Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a backup battery device. The backup battery device includes a housing, a power button, two connecting feed points, a charging interface, an indicator, a battery, a processor, and a voltage-converter. One of the two connection feed point is coupled to the indicator and further coupled to the battery. The battery is further coupled to the charging interface and the processor. The processor is coupled to the voltage-converter. The backup battery device further includes a manual button. When a user wants to charge a camera (which has two camera feed points corresponding to the two connecting feed point), the user connects the camera feed points with the connecting feed points and then presses the manual button. The processor then controls the charging process by enabling the battery to provide power to the camera. After sufficient amount of electricity has been transferred to the camera, the charging process can be stopped so as to protect the camera. When the battery has insufficient electricity, it can be recharged via the charging interface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 2015103321831, filed Jun. 16, 2015 and entitled “A BACKUP BATTERY DEVICE FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS CAMERA” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Sports cameras are popularly used for capturing images in various events. Due to recent demands for higher image qualities, sports cameras nowadays generally consume more power than those in the past. Requiring more power usually results in a larger battery size, which is undesirable to modern users. Traditionally, a user needed to bring a backup battery and frequently swap a drained battery with the backup battery. It is inconvenient to the user because the user needs to shut down the camera system before swapping batteries, perhaps even during an important image-collection operation (e.g., the birth of a child). Therefore, it is advantageous to have an improved method or system that can provide supplemental battery power without interrupting normal operations of a sports camera. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0004]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are side views of a sports camera that can be coupled to apparatuses or systems in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0005]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic, isometric diagrams illustrating a portable battery apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
       
    
    
       [0009]    The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of various embodiments. Similarly, some components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the embodiments. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail below, one skilled in the art will recognize that modifications, equivalents, and alternatives will fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    In this description, references to “some embodiment”, “one embodiment,” or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed technology. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand, the embodiments referred to are not necessarily mutually exclusive. 
         [0011]    The present disclosure relates to a portable battery apparatus that can be coupled to a sports camera and provide power/electricity thereto. The portable battery apparatus is compact, easy-to-assemble, and convenient-to use. The portable battery apparatus includes a housing structure that is compatibly formed to mate with the sports camera. For example, the housing structure can have a length and a width the same as those of the sports camera, such that the housing structure can be closely attached to the housing structure without significantly interfering with the camera&#39;s routine operation. 
         [0012]    The portable battery apparatus in the present disclosure includes feed connecting points that can be directly coupled or interface to corresponding contact points of a sports camera, without requiring additional wires, cables, or connectors. It is convenient to a user of the sports camera because the user need not carry such additional items. 
         [0013]    The present disclosure also provides a backup battery system that enables a user to continue operating a mobile device (e.g., a sports camera) when the mobile device is running out of power. Thus, the “hot swappable” backup battery system enables the user to attach it to the mobile device, without requiring the user to shut down the mobile device. For example, when a user uses a sports camera to film an important game and finds that the sports camera is going to run out of power, he/she can quickly attach the backup battery system to the sports camera. The system will automatically detect the form (e.g., working voltage, working current, etc.) of the power needed by the sports camera and then supply it to the sports camera accordingly. It is advantageous to have such an “on-the-fly” battery system especially when performing tasks that require relatively long time. 
         [0014]    The backup battery system in the present disclosure can include one or more specifically-designed spacers positioned between the system and a mobile device coupled to the system. For example, the mobile device can be a sports camera with a large display (e.g., an LCD display) and the spacers can be plastic pads configured to absorb abrupt impacts/shocks. The spacers can be positioned between the system and the display of the sports camera such that the system does not damage the display when operating. 
         [0015]    The backup battery system in the present disclosure can include a battery component, a charging control component configured to control a charging process, and a monitoring component configured to monitor a status of the battery component. In some embodiments, the charging control component can initiate the charging process in response to a predetermined event (e.g., receive a signal indicating that the system is coupled to a sports camera) and terminate the charging process in response to another predetermined event (e.g., a determination that a power level of the battery component is lower than a threshold value). In some embodiments, the charging control component and the monitoring component can be integrated in one chip available from a variety of manufacturers such as Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. For example, the charging control component can include a voltage-booster circuit so as to adjust a voltage of the electricity supplied by (or needed by) the system. The monitoring component can include a current-detecting circuit configured to detect the current of the electricity supplied by the system (e.g., so as to determine how much electricity left in the battery component). In some embodiments, the voltage-booster circuit and the current-detecting circuit can be integrated in one voltage-booster chip. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are side views of a sports camera  100  that can be coupled to portable battery apparatuses (or backup battery systems) in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology.  FIG. 1A  is the front view and  FIG. 1B  is the back view. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the sports camera  100  includes a camera shutter button  1 , a camera lens  2 , one or more camera indicators  3 , one or more camera feed points  4 , and a camera power switch  5 . The camera shutter button  1  is configured to initiate a process of collecting images by the camera lens  2 . The camera indicator  3  is configured to show a status of the camera  100  (e.g., power is on or off). The camera power switch  5  is configured to turn on or off the camera  100 . The camera feed point  4  is configured to couple to an external antenna (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 1  B, the camera  100  further includes one or more contacting points  6  and a display  14  configured to present collected images. The contacting points  6  are configured to be coupled to portable battery apparatuses (or backup battery systems) in accordance with the present disclosure, as discussed in detail below. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic, isometric diagrams illustrating a portable battery apparatus  200  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the portable battery apparatus  200  includes a housing  201 , a power button  203 , two feed connecting points  205 , a recharging interface  207 , and multiple spacers  209  positioned on a first surface  211  of the portable battery apparatus  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  201  is formed in accordance with the shape of the sports camera  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example, the housing  201  has substantially the same length and width as the sports camera  100 . The feed connecting points  205  positioned on the first surface  211  are configured to be coupled to the contacting points  6  of the sports camera  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). 
         [0018]    When a user wants to connect the portable battery apparatus  200  with the sports camera  100 , he/she can first hold the portable battery apparatus  200  with the first surface  211  facing the display  14  of the sports camera  100 , and then let the feed connecting points  205  be electrically coupled to the corresponding contact points  6 . In the illustrated embodiments, the spacers  209  can be positioned between the portable battery apparatus  200  and the sports camera  100  so as to prevent the display  14  from damages caused by contacting the portable battery apparatus  200 . In the illustrated embodiments, the spacers  209  are positioned at the four corners of the portable battery apparatus  200 . In other embodiments, the spacers  209  can be positioned at different locations (e.g., to protect a weak spot of the display  14 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer  209  has a cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the spacer  209  can be formed in different shapes (e.g., cuboids, stripes, etc.). In some embodiments, the spacer  209  can be made of plastic or rubber. The spacer  209  may further comprise magnetic material, configured to magnetically attach to the sports camera  100 . Thus the user could continue holding and operating the sports camera  100  when the portable battery apparatus  200  is charging the sports camera  100 . In some embodiments, the portable battery apparatus  200  and the sports camera  100  can be attached by a suitable mechanism such as a latch, clip, or snap component (not shown). 
         [0019]    Once the portable battery apparatus  200  is coupled to a mobile device (e.g., the sports camera  100 ), the power button  203  is configured to enable a user to initiate or terminate a charging process by pressing it. The recharging interface  207  is configured to recharge a battery component (now shown in  FIG. 2A ) of the portable battery apparatus  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recharging interface  207  is a USB interface. To provide electricity to the battery component of the portable battery apparatus  200 , a user can couple the recharging interface  207  to a power source (e.g., a wall receptacle) via a USB cable. In other embodiments, the recharging interface  207  can be other suitable types of connectors or applicable interfaces. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the portable battery apparatus  200  includes an indicator  215  positioned on a second surface  213  of the housing  201 . The indicator  215  is configured to visually present a status of the portable battery apparatus  200 . For example, the indicator  215  can emit green light signals when the battery component of the portable battery apparatus  200  has a power level higher than and equal to 50% of its full capacity. The indicator  215  can emit red light signals when the battery component of the portable battery apparatus  200  has a power level lower than 50% of its full capacity. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the portable battery apparatus  200  includes a gripping component  217  positioned on the second surface  213  of the housing  201 . The gripping component  217  is configured to provide more gripping force to a user of the portable battery apparatus  200 . For example, the gripping component  217  can have a relatively rough surface such that it can provide more friction when the user contacts the gripping component  217 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the recharging interface  207  is positioned on a third surface  219  substantially perpendicular to the first surface  211  and the second surface  213 . This arrangement enables a user to use the portable battery apparatus  200  to provide electricity to the camera  100  while recharging the battery company of the portable battery apparatus  200 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a backup battery system  300  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The system  300  includes a processor  301 , a battery component  303 , a charging control component  305 , a monitoring component  307 , an indicator  309 , a power switch  311 , and a charging interface  313  having multiple feed connecting points  3131 . The system  300  can be operably coupled to a power consuming device  31  having a power storage device  35 . In a charging process, the system  300  can provide electricity to the power storage device  35  via the feed connecting points  3131 . In a recharging process, the power source  33  can provide electricity to the battery component  303  via the charging interface  313 . 
         [0024]    The processor  301  is configured to control other components of the system  300 . The battery component  303  is configured to store electricity. A shown, the battery component  303  is coupled to the power consuming device  31  or the power source via the power switch  31  and the charging interface  313 . In some embodiments, the battery component  303  can be a lithium-ion battery. In other embodiments, the battery component  303  can be another type of rechargeable battery. 
         [0025]    The monitoring component  307  is configured to monitor a status of the battery component  303 . For example, the monitoring component  307  can monitor a power level of the battery component  303 . In some embodiments, the monitoring component  307  can include a current sensor (or a circuit) that can measure the electrical current coming out from the battery component  303 . In some embodiments, the monitoring component  307  can detect whether the battery component  303  is properly coupled to the power consuming device  31  or the power source  33 . 
         [0026]    The indicator  309  is configured to present the status of the battery component  303  to a user. In some embodiments, the indicator  309  can be a light emitter. In other embodiments, the indicator  309  can be an audio device such as a speaker. The indicator  309  can keep the user updated of the current status of the battery component  303 , such that the user can decide to initiate, continue, or terminate a charging or recharging process performed by the system  300 . When the user wants to initiate or terminate the charging or recharging process, he/she can instruct the system  300  by pressing a power button (e.g., the power button  203  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), and then the system  300  can accordingly turn on or turn off the power switch  311  to implement the user&#39;s instruction. 
         [0027]    The charging control component  305  is configured to control the charging or recharging process of the system  300  by turning on or turning off the power switch  311 . In some embodiments, the power switch  311  can be a switch coupled to a manual button. The manual button enables a user to manually control (e.g., initial or terminate) the charging/recharging process by pressing it. In some embodiments, the charging control component  305  comprises a switch mode power supply, e.g., a boost converter or a voltage converter. The charging control component  305  is configured to initiate a charging process after finding that the power consuming device  31  is coupled to the system  300  (e.g., this can be detected by the monitoring component  307 ). In some embodiments, the charging control component  305  can terminate an existing charging process when the system  300  determines that the power level of the battery component  303  is too low (e.g., 20% of the full capacity; this can also be detected by the monitoring component  307 ). Similarly, the charging control component  305  can initiate a recharging process after finding that the power source  33  is coupled to the system  300 . Also, the charging control component  305  can terminate an existing recharging process when the system  300  determines that the power level of the battery component  303  is above a certain level (e.g., 99% of the full capacity). 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a backup battery system  400  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The system  400  includes a processor  401 , a battery management component  403 , a charging control component  405 , a battery recharging control component  409 , an indicator  411 , first and second battery units  413   a  and  413   b,  multiple feed connecting points  415 , and a battery recharging interface  417 . The system  400  can be operably coupled to a power consuming device  41  having multiple contacting points  45 . The contacting points  45  are coupled to the corresponding feed connecting points  415 . In a charging process, the system  400  can provide electricity to the power consuming device  41  via the feed connecting points  415 . The system  400  can be operably coupled to a power source  43  via the battery recharging interface  417 . In a recharging process, the power source  43  can provide electricity to the first battery unit  413   a  and/or the second battery unit  413   b  via the battery recharging interface  417 . The processor  401  is configured to control other components of the system  400 . 
         [0029]    The battery management component  403  is coupled to the first battery unit  413   a  and the second battery unit  413   b  and configured to manage electricity stored in the system  400 . For example, the battery management component  403  can monitor the statuses of the first and second battery units  413   a,    413   b  and determine how to employ the first and second battery units  413   a,    413   b.  For example, in a charging process, the battery management component  403  can determine which battery unit has more electricity left and then choose that battery unit to supply electricity first. As another example, in a recharging process, the battery management component  403  can determine which battery unit has less electricity left and then choose that battery unit to be recharged first. 
         [0030]    The battery management component  403  can further include a monitoring component  407  configured to monitor the statuses of the first and second battery units  413   a  and  413   b.  In some embodiments, the monitoring component  407  can monitor power levels of the first and second battery units  413   a  and  413   b.  In some embodiments, the monitoring component  407  can include a sensor (or a circuit) that can measure the electrical current coming out from the first battery unit  413   a  or the second battery unit  413   b.  In some embodiments, the monitoring component  407  can detect whether the first and second battery units  413   a  and  413   b  are properly connected. In some embodiments, the first and second battery units  413   a  and  413   b  can be lithium-ion batteries. In other embodiments, the first and second battery units  413   a  and  413   b  can be other types of rechargeable batteries. 
         [0031]    The indicator  411  is configured to present the statuses of the first and second battery units  413   a,    413   b  to a user. In some embodiments, the indicator  411  can be a light emitter. In other embodiments, the indicator  411  can be an audio device such as a speaker. The indicator  411  can keep the user updated of the current statuses of the first and second battery units  413   a,    413   b,  such that the user can decide to initiate, continue, or terminate a charging or recharging process performed by the system  400 . 
         [0032]    The charging control component  405  is configured to control the charging process of the system  400 . As shown, the charging control component  405  is coupled to the power consuming device  41  via the feed connecting points  415 . In some embodiments, the charging control component  405  can initiate the charging process after finding that the power consuming device  41  is coupled to the system  400 . In some embodiments, the charging control component  405  can terminate an existing charging process when the system  400  determines that the power levels of the first and second battery units  413   a,    413   b  are too low (e.g., 20% of the full capacity; this can be detected by the monitoring component  407 ). 
         [0033]    The battery recharging control component  409  is configured to control the recharging process of the system  400 . As shown, the battery recharging control component  409  is coupled to the power source  43  via the battery recharging interface. The battery recharging control component  409  can initiate the recharging process after finding that the power source  43  is coupled to the system  400 . Also, the battery recharging control component  409  can terminate an existing recharging process when the system  400  determines that the power levels of the first and second battery units  413   a,    413   b  are above a certain level (e.g., 99% of the full capacity). 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a backup battery system  500  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The system  500  is configured to provide electricity to a sports camera  51 . As shown, the sports camera  51  includes two contacting points  53   a,    53   b.  The system  500  includes a housing  501 , a manual switch  502 , two feed connecting points  503   a,    503   b,  a recharging interface  504 , an indicator  505 , a battery  507 , a processor  508 , and a voltage converter  509 . The housing  501  is configured to accommodate other components of the system  500 . The processor  508  is configured to control other components of the system  500 . The feed connecting points  503   a,    503   b  are positioned on the housing  501  and configured to be in contact with the corresponding contact points  53   a,    53   b  of the sports camera  51  during a charging process. The indicator  505  is configured to show a status of the system  500  (e.g., e.g., remaining electricity of the battery  507 ). The battery  507  is configured to store electricity in the system  500 . The recharging interface  504  is positioned on the housing  501  and configured to be coupled to a power source when recharging the battery  507 . 
         [0035]    The voltage converter  509  is configured to adjust a voltage of the electricity in the system  500 . For example, the battery  507  can have a first working voltage (e.g., 3.7V) and the recharging interface  504  can have a second working voltage (e.g., 4.40-5.25V). In a recharging process, the voltage converter  509  can adjust the voltage of the electricity passing through the recharging interface  504  (e.g., from the power source) from the second working voltage to the first working voltage such that the battery  507  can be properly recharged. In other embodiments, the voltage-booster chip  509  can adjust the voltage of outgoing electricity from the battery  507  to another working voltage required by an external device (e.g., an external connector/interface or an external battery). 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the voltage converter  509  can be coupled to a voltage-detecting circuit that is configured to detect a voltage in the system  500 . In some embodiments, the voltage converter  509  can be coupled to a current-detecting circuit that is configured to detect an electrical current in the system  500 . The detected voltage or current can be used to determine a remaining electricity level of the battery  307 . In some embodiments, the manual switch  502  can be a switch circuit enabling a user to control the charging/recharging processes. In some embodiments, the manual switch  502  can be coupled to a manual button (e.g., the power button  203  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) positioned on the housing  501 . The manual button enables a user to manually initiate or terminate a charging process. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , during a charging process, the battery  507  of the system  500  and the camera battery  55  are in a closed circuit loop such that the battery  507  can provide electricity to the camera battery  55 . More particularly, the battery  507  is coupled to the camera battery  55  via the feed connecting point  503   a , and the contact point  53   a.  Further, the camera battery  55  is coupled to the battery  507  via the contacting point  53   b  and the feed connecting point  503   b.  By using the closed circuit loop design, the system  500  is easy-to-manufacture and safe (e.g., when one of the components in the loop does not function normally, an existing charging process of the system  500  would be automatically terminated.) 
         [0038]    Although the present technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the present technology is not limited to the embodiments described but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.