Rechargeable audio/video link and docking station

• US 20070155358A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krieger, Michael, Ellsworth, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/589,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155358A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/343.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/03 Constructional details, e.g. casings, housings

Abstract

A wireless transmission system is disclosed containing a rechargeable transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is able to receive an input A/V signal and wireless transmit the A/V signal to a receiver which outputs the A/V signal to a receiving device.

Claims

1. A wireless system comprising:

a transmitter comprising;

a housing;

at least one input port on the housing to receive input signals from a sending device;

transmitter circuitry, disposed in the housing, coupled to the input ports and configured to process the signals for wireless transmission;

an antenna coupled to the transmitter circuitry and configured to wirelessly transmit the processed signals;

a power supply disposed in the housing and coupled to the transmitter circuitry; and

charging circuitry disposed in the housing and coupled to the power supply;

a recharging port on the housing coupled to the charging circuit and configured to receive recharging power; and

a receiver comprising;

a housing;

an antenna configured to receive the wirelessly transmitted signals from the transmitter;

receiver circuitry, disposed in the housing, coupled to the antenna and configured to process the received signals;

output ports on the housing, coupled to the receiver circuitry and configured to be coupled to a receiving device;

a power supply disposed in the housing and coupled to the receiver circuitry; and

a charging circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to the power supply; and

a recharging port, on the housing, coupled to the charging circuit and configured to receive recharging power.

2. The transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a control circuit, disposed between the input ports and the transmitter circuitry, to convert the signals from the input ports into a signal compatible with the transmitter circuitry.

3. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the input ports to receive input signals are configured to receive various types of sending devices that are not configured to wirelessly communicate.

4. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the input ports are at least one of:

an input jack, a USB port, or a serial port.

5. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the transmitter circuitry includes at least one of:

a coder, a decoder, or a modulator.

6. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the processed signal is wirelessly transmitted via at least one of a 2.4 GHz or an infrared wireless link.

7. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the power supply is comprised of one or more rechargeable batteries.

8. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the recharging port is at least one of a recharging contact or a pin connector.

9. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the antenna is at least one of a patch antenna or an antenna formed on a printed circuit board.

10. The receiver of claim 1 further comprising a control circuit, disposed between the output ports and the receiver circuitry, to convert the signals from the output ports into a signal compatible with the receiver circuitry.

11. The receiver of claim 10 wherein the control circuitry is configured to convert the processed signal from the receiver circuitry into one or more of a variety of output formats.

12. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the output ports are configured to connect to various types of receiving devices that are not configured to wirelessly communicate.

13. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the output ports are at least one of:

an input jack, a USB port, or a serial port.

14. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the receiver circuitry includes at least one of:

a coder, a decoder, or a modulator.

15. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the power supply is comprised of one or more rechargeable batteries.

16. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the recharging port is at least one of a recharging contact or a pin connector.

17. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the antenna is at least one of a patch antenna or an antenna formed on a printed circuit board.

18. A docking station for a wireless transmitter or receiver, comprising:

a housing;

a power input on the housing configured to receive AC or DC input power;

a recharging circuit, disposed in the housing, configured to receive AC or DC input power from power input and output DC charging power;

a recharging port, disposed in the housing, having an output and configured to receive the DC charging power of the recharging circuit and to be coupled to a corresponding recharging port on a wireless transmitter or a wireless receiver; and

a power inverter, disposed in the housing, coupled to the AC or DC input power and providing an AC power output.

an AC output port, disposed on the housing, coupled to the power inverter and receiving the AC power output.

19. The docking station of claim 18 wherein the power input is able to receive both AC and DC power.

20. The docking station of claim 18 wherein the recharging circuit is able to receive both AC and DC power and output DC charging power.

21. The docking station of claim 18 wherein the housing is configured to receive the housing of one or both of the wireless transmitter and receiver.

22. The docking station of claim 18 wherein the power input is configured to receive DC power from an automobile cigarette lighter adaptor.

23. The docking station of claim 18 wherein the power input is configured to receive AC power from a wall socket.