The present invention relates to battery power peripheral devices such as
MP3 players which are also periodically connected to another power source
such as a mains wall socket or USB cable power bus. In particular, but
not exclusively, the present invention relates to regulation of these
voltage sources. In general terms the present invention provides a
multiple supply rail for the load regulators of a power supply circuit
for a battery powered device. One supply rail is coupled to the battery,
and another is coupled to a non-battery source such as an external mains
regulated source and/or a bus power wire from a USB cable or similar. The
regulators have multiple inputs, each for taking their input voltage from
one of these supply rails.