Abstract:
A battery configured for powering a mobile communications device is disclosed. The battery includes an integrally associated ignitor device for ignition of flammable elements, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, incense and the like. The battery and ignitor device alone or in combination with a mobile communications device facilitate combustion of any flammable object including smokable items and emergency flammable items, such as flares or kindling.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part application of non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/883,571, filed, Jul. 1, 2004, titled MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH CIGARETTE LIGHTER, pending, which in turn claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/484,187, filed, Jul. 1, 2003, titled MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE/CIGARETTE LIGHTER. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to batteries for mobile communications devices, such as mobile telephones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) and specifically relates to the combination of a battery for a mobile communications device with a cigarette lighter device to facilitate ready location of an ignition device for igniting a smokable or flammable item.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     In the current age, mobile communications devices, particularly mobile telephones, are ubiquitous. In many parts of the world, many people are seldom without them, carrying them on their belts, in their purses, pockets, automobiles, or any other number of readily handy places. Because they are constantly in communication with others, either for business or personal reasons, people tend to be cognizant of their mobile telephones and tend to always know where they are and keep them available.  
         [0006]     In contrast, people who smoke constantly misplace their cigarette lighters or other devices they use for lighting their cigarettes. As a result, smokers are constantly searching for a “light.” At the same time, however, smokers presumably use mobile telephones or other communications devices with the same frequency as non-smokers, or as the population at large. Thus, many smokers will generally be able to locate their mobile telephones even when they cannot find their lighters or other igniting device.  
         [0007]     As a consequence, it would be an improvement on the existing technology to combine a cigarette lighter with a mobile communications device to create one unit that serves multiple functions. This would allow smokers who carry mobile telephones or other communications devices to always be in possession of a means to light their cigarettes. Even if a smoker was not in possession of a mobile communications device with a cigarette lighter function, he or she could probably obtain a “light” from another person having a mobile communications device with such a function.  
         [0008]     A mobile communications device with a cigarette lighter function provides a benefit not only to smokers, but also to hikers and other individuals who may find themselves lost or stranded in a cold or otherwise hostile environment and in need of a source of flame to build a fire. Once again, people are frequently caught in such situations without matches or other fire-starting materials, but would more likely have their mobile phones. While having a mobile phone in such dire circumstances would usually allow a stranded person to call for help, the ready availability of an ignition device would allow the person to build a fire until help arrived. Furthermore, hikers, and even motorists, can frequently find themselves lost or stranded in an area that lacks communications frequency transmission, and having access to a lighter may provide the very chance for survival. Pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/883,571, filed, Jul. 1, 2004, titled MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH CIGARETTE LIGHTER to Jeff Brudos discloses one approach solving this problem and is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.  
         [0009]     Virtually all mobile telecommunications devices are powered by batteries that are either integral to the device or removable and are generally rechargeable. Such batteries may be nickel-cadmium, lithium ion, lithium polymer or any other rechargeable battery technology suitable for powering a mobile telecommunications device. Electrical and mechanical interfaces, features and chemical technology for stand-alone mobile telecommunications device batteries are well known in the art. However, the inventor is not aware of any such batteries that are integrated with, or attachable to, a lighter.  
         [0010]     Features and methods of manufacturing standalone fuel-based lighters using flammable fluids or flammable compressed gases are well known in the art. However, the inventor is not aware of any such fuel-based lighter that has been integrated with a battery for powering a mobile communications device. Features and methods of manufacturing a standalone electrically-based lighter are known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,636 to Goto, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,157, 5,274,214 and 5,285,050 all to Blackburn and U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,968 to Yamamura. However, none of these patents discloses or suggests integrating such an electrically-based lighter with a battery configured for powering a mobile telecommunications device.  
         [0011]     Thus, it would be an advantage in the art, for the reasons stated previously, to provide a battery configured for powering a mobile communications device having an integrally formed or attached ignition device for producing a heat source that may be used to ignite flammable items, such as cigarettes or kindling.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     In accordance with the present invention, a battery configured for powering a mobile communications device is structured with an ignition device for providing a heat source to ignite a flammable element. The invention is described herein with respect to a mobile telephone; however, other forms of mobile communications devices, such as a PDA, wireless, handheld, or tablet, personal computer (PC) and telephonic communications devices, such as a Blackberry®, may be combined with a battery configured for powering such handheld communications devices including an ignition device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]     The present invention generally comprises a battery configured for powering a mobile (e.g., wireless) communications device structurally combined with an ignition mechanism providing a heat source sufficient to ignite a flammable element. The mobile communications device to which the battery and ignition device of the present invention may be attached may include a housing which contains suitable electronic hardware and software for providing desired modes of communication. In conjunction therewith, the housing is structured to provide or contain those structural members that enable use of the communications device, including typically a display screen, keypad, keyboard, function buttons, receiver, voice amplifier, microphone and combinations of such items. The communications device may also include hardware and software for providing numerous other user capabilities, such as capturing and sending photographic images via wireless communication and accessing commercial radio waves.  
         [0014]     The battery of the present invention may include a housing providing structure for associating an ignition device in addition to the power source function suitable for powering a mobile telecommunications device. An embodiment of the ignition device may be positioned, at least in part, within the housing of the battery. In an alternative embodiment, the ignition device may be integrally supported by the housing such that, for example, the ignition device is detachably attached to the housing of the battery.  
         [0015]     The ignition device, in accordance with the present invention, may be structured in any suitable manner to provide a source of heat sufficient to ignite a flammable element. For example, the ignition device may comprise a flame that is fueled by an appropriate compressed gas in a fashion much like a conventional butane lighter. Accordingly, the ignition device may comprise a fuel reservoir that is positioned within the housing of the battery. The fuel reservoir may include a wick or other means for delivering fuel to the point of ignition. A gas-igniting member is positioned to ignite the gas to produce a flame. The gas-igniting member may be a friction mechanism, such a conventional rotatable wheel that contacts a flint. Alternatively, the gas-igniting member may be a piezoelectrical sparking device of conventional and known structure. Any other suitable gas-igniting member may also be employed consistent with embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0016]     For embodiments where a fuel reservoir is used, the reservoir may be permanently built into the battery housing and is refillable through a valved opening in the housing, as is known in conventional refillable butane lighters. Alternatively, the fuel reservoir and associated gas-igniting assembly may be removable and replaceable. Embodiments of a fuel reservoir may be formed of a translucent or see-through material to facilitate visual inspection of remaining fuel in the reservoir according to the present invention. In either case, it is preferred that the fuel reservoir be resistant to breakage and leak resistant. Other conventional features may be associated with the gas-fueled structure of the ignition device, such as a selectively adjustable regulator valve that enables the user to regulate fuel flow and, thus, regulate the magnitude of the flame.  
         [0017]     Alternatively to a gas-fueled structure, the ignition device of the invention may comprise an electrical heating element, similar to those conventionally known and installed in vehicles. The alternative ignition device may include a heating element sized to fit conveniently within the battery housing. The heating element may be enabled in any suitable manner by the user to cause the heating element to become hot, thereby providing a heat source for igniting a flammable element. Any number of means may be employed to initiate heating of the element, including by way of example only, a depressible starter button positioned on the housing, which closes an electrical circuit to initiate heating of the element, or a software-programmed or voice command that initiates the mechanical closing of an electrical circuit to initiate heating of the element. It is further within the scope of the invention that the heating element of the device may be detachable from the communications device to provide ignition remotely from the communications device. Alternatively, the heating element may be affixed to the housing and, thus, not detachable according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]     Regardless of the type of igniting device that is employed, the housing may be structured with a heat shield plate positioned about the heat source to protect the battery housing, battery and any electronic systems within the housing from overheating and becoming damaged. Further, the present invention is preferably structured with safety mechanisms that either prevent access to the heat source and/or selectively disable the heat source during times of unintended use. As used herein “unintended use” means operation of the ignitor device by unauthorized persons, such as young children and during periods of time when an authorized person does not wish to use the ignitor device. It is not meant to imply that the ignitor device is otherwise not usable concurrently as a battery for powering and using a mobile communications device to which it is attached. The safety mechanism may include a movable cover that is openable to expose the heat source of the ignition device and is then closable to enclose the heat source of the ignition device while not in use.  
         [0019]     The invention may also be structured with a locking mechanism that, for example, prevents the cover from opening while not in use and which prevents children from opening the cover to tamper with the ignition device. Any suitable means, both mechanical and/or electrical (including using programmable software commands), may be used to provide the safety mechanism or locking mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]     Embodiments of a battery and ignitor device are also disclosed. The device may include a battery configured for powering a mobile communications device capable of contacting other persons or communications devices by wireless connections systems. The device may further include a housing enclosing the battery and an ignitor device configured for attachment to the housing for providing a heat source for ignition of flammable elements.  
         [0021]     These and additional features of the battery configured for powering a mobile communications and ignition device of the present invention are better understood with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, structured with a fueled ignition device.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 , taken at line  2 - 2 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a view in longitudinal cross section taken at line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a view in longitudinal cross section of a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a view in longitudinal cross section of a third alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of yet a fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a view in longitudinal cross section of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , taken at line  7 - 7 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is block diagram of an embodiment of a battery and ignitor device according to the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a battery and ignitor device according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  depicts the principal elements of the mobile communications-ignition device  10  of the present invention, which includes a communications device  12 , here depicted as a mobile or wireless telephone, and an ignition device  14 . The invention  10  includes a housing  16  which encloses the conventional hardware, software and electronics of the communications device  12 . The housing also provides a full or partial enclosure for the ignition elements of the ignition device  14 .  
         [0034]     The housing  16  may provide for the conventional structures of the communications device  12 , here including a display screen  18 , a keypad  20 , a receiver  22  for hearing transmitted telephone signals, a microphone  24  for sending voice signals, various ancillary function keys  26  and an optional extending and/or extendable antenna  28 . The structural elements shown do not constitute an exhaustive list of such elements or functions of the communications device, but only present an exemplary group of conventional elements.  
         [0035]     The ignition device  14 , in a first embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , comprises a gas-fueled system of the type conventionally known for butane lighters. Further, the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  is of a type having a friction element for igniting the fuel. Thus, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that the housing  16  is structured with a safety mechanism in the form of a movable cover  30  which is generally structured in such a fashion that the cover  30  may be moved relative to the housing  16  to expose the heat source  34  of the ignition device  14 . In but one exemplary configuration, the cover  30  is shown in  FIG. 1  as being rotatable about a pivot pin  36 . The cover  30  may also be configured to slide in a linear track or move in any other appropriate manner.  
         [0036]     When the cover  30  is in the open position as shown, the opening  40  is exposed through which gas is expelled to form the flame, or heat source (not shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ). Also, the rotating friction wheel  42  is positioned for access so that the user may rotate the friction wheel  42  to initiate the burning of the fuel as is well known and practiced with conventional butane lighters.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  depicts more clearly in cross section the ignition elements of the ignition device  12  of the first embodiment. A fuel reservoir  46  is housed within the housing  16  of the communications device  12 . It should be noted that all other electronics and hardware associated with the communications device  12  are removed for ease of explanation, but are well known in the art and do not require explanation or depiction here. The fuel reservoir  46  is sized to be received in the housing  16  and to retain a selected amount of fuel, such as, for example, butane. The elements of a butane lighter are well-known in the art and only the principle elements are described herein.  
         [0038]     A wick  48  is positioned within the fuel reservoir  46  and extends to the opening  40  to deliver fuel for igniting. Near the opening  40  is a rotatable friction wheel  42 . The friction wheel  42  is also positioned in proximity to a flint  50  such that as the friction wheel  42  is spun, it interacts with the flint  50  to cause a spark which ignites the fuel emerging through the opening  40 . The invention  10  may preferably include an adjustment member  54  ( FIG. 1 ) which is operable to selectively regulate the fuel flow to the opening  40 , as is well known in the art.  
         [0039]     It should be noted that the ignition device  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is also of the type which is permanently secured within the housing  16 , but is refillable through a valve  52  which emerges through the housing  16 . It can also best be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  that the invention is structured with a heat tolerant or heat resistant plate  56  which lies in proximity to the heat source (not shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), such as a flame. The heat plate  56  keeps the heat source (not shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) from overheating or igniting the housing or hardware of the communications device.  
         [0040]     As previously noted, the mobile communications and ignitor device of the present invention is preferably structured with a safety mechanism that is selectively operable to prevent unintended ignition of the heat source (not shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), such as by a child or during certain times of use of the communications device. The safety mechanism may be structured or configured in any suitable manner that prevents ignition of the heat source and/or prevents access to the heat source during periods of unintended use. One exemplar safety mechanism  58  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  which comprises a movable cover  30  that encloses the heat source  32  and some of the ignition elements (e.g., friction wheel  42  or starter buttons described further herein).  
         [0041]     The invention may preferably include a locking mechanism  60  that can be selectively enabled and disabled to enable or disable the safety mechanism  58  or another element contributing to the production of the heat source  32 . Thus, for example, as best shown in  FIG. 2 , the locking mechanism  60  may comprise a latch mechanism further comprising a slidable button  62  positioned on the housing  16  which is structured to engage a tab  64  connected to the cover  30 . Thus, when the cover  30  is in a closed position, the tab  64  is engaged by the button  62 , and when the button  62  is slid in a direction away from the cover, the tab  64  is released thereby allowing for the opening of the cover  30 . The cover may be manually openable or may be spring-loaded.  
         [0042]     The locking mechanism may further be structured to lock in a secure fashion that requires an additional unlocking feature for security purposes. The additional security locking feature may be any type of mechanical and/or electrical device that provides an additional requirement for disabling the locking mechanism  60 . In a most simplistic fashion, the additional security locking feature may, for example, comprise a depressible button  66  that is positioned within a recess  68  that the locking mechanism button  62  is slidably disposed in. Thus, in order to disable the locking mechanism  60  the depressible button  66  must be moved inwardly, such as by depression of a key  70  on the housing ( FIG. 1 ), to allow the button  62  to slide within the recess  68 .  
         [0043]     Alternatively, the depressible button  66 , or some other mechanically obstructive device which effectively enables the locking mechanism, may be activated to release or disable the locking mechanism by the input of a pre-programmed code using the keypad  20  of the communications device  12 , or by a programmed voice command relayed through the microphone  24  of the communications device  12 . Consequently, it would require a unique and unknown code to disable the security locking feature and access the ignitor device  14 . It is preferred that if the security locking feature is operable by a pre-programmed code or voice command that the security locking feature also be provided with a manual override device that allows emergency use of the ignitor device  14  should the communications device become inoperable, thereby preventing use of the code or voice command to disable the locking feature.  
         [0044]     As previously noted,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a first embodiment of the invention where the ignition elements of the ignitor device  14  are permanently housed within the housing  16 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a second alternative embodiment where the ignition elements of the ignitor device  14  are removable and replaceable with a new ignitor device  14 . In such an embodiment, the safety mechanism, here shown as cover  30 , is moved to a position away from the ignitor device  14  and the heat plate  56  is removed from the housing  16  to provide an enlarged opening in the housing  16  through which the ignitor device  14  can be removed. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the housing  16  may be especially formed with a chamber  73  particularly sized and shaped for receiving the ignitor device  14 . It may be preferable to configure the chamber  73  in such a fashion that the replacement ignitor device  14  cannot be inserted incorrectly. It will be clear to one of skill in the art what ignition elements would removable and replaceable, but typically those ignition elements would include the fuel reservoir  46 , friction wheel  42  and flint  50 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the invention where the ignitor device  12  includes a fuel reservoir  46 , but alternatively provides an electric sparking element for igniting the fumes from the fuel reservoir  46  near the opening  40 . The electric sparking element may be structured in any suitable manner.  FIG. 5  illustrates one well-known electric sparking element comprising a piezoelectric mechanism  77 , which is depicted representationally.  
         [0046]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the fuel reservoir  16  is further structured with a nozzle  74  that emits gas fumes. An actuation arm  75  is positioned in proximity to the nozzle  74  to release fumes from the nozzle  74 . The actuation arm  75  is connected to a starter button  76  that is biased by a spring  77 . A piezoelectric element  77  is positioned in proximity to the nozzle  74  and may be co-activated by the starter button  76 . In known fashion, when the starter button  76  is depressed, the actuation arm  75  releases gas from the nozzle  74  and simultaneously the piezoelectric element  77  is struck in a manner that causes an electric spark to be produced in proximity to the emittance of the gas fumes, thereby producing a flame, or heat source, that emerges from the opening  40 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the starter button  76  and opening  40  are positioned for enclosure by the safety mechanism or cover  30  for the reasons previously described.  
         [0047]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention where the heat source  32  is an electric heating element  80 , similar to the type of heating element typically used in vehicles. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the heating element  80  may be heated by the continuous or momentary depression of an ignition button  82  that initiates a flow of electricity to the heating element  80 . As more clearly shown in  FIG. 7 , the heating element  80  is electrically wired to a battery source  84  and is wired to the ignition button  82 . The ignition button  82  is also wired to the battery source  84 . Thus, when the ignition button  82  is depressed, a circuit is closed whereby electricity is provided to the heating element  80 . The ignitor device  14  of this embodiment may preferably be structured in a suitable manner to open the circuit after an elapsed time to stop electricity from going to the heating element  80 . In the simplest manner, this may be accomplished by releasing the ignition button  82  to open the circuit. Other electronic means well-known to those of skill in the art may be supplied to provide a similar assurance that the circuit will be opened to cease heating of the heating element  80 , such as by an electronic timing element  85  shown schematically.  
         [0048]     The embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 7  may also preferably be structured with a capacitor  90  having sufficient capacity to provide a charge to the heating element  80  such that if the communications device  14  should become inoperable (e.g., the battery becoming discharged), the ignitor device  14  may still be used in an emergency situation.  
         [0049]     As with the other described embodiments, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 6  and  7  includes a heat plate  56  that protects the housing  16  and internal structures of the communications device  12  from extreme heat. Also, as described with the prior embodiments, the alternative embodiment is provided with a safety mechanism  58 , here shown as a cover  30 , that shields the heat source  32  and prevents unintended ignition of the heating element  80 . This safety mechanism  58  also includes a locking mechanism  60 , here shown as a latching button  62  that engages a member  64  of the cover  30 , as previously described.  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  illustrates more clearly a security locking feature that may be employed with the locking mechanism  60  where a mechanical structure, such as a slidable pin  86  engages the latching button  62  to prevent it from being moved. The slidable pin  86  is associated with a solenoid  87  which is wired to a switch  88 . The switch  88  is in turn wired to the battery source  84  and to a microprocessor  89 . Thus, a pre-programmable code may be entered into the keypad  20  of the communications device  12  to cause the microprocessor  89  to activate the switch  88 , which in turn provides flow of power from the battery source  84  to the solenoid  87  to move the pin  86  out of engagement with the latching button  62 , thereby allowing the cover  30  to open and access be had to the heat source  32 . When the cover  30  is closed again and secured by the latching button  62 , the slidable pin  86  will mechanically engage the latching button  62  once again to prevent unintended or unauthorized access to the heat source  32 . The same feature may be provided by a voice command as previously described. Again, it would be preferable to provide a manual override mechanism to allow the ignitor device  14  to be used in situations where the communications device  12  (e.g., battery or software failure) becomes inoperable.  
         [0051]      FIG. 8  illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention where the ignitor device  14  is integrally formed as a part of the housing  16 , but is not secured within the housing as described with the previous embodiments. That is, the ignitor device  14  may be a unit that is, for example, cradled within a channel  91  formed in the housing  16  of the device to position it an unobstructive placement relative to the communications device  12 . The ignitor device  14  may be detachably attached to the housing  16  by any suitable means, such as a bracket (not shown) positioned within the channel  91  and sized to retain the ignitor device  14 . Alternatively, the ignitor device  14  may be permanently attached to the housing  16 , but otherwise accessible as necessary.  
         [0052]     By way of example only, the ignitor device  14  is shown in  FIG. 8  as being pivotally secured within the channel  91  so that the ignitor device  14  can be accessed more readily. Again, by example only, the ignitor device  14  may include a housing  92  that retains a fuel reservoir (not shown), and from which the heat source  32  (here shown as a flame) can be accessed. A moveable lid  94  may be made a part of the housing  92  to enclose the heat source  32 . Thus, in use, the ignitor device  14  is rotated about pin  98  to release the ignitor device  14  from the channel  91  so that the device can be safely operated for providing a heat source  32 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  is block diagram of an embodiment of a battery and ignitor device  100  according to the present invention. Device  100  may include a battery  104  configured for powering a mobile communications device (not shown). Device  100  may further include a housing  102  for enclosing the battery  104 . Device  100  may further include an ignitor device  106  configured for attachment to housing  102  for providing a heat source  108  for ignition of flammable elements. Ignitor device  106  may be removably attached to housing  102 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Removable attachment of the ignitor device  106  from housing  102  may be facilitated by snaps, detents, spring-loaded mechanisms, clasps, hook and loop cloth, adhesive or any other suitable mechanical means for removably attaching the ignitor device  106  to housing  102 . Ignitor device  106  may be enclosed within housing  102  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Housing  102  may further include a mechanical and electrical interface  116  configured for connection to the mobile communications device.  
         [0054]     Device  100  may further include a safety mechanism  110  to prevent selective enablement of the heat source  108 . The safety mechanism  110  may be a push button locking mechanism  110  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ), or any other suitable mechanism configured for locking the ignitor device  106  thereby disabling ignition of the heat source  108  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Operational implementation of a push button locking mechanism  110  will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and, thus, will not be further elaborated on herein. According to an alternative embodiment, safety mechanism  110  may be a movable cover associated with the housing for covering the heating element and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing movement of the cover. The safety mechanism  110  may be mechanically enabled and/or disabled according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0055]     Ignitor device  106  may include ignition elements  112  and a fuel reservoir  114  in communication with the ignition elements  112 . Ignitor device  106  may further include a depressible switch for engaging the ignition elements  112  to generate the heat source  108 . Fuel reservoir  114  may be refillable with fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel may be a liquid flammable fuel that is not under pressure, such as lighter fluid or any other suitable flammable fuel that is not under pressure consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Alternatively, the fuel may be butane, propane or any other suitable compressible flammable gas according to other embodiments of the present invention. The ignition elements  112  may be removable and replaceable according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The ignition elements  112  may include a friction wheel and flint according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0056]      FIG. 10  is block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a battery and ignitor device  200  according to the present invention. Device  200  may include a housing  202  enclosing a battery  204  configured for powering a mobile communications device capable of contacting other persons or communication devices by wireless connections systems. Device  200  may include an ignitor device  206  within housing  202  or alternatively, removably attached to housing  202  and battery  204 , according to embodiments of the present invention. Ignitor device  206  may be configured with a heat source including an electrical heating element  208 . Ignitor device  206  may further be configured with a depressible switch  118  for initiating the electrical heating element  208 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, ignitor device  206  may be configured with its own battery for powering electrical heating element  208 . Alternatively, ignitor device  206  may be powered by battery  204  including any necessary electrical connections.  
         [0057]     As noted above, features and methods of manufacturing a standalone electrically-based ignitor device are known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,636 to Goto, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,157, 5,274,214 and 5,285,050 all to Blackburn and U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,968 to Yamamura. Manufacturing methods for integrating ignitor devices  106 ,  206  with batteries  104 ,  204 , respectively, consistent with the present invention will be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation and, thus, will not be further elaborated on herein.  
         [0058]     In still another embodiment of a battery and ignitor device  100 ,  200 , an electronic receiver may be included and in communication with heating element  80  for receiving a wireless disable signal for disabling heating element  80 . Such a wireless disable feature may be particularly useful in locations where it is desirable to disable the lighter function of the battery and ignitor device  100 ,  200 , e.g., on an airplane or at a gasoline refueling station. The wireless disable signal may be generated by any suitable transmitter, broadcasting, e.g., at a preselected frequency, or according to any suitable wireless communications standard or technology (e.g., CDMA, TDMA, etc.) The implementation of such an electronic receiver for wirelessly disabling the ignitor device is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art and, thus, will not be further elaborated on herein.  
         [0059]     The battery and ignitor devices  100 ,  200  described herein are particularly suitable as a third-party or after market replacement batteries for owners of conventional mobile phones, PDAs and any other mobile communications devices that are configured to be powered by a battery pack that mates with a mechanical and electrical interface  116  as described herein. Alternatively, battery and ignitor devices  100 ,  200  described herein are also suitable as component parts for manufacturers of conventional mobile phones, PDAs and any other mobile communications devices on an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) basis.  
         [0060]     The mobile communications and ignitor device of the present invention is designed to provide a ready heat source for igniting flammable items, such as cigarettes or kindling, as previously described. The device of the present invention may be configured in any number of ways to provide a mobile communications device in conjunction with a safely usable ignitor device, and may include any number of other types of communications devices. For example, other features and embodiments of the mobile communications and ignitor devices may include waterproof, non-corrosive and/or rust-proof components. Thus, reference herein to details of the invention or the illustrated embodiments is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.