Inductively chargeable audio devices

• US 8,193,769 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2010
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: Azancot, Yossi, Ben-Shalom, Amir, Greenwald, Oola, Rofe, Arik
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US12/693,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/112, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An inductively enabled audio speaker is disclosed configured to receive power inductively from an inductive power outlet. The audio speaker device has a voice coil which, as well as being able to produce an audible output, is further configured to function as a secondary inductor to inductively couple with a primary inductor. The inductively enabled audio speaker may be used to power an electrical device such as a Bluetooth earpiece, a telephone or the like.

Claims

1. A speaker device comprising a voice coil conductively connected to a switching unit, said voice coil to convert an electrical signal from an audio device into an audible output, and the voice coil is further selectively inductively couplable to a primary inductor to provide power to the audio device;

wherein

said switching unit is configured to selectively disconnect the voice coil from an audio signal input and to connect the voice coil to a charger output, for conductively connecting said voice coil to a power cell via a rectification unit.

2. The speaker device of claim 1 incorporated into an earphone unit.

3. The speaker device of claim 2 wherein said earphone unit is configured to receive said electrical signals from at least one audio device.

4. The speaker device of claim 3 wherein said earphone unit comprises a signal line configured to conductively connect with said audio device.

5. The speaker device of claim 4 wherein said signal line is further configured to provide power to said audio device.

6. The speaker device of claim 3 wherein said earphone unit comprises a power line configured to provide power to said audio device.

7. The speaker device of claim 1 wherein said audio signal input is connected to an amplifier.

8. The speaker device of claim 1 wherein said switching unit further comprises a frequency detector configured to detect voltage fluctuations along a signal line.

9. The speaker device of claim 8 wherein said frequency detector is configured to connect said voice coil to said charger output when selected frequency voltage fluctuations are detected.

10. The speaker device of claim 1 being configured to charge a power cell associated with an audio device selected from a group consisting of:

telephones, media players, PDAs, portable CD players, dictaphones, portable DVD players, and mobile communications devices.