Inductive charging pad with alignment indicator

• US 20060061324A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Oglesbee, John Wendell
• Granted Patent: US 7,271,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A contactless, inductive charger having a generally planar surface is provided. An image, text or other visual indicator is disposed upon the substantially planar surface such that the visual indicator represents a preferred placement orientation for an electronic device for optimal inductive charging. The charger includes a primary coil positioned within the boundaries of the image, such that a user has a visual guide for placing the device on the charging surface for maximum efficiency in charging. The visual indicator, which may be a picture, outline, text or other directional indicator, may be geometrically similar to a shape of the electronic device or may be in the shape of a generic device. It may be disposed upon the charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition and adhesive retention.

Claims

1. A contactless charger, comprising a graphic representation of an electronic device orientation that facilitates inductive power transfer.

2. The charger of claim 1, wherein the graphic representation is selected from the group consisting of pictorial representations of the electronic device, outlines of the electronic device, pictorial representations of a generic electronic device, outlines of a generic electronic device, textual descriptions of the electronic device orientation, and visual indicators of the electronic device orientation.

3. The charger of claim 2, wherein the graphic representation is disposed upon the charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition, printing, lithography, etching and adhesive retention.

4. The charger of claim 3, wherein the charger comprises a charging surface that is substantially planar.

5. The charger of claim 3, wherein the charger comprises a primary coil disposed within the boundaries of the graphic representation.

6. The charger of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of telephones, two-way radios, computer mice, pagers, personal digital assistants, music players, video players and portable computers.

7. A contactless charger for an electronic device, comprising an image disposed on the charger, wherein the image is indicative of a preferred orientation of the electronic device for contactless charging.

8. The charger of claim 7, wherein the image is geometrically similar to the electronic device.

9. The charger of claim 7, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of outlines, pictures, text, and directional indicators.

10. The charger of claim 9, wherein the image is disposed upon the charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition and adhesive retention.

11. The charger of claim 9, wherein the electronic device comprises a cellular telephone, further wherein the image comprises an outline of the cellular telephone.

12. An inductive charger, comprising

a. a substantially planar surface;

and

b. a visual indicator disposed upon the substantially planar surface;

wherein the visual indicator represents an orientation of an electronic device associated with optimal inductive charging.

13. The charger of claim 12, wherein the visual indicator is geometrically similar to a shape of the electronic device.

14. The charger of claim 13, wherein the visual indicator is selected from the group consisting of pictures of the electronic device, graphic representations of the electronic device, outlines of the electronic device, pictures of a generic electronic device, graphic representations of a generic electronic device and outlines of a generic electronic device.

15. The charger of claim 14, wherein the visual indicator is disposed upon the charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition printing, lithography, etching and adhesive retention.

16. The charger of claim 15, wherein the electronic device comprises a cellular telephone.

17. The charger of claim 15, wherein the charger comprises a charging surface that is substantially planar.

18. The charger of claim 12, wherein the visual indicator outlines a primary coil disposed within the charger.

19. The charger of claim 12, wherein the visual indicator is shaped to represent a generic electronic device.