WO2006131663A2 - Device for power charging of a cellular telephone in a public place - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for electric power recharging in a public place of a cellular telephone, the latter being equipped with a battery and a set of contact pads for recharging. Said device comprises a support (1) which bears at least one receptacle (2) for receiving any cellular telephone, and which accommodates means (17) for selectively routing, from a wait zone to a zone for access by the user, of a set of complementary contact pads (3) compatible with the set of contact pads equipping the cellular telephone.

Description

Device for the energy charging of a cell phone hard a public place.

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention is the domain of devices for electric reloading of articles of everyday life, and more particularly cell phones. It relates to such a device for charging at least one cell phone,

State of the art

It is common that the user of a cellular phone uses a device for recharging energy thereof. More particularly, the cellular telephone is equipped with at least one device, such as a battery or the like, of autonomous power supply and rechargeable from the electricity of the network. The energy recharging device comprises a receptacle for receiving the cellular telephone equipped with electrical connection means to the network, means for transforming the network current into a current compatible with that of the battery equipping the cellular telephone, and electrical connection pads between the transformation means and pads fitted to the cell phone battery when the latter is installed inside the receptacle. Usually, the receptacle is arranged to position the cell phone so that its introduction into the receptacle spontaneously causes the connection between the pads of the recharging device and those of the cellular phone.

A problem for users lies in the battery life of the cell phone, often insufficient. It appears to users the need to have permanently reloading device, which is cumbersome, and the difficulty of finding access to the distribution network, especially when the user is in a public place. In addition, the user can not have his cell phone when it is installed in the receptacle, being recharged.

Object of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to propose a device for recharging the energy of at least one cellular telephone, which facilitates the possibility for the user to make his cell phone available with regard to his autonomy in energy and with regard to its use. in the case where it is being recharged in energy.

The device of the present invention is a device for recharging electrical energy of at least one cellular telephone, the latter being equipped with a set of connection pads in connection with an autonomous device, such as a battery or the like, of storage in electrical energy. Said set of pads is intended to cooperate with a set of complementary pads (3) that includes the charging device. The latter comprises means for transforming (4) the electrical energy of the network (5) into an energy compatible with that of any cellular telephone in relation to a plurality of sets of said complementary pads (3) respectively compatible with the specific studs of any cell phone. These provisions are such that a user can use the charging device for his cell phone regardless of the specificity of its operating voltage and the organization of its set of connection pads.

According to the present invention, such a charging device of at least one cellular telephone is mainly recognizable in that it comprises a support which carries at least one receptacle for the reception of any cell phone, and which houses means for selectively routing a set of complementary pads among said games from a waiting zone to an access zone by the user. More particularly, an access zone to a set of complementary pads is provided in the vicinity of the receptacle, and the device is equipped with a PLC to route a set of additional pads required by the user to the access area.

Thanks to these provisions, the user has in the public place a convenient device for use in reloading his cell phone, with the advantage of dispensing with taking with him his own charging device and with the advantage of to be able to dispose at any time and for a duration at its convenience, according to its occupations, means of reloading energy of its cell phone. For example, the user who has the obligation to park in a public place, such as a workplace, a meeting place, a shop or a transit place, such as a station or an airport, has the option of using the recharging device of the invention for recharging its cell phone.

The electrical connection between the recharging device and the cellular telephone is facilitated, from the use of a receptacle for installing the cell phone and an easy selection of a set of complementary matching pads to use. In addition, these provisions do not preclude the ability of the user to use his cell phone while he is charging energy.

It should be noted that the sets of complementary pads are related to the transformation means, regardless of the means of transformation assigned to them respectively, and to transformation means which are common to them.

Said selective routing means include means for transferring any of the sets of complementary pads from the waiting zone to the access zone, the implementation of these transfer means is placed under the control of means of selection by the user of a game of additional studs required. These selection means are in particular arranged in a control panel, composed of a plurality of control members, such as buttons or the like, assigned to a cellular phone of a defined type. These selection means are preferably installed on the support in the vicinity of said receptacle.

Preferably, the transfer means comprise a body mounted on a chassis between an initial position waiting for the implementation of the transfer means, and an access position in which the set of complementary pads required is placed in the access area. This body carries the sets of complementary pads and is operable between its positions of waiting and access by motor means, the implementation of which is placed under the control of control means in relation to the selection means.

According to an advantageous embodiment, aimed at limiting the size of the device, the body is arranged in a turret rotatably mounted on the chassis and operable in rotation by first motor means between its standby and access positions. These provisions are such that the body conveys a set of complementary pads required from the waiting zone preferably wrapped by the frame to the access area located outside the frame, particularly in the vicinity of the receptacle.

The control means comprise, in particular, means for detecting the angular position of the turret, in order to cause the turret to rotate from any position identified by the sensor to the required position in which the corresponding set of complementary pads is placed towards the zone d 'access.

According to a preferred embodiment, the access zone is delimited by an opening formed through the support and / or a chassis housing the selective conveying means, out of which opening emerges the set of complementary pads required. The turret is also movable in translation on the frame by second motor means, between an intermediate retracted position and the access position. In the intermediate position of withdrawal, the turret is set back from the access zone, in which position the set of complementary pads required is maintained inside the support and / or the frame, facing the zone of access. In the access position, the turret is moved in translation to bring out the required set of additional pads out of the support and / or frame, through the opening in the support and / or the frame in particular.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the turret associates at least a first plate in relation to a rotary shaft operable by the first motor means, and at least a second plate carried by the first plate and operable in translation by second motor means. This second plate is itself carrying complementary sets of pads.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cabling for linking sets of complementary pads with said transformation means is mounted on retractor mechanisms. These mechanisms are assigned to the wiring of each set of complementary pads, so that they allow a distance of the set of complementary pads beyond the access area to allow the user to connect his cell phone to the game. additional studs required. At the end of use, the retractor mechanism causes the winding of the wiring and the storage on the body of the set of complementary complementary pads.

Preferably, the reel mechanisms and the transformation means are mounted rotating on the chassis via the first motor means. More particularly, the reels and the transformation means are carried by at least a third plate itself carried by the rotary shaft. The device, and more particularly the support, is capable of comprising a plurality of receptacles. These arrangements allow the recharging of a plurality of cell phones simultaneously.

The device advantageously comprises means for prohibiting the removal of a cell phone installed in the receptacle by an unauthorized person. These provisions are intended to allow the user to install his cell phone on the charging device, and to go about his business without risk of theft or degradation thereof. In addition, these means of prohibition are likely to be used to protect the charging device against vandalism, including when no cell phone is installed thereon,

Said prohibition means are for example constituted by a panel, such as a hinged door on the support, lockable lock. This panel is movable between a retracted position in which access to the receptacle at least is allowed, and a closed position in which the panel conceals access to the receptacle, or even access to the entire support for further protect the device against acts of vandalism,

The locking means of the lock are in particular of the key type, the maneuver is for example of the mechanical type, magnetic type, electronic type code or token type, coin or the like. Such a key is likely to be entrusted to a host person or a hostess.

According to an alternative embodiment, the implementation of the prohibition means is placed under the control of payment means, such as a coin mechanism, or a payment device with a magnetic or electronic card. These provisions are intended, where appropriate, to allow access to the cell phone by the user after payment of a sum, in particular in connection with the duration of the reloading. The support is for example arranged in a panel, such as a wall panel or the like. The support may constitute the front face of the device and may be arranged as a decorative element, while being carried by a housing housing the transformation means. and said cabling when the corresponding sets of complementary pads are not used. In the case where the support is a wall panel, the housing is advantageously received in a recess in the wall, or similarly in a chassis with a base, such as a terminal.

It will be noted that as referred to above that the support is likely to be installed on a frame to charging, such as a terminal or a station installed in a public place of circulation, such as a corridor or a reception room and / or reception.

Description of the figures.

The present invention will be better understood, and details will arise from reading the description which will be made of embodiments in connection with the figures of the attached plates, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device of the present invention, according to a first embodiment.

Fig.2 and Fig.3 are perspective illustrations respectively of different embodiments of a device of the present invention. Fig.4 is a schematic representation of the device shown in Fig.3. Fig.5 to Fig.7 are schematic representations of a device of the present invention according to an example of an automated embodiment, which successively illustrates its operating modes.

On fιg, 1, a device for recharging energy of cellular phones is intended to be installed in a public place. Such a device is more particularly intended to allow users to recharge their cell phone during a waiting period, such as when they are in a room. transit zone, station or airport, in a waiting room or at a shopkeeper's, such as a hairdresser.

It is recalled that cell phones are commonly equipped with a battery in connection with pads for their connection to a power source for reloading. It is also recalled that in practice, the arrangement of these pads is specific to each of the cell phone manufacturers, or even the different models that these manufacturers offer.

The device comprises a generally planar support 1, such as formed of a panel or the like. This support 1 is provided at its front face with a plurality of receptacles 2 for receiving a respective cell phone. Near the receptacles 2, but independently of these, are arranged different electrical connection pads 3 complementary to those of different types of cell phones. The user can therefore place his cell phone on a receptacle 2 and connect it to the complementary pads 3 that he chooses from those that are available on the support 1, depending on the specificity of the arrangement of the pads of his phone cellular. To allow such a connection, the complementary pads 3 are extractable from the support 1, to allow their removal beyond the latter and their connection to the pads of the cell phone placed in the receptacle 2, the complementary pads 3 are in relation with means 4 for transforming the energy of the network 5 into electrical energy compatible with cellular telephones. This linking is performed by means of a wiring 6 assigned to the complementary pads 3, to allow their removal beyond the support 1 without breaking their connection with the transformation means 4.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the support 1 comprises on its front face information 7 vis-à-vis the complementary pads 3, to indicate to the user which are compatible with the pads of his cell phone. On the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the base of the receptacles 2 is advantageously openwork. It is recalled that commonly the pads of cell phones are placed at the base of the latter, and that the formation of a window at the base of the receptacles 2 allows the passage of the wiring 6 and complementary pads 3.

The device further comprises a panel 8 articulated on the support 1 at its end face, to prevent access by an unauthorized person to a cell phone installed on a receptacle 2. This panel 8 is preferably transparent, as formed to from glass, polymethacrylate or similar material, material to allow visual access to the support 1 and the possible presence of a cell phone. This panel 8 is lockable in the closed position on the support 1, by means of a lock 9. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the implementation of this lock 9 is of the mechanical type. key, while on the embodiment shown in Fig.3, the implementation of the lock 9 is of the type implementing a mechanism 10 token or rnoππayeur. In this case, the lock is capable of implementing magnetic means for plating the panel 8 against the support 1. It will also be noted that this panel θ, in the locked position, constitutes means of protecting the device against Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the device is incidentally equipped with an indicator light 11 for indicating whether or not the device has been used by a cellular telephone.

In FIG. 2, the support 1 is a wall support intended to be integrated into a wall or the like. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the support 1 is intended to be carried by a frame with a base 12, which advantageously comprises a shelf 13 enabling the user to comfortably install his cellular telephone on the support 1, without having cluttered hands.

In FIG. 4, the casing of the frame 12 advantageously accommodates the transformation means 4. The wiring 6 connecting the complementary pads 3 to the transformation means 4 are in relation with the electrical connection members 14 of this wiring 6 with the means of FIG. transformation 4, In FIGS. 5 to 7, the device is provided with an automaton for conveying the sets of complementary pads 3 from a waiting zone situated inside the frame 12 to an access zone in which an set of complementary studs 3 required by the user is made accessible to him. This access zone is for example formed from an opening 15 formed through the frame 12, to emerge the sets of complementary pads 3. This controller comprises means for selectively routing the complementary pads 3 from the zone d waiting for the access zone. These selective routing means associate means 16 for selection by the user of a set of complementary pads 3 meeting his needs, and means 17 for transferring the set of complementary pads 3 required, which has been selected by the user. user. The selection means 16 are installed on the support 1, in the vicinity of the receptacle 2 receiving the cell phone of the user.

The selection means 16 consist in particular of a plurality of control buttons 18 respectively assigned to a type of cellular telephone.

The transfer means 17 comprise a body 19 arranged in a turret, which is mobile in rotation on itself and in translation. The mobility of the turret 19 is placed under the control of control means 20, in relation with the selection means 16 and an angular position sensor 21 of the turret 19. The turret 19 is rotatably mounted on the frame 12, and is driven in rotation by a first motor member 22, electric motor in particular. With the position dθ sensor 21, the implementation of the first motor means 22 is controlled to route a set of complementary pads 3 from any waiting zone to the access area.

In an intermediate position shown in FIG. 5, the set of complementary pads 3 required by the user is set back from the access zone, and more particularly under the opening 15 formed through the frame 12 on the exemplary embodiment illustrated. The turret 19 is also movable in translation through second motor means 23, such as an electric or pneumatic cylinder, the implementation of which is placed under the control of the control means 20. On the embodiment example illustrated, the turret 19 is more particularly mainly composed of two plates 24 and 25, a first plate 24 is rotatably mounted via a rotary shaft 26 engaged with the first motor means 22. This first plate 24 carries a second bearing plate 25 itself carrying sets of complementary pads 3. This second plate 26 is mounted to move in translation on the first plate 24 via the second motor means 23, When the turret 19 is placed in angular position required by the control means 20, in the intermediate position, the second motor means 23 are implemented to lift the second plate 25 relative to the first plate 24, and make emerge the set of additional pads 3 required by the user out of the frame 12 to the access area, through the opening 15 as shown in Fig.6. In this position, the set of complementary pads 3 required is accessible by the user, who can seize the game and connect it to his cell phone from a pull on the wiring 6, as shown in FIG. 7 ,.

The wiring 6 for connecting the sets of pads complementaryô 3 with the transformation means 4 is mounted on the reel mechanisms 27. Each cable 6 assigned to a set of complementary pads 3 is equipped with a respective reel 27. When the user has finished using the service offered by the device, it releases the set of complementary pads 3 and the winder 27 assigned to the corresponding cable 6 routes it to the waiting position on the turret 19.

The reels 27 and the transformation means 4 are preferably carried by third trays 28 mounted on the rotary shaft 26, to be rotated jointly with the turret 19. According to the number of sets of complementary pads 3 that the device comprises , and to reduce clutter radial of the latter, the reels 27 and the transformation means 4 can be carried by a plurality of third plates 28 superimposed.

Claims

claims 1.- device for recharging electrical energy of at least one cell phone, the latter being equipped with a set of connection pads in connection with an autonomous member, such as a battery or the like, for storing electrical energy, said set of pads being intended to cooperate with a set of complementary pads (3) that comprises the recharging device, the latter comprising means for transforming (4) the electrical energy of the network (5) into an energy compatible with that of any cell phone in relation to a plurality of sets of said complementary pads (3) respectively compatible with the specific pads of any cell phone, so that a user can use the charging device for his cell phone which that is the specificity of its operating voltage and the organization of its set of connection pads, characterized in that it comprises a s upport (1) which carries at least one receptacle (2) for receiving any cell phone, and which houses means (17) for selective routing of a set of complementary pads (3) among the said games from a waiting area to an access area by the user. 2, - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (17) for selective routing comprise transfer means (19,22,23) of any of the sets of complementary pads (3) from the zone waiting to the access area, the implementation of these transfer means (19,22,23) being placed under the control of selection means (16) by the user of a set of complementary pads ( 3) required. 3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the selection means (16) are installed on the support (1) in the vicinity of said receptacle (2). 4.- Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the transfer means (19,22,23) comprise a body (19) mounted to move on a frame (12) between an initial position of waiting for implementation implementation of the transfer means (19,22,23), and an access position in which the set of complementary pads (3) required is placed in the access area, said body (19) carrying the sets of pads complementary (3) and being operable between its positions of waiting and access by motor means (22,23), the implementation of which is placed under the control of control means (20) in relation to the means of selection (16). 5.- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the body is arranged in turret (19) rotatably mounted on the frame (12) and operable in rotation by first motor means (22) between its waiting positions and d access, for conveying a set of complementary pads (3) required from the waiting area wrapped by the frame (12) to the access area located outside the frame (12), in the vicinity of the receptacle (2), 6.- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means (20) comprises means (21) for detecting the angular position of the turret (19). 1 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the turret (19) is further movable in translation on the frame (12) by second motor means (23) between an intermediate position of withdrawal in which the turret (19) ) is set back from the access area, and said access position. 8.- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the turret (19) associates at least a first plate (24) in relation to a rotary shaft (26) operable by the first motor means (22), and at least one second plate (25) carried by the first plate (24) and operable in translation by second motor means (23), this second plate (25) being itself carrying sets of complementary pads (3). 9.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cabling (6) for relating the sets of complementary pads (3) with said transformation means (4) is mounted on retractor mechanisms ( 27) assigned to the wiring (6) of each of the sets of complementary pads (3). 10.- Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the winding mechanisms (17) and the tran $ formation (4) are rotatably mounted on the frame (12) via the first motor means (22) . 11, - Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the reels (27) and the transformation means (4) are carried by at least a third plate (28) itself carried by the rotary shaft (26). 12.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for prohibiting removal of a cell phone installed in the receptacle (2) by an unauthorized person. 13, - Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said means of intordiction consist of a panel (8) lock (9) verroυillable, which is movable between a retracted position in which the access to the receptacle (2) at least is allowed, and a closed position in which the panel (8) hides the access to the receptacle (2). 14.- Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking means of the lock (9) are of the key type, 15.- Device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the implementation of the prohibition means is placed under the control of payment means (10). 20.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (1) is arranged in a panel. 21. ^ Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (1) is installed on a frame with base (12).