Wireless charging apparatus
First Claim
1. A wireless charging apparatus for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device, the wireless charging apparatus comprising:
- a receiving area configured to removably receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device;
a plurality of coil sets positioned around a perimeter of the receiving area of the apparatus, each coil set including at least two electrically conductive coils positioned on opposing sides of the perimeter of the receiving area, each electrically conductive coil of each coil set directed inward from the perimeter of the receiving area toward one or more other electrically conductive coils of the respective coil set, the ends of each electrically conductive coil including electrical leads; and
coil control circuitry electrically connected to each electrically conductive coil at the respective electrical leads of the electrically conductive coil, the coil control circuitry configured to selectively provide a changing electric current to a selected one of the coil sets based at least in part upon a detected position of the portable electronic device in the receiving area of the apparatus, the changing electric current inducing a magnetic field around the electrically conductive coils of the selected coil set for inductively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is in proximity to the selected coil set.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A charging apparatus for charging a portable electronic device includes a receiving area, two coil pairs, and coil control circuitry. The receiving area is configured to removably receive the portable electronic device and/or a case for a portable electronic device. The two coil pairs are positioned around a perimeter of the receiving area of the charging apparatus. Each coil pair includes first and second electrically conductive coils. The second electrically conductive coil is opposite the first electrically conductive coil on the perimeter of the receiving area and the ends of each electrically conductive coil including electrical leads. The coil control circuitry is electrically connected to each electrically conductive coil. The coil control circuitry is configured to selectively provide a charging current to at least one of the coil pairs to induce a magnetic field around the electrically conductive coils for inductively charging the portable electronic device.
145 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A wireless charging apparatus for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device, the wireless charging apparatus comprising:
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a receiving area configured to removably receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device; a plurality of coil sets positioned around a perimeter of the receiving area of the apparatus, each coil set including at least two electrically conductive coils positioned on opposing sides of the perimeter of the receiving area, each electrically conductive coil of each coil set directed inward from the perimeter of the receiving area toward one or more other electrically conductive coils of the respective coil set, the ends of each electrically conductive coil including electrical leads; and coil control circuitry electrically connected to each electrically conductive coil at the respective electrical leads of the electrically conductive coil, the coil control circuitry configured to selectively provide a changing electric current to a selected one of the coil sets based at least in part upon a detected position of the portable electronic device in the receiving area of the apparatus, the changing electric current inducing a magnetic field around the electrically conductive coils of the selected coil set for inductively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is in proximity to the selected coil set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A charging apparatus for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device, the charging apparatus comprising:
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a receiving area configured to removably receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device; at least two coil pairs positioned around a perimeter of the receiving area of the charging apparatus, each coil pair including at least a first electrically conductive coil and a second electrically conductive coil, the second electrically conductive coil positioned opposite the first electrically conductive coil on the perimeter of the receiving area, the ends of each electrically conductive coil including electrical leads; and coil control circuitry electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to each electrically conductive coil at the respective electrical leads of the electrically conductive coil, the coil control circuitry configured to; transmit first power wirelessly to the portable electronic device using a first one of the coil pairs; transmit second power wirelessly to the portable electronic device using a second one of the coil pairs; and determine a preferred coil pair of the first and second coil pairs based on relative magnitudes of the first power and the second power; wherein transmitting the first and second power includes inducing a magnetic field for inductively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is in the receiving area. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A wireless charging system comprising:
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a protective case for a portable electronic device; and an apparatus for wirelessly charging the portable electronic device through the protective case, the wireless charging apparatus comprising; a receiving area adapted to removably receive at least a portion of the protective case; a plurality of coil sets positioned around a perimeter of the receiving area of the apparatus, each coil set including at least two electrically conductive coils positioned on opposing sides of the perimeter of the receiving area, each electrically conductive coil of each coil set directed inward from the perimeter of the receiving area toward one or more other electrically conductive coils of the respective coil set, the ends of each electrically conductive coil including electrical leads; and coil control circuitry electrically connected to each electrically conductive coil at the respective electrical leads of the electrically conductive coil, the coil control circuitry adapted to selectively provide a changing electric current to at least one of the coil sets wherein the at least one of the coil sets is selected based upon a detected position of the portable electronic device in the receiving area, the changing electric current inducing a magnetic field around the electrically conductive coils of the at least one coil set for inductively transferring electrical power to corresponding coils of the protective case for charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case and the protective case is in the receiving area. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification