CHARGING AND COMMUNICATING WITH BATTERY OPERATED TOYS

• US 20150077065A1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Haseltine, Eric Charles, Garlington, Joseph O'Brien
• Granted Patent: US 9,531,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/162
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Methods and a system for the recharging of battery-operated devices, whereby the recharging process is made less burdensome and inconvenient to the users of the devices. Embodiments provide for incorporating recharging into the normal usage patterns for the devices using activities consistent with predetermined intended usage of the devices, thereby causing the user to perceive less inconvenience. Other embodiments provide for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging devices, whereby the burden to the users may be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Claims

1. A method for recharging a battery-operated device, comprising:

issuing a low battery signal from the device to indicate a low battery state of a battery of the device, wherein the low battery signal comprises a request for an activity associated with a charger and consistent with predetermined intended usage of the device; and

upon the requested activity being performed, thereby coupling the device to the charger, charging the battery via the coupling.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the requested activity comprises moving the device in proximity of the charger such that the device and the charger are communicatively coupled.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the device and the charger are galvanically coupled via one or more electrodes, and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to appear thematically consistent with the device in one or more of shape, location on the device, and orientation.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the device and the charger are wirelessly coupled.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the device is charged through inductive charging.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the charger is further configured to physically retain the device when the device is placed in physical proximity of the charger.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the charger and the device each comprise one or more magnets that are configured to align, whereby the charger physically retains the device.

8. A method for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging a battery-operated device, comprising:

scanning using a charging device, the charging device comprising an energy source and a sensing device;

while scanning, transmitting a scan signal from the energy source;

detecting, via the sensing device, energy emitted by one or more devices in response to receiving the transmitted signal; and

upon detecting energy emitted by a first device, transmitting a charging signal from the energy source to the first device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the charging device further comprises one or more mirrors configured to reflect the emitted energy to the sensing device, wherein scanning is accomplished by rotating the one or more mirrors relative to the energy source, and wherein the one or more mirrors are configured to rotate by performing at least one of pan, tilt, and roll.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the charging signal is transmitted to the first device using the one or more mirrors.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting energy emitted by a first device comprises detecting a reflection of the scan signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the scan signal comprises an infrared signal and is reflected by an infrared reflector on the first device, and wherein the charging signal is received by a photovoltaic cell on the first device.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

upon detecting energy emitted by the first device, pausing the scan.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

upon detecting a second signal from the first device indicating a battery of the first device is full, terminating the transmission of the charging signal to the first device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

upon terminating the transmission of the charging signal, resuming the scan.

16. A system for detecting and wirelessly recharging a battery-operated device, comprising:

a charging device comprising an energy source and a sensing device, wherein the sensing device is configured to detect energy emitted by one or more battery-operated devices; and

a controller configured to scan for the one or more battery-operated devices using the charging device,

wherein the energy source is configured to, responsive to the sensing device detecting emitted energy by a first battery-operated device during the scan, transmit a charging signal to the first device, thereby charging a battery of the first device.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising one or more mirrors configured to reflect emitted energy from the one or more battery-operated devices, wherein the one or more mirrors are configured to rotate by performing at least one of pan, tilt, and roll, wherein the controller scans by rotating the one or more mirrors relative to the energy source, and wherein the energy source is configured to transmit the charging signal to the device using the one or more mirrors.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the energy source is further configured to, while the controller scans, transmit a scan signal using the one or more mirrors.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the energy source is further configured to transmit data to the device via the charging signal.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the scan signal and the charging signal are each infrared signals, wherein the detected energy is a reflection of the scan signal, wherein the scan signal is reflected by an infrared reflector on the first device, and wherein the charging signal is received by a photovoltaic cell on the first device.