Access Wiring for Packaged Electronic Components
An electronic device may be accessed via a cable while the electronic device is within a manufacture package. The electronic device may be charged, receive updated software, or may receive custom configuration information, via the cable, while the device is within the manufacture package. The cable may be connected to a power source, a software update device, a wireless device, a secondary connector, or the like on one end, and the electronic device on the other end. The cable may be detached from the electronic device and may be removed from the manufacture package without damaging the manufacture package.
Traditional electronic device launches such as those for mobile phones or tablets may encounter various logistical challenges, including an inability to update the software on the device or to fix software bugs after the device is packaged for shipment. Conventionally, these updates or bug fixes are downloaded by an end user once the user purchases and receives the electronic device, resulting in an undesirable delay between the purchase and actual use of the electronic device. For example, a user who purchases a mobile phone may purchase the phone at a mobile service provider store. The user may then take the mobile phone to the user's home and remove the phone from its packaging to find that the mobile phone requires a software update before the mobile phone is completely functional or otherwise ready for use by the user. The software update may require an undesirable amount of time and/or may require the device to reboot.
Additionally, an electronic device may need to be charged by an end user prior to the end user using the device for the first time. The charge time may be undesirable and, in certain instances, may result in the user refraining from using the device until it is completely charged.
BRIEF SUMMARYAccording to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, an electronic device may be packaged within a manufacture package configured to house the electronic device. A cable with a first connector capable of connecting to the electronic device may be configured to connect to the electronic device while the electronic device is within the manufacture package, and may deliver an electronic signal from a source outside the manufacture package to the electronic device.
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, an electronic device may be obtained and placed in a manufacture package. Subsequent to placing the electronic device in a manufacture package, the device may be connected to a cable which extends through the manufacture package. An electronic signal may be sent from a source outside the manufacture package to the electronic device via the cable while the electronic device is within the manufacture package. The cable may be removed from the electronic device and/or the manufacture package without altering the manufacture package.
Additional features, advantages, and implementations of the disclosed subject matter may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description include examples and are intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosed subject matter, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings also illustrate implementations of the disclosed subject matter and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of implementations of the disclosed subject matter. No attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter and various ways in which it may be practiced.
Allowing access to an electronic device once the device has been packaged can improve device distribution quality, efficiency, accuracy, or the like, and may have additional benefits as disclosed herein. An alteration or update which needs to be made to an already packaged device may cause various undesirable issues with deployment or shipment of the device. For example, a packaged device may be flagged for shipment on January 14 with a software version 1.03 loaded onto the device. On January 12 a major bug in the software may be discovered and resolved, resulting in an updated version 1.04 of the software. Accordingly, it may be beneficial to update the device with software version 1.04 instead of shipping the device with the deprecated or obsolete version 1.03 and subsequently requiring an update to software version 1.04. The distribution quality may suffer when a device is shipped with no charge or insufficient charge such that an end user is required to charge the device prior to using the device in a desired manner. For example, a device that ships with no charge may require a user to connect the device to a power source, potentially for an extended period of time. Accordingly, it may be beneficial to charge a packaged device prior to the device reaching the end customer.
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a manufacture package may secure an electronic device such that at least a portion of the electronic device is contained within the manufacture package. The electronic device may be connected to a cable while the device is contained by the manufacture package. The cable may be connected to the electronic device at one end and may traverse through the manufacture package such that another end of the cable is accessible by or connected to an external device. Additionally, at least a portion of the cable may be removed from the manufacture package without opening or damaging the manufacture package or the electronic device. The cable may be removed from the manufacture package via a thin or unobtrusive slit in the packaging such that the packaging is aesthetically appealing after removing the cable. Removing the cable may also activate a switch that disables one or more functions related to the electronic device.
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, an electronic device may be secured in a manufacture package. The electronic device may be any applicable device which is packaged such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a media device, a game console or the like. The electronic device may be capable of storing and activating software. Additionally, the electronic device may contain a power source such as a rechargeable battery. For example, the electronic device may be a computer tower, generally powered by a power source, containing a hard drive capable of storing software as well as a processor capable of enabling the software to activate. As another example, the device may be a smartphone, tablet, camera, or other portable computing device. Alternatively, the electronic device may be a device without a power source such as a flash drive. The electronic device may be a device which is packaged in a manufacture package at any logistical step between manufacturing and delivery to an end user. For example, the electronic device may be packaged after being manufactured at a manufacturing facility prior to being transported to any location. Alternatively, the electronic device may be manufactured at a manufacturing warehouse and delivered to a packaging warehouse to be packaged. The packaging may relate to the electronic device in any applicable manner such as, but not limited to, securing the device, reducing the probability of damage to the device, rendering the device easier to transport, rendering the device easier to carry, aesthetically presenting the device in a given manner, labeling the device, distinguishing the device, or the like. The packaging may contain any applicable material such as, but not limited to, cardboard, Styrofoam, paper, plastic, shrink wrap, rubber, or the like. Additionally, the packaging may allow for one or more cables to pass through at least a part of the packaging. For example, the packaging may contain a conduit sized to fit a cable from one part of the packaging, such as where the electronic device is secured, to another part of the packaging, such that it is externally accessible. The conduit may be a predesigned component such that the packaging contains the conduit when it is manufactured, assembled or, alternatively, the conduit may be imposed into the packaging after the packaging is manufactured or assembled. An electronic device may be contained within a wrapping such as a protective film wrapping. The wrapping may allow for one or more cables to pass through at least a part of the wrapping. Additionally, the wrapping may bind to itself or other material when a cable is removed from within the wrapping such that when a cable is removed from within the wrapping, an opening previously present due to the cable may be closed off.
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, the electronic device may be connected to a cable, and the cable may extend through the manufacture package. The cable may contain a first connector on one end of the cable that allows the cable to connect with the electronic device. The connector may be any applicable connector such as, but not limited to, a USB connector, a pogo connector, a TRS connector, a stereo jack, a power connector, a proprietary connector, or the like. For example, the connector at one end of the cable may be a male pogo connector and may complement a female pogo connector on a mobile phone. The male pogo connector on the cable may transmit both data and power to the mobile phone. The cable may be a thin flex ribbon cable and may contain a second connector on an end of the cable other than the end corresponding to the electronic device. The second connector may be any applicable connector such as, but not limited to, a USB connector, a pogo connector dock, a TRS connector, a stereo jack, a power connector, a proprietary connector, or the like. The second connector may be the same as or correspond to the first connector. Continuing the previous example, the cable with a male pogo connector on the electronic device end may contain a USB type A female connector on an end other than the electronic device end. Alternatively, the cable may contain a second connector unrelated to the first connector. For example, a cable may contain a pogo connector on one end and a proprietary connector on a second end. The connection of an end of the cable to an electronic device may be supported by the manufacture packaging such that the packaging may be shaped in any manner that increases the probability of the cable remaining attached to the electronic device. In an implementation, the use of a pogo connector, flat ribbon cable, or similar arrangement may allow the cable to be removed from the packaging as disclosed herein, without requiring a significant opening in the package. The associated relatively small opening also may be hidden, closed, covered, or otherwise rendered inaccessible as an opening, as further disclosed herein.
The cable may contain any applicable properties that allow the cable to carry out the functionality described herein. The properties may include, but are not limited to, an appropriate gauge value, tensile strength, bending coefficient, crush resistance, sealing properties, insulation, resistance, length, or the like. For example, the cable may have sufficient insulation such that the manufacture package is protected from heat generated within the cable or received by the cable. Alternatively, the cable may have a significant enough bending coefficient such that the cable is able to traverse through and bend within the manufacture package without losing signal beyond an acceptable threshold.
An end of the cable not connected to the electronic device may be configured to send an electronic signal from a source outside the manufacture package to the electronic device via the cable connected to the electronic device while the electronic device is within the manufacture package. The external connector at the end of the cable not connected to the electronic device may be accessible to a source outside the manufacture package as the cable and external connector may protrude outside of the manufacture package, allowing a source outside the manufacture package to mate with the external connector. For example, the cable may extend an inch outside of a manufacture package containing a media player. An external connector may attach to that end of the cable, and a source may connect to the connector with approximately an inch of mobility based on the inch of cable outside of the manufacture package. Alternatively, the external connector at the end of the cable not connected to the electronic device may be accessible to a source outside the manufacture package such that one or more sides of the external connector may be physically accessible to the outside source whereas one or more other sides of the external connector may be covered by the manufacture package. For example, a USB type A female external connector may have its base covered by a manufacture package and have its connection portion extending out of the manufacture package such that an outside USB type A male source may connect to it.
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, the cable may contain an end to connect to an electronic device within a manufacture package as well as one or more ends to connect to outside sources, as shown in
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, the cable may be a disposable cable such that the cable may be separated from the electronic device and/or the manufacture package. A disposable cable may be a cable with two ends, one corresponding to the electric device and one corresponding to an external source. Accordingly, the disposable cable may be separated from the electronic device such that the connection between the electric device and the cable may be broken either when the electronic device is within the manufacture package or when the electronic device is removed from the manufacture process. For example, a cable connected to an electronic device while the electronic device is within a manufacture package may be used to charge the electronic device by connecting a battery to the external end of the cable. The cable may then be removed from the external end and may separate from the electronic device and, further, may be removed from the manufacture package entirely, for example upon receipt by an end user. The cable may contain two or more parts as described herein. Accordingly, a part of the cable may be removed from the manufacture package while a different part of the cable stays within the manufacture package. For example, as shown in
According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, at least a part of the cable may be removed from the manufacture package without damaging the manufacture package. The portion of the cable may be simply lifted or pulled from the manufacture package to extract at least the portion of the cable from the manufacture package. A manufacture package flap or contour securing the removed part of the cable may not be damaged such that it may revert back to its original position after the cable is removed from the manufacture package, in the same condition it was in previously. Notably, a portion of the manufacture package may not be removed or over exerted as a result of the cable being removed from the manufacture package.
According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a cable may be used to connect an electronic device inside a manufacture package to an external device. The external device may be any applicable device configured to communicate or interact with the electronic device such as, but not limited to, a charging device, a software update device, a secondary connector, a wireless device, or the like. A charging device may be a power source such as a power outlet or a battery, and may be configured to charge the electronic device inside the manufacture package via the cable. Alternatively or in addition, the charging device may be configured to partially power an electronic device such that, for example, the hard drive of a desktop computer is powered by the charging device to enable installation of a software update. A software update device may be any device capable of storing and/or uploading a software change or update to the electronic device via the cable. For example, the software update device may be a USB storage device, a server, a computing device, a memory flash device, or the like. A secondary connector may be a connector that allows for an extension of the cable such that a device further away may connect to the electronic device. Alternatively, a secondary connector may be a converting connector configured to convert the connector type from the cable to a different connector type.
In an implementation of the disclosed subject matter, one or more devices may be accessed wirelessly, such as from a central wireless device. As shown in
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, an electronic device within a manufacture package may receive a user specific customization via the cable. The user specific customization may include, but is not limited to, user identification, preference, contact list, media items, account login credentials, purchased applications, or the like. The user specific customization may be generated based on user information stored on a server or other electronic medium or may be uploaded by a user using a device other than the electronic device. As an example, a user may visit an online store and purchase a mobile phone via the online interface. The user may provide user customized information such as the user's contact list and interface preferences prior to the mobile phone being shipped for delivery to the user. The user customized information may be provided to an already-packaged mobile phone that is secured in a manufacture package as disclosed herein, while the phone is at a shipping facility, distribution center, or the like. The user customized mobile phone may be shipped and delivered to the user. As another example, a user may visit a retail store and purchase a new electronic device that is secured in a manufacture package as disclosed herein. Prior to leaving the store, a cellular company representative may assist the user in connecting the electronic device to an external device or wireless dongle, and user customized information such as the user's contact list and interface preferences may be uploaded onto the electronic device while the device is within the manufacture package via the external device or wireless dongle. The information may be stored on the external device or transmitted to the external device or wireless dongle from a cloud server belonging to the cellular provider. Alternatively, a user may purchase an electronic device and may enter user specific information into an input device while the electronic device is within the manufacture package. The input device may be a computer based device such as, but not limited to, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a kiosk, or the like. The information input by the user may be sent to the electronic device via the cable while the electronic device is within the manufacture package.
According to implementations of the disclosed subject matter, an electronic switch may be activated to disable one or more access device properties. The switch may be a physical switch or a software based switch and may be activated when the cable or a part of the cable is removed from the manufacture package or, alternatively, the switch may be activated by sending a signal via the cable. Activating the switch may disable one or more access device properties for the electronic device or a specific port on the electronic device. Properties that may be disabled include, but are not limited to, charging, receiving software updates, accessing the electronic device via a port, or the like. For example, a cable in a manufacture package may be connected to a mobile phone within the manufacture package via a pogo connector on the mobile phone. The pogo connector may allow charging while the cable is connected to the mobile phone. However, disconnecting the cable from the mobile phone may cause a switch to activate, disabling the charging through the pogo connector feature. As another example, prior to removing the cable the device may be in a state that allows for initial configuration or updating, such as updating a bootloader, kernel, firmware, or the like. The switch may deactivate this capability in the device, for example to prevent unintentional or malicious changes from being made to the device.
Implementations of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented in and used with a variety of component and network architectures.
The bus 21 allows data communication between the central processor 24 and the memory 27, which may include read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory (neither shown), and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), as previously noted. The RAM can include the main memory into which the operating system and application programs are loaded. The ROM or flash memory can contain, among other code, the Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components. Applications resident with the computer 20 can be stored on and accessed via a computer readable medium, such as a hard disk drive (e.g., fixed storage 23), an optical drive, floppy disk, or other storage medium 25.
The fixed storage 23 may be integral with the computer 20 or may be separate and accessed through other interfaces. A network interface 29 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a telephone link, to the Internet via an internet service provider (ISP), or a direct connection to a remote server via a direct network link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence) or other technique. The network interface 29 may provide such connection using wireless techniques, including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection or the like. For example, the network interface 29 may allow the computer to communicate with other computers via one or more local, wide-area, or other networks, as shown in
Many other devices or components (not shown) may be connected in a similar manner (e.g., document scanners, digital cameras and so on). Conversely, all of the components shown in
More generally, various implementations of the presently disclosed subject matter may include or be implemented in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. Implementations also may be implemented in the form of a computer program product having computer program code containing instructions implemented in non-transitory and/or tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, USB (universal serial bus) drives, or any other machine readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing implementations of the disclosed subject matter. Implementations also may be implemented in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing implementations of the disclosed subject matter. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. In some configurations, a set of computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium may be implemented by a general-purpose processor, which may transform the general-purpose processor or a device containing the general-purpose processor into a special-purpose device configured to implement or carry out the instructions. Implementations may be implemented using hardware that may include a processor, such as a general purpose microprocessor and/or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that implements all or part of the techniques according to implementations of the disclosed subject matter in hardware and/or firmware. The processor may be coupled to memory, such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, a hard disk or any other device capable of storing electronic information. The memory may store instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to perform the techniques according to implementations of the disclosed subject matter.
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations of the disclosed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The implementations were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of implementations of the disclosed subject matter and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize those implementations as well as various implementations with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- an electronic device;
- a manufacture package configured to house the electronic device; and
- a cable comprising a first portion coupled between a connection point controller and a first connector capable of connecting to the electronic device, a second portion coupled to the connection point controller and capable of being connected to a first external device, and a third portion coupled to the connection point controller and capable of being connected to a second external device, the connection point controller to direct signals from at least one of the second portion and the third portion to the electronic device via the first portion, the cable configured to: connect to the electronic device within the manufacture package; and deliver an electronic signal from a wireless device that is one of the first external device or the second external device and is disposed outside the manufacture package that is connected to the electronic device via the cable while the electronic device is within the manufacture package.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and a media player.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the manufacture package reduces the probability of damage to the electronic device.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the manufacture package comprises cardboard.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the manufacture package comprises protective film wrapping.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic device is wrapped in the protective film wrapping.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable is capable of being removed from the manufacture package while the electronic device is within the manufacture package.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the cable is removable from the manufacture package without damaging the manufacture package.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the cable is removable from the manufacture package without opening the manufacture package.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises one or more pogo connectors.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the second part is removable from the manufacture package while the first part remains in the manufacture package.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second connector, wherein the second connector is accessible from outside the manufacture package.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second connector is configured to connect to an external device selected from a group consisting of a charging device, a software update device, a wireless device, and a secondary connector.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the second connector is connected to a wireless device, wherein the wireless device is configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless source and deliver it to the electronic device via the cable.
15. The system of claim 12, further comprising an electronic switch configured to disable one or more electronic device access properties.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device access properties is selected from a group consisting of a software updates, charging, and wireless connectivity.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device receives user specific customizations via the cable.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises protective insulation.
19. A method comprising:
- obtaining an electronic device;
- placing the electronic device in a manufacture package;
- subsequent to placing the electronic device in a manufacture package, connecting the electronic device to a cable, the cable extending through the manufacture package, and the cable having a first portion coupled between the electronic device and a connection point controller, a second portion coupled to the connection point controller and capable of being connected to a first external device, and a third portion coupled to the connection point controller and capable of being connected to a second external device, the connection point controller to direct signals from at least one of the second portion and the third portion to the electronic device via the first portion; and
- sending an electronic signal from a wireless device that is one of the first external device or the second external device and is disposed outside the manufacture package and connected to the electronic device via the cable while the electronic device is within the manufacture package.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing the cable from the electronic device without damaging the manufacture package.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and a media player.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the cable comprises a connector, the connector configured to connect to an external device selected from a group consisting of a charging device, a software update device, a wireless device, and a secondary connector.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein the electronic device receives user specific customizations via the cable.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 27, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2016
Inventor: Klaus Helmut Weidner (Redmond, WA)
Application Number: 13/778,746