Contact less charger with alignment indicator

• US 7,271,569 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Oglesbee, John Wendell
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/945,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/108, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A contactless, inductive charger having a generally planar surface is provided. An image, text or other visual indicator is disposed upon the substantially planar surface such that the visual indicator represents a preferred placement orientation for an electronic device for optimal inductive charging. The charger includes a primary coil positioned within the boundaries of the image, such that a user has a visual guide for placing the device on the charging surface for maximum efficiency in charging. The visual indicator, which may be a picture, outline, text or other directional indicator, may be geometrically similar to a shape of the electronic device or may be in the shape of a generic device. It may be disposed upon the charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition and adhesive retention.

Claims

1. A contactless charger, comprising:

a graphic representation of a portable electronic device disposed upon a charging surface of the contactless charger; and

a primary coil disposed within the boundaries of the graphic representation;

wherein, when the portable electronic device is placed upon the graphic representation, the primary coil of the contactless charger aligns with a secondary coil of the portable electronic device.

2. The contactless charger of claim 1, wherein the graphic representation is selected from the group consisting of pictorial representations of the portable electronic device, outlines of the portable electronic device, pictorial representations of a generic electronic device, outlines of a generic electronic device, textual descriptions of the portable electronic device orientation, and visual indicators of the portable electronic device orientation.

3. The contactless charger of claim 2, wherein the graphic representation is disposed upon the contactless charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition, printing, lithography, etching and adhesive retention.

4. The contactless charger of claim 3, wherein the charging surface of the contactless charger is substantially planar.

5. The contactless charger of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of telephones, two-way radios, computer mice, pagers, personal digital assistants, music players, video players and portable computers.

6. A contactless charger for a portable electronic device, comprising:

an image of the portable electronic device disposed upon a charging surface of the contactless charger; and

a primary coil disposed within the boundaries of the image;

wherein, when the portable electronic device is placed upon the image, the primary coil of the contactless charger aligns with a secondary coil of the portable electronic device.

7. The contactless charger of claim 6, wherein the image is geometrically similar to the portable electronic device.

8. The contactless charger of claim 6, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of outlines, pictures, text, and directional indicators.

9. The contactless charger of claim 8, wherein the image is disposed upon the contactless charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition and adhesive retention.

10. The contactless charger of claim 8, wherein the potable electronic device comprises a cellular telephone, further wherein the image comprises an outline of the cellular telephone.

11. An inductive charger, comprising

a. a substantially planar charging surface;

b. a visual indicator of a portable electronic device disposed upon the substantially planar charging surface; and

c. a primary coil disposed within the boundaries of the visual indicator;

wherein, when the portable electronic device is placed upon the visual indicator, the primary coil of the inductive charger aligns with a secondary coil of the portable electronic device.

12. The inductive charger of claim 11, wherein the visual indicator is geometrically similar to a shape of the portable electronic device.

13. The inductive charger of claim 12, wherein the visual indicator is selected from the group consisting of pictures of the portable electronic device, graphic representations of the portable electronic device, outlines of the portable electronic device, pictures of a generic electronic device, graphic representations of a generic electronic device and outlines of a generic electronic device.

14. The inductive charger of claim 13, wherein the visual indicator is disposed upon the inductive charger by a method selected from the group consisting of painting, molding, silk screening, plating, vapor deposition printing, lithography, etching and adhesive retention.

15. The inductive charger of claim 14, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a cellular telephone.

16. The inductive charger of claim 11, wherein the visual indicator is shaped to represent a generic electronic device.