Battery-charging device and method of manufacturing same

• US 9,318,904 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2013
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Malladi, Sailaja
• Primary Examiner(s): Kik, Phallaka
• Application Number:
  US14/078,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20150130403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A battery-charging device includes: a housing that is configurable from a first shape into at least a second shape; and a direct current-to-direct current battery charger disposed within the housing. The direct current-to-direct current battery charger is configured to convert direct current power, received from a source external to the battery charger, into a direct current source for supplying energy to a rechargeable battery that is electrically connected to the battery charger. The battery-charging device may further include a communication element configured to communicate, with a portable electronic device that includes the rechargeable battery, using a short-range communication technology.

Claims

1. A battery-charging device comprising:

a housing that is configurable to fold at least from a first shape into a second shape and from a first shape into a third shape, wherein;

the first shape is substantially flat and unfolded,

the second shape is folded and is configured to support, on a side of the second shape, a portable electronic device in an inclined position, and

the third shape is folded with each end of the housing folded inside the housing;

a battery charger disposed within the housing, wherein the battery charger is configured to convert direct current power, received from a source external to the battery charger, into a direct current source for supplying energy to a rechargeable battery that is electrically connected to the battery charger; and

a communication element configured to communicate, with the portable electronic device that includes the rechargeable battery, using a short-range communication technology.

2. The battery-charging device of claim 1, wherein the short-range communication technology is Near Field Communication.

3. The battery-charging device of claim 1, wherein the second shape has at least one angle that is less than 90 degrees.

4. The battery-charging device of claim 3, wherein the second shape is triangular.

5. The battery-charging device of claim 1, wherein the third shape has three dimensions, and one of the three dimensions is no more than 30 millimeters.

6. The battery-charging device of claim 1, wherein the first shape has:

a first dimension of no more than 300 millimeters;

a second dimension of no more than 150 millimeters; and

a third dimension of no more than 15 millimeters.

7. The battery-charging device of claim 1 further comprising a fastening element disposed within the housing to maintain the housing in the second shape.

8. The battery-charging device of claim 7, wherein the fastening element comprises at least one magnet and corresponding metal piece.

9. The battery-charging device of claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed using a foldable plastic material.

10. The battery-charging device of claim 9, wherein the foldable plastic material comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.

11. The battery-charging device of claim 9 further comprising at least a first material piece having a stiffness that is greater than a stiffness of material used to construct the housing, wherein the at least a first material piece is disposed within the housing to maintain the housing in the second shape.

12. A method for manufacturing a battery-charging device, the method comprising:

disposing a direct current-to-direct current battery charger within a first segment of a housing that is configurable into multiple segments, which form a second shape from a first shape and a third shape from the first shape, wherein;

the first shape is substantially flat and unfolded,

the second shape is folded and is configured to support, on a side of the second shape, a portable electronic device in an inclined position, and

the third shape is folded with each end of the housing folded inside the housing; and

disposing a short-range communication element within a second segment of the housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein disposing the short-range communication element within the second segment of the housing comprises disposing a Near Field Communication element within the second segment of the housing.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising disposing at least one of a fastening element or a stiffening element within at least a third segment of the housing to maintain the housing in the second shape.

15. A battery-charging device comprising:

a housing having a plurality of segments that are configurable to fold at least from a first shape into a second shape and from a first shape into a third shape, wherein;

the first shape is substantially flat and unfolded,

the second shape is folded and is configured to support, on a side of the second shape, a portable electronic device in an inclined position, and

the third shape is folded with each end of the housing folded inside the housing;

a direct current-to-direct current battery charger disposed within a first segment of the housing; and

a short-range communication element disposed within a second segment of the housing.

16. The battery-charging device of claim 15, wherein the housing includes four segments.

17. The battery-charging device of claim 16 further comprising stiffening material having a greater stiffness than material used to construct the housing and a fastening device, wherein the stiffening material and the fastening device are disposed within the third and fourth segments of the housing to maintain the housing in the second shape.

18. The battery-charging device of claim 15, wherein the short-range communication element comprises a Near Field Communication element.