WIRELESS CHARGING DEVICE FOR WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20150188352A1
• Filed: 12/28/2013
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Peek, Gregory A., Francis, Mark R., Frank, Torrey W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,843,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

Systems and methods may provide for wireless charging device of an electronic device powered by a rechargeable battery. The wireless charging device may include a charging station having a charging surface with a power transmitter and a contour that concentrically interfaces with a corresponding contour of an inner surface of the electronic device in a manner that facilitates an initiation of a power charging sequence at the charging surface when the charging station detects an operational coupling between the power transmitter and a power receiver of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A wireless charging device, comprising:

a charging station having a charging surface with a power transmitter and a contour that concentrically interfaces with a corresponding contour of an inner surface of an electronic device powered by a rechargeable battery, the charging station to initiate a power charging sequence at the charging surface when the charging station detects an operational coupling between the power transmitter and a power receiver of the electronic device.

2. The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising:

a base; and

a post extending from the base and from which the charging station extends.

3. The wireless charging device of claim 2, wherein the charging station is spatially offset relative to a vertical axis of the post to orient the electronic device in a docking position which operatively couples the power transmitter to the receiver of the electronic device during the power charging sequence.

4. The wireless charging device of claim 3, wherein the charging station has an indicator that indicates the operational coupling between the power transmitter and the receiver of the electronic device.

5. The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising a base from which the charging station extends and upon which the electronic device is supported.

6. The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module which syncs data to or firmware updates the electronic device when the operational coupling between the electronic device and the charging surface is detected.

7. The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a movement by a user to wirelessly control at least one operational feature of the electronic device.

8. The wireless charging device of claim 7, wherein the wireless control comprises a non-physical contact between the user and at least one of the electronic device and the wireless charging device.

9. The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising a control module configured to permit a wireless control of at least one operational feature of the electronic device.

10. The wireless charging device of claim 1, wherein the power transmitter is arranged to transmit a charge signal to at least one region of the charging surface.

11. At least one computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions which, if executed by a wireless charging device, cause the wireless charging device to:

detect a location of an electronic device relative to a charging station having a charging surface with a contour; and

initiate a power charging sequence at a charging surface of the charging station when an operational coupling between a corresponding contour of an inner surface of the electronic device and the contour of the charging surface is detected.

12. The least one computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause the wireless charging device to transmit a charge signal to at least one region of the charging surface when the power charging sequence is initiated.

13. The least one computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause the wireless charging device to indicate the operational coupling between a power transmitter and a receiver of the electronic device.

14. The least one computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause the wireless charging device to sync data to or firmware update the electronic device when the operational coupling between the electronic device and the charging surface is detected.

15. The least one computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause the wireless charging device to detect a movement by a user to wirelessly control at least one operational feature of the electronic device.

16. The least one computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the wireless control comprises a non-physical contact between the user and at least one of the electronic device and the wireless charging device.

17. The least one computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause the wireless charging device to wirelessly control at least one operational feature of the electronic device.

18. A method of wirelessly charging an electronic device, comprising:

detecting a location of the electronic device relative to a charging station having a charging surface with a contour; and

initiating a power charging sequence at the charging station when an operational coupling between a corresponding contour of an inner surface of the electronic device and the contour of the charging surface is detected.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein initiating the power charging sequence comprises transmitting a charge signal to at least one region of the charging surface when the power charging sequence is initiated.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising indicating the operational coupling between a power transmitter and a receiver of the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising syncing data to or firmware updating the electronic device when the operational coupling between the electronic device and the charging surface is detected.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising wirelessly controlling at least one operational feature of the electronic device by detecting a movement by a user.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the wirelessly controlling the at least one operational feature of the electronic device comprises a non-physical contact between the user and at least one of the electronic device and the wireless charging device.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising wirelessly controlling at least one operational feature of the electronic device.