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Method and system for selective control of charging a power sourceMethod and system for selective control of charging a power source description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060238416, Method and system for selective control of charging a power source. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates in general to charging techniques for electronic devices and more particularly, to selectively controlling a power source for electronic devices. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] The use of portable devices, particularly mobile communications units, has exploded recently. Manufacturers are constantly adding features to these devices to make them more desirable to consumers. In addition, government agencies may order manufacturers to implement certain features in their devices. As an example, in part because of consumer demand and in part because of a government mandate, cellular telephone manufacturers have built Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in their products. A GPS receiver can enable a cellular telephone to determine its physical location, which can be displayed to a user of the device or forwarded to some other entity, like an emergency operator. [0005] GPS receivers typically include a reference oscillator circuit for purposes of synchronization. In particular, when a GPS receiver attempts to determine its location, the GPS receiver will establish communications with the appropriate satellites, relying on the reference oscillator circuit to do so. There is a possibility that the frequency of the reference oscillator circuit will drift, which may prolong the time that it takes for the GPS receiver to determine its location from the satellites. As an example, if the temperature of the reference oscillator circuit varies, the frequency of the reference oscillator circuit will vary, too. To help solve the problem of frequency drift, temperature-compensated oscillators (TCXO) have been developed, which can adjust the reference frequency in view of a temperature variation. [0006] There are several ways in which the reference oscillator circuit may be subjected to heat. For example, almost all cellular telephones include charging circuits, which can be used to replenish rechargeable batteries. As the cellular telephone is charged, heat can be introduced into the device, which may cause frequency drift in the reference oscillator circuit of the GPS receiver. This variation in temperature even affects the performance of TCXOs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention concerns a method for selective control of charging a power source. The method can include the steps of charging a power source of an electronic device having a GPS unit and conducting a session for the GPS unit. In response, the method can also include the step of selectively throttling the flow of current to the power source of the electronic device to reduce the effect of thermal variation on the operation of the GPS unit. [0008] As an example, the step of conducting a session for the GPS unit can include conducting an acquisition session in which the GPS unit acquires and synchronizes with a plurality of GPS satellites. The method can also include the step of monitoring at least one of the temperature of the GPS unit, the voltage on the power source and the amount of current flowing into the electronic device. [0009] In one arrangement, during a first phase based on a first predetermined parameter, the selectively throttling the flow of current step can include at least substantially preventing the current from flowing to the power source. Also during the first phase, the selectively throttling the flow of current step can include permitting enough of the current to flow to the GPS unit to allow the GPS unit to operate. As an example, the first predetermined parameter can be at least one of a predetermined amount of time and a predetermined rate of temperature change. [0010] In another arrangement, a second phase can last from the end of a first phase to the point at which the GPS unit reaches a predetermined thermal equilibrium. During the second phase, the selectively throttling the flow of current step can include varying the amount of current flowing to the power source to reduce the rate of temperature change at the GPS unit. [0011] A third phase can last from the point at which the GPS unit reaches a predetermined thermal equilibrium to the point at which the power source reaches a predetermined charging voltage. During the third phase, the selectively throttling the flow of current step can include maintaining the flow of current at a substantially constant value to reduce the rate of temperature change at the GPS unit. [0012] In yet another arrangement, a fourth phase can last from the point at which the power source reaches a predetermined charging voltage until the charging process is complete. During the fourth phase, the selectively throttling the flow of current step can include at least one of maintaining the current flow at its conventional level and diverting at least a portion of the flow of current to another component in the electronic device. As an example, the electronic device can be a mobile communications unit. [0013] The present invention also concerns a system for selective control of charging a power source. The system can include a power source, a charging circuit that can be coupled to and can enable the charging of the power source and a GPS unit. The GPS unit can determine a physical location of the system. The system can also include a processor, which can be coupled to the charging circuit and the GPS unit. The processor can be programmed to--in response to an initiation of a session for the GPS unit and during the charging of the power source--selectively throttle the flow of current to the power source to reduce the effect of thermal variation on the operation of the GPS unit. The system can also include suitable software and circuitry for performing the processes described above. [0014] The present invention also concerns a portable electronic device. The device can include a power source, a charging circuit that can be coupled to and can enable the charging of the power source and a GPS unit. The GPS unit can determine a physical location of the device. The device can also include a user interface section having a display and an input/output component and can include a processor coupled to the charging circuit, the GPS unit and the user interface section. The processor can be programmed to--in response to a session being conducted for the GPS unit and during the charging of the power source--selectively throttle the flow of current to the power source to reduce the effect of thermal variation on the operation of the GPS unit. The device can also include suitable software and circuitry for performing the processes described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for selective control of charging of a power source in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements; [0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for selective control of charging a power source in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements; and [0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a current-voltage graph in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. [0020] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. Continue reading about Method and system for selective control of charging a power source... Full patent description for Method and system for selective control of charging a power source Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and system for selective control of charging a power source patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and system for selective control of charging a power source or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus and methods to share time and frequency data between a host processor and a satellite positioning system receiver Next Patent Application: Portable electronic devices, methods and computer program products using activity-triggered gps updates Industry Class: Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g., radar, radio navigation) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and system for selective control of charging a power source patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13084 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
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