Wireless mobile communication device with multi-mode charging

• US 8,395,348 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Saatchi, Saeed, Sadhvani, Rita, LaRocca, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): PELTON, NATHANIEL R
• Application Number:
  US12/772,888
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/108
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A wireless mobile communication device may include a wireless communication system configured to communicate information wirelessly. A rechargeable power source may be configured to supply power to the wireless communication system. A plurality of energy conversion devices may each be configured to receive energy from a different type of energy source and convert that energy into electricity. A case may house the wireless communication system, the rechargeable power source, and the energy conversion devices.

Claims

1. A wireless mobile communication device comprising:

a wireless communication system configured to communicate information wirelessly;

a rechargeable power source configured to supply power to the wireless communication system;

a plurality of energy conversion devices, each configured to receive energy from a different type of energy source and to convert that energy into electricity; and

a case housing the wireless communication system, the rechargeable power source, and the energy conversion devices,

wherein the case includes;

a base housing the wireless communication system and the rechargeable power source; and

a detachable cover housing the energy conversion devices, the detachable cover being detachably attached to the base;

wherein the energy conversion devices include;

an induction coil configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a wireless inductive charger located outside of the case; and

a photovoltaic panel configured to receive photonic energy from a photonic energy source located outside of the case; and

wherein the detachable cover includes;

an induction source electrical contact configured to deliver energy received by the induction coil from the wireless inductive charger; and

a photovoltaic source electrical contact that is separate from the induction source electrical contact and that is configured to deliver energy received by the photovoltaic panel from the photonic energy source; and

wherein the base includes;

an induction target electrical contact configured to automatically make electrical contact with the induction source electrical contact when the cover is attached to the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base; and

a photovoltaic target electrical contact that is separate from the induction target electrical contact and that is configured to automatically make electrical contact with the photovoltaic source electrical contact when the cover is attached to the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base.

2. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the induction coil is mounted beneath the photovoltaic panel.

3. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 1 further comprising a charging circuit and a fuel gauge circuit house in the base and wherein:

an input to the charging circuit is connected to the target induction electrical contact; and

an input to the fuel gauge circuit is connected to the target photoelectric electrical contact.

4. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 1 further comprising a magnetic flux shield housed in the cover and configured to shield the wireless communication system from magnetic flux generated by the induction coil.

5. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 4 wherein the induction coil is mounted beneath the photovoltaic panel and the magnetic flux shield is mounted beneath the induction coil.

6. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the detachable cover houses:

induction charger electronics configured to process electrical energy from the induction coil; and

photovoltaic charger electronics configured to process electrical energy from the photovoltaic panel.

7. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein:

one of the energy conversion devices converts electromagnetic energy; and

one of the energy conversion devices converts photonic energy.

8. A detachable cover configured to be detachably attached to a base housing a wireless communication system and a rechargeable power source, the detachable cover comprising a plurality of energy conversion devices, each configured to receive energy from a different type of energy source and to convert that energy into electricity,

wherein the energy conversion devices include:

an induction coil configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a wireless inductive charger located outside of the cover and base when attached to one another; and

a photovoltaic panel configured to receive photonic energy from a photonic energy source located outside of the cover and base when attached to one another; and

wherein the detachable cover includes;

an induction source electrical contact configured to deliver energy received by the induction coil from the wireless inductive charger and to automatically make electrical contact with an induction target electrical contact in the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base; and

a photovoltaic source electrical contact that is separate from the induction source electrical contact and that is configured to deliver energy received by the photovoltaic panel from the photonic energy source and to automatically make electrical contact with a photovoltaic target electrical contact in the base when the cover is attached to the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base.

9. The detachable cover of claim of claim 8 wherein the induction coil is mounted beneath the photovoltaic panel.

10. The detachable cover of claim 8 further comprising a magnetic flux shield configured to shield magnetic flux generated by the induction coil.

11. The detachable cover of claim 10 wherein the induction coil is mounted beneath the photovoltaic panel and the magnetic flux shield is mounted beneath the induction coil.

12. The detachable cover of claim 8 further comprising:

induction charger electronics configured to process electrical energy from the induction coil; and

photovoltaic charger electronics configured to process electrical energy from the photovoltaic charger.

13. The detachable cover of claim 8 wherein:

one of the energy conversion devices converts electromagnetic energy; and

one of the energy conversion devices converts photonic energy.

14. A device comprising:

an electronic device;

a rechargeable power source configured to supply power to the electrical device;

a plurality of energy conversion devices, each configured to receive energy from a different type of energy source and to convert that energy into electricity; and

a case housing the electrical component, the rechargeable power source, and the energy conversion devices,

wherein the case includes;

a base housing the electronic device and the rechargeable power source; and

a detachable cover housing the energy conversion devices, the detachable cover being detachably attached to the base;

wherein the energy conversion devices include;

an induction coil configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a wireless inductive charger located outside of the case; and

a photovoltaic panel configured to receive photonic energy from a photonic energy source located outside of the case; and

wherein the detachable cover includes;

an induction source electrical contact configured to deliver energy received by the induction coil from the wireless inductive charger; and

a photovoltaic source electrical contact that is separate from the induction source electrical contact and that is configured to deliver energy received by the photovoltaic panel from the photonic energy source; and

wherein the base includes;

an induction target electrical contact configured to automatically make electrical contact with the induction source electrical contact when the cover is attached to the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base; and

a photovoltaic target electrical contact that is separate from the induction target electrical contact and that is configured to automatically make electrical contact with the photovoltaic source electrical contact when the cover is attached to the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base.

15. A detachable cover configured to be detachably attached to a base housing an electronic device and a rechargeable power source, the detachable cover comprising a plurality of energy conversion devices, each configured to receive energy from a different type of energy source and to convert that energy into electricity,

wherein the energy conversion devices include:

an induction coil configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a wireless inductive charger located outside of the cover and base when attached to one another; and

a photovoltaic panel configured to receive photonic energy from a photonic energy source located outside of the cover and base when attached to one another; and

wherein the detachable cover includes;

an induction source electrical contact configured to deliver energy received by the induction coil from the wireless inductive charger and to automatically make electrical contact with an induction target electrical contact in the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base; and

a photovoltaic source electrical contact that is separate from the induction source electrical contact and that is configured to deliver energy received by the photovoltaic panel from the photonic energy source and to automatically make electrical contact with a photovoltaic target electrical contact in the base when the cover is attached to the base and to automatically break that contact when the cover is detached from the base.