Desktop item with LED means has USB-unit(s) or USB-module to charge other electric or digital data device(s)

• US 8,931,947 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aaron Chien, Hsin-Yi Wang, Te-Ju Chien
• Original Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Inventors: Chien, Tseng-Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US14/189,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20140168985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 362/95, 362/157, 362/641
• US Class Current: 362/641
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/003 for task lighting, e.g. for reading or desk work, e.g. angle poise lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0024 Household or table equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0048 Office articles, e.g. bookmarks, desk lamps with drawers, stands for books or music scores
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0045 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/30 Illumination of dials or hands dials in general G04B19/06; moving indicating means with numbers or hands, in general G04B19/20; arrangements for indicating different local apparent times by means of a globe illuminated from inside G04B19/22; continuous indication of the time by non-electric light sources G04B25/00, e.g. by electric lamps G04C17/02; illumination by electric lamps which function at fixed times or periodically G04C19/02; illuminated panels G09F13/00
• 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: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/186 : using an electroluminiscent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 : with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/713 : the switch being a safety switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 : Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 : with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 : the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 : Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 : Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 : Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• 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

Abstract

Desk top items with LEDs also include USB-unit(s) or USB-module(s) and, optionally, additional outlet-units, to supply charging power to other electric or digital devices such as a smart phone or digital data device. The USB-unit(s) or USB-module(s) are arranged to supply power only, and do not have an additional USB data transfer function.

Claims

1. A desk top item with at least one USB-unit or USB-module, comprising:

function-providing means in said desk top item for providing at least one function other than power supply that will cause a person to keep said desk top item within reach of the person for an extended period of time in order to utilize said function, said at least one function including a lighting function;

at least one USB-unit or USB-module installed within a space in a housing of the desk top item and powered by a DC or AC source, said at least one USB-unit or USB-module supplying electric power of a desired voltage and current to charge USB devices having USB connectors plugged into at least one said USB-unit or USB-module, said USB-unit or USB-module including components for converting a voltage and current of said DC or AC source into a USB charging voltage and current and for supplying power to different said USB devices,

wherein said DC or AC source supplies power to said USB-unit or USB-module and to said function-providing means, and

wherein said USB-unit or USB-module supplies charging power only to said USB devices and has no data transfer function.

2. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one function includes, in addition to said lighting function, functions that affect the person'"'"'s eye, ear, nose, mouth, or body.

3. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one function includes a display of light beams from the LED, projection of an image, projection of a time image, clock functions, illumination of an area, playing of music, serving as a source of power or electric signals, display of photos, transmission of digital signals, providing air flow at a desired temperature, generating moisture, steam, or smells, dispensing liquid, brewing coffee/tea, preparing food, and displaying charging status.

4. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said desk top item is one of an LED light, a desk top light, a floor light, a night light, a wall mounted light, a lighted mirror, an incandescent light fixture, a variety lighting fixture, a projector device, a timer, a digital photo frame, a time display, a digital clock, a digital alarm clock, an air freshener, an electric perfume dispenser, a humidifier, an electric fan, an electric heater, an electric steam spreader, an electric cooler, and an air conditioner.

5. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said at least one USB-unit is at least two, and said USB-units have different output power to charge different electric or digital devices.

6. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional outlet-unit, including an AC outlet-unit for supplying AC power to said another electric or digital device plugged into said AC outlet-unit.

7. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said desk top item housing includes space for a plurality of said USB-units or USB-modules to permit simultaneous charging of multiple said electric or digital devices.

8. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, in addition to said at least one USB-unit or USB-module, additional receiving means for supplying power or signals to electric or digital devices, said additional receiving means including at least one of an outlet-unit, internet adaptor, and AC or DC adaptor.

9. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the USB-unit or USB-module is a rotating unit having greater than two surfaces, each surface having different receiving means or features.

10. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said desk top item is an LED light.

11. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module outputs power for a device selected from an MP3 or MP4 player, smart phone, computer, tablet, video game, digital visual equipment, and communication equipment.

12. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module is arranged to be turned on or turned off for a predetermined period by a switch means, sensor means, timer means, photo sensor means, motion sensor means, time delay means, or master control power means.

13. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module has a removable cover to prevent access to the USB-unit or USB-module when not in use.

14. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module is removable.

15. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module is releasably assembled to the desk top item by a quick connector means, adaptor means, assembly means, or fixing means.

16. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module is a separable unit that has its own safety certification.

17. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-unit has a USB-female receiving means to receive a USB-male prong to supply power through the USB-male prong to the electric or digital device.

18. A desk top item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said USB-module includes a single body with a plurality of female receiving means for receiving male prong means of different electric or digital devices.

19. A desk top item with an outlet-unit for respectively supplying both AC power and DC power to other electrical or digital devices, comprising:

at least one LED in said desk top item housing;

at least one AC-outlet installed in said desk top item housing for supplying said AC power to said AC-powered ones of said other electrical or digital devices; and

at least one USB-unit or USB-module installed within a space in the desk top item housing and powered by a DC or AC source, said at least one USB-unit or USB-module supplying said DC power of a desired voltage and current to charge DC-powered ones of said other electric devices, said DC-powered devices including at least one of a mobile device, smartphone, game device, consumer electrical device, computing device, and communication device,

wherein said desk top item is selected from the group consisting of an LED light device, and LED desk lamp, an LED table light, and LED lava light, an LED projection light, and LED timepiece, and LED electric fan, an LED air freshener, a coffee machine with an LED indicator, a sound device with an LED indicator, and an LED visual device.

20. A desk top item with at least one USB-unit or USB-module, comprising:

at least one light means for providing a lighting function;

additional function-providing means in said desk top item for providing at least one function other than said lighting function to which a person'"'"'s eye, ear, nose, mouth, body, or skin responds;

at least one USB-unit or USB-module installed within a space in a housing of the desk top item and powered by a DC or AC source, said at least one USB-unit or USB-module supplying electric power of a desired voltage and current to charge USB devices having USB connectors plugged into at least one said USB-unit or USB-module, said USB-unit or USB-module including components for converting a voltage and current of said DC or AC source into a USB charging voltage and current and for supplying power to different said USB devices, said DC or AC source supplying power to said USB-unit or USB-module and to said function-providing means, and said USB-unit or USB-module supplying charging power only to said USB devices and has no data transfer function.

21. A desk top item as claimed in claim 20, wherein said at least one function includes a display of light beams from the LED, projection of an image, projection of a time image, clock functions, illumination of an area, playing of music, serving as a source of power or electric signals, display of photos, transmission of digital signals, providing air flow at a desired temperature, generating moisture, steam, or smells, dispensing liquid, brewing coffee/tea, preparing food, and displaying charging status.

22. A desk top item as claimed in claim 20, wherein said USB-unit or USB-module is a separable sealed unit that has its own safety certification.