Charging display system

• US 7,793,121 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2007
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Wood, Timothy J., Brown, Geoffrey W., Fredlund, John R., Telek, Michael J., Lawther, Joel S., Manico, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stoynov; Stefan
• Application Number:
  US11/680,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 320/101, 136/243
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• 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 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits

Abstract

In one aspect, a method is provided for operating a charging display system that is capable of wirelessly charging a rechargeable device positioned on a connector-less charging surface. In accordance with the method, the presence of a chargeable device on the charging surface is detected and the type of the chargeable device is identified. A set of interaction options based upon the identity of the chargeable device with the set, including a charging interaction option, is determined and, a displayable output signal based upon the determined set interaction options is generated. The set of interaction options is initiated based upon the detected presence of the chargeable device on the charging surface and the identified device type and, the output signal is presented on a display of the charging device.

Claims

1. A method for operating a charging display system comprising the steps of:

detecting the presence of a chargeable device on a connectorless charging surface;

identifying the type of the chargeable device using a plurality of different local signals emanating from the charging system to provoke a response for the rechargeable device and detecting the provoked response in the charging display system;

determining a set of interaction options based upon the identified type of chargeable device with the set including a charging interaction option;

generating a displayable output signal based upon the determined set of interaction options;

initiating the set of interaction options based upon the detected presence of the chargeable device on the charging surface and the identified device type; and

presenting the output signal on a display of the charging device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the output signal comprises an indication for the transfer of data between the charging device and the rechargeable device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the output signal provides a transitory visual effect based upon at least one characteristic of the initiated charging operation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging surface confronts a recharging element of the rechargeable device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging surface is substantially co-planar with a display that is adapted to present images based upon the output signals.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging surface senses contact with a recharging surface of the rechargeable device, and wherein the step of detecting the presence of a rechargeable device on the charging surface is performed by sensing the contact between the recharging surface and the charging surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging display senses a relative location of contact surface and a recharging surface of the rechargeable device, and wherein said output signal is modified in accordance with the relative location to respond to the presence of the device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of establishing a communication link with external devices other than the rechargeable device, and exchanging data using the communication link to exchange data between the rechargeable device and the external devices.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the exchanged data includes at least one of still image data, video data, audio data, graphic data, preference information, usage information, and telecommunication information.

10. A charging display system for a wirelessly rechargeable device, the charging system comprising:

a contact surface against which the wirelessly rechargeable device can be positioned;

a power signal generator capable of generating a wireless power signal;

a display positioned between the contact surface and the power signal generator;

a communication system adapted to send data to or to receive data from the wirelessly rechargeable device; and

a control system that determines when the rechargeable device is positioned against the contact surface, said control system further identifying the rechargeable device using a plurality of different local signals emanating from the charging display system to provoke a response from the rechargeable device and detecting the provoked response in the charging display system and determining a set of interaction options based upon the identity of the rechargeable device with the set, including a charging interaction option, and generating a displayable output signal based upon the determined set of interaction options,

with the control system further causing the signal generator and communication system to operate to initiate the set of interaction options; and

to cause the display to present the output signal.

11. The charging display system of claim 10, wherein the power signal generator charges the rechargeable device using at least one of light, radio-frequency signals, inductive signals, kinetic, magnetic, and electromagnetic energy transfer.

12. The charging display system of claim 10, wherein the set of interaction options further includes a data transfer function.

13. The charging display system of claim 10, further comprising a device detector adapted to receive a power signal from the rechargeable device so that the amount of power in a power supply of the rechargeable device can be fully drained prior to charging.

14. The charging display system of claim 13, wherein the communication system comprises the control system wherein the control system is adapted to operate the power signal generator and the detection circuit so that data can be exchanged using power signals.

15. The charging display system of claim 13, wherein the signal generator is adapted to selectively provide power across all or a portion of the contact surface, and further comprising device sensors that are adapted to sense the location of the rechargeable device on the contact surface and wherein the controller is adapted to use the sensors to detect the presence of and location of the rechargeable device on the contact pad and the signal generator generate a signal that provides a level of power sufficient to charge the rechargeable device to the detected location.

16. The charging display system of claim 13, wherein the interaction options include a charging interaction and a data transfer interaction wherein data is transferred either to or from the rechargeable device and wherein the displayable signal indicates the extent of the data transfer.

17. The charging display system of claim 10, wherein the display and the power signal generator are co-designed so that the power signal can pass through the display with low signal loss.

18. The charging display system of claim 10, wherein the control system comprises a controller and a power supply controller, and wherein said power supply controller is adapted to initiate the charging, to control charging or to terminate charging without instruction from controller so that the controller can be maintained in a power conservative mode of operation during, at least a portion of, the charging of the rechargeable device.

19. A charging display system for use with a rechargeable electronic device comprising:

a power supply means;

a contact surface against which the rechargeable electronic device can be positioned for charging;

a connector-less means for data and power to be exchanged therethrough with the rechargeable electronic device;

a control means for controlling the exchange of power and data through the connector-less interface; and

a display positioned between the connector-less means and the contact surface that communicates at least one of power or data exchange,

wherein said control means uses said connector-less means to determine an identity for the rechargeable device, and uses the identity to determine power and data exchange to be executed; and

the control means comprises a data exchange controller and a power exchange controller, wherein said power exchange controller initiates the charging, to control charging or to terminate charging without initiating the data exchange controller to maintain the charging display system in a power conservative mode of operation during, at least a portion of, the charging of the rechargeable device.