Patent ID: 8080975

Claim:
A portable and universal hybrid-charging apparatus for a portable electronic device comprising a modular hybrid-charger assembly operably connected to a device holder, wherein, the modular hybrid-charger assembly comprises: a rechargeable internal battery connected to a port operable to function as a tetherless connection to a portable electronic device; a power management engine embodied in a computer readable medium and operable to identify power input to the hybrid-charger assembly, set an input current limit to the charger assembly, detect the status of the internal battery, provide charge where required, or a combination thereof; and an untethered solar energy source; and, the device holder comprises: a framework operable to receive, hold, and release the portable electronic device; and an alignment mechanism that facilitates a mating of the portable electronic device with the hybrid-charger assembly by aligning a connector port of the portable electronic device with a complementary connector port of the hybrid-charger assembly on a translational platform of the hybrid charger assembly and then translating the portable electronic device on the translational platform to mate the connector port of the hybrid charger assembly with the complementary connector port of the portable electronic device; and wherein, the modular hybrid-charger assembly comprises a form factor that is interchangeable and operable with each of several different device holder form factors; and the portable and universal hybrid-charging apparatus is operable by a user while mobile.