In-case computer charging system
A case configured to enclose a portable electronic device includes a plurality of externally accessible electrical contacts, enabling electrical current to flow to or from the device while enclosed in the case. The invention is applicable to all types of portable devices, including laptop, notebook and palm-top computers, as well as telecommunications devices, video players and music players. Typically the electrical contacts allow a battery in the case or in the device to be recharged while device is enclosed. An adaptor cable may be provided between the device and the electrical contacts so that the same or similar case may be used with different model devices from different manufacturers. For greater ‘universality,’ a voltage-changing adaptor cable may be provided within the case between the device and the electrical contacts. The system may further include a docking bay to receive the case, the docking bay having a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case. Such a docking bay may take the form of a charging stand, a cart with one or more slots or compartments, or a locker with a door and a storage compartment.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/684,894, filed May 26, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to the recharging of portable electronic devices and, in particular to systems and methods for recharging such devices while enclosed in cases according to the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is becoming increasingly popular to provide schoolchildren with laptop computers which they obtain from a cart or locker in the classroom. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,621 and 6,218,796 show such storage carts. Some of these notebook computer carts are are also commercially available from various sources.
One of the problems with these arrangements is that students, particularly younger children, can drop the computer while removing or returning the device from and to its storage compartment, thereby costing the school considerable funds. Problems may also arise in the wiring associated with plugging and unplugging the recharger, resulting in dead batteries or poor contacts. The need remains, therefore, for a system which is relatively fool-proof in terms of charging, while, at the same time, protecting expensive devices such as laptop computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention improves upon existing systems by providing a case configured to enclose a portable electronic device, the case including a plurality of externally accessible electrical contacts, enabling electrical current or data to flow to or from the device while enclosed in the case. The invention is applicable to all types of portable devices, including laptop, notebook and palm-top computers, as well as telecommunications devices, video players and music players.
Typically the electrical contacts allow a battery in the case or in the device to be recharged while device is enclosed. To reduce shorting, one or more of the electrical contacts may protrude from the case, or one or more of the electrical contacts may be recessed. One or more of the electrical contacts may be adapted to magnetically engage with a corresponding set of electrical contacts, and a light may be provided on the case or the docking station to indicating that electrical current is flowing to the device through the case.
An adaptor cable may be provided between the device and the electrical contacts so that the same or similar case may be used with different model devices from different manufacturers. For greater ‘universality,’ a voltage-changing adaptor cable may be provided within the case between the device and the electrical contacts or at the base itself.
The system may further include a docking bay to receive the case, the docking bay having a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case. Such a docking bay may take the form of a charging stand, a cart with one or more slots or compartments, or a locker with a door and a storage compartment. The system may further include an externally accessible compartment having an opening within the case to the device, and a power adapter having a plug-in cord within the compartment, enabling the cord to be connected to a source of power with the device enclosed within the case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Broadly, this invention resides in cases and corresponding storage facilities that enable a portable electronic device to be recharged while enclosed in that case, thereby protecting the device during periods when it is not in use. The invention is applicable to all types of portable electronic devices, including laptop, notebook and palm-top computers, as well as telecommunications devices, video players and music players.
A preferred embodiment is shown in
The contacts 108, 110 are in electrical communication with interconnects 112 suited to a particular type of portable electronic device. This allows the same case to be manufactured with interchangeable panels and “pigtails” including appropriate connectors and number of contacts for a particular make and model. For example, a Dell notebook computer may have two contacts with wiring going to a concentric plug suited for that manufacturer, whereas an Apple computer may use three contacts with an interconnect going to a square-type connector on the computer. The invention is not limited in this regard.
Given the in-case recharging capability just described, the case may be used in conjunction with various docking stations, including the cart shown in
As an alternative to a cart or rack receiving multiple in-case computers according to the invention, a stationary docking station 302 may be used, as shown in
For reasons of safety, and/or to ensure reliable contact, the contacts on the case, or the contacts on the cart or docking station may be recessed or projecting. That is, some or all of the contacts on the case may protrude and make contact with recessed contacts on the cart or docking station. Alternatively, some or all of the contacts on the cart or docking station may protrude, to be received by recessed contacts on the case. Alternatively, a mixture of recessed and protruding contacts may be used, to help avoid metal objects from shorting out the contacts on the cart/docking station or inventive case.
In the event that gravity alone is not relied upon to ensure reliable contact, the contacts on the cart/docking station and/or case may be spring-loaded or magnetic. In the case of magnetic contacts, the magnets may also be disposed on springs, allowing the cart/docking station or computer case contacts to “find one another” when the case is received in the article for recharging. The use of magnetic contacts would also facilitate somewhat of a “tactile” sound or feel, providing a user with a more positive indication that recharging was in progress.
Claims
1. A recharging system for a portable electronic device, comprising:
- a case configured to enclose the device; and
- a plurality of externally accessible electrical contacts on the case enabling electrical current to flow to or from the device while enclosed in the case.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a computer.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts allow a battery in the device to be recharged while in the case.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical contacts protrude from the case.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical contacts are recessed.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical contacts are adapted to magnetically engage with a corresponding set of electrical contacts.
7. The system of claim 1, further including light indicating that the electrical current is flowing to the device.
8. The system of claim 1, further including an adaptor cable between the device and the electrical contacts.
9. The system of claim 1, further including a voltage-changing adaptor cable between the device and the electrical contacts.
10. The system of claim 1, further including a docking bay to receive the case, the docking bay having a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case.
11. The system of claim 1, further including a charging stand with a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case.
12. The system of claim 1, further including a cart with a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on the case.
13. The system of claim 1, further including a cart with a plurality of storage compartments, each compartment having a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on one of the cases.
14. The system of claim 1, further including a locker with a storage compartment having a set of electrical contacts configured to electrically engage with the contacts on one of the cases.
15. The system of claim 1, further including an indicator light showing that electrical contact has been made between the case and a charging station.
16. The system of claim 1, further including:
- an externally accessible compartment having an opening within the case to the device; and
- a power adapter having a plug-in cord within the compartment, enabling the cord to be connected to a source of power with the device enclosed within the case.
Type: Application
Filed: May 26, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 28, 2006
Inventors: Shaun Jackson (Ann Arbor, MI), Mark Zadvinskis (Ann Arbor, MI)
Application Number: 11/441,586
International Classification: F27D 11/00 (20060101);