Method of operating a mobile device, apparatus and wireless device

Abstract

A method of operating a mobile device, an apparatus and a wireless device are provided. The method of operating a mobile device comprises receiving an external supply voltage, converting the external supply voltage into an operating voltage and operating a circuit with the operating voltage. The method may include disconnecting a rechargeable battery from the operating voltage. The method may include charging a rechargeable battery in a trickle charge manner or in a continous manner depending on a battery voltage. An apparatus is configured to carry out the method. The method may be used by a wireless device.

1 . Method of operating a mobile device, comprising:
 receiving an external supply voltage;   converting the external supply voltage into an operating voltage, the operating voltage to supply at least a circuit of the device;   disconnecting, upon the receiving of the external supply voltage, a rechargeable battery configured to power the device from both the circuit and the operating voltage; and   operating the circuit with the operating voltage.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 reconnecting the battery to the operating voltage via a charging control element; and   charging the battery with the operating voltage via the charging control element.   
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the charging includes varying the charging depending on a battery voltage of the battery. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the charging includes charging the battery in a trickle charge manner. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the charging includes controlling the operating voltage to track a battery voltage of the battery with a small positive offset. 
     
     
         6 . Method of operating a mobile device, comprising:
 receiving an external supply voltage;   converting the external supply voltage into an operating voltage, the operating voltage to supply at least a circuit of the device;   operating the circuit with the operating voltage; and   charging, with the operating voltage, a rechargeable battery configured to power the device, the charging including charging in a trickle charge manner if a battery voltage of the battery has a value which is below a threshold value, the charging further including charging in a continous manner if the battery voltage has a value which is above the threshold value.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the charging includes controlling the operating voltage to track the battery voltage with a small positive offset. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising keeping the operating voltage above a minimum value required for a proper operation of the circuit irrespective of the battery voltage. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a converting unit to receive an external supply voltage at a mobile device and to convert the external supply voltage into an operating voltage for use by a circuit of the device;   a control unit to disconnect, upon receiving the external supply voltage, a rechargeable battery configured to power the device from both the circuit and the operating voltage; and   a circuit to receive the operating voltage while the rechargeable battery is disconnected from both the circuit and the operating voltage.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a charging control element to reconnect the battery to the operating voltage; and   a charging unit to charge the battery with the operating voltage via the charging control element.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a converting unit to receive an external supply voltage at a mobile device and to convert the external supply voltage into an operating voltage for use by a circuit of the device;   a circuit to receive the operating voltage; and   a charging unit to charge, with the operating voltage, a rechargeable battery configured to power the device, the charging including charging in a trickle charge manner if a battery voltage of the battery has a value which is below a threshold value, the charging further including charging in a continous manner if the battery voltage has a value which is above the threshold value.   
     
     
         12 . A wireless device, comprising:
 a power supply having an input port to receive an external supply voltage and having an output port to deliver an operating voltage;   a battery port to receive and connect a rechargeable battery configured to power the wireless device;   a power management circuit connected to the output port and to the battery port and configured to be powered by the output voltage or the rechargeable battery, the power management circuit further configured to deliver one or more supply voltages for use by one or more circuits of the wireless device;   a switch to disconnect, upon receiving the external supply voltage, the battery port from both the power management circuit and the operating voltage, and to reconnect the battery port to the operating voltage; and   a charging unit to charge the battery with the operating voltage if the battery port is connected to the operating voltage via the switch.