1. A method of obtaining a network address for a telematics-equipped vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a network address update message from a wireless carrier system at a network address server, the network address update message includes at least one network address and associated vehicle identifier and the network address update message is sent by the wireless carrier system;
(b) saving the at least one network address and associated vehicle identifier from the network address update message sent by the wireless carrier system to the network address server;
(c) receiving a network address request message for a mobile-terminated call at the network address server, the network address request message includes at least one provided vehicle identifier and is sent by a remote entity attempting to make a mobile-terminated call to the telematics-equipped vehicle;
(d) searching the network address server for an associated vehicle identifier that matches the provided vehicle identifier, and when such an associated vehicle identifier is found then obtaining the corresponding network address from the network address server; and
(e) sending a network address response message for a mobile-terminated call that is at least partially based on the results of the search in step (d), the network address response message includes the corresponding network address and is sent by the network address server back to the remote entity so that the remote entity can utilize the corresponding network address to establish a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address is a dynamically assigned internet protocol (IP) address.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated vehicle identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a mobile identification number (MIN), a mobile directory number (MDN), an electronic serial number (ESN), a mobile equipment identifier (MEID), a media access control address (MAC address), a vehicle identification number (VIN), a subscriber account number, and a subscriber name.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address update message of step (a) further includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of: a date, a time, a time to live (TTL), an expiration date, a cell tower identifier, and a geographic location.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address update message of step (a) is received from a wireless carrier system component selected from the group consisting of: an authentication server, a domain name system (DNS) server, a dynamic domain name server (DDNS), and a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address server of step (b) is a dynamic domain name system (DDNS) server.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address request message of step (c) is received from at least one member of a group consisting of: a call center, an IP push server, a router, and a messaging device.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address request message of step (c) further includes a plurality of provided vehicle identifiers corresponding to a plurality of telematics-equipped vehicles for which network addresses are desired.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address response message of step (e) includes the corresponding network address and is sent to a call center so that the call center can utilize the corresponding network address to establish a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address response message of step (e) includes information that a corresponding network address cannot be located, is unavailable, has expired, or does not exist.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the network address response message of step (e) includes the provided vehicle identifier and is sent to the wireless carrier system so that the wireless carrier system can utilize the provided vehicle identifier to establish a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle.
12. A method of establishing a mobile-terminated data connection with a telematics-equipped vehicle in a dormant mode, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a vehicle identifier that identifies the telematics-equipped vehicle in a dormant mode with which the mobile-terminated data connection is desired;
(b) sending a network address request message from a first system component that is attempting to establish a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle to a second system component, wherein the network address request message includes the provided vehicle identifier;
(c) searching the second system component for a data entry that matches the provided vehicle identifier, and obtaining a corresponding network address when such a match is found;
(d) sending a network address response message from the second system component back to the first system component, the network address response message includes the corresponding network address and is sent to the first system component so that the first system component can utilize the corresponding network address to establish a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle; and
(e) using the corresponding network address to initiate a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle in a dormant mode over a wireless network.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further includes the step of: receiving a network address update message from a wireless carrier system that includes at least one network addressassociated vehicle identifier pairing.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first system component is a call center and the second system component is a network address server.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the network address request message of step (b) further includes a plurality of provided vehicle identifiers corresponding to a plurality of telematics-equipped vehicles for which network addresses are desired.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the network address response message of step (d) is sent to a call center so that the call center can utilize the corresponding network address to initiate a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle in step (e).
17. A method of establishing a mobile-terminated data connection with a telematics-equipped vehicle in an idle mode, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a vehicle identifier that identifies the telematics-equipped vehicle in an idle mode with which the mobile-terminated data connection is desired;
(b) sending a network address request message from a first system component that is attempting to establish a mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle to a second system component, wherein the network address request message includes the provided vehicle identifier;
(c) searching the second system component for a data entry that matches the provided vehicle identifier, and determining whether such a match currently exists;
(d) when such a match does not currently exist, then sending a network address response message from the second system component to a wireless network that includes the provided vehicle identifier; and
(e) causing the wireless network to use the provided vehicle identifier to establish a corresponding network address for the telematics-equipped vehicle so that the first system component can utilize the corresponding network address to initiate the mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle in the idle mode over the wireless network.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further includes the step of: receiving a network address update message from a wireless carrier system that includes at least one network addressassociated vehicle identifier pairing.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first system component is a call center and the second system component is a network address server.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the network address request message of step (b) further includes a plurality of provided vehicle identifiers corresponding to a plurality of telematics-equipped vehicles for which network addresses are desired.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the power requirement to the mobile device; and
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector;
wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one of the data lines in the primary USB connector, and the identification signal comprises a logic high signal on the D+ data line and a logic high signal on the D\u2212 data line.
2. The USB adapter of claim 1, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple directly with the power socket.
3. The USB adapter of claim 2, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
4. The USB adapter of claim 1, further comprising a plug adapter that is configured to couple the plug unit to the power socket.
5. The USB adapter of claim 4, wherein the plug adapter is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
6. The USB adapter of claim 1 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one of the data lines in the primary USB connector.
7. The USB adapter of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary USB connector.
8. The USB adapter of claim 7, wherein the data lines of the auxiliary USB connector are coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector via the identification subsystem.
9. The USB adapter of claim 7, wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
10. The USB adapter of claim 1, wherein the USB adapter is integrated with a USB hub or host.
11. The USB adapter of claim 1, further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide power at the battery receptacle.
12. The USB adapter of claim 1, wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
13. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the power requirement to the mobile device; and
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector;
wherein the identification subsystem comprises a hard-wired connection of a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector.
14. The USB adapter of claim 13, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple directly with the power socket.
15. The USB adapter of claim 13, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
16. The USB adapter of claim 13, further comprising a plug adapter that is configured to couple the plug unit to the power socket.
17. The USB adapter of claim 16, wherein the plug adapter is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
18. The USB adapter of claim 13 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one of the data lines in the primary USB connector.
19. The USB adapter of claim 13, further comprising an auxiliary USB connector.
20. The USB adapter of claim 19, wherein the data lines of the auxiliary USB connector are coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector via the identification subsystem.
21. The USB adapter of claim 19, wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
22. The USB adapter of claim 13, wherein the USB adapter is integrated with a USB hub or host.
23. The USB adapter of claim 13, further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide power at the battery receptacle.
24. The USB adapter of claim 13, wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
25. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the power requirement to the mobile device; and
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector;
wherein the identification subsystem comprises a USB controller that is operable to provide a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector.
26. The USB adapter of claim 25, wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
27. The USB adapter of claim 25, further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide power at the battery receptacle.
28. The USB adapter of claim 25, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple directly with the power socket.
29. The USB adapter of claim 25, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
30. The USB adapter of claim 25, further comprising a plug adapter that is configured to couple the plug unit to the power socket.
31. The USB adapter of claim 30, wherein the plug adapter is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
32. The USB adapter of claim 25 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one of the data lines in the primary USB connector.
33. The USB adapter of claim 25, further comprising an auxiliary USB connector.
34. The USB adapter of claim 33, wherein the data lines of the auxiliary USB connector are coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector via the identification subsystem.
35. The USB adapter of claim 33, wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
36. The USB adapter of claim 25, wherein the USB adapter is integrated with a USB hub or host.
37. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the Power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the power requirement to the mobile device; and
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector;
wherein the identification subsystem comprises a switch that is operable to couple electrically the power requirement output from the power converter to the primary USB connector.
38. The USB adapter of claim 37, wherein the identification system is operable to cause the switch to disconnect the power requirement output from the primary USB connector.
39. The USB adapter of claim 38, wherein the identification system is operable to cause the switch to reconnect the power requirement output to the primary USB connector.
40. The USB adapter of claim 37, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple directly with the power socket.
41. The USB adapter of claim 37, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
42. The USB adapter of claim 37, further comprising a plug adapter that is configured to couple the plug unit to the power socket.
43. The USB adapter of claim 42, wherein the plug adapter is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
44. The USB adapter of claim 37 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one of the data lines in the primary USB connector.
45. The USB adapter of claim 37, further comprising an auxiliary USB connector.
46. The USB adapter of claim 45, wherein the data lines of the auxiliary USB connector are coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector via the identification subsystem.
47. The USB adapter of claim 45, wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
48. The USB adapter of claim 37, wherein the USB adapter is integrated with a USB hub or host.
49. The USB adapter of claim 37, further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide power at the battery receptacle.
50. The USB adapter of claim 37, wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
51. A method for providing energy to a mobile device using a USB adapter that comprises a plug unit, a primary USB connector, a power converter electrically coupled between the plug unit and the primary USB connector, and an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector, wherein the identification subsystem comprises a hard-wired connection of a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling the USB connector to the mobile device;
coupling the plug unit to a power socket;
outputting a power requirement to the mobile device via the power converter and the USB connector; and
providing an identification signal to the mobile device, via the identification subsystem and the USB connector, that is operative to inform the mobile device that the USB adapter is not limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification.
52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of: detecting the presence of the identification signal by the mobile device.
53. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of: electrically disconnecting the power requirement from the USB connector.
54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of: electrically reconnecting the power requirement to the USB connector to allow the power requirement to be outputted to the mobile device.
55. A method for providing energy to a mobile device using a USB adapter that comprises a plug unit, a primary USB connector, a power converter electrically coupled between the plug unit and the primary USB connector, and an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector, wherein the identification subsystem comprises a USB controller that is operable to provide a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling the USB connector to the mobile device;
coupling the plug unit to a power socket;
outputting a power requirement to the mobile device via the power converter and the USB connector; and
providing an identification signal to the mobile device, via the identification subsystem and the USB connector, that is operative to inform the mobile device that the USB adapter is not limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification.
56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of: detecting the presence of the identification signal by the mobile device.
57. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of: electrically disconnecting the power requirement from the USB connector.
58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of: electrically reconnecting the power requirement to the USB connector to allow the power requirement to be outputted to the mobile device.
59. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the outputted power requirement to the mobile device; and
an auxiliary USB connector having data lines that are electrically coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector;
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector; wherein the identification subsystem comprises a hardwired connection of a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector.
60. The USB adapter of claim 59 wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
61. The USB adapter of claim 59 further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide a charge at the battery receptacle.
62. The USB adapter of claim 59 wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
63. A powering system for a mobile device having a USB connector; comprising:
a power distribution subsystem in the mobile device that is operable to receive energy through the USB connector and to distribute the energy to at least one component in the mobile device; and
a USB adapter for coupling to the USB connector, the USB adapter comprising a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and that is operable to receive energy from the power socket,
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit for regulating the received energy and for providing a power requirement to the power distribution subsystem, and
an identification subsystem that is operable to transmit an identification signal that is operative to identify the USB adapter as not being limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification, wherein the identification signal comprises a logic high signal on the D+ data line and a logic high signal on the D\u2212 data line.
64. The system of claim 63, further comprising a charging subsystem in the USB power adapter configured to couple the power converter to a battery receptacle to directly charge a rechargeable battery.
65. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the outputted power requirement to the mobile device; and
an auxiliary USB connector having data lines that are electrically coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector;
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector; wherein the identification signal comprises a logic high signal on the D+ data line and a logic high signal on the D\u2212 data line.
66. The USB adapter of claim 25 wherein the identification signal comprises a voltage level that is applied to at least one of the data lines in the primary USB connector.
67. The USB adapter of claim 65 wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
68. The USB adapter of claim 65 further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide a charge at the battery receptacle.
69. The USB adapter of claim 65 wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
70. A method for providing energy to a mobile device using a USB adapter that comprises a plug unit, a primary USB connector, a power converter electrically coupled between the plug unit and the primary USB connector, and an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling the USB connector to the mobile device;
coupling the plug unit to a power socket;
outputting a power requirement to the mobile device via the power converter and the USB connector; and
providing an identification signal to the mobile device, via the identification subsystem and the USB connector, that is operative to inform the mobile device that the USB adapter is not limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification, wherein the identification signal comprises a logic high signal on the D+ data line and a logic high signal on the D\u2212 data line.
71. The method of claim 70, further comprising the step of: detecting the presence of the identification signal by the mobile device.
72. The method of claim 70, further comprising the step of: electrically disconnecting the power requirement from the USB connector.
73. The method of claim 72, further comprising the step of: electrically reconnecting the power requirement to the USB connector to allow the power requirement to be outputted to the mobile device.
74. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the outputted power requirement to the mobile device; and
an auxiliary USB connector having data lines that are electrically coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector;
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector; wherein the identification subsystem comprises a USB controller that is operable to provide a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector.
75. The USB adapter of claim 74 wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
76. The USB adapter of claim 74 further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide a charge at the battery receptacle.
77. The USB adapter of claim 74 wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
78. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the outputted power requirement to the mobile device; and
an auxiliary USB connector having data lines that are electrically coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector;
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector;
wherein the identification subsystem comprises a switch that is operable to electrically couple the power requirement output from the power converter to the primary USB connector.
79. The USB adapter of claim 78 wherein the identification system is operable to cause the switch to disconnect the power requirement output from the primary USB connector.
80. The USB adapter of claim 79 wherein the identification system is operable to cause the switch to reconnect the power requirement output to the primary USB connector.
81. The USB adapter of claim 78 wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
82. The USB adapter of claim 78 further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide a charge at the battery receptacle.
83. The UBS adapter of claim 78 wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
84. A Universal Serial Bus (\u201cUSB\u201d) adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through a USB port, comprising:
a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and for receiving energy from the power socket;
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit, the power converter being operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device;
a primary USB connector electrically coupled to the power converter for connecting to the mobile device and for delivering the power requirement to the mobile device; and
an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector for providing an identification signal at one or more data lines of the primary USB connector;
wherein the identification signal comprises a logic high signal on the D+ data line and a logic high signal on the D\u2212 data line.
85. The USB adapter of claim 84, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple directly with the power socket.
86. The USB adapter of claim 84, wherein the plug unit is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
87. The USB adapter of claim 84, further comprising a plug adapter that is configured to couple the plug unit to the power socket.
88. The USB adapter of claim 87, wherein the plug adapter is configured to couple to at least one power socket selected from the group consisting of: North American power socket, United Kingdom power socket, European power socket, Australian power socket, airplane power socket, and automobile power socket.
89. The USB adapter of claim 84, further comprising an auxiliary USB connector.
90. The USB adapter of claim 89, wherein the data lines of the auxiliary USB connector are coupled to the data lines of the primary USB connector via the identification subsystem.
91. The USB adapter of claim 89, wherein the power converter is operable to output a power requirement to the auxiliary USB connector.
92. The USB adapter of claim 84, wherein the USB adapter is integrated with a USB hub or host.
93. The USB adapter of claim 84, further comprising: a battery receptacle for providing a location at which to attach a rechargeable battery; and a battery charging subsystem electrically coupled between the battery receptacle and the power converter, the battery charging subsystem being operable to receive energy from the power converter and to provide power at the battery receptacle.
94. The USB adapter of claim 84, wherein the power converter comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: switching converter, transformer, DC source, voltage regulator, linear regulator and rectifier.
95. A method for providing energy to a mobile device using a USB adapter that comprises a plug unit, a primary USB connector, a power converter electrically coupled between the plug unit and the primary USB connector, and an identification subsystem electrically coupled to the primary USB connector, wherein the identification subsystem comprises a switch that is operable to couple electrically the power requirement output from the power converter to the primary USB connector, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling the USB connector to the mobile device;
coupling the plug unit to a power socket;
outputting a power requirement to the mobile device via the power converter and the USB connector; and
providing an identification signal to the mobile device, via the identification subsystem and the USB connector, that is operative to inform the mobile device that the USB adapter is not limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification.
96. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of: detecting the presence of the identification signal by the mobile device.
97. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of: electrically disconnecting the power requirement from the USB connector.
98. The method of claim 97, further comprising the step of: electrically reconnecting the power requirement to the USB connector to allow the power requirement to be outputted to the mobile device.
99. A powering system for a mobile device having a USB connector; comprising:
a power distribution subsystem in the mobile device that is operable to receive energy through the USB connector and to distribute the energy to at least one component in the mobile device; and
a USB adapter for coupling to the USB connector, the USB adapter comprising a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and that is operable to receive energy from the power socket,
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit for regulating the received energy and for providing a power requirement to the power distribution subsystem, and
an identification subsystem that is operable to transmit an identification signal that is operative to identify the USB adapter as not being limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification, wherein the identification subsystem comprises a hard-wired connection of a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector.
100. The system of claim 99, further comprising a charging subsystem in the USB power adapter configured to couple the power converter to a battery receptacle to directly charge a rechargeable battery.
101. A powering system for a mobile device having a USB connector; comprising:
a power distribution subsystem in the mobile device that is operable to receive energy through the USB connector and to distribute the energy to at least one component in the mobile device; and
a USB adapter for coupling to the USB connector, the USB adapter comprising a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and that is operable to receive energy from the power socket,
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit for regulating the received energy and for providing a power requirement to the power distribution subsystem, and
an identification subsystem that is operable to transmit an identification signal that is operative to identify the USB adapter as not being limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification, wherein the identification subsystem comprises a USB controller that is operable to provide a voltage level to one or more data lines in the primary USB connector.
102. The system of claim 101, further comprising a charging subsystem in the USB power adapter configured to couple the power converter to a battery receptacle to directly charge a rechargeable battery.
103. A powering system for a mobile device having a USB connector; comprising:
a power distribution subsystem in the mobile device that is operable to receive energy through the USB connector and to distribute the energy to at least one component in the mobile device; and
a USB adapter for coupling to the USB connector, the USB adapter comprising a plug unit for coupling to a power socket and that is operable to receive energy from the power socket,
a power converter electrically coupled to the plug unit for regulating the received energy and for providing a power requirement to the power distribution subsystem, and
an identification subsystem that is operable to transmit an identification signal that is operative to identify the USB adapter as not being limited by the power limits imposed by the USB specification, wherein the identification subsystem comprises a switch that is operable to couple electrically the power requirement output from the power converter to the primary USB connector.
104. The system of claim 91, further comprising a charging subsystem in the USB power adapter configured to couple the power converter to a battery receptacle to directly charge a rechargeable battery.