Non-contact charging apparatus having charging information display function and method thereof

• US 20090146608A1
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Dong-Jo
• Application Number:
  US12/315,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20090146608A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• 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 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A non-contact charging apparatus having a charging information display function is presented. The non-contact charging apparatus includes a charging unit for charging a charge object in a non-contact manner placed in proximity to the charging unit, wherein the charging unit is configured to measure a charging efficiency and a charging status of the charge object on each position of the charging area, and to output the charging efficiency and the charging status via an output unit.

Claims

1. A non-contact charging apparatus having a charging information display function, the non-contact charging apparatus comprising:

a charging unit for charging a charge object in a non-contact manner placed in proximity to the charging unit, wherein the charging unit is configured to measure a charging efficiency and a charging status of the charge object on each position of the charging area, and to output the charging efficiency and the charging status via an output unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charge object comprises a battery to be charged in a non-contact manner and the charging unit comprises a pad for securely coupling the charge object.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a method for charging the charge object in a non-contact manner comprises at least one of an inductive coupling method and a capacitive coupling method.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging unit comprises a guide unit for distinguishing an optimal charge area of the charging unit.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the guide unit is visually distinguishable on the charging unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the guide unit comprises a magnet reacting with a magnet provided at the charge object.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the guide unit comprises:

a sensor configured to sense the charge object relative to the charging unit; and

an indicator configured to generate a notification according to an output from the sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging unit comprises:

a controller configured to measure the charging efficiency and the charging status of the charge object according to the position of the charge object relative to the charging unit when charging is initiated; and

a charging information output unit configured to output the charging efficiency and the charging status measured by the controller.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the charging information output unit is implemented as at least one of a light emitting device, a display device, or an audio output device.

10. A non-contact charging apparatus having a charging information display function, the non-contact charging apparatus comprising:

a charging unit configured to charge a charge object placed in proximity to the charging unit, wherein the charge object is an object to be charged in a non-contact manner;

a controller configured to measure a charging efficiency and a charging status of the charge object according to a position of the charge object relative to the charging unit; and

a charging information output unit configured to output the charging efficiency and the charging status measured by the controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the charge object comprises a battery and the charging unit comprises a pad for securely coupling the charge object.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a method for charging the charge object comprises at least one of an inductive coupling method and a capacitive coupling method.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the charging unit comprises a guide unit for distinguishing an optimal charge area of the charging unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guide unit is visually distinguishable on the charging unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the guide unit comprises a magnet reacting with a magnet provided at the charge object.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the guide unit comprises:

a sensor configured to sense the proximity of the charge object relative to the charging unit; and

an indicator configured to generate a notification according to an output from the sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the charging information output unit is implemented as at least one of a light emitting device, a display device, or an audio output device.

18. A non-contact charging method, the method comprising:

sensing a non-contact position of a charge object placed in proximity to a charging unit;

measuring a charging efficiency of the charge object on the sensed non-contact position in a non-contact manner;

calculating a charging status of the charge object based on the measured charging efficiency; and

outputting the measured charging efficiency and the calculated charging status.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the charge object comprises a battery, and the charging unit comprises a pad for securely coupling the charge object.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-contact charging method is at least one of an inductive coupling method and a capacitive coupling method.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the charging efficiency for the inductive coupling method is measured by determining a strength of a magnetic field occurring between the charging unit and the charge object

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the charging efficiency for the capacitive coupling method is measured by determining an impedance between the charging unit and the charge object.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the charging efficiency and the charging status of the charge object are output via at least a visual or audio output.