IP Library Granted Patent US 8,454,392
Granted Patent B2
US 8,454,392 · App. 12/772,715 · Granted Jun 4, 2013

System and method for coupling a portable electronic device to a charging/ data pod

Inventors: Firmansyah Kuncoko Sulem (Waterloo, CA); Felipe Oliveira Simoes (Kitchener, CA); Raymond Michael Dikun (Conestogo, CA)
Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,454,392
App. No.
12/772,715
Granted
Jun 4, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adaptor is provided. The adaptor comprises a first portion including a plug insertable into a port of a portable electronic device. The adaptor further comprises a second portion including at least one adaptor contact configured such that, when the plug of the first portion is inserted into the port and the portable electronic device is placed in a pod, the at least one adaptor contact abuts to at least one pod contact in the pod.

Claims (14)

1. A system comprising:

at least one of a portable electronic device and a pod; and

an adaptor comprising a first portion having a plug insertable into a port of the portable electronic device and a second portion not having a plug and having at least one adaptor contact configured such that, when the plug of the first portion is inserted into the port and the portable electronic device is placed in the pod, the at least one adaptor contact couples to at least one pod contact in the pod and to at least one port contact in the port and connects the at least one adaptor contact to the at least one pod contact and to the at least one port contact to enable a transfer of electrical energy to the portable electronic device, wherein the pod has a plurality of pod contacts such that, when a plurality of adaptors are inserted into the ports of a plurality of portable electronic devices, the plurality of portable electronic devices can be placed in the pod such that the plurality of adaptors abut the plurality of pod contacts.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein, via the coupling of the at least one adaptor contact to the at least one pod contact and to the at least one port contact, a transfer of data can occur.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the coupling of the at least one adaptor contact to the at least one pod contact is achieved via abutment of the at least one adaptor contact with the at least one pod contact, without insertion of a male portion of the pod into the portable electronic device and without insertion of a male portion of the adaptor into the pod.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a profile such that, when the plug is inserted into the port, the portable electronic device can physically fit into the pod.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the port of the portable electronic device is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

6. A method for coupling a portable electronic device to a pod, comprising:

inserting an adaptor into a port of the portable electronic device, such that at least one adaptor contact in the adaptor couples to at least one port contact in the port; and

placing the portable electronic device in the pod, such that the at least one adaptor contact abuts to at least one pod contact in the pod to connect the at least one adaptor contact to the at least one pod contact and to the at least one port contact and enable a transfer of electrical energy to the portable electronic device, wherein the pod has a plurality of pod contacts such that, when a plurality of adaptors are inserted into the ports of a plurality of portable electronic devices, the plurality of portable electronic devices can be placed in the pod such that the plurality of adaptors abut the plurality of pod contacts.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein, via the coupling of the at least one adaptor contact to the at least one pod contact and to the at least one port contact, a transfer of data can occur.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the abutment of the at least one adaptor contact to the at least one pod contact is achieved via a non-plugging abutment, without insertion of a male portion of the pod into the portable electronic device and without insertion of a male portion of the adaptor into the pod.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the adaptor has a profile such that, when the adaptor is inserted into the port, the portable electronic device can physically fit into the pod.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the port of the portable electronic device is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

Assignments (4)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064270/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064104/0103 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 1, 2016
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 037963/0731 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2010
From: SULEM, FIRMANSYAH KUNCOKO; SIMOES, FELIPE OLIVEIRA; DIKUN, RAYMOND MICHAEL
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 024448/0612 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110269349A1 · Nov 3, 2011