Charging hub with satellite devices
OwnerBrianna E. Williams, J. Luke Jenkins +3inventors
InventorsBrianna E. Williams, J. Luke Jenkins, Stephen A. Hughett, William M. McNabb, Robert S. Barr, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A charging hub includes a housing and a battery pack. The housing includes a body having a base, and a plurality of satellite device receptacles positioned on the body. The plurality of satellite device receptacles is configured to removably couple a plurality of satellite devices to the body. Each receptacle has an electrical connector configured to charge the plurality of satellite devices. The housing also includes a battery receptacle positioned on the body. The battery pack is removably coupled to the housing at the battery receptacle. The battery pack is operable to provide power to the electrical connectors.
Claims20
A charging hub comprising:
- a housing including
- a body having a base,
- a plurality of satellite device receptacles positioned on the body, the plurality of satellite device receptacles configured to removably couple a plurality of satellite devices to the body, each receptacle having an electrical connector configured to charge the plurality of satellite devices, and
- a battery receptacle positioned on the body;
- and
- a battery pack removably coupled to the housing at the battery receptacle, the battery pack operable to provide power to the electrical connectors.
A charging hub and satellite device kit comprising:
- a charging hub including a plurality of receptacles, the charging hub configured to receive power from a power supply;
- a first satellite device removably coupled to one of the plurality of receptacles, the first satellite device having a first rechargeable battery configured to be charged by the power supply when the first satellite device is coupled to the one of the plurality of receptacles, the first satellite device operable to perform a first function;
- and
- a second satellite device removably coupled to another of the plurality of receptacles, the second satellite device having a second rechargeable battery configured to be charged by the power supply when the second satellite device is coupled to the another of the plurality of receptacles, the second satellite device operable to perform a second function that is different from the first function.
A method of charging a satellite device with a charging hub, the satellite device including a rechargeable battery, the charging hub including a housing having a receptacle and a battery pack removably coupled to the housing, the method comprising:
- coupling the satellite device to the receptacle of the charging hub;
- monitoring a voltage of the satellite device;
- sending a wakeup signal from the satellite device to the charging hub when the voltage falls below a predetermined threshold;
- in response to the wakeup signal, charging the satellite device with the battery pack connected to the charging hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.