Patent Publication Number: US-2013244475-A1

Title: Wall outlet with retractable usb charging cable connected to a usb port within a wall

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a wall outlet and specifically to a method, apparatus, and system for charging universal serial bus (USB) powered electronics with a retractable USB charging cable connected to a USB port within a wall. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     All residential buildings have wall outlets for powering electronic devices such as lights, appliances, computers, and mobile devices. A wall outlet is sometimes referred to as an alternating current (AC) wall charger because most conventional wall outlets charge AC powered devices. The AC powered devices have a power cord with a plug configured to be connected to and removed from the wall outlet. Although most conventional wall outlets only include AC outlets, nowadays wall outlets also provide power connections to both AC and USB powered devices through an AC outlet and a USB port. This is because nowadays, many electronics including phones, cameras, camcorders, can connect to power via a USB port. 
     An outlet is a female connector with slots or holes in the wall outlet. The slots are configured to receive a male connector often referred to as a plug. The plug has protruding prongs, blades, or pins that fit into matching slots in the wall outlet. The wall outlet is enclosed by a cover typically called a wall plate, face plate, outlet cover,—socket cover, or wall cover. Different countries have different national standards for wall outlets. The national standards differ by voltage rating, current rating, connector shape, connector size, and connector type. 
     Most devices sold today, including cell phones, cameras, camcorders, include a USB charging cable that terminates with a common USB plug on one end. To minimize the number for chargers and power supplies for the large variety of devices sold in the market, the Micro-USB plug has become a standard input connector to most devices except the Apple products. Apple uses its own proprietary 30-pin connector that is common among all Apple products and can be licensed from Apple free of charge upon request. 
     However, a problem with conventional wall outlets is that the user must have his USB charging cable in order to connect to the USB port. If the user is travelling and forgets his USB charging cable, the USB port in the conventional wall outlet is useless. Even if the user decides to use the AC outlet instead, the user still needs the USB charging cable, along with an adaptor that is part of the device&#39;s charger. So, if the user loses or forgets his USB charging cable, it would be impossible for him to charge his USB powered devices. Similarly, if the user&#39;s USB charging cable is not easily available, such as being located upstairs, in the car, or in another room, the user cannot use the conventional wall outlet until the USB charging cable is obtained. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,857,659 to Wang is directed to a notebook computer USB port extender. An extending connecting cable is added to the USB port on the electronic device. In a normal condition, the connecting cable is accommodated in a cable reel to make the USB port accommodated in an accommodating recess of the electronic device to keep consistency of the appearance. In a using condition, the USB port may be taken out and used in a needed place by drawing out the connecting cable. This overcomes the disadvantage that the conventional adjacent USB ports may be interfered with each other, and the scope of use also increases. 
     U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2011/0215759 to Lee is directed to a detachable electrical power port extension cord. The extension cord has a detachable electrical power port which comprises: a main body; an extension socket for receiving and supplying an electrical power; and an extension power cord, being connecting between the extension socket and the main body. The detachable electrical power port includes a coil reel for winding the extension power cord. Whereby, the length of the extension power cord is adjustable so as to control the extension socket to be disengaged from the main body in an exposed mode or engaged to the main body in a concealed mode, so that the inconvenience by applying additional charging connectors and the extension power cords thereof to charge electronic devices may be reduced. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,677 to Boyd is directed to a wiring outlet with a retractable extension cord mechanism. The wiring outlet assembly having a fixed wiring outlet and a moveable wiring outlet socket member adapted to seat within a cavity of the assembly and removably positionable from the cavity; the removable outlet socket member being electrically connected to an extension cord in electrical connection with the fixed wiring outlet and having a retraction system for retractably extending the wiring outlet socket member a desired distance so that a user may readily connect a connector plug of a device, such as a power plug or phone jack plug, without searching for an extension cord. 
     However, Wang, Lee, and Boyd do not eliminate the need for a USB charging cable. This is because none of these devices provide a USB charging cable. Wang and Lee provide a USB ports, but a USB port is of no use to a user who does not have his USB charging cable. Further, Wang and Lee are not even wall outlets and cannot be hidden behind a wall containing the wall outlet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, method, and apparatus for charging electronics with a universal serial bus (USB) charging cable connected to a USB port. The USB port is located entirely behind a wall having a wall outlet. The USB charging cable and its connectors can easily be retracted into the wall for storage or extended outside the wall to a USB powered device. A plurality of USB charging cables can be installed in one wall outlet, such as one USB charging cable having a Micro-USB plug and one USB charging cable having an Apple 30 pin connector. The wall outlet can also have an AC outlet as well, such that the wall outlet can charge most electronic devices sold in the market today. The wall outlet allows the user to charge USB powered devices even when the user does not have his USB cord with him. 
     In one embodiment, a system comprises: a first USB port within a wall; a first USB powered device; a first USB charging cable at least partially within the wall, the first USB charging cable connected the USB port, the first USB charging cable configured to extend outside the wall to connect to the first USB powered device; and a wall outlet on the wall, the wall outlet configured to provide power to the first USB powered device. The first USB charging cable may be retractable. The system may further comprise a second USB charging cable and a second USB powered device. The first USB charging cable may comprise an Apple connector and the second USB charging cable may comprise a Micro-USB plug. The first USB powered device may comprise an Apple device and the second USB device may comprise a Blackberry device. One end of the first USB charging cable may comprise a USB plug and the other end of the first USB charging cable may comprise a Micro-USB plug or an Apple connector. The Apple connector may comprise a 30 pin connector. The USB plug may connect to the first USB port. The wall outlet may further comprise an AC outlet, a slot configured for the first USB charging cable to slide through, and a power supply. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a first USB port within a wall; a first USB charging cable at least partially within the wall, the first USB charging cable connected the USB port, the first USB charging cable configured to extend outside the wall to connect to a first USB powered device; and a wall outlet on the wall, the wall outlet configured to provide power to the first USB powered device. The first USB charging cable may be retractable. The apparatus may further comprise a second USB charging cable and a second USB powered device. The first USB charging cable may comprise an Apple connector and the second USB charging cable may comprise a Micro-USB plug. The first USB powered device may comprise an Apple device and the second USB device may comprise a Blackberry device. 
     In a further embodiment, a method comprises the steps of: providing a first USB port within a wall; connecting a first USB charging cable to the first USB port, the first USB charging cable configured to extend outside the wall to connect to a first USB powered device; and providing power to the first USB powered device using a wall outlet on the wall. The first USB charging cable may be retractable. The method may further comprise a second USB charging cable and a second USB powered device. The first USB charging cable may comprise an Apple connector and the second USB charging cable may comprise a Micro-USB plug. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the system allows a user to charge his USB powered device even if the user does not have his original USB charger cord or adapter that came along with the USB powered device&#39;s charger. The user no longer needs to remember, bring, or have his USB cable. The USB cable can be forgotten, lost, misplaced, broken, in use by another, or simply located in another room. Alternatively, the user may have brought the wrong device charger. When the user is traveling at a hotel with the wall charging system, the user no longer needs to worry about packing, forgetting, breaking, or losing his USB charging cable. When the user is at home with the wall charging system, the user can charge his devices from any room without having to get the USB charging cable or the original charger which may be in the car or upstairs. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that almost all of the parts of the wall charging system are located within the wall. For example, the USB port and at least a portion of the USB cable remains hidden behind the wall producing a cleaner look, reducing clutter, and saving space such that objects such as a desk, couch, or television can be placed adjacent to the wall. 
     The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a wall charging system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged view of a USB charging cable of the charging system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of a controller and USB port of the charging system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4-5  illustrates a view outside of a non-AC wall charging system on a wall according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart showing a process for connecting a USB powered device to a power supply within a wall outlet according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before the present composition, methods, and methodologies are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular compositions, methods, and experimental conditions described, as such compositions, methods, and conditions may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only in the appended claims. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, as it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. 
     In the market today, there are wall outlets with USB plugs that provide the USB power necessary to charge these devices as long as the user has his own cable. However, the wall outlet of the present invention is novel because it totally eliminates the need for all peripherals for charging a handheld or other USB device that accepts a Micro-USB plug or an Apples 30-pin connector. The user does not need to have his own USB cable, adapter, charger, or power supply. The wall outlet has an integrated USB cable that mates directly to the user&#39;s USB device by either a Micro-USB plug and/or an Apple 30-pin connector. As such, the wall outlet with integrated USB charge circuitry is capable of charging most devices sold in the market today. The connector and the cable can easily be retracted into the wall outlet for storage. The wall outlet can have both the Micro-USB plug and Apple&#39;s 30-pin connector on the receptacle. Additionally, the wall outlet can have an AC outlet as well. Although the invention is sometimes illustrated and described in the context of a 30 pin Apple connector, one of ordinary skill in the art can apply these concepts in other USB connectors. 
     With the wall outlet, the user can fully charge his device by attaching it to the wall outlet without needing his USB cable. All of the charge circuitry including the connector to the user&#39;s device is integrated into the wall outlet. The wall outlet makes life easier for everyday users because it is very common for a user to need to charge his USB powered device, however, the charger that came with the user&#39;s device is somewhere else. With this wall outlet in one or all locations of the user&#39;s home, office, hotel room, airport, coffee lounge and restaurant, the user does not need to worry about lugging his only charger and cable around to multiple spots. Further, the charger does not need to take up valuable space in the user&#39;s briefcase, luggage, or backpack. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a wall charging system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The charging system  100  includes a wall  150 , a wall outlet  105  having one or more AC outlets  110 , one or more slots  115 , a USB port  125 , a controller  130 , a USB charging cable  120  having a USB plug  135  and a device connector  140 , and a USB powered device  145 . The charging system  100  hides the USB port  125  entirely behind the wall  150  and hides at least a portion of the USB charging cable  120  behind the wall  150 . The charging system  100  eliminates the need for the user to have the device&#39;s USB charger, USB cable, and adaptor readily available for charging the USB powered device  145 . 
     When the wall outlet  105  is in use, the USB charging cable  120 , which is at least partially within the wall  150 , extends through one of the slots  115  of the wall outlet  105  and connects to the USB powered device  145 . When the wall outlet  105  is not in use, it stores the USB charging cable  120  within one of the slots  115  of the wall outlet  105  in the wall  150 . The wall outlet  105  may also be referred to as a wall charger, a USB outlet, an AC/USB outlet, a power outlet, an electrical outlet, a socket, a wall mounted socket, a port, an outlet, a point power, etc. 
     The AC outlets  110  are on the face of the wall outlet  105 . The AC outlets  110  are conventional female connectors for charging electronic devices requiring AC input. Most homes and buildings currently use wall outlets having only AC outlets. 
     The slots  115  are also on the face of the wall outlet  105 . The slots  115  allow the USB charging cable  120  to slide through the wall outlet  105  such that the USB charging cable  120  can be both accessed externally and stored internally. The size of the slots  115  can be designed according to the size of the device connector  140  selected to fit within a particular slot  115 . 
     The USB charging cable  120  (e.g. USB cable, USB cord, USB power cable, USB charging cable, mating cable/connector, etc.) has the USB plug  135  on one end and the device connector  140  on the other end. The USB charging cable  120  can be retracted within the wall  150  and also extended outside the wall  150  to the USB powered device  145 . At least a portion of the USB charging cable  120  is within the wall  150  when in use. 
     The illustrated USB charging cable  120  has dotted lines to convey the portion of the USB charging cable  120  located behind the wall  150 . The USB charging cable  120  operates the same as the user&#39;s USB cable that he obtained along with the power adapter when he purchased the USB powered device  145 . As such, the user does not need to have his own charger or cable to charge the USB powered device  145 . The user no longer needs to remember, bring, or have his USB cable with him. The USB charging system  100  works even if the user&#39;s USB cable is forgotten, lost, misplaced, broken, in use by another, or simply located in another room. 
     The USB port  125  (e.g., USB receptacle, connector, terminal, etc.) is a conventional female connector for charging USB powered devices. The USB port  125  is hidden behind the wall  150  regardless whether the wall charging system  100  is in use or not. The USB port  125  connects to USB plug  135  of the USB charging cable  120 . 
     The controller  130 , also within the wall  150 , includes a power supply and retractable cable apparatus. The power supply charges the USB powered device  145 . The retractable cable apparatus allows the USB charging cable  120  to slide through the wall outlet  105  on the wall  150 . 
     The USB plug  135  (e.g., a USB male connector, USB male circuit contact, etc.) is a conventional connector that plugs into the USB port  125 . The USB plug  135  is within the wall, hidden from the user&#39;s viewpoint, which saves space and creates a cleaner looking wall outlet  105 . 
     The device connector  140  connects to the USB powered device  145 . In one embodiment, the device connector  140  is a Micro-USB plug. In another embodiment, the device connector  140  is an Apple 30 pin connector. In a further embodiment, the wall outlet  105  uses both slots  115 , one slot  115  for the Apple connector and one slot  115  for the Micro-USB plug. 
     The USB powered device  145  includes all USB powered devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, cameras, and camcorders. The USB powered device  145  can be an Apple product, such as an iPhone. The USB powered device  145  can be a Blackberry smartphone. One of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that the USB powered devices  145  are not limited to these listed embodiments. 
     The wall  150  provides the structure for the wall outlet  105 . The wall also hides most of the parts of the wall charging system  100 . In one embodiment, the wall  150  is a structural piece of a building. In another embodiment, the wall is a portion of equipment such as a power supply. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged view of the USB charging cable  120  of the charging system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The USB charging cable  120  is provided such that the user does not need to provide bring, remember, or retrieve the original USB charging cable provided with the USB powered device  145 . The USB plug  135  is a male connector and the device connector  140  is a 30 pin male connector. In another embodiment, the device connector  140  is a Micro-USB plug or another USB connector. The USB plug  135  is configured to plug into the USB port  125 . The device connector  140  is configured to plug into the USB powered device  145 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of the controller  130  and the USB port  125  of the charging system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The controller  130  includes a retractable cable apparatus  355  and a power supply  360 . The retractable cable apparatus  355  allows the device connector  140  to extend further through the slots  115  of the wall outlet  105  to reach the USB powered device  145  when the wall charging system  100  is in use and allows the device connector  140  to retract within the wall  150  when the wall charging system  100  in not in use. The power supply  360  provides power to the USB powered device  145 . 
       FIGS. 4-5  illustrates a view outside of a non-AC wall charging system  400  on a wall  550  according to one embodiment of the invention. The system  400  includes a wall outlet  405  with slots  415 , a USB charging cable  520  having a plurality of device connectors  540 . The slots  415  are sized such that the device connectors  540  can fit within. Unlike the wall charging system  100 , the system  400  does not include the AC outlets  110 . Further, the system  400  is illustrated from a view outside of the wall  550 , which only shows the device connector  540  and a portion of the USB charging cable  520 , as the rest of the parts (e.g., a USB port, a portion of the USB charging cable  520 , a USB plug, a power supply, a retractable cable apparatus, a controller, etc.) are hidden behind the wall  550 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart showing a process for connecting the USB powered device  145  to the power supply  360  within the wall  150  according to one embodiment of the invention. The process starts at step  600 . At step  610 , the charging system  100  provides the USB port  125  within the wall  150 . Next, at step  620 , the charging system  100  connects the USB charging cable  120  to the USB port  125 . The USB charging cable  120  can be retractable such that it can extend and retract through the slots  115  of the wall outlet  105 . At step  630 , the charging system  100  provides power to the USB powered device  145 . The USB powered device  145  can be an Apple iPhone, a Blackberry smartphone, a camera, or any other USB powered device. The process ends at step  640 . 
     The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in a computer or electronic storage, in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination thereof. A software module may reside in a computer storage such as in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be defined only by a fair reading of the appended claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled. Although the invention has been described with reference to the above examples, it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.