Configurable apparatus and methods for supplying power and data to electronic devices

Abstract

Embodiments of a system, topology, and methods for providing electrical power to electronic devices from various power sources are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A configurable electronic device power source (EDPS), including:
 a first electrical power coupling module (PCM), including:
 a first electrical external power source (EEPS) interface for coupling to first type EEPS; 
 a first type mechanical connector (FTMC); and 
 an electrical coupling pair (ECP), the PCM ECP electrically connected to the first EEPS interface; 
   a power converter module and charger module (CCM) mechanically separatably from the PCM, the CCM including:
 a first CCM ECP; 
 a second type mechanical connector (STMC), the STMC mechanically couplable with a FTMC, wherein the first CCM ECP is electrically coupled to a PCM ECP when the CCM STMC is mechanically coupled to the PCM FTMC; 
 a second CCM ECP; 
 means for converting an electrical signal having a first voltage on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having a second, lower voltage; 
 an electronic device electrical interface (EDEI), the EDEI couplable with an electronic device; and 
 a charger to charge an electrical energy storage element (EESE); and 
   an ESEE electrically couplable to the second CCM ECP.   
     
     
         2 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 1 , further including a FTMC, the FTMC mechanically couplable with a STMC. 
     
     
         3 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 2 , wherein the CCM further includes a data memory storage interface (DMSI) and the DMSI is electrically coupled to the CCM EDEI. 
     
     
         4 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 2 , further including a power source element (PSE), the PSE including the EESE, the PSM ECP electrically connected to the EESE, and the PSM ECP is electrically couplable to the second CCM ECP. 
     
     
         5 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 2 , wherein the first type EEPS is an alternating current power source and including means for converting an alternating current electrical signal having a first voltage on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having direct current and a second, lower voltage. 
     
     
         6 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 5 , wherein the means for converting includes a transformer. 
     
     
         7 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 2 , wherein the CCM further includes an internal memory storage interface (IMSI) and the IMSI is electrically coupled to the CCM EDEI. 
     
     
         8 . A configurable electronic device power source (EDPS), including:
 a first electrical power coupling module (PCM), including:
 a first electrical external power source (EEPS) interface for coupling to first type EEPS; 
 a first type mechanical connector (FTMC); and 
 an electrical coupling pair (ECP), the PCM ECP electrically connected to the first EEPS interface; 
   a power converter module and charger module (CCM) mechanically separatably from the PCM, the CCM including:
 a first CCM ECP; 
 a second type mechanical connector (STMC), the STMC mechanically couplable with a FTMC, wherein the first CCM ECP is electrically coupled to a PCM ECP when the CCM STMC is mechanically coupled to the PCM FTMC; 
 means for converting an electrical signal on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having a first voltage; 
 an electronic device electrical interface (EDEI), the EDEI couplable with an electronic device; and 
 a charger to charge an electrical energy storage element (EESE); and 
   an ESEE removeably couplable to the CCM.   
     
     
         9 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 8 , further including a power source element (PSE), the PSE including the EESE, removeably couplable to the CCM, and electrically coupled to the EESE. 
     
     
         10 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 8 , wherein the CCM further includes a second CCM ECP and wherein the PSE ECP is electrically couplable to the second CCM ECP. 
     
     
         11 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 10 , wherein the first type EEPS is an alternating current power source and including means for converting an alternating current electrical signal having a first voltage on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having direct current and a second, lower voltage. 
     
     
         12 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 9 , wherein the means for converting includes a transformer. 
     
     
         13 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 9 , further including means for converting an electrical signal having a first voltage on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having a second, lower voltage. 
     
     
         14 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 9 , wherein the CCM further includes an internal memory storage interface (IMSI) and the IMSI is electrically coupled to the CCM EDEI. 
     
     
         15 . A configurable electronic device power source (EDPS), including:
 a first electrical power coupling module (PCM), including:
 a first electrical external power source (EEPS) interface for coupling to first type EEPS; and 
 an electrical coupling pair (ECP), the PCM ECP electrically connected to the first EEPS interface; 
   a power converter module and charger module (CCM), the CCM including:
 a first CCM ECP, the first CCM ECP electrically couplable to a PCM ECP; 
 means for converting an electrical signal having a first voltage on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having a second, lower voltage; 
 an electronic device electrical interface (EDEI), the EDEI couplable with an electronic device; 
 a charger to charge an electrical energy storage element (EESE); and 
 means for electrically coupling one of the CCM ECP and an EESE to the EDEI; and 
   an EESE, :the EESE electrically coupled to the means for electrically coupling.   
     
     
         16 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 15 , further including a power source element (PSE), the PSE including the EESE, the PSM ECP electrically connected to the means for electrically coupling. 
     
     
         17 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 15 , wherein the first type EEPS is an alternating current power source and including means for converting an alternating current electrical signal having a first voltage on the first CCM ECP to a first electrical signal having direct current and a second, lower voltage. 
     
     
         18 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 17 , wherein the means for converting includes a transformer. 
     
     
         19 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 16 , wherein the means for electrically coupling includes a switch. 
     
     
         20 . The configurable EDPS of  claim 15 , further including means for electrically coupling one of the CCM ECP and an EESE to the EDEI as a function of the first electrical signal having a first voltage.