Abstract:
A combined portable charger and mirror is provided that can store and deliver energy to charge portable electronic devices without accessing external power sources and that also functions as a portable illuminated vanity mirror. The charger enables users of portable equipment and devices (e.g., cellular telephone, cameras, tablets, computers, etc.) to carry additional stored energy to extend the device&#39;s use time. The combined portable charger and vanity mirror includes a housing comprised of a top casing and a bottom casing coupled to each other, a reflective mirror coupled to the top casing, a rechargeable battery within the housing, one or more illuminated lights adjacent to the mirror, a light indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the battery charge level, and a communication interface for transmitting electrical current from the battery to one or more electronic devices. The combined charger further includes a power switch configured to place the charger in an active charging mode or inactive non-charging mode.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present solution generally relates to a combined portable mobile device charger and illuminated vanity mirror. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     The run-times of portable devices (e.g., cell phones, PDA&#39;s, etc.) are limited by the size of the battery packs used to power these devices. Generally, the battery packs of these devices are recharged by connecting the batteries and/or the devices to chargers that receive power from external AC or DC power sources. 
     When a user travels and does not have access to the typical external power sources used to recharge the battery packs powering the user&#39;s various portable devices, the user is generally required to carry extra batteries and/or bulky chargers for each portable device he or she has to extend the use time of those devices. 
     In addition, portable mirrors are a necessity for traveling women for carefully applying makeup. Traveling women are often required to consistently apply makeup in a professional manner with high-fashion looks and quality results, regardless of their location. Unfortunately, this requires the women to carry on at all times one or more mirrors and make up accessories in order to consistently and properly apply makeup when traveling or on the go. Hence, for a traveling or mobile man or women who desires both a portable charger and portable mirror, he or she will need to carry on himself or herself at least two separate physical items. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a combined portable charger and portable mirror that allows both men and women to charge their mobile electronic devices and further allow them to use a mirror to check any facial or body area and/or apply make-up regardless of their location. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a combination portable charger device and illuminated vanity mirror that can store and deliver energy to charge portable electronic devices without accessing external AC or DC power sources. The charger enables users of portable equipment and devices (e.g., cellular telephones, PDAs, cameras, computers, laptops, tablets, etc.), to carry additional stored energy to extend the device&#39;s use time or for emergency use. The portable charger can be charged from either AC sources or from a DC source such as a 14V DC sources commonly available in automobiles. Further, the portable charger provides an added benefit of also functioning as a portable vanity mirror with lights for checking a user&#39;s appearance. 
     In one aspect of the present solution, a portable charger device for charging one or more electronic devices is provided. The portable charger includes a housing configured to hold at least one battery and a communication interface coupled to the housing configured to transfer energy from the battery to the one or more electronic devices. In addition, the housing includes a reflective mirror surface and one or more lights adjacent to the mirror surface and wherein the mirror surface is further coupled to the housing. The portable charger further includes a light controller coupled to the housing configured to allow a user to control power to the one or more lights wherein the lights are light emitting diodes (LED). The portable charger also includes a battery charge level indicator wherein the battery indicator includes a plurality of lights. 
     The portable charger of the present solution can also include a power switch configured to place the charger in an active charging mode or inactive non-charging mode. The communication interface of the portable charger can further be configured for wireless communication with the one or more electronic devices. Alternatively, the communication interface can be a port configured to electrically connect the one or more electronic devices to the charger. The housing of the portable charger can further include a pivoting stand configured to prop the charger at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. Further, the housing can also include a projected lip area wherein the lip extends along one side of the housing. Here, the reflective mirror surface of the portable charger can be a two-way mirror. The one or more lights of the portable charger can be positioned below the reflective mirror surface. In addition, the communication interface of the portable charger can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Here, the light controller can be a rotatable knob. The portable charger can further include a controller for controlling charging operation of the one or more electronic devices. 
     In another aspect of the present solution, a combined portable charger and vanity mirror are provided. The combined portable charger and vanity mirror can include a housing comprised of a top casing and a bottom casing coupled to each other, a reflective mirror coupled to the top casing, a rechargeable battery within the housing, a light indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the battery charge level, and a communication interface for transmitting electrical current from the battery to one or more electronic devices. The combined charger can further include a power switch configured to place the charger in an active charging mode or inactive non-charging mode. The combined portable charger can also include one or more lights adjacent to the mirror. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplifies the various illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of one non-limiting embodiment of the portable mirror charger of the present solution. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  coupled to a mobile device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective side view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective bottom view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the various components for the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 7  illustrates a left side view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 8  illustrates a right side view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a rear view of another non-limiting embodiment for the portable mirror charger of the present solution. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a left view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a right view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a bottom view of the portable mirror charger shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the Summary of the Invention above and in the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. In addition, the invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
     Phrases and terms similar to “software”, “application”, “algorithm”, and “firmware” may include any non-transitory computer readable medium storing thereon a program, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method or function. 
     Phrases and terms similar to “network” may include one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer uses that connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can also comprise a network or data links which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. 
     Any discussion of a mobile device, electronic device, or end device may also apply to any type of electronic networked device, including but not limited to phones such as cellular phones (e.g., an iPhone®, Android®, Blackberry®, or any ‘smart phone’), a personal computer, tablet computer, Android® device, iPad®, server computer, or laptop computer; personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as a Palm-based device or Windows® CE device; a roaming device, such as a network-connected roaming device, a wireless device such as a wireless email device or other device capable of communicating wireless with a computer network, or any other type of network device that may communicate over a network and handle electronic transactions. Any discussion of any mobile device mentioned may also apply to other devices. 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below.  FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of the portable mirror charger of the present solution. Here, portable mirror charger  100  generally includes a square shaped housing  108 , two-way or semi transparent mirror  104 , and a plurality of lights  106  positioned below the mirror. Included within housing  108  are one or more internal power batteries  128  ( FIG. 5 ) for charging a variety of electronic devices, such as mobile phones. Lights  106  help illuminate the area being viewed on mirror  104 , such as the face of a user, wherein their illumination intensity can be controlled via a rotatable knob  122  ( FIG. 4 ). It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that light source  106  can be of any color and/or intensity and include one or more of: light emitting diode(s) (LEDs), incandescent light bulb(s), fluorescent light bulb(s), compact fluorescent light lamps (CFLs), high intensity discharge (HID), and/or any semiconductor based lighting source. In the current embodiment, there are eight LED lights  106  divided in two vertical rows, with each vertical row having four LED lights substantially equally spaced apart from each other. Lights  106  (either individual or collectively) can use power from 0.5 Watts up to 30 Watts and can generate illumination output from 10 lumens up to 10,000 lumens. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that there may be any number of lights  106  arranged in any configuration, such as in a pattern or geometric configuration. It is further contemplated within the scope of the invention that housing  108  can be of any shape, including but not limited: rectangular, rectilinear, triangular, circular, ellipsoid, oval, asymmetrical, abstract, or any polygon having three or more sides. It is further contemplated within the scope of the invention that mirror  104  can be semi-transparent, two-way, semi-reflective, or a fully reflective mirror surface. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the portable mirror charger  100  shown coupled to a mobile device  102  using a cable connection  102   a . Here, the portable mirror charger  100  includes an internal battery pack  128  ( FIG. 5 ) for charging a variety of electronic devices, such as mobile devices. Here, cable connection  102   a  can be any Universal Serial Bus (USB) based cable, which can include USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, or any other USB variant and can have an A-type or B-type connector and/or any type of connector proprietary to the electronic or mobile device. Further, cable  102   a  is shown having a A-type connector  102   b  at a first end connecting to the portable charger  100  and a proprietary mobile device connector  102   c  at a second end connecting to the mobile device  102 . It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that either of male connector ends  102   b  or  102   c  can be any one or more of the following USB or electrical connectors: Type A, Type B, Mini A, Mini B, Micro A, Micro B, and/or Apple® Lightning® cable. Further, cable  102  can be used for either charging mobile device  102  or used as bi-directional communicating medium between charger  100  and mobile device  102 . It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that charger  100  can also be used as a USB hub. Alternatively, in lieu of a cable connector, mobile device  102  can be charged or can communicate with charger  100  via wireless connection with the charger, such as an electrically conductive area/component of the mobile device coming in contact with another electrically conductive area/component of the charger. Alternatively, the mobile device may be charged or can communicate with charger  100  using wireless power transmission. Here, wireless power transmission is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without man-made conductors. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates charger  100  having on/off switch  110  and USB receptacle ports  112  and  114 . Here, when switch  110  is in the “off” position, no power is going to USB ports  112  and  114 , and when  110  is in the “on” position, power from the internal storage is sent to the USB ports  112  and  114  thereby allowing one or more mobile devices to be charged using a cable connected from the mobile to one or more of the ports  112  and  114 . Charger  100  further includes internal battery storage power indicator lights  116  and internal battery storage charging micro USB charging receptacle power source  120 . Here, indicator lights  116  provide a visual gauge to a user indicating how much battery energy charge is left within charger  100 . For example, a full battery charge would have all four lights  116  illuminated, and a much lower battery charge may have one light illuminated. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that receptacle  120  can include any type of receptacle for charging the internal batteries of the charger  100 , including but not limited to: Type A USB, Type B USB, Mini A USB, Mini B USB, Micro A USB, Micro B USB, Apple® Lightning®, 12V DC port/adapter, and/or 110V AC port/adapter. In addition, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that either of ports  112  and  114  can be any one or more of: Type A USB, Type B USB, Mini A USB, Mini B USB, Micro A USB, Micro B USB, HDMI, proprietary interfaces, HDMI interfaces, analog to digital audio, accessory control bus, SLIMbus, Firewire, SATA, Ethernet, DPHY and MPHY MIPI interfaces, opto interfaces, Antenna interfaces, and/or Card interfaces (e.g., μSD and M2). In addition, it contemplated within the scope of the invention that charger  100  can have Bluetooth® or wireless networking capabilities that allows it to bi-directionally communicate with one or more mobile devices, and further provide wireless or antenna based charging of one or more mobile devices. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective bottom view of the portable mirror charger  100 . Here, charger  100  includes a stand  118  that can fold within the body of the housing and unfold within to allow charger  100  to sit an angle on a flat surface ( FIG. 3 ). Charger  100  further includes a plurality of feet  120  to allow the housing to rest flat on a surface. On one side of the housing, a dimmer knob  122  is provided to control the illumination level of lights  106 . For example, if the dimmer knob is in the farthest counterclockwise position, then lights  106  can be turned off. If the dimmer knob is gradually rotated in the clockwise direction, then lights  106  will gradually illuminate. If the dimmer knob is rotated to its farthest clockwise direction, then lights  106  will be at their highest illumination/brightest level. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the various components for the portable mirror charger  100 . Here, housing  108  is divided in two halves that are coupled to each other, top half housing  108   a  and bottom half housing  108   e . Housings  108   a  and  108   e  can be coupled to each other via a snap-fit engagement, one or more adhesives, bolts, and/or screws. In other embodiments, housing  108  can be one unitary piece. Further, top half housing  108   a  has a recessed top surface  108   f  for securing mirror  104  in place. Mirror  104  can be secured to housing  108  via one or more adhesives or snap-fit engagement. Top half  108   a  further includes a plurality of apertures  108   d  for allowing lights  106  to be positioned directly under the apertures  108   d , wherein the diameter of the apertures  108   d  are slightly smaller with respect to the diameter of lights  106 . Alternatively, the apertures  108   d  can be sized approximately as the same size as the lights  106 , wherein lights  106  can be positioned either slightly above the apertures  108   d  or positioned substantially within apertures  108   d . Here, LED lights  106  can be configured in a circular disc-like shape or any suitable size or configuration. Lights  106  can be directly connected (not shown) to controller  130  and/or battery storage cells  128 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , charger  100  includes internal battery storage cells  128  connected to controller  130  and lights  106 . The battery storage cells  128  may be one or more battery packs connected in series-parallel. Further, battery  128  may include Li-ion cells having graphitic anode material or lithium titanate anode material, and lithiated-iron-phosphate cathode materials adapted to enable fast recharge of rechargeable batteries based on such materials. The portable charger  100  may be configured to charge different types of batteries, including, for example, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, button-cell batteries, and so forth. Although  FIG. 5  shows a single external battery  128  coupled to the charger  100 , the charger  100  may be configured to be coupled and to charge additional external batteries. In addition battery  128  can be a single charge battery wherein the electrochemical cells are meant to be discharged, e.g., to exhaustion, only once, and then discarded and wherein the cells are not intended to be recharged. Here, controller  130  can include power conversion modules, such as AC-DC conversion and/or DC input DC-DC power conversion. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , controller  130  includes a processor (not shown) configured to control the charging operations performed on the batteries  128  and controlling operation of on/off switch  110 , lights  106 , dimmer knob  122 , ports  112  and  114 , indicator lights  116 , and power source  120 . The processor can be programmed and may be any type of microcontroller, computing and/or processing device for processing and executing one or more of logic, algorithms, software, or applications. The processor used in the implementation of the controller  130  includes volatile and/or non-volatile memory elements configured to store software containing computer instructions to enable general operations of the processor-based device, as well as implementation programs to perform charging operations on the internal rechargeable batteries  128  disposed within housing  108 , including various charging operations and timers (i.e., achieving at least 90% charge capacity of the internal batteries  128  in less than fifteen (15) minutes). The processer of the controller can include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter with multiple analog and digital input and output lines. The controller can also includes a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter device, and/or a pulse-width modulator (PWM) that receives digital signals generated by the processor and generates in response electrical signals that regulate the duty cycle of switching circuitry. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the dimmer knob  122  is shown connected to controller  130 , thereby controlling the illumination level of lights  106 . Here, knob  122  can rotate about an axis on controller  130 . Further, an elongated opening  108   g  is provided on the side wall of bottom half  108   e . Opening  108   g  allows knob  122  to be partially exposed (see  FIG. 4 ) thereby allowing a user to easily adjust the brightness of lights  106 . In addition, controller  130  and batteries  128  can rest on at least four spacers  108   g  when the housing is in assembled form. 
     It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that controller  130  can also communicate bi-directionally with a mobile device, such as transmitting and receiving data to and from a mobile device. Such data can be transmitted wirelessly (such as Bluetooth® or network wireless connection) or via a physical connection to the mobile device. For example, an application residing and operating on the mobile device may communicate and send and receive commands to and from charger  100  via controller  130 . Such commands may include power conservation schemes, charging start/stop timers, light illumination control, audio, video, and/or multimedia control. For example, charger  100  can also include internal speakers (not shown), wherein the mobile device can transmit audio to the charger  100  and the charger can play the audio via its internal speakers. For example, the aforementioned audio signals can be transmitted from the mobile device wirelessly (such as via Bluetooth® connection between the mobile device and charger) or via a physical connection to the charger (such as the same connection wire used to charge the mobile device). 
       FIGS. 6-10  illustrate various additional views of charger  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 , charger  100  is shown to also include an integrated lip  108   b  that slightly projects from the top portion of top housing  108   a . Here, lip  108   b  can provide a means for holding an item resting on the top of the housing  108 . For example, when charger  100  is coupled (via one or more adhesives, hangers, brackets, tack, screw, or nail) to a vertical surface such as a wall, a user can place one or more item (such as makeup items/accessories) within the recessed portion that forms between the inside surface of lip  108   b  and the outside surface of the wall. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that lip  108   b  can be of any suitable length, height, or width. 
       FIGS. 11-16  illustrate various views for another embodiment of a charger  200 . Here, charger  200  is slightly smaller and slimmer in one or more of length, height, and width than charger  100 , while still maintaining a plurality of the components of charger  100 , as previously discussed within this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, charger  200  also includes a mirror  212 , controller (not shown), battery storage pack (not shown), on/off switch  202 , USB ports  204  and  206 , battery power indicator lights  208 , micro USB power source  210 , and foldable stand  214 . In addition, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that charger  200  can include one or more lights (not shown) positioned under the mirror  212 , wherein the power of the lights are controlled by on/off switch  202  or a controllable dimmer knob (not shown). 
     Having thus described the several embodiments of the present invention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments may be made and used which fall within the scope of the claims attached hereto. Numerous advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes can be made with respect to various elements described herein without exceeding the scope of the invention. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions or embodiments thereof, other versions and embodiments are possible.