U.S. patent application number 14/622850 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-18 for modular electronics system with interfacing interchangeable components.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yani Deros. Invention is credited to Yani Deros.
Application Number | 20160242232 14/622850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56621771 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160242232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deros; Yani |
August 18, 2016 |
Modular Electronics System with Interfacing Interchangeable
Components
Abstract
Modular system of interfacing consumer electronic devices. The
system includes a powered base hub and additional modular
components with interface couplers providing electrical continuity
between modules. Data transmission between modules may be through
the interface couplers or wireless. The system includes a power
cord for providing power to the base or wireless pad, but it need
not include any additional power or data cords or cables.
Inventors: |
Deros; Yani; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deros; Yani |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56621771 |
Appl. No.: |
14/622850 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 50/20 20160201;
F21V 33/0048 20130101; H05K 7/023 20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101;
H02M 7/04 20130101; H01R 13/6675 20130101; H01R 13/6205 20130101;
H05K 7/1076 20130101; H01R 13/6315 20130101; H01R 27/00 20130101;
H02M 7/003 20130101; H01R 31/065 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 84/12 20060101
H04W084/12; H05K 7/10 20060101 H05K007/10; H02J 17/00 20060101
H02J017/00; H05K 7/02 20060101 H05K007/02 |
Claims
1. A modular electronics system comprising: a base adapted for
electrical communication with a high voltage power source, said
base having a first mating surface with a first interface coupler;
and at least one module stackable with said base and having a
second mating surface matable with said first mating surface and a
second interface coupler matable with said first interface coupler,
said module adapted for wirelessly receiving communications from
said base, the communications selected from high voltage power, low
voltage DC power, and combinations thereof; wherein said base is
adapted for providing high voltage electrical communication, and
low voltage DC electrical communication with said at least one
module.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second interface
couplers are matable with each other to transfer signals selected
from high voltage power, low voltage power, and combinations
thereof, between said base and said module when said first and
second mating surfaces are in contact with each other.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first and second interface
couplers are adapted for providing wireless high voltage electrical
and wireless low voltage DC electrical connections.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is selected from
electronic device docks, electronic card readers, hard drives,
lamps, batteries, speakers, clocks, electronic device controllers,
and combinations thereof.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein each said module is operable when
positioned as a last module in a series of stacked modules, said
series originating with said base.
6. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of modules,
wherein: each module has a first mating surface with a first
interface coupler and a second mating surface with a second
interface coupler; said modules are configurable in any order with
said first interface coupler of one module coupled with said second
interface coupler of an adjacent module; and each said module is
selected from electronic card readers, hard drives, lamps,
batteries, speakers, clocks, and combinations thereof.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said modules is
selected from fans, pencil sharpeners, cup holders, pencil holders,
staplers, mug warmers, stock tickers, electric staplers, tape
dispensers, pencil holders, game controllers, wireless chargers,
post-it note dispensers, credit/debit card swipers, web cameras,
wireless receivers, wireless transmitters, displays, personal
computers, Blueray/CVD/CD/disk drives, baby monitors, air
fresheners, mobile device stands, air ionizers, power interfaces,
laptop docking stations, home controls, thermostats, fire
alarm/smoke/CO detectors, gestural interfaces, numeric/calculator
pads, scanners, eye tracking devices, and combinations thereof.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said base is integral with a
support, said support comprising a power source that is adapted for
providing high voltage power wirelessly to said base.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said base and each said module
are stackable in a configuration selected from horizontal and
vertical.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said base and each said module
comprise matable features selected from keyed protrusions and
depressions; magnets; and combinations thereof.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a
router capable of providing wifi communication with said at least
one module.
12. A base for a modular electronics system comprising: a high
voltage power input; an interface coupler adapted for wirelessly
transmitting high voltage power and low voltage data signals; and a
router for transmitting and receiving wifi signals.
13. The base of claim 12, further comprising a support adapted for
wireless high voltage power transmission to said base.
14. The base of claim 13, wherein said base is integrated with said
support.
15. The base of claim 12, wherein said base is combinable with at
least one module that is stackable with said base in a
configuration selected from horizontal and vertical.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said base comprises at least
one feature selected from protrusions, depressions, magnets, and
combinations thereof, said feature adapted for aligning and
securing in place the at least one module.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/940,160 of Yani Deros,
filed on Feb. 14, 2014, and entitled "Modular Electronics System,"
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a modular
consumer electronics system, and more particularly to a modular
consumer electronics system having interfacing, interchangeable
electronic components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electronic devices used by consumers, such as desktop
computers, laptop computers, tablets, smart phones, and various
accessories, currently occupy a large market. By 2014, 3 billion
Bluetooth.RTM.-enabled devices had been shipped, and the average
household in the United States had 5 internet-connected devices and
24 electronic products. In 2013, United States Households were
estimated to have more than 2.8 billion electronic devices. In
addition to computers, typical computer peripheral devices such as
printers, external hard drives, mice, etc., there is an increasing
number of other electronic devices that can interface with
computers, such as smart phones, speakers, televisions, cameras,
surveillance equipment, smoke detectors, thermostats, lighting
control systems, and appliances.
[0004] Many of these devices require at least one power or data
cable for operation and/or for charging batteries to enable
cordless use. Particularly if the devices are used in conjunction
with other devices, such as a computer used with a printer, an
external hard drive, a keyboard, a monitor, etc., the proliferation
of power and data cables can result in cluttered desks with fields
of messy, tangled accumulations of wires. Devices and methods for
managing such cable accumulations have been used, but they do not
completely eliminate the problem of proliferating cables. In
addition, when users purchase electronic peripherals, the designs,
shapes, and finishes are dissimilar, resulting in a mismatch of
products on their desks and workspaces.
[0005] For example, FIG. 1 shows a user and a desktop with a laptop
computer 10, a keyboard 12, a monitor 14, an external hard drive
16, speakers 18 and 20, a fan 22, and a lamp 24, along with a large
number of data and power cables 26. Mouse 28 is shown in FIG. 2.
Even if portable devices, such as laptop computer 10 are used, it
is time-consuming to power down the system and then unplug and pack
the computer 10 and selected peripheral devices, as shown in FIG.
2. It then is time-consuming to set up and reconnect the devices
with the multiple cords.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a system of electronic devices
with a variety of components and accessories that eliminates or
reduces the clutter currently found when multiple devices are
used.
[0007] There is a further need for a system of electronic devices
with a variety of components and accessories that can be
conveniently and quickly set up and easily disassembled.
[0008] There is an additional need for a system which facilitates
communication with a wide variety of electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the present invention broadly described herein,
embodiments of this invention comprise a modular electronics
system. The system comprises a base adapted for electrical
communication with a high voltage power source, with the base
having a first mating surface with a first interface coupler. The
system also comprises at least one module stackable with the base
and having a second mating surface which is matable with the first
mating surface and a second interface coupler matable with the
first interface coupler. The module is adapted for wirelessly
receiving communications from the base, the communications selected
from high voltage power, low voltage DC power, and combinations
thereof. The base is adapted for providing high voltage electrical
communication, and low voltage DC electrical communication with the
at least one module.
[0010] In the system, the first and second interface couplers may
be matable with each other to transfer signals selected from high
voltage power, low voltage power, and combinations thereof, between
the base and the module when the first and second mating surfaces
are in contact with each other. The first and second interface
couplers may be adapted for providing wireless high voltage
electrical and wireless low voltage DC electrical connections. The
module may be selected from electronic device docks, electronic
card readers, hard drives, lamps, batteries, speakers, clocks,
electronic device controllers, and combinations thereof. Each
module may be operable when positioned as a last module in a series
of stacked modules, the series originating with the base. The
system may comprise a plurality of modules, wherein each module has
a first mating surface with a first interface coupler and a second
mating surface with a second interface coupler, with the modules
configurable in any order with the first interface coupler of one
module coupled with the second interface coupler of an adjacent
module, and with modules selected from electronic card readers,
hard drives, lamps, batteries, speakers, clocks, and combinations
thereof. At least one of the modules may be selected from fans,
pencil sharpeners, cup holders, pencil holders, staplers, mug
warmers, stock tickers, displays, personal computers, electric
staplers, tape dispensers, pencil holders, game controllers,
wireless chargers, post-it note dispensers, credit/debit card
swipers, web cameras, wireless receivers, wireless transmitters,
Blueray/CVD/CD/disk drives, baby monitors, air fresheners, mobile
device stands, air ionizers, power interfaces, laptop docking
stations, home controls, thermostats, fire alarm/smoke/CO
detectors, gestural interfaces, numeric/calculator pads, scanners,
eye tracking devices, and combinations thereof. The base may be
integral with a support, with the support comprising a power source
that is adapted for providing high voltage power wirelessly to the
base. The base and each module may be stackable in a configuration
selected from horizontal and vertical. The base and each module may
comprise matable features selected from keyed protrusions and
depressions; magnets; and combinations thereof. The base may
further comprise a router capable of providing wifi communication
with the at least one module.
[0011] Other embodiments of the invention comprise a base for a
modular electronics system. The base comprises a high voltage power
input; an interface coupler adapted for wirelessly transmitting
high voltage power and low voltage data signals; and a router for
transmitting and receiving wifi signals.
[0012] The base may further comprise a support adapted for wireless
high voltage power transmission to the base. The base may be
integrated with the support. The base may be combinable with at
least one module that is stackable with the base in a configuration
selected from horizontal and vertical. The base may comprise at
least one feature selected from protrusions, depressions, magnets,
and combinations thereof, with the feature adapted for aligning and
securing in place the at least one module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings, where:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a illustration showing a current use scenario of a
user and a desktop with a variety of mismatched prior art
peripheral electronic devices and ensuing clutter;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the user packing
selected prior art peripheral electronic devices to travel to a
meeting, event, or trip;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an expanded assembly of stackable components of
one embodiment of a modular system of devices;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a
mobile device cradle in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a mobile device cradle in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of is a front perspective
view of yet another embodiment of a mobile device cradle in
accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front exploded view of stacked modules in
accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a rear exploded view of the stacked modules of
FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a front perspective exploded view of the stacked
modules of FIG. 7;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a front view of stacked modules of FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the stacked modules of FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the stacked modules
of FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a powered base hub in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a front view of a vertical stack of modular
components in accordance with the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 15 is a front partial cross sectional view of stacked
modules of yet another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The present invention comprises a modular system with
user-selectable electronic devices that can be combined with a
powered base hub in multiple orders or configurations without
requiring multiple power cords and data cables. The system of the
invention can be used to consolidate electronic devices, decrease
space taken up by such devices, create a uniformity and continuity
in appearance, and/or eliminate clutter due to multiple cables
interconnecting the devices. The system also provides energy and
data storage for component devices and may additionally provide
other functions, such as illumination, personal comfort, and
facility controls. The system is useful in several types of
applications, including entertainment, productivity, control, and
monitoring. It provides a central hub suitable for use in many
types of environments, such as homes, offices, college dormitories,
business facilities, travel, and hotels. The central hub may be
linked to appliances, automobiles, lighting devices and systems,
cameras, homes, household appliances, pets, controllers therefor,
and other objects, and it can be used to interface with systems in
banking, social media, and businesses. Multi-component embodiments
of the system may be less expensive than the cost of combinations
of the same types of conventional disassociated components sold
separately.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the system 100 may comprise a powered
base hub 102 having a power switch 104, charging USB ports 106, and
one or more power outputs 108 for connection to an AC power source,
such as with a power cord connected to a receptacle. In addition to
providing AC power, the powered base hub 102 includes an AC/DC
converter to power other low voltage system modules and a router
for handling wifi transmissions. An interface coupler 110 is
mounted to a mating surface 112. Device 114 has an opposing mating
surface that includes a mating interface coupler (not shown) that
is engageable with opposing interface 112 of powered base hub 102.
An additional interface coupler 116 is integrated into a secondary
surface 118. Mobile cradle 120 also has an interface surface (not
shown) adapted for data and electrical connection with an interface
coupler, such as coupler 110 or 116. Mobile interface cradle 120
includes a coupling interface 122 for mobile devices, such as a
smart phone, tablet, phablet, or other portable device. Cradle 120
may be interchangeable with other interface cradles, such as cradle
124 in FIG. 4 and cradle 126 in FIG. 6, for use with different
model mobile or portable communication devices.
[0031] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are front, rear, and front perspective,
respectively, expanded views of another assembly 200 of component
modules in accordance with the present invention. Powered base hub
102 provides an AC/DC converter with charging usb ports 106 in its
front. Power input 109, for use with a cord connected to an AC
power source, and data output ports 125 are shown in its rear. A
speaker 126 has an auxiliary port 128 in its rear. Light module 130
illuminates circumferentially an area around assembly 200. Solid
state drive 132 is for data storage. Data input/output device 134
includes a memory card reader or readers having slots 136 for
memory cards and data ports 138. Modular external battery 140 has
ports 142 and 144 for incoming and outgoing DC lines (not shown)
and another USB port 146. Device mobile dock 114 accommodates a
device cradle, such as cradle 124. FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show the
assembled, stacked modules in front, rear, and perspective views,
respectively.
[0032] As shown, each of modules 102, 130, 132, 134, and 140 has an
interface surface with an interface coupler 108 and having the
ability to interface with an opposing interface coupler on an
adjacent modular device. Each of modules 126, 130, 132, 134, 140,
and 114 has a complementary interface coupling on an opposing
interface surface. Alternative combinations of interface couplers
could be used or integrated with the modules. These features keep
the modules connected and aligned when interfaced with each other.
The modules 126, 130, 132, 134, and 140 can be stacked in any order
between base 102 and mobile device dock 114.
[0033] Only one cable is required for this system, a power cord
providing power from an AC source, such as a wall outlet, to power
input port 109, or the powered base could be hard wired into a
building's power lines. Alternatively, a wireless pad may be used
to deliver power wirelessly to the system. The interface couplers
provide electrical continuity between adjacent modules. Optionally,
additional electronic devices may be connected to modules through a
singular or series of cable ports provided in several of the
modules or the auxiliary port 128 in speaker 126.
[0034] Another embodiment of a powered base hub 300 is shown in
FIG. 13. Base 300 includes a power cord 302, a power switch 304, an
interface coupler 308, and depressions 310 on the upper surface of
base 300 that are mateable with shaped protrusions aligning on an
opposing plane from an adjacent module (not shown) that may be
placed against base 300.
[0035] In yet another embodiment 400, shown in FIG. 14, a lamp 402
with an interface lamp base 404 comprises a system module.
Alternatively, lamp 402 could be replaced with any of a variety of
desktop accessories, such as a fan, display, personal computer,
pencil sharpener, cup holder, pencil holder, electric stapler,
etc., either powered or passive.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 15, a further embodiment 500 of the
present invention comprises a powered base hub 502 that is
integrated into a support 504, which may be a table, desk, counter,
or other support. Support 504 comprises a first interface coupler
506 that provides power wirelessly to the modules stacked above
support 504 and powered base hub 502. Support 504 and/or powered
base hub 502 may comprise an AC/DC converter, one or more charging
usb ports (not shown), a power switch (not shown), and or power
receptacles (not shown) for accommodating standard HV power cords
to provide power to external devices not part of the invention.
Speaker module 510, light module 512, solid state drive module 514,
data input/output module 516, battery module 518, device dock
module 520, and cradle 522 are stacked sequentially one above
another. Modules 510, 512, 514, 516, and 518 could be stacked in a
different order than that shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0037] As shown, base 502 and each module 510, 512, 514, 516, and
518 has first interface coupler 506 at its upper surface, and each
module 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, and 520 has a second interface
coupler 508 at its lower surface. When stacked as shown, each first
interface coupler 506 is coupled to a second interface coupler 508
of the adjacent module, allowing wireless high voltage power
transmission, shown as lightning bolts 530, and wireless low
voltage DC power transmission, shown as dashed circles 532, between
the first and interface couplers 506 and 508.
[0038] Additional components could be used, either within an
interface of components or adjacent components, such as flash
drives, wireless pads/styluses; wireless mouses, wireless
keyboards, wireless charging stations, web cameras, wireless
receivers, wireless transmitters, battery power sources, IO
panel/instrument jack, spare plug outlets (similar to a power
strip), wireless headphone transmitters, auxiliary interfaced or
wireless screens/displays, credit/debit card swipers, displays,
personal computers, Blueray/CVD/CD/disk drives, baby monitors, air
fresheners, mobile device stands, air ionizers, power interfaces
UI, laptop docking stations, home controls, thermostats, fire
alarm/smoke/CO detectors, gestural interfaces, numeric/calculator
pads, scanners, eye tracking devices, etc. The modules may include
additional type of items conveniently found on a desktop, such as
lamps, mug warmers, stock tickers, electric staplers, electric
pencil sharpeners, tape dispensers, pencil holders, handheld game
controllers, wireless chargers, post-it note dispensers, etc.
[0039] It should be noted that in the following description terms
indicating spatial orientation are used for clarity in describing
the embodiments shown in the drawings and are not meant to limit
the orientation of the invention. Devices in accordance with the
present invention are interfaced to one another, but need not be
interfaced in an upward vertical array as shown in FIGS. 3 and
7-12. For example, the base could be supported in a manner that
allows interfacing downward from the powered base hub, or the array
of components could be interfaced horizontally. The stack of
components could rest on a desk or other horizontal work surface,
rolling floor stand, ceiling hanger, or wall hanger, or they could
be wall-mounted. In any case, interface connectors provide
electrical continuity between adjacent modules, with wireless data
communication as needed between modules. Thus, the need for
multiple cables and wires is eliminated. In some embodiments, each
module other than the powered base hub may have a "terminal"
function, i.e., it may be the final unit in the stack of
components, making the order in which the components are stacked
immaterial, aside from user convenience and preference. Thus, the
stack can be disassembled, and any number of desired components
selected for reassembly in any order, such as if the user travels
with only the selected components.
[0040] It should be further noted that although the modules are
shown with a cylindrical shape, they could have any shape and any
dimensions, and they need not all have the same shape or the same
dimensions. Also, although the interface couplers are shown with a
circular outline, they could have any shape. One or more
depressions and one or more protrusions of any shape could be used
to align modules used in combination with the powered base hub.
Also, the interface couplers could have keyed or mateable features
to insure components are aligned for connectivity. In other
embodiments, the powered base hub and stackable modules could
comprise embedded magnets for alignment and holding the modules
securely in place.
[0041] The foregoing description is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and process shown and described above. Accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *