Modular charging dock
A headset radio base, a headset charging system including a modular charging dock, and methods of charging various headsets are disclosed. In one embodiment, a headset radio base includes a charging dock interface configured to interface with one of a plurality of interchangeable charging docks having different form factors for charging different headsets, a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the different headsets, a power source interface, and a network interface.
1. A headset radio base, comprising:
a charging dock interface configured to interface with one of a plurality of interchangeable charging docks having different form factors for charging different headsets;
a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the different headsets;
a power source interface; and
a network interface.
2. The radio base of claim 1 , wherein the power source interface is operably couplable to one of an alternating current adapter, a direct current adapter, a battery, or a solar cell.
3. The radio base of claim 1 , wherein the charging dock interface includes an electrical connector that can be coupled to a mating electrical connector of a charging dock.
4. The radio base of claim 1 , wherein the charging dock interface includes one of pogo pins, contact strips, and contact apertures.
5. The radio base of claim 1 , wherein the charging dock interface includes a protrusion for coupling to a recess of a charging dock or a recess for coupling to a protrusion of a charging dock.
6. The radio base of claim 1 , further comprising a housing enclosing an electrical connection between the power source interface and the charging dock interface.
7. A wireless headset system, comprising:
a headset radio base including:
a charging dock interface configured to interface with one of a plurality of interchangeable charging docks having different form factors for charging different headsets; and
a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the different headsets; and
an interchangeable charging dock operably coupled to the charging dock interface.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the charging dock includes an electrical connector that can be coupled to a mating electrical connector of the charging dock interface.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the charging dock includes one of pogo pins, contact strips, and contact apertures for electrical coupling to the charging dock interface.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the charging dock includes a protrusion for coupling to a recess of the charging dock interface or a recess for coupling to a protrusion of the charging dock interface.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the charging dock includes a recess for mechanically receiving a headset and an electrical contact for electrically communicating with the headset.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the radio base and the charging docking each includes a power source interface.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein each power source interface is couplable to one of an alternating current adapter, a direct current adapter, a battery, or a solar cell.
14. The system of claim 7 , wherein the charging dock includes a headset interface including one of pogo pins, contact strips, and contact apertures.
15. A method of charging headsets, the method comprising:
providing a headset radio base including:
a power source interface;
a charging dock interface configured to interface with one of a plurality of interchangeable charging docks having different form factors for charging different headsets;
a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the different headsets; and
a housing enclosing an electrical connection between the power source interface and the charging dock interface;
coupling a power source to the power source interface;
coupling a first charging dock to the charging dock interface;
docking a first headset on the first charging dock to charge the first headset;
interchanging the first charging dock with a second charging dock; and
docking a second headset in the second charging dock to charge the second headset.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the second charging dock has a different form factor from the first charging dock.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein coupling the first charging dock to the charging dock interface includes coupling an electrical connector of the charging dock interface to a mating electrical connector of the first charging dock.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein docking the first headset in the first charging dock includes coupling an electrical connector of the charging dock to a mating electrical connector of the first headset.
19. A method of charging headsets, the method comprising:
providing a headset radio base including:
a power source interface;
a charging dock interface configured to interface with one of a plurality of interchangeable charging docks having different form factors for charging different headsets;
a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the different headsets; and
a housing enclosing an electrical connection between the power source interface and the charging dock interface;
coupling a power source to the power source interface;
coupling a power source to a first charging dock not electrically or mechanically coupled to the radio base; and
docking a first headset in the first charging dock to charge the first headset.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising wirelessly communicating between the radio base and the first headset while charging the first headset.
21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
coupling a power source to a second charging dock; and
docking a second headset in the second charging dock to charge the second headset.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second charging dock has a different form factor from the first charging dock.