Smart charger

• US 6,246,211 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2000
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dalton, Dan, Dow, James C, Hansen, Barry K, Moses, Mary E, Stowell, Davin, Di Bitonto, Anthony, Henderson, Scott, Formosa, Daniel, Oliver, Thomas C, Miksch, Eugene A, Goris, Andrew C
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/487,056
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 320/103, 710/72, 455/556, 361/379-384
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00901 Using different supplies or connection to an external supply H04N1/00893, H04N1/00896 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A smart charger that includes a housing with an interface for power and data transmission and adapted for connection to a communication device, with a second interface adapted for connection to a power source, and with a third interface adapted for connection to a second communication device. A charger within the housing is connected to the second interface to receive power, and connected to the first interface to provide charging power. A control module within the housing provides for communication between the first interface and the third interface.

Claims

1. A smart charger, comprising:

a housing with a first interface for power transmission and data transmission of a graphic image data file and adapted for connection to a graphic image device, with a second interface adapted for connection to a power source, and with a third interface adapted for connection to a communication device where said third interface comprises at least one of a fax/modem port and standard PC I/O port;

a charger disposed within said housing and connected to said second interface to receive power, and connected to said first interface to provide charging power; and

a control module disposed within said housing and connected to receive information from said first interface and to communicate information to said third interface wherein said first interface includes a data interface and control module to translate data received at said first interface from a first data protocol to one of RS232, USB, ethernet, and modem protocols for communication to said third interface.

2. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, wherein said first interface is adapted to communicate with a scanner.

3. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, wherein said first interface is adapted to communicate with a digital camera.

4. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, wherein said third interface is adapted to communicate with a computing resource.

5. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, wherein said third interface is adapted to communicate with a printer.

6. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, wherein said data interface and control module includes a wireless interface chip for receiving wireless communication at said first interface.

7. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, further comprising a user interface for a user to select one of said fax/modem port and said standard PC I/O port.

8. A smart charger as defined in claim 1, wherein said control module is powered by said charger.