Abstract:
A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to holsters for mobile devices and their peripherals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a structure for supporting peripherals to allow them to be charged by the mobile device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Peripheral devices are increasingly used in conjunction with handheld devices. Wireless headsets, for example, add functionality to cellular phones. Additionally, an increasing number of portable digital cameras are designed to interact with cellular phones and personal digital assistants. 
     It is well known that peripheral devices are subject to the competing requirements of power and size. There is an increasing demand for peripheral devices having a long-lasting power supply. Additionally, there is a desire to minimize peripheral size, which results in smaller batteries. Peripherals often use lithium ion or nickel metal hydride batteries as their power supply to provide long life, low weight, and rechargeability. Charging the batteries of a peripheral device involves docking the batteries in a charger connected to a power source such as an electrical outlet or a motor vehicle battery. Consequently, a user&#39;s enjoyment of a peripheral is often limited by having to be at home, in the office, or in the car to charge a peripheral. This also results in the user having to manage the changing of two separate devices, the main unit and the peripheral device. 
     Peripherals and handheld devices are typically carried in carrying cases rather than holsters. Carrying cases have several pockets whereas holsters typically have a sleeve. Although the smaller size of holsters makes them desirable for holding peripherals, holsters are normally designed to hold only one item at a time, either a handheld device or a peripheral. Carrying cases hold peripherals in pockets which are closed using a fastener such as a zipper or hook and loop fastener such as those made by Velcro™. Retrieving the peripheral entails fiddling with the fastener of a carrying case, which is cumbersome. 
     It is, therefore, desirable to provide a holster for holding both a handheld device and a peripheral device so that the handheld device charges the peripheral device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous holsters in relation to the charging and carrying peripheral devices. 
     In a first aspect, the present invention provides a holster for receiving and retaining a mobile device in a sleeve. The holster can also receive and retain a peripheral device. The holster comprises a mating structure, such as a tongue for connecting with a groove. The mating structure is for holding the peripheral device in electrical contact with the mobile device retained in the sleeve. The holster holds the peripheral device in such a way so as to permit the mobile device to charge the peripheral device. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device is a cellular phone interacting with its peripheral, a headset, over a Bluetooth™ communication channel. 
     The mobile device has a charging port. The peripheral device has a charging contact and a mating structure, such as a groove for connecting with the tongue. Other examples of mating structures include retaining brackets, magnets, tabs, latches, flanges, hooks, clamps, and friction fits. The holster mating structure connects with the peripheral device mating structure to releasably hold the peripheral device. The holster mating structure holds the peripheral device mating structure in such a way so as to permit the mobile device to charge the peripheral device. The charging port is in direct electrical contact with the charging contact. 
     In another embodiment, the charging port is in electrical contact with the charging contact through an adapter which is housed in the holster. 
     In a further embodiment the adapter includes a controller for regulating charging. 
     In another embodiment, the holster includes a base for supporting the mobile device in the sleeve. This base has an aperture for receiving the charging contact and allowing it to make electrical contact with the charging port. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of the holster according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a front view of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a top view of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the holster and a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a front view of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of the holster retaining the mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a front view of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view the peripheral device with a holster retaining the mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a front view of the peripheral device in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a top view of the peripheral device in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view of the holster retaining the mobile device and peripheral device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a top view of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of the holster according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a front view of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the mobile device and the holster of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the holster retaining the mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a side view of a mobile device held by a holster of the present invention, aligned to receive peripheral device; 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a front view of the mobile device, holster and peripheral device of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the holster retaining a mobile device and the peripheral device with its arm rolled out according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the holster retaining a mobile device and a peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a side view of a mobile device and a holster retaining a mobile device and a peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates the electrical connector in the holster of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an electrical connection for use in the holster of  FIG. 12A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, the present invention provides a holster for holding both a peripheral device and a mobile device. More specifically, the present invention provides a holster for holding both a mobile device and a peripheral device to permit the mobile device to charge the peripheral device. 
     Typically users of peripheral devices such as wireless headsets or digital cameras that interface with a mobile device require a mobile charging station to be carried with them. This results in a net increase in the number of items a user is required to carry. The present invention negates the need to carry a mobile charging station by providing a holster to hold both the mobile device and the peripheral device, so that they are in electrical contact with each other, allowing the peripheral device to recharge its battery from the mobile device. Due to size related issues, peripheral devices typically have smaller batteries than mobile devices, and shorter battery lives. By allowing a peripheral device to be charged by a mobile device while both devices are idling, the peripheral device is given an effectively longer battery life. In a presently preferred embodiment, the holster supports the peripheral device in such a way that when the peripheral is held for charging, the mobile device can be removed for use while the peripheral device remains securely retained by the holster. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a side view of a holster of the present invention. Holster  20  has a back panel, a base portion  27 , and side wall portions  26  which define sleeve  22  designed for receiving a mobile device. Also illustrated in  FIG. 1A  is a mating structure  24  in side wall  26  to allow a peripheral device to mate with a holster. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there are a number of implementations for such a mating device. These may include grooves with bosses or flanges to retain a mobile device after it is slid into place, magnets, or other physical means of engaging a peripheral device.  FIG. 1B  shows a front view of the holster illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Holster  20  has two side walls  26  each having its own mating structure  24 , the side walls  26  helping to define the sleeve  22 .  FIG. 1C  illustrates the top view of the holster of the  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As can be seen from  FIG. 1C  holster  20  has a sleeve  22  defined by side walls  26 . Each side wall  26  has a mating structure  24 . Examples of mating structures include retaining brackets, magnets, tabs, latches, flanges, hooks, clamps, and tongue-and-groove assemblies. Additionally, one skilled in the art will appreciate that in place of mating structure  24  there can be offered a peripheral sleeve adjacent to the sleeve  22  for holding the mobile device. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the holster of  FIG. 1 , and a mobile device  28  for being retained in the sleeve. Mobile device  28  has a charger  30  connected to a charging port  32 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates the mobile device  28  and holster  20  from a front view.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  provide side and front views respectively of mobile device  28  contained in the sleeve of holster  20 . As can be seen from  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the sleeve retains mobile device  28  so that charger  30 , and charging port  32  are accessible from the front opening of the holster defined by the side walls  26 . Additionally, mating structure  24  is aligned so that a peripheral device will be held on holster  20  so that it has access to both charging port  32  and charger  30 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of a peripheral device  34  and holster  20  retaining mobile device  28 . Peripheral device  34  has two mating structure  35  and a charging contact  42 . As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , mating structure  35  and charging contact  42  are accessible from the front of peripheral device  34 . Mating structures  35  and  24  are located so that they can connect. Charging contact  42  is positioned such that connecting mating structures  35  and  24  brings charging contact  42  in electrical contact with charging port  32 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  provide side and top views of peripheral device  34  mated with holster  20  and held in electrical contact with mobile device  28 . Holster  20  holds mobile device  28  in its sleeve as previously described. Peripheral device  34  uses its mating structures  35  to mate with mating structure  24  on holster  20 . Upon connection of mating structure  24  with mating structure  35 , charging contact  42  of peripheral device  34  is placed in electrical contact with charging port  32 . This allows a direct electrical contact between peripheral device  34  and mobile device  28 . Mobile device  28  using charger  30  and charging port  32 , which in various embodiments may be integrated into a single element, provides an electrical current to peripheral device  34  through charging contact  42 . This current is used to charge the battery of peripheral device  34 . One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there are a plurality of designs for a charging unit to allow one battery-powered device to charge another. As a result, charger  30  of the mobile device  28  is able to charge peripheral device  34 , while peripheral device  34  is connected to holster  20 . 
     In one presently preferred embodiment, peripheral device  34  is a wireless headset for use with a mobile device providing voice services. Thus, a headset for use with a mobile device such as a cellular phone can be recharged by the mobile device, instead of requiring either a dedicated charger, or a desktop or vehicle charger. This allows the design of peripheral device  34  to minimize the volume and weight of a battery, while still providing an effectively long battery life. In another embodiment peripheral device  34  is a camera, and it benefits from the same advantage previously described. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. There are cases where it is preferable that the peripheral device charges off the mobile device through the base of the holster. For example, holsters designed to retain a mobile device under rigorous movement include a supporting wall between side walls and located opposite the back panel. Unfortunately, the supporting wall prevents a peripheral device from making electrical contact with a mobile device. One of skill in the art will appreciate that holster designs may arise where it is preferable that charging occurs through the base of the holster. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a side view of a holster of the second embodiment of the present invention. Holster  20  has a back panel, side walls, and a base  27 . The side walls, back panel and base  27  define sleeve  22  for retaining a mobile device. Base  27  also includes a mating structure  24  for securing to a peripheral device. Base  27  of holster  20  has an aperture  36  to allow a peripheral device to make electrical contact directly with the mobile device held by sleeve  22 .  FIG. 6B  provides a front view of the holster illustrated in  FIG. 6A . Holster  20  has a back panel, a sleeve  22  defined by the back panel, side walls, and base  27 . In base  27  is a mating structure  24  for securing a peripheral device, and an aperture  36  to allow the peripheral device secured by mating structure  24  to make electrical contact with the mobile device held by sleeve  22 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the holster illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  aligned to receive a mobile device  28 . Mobile device  28  has charger  30  and charging port  32  located at its base to align with aperture  36 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates mobile device  28  held in the sleeve of holster  20  with charging port  32  and charger  30  aligned with aperture  36 . 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a side view of peripheral device  34  having a retractable, or hideable arm  40 . Arm  40  can be retracted, or in the presently illustrated embodiment rotated into the body of peripheral device  34  so that while in use it is not exposed.  FIG. 9B  illustrates a front view of peripheral device  34 , and mobile device  28  held in the sleeve of holster  20 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the charging port and charger of the mobile device  28  are aligned with the aperture in the base of holster  20 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the holster  20  holding mobile device  28  in its sleeve such that charger  30  and charging port  32  are in alignment with aperture  36 , and holster  20  is aligned with peripheral device  34  to allow peripheral device  34  to mate with the holster  20 . To mate with holster  20  peripheral device  34  will engage mating structure  24  with its mating structure  35  to provide a physical connection between holster  20  and peripheral device  34 . Additionally, arm  40  is in an exposed position such that a tongue  37  can be inserted into aperture  36  so that a charging contact  42  of peripheral device  34  is aligned to make contact with electrical contact  32  of mobile device  28 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the engagement of peripheral device  34  with holster  20 . Mating structures  24  and  35  provide a secure fastening of peripheral device  34  to holster  20 . As described above, this attachment can be made using a number of known fasteners, including magnetic fastening. Charging contact  42  is in electrical contact with charging port  32  of mobile device  28  such that charger  30  can provide an electrical current to peripheral device  34  to recharge the batteries of the peripheral device. As discussed above, this provides a longer effective battery life for the peripheral device, while allowing the peripheral device  34  to carry a small capacity battery. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates an alternate embodiment to the present invention, wherein charging contact  42  is put in electrical connection with charging port  32  but not in direct physical or electrical contact. Instead, charging contact  42  is placed in electrical contact with holster-peripheral terminal  48  of holster  20 . Holster-peripheral terminal  48  is electrically connected to holster-mobile  46  which is in electrical contact with the charging contact of mobile device  28 . Thus, holster  20  provides an indirect electrical contact to allow mobile device  28  to charge peripheral device  34 . The electrical connector  44  of holster  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 12B , where holster-peripheral terminal  48  is in electrical contact with holster-mobile terminal  46  and is connected thereto by lead  50 . 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a number of alternate embodiments of the present invention can be provided such as that illustrated by  FIG. 13 . In  FIG. 13  the indirect electrical connection  44  contains controller  52  which allows charging of the peripheral device from mobile device  28  if and only if the battery capacity of mobile device  28  exceeds a predefined level. Controller  52  prevents mobile device  28  from being drained by peripheral device  34  below a desired threshold. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that this control structure could be placed in either peripheral device  34  or mobile device  28  as alternate designs. 
     The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.