(12) Unlted States Patent
`Sorias et al.
`
`(10) Parent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,712,486 B2
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`US008712486B2
`
`(54) DETACHABLY INTEGRATED BATTERY
`CHARGER EOR MOBILE CELL PHONES
`
`AND LIKE DEVICES
`
`_
`(75) IIR/emersi YeOShlla SOrlaS, Breeklyn, NY GIS);
`Max Moskowitz, Kew Gardens Hills,
`NY (Us)
`
`.
`~
`.
`(73) Asslgnee. Yeoshua Sorlas, Brooklyn, NY (US)
`
`( * ) Not1ce:
`
`~
`
`~
`
`~
`
`~
`
`~
`
`Sublect to any d1scla1mer, the term ofth15
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 175 days.
`
`7/ 1998 Tsang
`5,780,993 A
`5,838,554 A * 11/1998 Lanni ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 363/ 141
`6,091,611 A
`7/2000 Lanni
`6,184,652 B1 *
`2/2001 Yang ........................... .. 320/110
`
`..
`2/2001 Feng-Jung ..
`6,191,553 B1 *
`1/2007 Lee et a1. .................... .. 320/114
`7,166,987 B2 r
`2/2009 Simoes et al.
`7,489,952 B2
`2002/0142812 A1 10/2002 Goodman
`2004/0036449 A1
`2/2004 Bean et al.
`2005/0195089 A1
`9/2005 Shomali
`2011/0159930 A1
`6/2011 Garrett et al.
`
`2013/0052871 A1
`
`2/2013 Eklind
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report for corresponding International Appli
`cation No. PCTÃJS2012/021021 mailed on May 29, 2012.
`International Search Report for corresponding International Appli
`cation No. PCT/US2012/021021 mailed on Jul. 16, 2013.
`Oflìce Action mailed Sep. 13, 2013 in corresponding U.S. Appl. No.
`13546307'
`
`(2l) Appl. No.; 13/3485066
`
`(22) FiledI
`
`(65)
`
`Jam 11 2012
`s
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0178506 A1
`
`Jul. 12, 2012
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/432,050, ñled on Jan.
`12, 2011.
`
`Primary Examiner ? Lewis West
`Assistant Examiner ? Richard Chan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm ? Ostrolenk Faber LLP
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H04M1/00
`(52) U_S_ Cl,
`USPC ....................... .. 455/575.1; 439/ 131; 439/172
`(58) Field 0f Classilìcation Search
`UsPC .............................. .. 455/5751, 439/131, 172
`See application ñle for Complete Search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A cell phone charger comprises a main body having embed
`ded therein a charging circuit configured to receive line AC
`voltage and to convert it to a DC voltage suitable for charging
`the mebile device AC Prengs feld im@ the body in a StOWed
`position and a connection structure formed integrally with the
`main body grasps onto and holds the charger secured to the
`cell phone device. ln a preferred embodiment, the AC prongs
`pivot independently and lie flat against an outside surface of
`the main body.
`
`5,628,641 A
`5,648,712 A *
`
`5/1997 Hahn
`7/1997 Hahn .......................... .. 320/111
`
`16 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`54
`
`56
`
`_- 68
`
`~ 74
`
`? 72
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 0f 7
`
`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`20
`
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`
`FIG. 2 (PRIOR ART)
`
`22
`
`26
`
`38
`
`FIG. 2A (PRIOR ART)
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`sheer 2 0f7
`
`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`54
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`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`sheer 3 0f7
`
`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`«Lm/66 764;(¿51
`
`72 66
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`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 0f 7
`
`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`TO PHONE
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`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 5
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`sheer 5 0f7
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`US 8,712,486 B2
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`182
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`180
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`
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 29, 2014
`
`sheer 6 0f7
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`US 8,712,486 B2
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`68
`
`66
`
`102
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 7
`
`

`

`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`1
`DETACHABLY INTEGRATED BATTERY
`CHARGER FOR MOBILE CELL PHONES
`AND LIKE DEVICES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi
`sional Patent Application No. 61/432,050 filed on Jan. 12,
`2011 by Yeoshua SORIAS, entitled DETACHABLY INTE
`GRATED BATTERY CHARGER FOR MOBILE CELL
`PHONES AND LIKE DEVICES; Which is incorporated
`herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is generally directed to a battery
`charger and, more particularly, to a battery charger for cell
`phones and like mobile devices Which is constructed to be
`detachably integrated With the body of the cell phone, With
`minimal alteration of the cell phone’s Weight and/or dimen
`sions.
`The present invention is rooted in the inspired realiZation
`by the present inventors that the explosive and unrelenting
`adoption by hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people of
`the cellular cell phone as the primary communication device,
`requires reneWed focus on its charger circuitry and on the
`method and approach to charging cell phones, PDAs, and
`mobile communication devices generally.
`Personal computing and communication devices such as
`the familiar cell phone, or the digital communication devices
`such as the famous Blackberry® and similar devices have
`been uniquely designed to be hand-held. They generally have
`a box-like, rectangular shape With a specific height, Width and
`thickness dimensions that vary from device to device. The
`Width of the typical cell phone is generally in the range from
`4 to 7 centimeters or even 8 cm, With a height of approxi
`mately 10 cm and a thickness on the order of from 7 to 20 mm.
`These devices are provided, as a rule, With a charging port
`in the form of a small connector Within a Wall socket measur
`ing on the order of 2 to 3 mm in depth and about 7 mm in
`length. In a typical application, users are provided With sepa
`rate charging devices, Which consist of a charger body from
`With an AC electrical plug With a pair of prongs that can be
`inserted into an AC Wall socket carrying 115v or 220v, and a
`long cable Which terminates in a diminutive charging plug
`Which can be inserted into the charging socket ofthe portable
`cell phone or like device. Such chargers are sometimes pro
`vided With a charger body Which is designed to fit into an
`automobile 12 volt (or similar) DC poWer source, Which
`poWer source is then converted to a voltage Which is compat
`ible With the voltage and current requirements of the particu
`lar mobile device.
`Carrying around these charging devices is bothersome and
`annoying. Men typically carry their mobile devices either in
`their pockets or tethered to their belts. They do not typically
`lug around bothersome chargers, Which they usually keep
`either on their ofiice desks or at home. With Women, the
`situation is a bit easier because they often carry their portable
`cell phones in their handbags, Which provide more space to
`also store the battery charger. But the annoyance still remains
`because the long cable and the charger do not lend themselves
`to easy and neat keeping in a pocket or in a handbag. All too
`often, men and Women find themselves in situations Where
`their cell phone is about to become fully discharged With no
`convenient means of charging them.
`
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`2
`To the present inventor’s knoWledge, the prior art has not
`conceived of and has certainly not provided a means Which
`alloWs the mobile device to incorporate Within its body or be
`mechanically integrated With a charging device Which
`becomes part of the cell phone, and Which alloWs the electri
`cal plug to be sWung out from Within the cell phone and to be
`directly inserted into an 115/220 volt AC Wall socket.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery
`charger for mobile electronic devices Which is configured to
`be detachably attached, in a manner Which alloWs it to
`become an integrated part of the cell phone itself Without
`unduly increasing the siZe or overall dimensions of the cell
`phone device.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide battery
`charger body Which is shaped and configured to snap onto the
`back of a cell phone, hugging the cell phone body tightly, like
`a bottom cover, and Which has integrated therein the charger
`Which adds only a minimal amount to the thickness ofthe cell
`phone.
`It is yet another object of the invention to provide a same
`type of charger Which can be flush With either the length and
`Width of the cell phone or one Which extends from the right
`side or left side or the top or bottom dimensions of the cell
`phone and Which has an integrated charger therein With an
`electrical plug that can be sWung out from its body in a
`manner that alloWs its direct insertion into a conventional
`electrical AC socket.
`The foregoing and other objects of the invention are real
`ized by means of a charger which has a main body with a
`charging circuit embedded therein, Wherein the charging cir
`cuit is configured to receive a line AC voltage and to convert
`it into a DC voltage suitable for charging a mobile device, as
`Well as AC prongs foldable into the main body in a stoWed
`position and pivotable out of the main body in an operable
`position. A connection structure is formed integrally With the
`main body in a manner Which alloWs it to extend from the
`main body and in a configuration Which alloWs the connection
`structure to grasp onto and hold the charger secured literally
`integrally to the mobile device for Which it is intended. In
`addition, a charger plug is integrally formed With the charger
`and located on the charger such as to alloW the charger plug to
`be inserted into a charging port of the mobile device, so that
`the charger is essentially substantially permanently con
`nected physically and electrically With a mobile device during
`the use of the mobile device, alloWing the AC prongs to be
`positioned in an operable position for charging a mobile
`device While the mobile device is in use.
`In accordance With other features of the charger, its main
`body is a generally flat body With a substantially uniform
`thickness dimension, Where the thickness is on the order of 4
`to 25 mm, preferably less than about 12 mm or even more
`preferably less than about 8 mm, as compared With the length
`and Width dimensions, Which are on the order of several
`centimeters, for example, about 5 cm in Width and 10 cm in
`length.
`In one embodiment, the connection structure comprises
`left and right resilient holding panels Which grasp the side
`Walls of the mobile device and have large cutouts to avoid
`obstructing any electrical switches or buttons of the mobile
`device. Also preferably, the AC prongs are folded along the
`Width or the length, With the thickness dimension of the
`prongs being received in a trough formed in the main body of
`the charger so that the prongs penetrate only a distance of 2 or
`3 mm into the main body.
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 8
`
`

`

`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`3
`In other embodiments, the connection structure is formed
`as the removable back cover ofthe mobile device and utilizes
`the built-in connection mechanism of the mobile device.
`Other features and advantages ofthe present invention will
`become apparent from the following description ofthe inven
`tion which refers to the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective of a typical hand-held mobile com
`munication device, illustrating its overall rectangular shape
`and comparative dimensions and component layout.
`FIG. 2 is a back view of the mobile device of FIG. 1 with
`cover partially removed, exposing the internal battery and
`mechanism for attaching the cover.
`FIG. 2A provides a view of the back side of the cell phone
`cover of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective of the present invention showing a
`cell phone jacket with a main body in which is located a
`charging circuit and with side panels designed to snap around
`and hold onto the side walls of the handheld mobile commu
`nication device of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3A shows a rear view of the charger jacket of FIG. 1,
`with AC power prongs folded flush with the back body sur
`face ofthe charger.
`FIG. 3B shows the rear view of the charger jacket of FIG.
`3A with the prongs in an operable position.
`FIG. 3C shows structural details of operation ofthe prongs.
`FIG. 3D shows an alternate embodiment of the folding
`mode of the AC prongs.
`FIG. 3E shows the AC prongs of FIG. 3A, with a vertical
`orientation.
`FIG. 3F shows theAC prongs of FIG. 3E located on the side
`panel.
`FIG. 4 is a circuit and layout diagram ofthe charging circuit
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 4A and 4B provide examples of internal circuits of
`the charging circuit.
`FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the charger
`jacket of FIG. 3, showing a charging body with an attachment
`panel which replaces the conventional cover of the mobile
`device shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 6 shows a further charger circuit embodiment which,
`like FIG. 5, is provided along the top ofthe mobile device, so
`as to provide a longer cell phone and charger combination,
`while maintaining the thickness dimension of the mobile
`device.
`FIG. 7 shows an automobile charging accessory for the
`charger of FIGS. 3-6 of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 shows a board layout for the invention, which also
`serves as a heat sync for dissipating energy.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic of a cell phone belt clip housing a
`charging circuit.
`FIG. 9A is a left side view of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 9B is a right side view of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 10 shows a cell phone jacket designed to be hooked
`onto the belt clip of FIG. 9.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`60
`
`With reference to FIG. 1, shown therein is a conventional,
`handheld mobile device 10, which may be any cell phone
`device, such as the now popular iPhone® line of phones, or
`the phones provided by the many other manufacturers in the
`field, including the Blackberry®. The communication device
`10 of FIG. 1 has a generally rectangular shaped body 11 with
`
`65
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`4
`dimensions as mentioned before and with a front panel fea
`turing a display 12 and a keyboard 14. Of course, the device
`10 may be of the type having a touchscreen, instead of a
`keyboard. Along the sides are various controls and connec
`tors, including, for example, an audio output connector 16
`and an interface circuit which also serves as a charging port
`18, and various on/off switches 20 and other controls.
`Turning to FIG. 2, in typical fashion, the mobile device 10
`has a backside 22 with a removable panel or cover 24, which
`is typically released by pressing a release button 26, which
`allows the cover 24 to slide in grooved channels 28, 30, to
`expose a tightly packed compartment, including a battery 32.
`As is well known and also as shown in both FIG. 2 and FIG.
`2A, the backside ofthe cover 24 has tongues 34 with catches
`36, as well as a lock catch 38. When that cover 24 is placed
`facing down and in registrations with the slots 40 in the main
`body of the mobile device 10, it fits in and can slide until its
`catch 38 is caught and locked in the catch bar 27, which bar
`can be released by pressing the button 26.
`Turning to FIG. 3, in order to avoid tampering with the
`mobile device 10 (and so possibly compromising warranties
`and/or to simplify its use), the invention provides a jacket
`style charger unit 50 which has the general configuration of a
`jacket with a back panel 52 which has a thickness of several
`millimeters and in which is embedded the charging circuit
`described below, or like charging circuits. The generally flat
`back panel 52 of the charger jacket 50 is flanked by left and
`right hugging panels 54, 56 which are inwardly curved, resil
`ient and designed to either allow the mobile device 10 to be
`slid therebetween, or to be forcefully snapped onto the back
`side ofthe mobile device 10 and grasp and hold the side walls
`13, 15 ofthe mobile device 10 (FIG. 1). To avoid blocking or
`obstructing access to the various controls typically found on
`the sidewalls 13, 15 and along the top ofthe mobile device 10,
`the resilient panels 54, 56 are largely cutout and have only
`several joining ribs for rigidity, which allow full access to the
`electrical connectors, switches and ports.
`Alternatively, instead of the resilient panels, one may use
`straps, for example, rubber straps by which the charger is held
`to the phone body.
`In addition, the charger jacket 50 of FIG. 3 also has a
`connector 60 which provides a male plug which routes the
`charging signals into the charging connector 18 (FIG. 1). In
`use, the connector 60 is aligned with the socket 18 and then
`the charger 50 is swung from the other side, whereby a direct
`connection is made between the charging circuit 62 (de
`scribed below) and the internal battery 12 of the mobile
`device 10 for the purposes of the charging thereof.
`Turning to FIG. 3A, the rear of the charger jacket 10 is
`shown to have a shallow trough 64 a few millimeters deep,
`e.g., 2-4 mm, in which lie folded down the righthand side and
`lefthand side, AC prongs 66, 68 which are mounted inside the
`trough or recess 64 flush with the outer surface 70. Also
`shown is a miniature on/off switch 75, whose function shall
`be described immediately below. Each of the AC prongs 66
`and 68, is designed to pivot around a respective longitudinally
`extending axis 72, 74 at its base, whereby each prong can be
`swung out from the body and extended out in a manner shown
`in FIG. 3B. To maintain the prong position perpendicular to
`the body of the jacket charger 50, a bottom of the prong is
`shown to have a pointed, generally rectangular, detent 76,
`which when the prong is swung out, snaps into an underlying
`recess (not shown) which allows the prong to reliably holds its
`perpendicularposition. The side ofthe detent 76 also serves to
`maintain each prong flat against the flat bottom ofthe trough
`64, in the stowed position. As shown, the AC prongs 66, 68
`pivot in opposite directions, e.g., to the left and to the right.
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 9
`
`

`

`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`5
`However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily
`recognize that they can have a length which is equal to
`approximately the separation therebetween and they both can
`pivot to the right or both can pivot to the left and a mechanism
`may be provided to slide a lever that lifts both of them simul
`taneously and similarly stows both of them simultaneously.
`When the jacket charger 50 is mounted on the cell phone
`10, it enables the cell phone to be easily carried around and
`held in one’s hand, with only about 5 mm or so being added
`to the thickness of the mobile device 10, which does not
`detract from the comfort of carrying the mobile device
`around, while providing the peace of mind and convenience
`of being able to recharge the cell phone at any time by simple
`plugging into any AC wall socket (and while simultaneously
`even using the device). The detent mechanism 96 of FIG. 3C
`can be configured so that the distal ends of the prongs are
`more spaced apart (compared to at the base), but held resil
`iently in a manner which allows the AC plug to tightly grab
`the wall AC socket while supporting the weight ofthe mobile
`device 10.
`ln FIG. 3D, the AC prongs 66, 68 are oriented such that
`their common pivoting axis 78 is coextensive and the width
`dimension ofthe prongs fits inside the jacket. ln this embodi
`ment, it is naturally so that the thickness of the jacket would
`be somewhat increased, which in certain embodiments, may
`not pose or present any drawback. ln other words, the two
`prongs pivot together and their width dimension lies in the
`thickness dimension of the charger body. Also, as a further
`alternative, the plug in FIG. 3D is not pivotal within the cutout
`in the body, but is rather connected to the charging circuit via
`a shortAC cable 79 which measures less than 5 inches, so that
`the plug can be retrieved and inserted in an AC wall socket in
`situations where it might be difficult for the body of the
`charger to lie flush against the wall socket.
`ln FIG. 3E, the two pivoting axes 72, 74 of the prongs 66,
`68 are oriented to extend along the width ofthe charger jacket
`50, with the prongs oriented along the length ofthe device to
`provide an even greater space for the prongs, increasing the
`length thereof where necessary. ln FIG. 3F, the prongs, 66, 68
`are located on the side panel 56, for increasing ease of con
`nection to anAC wall socket and avoiding entirely covering or
`obstructing access to said wall power socket.
`Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is the typical arrange
`ment, whereby a charging circuit 80, such as shown in FIG.
`4A, is embedded in the back panel of the charger 50, and
`connected at one end to terminals 82, 84 for receiving the hot
`and ground terminal inputs from the AC prongs 66, 68 previ
`ously described and for outputting at the other end thereof, a
`DC voltage at plug 60, which voltage is slightly higher than
`the battery’s 32 nominal voltage, in order to effect the charg
`ing function, in well known fashion.
`FIG. 4A illustrates a typical prior art design of a charging
`circuit 80. Thus, the AC input 82 can be provided to a circuit
`block 84 which may represent either, according to one design,
`just a connector block, or, according to another design, a
`rectifying circuit, which could be a half wave or a full wave
`AC rectifier, to produce a positive voltage at the input 86 into
`the control circuit 88. ln accordance with another embodi
`ment, the block 14 represents a transformer which steps down
`the 115 or 220 volt AC input to a lower magnitude AC voltage
`suitable for the charging circuit 80, via a diode (not shown).
`The charging circuit 80 comprises, as is well known, the
`mentioned control circuit 88, which repetitively turns on and
`off and also controls the duty cycle of a power switch 90
`which allows just the right amount of electrical charge to pass
`to charge capacitor 92. The charging current is smoothed by
`an inductor 94 which charges the capacitor 92, maintaining
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`the necessary low DC voltage at the output 96 ofthe charging
`circuit, which voltage is fed to the battery 32, via the blocking,
`forward biased diode 98. The output ofthe capacitor 96 is also
`fed back to the control circuit 88 to provide a closed loop for
`voltage control purposes. The diode 99 provides a current
`path for the back EMF of the inductor 94. The foregoing is
`just a representative charging circuit, and an example of the
`dozens of such circuits widely known in the art. The design
`can use a buck converter, various DC to DC schemes and
`operate at extremely high frequencies to reduce the dimen
`sion of a transformer (used for AC isolation) if needed. A DC
`to DC circuit portion can be provided before or after the
`transformer or even at both locations, as should be readily
`apparent to one skilled in designing low voltage, DC output
`power supplies. An example circuit is illustrated in FIG. 4B.
`This charging circuit 180 uses a forward converter 182, which
`generates a smaller DC voltage for the AC-DC converter 184.
`Thus, an AC source 186 drives a transformer 188 which is
`turned on and off at a high rate, for example, on the order of
`100 kHz (or even at a megahertz rate) in order to realize a
`small sized transformer, generating a burst of AC power
`pulses which are rectified by the diode 190. The capacitor 191
`stores a DC voltage across resistor dividers 192, 193. The
`voltage between the resistor dividers is tapped for a controller
`194 which provides the high speed on/off control and drives
`the switching resistor 195, all in well known manner. This
`circuit provides the needed AC isolation and an implementa
`tion which can be realized with a transformer of a very small
`size owing to the high speed of operation thereof, again in
`well known manner.
`The output current may be on the order of 600 mAmps,
`which is conventional for some mobile phones or only, say
`300 mAmps, trading off speed of charging but gaining a still
`smaller charger circuit size.
`The charger 50 may incorporate within a spare battery 32a
`(see FIG. 4A), and the switch 73 may be a double pole switch
`so operable that in one position current passing through diode
`98 charges the phone battery 32 and in the other position the
`spare battery 32a. Thus, the spare battery may be used to
`charge the regular battery when AC power is unavailable (for
`example, in an automobile, on a bus or plane, etc.).
`ln accordance with a further feature, an optional USB
`connector 100 allows bypassing the charging circuit 80 to
`provide charging current via lines 102 that connect to charg
`ing connector 60, at nodes 104 and 106. See FIGS. 4 and 4A.
`ln FIG. 3B, the USB connector is shown slidably integrated
`into a charger body.
`ln alternatives to the jacket style charger 50, FIG. 5 shows
`a charger 100 which is designed not to increase the thickness
`ofthe cell phone, but rather, its length. The charging circuit 80
`herein is housed in a small, rectangular body 102 which has
`approximately the same width and thickness as the mobile
`device 10 and which sits atop (or on the bottom) thereof. ln
`the device 100 of this embodiment, the AC prongs 66, 68 can
`be fitted along the back thereof, as described previously, or
`owing to the greater thickness of the charger 100, can be
`embodied inside its body 102, as shown in FIG. 3D. Via a
`living hinge 104, a small plasticized ribbon 106 supports
`thereon the DC plug 60, which is precisely positioned so that
`it can be swung into the charging socket 18 of the mobile
`device 10. lt will be readily recognized that the chargers
`herein would be designed in each instance to fit a particular
`style of mobile device, matching its particular width, length
`and thickness dimensions and the location of its charging port
`18.
`The charger 100 of FIG. 5 is designed to be connected to
`the cell phone 10 without at all grabbing on or obstructing the
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1001 p. 10
`
`

`

`US 8,712,486 B2
`
`7
`side panels. Herein, the charging circuit body 102 has a con
`necting panel 110 Which in every respect is constructed to
`mimic the dimension, shape and function of the cell phone
`cover 24 of FIG. 2. lt is also integral With and extends from the
`body 102 and supports it. Here, the mobile device cover 24 is
`removed and the extension panel 110 is inserted and attached
`to the cell phone’s existing cover holding mechanism, inas
`much as the panel has the same tongues 34, 36 and catch 38
`Which alloWs it to be connected in such a manner that the rear
`of the cell phone is not obstructed in any Way and the panel
`110 also may have the openings for a camera lens or a flash
`light, as typically found, for example, on a Blackberry® and
`other cell phone devices.
`ln yet another embodiment, in lieu of the panel 110, a
`cage-like plasticiZed body 111, as shoWn in FIG. 6, is pro
`vided Which alloWs the charger 100 to be slipped on the top of
`the cell phone With a latticeWork that basically blocks nothing
`requiring access by the cell phone user on the body of the
`mobile device 10.
`ln general, the charger styles described herein alloW for the
`electrical components of the circuit 80 to be spaced over a
`substantial area of even as high as 50 cm square. ln order to
`achieve the thin profile of the jacket 50, it is intended herein
`that the circuit components, such as those shoWn in FIG. 4A,
`are especially configured to use fiat components 114 and in
`many instances, for resistor, diode, particularly capacitors
`components to use several discrete components in parallel (or
`serial), in order to distribute the heat dissipation and reduce
`the thickness dimensions of each component While attaining
`the appropriate resistance, capacitance and heat disposition
`values. For example, a resistance of 100 ohms can be imple
`mented as two resistors of 200 ohms each (or two 50 ohm
`serial resistors), Where each resistor dissipates only one-half
`the generated heat. This is, for example, shoWn in FIG. 8,
`Which shoWs the components to be small, fiat and Widely
`spaced. ln addition, the internal jacket 50 can be lined With
`heat conducting metal paths 116, so that any heat generated
`Within is more easily and efiiciently spread over a greater area
`and more effectively dissipated.
`Please note that the sWitch 72 shoWn in FIGS. 3A, 4A,
`alloWs the charger to be electrically disconnected from the
`charging socket 18 ofthe mobile device 10, to avoid any issue
`of the battery 32 discharging through the charger 50 during
`periods When the charger is not connected to an AC Wall
`socket. This function can be provided by the aforementioned
`diode 98.
`As a further accessory, FIG. 7 shoWs a plug-style DC to DC
`or a DC to AC converter circuit 120, the details of Which are
`Well knoWn in the art, provided in a body that includes a plug
`122 that fits the conventional 12 volt poWer plug in automo
`biles and Which outputs at the other end thereof, its output
`voltage at a socket 124 Which is indistinguishable from the
`conventional AC socket. Thus, leaving that plug inside one’s
`automobile alloWs the cell phone to be simply inserted therein
`during driving, so maintaining the cell phone fully charged
`and/or charging it, if necessary. The body shape of the plug
`120 may extend straight orbe contoured so that the socket 124
`extends toWard the driver With the cell phone resting on top of
`the socket, for hands free operation during driving, if appro
`priate.
`ln general, the present invention describes a charger body
`in Which the ratio of the body thickness dimension to the
`product of the length and Width dimensions thereof is con
`siderably loWer than in the prior art. For example, the length,
`Width and thickness of a prior art charger measuring, respec
`tively, 6><4><2 centimeters yields a ratio of 0.083. Here, a
`charger body measuring 10><6><1 centimeters yields a ratio of
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`8
`0.017. The inventors intend to encompass charger body styles
`Where that ratio is equal to or less than 0.05.
`ln accordance With a further embodiment, the charging
`circuit 80 of FIG. 4A or a like circuit is embedded into a cell
`phone holder 200 Which can be clipped to a person’s clothing,
`typically a belt. See FIG. 9. The cell phone holder 200 has a
`first body component 202 Which is pivotally attached to a clip
`204 through a spring-biased pivot 206 With a contact point
`betWeen holder body parts 202 and 204 at a bottom portion
`208, Whereby the holder can be clipped onto a belt of person,
`in Well knoWn manner. A round or oval, or even square catch
`214 is attached to the holder body 202 via a projection 212
`forming a hook 210 onto Which the telephone Which is pro
`vided With the previously described jacket 51 can be hooked
`by the jacket 51 being formed With a holding structure 53 With
`an opening 55.
`The holder body 202 comprises Within the charging circuit
`80 Which receives AC poWer via foldable AC prongs 66 and
`68 (see FIG. 3E), further via AC Wires 69 Which pass through
`the pivot structure to the body 202.
`The DC charging poWer is passed through the stem 212 and
`onto electrical contacts 214 formed on the catch 214. The
`electrodes 216 mate With similar electrodes 57 on the jacket
`51 and thus, DC charging poWer is conducted via routing
`Wires 59 to the charging plug 60, as previously described.
`As in a prior embodiment, a USB connector 100 can be
`provided Within the body 202 and slid out so that it can be
`connected directly to supply charging poWer to the electrodes
`216 shoWn in FIG. 9A.
`Using the embodiment of FIG. 9 through FIG. 10, the
`supporting cell phone belt holder 200 doubles as a case for a
`charging circuit. The basic arrangement of cell phone belt
`holder is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Publication
`No. 2003/0000976, the contents of Which are incorporated
`herein by reference in their entire