GB2606533A

GB2606533A - Charging mobile devices

Info

Publication number: GB2606533A
Application number: GB2106674.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Glyndwr Parry Michael
Original assignee: Wearable Technology Ltd; Wearable Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Wearable Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-11
Filing date: 2021-05-11
Publication date: 2022-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-11
Also published as: GB2606533B

Abstract

Apparatus and method for charging and cooling a plurality of mobile devices, with multiple mechanical supports to retain a respective mobile device. A power supply supplies electricity to each mobile device e.g. via an electrical connector. A plenum chamber 1502 is defined by a front panel 1202, and rear, bottom, top, first side and second side panels, and the mechanical supports extend from the front panel. The plenum chamber supplies cooling air towards each of the retained mobile devices. Air is directed from above 1503 and below 1502 the plenum chamber; in one embodiment the air is directed by respective upper fans 1506 and lower fans 1513. The front panel includes openings 1504 for supplying cooling air 1505 towards each mobile device. The mobile devices may be control units connectable to a loom within an industrial garment.

Description

Charging Mobile Devices

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging a plurality of mobile devices. The present invention also relates to a method of charging a plurality of mobile devices.

In some environments, it is desirable to charge many mobile devices from a central unit. In addition, the central unit may be provided with communication systems, allowing communications to take place while charging.

When charging a single device of this type, heat dissipation is minimal and ambient conditions usually provide sufficient levels of cooling to prevent the device becoming overheated. However, when many devices of this type are collected together in a relatively confined space, the total heat dissipation becomes noticeable and experiments suggest that a degree of forced cooling is required. A difficulty then arises in terms of ensuring that each device under charge receives a sufficient flow of cooling air.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for charging a plurality of mobile devices as set out in claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of charging a plurality of mobile devices as set out in claim 11.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows operatives working in a hazardous environment; Figure 2 shows a control unit retained within an external pouch; Figure 3 shows a control unit being removed from an internal pocket of an industrial garment; Figure 4 illustrates a control unit having been removed from an internal pocket; Figure 5 shows the detachment of a loom from the control unit identified in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an example of a loom; Figure 7 details a section of the loom shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows light emitting assemblies; Figure 9 details a light emitting assembly; Figure 10 shows a peripheral-device connector; Figure 11 shows a peripheral-device connector extending from the surface of an industrial garment; Figure 12 shows an apparatus for charging mobile devices; Figure 13 details a mechanical support of the type identified in Figure 12; Figure 14 shows a side view of the apparatus identified in Figure 12; Figure 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus identified in Figure 14; Figure 16 shows a rear view of the apparatus identified in Figure 12; Figure 17 illustrates upper fans; Figure 18 illustrates lower fans; Figure 19 shows the apparatus of Figure 12 with mobile devices retained thereon; Figure 20 shows a schematic representation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 19; Figure 21 details part of the apparatus shown in Figure 19; Figure 22 shows the removal of an identification tag from a side cabinet; Figure 23 shows the attachment of a control unit to a loom prior to deployment; and Figure 24 shows an example of a peripheral device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 Operatives are shown in Figure 1, working in a hazardous environment.

Each operative wears an item of clothing, that may be considered as an example of an industrial garment, such as a jacket 101, that includes a mobile device, in the form of a control unit, along with a hazard sensor 102. The present invention may be deployed with general-purpose commercially available mobile devices. In addition, as described with reference to this particular embodiment, the mobile devices may take the form of specifically designed units, such as a control unit or hub, deployed within an industrial garment and configured to work substantially within a network environment. These may be identified as a personal area network, communicating over the item of clothing itself, a local area network, in which a team of operatives working together mutually communicate and a wide area network in which communications are made to a base station.

In the example shown in Figure 1, a mobile device, in the form of a control unit, is retained within an internal pocket of the jacket 101. An alternative arrangement will be described with reference to Figure 2. The item of clothing includes a loom of conducting cables connected to a plurality of light-emitting devices and peripheral device connectors, for data transmission in accordance with a loom protocol. An example of a loom will be described with reference to Figure 6.

The control unit, when connected to a loom, communicates with the hazard sensor 102. The hazard sensor has a hazard sensing device, a loom connector and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive hazard data from the hazard sensor in accordance with hazard-sensor protocols and transmit the hazard data to the control unit in accordance with a loom protocol, as described in GB 2 017 726 and US 17/097, 038 assigned to the present applicant.

The item of clothing shown in Figure 1 is a jacket but other items of clothing could be deployed, usually of a type worn on the upper torso. Thus, the item of clothing may take the form of a vest, of the type described with reference to Figure 3, or a harness etc. In this embodiment, the item of clothing also includes light-emitting devices 103 connected to the loom and configured to be illuminated in response to power and data received from the connected control unit, as described in US 10,161,611 assigned to the present applicant.

Many types of hazard sensor may be deployed, with many sensors of this type becoming available at substantially reduced costs by the deployment of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). This facilitates the deployment of substantially more detectors of this type within a particular environment. An example of a sensor will be described with reference to Figure 24.

Figure 2 As an alternative to a control unit being retained within an internal pocket, it is also possible for a control unit to be retained within an external pouch 201, as shown in Figure 2 and as described in GB 19 10 696 assigned to the present applicant.

In this example, the pouch 201 includes a window 202 through which a visual display 203 of a control unit can be viewed.

Figure 3 An alternative industrial garment is shown in Figure 3, taking the form of a vest 301. The vest is constructed from a fluorescent material, with light reflective strips 302. In addition, the vest includes light emitting devices 303 that receive power and data from a control unit when said control unit is retained in an internal pocket. Thus, to initiate a charging operation, the control unit is removed from its internal pocket.

Figure 4 An example of a control unit (or hub) 401 is shown in Figure 4. The control unit 401 has been removed from an internal pocket of the vest 301 and is connected to a loom 402 via a loom connector 403. The loom connector may be of the type described in GB 19 04 576 assigned to the present applicant.

Figure 5 After removing the control unit 401 from an internal pocket, as described with reference to Figure 4, the loom connector 403 is removed from the control unit 401 as shown in Figure 5. It is now possible for the control unit 401 to be located within a charging station; allowing the device to be recharged in readiness for its next deployment.

In an embodiment, the charging station includes interface devices of a substantially similar configuration to the loom connector 403, as described with reference to Figure 13.

Figure 6 An example of the loom 402 identified in Figure 4 is illustrated in Figure 6, prior to deployment within an industrial garment. The loom connector 403 is permanently attached to the loom 402. The loom 402 includes electrical conductors for conveying power and data to devices connected to the loom, as detailed with reference to Figure 7.

In this example, loom portions 601, 602 and 603 connect a first interface circuit 611, to a second interface circuit 612, to a third interface circuit 613 and to a fourth interface circuit 614. The interface circuits may include permanently attached light emitting diodes, possibly with each interface circuit having three diodes of this type, as described with reference to Figure 8. Alternatively, the interface circuits may include peripheral-device connectors, as described with reference to Figure 10.

Figure 7 The first loom portion 601 is detailed in cross-section in Figure 7. A first conductor 701 and a second conductor 702 are twisted together to form a first twisted pair 703. In addition, a third conductor 713 and a fourth conductor 714, form a second twisted pair 715 A woven material 716 surrounds the first twisted pair 703 and the second twisted pairs 715. A line of stitching 717 is applied between the first twisted pair 703 and a second twisted pair 715, that ensures that the two twisted pairs are separated and retained within their own respective conduits. The twisting of the wires, as described with reference to Figure 7, substantially enhances the mechanical durability of the loom, thereby reducing the risk of damage occurring during washing cycles for example. In an embodiment, the first twisted pair 703 may convey power and the second twisted pair 715 may convey data. Thus, the twisting of the wires for carrying data also assists in terms of cancelling induced electrical noise Further details of the loom configuration are described in GB 2 017 758 (P239) assigned to the present applicant.

Figure 8 In an embodiment, the four interface circuits 611 to 614 may be constructed together on a block, after which a cutting operation is performed to define loom connected devices, as illustrated in Figure 8.

In this embodiment, cuts have been performed to define a first strip 801, a second strip 802, a third strip 803 and a fourth strip 804. The cutting operation also results in the removal of a first discard portion 811 and a second discard portion 812.

Figure 9 Individual loom connected strip 801 is shown in Figure 9. Moulded silicone rubber on the upper surface has been obscured by a strip cover 901.

In this embodiment, the strip cover 901 is attached to the strip by a first row of stitching 911 and a second row of stitching 912. Further details of this fabrication are described in GB 1 915 596 (P235) assigned to the present applicant.

Figure 10 In addition to connecting light-emitting devices, as described with reference to Figure 8 and Figure 9, it is also possible to attach peripheral device connectors, as shown in Figure 10. A rigid component 1001 of a peripheral device connector extends through an orifice 1002 of a silicone rubber cover. In this embodiment, an outer cover 1003 is also provided that includes a similar orifice 1004.

The peripheral device connector presents a circular surface 1005 which, when deployed, lies substantially parallel with the outer surface of the garment. The circular surface 1005 includes a plurality of concentric electrical contacts to provide electrical connection to peripheral devices, an example of which is described with reference to Figure 24. Further details of connectors of this type are described in GB 2 569 816, assigned to the present applicant.

Figure 11 A further item of industrial clothing is shown in Figure 11, taking the form of a vest 1101. The vest 1101 is constructed from a fluorescent material 1102 with light reflective strips, including a first light reflective strip 1103. A peripheral device connector 1104, of the type described with reference to Figure 10, extends from conductive strip 1103, with the loom of twisted wire pairs being retained behind.

In this example, an assembly 1105 of light-emitting devices 1106 is also attached to the light reflective strip 1104 and electrically connected to the loom.

In an embodiment, it is possible for a control unit to directly attach to the peripheral connector 1104. Thus, removal of the control unit for charging purposes may involve disconnecting it from a peripheral device connector, removing it from an internal pocket for disconnection or removing it from an external pouch for disconnection, as described with reference to Figure 2.

Figure 12 An apparatus for charging mobile devices is shown in Figure 12. The apparatus includes mechanical supports 1201, that may also be identified as holsters, for retaining the mobile devices. In this example, it is possible for a total of one hundred mobile devices to be charged simultaneously, configured in an array of ten rows and ten columns.

The apparatus, providing a charging station, has a front panel 1202. A plenum chamber is defined by the front panel 1202, a rear panel, a bottom panel, a top panel, a first side panel and a second side panel. Thus, the mechanical supports 1201 extend from the front panel 1202.

To achieve appropriate levels of cooling, lower fans direct air upwards into the plenum chamber. In addition, upper fans direct air downwards into the plenum chamber and the front panel 1202 includes openings for supplying cooling air towards each of the retained mobile devices.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the apparatus includes a storage compartment 1203 for storing identification tags, possibly deploying RFID protocols. These tags are used to personalize a selected control unit after a charging operation has been completed, as described with reference to Figure 22 and Figure 23.

In the apparatus shown in Figure 12, an additional storage drawer 1204 is provided which, in addition to providing additional storage for spare control units for example, also enhances the overall stability of the apparatus. In this way, it is possible for the apparatus to be moved within a working environment, facilitated by the provision of castors 1205.

Figure 13 Mechanical support 1201 is detailed in Figure 13. The mechanical support 1201 includes a holster 1301 and an upper support 1302. An electrical connector 1303 extends from the upper support 1302 and is mechanically configured to be substantially similar to a loom connector, such as loom connector 403 described with reference to Figure 5. In this embodiment, four front panel openings 1304 are provided for supplying cooling air towards a respective retained mobile device when located within the holster 1301.

The mechanical support 1201 also includes a first contact region 1311 and a second contact region 1312. The contact regions 1211, 1212 are provided for displacing a retained mobile device away from the front surface of the front panel to facilitate the flow of air around the back of the device when retained. In this way, it is not possible for the mobile device to develop hotspots while being charged.

Figure 14 A side view of the apparatus described with reference to Figure 12 is shown in Figure 14. In addition to being defined by the front panel 1202, a plenum chamber is also defined by a rear panel 1401, a bottom panel 1402, a top panel 1403, a first side panel 1404 and a second side panel, on the opposite side to the first side panel 1404.

Figure 15 A schematic cross-sectional side view of the apparatus is shown in Figure 15, in an orientation substantially similar to that shown in Figure 14. To provide cooling air, lower fans direct air upwards, in the direction of arrow 1501 into a plenum chamber 1502. In addition, upper fans direct air downwards, in the direction of arrow 1503, into the plenum chamber 1502. The front panel 1201 includes openings 1504 for supplying cooling air towards each retained mobile device, in the direction of arrows 1505. In an embodiment, upper fans 1506 are located in the top panel 1403.

The first side panel 1404 defines a side panel width, as indicated by arrows 1506. As indicated by arrow 1507, the bottom panel 1412 extends forward beyond the side panel width 1506. This extension provides stability and allows the apparatus to be supported by the castors 1205 to facilitate relocation within an operational environment.

In the embodiment of Figure 15, a base panel 1508 is located above the bottom panel 1412 to define a storage void 1509. In an embodiment, a storage drawer 1510 is located within the storage void 1509.

In an embodiment, a back plate 1511 of the storage drawer 1510 is angled to define an air deflection plane. The back panel 1401 includes an air intake 1512 substantially at the position of the air deflection plane 1511. For this embodiment, lower fans 1513 are located above the air deflection plane 1511.

Figure 16 A rear view of the apparatus described with reference to Figure 12 is shown in Figure 16, with the rear panel 1401 removed. The rear surface of the front panel 1201 is shown, with openings as described with reference to Figure 17. A first power supply 1601 and a second power supply 1602 supply charging electricity to each charging location for deployment via a respective interface 1204. In the embodiment, each control unit is charged at five-point-one volts and typically receives up to one amp of charging current during a charging operation that may take several hours. With one hundred control units undergoing a charging operation simultaneously, the total power requirement is approximately five hundred watts and it is appreciated that a significant proportion of this will dissipate as heat.

Data communication is provided by means of an ethernet router 1603, configured as a switch that has a unique SSID. In this way, it is possible for the charging control units to connect with an external support station, as described with reference to Figure 20, allowing the control units to receive updates while in their charging mode. Thus, in an embodiment, the router 1603 communicates via a local physical ethernet connection or wirelessly via an antenna 1605. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the router is also provided with a cellular connection, using a second antenna 1606.

Lower fans 1611 are provided for directing air upwards into the plenum chamber. Upper fans 1612 direct air downwards into the plenum chamber.

Figure 17 Upper fans 1612 are detailed in Figure 17. In this embodiment, the upper fans comprise a first upper fan 1701, a second upper fan 1702, a third upper fan 1703 and a fourth upper fan 1704, thereby giving a total of four fans. However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may have fewer fans or more fans in this upper location. Furthermore, similar levels of air flow may be achieved by increasing the size of the fans when fewer fans are present or increasing their velocity.

In this embodiment, each fan is one hundred-and-nineteen millimetres across and has a power rating of between ten and twenty watts. The router 1603 is also shown in Figure 17.

Figure 18 Lower fans 1611 are detailed in Figure 18. In this embodiment, they consist of a first lower fan 1801, a second lower fan 1802, a third lower fan 1803 and a fourth lower fan 1804. Thus, in this embodiment, four fans are again provided and, in an embodiment, they may be substantially similar to the upper fans 1612.

The first power supply 1601 and the second power supply 1602 are also shown in Figure 18.

Figure 19 The apparatus described with reference to Figure 12, for charging mobile devices is shown in Figure 19, with mobile devices retained in place for charging purposes. Power supplies 1601/1602 supply charging electricity to each retained mobile device and the plenum chamber, defined by the front panel, rear panel, bottom panel, top panel, the first side panel and the second side panel.

The front panel includes openings for supplying cooling air to each retained mobile device, including a first mobile device 1901, a second mobile device 1902 and a third mobile device 1903. In this embodiment, each mobile device is in the form of a control unit connectable to a loom within an industrial garment.

Region 2100 is shown in greater detail in Figure 21.

Figure 20 A schematic representation of the apparatus described with reference to Figure 19 is shown in Figure 20. The first control unit 1901 is shown restrained, along with the second control unit 1902, the third control unit 1903, a fourth control unit 2004, a fifth control unit 2005 and a sixth control unit 2006, etc. As previously described, in the embodiment, a total of one hundred control units may be charged within the apparatus. Typically, a charging station may provide charging facilities for between eighty and one-hundred-and-twenty mobile devices.

Charging power is received from the power supplies, including the first power supply 1601. The router 1603 provides two-way communication between the control units, including the third control unit 1903, and external equipment via an Internet connection.

The lower fans 1611 direct air upwards, as indicated by arrow 2001.

Similarly, upper fans 1612 direct air downwards in the direction of arrow 2002.

Figure 21 As shown in Figure 21, the power supply units, including power supply unit 1601, receives mains electricity via a mains socket 2101. In addition, a physical ethernet connection is made possible via an ethernet socket 2102.

Figure 22 An embodiment facilitates a method for charging mobile devices, including mobile control units for industrial garments. Each control unit, such as the third control unit 1903, is retained within a mechanical support, with each mechanical support extending from the front panel 1201 of a plenum chamber, further defined by the rear panel, the bottom panel, the top panel, the first side panel and a second side panel. Air is directed from an upper position downwards into the plenum chamber and air is further directed from a lower position upwards into the plenum chamber. Cooling air is then supplied to from the plenum chamber to each retained mobile device via one or more openings in the front panel.

At the start of the next operational period, the control units will have been fully charged and may have communicated with a base station. Upon initiating the charging process, any specific data relating to a particular operative or to a particular item of equipment will have been deleted, therefore all of the control units will be in a substantially similar state awaiting new deployment. Consequently, upon starting an operational period, any operative may select any of the available control units.

In an embodiment, after being selected, the control unit receives data identifying the particular operative who has made the selection and then goes on to receive data relating to any peripheral equipment that may be selected. As shown in Figure 22, the side cabinet 1203 is opened and an operative takes out their own allocated RFID tag. Thus, the embodiment supports the method of removing an identification tag from a cabinet extending from the side of the plenum chamber, detaching a charged control unit from a respective mechanical support and pairing the removed tag with the detached control unit by bringing the tag and the control unit into close proximity.

Figure 23 In this example, an operative has selected, possibly at random, the third control unit 1903. In addition, as described with reference to Figure 22, the operative has taken their allocated identity tag and upon removing the third control unit 1903, this control unit is activated, effectively taking it from its charging mode, to set up procedures at the start of an operational mode.

An RFID reader within the control unit becomes active, such that it is in a position to activate the RFID transponder. As a consequence of this, as an RFID transponder 2301 is brought into close proximity with the third control unit 1903, as shown in Figure 23, an association is performed and the third control unit retains details of the operative with whom the control unit will be working.

Figure 24 In addition to associating the control unit with the identification tag, as described with reference to Figure 23, the control unit may also be associated with a peripheral device, possibly of the type shown in Figure 24. In an embodiment, this further associating step comprises pairing the control unit with the peripheral device in accordance with Bluetooth protocols. It is then possible for wireless communication to take place between the control unit and the peripheral device in addition to or as an alternative to communication via the loom. Alternatively, other approaches may be taken to achieve this association, possibly involving an identification of alphanumeric characters or the scanning of a barcode or a QR code etc. The peripheral device 2401 shown in Figure 24 is configured to measure ambient sound levels. Similar devices are known for detecting gases and radiation etc. In addition, other types of peripheral device made be deployed, such as cameras for recording still images or moving video material. It is possible for peripheral devices to receive power from the loom described with reference to Figure 6. Alternatively, or in addition, peripheral devices may be provided with local power supplies. These local power supplies may also receive charging current from the loom. Furthermore, as described in GB 2 553 777, assigned to the present applicant, it is possible for the functionality of a peripheral device to change after detachment from the loom.

After all necessary pairings have taken place, the control unit is attached to a wiring loom within an industrial garment, effectively reversing the procedure described with reference to Figure 5. In addition, the peripheral device 2401 is also attached to a peripheral-device connector extending from an external surface of an industrial garment, such as peripheral-device connector 1104.

After attachment to the loom, the connected control unit may be returned to an internal pocket, effectively performing the reverse process to that described with reference to Figure 3 or it may be returned to an external pouch, of the type described with reference to Figure 2.

Claims

CLAIMSThe invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for charging a plurality of mobile devices, comprising: a plurality of mechanical supports, wherein each said mechanical support is arranged to retain a respective mobile device; a power supply arranged to supply charging electricity to each retained mobile device; and a plenum chamber, defined by a front panel, a rear panel, a bottom panel, a top panel, a first side panel and a second side panel wherein: said mechanical supports extend from said front panel; lower fans direct air upwards into said plenum chamber; upper fans direct air downwards into said plenum chamber; and said front panel includes openings for supplying cooling air towards each said retained mobile device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mobile devices are control units connectable to a loom within an industrial garment.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said loom includes: a first twisted pair of wires for transferring electrical energy; and a second pair of twisted wires for transmitting data.
4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each said mechanical support includes contact regions for displacing a retained mobile device away from a front surface of said front panel.
5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said upper fans are located in said top panel.
6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein: said bottom panel extends forward beyond the width of said side panels.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a base panel located above said bottom panel to define a storage void.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, comprising a storage drawer located within said storage void.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: said storage drawer includes a back plate; said back plate is angled to define an air-deflection plane; said back panel includes an air intake substantially at the position of said air-deflection plane; and said lower fans are located above said air-deflection plane.
10. The apparatus of any of claims Ito 9, comprising: four lower fans; and four upper fans.
11. A method of charging a plurality of mobile devices, comprising the steps of: retaining a said mobile device in a mechanical support, wherein said mechanical support extends from a front panel of a plenum chamber further defined by a rear panel, a bottom panel, a top panel, a first side panel and a second side panel; directing air from an upper position downwards into said plenum chamber; further-directing air from a lower position upwards into said plenum chamber; and supplying cooling air from said plenum chamber to said retained mobile device via one or more openings in the front panel.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said mobile device is a control unit, and further comprising the step of detaching said control unit from a loom forming part of an industrial garment prior to said retaining step.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of removing the control unit from a pocket or pouch prior to said detaching step.
14. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising the steps of: removing an identification tag from a cabinet extending from a side of said plenum chamber; detaching a charged control unit from a respective mechanical support; and associating said removed tag with said detached control unit in response to bringing said tag and said control unit into close proximity.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein: said identification tag includes an RFID device; and said associating step comprises the step of said charged control unit reading data from said RFID device.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of further associating said control unit with a peripheral device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said further associating step comprises pairing said control unit with said peripheral device in accordance with Bluetooth protocols.
18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising the step of attaching said associated peripheral device to a peripheral-device connector extending from an external surface of said industrial garment.
19. The method of any of claims 11 to 18, further comprising the step of attaching said control unit to a wiring loom within an industrial garment.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of locating an attached control unit within a pocket or pouch of the industrial garment.