Cellular telephone charging station and method

• US 20060229112A1
• Filed: 07/27/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Virgilio Mallada Forro
• Original Assignee: Virgilio Mallada Forro
• Inventors: Forro, Virgilio Mallada
• Application Number:
  US11/190,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/573
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/026 Constructional features

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for allowing a user to charge the battery(s) within a cellular telephone. According to one aspect of the invention, an interface is provided for receiving a payment from a user. In response thereto, a timer is set to operate for a period to time that is based on the amount of the payment. During the time period, a power source is operated for charging the cellular telephone battery via a cord having a connector on at least one end. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a payment and, in response thereto, setting a timer to count for an amount of time. The method also includes providing an electrical output suitable for charging at least one cellular telephone battery, and disabling the electrical output when the timer reaches the set amount of time.

Claims

1. An apparatus for charging a battery within a cellular telephone comprising:

an interface for receiving a payment;

a timer having an initial time period that is determined by the payment received;

a power supply that is operated until the initial time period has lapsed; and

,

a cord operatively attached to the power supply and having a connector to operatively couple the power supply to the cellular telephone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is a dollar bill validator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is a coin validator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is a credit card reader.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is a debit card reader.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a computer operates, at least in part, as the timer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a microprocessor operates, at least in part, as timer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a microcontroller operates, at least in part, as the timer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a converter.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a step up or down converter.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply receives an input voltage from a battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply receives an input voltage of 220 volts AC and provides an output voltage of 10 volts AC.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display for providing humanly visible information.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display for providing humanly visible information comprising the time remaining for the power supply to be enabled.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the timer and mounted within an airport.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the timer and mounted within a shopping mall, a grocery store, or a school.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying an amount of time remaining before the electrical output is disabled.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of charging the battery within the cellular telephone in an airport, a shopping mall, a grocery store, or a school.

17. A method of charging a battery within a cellular telephone comprising the steps of:

receiving a payment;

setting a timer to count to a predetermined time limit in response to the payment received;

providing an electrical output suitable for the charging of the battery within the cellular telephone; and

,

disabling the electrical output when the timer counts to the predetermined time limit.

20. A station for charging a battery within a cellular telephone comprising:

a housing mounted in an airport, a shopping mall, a grocery store or a school;

a computer within the housing;

an interface operatively connected to the computer for receiving a monetary amount;

an electrical output that operates during a period of time determined by the monetary amount received; and

,

a cord coupled between the electrical output and the cellular telephone.