagnostic information indicates that the power supply <NUM> is no longer capable of providing certain voltage and/or current levels.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a USB connector <NUM> as well as a load <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a processor <NUM> with an associated electronic memory <NUM>, and may include further circuitry such as a charger detection circuit <NUM> and a switching circuit as described further below in connection with <FIG>. As seen in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> is adapted for receiving a connector <NUM> (e.g., a plug or a receptacle) of the USB cable <NUM>, and provides conductive structures <NUM>-<NUM> for electrical connection to the DP, DN, VBUS and GND conductors of the cable <NUM>, respectively. The device <NUM> also includes a load <NUM> connected to the conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM>, where the load <NUM> can be a power supply for operating various circuitry of the device <NUM>, a chargeable battery system, or other electrical load in various embodiments.

The device controller <NUM> is coupled with the conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM> for communicating with a connected charger <NUM>, and is selectively operative to establish a bidirectional digital communications connection for exchanging data with the connected charger <NUM> along the DP and DN conductors of the USB cable <NUM>. The device controller <NUM> can be any suitable analog and/or digital circuitry, and may be programmable including a processor component, programmable logic, etc. in various embodiments. The processor <NUM> is operatively coupled with the controller <NUM>, and is programmed to use the controller <NUM> in order to establish a bidirectional digital communications connection or link with a connected charger <NUM>. In certain implementations, the processor <NUM> initiates communications connection establishment with the controller <NUM>, or a connected charger <NUM> may initiate the communications connection establishment. Any suitable process can be implemented between the controllers <NUM>, <NUM> of the charger <NUM> and the device <NUM> in order to establish a bidirectional communications link along the DP and DN lines.

Once the communications link is established, the processor <NUM> of the device <NUM> obtains charger capability information <NUM> from the connected charger <NUM> via the bidirectional digital communications connection established by the controller <NUM>, and the processor selectively configures or reconfigures the connected charger <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection along the DP and DN conductors. In one possible embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> sends a message through the communications link to the charger <NUM> requesting the charger capability information <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> of the charger (operating as a slave) responds with a message including the requested capability information <NUM>. In other possible embodiments, the charger <NUM> provides the charging capability information <NUM> without prompting by the device <NUM>. Suitable message frames and communication protocols can be used by which the charger <NUM> provides the capability information <NUM> in a format recognizable by the device <NUM>. To configure the charger <NUM> in one embodiment, the processor <NUM> of the device <NUM> constructs and transmits a message or messages to the charger <NUM> via the communications link along the DP and DN lines indicating a selected charging level recognizable by the charger <NUM> for configuring or programming the power supply <NUM> accordingly. A number of different embodiments are possible in which the controller <NUM> and the connected charger <NUM> communicate using any suitable communications protocol, including without limitation I<NUM>C, universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), serial peripheral interface (SPI), etc..

The configuration or reconfiguration is implemented by the processor <NUM> at least in part according to charger capability information <NUM> received from the charger <NUM>. The memory <NUM> in this embodiment stores device charging capability information <NUM>, which represents one or more suitable charging power levels at which power can safely be provided to the load <NUM>. In operation according to one embodiment, the device processor <NUM> determines one or more matches between the charger capability information <NUM> received from the charger <NUM> and the device charging capability information <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM>, and selectively configures or reconfigures the charger <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection at least in part according to identified matches. The processor <NUM> takes into account other factors in determining what configuration information to send to the charger <NUM>, namely charger status information received from the charger <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is programmed to receive charger status information from the connected charger <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection, and to selectively reconfigure <NUM> the connected charger <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection at least partially according to the charger status information. In certain implementations, moreover, the device processor <NUM> preferentially configures the charger <NUM> via the communications connection according to a fastest charging match between the charger capability information <NUM> and the device charging capability information <NUM>. For example, the charger <NUM> may, by default, begin charging operation at 5V, and report the capability of providing faster charging at 12V or 20V to the device <NUM>. If the device <NUM> is capable of charging at one or both of these higher voltages, the device processor <NUM> may send a configuration message to the charger <NUM> to configure the charger power supply <NUM> to operate at 20V.

In addition, the device processor <NUM> may selectively reconfigure the connected charger <NUM> according to a slower charging match between the charger capability information <NUM> and the device charging capability information <NUM> based at least partially on any received charger status information <NUM>. For example, if the slave controller <NUM> reports an overtemperature condition in the power supply <NUM>, the device processor <NUM> may reconfigure the charger <NUM> by sending a reconfiguration message indicating a desired charging voltage level of 12V. In this example, the charger controller <NUM> may thereafter report clearance of the previously reported overtemperature condition, after which the device processor <NUM> may again reconfigure the charger <NUM> to resume operation at the higher power output level (e.g., 20V in this example).

In this manner, the electronic device <NUM> can intelligently facilitate safe operation of the charger <NUM> while expediting charging by preferentially choosing a highest power output level within the capabilities of both the charger <NUM> and the device <NUM>, and selectively reducing the power output level (e.g., thereby slowing down the charging process) on an as-needed basis according to reported power supply status information <NUM> from the charger <NUM>. This advantageous operation, moreover, is not possible using charging and device equipment incapable of communicating with one another, and is also not possible using simple unidirectional communications. Furthermore, usage of the USB data lines DP and DN to implement the bidirectional digital communications connection advantageously avoids or mitigates the need for excessive circuit modifications, wherein other approaches using the power supply connection (e.g., VBUS) for communications between the charger and the device require AC coupling circuitry to interface a transmitter and a receiver at either end of the USB cable <NUM>. The concepts of the present disclosure, on the other hand, utilize the data signal conductors DP and DN to implement bidirectional communications thereby facilitating intelligent fast charging operation.

<FIG> illustrates further details of an embodiment of a charger <NUM> and a device <NUM>, in which an Inter-Integrated Circuit or I<NUM>C bus communications link is established, with the charger controller <NUM> implemented in a microcontroller unit (MCU) as a slave controller for the I<NUM>C communications, and with the device controller <NUM> operating as an I<NUM>C master controller. Other bidirectional digital communications links can be implemented using the DP and DN lines, including without limitation SPI, UART, etc. As seen in <FIG>, the charger <NUM> in the I<NUM>C embodiment includes a low dropout (LDO) supply <NUM> providing power to the slave controller <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> configures the charger power supply <NUM> by way of a resistor array <NUM> to provide an adjustable setpoint to the power supply <NUM>. In addition, the charger <NUM> includes a variable resistor R connected between the data lines <NUM> and <NUM>, where the controller <NUM> is configured to selectively modify the resistance value of the resistor R. Any suitable variable resistance circuitry can be used to implement the variable resistor R, such as a switching circuit for interconnecting various individual resistors in a series, parallel and/or a combination series/parallel configuration between the data lines <NUM> and <NUM>. The resistance value may be used in certain embodiments to facilitate connection detection by the device <NUM> as described further below. In addition, the controller <NUM> is operatively coupled with the memory <NUM> which again stores the charger capabilities information <NUM> and may store charger status information <NUM> as described above. In other possible embodiments, any general-purpose I/O maybe operatively coupled with the device controller <NUM> for providing the charger capability information <NUM> to the connected device <NUM> representing two or more output power levels that may be implemented by the power supply <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the device in this case includes a charger detection circuit <NUM> coupled with the data lines <NUM> and <NUM>, where the detection circuit <NUM> provides a switching control signal <NUM> having a first state indicating that connection of the charger <NUM> has been detected, and a second state indicating that no charger <NUM> is connected to the device <NUM> via the USB connector <NUM>. Any suitable detection circuitry <NUM> may be used in various embodiments, a non-limiting example of which is illustrated and described further below in connection with <FIG>. The device <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG> also includes a switching circuit with switches S1 and S2 coupled to receive the switching control signal <NUM> from the detection circuit <NUM>. In this case, the switching circuit is operative to selectively couple the first and second conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM> with the communications controller <NUM> when the switching control signal <NUM> is in the first state (i.e., when a charger <NUM> is connected), and to selectively decouple the first and second conductive structures <NUM> and <NUM> from the controller <NUM> when the switching control signal <NUM> is in the second state (e.g., when no charger is connected).

Referring also to <FIG>, a non-limiting example of an I<NUM>C master controller <NUM> is illustrated, including a transceiver <NUM> with an enable input receiving a control signal <NUM> from the charger detection circuit <NUM>, by which the transceiver <NUM> is enabled when a connected charger <NUM> has been detected by the detection circuitry <NUM>, and is disabled otherwise. In addition, the charger detection circuit <NUM> in this example provides a control signal <NUM> to the device processor <NUM>, thereby notifying the processor <NUM> that a connected charger <NUM> has been detected. In this embodiment, the master controller <NUM> also includes pull-up resistors R1 and R2, with R1 being connected between the data line (SDA) and a positive supply voltage VCC, and with R2 being connected between the serial clock line SCL and VCC to accommodate interconnection of the transceiver <NUM> with an open drain I<NUM>C bus. The first switch S1 is operative according to the control signal <NUM> to connect the first conductive structure <NUM> (USB DP line) to either a first data connection 141a to the processor <NUM> (e.g., for normal USB communications) when no charger <NUM> is connected, or to an I<NUM>C bus SDA connection 141b coupled to the controller transceiver <NUM> (when a charger <NUM> is connected to the device <NUM>) as shown. In addition, S2 similarly connects the second conductive structure <NUM> (USB DN line) to either a second data connection 142a to the processor <NUM> (when no charger <NUM> is connected), or to an I<NUM>C bus serial clock (SCL) connection 142b when a connected charger <NUM> has been detected by the detection circuitry <NUM>.

The master controller <NUM> further includes a data transmit control transistor Q1 operated by the transceiver <NUM> for generating output data bits on the SDA line 141b according to a transmit control line <NUM> (TX), and a clock control transistor Q2 operated by a control line <NUM> from the transceiver <NUM> to provide a serial clock signal on the SCL line 142b. In operation of the illustrated embodiment, the device controller <NUM> is operative as a master controller to establish the bidirectional digital communications connection or link as an I<NUM>C bus, with the bidirectional digital communications connection using the first conductive structure <NUM> as a serial data line SDA and the second conductive structure <NUM> as a serial clock line SCL as shown. As previously mentioned, moreover, the charger controller <NUM> may be configured as a slave controller, or as a master controller, and may include suitable transceiver circuitry for sending and receiving data via the USB cable <NUM> according to any appropriate communications protocol.

One possible charger detection circuit embodiment <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, including a logic circuit <NUM> providing the charger detection control signals <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> as described above based on detection of a connected USB charger <NUM>. In this embodiment, the charger detection circuit <NUM> is connected to the conductive structures <NUM>-<NUM>, and includes a comparator <NUM> providing a signal to the logic circuit <NUM> based on comparison of the voltage at the connection <NUM> with a reference voltage VQTG_SESS_VLD indicating whether the VBUS line of a connected USB cable <NUM> has a positive voltage in excess of the reference. The first conductive structure <NUM> (DP line) is connected to switches S3-S5 controlled by the logic circuit <NUM>. The switch S3 selectively connects a positive data source voltage reference VDP_SRC to the DP line <NUM>, and the switch S4 is operative according to the logic circuit <NUM> to selectively connect a current source <NUM> to provide a current IDP_SRC to the DP line. In addition, the switch S5 selectively connects the line <NUM> with a current source <NUM> IDP_SINK to conduct current from the line <NUM> to the circuit ground (conductive structure <NUM>) and S5 also connects the line <NUM> with a comparator <NUM> comparing the voltage at the line <NUM> with a data reference voltage VDAT_REF. When the switch S5 is closed, the line <NUM> is also provided as an input to an inverter <NUM> whose output is provided along with the output of the comparator <NUM> as inputs to an AND gate <NUM> providing a dedicated charging port detection signal (DCP_DET) to the logic circuitry <NUM> as shown.

The second conductive structure <NUM> is connected to switches S6-S8 of the charger detection circuit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, with the switch S6 operative according to a signal from the logic circuit <NUM> to selectively connect the line <NUM> with a data source voltage reference VDM_SRC, and a switch S8 is selectively closed by the logic circuit <NUM> to connect the second data line (DN) to the ground line <NUM> through a pull-down resistor RDM_DWN. Also, the logic circuit <NUM> controls the switch S7 to selectively connect the line <NUM> with a current source <NUM> to conduct a sink current IDM_SINK to ground, and to a comparator circuit including a comparator <NUM> comparing the voltage with the data reference voltage VDAT_REF, with the comparator output providing an input to an AND gate <NUM> along with the output of an inverter <NUM> to provide a charger detection signal CHG_DET to the logic <NUM> as shown.

The charger detection circuit <NUM> and the master controller <NUM> may be employed by the processor <NUM> according to conventional USB detection procedures to ascertain what type, if any, apparatuses connected to the device <NUM> via the USB cable <NUM> in certain embodiments. For example, the device <NUM> may implement Battery Charging Specification <NUM> primary detection or other suitable detection technique to distinguish between a standard downstream port (SDP), a charging downstream port (CDP), an accessory charger adapter (ACA) or a dedicated charging port (DCP). Primary detection may be implemented, for example, in which the logic circuit <NUM> turns on switches S3 and S7 to detect whether a DCP is connected, where USB charging standard provides that a connected DCP will short DP and DN through a resistance (RDCP_DAT, not shown), and the charger detection circuit <NUM> can thus detect a voltage on DN (via the comparator <NUM>) that is close to VDP_SRC. The device <NUM> also compares the voltage at the DN line with the data reference voltage VDAT_REF, with S7 closed, and if the DN line voltage exceeds this reference, the logic circuit <NUM> determines that the device <NUM> is connected to either a DCP or a CDP. In this example, moreover, a connected CDP can be detected with the logic <NUM> closing the switches S3 and S5, and the comparator <NUM> comparing the voltage on the line <NUM> with the reference VDAT_REF to selectively generate the signal DCP_DET. in this regard, certain implementations provide for selective establishment of the bidirectional digital communications connection or link using the DP and DN lines as discussed above if the electronic device <NUM> detects that a dedicated charging port <NUM> is connected.

Referring also to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates a process or method <NUM> for powering or charging an electronic device <NUM> from a USB cable <NUM>. Although the method <NUM> in <FIG> and the method <NUM> of <FIG> are illustrated and described in the form of a series of acts or events, it will be appreciated that the various methods of the disclosure are not limited by the illustrated ordering of such acts or events except as specifically set forth herein. In this regard, except as specifically provided hereinafter, some acts or events may occur in different order and/or concurrently with other acts or events apart from those illustrated and described herein, and not all illustrated steps may be required to implement a process or method in accordance with the present disclosure. The illustrated methods may be implemented in hardware as illustrated and described above, and/or using processor-executed software, processor-executed firmware, FPGAs, logic circuitry, etc. or combinations thereof, in order to provide the adaptive intelligent charging functionality described herein, although the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically illustrated or described applications and systems.

The process <NUM> in <FIG> illustrates operation of the electronic device <NUM> beginning at <NUM>, with the device <NUM> determining or detecting at <NUM> whether a charger (e.g., a DCP charger and one embodiment) is connected. For example, the charger detection circuit <NUM> can be employed as described above with respect to <FIG> above to determine if a charger is connected. In the illustrated example if a SDP is connected, or if no device is connected to the USB connector <NUM> (NO at <NUM>), the process continues at <NUM>. Once a DCP, CDP or ACA is detected (YES at <NUM>), the device <NUM> attempts to establish a bidirectional digital communications connection with the connected charger <NUM> via the DP and DN lines at <NUM>. In the above-described embodiments, for example, the charger detection circuit <NUM> asserts the switching control signal <NUM> to operate the switching circuit S1, S2 to operatively couple the DP and DN lines with the I<NUM>C master controller <NUM> via the connections 141b and 142b as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As seen in <FIG>, this provides pull-up resistors R1 and R2 between the DP and DN lines, respectively and VCC, thus using DP as an I<NUM>C serial data line SDA and DN as a serial clock line SCL. In this example, the master controller <NUM> issues a START condition indicating to the connected charger <NUM> that an address will be forthcoming. The master controller <NUM> then sends and ADDRESS corresponding to a predetermined address interpreted by the charger <NUM> as its own address, along with an indication that a Read operation is desired. In response, the connected charger (slave) controller <NUM> responds with an acknowledgment, and subsequently transmits data to the master controller <NUM>, in this case the charger capability information <NUM> from the charger memory <NUM>.

Once the acknowledgment has been received, the master controller <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> determines that the bidirectional communications connection has been established (YES at <NUM> in <FIG>), and receives the charger capability information via the communications connection at <NUM>. The device processor <NUM> is provided with this charger capability information <NUM> from the controller <NUM>, and compares the information <NUM> with the locally stored device charging capability information <NUM> from the memory <NUM>, and determines at <NUM> one or more matches between the charger information <NUM> and the device information <NUM>. At <NUM>, the device processor <NUM> selectively configures the connected charger <NUM> using the bidirectional digital communications connection by transmitting the ADDRESS with an indication of a Write operation, followed by a configuration packet or frame indicating to the slave controller <NUM> the desired power supply output level selected by the connected device <NUM>. As mentioned above, in certain embodiments, the device processor <NUM> preferentially selects the matching level corresponding to a fastest charging match between the charger capability information <NUM> and the device charging capability information <NUM>, and transmits this to the slave controller <NUM> at <NUM> in <FIG>. At <NUM>, the device <NUM> receives charging power at the configured level and monitors the communications connection for any further information from the charger <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the device makes a determination as to whether any charger status information has been received (e.g., charger status information <NUM> in <FIG>), for example, indicating an overvoltage, overcurrent and/or overtemperature or other condition in the charger power supply <NUM> in certain embodiments. If not (NO at <NUM> in <FIG>), the process <NUM> continues at <NUM> with the device <NUM> receiving charging power at the previously configured output level. If charger status information <NUM> has been received from the charger <NUM> (YES at <NUM>), the device <NUM> selectively reconfigures the charger <NUM> via the communications connection according to the received charger status at <NUM>, and the process returns to charging operation at <NUM> with the device controller <NUM> continuing to monitor the DP and DN lines. In certain implementations, as discussed above, the device processor <NUM> selectively reconfigures the charging level at <NUM> to slow the charging process, for example, once an overcurrent, overvoltage and/or overtemperature condition has been indicated by the charger <NUM> at <NUM>.

Referring also to <FIG>, a process <NUM> is illustrated for charger operation beginning at <NUM>, with the charger providing a default level of output power (e.g., 5V at 1A) via VBUS and GND at <NUM> while monitoring the DP and DN lines for communications from a connected electronic device <NUM>. A determination is made at <NUM> as to whether a communications connection has been established, and if not (NO), the charger <NUM> continues to provide the default voltage and current levels for charging the connected device <NUM>. Once a communications connection has been established (YES at <NUM>), the charger <NUM> sends charger capability information <NUM> at <NUM> to the connected device <NUM> via the DP and DN lines, and sends charger status information <NUM> (if available) to the device <NUM> at <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the charger <NUM> receives configuration information from the device <NUM> using the communications connection, with the configuration information indicating a desired power supply output level (e.g., 20V at 1A). At <NUM>, the charger controller <NUM> selectively sets the output level of the power supply <NUM> according to the received configuration information, and thereafter provides that output level at <NUM> while again monitoring the DP and DN lines for further communications from the connected device <NUM>. The charger <NUM> also sends any updated status information <NUM> to the device <NUM> via the communications connection at <NUM>, for example, upon detection of a predetermined condition in the charger power supply <NUM> (overvoltage, overcurrent and/or overtemperature).

At <NUM>, the charger <NUM> determines whether any reconfiguration information has been received via the DP and DN connections, and otherwise (NO at <NUM>) the process continues at <NUM> with the charger <NUM> maintaining the output at the present level while monitoring the DP and DN lines for messages from the connected device <NUM> and sending any updated status information <NUM> at <NUM>. If reconfiguration information is received from the device <NUM> (YES at <NUM>), the charger <NUM> selectively adjusts the output power level according to the reconfiguration information at <NUM>, and the process <NUM> returns to <NUM> as described above.

The presently disclosed embodiments advantageously reuse DP and DN connections of the USB cable <NUM> to provide a bidirectional communications bus, with general purpose or other data storage on the connected charger <NUM> storing charger capability information <NUM> for transmission to a connected electronic device <NUM>, allowing intelligent match determination and charging speed determination by the device <NUM> based on the actual capabilities of the charger <NUM> and the device <NUM>. Moreover, the disclosed techniques facilitate updating the charger output level under control of the connected device <NUM> by providing power supply status information <NUM> from the charger <NUM>, thereby facilitating adaptive adjustments to mitigate product damage and facilitate shortened charging times. The disclosed apparatus and techniques thus present a significant advance over dedicated charging apparatus subject to user mismatching, with the disclosed device <NUM> and charger <NUM> intelligently using capability information, supplemented with charger status information, to facilitate fast charging while mitigating component damage or stress in an automated fashion, and without the additional circuitry associated with analog inter-device communication adaptations while maintaining USB compatibility and standard compliance across multiple devices and chargers.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a universal serial bus, USB, connector (<NUM>) for receiving a connector of a USB cable (<NUM>), the USB connector comprising:
a first conductive structure for electrical connection to a first data signal conductor of the USB cable (<NUM>),
a second conductive structure for electrical connection to a second data signal conductor of the USB cable (<NUM>),
a third conductive structure for electrical connection to a first power conductor of the USB cable (<NUM>), and
a fourth conductive structure for electrical connection to a second power conductor of the USB cable (<NUM>);
a load (<NUM>) operatively coupled to receive electrical power from the third and fourth conductive structures;
a controller (<NUM>) coupled with the first and second conductive structures and selectively operative to establish a bidirectional digital communications connection for exchanging data with a connected charger (<NUM>) along the first and second data signal conductors of the USB cable (<NUM>) via the first and second conductive structures; and
a processor (<NUM>) operatively coupled with the controller (<NUM>), the processor (<NUM>) is being programmed to obtain charger capability information from the connected charger (<NUM>) using the bidirectional digital communications connection established by the controller (<NUM>), and to selectively configure or reconfigure the connected charger (<NUM>) using the bidirectional digital communications connection at least partially according to the charger capability information,
characterized in that
the processor (<NUM>) is programmed to receive charger status information from the connected charger using the bidirectional digital communications connection, and to selectively reconfigure the connected charger using the bidirectional digital communications connection at least partially according to the charger status information.