Acoustic charger for electronic devices

• US 6,342,776 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2001
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Elizabeth B., Lloyd, Grant H., McBroom, Holley
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/764,251
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/123, 320/137, 320/114, 455/426, 455/550, 455/573
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

The present invention includes a means for charging the battery of an electronic device by converting acoustic energy to electrical current. In one preferred embodiment, the protective layer of a liquid crystal display screen has a magnetic material disposed thereon. The housing of the liquid crystal display includes a corresponding coil of wire. As the protective layer has freedom of motion given by the liquid crystal panel, when acoustic energy is incident upon the protective layer, the protective layer moves, causing the magnetic material to generate a changing magnetic field in the coil. In an alternate embodiment, the protective layer is connected to piezoelectric transducers. When acoustic energy is incident upon the protective layer, the piezoelectric transducers are actuated. In another embodiment, the electronic device comprises an input for receiving concentrated acoustic energy from various sources including loudspeakers and acoustic waveguides.

Claims

1. An acoustic battery charger comprising:

a. an electronic device having a liquid crystal display (LCD) and at least one rechargeable battery cell; and

b. a means for converting acoustic energy incident upon the LCD to electrical current;

wherein the means for converting acoustic energy incident upon the LCD to electrical current is electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery cell.

2. The charger of claim 1, wherein the means for converting acoustic energy incident upon the LCD to electrical current comprises:

a. a protective layer;

b. a housing having a coil disposed within; and

c. a magnetic layer disposed upon the protective layer;

wherein when acoustic energy is incident upon the protective layer, the magnetic layer causes a changing magnetic field about the coil.

3. The charger of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a portable computer, cellular telephone, radio, pager, personal data assistant and television.

4. The charger of claim 3, wherein the electronic device further comprises an input for receiving acoustic energy from a generating source.

5. The charger of claim 4, wherein the generating source is selected from the group consisting of acoustic wave guides and loudspeakers.

6. The charger of claim 1, wherein the means for converting acoustic energy incident upon the LCD to electrical current comprises:

a. a protective layer; and

b. a housing having piezoelectric transducers disposed thereon;

wherein when acoustic energy is incident upon the protective layer, the piezoelectric transducers are actuated.

7. The charger of claim 6, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a portable computer, cellular telephone, radio, pager, personal data assistant and television.

8. The charger of claim 7, wherein the electronic device further comprises an input for receiving acoustic energy from a generating source.

9. The charger of claim 8, wherein the generating source is selected from the group consisting of acoustic wave guides and loudspeakers.