Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA)
What is a Patent for Closed loop headroom control for battery charging
Search Patent for Closed loop headroom control for battery charging
The modern consumer uses many electronic gadgets powered by batteries. It is desirable to charge the batteries as efficiently and quick as you can. In some embodiments, such efficiencyrequirements may be heightened. It’s now standard for users to recharge their batteries with other battery-powered devices. Wireless earphones, referred to as “ear buds” are recharged using a storage device that contains a battery. It is also possible to charge tablets and smartphones via laptops, or use a portable powerbank to charge them. These applications are limited in regards to the amount of charge which can be charged. The effectiveness charging the device could increase the number of charges it can receive and extend the life of the device.
In certain embodiments charging a battery may include providing a constant current until the battery is at the state of charge. Then, offering a constant voltage until the battery has reached an additional state of charge. The voltage needed/supplied for the continuous current phase increases as battery charges increase. To the extent that the voltage supplied to the charger is significantly more than the required batterycharging voltage, significant inefficiencies may be introduced. However, providing the voltage that is not sufficient to fulfill the battery’s charging profile could result in longer than required charging times. Thus, what is needed in the art are systems andmethods for maintaining a voltage supplied to a battery charger of a portable electronic device at a level sufficiently above the required battery target voltage to maintain the desired rate of charging, but not so high as to introduce the aforementionedinefficiencies.
A computer system may include an charged system as well as charging systems. The system charged may include at least one charger and at least one battery designed to charge by at-least one charger. The charger may be set to draw the power of an charging device. The charging system could comprise an energy converter that is configured to supply power to the at least one charger of the system that is charged and a controller designed to control the power converter. The controller could be configured to receive feedback from the charging system and the feedback information could include the one or more voltages that are associated with the charged system. As a function the feedback information, the controller is able to determine the voltage of the output compensation value of the power converter. The controller may be still further set to control the output voltage for the power converter in proportion of the compensation value which means that the compensation value as well as the output voltage are set to ensure a specified headroom in between the battery charging voltage target of the charger and a voltage that is supplied to the charger.
The system that is charged may comprise several batteries and a plurality of chargers. One or more voltages may be included in the charged system. These voltages could comprise an input voltage for at least one charger, and an output voltage for at most one charger. A charger or a low dropout regulator, or at most one switch, could be present in the charged system. They will be connected between the input of at least 1 charger as well as the power connection of at least 1 charged system. Wireless headphones can be added to the system that is charged.
The charging system could also include one or more switches coupled to an output from the power converter and one or more power contacts on the charging system. A power source may be integrated into the charging system to supply power to the power converter. The power source can be linked to the battery within the charging system or connected to an external source of power via an electrical or wireless connection.
A method of supplying energy to a battery charger of a charged system, for charging the battery of the charged system, can include receiving, from a controller for a charging system, feedback information from the charging system and the feedback information comprising one or more voltages of the system that is charged. The method could also involve determining, through the controller of the charging system an output voltage-related compensation value for a power converter of the charged system as a consequence of the feedback information, the power converter being configured to provide power to the battery charger. The method may also involve setting, by the controller, an output voltage for the power converter in the direction of the compensation value,wherein the values for compensation and output are selected to maintain a preselected headroom between a battery charging voltage that is set by the charger and a voltage supplied to the charger.
The charged system may include multiple batteries as well as several chargers. The voltages that are part of the charging system are at least an input voltage for at least one charger as well as an output voltage of at the very least one charger. The controller of the charging system determines of the charging system an output voltage compensation value for the power converter in the system that is charged as a function of the feedback information may be based on determining if data received from the charging system is valid. In determining, by the controller of the charging system an output voltage compensation value for the power converter of the charged system in response to feedback information includes the determination of whether data received from the charged systemis valid. It could also involve setting the charging system’s status to one of a number of states that respond to the feedback information. It is possible to select from the various predetermined compensation levels to determine the compensation value. The predeterminedcompensation values include a plurality of positive values, at least one negative value, and a zero value. A charging case could be part of the charged system.
An electronic system could include at least one battery, at least one charger configured to charge the at least one battery as well as a power conversion configured to deliver electricity to at most one battery. The electronic system can further includemeans for regulating an output voltage of the power converter in order that the output voltage maintains a preselected headroom above a charging target voltage of at least one charger.
Click here to view the patent on USPTO website.
Get Patents with PatentPC
What is a patent?
The government grants patents to protect an invention a patent provides the inventor with exclusive rights to use, create to sell, and promote the invention?society gains when a innovative technology is introduced into the marketplace. These benefits may be realized immediately as people are able to achieve previously impossible feats, or indirectly through the opportunities for economic growth which innovation can bring (business expansion, job creation).
Many pharmaceutical companies and researchers at universities seek patent protection for their work and research. A patent can cover an abstract or physical product or process, or an approach or composition of material unique to the area. To be granted patent protection an invention has to be innovative, novel and not be obvious to other people within the same subject.
Patents recognize and honor inventors who have commercially profitable inventions. They provide a reason for inventors to come up with new ideas. Patents permit entrepreneurs and inventors to be confident that there’s an excellent chance that they will receive a return for their efforts, time and investment in the development of technology. It means that they can earn a living from their work.
Businesses that have the capacity to:
Protect your innovative products and services.
Increase the value, popularity, and appeal of your products on the market;
Your business and your products should be distinguished from the rest;
Access to business and technical knowledge and data;
Avoid accidentally using content from third parties or loosing valuable information, original outputs, or any other creative output.
Patents transform inventors’ information into a tradeable asset that opens up new possibilities for job creation and expansion of businesses through joint ventures or licensing.
Investors who are involved in the development and commercialization of technology will find small companies with patent protection to be more attractive.
Patents can lead to fresh ideas and innovative inventions. This information could encourage the development of new ideas and could qualify for patent protection.
Patents can serve as an obstacle to unscrupulous third parties profiting from the efforts of an invention.
Revenues from patent-protected technology that are commercially successful can be used to finance the development of technology through research and development (R&D) that will improve the chances of developing better technology in the future.
Intellectual property ownership can be used to convince lenders and investors that there are real opportunities to commercialize your product. Sometimes, one powerful patent can lead to multiple financing options. Patents and other IP assets are able to be used as collateral or security for debt financing. Investors may also look at the patents you own to boost the value of their company. Forbes and others have pointed out that every patent could add anywhere from $500,000 to a million dollars in company valuation.
Startups require a well-crafted business plan that builds on the IP to demonstrate that your product or service is distinctive superior or unique. Investors will also be impressed when you prove that your IP rights are secured or are on the verge of becoming secure and that they are in line with your business plan.
It is vital to protect an invention before applying for patent protection. A public disclosure of an invention can be detrimental to its novelty and invalidate it. The filing of disclosures prior to filing, for example, for investors, test-marketing or other business partners is best done after signing a confidentiality contract.
There are many kinds of patents, and understanding them is essential to protecting your invention. Utility patents cover new processes and machine creations. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Patents for utility are the best option to protect the owner from copies and competitors. Patents for utility are usually issued to improve or modify existing inventions. Utility patents can also be used to cover improvements and modifications in existing inventions. A process patent could be a way to describe the actions or methods of performing a particular act. But, a chemical composition could be an amalgamation of ingredients.
What’s the duration of a patent last? Patents that are utility-related last for 20 years from the earliest filing date, but their expirations can be extended because of patent office delays, for example.
Are you looking to protect your idea? Patents are only granted to the first applicants to file so you must file quickly. Call PatentPC now to have your patent application submitted!
A patent search is a must when you’re drafting an application for patent. This will enable you to look at other ideas and give you insights into their potential. This can help you limit the extent of your idea. You can also learn about the technological advancements in the field you’re inventing. This will allow you to know the extent of your invention as well as prepare you to file your patent application.
How to Search for Patents
Patent searches are the initial step in obtaining your patent. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Once the patent application is filed, the item subject to the patent can be referred to as patent-pending and you can find the patent application online on the public pair. When the patent office is satisfied with your application, you’ll be able do an examination of the patent number to discover the patent issued. Your product is now patentable. Alongside the USPTO search engine, you may also use other search engines, such as espacenet as described below. It is possible to seek help from Patent attorneys or a patent attorney. Patents granted in the United States are granted by the US trademark and patent office, or the United States patent office and trademark office. The office also examines trademark applications.
Are you interested in similar patents? Here are the steps:
1. Create a list of terms for your invention in relation to its intended composition, use, or purpose.
Write down a brief, but precise explanation of your invention. Do not use generic terms like “device”, “process,” or “system”. Look for synonyms to the terms you initially chose. Then, take note of important technical terms and keywords.
To help you identify keywords and concepts, use the questions below.
- What is the goal of the invention? Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
- Is the invention a way of making something or performing a function? Or is it a thing or procedure?
- What is the composition and function of the invention? What is the physical structure of the invention?
- What is the goal of the invention?
- What are the technical terms and terms used to define the nature of an invention? A technical dictionary can assist you to identify the correct words.
2. Use these terms to find relevant Cooperative Patent Classifications on the Classification Text Search Tool. To determine the most suitable classification to your invention, go through the class scheme of the classification (class schedules). If you do not get results from the Classification Text Search, you may want to consider replacing the words to describe your invention using synonyms.
3. Go through the CPC Classification Definition to verify the accuracy of the CPC classification you found. The hyperlink to the CPC classification definition is available if the chosen classification title has a blue box that includes “D” on the left. CPC classification definitions can aid you in determining the classification’s scope of application so that you can choose the most relevant. The definitions could also contain research tips or other suggestions which could prove useful in further study.
4. Get patent documents using the CPC classification from the Patents Full-Text and Image Database. By focusing on the abstracts and representative drawings it is possible to narrow your search to find the most relevant patent publications.
5. Use this selection of the most pertinent patent documents to examine each one in depth for any similarity to your idea. Be sure to read the specification and claims. Refer to the applicant and patent examiner to obtain additional patents.
6. It is possible to find published patent applications that meet the CPC classification you selected in Step 3. You can apply the same strategy of searching in Step 4 to narrow your search results to the most pertinent patent application by looking at the abstract and representative drawings that appear on each page. The next step is to review every patent application that has been published with care with particular attention paid to the claims and other drawings.
7. You can find additional US patent publications using keywords in the AppFT and PatFT databases, and also the classification search of patents that are that are not issued by the United States in the following table. You can also use web search engines to find non-patent documents that describe inventions in the literature. Examples:
- Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
- Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
- European Patent Office (EPO) provides esp@cenet to access a network of Europe’s patent databases with access to machine translation of European patents.
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) – with access to machine translations of Japanese patents.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) offers PATENTSCOPE with a full-text search of published international patent applications and machine translations for some documents, as well as a list of international patent databases.
- Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
- State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) with machine translation of Chinese patents.
- Other International Intellectual Property Offices with online patent databases include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
- Search non-patent literature. Inventions can be made public in many non-patent publications. It is recommended that you search journals, books, websites, technical catalogs, conference proceedings, and other print and electronic publications.
To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.