Light pad charger for electronic devices
First Claim
1. A battery charger, comprising:
- a. a first surface upon which an electronic device may be placed;
b. at least one light source capable of projecting light from the first surface;
c. at least one photo detector capable of receiving light reflected from the electronic device; and
d. a power supply coupled to the charger;
wherein while the at least one photo detector receives light from the at least one light source that has been reflected from the electronic device, the at least one light source continues to emit light.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light emitting charger is provided. The light emitting charger delivers light energy to a portable electronic device having a rechargeable battery. The electronic device is equipped with a photovoltaic energy conversion device that converts the transferred light into an electrical current that can be used to charge the battery. Through alternate communication mechanisms, the electronic device can alert the charger as to when to illuminate the light sources and which light sources to illuminate. The charger is equipped with photo detectors for receiving photo communication from the electronic device. In one embodiment, the charger periodically pulses one or more light sources until it receives light reflected from reflective material disposed along the electronic device. When the reflective light is received, the charger may actuate a plurality of light sources in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the amount or location of the reflective light. In another embodiment, the electronic device is equipped with a photo communication light source, and may communicate with the charger through pulsed light.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A battery charger, comprising:
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a. a first surface upon which an electronic device may be placed;
b. at least one light source capable of projecting light from the first surface;
c. at least one photo detector capable of receiving light reflected from the electronic device; and
d. a power supply coupled to the charger;
wherein while the at least one photo detector receives light from the at least one light source that has been reflected from the electronic device, the at least one light source continues to emit light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A light pad for charging rechargeable batteries, the light pad comprising:
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a. a plurality of light sources;
b. a plurality of photo detectors dispersed among the plurality of light sources; and
c. a microprocessor capable of actuating any of the plurality of light sources;
wherein when any of the plurality of photo detectors receives a photo communication from an electronic device, the microprocessor actuates a subset of the plurality of light sources. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for charging a rechargeable battery, the system comprising:
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a. a portable electronic device having the rechargeable battery coupled thereto; and
b. a light emitting charger, the light emitting charger comprising;
i. a planar surface for supporting the portable electronic device;
ii. at least one light source capable of emitting light from the planar surface towards the portable electronic device;
iii. at least one photo detector capable of receiving light from the planar surface; and
iv. a controller capable of selectively actuating the at least one light source;
wherein the controller actuates the at least one light source and continues to do so as long as the at least one photo detector receives photo information from the planar surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification