Abstract:
The present invention relates to a portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus comprising a main body which comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port, a charging part to receive a charging voltage from the power pin of the USB port and a low-frequency signal generator electrically connected to a data pin of the USB port to supply a low-frequency signal through the data pin of the USB port; a low-frequency signal cable which comprises a low-frequency electrode connector at one end of the low-frequency signal cable electrically connected to the data pin of the USB port and an electrode pad at the other end to transmit a low-frequency signal to a human body; and a power cable which comprises a power supply connector at one end of the power cable electrically connected to the power pin of the USB port.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0061901, filed on Jun. 28, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Apparatuses and methods consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus, and more particularly, to a portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus which has a rechargeable battery therein and has an improved connector configuration not to perform an electrotherapy while recharging the battery. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus applies a low-frequency electric signal to a specific region of the human body for the purposes of compulsory exercise of the muscles, massage, pain relief, and losing weight. The low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus is widely used in medical facilities, and recently, household low-frequency electrotherapy apparatuses and portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatuses are becoming more common. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a conventional portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus. 
         [0007]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the conventional portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus includes a main body  1  which generates a low-frequency signal, attachment pads  2  which are attached to a specific region of the human body, and a cable  3  which connects the main body  1  and the attachment pads  2 . 
         [0008]    For example, if a user operates the main body  1  after attaching the attachment pads  2  to the pain region, a low-frequency voltage or current from the main body  1  is transmitted to the pain region through the cable  3  and the attachment pads  2 , and a strength of the signal is adjusted by a manipulation button (not shown) provided in the main body  1 . 
         [0009]    However, such a conventional portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus is designed to replace batteries in most cases. Accordingly, a power port and a cable are not needed any more, and the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus can be smaller, lighter and more portable, thereby allowing manufacturers to provide high-end designs meeting customers&#39; taste. Still, customers cannot but bear financial burden due to a frequent replacement of batteries. 
         [0010]    The above problem may be solved if the electrotherapy apparatus employs a rechargeable secondary battery instead of normal batteries. However, in that case, the effect of using the normal batteries disappears, and it cannot be said that using the secondary batteries are far better than using the normal batteries. 
         [0011]    More specifically, a charging port and a cable are needed for using the secondary battery. The increased number of parts leads to increase in costs, and, among others, the charging port ruins the design of a small electrotherapy apparatus. Further, this may cause upsizing of the electrotherapy apparatus which should be attached to underwear not to be seen by others. 
         [0012]    Safety evaluation institutions have consistently raised an issue that a user&#39;s safety is not guaranteed if he/she conducts an electrotherapy and recharges the battery at the same time. In this respect, providing an additional power port was a burden to manufacturers. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, manufacturers of conventional portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatuses do not dare to employ the secondary battery instead of batteries. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    Accordingly, one or more exemplary embodiments provide a portable electrotherapy apparatus which has a charging port, but prevents upsizing, concurrent conduct of recharging a battery and low-frequency electrotherapy and prevents the charging port from ruining the design. 
         [0015]    Additional aspects and/or advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The foregoing and/or other aspects may be achieved by providing a portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus comprising a main body which comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port, a charging part electrically connected to a power pin of the USB port to receive a charging voltage from the power pin of the USB port and a low-frequency signal generator electrically connected to a data pin of the USB port to supply a low-frequency signal through the data pin of the USB port; a low-frequency signal cable which comprises a low-frequency electrode connector at the one end of the low-frequency signal cable to be connected to/disconnected from the USB port and electrically connected to the data pin of the USB port and an electrode pad at the other end transmit a low-frequency signal to a human body; and a power cable which comprises a power supply connector at one end of the power cable to be connected to/disconnected from the USB port and electrically connected to the power pin of the USB port, and a source connector at the other end to be electrically connected to an external power supply device. 
         [0017]    According to an aspect of the invention, the low-frequency electrode connector is electrically insulated from the power pin of the USB port of the main body, and the power supply connector is electrically insulated from the data pin of the USB port of the main body. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the invention, the source connector comprises a USB connector to be connected to a device such as a computer and to be charged thereby. 
         [0019]    The foregoing and/or other aspects may be achieved by providing A portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus comprising a main body which comprises a port having two power pins and two data pins, a charging part electrically connected to the power pins of the port to receive a charging voltage from the power pins, and a low-frequency generator electrically connected to the data pins of the port to supply a low-frequency signal through the data pins of the port; a low-frequency signal cable which comprises a low-frequency electrode connector at one end of the low-frequency signal cable to be connected to/disconnected from the port and electrically connected to the data pins of the port, and attachment pads at the other end to transmit a low-frequency signal to a human body; and a power cable which comprises a power supply connector at one end of the power cable to be connected to/disconnected from the port and electrically connected to the power pins of the port and a source connector at the other end to be electrically connected to an external power supply device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates elements of a conventional portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates elements of a low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a main body of the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a lateral view of the main body of the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the main body of the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Below, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings so as to be easily realized by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art. The exemplary embodiments may be embodied in various forms without being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Descriptions of well-known parts are omitted for clarity, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates elements of a portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body  10  having a universal serial bus (USB) port  11  and a manipulation button  12 ; a power cable  20  which is selectively connected to the USB port  11  of the main body  10 ; and a low-frequency signal cable  30 . 
         [0028]    The manipulation button  12  which is provided in the main body  10  is designed as a round plate and has four buttons thereon. For example, if a left side of the round plate is pressed, the electrotherapy apparatus is turned on or turned off. If a right side of the round plate is pressed, a mode is selected. If an upper side of the round plate is pressed, the strength of a low-frequency signal becomes stronger, and upon pressing a lower side thereof, the strength of the low-frequency signal becomes weaker. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a hold button  13  is provided in an upper lateral side of the main body  10  to hold an operation of the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus, and an attachment means  14  is provided in a rear side of the main body  10  to be attached to user&#39;s clothes. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , only a single USB port  11  is provided in a lower lateral side of the main body  10 . The USB port  11  includes four or five pins, and among others, at least two power pins and two data pins (not shown). The power pins are connected to a charging part  15  within the main body  10  and the data pins are connected to a low-frequency signal generator  16  within the main body  10 . 
         [0030]    The internal configuration of the main body  10  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the charging part  15  including a secondary battery and a charging circuit to charge the secondary battery; the low-frequency signal generator  16  which generates a low-frequency signal based on a voltage and a current provided by the secondary battery; a controller  17  which controls an overall operation of the portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to a user&#39;s input signal; user input units  12  and  13  which include the manipulation button  12 ; and the USB port  11  are provided within the main body  10 . 
         [0032]    The charging part  15  is electrically connected to the power pins of the USB port  11  provided in the main body  10 , and charges a secondary battery (not shown) within the charging part  15  with the current supplied from the outside through the power pins. 
         [0033]    The low-frequency signal generator  16  is electrically connected to the data pins of the USB port  11 , and supplies the generated low-frequency signal to the outside through the data pins. 
         [0034]    The controller  17  controls the operation of the portable low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to a user&#39;s command input through the user input means within the main body  10 . For example, if a user presses a switch to adjust a strength of a low-frequency signal, the controller  17  controls the low-frequency signal generator to generate a low-frequency signal in a strength corresponding to the user&#39;s input or controls power to be supplied to, or cuts down power supplied to, the secondary battery when a power on/off signal is input. 
         [0035]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , remaining two cables  20  and  30  other than the main body  10  will be described. 
         [0036]    The power cable  20  has one end which is formed as a USB connector  21  to be connected to the USB port  11 , and the other end which is formed as a USB connector  22  or a plug to be connected to an external power source. In this case, the data pins of the USB port  11  are used as a terminal outputting a low-frequency signal generated by the internal low-frequency signal generator  16 . Thus, the USB connector  21  which is connected to the USB port  11  of the main body  10  is preferably insulated from the data pins. If the USB connector  22  is used as a connector to be connected to an external power source, a personal computer (PC) may be such an external power source. If a plug is used to be connected to the external power source, a charger such as an adapter for charging a mobile phone may be connected to a 220V commercial power source. 
         [0037]    The low-frequency signal cable  30  has one end which is formed as a USB connector  31  to be connected to the USB port  11 , and the other end which is formed as attachment pads  32  to be attached to a user&#39;s body. The USB connector  31  and the attachment pads  32  are connected by a cable  33  which transmits a low-frequency signal. The power pins of the USB port  11  of the main body  10  are used as a terminal to receive a charging voltage or current from the external power source, and the USB connector  31  which is connected to the USB port  11  of the main body  10  is preferably insulated from the power pins. 
         [0038]    A user should first charge the secondary battery of the main body  10  to use the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus. Accordingly, a user connects the USB connector  21  of the power cable  20  to the USB port  11 , and connects the USB connector  22  or the plug at the other end of the power cable  20  to the power source to start charging the secondary battery. 
         [0039]    If the charging operation is completed, a user disconnects the power cable  20  from the USB port  11  and connects the low-frequency signal cable  30  to the USB port  11  of the main body  10 . 
         [0040]    Then, a user attaches the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus to his/her underwear by the attachment means  14  and attaches the attachment pads  32  to the area in which pain is anticipated. A user then presses the manipulation button  12  and starts the operation of the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus and properly adjusts the strength of the low-frequency signal whenever he/she wants to. 
         [0041]    For example, a female user may use the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus to relieve period pains. If the period pains are too severe, a female user may press the manipulation button  12  and applies the low-frequency signal to the pain area to relieve such pains. A female user may adjust the strength of the signal by pressing the manipulation button  12 . 
         [0042]    Considering sensitivity of women, the design of the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus is a major factor directly connected to sales, and the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus should be small for a female user not to feel ashamed. 
         [0043]    If a user intends to use the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus at home after the battery is all discharged, he/she might charge the battery and conduct the low-frequency electrotherapy at the same time, which may cause electric shock. In that respect, it is necessary to force a separation of the charging the secondary battery and conduct of the low-frequency electrotherapy for the purposes of safety. 
         [0044]    According to the present invention, the main body  10  has only one USB port  11  formed therein to make the electrotherapy apparatus downsized while ensuring the charging function by the secondary battery. Accordingly, when a user attaches the electrotherapy apparatus according to the present invention to his/her underwear, the electrotherapy apparatus is not seen from the outside and maintains a superior design. Further, the electrotherapy apparatus according to the present invention has one USB port  11  jointly used for the purposes of charging the battery and conducting the electrotherapy, thereby preventing charging and electrotherapy from being conducted at the same time. Thus, any accident due to a user&#39;s negligence may be prevented. 
         [0045]    The electrotherapy apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described and the skilled in the art may fully understand that other exemplary embodiments are available to the extent not exceeding the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0046]    For example, the connectors  21  and  31  which are connected to the USB port  11  may not have the power pins or data pins formed therein depending on the purpose of the cables  20  and  30 . Otherwise, the connectors  21  and  31  may have four or five pins, and the connection of conductive lines connected to a particular pin within the cables  23  and  33  may be omitted. 
         [0047]    Further, other types of four pin connectors and ports may be used instead of the USB connector and the USB port. In this case, the electrotherapy apparatus may not receive power from a device such as a computer through the USB. 
         [0048]    As described above, a low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to the present invention has a physical configuration which prevents a user from conducting charging a battery and an electrotherapy at the same time and prevents any accident which may occur when the charging and the electrotherapy are conducted at the same time. 
         [0049]    Also, a low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus according to the present invention does not need any additional charging port since one port is jointly used for a low-frequency electrotherapy and charging the battery. Accordingly, the low-frequency electrotherapy apparatus may be small in size and flexible in design, thereby increasing user&#39;s satisfaction for the design and improving product competitiveness. 
         [0050]    Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.