Power source, charging system, and inductive receiver for mobile devices

• US 7,948,208 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.
• Inventors: Partovi, Afshin, Sears, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMADAN, RAMY O
• Application Number:
  US11/757,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20070279002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 307/104
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0704 the battery being rechargeable, e.g. solar batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A power source, charging system, and inductive receiver for mobile devices. A pad or similar base unit comprises a primary, which creates a magnetic field by applying an alternating current to a winding, coil, or any type of current carrying wire. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field and transferring it to a mobile or other device. The receiver can also comprise electronic components or logic to set the voltage and current to the appropriate levels required by the mobile device, or to communicate information or data to and from the pad. The system may also incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.

Claims

1. A charger system for use with a mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, for charging and/or powering the device and/or battery inductively, comprising:

a base unit having a surface, and comprising a plurality of primary coils arranged behind and parallel to the surface,

wherein each of the primary coils is positioned within the base unit, and

wherein each of the primary coils is associated with a switching circuit in the base unit, which switching circuit is capable of being selectively switched to activate its associated primary coil so that, when an electrical current is passed through that activated primary coil, a magnetic field is generated by that activated primary coil in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base unit, and

wherein the base unit and/or switching circuit includes a capacitive or other component that decreases harmonics in that activated primary coil;

a power supply for passing a current through the primary coils when activated, to generate the magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coils;

a communications interface that the base unit, and the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, use to communicate with one another during powering or charging, to

poll each of the primary coils, or receive a signal from a sensor associated therewith, to verify the presence of the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device placed upon or close to the surface of the base unit,

select, based on the polling or sensing, from within the plurality of primary coils, and selectively switch, using their associated switching circuits to activate, only those one or more primary coils which are determined to be most closely aligned with a receiver coil at the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, and

periodically thereafter exchange information to provide power transfer to the device and/or battery, including device and/or battery charging or power status or presence; and

wherein the substantially perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil within or on the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device placed upon the activated primary coil of the base unit, to charge or power the device and/or battery, and

wherein the base unit, and receiver coil or circuitry associated therewith, use current modulation performed by the receiver coil or its circuitry, to provide an indication that is then used by the base unit to

determine and regulate one or more of output voltage, current, or power provided by the base unit to the device and/or battery to be within the range of one or more of a value of a required voltage, current, or other power parameter for the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, and/or

verify the continued presence of the receiver coil near the base unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the primary and receiver coils are manufactured by one of printed circuit boards or by etching, stamping or forming copper or other conductive material, and wherein the one or more primary coils are formed of one or more wires arranged in a generally circular or spiral shape.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is formed in the shape of a pad and wherein one or multiple primary coils are distributed within layers of coils within the pad.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the multiple primary coils are allowed to move within a degree of freedom within their plane to more closely align the primary coil with the receiver coil of the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door for use with the device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data storage component for storage of data, for subsequent transmission of data to or from the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door for use with the device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is integrated into a charging kiosk, clothing, bag, briefcase, backpack, skin or case for occasional charging of mobile, electronic, or other devices and/or a battery and/or skin for use with the device, and/or includes a surface or skin or layer that is interchangeable to allow customization of the base unit or to add additional functionality.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the primary coils are stacked atop one another to increase transfer efficiency.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is formed in the shape of a curved surface, cup, bowl, or other container, and wherein mobile, electronic, or other devices and/or battery and/or skin for use with the device can be placed on the curved surface to be charged or powered inductively;

and/or wherein the curved surface in the base unit matches the battery door, handle, case, or skin of a mobile or electronic device and/or a battery to allow optimum power transfer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of modular base units can be interconnected to form a larger single base unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the coil in the base unit and the receiver are substantially aligned using a mechanical, magnetic, or optical method of alignment to provide optimum power transfer.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit has an angled or vertical surface to allow better placement of the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door for use with the device, to be charged and/or wherein the base unit can be attached or mounted at an angle or vertically.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is made at least partially of material that is flexible and/or can be folded, bent or rolled up to allow portability or conformity to a surface.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is powered conductively or inductively by an internal battery or a solar cell or fuel cell or mechanical power or AC or DC power or a car or other transportation vehicle, or an electrical or mobile device, another electronic device including being powered through a USB outlet or an other electronic device or a combination of the above.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver coil is integrated with an after-market or field-replaceable unit or battery pack or where the receiver coil is integrated into a plastic, leather, silicone, cloth or other material cover or door for the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin for the device, and plugs into or makes contact with power connections on the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver coil is integrated with an after-market or field-replaceable unit or battery pack or wherein the receiver coil is provided as a replacement battery compartment door or battery attachment or device skin unit which includes the receiver coil.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit, and the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door proximate thereto to communicate with one another including the use of RFID or other Radio Frequency or optical communication that identifies the base unit, and the mobile or electronic device and/or battery or skin.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the charger system includes one or a plurality of LED'"'"'s and/or audio signals that identify charging occurring or which of the plurality of primary coils are currently activated.

10. A system for simultaneously charging or powering a plurality of mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door for use with the device, comprising:

a base unit having a surface and comprising

a plurality of primary coils arranged behind and parallel to the surface, wherein each of the primary coils are positioned within the base unit and include a switching circuit that is capable of being selectively switched or activated by a switch in the base unit associated with that primary coil so that, when an electrical current is passed through an activated primary coil, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base unit,

one or more capacitive or other components that decreases harmonics in the activated primary coil,

a power supply for passing a current through the primary coils to generate magnetic fields for each primary coil in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coils,

one or more aligning magnets within the base unit, which are oriented so that their magnetic field is perpendicular to the surface of the base unit, that encourage the general alignment of the primary coil with the a receiver coil using corresponding magnets at the receiver coil, mobile, or electronic device and/or battery, and/or skin or battery door for use with the device, and

a plurality of mobile, or electronic devices and/or battery, and/or skin or battery door for use with the device, capable of inductive powering or charging, each mobile, or electronic device or battery, each of which comprising

a battery for powering a mobile, or electronic device, and

a receiver that is one of attached to, incorporated within, or coupled to the mobile, or electronic device or the battery, wherein the receiver comprises a receiver coil;

wherein the substantially perpendicular magnetic fields are used to inductively generate a current in the plurality of the receiver coils within one or more of the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door for use with the device, proximate the base unit, to charge or power the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin, including

polling each of the primary coils, or receiving a signal from a sensor associated therewith, to verify the presence of the mobile, or electronic device and/or battery placed upon the surface of the base unit,

selecting, based on the polling or sensing, from the plurality of primary coils, and selectively switch, using their associated switching circuits to activate, only those primary coils which are determined to be in general alignment with a receiver coil at the device and/or battery, and

periodically thereafter use current modulation performed by the receiver coil or its circuitry, to provide an indication, or otherwise exchanging information, including device and/or battery charging status or presence, to provide power transfer to the device and/or battery; and

a regulator that regulates one or more of output voltage, current, or power provided by the receiver to a mobile, or electronic device and/or battery and/or skin or battery door for use with the device, proximate the base unit, to be within the range of one or more of a value of voltage, current, or other power parameter for the mobile device and/or battery, and/or to modify the duty cycle, frequency or input voltage of the base unit or charger switching circuit therein to modify the output voltage and/or current to the device and/or battery or a charger circuit for the battery.

19. A charger system for use with a mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, for charging and/or powering the device and/or battery inductively, comprising:

a base unit having a surface, and comprising one or more primary coils,

wherein each of the primary coils is positioned within the base unit,

wherein each of the primary coils is associated with a switching circuit in the base unit, which switching circuit is capable of being selectively switched to activate its associated primary coil so that, when an electrical current is passed through that activated primary coil, a magnetic field is generated by that activated primary coil in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base unit, and

wherein the base unit and/or switching circuit includes a capacitive or other component that increases energy transfer efficiency by that activated primary coil;

a power supply for passing a current through the primary coil when activated, to generate the magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil;

wherein the base unit, and the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, communicate with one another during powering or charging, to

poll the one or more primary coils, or receive a signal from a sensor associated therewith, to verify the presence of the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device placed upon the surface of the base unit,

select, based on the polling or sensing, from within the one or more primary coils, and selectively switch, using their associated switching circuits to activate, only that one or more primary coils which is determined to be most closely aligned with a receiver coil at the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, and

periodically thereafter exchange information to provide power transfer to the device and/or battery, including device and/or battery charging or power status or presence; and

wherein the base unit, and receiver coil or circuitry associated therewith, provide an indication that is then used by the base unit to determine the presence of a receiver or one or more of output voltage, current, or power provided by the base unit to the device and/or battery to be within the range of one or more of a value of a required voltage, current, or other power parameter for the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device.

20. The charger system of claim 19, wherein the system includes a plurality of primary coils.

21. The charger system of claim 19, wherein the indication provided by the receiver coil or circuitry associated therewith is provided by current modulation.

22. A method of using a charger system for use with a mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, for charging and/or powering the device and/or battery inductively, comprising the steps of:

providing a base unit having a surface, and comprising one or more primary coils,

wherein each of the primary coils is positioned within the base unit,

wherein each of the primary coils is associated with a switching circuit in the base unit, which switching circuit is capable of being selectively switched to activate its associated primary coil so that, when an electrical current is passed through that activated primary coil, a magnetic field is generated by that activated primary coil in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base unit, and

wherein the base unit and/or switching circuit includes a capacitive or other component that increases energy transfer efficiency by that activated primary coil;

passing a current through the one or more primary coils when activated, to generate the magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coils;

wherein the base unit, and the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, communicate with one another during powering or charging, to

poll the one or more primary coils, or receive a signal from a sensor associated therewith, to verify the presence of the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device placed upon the surface of the base unit,

select, based on the polling or sensing, from within the one or more primary coils, and selectively switch, using their associated switching circuits to activate, only that one or more primary coil which is determined to be most closely aligned with a receiver coil at the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device, and

periodically thereafter exchange information to provide power transfer to the device and/or battery, including device and/or battery charging status or presence; and

wherein the base unit, and receiver coil or circuitry associated therewith, provide an indication that is then used by the base unit to determine the presence of a receiver or one or more of output voltage, current, or power provided by the base unit to the device and/or battery to be within the range of one or more of a value of a required voltage, current, or other power parameter for the mobile, electronic, or other device and/or battery, battery door, or skin for use with the device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the system includes a plurality of primary coils.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the indication provided by the receiver coil or circuitry associated therewith is provided by current modulation.