System and Method for Charging an Electronic Device

• US 20120013293A1
• Filed: 07/15/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chu, Joseph Yao-Hua
• Application Number:
  US12/837,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20120013293A1
• 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 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A method that includes determining that a device mount power supply included within a device mount is compatible with an electronic device power supply included in an electronic device. The method further includes receiving power transferred from the device mount power supply via an inductive power connection that is disposed on the device mount at a location other than where a device mounting adapter that is affixed to the device mount is disposed on the device mount, where the device mount adapter is configured to couple the electronic device to the device mount and align the electronic device and the device mount to facilitate charging the electronic device power supply; and charging the electronic device power supply with power received from the device mount power supply via the inductive power connection.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining that a device mount power supply included within a device mount is compatible with an electronic device power supply included in an electronic device;

receiving power transferred from the device mount power supply via an inductive power connection that is disposed on the device mount at a location other than where a device mounting adapter that is affixed to the device mount is disposed on the device mount, wherein the device mount adapter is configured to couple the electronic device to the device mount and align the electronic device and the device mount to facilitate charging the electronic device power supply; and

charging the electronic device power supply with power received from the device mount power supply via the inductive power connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a digital video camcorder.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device mount comprises a base portion and a plurality of legs.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device mount comprises a tripod.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device mount power supply comprises one or more batteries.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more batteries are removable from the device mount.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more batteries are rechargeable and are not removable from the device mount.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the device mounting adapter comprises a screw.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving control commands transmitted from the device mount via the inductive power connection.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the control commands cause the electronic device to execute one or more camera functions including at least one of a play function, a pause function, a fast-forward function, a rewind function, and a record function.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the device mount includes one or more interface buttons configured to receive user input associated with the one or more camera functions.

12. A device mount, comprising:

a first power supply configured to transfer power to a second power supply included in a electronic device via an inductive power connection; and

a device mounting adapter configured to couple an electronic device to the device mount,

wherein the inductive power connection is located at a location other than within the device mounting adapter,

wherein the second power supply is charged with the power received from the first power supply via the inductive power connection, and

wherein the device mounting adapter facilitates proper alignment of the electronic device and the device mount for charging purposes.

13. The device mount of claim 12, wherein the device mount comprises a tripod.

14. The device mount of claim 12, wherein the electronic device comprises a digital video camcorder.

15. The device mount of claim 12, wherein the device mounting adapter comprises a screw.

16. The device mount of claim 12, wherein the first power supply comprises one or more batteries.

17. An electronic device, comprising:

a first power supply configured to receive power transferred from a second power supply included in a device mount via an inductive power connection; and

an interface configured to accept a device mounting adapter that couples the electronic device to a device mount,

wherein the inductive power connection is located at a location other than within the device mounting adapter,

wherein the first power supply is charged with the power received from the second power supply via the inductive power connection, and

wherein the device mounting adapter facilitates proper alignment of the electronic device and the device mount for charging purposes.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the device mount comprises a tripod.

19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the electronic device comprises a digital video camcorder.

20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the device mounting adapter comprises a screw.