Charger Loss Prevention Adaptor

Abstract

A reminder system for a portable-device charger is designed for determining when it is likely that the charger is about to be left behind. Detection which may be in real time can pertain, depending on the embodiment, to disconnection of a portable device from the charger, and/or movement of a portable device out of wireless range of the charger or a charger adaptor. In some versions, the onset of reminding is, upon detecting disconnection, tentatively postponed until a predetermined criterion is met, such as expiry of a predetermined time period. Or the criterion can be detection of an out-of-range condition based on distance between the portable device and an adaptor or charger. In some embodiments detection and reminder issuance are incorporated in a unit, such as a plug-in wall adaptor or the charger itself.

1 . A unit connectable for charging a portable device and configured to prevent leaving behind a portable-device battery charger when a battery chargeable by said charger is disconnected from said charger, said unit comprising:
 a detector configured for detecting the disconnection; and   a notification module configured for, responsive to detection of said battery being disconnected from said charger and to prevent said leaving behind, issuing a reminder,   said issuing being further responsive to at least one of the following events:
 a) distance between said unit and said portable device exceeding a predetermined threshold; and 
 b) expiry of a time period, said period starting after said detection of said battery being disconnected from said charger. 
   
     
     
         2 . The unit of  claim 1 , said portable device being a handheld device. 
     
     
         3 . The unit of  claim 1 , said issuing being responsive to said expiry. 
     
     
         4 . The unit of  claim 3 , said period being of predetermined length. 
     
     
         5 . The unit of  claim 3 , further configured to, in case said battery is reconnected to said charger prior to said expiry, forgo performing said issuing. 
     
     
         6 . The unit of  claim 3 , further configured such that said period is a grace time period for a user of said unit, within which period said user is afforded an opportunity to prevent said issuing. 
     
     
         7 . The unit of  claim 1 , further configured with a user switch for inactivating said issuing. 
     
     
         8 . The unit of  claim 1 , further configured as an adaptor to which said charger is connectable for charging and designed such that unplugging said adaptor terminates said reminder. 
     
     
         9 . The unit of  claim 1 , further configured with a user switch for halting said issuing. 
     
     
         10 . The unit of  claim 9 , said switch being a manual switch. 
     
     
         11 . The unit of  claim 1 , further configured for said reminder timing out. 
     
     
         12 . The unit of  claim 1 , further configured as an adaptor for conveying electrical power. 
     
     
         13 . The unit of  claim 1 , said issuing being responsive to said exceeding. 
     
     
         14 . Circuitry configured for reminding a user to thereby prevent a battery charger from being left behind and for determining that disconnection of a portable device from said charger has occurred, said circuitry comprising a notification module configured for, responsive to said determining that disconnection has occurred, delaying commencement of reminding a user. 
     
     
         15 . The circuitry of  claim 14 , said delaying being for a predetermined length of time. 
     
     
         16 . A computer readable medium for preventing leaving behind a battery charger for a portable device when a battery of said device is disconnected from said charger, said medium comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a plurality of acts, said plurality comprising the acts of:
 detecting, by a unit comprising said product, the disconnection; and   responsive to detection of said battery being disconnected from said charger and to prevent said leaving behind, issuing, by said unit, a reminder, said issuing being further responsive to at least one of the following events:
 a) distance between said unit and said portable device exceeding a predetermined threshold; and 
 b) expiry of a time period, said period starting after said detection of said battery being disconnected from said charger. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer readable medium of  claim 16 , said issuing being responsive to said expiry. 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , said period being of predetermined length. 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , further configured for, in case said battery is reconnected to said charger prior to said expiry, causing said unit to forgo said issuing. 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , further configured such that said period is a grace time period for a user of said unit, within which period said user is afforded an opportunity to prevent said issuing. 
     
     
         21 . The computer readable medium of  claim 16 , responsive to a user switch on said unit for inactivating said issuing. 
     
     
         22 . The computer readable medium of  claim 16 , further configured for said reminder timing out. 
     
     
         23 . The computer readable medium of  claim 16 , responsive to a user switch on said unit for halting said issuing. 
     
     
         24 . A wall outlet adaptor configured for, while a device remains plugged in to said adaptor, sensing, from said device, that said device is about to be left behind, and for at least one of:
 a) responsive to said sensing that said device is about to be left behind, issuing a reminder; and   b) determining that a portable device has exceeded a predetermined distance from said adaptor.   
     
     
         25 . The adaptor of  claim 24 , said device plugged in comprising a charger. 
     
     
         26 . The adaptor of  claim 24 , configured for said issuing responsive to said sensing. 
     
     
         27 . The adaptor of  claim 26 , said sensing entailing detecting that said device is disconnected from a portable device. 
     
     
         28 . The adaptor of  claim 27 , said portable device for which disconnection is detected being a handheld device. 
     
     
         29 . The adaptor of  claim 27 , further configured for, after determining that the disconnection has occurred, delaying said issuing. 
     
     
         30 . The adaptor of  claim 24 , configured for said determining.