Headset charge via short-range RF communication

• US 8,463,183 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2012
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Muth, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai L
• Application Number:
  US13/489,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20120242294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/573, 455/575.2
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention enable energy transfer via short-range RF communication between a main device and an associated device, thereby allowing the main device to energy charge the associated device. Accordingly, the need for a separate charger for the associated device can be eliminated. Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for applications in which the main device and the associated device operate in close proximity to each other. Further, embodiments of the present invention are suitable for applications in which the associated device is more energy-constrained than the main device. According to embodiments, energy transfer applications can be supported using near field communication (NFC). In an embodiment, energy transfer via NFC is enabled between a Bluetooth enabled cellular phone and a Bluetooth headset. In another embodiment, energy transfer via NFC is enabled between a Bluetooth enabled digital camera and a Bluetooth enabled digital frame.

Claims

1. A method of energy charging a wireless device via a short-range radio frequency (RF) communication technology, comprising:

receiving an energy charging start signal at a RF tag of the wireless device from a RF tag reader of a cellular phone;

transmitting an acknowledgment signal in response to the energy charging start signal from the RF tag of the wireless device to the RF tag reader of the cellular phone;

receiving RF energy at the RF tag of the wireless device from the RF tag reader of the cellular phone;

converting the received RF energy to a DC signal; and

providing the DC signal to a storage battery of the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an activation signal at the RF tag of the wireless device from the RF tag reader of the cellular phone.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing pairing with the cellular phone via the RF tag reader of the cellular phone.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the DC signal to power circuitry of the wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

transmitting an energy charging termination signal from the RF tag of the wireless device to the RF tag reader of the cellular phone when the storage battery is fully charged.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device includes a Bluetooth headset.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range RF communication technology is near field communication (NFC).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the RF tag includes a NFC tag and the RF tag reader includes a NFC reader.

9. A wireless device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate via a first communication technology with a respective transceiver of a cellular phone;

a radio frequency (RF) tag configured to receive an energy charging start signal from a RF tag reader of the cellular phone, transmit an acknowledgment signal in response to the energy charging start signal to the RF tag reader of the cellular phone, and receive RF energy from the RF tag reader of the cellular phone via a second communication technology; and

a RF to DC converter configured to convert the received RF energy into a DC signal and to provide the DC signal to a storage battery of the wireless device.

10. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the RF tag is further configured to receive an activation signal from the RF tag reader of the cellular phone.

11. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the RF tag is further configured to identify the wireless device to the RF tag reader of the cellular phone.

12. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the RF tag is further configured to pair the wireless device with the cellular phone.

13. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the RF tag is further configured to transmit an energy charging termination signal to the RF tag reader when the storage battery of the wireless device is fully charged.

14. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the RF to DC converter is integrated within the RF tag.

15. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the second communication technology is near field communication (NFC).

16. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein the RF tag includes a NFC tag, and wherein the RF tag reader includes a NFC reader.

17. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the first communication technology is Bluetooth.

18. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein the wireless device includes a Bluetooth headset.