Power Supply Systems

Patent No. US10951042 (titled "Power Supply Systems") was filed by Comarco Wireless Systems Llc on Oct 22, 2020.

’042 is related to the field of power adapters for portable electronic devices (PEDs), such as laptops and cell phones. The background acknowledges the problem of safely charging PEDs from various DC power sources like automobile outlets and airplane EMPOWER systems. A key concern is preventing battery overheating or fires due to charging circuit malfunctions, especially when using EMPOWER systems, which can supply unregulated power that exceeds the battery's safe charging limits.

The underlying idea behind ’042 is to implement a two-way communication between the PED and the power supply to intelligently control battery charging. This involves the PED sending a signal to the power supply and receiving a signal back, allowing the PED to adapt its charging behavior based on the power source's characteristics. This communication happens through a connector with four conductors, each dedicated to DC power, ground, the PED's signal to the power supply, and the power supply's signal to the PED.

The claims of ’042 focus on a portable electronic device with a rechargeable battery, power circuitry for charging, and data circuitry for two-way communication with a power supply. The PED uses a connector with four conductors to transfer DC power, provide a ground reference, transmit a first signal to the power supply, and receive a second signal from the power supply. The second signal's parameter level is crucial, as the PED uses it to control battery charging based on the received DC power.

In practice, the PED sends a signal to the power supply, potentially requesting information about its capabilities or origin. The power supply responds with a signal indicating its power source (e.g., EMPOWER or automobile) or its maximum power output. The PED then uses this information to adjust its charging behavior, disabling charging if the power source is unreliable or limiting current draw to prevent overloading the power supply. This dynamic adjustment ensures safe and efficient charging across different power environments.

This approach differs from prior art systems that relied on manual connector changes or simple voltage-based detection. ’042 enables a more robust and automated system where the PED actively participates in the power management process. By using a dedicated communication channel , the PED can receive detailed information about the power source and make informed decisions about battery charging, enhancing safety and preventing potential damage to the device or its battery.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2000s when ’042 was filed, DC power adapters were commonly used to power electronic devices in automobiles and airplanes. At a time when battery technology was rapidly evolving, systems commonly relied on external power sources to both operate devices and recharge batteries. Hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to ensure safe battery charging, especially when using unregulated power sources like those found in vehicles and airplanes.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the claims were deemed to be an unobvious improvement over existing prior art. Specifically, the examiner noted that the inclusion of a portable electronic device with a rechargeable battery, power circuitry for charging the battery, and data circuitry for communication with the power supply, all coupled via a specific connector configuration, was not obvious. This configuration allows for control of battery charging based on the direct current received by the power circuitry.

Claims

This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims 1 and 11 directed to a portable electronic device that includes a rechargeable battery, power circuitry, and data circuitry configured to communicate with a power supply via a connector having four conductors. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features of the connector, the signals exchanged, and the type of portable electronic device.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)	Support for Specification	Interpretation
Data circuitry (Claim 1, Claim 11)	“To address this problem, one system in the art provides a connector to connect between the DC/DC adapter and the notebook computer to inform the notebook computer not to recharge the batteries.”	Circuitry within the portable electronic device that sends a first signal to the power supply and receives a second signal from the power supply, used in connection with control of charging the rechargeable battery.
First conductor (Claim 1, Claim 11)	“There are power systems in the art which allow a user to hook up a DC/DC adapter to an automobile outlet, to supply regulated DC power to power an electronic device, such as a notebook computer. Automobile outlets typically provide a DC voltage in a range between 11.0 and 14.1 Volts. Some power systems also allow the user to hook up the DC/DC adapter to an airplane output such as the EMPOWER system. EMPOWER typically provides a DC voltage in a range between 14.5 and 15.5 Volts.”	A conductor within the connector that transfers direct current from the power supply to the portable electronic device.
Power circuitry (Claim 1, Claim 11)	“There are power systems in the art which allow a user to hook up a DC/DC adapter to an automobile outlet, to supply regulated DC power to power an electronic device, such as a notebook computer. Automobile outlets typically provide a DC voltage in a range between 11.0 and 14.1 Volts. Some power systems also allow the user to hook up the DC/DC adapter to an airplane output such as the EMPOWER system. EMPOWER typically provides a DC voltage in a range between 14.5 and 15.5 Volts.”	Circuitry within the portable electronic device that receives direct current and charges the rechargeable battery.
Rechargeable battery (Claim 1, Claim 11)	“Notebook computers often contain lithium ion batteries. Such batteries can be recharged when the notebook computer is hooked up to the DC/DC adapter. For example, if the user is in a car, the user can couple a DC/DC adapter to the notebook computer and to the cigarette lighter outlet to power the notebook computer. The batteries in the notebook computer will draw some of the DC power supplied to recharge the batteries of the notebook computer if they are low in power.”	A battery within the portable electronic device that can be charged by the power circuitry.
Second conductor (Claim 1, Claim 11)	“No explicit definition found, but ground reference is a standard electrical concept.”	A conductor within the connector that provides a ground reference from the power supply.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case Number	Filing Date	Title
2:22-cv-00266	Jul 18, 2022	Comarco Wireless Systems LLC v. Anker Innovations Ltd.
5:22-cv-00273	Jul 15, 2022	Comarco Wireless Systems LLC v. Lenovo Group, Ltd. et al
3:22-cv-00884	Apr 20, 2022	Comarco Wireless Systems LLC v. LG Electronics Inc et al

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US10951042

COMARCO WIRELESS SYSTEMS LLC

Application Number: US17077699
Filing Date: Oct 22, 2020
Status: Expired
Expiry Date: Jan 15, 2024
External Links: Slate, USPTO, Google Patents

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