Charger System and Method

Abstract

Systems and methods of providing power through a Universal Serial Bus connector are provided. A charging system comprises an interface configured to receive power, a power converter coupled to the power source interface, the power converter configured to use the received power to generate power output, and a charging controller configured to control an amount of power provided at the USB connector on the power lines derived from the power output, and configured to generate an identification signal on the USB connector's two data lines, the identification signal usable to indicate the charger is not subject to standard USB power limitations, the identification signal provided through the use of a resistance between the D+ and D− data lines.

1 . A charger configured to provide power through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, the charger comprising:
 a controller configured to control an amount of power output from the charger, and to generate an identification signal indicating that the power output exceeds standard USB power limits.   
     
     
         2 . The charger of  claim 1 , wherein the identification signal is communicated via USB data lines comprising a D+ line and a D− line, and the identification signal is based on a resistance between the D+ and D− data lines. 
     
     
         3 . The charger of  claim 2 , wherein the identification signal is based on the data lines being pulled into a high state. 
     
     
         4 . The charger of  claim 3 , wherein the data lines are pulled into the high state using at least one resistor. 
     
     
         5 . The charger of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one Universal Serial Bus connector coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         6 . A method for providing power through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, the method comprising:
 delivering a power output to the USB connector; and   generating an identification signal for indicating that the power output exceeds standard USB power limits.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising communicating the identification signal via a D+ data line and a D− data line of the USB connector, wherein the identification signal is based on a resistance between the D+ and D− data lines. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the identification signal comprises the data lines being pulled into a high state. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising pulling the data lines into the high state using at least one resistor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of USB connectors, each USB connector operable to provide the identification signal. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing power through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, the method comprising:
 controlling an amount of power delivered to the USB connector;   enabling an identification signal on a D+ data line and a D− data line of the USB connector; and   delivering output power to the USB connector based on at least one of voltage and current draw detectable from power lines of the USB connector, the output power not being limited by standard USB power limits.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the identification signal comprises D+ and D− in a high logic state. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the data lines are pulled into a high state through resistance. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising pulling the data lines into the high using at least one resistor.