PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8170623-B2
Application Number: US-60136106-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Charging arrangement for electronic accessories

Abstract:
An arrangement for charging an electronic accessory (such as a wireless headset) using a docking station that obtains power from at least one of a power port and a data port of an attached electronic device (such as the pairing cellular phone). The docking station provides mechanical support and a convenient storage arrangement for the electronic accessory, as well as power conditioning. In another embodiment, the charging and storage functions for the electronic accessory are provided by a cigarette lighter plug employed to charge the electronic device.

Claims:
1. A charging arrangement for an electronic accessory to a portable electronic device, comprising:
 a vertically un-adjustable plug body having a first end configured to be plugged into a cigarette lighter power port; 
 a first set of conductors within said plug body configured to provide power to said portable electronic device for charging said portable electronic device directly via a continuous wire; 
 an accessory charging port disposed partially within said plug body, said accessory charging port being configured to mechanically, by partially enclosing, laterally receive said electronic accessory when said electronic accessory is plugged into said accessory charging port for charging; and 
 a first set of charging pins disposed at least partially within said accessory charging port for providing power to said electronic accessory when said electronic accessory is plugged into said accessory charging port for charging, wherein said plug body includes a first regulation circuit configured to at least adapt a first voltage level present on said cigarette lighter power port to a second voltage level suitable for charging said electronic accessory, said plug body further includes a second regulation circuit configured to at least adapt said first voltage level present on said cigarette lighter power port to a third voltage level suitable for charging said portable electronic device, wherein said second voltage level is different from said third voltage level and both said second voltage level and said third voltage level being different from a ground voltage level. 
 
     
     
       2. The charging arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said electronic accessory is a headset comprising at least a first transducer configured to convert a first electrical signal into a first audible sound. 
     
     
       3. The charging arrangement of  claim 2  wherein said electronic accessory further includes a second transducer configured to convert a second audible sound into a second electrical signal. 
     
     
       4. The charging arrangement of  claim 3  wherein said portable electronic device represents a cellular phone. 
     
     
       5. The charging arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first regulation circuit is configured to provide a trickle charge to said electronic accessory after said electronic accessory is fully charged, said trickle charge being associated with a trickle current that is lower than a charging current employed to charge said electronic accessory when said electronic accessory is completely discharged.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable electronic devices such as cellular phones may be used with detachable or wireless electronic accessories such as wireless headsets. Such electronic accessories typically need to be charged in order to have sufficient power for normal operation.  FIGS. 1A-C  show conventional arrangements for charging wireless headsets. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an example conventional arrangement in which a headset  112  is charged through a charger  111 . Charger  111  includes, for example, a connector  114  to be plugged into headset  112 , an AC adapter  118  to be plugged into a wall outlet (or an outlet of an extension cable connected to a wall outlet), and a cable  116  connecting connector  114  and AC adapter  118 . 
     In such an arrangement, it is not possible to charge headset  112  when there is no wall outlet nearby, such as when a user of headset  112  is riding a car, or when the user does not carry charger  111  with him/her. Further, after charging headset  112  at a certain wall outlet, a user of headset  112  is typically required to return to the location of the wall outlet to pick up headset  112  and charger  111 . Therefore, much inconvenience, inflexibility, and immobility may be involved in such an arrangement. Still further, AC adapter  118  may be bulky, and cable  116  may be long and prone to tangle. As such, it is typically inconvenient for the user to carry and to handle charger  111 , in addition to carrying and handling another charger for a cellular phone with which headset  112  pairs and works. 
       FIG. 1B  shows another example conventional arrangement in which a headset  122  is charged through a charger  121  and a cradle  120 . Charger  121  includes, for example, a connector  124  to be plugged into cradle  120 , an AC adapter  128  to be plugged into a wall outlet (or an outlet of an extension cable connected to a wall outlet), and a cable  126  connecting connector  124  and AC adapter  128 . Cradle  120  includes, for example, a port to receive connector  124 , conductive contacts to transmit power to headset  122 , and appropriate structural components to mechanically support headset  122  while disposed in cradle  120 . 
     Such an arrangement may provide mechanical support and protection for headset  122  during charging. However, such an arrangement again limits the charging of headset  122  to locations near a wall outlet. Further, cradle  120  represents another bulky component that requires the user to carry and handle if the user wishes to charge headset  122  while away from home. 
       FIG. 1C  shows still another example conventional arrangement in which headset  132  is charged by a computer  140  through a USB cable  131 . USB cable  131  includes, for example a USB connector  138  to be plugged into a USB port  142  of computer  140 , and a connector  132  to be plugged into headset  132 . When connected with headset  132 , computer  140  first establishes a host-client relationship with headset  132  and then transmits power to headset  132 . In such a USB host/client pairing, a USB host and a USB client are typically required, with computer  140  performing the function of the USB host and headset  132  performing the function of the USB client in the example of  FIG. 1C . 
     In such an arrangement, headset  132  cannot be charged when there is no available USB host device such as computer  140  nearby. Further, a USB host device such as computer  140  typically needs to be turned on in order to establish a host-client relationship with headset  132 , and a headset  132  user may be required to wait a significant amount of time for the USB host device to turn on. Still further, if a user charges headset  132  at a USB host device that is not portable or not carried with the user, the user is typically required to return to the USB host device to pick up headset  132 . If no USB host is available, headset  132 , which assumes the role of a USB client in receiving charge from another device in the example of  FIG. 1C , cannot be charged. Therefore, much inconvenience may be involved in such an arrangement. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates, in an embodiment, to a charging arrangement for an electronic accessory to a portable electronic device. The arrangement includes a docking station configured to be coupled with at least one of a power port and a data port of the portable electronic device. The docking station includes a first docking station port having first set of docking station pins for electrically coupling with pins of the at least one of the power port and the data port of the portable electronic device. The docking station also includes an accessory charging port having recess portion adapted to provide mechanical support to the electronic accessory when the electronic accessory is coupled to the docking station to be charged. The docking station further includes a second set of docking station pins configured to electrically couple with pins disposed on the electronic accessory, wherein the electronic accessory is charged by power provided by the portable electronic device through the first set of docking station pins. 
     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a charging arrangement for an electronic accessory to a portable electronic device. The arrangement includes a plug body having a first end configured to be plugged into a cigarette lighter power port. The arrangement further includes a first set of conductors configured to provide power to the portable electronic device for charging the portable electronic device. The arrangement also includes an accessory charging port disposed at least partially within the plug body, the accessory charging port being configured to mechanically receive the electronic accessory when the electronic accessory is plugged into the accessory charging port for charging. The arrangement additionally includes a first set of charging pins disposed at least partially within the accessory charging port for providing power to the electronic accessory when the electronic accessory is plugged into the accessory charging port for charging 
     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a cellular phone system that includes a cellular phone having a first speaker, a first microphone, and cellular phone battery. The cellular phone system also includes a detachable headset comprising at least a second speaker, a second microphone, and a headset battery. The cellular phone system further includes a detachable docking station configured to be coupled with at least one of a power port and a data port of the cellular phone. The docking station includes a first docking station port having first set of docking station pins for electrically coupling with pins of the at least one of the power port and the data port of the cellular phone. The docking station also includes an accessory charging port having recess portion adapted to provide mechanical support to the headset when the headset is coupled to the docking station to be charged. The docking station further includes a second set of docking station pins configured to electrically couple with pins disposed on the headset, wherein the headset is charged by power provided by the cellular phone through the first set of docking station pins, wherein the docking station is configured to be detachably coupled with the cellular phone and wherein the detachable headset is configured to be detachably coupled with the docking station. 
     These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-C  show conventional charging arrangements for charging wireless headsets. 
         FIG. 2  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a charging arrangement for charging a wireless headset. 
         FIG. 3  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a block diagram of a charging arrangement for charging a wireless headset with power from a cellular phone. 
         FIG. 4  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a block diagram of a charging arrangement for charging a wireless headset with power from a cellular phone. 
         FIG. 5  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a schematic representation of a docking station for charging a wireless headset. 
         FIG. 6  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a cigarette lighter charger for charging a wireless headset. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention involve charging arrangements for charging electronic accessories. An embodiment includes a docking station (or an intermediary device) that connects an electronic accessory and a portable electronic device such that the electronic accessory may receive power from the portable electronic device through the docking station. In an embodiment, the docking station includes electronic circuitry configured to condition and to control the power received by the portable electronic accessory. 
     Further, in an embodiment, the docking station includes a recess portion configured to provide mechanical support for and storage of the electronic accessory. As such, the electronic accessory is protected from potential damage and is located with the electronic device for convenient use. 
     Another embodiment includes a charger configured to connect both the electronic accessory and the portable electronic device to a power source. Accordingly, the charger is capable of simultaneously charging both of the electronic accessory and the electronic device. In an embodiment, the charging power comes from a cigarette lighter power port of an automobile. 
     Further, in the embodiment, the charger includes a recess portion configure to provide mechanical support and storage of the electronic accessory. 
     In an embodiment, the electronic accessory is a wireless headset, and the portable electronic device represents a portable communication device such as a cellular phone. 
     The features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the figures and discussions that follow. 
       FIG. 2  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a charging arrangement for charging a wireless headset  220 . Wireless headset  220  represents an electronic accessory usually used in conjunction with a portable electronic device, which is represented by a cellular phone  200 . Wireless headset  220  includes one or more transducers for conversion between audible sounds and electrical signals. For example, wireless headset may include a microphone and/or an earphone. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the charging arrangement includes a docking station  210 . Docking station  210  is configured to be coupled with cellular phone  200 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , docking station  210  is configured to conform to the form factor or the shape of an end of cellular phone  200 . In an embodiment, docking station  210  is configured to be attached to one end of cellular phone  200 . In an embodiment, docking station  210  includes a docking station port (not seen in the perspective angle of  FIG. 2 ) configured to electrically couple with interface  202  of cellular phone  200 . Alternatively or additionally, docking station  210  may include a short cable configured to be coupled with interface  202  as well as a latching mechanism for removably securing docking station  210  onto cellular phone  200 . Through interface  202 , docking station may receive power from the battery and/or a charging circuit of cellular phone  200 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , docking station  210  includes a recess portion  218  adapted to capture and mechanically support at least a portion of wireless headset  220 . Recess portion  218  may provide protection and convenient storage for wireless headset  220 , thereby solving prior art storage and protection problems involving using wireless headsets. 
     For example, wireless headsets are typically disposed in ways that may expose them to risks of loss or damage, given typical delicacy and fragility of the wireless headsets. Specifically, headset users may wear wireless headsets on their ears, hang wireless headsets on their chests using lanyards, or dispose wireless headsets in their pockets or purses. As a result, the wireless headsets may be prone to drop from the ears or pockets or to collide with hard objects such as, for example, a desk in front of a user&#39;s chest or keys in a user&#39;s purse. Further, wearing the wireless headset during face-to-face conversations may be considered improper manner. By storing wireless headset  220  using recess portion  218 , a user may avoid the storage and protection problems. 
     Inside recess portion  218 , docking station  210  includes pins  213  (i.e., conductive contacts) configured to electrically couple with pins  223  disposed on wireless headset  220 . When wireless headset  220  is plugged into recess portion  218 , docking station  210  may receive power from cellular phone  200  and transmit the power, through pins  213  and  223 , to wireless headset  220 , thereby charging wireless headset  220 . Alternatively or additionally, the power coupling between docking station  210  and headset  220  may be accomplished using a charging approach that does not involve actual mechanical contact of electrically conductive pins, e.g., via magnetic coupling. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, when docking station  210  is coupled to cellular phone  200  and wireless headset  220  is plugged into docking station  210 , a pairing relationship between cellular phone  200  and wireless headset  220  is automatically established without a manual configuration process. 
       FIG. 3  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a simplified block diagram of a charging arrangement for charging a wireless headset  320  with power from a cellular phone  300 . Cellular phone  300  includes a power port  302  and a data port  304 , wherein power port  302  is used in the charging arrangement. The charging arrangement includes a docking station  310 . Docking station  310  includes docking station port  312 , which includes pins (or conductive contacts) configured to electrically couple with pins of power port  302 , for receiving power from cellular phone  300 . Typically, power ports of cellular phones only receive input, but do not provide output. Contrarily, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, power port  302  is adapted to provide output from the battery of cellular phone  300  or from the charging circuitry in cellular phone  300 . In accordance with one or more such embodiments, docking station  310  further includes electronic circuitry configured to cause cellular phone  300  to enter a state (e.g., by sending a signal via a data pin of data port  304  or a power pin of power port  302 ) whereby power from a battery in cellular phone  300  is present on at least one pin of power port  302 . 
     Docking station  310  further includes an accessory charging port  316 , which includes pins configured to electrically couple with pins disposed on wireless headset  320 , for transmitting power from cellular phone  300  to wireless headset  320 . As such, wireless headset  320  may be charged with power from cellular phone  300  through docking station  310 . 
       FIG. 4  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a block diagram of a charging arrangement for charging a wireless headset  420  with power from a cellular phone  400 . Cellular phone  400  includes a power port  402  and a data port  404 , wherein data port  404  is used in the charging arrangement. The charging arrangement includes a docking station  410 . Docking station  410  includes a first set of docking station pins  412  configured to electrically couple with pins of data port  404 , for receiving power from cellular phone  400 . In accordance with one or more such embodiments, docking station  410  further includes electronic circuitry configured to cause cellular phone  400  to enter a state (e.g., via a signal provided to one or more pins of power port  402  and/or data port  404 ) whereby power from a battery in cellular phone  400  is present on at least one pin of data port  404 . 
     Docking station  410  further includes a second set of docking station pins  416  configured to electrically couple with pins disposed on wireless headset  420  for transmitting power from cellular phone  400  to wireless headset  420 . As such, wireless headset  420  may be charged with power from cellular phone  400  through docking station  410 . 
       FIG. 5  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a schematic representation of a docking station  510  for charging a wireless headset. Docking station  510  includes an accessory interface  516  configured to electrically couple with the wireless headset and a cellular phone interface  512  for electrically coupling with a cellular phone. Between accessory interface  516  and cellular phone interface  512 , docking station  510  includes electronic circuitry  518  configure to perform power conditioning and actions based on a set of logic. 
     The power conditioning may include one or more of charge regulation, voltage translation, static resolution, and current limiting. A trickle charge function may be provided to trickle charge the wireless headset after the wireless headset is fully charged or is close to being fully charged. The trickle charge may be associated with a trickle current that is lower than a charging current employed to charge the wireless headset when the wireless headset is complete discharged or significantly discharged. 
     The logic may include rules governing conditions of starting and stopping charging the wireless headset. For example, electronic circuitry  518  may be configured to monitor a charge level of a battery of the cellular phone and to stop the charging when the charge level of the cellular phone battery decreases below a certain threshold. Electronic circuitry  518  may also be configured to detect the presence of the wireless headset to begin charging. In this case, if no headset is detected, power is not provided to pins  516  (e.g., via a tri-stating logic circuitry or other suitable power-disconnect circuitry) even if docking station  510  is coupled to the cellular phone in order to prevent accidental shorting between individual ones of pins  516 . 
     Docking station  510  may further include an indicator  513  for indicating status of the charging. The status may include one or more of, for example, the charging is in progress, the charging is completed, and the charging is aborted (such as when the above-mentioned threshold is reached). The indicator may be implemented by, for example, a LED (light emitting diode) that may provide different colors, different levels of intensity, and/or different flashing sequences to represent various conditions. 
       FIG. 6  shows, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a cigarette lighter charger  610  for charging a wireless headset  620 . Cigarette lighter charger  610  includes a plug end  615  configured to be plugged into a cigarette lighter power port, for example in an automobile, for obtaining power. 
     Cigarette lighter charger  610  further includes a connector  612  configured to electrically couple to an interface  602  of cellular phone  600 . When plug end  615  is plugged into a cigarette lighter power port and connector  612  is coupled with interface  602 , cellular phone  600  may be charged with power received from the cigarette lighter power port through conductors of connector  612 . 
     Further, cigarette lighter charger  610  includes an accessory charging port  618 . Accessory charging port  618  is configured to mechanically receive and support at least a portion of wireless headset  620 . Inside accessory charging port  618 , cigarette lighter charger  610  includes charging pins  613  for electrically coupling pins  623  in order to provide power to wireless headset  620 . When wireless headset  620  is plugged into accessory charging port  618  and plug end  615  is plugged into a cigarette lighter power port, wireless headset  620  may receive power from the cigarette lighter power port for charging. Alternatively or additionally, the power coupling between cigarette lighter charger  610  and headset  620  may be accomplished using a charging approach that does not involve actual mechanical contact of electrically conductive pins, e.g., via magnetic coupling. 
     In accordance with one ore more embodiments of the present invention, cigarette lighter charger  610  further includes regulation circuitry. The regulation circuitry may perform power conditioning before the power from a cigarette lighter power port is received by wireless headset  620  and cellular phone  600 , respectively. The regulation circuitry may also perform power conditioning before the power from cellular phone  600  is received by wireless headset  620 . 
     As can be appreciated from the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention provide convenient arrangements for charging electronic accessories such as wireless headsets. Through docking stations in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, wireless headsets may be charged as long as their pairing cellular phones are present and are charged. Since the wireless headsets alone are useless, users are very likely to have the pairing cellular phones with them whenever they would like to charge the wireless headsets. A user may no longer be required to be near a wall outlet or a USB host device for charging a wireless headset. 
     Further, the user may need only one cellular phone charger without the need and burden of an additional headset charger. As such, the down time of the wireless headsets may be minimized. One or more embodiments of the present invention further enable an optimal allocation of charge between a wireless headset and a cellular phone to enable operation of both devices. As such, usability of both of the wireless headset and the cellular phone may be maximized, since the wireless headset is useless without the cellular phone, and use of the cellular phone may be banned without use of a hands free device, for example, during driving. One or more embodiments of the present invention also provide secure and convenient storage for a wireless headset. As such, the wireless headset may be protected from potential damage and loss, and may be easily available when a phone call is to be answered or made. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. The abstract is provided herein for convenience and is not intended to be used to construe or limit the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20061117
Publication Date: 20120501
Grant Date: 20120501
Priority Date: 20061117
Inventors: DOROGUSKER JESSE
NOVOTNEY DONALD JOSEPH
KALAYJIAN NICHOLAS ROBERT
TANG JOHN G.
SANFORD EMERY
HANKEY EVANS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04M1/0258", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/342", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/342", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/6066", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/05", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 39327430