This invention relates to a connecting cable for connecting two mobile devices and allowing one of said mobile devices to be recharged.

More specifically, the invention relates to a structure of a connecting cable configured to connect a first mobile device to a second mobile device, and to allow said second mobile device to transfer electricity to said fist mobile device so that the latter may be recharged.

Thus, the first mobile device is the device to which said quantity of electricity is transferred and the second mobile device is the device from which a quantity of electricity is taken.

The first mobile device may be any electronic device which follows the mobility of a user or any electronic device which is wearable by a user.

When said first mobile device is an electronic device which follows the mobility of a user, said first mobile device may be for example a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop computer.

When said first mobile device is an electronic device which is wearable by a user, said electronic device may be for example an earphone, an earpiece, a watch provided with a logic control unit (e.g. a smart watch), a bracelet provided with a logic control unit, display means provided with a logic control unit which may or may not be completely immersive.

The second mobile device may be any electronic device which follows the mobility of a user. Said second mobile device may be for example a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop computer.

When a person is away from home and requires recharging a mobile device, such as for example a cellular phone, such a person often makes use of a portable battery to be connected to the mobile device. Thus, a person is required to bring a portable battery with him/herself to deal with the need to recharge his/her cellular phone.

One disadvantage is that the portable battery is cumbersome. Moreover, the person is obligated to bring a portable battery even when it might not otherwise be required.

A further disadvantage is given by the fact that said portable battery also requires periodic recharging.

The possibility is also known of recharging a cellular phone using a cable connected to a laptop computer.

However, in this specific case, it is difficult for this possibility to be implemented when a person is away from home and is not at the office or does not have a laptop computer.

Object of the present invention is to overcome said disadvantages by providing a connecting cable for connecting a first mobile device to a second mobile device, which is configured to allow the transfer of electricity from said first mobile device to said second mobile device.

It is therefore the object of the invention a connecting cable for connecting a first mobile device to a second mobile device, where said connecting cable comprises a first micro USB connector, positioned at a first end of said connecting cable, a second micro USB connector, positioned at a second end of said connecting cable, opposite to said first end, where said second micro USB connector is a micro USB OTG connector.

According to the invention, said first micro USB connector may comprise a first lightning to micro USB adapter having a first micro USB port and a first lightning connector.

In particular, said first lightning to micro USB adapter may be connected to the first micro USB connector so as to translate and rotate relative to the first micro USB connector.

Said first micro USB connector may be provided with first guiding means for guiding the translation of the first lightning to micro USB adapter from a first position, in which the first micro USB port of said first lightning to micro USB adapter is connected with said first micro USB connector, to a second position, in which said first micro USB port of said first lightning to micro USB adapter is at a predetermined first distance from said first micro USB connector, and vice versa.

Said first lightning to micro USB adapter may be provided with first rotation means for rotating said first lightning to micro USB adapter relative to said first micro USB connector.

In particular, said first guiding means may comprise two first grooves and said first rotation means may comprise two first pins and said first lightning to micro USB adapter may comprise two first arms, each of which is connected to a respective first groove by means of a respective first pin.

Again according to the invention, said second micro USB connector may comprise a second lightning to micro USB adapter having a second micro USB port and a second lightning connector.

In particular, said second lightning to micro USB adapter may comprise a logic control unit provided with a USB interface, where said logic control unit is connected to said second lightning connector and is configured to take a quantity of electrical current from said second lightning connector and to provide the quantity of electrical current to said USB interface, which is connected to said second micro USB port.

Said USB interface of said logic control unit may comprise a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal for allowing the passage of an electrical current, and said second micro USB port of said second lightning to micro USB adapter may comprise a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal for allowing the passage of an electrical current, where said first supply terminal of the second micro USB port is connected to said first supply terminal of said USB interface, and said second supply terminal of said second micro USB port is connected to said second supply terminal of said USB interface.

Moreover, said logic control unit may be configured to take at least one signal containing one or more items of information from said second lightning connector and to provide the at least one signal to said USB interface.

In particular, said USB interface of said logic control unit may comprise a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal for allowing the passage of said at least one signal, and said second micro USB port of said second lightning to micro USB adapter may comprise a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal for allowing the passage of said at least one signal, where said first signal terminal and said second signal terminal of said second micro USB port are connected respectively to said first signal terminal and to said second signal terminal of said USB interface.

Said second lightning to micro USB adapter may be connected to said second micro USB connector so as to translate and rotate relative to said second micro USB connector.

Said second micro USB connector may be provided with second guiding means for guiding the translation of the second lightning to micro USB adapter from a first position, in which said second micro USB port of the second lightning to micro USB adapter is connected with said second micro USB connector, to a second position, in which said second micro USB port of said second lightning to micro USB adapter is at a predetermined second distance from said second micro USB connector, and vice versa.

Said second lightning to micro USB adapter may be provided with second rotation means to rotate said second lightning to micro USB adapter relative to said second micro USB connector.

In particular, said second guiding means may comprise two second grooves and said second rotation means may comprise two second pins and said second lightning to micro USB adapter may comprise two second arms, each of which is connected to a respective second groove by means of a respective second pin.

According to the invention, said first micro USB connector may be a micro USB OTG connector.

The present invention also relates to a connection system for connecting a first mobile device to a second mobile device, where the connection system may comprise said connecting cable and a third lightning to micro USB adapter having third micro USB port and a third lightning connector.

Said third lightning to micro USB adapter may comprise a further logic control unit provided with a further USB interface, where said further logic control unit is connected to said third lightning connector and is configured to take a quantity of electrical current from the third lightning connector and to provide said quantity of electrical current to said further USB interface, which is connected to said third micro USB port.

In particular, said further USB interface may comprise a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal for allowing the passage of an electrical current, and said third micro USB port may comprise a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal for allowing the passage of an electrical current, where said first supply terminal of said third micro USB port is connected to said first supply terminal of said further USB interface, and said second supply terminal of said third micro USB port is connected to said second supply terminal of said further USB interface.

Moreover, said further logic control unit may be configured to take at least one signal containing one or more items of information from said third lightning connector and to provide said at least one signal to said further USB interface.

In particular, said further USB interface of said further logic control unit may comprise a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal for allowing the passage of said at least one signal, and said third micro USB port may comprise a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal for allowing the passage of said at least one signal, where said first signal terminal and said second signal terminal of said third micro USB port are connected respectively to said first signal terminal and to said second signal terminal of said further USB interface.

The present invention is now described, by way of example and without limiting the scope of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of it, in which:

Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of the connecting cable object the object of the invention, provided with a first micro USB connector and with a second micro USB connector;

Figure 1 B shows an example of application of the connecting cable of Figure 1 , in which two cellular phones are connected by means of said connecting cable; Figure 2A is a first view of a second embodiment of the connecting cable, where the first micro USB connector is provided with a first lightning to micro USB adapter, where said first micro USB connector is connected with said micro USB port of said first lightning to micro USB adapter;

Figure 2B shows a detailed view of the first lightning to micro USB adapter;

Figure 3 is a first side view of the connecting cable of Figure 2A;

Figure 4 is a second side view of the connecting cable, in which the first micro USB connector is disconnected from the micro USB port of said first lightning to micro USB adapter;

Figure 5 is a third side view of the connecting cable, in which said first micro USB connector is disconnected from the micro USB port of said first lightning to micro USB adapter and rotated relative to said first micro USB connector;

Figure 6A shows a third embodiment of the connecting cable, object of the invention, where the first micro USB connector is provided with a first lightning to micro USB adapter and the second micro USB connector is provided with a second lightning to micro USB adapter;

Figure 6B shows an enlarged view of the second lightning to micro USB adapter;

Figure 7 shows a connection system comprising the first embodiment of the connecting cable and a third lightning to micro USB adapter.

With particular reference to Figure 1A, a first embodiment of the connecting cable 1 , object of the invention, is described.

Said connecting cable 1 comprises:

- a first micro USB connector 11 , positioned at a first end of said connecting cable 1 , and

- a second micro USB connector 12, positioned at a second end of said connecting cable 1 , opposite to said first end.

Said first micro USB connector 11 is configured to be connected with a micro USB port D11 of the first mobile device D1 and said second micro USB connector 12 is configured to be connected with a micro USB port D21 of a second mobile device D2. In the embodiment being described, reference is made to two cellular phones as an example of mobile devices.

However, further mobile devices other than a cellular phone may also be connected by means of said connecting cable.

With reference to the first micro USB connector 1 1 , said first micro USB connector 11 comprises a first supply terminal T1 and a second supply terminal T2 for allowing the passage of an electrical current, as well as a first signal terminal T3 and a second signal terminal T4 for allowing the passage of at least one signal containing one or more items of information (e.g. data).

In the embodiment being described, said first micro USB connector 11 is provided with a USB OTG function supporting terminal T5.

However, said further USB OTG function supporting terminal T5 is disconnected from the second supply terminal T2 and therefore the USB OTG function may not be enabled. Such a further terminal T5 is not required because in the embodiment being described the first micro USB connector 1 1 serves a guest function, i.e. said first micro USB connector 11 is configured to make it possible for the first mobile device D1 to receive a quantity of electricity.

With reference to said second micro USB connector 12, said second micro USB connector is a micro USB OTG connector (i.e. USB On-The- Go).

The micro USB OTG connection is part of USB specifications.

Thus, said second micro USB connector 12 serves a host function and therefore is configured to take a quantity of electricity from said second mobile device D2.

Said second micro USB connector 12 comprises a first supply terminal T1 ' and a second supply terminal T2' for allowing the passage of an electrical current, as well as a first signal terminal T3' and a second signal terminal T4' for allowing the passage of at least one signal containing one or more items of information (e.g. data), and a USB OTG function supporting terminal T5 for enabling the OTG function.

In particular, the USB OTG function supporting terminal T5' is connected to said second supply terminal T2'.

The USB host function of the second micro USB connector 12 is obtained from the fact that the second supply terminal T2' is connected to said USB OTG function supporting terminal T5'.

In particular, the first supply terminal ΤΎ of the second micro USB connector 12 is connected to the first supply terminal T1 of the first micro USB connector 11 and the second supply terminal T2' of the second micro USB connector 12 (as already mentioned, connected to the USB OTG function supporting terminal T5'of the second micro USB connector 12 itself) is connected to the second supply terminal T2 of the first micro USB connector 11.

As it can be seen in Figure 1B, when said first micro USB connector

11 is connected to the micro USB port D11 of said first mobile device D1 and said second micro USB connector 12 is connected with the micro USB port D21 of said second mobile device D2, a quantity of electricity is taken from said second mobile device D2 and is transferred to said first mobile device D2 through the connecting cable 1.

Since said second micro USB connector 12 is a USB OTG connector, a quantity of electricity is taken from said second mobile device D2 and is transferred to said first mobile device D1.

In the embodiment being described, the first signal terminal T3' and the second signal terminal T4' of the second micro USB connector 12 are respectively connected to the first signal terminal T3 and to the second signal terminal T4 of the first micro USB connector 11.

In a first alternative (not shown), said first signal terminal T3' and said second signal terminal T4' of said second micro USB connector 12 may be respectively disconnected from the first signal terminal T3 and from the second signal terminal T4 of the first micro USB connector 11.

In a second alternative (not shown), each micro USB connector 11,

12 may be without the respective signal terminals.

The alternatives described above refer to the case in which the connecting cable 1 allows the second mobile device D2 to transfer a quantity of electricity alone to the first mobile device D1 , without an exchange of information between the mobile devices being possible.

With reference to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the connecting cable the object of the invention is shown.

In said second embodiment, said connecting cable 1 comprises a first lightning to micro USB adapter 21

Said first adapter 21 has a first micro USB port 211 for receiving a micro USB connector and a first lightning connector 212 for being connected with a lightning port.

The lightning connector is a connector with 8 pin manufactured by a well-known American company and is positioned at the end of a USB cable to be introduced into a cellular phone or smartphone, which is manufactured by the same American company. Said USB cable makes it possible for the cellular phone or smartphone to be connected to the USB port of a computer in order to recharge and synchronise such a cellular phone or smartphone, or to a USB charger (manufactured by the same American company) to be recharged by an electric outlet.

In particular, the first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 is connected to the first micro USB connector 1 so as to translate and rotate relative to the first micro USB connector 11.

Said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 translates from a first position, in which the first micro USB port 211 of said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 is connected with the first micro USB connector 11 (i.e. said first micro USB connector 1 is coupled with said first lightning to micro USB adapter), to a second position, in which said first micro USB port 211 of said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 is at a predetermined first distance from said first micro USB connector 11 (i.e. said first micro USB connector is uncoupled from said first lightning to micro USB adapter), and vice versa.

The first micro USB connector 1 comprises first guiding means 11A for guiding the translation of said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 relative to said first micro USB connector 11 and the first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 comprises first rotation means 10 for rotating said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 with respect to said first micro USB connector 11.

In the embodiment being described, said first guiding means 11A comprise two first grooves and said first rotation means 10 comprise two first pins.

Said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 comprises two first arms 21 A, each of which is connected to a respective first groove by means of a respective first pin so that said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 translates from said first position to said second position, and vice versa.

Each first pin allows the rotation of said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 relative to said first micro USB connector 11 , when said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 is in said second position.

Each first groove has depth and sizes such as to house a respective first pin 10.

Figure 3 shows the first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 in the first position, in which the first micro USB connector 11 is connected with the first micro USB port 211 of said first lightning to micro USB adapter.

Figure 4 shows the first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 in the second position, in which said first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 is translated so that its first micro USB port 211 is at a predetermined first distance from said first micro USB connector 11.

Figure 5 shows the first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 rotated relative to the first micro USB connector 11 by a predetermined first angle with respect to a plane passing through the grooves.

Figure 6A shows a third embodiment of the connecting cable, object of the invention.

Unlike the second embodiment, the connecting cable 1 comprises a second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 (shown in detail in Figure 6B and described below).

Said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 has a second micro USB port 221 for receiving a micro USB connector and a second lightning connector 222 for being connected with a lightning port.

In particular, said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 comprises a logic control unit 223 having a USB interface, which is connected to said second micro USB port 221.

Said logic control unit is connected to said second lightning connector 222 and is configured to take a quantity of electrical current from said second lightning connector 222 and to provide said quantity of electrical current to said USB interface.

Said USB interface comprises a first supply terminal T11 and a second supply terminal T12 for allowing the passage of an electrical current.

Said second micro USB port 221 comprises a first supply terminal T1 1 ' and a second supply terminal T12' for allowing the passage of an electrical current.

Said first supply terminal T1 1 ' of said second micro USB port 221 is connected to said first supply terminal T1 1 of said USB interface of the logic control unit 223, and said second supply terminal T12' of said second micro USB port 221 is connected to said second supply terminal T12 of said USB interface of said logic control unit 223.

In the embodiment being described, said USB interface comprises a first signal terminal T13 and a second signal terminal T14 for allowing the passage of at least one signal containing one or more items of information, and said second micro USB port 221 comprises a first signal terminal T13' and a second signal terminal T14' for allowing the passage of at least one signal containing one or more items of information, and also a USB OTG function supporting terminal T15'.

The first signal terminal T13' and the second signal terminal T14' of the second micro USB port 221 are disconnected respectively from the first signal terminal and from the second signal terminal of the USB interface of said logic control unit 223 to prevent the second mobile device D2, which is connected with the second lightning connector 222, from communicating with the first mobile device D1 when the latter is connected with the first micro USB connector 11.

However, the logic control unit 223 may be configured to take said at least one signal from said lightning connector 222 and to provide said signal to the USB interface of said logic control unit 223. In this case, the first signal terminal T13' and the second signal terminal T14' of the second micro USB port 221 are connected respectively to the first signal terminal T13 and to the second signal terminal T14 of the USB interface of said logic control unit 223.

Similarly to that mentioned for the first lightning to micro USB adapter 21 , the second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 is connected to the second micro USB connector 12 so as to translate and rotate relative to the second micro USB connector 12.

The second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 translates from a first position, in which the second USB port 221 of said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 is connected with the second micro USB connector 12 (i.e. the second micro USB connector 12 is coupled with the second lightning to micro USB adapter), to a second position, in which said second USB port 221 of said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 is at a predetermined second distance from said second micro USB connector 12 (i.e. said second micro USB connector is uncoupled from said second lightning to micro USB adapter), and vice versa.

The second micro USB connector 12 comprises second guiding means 12A for guiding the translation of said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 relative to said second micro USB connector 12 and the second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 comprises second rotation means 20 for rotating said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 with respect to said second micro USB connector 12.

In the embodiment being described, said second guiding means 12A comprise two second grooves and said second rotation means 20 comprise two second pins.

Said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 comprises two second arms 22A, each of which is connected to a respective second groove by means of a respective second pin so that said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 translates from said first position to said second position, and vice versa.

Each second pin 20 allows the rotation of said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 relative to said second micro USB connector 12, when said second lightning to micro USB adapter 22 is in said second position.

Each second groove has depth and sizes such as to house a respective second pin.

With reference to the embodiments described above, although it is not shown in the drawings, the first micro USB connector 11 may be a micro USB OTG connector.

Figure 7 shows a connection system for connecting a first mobile device to a second mobile device so that a quantity of electricity is taken from said second mobile device and is transferred to said first mobile device.

Said connection system comprises the connecting cable, object of the invention, and a third lightning to micro USB adapter 23.

In the embodiment being described, the connecting cable is the one described with reference to the first embodiment. However, said connection system may comprise any embodiment of the connecting cable described above.

Said third lightning to micro USB adapter 23 has a third micro USB port 231 for receiving a micro USB connector and a third lightning connector 232 for being connected with a lightning port.

Similarly to the second lightning to micro USB adapter 22, said third lightning to micro USB adapter 23 comprises a further logic control unit 233 having a further USB interface, which is connected to the third micro USB port 231.

Said further logic control unit is connected to said third lightning connector 232 and is configured to take a quantity of electrical current from the third lightning connector 232 and to provide said quantity of electrical current to said further USB interface.

Said further USB interface comprises a first supply terminal T31 and a second supply terminal T32 for allowing the passage of an electrical current.

Said third micro USB port 231 comprises a first supply terminal T31' and a second supply terminal T32' for allowing the passage of an electrical current.

The first supply terminal T31' and the second supply terminal T32' of the third micro USB port 231 are respectively connected to said first terminal T31 and to said second supply terminal T32' of said USB interface of said further logic control unit 233.

Said further USB interface comprises a first signal terminal T33 and a second signal terminal T34 for allowing the passage of at least one signal containing one or more items of information, and said third micro USB port 231 comprises a first signal terminal T33' and a second signal terminal T34' for allowing the passage of at least one signal containing one or more items of information, and also a USB OTG function supporting terminal T35'.

In the embodiment being described, the signal terminals Τ33', T34' of the third micro USB port 231 are disconnected respectively from the signal terminals T33, T34 of the USB interface of said logic control unit 233 to prevent the second mobile device, which is coupled with the third lightning connector 232, from communicating with the first mobile device when the latter is coupled with the first micro USB connector 11.

However, the further logic control unit 233 may be configured to take at least one signal containing one or more items of information from said third lightning connector 232 and to provide said at least one signal to said USB interface.

In this case, said first signal terminal T33' and said second signal terminal T34' of said third micro USB port 231 are respectively connected to said first signal terminal T33 and to said second signal terminal T34 of the USB interface.

Advantageously, using the connecting cable, object of the present invention, it is possible to take a quantity of electricity from a mobile device and to transfer it to a second mobile device without the need for a user to bring a portable battery.

The present invention is described by way of example only, without limiting the scope of application, according to its preferred embodiments, but it shall be understood that the invention may be modified and/or adapted by experts in the field without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept, as defined in the claims herein.