WIRELESS CHARGING APPARATUS

• US 20180076649A1
• Filed: 09/15/2017
• Published: 03/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Université de Bordeaux
• Original Assignee: Université de Bordeaux
• Inventors: Burns, Michael Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US15/705,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20180076649A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A wireless charging apparatus and a method for making and using a wireless charging apparatus is provided. An embodiment of a wireless charging apparatus system includes at least one inductive coil. The at least one inductive coil may be configured to be disposed within a wireless charging apparatus. In embodiments, a controller may be configured to be connected to the at least one inductive coil. In embodiments, a controller may be configured to be disposed within a wireless charging apparatus. In embodiments, a power supply may be configured to be connected to a controller that may be disposed within a wireless charging apparatus. The power supply may be configured to provide power to at least one inductive coil of a wireless charging apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a wireless charging surface configured to selectively engage the portable electronic device, wherein the wireless charging surface includes at least one inductive charging coil;

a controller in electronic communication with the at least one inductive charging coil; and

a power supply in electronic communication with one or more of the controller and the at least one inductive charging coil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a power distribution circuit board.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power distribution circuit board is programmable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless charging surface includes a transmission module.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the transmission module is in electronic communication with the power distribution circuit board.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second wireless charging surface adjacent to the first wireless charging surface, wherein the second wireless charging surface is in electronic communication with the controller and the power supply.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a third wireless charging surface adjacent to the first and second wireless charging surfaces, wherein the third wireless charging surface is in electronic communication with the controller and the power supply.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of wireless charging surfaces adjacent to the first, second and third wireless charging surfaces, wherein the plurality of wireless charging surfaces are in electronic communication with the controller and the power supply.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless charging surface includes one or more of a video display and a graphics housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the graphics housing is configured to display at least one removable graphical image.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is in electronic communication with one or more of the controller and the power supply.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling fan in electronic communication with the controller.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect, via the at least one inductive charging coil, a presence of the portable electronic device on the wireless charging surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic communication port in electronic communication with the controller of the wireless charging surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one electronic communication port is a universal serial bus (USB) port.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one electronic communication port and the controller is configured to receive one of software and programming updates for wireless charging software stored on one or more of the controller and the portable electronic device.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) that is disposed in light communication with the wireless charging surface, is in electronic communication with the controller and is configured to emit colored light corresponding to a charging status of the portable electronic device selectively engaging the wireless charging surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the output of the at least one LED is determined by one or more of the controller and an ambient light sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one LED is configured to display a first color representative of a first status and a second color representative of a second status.