Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a charging device. In one embodiment, the device includes a base unit that forms bottom and side surfaces, a top unit that forms a top surface of the apparatus, the top unit including a user-removable insert, the user-removable insert comprising a substantially transparent portion and a substantially opaque portion, one or more light emitters positioned within the base unit and configured for emitting light through the substantially transparent portion of the user-removable insert, a first male electrical plug protruding from the base unit and configured to couple to a first external device, a first female electrical receptacle recessed substantially within the base unit and configured to couple to an external power source, and power electronics coupled to the one or more light emitters, the first male electrical plug, and the first female electrical receptacle, the power electronics being configured to deliver electricity from the external power source to the first external device and the one or more light emitters.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Unless otherwise indicated herein, the information described in this section is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
         [0002]    Today, mobile communication devices, such as cellular phones and tablet computers are commonplace. Such devices generally consume a great deal of power, and as a result, tend to need charging quite often. Charging devices are typically included with the purchase of a mobile device. However, they tend to be generic and non-customizable. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a commercially appealable, customizable charging device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Disclosed herein are embodiments of a charging device. In one embodiment, the device includes a base unit that forms bottom and side surfaces, a top unit that forms a top surface of the apparatus, the top unit including a user-removable insert, the user-removable insert comprising a substantially transparent portion and a substantially opaque portion, one or more light emitters positioned within the base unit and configured for emitting light through the substantially transparent portion of the user-removable insert, a first male electrical plug protruding from the base unit and configured to couple to a first external device, a first female electrical receptacle recessed substantially within the base unit and configured to couple to an external power source, and power electronics coupled to the one or more light emitters, the first male electrical plug, and the first female electrical receptacle, the power electronics being configured to deliver electricity from the external power source to the first external device and the one or more light emitters. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the device includes a disc-shaped top unit that forms a top surface of the apparatus, the top unit including (a) a user-removable insert comprising a substantially transparent portion and a substantially opaque portion, (b) one or pressure clips configured to lock onto a corresponding portion of the user-removable insert, and (c) a depressable portion, which when depressed, operates to manipulate the one or more pressure clips to release the user-removable insert, a base unit that forms bottom and side surfaces of the apparatus, the side surface being substantially cylindrical, the side surface including a groove that retains at least one lip of the top unit and prevents the top unit from detaching from the base and allows the top unit to rotate within the base unit, the at least one lip of the top unit being positioned on vertical clips extending down from the top unit, one or more light emitters positioned within the base unit and configured for emitting light through the substantially transparent portion of the user-removable insert; the one or more light emitters including a first array of substantially white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a second array of colored LEDs, a toggling device coupled to the first array and the second array, the toggling device being configured for selectively actuating either or both of the first array and the second array, a first male electrical plug protruding from the base unit and configured to couple to a first external device, the first male electrical plug being a type of male Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug, the type being selected from the group consisting of: Type A, Type B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, and Micro-B, a plug housing surrounding a radial portion of the first male electrical plug, wherein the plug housing allows the first male electrical plug to rotate about its axis within the plug housing, an illuminable portion of the side surface of the base unit configured to radiate light emitted from the one or more light emitters within the base unit onto the first male electrical plug, a first female electrical receptacle recessed substantially within the base unit and configured to couple to an external power source, the first female electrical receptacle being a type of female USB receptacle, the type being selected from the group consisting of: Type A, Type B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, and Micro-B, and power electronics coupled to the one or more light emitters, the first male electrical plug, and the first female electrical receptacle, the power electronics being configured to deliver electricity from the external power source to the first external device and the one or more light emitters, wherein the power electronics include one or more of the following: a voltage regulator, a voltage divider circuit, and a power inverter circuit. 
         [0005]    These, as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the description provided in this summary section and elsewhere in this document is intended to describe the method and apparatus by example only and not by way of limitation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts example charging device components, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  depicts an example charging device, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  depicts example charging device components, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  depicts example charging device components, in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein. 
         [0017]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG. 1  depicts an isometric view of select components of an example charging device  100 , and  FIG. 2  depicts a top view of the select components of the example charging device  100 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the charging device  100  includes a base  110 , which in some embodiments is made from a molded polymeric material. Although the base  110  is depicted as being circular in  FIG. 1 , other bases of other charging devices in other embodiments may be differently shaped. 
         [0018]    The base  110  includes at least one aperture  105   a  with an electrical connector  104  protruding therefrom. The electrical connector  104  may be a male plug, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type A, Type B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, Micro-B, or any other male plug now known or later developed. Electrical connector  104  is generally configured to couple to an electronic device, such as a cell phone or tablet computer. 
         [0019]    Surrounding the aperture may be an illuminable ring  106 , which in some embodiments is made from a substantially transparent polymeric material. For example, as discussed further herein, in some embodiments, the charging device  100  may include one or more arrays of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned within the base. The LED array may emit light though the ring  106 , thereby illuminating the ring  106 . 
         [0020]    As further depicted, the charging device  100  also includes a rotatable top piece  101  positioned within the base. The top piece has pressure clips  102  that enable the top piece  101  and the base to receive a removable insert. Generally, a removable insert (as described further herein with respect to  FIG. 6 ) fits into the negative space defined by top piece  101  and is secured by the clips  102 . The top piece  101  may also include a release button  103 , which when depressed manipulates at least one of the clips  102  such that the removable insert positioned in the negative space defined by top piece  101  may be removed. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of the charging device  100 , in accordance with one embodiment. This view depicts the base  100 , release button  103  of the top piece  101 , electrical connector  104 , aperture  105   a , and illuminable ring  106 . In some embodiments, the aperture  105   a  includes a socket that enables the electrical connector  104  to be rotatably mounted within the base  110 . In this way, the electrical connector  104  may be rotated up to 360° in order to match the configuration of a corresponding electrical receptacle on an electrical device, such as a cell phone or tablet computer. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  depicts a rear view of the charging device  100 , in accordance with one embodiment. This view depicts the base  110 , top piece  101 , and second electrical connector  107 . The electrical connector  107  may be a female receptacle configured to receive a corresponding male plug, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type A, Type B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, Micro-B, or any other type of male plug now known or later developed. In practice, the electrical connector  107  may receive a cable that is coupled to an electrical power source, such as a wall receptacle. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the charging device  100 , in accordance with one embodiment. This view depicts the base  110 , top piece  101 , release button  103 , and electrical connector  104 . As depicted, the electrical connector  104  (e.g., a male plug) is protruded slightly from the base  110  so that the electrical connector  104  may be received by a corresponding female receptacle on an external device, such as a cell phone or tablet computer. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  depicts an exploded view of several component pieces  600  that may be included with charging device  100 , in accordance with one embodiment. As depicted, the component pieces  600  include a removable insert  108 , a top piece  101  with pressure clips  102  and vertical clips  109 , a base  110 , and an optional annular ring  111  Generally, the removable insert  108  may be made from a molded polymeric material and have a substantially opaque portion and a substantially transparent portion. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the substantially transparent portion of removable insert  108  is a cut-out of the insert in the shape of crescent moon, whereas the substantially opaque portion is the remainder of the removable insert  108 . Notably, in other embodiments, other cut-out shapes and other arrangements of transparent and opaque portions of a removable insert are possible. The substantially transparent portion may consist of the same material as the substantially opaque portion, a different material than the substantially opaque portion, or it may be negative space of the removable insert  108 . 
         [0025]    As depicted, the base  110  has a cavity, in which the electrical connector  104 , electrical connector  107 , LEDs ( FIG. 10 ) and other power electronics ( FIG. 10 ) reside. Base  110  is also depicted as having a groove  113  for receiving the vertical clips  109  of the top piece  101 . 
         [0026]    The charging device  100  may also include a rotatable annular ring  111 , which may be mounted on the base  110  via any suitable mounting apparatus. For example, the annular ring  111  may be a cylindrical ring captured by circumferential protrusions on the base  110 , or the annular ring  111  may include circumferential protrusions that capture the base  110 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the annular ring  111  includes an aperture  105   b  and a groove  120  for receiving the vertical clips  109  of the top piece  101 . In embodiments in which the base  110  includes more than one electrical connector, the annular ring  111  may be rotatable about the base  110  in order to selectively reveal the desired electrical connector through the aperture  105   b.    
         [0027]    As further depicted, the top piece  101  is configured to releasably receive the removable insert  108  via the pressure clips  102 . In practice, when the top piece  101  and removable insert  108  are positioned on the base  110 , light emitted from LEDs positioned in the base  110  may be emitted through the substantially transparent portion of the removable insert  108 . Further, the top piece  101  also includes vertical clips  109  in order to couple the top piece to the base and/or an annular ring that may be positioned about the base, such as annular ring  111 . In some embodiments, the top piece  101  can rotate 360° within the base  110 , and in further embodiments lock at 90° increments. In other embodiments, other configurations of top piece  101  are possible as well. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 7 and 8  depict the rotation of the annular ring  111  about the base  110 , in accordance with one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 7  depicts the base  110  with the annular ring  111  positioned so as to reveal electrical connector  104  through apertures  105   a  and  105   b . As depicted, in this embodiment, the electrical connector  104  is recessed within the base  110 . This allows for the rotation of the annular ring  111  without hindrance from the electrical connector  104 . When it is desired to couple electrical connector  104  to an external device, the electrical connector  104  may protrude from the apertures  105   a  and  105   b . For example, when the annular ring  111  is rotated to reveal the electrical connector  104  through aperture  105   b , a spring within the base  100  may cause the electrical connector  104  to move from its recessed position within the base  110  to a position where it protrudes from the aperture  105   b . And when it is desired to rotate the annular ring  111  in order to reveal another electrical connector, the electrical connector  104  may be manipulated to retreat into the base  110 , such as by pushing it in. Other configurations are possible as well. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  depicts the annular ring  111  rotated about 90° from its position in  FIG. 7  so as to reveal a second electrical connector  115  through a second aperture in the base  110  and the aperture  105   b . The electrical connector  115  may be different than electrical connector  104 . For instance, electrical connector  104  may be a male USB Micro A plug, whereas electrical connector  115  is a male USB Mini A plug. Other configurations are possible as well. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  depicts a portion of an electrical connector  104 . As mentioned, the electrical connector may be a male plug configured to couple to an external device, such a cell phone or tablet computer. In some embodiments, the electrical connector  104  may be positioned in a socket of the base  110  in such a way so that the electrical connector  104  is rotatable within the socket. For instance, the electrical connector  104  may have one or more wings  114  on a housing  118  of the connector  104 . The wings  114  may be received in a corresponding grooved portion of the socket of base  110  and allow for rotation of the connector  104  within the socket. Other configurations are possible as well. 
         [0031]      FIG. 10  depicts an example block diagram depicting certain electrical components  1000  that may be included in charging device  100  and, for example, positioned within the base  110 . In one embodiment, for instance, components  1000  include a male electrical connector  104 , a female electrical connector  107 , an array of white LEDs  112   a , an array of colored LEDs  112   b , a rechargeable power source  119 , and power electronics  116 , all coupled together by a bus  117  or other mechanism. In some embodiments, the LEDs  112   a - b  may be positioned within the base in such a way so as to emit light through the substantially transparent portion of a removable insert and perhaps other portions of the base  110 , such as the aperture  105   a , and illuminable ring  106 . In addition, the corresponding male plug received by the female electrical connector  107  is a cable that may be coupled to an external power source (not shown), such as a 5V DC power source or a 120V AC power source. 
         [0032]    Further, electrical components  1000  include power electronics  116 , which are configured for receiving electricity from an external power source via electrical connector  107  and delivering electricity to the LEDs  112   a - b  and the male electrical connector  104  via the bus  117  or other mechanism. This arrangement enables the electrical connector  104  to provide electricity to an external device, such as a cell phone or tablet computer, and therefore power or charge a battery of the external device. In some embodiments, power electronics  116  may include a power inverter circuit  121  in order to convert alternating current (AC) electricity to direct current (DC) electricity, a voltage regulator circuit  122  in order to provide a stable DC voltage to the electrical connector  104 , and/or a voltage divider circuit  123  in order to provide appropriate voltage for the LEDs. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, power electronics  116  may also include a toggle circuit  124  that is configured for selectively enabling one or more individual LEDs from the array of LEDs  112   a - b . For instance, the circuit may operate to toggle between enabling just the white LEDs, enabling just the colored LEDs, enabling both the white and colored LEDs, and disabling both sets of LEDs. As an example, a switch may be positioned on the base  110  and coupled to the power electronics  116  via the bus  117  or other mechanism in order to selectively enable the LEDs. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, components  1000  may also include a rechargeable power source  119 , such a lithium-ion battery or a capacitor circuit that enables the power electronics  116  to supply power to the LEDs  112  and/or an external device coupled to the electrical connector  104  when electrical connector  107  is not coupled to an external power source. In some embodiments, when electrical connector  107  is coupled to an external power source, power electronics  116  may operate to charge the rechargeable power source  119  by providing current to the rechargeable power source  119 . And in some embodiments, when electrical connector  107  is not coupled to an external power source, the LEDs and/or an external device coupled to electrical connector  104  (and/or electrical connector  115 ) may operate to draw current from the rechargeable power source  119 . It will be appreciated that other arrangements of electrical components are possible in other embodiments. 
         [0035]    While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the claims.