Charging and communicating with battery operated toys

• US 9,531,208 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Haseltine, Eric Charles, Garlington, Joseph O'Brien
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US14/026,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20150077065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Methods and a system for the recharging of battery-operated devices, whereby the recharging process is made less burdensome and inconvenient to the users of the devices. Embodiments provide for incorporating recharging into the normal usage patterns for the devices using activities consistent with predetermined intended usage of the devices, thereby causing the user to perceive less inconvenience. Other embodiments provide for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging devices, whereby the burden to the users may be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Claims

1. A method for recharging a battery-operated device associated with one or more users, the method comprising:

issuing, from the battery-operated device and responsive to determining a low battery state of a battery of the battery-operated device, an audible user request to perform an activity associated with a charger device, the requested activity being consistent with a non-charging, predetermined intended usage of the battery-operated device and without explicitly requesting that the battery-operated device be charged; and

upon the requested activity being performed, thereby coupling the device to the charger device, charging the battery via the coupling.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the charger device has an appearance consistent with the predetermined intended usage of the battery-operated device, wherein performing the requested activity comprises moving the battery-operated device in proximity of the charger device such that the battery-operated device and the charger device are communicatively coupled.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the battery-operated device and the charger device are galvanically coupled via one or more electrodes, and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to appear thematically consistent with the battery-operated device in one or more of shape, location on the device, and orientation.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the battery-operated device and the charger device are wirelessly coupled.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the battery-operated device is charged through inductive charging.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the charger device is further configured to physically retain the battery-operated device when the battery-operated device is placed in physical proximity of the charger device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the charger device and the battery-operated device each comprise one or more magnets that are configured to align, whereby the charger device physically retains the battery-operated device.

8. A method for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging one or more battery-operated devices disposed within an environment, the method comprising:

transmitting a light-based scan signal using an energy source of a charging device, the charging device further comprising a sensing device;

performing a scan of the environment using the charging device, wherein performing the scan comprises reorienting the scan signal within the environment;

detecting, during the scan and via the sensing device, a reflected scan signal reflected by a reflector of a first battery-operated device, wherein detecting the reflected scan signal corresponds to a first orientation of the scan signal;

upon detecting the reflected scan signal;

pausing the scan of the environment; and

transmitting, with a predetermined second orientation relative to and different than the first orientation, a charging signal from the energy source to a sensor of the first battery-operated device;

receiving, at the sensing device, a second signal from a light source of the first device indicating that a battery of the first battery-operated device is fully charged; and

ceasing transmission of the charging signal in response to the received second signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the charging device further comprises one or more mirrors configured to further reflect the reflected scan signal to the sensing device, wherein reorienting the scan signal comprises rotating the one or more mirrors relative to the energy source, and wherein the one or more mirrors are configured to rotate by performing at least one of pan, tilt, and roll.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the charging signal is transmitted to the first battery-operated device using the one or more mirrors.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein reorienting the scan signal is performed while the energy source remains stationary.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the scan signal comprises an infrared signal and is reflected by an infrared reflector on the first device, and wherein the charging signal is received by a photovoltaic cell on the first device.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

upon ceasing transmission of the charging signal, resuming the scan of the environment until detecting, via the sensing device, a subsequent reflected scan signal reflected by a reflector of a second battery-operated device.

14. A system for detecting and wirelessly recharging one or more battery-operated devices disposed within an environment, the system comprising:

at least a first battery-operated device comprising a battery, a reflector, and a light source;

a charging device comprising an energy source, a sensing device, and a controller coupled with the energy source and the sensing device, the controller configured to;

transmit a light-based scan signal using the energy source;

perform a scan of the environment by reorienting the scan signal within the environment;

detect, during the scan and via the sensing device, a reflected scan signal reflected by the reflector of the first battery-operated device, wherein detecting the reflected scan signal corresponds to a first orientation of the scan signal;

upon detecting the reflected scan signal;

pause the scan of the environment; and

transmit, with a predetermined second orientation relative to and different than the first orientation, a charging signal from the energy source to a sensor of the first battery-operated device;

receive, at the sensing device, a second signal from the light source of the first device indicating that the battery of the first battery-operated device is fully charged; and

cease transmission of the charging signal in response to the received second signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the charging device further comprises one or more mirrors coupled with the controller and arranged to further reflect the reflected scan signal to the sensing device, wherein the one or more mirrors are configured to rotate by performing at least one of pan, tilt, and roll, wherein reorienting the scan signal comprises transmitting control signals to rotate the one or more mirrors relative to the energy source, and wherein transmitting the charging signal to the first battery-operated device is performed using the one or more mirrors.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the scan signal is transmitted using the one or more mirrors.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein each of the scan signal and the charging signal comprise infrared signals, wherein the scan signal is reflected by an infrared reflector on the first device, and wherein the charging signal is received by a photovoltaic cell on the first device.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit data to the first device by encoding data in the charging signal.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the light source of the first device comprises an infrared light-emitting diode (LED).

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first device comprises a processor coupled with the battery and configured to generate the second signal using the infrared LED upon determining that the battery has reached a full state.