GB2479062A

GB2479062A - Charging one portable device from another

Info

Publication number: GB2479062A
Application number: GB1105023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Constantine Kulukundis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-26
Filing date: 2011-03-25
Publication date: 2011-09-28
Also published as: GB201005078D0; GB201105023D0

Abstract

An adaptor device 2 allows a first portable device 24 to be connected to a second portable device 18, such as a mobile phone or camera. The adaptor allows a power source of the first device, such as a battery, to provide a charge to a power source of the second device. The adaptor may be provided with at least two different connection means formations (118', 118", Fig 5a), such as USB mini plugs or micro plugs, for at least one of the devices which can be selectively used to allow connection of the device to the adaptor, and may contain circuitry to control the charging. The housing may cover the connectors when not in use, see figures 2c and 3b.

Description

Charging Device The device to which this application relates is for use in the charging of a power source for a powered item by allowing connection of the power source to a further item from which the charge can be received. In particular, or although not necessarily exclusively, the device is for use in the charging of a portable electronic device such as a camera, or a portable device for use in communication which is carried on the person. Although reference is made to this form of device hereinafter, the invention is not necessarily restricted to use with the same.

The carrying of portable devices such as cameras, and/or communication devices such as mobile telephones, and/or email messaging devices, is now common place. As such, many people have a need, whether for business or leisure purposes, to carry these portable devices on their person so as to be able to use the device, such as to send and/or receive calls and/or messages at any given time. The portable device typically requires a power cell to be located within the same so as to allow the same to operate when connection to a fixed power supply in a building or vehicle is not available.

These power cells have a limited period of time during which they can supply power to operate the device and the length of time can be dependent on the type of power cell, and/or the operations which are performed on the device and/or the mode in which the device is operated. In any case, the portable device is required to be connected to a fixed power supply, typically via a plug, in a premises or an adaptor in a person's vehicle at frequent intervals in order to allow the device power cell to be recharged. If this does not occur at the required time then the portable device will cease to operate until the power cell is next charged.

In certain environments or locations, the users of the portable device may not be able to gain access to a conventional power supply source in a building or vehicle therefore the portable device can run out of power at a time which is inconvenient to the user and/or represents a risk to the user if they need to use the device or be in contact via the portable device in a particularly dangerous or unsavoury environment.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an adaptor device which can be used in conjunction with a power source for a portable device in order to allow at least a partial charge of the power source of that device to be achieved and to be achievable at a location at which a conventional or fixed power supply source is not available. A further aim of the present invention is to provide a means whereby power can be supplied to a portable device via another similar device or another portable device which has available power thereon and to allow the transfer of at least some of said power to the portable device in order to allow at least a partial charge of the same.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an adaptor device for use in providing at least a partial charge to at least one power source of an article in the form of a portable device and with which the power source is provided, wherein said adaptor allows connection of said portable device to a further device from which the electrical charge is provided.

In one embodiment, both of the devices are portable devices such as cameras or communication devices such as mobile telephones and/or a messaging device.

In one embodiment, the adaptor has at least one connection means to allow connection of the adaptor to the first device and at least one further connection means to allow the connection to the other device from which the power is to be supplied.

In one embodiment, the adaptor has a body with a first end, one or more connection means to allow connection of the adaptor to the first device and, at another end, typically the opposing end, one or more connection means to allow connection to the second device. Typically, the connection means are connected together electrically within the adaptor so as to allow power received via the connection means at one end to be transferred, via the other connection means to the other device so as to provide sufficient charge to the other device to allow the same to be operational at least for a temporary period of time.

Typically the electrical charge is provided to flow in one direction through the adaptor.

In embodiment, the adaptor connection means which are provided are USB plugs or sockets and more specifically, mini and/or micro USB plugs or sockets.

Preferably the connection means for at least one of the devices comprises two different connection means formations one of which can be selectively used to connect the device with the adaptor. Typically the connection means for both of the devices comprise more than one connection means formations.

In one embodiment the connection means formations for at least one of the devices comprises a micro USB connection means formation and a mini USB connection means formation and connection of the device to one of the same allow the passage of electricity to or from the device.

Typically each of the connection means formations can be selectively used so that, for example, the following combinations of device attachments can be provided by the adaptor in which the Device I is providing the charge and Device 2 is being charged.

Device I adaptor Device 2 attached by attached by 1.MiniUSB Mini USB 2.Mini USB Micro USB 3 Micro USB Micro USB 4 Micro USB Mini USB In one embodiment of the invention, the adaptor is provided so as to allow DC/DC charging to be achieved between the said articles.

Typically, the charge which is achieved, is sufficient to allow a device, which may have lost all power in the power source, to be brought to a condition in which the same is sufficiently charged so as to allow the operation of the same such as to allow the sending and/or receipt of calls and/or messages.

In one embodiment, the charging of the device commences automatically upon connection of the devices via the adaptor in accordance with the invention.

In one embodiment, the adaptor in accordance with the invention can include a keyring or can be part of a keyring so as to allow the same to be easily carried on the person so as to be available for use in locations where conventional fixed power sources are not readily available.

Typically the power sources of said devices are batteries which are carried as part of the devices.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a means in the form of the adaptor to allow a portable device to be charged even at a location where a fixed power supply is not available, by connection of the device which is to be charged with another device which may be the same or similar in form and which has a power source therein.

Typically, the adaptor will include electrical circuitry therein which allows the power received from the device with the power source, to be converted, if necessary, into a suitable format to allow charging of the power to be charged in the other device.

Typically the adaptor is adaptable between a first condition in which the connection means are enclosed within the body of the adaptor and a second condition in which the connection means which are required to allow the charge to be created. Typically a movable enclosure is provided for each of the connection means, with each enclosure independently movable with respect to the other enclosures.

In one embodiment when the adaptor is connected to both devices power supplied from the further device to the first device allows the first device to be operable while connected to the adaptor.

Typically the first device is operable and the power source of said device is charged simultaneously.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein.

Figure 1 illustrates first and second devices connected to allow charging of one of the devices via an adaptor in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 2a -2c illustrate the adaptor in accordance with one embodiment in a closed position; Figures 3a -c illustrate an adaptor of figures 2a-c in an open position available for use; Figures 4a and b illustrate an adaptor in a closed condition in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention Figures 5a and b illustrate the adaptor of Figures 4a and b in an open condition; Figure 6 illustrates an end view of the adaptor of Figures 4a-5b; and Figure 7 illustrates the adaptor of Figures 5a and b in a further open configuration.

Referring firstly to figures 2a -c there is illustrated an adaptor 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The adaptor includes a body portion 4 which, at opposing ends 6, 8, is provided to receive enclosures 10, 12 respectively such that, when not in use, the adaptor device is, in this embodiment, in the form of a cylinder, which can relatively easily be carried on the person either separately or, as an alternative, means can be provided to allow the same to be provided as part of a keyring.

When carried, and if the carrier of the device has a portable device such as a mobile phone which has run out of power at a location where a fixed power supply such as that provided in a premises or a vehicle is not available, then the adaptor can be utilised to allow the power source of the device to be charged by obtaining power from another portable device. This is achieved by firstly exposing the connection means which in this case are in the form of mini USB connection formations in the form of plugs although other plug or socket connection formats can be used. Indeed, in one embodiment, a number of different plug and/or socket connection means formations may be provided to be selectively used to allow connection to the particular devices.

Thus, when the device is provided in the format shown in figures 3a -c, the same can be used to connect two devices together electrically so as to allow power to be transferred from a power source in one device to charge a power source in the other of the devices. Preferably, the adaptor is provided to allow DC/.DC charging and electrical circuitry is provided within the body 4 in a form so as to allow the transfer of the power charge through the adaptor and between the connection means.

Figure 1 illustrates the adaptor 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in use. In this case, there is provided a first device 18 in the form of a mobile phone which has lost its power. The adaptor 2 has connection means which have been plugged into the mini USB port 20 indicated by broken lines in the device 18 and connection means in the form of the plug 16 at the opposing end of the adaptor body 4 which has been plugged into a mini USB port 22 provided in a second device 24 which again is in the form of a mobile telephone. The device 24 has a power source battery located therein which has some power charge remaining thereon and the plugging in of adaptor 2 allows at least part of the power from the power source battery in the device 24 to be transferred to the power source battery provided in the device 18 thereby allowing at least a partial charge of the battery in the device 18 which is sufficient to allow the same to be rendered operational at least for a limited period of time. The device 18 may also be used whilst connected to the adaptor and receiving power from the device 24.

Typically, the electrical circuitry within the adaptor is provided such that when the respective plugs 14, 16 are placed in position in the appropriate mini USB ports, then transfer of charge from one device to another proceeds automatically.

In one embodiment, the adaptor may be provided so as to be non directional in as much that it does not matter which plug is inserted into which of the devices or alternatively, unidirectional in which case the body will include markings to indicate which of the plugs 14 or 1 6 is to be inserted into the device to be charged and the other of the plugs which is to be inserted into the device to provide the electrical charge.

Referring now to figures 4a and b, there is illustrated an adaptor in accordance to a further and preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 4a and b illustrate the adaptor 102 in a closed position in which the body 104 has, at opposing ends, a series of enclosures 106, 108, 110 and 112. Each of these enclosures has an aperture 114, which allows the enclosure to be slidingly moved onto the body and for a connection means formation in the form of a plug 118, to pass through the aperture on the enclosure and be exposed for connection to a device which is to be charged or to provide a charge.

Preferably, each of the enclosures is independently movable with respect to the body so as to allow the particular connection means 118 housed within the enclosure, to be selected and exposed for connection to a device to be charged or provide a charge thereto.

Figures 5a and b illustrate the adaptor 102 in an open condition in which each of the enclosures 106, 108, 110, 112 has been moved to a position to lie on the body 104 and expose the particular connection means 118 which is housed therein. Typically each of the enclosures is spring loaded so as to be biased towards a closed condition and thereby ensure that the connection means housed therein are protected when not in use. Figure 6 illustrates an end view 120 of the adaptor and illustrates how at each end, there is provided two different types of connection means formations in the form, in this embodiment, of a USB micro connection 118' and a USB mini connection 118'. This allows the user of the adaptor to have available two different connection means which can be selectively used to suit the particular device connection means which they are required to use in order to provide a charge thereto or charge therefrom.

As is illustrated in figure 7, it is not necessary to move the enclosures to expose all of the connection means for use and therefore, in this embodiment, the adaptor 102 is provided so as to be connected via the USB mini connection 118" which is exposed at one end, to a device which is to provide the charge and at the opposing end, the micro USB connection 118' is exposed so as to connect the adaptor to a second device via that type of connection and it is the second device which is to receive the charge via the adaptor. The remaining enclosures 110 and 108 are retained in the closed position as shown.

The present invention therefore provides a means whereby a discharged power source battery in a first device can be charged using power available from a further device and without further need to connect the device to a conventional fixed power supply.

Claims

Claims 1. An adaptor device for use in providing at least a partial charge to at least one power source of an article in the form of a portable device and with which the power source is provided, wherein said adaptor allows connection of said portable device to a further device from which the electrical charge is provided.
2. An adaptor according to claim I wherein both the devices are portable devices selected from any of a camera or communication device.
3. An adaptor according to claim I wherein the adaptor includes a connection means to allow connection of the adaptor to the first device and hence the power source which is to be charged and at least one further connection means to allow the connection of the adaptor to a further device from which the power for the charge is to be supplied.
4. An adaptor according to claim 3 wherein the adaptor includes a body having one or more connection means to allow the connection of the adaptor to the first device and at another part of the body one or more connection means to allow connection to the further device.
5. An adaptor according claim 4 wherein the connection means for the said devices are connected together within the body so as to allow power received via the connection means connected to the further device to be transferred, via the other connection means to the first device to provide sufficient electrical charge to the power source therefore to allow the said device to be operable at least for a period of time.
6. An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connection means are connected such as to allow the flow of electricity in one direction between said connection means.
7. An adaptor according to claim I wherein the connection means are provided as USB plugs or sockets.
8. An adaptor according to claim 7 wherein the USB plugs or sockets are mini or are micro LTSB plugs or sockets.
9. An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connection means for at least one of the devices comprises two different connection means formations one of which can be selectively used to connect a device with the adaptor.
An adaptor according to claim 9 wherein the connection means for both of the devices comprise more than one connection means formations.
11 An adaptor according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the connection means formations for at least one of the devices comprises a micro USB connection means formation and a mini USB connection means formation and connection of the device to one of the same allow the passage of electricity to or from the device.
12. An adaptor according to any of the preceding claim wherein the adaptor is provided so as to allow DC/ DC charging to be achieved between the devices connected to the adaptor.

13 An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein when connected to both devices power supplied from the further device to the first device allows the first device to be operable while connected to the adaptor.

14 An adaptor according to claim 13 wherein the first device is operable and the power source of said device is charged simultaneously.

An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein he adaptor is adaptable between a first condition in which the connection means are enclosed within the body of the adaptor and a second condition in which the selected connection means which are required to allow the connection of the devices are exposed.

16 An adaptor according to claim 15 wherein a movable enclosure is provided for each of the connection means formations.

17 An adaptor according to claim 16 wherein each enclosure is independendy movable with respect to the other enclosures.