CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0015767 filed on February 3, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The disclosed technology generally relates to a rack configured for electrically coupling a plurality of mobile electronic devices thereto, including a rack configured for electrically coupling mobile electronic devices thereto using a magnet. .

Description of the Related A

[0003] A mobile electronic device may be referred to as electronic devices, such as a smart phone and a tablet PC, that enable a user to touch a screen to access various contents to a user. In recent years, the mobile electronic devices have been widely distributed to be used for individual users and used as common materials in schools, hospitals, corporations, or the like.

[0004] However, when a plurality of mobile electronic devices is used in schools, hospitals, and corporations, it may be very cumbersome to charge and safely store the plurality of mobile electronic devices. That is, when a plurality of mobile electronic devices are to be charged at the same time, as many wired cables are required as there are mobile electronic devices, and therefore there is a need to manage the wired cables separately and a user needs to insert the wired cables into charging terminals of the mobile electronic devices one by one. Therefore there is inconvenience in charging the mobile electronic device.

[0005] The following Korean Patents disclose solutions to the inconvenience involved when the plurality of mobile electronic devices are charged and stored as described above. [0006] Korean Patent No. 1219446 discloses that a charging stand into and on which a mobile device is inserted and seated is installed in a case and a charger is connected to the mobile electronic device seated on the charging stand to charge the mobile electronic device. Further, Korean Patent No. 1287123 discloses that a tablet PC is seated on a shelf installed in a main body and then power is supplied to a charging port of the tablet PC through a charging connector. According to the Korean Patent No. 1219446 and Korean Patent No. 1287123, when there are a lot of mobile electronic devices to be charged, the user needs to insert a charger (or the charging connector) into each mobile electronic device one by one and therefore there is inconvenience in charging the mobile electronic devices.

[0007] Further, Korean Patent No. 1378427 discloses a storage apparatus in which power supply parts for charging are modularized for each slot and thus the parts may be simply replaced upon the failure of products. However, according to the Korean Patent No. 1378427, upon the charging of the mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device needs to be inserted only in one direction in the storage device, and therefore the storage apparatus is inconvenient to use.

SUMMARY

[0008] The disclosed technology is devised to solve one or more of the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rack for charging mobile electronic devices capable of easily charging and storing a plurality of mobile electronic devices.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a rack for charging a mobile electronic device includes: a case whose front surface is open and inside is empty; a plurality of rack members disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the case to seat a mobile electronic device; an electrode unit provided on one surface of each rack member and including power terminals charging the mobile electronic device by supplying power from a power supply to the mobile electronic device if the electrode unit is electrically connected to a terminal unit provided in the mobile electronic device, and at least one rack member magnet embedded in each rack member and electrically connecting between the electrode unit and the terminal unit as the at least one rack member magnet is magnetically coupled to an electronic device magnet provided in the mobile electronic device. [0010] According to a second aspect, a rack for electrically coupling one or mobile electronic devices comprises a case and a plurality of rack members disposed in the case, wherein each of the rack members is vertically separated from an adjacent one of the rack members by a space configured for inserting, e.g., manually, a mobile electronic device therethrough to attach the mobile electronic device to the each of the rack members. An electrode unit is formed on one surface of the each of the rack members and includes power terminals configured for supplying power to the mobile electronic device by electrically coupling to a terminal unit of the mobile electronic device. At least one rack member magnet is embedded in each of the rack members and configured to be magnetically coupled to an electronic device magnet in the mobile electronic device. When the at least one rack member magnet is magnetically coupled to the electronic device magnet, the rack is configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrode unit and the terminal unit for supplying the power to the mobile electronic device.

[0011] According to a third aspect, a system for electrically coupling one or mobile electronic devices to a rack comprises a rack as configured according to the first or second aspects above, a mobile electronic device according to the first and second aspects described above, and a power supply electrically connected to the electrode unit to supply power to the mobile electronic device.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, a method of electrically coupling one or mobile electronic devices to a rack comprises providing a rack according to first or second aspects described above. The method additionally includes providing a mobile electronic device according to first or second aspects. The method further comprises electrically coupling the mobile electronic devices to one of the rack members, wherein electrically coupling comprises disposing the at least one rack member magnet and the electronic device magnet within a magnetic field region of each other without contacting each other, and releasing the mobile electronic device, such that the mobile electronic device snaps onto the rack member.

[0013] One side of each rack member facing a front surface of the case may be provided with a concave part,

[0014] The power terminals may be made up of pin terminals. The power terminals may be made up of concentric-shaped terminals. [0015] The electrode unit may include: communication terminals transmitting and receiving data between the mobile electronic device and an external device if the electrode unit is electrically connected to the terminal unit provided in the mobile electronic device.

[0016] The communication terminals may be made up of pin terminals or may be made up of concentric-shaped terminals.

[0017] The rack for charging a mobile electronic device may further include: an alarm unit notifying a state where data is transmitted and received between the mobile electronic device and the external device.

[0018] The rack member magnet may be disposed below a point where the electrode unit is positioned. The rack member magnets may be disposed to be symmetric to each other on a circumference with respect to the electrode unit.

[0019] The rack for charging a mobile electronic device may further include: a cover covering the front surface of the case.

[0020] The rack for charging a mobile electronic device may further include: a sterilizer disposed on an inner surface of the case to sterilize the mobile electronic device. The rack for charging a mobile electronic device may further include: a controller controlling a sterilizing operation of the sterilizer depending on a charge amount of the mobile electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack configured for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices, according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front view of the rack illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rack member according to some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rack member illustrated in FIG. 3 including a close-up view of an electrode unit, according to some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rack member according to some other embodiments. [0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating example mobile electronic devices being inserted into a rack configured for electrically coupling the mobile electronic devices, according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating example mobile electronic devices being inserted into a rack configured for electrically coupling the mobile electronic devices, according to some other embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example mobile electronic device configured to be housed in a rack configured for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices, according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example mobile electronic device configured to be housed in a rack configured for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like components. The accompanying drawings are provided to sufficiently transfer the technical spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art, but the present invention is not limited only to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. A detailed description of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the gi st of the present invention will be omitted.

[0031] FIG. I is a perspective view of a rack configured for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices thereto, e.g., for charging or communicatively coupling one or more mobile electronic devices, according to some embodiments. FIG. 2 is a front view of the rack illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a rack member according to some embodiments. FIG. 4 is a projection view of the rack member according to some embodiments, and FIG. 5 is a projection view of the rack member according to some other embodiments. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example in which a mobile electronic device is housed in a rack for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices according to some embodiments and FIG. 7 is a view illustrating another example in which the mobile electronic device is housed in the rack for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices according to some other embodiments.

[0032] A rack for charging a mobile electronic device according to some embodiments includes a case 100, a plurality of rack members 200, e.g., rack shelves, configured to be housed inside the case 100. Each of the rack members 200 are configured to be removably inserted, e.g., by sliding, into one of slots in the case 100 that are configured to hold the rack members. Each of the rack members 200 comprises one or more electrode units 300, e.g., electrical coupling interfaces, provided on one surface, e.g., upper surface, of each rack member 200. At least one rack member magnet 400 is housed in or embedded in each rack member 200. Further, the rack for electrically coupling one or more mobile electronic devices according to embodiments may further include a cover 500, e.g., a door, configured to cover a front surface of the case 100, thereby enclosing and storing the electronic devices therein. The rack may further include a sterilizer 600 provided in the case 100 for sterilizing the mobile electronic device 20.

[0033] The case 100 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of mobile electronic devices 20 may be seated, e.g., on the shelves, and stored in the case 100. The front surface of the case 100 may be open, and the inside of the case 100 may be empty. The whole or part of the front surface of the case 100 may be open. For example, when closed, the cover 500 may cover the entire front surface or portions thereof. In some implementations, there may be more than one cover 500, each cover 500 covering a portion of the front surface.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, when one or more mobile electronic devices 20 are housed in the rack and electrically coupled thereto, an alarm part 110, 120 may notify when data is being transmitted by and/or received by the one or more electronic devices 20, and may notify when the one or more electronic devices are being charged. The alarm units 1 10, 120, which may provide visual and/or audio signals, may be provided on the front surface of the case 100. In some embodiments, the number of alarm units 110. 120 may correspond to the number of rack members 200. Here, the alarm units 1 10, 120 may be, for example, include LED lamps.

[0035] One of the alarm units, e.g., one of right and left LED lamps 110 and 120, e.g., the left LED 1 10, provided on the front surface of the case 100 may indicate, e.g., the state where the mobile electronic device 20 may be transmitting and receiving data. Specifically, when communication terminals 33 and 34 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 and communication terminals 330 and 340 provided in the rack member 200 are electrically coupled or connected to each other, data may be transmitted and received between the mobile electronic device 20 and external devices (not shown), the left LED lamp 1 10 is turned on (for example, blue). Here, the external device may be any device electrically connected to the mobile device 20, e.g., any device in a wired or wireless network, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a router, and a smart. TV, to name a few, that may transmit and receive data to and from the mobile electronic device 20 by connecting the external device to the rack electrically connecting one or more mobile electronic devices according to embodiments (for example, the external device and the rack for charging may be connected to each other by a USB cable).

[0036] Another of the alarm units, e.g., the other of right and left LED lamps 1 0 and 120, e.g., the right LED lamp 120, provided on the front surface of the case 100 may be configured to indicate the charging state of the mobile electronic device 20. Specifically, when the electrode terminals 31 and 32 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 and the electrode terminals 310 and 320 provided in the rack member 200 are electrically coupled or connected to each other to charge one or more mobile electronic devices 20, the right LED lamp 120 is turned on. For example, if the mobile electronic device 20 is charged, the right LED lamp 120 may turn red, and if the mobile electronic device 20 is fully charged, the LED lamp 120 may turn green.

[0037] As the alarm units such as the LED lamps 110 and 120 are provided in the case 100 as described above, a user may easily be aware of the data transmitting / receiving state and the charging state of the mobile electronic device 20.

[0038] The plurality of rack members or shelves 200 are spaced apart, e.g., vertically, from each other to seat the mobile electronic device 20 inside the case 100. Each rack member 200 may have a rectangular plate shape. As shown in FIG. 6 or 7, the mobile electronic device 20 may be inserted from the outside of the case 100 toward the front surface of the case 100 and may be seated on, e.g., attached using a magnetic force, the rack member 200. In some other embodiments, the rack member 200 may be pulled out from case 100 before attaching using a magnetic force. [0039] According to the exemplar}' embodiments, the mobile electronic device 20 may be seated on the rack member 200 by the magnetic force of the electronic device magnet 40 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 and the rack member magnet 400 provided in the rack member 200.

[0039] According to exemplary embodiments, the rack members 200 may be spaced apart from each other in the case 100 in a vertical direction as illustrated. However, embodiments are not so limited. For example, the rack and the rack members may be configured such that the rack members are stacked and spaced apart in a horizontal direction. However, the illustrated embodiment may provide an advantage, considering the gravity being exerted to the mobile electronic device 20 seated inside the case 100 and the magnetic force of the magnets 40 and 400. Thus, according to some embodiments, the mobile electronic device 20 may be seated in the case 100 in the state where it is horizontal to a bottom surface (or ground) of the case 100 as shown in FIG. 6 or 7. Accordingly, according to some embodiments, the rack members 200 may be vertically spaced apart from each other in the case 100, and may be disposed horizontally with respect to the bottom surface of the case 100.

[0040] The rack member 200 may be fitted into one or more guide grooves or protrusions (not shown) formed on an inner surface of the case 100 configured to guide and/or to hold the rack member 200, The guide grooves or protrusions may be provided on a support part (not shown) protruding from the inner surface of the case 100 toward the inside of the case 100.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, or the like, a concave part 250 may be formed on one side of the rack member 200 which faces the front surface of the case 100, The concave part 250 may be configured such that, when an electronic device 20 is seated on the rack member 200, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the electronic device 20 is exposed by the concave part. Thus, the concave part 250 may facilitate the user to more easily to draw the mobile electronic device 20 from the rack member 200 after the mobile electronic device 20 is seated on the rack member 200 when the concave part 250 is formed in the rack member 200.

[0042] At this point, a size of the concave part 250 formed in the rack member 200 may be determined in consideration of the size of the mobile electronic device 20. For example, if the mobile electronic device 20 is placed on the rack member 200, the size of the concave part 250 may be preferably determined so that a part of the mobile electronic device 20 is positioned in, or extend into, the concave part 250. Therefore, a user may hold a part of the mobile electronic device 20 positioned in the concave part 250 and easily pull the mobile electronic device 20 out of the case 100. In some embodiments, the concave part 250 may configured to be substantially entirely covered by the electronic device 20. In some other embodiments, the concave part 250 may configured to be partly covered by the electronic device 20, a portion of which may extend into the concave part 250,

[0043] The rack member 200 may have the electrode unit 300, e.g., an electrical coupling interface comprising one or more electrodes for pads provided on one side thereof, e.g., the upper side, to be electrically connected to a terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20. The electrode unit 300 may have a rack member magnet 400 embedded therein to be magnetically coupled to the electronic device magnet 40 embedded in the mobile electronic device 20. In other implementations, the electrode unit 300 may be configured to be disposed over the magnet 40.

[0044] Hereinafter, prior to describing the electrode unit 300 and the rack member magnet 400, the terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 and the electronic device magnet 40 will be described.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example in which one or more mobile electronic devices 20 configured to be housed in the rack for being electrically coupled thereto, e.g., for being charged and/or being communicatively coupled, is separated therefrom for illustrative purposes, according to some embodiments, FIG. 8 shows a tablet PC as an example of the mobile electronic device 20. However, embodiments are not so limited and the electronic device 20 may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook PC, laptop PC or any suitable mobile computing device. The mobile electronic device 20 housed in the rack for charging a mobile electronic device according to some embodiments includes a body 21 and a back cover 22, in which a center of the back cover 22 is provided with a hole 23, where the hole 23 is configured to house or be coupled to the terminal unit 30.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the terminal unit 30 comprises a plurality of concentric-shaped terminals. The concentric terminals may include one or more power terminals 31, 32, one or more data communication terminals 33, 34, and one or more identification (ID) terminals. [0047] If power terminals 31 (V+) and 32(V-) are electrically connected to power terminals 310(V+), and 320(V-) of the rack member 200, the power terminals 31 (V+) and 32(V-) may be supplied with power from a power supply (not shown) provided in the case 100 to charge a battery (not shown) embedded in the body 20.

[0048] If an ID terminal 35 is electrically connected to an ID terminal 350 of the rack member 200, the device recognition between the mobile electronic device 20 and the external device may be made.

[0049] If communication terminals 33(D+) and 34(D-) are electrically connected to communication terminals 330(D+) and 340 (D-) of the rack member 200, data is transmitted and received between the mobile electronic device 20 and the external device.

[0050] However, the terminal unit 30 is not necessarily provided on the back cover 22 of the mobile electronic device 20. In some other embodiments, the terminal unit 30 may be provided on a protective case (not shown) coupled to the mobile electronic device 20. In this case, the terminal unit 30 is connected to the charging port of the mobile electronic device 20 through the wiring, such that if the terminal unit 30 is electrically connected to the electrode unit 300 of the rack member 200, and the power from the power supply is supplied to the battery of the mobile electronic device 20 to charge the battery.

[0051] If the terminal unit 30 is made up of concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals, the electrode unit 300 provided in the rack member 200 may preferably be made up of pins, pin electrodes or pin terminals. It will be appreciated that having the concentric- shaped electrodes or terminals allows the electronic device 20 to be electrically coupled to the rack member regardless of the orientation of the electronic device 20.

[0052] However, the terminal unit 30 is not necessarily made up of concentric- shaped electrodes or terminals, and the shape of the terminal unit 30 may be appropriately changed. For example, according to some other embodiments, the electrode unit 300 provided in the rack member 200 may be made up of concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals. In this case, the terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 may preferably be made up of pin terminals.

[0053] Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a single electronic device magnet 40 may be embedded in the mobile electronic device 20. Here, although there is no particular limitation on the position of the electronic device magnet 40, the single electronic device magnet 40 may be preferably disposed below the point where the terminal unit 30 is positioned in a depth direction,, considering the electrical connection between the terminal unit 30 and the electrode unit 300 which is caused by the magnetic coupling between the electronic device magnet 40 and the rack member magnet 400. FIG. 8 shows that the number of electronic device magnets 40 is one. However, if the divided magnet is used as the electronic device magnet 40, the number of electronic device magnets 40 may be plural.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating another example in which one or more mobile electronic devices 20 configured to be housed in the rack for being electrically coupled thereto, e.g., for being charged and/or being communicatively coupled, is separated therefrom for illustrative purposes, according to some embodiments,

[0055] FIG. 9 differs from FIG. 8 in the number and positions of electronic device magnets 40. Referring to FIG. 9, a total of four electronic device magnets 40 are disposed around the terminal unit 30. If the number of electronic device magnets 40 is plural, it may be advantageous in terms of increasing a magnetic coupling force between the mobile electronic device 20 and the rack member 200. Considering the electrical connection between the terminal unit 30 and the electrode unit 300 that is induced by the magnetic coupling between the electronic device magnet 40 and the rack member magnet 400, the plurality of electronic device magnets 40 may preferably be disposed to be symmetric to each other, e.g., radially symmetric or disposed at substantially the same radial distances from a center of the terminal unit 30.

[0056] Further, FIG. 9 differs from FIG. 8 in the shape of the terminal unit 30. That is, in FIG. 8, the terminal unit 30 is shown as continuous concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals and in FIG. 9, the terminal unit 30 is shown as discontinuous concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals. The terminal unit 30 configuring the mobile electronic device 20 may be made up of continuous or discontinuous concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals or pin terminals or may have various other shapes.

[0057] On the other hand, the electronic device magnet 40 may be disposed below the position where the terminal unit 30 is positioned and may be disposed to be symmetrical to each other on the circumference with respect to the center of the terminal unit 30. In addition, the electronic device magnet 40 may be disposed in the mobile electronic device 20 in various ways. [0058] Referring again to FIG, 3, the electrode unit 300 according to some embodiments may be provided on one side of the rack member 200, Here, the electrode unit 300 may be preferably provided at the center of the rack member 200, This is to connect between the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 somewhat regardless of the size of the mobile electronic device 20 (more specifically, width and height of the mobile electronic device 20) when the mobile electronic device 20 is seated on the rack member 20 for charging or storage of the mobile electronic device 20, That is, so long as the outer edges or comers of the electronic device 20 do not abut the walls of the case 100, the rack is configured to house electronic devices having a variety of sizes and shapes,

[0059] If power terminals 310 (V+) and 320 (V-) included as part of the electrode unit 300 are electrically connected to the terminal unit 30 of the mobile electronic device 20, more specifically, to power terminals 31(V+) and 32 (V-) of the mobile electronic device 20, the power from the power supply, which may be provided inside or outside the case 100, is supplied to the mobile electronic device 20 to charge the battery of the mobile electronic device 20,

[0060] If the ID terminal 350 of the terminals configuring the electrode unit 300 is electrically connected to the ID terminal 35 of the mobile electronic device 20, the device recognition between the mobile electronic device 20 and the external device (not shown) is made.

[0061] In addition, the eiectrode unit 300 may be provided with communication terminals 330 (0+) and 340 (D-), If the communication terminals 330 (D+) and 340 (D~) are electrically connected to the communication terminals 33(D+) and 34 (D-) of the mobile electronic device 20, data is transmitted and received between the mobile electronic device 20 and the external device.

[0062] The power terminals 310 (V+) and 320 (V-), the communication terminals 330 (D+) and 340 (D-), and the ID terminal 350 that configure the electrode unit 300 may be made up of pin terminals. The pin terminals may protrude outwardly through the hole (not shown) formed on one surface of the rack member 200. Each of the pin terminals may be disposed so as to correspond to the concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals provided in the mobile electronic device 20 one to one. [0063] However, the electrode unit 300 is not necessarily made up of concentric- shaped electrodes or terminals, and the shape of the electrode unit 30 may be appropriately changed. For example, the electrode unit 300 may be made up of concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals such as the terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 described above. That is, the electrode unit 300 may be made up of the concentric-shaped power electrodes or terminals V+ and V-, the communication terminals D+ and D-, and the ID terminals. In this case, the concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals may be in the continuous or discontinuous form as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. If the electrode unit 300 is made up of concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals, the electrode unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 may preferably be made up of pin terminals. That is, the terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 may be made up of the pin terminal-shaped power terminals V+ and V-, the communication terminals D+ and D- , and the ID terminal. Here, each of the pin terminals may be disposed so as to correspond to the concentric-shaped electrodes or terminals provided in the rack member 200 one to one.

[0064] Meanwhile, as the rack member magnet 400 is magnetically coupled to the electronic device magnet 40 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 as described above, the rack member magnet 400 serves to electrically connect between the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, a single rack member magnet 400 is embedded in the rack member 200. The mobile electronic device 20 shown in FIG. 8 may be seated on the rack member 200 shown in FIG. 4. That is, the single rack member magnet 400 shown in FIG. 4 and the single electronic device magnet 40 shown in FIG. 8 are magnetically coupled to each other and thus the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 may be electrically connected to each other, such that the mobile electronic device 20 may be charged. Here, although there is no particular limitation on the position of the rack member magnet 400, the single rack member magnet 400 may be preferably disposed below the point where the electrode unit 300 is positioned, considering the electrical connection between the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 which is caused by the magnetic coupling between the electronic device magnet 40 and the rack member magnet 400. FIG. 4 shows that the number of rack member magnets 400 is one. However, if a divided magnet is used as the rack member magnet 400, the number of rack member magnets 400 may be plural. [0066] FIG. 5 differs from FIG, 4 in the number and positions of rack member magnets 400. Referring to FIG. 5, a total of four rack member magnets 400 are disposed around the electrode unit 300. The mobile electronic device 20 shown in FIG. 9 may be seated on the rack member 200 shown in FIG. 5. That is, the plurality of rack member magnets 400 shown in FIG. 5 and the plurality of electronic device magnets 40 shown in FIG. 9 are magnetically coupled to each other and thus the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 may be electrically connected to each other, such that the mobile electronic device 20 may be charged. If the number of rack member magnets 400 is plural as shown in FIG. 5, it may be advantageous in terms of increasing the magnetic coupling force between the mobile electronic device 20 and the rack member 200, Considering the electrical connection between the terminal unit 30 and the electrode unit 300 that are induced by the magnetic coupling between the electronic device magnet 40 and the rack member magnet 400, the plurality of electronic device magnets 40 may preferably be disposed to be symmetric to each other on a circumference with respect to a center of the terminal unit 30.

[0067] Meanwhile, the rack member magnet 400 may be disposed below the point where the electrode unit 300 may be positioned and at the same time, may be disposed to be symmetric to each other on the circumference with respect to the center of the electrode unit 300. In addition, the rack member magnet 400 may be embedded in the rack member 200 in various manners.

[0068] Advantageously, because of the magnetic force between the magnets 400 and 40 of the rack member 200 and the mobile electronic device 20, respectively, the electronic device 20 may snap into place through the magnetic coupling between the magnets 40 and 400, thereby obviating a need for precise alignment between the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30. The magnets 40 and 400 may snap into place, e.g., when they are in relatively close proximity, e.g., a couple to a few centimeters, depending on the strengths of the magnets. When the magnets 40 and 400 are magnetically coupled, the pattern of conductors or terminals on the electrode unit 300 and the pattern of conductors or terminals on the terminal unit 30 may align and contact each other to make the electrical connections between the rack member 200 and the electronic device 20, for charging and/or transferring data therebetween. Advantageously, in the illustrated embodiments, electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 may form the electrical connections therebetween without external electrical wires between the rack member 200 and the electrode unit, between the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 and/or between the terminal unit 30 and the mobile electronic device 20.

[0069] Thus, the rack according to embodiments allows for a convenient method of electrically coupling one or mobile electronic devices 20 to a rack. The method comprises providing a rack and one or more mobile electronic devices as described above. The mobile electronic device 20 is electrically coupled to one of the rack members 200, wherein electrically coupling comprises disposing a rack member magnet 400 and the electronic device magnet 40 within a magnetic field region of each other without contacting each other. For example, depending on the strengths of the magnets 400 and 40, the magnetic field region may include a radius of up to a few centimeters. Subsequently, the electronic device 20 can be released, upon which the mobile electronic device 20 snaps into place when the magnets 400 and 40 attach to each other.

[0070] Furthermore, each of the rack members 200 has a dimension and the position of the electrode unit is such that the rack is configured to electrically couple different mobile electronic devices having different sizes and shapes. By way example, when one or both of the electrode unit 300 and the terminal unit 30 are formed at a substantially central locations of the rack member 200 and the mobile electronic device 20, respectively, and when both the rack member 200 and the mobile electronic device 20 are rectangular, the mobile electronic device 20 can be disposed and be magnetically coupled to the rack member 200 regardless of its angular orientation so long as the longest lateral dimension of the mobile electronic device 20, e.g., the diagonal dimension, does not exceed the shortest lateral dimension, e.g., the shorted distance between opposing lateral sides, of the rack member 200.

[0071] FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples in which the mobile electronic device is housed in the rack for electrically coupling, e.g., for charging or for communicatively coupling, one or more mobile electronic devices, according to some embodiments.

[0072] In detail, in the rack for charging a mobile electronic device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of rack members 200 are disposed to be vertically spaced apart from each other in the case 100 and are horizontally disposed to the bottom surface of the case 100. Further, the electrode unit 300 is provided on an upper surface of each rack member 200 and the rack member magnet 400 is embedded in the rack member 200.

[0073] In this case, the mobile electronic device 20 may be housed toward the upper portion of the rack member 200 in the state where a screen of the electronic device faces upward. As described above, the electronic device magnet 40 is embedded in the mobile electronic device 20. Accordingly, if the mobile electronic device 20 is housed in the case 100, the magnetic coupling is generated between the rack member magnet 400 and the electronic device magnet 40, such that the mobile electronic device 20 is seated on or attached to the rack member 200. Further, in this case, the electrode unit 300 provided in the rack member 200 and the terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 are electrically connected to each other to charge the mobile electronic device 20, and if the external device is connected to the rack for charging, the mobile electronic device 20 and the external device may transmit and receive data to and from each other. In some embodiments, different mobile electronic devices 20 may transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0074] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, since the charging and storage of the mobile electronic device 20 are performed by the electrode unit 300 provided on one side of the rack member 200 and the magnet 400 embedded in the rack member 200, the user need not necessarily house the mobile electronic device 20 only in the direction shown in FIG. 6. That is, if the rack member 200 is horizontally disposed with respect to the bottom surface of the case 100 and the user houses the mobile electronic device 20 toward the upper portion of the rack member 200, as shown in FIG. 7, the mobile electronic device 20 may be housed in the case 100 in different directions. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to greatly reduce the restriction on the direction in which the mobile electronic device 20 is housed in the case 100, thereby increasing the convenience in use in charging and storing the mobile electronic device 20.

[0075] In addition, the mobile electronic device 20 may have different specifications (in particular, width and height) for each manufacturer or model. However, according to the present invention, the terminal unit 30 provided in the mobile electronic device 20 and the electrode unit 300 provided in the rack member 200 are electrically connected by the magnetic force between the magnets 40 and 400, and therefore the terminal unit 30 and the electrode unit 300 may he universally used somewhat regardless of the width or the height of the mobile electronic device 20.

[0076] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, a sterilizer 600 for sterilizing the mobile electronic device 20 is provided on the inner surface of the case 100. The sterilizer 600 may be, for example, an ultraviolet LED lamp that emits ultraviolet rays, and may be provided in the same or in proportion to the number of rack members 200. Further, the sterilizer 600 is electrically connected to the electrode unit 300 and is designed to operate only when the terminal unit 30 of the mobile electronic device 20 is electrically connected to the electrode unit 300,

[0077] The sterilizer 600 may be configured so that its operation is controlled depending on the charge amount of the mobile electronic device 20. That is, when the user uses the mobile electronic device 20 for a short time, the discharge amount of the mobile electronic device 20 is small and the required amount of sterilization for the mobile electronic device 20 is small. In this case, it is preferable to perform the sterilization of the mobile electronic device 20 only for a short time. On the other hand, if the user uses the mobile electronic device 20 for a long time, the discharge amount of the mobile electronic device 20 is large and the required amount of sterilization for the mobile electronic device 20 is large. In this case, it is preferable to perform the sterilization of the mobile electronic device 20 for a relatively long time.

[0078] In order to control the sterilizing operation of the sterilizer 600 depending on the amount of charge of the mobile electronic device 20, a controller (not shown) needs to be provided in the case 100. The controller controls the sterilizing operation of the sterilizer 600 depending on the charge amount of the mobile electronic device 20 in the state where the mobile electronic device 20 is seated on the rack member 200. For example, the controller may be configured to stop the sterilizing operation of the sterilizer 600 when the mobile electronic device 20 is fully charged or to stop the sterilizing operation of the sterilizer 600 when the mobile electronic device 20 is charged by in a predetermined charge amount (for example, charge amount of■). The controller for performing the above-described operation is additionally provided, thereby reducing the power required for sterilizing the mobile electronic device 20. [0079] According to some embodiments, since the charging and storage of the mobile electronic device are made by the electrode unit provided on one surface of the rack member and the magnet embedded in the rack member, a separate charging cable may not be required for charging the mobile electronic device. Therefore, according to some embodiments, the user need not insert the charging cables into the plurality of mobile electronic devices one by one or separately manage the plurality of charging cables, thereby increasing the convenience in using the mobile electronic device.

[0080] Further, according to embodiments, it is possible to greatly reduce the restrictions on the direction in which the mobile electronic device is housed in the case and increase the convenience in use in charging and storing the mobile electronic device.

[0081] Further, according to embodiments, the terminal unit provided in the mobile electronic device and the electrode unit provided in the rack member are electrically connected to each other by the magnetic force between the magnets and therefore may be universally used somewhat regardless of the size of the mobile electronic device.

[0082] It should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are not restrictive but are exemplary in all aspects. It should be interpreted that the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims rather than the above-mentioned detailed description and ail modifications or alterations deduced from the meaning, the scope, and equivalences of the claims are included in the scope of the present invention.