Inductive coupling system for power and data transfer
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device, comprising:
- a first circuit connected to a data source for receiving data signals and connected to a power source for receiving power to amplify said received data signals;
a second circuit connected to said portable electronic device, said first circuit inducing in said second circuit said received data signals when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit;
a circuit connected to said second circuit for demodulating said induced signals, thereby providing data to said device;
a circuit connected to said second circuit for rectifying said induced signals, thereby providing power to said device and;
a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier circuit for charging batteries used to power said device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device. A portable device, such as a personal digital assistant, is powered or recharged via an inductive link between the device and a support unit, thereby eliminating the need for cabling or other connections therebetween. The same inductive link is also used to transfer data signals between the device and a second electronic device, for example, a conventional desktop computer. The support unit includes a primary winding of a transformer, a power amplifier and a modulator. The portable device includes a secondary winding connected in parallel with the input of a rectifier, the output of which is connected to a battery charging circuit, and to a modem, which is further connected to the device microprocessor. Placement of the device on the support unit effects the inductive coupling when the primary and secondary windings are in proximity to one another.
395 Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a first circuit connected to a data source for receiving data signals and connected to a power source for receiving power to amplify said received data signals; a second circuit connected to said portable electronic device, said first circuit inducing in said second circuit said received data signals when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a circuit connected to said second circuit for demodulating said induced signals, thereby providing data to said device; a circuit connected to said second circuit for rectifying said induced signals, thereby providing power to said device and; a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier circuit for charging batteries used to power said device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a first circuit connected to a data source for transferring data signals and connected to a power source for receiving power to amplify said transferred data signals; a second circuit connected to said device, said first circuit inducing in said second circuit said data signals transferred from said data source when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a demodulator connected to said second circuit for demodulating said signals induced in said second circuit, thereby providing data to said device; a rectifier connected to said second circuit for rectifying said signals induced in said second circuit, thereby providing power to said device; a modulator connected to said second circuit for modulating data signals transferred from said device, said modulated data signals being induced in said first circuit when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a demodulator connected to said first circuit for demodulating said data signals induced in said first circuit for transfer to said data source; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier for charging batteries used to power said device. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. Apparatus for inductively coupling power to a portable data processing device, comprising:
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a first circuit connected to a power source for receiving power signals; a second circuit connected to said device for inducing in said second circuit said received power signals when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a rectifier connected to said second circuit for rectifying said power signals induced in said second circuit; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier and connected to said device batteries for charging said batteries from said rectified power signals. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. Apparatus for inductively coupling data to a portable data processing device, comprising:
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a first circuit for transferring data signals, said first circuit connected to a data source; a second circuit for transferring data signals, said second circuit connected to said device; said first circuit inducing in said second circuit data signals being transferred from said source when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; said second circuit inducing in said first circuit data signals being transferred from said device when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; modem circuitry connected to said first circuit for modulating data signals received by said first circuit from said source and for demodulating data signals induced in said first circuit for transfer to said source; modem circuitry connected to said second circuit for modulating data signals received by said second circuit from said device and for demodulating data signals induced in said second circuit for transfer to said device; rectifier circuitry connected to said second circuit for rectifying said power signals induced in said second circuit; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier circuitry for charging batteries used to power said device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for inductively coupling data and power to a battery-powered, portable electronic device having a microprocessor, the apparatus comprising:
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a first inductive winding disposed in a support unit; a power amplifier connected to said first inductive winding and to a power source for amplifying signals input to said amplifier; a modulator connected between a second electronic device and said power amplifier for modulating signals output by said second electronic device and inputting said modulated signals to said power amplifier; a second inductive winding disposed in said portable device, said second inductive winding inductively coupled to said first inductive winding, such that signals in said first inductive winding induce signals in said second winding, when said portable device is in a proximal position relative to said support unit; a rectifier circuit connected to said second inductive winding for rectifying signals induced in said second inductive winding, thereby providing power for said device; a battery charging circuit connected between the output of said rectifier circuit and a battery; and a modem connected between said second inductive winding and a microprocessor for demodulating signals induced in said secondary winding, thereby providing demodulated signals comprising data for said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification