Portable accessory device having a port interface used to provide multiple integrated functionalities

• US 20060139861A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krieger, Michael, Ellsworth, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/239,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139861A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.320
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0278 of USB type details relating to connectors H01R27/00

Abstract

A portable accessory device, comprises a resource device circuit, such as a storage device, having a port interface circuit that interfaces with an external device via a port. The port interface circuit provides an electrical power source via the external device for powering the resource device. A battery powers at least one user activated functionality of the accessory device, such as one provided by a light source. A housing encloses the resource device circuit, the port interface circuit and the battery to provide a plurality of integrated functionalities for the accessory device.

Claims

1. A portable accessory device, comprising

a resource device circuit;

a port interface circuit that interfaces the resource device with an external device via a port, said port interface circuit providing an electrical power supply via the external device for powering the resource device;

a battery that powers at least one user activated functionality of the accessory device; and

a housing that encloses the resource device circuit, the port interface circuit and the battery to provide a plurality of integrated functionalities for the accessory device.

2. The portable accessory device of claim 1, further including a charger circuit that is powered by the electrical power supply of the port interface for charging the battery.

3. The portable accessory device of claim 1, wherein the at least one user activated functionality comprises at least one light source.

4. The portable accessory device of claim 3, wherein the light source comprises at least one of an LED or a laser diode device.

5. The portable accessory device of claim 3, wherein the resource device comprises at least one of a storage device, an audio device, a multi-media device, an imaging device or a video device.

6. The portable accessory device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of integrated functionalities comprise at least one of a data storage functionality, a lighting functionality or a pointing functionality.

7. The portable accessory device of claim 6, further comprising a light switch enclosed within the housing for providing user activated lighting functionality.

8. The portable accessory device of claim 1, wherein the resource device circuit comprises a flash memory.

9. The portable accessory device of claim 1, wherein the port interface circuit is configured to the battery to power the external device.

10. The portable accessory device of claim 1, wherein the battery is coupled to power the external device.

11. The portable accessory device of claim 1, wherein the port interface circuit comprises a USB interface circuit.

13. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein the user activated functionality comprises at least one light source.

15. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein the portable accessory device further comprises a resource device.

16. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein the resource device comprises at least one of a storage device, an FM transmitter or a media player.

17. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein the user activated functionality comprise at least one of a data storage functionality, a media player functionality, a lighting functionality or a pointing functionality.

18. The accessory system of claim 11 further comprising a light switch enclosed within the housing for providing user activated lighting functionality.

20. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein the one or more batteries are used to power the external device.

21. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein the first and second port interfaces comprise complementary USB port interfaces.

12. An accessory system, comprising:

a portable accessory device having a first port interface for receiving electrical power for charging one or more batteries that power a user activated functionality of the portable accessory device; and

an external device having a second port interface that is complementary to the first port interface and a housing that comprises a groove aligned with the second port interface for facilitating a slideable engagement and disengagement between the external device and the battery powered portable accessory device via the complementary first and second port interfaces.

14. The accessory system of claim 12, wherein the light source comprises at least one of an LED or a laser diode device.

19. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein the resource device comprises a flash memory.