INDUCTIVELY CHARGEABLE AUDIO DEVICES

• US 20120230521A1
• Filed: 05/18/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: Azancot, Yossi, Ben-Shalom, Amir, Greenwald, Oola, Rofe, Arik
• Application Number:
  US13/475,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20120230521A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/150
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An inductively enabled audio speaker is disclosed configured to receive power inductively from an inductive power outlet. The audio speaker device has a voice coil which, as well as being able to produce an audible output, is further configured to function as a secondary inductor to inductively couple with a primary inductor. The inductively enabled audio speaker may be used to power an electrical device such as a Bluetooth earpiece, a telephone or the like.

Claims

1. A power providing system for an electrical device, said system comprising an earphone unit selectively connectable to said electrical device via at least one connector, wherein said earphone unit comprises:

a secondary inductor selectively inductively couplable to a primary inductor to provide power to the electrical device via said connector.

2. The power providing system of claim 1, said earphone unit comprising at least one inductive element for inductively coupling said primary inductor to said secondary inductor.

3. The power providing system of claim 2, said inductive element comprising said secondary inductor.

4. The power providing system of claim 1, secondary inductor comprising a voice coil of at least one speaker of said earphone unit.

5. The power providing system of claim 1, wherein said connector comprises a conducting wire and said secondary inductor comprises at least one loop of said conducting wire.

6. The power providing system of claim 1 wherein said secondary inductor comprises at least one loop of wire is incorporated into a support strap for supporting the electrical device.

7. The power providing system of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises at least two conducting wires and said secondary inductor comprises at least one loop formed by connecting said conducting wires.

8. The power providing system of a claim 1 wherein said inductive element comprises a ferromagnetic core extending through said secondary inductor and into said earphone unit for selectively coupling with said primary inductor.

9. An electrical device comprising at least one earphone jack configured to connect to at least one earphone unit configured to receive power inductively from a primary inductor, wherein said earphone jack is connected to a signal input for receiving audio signals and to a charger output connected to a power cell via a rectifier.

10. The electrical device of claim 9 wherein said earphone jack is further connected to a switching unit configured to selectively connect the earphone unit to one of said signal input or said charger output.

11. The electrical device of claim 9 wherein said earphone unit comprises a voice coil operable to convert an electrical signal into an audible output, and further operable to inductively couple with a primary inductor to receive power, wherein said earphone jack is operable to selectively provide said electrical signal to said voice coil and to receive power from said voice coil.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said earphone jack is connected to a switching unit operable to selective connectable to an audio signal input or a charger output.

12. A method for charging an internal power cell of an electrical device comprising the steps of:

providing a primary inductor connected to a power source via a driver;

providing an earphone unit comprising a secondary inductor;

connecting said earphone unit to the electrical device via an earphone jack of said electrical device;

inductively coupling said secondary inductor to said primary inductor, and

providing a variable voltage to the primary inductor.