U.S. patent application number 12/563537 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-03 for universal system for charging at least one portable device.
This patent application is currently assigned to ERGYLINK. Invention is credited to Jerome Gilbert.
Application Number | 20110025263 12/563537 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41665659 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110025263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gilbert; Jerome |
February 3, 2011 |
UNIVERSAL SYSTEM FOR CHARGING AT LEAST ONE PORTABLE DEVICE
Abstract
A universal system for recharging at least one portable
appliance, the dedication of which is being capable from a device
(4) of suiting any portable appliance version by means of at least
one adapter (6) which may be specific in all or part of the
relevant portable appliance. The invention, in its preferred
alternative embodiments, allows simultaneous or sequential
recharging of a plurality of portable appliances. With the
invention it is further possible to save electric energy in a
stand-by mode and the risks of fire and electrocution in the case
of any dysfunction are reduced as compared with the solutions of
the state of the art.
Inventors: |
Gilbert; Jerome;
(Levallois-Perret, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
ERGYLINK
Levallois-Perret
FR
|
Family ID: |
41665659 |
Appl. No.: |
12/563537 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/108 ;
320/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0044 20130101;
H02J 7/0026 20130101; H02J 7/0072 20130101; H02J 7/0027 20130101;
H02J 50/10 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/108 ;
320/110 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2009 |
FR |
09/03817 |
Claims
1-31. (canceled)
32. A universal system for recharging at least one portable
appliance comprising: a device for recharging at least one portable
appliance by providing electric energy; and at least one adapter
for transferring electric energy in a discontinuous manner from
said device to the at least one portable appliance.
33. The system according to claim 32 further comprising guiding
and/or maintaining means specific or adaptable to the dimensions of
said at least one portable appliance in order to ensure positioning
of the latter which is suitable for recharging.
34. The system according to claim 32 further comprising at least
one cable winder and/or one housing for concealing the excess
length of at least one cable.
35. The system according to claim 32 further comprising a bearing
surface for receiving the portable appliances to be recharged.
36. The system according to claim 32 further comprising means for
recording and/or reproducing and/or handling voice messages.
37. The system according to claim 36, characterized in that it
further comprises means for automatically recognizing the addressee
of a voice message upon starting the charging of the portable
appliance which is associated with it, the starting of the charging
of the portable appliance further causing automatic reading of at
least one voice message recorded beforehand intended for the
recognized addressee.
38. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device comprises
means for disconnecting at least one power supply used for
recharging said at least one portable appliance when said at least
one portable appliance in connection with said at least one
relevant power supply is not being charged or when its recharging
is considered as having ended.
39. The system according to claim 38 wherein said device further
comprises an additional time-lag for maintaining charging which
defers the instant of effective disconnection from the instant of
the detection of the conditions for disconnection.
40. The system according to claim 38 wherein said device
automatically disconnects said at least one power supply used for
recharging said at least one portable appliance when the power
consumed by the corresponding load exceeds a threshold determined
beforehand.
41. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises means for recharging said at least one portable appliance
by receiving a command and/or by automatic detection of the
starting of the charging of at least one portable appliance.
42. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises means for automating periodic recharging of at least one
portable appliance.
43. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises means for recharging at least one electric energy
accumulator as such and/or at least one simple portable appliance
comprising an electric energy accumulator and not comprising any
charging supervisor.
44. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises means for ensuring at least one accelerated recharging
mode.
45. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises means for connecting to an external electric energy
source, these means comprising a cable equipped with at least one
suitable connector made by overmoulding.
46. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises a self-contained energy source.
47. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device further
comprises a single very low voltage power supply source capable of
recharging at least one portable appliance, the voltage of this
single source being stabilized to a value making it suitable for
direct recharging of at least one portable appliance version.
48. The system according to claim 47 wherein said device blocks the
power supply of all or part of said at least one portable appliance
in order to remain within the limits of the capacities of said
single very low voltage power supply source in the case of a power
need above the capacities of said single very low voltage power
supply source.
49. The system according to claim 47 wherein said device enters in
a sequential recharging mode for all or part of said at least one
portable appliance when the power need exceeds the limits of the
capacities of said single very low voltage power supply source.
50. The system according to claim 32 wherein said device is capable
of detecting at least one effect of an intervention of the user in
the system or in its close environment, and that the device is
capable of automatically changing its functional condition
accordingly.
51. The system according to claim 32 wherein said adapter comprises
at least a first sub-assembly connected to the device, said first
sub-assembly being capable of transferring electric energy to a
portable appliance through wire means comprising at least two
contacts and/or through non-wire means comprising at least one
primary inductor, the energy transfer being accomplished directly
or via a second sub-assembly connected to said at least one
portable appliance, the second sub-assembly comprising at least two
contacts and/or at least one secondary inductor.
52. The system according to claim 51 wherein said first and second
sub-assemblies of said adapter are laid out in order to materialize
an interface between them which is capable of transferring electric
energy and which is at least partly independent of the specific
characteristics of said at least one portable appliance.
53. The system according to claim 51 wherein the contacts and/or
the inductors of said adapter which have to cooperate are
respectively maintained in a contact and/or coupling position
suitable for transferring electric energy through the effect of a
force.
54. The system according to claim 51 wherein the maintaining of
said second sub-assembly of said adapter or of the portable
appliance exerted by a force is controlled by an electric command
in connection with the charge condition of the portable
appliance.
55. The system according to claim 51 wherein said second
sub-assembly of said adapter is associated with means achieving at
least partial overcladding of the portable appliance.
56. The system according to claim 55 wherein the connector ensuring
the connection of the electric circuits of said second sub-assembly
of said adapter with the portable appliance has a reduced
protruding portion relatively to the corresponding standard
connector when the connector is inserted in the corresponding base
of the portable appliance.
57. The system according to claim 55 wherein said second
sub-assembly of said adapter further comprises means for restoring
at least one original resource of the portable appliance.
58. The system according to claim 55 wherein said second
sub-assembly of said adapter comprises at least one additional
resource relatively to those of the relevant portable appliance
and/or at least one standard resource functionally equivalent to at
least one specific resource of the relevant portable appliance.
59. The system according to claim 55 wherein said second
sub-assembly of said adapter further comprises at least one
contactless identification means.
60. The system according to claim 32 wherein the means for
connecting said device to said at least one portable appliance
comprises at least one cable and at least one connector made by
overmoulding, said at least one connector being suitable for
recharging at least one portable appliance version.
61. The system according to claim 60 wherein said adapter further
comprises a removable connector type changing device, made by
overmoulding, in order to allow the connection of a portable
appliance, the connector of which for recharging is not compatible
with said at least one connector of the adapter.
62. The system according to claim 60 wherein at least one of the
parts of said adapter made by overmoulding further comprises one or
more diodes mounted in series, in at least one of the power supply
circuits, in order to lower the voltage provided by the device to a
determined value which is suitable for recharging the relevant
portable appliance version.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is located in the field of small
electrical equipment, it relates to an accessory for recharging at
least one portable device. The invention more particularly relates
to recharging telephones and/or other portable electrical or
electronic appliances of daily use.
STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] The chargers of the state of the art are most often specific
accessories provided by the manufacturers of portable devices.
Although there is work aiming at standardizing the interface
between the chargers and the devices to be recharged for decoupling
the provision of devices and chargers, the pool of existing
chargers is still heterogeneous. This heterogeneity forces the
users to keep and carry in their travels as many chargers as there
are appliances to be recharged. On the other hand, in families
where most of the members have a simple or multifunctional portable
telephone and if necessary, other portable appliances such as
digital audio readers, digital cameras, game consoles, etc., a
significant increase in the number of chargers is witnessed. In
addition to the unsightly character of the individual chargers, the
fact that they occupy a non-negligible portion of the wall electric
outlets in dwellings, this proliferation leads to a waste of
electric energy which is significant at the scale of a country and
to an increase in the likelihood of accidents related to failures
of the chargers.
[0003] A so-called standby killer intelligent multi-outlet
disclosed in the patent FR0605627 (GILBERT) from the same inventor,
the present invention of whom is somewhat a sequel thereto, is
known as well as chargers disclosed in patents U.S. Pat. No.
7,405,535, U.S. Pat. No. 7,471,062 et U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,242.
SHORT DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partly
find a remedy to the problems mentioned earlier by proposing a
universal system for recharging at least one portable appliance.
Certain preferred alternative embodiments of the invention further
include means for at least partially disconnecting them from the
electrical mains when all the appliances are considered as having
been recharged or when they are removed from the system. With this,
it is possible to reduce, or even in certain types of application,
to completely suppress residual consumption at the end of charging
or when the charger is disconnected from the appliance to be
recharged. Further with the invention, it is possible to decrease
the risk of fire and/or reduce the risk of electrocution in the
case of dysfunction as compared with solutions of the state of the
art. The invention is useful for its users by the benefits provided
to them in terms of convenience of use, savings and safety. The
invention is also useful for manufacturers of portable electronic
appliances in that it may contribute to transferring the supply of
the chargers to suppliers specialized in small electric equipment.
With the invention, they may propose attractive and innovative
products in the field of chargers and of products which are
potentially suitable for all brands of portable appliances. Indeed,
the chargers are not very technological objects with low added
value, and without any marketing issue for manufacturers of
portable electronic appliances. By parting from this supply, they
may reduce their costs, reduce the bulkiness and the weight of
their packages and limit the risks to which they are exposed. The
risks in the case of dysfunction of the chargers may have
significant financial consequences for the companies and a negative
impact on the image of the generally well-known brands under which
the appliances are sold.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Other advantages and features of the invention will become
apparent upon examining the detailed description of embodiments
which are by no means limiting, and of the appended drawings
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates the architecture of the system according
to the invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates the internal structure of the preferred
alternative of the device;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates the first alternative with connected
adapters;
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates the first alternative in another
style;
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred alternative of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred alternative with connected
adapters;
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred alternative in the
preferred style;
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates a third alternative of the invention in a
single piece;
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates a third alternative of the invention in
two pieces;
[0016] FIG. 11 illustrates the third alternative of the invention
as seen from below;
[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth alternative of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 13 illustrates the fourth alternative with simple
cables;
[0019] FIG. 14 illustrates the fourth alternative with winder
cables;
[0020] FIG. 15 illustrates alternative cables of the first
sub-assembly;
[0021] FIG. 16 illustrates a cable with another connector and
another voltage;
[0022] FIG. 17 illustrates a device for changing connector and
voltage type;
[0023] FIG. 18 illustrates said second sub-assembly with contact
recharging;
[0024] FIG. 19 illustrates said second sub-assembly with induction
recharging;
[0025] FIG. 20 illustrates a first portable appliance in its
sub-assembly;
[0026] FIG. 21 illustrates a second portable appliance with a
sub-assembly;
[0027] FIG. 22 illustrates a third portable appliance with a
sub-assembly;
[0028] FIG. 23 illustrates a fourth portable appliance with a
sub-assembly;
[0029] FIG. 24 illustrates a fifth portable appliance in one
orientation;
[0030] FIG. 25 illustrates the fifth portable appliance in another
direction;
[0031] FIG. 26 illustrates a first embodiment of the system;
[0032] FIG. 27 illustrates a second embodiment of the system;
[0033] FIG. 28 illustrates a third embodiment of the system;
[0034] FIG. 29 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the system;
[0035] FIG. 30 illustrates a system with removable interfaces;
[0036] FIG. 31 illustrates a planar system comprising a bearing
surface;
[0037] FIG. 32 illustrates a first sequential universal recharging
system;
[0038] FIG. 33 illustrates a second sequential universal recharging
system.
DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The invention relates to a universal system for recharging
at least one portable appliance which comprises: [0040] a device
for recharging at least one portable appliance by providing it with
electric energy; and [0041] at least one adapter for transferring
electric energy in a discontinuous manner from said device to the
at least one portable appliance.
[0042] By universal is meant within the scope of the system
according to the invention, the capability of recharging portable
appliances of types and/or versions and/or brands and/or from
different manufacturers, if need be by means of suitable
adaptations to specificities of the relevant portable
appliances.
[0043] The invention in its preferred embodiments provides the
support and/or the recharging of several portable appliances in a
simultaneous and/or sequential way. By support of several portable
appliances in a simultaneous and/or sequential way, is meant the
capability of receiving a plurality of portable appliances in order
to recharge them at the same time or in turn respectively. By
recharging several portable appliances in a simultaneous and/or
sequential way is meant the capability of transferring electric
energy to a plurality of portable appliances in order to recharge
them at the same time or, for all or part of them respectively,
according to any handling process which takes time into
account.
[0044] Now this being the case, there is no departure from the
scope of the invention in the case of an application exclusively
dedicated to recharging a single portable appliance of a given
version or in the case of an application dedicated to all or part
of a range of portable appliances of a given brand.
[0045] By adapter for transferring energy from said device to said
at least one portable appliance, is meant any means providing the
energy transfer between said device and said at least one portable
appliance to be recharged. By discontinuously transferring electric
energy from said device to said at least one portable appliance
should be understood the fact that the recharging voltage is not
permanently provided by the device to said at least one portable
appliance to be recharged, this regardless of the wave form of the
recharging voltage which may be an AC voltage or in most cases a DC
voltage. It should be noted that the system according to the
invention, in most alternative embodiments, and within the limit of
the maximum capabilities of providing current from the relevant
sources, only handles the supply of the recharging voltage. Indeed,
when dealing with evolved portable appliances such as portable
telephones comprising a charging supervisor, the handling of the
recharging current demanded by the appliance is handled by the
latter. In addition to the fact that the feature of discontinuously
supplying the recharging voltage is at the basis of at least one
portion of the benefits of the invention, it also contributes to
distinguishing it from known solutions, notably from those used for
recharging wireless home telephones which are continuously powered
by their base. It should be noted that with the invention provision
is made for implementing handling of the discontinuity for
supplying the recharging voltage to at least one portable appliance
in one or several points of the system. For example, the
discontinuity may be dealt with in all or part of said device
and/or in said adapter without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0046] The invention provides that the system further comprises
guiding and/or maintaining means specific or adaptable to the
dimensions of said at least one portable appliance in order to
ensure positioning of the latter so that it may be recharged.
[0047] It is provided that the system according to the invention
comprises means for recharging at least one portable appliance
among a plurality of them having different dimensional and/or
electrical characteristics.
[0048] Handling of this heterogeneity requires suitable means.
Thus, means for guiding and/or maintaining said at least one
portable appliance are provided in order to be able to receive
appliances and to maintain them in a position suitable for
recharging in a recessed housing and/or on a prominent support.
According to the alternative embodiments of the invention, all or
part or these means are comprised in said device and/or in said
adapter. These may be adaptation means which are specific to a
given portable appliance or to a given family of portable
appliances having identical characteristics, at least for the part
concerned by the recharging. Even more advantageously, these may be
adaptable means capable of receiving a plurality of portable
appliances having at least one different dimensional
characteristic. Thus, it is provided that said adaptable means use
forces which are exerted on at least two portable appliances having
at least one different dimensional characteristic, said forces
being exerted on the actual portable appliance alone and/or on an
intermediate adapter, in order to ensure guidance to the charging
position and/or maintaining it therein, respectively. Said forces
are for example gravity, return forces of at least one spring
operating in traction and/or in compression or further exerted by
spring-forming materials, magnetic attraction or repulsion forces,
said forces being used alone or as a combination.
[0049] The invention provides that the system further comprises at
least one cable winder and/or one housing for concealing the excess
length of at least one cable.
[0050] This concerns said device and/or said adapter and mainly
meets needs for convenience and/or of an aesthetic order. The cable
length to be concealed may for example more particularly concern
said device if this is a cable for connection with an external
energy source. The cable length to be concealed may also concern at
least one cable within the scope of said at least one adapter for
either one or both interfaces for connection with the device or
with said at least one portable appliance. It is further provided
that the technical means for concealing at least one excess cable
length may be based on winders. These may be so-called automatic
winders by the use of a spring for exerting a force allowing the
cable to be wound up or further simple winders, i.e. means with
which the user may himself/herself wind up the excess length.
Solutions for concealing excess cable length based on suitable
housings are also provided. This may for example be a retention
housing provided between the point for connecting the relevant
cable and the exit point of the cable from the outer casing of the
relevant object. Thus, with a simple exit point allowing the cable
to slide freely, it is possible to have the excess portion of the
cable enter the retention housing. Generally it is sufficient to
pull on the cable, one portion of which has been concealed
beforehand in the housing, in order to extend the external portion.
When said housing is common for retaining the excess portion of
several cables, it is advantageous to provide an access for
disentangling their excess portion if necessary. For all the types
of winders or solutions based on a housing for containing the
excess portion of at least one cable, by applying blocking means,
it is advantageously possible to maintain the wound portion in
place without it unwinding by itself and to maintain free of any
return force the length of the terminal portion which the user has
chosen to leave free.
[0051] The invention provides that the system further comprises a
bearing surface for receiving the portable appliances to be
recharged.
[0052] By bearing surface is meant any planar surface on which the
user is invited to lay down said at least one portable appliance
during its recharging. The bearing surface according to the
invention may be rigid, flexible or advantageously made in flexible
materials, in order to allow compact packaging in which the bearing
surface, called in this case a <<charging carpet>> may
be rolled. The bearing surface is advantageously made in a soft,
non-slip and non-abrasive material in order not to damage the
portable appliances which it receives. Advantageously, the bearing
surface provides a surface able to be marked for decorative
purposes and/or as a communication medium, notably an advertising
medium. All or part of the markings may in certain alternatives be
made by the user in the form of decorative options by suitable
means and/or these may be one or several areas provided for writing
messages and/or for marking the name of the users to which
determined areas are assigned if necessary, with advantageously an
erasable writing means.
[0053] The invention in certain alternative embodiments provides
that the bearing surface is a passive component of the system, the
essential function of which is to provide a support suitable for
the portable appliances to be recharged. In other alternative
embodiments, the bearing surface further provides a function for
automatically detecting at least one effect from an intervention of
the user on the system or in his/her environment. This type of
alternative is provided as an optional accessory connectable to the
device and which may be distributed separately. In this case,
conventional starting means such as a push-button on the device,
allows the use of the device according to the invention without
said bearing surface. In preferred alternative embodiments, said
bearing surface is further used as a means for transferring
electric energy into said at least one portable appliance.
[0054] It is provided that the means for transferring electric
energy into the portable appliances laid on said bearing surface
utilize direct electric conduction or energy transfer by induction.
As regards the transfer by direct electric contact, these may for
example be point contacts made for example with one or more
conducting tips per terminal, the tips being retractably mounted
with a spring or using a material forming a spring in order to
exert a force towards the receiving pad of the opposite contact
which is in connection with a portable appliance. Thus said at
least two metal receiving pads forming the contacts opposite to
those which are integral with said bearing surface for direct
transfer of electric energy, may be smoothed and continuous with
the surface which is generally found forming the back of the
portable appliance or of overcladding. Thus, the attractiveness of
the portable appliance is not substantially modified and no surface
irregularity risks scratching persons, surfaces or clothing.
[0055] In other alternative embodiments for transferring energy
through direct electric contacts, it is provided that said bearing
surface should at least consist of a plurality of metal strips or
areas, the length and width of which are substantially equal in
order to form an alternation of very low voltage power supply
terminals with one or two dimensions, respectively. Thus, each
individual strip or area respectively has at least one strip or
adjacent area connected to the opposite terminal, so that the
contacts integral with the portable appliances to be recharged or
with their overcladding, which are spaced apart by an odd multiple
of the pitch separating said strips or areas, are nearly always
found in close contact with two terminals in a position suitable
for recharging.
[0056] In other preferred alternative embodiments of the invention,
energy transfer is accomplished by induction by means of at least
one flat inductor, a so-called primary inductor, which is located
under the bearing surface. At least one polar part made in a
material, capable of deviating the lines of the alternating
magnetic field used, advantageously completes said at least one
primary inductor in order to increase the efficiency of the
coupling with said at least one secondary inductor receiving the
energy located in the portable appliance or in its adapter which is
placed above.
[0057] Advantageously, bearing areas dedicated to a given portable
appliance are materialized by markings, this embodiment arrangement
allows individualized handling of the recharging of each appliance
and if necessary easy recognition by the user of each portable
appliance which is in particular useful within the scope of the
voice functions of the invention shown hereafter.
[0058] One indicator per appliance, per adapter or per
individualized charging circuit advantageously completes the system
in that it is possible to instantaneously check, whether the
appliance upon its laying down is in a position suitable for
recharging: non-lighting of the indicator intuitively inviting the
user to change the position of the appliance until lighting of the
indicator is seen.
[0059] In the cases when the means used for transferring electric
energy do not allow sure determination of the polarity of the
connection established with the portable appliance or its adapter,
provision is made for having diodes mounted as a rectifier bridge
in the adapter or in the portable appliance in order to definitely
recondition as expected the polarity of the recharging voltage
before its use. Further, the voltage provided by the device will be
adapted so as to take into account the voltage drop of the diodes
so that the portable appliance receives the suitable rated
recharging voltage.
[0060] In the language of the invention, the use of said bearing
surface for transferring recharging energy causes it to enter the
category of said first sub-assembly of said at least one
adapter.
[0061] Of course, all or part of the unitary functions associated
with said bearing surface may be combined without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0062] The invention provides that the system further comprises
means for recording and/or reproducing and/or handling voice
messages.
[0063] Considering the particularly relevant use of the system
according to the invention in the general public as a centralized
recharging point for portable appliances of daily use, accordingly
the most suitable localization of the system in an entrance or
another location where users pass by systematically, it is
particularly advantageous to include in the system according to the
invention, means for recording and/or reproducing and/or handling
voice messages. It is provided that the technical association
between the voice portion and the components of the system relating
to the recharging of portable appliances according to the invention
should give rise to functional synergies. For example, the
message(s) which have not yet been listened to, may be read
automatically upon starting to charge a portable appliance after
the recordings, until all the messages are erased, each addressee
reputed to erase the message intended for him/her after having
listened to it. Of course, many functional alternatives are
possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0064] In a basic version, it is provided that the voice means are
based on a simple global recording and reproduction function
without distinguishing any addressee. Handling of the addressees of
voice messages is however provided in the preferred alternative
embodiments. In this case, means are proposed for selecting the
addressee(s) of the voice messages during the recording and
reproduction steps. Interaction means with the user are further
proposed for handling the messages: for example selecting the
addressee during the recording step if necessary, listening again,
erasing, switching to the following or previous message, at the
beginning or at the end of a list, signalling a new message with
indication of its addressee if necessary, etc. An advantageous
additional function is the <<answer>> function for
recording a new message intended for the transmitter of the message
which has just been listened to, this allowing a dialog to be
established between users which are not present simultaneously. The
interaction with the user may advantageously be accomplished with
very simple and reliable means, the use of which is easily
understandable by anybody, such as for example with push-buttons,
indicator lamps, and associated markings. The interaction with the
user may of course use more sophisticated means, such as for
example a touch screen. The use of said at least one portable
appliance as a support of the interaction with the user is also
provided, the connection between the resources of the system
according to the invention and that of the portable appliance being
advantageously able to use a local communication standard such as
Bluetooth or WiFi. Conversely, the use of the resources of the
voice portion of the system as a hands-free sub-assembly by a
telephone for sharing a communication between several users is also
provided. The voice messages recorded in digital form will
advantageously be stored in non-volatile memory. The optional
addition of a real time clock allows time-stamping of voice
messages. The voice portion of the system may advantageously be
proposed as a detachable sub-assembly capable of autonomy by the
presence of a battery maintained in a charged condition by the
device according to the invention. The alternative capable of
autonomy is particularly useful for recording lists of articles to
be supplied while producing the inventory in different storage
locations with said hand-held voice sub-assembly, detached from the
device. In a particularly elaborate alternative, the voice portion
of the system is capable of copying voice messages as digital files
in a standard format into a memory of a portable appliance for
reproduction during mobility, for example within the scope of a
list of articles to be supplied which may thus be consulted with
delayed time on the supply location. In certain alternatives, the
voice portion comprises a port, for example an OTG host USB port or
equivalent as well as a file manager within the scope of
recognizing the connection of standard mass memories for managing
transfers of contents between different appliances possibly
including non-voice attached files, not utilized with the scope of
the system according to the invention. A removable memory card
reader in a standard format is comprised in said voice portion if
need be as a complement or replacement of a port for allowing
exchanges of files with external equipment. In an even more
sophisticated alternative, the system according to the invention is
connected to at least one external network, directly by internal
connection means, or via a gateway providing the Internet
connection to which the system according to the invention may
advantageously be connected by transmission means, such as WiFi or
Bluetooth or their successors. Thus, it is possible to use the
voice portion of the system according to the invention as a
messaging centre interoperating with most of the communicating
portable and stationary appliances and with open or specific
services of telecom operators. In certain alternatives, it is
provided that said voice functions of the system according to the
invention further comprise the functions of a conventional
telephone micro-switch or using IP voice techniques. The function
of a basic telephone answering/recording machine is of course
supported but a number of subsidiary functions are possible within
the scope of the system. Thus, the presence of a given portable
telephone may be identified by the device according to the
invention which may transmit this utilizable information within the
scope of sophisticated telecom services, advantageously multimodal
services, for example comprising dynamic re-routing of telephone
communications, updating of information in social networks to which
the relevant user has subscribed on Internet, etc. Furthermore,
provision is made for loading onboard a web micro-server in said
voice portion of the system in order to notably facilitate
configuration of the system by means of a standard web navigator
which may be executed on any portable or stationary appliance
either locally or remotely connectible.
[0065] The invention provides that the system further comprises
means for automatically recognizing the addressee of a voice
message during the charging of the portable appliance which is
associated with him/her, the charging of the portable appliance
further causing automatic reading of at least one voice message
recorded beforehand intended for the recognized addressee.
[0066] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the system according
to the invention further comprises means for automatically
recognizing the portable appliance during its charging. By a prior
configuration step allowing the system to subsequently associate
the portable appliance and its user, the means for recognizing the
portable appliance will allow automatic recognition of the user
associated with the portable appliance. The information relating to
the association is stored in a non-volatile memory comprised in the
system during the configuration step. All the means allowing the
portable appliance to be recognized during its charging enter the
scope of the invention. This may for example be a transponder
integral with the portable appliance and which transmits a unique
identification number without any contacts to the suitable reader
comprised in the system, this may for example also be reading and
recognizing parameters obtained by a data exchange with the
portable appliance.
[0067] The invention provides that the device further comprises
means for disconnecting at least one power supply used for
recharging said at least one portable appliance when said at least
one portable appliance in connection with said at least one
relevant power supply is not being charged or when its recharging
is considered as having ended.
[0068] Here, discontinuity in providing the recharging voltage to
said at least one portable appliance is dealt with in said device
according to the invention. It is based on switching means with
which transmission of electric energy provided by the external
and/or internal source, if need be, to the charging means may be
controlled. According to alternative embodiments, the control may
be globally processed for all the charging means or differentiated
depending on the relevant charging means; for example, depending on
whether these are an internal power supply source for recharging
portable appliances or chargers external to the device. In other
alternative embodiments, the differentiation in the control of
energy transmission is accomplished by the portable appliance or by
a group of portable appliances. In the most preferred embodiment,
the discontinuity is handled globally by disconnecting the energy
source which in the majority of the cases is the low voltage
electric mains of a building. In this type of application, only a
first internal power supply remains under permanent voltage, which
advantageously has the technical characteristics of very low active
consumption in a standby mode, of large robustness towards
perturbations which may affect the external energy source and a
long lifetime when permanently powered. An embodiment pressing
these advantages to the utmost degree is based on entirely
disconnecting the external energy source by a relay further
providing the maintaining of the power supply during charging. This
embodiment requires a starting command which is materialized by the
brief closure of a contact mounted in parallel on that or those of
the relay in order to start the recharging process. The circuit for
controlling the relay ensures handling of the maintaining of the
power supply during charging and automatic disconnection when the
conditions are met.
[0069] The invention provides that the device further comprises an
additional time-lag for maintaining the charging which postpones
the instant of effective disconnection from the instant of
detection of the conditions for disconnection.
[0070] It is provided that an additional time-lag for maintaining
charging is added between the instant of detection of downward
crossing of the power threshold corresponding to portable
appliances considered as all charged or not being charged and the
instant of opening the contact of the relay leading to
disconnection of the internal power supply and of possible external
chargers from the external power supply source. With this time-lag
it is notably possible to compensate in certain cases the lack of
being able to measure the power consumed by the portable appliances
at the end of charging in that this ensures maintaining the
powering of the chargers until recharging is undoubtedly
finished.
[0071] The invention provides that the device automatically
disconnects said at least one power supply used for recharging said
at least one portable appliance when the power consumed by the
corresponding load exceeds a threshold determined beforehand.
[0072] The invention provides that application of a capability of
disconnecting loads in the device as well as of means for measuring
a quantity representative of the power is advantageously completed
by comparison with a determined threshold which, in the case of it
being exceeded, causes disconnection of said loads. The device is
thus protected against the consequences of any dysfunction of the
loads which are external to it such as for example a short-circuit
in an external charger, in a battery or in a portable appliance.
This protection mode further reduces the likelihood that a fault in
a component external to the device causes a fire, in that the
amount of dissipated energy in the faulty component is limited.
[0073] It is also provided that said device further comprises means
for recharging said at least one portable appliance by receiving a
command and/or by automatic detection of the charging of said at
least one portable appliance.
[0074] It is provided that a command from the user is required in
the most economical alternative embodiments of the invention
nevertheless providing most of the aforementioned advantages.
[0075] In more elaborate alternatives, means are provided for
detecting the arrival of a portable appliance in a position to be
recharged in order to automatically start the recharging process.
Many solutions exist in order to do this, for example by means of a
contact on the appliance support, by an optical, Hall effect
magnetic sensor or by a reed relay contact, by detection of the
presence of a load in the recharging circuit, etc.
[0076] The invention provides that said device further comprises
means for automating periodical recharging of at least one portable
appliance.
[0077] The invention provides that within the scope of certain
embodiments, the control means comprised in the device
automatically start the recharging process periodically in order to
maintain the charged condition of the appliances. In particularly
sophisticated embodiments of the invention, provision is made for
making this functionality configurable and/or self-adaptive as
regards the periodicity of the automatic restarts.
[0078] It is also provided that said device further comprises means
for recharging at least one electric energy accumulator as such
and/or at least one simple portable appliance comprising an
electric energy accumulator and not comprising a charging
supervisor.
[0079] The alternative embodiments of the invention for recharging
a plurality of portable appliances provided for home use are
advantageously completed by a capability of recharging batteries in
the most current formats via if necessary optional adapters and/or
simple portable appliances such as for example a torch, the light
source of which consists of one or more LEDs. Such a lamp may still
more advantageously be associated with the system according to the
invention on a suitable support with which it may be easily gripped
and its charge may be sustained by periodical recharges.
[0080] The invention provides that said device further comprises
means for ensuring at least one accelerated recharging mode.
[0081] The invention intends to provide at least one accelerated
recharging mode for electric energy accumulators and simple
portable appliances comprising an electric energy accumulator and
not comprising any recharging supervisor. For these appliances, a
recharging algorithm and/or a recharging current level above the
rated values for the relevant type of accumulator are applied in
the device. Rapidity of charging is preferred over the lifetime of
the accumulators in an accelerated mode. An accelerated mode is
also provided for the other portable appliances comprising a
recharging supervisor which supports such a mode. Indeed, for this
category of appliances, it is the appliance itself which determines
the demanded current. Thus, it is provided that the device is able
to provide a charging current above the rated one and signals to
the portable appliance that an accelerated recharging mode is
selected so that the latter demands a charging current above the
rated value. As the signaling modes are not standardized, suitable
configuration capabilities are provided in the invention in order
to adapt the behaviour of all or part of the system according to
the invention to the particularities of the portable appliances to
be recharged.
[0082] It is also provided that said device further comprises means
for connecting to an external electric energy source, these means
comprising a cable equipped with at least one suitable connector
made by overmoulding.
[0083] The invention provides that the device according to the
invention may be connected to an external energy source. In the
most common cases of applying the invention, this means connection
to the home electric mains, for example to a low voltage 230V/50 Hz
or 110V/60 Hz network. In certain embodiments of the invention more
particularly adapted to vehicle use, the device according to the
invention is connected to an external DC current source with very
low voltage for example a 12V or 48V source suitable for use in
automobiles, motor homes, trucks, buses, boats, etc. Connection to
external DC current sources such as a solar panel, and connection
to an alternating current (AC) source for the use of the invention
in collective transportation means such as trains, aircrafts or
boats are also provided. In certain embodiments of the invention,
connection to several types of external electric energy sources is
provided, for example a means for connecting to a very low DC
voltage network and a means for connecting to a low AC voltage
network are provided. Connection to a photovoltaic solar panel as
an external energy source is also provided.
[0084] The invention provides that said device further comprises a
self-contained energy source.
[0085] The invention provides that the device according to the
invention may be connected to an internal energy source. In the
most common cases of application of the invention, this is a
primary accumulator comprised in the device. This accumulator after
a recharging phase requiring the connection of the device to an
external electric energy source, to a low AC voltage network or to
a very low DC voltage network, provides the possibility of
recharging in a fully self-contained way one or more portable
appliances a number of times determined by the capacity of said
primary accumulator and its charge condition. The presence of an
accumulator in the device is particularly suitable in the
alternatives of the invention applying a photovoltaic solar panel
as an external energy source.
[0086] It is provided in the invention that said device further
comprises a single very low voltage power supply source capable of
recharging at least one portable appliance, the voltage of this
single source being stabilized to a value making it suitable for
directly recharging at least one portable appliance version.
[0087] The invention provides that the device comprises a single
very low voltage power supply source capable of recharging at least
one portable appliance. The voltage of this single power supply
source being stabilized to a value, for example of 5V, making it
suitable for recharging at least one portable appliance version.
Although several values of very low DC voltage may suit the stated
technical criteria, for example values comprised between 3.6V and
14.4V, for which portable appliances to be recharged are currently
found in the field of various electronic and electro-portable
appliances, the value of 5V is optimum in that it corresponds to
the recharging voltage undergoing standardization for portable
electronic appliances and that it is easy to derive from the latter
lower voltage values if necessary by means applied in said adapter.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the galvanic insulation
required for electric safety of the system is achieved at the level
of said single very low voltage power supply source.
[0088] It should be noted that there is no departure from the scope
of the invention, if the device comprises several single very low
voltage power supply sources capable of recharging at least one
portable appliance. In this case, the uniqueness of the very low
voltage source has to be understood relatively to the fact that it
is capable of recharging several portable appliances. Thus, the
device may for example comprise a first single voltage source
stabilized to 5 volts and a second one stabilized to 14.4V for
covering a wider spectrum of portable appliances with a single
device according to the invention. In certain alternative
embodiments, the polarity of the charging current cannot be
guaranteed by the design of the mechanism and/or the layout of the
contacts. In these alternatives, a diode protecting against
polarity inversion or further diodes mounted as a rectified bridge
for ensuring recharging regardless of the polarity of the provided
current, are added into said at least one adapter according to the
invention. The presence of diodes in series in the charging circuit
has to be compensated upstream by raising the voltage provided by
said single very low voltage power supply source. By raising the
voltage of the source by a value corresponding to the voltage drop
of the diodes it is possible to supply the relevant portable
appliance with the suitable rated charging voltage.
[0089] The invention provides that the device blocks the power
supply of all or part of said at least one portable appliance in
order to remain within the limits of the capabilities of said
single very low voltage power supply source in the case of power
needs above the capacities of said single very low voltage power
supply source.
[0090] The invention provides that the device is aware of the power
actually demanded or likely to be demanded by the whole of the
loads represented by said at least one portable appliance to be
recharged. It is provided that the power may be known by any means
such as for example by measuring the current actually consumed by
each portable appliance, by measuring the current demanded by the
whole of said at least one portable appliance at the output or at
the input of said single power supply, by detecting the presence of
a portable appliance and by associating the rated recharging power
which it requires or if necessary the power required for
accelerated recharging. It is provided that if the downstream
demand for power exceeds the power which may be provided by said
single upstream power supply, the device blocks provision of power
for powering all or part of said at least one portable appliance in
order to remain within the limits of the power which may be
provided by said single power supply. Advantageously, as soon as
power is released consecutively to the end of the recharging or
upon disconnecting an appliance, the device unblocks the provision
of power for powering all or part of said at least one portable
appliance put on hold beforehand within the limit of the available
capacities. In a particularly elaborate alternative of the
invention, the rules for handling priorities among the appliances
and if necessary for handling options of accelerated recharges
relative to the use of the available output power are adjustable
and/or configurable.
[0091] The invention further provides that the device enters in a
mode for sequentially recharging all or part of said at least one
portable appliance when the power needs exceed the limits of the
capabilities of said single very low voltage power supply
source.
[0092] In a particularly preferred alternative embodiment of the
invention which is normally capable of recharging portable
appliances simultaneously, it is provided that, if the power
demanded by the whole of said at least one portable appliance
exceeds the capabilities of said single power supply, the device
then manages to provide power to at least one portable appliance
and to at least one group of portable appliances in a sequential
way. By sequential recharging mode is meant any charging management
method which takes time into account. Thus for example, the device
may simultaneously recharge all the portable appliances which are
connected to it until it reaches the maximum capability of said
single power supply and then puts on hold the other possible
portable appliances which cannot be recharged simultaneously. In
this example, as soon as a portable appliance has been recharged,
its powering is interrupted because of the recharging supervisor
comprised in the actual portable appliance or because of a means
specific to the system according to the invention. Thus at least
one of the portable appliances having been placed on hold may have
the released power allocated to it and be automatically placed in
effective recharging. For example, it is also possible to
distribute over time the available power by allocating recharging
periods of a determined duration to each appliance in a rotating
handling process which continuously maintains the total power
actually demanded by said at least one portable appliance to a
value of less than or equal to the maximum capability of said
single power supply. Other algorithms for allocating the resources
of said single power supply are possible without departing from the
scope of the invention. In a particularly elaborate alternative of
the invention, the rules for handling time-dependent recharging are
adjustable and/or configurable.
[0093] The invention provides that the device is able to detect at
least one effect of an intervention of the user in the system or in
its close environment, and that the device is able to automatically
change its functional state accordingly.
[0094] Notably, in the case of an interruptible power supply, of a
multiple power supply or of a power supply with several functional
states, such as several power stages, the change in the functional
state of the device may occur automatically by detecting at least
one effect of an intervention of the user in the environment of the
system. By intervention of the user in the environment of the
system is meant the detection of any detectable change consecutive
to direct or indirect action of the user in connection with one of
the portions of the system according to the invention. This may for
example be the occurrence of a situation suitable for recharging a
portable appliance, a detection of contact or proximity of at least
one portion of the body of the user. The following non-limiting
examples illustrate the variety of technical solutions which may be
applied within the scope of the invention: detection of the
electric connection of a portable appliance, detection of the
presence of a load in the energy transfer circuit, detection of the
laying-down of a portable appliance on a support, detection of
proximity of the user by passive or active infrared means, by
change in frequency of a free oscillator. This may also be the
contact of a portion of the body of the user by utilizing its
conductivity within the scope of a ground connection or the upward
crossing of a reception threshold of a signal relating to the
frequency of the mains when the user touches a conducting portion
in connection with the device, this conducting portion may be a
metal or metallized area integral with the device, of said at least
one adapter or further of the appliance to be recharged. The
detections of several effects may advantageously be combined, in
particular in the case of the use of indirect effects or of those
which are known as being likely to be not very reliable in order to
reduce the probability of erroneous detection.
[0095] It is provided that said at least one adapter of the system
according to the invention comprises at least one first
sub-assembly connected to the device, said first sub-assembly being
capable of transferring electric energy to a portable appliance by
wire means comprising at least two contacts and/or by non-wire
means comprising at least one primary inductor, the energy transfer
occurring directly or via a second sub-assembly connected to said
at least one portable appliance, the second sub-assembly comprising
at least two contacts and/or at least one secondary inductor.
[0096] It is provided that said at least one adapter according to
the invention may assume several forms such as a cable terminated
by at least one connector or at least one inductor allowing direct
recharging of at least one portable appliance. It is also provided
that said at least one adapter is subdivided into two
sub-assemblies generating a new interface between them. It is
further provided that several different forms of adapters are
applied in a same system according to the invention. In the
language of the invention, the first sub-assembly of said at least
one adapter is the one which has an interface with said device and
the second sub-assembly is the one which has an interface with the
portable appliance. The invention provides that according to its
alternative embodiments, all the combinations of the first and
second sub-assemblies are possible; this from a single first
assembly potentially associable with an infinity of second
sub-assemblies in order to meet the adaptation needs of present and
future appliances right up to several first sub-assemblies
potentially associable with a single version of second
sub-assemblies as well as all the intermediate combinations of the
first and second sub-assemblies. It is provided that the non-wire
means only comprise a primary inductor, i.e. an energy transmitter
in the case of recharging said at least one portable appliance
originally comprising a secondary inductor, i.e. an energy
receiver. In this case, the single inductor is reputed to belong to
said first assembly in the sense of the invention.
[0097] It is provided that first and second sub-assemblies of said
at least one adapter of the system according to the invention are
laid out in order to materialize an interface between them which is
capable of transferring electric energy and which is at least
partly independent of the specific characteristics of said at least
one portable appliance.
[0098] Within the scope of a particularly preferred embodiment of
the invention, it is provided that the new interface resulting from
the sub-division of said at least one adapter is standardized in
order to be common to a plurality of portable appliances. Indeed,
the large variety of types of connectors used for recharging
portable appliances, the existence of several voltages, the variety
in the localization of the connectors, the variety in the
dimensional characteristics of the appliances makes it advantageous
to generate a new standardized interface for connecting a plurality
of heterogeneous portable appliances to a universal device
according to the invention. Moreover, it is provided that the new
interface is at least partly or even in certain cases, completely
independent of the specific characteristics of said at least one
portable appliance.
[0099] The invention also provides that the contacts and/or
inductors which have to cooperate are respectively maintained in a
contact and/or coupling position suitable for transfer of electric
energy by the effect of a force.
[0100] It is provided that the invention is applied starting with
contacts included in standard connectors or specific to said at
least one portable appliance. The use as a second inductor
receiving electric energy, of an inductor originally comprised in a
portable appliance if necessary is also provided.
[0101] In a preferred alternative of the invention, it is also
provided that the interface between said first and second
sub-assemblies consists in at least two pairs of electric contacts
establishing the continuity of at least two electric connections in
the position for recharging the portable appliance.
[0102] In a still more preferred alternative, the energy transfer
is achieved by inductive coupling. Said at least one pair of
inductors if necessary completed by keepers forming a magnetic
circuit in order to improve the efficiency of the coupling, should
be maintained in a position allowing sufficient coupling in order
to ensure energy transfer during the recharging of the portable
appliance.
[0103] It is further provided that the contacts and/or inductors
which have to cooperate are respectively maintained in a contact
and/or coupling position suitable for transferring electric energy
by the effect of a force being exerted on the portable appliance
and/or on the second sub-assembly of the adapter if necessary.
[0104] By the effect of a force is for example meant the effect of
the force of gravity on the masses of the portable appliance and of
the second sub-assembly and/or the effect of at least one force
exerted by at least one spring or one spring-forming material
and/or the effect of the magnetic attraction force between at least
one magnet or an electromagnet comprised in a sub-assembly and a
ferromagnetic portion or another magnet having opposite polarity
comprised in the other sub-assembly.
[0105] It is provided in the invention that concerning said
adapter, the maintaining of said second sub-assembly or of the
portable appliance exerted by a force is controlled by an electric
control relating to the state of the charge of the portable
appliance. This is a refinement of the invention for automatically
disconnecting and/or automatically placing the portable appliance
in a position allowing it to be more easily gripped at the end of
charging, for example if the appliance is maintained by the effect
of a magnetic force produced by at least one permanent magnet. This
may also be the maintaining of the portable appliance in the
charging position by the flow of the charging current in a coil,
the appliance being able to exit this position, for example by the
effect of a force exerted by a spring when the charging current
passes below the maintaining threshold.
[0106] The invention provides that, concerning said adapter, said
second sub-assembly is associated with means achieving at least
partial overcladding of the portable appliance.
[0107] The invention provides in a particularly preferred
alternative embodiment that overcladding means such as those which
are currently proposed for protecting portable electronic
appliances, further comprise technical means for materializing a
second sub-assembly of said at least one adapter according to the
invention. It is thus possible to standardize by means forming one
body with the actual portable appliance, all or part of its
specific characteristics, notably but not only, those of which
relate to its recharging.
[0108] The invention also provides that, concerning said adapter,
the connector providing the connection of the electric circuits of
said second sub-assembly with the portable appliance has a reduced
protruding portion relatively to the corresponding standard
connector when the connector is inserted in the corresponding base
of the portable appliance.
[0109] It is further provided in the invention that the connector
which has to power the portable appliance, at least for its
recharging, has a protruding portion of reduced or even zero size
when the connector is inserted into the corresponding base of the
portable appliance. This arrangement is particularly advantageous
in order to maximally refine the overcladding when the base of the
relevant recharging connector is not located on the side where an
overthickness is provided for example for housing therein the
required additional components. Means such as a slot or a bore in
the accessible portion of the connector are sufficient for being
able to extract the connector if required by means of basic tooling
such as a small screwdriver or an unfolded paper clip. Provision is
also made for extracting the connector from its base by exerting
traction on the electric connection means which are integral
therewith even if this operation is destructive.
[0110] It is provided in the invention that the second sub-assembly
of said adapter further comprises means for restoring at least one
original resource of the portable appliance.
[0111] By restoration of at least one original resource of the
portable appliance via means achieving at least partial
overcladding of the portable appliance, is meant for example the
restoration of the function of at least one indicator and/or at
least one button and/or at least one hole and/or at least one
original connector and/or geometrical characteristics identical
with those of at least one portion of the portable appliance.
[0112] It is also provided in the invention that said second
sub-assembly of said adapter comprises at least one additional
resource relatively to those of the relevant portable appliance
and/or at least one standard resource functionally equivalent to at
least one specific resource of the relevant portable appliance.
[0113] This is provided via means achieving at least partial
overcladding of the portable appliance, at least one indicator
and/or at least one button and/or at least one hole, and/or at
least one connector which does not exist or which exists
differently in the relevant portable appliance. This may be at
least one connector not provided within the scope of the relevant
portable appliance and/or at least one standard version of a
connector existing in a specific form in the relevant portable
appliance. For example, many designs of portable telephones propose
a single multifunctional connector specific at to its format and to
its wiring in order to connect external, in fact specific,
accessories by the need for a mating connector. These may be
earphones, a connecting cord to the USB port of a microcomputer, a
specific charger, etc. The means according to the invention achieve
at least partial overcladding of the portable appliance and further
give the possibility of providing additional connectors and/or
standard connectors which are advantageous for the user in that
he/she may thus connect standard accessories which are more easily
available and which may be selected in a more extensive offer
generally comprising less costly versions and/or more qualitative
versions than the original accessories. The use of standard
accessories further provides the additional advantage of their
being able to be shared with other portable appliances. Said
additional resources may also for example be a charging indicator
such as a LED, in order to signal without any ambiguity and
instantaneously the effectiveness of the charging and for
indirectly validating proper positioning of the second sub-assembly
and proper operation of the device and of the first
sub-assembly.
[0114] It is further provided in the invention that said second
sub-assembly of said adapter comprises at least one contactless
identification means.
[0115] Said second sub-assembly is closely associated in a way
which may be considered as permanent, with the portable appliance
which it overclads at least partly, the latter being further
associated with its user, in particular if this is a portable
telephone. The invention provides the use of these durable
associations by integrating into said second sub-assembly of the
adapter, at least one contactless identification means. For
example, this is at least one transponder operating only in a
reading or in a reading and writing mode, operating by inductive,
capacitive or radiofrequency coupling, so-called RFID coupling in
order to allow identification of the portable terminal and/or of
its user by means of data readout and processing devices which may
be external to the invention. Said at least one contactless
identification means may be removable and placed in an accessible
housing of said second sub-assembly, for example comprised in a
recess closed by a wall of the portable appliance when the latter
is overclad. In a preferred alternative, notably for safety
applications external to the invention, said at least one
contactless identification means is at least partly overmoulded in
a wall of said second sub-assembly of the adapter. It is provided
that said at least one contactless identification means is used for
recognizing the addressee of a voice message according to the
invention as described earlier. It should be noted that the
contactless identification means further allow significant
improvement in the confidentiality in handling voice messages which
thus can only be listened to by the identified wearer of the
means.
[0116] It is also provided that said at least one identification
means is used associated with a parameterization of at least one
technical characteristic for example relating to the recharging and
which requires the recognition of a given portable appliance by the
device. Furthermore it is provided that said at least one
contactless identification means comprised in the second
sub-assembly according to the invention, is used within the scope
of external applications such as in the following non-limiting
examples: for opening the electronically controlled lock of a door
of a building or of an motor vehicle, for paying access to public
transportation, for time-punching, etc. For avoidance of doubt, we
stay in the scope of the invention if a cryptoprocessor is included
in the said contactless identification means for improving security
in the frame of applications like payment, authentication. . . The
plurality of distinct contactless identification means in a same
second sub-assembly according to the invention is often practically
required for reasons of security, confidentiality or for different
technical standards imposed by the operators of the services. It is
particularly advantageous for the whole of the interested parties
in dealing with the contactless identification problems within the
scope of a second sub-assembly according to the invention rather
than directly in the portable appliance which is associated with
it.
[0117] The invention provides that the adapter for connecting said
device to said at least one portable appliance comprises at least
one cable and at least one connector made by overmoulding, said at
least one connector being suitable for recharging at least one
portable appliance version.
[0118] In the involved alternative embodiments of the invention,
the adapter may be the original mains adapter provided for
recharging a given portable appliance version, the device according
to the invention ensuring the handling of the power supply of said
at least one relevant mains adapter. In other alternatives which
may be applied alone or combined with the previous one, said at
least one portable appliance is powered for recharging it directly
from the device according to the invention which then comprises at
least one suitable very low voltage power supply. It is further
provided that the gripping portion of said at least one connector
is made by overmoulding plastic material around the incoming cable
and the technical portion of the actual connector, the suitable
contacts of which have been connected beforehand to the
corresponding wires of the cable. It is also provided that the
standard of the retained connector for fitting out the end of the
cable non-connected to the device, is suitable for recharging at
least one portable appliance version. It is understood that the
suitability of the retained connector for recharging at least one
portable appliance version is obtained by direct connection or via
a second sub-assembly according to the invention forming at least
partial overcladding of the portable appliance. The two preferred
connector standards within the scope of the invention are the
so-called universal standard or further <<micro-USB>>
standard or <<mini-USB>> standard, both connector
standards further providing the benefit of standardization of the
associated voltage supply (5V DC). Of course, the use of any other
present or future standard suitable for recharging at least one
portable appliance version remains within the scope of the
invention.
[0119] The invention also provides that the adapter further
comprises a removable device for changing the connector type, and
made by overmoulding, in order to allow the connection of a
portable appliance, the recharging connector of which is not
compatible with said at least one connector of the adapter.
[0120] This is the possibility of recharging with the system
according to the invention portable appliances which are not
equipped with a connector compatible with the one retained for the
end of the cable of the adapter according to the invention. The
device for changing connector type according to the invention
comprises a base compatible with the connector retained for the end
of the cable of the adapter and a connector compatible with another
standard.
[0121] The invention within the scope of the adapter provides that
at least one of the parts made by overmoulding further comprises
one or more diodes mounted in series, in at least one of the power
supply circuits, in order to lower the voltage provided by the
device to a determined value which is suitable for recharging the
relevant portable appliance version.
[0122] This is the possibility of recharging, with the system
according to the invention, portable appliances for which the
voltage supply for recharging is lower than that provided by the
retained connector for the end of the cable of the adapter
according to the invention. The intention is to use the voltage
drop at the terminals of a diode which is a characteristic which is
relatively independent of the current flowing through it, in order
to be able to produce an inexpensive, not very bulky voltage
step-down device and which is further easily integrable into a
component made by overmoulding without requiring any printed
circuit. By selecting diodes in suitable categories, the intention
is to be able to determine the output voltage of the step-down
device in a relatively fine way from a known input voltage. For
example, by using conventional silicon diodes mounted in series,
the input voltage is lowered by 0.6V per diode. By including
so-called Schottky diodes in the series circuit, it is possible to
finely adjust the output voltage by a drop of 0.2V per diode. In
practice, it is sufficient to use 1A silicon diodes of general use,
for example from the <<1N4000>> series which are
particularly economical and robust in order to obtain an output
voltage which is comprised within the tolerance of the portable
appliance to be powered.
[0123] The diode step-down voltage device according to the
invention may be comprised in an overmoulded connector type
converter as described earlier or further in the overmoulding of a
connector fitting out the end of a connecting cable between the
device and a portable appliance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND OF EMBODIMENTS
[0124] Other particularities and advantages of the invention will
further appear in the description hereafter. In the appended
drawings given as non-limiting examples:
[0125] FIG. 1 illustrates the architecture of the system according
to the invention in its environment.
[0126] An external electric energy source (2) and an internal
source (3) comprised in the device (4) provides the energy required
for recharging said at least one portable appliance (5) and for the
internal needs of the system according to the invention (1). Said
at least one adapter (6) ensures energy transfer from the device
(4) to said at least one portable appliance (5).
[0127] An adapter (7) comprises at least one first sub-assembly (8)
connected to the device (4) in order to directly transmit electric
energy to said at least one portable appliance (5) or in certain
alternative embodiments via the second sub-assembly (9). In the
relevant alternative embodiments, a new interface (10), which is at
least partly independent of the specific characteristics of said at
least one portable appliance (5) is materialized between said first
and second sub-assemblies (8, 9).
[0128] FIG. 2 illustrates the internal structure of the preferred
alternative of the device.
[0129] This alternative is preferred because it is both robust,
industrially applicable at low cost and is more universal with
regard to appliances which may recharged, in that it manages an
internal power supply for recharging current portable appliances,
but also any other type of external charger for recharging portable
appliances for which the solutions for current portable appliances
are not suitable. The structure disclosed in FIG. 2 corresponds to
the illustrations of FIGS. 6-8.
[0130] In this exemplary embodiment of the invention which is in no
way limiting, a circuit (11) for controlling the device (4) is
powered by an external electric energy source (2) which in this
example is the low AC voltage 230V/50 Hz or 110V/60 Hz electrical
mains. The control circuit (11) comprises means for ensuring its
own power supply from the external source (2). These means are
provided for having a long lifetime of the permanent power supply,
large robustness and an active power consumption of less than 0.5 W
in a stand-by mode. A power supply circuit comprising a capacitor
as a series voltage step-down component, is particularly suitable
for providing these characteristics. Said control circuit further
comprises means (12) for measuring the power consumed by the whole
of the loads (13, 14) which are connected to it. The relevant loads
comprise the external loads which may be connected on the
controlled mains outlets (14) provided for this purpose as well as
on the internal power supply of a device (13) which is provided for
directly powering portable appliances with view to recharging them
by means (15). The internal power supply (13) is further provided
in order to ensure the galvanic insulation required for the
electrical safety of the system according to the invention. Said
internal power supply (13) however does not need to have
exceptional characteristics as regards its operating lifetime and
no-load yield because its power supply is interrupted by a relay
(16) comprised in the control circuit when all the portable
appliances are disconnected or when their recharging is considered
as having ended. The control circuit (11) further comprises an
interface with the user (17) which may only consist of a starting
push-button and an indicator signaling the functional state of the
device. The control circuit (11) also comprises the logic for
handling the resources comprised in the device (4) as well as means
for adjusting the power threshold below which the portable
appliances are considered as having been charged or not being
charged. The threshold if necessary takes into account the residual
power consumed by possible external chargers which remain connected
and are seen as permanent loads by the measuring means of the
control circuit (11). The means for measuring the power consumed by
the chargers (13, 14) may advantageously only be current
measurement means. Considering the relatively low power of the
loads represented by the chargers, measuring the voltage on the
terminals of a low value resistor, for example 0.47 Ohm which may
dissipate a few Watts, is suitable for applying the invention
although any other technique with which a quantity representative
of the power consumed by the chargers may be measured or evaluated,
enters the scope of the invention. It is further provided that an
additional charging time-lag is added between the instant of
detection of downward crossing of the power threshold corresponding
to portable appliances considered to be all charged or not being
charged and the instant of the opening of the contact of the relay
leading to disconnection of the internal power supply (13) and of
possible external chargers (14) of the external power supply source
(2). With this time-lag, it is notably possible to compensate in
certain cases the lack of the possibility of measuring the power
consumed by the portable appliances at the end of charging, in that
it ensures the maintaining of the power supply of the chargers
until recharging is undoubtedly finished.
[0131] The whole of the means applied for handling the device may
be comprised in a standard low cost microcontroller such as for
example in an <<ATtiny25>> from <<Atmel>>
(registered trade marks) equipped with the suitable microprogram.
The control circuit may also be made from wired analog and/or logic
electronic means without departing from the scope of the invention.
Further, optional means are advantageously provided with which the
operating parameters of the system according to the invention may
be adjusted and/or configured, including the duration of said
additional charging time-lag. It should be noted that finer
handling of the state of the loads may be obtained by measuring the
current not globally for the whole of the loads but in a more
individualized way up to one current measurement per load. A first
improvement stage which however remains within reasonable
application costs, consists of using first means for measuring the
current consumed by the whole of the loads operating at the mains
voltage and second means for measuring the current consumed by the
internal very low voltage power supply source at its primary, the
consumption of the power supply source at its primary being
directly related to the consumption of the loads supplied with a
very low voltage, connected to its secondary.
[0132] FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative of the invention.
[0133] This is an application of the invention arranged for
controlling the electric power supply of at least one individual
charger per portable appliance. In this alternative, the device (4)
according to the invention assumes the form of a block of electric
sockets (14) intended for receiving at least one individual charger
such as those usually shipped with the appliances or commonly
available as an accessory. Said at least one individual charger
represents said at least one adapter in the sense of the invention.
Remote interaction means with the user (17) which for example
comprise a starting push-button and an indicator allowing
minimization of the visible portion of the system according to the
invention. The device further comprises at least one means for
switching the power supply of the individual chargers from a common
connection (18) to the electric network. Means are provided for
measuring or for evaluating the power consumed by said individual
chargers, on a unitary basis with one detection per provided socket
or on a global basis, or further on a basis per group of plurality
of sockets. Measurement or evaluation of the power consumed by the
external charger may only be based on a current measurement, for
example by means of a resistor or of the primary of a current
transformer in series with the circuit for powering the external
charger. Taking into account the relatively low power of said
external chargers, the current of which is to measured, measurement
cells comprising a relatively high value resistor and two power
diodes mounted anti-parallel may provide a signal of relatively
strong amplitude capable of being measured by means of a
analog/digital converter comprised in a standard microcontroller.
The value of the measurement resistor is calculated so that the
range of interest is comprised in the voltage excursion linear area
before clipping performed by the diodes. Grouping several sockets
for individual chargers behind a common measurement cell with view
to lowering application costs is possible without departing from
the scope of the invention, the limit being the capability of
discriminating the consumption of an active charger relatively to
the sum of the residual consumptions of a plurality of connected
chargers under no load or the appliance of which is connected but
has ended its recharging. In the case of the use of a current
transformer, grouping measurement means may be accomplished by
laying out a plurality of sockets connected in parallel behind a
single primary winding of the current transformer. Advantageously,
the spacing of the sockets intended to receive individual chargers
may be non-uniform and/or spatially oriented in order to allow the
connection of one or more chargers with significant bulkiness
without however significantly increasing the size of the
device.
[0134] From the measurement or the evaluation of the power or
current consumed by the external chargers, and from a comparison
with at least one value determined beforehand, the device according
to the invention will cut off the electric power supply of all the
chargers when no appliance will be charging anymore. The setting of
said at least one value determined beforehand may be accomplished
in the factory, by prior learning and storing the corresponding
consumption at the end of charging. Detection of the end of
charging may also be accomplished by means of an algorithm
utilizing the value of the measurement and the dynamics of its
change. In a particularly economical alternative, provision is made
by the invention for only handling the starting times of the
chargers without taking into account the power or the current
consumed by the latter. A time-lag with a longer duration than the
longest of the normal recharging durations which is restarted at
each new recharging of a portable appliance is provided which cuts
off the power supply of the chargers upon arriving at its time-out.
Advantageously, beyond the default adjustments made in the factory
which are suited to most cases of use, adjustment and/or
configuration means are applied in the device in order to be able
to nevertheless use the system in particular cases.
[0135] FIG. 4 illustrates the first alternative with connected
adapters.
[0136] It should be noted that the proposed distribution of the
sockets in this example is optimized for low power switching
chargers (19) but it nevertheless allows connection of bulky
chargers (20) at both ends without giving up the compactness of the
device.
[0137] FIG. 5 illustrates the first alternative in another
style.
[0138] In this example, the remote control for starting the system
according to the invention of the previous alternative also fulfils
the function of keeping available connectors ready to be grasped in
order to connect them onto the corresponding portable appliances.
This exemplary embodiment provides the separation between the
unsightly portion of the system comprising the device (4) and the
body of the external chargers (19, 20) on the one hand, and the
means for interacting the user (17) and the ends of the cables from
the individual chargers (21) on the other hand, which should remain
easily accessible. Thus, the device and the power supplies may
remain hidden, for example on the floor behind a piece of furniture
and the remote control may advantageously be set up on the top of a
piece of furniture at the location where the portable appliances
will be laid in order to recharge them.
[0139] FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred alternative of the
invention.
[0140] This alternative differs from those of the FIGS. 3, 4 and 5
by the fact that the device (4) according to the invention further
comprises a very low DC voltage power supply, for example
delivering a voltage of 5V and capable of providing a current of at
least 2A for example via USB standard sockets (15) in order to
directly recharge portable appliances in addition to means for
controlling the low AC voltage power supply of the external
chargers, for example as 230V/50 Hz or as 110V/60 Hz via a
plurality of sockets (14).
[0141] FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred alternative with the
connected adapters.
[0142] FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred alternative in the
preferred style.
[0143] It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 8 that said
at least one adapter (6) consists of three individual chargers and
of three cables connected to said single power supply source of the
device (4).
[0144] FIG. 9 illustrates a third alternative of the invention as a
single piece, the particularity of which relatively to the previous
alternatives is that it only comprises at least one very low DC
voltage power supply, for example providing a voltage of 5V and a
maximum current of 4.2A, in order to recharge said at least one
portable appliance. In this example, controlled outputs at the
mains voltage are not proposed for powering external chargers.
Nevertheless, the same internal structure comprising a control
circuit powered by a first power supply and means for switching the
power supply source in order to recharge the appliances may be
retained. This being the case, there is no departure from the scope
of the invention and in this example, the control circuit is
powered by said very low voltage power supply source and/or if the
measurement of the current is conducted globally or by output to
the secondary of said power supply source. A simple starting button
and an indicator for signalling operating states of the device are
proposed in this example but the interface with the user may use
more resources or more sophisticated means without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0145] FIG. 10 illustrates the third alternative of the invention
in a version where the applied means in the device according to the
invention are distributed in two sub-assemblies allowing
substantial reduction in the bulkiness of the visible portion of
the system.
[0146] FIG. 11 illustrates the third alternative of the invention
as seen from below.
[0147] A housing is seen for accessing the socket intended for the
cables of the adapters and for containing the excess length of
these cables. A part forming a lid is provided for blocking the
cables at their exit and for preventing the excess length from
exiting the housing by the effect of gravity when the device is
lifted.
[0148] FIGS. 12, 13, 14 illustrate a fourth alternative of the
invention. This is an alternative close to the previous
alternative. FIG. 13 in the bottom view shows the housing with
which the excess cable length may be concealed both for the cables
connecting to the portable appliances and for the power supply
cable . As in the case of FIG. 11, a closing part is provided in
order to maintain the excess cable portions in place. FIG. 14
illustrates the use of winder cables.
[0149] FIG. 15 illustrates alternative cables 151-156 for
connecting the portable appliances to the device according to the
invention. These are alternatives of said first assembly. The
alternative 151 is a cable permanently connected to the device and
has an overmoulded plug on the side of the portable appliance. This
plug is suitable for recharging at least one portable appliance. In
practice, the most advantageous choice is that of a plug standard,
as universal as possible, for which the voltage associated with the
format of the connector is if necessary compliant with that
delivered by the device. A connector with the mini-USB or micro-USB
format associated with a voltage of 5V, without any current
limitation other than the maximum capacity of the power supply
source of the device is the preferred choice. The other exemplary
cables 152-156 are fitted with an overmoulded connector at both
ends. The connector 157 provided on the device side is compliant
with a single standard for a given device, for example connectors
with the mini-USB standard. This characteristic allows connection
of any type of cable of the device and if necessary allows the
standard change function to be fulfilled for portable appliances
requiring the support of a different standard for recharging.
Example 152 is a cable, the two connectors of which are identical.
At least the examples 153 and 154 are adapters, the connector of
which on the portable appliance side is different from the single
standard used for connection to the device. Either one or both of
the connectors of these cables made by overmoulding, may if
necessary comprise means such as diodes in series in the circuits
in order to lower the voltage provided to the portable appliance by
starting with the close voltage provided by the device. The cable
155 illustrates another way of performing the change of connector
and/or voltage standard. This is the use of an undifferentiated
cable, for example a cable with or without any connector on the
device side, but which is equipped at its end provided for the
portable appliance, with a connector in a single format, if
possible the same connector format as for the device side if
necessary, this for making the side of the cable immaterial in its
installation, in order to simplify manufacturing and allow savings
in scale. The connector format converter 158 made by overmoulding
may comprise means for lowering the voltage if necessary. The
connector of the provided format converter for receiving that of
the end of the cable will advantageously have dimensional and/or
shape characteristics slightly different from the standard to which
it refers in order to ensure a tighter assembly than the normal
assembly. The goal is to produce an assembly more resistant to
traction between the connector of the cable and its corresponding
one on the format converter side than between the other connector
of the format converter and its corresponding one of the portable
appliance so that when the cable is pulled, it is the converter
which disconnects from the portable appliance and not the cable
which disconnects from the converter. Advantageously, the unused
wires in the cables for recharging portable appliances and which
would normally be used for ensuring continuity of unused contacts
such as the contacts D- and D+ of an USB connector, may not be
mounted. In the case of the use of these contacts for signaling to
the portable piece of equipment that it is connected to a power
supply capable of going beyond the intensity limit associated with
a connection standard such as USB, then the suitable use of these
circuits may be achieved locally directly in said at least one
overmoulded connector on the portable appliance side and
advantageously in both identical connectors in order to allow
undifferentiated assembly of the ends of the cable. Thus, an
economical cable with two non-shielded wires may be used in the
place of a cable with four possibly shielded wires and more costly.
Said suitable circuits for signaling a recharging mode which is not
limited in current may nevertheless be also applied in the wiring
of possible connectors on the device side and/or in that of
possible connector type changing devices in order to allow the use
of completely standard cables if necessary.
[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates a cable 161 directly carrying out the
change in connector and voltage type.
[0151] This is an example of applying the voltage changing device
according to the invention which in a simple and effective way
allows the voltage provided by the device to be lowered when the
latter is close to the one to be provided to the portable
appliance. The proposed solution is based on the use of one or more
diodes (162, 163, 164) mounted in series in the positive branch of
the circuit and the whole is overmoulded in order to form the
complete connector 165. With the direct voltage drops at the
terminals of these dipole units which are the diodes (162, 163,
164), with a value of 0.6V per standard silicon diode (162, 163)
and of 0.2V per Schottky diode (164), a voltage of the order of
3.6V may be provided to the portable appliance starting from the 5V
voltage provided by the device.
[0152] FIG. 17 illustrates a connector and voltage type changing
device.
[0153] This example illustrates a particularly economical
embodiment of a standard changing device with a voltage step-down
device according to the invention 171. In this case, the question
is to provide to a portable telephone from the 5V of the device, a
charging current of 355 mA at a voltage of 3.8V; this voltage of
3.8V being in the tolerance for a provided rated voltage of 3.7V
for the relevant telephone version. For example two economical
diodes of the 1N4001 series (172, 173) are used which are capable
of supporting a permanent current and a voltage above the needs of
the application. By mounting a diode in each branch of the power
supply and directly using the wires of the crossing version of
these diodes in order to join the suitable contacts of both
connectors, it is possible to produce the electric circuits without
any additional components and there is nothing more than to
overmould this assembly in suitable plastic material in order to
produce the connector and voltage type changing accessory according
to the invention. Advantageously, the unused contacts 174 of the
connectors may not be mounted. The connector 175 on the cable side
is advantageously designed for force-fitting the connector of the
cable with the purpose of producing an assembly which resists
simple traction on the cable.
[0154] FIG. 18 illustrates said second sub-assembly, recharging
through contacts.
[0155] The second sub-assembly is specifically designed for a given
portable appliance version in order to standardize at least its
characteristics related to recharging. Said second sub-assembly
comprises means capable of providing the sought standardization
relatively to recharging, these means being made integral with the
portable appliance in a way which depends on its own
characteristics. A means which is suitable for most portable
appliances is to include the means and the functions of said second
sub-assembly according to the invention within the scope of
protective overcladding which many users purchase naturally for its
protective function of their portable appliance and if necessary by
taking into account aesthetic considerations or visual
differentiation which may be particularly useful for more easily
locating one's own appliance within a plurality in the case of a
common version. The overcladding according to the invention is
advantageously produced in an extensible material such as an
elastomeric material. The extensible material solution is
particularly well suited to one-piece portable appliances but less
or not at all to portable appliances comprising mobile components
such as a sliding or rotating keyboard or further portable
appliances having the shape of a shell comprising two jointed
portions. For these appliances, the overcladding should be partial
or comprise the number of portions and joints which are suitable
for adaptation to the mechanical characteristics of the portable
appliance and to the relative movements of the portions which make
it up. In order to firmly attach all or part of the components of
the overcladding of the corresponding portions of the portable
appliance when it is not possible to use returns of the extensible
material for providing sufficient hold, provision is made for using
so-called repositionable adhesives which allow subsequent
disassembly without damaging the surfaces stuck beforehand.
[0156] Proposing collections of alternative colours and/or patterns
and/or drawings is provided for meeting the need of fast visual
differentiation which is notably useful in the case of most common
appliance versions. Minimization of the bulk volume increase of the
overcladded portable appliance is provided relatively to the naked
version of the relevant appliance. This being the case, alternative
overcladdings, notably intended for children or further for
professional uses, overcladding versions are provided, the external
volume of which is substantially larger than that of the naked
appliance in order to further provide a protective function
strengthened against impacts and falls of the appliance. At the
very least, the means applied in said second sub-assembly comprise
those which are required for ensuring continuity of the electric
circuits between the contacts provided within the scope of the
interface with said first sub-assembly. These means comprise the
suitable contacts, the connector suitable for connection with
charging circuits of the portable appliance and according to the
distance separating said contacts from the connector of the
portable appliance, means for ensuring the continuity of the actual
circuits. These may be wiring solutions based on wires of low
bulkiness or printed conductors on flexible plastic material
surfaces. In particular, when the suitable connector of the
portable appliance is not located on the same side as said contacts
of the interface with the first sub-assembly, it is provided that
the connector belonging to said second sub-assembly has a reduced
or even inexistent protruding portion when the connector is
inserted in the corresponding base of the portable appliance. When
it is necessary to disconnect this assembly, for example in order
to replace the overcladding, provision is made for being able to do
this by attachment means, for current tools on the connector of the
second sub-assembly or further by exerting traction on the applied
means for ensuring the continuity of the connections. This
operating procedure is suitable even if it causes a risk of failure
of one or more electric circuits considering that the most frequent
question is to replace the overcladding and that in any case, this
accessory is most often inexpensive. In the luxury overcladding
versions which are also provided within the scope of applying the
invention, means allowing an extraction without any risk of the
portable appliance are proposed. By luxury version are meant
versions characterized by the high quality and/or the precious
character of the applied materials and/or the fact that this is an
accessory labeled with a luxury brand. Although the power supply of
the second sub-assembly is provided within the scope of the
invention, it is easier to apply means for providing a DC voltage
in the device. In the case of a DC voltage, the interface between
said first and second sub-assemblies is polarized. Consequently,
protective means against polarity inversions and means for making
said second sub-assembly insensitive to the polarity of the voltage
powering it are provided. The first means are based on an asymmetry
of the applied mechanical components or of the components related
to the electric contacts between the first and second
sub-assemblies. When safe protection cannot be obtained by the
layout of the mechanism of the sub-assemblies or that such a layout
has a non-negligible additional cost or further when it is
detrimental to attractiveness, then the addition of a blocking
diode is provided in the case of polarity inversion, which is
mounted in series in the power supply circuit within said second
sub-assembly. At the price of four diodes mounted as a rectifier
bridge, the second sub-assembly becomes indifferent to polarity of
the connection between both sub-assemblies and recharging is
ensured in all cases. Of course, in the case of adding diodes in
the circuit(s), provision is made for taking into account the
voltage drops which they introduce, for determining the value of
the voltage of the power supply source of the device in order to
provide the voltage expected by the portable appliance for its
recharging. In the example of FIG. 18, this is overcladding 181
comprising two portions adapted to the case of a portable telephone
version equipped with a sliding keyboard. In addition to the
functions related to the recharging of the portable appliance, the
overcladding comprises means for restoring the original resources
of the portable appliance which are the control button 182 and a
camera 183. The applied means for restoring original resources of
the appliance in the second sub-assembly are here holes made in the
wall of the overcladding. It is provided that the holes in the wall
of the overcladding are substantially wider than the original
resource to be restored in order to take into account possible
variations in the assemblies in particular in the case of the use
of flexible and extensible materials. Furthermore it is provided
that the second sub-assembly comprises two additional connectors
relatively to those of the relevant portable appliance. One of the
additional connectors 184 allows standard earphones fitted with a
standard 3.5 mm jack plug to be connected onto this telephone which
originally could only be connected to an earphone version provided
by the manufacturer equipped with a proprietary connector. The
other additional connector is a mini-USB connector 185 allowing
both connection to a computer and recharging by a standard charger
which is particularly useful during travelling or further in the
case of failure of the device. In both of these cases of additional
connector, these are standard connectors functionally equivalent to
the original specific multi-use connector which equips the portable
appliance. The connection to the original multi-use connector of
the portable appliance is ensured by a connector 186 which differs
from a known connector in that it does not have any protruding
portion when it is introduced into the base of the portable
appliance. The connector according to the invention is soldered at
a low temperature on a flexible printed circuit 187 which ensures
continuity of the electric circuits, for recharging, for earphones,
and for the USB connection, from the connector up to the printed
circuit 188 supporting the additional connectors (184, 185), the
contacts 189 of the interface with the first sub-assembly and if
necessary the other electronic components of the second
sub-assembly. In the case when connections to several original
connectors of the portable appliance are required for accessing the
required circuits, then corresponding connectors according to the
invention are positioned on the same flexible printed circuit or on
one or more additional flexible printed circuits. It should be
noted that the selection of the placement of the contacts of the
interface with said first sub-assembly is arbitrary; it is
convenient to place them on the small side of the bottom in the
natural orientation of the appliance. This being the case, there is
no departure from the scope of the invention in the case of another
selection for positioning the contacts, for example on a small
lateral side in the case of an appliance for which the natural
orientation is with a large side upwards or further, if the
contacts are positioned on the rear face of the appliance for
recharging with the appliance laid down flat on a bearing surface
according to the invention.
[0157] FIG. 19 illustrates said second sub-assembly, recharging by
induction.
[0158] FIG. 19 is in every point similar to FIG. 18 except on the
level of the means applied for transferring electric energy between
said first and second sub-assemblies. In the example of FIG. 19, at
least one secondary inductor is used in the place of electric
contacts of FIG. 18. All the explanations of FIG. 18 remain valid
for FIG. 19. Those which specifically deal with electric contacts
within the scope of FIG. 18 remain valid within the scope of FIG.
19 by replacing the notion of contacts with at least one secondary
inductor.
[0159] Only the problem of the polarity of the interface is not
posed in the case of the application of inductors.
[0160] FIG. 20 illustrates a first portable appliance on its
sub-assembly.
[0161] FIG. 20 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
second sub-assembly according to the invention. FIG. 20 illustrates
the portable telephone inserted in suitable overcladding. The minor
differences relatively to the cases described in the previous
figures are associated with the fact that this example relates to a
single-piece portable telephone which is particularly well suited
for overcladding with an extensible material. Another minor
difference is that the multi-use connector 201 of this telephone
version is placed on the same side as the one selected for
receiving the interface with said first sub-assembly as this is
illustrated by section A-A', that the circuits for recharging the
appliance pass through a power supply connector 202 separated from
the multi-use connector 201. Thus, it is unnecessary to provide a
connector without any protrusion and a flexible means for ensuring
continuity of the electric contacts. This may be directly
accomplished from a multi-use connector and a power supply
connector corresponding to that of the portable appliance, directly
soldered on the printed circuit of the second sub-assembly. Apart
from the points above, all what has been described for FIG. 18 in
particular as regards overcladding generally and the use of
electric contacts remains true for FIG. 20. Transposition to the
case of application of means for energy transfer by induction is
also provided as in the case of FIG. 19 and with the associated
further explanations.
[0162] FIG. 21 illustrates a second portable appliance with the
second sub-assembly. This is the second sub-assembly of FIG. 18
with the corresponding telephone installed inside. Section B-B'
shows the location of the multi-use connector on the side of the
portable appliance.
[0163] FIG. 22 illustrates a third portable appliance installed in
the second corresponding sub-assembly. What distinguishes this case
from those illustrated by the previous figures is that in this
alternative of the second sub-assembly, the resources: loudspeaker
output 221 and original multi-use connector 222 appearing in the
section C-C' are restored by the second sub-assembly in 223 and 224
respectively. In this example, these original resources of the
appliance are restored. It should be noted that the restoration of
the original resources may advantageously be accompanied with
improvements without departing from the scope of the invention. In
this example, the loudspeaker outputs are improved. This is a
functional improvement obtained by sending back the sound towards
the user by means of bent conduits inside the second sub-assembly.
The multi-use connector is restored identically so as to allow
connection of all the accessories provided for this portable
appliance. An additional standard connector 225 has however been
added in order to allow the use of USB cable and/or of a standard
charger as an alternative to the original accessories.
[0164] FIG. 23 illustrates a fourth portable appliance installed in
the corresponding second sub-assembly. What distinguishes this case
from those illustrated by the previous figures is that in this
alternative of the second sub-assembly, the new original resource
which is restored in addition to the multi-use connector is the
whole of the dimensional characteristics of the end of the portable
appliance. Section D-D' shows that the section 231 of the small
side of the bottom of the appliance is identical to that of the end
of the second sub-assembly 232. This is advantageous for portable
appliance versions for which there exist accessories comprising a
hollow shape for receiving the appliance with, if need be, a
connector mating the one of the portable appliance at the bottom of
the hollow shape. Thus, the second sub-assembly according to the
invention may equip the portable appliance in a perfectly
transparent way towards the environment of the latter.
[0165] FIG. 24 illustrates a fifth portable appliance which, in
this example, is a game console. In this alternative, provision is
made for the interface between said first and second sub-assemblies
of the adapter according to the invention being placed on one of
the small sides of the appliance. This characteristic implies that
the appliance is oriented for its recharging, perpendicularly to
its natural orientation. This is advantageous within the scope of
the invention in that this reduces the surface area used per
appliance to be recharged on the device. Further there is no
disadvantage in the change of orientation within the scope of
recharging via a second sub-assembly according to the invention, in
that this type of appliance is generally not used when it is
recharged. Moreover, this is another advantage of the restoration
or the additional provision by said second sub-assembly of at least
one connector for recharging the appliance. The possibility of
recharging the appliance via a cable if required allows an
appliance to be recharged while using it without any limitation on
duration. In this example, original resources of the appliance are
restored by the second sub-assembly, as holes 245, for allowing
access to the connectors of the appliance, as a light conductor 243
for restoring the indicator 244 of the appliance, as an additional
connector 247 identical with the original one 246 in order to allow
powering via a cable and as a mobile part 241 meshing with the
original button 242 of the appliance which is no longer accessible
for restoring its function on the second sub-assembly.
[0166] FIG. 25 illustrates the appliance of FIG. 24 in another
alternative second sub-assembly observing the natural orientation
of the appliance for its recharging position. In this example, the
second sub-assembly only partly surrounds the portable appliance
while leaving recessed areas 251.
[0167] FIG. 26 illustrates a first embodiment of the system
according to the invention allowing recharging of a plurality of
portable appliances of distinct designs or totally or partly
identical. The recharging is carried out at least simultaneously
for part of the appliances. Indeed, according to a refinement of
the invention, when the maximum power capabilities of the power
supply source of the device are reached, the charging of the
appliances remaining to be recharged is carried out in a sequential
mode. This example illustrates an alternative comprising several
locations with different sizes for covering most of the needs
without however maximizing the size of each location so as to allow
all of them to receive more bulky appliances. Adjustable guiding
means 261 allow adaptation of the width of the recharging locations
to that of the portable appliances, other means such as for example
a blade of flexible material forming a spring allow adaptation of
each location to the thickness of the appliance. Sockets 15 for
connecting the first sub-assemblies therein in the form of cables
are advantageously comprised in the device in order to be able to
recharge additional appliances or appliances which do not fit into
the provided locations.
[0168] FIG. 27 illustrates a second embodiment of this system which
differs from that of FIG. 26 by an orientation of the recharging
locations which is perpendicular to the main axis of the device. In
this example, the recharging locations all have the same maximum
width and are equipped with an indicator 271 for indicating their
functional condition. In this alternative, the guiding means which
are adjustable depending on at least the width of each portable
appliance do not exert any pressure on the appliance. It is
provided that in certain sophisticated alternatives, electrically
controllable means for maintaining the appliance at the bottom of
its location during recharging release the appliance when charging
is considered as having ended.
[0169] FIG. 28 illustrates a third embodiment of the system which
differs from that of FIG. 27 by one of the recharging locations
comprising a system for adaptation to the dimensions of the
portable appliances which does not require any adjustment from the
user. Means 281 exerting pressure in the direction opposite to
their attachment face automatically place the portable appliance in
the recharging position when it is inserted. By the combined effect
of the forces exerted by the automatic positioning means and of the
frictional forces of these means on the second sub-assembly and/or
on the portable appliance, the appliances are maintained safely in
the recharging position. This feature makes this alternative
particularly advantageous for vehicle uses. This exemplary
embodiment further illustrates the case of a self-contained energy
source 282 comprised in the device. Thus, after prior charging of
the self-contained source by connecting the device to an external
energy source during the required time, the device is capable of
recharging said at least one portable appliance in a complete
self-contained way until depletion of the capacities for storing
the onboard energy source. This example also illustrates the
capabilities of connecting the device to any external energy source
in order to recharge said at least one portable appliance and the
onboard energy source if necessary. For example, connection to a
photovoltaic panel 283, to the low voltage electric network 284 or
to a very low voltage vehicle network is obtained here by means of
a connector adapted to cigar lighter sockets 285.
[0170] FIG. 29 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the system in
which the locations for recharging 291 are locations dedicated to
given portable appliance versions and have dimensional
characteristics and if necessary electric characteristics which are
perfectly adapted to each of them.
[0171] FIG. 30 illustrates a system with removable interfaces. This
example differs from the one of FIG. 29 in that the recharging
locations dedicated to given portable appliance versions are
removable. The alternative corresponding device is laid out so as
to allow a large number of mounting combinations and/or models of
removable recharging locations. It is further provided that the
removable recharging locations are provided as an object 301 in
order to receive a single portable appliance and/or as an object
302 for receiving several identical or different portable
appliances for at least one portion of them. As this last solution
is advantageous for certain brands proposing a range of
complementary appliances, possession of the location for several
appliances of a given brand may incite the user to acquire other
appliances of this brand. The recharging location provided for
several appliances is also well adapted to a distribution of
portable appliances, as batches of several appliances.
[0172] FIG. 31 illustrates a planar system comprising a bearing
surface.
[0173] In this advantageous alternative, the bearing surface 311 is
the only visible portion of the system according to the invention,
the bulky portion of the device which further ensures galvanic
insulation required for the electrical safety of the device being
materialized by a socket casing 312 or a casing having a power
supply cord. This technical portion of the system according to the
invention may remain hidden advantageously. This example
illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in an
extra-flat form comprising a bearing plane on which are indicated
recharging areas 313 where the portable appliances are laid down,
most often on their rear face. It is provided that the functions of
the system for recharging said at least one portable appliance are
advantageously completed by means 314 and functions relating to
voice messages. In this case, the signalling of the assignment of
the recharging areas to given users is advantageous in that it
allows individualized handling of the voice messages. This
differentiation per user may also be used in association with
parameterization of technical characteristics requiring even
indirect and uncertain recognition of a given portable appliance by
the device. The indication of the users may be based on any means,
such as for example self-adhesive pictograms or direct marking of
the names of the users 315 to which the recharging areas are
assigned.
[0174] FIG. 32 illustrates a first sequential universal recharging
system.
[0175] This alternative embodiment of the invention differs from
the previous ones in that the device only comprises a single
location for recharging. Under these conditions, the recharging
operations for several appliances of identical version or of
different versions are accomplished one after the other. This being
the case, by providing at least one socket 15 and/or one suitable
interface for recharging appliances with or without any charging
supervisor or further for recharging accumulators as such, it is
possible to reintroduce a capability of simultaneous recharging of
several appliances if necessary. In this example, it is
particularly advantageous to propose a location for the recharging
321 capable of receiving the largest number of portable appliance
versions and this without requiring any prior adjustment of the
device or even any manual starting command; the latter may be
advantageously handled automatically by suitable means for
detecting a new introduction of a portable appliance in the
recharging location.
[0176] FIG. 33 illustrates a second sequential universal recharging
system.
[0177] This example differs from the one illustrated by FIG. 32 by
its still more universal nature. The location for the recharging,
which in fact is a bearing surface provided for a single appliance,
and which is tilted in order to use the applied force of gravity on
the mass of the portable appliance and if need be on the mass of
said associated second sub-assembly, allows the charging position
to be maintained of any appliance for which the electric contacts
and/or said at least one inductor are equally located in the base
for recharging from the bottom or on the rear face for recharging
from the rear. In this example, the device further comprises an
interface for a simple portable appliance which here is a LED torch
comprising an accumulator maintained under charging by the device
according to the invention. The lamp is further advantageously
provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent portion or further
with signalling means which are actuated when the mains power
supply is cut off and/or when it is in the dark in order to easily
locate the lamp in the absence of light. An autonomous illumination
source which is always ready to operate, visible under all
circumstances, placed in an easily accessible location known to all
the users is a particularly useful functional complement within the
scope of home use of the system according to the invention.
[0178] Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary
embodiments which have just been described, many arrangements may
be provided to these examples without departing from the scope of
the invention, notably as regards the number, the type and the
position of the connectors, the interface with the user and the
mentioned standards which will necessarily change during the life
time of the patent. Any combination of technical characteristics
taken in the example and illustrations for creating new
alternatives which have not been explicitly described is located in
the field of the invention as well as any embodiment of the
invention comprising additional means and/or functionalities.
* * * * *