Battery pack, holster, and extendible processing and interface platform for mobile devices

• US 8,367,235 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mophie Incorporated (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mophie Incorporated (Evercel, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huang, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anthony, Julian
• Application Number:
  US12/357,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20090186264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 429/96, 429/97, 429/98, 429/100, 429/188, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 429/96
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A battery pack is provided for a mobile communication device, comprising a casing defining a cavity that conforms, at least partially, to the outer shape of the mobile communication device and one or more rechargeable power cells housed within the thickness of the casing. An internal interface engages a corresponding interface on the mobile communication device to provide power from the one or more rechargeable cells to the mobile communication device. An external interface is electrically coupled to the internal interface in order to transmit signals from the mobile communication device to an external device and may further serve to recharge the one or more rechargeable power cells. The battery pack may also serve as an extendible platform by providing additional integrated communication interfaces and/or processors that can be utilized by the mobile communication device to extend its communication and/or processing capabilities.

Claims

1. A battery pack for a mobile device comprising:

a bottom portion comprising;

a back plane upon which a back of a housing of the mobile device will be placed against, wherein the back plane comprises a top edge;

a battery cell, enclosed in the bottom portion;

a processor, coupled to the battery cell;

a bottom sidewall, connected to the back plane at an end opposite of the top edge, that will be positioned against a bottom side edge of the mobile device;

an internal interface, on the bottom sidewall, positioned to connect to an interface on the mobile device, and coupled through the processor to the battery cell; and

an external interface, positioned on an outside bottom side of the bottom portion, coupled through the processor to the battery cell and internal interface; and

a top portion comprising;

a top side that will be positioned against a top side edge of the mobile device when the top portion is seated against the bottom portion; and

an open side end, opposite of the top side,

wherein the top portion slides onto the bottom portion through the open side end,

wherein when the top portion is seated against the bottom portion, the top and bottom portions meet at and form a seam which extends across a back of the battery pack, and

when the top portion is seated against the bottom portion, a first open-polygon-shaped opening for the bottom portion merges with a second open-polygon-shaped opening for the top portion to form a cavity of the battery pack through which a screen of the mobile device will be visible, the cavity having a closed shape.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the battery cell is rechargeable.

3. The battery pack of claim 2 wherein the mobile device can transmit and receive signals via the external interface.

4. The battery pack of claim 3 wherein the processor is adapted to collect information via the internal or the external interface and configured to provide the collected information to the mobile device.

5. The battery pack of claim 4 wherein the processor is adapted to execute an instruction received from the mobile device.

6. The battery pack of claim 5 the bottom portion further comprising:

a display interface, coupled to the processor, the display interface configured to display information to a user of the mobile device.

7. The battery pack of claim 6 wherein the display interface comprises a plurality of LEDs.

8. The battery pack of claim 6, further comprising a button.

9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the display interface displays a charge level of the battery cell when the button is depressed.

10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the external interface is a micro_USB plug.

11. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising an on/off power switch.

12. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a first opening that will be positioned over a camera lens of the mobile device.

13. The battery pack of claim 12, further comprising a second opening that will be positioned over the power button of the mobile device.

14. The battery pack of claim 13, further comprising a third opening that will be positioned over the audio jack of the mobile device.

15. The battery pack of claim 14, further comprising a fourth opening that will be positioned over the volume control of the mobile device.

16. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein a device ground from the mobile device is coupled to a case ground for the power cell.

17. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion further comprises a plurality of receiving grooves and the top portion further comprises a plurality of rails, wherein the plurality of rails fit within the plurality of receiving grooves when the top portion is seated against the bottom portion.

18. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising a loudspeaker.

19. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising a microphone.

20. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication interface.

21. The battery pack of claim 20 wherein the wireless communication interface comprises an infrared interface.

22. The battery pack of claim 21 wherein the battery function is capable of functioning as a universal smart remote control.

23. The battery pack of claim 20 wherein the wireless communication interface comprises an audio interface.

24. The battery pack of claim 20 wherein the wireless communication interface comprises a radio communication interface.

25. The battery pack of claim 24 wherein the radio communication interface comprises a Bluetooth wireless interface.

26. The battery pack of claim 1 capable of communicating via an interface that is not built into the mobile device.

27. The battery pack of claim 1 capable of measuring an external temperature.

28. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the processor is capable of executing an analog-to-digital signal conversion.

29. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising a joystick.

30. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising at least one gaming button.

31. The battery pack of claim 1 adapted to function as a medical processing unit.

32. The battery pack of claim 31 adapted to monitor a real-time health condition via a test port.

33. The battery pack of claim 32 wherein the test port is capable of detecting alcohol levels in breath.

34. The battery pack of claim 32 wherein the test port is capable of monitoring a body temperature.

35. The battery pack of claim 32 wherein the test port is capable of monitoring a blood pressure.

36. The battery pack of claim 32 wherein the test port is capable of detecting diabetes.

37. The battery pack of claim 32 wherein the test port is capable of detecting an abnormal health condition.

38. The battery pack of claim 37 wherein upon detecting an abnormal health condition the battery pack activates the mobile device to send a message via a text message or an email to medical personnel.

39. The battery pack of claim 38 wherein the message comprises the current location of the mobile device.

40. The battery pack of claim 38 wherein the message comprises a description of the abnormal health condition detected.

41. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising an inductive electrical recharging system.

42. The battery pack of claim 41 wherein the inductive electrical recharging system requires no direct contact.

43. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is capable of executing an application in the battery pack.

44. The battery pack of claim 43 wherein the application continues running once the mobile device is removed.

45. A battery pack for a mobile device comprising:

a first portion comprising;

a back plane against which a back of a housing of the mobile device will be positioned, wherein the back plane comprises a top edge;

a battery cell, enclosed in the first portion;

a bottom sidewall, connected to the back plane at an end opposite of the top edge, that will be positioned against a bottom side edge of the mobile device;

an internal interface, on the bottom sidewall, positioned to connect to an interface on the mobile device, and coupled to the battery cell; and

an external interface, positioned on an outside of the first portion, coupled to the battery cell and internal interface; and

a second portion comprising;

a top side that will be positioned against a top side edge of the mobile device when the second portion is seated against the first portion; and

an open side end, opposite of the top side, wherein the second portion slides onto the bottom portion through the open side end, wherein when the second portion is seated against the bottom portion a first open-polygon-shaped opening for the first portion merges with a second open-polygon-shaped opening for the second portion to form a cavity of the battery pack through which a screen of the mobile device will be visible, the cavity having a closed shape.

46. The battery pack of claim 45 further comprising:

a button; and

a display interface configured to display battery charge level to a user of the mobile device when the user depresses the button.

47. The battery pack of claim 46 further comprising an on/off power switch.

48. The battery pack of claim 47 further comprising a first opening positioned over a camera lens of the mobile device.

49. The battery pack of claim 48 further comprising a second opening positioned over the power button of the mobile device.

50. The battery pack of claim 49 further comprising a third opening positioned over the audio jack of the mobile device.

51. The battery pack of claim 50 further comprising a fourth opening positioned over the volume control of the mobile device.

52. The battery pack of claim 51 wherein the external interface is a micro_USB port.

53. A battery pack for a mobile device comprising:

a first portion comprising;

a back plane against which a back of a housing of the mobile device will be positioned, wherein the back plane comprises a top edge;

a first sidewall connected to the back plane that will be positioned against a first side edge of the mobile device; and

wherein the first portion comprises a first open-polygon-shaped opening;

a second portion comprising;

a second sidewall that will be perpendicular to the back plane and positioned against a second side edge of the mobile device when the second portion is seated against the first portion;

wherein the second portion comprises a second open-polygon-shaped opening; and

an open side end, wherein the second portion slides onto the first portion through the open side end, wherein the first open-polygon-shaped opening of the first portion and the second open-polygon-shaped opening of the second portion merge to form a cavity through which a screen of the mobile device will be visible, the cavity having a closed shape;

wherein the first portion can be secured to the second portion to secure the mobile device in place;

a battery cell;

a first external interface; and

an internal interface positioned to connect to a device interface on the mobile device and coupled to the wireless communication module.

54. The battery pack of claim 53 further comprising:

a button; and

a display interface configured to display battery charge level to a user of the mobile device when the user depresses the button.