Holder, electrical supply, and RF transmitter unit for electronic devices

• US 7,930,004 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nalwad, Vijendra, Wadsworth, John F., Seil, Oliver Duncan, Meyers, Jeffrey David, Sinclair, Ian, Neu, Thorben, Quinteros, Ernesto Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRPOUR, NAGHMEH
• Application Number:
  US11/842,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20080051160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/90.3, 455572-573, 455/575.9, 455344-345, 455/517, 455/66.1, 455/426.1, 455/454, 455/74.1, 455/88, 4555691-5692, 455/557, 455/41.2, 455/68.1, 455/571, 340/539.11
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0054 using cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

A holder, electrical supply, and optional radio frequency transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit'"'"'s power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an radio frequency transmitter in the unit, and the resulting radio frequency signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

Claims

1. An accessory unit for an electronic device comprising:

a radio frequency transmitter to transmit data signals received from the electronic device;

a holder for the electronic device, the radio frequency transmitter being coupled to the holder, the holder comprising;

a first connector configured to be coupled to the electronic device;

a power acquisition unit coupled to the holder and configured to receive power from an external power source; and

a second connector coupling the holder to the power acquisition unit and configured to radiate radio frequency signals received from the radio frequency transmitter.

2. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the first connector comprises;

a power coupling configured to transmit power received by the power acquisition unit to the electronic device; and

a signal coupling configured to receive the data signals from the electronic device.

3. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the power acquisition unit comprises;

a deformable resilient member mechanically coupled to an exterior side of the power acquisition unit and configured to be mechanically coupled to the external power source.

4. The accessory unit of claim 3, wherein:

the deformable resilient member circumscribes a portion of the power acquisition unit.

5. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the second connector comprises;

a semi-rigid elongated portion configured to allow a position of the holder to be semi-permanently adjusted relative to a position of the power acquisition unit.

6. The accessory unit of claim 5, wherein:

the semi-rigid elongated portion is further configured to radiate the radio frequency signals received from the radio frequency transmitter.

7. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the second connector comprises a gooseneck.

8. The accessory unit of claim 7, wherein:

the gooseneck is configured to radiate the radio frequency signals received from the radio frequency transmitter.

9. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the holder comprises;

a cavity for receiving and releasably holding the electronic device, the cavity being defined by at least a bottom wall and a sidewall; and

the sidewall is configured to circumscribe a portion of the electronic device.

10. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the holder is configured to be rotated three hundred and sixty degrees relative to the power acquisition unit.

11. The accessory unit of claim 10, further comprising:

a swivel connector coupling the holder to the first connector,

wherein;

the swivel connector allows the holder to be rotated the three hundred and sixty degrees relative to the power acquisition unit.

12. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein:

the power acquisition unit comprises;

a cigarette lighter adapter; and

a deformable resilient member circumscribing a portion of the cigarette lighter adapter.

13. A power acquisition unit configured to acquire electrical power from an external power source for an electronic device, the power acquisition unit comprising:

one or more electrodes configured to be electrically coupled to the external power source and configured to receive electrical power from the external power source;

one or more conductors electrically coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to transmit at least a portion of the electrical power received by the one or more electrodes to the electronic device;

a housing with an exterior side and enclosing at least a portion of the one or more conductors; and

one or more springs coupled to the exterior side of the housing; and

a stabilizer mechanically coupled to the exterior side of the housing,

wherein;

the housing is mechanically coupled the one or more electrodes; and

the stabilizer comprises a deformable resilient member.

14. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein:

the stabilizer is configured to be mechanically coupled to the external power source.

15. The power acquisition unit of claim 14, wherein:

the external power source has a cavity with an opening; and

the housing and the stabilizer are configured such that the deformable resilient member bends towards the opening of the external power source when the one or more electrodes, the stabilizer, and the at least the portion of the housing are located in the cavity in the external power source.

16. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein:

the external power source has a cavity with an opening; and

the one or more electrodes, the stabilizer, and at least a portion of the housing are configured to be located in the cavity in the external power source.

17. The power acquisition unit of claim 16, wherein:

the stabilizer has an outer circumference;

the opening in the external power source has an inner circumference; and

the outer circumference of the stabilizer is larger than the inner circumference of the external power source.

18. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein:

the housing has a first outer circumference; and

the stabilizer has a second outer circumference greater than the first outer circumference.

19. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein:

the external power source comprises a cigarette lighter; and

the power acquisition unit comprises a cigarette lighter adapter.

20. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein:

the housing has a distal end, a proximal end, and a length running from the distal end to the proximal end;

the stabilizer is coupled to the housing near the distal end;

the housing is configured to be coupled to the external power source at the distal end; and

the housing is configured to be coupled to a connector at the proximal end.

21. The power acquisition unit of claim 20, wherein:

the distal end of the housing is configured to be located inside of the external power source; and

the proximal end of the housing is configured to remain outside the external power source.

22. A unit configured to hold and supply electrical power to an electronic device, the electrical power supplied by a cigarette lighter, the unit comprising:

a holder to hold the electronic device and configured to transmit the electrical power to the electronic device;

a cigarette lighter adapter coupled to the holder and configured to be coupled to the cigarette lighter to supply the electrical power to the holder; and

a connector coupling the holder to the cigarette lighter adapter, the connector configured to allow a position of the holder to be semi-permanently adjusted relative to a position of the cigarette lighter adapter,

wherein;

the cigarette lighter adapter comprises;

a housing with a distal end, a proximal end, and a length running from the distal end to the proximal end, the distal end being adapted for insertion into and positioning within the cigarette lighter; and

one or more springs coupled to the housing; and

a stabilizer coupled to the housing near the distal end such that at least a portion of the stabilizer extends away from the housing.

23. The unit of claim 22, wherein:

the cigarette lighter adapter further comprises a retainer between the stabilizer and the distal end of the cigarette lighter adapter to fix a position of the stabilizer along the length of the cigarette lighter adapter.

24. The unit of claim 22, further comprising:

at least one data signal output connector configured to pass a data output signal from the electronic device to the holder;

a radio frequency transmitter configured to convert the data output signal to a radio frequency signal; and

an antenna for radiating the radio frequency signal.

25. The unit of claim 24, wherein:

the connector comprises a semi-rigid elongated portion; and

the semi-rigid elongated portion comprises the antenna.

26. The unit of claim 24, wherein:

the at least one data signal output connector is located at an exterior of the holder.

27. The unit of claim 22, wherein:

the holder comprises;

a power coupling configured to transmit the electrical power to the electronic device.

28. The unit of claim 22, wherein:

the holder comprises;

a cavity for receiving and releasably holding the electronic device, the cavity being defined by at least a bottom wall and a sidewall; and

the sidewall is configured to fit around the electronic device to help retain the electronic device within the cavity.

29. The unit of claim 22, wherein:

the holder is configured to be rotated at least approximately ninety degrees relative to the cigarette lighter adapter.

42. The unit of claim 22, wherein:

the connector comprises a semi-rigid elongated portion.

43. The unit of claim 42, wherein:

the semi-rigid elongated portion of the connector comprises a gooseneck.

30. A holder for an electronic device, the electronic device having a top, a bottom, and a portion extending from the bottom of the electronic device towards the top of the electronic device, the holder comprising:

a housing comprising;

two or more inner housing sections; and

an outer piece that fits over the inner housing sections to hold the two or more inner housing sections in close fitting alignment with each other,

wherein;

the holder has a cavity for receiving and releasably holding the electronic device;

the cavity is defined by at least a bottom wall and a sidewall; and

the sidewall is configured to fit around the electronic device to help retain the electronic device within the cavity.

31. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the holder comprises a shallow cavity for receiving and releasably holding the bottom portion of the electronic device; and

the holder is configured to hold the electronic device by the bottom portion of the electronic device.

32. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the sidewall is part of the outer piece; and

the bottom wall comprises two or more parts of the two or more inner housing sections.

33. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the cavity is defined at least in part by one or more biasing members that are configured to push against the electronic device to help retain the electronic device within the cavity.

34. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the cavity of the holder has one or more protruding members coupled to the bottom wall and extending away therefrom;

the electronic device has one or more mating concavities, the one or more mating concavities having one or more openings in the bottom of the electronic device; and

the one or more protruding members are configured to extend into the one or more mating concavities of the electronic device when the electronic device is held in the holder.

35. The holder of claim 34, wherein:

one of the one or more protruding members is an alignment pin.

36. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the cavity of the holder comprises a power coupling for providing power to the electronic device.

37. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the cavity of the holder comprises;

a power coupling to provide power to the electronic device; and

a signal coupling to receive a data signal from the electronic device.

38. The holder of claim 37, further comprising:

a multi-pin connector,

wherein;

the multi-pin connector is either a male multi-pin connector or a female multi-pin connector;

the multi-pin connector is located in the cavity of the holder; and

at least part of the power coupling and at least part of the signal coupling are part of the multi-pin connector.

39. The holder of claim 30, wherein:

the cavity is configured to receive and releasably hold a radio frequency transmitter; and

the cavity electrically couples the radio frequency transmitter to the electronic device.

40. A transmission system configured to wirelessly transmit a data signal and further configured to mechanically couple a holder to a power sub-unit, the transmission system comprising:

a transmitter; and

an antenna comprising a repositionable metallic portion,

wherein;

the antenna is configured to wirelessly transmit the data signal when the antenna receives the data signal from the transmitter;

the repositionable metallic portion mechanically couples the holder to the power sub-unit; and

the repositionable metallic portion comprises a coiled layered construction.

41. The transmission system of claim 40, wherein:

the coiled layered construction of the repositionable metallic portion comprises;

a first layer having a first thickness; and

a second layer having a second thickness different than the first thickness.

44. The transmission system of claim 40, wherein:

the transmission system is designed to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a vehicle;

the vehicle has an audio system and an electrical system for supporting the transmission system;

the transmission system is configured to draw power from the electrical system of the vehicle; and

the transmission system is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal to the audio system of the vehicle.

45. The transmission system of claim 41, wherein:

the repositionable metallic portion comprises;

a first coil; and

a second coil coupled to the first coil;

the first coil comprises the first layer; and

the second coil comprises the second layer.

46. The transmission system of claim 41, wherein:

the first layer alternates with the second layer in the repositionable metallic portion.

47. The transmission system of claim 41, wherein:

the first and second thicknesses define two different outer diameters of the repositionable metallic portion.