Charging station for mobile devices and its associated method of operation

• US 9,373,967 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ChargeItSpot, LLC
• Original Assignee: James J. Sullivan
• Inventors: Sullivan, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suh, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US14/256,046
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• 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: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A system and method for storing, charging and monitoring one or more handheld electronic devices. A cabinet structure is provided that defines compartments. The cabinet structure supports a power supply, a controller, an interface, a camera, and alarms. Cables lead from each of the compartments to the power supply. The cables are terminated in the compartments with a variety of connector heads. The system is operated by a user utilizing an interface and a systems controller. When a user places a handheld electronic device in a compartment and connects that device to the appropriate connector head, a power connection is made. Furthermore, the controller assigns a unique access code to that connection. Should a person undue the connection without first entering the proper access code into said interface, then the camera and alarms are activated.

Claims

1. A method of storing, charging and monitoring a handheld electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cabinet structure that defines a plurality of compartments;

providing a power supply that supplies electrical current, wherein said power supply is supported by said cabinet structure;

providing cables that lead from each of said compartments to said power supply;

providing at least one camera that is supported by said cabinet structure;

providing an interface that is supported by said cabinet structure;

providing a controller that is supported by said cabinet structure;

creating a connection between a mobile electronic device to one of said cables in one of said compartments, wherein said controller generates a unique access code that is associated with said connection; and

activating said at least one camera should a person open said connection without first entering said unique access code into said interface.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing at least one alarm indicator that is supported by said cabinet structure, wherein said controller activates said at least one alarm indicator should a person open said connection without first entering said unique access code into said interface.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing a memory, wherein said at least one camera records images when activated and stores said images in said memory.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said interface includes a display and said controller displays at least one of said images stored in said memory, after said at least one camera is activated, when said access code is input into said interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a cabinet structure that defines a plurality of compartments, includes providing closures for each of said compartments with locking mechanisms that can be selectively operated by said controller.

6. The method according to claim 5, further including the step of opening said locking mechanism for one of said compartments when said access code is entered into said interface for said connection that is contained therein.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a power supply that supplies electrical current includes providing a power supply having an output selectively controlled by said controller.

8. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of terminating said cables in each of said compartments with a variety of connectors, wherein each of said connectors is configured to engage a different model of a handheld electronic device.

9. An assembly for storing, charging and monitoring at least one handheld electronic device, said assembly comprising:

a cabinet structure that defines a plurality of compartments;

a power supply that supplies electrical current;

cables that are connected to said power supply and lead into each of said plurality of compartments, wherein said cables terminate within said plurality of compartments with connectors;

at least one camera supported by said cabinet structure;

at least one alarm;

a memory for retaining images recorded by said at least one camera;

a controller that runs a software application, wherein said controller operates said at least one camera and said at least one alarm;

an interface supported by said cabinet structure for exchanging data with said controller, wherein said controller identifies when a handheld electronic device is connected to one of said connectors in one of said plurality of compartments and allocates a unique access code thereto, and

wherein said controller activates said at least one camera and said at least one alarm if the handheld electronic device is disconnected from one of said connectors without said access code being input into said interface.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, further including a memory, wherein said at least one camera records images when activated and stores said images in said memory.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said interface includes a display and said controller displays at least one of said images stored in said memory, after said at least one camera is activated, when said access code is input into said interface.

12. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said controller opens said locking mechanism for one of said compartments when said access code is entered into said interface.

13. The assembly according to claim 9, further including closures for each of said plurality of compartments, wherein each of said closures includes a locking mechanism that can be selectively operated by said controller.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said power supply has an electrical output that is selectively controlled by said controller.