U.S. patent application number 12/630648 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-01 for mobile phone charging stand incorporating ink refill unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Kia Silverbrook.
Application Number | 20100079107 12/630648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27735466 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100079107 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silverbrook; Kia |
April 1, 2010 |
Mobile Phone Charging Stand Incorporating Ink Refill Unit
Abstract
A charging stand for charging a mobile phone, includes a base
defining a receptacle for receiving the mobile phone; a battery
charging circuit for supplying a charging voltage to the mobile
phone; a removable ink cartridge received in the receptacle, the
removable ink cartridge for supplying ink to a printer of the
mobile phone; a hollow cartridge connection pin protruding from the
base for effecting fluid communication with the removable ink
cartridge; a hollow device connection pin protruding from the base
for effecting fluid communication with the mobile phone; an ink
connection provided in the base molding, the ink connection
connecting the cartridge connection pin and the device connection
pin; and an elastomeric molding formed around the cartridge
connection pin and device connection pin, the elastomeric molding
covering respective outlets of the cartridge connection pin and
device connection pin. The elastomeric molding is adapted to
compress upon receipt of the mobile phone in the receptacle to
expose the respective outlets.
Inventors: |
Silverbrook; Kia; (Balmain,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
393 DARLING STREET
BALMAIN
2041
AU
|
Assignee: |
Silverbrook Research Pty
Ltd
|
Family ID: |
27735466 |
Appl. No.: |
12/630648 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12194532 |
Aug 19, 2008 |
7637677 |
|
|
12630648 |
|
|
|
|
11474280 |
Jun 26, 2006 |
7431519 |
|
|
12194532 |
|
|
|
|
10503901 |
Aug 9, 2004 |
7108437 |
|
|
PCT/AU2003/000170 |
Feb 12, 2003 |
|
|
|
11474280 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 3/445 20130101;
H04M 1/21 20130101; B41J 29/393 20130101; H04M 1/724 20210101; H04M
1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/115 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 13, 2002 |
AU |
PS0492 |
Feb 13, 2002 |
AU |
PS0493 |
Claims
1. A charging stand for charging a mobile phone, the stand
comprising: a base defining a receptacle for receiving the mobile
phone; a battery charging circuit for supplying a charging voltage
to the mobile phone; a removable ink cartridge received in the
receptacle, the removable ink cartridge for supplying ink to a
printer of the mobile phone; a hollow cartridge connection pin
protruding from the base for effecting fluid communication with the
removable ink cartridge; a hollow device connection pin protruding
from the base for effecting fluid communication with the mobile
phone; an ink connection provided in the base molding, the ink
connection connecting the cartridge connection pin and the device
connection pin; and an elastomeric molding formed around the
cartridge connection pin and device connection pin, the elastomeric
molding covering respective outlets of the cartridge connection pin
and device connection pin, wherein the elastomeric molding is
adapted to compress upon receipt of the mobile phone in the
receptacle to expose the respective outlets.
2. A charging stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base
includes a backrest and a pair of spaced lateral walls extending
from the backrest which together define the receptacle, and the ink
cartridge is received between the mobile phone and the
backrest.
3. A charging stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery
charging circuit includes a power cord extending into the base,
step-down circuitry for reducing a supplied voltage from the cord,
and exposed contacts configured to supply the reduced voltage as
the charging voltage to a battery of the mobile phone.
4. A charging stand as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step-down
circuitry includes a Printed Circuit Board located within the base
and a rectifier mounted to the PCB for rectifying an AC supply
voltage to a DC output voltage.
5. A charging stand as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step-down
circuitry includes a Printed Circuit Board located within the base
and a voltage regulator means mounted to the PCB for regulating an
automotive DC supply voltage to a mobile phone DC supply
voltage.
6. A charging stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base
includes a speaker connected to a protruding speaker plug in the
receptacle.
7. A charging stand as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
quality assurance integrated circuit arrangement provided in the
base to validate authentic ink cartridges.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/194,532 filed Aug. 19, 2008, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/474,280 filed Jun. 26,
2006, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,519, which is a continuation
of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/503,901 filed Aug. 9, 2004, now
issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,437, which is a 371 of PCT/AU03/00170
filed Feb. 12, 2003, all of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to electronic devices having an
internal printer and to a charging assembly for replenishing the
internal ink reservoir of the printer.
[0003] This application refers to the following co-pending
applications of the present applicant, the entire contents of which
are duly incorporated herein:--
CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0004] Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the
present invention are disclosed in the following co-pending
applications filed by the applicant or assignee of the present
invention simultaneously with the present application:
TABLE-US-00001 PCT/AU03/00154 PCT/AU03/00151 PCT/AU03/00150
PCT/AU03/00145 PCT/AU03/00153 PCT/AU03/00152 PCT/AU03/00168
PCT/AU03/00169 PCT/AU03/00170 PCT/AU03/00162 PCT/AU03/00146
PCT/AU03/00159 PCT/AU03/00171 PCT/AU03/00149 PCT/AU03/00167
PCT/AU03/00158 PCT/AU03/00147 PCT/AU03/00166 PCT/AU03/00164
PCT/AU03/00163 PCT/AU03/00165 PCT/AU03/00160 PCT/AU03/00157
PCT/AU03/00148 PCT/AU03/00156 PCT/AU03/00155
[0005] The disclosures of these co-pending applications are
incorporated herein by cross-reference. Each application is
temporarily identified by its file reference. This will be replaced
by the corresponding PCT Application Number when available.
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS
TABLE-US-00002 [0006] 6,566,858 6,331,946 6,246,970 6,442,525
PCT/AU01/00141 09/505,951 PCT/AU01/00139 6,816,968 6,757,832
PCT/AU01/00140 PCT/AU00/00741 6,238,044 PCT/AU00/00742 6,425,661
6,227,652 6,213,588 6,213,589 6,231,163 6,247,795 6,394,581
6,244,691 6,257,704 6,416,168 6,220,694 6,257,705 6,247,794
6,234,610 6,247,793 6,264,306 6,241,342 6,247,792 6,264,307
6,254,220 6,234,611 6,302,528 6,283,582 6,239,821 6,338,547
6,247,796 6,557,977 6,390,603 6,362,843 6,293,653 6,312,107
6,227,653 6,234,609 6,238,040 6,188,415 6,227,654 6,209,989
6,247,791 6,336,710 6,217,153 6,416,167 6,243,113 6,283,581
6,247,790 6,260,953 6,267,469 6,273,544 6,309,048 6,420,196
6,443,558 6,439,689 6,378,989 6,848,181 6,634,735 PCT/AU98/00550
PCT/AU00/0 6,390,605 6,322,195 6,612,110 6,480,089 6,460,778
6,305,788 PCT/AU00/00172 6,426,014 PCT/AU00/00338 6,364,453
PCT/AU00/00339 6,457,795 PCT/AU00/00581 6,315,399 PCT/AU00/0
6,338,548 PCT/AU00/00582 6,540,319 PCT/AU00/00587 6,328,431
PCT/AU00/00588 6,328,425 PCT/AU00/00589 6,991,320 PCT/AU00/0
6,595,624 PCT/AU00/00340 PCT/AU00/00749 6,417,757 PCT/AU01/0
7,095,309 PCT/AU01/01318 6,854,825 PCT/AU00/00750 7,075,677
PCT/AU00/00751 6,428,139 PCT/AU00/00752 6,575,549 PCT/AU01/0
PCT/AU00/00583 6,383,833 PCT/AU02/01120 PCT/AU00/00593 6,464,332
PCT/AU00/00333 PCT/AU00/01513 6,428,142 PCT/AU00/00590 6,390,591
PCT/AU00/00591 7,018,016 PCT/AU00/00592 6,328,417 PCT/AU00/0
6,322,194 PCT/AU00/00585 6,382,779 PCT/AU00/00586 6,629,745
PCT/AU00/01514 6,565,193 PCT/AU00/01515 6,609,786 PCT/AU00/0
6,609,787 PCT/AU00/01517 6,439,908 PCT/AU00/01512 6,684,503
PCT/AU00/00753 6,755,513 PCT/AU00/00594 6,409,323 PCT/AU00/0
6,281,912 PCT/AU00/00596 6,604,810 PCT/AU00/00597 6,318,920
PCT/AU00/00598 6,488,422 PCT/AU01/01321 6,655,786 PCT/AU01/0
6,457,810 PCT/AU01/01323 6,485,135 PCT/AU00/00516 6,795,215
PCT/AU00/00517 7,154,638 PCT/AU00/00511 6,859,289 PCT/AU00/0
6,977,751 PCT/AU00/00755 6,398,332 PCT/AU00/00756 6,394,573
PCT/AU00/00757
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Historically, printers have been desktop devices and have
thus been large and immobile. Printers have had large capacity ink
cartridges requiring seldom replacement. Replacement ink cartridges
are typically kept on hand so that when the current ink cartridge
is exhausted it can be replaced with little interruption to the
printer operation.
[0008] Recent developments have seen printers being incorporated
into portable telecommunications devices such as mobile telephones.
Examples of such applications can be found in the present
applicant's co-pending applications listed above. However, with a
portable printer, there is a problem that a replacement ink
cartridge will not always be at hand if the ink supply is
exhausted. To overcome this problem the ink cartridge will be
replaced before it is absolutely necessary resulting in a wastage
of ink otherwise there will be a risk that the ink supply will run
out, rendering the printer useless until a replacement ink
cartridge is found.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a charging
stand for charging a mobile phone, includes a base defining a
receptacle for receiving the mobile phone; a battery charging
circuit for supplying a charging voltage to the mobile phone; a
removable ink cartridge received in the receptacle, the removable
ink cartridge for supplying ink to a printer of the mobile phone; a
hollow cartridge connection pin protruding from the base for
effecting fluid communication with the removable ink cartridge; a
hollow device connection pin protruding from the base for effecting
fluid communication with the mobile phone; an ink connection
provided in the base molding, the ink connection connecting the
cartridge connection pin and the device connection pin; and an
elastomeric molding formed around the cartridge connection pin and
device connection pin, the elastomeric molding covering respective
outlets of the cartridge connection pin and device connection pin.
The elastomeric molding is adapted to compress upon receipt of the
mobile phone in the receptacle to expose the respective
outlets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging stand, in
accordance with the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a charging stand with a
mobile telephone positioned therein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the charging stand;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the charging stand of FIG.
3,
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a removable ink
cartridge;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone adapted
for use with a charging stand of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross section of a charging stand and mobile
telephone, in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] A charging stand according to the invention is shown
generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The stand 10 receives a mobile
telecommunications device 20, e.g. a mobile telephone, as depicted
in FIG. 2. The stand 10 includes a base 11 with a receptacle 12
that receives the mobile telephone. A set of ink contacts 13 and
power contacts 14 are disposed in the base receptacle 12. The base
11 also receives an ink cartridge 50.
[0019] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an exploded view
of the charging stand 10 illustrating the internal features. The
charging stand 10 includes a base moulding 31 and base plate 32. A
power cord 33 passes through an aperture in the base moulding 31
and connects to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 34 within the base
moulding 31. The opposite end of the power cord 33 includes a
standard plug for connection with mains power, which will usually
be alternating current (AC). In this case, the power will need to
be rectified if it is to be fed to the battery of the mobile
telecommunications device in a direct current (DC) form.
Alternatively, the charging stand is configured for connection with
an alternative power source such as through the cigarette lighter
connection of a car, which will usually be direct current (DC). In
either case, the power will typically need to be stepped down to
provide compatible voltage and current to a battery of the mobile
telecommunications device.
[0020] The PCB 34 supports components including a power-in plug 35,
a speaker plug 36 connected to a speaker 37 and charging contacts
38. The power-in plug 35, speaker plug 36 and charging contacts 38
protrude through the base moulding 31 into the receptacle 12.
[0021] The base moulding 31 also houses ink connections 39 that
include hollow cartridge connection pins 40 and device connection
pins 41 connected through a conduit in an ink connection base 42.
Four pins are shown in FIG. 3 that provide an ink flow path for
three colour inks and black ink. The cartridge pins and device pins
protrude through the base moulding 31 into the receptacle 12.
Elastomeric pads 43 are formed around the pins 40, 41 for
protection but compress to the configuration depicted in FIG. 3
during loading of an ink cartridge or telephone device into the
receptacle, thereby exposing the pins for use. The device pins may
be fitted with a cap or seal that prevents ink flow when no device
is received in the receptacle but are removed prior to, or in the
act of, loading a device into the charging stand.
[0022] FIG. 4 demonstrates the resilience of the elastomeric pads
43 once the ink cartridge and telephone have been removed. The pads
return to their uncompressed state thereby providing protection to
the ink cartridge pins and device pins when the pins are not in
use. In addition to providing protection, the elastomeric pads 43
also act to seal the ink flow path through the ink connector 40
thereby preventing any ink trapped within the connector 40 from
drying out and potentially causing a blockage. As can be seen from
FIG. 4 the power-in plug 35, speaker plug 36 and charging contacts
38 remain exposed.
[0023] The charging stand receives a removable ink cartridge 50 of
the type illustrated in FIG. 5. The ink cartridge 50 includes an
ink reservoir sized to fit into the receptacle 12 of the charging
stand. Internally the ink cartridge is divided into four separate
chambers for the four different types of ink. Four apertures 51
formed in the end of the cartridge 50 provide an outlet for each of
the four chambers and are located on the cartridge 50 so as to
receive the cartridge pins 41 of the charging stand when the
cartridge is loaded into the receptacle of the charging stand. A
seal 53, for example an elastomeric seal, is disposed within each
ink chamber about the outlet 51 to seal the respective chamber when
the cartridge is removed from the charging stand.
[0024] The cartridge 50 may be provided with a QA chip and contacts
52 that communicate with similar contacts 45 (FIG. 4) on the
charging stand to ensure that only compatible cartridges 50 are
used with the charging stand.
[0025] The charging stand 10 receives a mobile telephone 20 or like
device equipped with an internal printer and battery. As shown in
FIG. 6, the telephone 20 includes a series of ink inlet ports 60
that lead to the ink supply systems of the printer, a power socket
61, hands free jack 62 and charging contacts 63 leading to a
battery or like charge storage device of the telephone. When the
telephone 20 is loaded onto the charging stand receptacle 12 as
depicted in FIG. 2, the ink inlets, power socket, hands free jack
and charging contacts align with and engage respectively the device
pins, power-in connection, speaker plug and charging contacts of
the charging stand. Power is then supplied to the telephone both to
allow operation of the telephone and to re-charge the telephone
batteries in a known manner.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a reverse cross section of the loaded charging
stand of FIG. 2 illustrating the connection from the printer of the
telephone to the ink cartridge 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the ink
cartridge 50 is disposed in the receptacle such that the cartridge
pin 40 has penetrated the seal 53 and protrudes into one of the ink
chambers of the cartridge. Similarly, the ink inlet ports of the
telephone have engaged the device pins of the charging stand. Thus
the ink connector 39 provides a conduit from the ink cartridge 50
to the ink reservoirs of the printer. Pressure, gravitational or
osmotic effects between the ink chambers of the cartridge and the
ink reservoir of the printer causes ink to flow to the printer
reservoir.
[0027] While the embodiments of the invention have been described
with particular reference to mobile telephones, it will be apparent
to the skilled addressee that the invention is equally suitable to
other types of mobile telecommunications devices such as Wireless
Internet Access Devices (WIADs), in particular Wireless
Applications Protocol (WAP) terminals, pagers etc.
[0028] The charging stand of the present invention allows the
battery and ink supplies of a mobile telephone with printer to be
re-charged simultaneously. Furthermore, using a charging stand as
herein described, it is unlikely that ink supplies of the printer
would ever be exhausted as by the time this event occurred, there
would be insufficient power in the battery to operate the
printer.
[0029] The invention has also been described with reference to a
four colour printer where the ink cartridge of the charging stand
has four chambers for three colour inks and black ink. The
configuration of the ink cartridge and the number of pins of the
ink connector will depend on the type of printer employed in the
mobile telecommunications device. For example the cartridge may
store only black ink. Alternatively or in addition, the ink
cartridge may include a chamber and ink connection for supplying
infra-red ink or some other ink type to a printer.
[0030] It will be appreciated that although the preferred
embodiment of the invention takes the form of a stand, an
alternative embodiment (not shown) is a plug that interfaces with
corresponding ink and power sockets in a phone or communications
device. An ink reservoir and power supply are still provided, but
there is no stand or cradle for the phone to sit in. Rather, once
the plug is plugged into the corresponding socket, the phone is
simply laid in a suitable place such as a benchtop or desk. A
potential advantage of this embodiment is that the ink reservoir
(which might be relatively bulky if of high capacity) can be
located remotely from the mobile phone charging point, such as on
the floor or on a shelf out of the way. In some cases, this can
avoid the reservoir being bumped, or at least diminishes the amount
of clutter in a work area. The reservoir in this case can also be
mounted in the same housing as, or adjacent to, a transformer for
rectifying AC mains power for supply to the mobile phone.
[0031] While particular embodiments of this invention have been
described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present
embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the
foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore
intended to be embraced therein. It will further be understood that
any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the
contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such
prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which
the invention relates.
* * * * *