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Methods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supplyMethods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supply description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070194752, Methods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supply. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001]This application incorporates by reference as if fully disclosed herein and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/775,585 filed Feb. 22, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Almost all handheld electronic devices in the marketplace today are delivered with a power supply or transformer to either power the device or recharge the battery. [0003]The transformers job is to ensure that the device or battery receive the proper power input for its particular needs. Because each device is unique the power requirements are unique with the end result being that consumers of these devices collect a wide range of transformers in many different sizes and shapes. These transformers oftentimes take the form of a brick with two cords, where one cord attaches to a standard electrical outlet and the other attaches to the device. [0004]The transformers invariably collect in ones home and results in many tangled wires. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0005]The preferred and particular embodiments described here look to provide a means to charge or power any device without having the tangled wires in the home. [0006]A particular embodiment includes several components. The first component is a switched mode power supply. This will allow the power output to be altered to adjust to the device that is attached. This power supply is constructed to allow for multiple devices to be attached. In some instances the power supply will be configured to allow for 2 devices such as with a standard wall outlet. Other embodiments will allow for many devices to be attached and likely even beyond 10 devices. [0007]The power supply may be built as a switched mode power supply thus enabling programmatic changes to the power output levels as would be needed by different devices. The plates will be designed to fit a specific device and the plate itself can tell how much power its devices needs. There could be other means of enabling different power levels such as over the internet or with USB base devices. [0008]The power supply may be housed in a casing that should fit either into its own housing or that of an electrical junction box. The ability to put multiple or different power supplies with different ranges of capabilities is incorporated into the design. For example one power supply could be built to address higher powered devices and others could be set to power lower output devices. Some housings could hold multiple power supplies as needed. This interchangeability is preferred to ensure that any device power requirement can be met as well as providing flexibility to attach a wide number of devices. [0009]In the case of the power supply fitting within its own housing, the housing will be plugged directly into the wall outlet. In other embodiments the standard outlet or switch itself is replaced within the junction box by the transformer itself. [0010]The housing may allow for the attachment of many different plates in addition to holding the power supply. Some housings will allow for 2 plates while others could allow for more plates. In a "kitchen office" it is likely you could attach 4 cell phones, 2 laptops, a cordless phone, 2 family radios, a camera battery and a video camera battery. [0011]The housing may have several "slots" that will receive the plates. These slots will be identical/universal whether the housing has 2 slots or 12 or more or less. The housing will receive the plates and each plate in turn will be built for a specific device. [0012]Plates may be built for a wide range of devices and purposes. A likely common form of a plate may be one in which the plate houses a retractable cord and a plug to fit a specific device such as a laptop or a cordless phone. Many different plates with different tips to attach to different devices may. be built The user simply needs to pick the appropriate plate for their device. Another common form may be a plate that functions as a cradle for the device itself. For example a cell phone could be placed onto the plate to be both charged and stored. (This eliminates the cord draped across the counter) The plate would be built with the cradle for the device as well as electrical connectors to power and update the device. Electrical connectors in the plate could allow for programmatic updates in addition to the power related connections. Another cradle may be designed for rechargeable batteries as are often found in cameras and video cameras. The battery can be placed in the plate and held there. As with the retractable corded plates there may be multiple different plates for different batteries. The plates themselves also have the ability to be an electronic device themselves. Wireless hubs are found in many homes today and building a plate that performed that function is conceptually possible. Additional devices that could be built include such items as video cameras, light and motion sensors for the room, electronic thermometers and home "weather stations," wireless speakers, and night lights. [0013]The end result is a unit attached to your wall that could store 2 cell phones, 2 Family radio walkie talkies (for example, the Motorola Talkabout devices) 3 batteries, 2 retractable cords can be pulled out to charge a laptop, and a wireless hub. [0014]As users acquire new devices they can acquire a new plate, they would not however need a new transformer, as that is already in place. In addition to the advantage of not having to continually buy another transformer the user gains the advantage of an aesthetically more pleasing and less cluttered area for charging and powering devices. [0015]Up until now, electronics manufacturers have correctly focused on the next "cool gizmo" or feature hoping to win over the public with their latest device. This focus has resulted in such success stories as camera phones, PDA phones, digital video cameras, and handheld gaming devices. While the world has proven that it seems to have an almost insatiable desire for the next new device, we have rapidly collected a plurality of those cumbersome, annoying, proprietary, often-expensive, never-available transformers to recharge the ever growing pile of electronics. One preferable solution, in one embodiment, is a transformer with an interchangeable adapter that provides a retractable cord and plug or connector that is capable of attaching to any device. [0016]All electronic devices need power to run and at present it takes little imagination to recognize the growth potential in the handheld electronics industry. While a single cell phone in a family was extravagant even 12 years ago, now families with 3 teenage children will likely have 3 to 5 phones in the home. Laptop computers sales have exceeded desktop purchases and will continue to grow market share. Digital cameras are increasing in sales by the quarter and video recorders have exceeded sales expectations despite lagging substantially behind the technology curve within their segment. [0017]The following list describes the types of devices that need power, the examples include but are not limited to Laptops, Cell phones, FSR/GRS walkie-talkies, PDA's, Digital Cameras, MP3 players, iPods, Video Cameras, Wireless telephone charging stations, Computer peripherals (ext hard drives, DVD writers), Cable and DSL modems, Wireless hub/routers, RC Toys, Sprinkler systems, and/or Security cameras. These devices are just some of the devices that are power through a preferred embodiment. [0018]Presently transformers are included with every electronic device that does not rely solely on alkaline batteries. These transformers are typically designed to specification overseas. Overseas firms build the transformer to the device manufacturer's specification, but the device manufacturer often leaves the transformer designs to the transformer manufacturer. The level of design and innovation is very low as the device firms are stressing low cost. This focus on low cost is a result of the common need for the transformer to be absorbed into the cost of the device. Today's best transformers have very little design focus. All are simple "blocks" with cords hanging out of them. The focus, in one embodiment, is placed on the mechanical and presentation aspects of the design of the transformer with an adapter plate. Building units that elegantly fit into the "kitchen office" space in a manner that organizes the clutter is as preferable as well as the power management capabilities. [0019]Transformers have been used in several ways for businesses--some businesses find them simply as costs. For example, laptops come with transformers and the manufacturer has to include the transformer in its costs. Within the competitive world of laptops the transformer is a cost to be kept down. Other firms see these devices as possible revenue sources such as the cell phone industry which sells car adapters, and additional accessories as add-ons because these add-ons have begun to subsidize the costs of the phones. [0020]All electronics need power of some sort to operate and function, so while the types of devices will change in appearance, function and abilities, the need for power is simply going to continue for as long as people use electronics. There is not even a remote trend within the industry to change sources of power. For example the auto industry could in theory convert entirely to a fuel-cell-based model and eliminate the need for gasoline. While solar power or even fuel cells present a theoretical alternative to AC or DC power source there has been little to no interest or market need to even consider switching. The result is a market for the extended future. [0021]In one embodiment, a universal configurable transformer is designed to power any electronic device and has the ability to untangle the electronic cords that occur when attempting to charge multiple devices. These transformer devices would be sold once for each living unit although many possibilities exist that might cause multiple units to be sold. In an alternative embodiment, a variety of transformers are provided that would fit in different situations such as travel units, auto and car units, RV designed units, in addition to possible markets in hotels, airport lounges, offices, universities, libraries, hotels, coffee shops, etc. Once the primary transformer unit is installed many additional adapters could be connected that would allow for the charging and powering of everything from cell phones to PDAs to laptops, to batteries and more. Continue reading about Methods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supply... Full patent description for Methods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supply Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Methods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supply patent application. 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