Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for use with a mobile unit, e.g. a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to a way to disconnect power to the mobile unit as well as to alert when the mobile unit goes warm, that is, when the mobile unit's temperature rises abnormally.

In particular, the present invention relates to a method of protecting a mobile unit comprising a rechargeable battery during charging using an electric power supply device comprising a connector interface for receiving a charger of the mobile unit. The electric power supply device may be a fixedly mounted wall outlet, e.g. a wall-mount socket, or a portable power outlet, e.g. a plug or multiplug outlet.

The present invention also relates to a computer program application having instructions which, when executed by an execution environment of a mobile unit, causes the mobile unit to perform said method.

The present invention also relates to an electric power providing device which is connectable to power mains and comprises a connector interface.

Background

In buildings having mains electricity installed, wall-mount sockets are devices that allow electrical devices to be connected to a primary alternating current (AC) power supply. Plug or multiplug outlets adapted to be connected to the sockets are commonly utilised to provide power to the electrical devices.

Plugs and so-called multiplugs are available in many designs, some grounded and some ungrounded, and are part of any home or cabin that has mains electricity installed. Plugs and multiplugs are used to a greater extent than ever, and together with more types of electric devices, of which some have a safer construction than others. This development means that the number of plugs, and perhaps also the number of multiplugs, also increases, as households have many more electrical devices than before, while the electrical system in buildings is often of old origin.

Also, third party chargers and other potentially less secure electrical devices are used more frequently.

One of the problems with this is that the danger of short-circuiting, overheating and worst- case fire increases, as charging of, for example, mobile phones takes place by the bed or in the bedroom at night or when nobody is home. Another problem is that a user may simply forget to disconnect his mobile phone when it has finished charging, especially at night. This human factor will always be present and therefore pose a constant problem which may cause domestic fires, material damage and, in some cases, loss of human life, as statistics show.

Apparatuses are previously known that will ensure that power is switched off, e.g. plugs with timers. However, these must be set or programmed to a certain interval, and do not eliminate the most important factor, namely the human. The same applies to remotely controlled panel heaters in cabins and the like. Such heaters can be programmed so that they can be turned off remotely using an application program (app) communicating over the Internet; but, once again, an active input from the user is required. There are also plugs with sensors that can detect heat and the like, as well as so-called smart house solutions, where electric devices in a home are mapped and entered in an application program (app) or in a computer program so that the home's electrical system can be remotely controlled.

CN 106471697 A describes a system and a method for charging a rechargeable battery of a mobile terminal using a charging device, wherein, during charging, a temperature is measured at the rechargeable battery, and wherein, if the measured temperature exceeds a predetermined limit value, a wired or wireless signal is sent to the charging device instructing the charging device to stop providing charging power to the mobile terminal.

Summary of the invention

With the abovementioned challenges and known solutions in mind, the present invention, according to one aspect, relates to a method of protecting a mobile unit comprising a rechargeable battery during charging using an electric power supply device comprising a connector interface for receiving a charger of the mobile unit, which mobile unit comprises:

- a temperature measuring module adapted to measure the temperature of the rechargeable battery;

- a communication module adapted to transmit wireless data signals; and

- an execution environment adapted to run a computer program application which is adapted to receive data signals from the temperature measuring module which are indicative of the temperature of the rechargeable battery,

which electric power supply device comprises:

- a communication module adapted to receive said wireless data signals; and

- a power control module adapted to control electric power supplied to said electric interface;

which method comprises the steps of:

- the computer program application, when receiving a data signal from the temperature measuring module which is indicative of a battery temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature value, ordering the communication module (20) of the mobile unit to transmit a power cut-off signal to the communication module (30) of the electric power supply device; and - the power supply module, upon the communication module (30) of the electric power supply device receiving the power cut-off signal, cutting off power to the electric interface.

The electric power supply device may comprise an alarm module, and the method may comprise the step of the alarm module, upon the communication module of the electric power supply device receiving the power cut-off signal, triggering a visual and/or an audible alarm signal.

The mobile unit may comprise an alarm module, and the method may comprise the step of the computer program application, when receiving said data signal from the temperature measuring module which is indicative of a battery temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature value, ordering the alarm module of the mobile unit to trigger a visual and/or an audible alarm signal.

The mobile unit may comprise an alarm module, and the method may comprise the step of the computer program application, when receiving said data signal from the temperature measuring module which is indicative of a battery temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature value, ordering the communication module of the mobile unit to transmit a warning signal to an external device or system.

In said method, the electric power providing device may be a fixedly mounted wall outlet, e.g. a wall-mount socket, or a portable power outlet, e.g. a plug or multiplug outlet. The present invention, according to another aspect, relates to a computer program application having instructions which, when executed by an execution environment of a mobile unit, causes the mobile unit to perform said method.

The mobile unit may be a mobile phone (cell phone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer and the like. The computer program application is adapted to receive data signals from a temperature measuring module of the mobile unit which is adapted to measure the temperature within the mobile unit, in particular the temperature of a rechargeable battery of the mobile unit, which received data signals are indicative of the temperature inside the mobile unit, in particular the temperature of the rechargeable battery. When having received a data signal from the temperature measuring module which is indicative of a temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature value, the computer program application is adapted to order a communication module of the mobile unit to transmit a wireless data signal, e.g. using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi protocols.

The transmitted data signal may be a power cut-off signal directed to an electric power providing device to which the mobile unit is connected for charging, which power cut-off signal, upon the electric power providing device receiving the cut-off signal, causes the electric power providing device to cut power to the mobile unit . In addition or alternatively, the transmitted data signal originating from the mobile unit may be a temperature warning signal directed to a second mobile unit informing the second mobile unit of the increased temperature in the first mobile unit. The temperature warning signal may be received and processed by a computer program application adapted to run in an execution environment in the second mobile unit, and may be presented to the user of the second mobile unit in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the second mobile unit, allowing the user to take appropriate action, e.g. to locate and turn of the first mobile unit.

Upon receiving the temperature warning signal, the computer program application of the second mobile unit may also, or alternatively, raise a visual and/or audible alarm to direct the user's attention to the increased temperature in the first mobile unit.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an electric power providing device which is connectable to power mains and comprises a connector interface, wherein the electrical power providing device comprises:

- a communication module adapted to receive wireless data signals; and

- a power control module adapted to cut off electrical power to the connector interface when the communication module receives a power cut-off signal from a mobile unit comprising a charger connected to the connector interface.

The electric power providing device may comprise an alarm module adapted to trigger a visual and/or an audible alarm signal when the communication module receives said power cut-off signal.

The electric power providing device may be a fixedly mounted wall outlet, e.g. a wall-mount socket, or a portable power outlet, e.g. a plug or multiplug outlet.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a system for protecting a mobile unit during charging using a charger, which mobile unit comprises a rechargeable battery, a temperature measuring module adapted to measure the temperature of the rechargeable battery, a communication module adapted to transmit wireless data signals; and an execution environment adapted to run a computer program application which is adapted to receive data signals from the temperature measuring module which are indicative of the temperature of the rechargeable battery, which system also comprises said electric power providing device, i.e. an electric power providing device which is connectable to power mains and comprises a connector interface for receiving the charger, a communication module adapted to receive wireless data signals, and a power control module adapted to cut electric power to the connector interface when the communication module receives a power cut-off signal, wherein said computer program application, when receiving a signal from the temperature measuring module which is indicative of a battery temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature value, is adapted to order said communication module to transmit said power cut-off signal to said receiving module, and which power supply module, upon the communication module receiving the cut-off signal, is adapted to cut power to the socket to which said charger is connected. Said predetermined threshold temperature value may be set sufficiently low to safeguard safe charging of the mobile unit and may for example be within the range of 40 to 80 degrees centigrade.

The computer program application may be adapted to trigger a visual and/or an audible alarm in the mobile unit upon the computer program application receiving said signal from the temperature measuring module indicating the battery temperature exceeding the predetermined threshold temperature value.

In addition, or alternatively, a visual and/or an audible alarm may be triggered in the electric power providing device upon the communication module receiving the power cut- off signal.

What distinguishes these aspect of the present invention from prior art is that they relate to an automatic hazard protection of a mobile unit through an installed computer program application which at all times monitors the mobile unit's temperature and, if the temperature deviates from what is normal, it will send a wireless power cut-off signal, e.g. via Bluetooth, to an electrical outlet that is compatible with this so that the power is cut using, for example, a programmable microcontroller in the electrical outlet, and an alarm or notification may be issued in the form of, e.g. an audio alarm, a message, and/or a light signal, either from the mobile phone itself or from the wall outlet or the plug or multiplug outlet it is connected to. Utilizing the invention, it may be possible to reduce or eliminate potential dangers related to mobile units overheating by having the self-monitoring computer program application, at predefined parameters, triggering the mobile unit to either cut the power itself or provide a power cut-off signal that causes the electrical outlet to which the mobile unit it is connected to cut the power. It may be equally important that the mobile unit or the electrical outlet emits a loud sound signal if the temperature in the mobile unit phone begins to rise above normal, and the mobile unit may turn itself off as a consequence, although the usefulness of this may be marginal and subordinate.

The present invention thus solves the above-mentioned problems associated with charging of electrical devices either using original or third party chargers and, in particular, in unattended situations such as during night time charging. The invention may be used with mobile units such as mobile phones (cell phones), tablet computers, laptop computers or other types of electrical units which have an inherent risk of overheating.

By using a programable microcontroller that is incorporated in the power outlet or in the multi-plug, the microcontroller can be programmed to act according to the message received from the mobile phone / tablet via Bluetooth or other appropriate notification. In the event that the temperature of the mobile unit falls outside the normal expected range (the normal range), the power will automatically be cut and an alarm will be issued so that a user will either see, hear or otherwise receive a notification. According to one aspect, the present invention thus relates to the mobile unit itself, and not to the charger or charging process. As such, it solves a problem that would not necessarily have been captured by measuring charging power in the electrical outlet or charger. For example, in a scenario where a person is sleeping and charging a mobile unit, with the present invention the mobile unit will be monitored continuously and automatically with respect to its temperature development. If the temperature, over time, begins to differ from normal values and/or from a predefined normal range, the computer program application running in the execution environment of the mobile unit will trigger actions, e.g. as previously disclosed. The type action or actions may depend on whether the mobile phone is connected to a charger or not. If it is not connected to a charger but becomes warm nevertheless, the computer program application may trigger an audible alarm on the mobile unit itself as well as transmit a temperature warning signal, e.g. via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, to any type of external device that is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone and is compatible to receive and interpret the data signals transmitted by the mobile unit, whether this is an electrical outlet, fire alarm, alert centre or another mobile phone. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive, but are meant to exemplify how the computer program application can be to used trigger a valuable warning in response to a detrimental temperature development in the mobile unit.

According to one aspect, the objectives of the present invention are achieved by a device for mobile units, e.g. mobile phones, tablets and the like, in the form of a computer program application which is installable and runnable in an execution environment of the mobile device, and where the computer program application is adapted to measure or monitor the temperature in the mobile unit, in particular the temperature of a rechargeable battery of the mobile unit, and, if the temperature rises beyond a predefined normal temperature value or range, to transmit a wireless data signal, e.g. a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signal, to a compatible electric power providing device, e.g. a wall-mount socket or a plug or multiplug outlet, which electric power providing device, in response to the received data signal and using a microcontroller, shuts the power to the connected mobile device, possibly also issuing a warning or notification signal in the form of a beep, light signal, or forwarding the data signal to an external device, e.g. to a smoke detector or other types of alarms.

The invention provides the benefit of allowing safer charging and monitoring of portable mobile units, especially mobile phones and tablets. The invention is also easy to use and implement and does not rely on human intervention when overheating occurs. The invention allows safe charging during night time or when the mobile unit is positioned on a flammable surface when charged. In this way, the invention will contribute to the risk of fire and damage to material goods and can also prevent loss of human life. Also, the invention allows devices being prone to overheating, e.g. third party chargers, to be used more safely. Consequently, the invention contributes to safe usage of the ever-increasing number of mobile phones, tablets, chargers and other portable electronics of varying quality that are used in homes, cabins, cars and other contexts. In the following, the present invention will be further explained with reference to the appended figure.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a system according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a system 10 for protecting a mobile unit 12 during charging, which mobile unit is connected to an electric power supply device 14. In the shown embodiment the mobile unit 12 is a mobile phone and the electric power supply device 14 is a multiplug.

The mobile phone 12 comprises a rechargeable battery 16 and a temperature measuring module 18 adapted to measure the temperature inside the mobile phone 12, in particular the temperature of the rechargeable battery 16. The mobile phone 12 also comprises a communication module 20 which is adapted to transmit and receive wireless data signals, e.g. via Bluetooth. The mobile phone 12 further comprises an alarm module 22 which is adapted to emit visual and/or audible alarm signals when so ordered. The mobile phone 12 also comprises an execution environment adapted to run a computer program application adapted to receive data signals from the temperature measuring module 18 which are indicative of the temperature inside the mobile phone 12, in particular data signals that are indicative of the temperature of the rechargeable battery 16. In figure 1 the execution environment running the computer program application is schematically indicated by reference numeral 22.

The multiplug 14 comprises a plurality of connector interfaces 26, each being arranged for providing electrical power to an electrical apparatus which is connected to the multiplug 14.

The connector interfaces 26 may comprise an electrical socket arranged for receiving conventional mains plugs, i.e. plugs of the type which is normally connected to wall sockets for receiving mains alternating-current (AC) electric power, i.e. power normally having voltage of 120 or 230 V and a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz.

The connector interfaces 26 may comprise a low-voltage connector interfaces, e.g. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging port and/or an inductive charging interface, e.g. an interface operating according to the Qi standard.

In Figure 1 the multiplug 14 comprises two connector interfaces 26 in the form of plug sockets. It is to be understood, however, that the multiplug 14 alternatively can have one, three, four or any other number of connector interfaces. It is also to be understood that the multiplug 14 can have connector interfaces 26 of different types, e.g. one or a plurality of the above-discussed types (conventional mains socket, USB charging port and Qi charging interface). For each connector interface 26, the multi lug 14 further comprises a power control module 28 adapted to control electric power provided to an electrical apparatus connected to the connector interface 26. The power control module 28 may typically comprise a microcontroller adapted to control electrical power provided to the connector interface 26, including cutting power to the connector interface 26 when so ordered.

The multiplug 14 also comprises a communication module 30 which is adapted to transmit and receive wireless data signals and an alarm module 32 which is adapted to emit visual and/or audible alarm signals when so ordered.

A charger 34 is connected to the mobile phone 12 via electric cord 36 and the charger 34 is connected to one of the sockets 26 of the multiplug 14. The multiplug 5 is connected to a wall-mount socket (not shown) via electric cord 38. The wall-mount socket, in turn, is connected to a primary alternating current (AC) power supply, i.e. power mains (not shown).

During charging, the temperature measuring module 18 measures the temperature of the rechargeable battery 16 and the computer program application installed in the execution environment 24 receives data signals from the temperature measuring module 18 which are indicative of the temperature of the rechargeable battery 16. If the computer program application receives a data signal from the temperature measuring module 18 which is indicative of a temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature value indicating that the rechargeable battery 16 is becoming overheated, the computer program application orders the communication module 20 of the mobile phone 12 to transmit a power cut-off signal to the communication module 30 of the multiplug 14, e.g. using

When the communication module 30 of the multiplug 14 receives the power cut-off signal, the power control module 28 of the socket 26 to which the charger 34 is connected is ordered to cut power to the socket 26, thus interrupting the charging of the mobile phone 2.

In addition, the alarm module 32 may be ordered to trigger a visual and/or an audible alarm informing that power to one of the sockets has been interrupted.

In addition to ordering the power cut-off signal to be transmitted to the multiplug 14, the computer program application may order the alarm module 22 to trigger a visual and/or an audible alarm informing that the rechargeable battery is becoming overheated.

Also, the computer program application may order the communication module 20 to transmit a warning signal to an external unit or system, informing that the rechargeable battery is becoming overheated and allowing this device or system to take further action. The external unit or system may for example be a home alarm system which, upon receiving the warning signal, raises a general alarm. The external unit or system may also be a second mobile unit 42 in which the warning signal may be received and processed by a computer program application adapted to run in an execution environment in the second mobile unit and presented to the user of the second mobile unit in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the second mobile unit, allowing this user to take appropriate action, e.g. to locate and turn of the first mobile unit 12.

It is understood that said electric power providing device 14 need not be a multiplug outlet, but may be a single plug outlet or a wall-mount socket.