Console power systems

• US 9,577,431 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Long Range Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Long Range Systems LLC
• Inventors: Lovegreen, Kenneth James
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shiao, David
• Application Number:
  US13/961,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20140042808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• 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

Abstract

In various implementations, a pager may be coupled to a console. The pager may include a battery and coupling the pager to the console may provide power to the console. In some implementations, the power provided to the console may charge a battery of the console and/or allow the console to perform one or more operations.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a console configured to receive power during a period of use, wherein the console includes a computer system provided to present data to users; and

a pager configured to provide power to the console during the period of use, wherein the pager includes a telecommunication device provided to notify and locate users, wherein the pager couples to the console, and wherein power is provided to the console from the pager via a wired connection and via a wireless connection;

wherein the pager comprises one of a gaming pager configured to allow users to play games on the console or a coaster pager configured to provide notifications to users,

wherein the pager is associated with a user by utilizing an identifier, and

wherein the pager includes a programmable logic device that receives signals from another computer system to notify users.

2. The system of claim 1:

wherein a pager battery of the pager provides power to the console,

wherein a console battery remains in the console during recharging of the console, and

wherein the console is not plugged into a power outlet during recharging of the console.

3. The system of claim 2:

wherein the pager battery is rechargeable.

4. The system of claim 1:

wherein operation of the console is restricted to when the pager is coupled to the console.

5. The system of claim 1:

wherein the pager charges a console battery and the console charges simultaneously with the pager.

6. The system of claim 5:

wherein the console is operable when the pager is not coupled to the console.

7. The system of claim 1:

wherein the console comprises a receiving member for coupling to the pager.

8. The system of claim 7:

wherein the pager comprises a coupling member that couples to the receiving member, and

wherein electrical connectors of the coupling member contact at least a portion of additional electrical connectors of the console.

9. The system of claim 7:

wherein the receiving member comprises a surface on which the pager is disposed.

10. The system of claim 9:

wherein the pager and the console couple wirelessly.

11. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising:

one or more supplemental devices coupled to the console;

wherein the pager provides power to at least one of the supplemental devices.

12. The system of claim 11:

wherein at least one of the supplemental devices couples to the console wirelessly.

13. A system comprising:

a console comprising a computer system adapted to receive power from a console battery, a pager, or both during a period of use, wherein the console includes the computer system provided to present data to users; and

a pager comprising a telecommunication device adapted to provide power to the console battery, the console, or both during the period of use,

wherein the pager notifies and locates users,

wherein the pager electrically couples to the console, the console battery, or both, and

wherein power is provided to the console from the pager via a wired connection and via a wireless connection;

wherein the pager comprises one of a gaming pager configured to allow users to play games on the console or a coaster pager configured to provide notifications to users,

wherein the pager is associated with a user by utilizing an identifier, and

wherein the pager includes a programmable logic device that receives signals from another computer system to notify users.

14. A method for charging and operating a console comprising a computer system provided to present data to users, the method comprising:

coupling a pager comprising a telecommunication device provided to notify and locate users to the console to provide power to the console from the pager by utilizing electrical connectors of a coupling member to contact at least a portion of additional electrical connectors of the console and via a wireless connection;

wherein the pager comprises one of a gaming pager configured to allow users to play games on the console or a coaster pager configured to provide notifications to users,

wherein the pager is associated with a user by utilizing an identifier, and

wherein the pager includes a programmable logic device that receives signals from another computer system to notify users.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

charging a battery of the console with power from the pager, wherein the console charges simultaneously with the pager.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

allowing at least partial operation of the console based on power from the pager even when the pager is not coupled to the console.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

charging a battery of the pager before electrically coupling the pager to the console.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

activating the pager; and

associating the pager with a user before electrically coupling the pager to the console.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

delivering power from the pager to at least one supplementary device coupled to the console.