U.S. patent application number 11/441586 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for in-case computer charging system.
Invention is credited to Shaun Jackson, Mark Zadvinskis.
Application Number | 20060289444 11/441586 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37482171 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060289444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson; Shaun ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
In-case computer charging system
Abstract
A case configured to enclose a portable electronic device
includes a plurality of externally accessible electrical contacts,
enabling electrical current to flow to or from the device while
enclosed in the case. The invention is applicable to all types of
portable devices, including laptop, notebook and palm-top
computers, as well as telecommunications devices, video players and
music players. Typically the electrical contacts allow a battery in
the case or in the device to be recharged while device is enclosed.
An adaptor cable may be provided between the device and the
electrical contacts so that the same or similar case may be used
with different model devices from different manufacturers. For
greater `universality,` a voltage-changing adaptor cable may be
provided within the case between the device and the electrical
contacts. The system may further include a docking bay to receive
the case, the docking bay having a set of electrical contacts
configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case.
Such a docking bay may take the form of a charging stand, a cart
with one or more slots or compartments, or a locker with a door and
a storage compartment.
Inventors: |
Jackson; Shaun; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; Zadvinskis; Mark; (Ann Arbor, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John G. Posa;Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
PO Box 7021
Troy
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Family ID: |
37482171 |
Appl. No.: |
11/441586 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60684984 |
May 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/432 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 5/12 20130101; B32B
2250/03 20130101; B32B 5/024 20130101; B32B 2603/00 20130101; B32B
2250/20 20130101; H05B 2203/014 20130101; H05B 2203/017 20130101;
B32B 2262/106 20130101; G06F 1/1628 20130101; G06F 1/1632 20130101;
B32B 2260/023 20130101; B32B 5/26 20130101; B32B 2262/101 20130101;
B64D 15/12 20130101; B32B 2307/54 20130101; B32B 2255/02 20130101;
B32B 2250/40 20130101; B32B 2255/205 20130101; H05B 3/347 20130101;
H05B 2203/007 20130101; B32B 2260/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/432 |
International
Class: |
F27D 11/00 20060101
F27D011/00 |
Claims
1. A recharging system for a portable electronic device,
comprising: a case configured to enclose the device; and a
plurality of externally accessible electrical contacts on the case
enabling electrical current to flow to or from the device while
enclosed in the case.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a computer.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts allow a
battery in the device to be recharged while in the case.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical
contacts protrude from the case.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical
contacts are recessed.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical
contacts are adapted to magnetically engage with a corresponding
set of electrical contacts.
7. The system of claim 1, further including light indicating that
the electrical current is flowing to the device.
8. The system of claim 1, further including an adaptor cable
between the device and the electrical contacts.
9. The system of claim 1, further including a voltage-changing
adaptor cable between the device and the electrical contacts.
10. The system of claim 1, further including a docking bay to
receive the case, the docking bay having a set of electrical
contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the
case.
11. The system of claim 1, further including a charging stand with
a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with
the contacts on the case.
12. The system of claim 1, further including a cart with a set of
electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the
contacts on the case.
13. The system of claim 1, further including a cart with a
plurality of storage compartments, each compartment having a set of
electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the
contacts on one of the cases.
14. The system of claim 1, further including a locker with a
storage compartment having a set of electrical contacts configured
to electrically engage with the contacts on one of the cases.
15. The system of claim 1, further including an indicator light
showing that electrical contact has been made between the case and
a charging station.
16. The system of claim 1, further including: an externally
accessible compartment having an opening within the case to the
device; and a power adapter having a plug-in cord within the
compartment, enabling the cord to be connected to a source of power
with the device enclosed within the case.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/684,894, filed May 26, 2005, the entire
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the recharging of
portable electronic devices and, in particular to systems and
methods for recharging such devices while enclosed in cases
according to the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is becoming increasingly popular to provide
schoolchildren with laptop computers which they obtain from a cart
or locker in the classroom. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,621 and 6,218,796
show such storage carts. Some of these notebook computer carts are
are also commercially available from various sources.
[0004] One of the problems with these arrangements is that
students, particularly younger children, can drop the computer
while removing or returning the device from and to its storage
compartment, thereby costing the school considerable funds.
Problems may also arise in the wiring associated with plugging and
unplugging the recharger, resulting in dead batteries or poor
contacts. The need remains, therefore, for a system which is
relatively fool-proof in terms of charging, while, at the same
time, protecting expensive devices such as laptop computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention improves upon existing systems by providing a
case configured to enclose a portable electronic device, the case
including a plurality of externally accessible electrical contacts,
enabling electrical current or data to flow to or from the device
while enclosed in the case. The invention is applicable to all
types of portable devices, including laptop, notebook and palm-top
computers, as well as telecommunications devices, video players and
music players.
[0006] Typically the electrical contacts allow a battery in the
case or in the device to be recharged while device is enclosed. To
reduce shorting, one or more of the electrical contacts may
protrude from the case, or one or more of the electrical contacts
may be recessed. One or more of the electrical contacts may be
adapted to magnetically engage with a corresponding set of
electrical contacts, and a light may be provided on the case or the
docking station to indicating that electrical current is flowing to
the device through the case.
[0007] An adaptor cable may be provided between the device and the
electrical contacts so that the same or similar case may be used
with different model devices from different manufacturers. For
greater `universality,` a voltage-changing adaptor cable may be
provided within the case between the device and the electrical
contacts or at the base itself.
[0008] The system may further include a docking bay to receive the
case, the docking bay having a set of electrical contacts
configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case.
Such a docking bay may take the form of a charging stand, a cart
with one or more slots or compartments, or a locker with a door and
a storage compartment. The system may further include an externally
accessible compartment having an opening within the case to the
device, and a power adapter having a plug-in cord within the
compartment, enabling the cord to be connected to a source of power
with the device enclosed within the case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the invention in the
form of a computer case having a set of externally accessible
electrical contacts;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a computer case having a
set of externally accessible electrical contacts being placed into
a mobile cart;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a computer case having a
set of externally accessible electrical contacts being placed into
stationary stand;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of an alternative embodiment
of the invention including a computer case with a set of externally
accessible electrical contacts being placed into a slot in a
locker; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of a further alternative
embodiment of the invention including a computer case having a cord
in a pouch configured to plug into a locker receptacle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Broadly, this invention resides in cases and corresponding
storage facilities that enable a portable electronic device to be
recharged while enclosed in that case, thereby protecting the
device during periods when it is not in use. The invention is
applicable to all types of portable electronic devices, including
laptop, notebook and palm-top computers, as well as
telecommunications devices, video players and music players.
[0015] A preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The case, 102,
which may be of any soft or hard design, includes contacts 108,
110, preferably on one of the side edges of the case. The contacts
108, 110 interconnect to the device shown in broken-line form at
104, through appropriate electrical interconnects 112. In the
preferred embodiment two or more such contacts are provided,
depending upon the make/model of the enclosed device, though an
embodiment with a single contact is possible if at least a portion
of the outside surface of the case is sufficiently electrically
conductive to act as ground or a positive/negative electrode. The
case typically includes some sort of closure such as zipper 105,
and an optional handle 106, preferably located on an edge opposite
to the contacts 108, 110.
[0016] The contacts 108, 110 are in electrical communication with
interconnects 112 suited to a particular type of portable
electronic device. This allows the same case to be manufactured
with interchangeable panels and "pigtails" including appropriate
connectors and number of contacts for a particular make and model.
For example, a Dell notebook computer may have two contacts with
wiring going to a concentric plug suited for that manufacturer,
whereas an Apple computer may use three contacts with an
interconnect going to a square-type connector on the computer. The
invention is not limited in this regard.
[0017] Given the in-case recharging capability just described, the
case may be used in conjunction with various docking stations,
including the cart shown in FIG. 2. In such a configuration, the
case 102 may be lowered into compartments of the cart 202, with
contacts 210 at the bottom of each receptacle being configured for
corresponding contact with the contacts on the case. Once contact
is made, an optional indicator light 220' on the case itself, or
indicator lights 220' on the storage cart, may illuminate to show
that proper contact has been made. Although the compartments in
FIG. 2 are shown as being vertical, they may be angled or even
horizontal, depending upon whether gravity alone or other
mechanisms described herein are used to ensure reliable
contact.
[0018] As an alternative to a cart or rack receiving multiple
in-case computers according to the invention, a stationary docking
station 302 may be used, as shown in FIG. 3. This docking station
would be coupled to a cord 320 receiving electrical power or
connected to the device's supplied power adapter, allowing somebody
to simply place their computer, while in the case, into the
station, enabling the device to be recharged without having to
remove it from the case. Again, an indicator light may be provided
on the case or the docking station, as an option.
[0019] For reasons of safety, and/or to ensure reliable contact,
the contacts on the case, or the contacts on the cart or docking
station may be recessed or projecting. That is, some or all of the
contacts on the case may protrude and make contact with recessed
contacts on the cart or docking station. Alternatively, some or all
of the contacts on the cart or docking station may protrude, to be
received by recessed contacts on the case. Alternatively, a mixture
of recessed and protruding contacts may be used, to help avoid
metal objects from shorting out the contacts on the cart/docking
station or inventive case.
[0020] In the event that gravity alone is not relied upon to ensure
reliable contact, the contacts on the cart/docking station and/or
case may be spring-loaded or magnetic. In the case of magnetic
contacts, the magnets may also be disposed on springs, allowing the
cart/docking station or computer case contacts to "find one
another" when the case is received in the article for recharging.
The use of magnetic contacts would also facilitate somewhat of a
"tactile" sound or feel, providing a user with a more positive
indication that recharging was in progress.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of an alternative embodiment
of the invention including a case 402 with a set of externally
accessible electrical contacts 408 being placed into a slot 404 in
a locker. The contacts make electrical connection to corresponding
contacts 406 using any of the mechanisms described herein. Although
not shown, an indicator light may be provided on the case or a
portion of the locker, or both, to indicate charging of the
enclosed electronic device (not shown). Although a horizontal
configuration is depicted, slanted or vertical configurations may
alternatively be used. An electrical cable 410 is used to make
contact to the contacts 406. Such cabling may be common to a group
of lockers or routed to individual lockers, in which case current
may be monitored to determine if a computer has, in fact, been
placed in a particular locker, by a certain time, for example.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of a further alternative
embodiment of the invention including a case 502 having a cord 514
in a pouch 512 configured to plug into a locker receptacle 516
while contained in slot 504. The interconnect system may use any
voltage or current. For example, if a school or other institution
standardizes on a voltage such as 12 volts, connector 514 may go
directly to the computer or other device (not shown) without the
need for a power adapter or converter. Alternatively, for greater
flexibility, line 510 may carry 110 volts, in which case pouch 512
may hold an appropriate power converter for the enclosed computer.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, power may be supplied to
the outlet 516 only after the door to the locker is closed and/or
outside building hours, in which case an indicator may be provided
outside the locker, either on the door or in a centralized location
to show the existence of a computer or other device being properly
charged.
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