Cradle for electronic device

A cradle for an electronic device includes a mounting portion to detachably/attachably accommodate at least a part of the electronic device, a connector disposed in the mounting portion, and a detection member disposed in the mounting portion to detect whether the electronic device is mounted on the mounting portion. Only when the electronic device is attached to the cradle, the cradle may charge a battery or establish an electrical connection automatically with an external device to transmit/receive data. Therefore, a Product Liability (PL) accident can be prevented, and reliability of the cradle can be improved.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 25, 2014 and assigned Serial No. 10-2014-0111050, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cradle, and for example, a cradle for an electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices have become more everyday consumer friendly. In particular, among the consumer friendly electronic devices, portable electronic devices have become essential necessity of everyday lives.

Since the electronic devices are launched in various sizes according to functionalities and user preferences, appearances of the electronic devices have also become an important factor in addition to sizes and functionalities of the devices. Typical users generally favor one electronic device that have elegant designs over other electronic devices even if the other electronic devices may have similar functionalities as the one electronic device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, manufacturers of electronic devices typically also provide cradles to charge power sources (e.g., a battery pack) equipped in the electronic devices and to transmit/receive data with respect to an external device (e.g., a Personal Computer (PC), etc.). Therefore, convenience of use also needs to be improved for the cradle.

SUMMARY

According to various exemplary embodiments, in case of a wearable electronic device which has recently been launched, a size thereof is relatively small and thus it is a great burden to provide a space for mounting an additional connector port (e.g., a 5-pin micro Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector port, and the like) for charging and/or data transmission/reception. To solve this problem, only a plurality of terminals that can be exposed to properly position the electronic device may be included in an electronic device. Accordingly, the charging cradle may require a connector pin to easily connect to the exposed terminals of the electronic device. A pogo pin may be used as the connecter pin.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the pogo pin is disposed in a position corresponding to the exposed terminals of the electronic devices in a protrusion manner on a surface on which the electronic device of the cradle is attached. The exposed terminals of the electronic device physically contact the pogo pins when the electronic device is docked in the cradle, thus enabling any desired charging and/or data transmission/reception.

According to various exemplary embodiments, there may be provided a cradle for an electronic device. The cradle may be electrically connected to an external power source without a manual switching operation, or implemented to allow an electrical connection only in a state of being physically connected to the electronic device.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a cradle for an electronic device is provided. The cradle may include a mounting portion to attachably/detachably accommodate at least a part of the electronic device, a connector disposed in the mounting portion, and a detection member disposed in the mounting portion to detect whether the electronic device is mounted on the mounting portion.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a cradle for an electronic device is provided. The cradle may include a mounting portion to attachably/detachably accommodate at least a part of the electronic device, a connector disposed to protrude upwardly in the mounting portion, a detection button to establish an electrical connection between the connector and a power source by an operation of pulling back by the electronic device mounted on the mounting portion, a pair of hooking pieces extending upwardly at positions facing each other in the mounting portion and at least one of which having an end portion formed in a hook shape to snap-fit with a pair of hooking recesses disposed in a rear side of the electronic device, and at least one reverse-insertion preventing protrusion extending upwardly in the mounting portion and to be received in a protrusion guiding hole defined in the rear side of the electrical device if the electronic device is correctly mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are to cover all modifications, equivalent, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Like reference numerals denote like constitutional elements throughout the drawings.

The expression “include” or “may include” used in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to indicate a presence of a corresponding function, operation, or constitutional element disclosed herein, and it is not intended to limit a presence of one or more functions, operations, or constitutional elements. In addition, in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the term “include” or “have” is intended to indicate that characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constitutional elements, and elements disclosed in the specification or combinations thereof exist. As such, the term “include” or “have” should be understood that there are additional possibilities of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constitutional elements, elements or combinations thereof.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an expression “or” includes any and all combinations of words enumerated together. For example, “A or B” may include A or B, or may include both of A and B.

Although expressions used in various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure such as “1st, 2nd”, “first”, “second” may be used to express various constitutional elements of the various exemplary embodiments, it is not intended to limit the corresponding constitutional elements. For example, the above expressions are not intended to limit an order or an importance of the corresponding constitutional elements. The above expressions may be used to distinguish one constitutional element from another constitutional element. For example, a 1stuser device and the 2nduser device are both user devices, and indicate different user devices. For example, a 1st constitutional element may be termed a 2ndconstitutional element, and similarly, the 2ndconstitutional element may be termed the 1stconstitutional element without departing from the scope of the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

When a constitutional element is mentioned as being “connected” to or “accessing” another constitutional element, this may mean that it is directly connected to or accessing the other constitutional element, but it is to be understood that there are no intervening constitutional elements present. On the other hand, when a constitutional element is mentioned as being “directly connected” to or “directly accessing” another constitutional element, it is to be understood that there are no intervening constitutional elements present.

By the term “substantially” it is typically meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including but in no way limited to, for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

The terminology used in various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless there is a contextually distinctive difference therebetween.

An electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be a device including an antenna capable of performing a communication function in at least one frequency band. For example, the electronic device may be a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera, and a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted-Device (HMD) such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch).

According to certain exemplary embodiments, the electronic device may be a smart home appliance having an antenna. For example, the smart home appliance may include at least one of a Television (TV), a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air purifier, a set-top box, a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a game console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic picture frame.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, the electronic device including the antenna may be one of various medical devices (e.g., Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), imaging equipment, ultrasonic instrument, etc.), a navigation device, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), a car infotainment device, an electronic equipment for ship (e.g., a vessel navigation device, a gyro compass, etc.), avionics, a security device, a car head unit, an industrial or domestic robot, an Automatic Teller's Machine (ATM) of financial institutions, and Point Of Sales (POS) of shops.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, the electronic device may be part of at least one of an item of furniture or a building/structure including an antenna. The electronic device may be an electronic board, an electronic signature input device, a projector, or any of various measurement machines (e.g., water supply, electricity, gas, propagation measurement machine, etc.). The electronic device may be one or more combinations of the aforementioned various devices. In addition, the electronic device may be a flexible device. Moreover, the electronic device is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term ‘user’ used in the various exemplary embodiments may refer to a person who uses the electronic device or a device which uses the electronic device (e.g., an Artificial Intelligence (AI) electronic device).

FIG. 1illustrates a network environment100including an electronic device101according to various exemplary embodiments. The electronic device101may include a bus110, a processor120, a memory130, an input/output interface140, a display150, and a communication interface160.

The bus110may be a circuit for connecting the aforementioned constitutional elements to each other and for delivering communication (e.g., a control message) between the aforementioned constitutional elements.

The processor120may receive an instruction from the aforementioned different constitutional elements (e.g., the memory130, the input/output interface140, the display150, the communication interface160, etc.), for example, via the bus110, and thus may interpret the received instruction and execute arithmetic or data processing according to the interpreted instruction.

The memory130may store an instruction or data received from the processor120or different constitutional elements (e.g., the input/output interface140, the display150, the communication interface160, etc.) or generated by the processor120or the different constitutional elements. The memory130may include programming modules such as a kernel131, a middleware132, an Application Programming Interface (API)133, an application134, and the like. Each of the aforementioned programming modules may consist of software, firmware, or hardware entities or may consist of at least two or more combinations thereof.

The kernel131may control or manage the remaining other programming modules, for example, system resources (e.g., the bus110, the processor120, the memory130, etc.) used to execute an operation or function implemented in the middleware132, the API133, or the application134. In addition, the kernel131may provide a controllable or manageable interface by accessing individual constitutional elements of the electronic device101in the middleware132, the API133, or the application134.

The middleware132may perform a mediation role so that the API133or the application134communicates with the kernel131to exchange data. In addition, regarding task requests received from the application134, for example, the middleware132may perform a control (e.g., scheduling or load balancing) for the task requests by using a method of assigning a priority capable of using a system resource (e.g., the bus110, the processor120, the memory130, etc.) of the electronic device101to at least one of the applications134.

The API133may include at least one interface or function (e.g., instruction) for file control, window control, video processing, character control, and the like, as an interface capable of controlling a function provided by the application134in the kernel131or the middleware132.

The application134may include an Short Message Service (SMS)/Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) application, an e-mail application, a calendar application, an alarm application, a health care application (e.g., an application for measuring a physical activity level, a blood sugar, etc.) or an environment information application (e.g., atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature information). Additionally or alternatively, the application134may be an application related to an information exchange between the electronic device101and an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device104or server106). The application related to the information exchange may include, for example, a notification relay application for relaying specific information to the external electronic device or a device management application for managing the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function of relaying notification information generated in another application (e.g., an SMS/MMS application, an e-mail application, a health care application, an environment information application, etc.) of the electronic device101to the external electronic device (e.g., the electronice device104or the server106). Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information, for example, from the external electronic device (e.g., the electronice device104or the server106) and may provide the notification information to the user. The device management application may manage, for example, a function for at least one part of the external electronic device which communicates with the electronic device101. Examples of the function include turning on/turning off the external electronic device (or some components thereof) or adjusting of a display illumination (or a resolution), and managing (e.g., installing, deleting, or updating) an application which operates in the external electronic device or a service (e.g., a call service or a message service) provided by the external electronic device (e.g., the electronice device104or the server106).

The application134may include an application specified according to attribute information (e.g., an electronic device type) of the external electronic device. For example, if the external electronic device is an MP3 player, the application134may include an application related to a music play. Similarly, if the external electronic device is a mobile medical device, the application134may include an application related to a health care. The application134may include at least one of a specified application in the electronic device101or an application received from the external electronic device.

The input/output interface140may relay an instruction or data input from a user by using a sensor (e.g., an acceleration sensor (not shown), a gyro sensor (not shown)) or an input device (e.g., a keyboard (not shown) or a touch screen (not shown)) to the processor120, the memory130, or the communication interface160, for example, via the bus110. For example, the input/output interface140may provide data regarding a user's touch input via the touch screen to the processor120. In addition, the input/output interface140may output an instruction or data received from the processor120, the memory130, or the communication interface160to an output device (e.g., a speaker (not shown) or a display (not shown)), for example, via the bus110. For example, the input/output interface140may output audio data provided by using the processor120to the user via the speaker.

The display150may display a variety of information (e.g., multimedia data or text data) to the user.

The communication interface160may provide a communication link, or establish a communication between the electronic device101and an external device (e.g., the electronic device104or the server106). The communication interface160may include an antenna230, examples of which are described hereinafter. For example, the communication interface160may communicate with the external device by being connected with a network162through wireless communication or wired communication. The wireless communication may include, for example, at least one of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth (BT), Near Field Communication (NFC), Global Positioning System (GPS), and cellular communication (e.g., long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), Wireless BROadband (WiBro), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), etc.). The wired communication may include, for example, at least one of Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Recommended Standard (RS)-232, and Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS).

The network162may be a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network may include at least one of a computer network, an internet, an internet of things, and a telephone network. A protocol (e.g., a transport layer protocol, a data link layer protocol, or a physical layer protocol) for communication between the electronic device101and an external device (e.g., the electronic device104or the server106) may be supported in at least one of the application134, the application programming interface133, the middleware132, the kernel131, and the communication interface160.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate a wearable electronic device, and describe a cradle applied thereto, that is, a cradle used for charging the wearable electronic device and for transmitting/receiving data with respect to an external device (e.g., a Personal Computer (PC), etc.). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is apparent that the cradle can be applied not only to the wearable electronic device but also to a typical portable electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a Head Mounted Display (HMD), etc.) without departing from the scope of technical features of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Bare perspective views illustrating a state in which an electronic device101is detached from a cradle200or a state in which the electronic device101is attached to the cradle200according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the electronic device101is a wrist-wearable electronic device that can be worn on a wrist of a user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device101may include a main body102attached to a connection portion (e.g., a strap)103. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device101may be worn in such a manner that the connection portion103is wound around the wrist—a state in which the main body102is placed on the wrist. The connection portion103includes a plurality of wrist adjusting openings1031with a specific interval to adjust a wearing position to a user's wrist.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the electronic device101may include a display1021in the main body102. The display1021may be a touch screen. According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one key button1022may be disposed on the main body102. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device101may include a battery (e.g., a charging battery, not shown) as a power supply. In some embodiments, the battery is automatically charged only when the electronic device101is docked in the cradle200, detailed hereinafter.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the cradle200may be formed in a shape applicable to or formfittable the main body102of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cradle200may include a lower housing201and an upper housing202. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower housing201may be formed to be extended up to a lateral side, and the upper housing202may be disposed to an upper side of the lower housing201and thus may include a device mounting portion2021to attachably/detachably accommodate the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower housing201may have a handle2013protruding from a lateral side to assist detaching the electronic device101from the cradle200.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a connector port205and a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator206may be disposed on a lateral side of the cradle200. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205may be a USB port for an electrical connection with an external power source (not shown). According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205may be a data transmission/reception connector port capable of allowing data transmission/reception between the electronic device101and an external device (e.g., a PC, etc.) through a connection with the external device. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205may be a connector port for simultaneously performing a charging operation for charging the electronic device101and an operation for transmitting/receiving data with respect to the external device. According to an exemplary embodiment, the LED indicator206may be used as a notification means for notifying the charging operation to a user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the LED indicator206may indicate various states of the cradle200, such as, for example, a charging state, a fully-charged state, a data transmission/reception state, etc., to the user by applying different LED colors.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a plurality of connector pins203may be disposed in the device mounting portion2021formed on the upper housing202. When the electronic device101is attached to or docked in the cradle200, the connector pins203may physically be connected to one or more terminals (e.g., terminals1024ofFIG. 5) disposed in a rear side (e.g., side1023ofFIG. 5) of the electronic device101to enter the cradle200into an electrically connected state. According to an exemplary embodiment, since the terminals1024of the electronic device200can be disposed exteriorly on the rear side1203of the electronic device101, the connector pins203may be formed to protrude by a specific length upwardly from the device mounting portion2021. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector pins203may be a plurality of pogo pins. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and thus other well-known protruding pins which can be physically in contact with the aforementioned terminals1024may be used.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the cradle200is not electrically connected to the connector pins203—a state in which the electronic device101is not attached or docked in the cradle200, even if the cradle200is connected to an external power device or an external data transmission/reception device via the connector port205. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cradle200is not electrically connected to the connector pins203even in a state in which a charging battery pack (e.g., battery208ofFIG. 4) is charged inside the cradle200. In this way, the cradle200may be prevented from self-discharging. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cradle200may electrically connect the electronic device101and an external device connected to the connector port205for charging and/or data transmission/reception only when the electronic device101is attached or docked in the cradle200.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a detection button204may electrically connect the electronic device101and the external device while being pulled back or depressed, that is, only when the electronic device101is attached or docked in the device mounting portion2021of the cradle200. According to an exemplary embodiment, for example, while in a state in which the detection button204is continuously depressed, that is when the electronic device101is attached to the cradle200, the detection button204may electrically connect the external device and the electronic device101. On the contrary, in a state in which the electronic device101is detached from the cradle200, the detection button204may switch to an original state in which the detection button204is restored or bounced back to an original protruding position. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the cradle200may include an electrical sensor, in addition to, or in place of the detection button204, to detect or determine whether an electronic device101is mounted on the device mounting portion2021. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrical sensor may include a photo sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like capable of electrically or optically detecting or sensing whether an electronic device101is mounted on the device mounting portion2021of the cradle200.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the cradle200may perform a plurality of desired operation (e.g., a charging operation and/or a data transmission/reception operation) only when the electronic device101is mounted on the device mounting portion2021. In this way, a self-discharge can be avoided, and thereby eventually being able to avoid an erroneous operation of the cradle200.

FIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating an outer structure of the cradle200according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3, according to various exemplary embodiments, the cradle200may be formed with a size suitable for the main body102of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cradle200may include the lower housing201and the upper housing202. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower housing201may be formed to be extended up to a lateral side of the cradle200. The upper housing202may be formed as the device mounting portion2021to detachably/attachably accommodate the electronic device101, and may be disposed to an upper side of the lower housing201. According to an exemplary embodiment, the device mounting portion2021may be formed in a shape corresponding to the rear side (e.g., side1023ofFIG. 5) of the electronic device101and thus may be configured to be roughly in surface-contact therewith, when the electronic device101is mounted on the device mounting portion2021.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the cradle200may include the connector port205and at least one LED indicator206. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205may be a USB port to electrically connect the cradle200with an external power source. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205may be a data transmission/reception connector port to allow data transmission/reception between the electronic device101and an external device (e.g., a PC, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205may simultaneously charge an attached/docked electronic device101and transmit/receive data with a connected external device. According to an exemplary embodiment, the LED indicator206may notify or indicate a charging operation or state of the cradle200to a user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the LED indicator206may notify or indicate various states of the electronic device101, such as a charging state, a fully-charged state, a data transmission/reception state, etc., to the user by applying different LED colors.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the cradle200may include a pair of hooking pieces2011and2012for maintaining a state in which the electronic device101is mounted on the device mounting portion2021. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012may extend upwardly at positions facing each other in the lower housing201, and may include a hook in an end portion thereof. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012may be fixed, hooked, or received in a pair of hooking recesses (e.g., recesses1025and1026ofFIG. 5) formed on the rear side1023of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012may be snap-fit with the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the handle2013may be formed to be extended outwardly from the lower housing201. Therefore, the electronic device101may easily detach the electronic device101from the cradle200by holding the handle2013, that is, in a state in which the electronic device101is mounted on the cradle200via the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012and the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the cradle200may include a reverse-insertion preventing protrusion2022which protrudes upwardly by a specific length from the device mounting portion2021to provide a correct directional guide for mounting the electronic device101which may have a symmetric rear side1023. According to an exemplary embodiment, if the electronic device101is correctly mounted, the reverse-insertion preventing protrusion2022may be inserted to a protrusion guiding hole (e.g., hole1029ofFIG. 5) defined in the rear side1023of the electronic device101. If the electronic device101is reverse-inserted to the cradle200, a flat surface of the rear side1023of the electronic device101is in contact with the reverse-insertion preventing protrusion2022. Therefore, the electronic device101cannot be completely mounted on the device mounting portion2021of the cradle200, and thus is not electrically connected to the cradle200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the detection button204may be disposed on a line formed between the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012to easily detect whether the electronic device101is mounted. According to an exemplary embodiment, the detection button204may be disposed around the connector pins203on the device mounting portion2021to easily detect whether the electronic device101is mounted.

FIG. 4illustrates an inner structure of the cradle200according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4, the cradle200may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)207. According to an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned connector port205, connector pin203, and detection button204may be mounted on the PCB207. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector port205, the connecter pin203, and the detection button204may be mounted on the PCB207in a surface mount device (SMD) manner. According to an exemplary embodiment, the detection button204may further include an elastic member to restore the detection button204back to an original protruding position when the electronic device101is detached from the cradle200after being pulled back by the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, a leaf spring2041spaced apart by a specific interval from the detection button204may be used as the elastic member. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and thus a coil-shape spring may be used, and self-restoring force caused by the elastic member equipped in the detection button itself may be used.

According to various exemplary embodiments, if the cradle200is used for the purpose of charging a relatively small-sized wearable electronic device which is to be worn on a wrist, a volume thereof is relatively small and slim and thus portability can be easily implemented. Therefore, the cradle200may be used as a portable charger (e.g., a power pack, or the like). In this case, an additional built-in charging battery pack208may be further included in the PCB207. According to an exemplary embodiment, even if the cradle200is not electrically connected to the electronic device101, the cradle200may charge the charging battery pack208by electrically connecting to an external power source via the connector port205. In this case, if the charging battery pack208is currently being charged or is fully changed, state information may also be provided via the LED indicator206. According to an exemplary embodiment, although not shown, the cradle200may include a speaker device, and may also audibly provide or indicate a corresponding notification to a user based on information of the charging battery pack208. According to an exemplary embodiment, if the cradle200is carried on a pocket, bag, or the like of the user, the detection button204may be arbitrarily pressed, and at the same time, a conductive foreign substance may be physically in contact with the connector pin203. In such as case, notification information indicating that the detection button204has been arbitrarily pressed may be provided to the user through an audio output using the speaker device. Of course, in case of such an operation, if the detection button204is pressed by the electronic device101, the cradle200may be configured not to notify an alert to the speaker device by detecting that the connector pins203are connected to the terminals (terminals1024ofFIG. 5) of the electronic device101.

FIG. 5illustrates a structure of the rear side1023of the electronic device101according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The configuration ofFIG. 5will be described with reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4as well.

Referring toFIG. 5, the plurality of terminals1024for physically contacting the connector pins203of the cradle200may be included in the rear side1023of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the terminals1024may be disposed flush with the rear side1023or in a recess formed on the rear side1023while being exposed in the rear side1023of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, a heartrate measuring sensor1027for a user's healthcare may be further included in the rear side1023of the electronic device101when worn on a user's wrist. According to an exemplary embodiment, a speaker hole1028may be disposed in the rear side1023of the electronic device101to generate speaker sound output through the speaker device included therein. According to an exemplary embodiment, although not shown, in a proper position of the electronic device101, a microphone hole may be formed at a position corresponding to a microphone disposed inside the electronic device101to accommodate a user's voice.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026may be formed in the rear side1023of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026may be disposed at positions facing each other in the main body102of the electronic device101. According to an exemplary embodiment, if the main body102of the electronic device101is mounted on the device mounting portion2021, the hooking piece2011of the cradle200may hook to or be received at the hooking recess1025of the electronic device101, and the hooking piece2012of the cradle200may hook to or be received at the hooking recess1026of the electronic device101. Although the electronic device101is attached to the cradle200via the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012and the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026in the present exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the cradle200may include one or more pairs of hooking pieces, while the read side1023may also include one or more corresponding pairs of hooking recesses.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the reverse-insertion preventing protrusion2022in the cradle200is used to guide or position the electronic device101to be attached to the cradle200in a correct direction. The protrusion guiding hole1029may be formed in the rear side1023of the electronic device101to accommodate the reverse-insertion preventing protrusion2022. According to an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion guiding hole1029may be disposed near the speaker hole1028to provide a good outer appearance. According to an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion guiding hole1029may have the same shape as the speaker hole1028.

FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating parts of a state in which the electronic device101is attached to the cradle200according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 7is a lateral view illustrating parts of a state in which the electronic device101is attached to the cradle200according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 7, when the electronic device101is attached to the cradle200, the hooking piece2012of the cradle200may snap-fit with the hooking recess1026formed in the rear side1023of the electronic device101. At the same time, although not shown, the hooking piece2011formed in an opposite direction of the cradle200may also snap-fit with the hooking recess1025disposed at a corresponding position of the rear side1023of the electronic device101.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a position at which the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012and the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026are combined between the cradle200and the electronic device101is not disposed bilaterally symmetrical but disposed on a line extended from the connection portion103. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 7, the hooking recesses1025and1026in the left and right sides of the electronic device101may be optional so as to provide a good outer appearance of the electronic device101.

According to various exemplary embodiments, while holding the protruded handle2013in one side of the cradle200, a user may pull the electronic device101upwardly to detach the pair of hooking pieces2011and2012from the pair of hooking recesses1025and1026. At the same time, the detection button204of the cradle200may be restored to the original protruding state (e.g., a state of protruding in the device mounting portion2021of the cradle200). Therefore, the charging battery pack208inside the cradle200may be electrically disconnected from the connector pin203. In such a case, an electrical connection with an external device connected to the connector port205to transmit/receive data may also be isolated or disconnected.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, only during an electronic device101is attached to a cradle200that the cradle200may charge a battery or to establish an electrical connection automatically with an external device to transmit/receive data. Therefore, a Product Liability (PL) accident can be prevented, and reliability of the cradle can be improved.

FIG. 8illustrates a block diagram800of an electronic device801according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 8, the electronic device801may entirely or partially constitute, for example, the electronic device101ofFIG. 1, the device300ofFIG. 2B. Electronic device801includes at least one Application Processor (AP)810, a communication module820, a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card824, a memory830, a sensor module840, an input unit850, a display860, an interface870, an audio module880, a camera module891, a power management module895, a battery896, an indicator897, and a motor898.

The AP810may control a plurality of hardware or software constitutional elements connected to the AP810by driving an operating system or an application program, and may process a variety of data including multimedia data and may perform an arithmetic operation. The AP810may be implemented, for example, with a System on Chip (SoC). The AP810may further include a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU, not shown).

The communication module820(e.g., the communication interface160ofFIG. 1) may perform data transmission/reception in communication between other electronic devices (e.g., the electronic device104or the server106) connected with the electronic device801(e.g., the electronic device101) through a network. The communication module820may include a cellular module821, a Wi-Fi module823, a Bluetooth (BT) module825, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module827, a Near Field Communication (NFC) module828, and a Radio Frequency (RF) module829.

The cellular module821may provide a voice call, a video call, a text service, an internet service, and the like through a communication network (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, GSM, etc.). In addition, the cellular module821may identify and authenticate the electronic device within the communication network by using a subscriber identity module (e.g., the SIM card824), the cellular module821may perform at least some of functions that can be provided by the AP810. For example, the cellular module821may perform at least some of multimedia control functions.

The cellular module821may include a Communication Processor (CP). Further, the cellular module821may be implemented, for example, with an SoC. Although constitutional elements such as the cellular module821(e.g., the communication processor), the memory830, the power management module895, and the like are illustrated as separate constitutional elements with respect to the AP810inFIG. 8, the AP810may also be implemented such that at least one part (e.g., the cellular module821) of the aforementioned constitutional elements is included.

The AP810or the cellular module821(e.g., the communication processor) may load an instruction or data, which is received from each non-volatile memory connected thereto or at least one of different constitutional elements, to a volatile memory and may process the instruction or data. In addition, the AP810or the cellular module821may store data, which is received from at least one of different constitutional elements or generated by at least one of different constitutional elements, into the non-volatile memory.

Each of the WiFi module823, the BT module825, the GPS module827, and the NFC module828may include, for example, a processor for processing data transmitted/received through a corresponding module. Although the cellular module821, the WiFi module823, the BT module825, the GPS module827, and the NFC module828are illustrated inFIG. 8as separate blocks, according to one exemplary embodiment, at least some (e.g., two or more) of the cellular module821, the WiFi module823, the BT module825, the GPS module827, and the NFC module828may be included in one Integrated Chip (IC) or IC package. For example, at least some of processors corresponding to the cellular module821, the WiFi module823, the BT module825, the GPS module827, and the NFC module828(e.g., a communication processor corresponding to the cellular module821and a WiFi processor corresponding to the WiFi module823) may be implemented with an SoC.

The RF module829may serve to transmit/receive data, for example, to transmit/receive an RF signal. Although not shown, the RF module829may include, for example, a transceiver, a Power Amp Module (PAM), a frequency filter, a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), and the like. In addition, the RF module829may further include a component for transmitting/receiving a radio wave on a free space in wireless communication, for example, a conductor, a conducting wire, and the like. Although it is illustrated inFIG. 8that the cellular module821, the WiFi module823, the BT module825, the GPS module827, and the NFC module828share one RF module829, according to one exemplary embodiment, at least one of the cellular module821, the WiFi module823, the BT module825, the GPS module827, the NFC module828may transmit/receive an RF signal via a separate RF module.

The SIM card824may be a card in which a SIM is implemented, and may be inserted to a slot formed at a specific location of the electronic device. The SIM card824may include unique identification information (e.g., an Integrated Circuit Card IDentifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

The memory830(e.g., the memory130) may include an internal memory832or an external memory834. The internal memory832may include, for example, at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Static RAM (SRAM), a Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a One Time Programmable ROM (OTPROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable and Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a Mask ROM, a Flash ROM, a NOT AND (NAND) flash memory, a NOT OR (NOR) flash memory, etc.).

The internal memory832may be a Solid State Drive (SSD). The external memory834may further include a flash drive, and may further include, for example, Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), Micro Secure Digital (Micro-SD), Mini Secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme Digital (xD), memory stick, and the like. The external memory834may be operatively coupled to the electronic device801via various interfaces. The electronic device801may further include a storage unit (or a storage medium) such as a hard drive.

The sensor module840may measure a physical quantity or detect an operation state of the electronic device801, and thus may convert the measured or detected information into an electric signal. The sensor module840may include, for example, at least one of a gesture sensor840A, a gyro sensor840B, a pressure sensor840C, a magnetic sensor840D, an acceleration sensor840E, a grip sensor840F, a proximity sensor840G, a color sensor840H (e.g., a Red, Green, Blue (RGB) sensor), a bio sensor840I, a temperature/humidity sensor840J, an illumination sensor840K, and an Ultra Violet (UV) sensor840M. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor module840may include, for example, an E-node sensor (not shown), an ElectroMyoGraphy (EMG) sensor (not shown), an ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG) sensor (not shown), an ElectroCardioGram (ECG) sensor (not shown), a fingerprint sensor, etc. The sensor module840may further include a control circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors included therein.

The input module850may include a touch panel852, a (digital) pen sensor854, a key856, or an ultrasonic input unit858. The touch panel852may recognize a touch input, for example, by using at least one of an electrostatic type, a pressure-sensitive type, and an ultrasonic type. The touch panel852may further include a control circuit. In case of the electrostatic type, not only a physical contact but also a proximity recognition is also possible. The touch penal852may further include a tactile layer. In this case, the touch panel852may provide the user with a tactile reaction.

The (digital) pen sensor854may be implemented, for example, by using the same or similar method of receiving a touch input of the user or by using an additional sheet for recognition. The key856may be, for example, a physical button, an optical key, a keypad, or a touch key. The ultrasonic input unit858is a device by which the electronic device801detects a sound wave through a microphone (e.g., a microphone888) by using a pen which generates an ultrasonic signal, and is a device capable of radio recognition. The electronic device801may use the communication module820to receive a user input from an external device (e.g., a computer or a server) connected thereto.

The display860(e.g., the display150) may include a panel862, a hologram864, or a projector866. The panel862may be, for example, a Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), an Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AM-OLED), etc. The panel862may be implemented, for example, in a flexible, transparent, or wearable manner. The panel862may be constructed as one module with the touch panel852. The hologram864may use an interference of light and show a stereoscopic image in the air. The projector866may display an image by projecting a light beam onto a screen. The screen may be located, for example, inside or outside the electronic device801. The display860may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel862, the hologram864, or the projector866.

The interface870may include, for example, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)872, a Universal Serial Bus (USB)874, an optical communication interface876, or a D-subminiature (D-sub)878. The interface870may be included, for example, in the communication interface160ofFIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the interface870may include, for example, Mobile High-definition Link (MHL) (not shown), Secure Digital (SD)/Multi-Media Card (MMC) (not shown) or Infrared Data Association (IrDA) (not shown).

The audio module880may bilaterally convert a sound and electric signal. At least some constitutional elements of the audio module808may be included in, for example, the input/output interface140ofFIG. 1. The audio module880may convert sound information which is input or output, for example, through a speaker882, a receiver884, an earphone886, the microphone888, and the like.

The camera module891is a device for image and video capturing, and according to one exemplary embodiment, may include one or more image sensors (e.g., a front sensor or a rear sensor), a lens (not shown), an Image Signal Processor (ISP) (not shown), or a flash (not shown, e.g., LED or xenon lamp).

The power management module895may manage power of the electronic device801. Although not shown, the power management module895may include, for example, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC), a charger Integrated Circuit (IC), or a battery fuel gauge.

The PMIC may be placed, for example, inside an IC or SoC semiconductor. Charging may be classified into wired charging and wireless charging. The charger IC may charge a battery, and may avoid an over-voltage or over-current flow from a charger. The charger IC may further include a charger IC for at least one of the wired charging and the wireless charging. The wireless charging may be classified, for example, into a magnetic resonance type, a magnetic induction type, and an electromagnetic type. An additional circuit for the wireless charging, for example, a coil loop, a resonant circuit, a rectifier, and the like, may be added.

The battery gauge may measure, for example, a residual quantity of the battery896and a voltage, current, and temperature during charging. The battery896may store or generate electricity, and may supply power to the electronic device801by using the stored or generated electricity. For example, the battery896may include a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The indicator897may indicate a specific state, for example, a booting state, a message state, a charging state, and the like, of the electronic device801or a part thereof (e.g., the AP810). The motor898may convert an electric signal into a mechanical vibration. Although not shown, the electronic device801may include a processing unit (e.g., a GPU) for supporting mobile TV. The processing unit for supporting mobile TV may process media data according to a protocol of, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), media flow, and the like.

Each of the aforementioned constitutional elements of the electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may consist of one or more components, and names thereof may vary depending on a type of electronic device. The electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned constitutional elements. Some of the constitutional elements may be omitted, or additional other constitutional elements may be further included. In addition, some of the constitutional elements of the electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined and constructed as one entity, so as to equally perform functions of corresponding constitutional elements before combination.

A term “module” used in various exemplary embodiments of the present document may imply a unit including, for example, one of hardware, software, and firmware or a combination of two or more of them. The “module” may be interchangeably used with a term such as a unit, a logic, a logical block, a component, a circuit, and the like. The “module” may be a minimum unit of an integrally constituted component or may be a part thereof. The “module” may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or may be a part thereof. The “module” may be mechanically or electrically implemented. For example, the “module” of the present disclosure may include at least one of an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip, a Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and a programmable-logic device, which are known or will be developed and which perform certain operations.

According to various exemplary embodiments, at least some parts of a device (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or method (e.g., operations) according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with an instruction stored in a computer-readable storage media for example. If the instruction is executed by one or more processors (e.g., the processor810), the one or more processors may perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storage media may be, for example, the memory830. At least some parts of the programming module may be implemented (e.g., executed), for example, by the processor810. At least some parts of the programming module may include modules, programs, routines, sets of instructions, processes, and the like, for performing one or more functions.

The computer readable recording medium may be a hardware device configured particularly to store and perform a program instruction (e.g., program module), for example, a hard disk, a magnetic medium such as a floppy disc and a magnetic tape, an optical storage medium such as a Compact Disc-ROM (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magnetic-optic medium such as a floptical disc, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, and the like. An example of the program instruction includes not only a machine language created by a compiler but also a high-level language executable by a computer by using an interpreter or the like. The aforementioned hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operation of the present disclosure, and the other way around is also possible.

The module or programming module according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may further include at least one or more constitutional elements among the aforementioned constitutional elements, or may omit some of them, or may further include additional other constitutional elements. Operations performed by a module, programming module, or other constitutional elements according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed in a sequential, parallel, repetitive, or heuristic manner. In addition, some of the operations may be executed in a different order or may be omitted, or other operations may be added.