Method and apparatus for optical wireless charging
First Claim
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1. An optical charger comprising:
- a first light source operable to emit first light; and
a reflective proximity sensor comparison a light receiver and a detection circuit, the sensor being coupled to the first light source and configured to detect a portable device in proximity to the first light source, the detection circuit comprising a band-pass filter configured to discriminate between;
(a) a first light orginating from the light source reflected from the portable electronic device and (b) second ambient light originating from other light sources;
wherein the first light source is activated to emit first light configured to fall on a photovoltaic cell of the portable device when the portable electronic device is proximity to the first light source;
//a solar cell operable to receive ambient second light;
a charge storage device; and
a charge converter coupled to the solar cell and operable to charge the charge storage device;
wherein the first light source is powered by the charge storage device.
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Abstract
A portable electronic device is recharged by generating light from a light source of a wireless optical charger, converting the light from the charger into an electrical signal using a photovoltaic cell of the portable electronic device and charging the portable electronic device using the electrical signal. The wireless optical charger may include a proximity sensor that switches on the light source when a portable electronic device is close to the light source.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical charger comprising:
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a first light source operable to emit first light; and a reflective proximity sensor comparison a light receiver and a detection circuit, the sensor being coupled to the first light source and configured to detect a portable device in proximity to the first light source, the detection circuit comprising a band-pass filter configured to discriminate between;
(a) a first light orginating from the light source reflected from the portable electronic device and (b) second ambient light originating from other light sources;wherein the first light source is activated to emit first light configured to fall on a photovoltaic cell of the portable device when the portable electronic device is proximity to the first light source; //a solar cell operable to receive ambient second light; a charge storage device; and a charge converter coupled to the solar cell and operable to charge the charge storage device; wherein the first light source is powered by the charge storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device, comprising:
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detecting a presence of the portable electronic device in proximity to a battery charger, the battery charger comprising a first light source; emitting first light from the light source in response to detecting the presence of the portable electronic device in proximity to the battery charger, the step of detecting including discriminating, with a detection circuit included in the battery charger, between;
(a) the first light originating from the light source and reflected from the portable electronic device, and (b) second ambient light originating from other light sources, wherein discriminating confirms the proximity of the portable electronic device to the battery charger;converting the first light originating from the charger into an electrical signal using a photovoltaic cell of the portable electronic device; and charging the portable electronic device using the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification