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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A connector assembly having two connector terminals linked by a
short cable to reduce the overall size thereof. The connector assembly
is used to connect a mobile phone to a peripheral device and has
a structure including a cable; a first connector terminal provided
at one end of the cable to be connected to the peripheral device;
and a second connector terminal detachable from the first connector
terminal, electrically connected to a plug connector provided at
the other end of the cable and having an interface connector that
can be plugged into an interface terminal provided on the mobile
phone.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral
device, which comprises: a cable; a first connector terminal provided
at one end of the cable to be connected to the peripheral device;
and a second connector terminal detachable from the first connector
terminal, electrically connected to a plug connector provided at
the other end of the cable and having an interface connector that
can be plugged into an interface terminal provided on the mobile
phone.
2. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable
has a length which reduces the distance between the first and second
connector terminals when arranged to connect the mobile phone to
the peripheral device.
3. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
a connection means for securing the second connector terminal to
the first connector terminal.
4. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection
means includes: a first slot formed on the first connector terminal
to secure the interface connector of the second connector terminal
inserted therein; a second slot formed on the second connector terminal
to secure a Universal Serial Bus (USB) jack of the first connector
terminal inserted therein according to the insertion of the interface
connector of the second connector terminal into the first slot.
5. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface
connector is a 24-pin connector.
6. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug
connector is a 10-pin connector.
7. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
connector terminal having the interface connector at one end thereof
has a receptacle connector to which the plug connector of the cable
can be electrically connected.
8. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
connector terminal has a Universal Serial Bus (USB) jack which can
be connected to the peripheral device.
9. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug
connector is covered and protected by a protective case consisting
of a first case and a second case screwed onto the first case and
fixed to a wire strap which can be hung on a loop provided on the
mobile phone.
10. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the loop
serves as a hand strap for the mobile phone.
11. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connection
between the mobile phone and the peripheral device is established
by unscrewing and separating the second case of the protective case
from the first case fixed to the wire strap hung on the loop of
the mobile phone, taking out the plug connector received within
the second case, separating the second connector terminal from the
first connector terminal, electrically connecting the plug connector
to the receptacle connector provided at the bottom of the second
connector terminal, and inserting the interface connector of the
second connector terminal into the interface terminal provided on
the mobile phone.
12. A connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral
device, which comprises: a cable; a first connector terminal provided
at one end of the cable to be connected to the peripheral device;
a second connector terminal detachable from the first connector
terminal, electrically connected to a plug connector provided at
the other end of the cable and having an interface connector that
can be plugged into an interface terminal provided on the mobile
phone; and a locking means for locking the second connector terminal
to the first connector terminal.
13. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
locking means includes: a pair of locking recesses formed on the
inside of the second connector terminal; and a pair of lockers provided
in the first connector terminal to be inserted into the locking
recesses and released out from the locking recesses with the pressing
of a pair of buttons extending outward.
14. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein each
of said lockers includes: a button extending outwardly from a side
of the first connector terminal; a locking projection formed at
a lower part of the locker to be inserted into the corresponding
locking recess and released out from the locking recess with the
pressing of the button; and an elastic member mounted on a rear
side of the button to generate an elastic force acting to secure
the locking projection in the locking recess.
15. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
second connector terminal further includes a sliding cover for closing
and opening a receptacle connector according to the necessity of
electrical connection between the plug connector and the receptacle
connector.
16. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
sliding cover includes a pair of guide members formed at side edges
thereof and inserted into a pair of guide grooves linearly formed
at the side edges of a bottom of the second connector terminal to
be slidable back and forth on the guide grooves.
17. A connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral
device, which comprises: a first connector terminal connected to
the peripheral device; and a second connector terminal detachable
from the first connector terminal, electrically connected to a cable
extending from the first connector terminal and having an interface
connector that can be plugged into an interface terminal provided
on the mobile phone.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
PRIORITY
This application claims priority to an application entitled "Connector
Assembly For Connecting Mobile Phone To Peripheral Device"
filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 2, 2005
and assigned Serial No. 2005-47433, the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector assembly for connecting
a mobile phone to a peripheral device, and more particularly to
a connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral
device and having two connectors linked by a short cable to reduce
the overall size of the connector assembly, thereby improving portability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, mobile phones or terminals refer to handheld devices
used for data transmission or wireless communication while the user
is moving. It is a current trend that mobile phones are becoming
smaller, sleeker and lighter to improve portability and multifunctional
to implement broader functions and services.
Mobile phones have an interface terminal, generally at the bottom
thereof, for purposes of multimedia processing and battery charging.
A mobile phone can be connected to a peripheral device using a separate
connector means plugged into the interface terminal.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional connector means
is a cable 10 having an interface connector 20 at one end thereof
and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) jack 30 or a small-sized adapter
with a charger circuit. The cable is used to connect a mobile phone
to a peripheral device (not shown) such as a PC or a printer, or
to charge the battery.
Typically, different models of mobile phones have different types
or shapes of interface terminals. When users buy a different or
new model mobile phone, they also have to buy a new connector means
that fits with that model. As a solution to this problem, mobile
phone connection standards recommend that a 24-pin connector be
used for the interface terminal and the connector means for battery
charging and data communication.
Conventional connector means have a cable structure connecting
the interface connector and the USB jack. The length of the cable
increases the size of the connector means and thereby reduces the
portability. Also, a separate case is needed to contain the connector
means when traveling, which increases the price of the connector
means. Since most conventional connector means are configured only
to charge the mobile phone battery or to perform data transmission,
another connector is necessary to connect a mobile phone to a peripheral
device, such as a PC or a printer. Also, the mobile phone should
be provided with another interface terminal for connection to a
peripheral device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned
problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present
invention is to provide a connector assembly having two connector
terminals linked by a short cable to reduce the overall size and
used to connect a mobile phone to a peripheral device. The connector
assembly can be hung on the mobile phone while not in use, thereby
improving portability.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector
assembly with improved portability due to a structure having two
connector terminals detachable from each other and providing convenience
in connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral device (such as a Bluetooth
embedded device, memory device or speaker device) for data transmission.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a connector
assembly having a plurality of connector terminals each having an
interface connector, which can connect one mobile phone to another
with a lower power level to charge the battery of the other mobile
phone and display the amount of charge.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized
connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral
device, which can be used as a hand strap or a decorative accessory
for the mobile phone due to its improved portability.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention for
accomplishing the above objects, there is provided a connector assembly
for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral device, including
a cable; a first connector terminal provided at one end of the cable
to be connected to the peripheral device; and a second connector
terminal detachable from the first connector terminal, electrically
connected to a plug connector provided at the other end of the cable
and having an interface connector that can be plugged into an interface
terminal provided on the mobile phone.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to
a peripheral device, including a cable; a first connector terminal
provided at one end of the cable to be connected to the peripheral
device; a second connector terminal detachable from the first connector
terminal, electrically connected to a plug connector provided at
the other end of the cable and having an interface connector that
can be plugged into an interface terminal provided on the mobile
phone; and a locking means for locking the second connector terminal
to the first connector terminal.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to
a peripheral device, including a cable; a connector terminal provided
at one end of the cable to be connected to the peripheral device;
and an interface connector terminal provided at the other end of
the cable and directly plugged into an interface terminal provided
on the mobile phone.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to
a peripheral device, including a cable; a first connector terminal
provided at one end of the cable and having an interface connector
plugged into an interface terminal provided on the mobile phone;
and a second connector terminal detachable from the first connector
terminal, electrically connected to a plug connector provided at
the other end of the cable and having an interface connector plugged
into an interface terminal provided to another mobile phone.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a connector assembly for connecting a mobile phone to
a peripheral device, including a cable; a first connector terminal
provided at one end of the cable and having an interface connector
plugged into an interface terminal provided on the mobile phone;
a second connector terminal detachable from the first connector
terminal, electrically connected to a plug connector provided at
the other end of the cable and having an interface connector plugged
into an interface terminal provided to another mobile phone; and
a display unit provided on the second connector terminal to display
a battery charge amount when charging the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional connector assembly
for connecting a mobile phone to a peripheral device;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional connector assembly
for charging the battery of a mobile phone;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
hung on a mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
disassembled to be used according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the connector
assembly disassembled to be used according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between
a mobile phone and a peripheral device using the connector assembly
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of part A in FIG.
8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of part B in FIG.
8;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
hung on a mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
disassembled to be used according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between
a mobile phone and a peripheral device using the connector assembly
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view of part C in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly
according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
hung on a mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
arranged to connect a mobile phone to a peripheral device according
to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
after connection between a mobile phone and a peripheral device
according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
hung on a mobile phone according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between
two mobile phones using the connector assembly according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly
hung on a mobile phone according to the fifth embodiment of the
present invention; and
FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between
two mobile phones using the connector assembly according to the
fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings, the same element, although depicted in different drawings,
will be designated by the same reference numeral or character. Also,
in the following description of the present invention, a detailed
description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein
will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present
invention unclear.
A connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present
invention will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 3
to 7.
Referring to FIG. 3, the connector assembly 100 comprises a cable
110, a first connector terminal 120 and a second connector terminal
130. The cable 110 is as short as possible to reduce the distance
between the first connector terminal 120 and the second connector
terminal 130 when arranged to connect a mobile phone 1 to a peripheral
device 90 (FIG. 7). The first connector terminal 120 is provided
at one end of the cable 110 to be connected to the peripheral device
90. The second connector terminal 130 is detachable from the first
connector terminal 120. A plug connector 111, provided at the other
end of the cable 110, can be electrically connected to the second
connector terminal 130. The second connector terminal 130 with the
plug connector 111 connected can be inserted into an interface terminal
1a (FIG. 4) provided on the mobile phone 1. As shown in FIG. 7,
an interface conductor 131 of the second connector terminal 130
is electrically connected to the interface terminal 1a of the mobile
phone 1.
Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the first connector terminal 120
and the second connector terminal 130 have a connection means 140
for securing the second connector terminal 130 to the first connector
terminal 120. The connection means 140 includes first and second
slots 141 and 142. The interface connector 131 of the second connector
terminal 130 is fitted into the first slot 141 formed on the first
connector terminal 120. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first connector
terminal 120 has a USB jack 121 which can be electrically connected
to the peripheral device 90 (for example, a Bluetooth embedded device,
a memory device or a speaker device). The USB jack 121 is fitted
into or removed from the second slot 142 formed on the second connector
terminal 130 according to the insertion or removal of the interface
connector 131 into or removed from the first slot 141.
The interface connector 131 is preferably a 24-pin connector. The
plug connector 111 is preferably a 10-pin connector.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second connector terminal 130 has
the interface connector 131 at one end thereof to be inserted into
the interface terminal 1a provided on the mobile phone 1. Also,
the second connector terminal 130 has a receptacle connector 134
to which the plug connector 111 of the cable 110 can be electrically
connected and a cover 133 for closing or opening the receptacle
connector 134.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a protective case 150 is provided
to protect the plug connector 111 from an external impact. The protective
case 150 consists of a first case 151 and a second case 152 which
is screwed onto the first case 151. The second case 152 has a receiving
space for accommodating the plug connector 111 therein and screw
threads to be engaged with the first case 151. As illustrated in
FIG. 4, the first case 151 is fixed to a wire strap 160 hung on
a loop 1b provided on the mobile phone 1.
Hereinafter, the structure of the connector assembly for connecting
a mobile phone to a peripheral device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference
to FIGS. 3 to 7.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector assembly 100 includes
the short cable 110, the first connector terminal 120 provided at
one end of the cable 110 to be connected to the peripheral device
90 and the second connector terminal 130 having the receptacle connector
134 to which the plug connector 111 provided at the other end of
the cable 110 can be electrically connected.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the plug connector 111 is received within
the protective case 150. The protective case 150 consists of the
first case 151 and the second case 152 screwed to the first case
151. The first case 151 is fixed to the wire strap 160 which can
be hung on the loop 1b of the mobile phone 1.
In order to establish a connection between the mobile phone 1 and
the peripheral device 90, the second case 152 should be unscrewed
and separated from the first case 151. At this time, the first case
151 is still fixed to the mobile phone 1 due to the wire strap 160
hung on the loop 1b. The plug connector 111 can be pulled out from
the receiving space of the second case 152.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second connector terminal 130 may
be separated from the first connector terminal 120 provided at one
end of the cable 110.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the interface connector 131 of
the second connector terminal 130 is pulled out from the first slot
141 of the first connector terminal 120. At the same time, the USB
jack 121 of the first connector terminal 120 is released from the
second slot 142 of the second connector terminal 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the plug connector 111 is electrically
connected to the receptacle connector 134 (FIG. 5). Also, the interface
connector 131 of the second connector terminal 130 is plugged into
the interface terminal 1a provided on the mobile phone 1. In this
condition, the USB jack 121 of the first connector terminal 120
is connected to the peripheral device 90 (for example, a Bluetooth
embedded device, a memory device or a speaker device).
To terminate the connection between the mobile phone 1 and the
peripheral device 90, the USB jack 121 of the first connector terminal
120 should be separated from the peripheral device 90. The plug
connector 111 is pulled out from the receptacle connector 134 of
the second connector terminal 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second connector terminal 130, separated
from the interface terminal 1a of the mobile phone 1, may be connected
again to the first connector terminal 120. At this time, the interface
connector 131 is fitted into the first slot 141 of the first connector
terminal 120 and the USB jack 121 of the first connector terminal
120 into the second slot 142 of the second connector terminal 130.
The bottom of the second connector terminal 130 is closed with
the cover 133 to protect the receptacle connector 134. The second
case 152 is moved up to receive the plug connector 111 therein and
then screwed up to the first case 151 fixed to the mobile phone
1. The connector assembly 100 can be used as a hand strap or a decorative
accessory for the mobile phone 1.
Hereinafter, the structure of a connector assembly for connecting
a mobile phone to a peripheral device according to the second embodiment
of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference
to FIGS. 8 to 15.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the connector assembly 100 includes
a short cable 110, a first connector terminal 120 provided at one
end of the cable 110 to be connected to a peripheral device 90 (FIG.
13) and a second connector terminal 130 having a receptacle connector
134 to which a plug connector 111 provided at the other end of the
cable 110 can be electrically connected.
As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a pair of locking means 200 are
provided on the first and second connector terminals 120 and 130
in order to lock the second connector terminal 130 to the first
connector terminal 120 with the pressing of a pair of buttons 202a.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the plug connector 111 is received
within a protective case 150. The protective case 150 is composed
of a first case 151 and a second case 152 screwed to the first case
151. The first case 151 is fixed to a wire strap 160 which can be
hung on the loop 1b of the mobile phone 1. In order to establish
a connection between the mobile phone 1 and the peripheral device
90, the second case 152 should be unscrewed and separated from the
first case 151 as illustrated in FIG. 12. At this time, the first
case 151 is still fixed to the mobile phone 1 due to the wire strap
160 hung on the loop 1b. The plug connector 111 can be pulled out
from the receiving space of the second case 152.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the buttons 202a provided
on both sides of the first connector terminal 120 are pressed, they
move into the first connector terminal 120 and cause a pair of lockers
202 extending from the respective buttons 202a to move inside and
be released from a pair of locking recesses 201 (FIG. 14) formed
on the inside of the second connector terminal 130.
Specifically, locking projections 202b of the lockers 202 move
back with the pressing of the buttons 202a and are thus released
out from the locking recesses 201 (FIG. 14). As a result, the second
connector terminal 130 is separated from the first connector terminal
120 provided at one end of the cable 110.
At this time, the interface connector 131 of the second connector
terminal 130 is pulled out from the first slot 141 (not shown) of
the first connector terminal 120. Also, the USB jack 121 of the
first connector terminal 120 is released from the second slot 142
(not shown) of the second connector terminal 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, a cover 210 provided on the bottom of
the second connector terminal 130 can be slidingly moved to open
the receptacle connector 134 of the second connector terminal 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the cover 210 has a pair of guide members
212 formed at side edges thereof. The guide members 212 are inserted
into a corresponding pair of guide grooves 211 linearly formed at
side edges of the bottom of the second connector terminal 130. When
the sliding cover 210 is moved back to open the receptacle connector
134, the guide members 212 slide along the guide grooves 211. Then,
the plug connector 111 can be electrically connected to the receptacle
connector 134 (FIG. 13). Also, the interface connector 131 of the
second connector terminal 130 is plugged into the interface terminal
1a provided on the mobile phone 1.
In this condition, the USB jack 121 of the first connector terminal
120 is connected to the peripheral device 90 (for example, a Bluetooth
embedded device, a memory device or a speaker device) as illustrated
in FIG. 13.
To terminate the connection between the mobile phone 1 and the
peripheral device 90, the USB jack 121 of the first connector terminal
120 should be separated from the peripheral device 90. The plug
connector 111 is pulled out from the receptacle connector 134 of
the second connector terminal 130. The sliding cover 210 is moved
to close the receptacle connector 134.
The second connector terminal 130 separated from the interface
terminal 1a of the mobile phone 1 is connected again to the first
connector terminal 120. The interface connector 131 is then fitted
into the first slot 141 of the first connector terminal 120 and
the USB jack 121 of the first connector terminal 120 into the second
slot 142 of the second connector terminal 130.
As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the locking recesses 201 are
fitted to the corresponding lockers 202 formed on the first connector
terminal 120 so that the locking projections 202b can be inserted
into the locking recesses 201. An elastic member 202c is mounted
on the rear side of each button 202a. Due to the elastic force generated
from the elastic member 202c, the locking projections 202b can be
secured in the locking recesses 201 until and unless the buttons
202a are pressed. Lastly, the second case 152 is moved up to receive
the plug connector 111 therein and then screwed up to the first
case 151 fixed to the mobile phone 1.
Hereinafter, the structure of a connector assembly for connecting
a mobile phone to a peripheral device according to the third embodiment
of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference
to FIGS. 16 and 19.
Referring to FIG. 16, the connector assembly 100 includes a short
cable 110, a connector terminal 120 provided at one end of the cable
110 to be connected to a peripheral device 90 and an interface connector
terminal 300 provided at the other end of the cable 110 and directly
plugged into an interface terminal 1a provided on the mobile phone
1.
The interface connector terminal 300 is received within a protective
case 150. The protective case 150 is composed of a first case 151
and a second case 152 screwed to the first case 151.
As illustrated in FIG. 17, the first case 151 of the protective
case 150 is fixed to a wire strap 160 which can be hung on the loop
1b of the mobile phone 1.
In order to establish a connection between the mobile phone 1 and
the peripheral device 90, the second case 152 is unscrewed and separated
from the first case 151.
At this time, the first case 151 is still fixed to the mobile phone
1 due to the wire strap 160 hung on the loop 1b. The interface connector
terminal 300 can be pulled out from the receiving space of the second
case 152.
As illustrated in FIG. 18, the interface connector terminal 300
can be directly plugged into the interface terminal 1 a provided
on the mobile phone 1. To connect the connector terminal 120 to
the peripheral device 90, a protective cap 310 (FIG. 17) that covers
the connector terminal 120 should be removed. In this condition,
the USB jack 121 of the connector terminal 120 is connected to the
peripheral device 90 (for example, a Bluetooth embedded device,
a memory device or a speaker device) as illustrated in FIG. 19.
To terminate the connection between the mobile phone 1 and the
peripheral device 90, the USB jack 121 of the connector terminal
120 should be separated from the peripheral device 90. Then the
connector terminal 120 is covered by the protective cap 310. The
interface connector terminal 300 is separated from the interface
terminal 1a of the mobile phone 1. Lastly, the second case 152 is
moved up to receive the interface connector terminal 300 therein
and then screwed up to the first case 151 to be fixed to the mobile
phone 1.
The connector assembly 100 can be used as a hand strap or a decorative
accessory for the mobile phone 1.
Hereinafter, the structure of a connector assembly for connecting
a mobile phone to a peripheral device according to the fourth embodiment
of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference
to FIGS. 20 to 22.
Referring to FIG. 20, the connector assembly 100 includes a short
cable 110, a first connector terminal 400 provided at one end of
the cable 110 and having an interface connector 131 which can be
connected to an interface terminal 1a of a mobile phone 1, and a
second connector terminal 410 having an interface connector 131
which can be connected to an interface terminal 2a (FIG. 22) of
another mobile phone 2 (FIG. 22) and a receptacle connector 134
to which a plug connector 111 provided at the other end of the cable
110 can be connected.
The plug connector 111 is received within a protective case 150.
The protective case 150 is composed of a first case 151 and a second
case 152 screwed to the first case 151.
As illustrated in FIG. 21, the first case 151 of the protective
case 150 is fixed to a wire strap 160 which can be hung on the loop
1b of the mobile phone 1.
In order to establish a connection between the mobile phones 1
and 2, the second case 152 should be unscrewed and separated from
the first case 151. At this time, the first case 151 is still fixed
to the mobile phone 1 due to the wire strap 160 hung on the loop
1b. The plug connector 111 can be pulled out from the receiving
space of the second case 152.
The second connector terminal 410 is separated from the first connector
terminal 400 provided at one end of the cable 110. Due to this separation,
the interface connector 131 of the second connector terminal 410
is pulled out from the first slot 141 (FIG. 20) of the first connector
terminal 400. At the same time, the interface connector 131 of the
first connector terminal 400 is pulled out from the second slot
142 (not shown) of the second connector terminal 410.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, a cover 133 provided at the bottom of
the second connector terminal 410 is removed to open the receptacle
connector 134 of the second connector terminal 410.
The plug connector 111 is electrically connected to the receptacle
connector 134 of the second connector terminal 410. Then, the interface
connector 131 of the second connector terminal 410 is plugged into
the interface terminal 1a of the mobile phone 1.
The interface connector 131 of the first connector terminal 400
can be plugged into the interface terminal 2a of another mobile
phone 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, the two mobile phones 1 and 2 are electrically
connected through the first and second connector terminals 400 and
410. The power left in the battery pack (not shown) in the mobile
phone 1 can be transferred to charge the battery pack of the mobile
phone 2.
Thus, when a mobile phone 1 has a fully-charged battery pack (not
shown), it can be used to charge a battery pack (not shown) of another
mobile phone 2 with a much lower power level.
The second connector terminal 410 has a plurality of light-emitting
diode (LED) lamps 420 that illuminate according to the battery charging
time. The number of illuminating LED lamps 420 tells how much power
remains in the battery pack of the mobile phone 1.
Hereinafter, the structure of a connector assembly for connecting
a mobile phone to a peripheral device according to the fifth embodiment
of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference
to FIGS. 23 to 25.
Referring to FIG. 23, the connector assembly 100 includes a short
cable 110, a first connector terminal 400 provided at one end of
the cable 110 and having an interface connector 131 which can be
connected to an interface terminal 1a of a mobile phone 1, and a
second connector terminal 410 having an interface connector 131
which can be connected to an interface terminal 2a of another mobile
phone 2 and a receptacle connector 134 to which a plug connector
111 provided at the other end of the cable 110 can be connected.
The plug connector 111 is received within a protective case 150.
The protective case 150 is composed of a first case 151 and a second
case 152 screwed to the first case 151.
As illustrated in FIG. 24, the first case 151 of the protective
case 150 is fixed to a wire strap 160 which can be hung on the loop
1b of the mobile phone 1. In order to establish a connection between
the mobile phones 1 and 2, the second case 152 is unscrewed and
separated from the first case 151. At this time, the first case
151 is still fixed to the mobile phone 1 due to the wire strap 160
hung on the loop 1b. The plug connector 111 can be pulled out from
the receiving space of the second case 152.
The second connector terminal 410 is separated from the first connector
terminal 400 provided at one end of the cable 110. Due to this separation,
the interface connector 131 of the second connector terminal 410
is pulled out from the first slot 141 of the first connector terminal
400. At the same time, the interface connector 131 of the first
connector terminal 400 is pulled out from the second slot 142 (not
shown) of the second connector terminal 410.
As illustrated in FIG. 25, a cover 133 provided at the bottom of
the second connector terminal 410 is removed to open the receptacle
connector 134 of the second connector terminal 410.
The plug connector 111 is electrically connected to the receptacle
connector 134 of the second connector terminal 410. Then, the interface
connector 131 of the second connector terminal 410 is plugged into
the interface terminal 1a of the mobile phone 1. The interface connector
131 of the first connector terminal 400 can be plugged into the
interface terminal 2a of another mobile phone 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, the two mobile phones 1 and 2 are electrically
connected through the first and second connector terminals 400 and
410. The power left in the battery pack (not shown) in the mobile
phone 1 can be transferred to charge the battery pack of the mobile
phone 2.
Thus, when a mobile phone 1 has a fully-charged battery pack (not
shown), it can be used to charge a battery pack (not shown) of another
mobile phone 2 with a much lower power level.
As illustrated in FIG. 25, the second connector terminal 410 has
a display unit 500 for displaying the charge amount (power transferred
from the first mobile phone 1 to the second mobile phone 2). The
displayed charge amount tells how much power remains in the battery
pack of the first mobile phone 1 or is transferred to charge the
battery pack of the second mobile phone 2.
The display unit 500 comprises an LCD. The LCD display unit 500
displays the charge amount expressed in a unit of time ("minute")
or rate ("%") so that a user can charge a nearly-empty
battery pack as fully as possible and thereby prevent data loss
(cut-off of a call, mobile game or e-payment) caused by the sudden
power-off from a low battery condition. Therefore, a mobile phone
can be used at the optimum charge state.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions
are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims, including the
full scope of equivalents thereof.
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