Wireless power adapter for computer
First Claim
1. A wireless power supply for a portable computer having a docking station port comprising:
- an adapter housing;
a wireless power receiver disposed on or within said housing to wirelessly receive power from an external wireless power supply;
a docking port electrical connector mounted to said housing and configured to selectively interface with the docking station port on the portable computer, said docking port electrical connector having power pins receiving power at least indirectly from said wireless power receiver; and
at least one accessory port, plug or receptable, said at least one accessory port, plug or receptacle being coupled to said docking port electrical connector to interconnect with an appropriate computer docking port connector pin.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless power adapter that mounts to the docking station port of a portable computer, such as a laptop computer, notebook computer or tablet computer. The wireless power adapter includes a docking port electrical connector selected to interface with the pre-existing docking port electrical connector on the portable computer. The adapter docking port electrical connector includes power pins to connect with the pre-existing power pins of the portable computer docking port electrical connector. The wireless power adapter may include an inductive secondary to wirelessly receive power from an inductive primary. The wireless power adapter may include a mechanical connector that interfaces with the pre-existing docking station mechanical connector on the portable computer. The present invention may also include a remote inductive power supply having a base adapted to support the laptop and adapter combination. The base may includes inductive power supply circuitry and an inductive primary to produce an inductive field to wirelessly provide power to the adapter and ultimately the portable computer. The remote inductive power supply may alternatively be embedded within a work surface, such as a desktop.
153 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A wireless power supply for a portable computer having a docking station port comprising:
-
an adapter housing; a wireless power receiver disposed on or within said housing to wirelessly receive power from an external wireless power supply; a docking port electrical connector mounted to said housing and configured to selectively interface with the docking station port on the portable computer, said docking port electrical connector having power pins receiving power at least indirectly from said wireless power receiver; and at least one accessory port, plug or receptable, said at least one accessory port, plug or receptacle being coupled to said docking port electrical connector to interconnect with an appropriate computer docking port connector pin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A wireless power supply for a portable computer having a docking station port comprising:
-
an adapter housing; a wireless power receiver disposed on or within said housing to wirelessly receive power from an external wireless power supply; a docking port electrical connector mounted to said housing and configured to selectively interface with the docking station port on the portable computer, said docking port electrical connector having power pins receiving power at least indirectly from said wireless power receiver; and including a plurality of communication transmitters for transmitting power information to a wireless power supply.
-
-
9. A combination comprising:
-
a wireless power supply having an inductive primary, said power supply including circuitry for applying electricity to said primary, whereby said primary generates a varying electromagnetic field; a portable computer having a docking station port configured to selectively interface with a docking station; an adapter removably mounted to said portable computer, said adapter being removably placeable within said varying electromagnetic field, said adapter having an inductive secondary to wirelessly receive power from said power supply via said varying electromagnetic field, said adapter having a docking port electrical connector removably interfitted with said docking station port of said portable computer, said adapter having circuitry to communicate power generated in said secondary to said portable computer via said docking port electrical connector and said docking station port; and a wireless communication link between said power supply and said adapter.
-
-
10. A combination comprising:
-
a wireless power supply having an inductive primary, said power supply including circuitry for applying electricity to said primary, whereby said primary generates a varying electromagnetic field; a portable computer having a docking station port configured to selectively interface with a docking station; an adapter removably mounted to said portable computer, said adapter being removably placeable within said varying electromagnetic field, said adapter having an inductive secondary to wirelessly receive power from said power supply via said varying electromagnetic field, said adapter having a docking port electrical connector removably interfitted with said docking station port of said portable computer, said adapter having circuitry to communicate power generated in said secondary to said portable computer via said docking port electrical connector and said docking station port; and a wireless communication link between said power supply and said adapter, said adapter including at least two communication transmitters disposed at different locations.
-
-
11. A combination comprising:
-
a wireless power supply having an inductive primary, said power supply including circuitry for applying electricity to said primary, whereby said primary generates a varying electromagnetic field; a portable computer having a docking station port configured to selectively interface with a docking station; and an adapter removably mounted to said portable computer, said adapter being removably placeable within said varying electromagnetic field, said adapter having an inductive secondary to wirelessly receive power from said power supply via said varying electromagnetic field, said adapter having a docking port electrical connector removably interfitted with said docking station port of said portable computer, said adapter having circuitry to communicate power generated in said secondary to said portable computer via said docking port electrical connector and said docking station port, wherein said adapter includes at least one accessory port, plug or receptacle, said at least one accessory port, plug or receptacle being coupled to said docking port electrical connector to interconnect with an appropriate computer docking port connector pin. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for wirelessly supplying power to a portable computer having a docking station port, comprising the steps of:
-
interfitting an adapter to the portable computer, the adapter having a wireless power receiver and a docking port electrical connector, the docking port electrical connector being electrically coupled to power pins in the docking station port on the portable computer; generating a varying electromagnetic field via a wireless power supply; placing the adapter in the varying electromagnetic field, whereby the wireless power receiver generates power in response to the varying electromagnetic field; applying power generated by the wireless power receiver to the portable computer via the docking port electrical connector and the power pins in the docking station port on the portable computer; communicating power information from the adapter to the wireless power supply; and varying at least one characteristic of the varying electromagnetic field in response to the power information received by the wireless power supply. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification