Inductive power source for peripheral devices
First Claim
1. A system for inductively transferring electrical power to a computer peripheral device during normal operation of the peripheral device, comprising:
- a base unit including;
a source loop solenoid having an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit to generate a magnetic field,a loop power circuit to provide a signal to drive the source loop, anda power source coupler structured to provide power to the loop power circuit when the power source coupler is coupled to a power source; and
the peripheral device having a victim loop and structured to be inductively coupled to the base unit while the peripheral device is in operable condition;
wherein the base unit comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing power to a computer peripheral device during the normal operation of the device is disclosed. A base is provided that includes a winding of a coil. The winding is driven to make a constantly changing magnetic field. The peripheral device also includes a winding of a coil. When the winding of the coil is placed in the changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced in the winding. That voltage can be converted into power for use by the peripheral device. In one embodiment the peripheral device is a mouse. The peripheral device may include a rechargeable battery, and the induced power could be used by a circuit to recharge the battery.
155 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A system for inductively transferring electrical power to a computer peripheral device during normal operation of the peripheral device, comprising:
-
a base unit including; a source loop solenoid having an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit to generate a magnetic field, a loop power circuit to provide a signal to drive the source loop, and a power source coupler structured to provide power to the loop power circuit when the power source coupler is coupled to a power source; and the peripheral device having a victim loop and structured to be inductively coupled to the base unit while the peripheral device is in operable condition; wherein the base unit comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system for inductively transferring electrical power to a computer peripheral device during normal operation of the peripheral device comprising:
-
a base unit including; a source loop solenoid having an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit to generate a magnetic field. a loop power circuit to provide a signal to drive the source loop, and a power source coupler structured to provide power to the loop power circuit when the power source coupler is coupled to a power source; and the peripheral device having a victim loop and structured to be inductively coupled to the base unit while the peripheral device is in operable condition; wherein the peripheral device comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
-
13. A system for supplying power to a computer mouse, comprising:
-
a base unit having a power signal input connectable to a power source, and having a non-planar magnetic source loop coupled to the power signal input, the source loop comprising an axis arranged substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit; and the computer mouse having a magnetic victim loop coupled to a load circuit within the mouse, wherein the computer mouse comprises a first urea and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method of powering a computer peripheral device having a victim loop coupled to circuitry of the peripheral device, the method comprising:
-
accepting a power signal at a power input; and applying a source loop driving signal to a source loop solenoid while the source loop solenoid is proximate to the computer peripheral device; wherein the source loop solenoid has an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface over which the peripheral device is moved; and wherein the peripheral device comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A method of recharging a rechargeable battery in a computer mouse that has a magnetic victim loop coupled to a battery recharging circuit, the method comprising:
-
creating a magnetic field by driving a magnetic source loop solenoid with a magnetic source loop driving signal; and causing the magnetic field to interact with the magnetic victim loop in the computer mouse; wherein the magnetic source loop solenoid has an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface over which the computer mouse is moved; wherein the magnetic source loop solenoid is included in a base unit; and wherein the base unit comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
-
Specification