CHARGING DEVICE

• US 20130314036A1
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Hideyuki
• Application Number:
  US13/778,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20130314036A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a charging device configured to charge a device placed at a charging area in a non-contact manner includes: a determination module; a charge controller; and, an information module. The determination module determines a priority order indicating from which one of a plurality of devices is to be preferentially charged, based on positions of the respective devices placed at the charging area, when the devices are placed at the charging area. The charge controller controls the charging of the devices placed at the charging area according to the priority orders. The informing module provides information of a priority position in the charging area having a higher priority order than the priority orders of the devices already placed at the charging area.

Claims

1. A charging device configured to charge a device placed at a charging area in a non-contact manner, the charging device comprising:

a determination module configured to determine priority orders indicating from which one of a plurality of devices is to be preferentially charged, based on positions of the respective devices placed at the charging area, when the devices are placed at the charging area;

a charge controller configured to control the charging of the devices placed at the charging area according to the priority orders; and

an informing module configured to provide information of a priority position in the charging area having a higher priority order than the priority orders of the devices already placed at the charging area.

2. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising an acquiring module configured to acquire remaining battery percentages of the devices placed at the charging area, wherein

the charge controller comprises:

a first control mode for controlling the charging of the devices placed at the charging area according to the priority orders; and

a second control mode for controlling the charging of the devices so that the devices placed at the charging area are equally charged regardless of the priority orders, and

the charge controller is configured to switch a device to be charged from one of the devices having a higher priority order to other one of the devices having a lower priority order if the remaining battery percentage of the one of the devices having the higher priority order reaches a predetermined threshold in the first control mode, and to switch the control mode from the first control mode to the second control mode if the remaining battery percentage of all of the devices placed at the charging area (A) reach the threshold.

3. The charging device of claim 2, further comprising a switch configured to be operable by a user, wherein

the charge controller is configured to switch the control mode from the first control mode to the second control mode regardless of the remaining battery percentage of the devices placed at the charging area if the switch is operated while the charge controller is performing the control in the first control mode.

4. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a display module placed at the charging area, wherein

the informing module is configured to provide information of the priority position by controlling operation of the display module according to the priority position.

5. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a display module placed around the charging area, wherein

the informing module is configured to provide information of the priority position by controlling operation of the display module according to the priority position.

6. The charging device of claim 4, wherein the display module is configured to perform display differently between a case in which a new device is placed at the priority position and a case in which the new device is placed at a position different from the priority position.

7. The charging device of claim 5, wherein the display module is configured to perform display differently between a case in which a new device is placed at the priority position and a case in which the new device is placed at a position different from the priority position.