POWER MODULE FOR PORTABLE DEVICES

• US 20130069583A1
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Third Rail Mobility, LLC
• Original Assignee: Third Rail Mobility, LLC
• Inventors: Lemelman, Brian, Lemelman, David, Lemelman, Alexandra, Dunn, Frank
• Application Number:
  US13/700,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20130069583A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• 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: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724092 Interfacing with an external cover providing additional functionalities

Abstract

A universal power management system is described, consisting of interchangeable, easy to remove, and connectable Universal Power Modules (UPMs), smartphone skins and doors, and applications to automatically manage the power charging of multiple devices. The system is compatible with various portable electronic devices.

Claims

1. A system for charging a portable electronic device, the system comprising:

a. a battery module comprising;

i. a battery for storing charge;

ii. a charging circuit; and

iii. a first electrical port;

b. a case structured to at least partially enclose an electronic device, the case comprising;

i. connectors adapted to detachably affix the battery module to the case;

ii. a second electrical port adapted to connect to an enclosed electronic device; and

c. an electrical conduit connecting the first electrical port to the second electrical port, said conduit adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery to the second electrical port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical conduit is adapted further to transfer data between the first electrical port and the second electrical port.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first electrical port is a USB port.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second electrical port is a USB port.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second electrical port is a 30-pin, multi-function electrical connector.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module further comprises an electrical input port adapted to receive electrical charge from an external power source.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the battery module is adapted to store said received electrical charge in the battery.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the battery module is adapted to transfer said received electrical charge to the second electrical port.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module further comprises physical connectors adapted to detachably affix an additional battery module to the battery module.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the battery module further comprises electronic connectors adapted to receive charge stored in an additional battery module.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the battery module further comprises electronic connectors adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery module to an additional battery module.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module further comprises physical connectors adapted to detachably affix an external device to the battery module.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the battery module further comprises electronic connectors adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery module to the external device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module includes a single wire, self configurable bus.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module is configured for DC/DC conversion.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the back of the case, when a battery module is not attached, is substantially flat.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module includes an audio actuator device for producing sound.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectors comprise hooks and slots, such that the slots receive the hooks in order to detachably affix the battery module to the case.

19. A system for charging a portable electronic device, the system comprising:

a. a battery module comprising;

i. a battery for storing charge;

ii. a charging circuit; and

iii. a first electrical port;

b. a panel structured to attach to an electronic device, the panel comprising;

i. connectors adapted to detachably affix the battery module to the panel;

ii. a second electrical port adapted to connect to an attached electronic device; and

c. an electrical conduit connecting the first electrical port to the second electrical port, said conduit adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery to the second electrical port.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the electrical conduit is adapted further to transfer data between the first electrical port and the second electrical port.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the first electrical port is a USB port.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the second electrical port is a USB port.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the second electrical port is a 30-pin, multi-function electrical connector.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery module further comprises an electrical input port adapted to receive electrical charge from an external power source.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery module is adapted to store said received electrical charge in the battery.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the battery module is adapted to transfer said received electrical charge to the second electrical port.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery module further comprises physical connectors adapted to detachably affix an additional battery module to the battery module.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the battery module further comprises electronic connectors adapted to receive charge stored in an additional battery module.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the battery module further comprises electronic connectors adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery module to an additional battery module.

30. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery module includes a single wire, self configurable bus.

31. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery module is configured for DC/DC conversion.

32. The system of claim 19, wherein the back of the panel, when a battery module is not attached, is substantially flat.

33. The system of claim 19, wherein the connectors comprise hooks and slots, such that the slots receive the hooks in order to detachably affix the battery module to the panel.

34. The system of claim 19, wherein the panel may be affixed to an electronic device as a battery panel.

35. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery module includes an audio actuator device for producing sound.

36. A system for charging a portable electronic device, the system comprising:

a. a battery module comprising;

i. a battery for storing charge; and

ii. a first electrical port;

b. a case structured to at least partially enclose an electronic device, the case comprising;

i. connectors adapted to detachably affix the battery module to the case, the connectors comprising hooks and slots;

ii. a second electrical port adapted to connect to an enclosed electronic device; and

c. an electrical conduit connecting the first electrical port to the second electrical port, said conduit adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery to the second electrical port.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the back of the case, when a battery module is not attached, is substantially flat.

38. A system for charging a portable electronic device, the system comprising:

a. a battery module comprising;

i. a battery for storing charge; and

ii. a first electrical port;

b. a panel structured to attach to an electronic device, the panel comprising;

i. connectors adapted to detachably affix the battery module to the panel, the connectors comprising hooks and slots;

ii. a second electrical port adapted to connect to an attached electronic device; and

c. an electrical conduit connecting the first electrical port to the second electrical port, said conduit adapted to transfer charge stored in the battery to the second electrical port.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the back of the panel, when a battery module is not attached, is substantially flat and flush with the surface of the electronic device.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the battery module includes an audio actuator device for producing sound.

41. A stackable power module used for charging an portable device, said stackable power module comprising:

a. a chargeable battery containing stored charge;

b. mechanical connectors used to physically connect the stackable power module with other stackable power modules;

c. electronic connectors used to electronically connect the stackable power module with other stackable power modules;

d. one or more I/O connectors;

e. a memory containing computer-executable instructions to be executed by a processor.

42. The power module of claim 41 wherein the electronic connectors may be used to transfer both charge and data among stackable power modules.

43. The power module of claim 41 wherein at least one of the I/O connectors may be used to charge the battery using an external power source.

44. The power module of claim 41 wherein at least one of the I/O connectors may be used to charge a portable device using stored charge contained in the battery.

45. The power module of claim 41 wherein at least one of the I/O connectors may be used to transmit data to and receive data from a portable device.

46. The power module of claim 41 such that the power module is operable to charge and receive charge from multiple portable devices.

47. The power module of claim 41 further comprising:

a detector operable to determine whether the portable device is substantially fully charged;

an on/off mechanism operable to turn on and off the transfer of charge from the power module in response to the detector.

48. A housing designed to attach to a mobile device, said housing comprising:

a. A connection assembly intended to receive a universal power module (UPM);

b. Connectors operable to connect a UPM that has been inserted into the connection assembly with battery-charging contacts of a mobile device.

49. The housing of claim 48 wherein the housing comprises a case, said case adapted for receiving the mobile device.

50. The housing of claim 48 wherein the housing replaces the standard battery cover of the mobile device.

51. The housing of claim 48, wherein the connection assembly comprises a region on the housing for receiving a UPM.

52. The housing of claim 51, wherein the region is selected from a cavity or a compartment having at least one raised edge for engaging a UPM.

53. The housing of claim 48, further comprising a connector that provides charge and data communication with a portable device housed within the case.

54. A wireless audio device comprising:

a. mechanical connectors used to physically affix the device to a battery module;

b. an electrical port used to electronically connect the device to a battery module;

c. a battery connected to said electrical port, such that the battery may be charged via said electrical port.