Multl-port charging device with multiple chargers

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a multi-port charging device having multiple chargers. Battery charger systems and apparatuses are described. In one example, an apparatus may include a first controller, a first port connected to the first controller, a first charger module connected to the first controller, a second controller, a second port connected to the second controller, and a second charger module connected to the second controller. The first controller may be configured to form a first connection path between the first charger module and the second port via the second controller. The first controller may also be configured to form a second connection path between the second charger module and the first port via the first controller.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to apparatus, methods and systems for battery chargers used in systems having multiple separate chargers for battery packs. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In one example, some battery charger products may include multiple Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C ports, multiple charger modules, and one or more battery packs. Each USB Type-C port can be connected to an individual charger module. Charger modules connected to multiple USB Type-C ports can be controlled individually. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] In some examples, a battery charger device is generally described. In one example, the device may include a first controller, a first port connected to the first controller, a first charger module connected to the first controller, a second controller, a second port connected to the second controller, and a second charger module connected to the second controller. The first controller may be configured to form a first connection path between the first charger module and the second port via the second controller. The first controller may also be configured to form a second connection path between the second charger module and the first port via the first controller.

[0004] In some examples, a battery charger device is generally described. The device may include a first port connected to a controller and a first charger module connected to the controller. The controller may be configured to form a first connection path between the first charger module and a second port of a subsystem connected to the device. The controller may also be configured to form a second connection path between a second charger module of the subsystem and the first port, the second charger module being connected to a battery.

[0005] In some examples, a battery charger device is generally described. The device may include a first port connected to a first switch, a first charger module connected between the first switch and one or more batteries, a second port connected to a second switch, a second charger module connected between the second switch and one or more batteries, and a third switch connected between a first node and a second node. The first node may be between the first charger module and the first switch. The second node may be between the second charger module and the second switch. In response to the third switch being turned on, the first charger module may be connected to the second port in response to the second switch being turned on, and the second charger module may be connected to the first port in response to the first switch being turned on.

[0006] Other features, structures, and operations of various embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or functionally similar elements.

Implementation Method

[0008] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example system 100 that can implement a multi-port charging device with multiple chargers in one embodiment. System 100 may include device 102. Device 102 may be, for example, a computing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, cellular phone (or mobile phone or smartphone), power bank, or any system that uses a battery and is capable of receiving power from an adapter. Device 102 may include port 106, port 108, battery pack 110, switch 122, switch 132, charger circuitry or device 112, switch 140, and load 104. In one example, ports 106 and 108 may be USB Type-C ports. Load 104 may be, for example, a device or component of device 102 that can consume power from battery pack 110, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, motherboard, display, or screen. In one example, battery pack 110 may provide power to more than one load of device 102.

[0009] Charger circuit 112 may include charger module 120 and charger module 130. In one example, charger modules 120 and 130 may be a battery charger implemented using a DC-DC power converter (e.g., a suitable buck, boost, step-buck, step-boost, buck-boost, or step-boost / step-buck power converter), a power source suitable for charging batteries, battery cells, or battery packs in battery-powered products. Charger modules 120 and 130 may be configured to charge batteries in battery pack 110. Battery pack 110 may include one or more batteries.

[0010] Each of switches 122 and 132 may be implemented using, for example, a field-effect transistor (FET), such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), a power MOSFET, or other suitable semiconductor transistor device capable of being turned on and off in response to a control signal. For example, switches 122 and 132 may be FETs that can be turned on (e.g., closed or turned on) or off (e.g., open or not turned on) in response to a control signal being applied to their gate terminals.

[0011] Switch 140 may be connected between node 124 and node 134, wherein node 124 may be located between switch 122 and charger module 120, and node 134 may be located between switch 132 and charger module 130. Switch 140 may be implemented using, for example, a FET, such as a MOSFET, a power MOSFET, or other suitable semiconductor transistor device capable of being turned on and off in response to a control signal. For example, switch 140 may be a FET capable of being turned on (e.g., closed or conducted) or off (e.g., open or de-conducted) in response to a control signal being applied to its gate terminal.

[0012] When switch 140 is open, chargers 120 and 130 can operate based on switches 122 and 132, respectively. In the example shown in Figure 1, when switches 122, 132, and 140 are open, charger modules 120 and 130 can be in an idle state and system 100 can be in battery-only mode. In battery-only mode, battery pack 110 can provide power to load 104.

[0013] In one example, when switch 140 is off, the power adapter is connected to port 106, and when switch 122 is on, charger module 120 can be configured to receive input voltage from the connected power adapter. Charger module 120 can use the received input voltage to charge the battery in battery pack 110. In another example, when switch 140 is off, a power-consuming device or mobile (OTG) device is connected to port 106, and when switch 122 is on, charger module 120 can be configured to provide power to the OTG device connected to port 106. Examples of OTG devices may include cellular phones, wearable devices, network interface cards, communication interface adapters (e.g., Bluetooth adapters), game consoles, displays, charging cables connected to power-consuming devices, etc.

[0014] In one example, when switch 140 is off, the power adapter is connected to port 108, and when switch 122 is on, charger module 130 can be configured to receive input voltage from the connected power adapter. Charger module 130 can use the received input voltage to charge the battery in battery pack 110. In another example, when switch 140 is off, an OTG device is connected to port 108, and when switch 132 is on, charger module 130 can be configured to provide power to the OTG device connected to port 108.

[0015] Switch 140 can be turned on to connect charger module 120 to port 108 and charger module 130 to port 106. The cross-connection between charger module 120 and port 108, and between charger module 130 and port 106, allows battery pack 110 to be charged by both charger modules 120 and 130 in response to a power adapter being connected to either port 106 or 108. By using both charger modules 120 and 130 to charge battery pack 110, battery pack 110 can be charged at a relatively high power. Furthermore, the cross-connection between charger module 120 and port 108, and between charger module 130 and port 106, allows a mobile (OTG) device connected to one of ports 106 or 108 to be charged by both charger modules 120 and 130 using power from battery pack 110. By using both charger modules 120 and 130 to charge a connected OTG device, the OTG device can be charged at a relatively high power.

[0016] FIG2 is a diagram illustrating details of the example system of FIG1 in one embodiment. In the example shown in FIG2, switches 122, 140 may be part of controller 202. Controller 202 may be configured to detect whether a device is connected to port 106. Devices that may be connected to port 106 may be, for example, a power adapter or a power-consuming device (e.g., an OTG device). Based on whether a device is connected to port 106, controller 202 may turn switches 122, 140 on or off. For example, in response to detecting that a power adapter or a power-consuming device is connected to port 106, port detection integrated circuit (IC) 204 may turn on switch 122 by providing a voltage sufficient to drive the gate of the MOSFET in switch 122.

[0017] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG2, switch 132 may be part of controller 212. Controller 212 may be configured to detect whether a device is connected to port 108. The device that may be connected to port 108 may be, for example, a power adapter or a power-consuming device (e.g., an OTG device). Based on whether a device is connected to port 108, controller 212 may turn switch 132 on or off. For example, in response to detecting that a power adapter or a power-consuming device is connected to port 108, port detection IC 214 may turn on switch 132 by providing a voltage sufficient to drive the gate of the MOSFET in switch 132.

[0018] In one example, port detection IC 204 can turn switch 140 on or off independently of switch 122. For example, switches 122 and 140 may not need to be on or off simultaneously. In one example, port detection IC 204 can turn switch 140 on or off based on user input (e.g., a button press, or settings in the operating system or software running on device 102). Although switch 140 is shown as part of controller 202 in FIG. 2, in other implementations, switch 140 may also be part of controller 212, or external to both controllers 202 and 212. In another example embodiment, other embedded controllers that may be part of controllers 202 and 212 may also control switch 140.

[0019] Figures 3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating an example implementation of the example system 100 of Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3A, switches 122 and 140 are on and switch 132 is off. Switch 122 can be turned on in response to the power adapter 302 or the OTG device 304 being connected to port 106. In the example shown in Figure 3A, in response to the power adapter 302 being connected to port 106, charger modules 120 and 130 can both use the power provided by the connected power adapter 302 to charge the battery pack 110. In the example shown in Figure 3A, in response to the OTG device 304 being connected to port 106, charger modules 120 and 130 can provide power from the battery pack 110 to the connected OTG device 304.

[0020] In Figure 3B, switches 132 and 140 are on and switch 122 is off. Switch 132 can be turned on in response to the power adapter 306 or OTG device 308 being connected to port 108. In the example shown in Figure 3B, in response to the power adapter 306 being connected to port 108, charger modules 120 and 130 can both use the power provided by the connected power adapter 306 to charge battery pack 110. In the example shown in Figure 3B, in response to the OTG device 308 being connected to port 108, charger modules 120 and 130 can provide power from battery pack 110 to the connected OTG device 308.

[0021] In Figure 3C, switches 122, 132, and 140 are turned on. Switch 122 can be turned on in response to power adapter 302 or OTG device 304 being connected to port 106. Switch 132 can be turned on in response to power adapter 306 or OTG device 308 being connected to port 108. In the example shown in Figure 3C, in response to power adapter 302 being connected to port 106 and power adapter 306 being connected to port 108, charger module 120 can use the power provided by power adapter 302 to charge battery pack 110, and charger module 130 can use the power provided by power adapter 306 to charge battery pack 110.

[0022] In the example shown in FIG3C, in response to OTG device 304 being connected to port 106 and OTG device 308 being connected to port 108, charger module 120 can provide power from battery pack 110 to OTG device 304 and charger module 130 can provide power from battery pack 110 to OTG device 308.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 3C, in response to OTG device 304 being connected to port 106 and power adapter 306 being connected to port 108, charger module 120 can provide power from battery pack 110 to OTG device 304 and charger module 130 can use the power from power adapter 306 to charge battery pack 110. However, if load 104 is a computing system that refuses to connect OTG device 304 to port 106, then charger modules 120 and 130 can both use the power from power adapter 306 connected to port 108 to charge battery pack 110. In one example, when a high power adapter (e.g., if power adapter 306 is a high power adapter) is plugged in through port 108, the computing system may need to charge battery 110 with two chargers (e.g., charger modules 120 and 130) because one charger may not be sufficient to charge the high power adapter. Therefore, the computing system may refuse to accept OTG devices that can be plugged in through other ports 106.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG3C, in response to the OTG device 308 being connected to port 108 and the power adapter 302 being connected to port 106, the charger module 130 can provide power to the OTG device 308 from the battery pack 110, and the charger module 120 can use the power from the power adapter 302 to charge the battery pack 110. However, if the load 104 is a computing system that refuses to connect to the OTG device 308 connected to port 108, then both charger modules 120 and 130 can use the power from the power adapter 302 connected to port 106 to charge the battery pack 110.

[0025] In Figure 3D, switch 140 is on and switches 122 and 132 are off. Switch 140 can be turned on in response to, for example, user input to system 100 (e.g., a button press, or a setting in an application or software running by system 100). In the example shown in Figure 3D, in response to switch 140 being on and switches 120 and 130 being off, system 100 can operate in battery-only mode. In battery-only mode, battery pack 110 can discharge to provide power to load 104.

[0026] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating another example system of a multi-port charging device with multiple chargers, as shown in one embodiment. System 400 may include subsystem 402 and subsystem 404. In one example, each of subsystems 402 and 404 may include a set of individual components, such as a central processing unit (CPU), memory devices, a network interface card (NIC), an input device including a touchscreen, etc. In the example shown in Figure 4, each of subsystems 402 and 404 may each include an individual battery pack, such as battery pack 410 and battery pack 412. In the example embodiment, subsystem 402 may be a display screen and subsystem 404 may be the main system of a computer device including processing components such as a motherboard. In another example embodiment, subsystems 402 and 404 may be two display screens of a device, such as a dual-screen mobile phone.

[0027] Subsystem 402 may include port 406, battery pack 410, switch 422, charger circuit or module 420, and switch 440. Subsystem 404 may include port 408, battery pack 412, switch 432, charger circuit or module 430, and load 414. In one example, ports 406 and 408 may be USB Type-C ports. Load 414 may be a device or component of subsystem 404 that can consume power from battery pack 412, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, motherboard, display, or screen. In one example, subsystem 402 may be separate from subsystem 404, and subsystem 402 may be attached to subsystem 404 to implement the methods and systems described herein. For example, subsystem 402 may be connected to subsystem 404 via switch 440.

[0028] In one example, charger modules 420, 430 may be a battery charger implemented using a DC-DC power converter (e.g., a suitable buck, boost, step-buck, step-boost, buck-boost, or step-boost / step-buck power converter), a power source suitable for charging batteries, battery cells, or battery packs in battery-powered products. Charger modules 420, 430 may be configured to charge batteries in battery packs 410, 412, respectively. Each of battery packs 410, 412 may include one or more batteries.

[0029] Each of switches 422 and 432 may be implemented using, for example, a field-effect transistor (FET), such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), a power MOSFET, or other suitable semiconductor transistor device capable of being turned on and off in response to a control signal. For example, switches 422 and 432 may be FETs that can be turned on (e.g., closed or turned on) or off (e.g., open or not turned on) in response to a control signal being applied to their gate terminals.

[0030] Switch 440 may be connected between node 424 and node 434, wherein node 424 may be located between switch 422 and charger module 420, and node 434 may be located between switch 432 and charger module 430. Switch 440 may be implemented using, for example, a FET, such as a MOSFET, power MOSFET, or other suitable semiconductor transistor device capable of being turned on and off in response to a control signal. For example, switch 440 may be a FET capable of being turned on (e.g., closed or conducted) or off (e.g., open or de-conducted) in response to a control signal being applied to its gate terminal.

[0031] When switch 440 is open, chargers 420 and 430 can operate based on switches 422 and 432, respectively. In the example shown in Figure 4, when switches 422, 432, and 440 are open, charger modules 420 and 430 can be in an idle state and system 400 can be in battery-only mode. In battery-only mode of system 400, battery pack 412 can provide power to load 414, and battery pack 410 can be idle and not charged by charger module 420, nor discharged.

[0032] In one example, when switch 440 is off, the power adapter is connected to port 406, and when switch 422 is on, charger module 420 can be configured to receive input voltage from the connected power adapter. Charger module 420 can use the received input voltage to charge the battery in battery pack 410. In another example, when switch 440 is off, a power-consuming device or mobile (OTG) device is connected to port 406, and when switch 422 is on, charger module 420 can be configured to provide power to the OTG device connected to port 406 by discharging battery pack 410. When switches 440 and 422 are off, charger module 420 can be in an idle state and battery pack 410 can be uncharged by charger 420. Examples of OTG devices may include cellular phones, wearable devices, network interface cards, communication interface adapters (e.g., Bluetooth adapters), game consoles, displays, charging cables connected to power-consuming devices, etc.

[0033] In one example, when switch 440 is open, the power adapter is connected to port 408, and when switch 422 is closed, charger module 430 can be configured to receive input voltage from the connected power adapter. Charger module 430 can use the received input voltage to charge the battery in battery pack 412. In another example, when switch 440 is open, an OTG device is connected to port 408, and when switch 432 is closed, charger module 430 can be configured to provide power to the OTG device connected to port 408. When switch 432 is open, charger module 430 can be in an idle state. When switches 440 and 432 are open, charger module 430 can discharge battery pack 412 to provide power to load 414.

[0034] Switch 440 can be turned on to connect charger module 420 to port 408 and charger module 430 to port 406, forming a cross connection. The connection between charger module 420 and port 408 allows battery pack 410 to be charged by both charger modules 420 and 430 using power from a power adapter connected to port 408. The connection between charger module 430 and port 406 allows battery pack 412 to be charged by both charger modules 420 and 430 using power from a power adapter connected to port 406. By enabling both charger modules 420 and 430 to charge either battery pack 410 or battery pack 412, battery packs 410 and 412 can be charged at a relatively high power. Furthermore, the connection between charger module 420 and port 408 allows both charger modules 420 and 430 to provide power from both battery packs 410 and 412 to an OTG device connected to port 408. The connection between charger module 430 and port 406 allows charger modules 420 and 430 to supply power from the two battery packs 410 and 412 to the OTG device connected to port 406. By using the two battery packs 410 and 412 and the two charger modules 420 and 430 to charge the connected OTG device, the OTG device can be charged at a relatively high power level.

[0035] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating details of the example system of Figure 4 in one embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 5, switches 422, 440 may be part of controller 502. Controller 502 may be configured to detect whether a device is connected to port 406. Devices that may be connected to port 406 may be, for example, a power adapter or a power-consuming device (e.g., an OTG device). Based on whether a device is connected to port 406, controller 502 may turn switches 422, 440 on or off. For example, in response to detecting that a power adapter or power-consuming device is connected to port 506, port detection IC 512 may turn on switch 422 by providing a voltage sufficient to drive the gate of the MOSFET in switch 422.

[0036] Similarly, in the example shown in FIG5, switch 432 may be part of controller 504. Controller 504 may be configured to detect whether a device is connected to port 408. The device that may be connected to port 408 may be, for example, a power adapter or a power-consuming device (e.g., an OTG device). Based on whether a device is connected to port 408, controller 504 may turn switch 432 on or off. For example, in response to detecting that a power adapter or a power-consuming device is connected to port 408, port detection IC 514 may turn on switch 432 by providing a voltage sufficient to drive the gate of the MOSFET in switch 432.

[0037] In one example, port detection IC 512 can turn switch 440 on or off independently of switch 420. For example, switches 422 and 440 may not need to be turned on or off simultaneously. In one example, port detection IC 512 can turn switch 440 on or off based on user input (e.g., a button press, or settings in the operating system or software running on subsystem 402). In another example, switch 440 may also be part of controller 504.

[0038] Figures 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating an example implementation of the example system 400 of Figures 4 and 5. In Figure 6A, switches 422 and 440 are on and switch 432 is off. Switch 422 can be turned on in response to the power adapter 602 or the OTG device 604 being connected to port 406. In the example shown in Figure 6A, in response to the power adapter 602 being connected to port 406, using the power provided by the connected power adapter 602, charger module 420 can charge battery pack 410, and charger module 430 can charge battery pack 412. In other words, power adapter 602 can charge both battery packs 410 and 412 simultaneously. In the example shown in Figure 6A, in response to the OTG device 604 being connected to port 406, charger modules 420 and 430 can provide power from battery packs 410 and 412 to the connected OTG device 604, respectively. Therefore, OTG device 604 can receive power from both battery packs 410 and 412 simultaneously.

[0039] In Figure 6B, switches 432 and 440 are on and switch 422 is off. Switch 432 can be turned on in response to the power adapter 606 or OTG device 608 being connected to port 408. In the example shown in Figure 6B, in response to the power adapter 606 being connected to port 408, using the power provided by the connected power adapter 606, charger module 420 can charge battery pack 410, and charger module 430 can charge battery pack 412. In other words, power adapter 606 can charge both battery packs 410 and 412 simultaneously. In the example shown in Figure 6B, in response to the OTG device 608 being connected to port 408, charger modules 420 and 430 can provide power from battery packs 410 and 412 to the connected OTG device 608, respectively. Therefore, OTG device 608 can receive power from both battery packs 410 and 412 simultaneously.

[0040] In Figure 6C, switches 422, 432, and 440 are turned on. Switch 422 can be turned on in response to power adapter 602 or OTG device 604 being connected to port 406. Switch 432 can be turned on in response to power adapter 606 or OTG device 608 being connected to port 408. In the example shown in Figure 6C, in response to power adapter 602 being connected to port 406 and power adapter 606 being connected to port 408, charger module 420 can use the power provided by power adapter 602 to charge battery pack 410, and charger module 430 can use the power provided by power adapter 606 to charge battery pack 412.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG6C, in response to OTG device 604 being connected to port 406 and OTG device 608 being connected to port 408, charger module 420 can provide power to OTG device 604 from battery pack 410 and charger module 430 can provide power to OTG device 608 from battery pack 412.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG6C, in response to the OTG device 604 being connected to port 406 and the power adapter 606 being connected to port 408, the charger module 420 can provide power to the OTG device 604 from the battery pack 410 and the charger module 430 can use the power from the power adapter 606 to charge the battery pack 412. However, if the load 414 is the computing system of the OTG device 604 that is not connected to port 406, then both charger modules 420 and 430 can use the power from the power adapter 606 connected to port 408 to charge the battery packs 410 and 412 respectively.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG6C, in response to OTG device 608 being connected to port 408 and power adapter 602 being connected to port 406, charger module 430 can provide power to OTG device 608 from battery pack 412 and charger module 420 can use power from power adapter 602 to charge battery pack 410. However, if load 414 is a computing system of OTG device 608 that refuses to be connected to port 408, then charger modules 420 and 430 can both use power from power adapter 602 connected to port 406 to charge battery packs 410 and 412.

[0044] In Figure 6D, switch 440 is on and switches 422 and 432 are off. Switch 440 can be turned on in response to, for example, user input to system 400 (e.g., a button, or a setting in an application or software running by system 400). In the example shown in Figure 6D, in response to switch 440 being on and switches 420 and 430 being off, system 400 can operate in battery-only mode. In battery-only mode, battery pack 412 can discharge to provide power to load 414. Additionally, if battery pack 412 is fully charged and battery pack 410 is fully discharged, charger module 420 can charge battery pack 410 using power from battery pack 412 via switch 440. Similarly, if battery pack 410 is fully charged and battery pack 412 is fully discharged, charger module 430 can charge battery pack 412 using power from battery pack 410 via switch 440. In one example, charger modules 420 and 430 can be configured to detect whether battery packs 410 and 412 are fully charged or fully discharged, respectively.

[0045] Figures 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the example system 400 of Figure 4 in one embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 7A, voltage regulator 702, switch 704, and switch 706 may be added to system 400. In one example, voltage regulator 702 may be a 5V buck converter that can provide 5V to an OTG device connected to ports 406, 408 via switches 704, 706. In another example, if system 400 is designed to provide a different voltage to an OTG device connected to ports 406, 408 via switches 704, 706, voltage regulator 702 may be other types of converters, such as boost or buck-boost regulators. Each of switches 704, 706 may be implemented using, for example, a field-effect transistor (FET), such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), a power MOSFET, or other suitable semiconductor transistor devices capable of being turned on and off in response to control signals. For example, switches 704 and 706 may be FETs that can be turned on (e.g., closed or turned on) or turned off (e.g., open or not turned on) in response to a control signal being applied to their gate terminals.

[0046] Switch 704 may be connected between node 710 and voltage regulator 702, wherein node 710 may be located between port 406 and switch 422. Switch 706 may be connected between node 712 and voltage regulator 702, wherein node 712 may be located between port 408 and switch 432. Switch 704 may be part of controller 502 in FIG. 5, and switch 706 may be part of controller 504 in FIG. 5. In response to switch 704 being turned on, voltage regulator 702 may be connected to port 406. In response to switch 706 being turned on, voltage regulator 702 may be connected to port 408. By connecting voltage regulator 702 to port 406 and / or port 408, voltage regulator 702 may be configured to provide power to OTG devices connected to port 406 and / or port 408.

[0047] For example, in the example shown in FIG7B, switches 422, 440, and 706 are turned on, and switches 432 and 704 are turned off. Switch 422 can be turned on in response to power adapter 602 being connected to port 406. Switch 706 can be turned on in response to OTG device 608 being connected to port 408. In response to power adapter 602 being connected to port 406, charger modules 420 and 430 can use the power provided by the connected power adapter 602 to charge battery packs 410 and 412 respectively. In other words, power adapter 602 can charge both battery packs 410 and 412 simultaneously. Furthermore, in response to switch 706 being turned on, voltage regulator 702 can use the power from battery pack 412 to provide power to OTG device 608 connected to port 608.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 7C, switches 432, 440, and 704 are turned on, and switches 422 and 706 are turned off. Switch 432 can be turned on in response to power adapter 606 being connected to port 408. Switch 704 can be turned on in response to OTG device 604 being connected to port 406. In response to power adapter 606 being connected to port 408, charger modules 420 and 430 can use the power provided by the connected power adapter 606 to charge battery packs 410 and 412 respectively. In other words, power adapter 606 can charge both battery packs 410 and 412 simultaneously. Furthermore, in response to switch 704 being turned on, voltage regulator 702 can use the power from battery pack 412 to provide power to OTG device 604 connected to port 606.

[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising” designate the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0050] The corresponding structures, materials, actions, and equivalents of all means or steps plus functional elements (if any) in the following claims are intended to include any structures, materials, or actions for performing functions in combination with other claimed elements, as particularly claimed. The description of the invention is presented for illustrative and descriptive purposes, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms of the invention disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application of the invention, and to enable others skilled in the art to understand various embodiments of the invention with various modifications suitable for the particular intended use. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0007] FIG1 is a diagram illustrating an example system that can implement a multi-port charging device with multiple chargers in one embodiment; FIG2 is a diagram illustrating details of the example system of FIG1 in one embodiment; FIG3A is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG1 in one embodiment; FIG3B is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG1 in one embodiment; FIG3C is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG1 in one embodiment; FIG3D is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG1 in one embodiment; FIG4 is a diagram illustrating another example system that can implement a multi-port charging device with multiple chargers in one embodiment; FIG5 is a diagram illustrating details of the example system of FIG4 in one embodiment; FIG6A is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG4 in one embodiment; FIG6B is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG4 in one embodiment; FIG6C is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG4 in one embodiment; FIG6D is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of the example system of FIG4 in one embodiment; FIG7A is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the example system of FIG4 in one embodiment; Figure 7B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the example system of Figure 4 in one embodiment; and Figure 7C is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the example system of Figure 4 in one embodiment.

Claims

1. A charging device comprising: First controller; The first port is connected to the aforementioned first controller; A first charger module is connected to the first port via the first controller; A second controller; a second port connected to the second controller; a second charger module connected to the second port via the second controller; the first controller is configured to: form a first connection path between the first charger module and the second port via the second controller; and form a second connection path between the second charger module and the first port via the first controller.

2. The charging device as requested in item 1, wherein the first port and the second port are universal serial bus type-C ports.

3. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the first charger module and the second charger module are configured to be connected to a battery, and wherein, in response to the formation of the first connection path: the first charger module is configured to charge the battery using power from a power adapter connected to the second port; and the second charger module is configured to charge the battery using power from the power adapter connected to the second port.

4. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the first charger module and the second charger module are connected to a battery, and wherein in response to the formation of the first connection path: the first charger module is configured to provide power from the battery to a device connected to the second port; and the second charger module is configured to provide the power from the battery to the device connected to the second port.

5. The charging device of claim 1, wherein a first battery is connected to the first charger module and a second battery is connected to the second charger module, and in response to the formation of the first connection path: the first charger module is configured to charge the first battery using power from a power adapter connected to the second port; and the second charger module is configured to charge the second battery using power from the power adapter connected to the second port.

6. The charging device of claim 1, wherein a first battery is connected to the first charger module and a second battery is connected to the second charger module, and in response to the formation of the first connection path: the first charger module is configured to provide power from the first battery to the device connected to the second port; and the second charger module is configured to provide power from the second battery to the device connected to the second port.

7. The charging device as requested in item 1, wherein: A first battery is connected to the first charger module; a second battery is connected to the second charger module; the first controller is configured to form a third connection path between the first charger module and the second charger module; in response to the formation of the third connection path, the first battery being fully discharged and the second battery being fully charged, the first charger module is configured to use the second battery to charge the first battery.

8. The charging device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a voltage regulator, wherein: The voltage regulator is connected to the first port via a first switch; the voltage regulator is connected to the second port via a second switch; the first charger module is connected to the first battery pack; the second charger module is connected to the second battery pack; and in response to the formation of the first connection path and in response to the activation of the second switch, the first charger module and the second charger module are configured to provide power to the first battery pack and the second battery pack from a power adapter connected to the second port, and the voltage regulator is configured to provide power to a device connected to the first port.

9. The charging device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the voltage regulator is a buck converter.

10. A charging device comprising: A first port is connected to a controller; a first charger module is connected to the controller, wherein the controller is connected between the first port and the first charger module; the controller is configured to: form a first connection path between the first charger module and a second port of a subsystem connected to the device via the controller; and form a second connection path between the second charger module of the subsystem and the first port via the controller, wherein the second charger module is connected to a battery.

11. The charging device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first port and the second port are general purpose serial bus type C ports.

12. The charging device of claim 10, wherein the battery is connected to the first charger module, and in response to the formation of the first connection path, the first charger module is configured to use power from a power adapter connected to the second port to charge the battery.

13. The charging device of claim 10, wherein the battery is connected to the first charger module and in response to the formation of the first connection path, the first charger module is configured to provide power from the battery to a device connected to the second port.

14. The charging device of claim 10, wherein the battery connected to the second charger module is a first battery, and the second battery is connected to the first charger module, and in response to the formation of the first connection path, the first charger module is configured to use power from a power adapter connected to the second port to charge the second battery.

15. The charging device of claim 10, wherein the battery connected to the second charger module is a first battery, and the second battery is connected to the first charger module, and in response to the formation of the first connection path, the first charger module is configured to provide power from the second battery to the device connected to the second port.

16. The charging device as claimed in claim 10, wherein: The battery connected to the second charger module is a first battery, and the second battery is connected to the first charger module; the controller is configured to: form a third connection path between the first charger module and the second charger module; and in response to the formation of the third connection path, charge the second battery using the first battery.

17. A charging device comprising: The first port is connected to the first switch; A first charger module is connected between the aforementioned first switch and one or more batteries; A second port is connected to a second switch; a second charger module is connected between the second switch and the one or more batteries; and a third switch is connected between a first node and a second node, the first node being between the first charger module and the first switch, and the second node being between the second charger module and the second switch, wherein in response to the third switch being turned on, the first charger module is connected to the second port in response to the second switch being turned on, and the second charger module is connected to the first port in response to the first switch being turned on.

18. The charging device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first port and the second port are general purpose serial bus type C ports.

19. The charging device of claim 17, wherein the one or more batteries include a first battery and a second battery, the first battery being connected to the first charger module and the second battery being connected to the second charger module.

20. The charging device of claim 17, further comprising a voltage regulator, wherein: The aforementioned one or more batteries include a first battery and a second battery; the first battery is connected to the first charger module; the second battery is connected to the second charger module; a fourth switch is connected between the first port and the voltage regulator; a fifth switch is connected between the second port and the voltage regulator; in response to the first switch, the third switch, and the fifth switch being turned on, the second switch and the fourth switch being turned off: the first charger module and the second charger module are configured to provide power to the first battery and the second battery from a power adapter connected to the first port; and the voltage regulator is configured to provide power to a device connected to the second port.

Images