Auxiliary battery holder with multicharger functionality

• US 6,043,626 A
• Filed: 08/01/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Banyas, Timothy, Snyder, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Shawn
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US08/904,739
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/113, 320/114, 340/1, 379/441, 379/442, 379/454, 379/455, 379/457
• US Class Current: 320/113
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/256 Carrying devices, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0024 Parallel/serial switching of connection of batteries to charge or load circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• 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: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3855 carried in a belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A portable electronic device holder having a housing defining a cradle for holding an electronic device, a battery integrally connected with the housing for powering the electronic device in response to placement of the electronic device within the cradle of the housing, and a connection for interconnecting power circuitry of the electronic device with the battery. The housing further includes a charger for charging the battery incorporated therewithin. The holder may also include an attachment for attaching the housing to a user, such as, for example, a belt clip.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device holder, comprising:

a housing defining a cradle for holding an electronic device, the electronic device having a first battery;

a second battery, integrally connected with the housing, for powering the electronic device in response to placement of the electronic device within the cradle of the housing; and

means for interconnecting power circuitry of the electronic device with the second battery;

wherein said housing includes means for charging the first and second batteries.

2. The holder of claim 1 further comprising means for attaching the housing to a user.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said means for attaching includes a belt clip.

4. The holder of claim 1 wherein the battery is insertable and removable from the housing.

5. The holder of claim 1 wherein said means for charging charges the battery in response to connection of an external power source to the means for charging.

6. The holder of claim 1 wherein the cradle accommodates a cellular telephone.

7. The holder of claim 1 wherein the housing defines an opening for attachment of peripheral devices to the electronic device.

8. An apparatus for charging a first battery in an electronic device and a second removable battery in a portable electronic device holder for holding the electronic device, comprising:

the portable electronic device holder;

first means for connecting the first battery and the second battery to a power system of the electronic device;

second means in the portable electronic device holder for connecting an external power source to the power system of the electronic device;

charging means for charging the first and second batteries from the external power source;

first means for detecting connection of the removable second battery to the power system of the electronic device and for generating a signal indicating a presence of the removable second battery;

second means for detecting connection of the external power source to the power system of the electronic device and for generating a signal indicating a presence of the external power source; and

a processor, responsive to the signals generated by the first and second means for detecting, for instructing a) the second means for connecting to connect the external power source to the power system, b) the first means for connecting to disconnect the second battery from the power system, and c) the charging means to charge the first and second batteries.

9. The charging apparatus of claim 8 wherein the processor disconnects the charging means from the second battery upon indication of no presence of the removable second battery by the signal from the first detecting means.

10. A system for providing power to a power system of an electronic device comprising:

an electronic device holder including;

a housing defining a cradle for holding the electronic device;

an auxiliary battery integrally connected with the housing for powering the electronic device in response to placement of the electronic device within the cradle of the housing;

first connection means providing connection with the auxiliary battery; and

second connection means providing connection with an external power supply;

said system further comprising;

a main battery for powering the electronic device;

third connection means for connecting at least one of the first connection means and the second connection means of the electronic device holder to the power system of the electronic device; and

means for switching between the auxiliary battery and the external power supply responsive to connection by the third connection means.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said second connection means includes means for charging the main battery and the auxiliary battery.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for charging is integrated into the holder.