# US 7,408,272 B2 · Method and device for supplying electric energy power to an appliance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,408,272 B2 - Document ID: US7408272B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/494,918 - Filed: 2002-11-08 - Published: 2005-03-17 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2001-11-09 - Assignees: France Telecom - Inventors: Didier Marquet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7408272B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/342: {The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging (with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/68)} - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H02M 1/10: Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from AC or DC - H02J 2207/20: Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter - H02J 2207/40: adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) ## Abstract The invention concerns a portable device for electric power supply comprising: connection means (8) for connecting an appliance (1) to be powered; and a power supply circuit (6; 16) supplying in output a supply voltage for the appliance when the circuit is selectively connected to a mains supply or to a low-voltage electric power source. It may also comprise a battery (10). In that case, the circuit (6, 16) can charge the power storage means when the circuit is connected to an appropriate electric power source, the connection means ensuring power supply to the appliance (1) from the power storage means (10). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable device for supplying electric energy, comprising: a connection means for allowing connection to an appliance having at least one rechargeable supply battery; a supply circuit delivering an output supply voltage; and a rechargeable electric energy storage means, the supply circuit ultra-rapidly charging the energy storage means when the supply circuit is connected to an appropriate source of electric energy; wherein the connection means allows the appliance to be supplied and the at least one rechargeable supply battery to be charged from the energy storage means when the appliance is connected to the connection means; wherein when the supply circuit is connected to a source of electric energy having a voltage below a predetermined threshold, the supply circuit supplies the connection means from the source of electric energy, but does not charge the energy storage means; and wherein when the supply circuit is connected to the source of electric energy having the voltage above or equal to said predetermined threshold, the supply circuit supplies the connection means and charges the energy storage means from the source of electric energy. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the output supply voltage for the appliance delivered by the circuit is a low voltage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the supply circuit is configured for connection either to a main supply or to a source of low-voltage electric energy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the electric energy storage means comprises a rechargeable battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the electric energy storage means comprises a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery comprises several accumulator cells connected in series when the rechargeable battery supplies the connection means, and each cell of the rechargeable battery is charged ultra-rapidly via a respective charge-control circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the supply circuit includes a converter delivering a given output voltage serving to supply the connection means and to charge the storage means, when the circuit is connected to a source of low-voltage electric energy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein the energy storage means supplies the connection means via the converter operating as a voltage booster when the voltage at terminals of the energy storage means is below a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein, when the supply circuit is connected to a source of low-voltage electric energy having a voltage within a predetermined range of voltages including the output voltage delivered by the converter, the supply circuit supplies the connection means and charges the energy storage means, from the source of electric energy without passing through the converter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined threshold is 12 Volts. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further including a circuit limiting current delivered to the connection means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further including a solar panel allowing the connection means to be supplied and the energy storage means to be charged. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, intended to be used for charging a supply battery of an appliance that is not configured for allowing an ultra-rapid charging of said supply battery. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method for supplying electric energy to an electric appliance, comprising: supplying the electric appliance with electric energy produced by a device according to claim 1. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the device is portable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the appliance comprises a portable telephone, a portable computer, or a pocket electronic agenda. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, the method further comprising recharging a supply battery disposed in the electric appliance.