Vibration Component that Harvests Energy for Electronic Devices
First Claim
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1. An energy harvesting component for use in a portable electronic device comprising:
- a housing;
a mass element positioned within the housing;
an energy transducer positioned inductively proximate the mass element; and
a coupling between the mass element and the housing;
wherein;
in a first mode the energy transducer converts mechanical energy from movement of the mass element into electrical energy for use by the portable electronic device; and
in a second mode the energy transducer induces movement of the mass element to cause a vibratory effect in the device.
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Abstract
An energy harvesting component for use in a portable electronic device includes a housing, a mass element within the housing, an energy transducer positioned inductively proximate the mass element, and a coupling between the mass element and the housing. In a first mode, the energy harvesting component may convert mechanical energy from agitation of the portable electronic device to electrical energy for use by the electronic device and, in a second mode, the energy harvesting component may induce movement of the mass element to provide haptic feedback.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy harvesting component for use in a portable electronic device comprising:
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a housing; a mass element positioned within the housing; an energy transducer positioned inductively proximate the mass element; and a coupling between the mass element and the housing;
wherein;in a first mode the energy transducer converts mechanical energy from movement of the mass element into electrical energy for use by the portable electronic device; and in a second mode the energy transducer induces movement of the mass element to cause a vibratory effect in the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic device comprising;
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a processor; a plurality of energy harvesting components electrically coupled to the processor, each component comprising; an enclosure; a magnetic field source; an energy transducer positioned inductively proximate the magnetic field source; and a coupling between the magnetic field source and the enclosure; and an electrical energy storage component;
wherein;the processor is configured to selectively couple at least one of the plurality of energy harvesting components to the electrical energy storage component in order to supply electrical energy to the electrical energy storage component; and the processor is configured to selectively supply at least one of the plurality of energy harvesting components with electrical energy to induce the respective magnetic field source to move to cause a vibratory effect in the device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing haptic feedback with energy harvesting components comprising:
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receiving a request for haptic feedback; generating a control signal based on the request; associating the control signal with a first energy harvesting component having an interior mass; placing the first energy harvesting component in a first mode to receive the control signal; providing the control signal to the first energy harvesting component in the first mode, inducing the interior mass to vibrate in response to the control signal; and placing the first energy harvesting component in a second mode to convert mechanical agitation of the interior mass to electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for providing localized haptic feedback with energy harvesting components comprising:
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receiving a plurality of request for haptic feedback; generating a plurality of control signals, each control signal based on one of the plurality of requests; associating each of the plurality of control signals with a respective one of a plurality of energy harvesting components, each of the energy harvesting components including a respective interior mass; placing the associated energy harvesting components in a first mode to receive the associated control signals, leaving unassociated energy harvesting components in a second mode to convert mechanical agitation of the respective interior mass to electrical energy; providing the associated control signals to the respective associated energy harvesting components in the first mode, inducing each respective interior mass to vibrate in response to the control signal; and placing the associated energy harvesting components in a second mode to convert mechanical agitation of each respective interior mass to electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification