WO2007095954A2

WO2007095954A2 - An electrical apparatus for charging electrical devices

Info

Publication number: WO2007095954A2
Application number: PCT/DK2007/000091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Von Scholten
Original assignee: Von Scholten Management Group Aps
Priority date: 2006-02-27
Filing date: 2007-02-27
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: WO2007095954A3; EP1996992A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus providing charging of an electrical device when the electrical apparatus is not in operation and the use thereof. Accordingly, an electrical apparatus is provided, having a first state for operation of the electrical apparatus and a second state for non-operation of the electrical apparatus, wherein the electrical apparatus has a function additional to charging and comprises a cabinet accommodating a power supply port for supplying power to the electrical apparatus, and at least one external port for supplying an electrical device. The at least one external port of the electrical apparatus may be powered when the electrical apparatus is in the second state.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR CHARGING ELECTRICAL DEVICES

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus providing charging of an electrical device when the electrical apparatus is not in operation and the use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years there has been a growing activity in the field of small portable electrical devices, such as portable music players, headsets for mobile phones, PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones, cameras, etc. Typically, these small portable devices contain a rechargeable battery having a limited capacity and thus requiring frequent recharging. The small portable electrical devices often come with an adapter for recharging of the device by plugging the adapter into a wall socket. Efforts have been made to reduce the number of necessary adapters. US 6,741 ,064 describes a portable cell phone charging system with multiple transformers connected to converters that are capable of supplying different operating voltages corresponding to various devices. Today, many small portable electrical devices are provided with a standard plug to facilitate recharging of the device from other electrical apparatus, e.g. personal computers, without the need of an adapter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recharging of small electrical devices is often needed at times, e.g. during the night, when electrical apparatus are not in operation.

Accordingly, an electrical apparatus is provided, having a first state for operation of the electrical apparatus and a second state for non-operation of the electrical apparatus, wherein the electrical apparatus has a function additional to charging and comprises a cabinet accommodating a power supply port for supplying power to the electrical apparatus, and at least one external port for supplying an electrical device. The at least one external port of the electrical apparatus may be powered when the electrical apparatus is in the second state.

The second state of the electrical apparatus is to be understood as the state, where the electrical apparatus does not perform its intended task. Thus the present invention provides convenient charging or supply of small electrical devices at times when the electrical apparatus is not in operation or turned off, e.g. during the night, thus avoiding the need to turn on the electrical apparatus or keep the electrical apparatus turned on to be able to recharge the small electrical device. Furthermore the need for separate charge devices for small electrical devices is eliminated.

The electrical apparatus comprises a first external port supplying a first voltage signal in the second state of the electrical apparatus. Preferably, the first external port also supplies the first voltage signal in the first state of the electrical apparatus. The first external port may be a standard port, such as a USB-port, a Molex connector with 3 or 4 pins, or any other suitable connector or port. The first voltage signal may be AC or DC in the range from about 0.5 V to about 50 V, such as in the range from about 2 V to about 30 V, preferably about 3.3 V, about 5 V, about 12 V, or about 24 V. Preferably, the first external port is a USB-port and the first voltage signal is 5 V DC.

The at least one external port may comprise a second external port supplying a second voltage signal in the second state of the electrical apparatus. The second external port may also supply the second voltage signal in the first state of the electrical apparatus. The second external port may be a standard port, such as a USB-port, a Molex connector, or any other suitable connector/port. The second voltage signal may be AC or DC in the range from about 0.5 V to about 50 V, such as in the range from about 2 V to about 30 V, preferably about 3.3 V, about 5 V, about 12 V, or about 24 V. Preferably, the second external port is a USB-port and the second voltage signal is 5 V DC.

An external port is accessible from the outside of the cabinet. The first external port may in an embodiment of the present invention be adapted to supply a plurality of voltage signals, such as a first voltage signal and a third voltage signal, in the second state of the electrical apparatus.

The second external port may in an embodiment of the present invention be adapted to supply a plurality of voltage signals, such as a second voltage signal and a fourth voltage signal, in the second state of the electrical apparatus.

The third voltage signal and/or the fourth voltage signal may be AC or preferably DC in the range from about 0.5 V to about 50 V, such as in the range from about 2 V to about 30 V, preferably about 3.3 V, about 5 V, about 12 V, or about 24 V.

The first voltage signal, the second voltage signal, the third voltage signal and/or the fourth voltage signal may be negative, such as -3.3 V, -5 V, -12 V, or -24 V.

Preferably, power, such as 110 V AC, 230 V AC, 12 V DC, or 24 V DC, is supplied to the power supply port, e.g. by connection to the electric supply mains. The power supply port may be connected to the electric supply mains via an adapter. The power supply port may be any suitable standard plug, connector or port used for powering the electrical apparatus.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply port is connected to a power supply unit (PSU) in the electrical apparatus. The PSU may be connected to and adapted to provide power to different units in the electrical apparatus via internal power lines. The internal power lines may supply internal power signals, typically about ±3.3 V, ±5 V, ±12 V, or ±24 V.

The electrical apparatus according to the invention may comprise a battery terminal for accommodation of a battery unit. The battery terminal may be connected to the power supply port of the electrical apparatus for charging of a battery unit accommodated in the battery terminal. The electrical apparatus may be adapted to power the at least one external port with power from a battery connected to the battery terminal, when the electrical apparatus is in the second state and disconnected from a mains supply.

The electrical apparatus may comprise a control unit for control of the electrical apparatus. The control unit may comprise a microprocessor. One or more data lines may connect the control unit and the at least one external port for charging thereby enabling exchange of data between the electrical apparatus and an electrical device in the first state of the electrical apparatus. A data line may be adapted to supply one or more signals including one or more control signals and/or one or more data signals. In an embodiment of the present invention, a data line connects the PSU and the control unit to enable the control unit to control the function of the PSU, e.g. enable or disable internal power signals.

The at least one external port may comprise one or more external ports that are integrated in the PSU. A data line connecting the PSU and the control unit may be adapted to supply data to an electrical device connected to the one or more external ports integrated in the PSU in the first state of the electrical apparatus.

Further, the electrical apparatus may comprise at least one port device comprising one or more ports, such as parallel ports and/or serial ports, for connection of external units, such as a monitor, a printer, headphones, a keyboard, etc. The at least one port device may provide wired and/or wireless connection with external units. The at least one port device may form an integrated part of the control unit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one external port for supplying an electrical device forms an integrated part of the at least one port device. The port device may be powered directly from the PSU and/or from the control unit. The electrical apparatus according to the invention may have one or more additional states, such as a third state for standby (sleep state) for reduced power consumption. The electrical apparatus may be adapted to power the at least one external port when the electrical apparatus is in the third state. Preferably, the electrical apparatus is adapted to power the at least one external port regardless of the state of the electrical apparatus when the electrical apparatus is connected to a mains supply.

One or more data lines may be provided between different units in the electrical apparatus. The one or more data lines may each supply one or more data signals and/or control signals. Preferably, the electrical apparatus is adapted to exchange data with an electrical device that is connected to at least one external port in the first state for operation of the electrical apparatus. The data may be any electronic data, such as data files, e.g. multimedia files with music, pictures, and/or video, E-mails, spreadsheet files, word processing files, data for synchronizing calendars, and/or data programs. The electrical apparatus according to the present invention may be used for charging an electrical device, in particular portable music players, headsets for mobile phones, PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones, cameras, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an electrical apparatus according to the present invention, Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an electrical apparatus according to the present invention, and

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the back of an electrical apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following, the same reference number denotes the same elements in the different embodiments of the figures, and elements that are explained in connection with one figure are not necessarily explained further in connection with other figures. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a personal computer 1, PC, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The PC 1 has a first state for normal operation of the computer and a second state for non-operation of the PC. The PC comprises a cabinet 2 having external ports for connection of one or more external units, such as joystick, keyboard, monitor, printer, headphones, mouse, microphone, webcam, speakers, scanner, etc. The PC comprises a power supply unit 4 with a power supply port 6 for supplying power to the PC, a first external port 8 and a second external port 10 for supplying, e.g. charging, an electrical device, wherein the first external port 8 and the second external port 10 are powered when the PC 1 is in the second state. Further, the PC 1 comprises a control unit 12 comprising a microprocessor 14, and the PC 1 includes a memory unit 16 and a disc drive 18. In one embodiment of the present invention, the disc drive 18 may be omitted. Data lines 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 connect the control unit with the first external port 8, the second external port 10, the memory unit 1 , the disc drive 18, the PSU 4, and a port device 32, respectively. The PSU 4 provides power to the different units via internal power lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 49. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the first external port 8 and the second external port 10 are USB-ports. The port device 32 comprises one or more ports, such as parallel ports and/or serial ports, for connection of external units. The port device may form an integrated part of the control unit. The function of the PSU 4 is controlled over data line 28.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates another embodiment of an electrical apparatus according to the present invention. In the electrical apparatus 100, the first external port 8 and the second external port 10 are integrated in the port device 32. The internal power line 40 provides power to the first external port 8 and the second external port 10, when the electrical apparatus is in the second state. The electrical apparatus 100 and an electrical device connected to the first external port 8 and/or the second external port 10 may exchange data via data line 30 in the first state of the electrical apparatus.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates another embodiment of an electrical apparatus 200 according to the present invention. The laptop 200 shown in Fig. 3 comprises a battery terminal 50. The battery terminal 50 is adapted to accommodate a battery 52 that is charged and discharged via internal power line 54. The laptop 200 is adapted to charge the battery 52 when main power is supplied to the power supply port 6, regardless of the state of the laptop 200. In case the main power is interrupted or disconnected, the battery 52 supplies power to the different units of the laptop in the operating state or first state. If the laptop 200 is in the second state, the off state, the laptop is adapted to power the first external port 8 and the second external port 10 with power from the battery 52 connected to the battery terminal 50, thereby enabling charging of a small electrical device when the laptop 200 is shut down. In one embodiment, the electrical apparatus 200 is adapted to power the first external port 8 and the second external port 10 in the second state of the electrical apparatus 200 only if main power is supplied to the power supply port 6.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates another embodiment of an electrical apparatus 300 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the first external port 8 and the second external port 10 are integrated in the PSU 4. The electrical device and an electrical device connected to the first external port 8 and/or the second external port 10 may in the first state of the electrical apparatus exchange data via data line 28.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the back of an electrical apparatus according to the invention. In this embodiment, a first external port 8 is integrated in the PSU 4. The first external port 8 is an USB port supplying a 5 V power signal when the electrical apparatus is in its second state. A port device 32 comprises a plurality of connectors or ports 80 for connection of different external devices.

According to the invention, the electrical apparatus comprises electrical apparatus having a first state for operation and a second state for non-operation of the electrical apparatus, such as a PC, a television, a DVD-player, game consoles, monitor, etc.

Claims

1. An electrical apparatus having a first state for operation of the electrical apparatus and a second state for non-operation of the electrical apparatus, wherein the electrical apparatus has a function additional to charging and comprises a cabinet accommodating a power supply port for supplying power to the electrical apparatus, and at least one external port for supplying an electrical device, wherein the at least one external port is powered when the electrical apparatus is in the second state.

2. An electrical apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one external port comprises a first external port supplying a first voltage signal in the second state of the electrical apparatus.

3. An electrical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first external port supplies a plurality of voltage signals in the second state of the electrical apparatus.

4. An electrical apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one external port comprises a second external port supplying a second voltage signal in the second state of the electrical apparatus.

5. An electrical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second external port supplies a plurality of voltage signals in the second state of the electrical apparatus.

6. An electrical apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a battery terminal for accommodation of a battery.

7. An electrical apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electrical apparatus is adapted to power the at least one external port from a battery connected to the battery terminal when the electrical apparatus is in the second state and disconnected from the mains supply.

8. An electrical apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical apparatus in the first state is adapted to exchange data with an electrical device connected to the at least one external port.

9. An electrical apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical apparatus comprises a power supply unit comprising the power supply port for supplying power to the electrical apparatus and the at least one external port for supplying an electrical device.

10. Use of an electrical apparatus according to any of the preceding claims for charging an electrical device.