Abstract:
This application relates to batteries that are capable of routing signals that are separate from the charge supplied by the batteries. In some embodiments, a battery can incorporate a conductive trace that extends through a portion of the battery to allow for signals to be routed through the battery, as opposed to around the battery. The conductive trace can be a single wire, multiple wires, a coaxial trace, optical cable, or any other mechanism for allowing a signal to be transmitted between one or more components. By providing the conductive trace within the battery, shorter pathways to components can be created thereby reducing signal or power loss over the pathways.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to batteries. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to batteries that are capable of providing power to a device while simultaneously routing signals between components of the device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Devices have become more compact in reason times, while also incorporating more functionality. However, with more functionality often comes the introduction of more components into a device. Because there is limited space within a device, designers of devices are often tasked with effectively organizing components within a device to make the most of the limited space. Inevitably, certain components such as a battery occupy substantial amounts of space within certain devices thereby eliminating potential wiring routes at the location of the battery. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This paper describes various embodiments that relate to batteries that are configured to route signals through the battery. In some embodiments, a portable charge storage device is set forth. The portable charge storage device can include a charge storage medium, and a terminal coupled to the charge storage medium. The terminal can be configured to relay a charge between the charge storage medium and an external circuit. The portable charge storage device can further include a conductive element (e.g., a conductive trace, a wire, a cable, a coaxial cable, coaxial trace, optical wire) that is electrically isolated from the charge storage medium and arranged to carry a signal through the portable storage device. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments, a battery is set forth. The battery can include a power terminal configured to provide a charge that is stored by the battery, and a conductive trace that is electrically isolated from the power terminal. The battery can further include a battery housing having at least two layers that form a fold at an edge of the battery, and the conductive trace can at least partially reside in the fold. Furthermore, the conductive trace can be electrically isolated from an anode and a cathode layer of the battery. 
         [0005]    In other embodiments, a computing device is set forth. The computing device can include at least two electrical components and a battery. The battery can include a set of power terminals configured to provide power to the computing device. Additionally, the battery can include a conductive trace that is electrically disconnected from the set of power terminals and configured to provide a conductive pathway between the at least two electrical components. The battery can further include a battery housing that envelopes an anode layer and a cathode layer. The conductive trace can be at least partially disposed within the battery housing and be electrically isolated from the anode layer and the cathode layer. 
         [0006]    In yet other embodiments, a method of forming a battery is set forth. The method can include a step of disposing an anode layer and a cathode layer between a battery housing of a battery. The method can further include a step of configuring the battery housing around a conductive trace such that the conductive trace is electrically isolated from the anode layer and the cathode layer. The method can also include steps of connecting a supply terminal to at least one of the anode layer and the cathode layer, and connecting a routing terminal to the conductive trace. The routing terminal and the supply terminal can be located on different surfaces of the battery. 
         [0007]    Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The described embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings. Additionally, advantages of the described embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a computing device and a battery, according to some embodiments discussed herein. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate various embodiments of a battery having one or more conductive traces and power terminals that are electrically isolated from the conductive traces in the battery. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate steps for forming a battery according to some embodiments discussed herein. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate cross sections of batteries that include a conductive pathway through the batteries. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrates embodiments of a battery incorporating one or more components above or below the anode and cathode layers of the battery. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate embodiments of a battery incorporating a conductive trace that allows for routing signals between different portions of the battery. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrates an embodiment of an adapter that includes a battery and can route signals from one device through the battery to another device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a method for forming a battery that includes a conductive trace that is electrically isolated from a set of power terminals of the battery. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a method of transmitting a signal through a conductive trace that is disposed within a battery and is electrically isolated from a set of power terminals of the battery. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a computing device that can represent the components of a device incorporating any of the battery embodiments discussed herein, and/or a manufacturing device suitable for manufacturing any of the battery embodiments discussed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
         [0020]    Managing space for connecting components within a computing device has become a growing challenge as many computing devices have become more compact over time. In some devices, certain components such as batteries create barriers that force certain connections to be routed around the batteries. Unfortunately, increasing the length of a connection increases the resistance of the connection, which in turn promotes power and signal loss across the connection. This is especially problematic for mobile computing devices, which may already have issues reserving power over extended periods of time. The embodiments provided herein are set forth to improve the routing of connections within a device by using a battery to connect components. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a battery is set forth for providing power to a device while simultaneously routing signals between components of the device. The battery can include power terminals for connecting the battery to a component for supplying power from the battery to the component. The battery can also include one or more conductive traces or wires for routing electrical signals between components of the device. The conductive trace can be incorporated into one or more surfaces of the battery. For example, the conductive trace can extend through one or more edges of the battery, or through a top or bottom surface that is surrounded by the edges. Furthermore, the terminations of the conductive trace can be on different edges or different surfaces of the battery. 
         [0022]    During manufacturing of the battery, at least two layers of the battery housing can be disposed around one or more anode and cathode layers. The conductive trace can be incorporated between the two layers of the battery housing and electrically isolated from the anode and cathode layers. A separation layer can be incorporated to help electrically isolate the conductive trace from the anode and cathode layers. A dielectric layer can be formed around the conductive trace in order to create a coaxial trace using the battery housing, the dielectric layer, and the conductive trace. In this way, electromagnetic interference can be reduced when routing alternating current signals through the conductive trace of the battery. This can be useful when using the conductive trace to route antenna signals between two locations on the device. In some embodiments, the conductive trace can be connected to an I/O port, audio jack, display device, acoustic device, antenna, motor, light, button, switch, processor, power management unit, or any other component in a device suitable for sending or receiving power or electrical signals. 
         [0023]    These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view  100  of a computing device  102  and a battery  104 , according to some embodiments discussed herein. The computing device  102  can be a mobile phone, media player, laptop, tablet, watch, desktop computer, or any other device suitable for being powered by a battery. The battery  104  can include at least one pair of power terminals  110  that can provide power to the computing device  102  from the battery  104  via the power terminals. The battery  104  can further include multiple electrical contacts  108 . Each electrical contact  108  can be connected to each other through a conductive trace  106  that is disposed within a housing of the battery  104 . By incorporating the conductive trace  106  within the battery housing, more space can be created for other connections inside the computing device  102 . The conductive trace  106  can be a single connection or a cable that routes multiple connections. For example, each electrical contact  108  can be connected to one or more components of the computing device  102  such that each component can transmit signals to each other through the conductive trace. In some embodiments, an electrical contact  108  can be connected to a component that is also connected to the power terminals  110 . In this way, signals for controlling the component can be routed through the conductive trace  106 , while the power for the component can be provided through the power terminals  110 . It should be noted that any suitable number of conductive traces  106  and electrical contacts  108  can be incorporated into the battery  104 . Furthermore, in computing devices  102  having more than one battery  104 , a conductive trace of each battery can be connected together in order to route one or more signals through multiple batteries. Additionally, although  FIG. 1  illustrates some of the electrical contacts  108  being cater-corner from each other on the battery  104 , the electrical contacts  108  and conductive trace  106  can be arranged in any suitable orientation for providing signals routes for different components. Furthermore, the conductive trace  106  can be disposed above, below, or in between anode and cathode layers of the battery  104 , as further discussed herein. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate various embodiments of a battery having one or more conductive traces and power terminals  110  that are electrically isolated from the conductive traces in the battery.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a circuit  200  having a logic board  210  that is connected to a component  212  via a conductive trace  214  that is located within a housing of the battery  104 . The component  212  is also connected to power terminals  110  of the battery  104  in order to receive a current or voltage from the battery  104 . The conductive trace  214  extends from the battery  104  at two different edges that are cater-corner from each other. This configuration is beneficial because the conductive trace  214  does not have to go above or below the battery  104  and/or the component  212 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates a circuit  204  that includes some of the same elements of  FIG. 2A  except that the conductive trace  214  does not extend from the battery at two different edges, but rather the conductive trace  214  extends from the battery at the same edge. In this way, connections on the logic board  210  can leave the logic board  210  and return to the logic board  210  without having to substantially overlap the logic board  210 . This provides more room for other components on the logic board  210  because less space is occupied by the conductive trace  214 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a circuit  206  that includes a first battery  222  and a second battery  224  that each include an interconnected conductive trace  218  that extends between the first battery  222  and the second battery  224 . By incorporating the interconnected conductive trace  218 , the logic board  210  can be connected to the component  212  and a component  226  through the first battery  222  and the second battery  224 . The interconnected conductive trace  218  can be a single wire segment or a cable having multiple wires to deliver one or more signals between the logic board  210  and the component  226  and/or the component  212 . The conductive trace  216  can also be incorporated into the first battery  222  or the second battery  224 , as illustrated in the circuit  206 , in order to provide additional signal routing for the logic board  210 .  FIG. 2D  illustrates a circuit  208  with a battery  104  having a coil  220  for receiving wireless signals or wireless power. In this way, the coil  220  can act as an antenna for communicating wirelessly with a component within the device in which the circuit  208  is incorporated, or with another device external to the device in which the circuit  208  is incorporated. In some embodiments, the coil  220  acts to send or receive wireless power. The component  212  can be configured to control the resonance of the coil  220  to accept wireless power from another device. Upon receiving the wireless power, the coil  220  can transfer the power to the component  212 , which in turn can charge the battery  104 . When the battery  104  is fully charged, the component  212  can disconnect from the coil  220  to stop the wireless power from being received. In some embodiments, the device incorporating the circuit  208  can be powered exclusively from wireless power received at the coil  220 . Additionally, the device incorporating the circuit  208  can be simultaneously be powered by the battery  104  and wireless power received at the coil  220 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate steps for forming a battery according to some embodiments discussed herein. The steps can be performed by a person or a manufacturing device that is controlled by a computer.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross sectional view  300  of a battery during manufacturing of the battery. A combination of anode and cathode layers  304  are provided for storing charge. The anode and cathode layers  304  are wrapped or enveloped by a first layer  302  and a second layer  306 , which can each be made of any suitable material for forming a battery housing. A pressing force  308  is applied to the edges of the first layer  302  and the second layer  306  in order to bind the first layer  302  and the second layer  306  to create a battery housing  312 , shown in  FIG. 3B . Thereafter, the edges of the first layer  302  and the second layer  306  are folded, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Specifically,  FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross sectional view  310  of a battery  314  that has been formed as a result of enclosing the anode and cathode layers  304  in a battery housing  312 . The steps illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  can be modified to incorporate conductive pathways through the battery  314 , as discussed herein. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate cross sections of batteries that include a conductive pathway through the batteries.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross sectional view  400  of a battery being formed with a conductive trace  406 . The conductive trace  406  can be disposed between a first layer  302  and a second layer  306  when the battery housing  312  is being formed around the anode and cathode layers  304  of the battery  402 . A pressing force  308  is applied to the first layer  302  and the second layer  306  in order to seal the conductive trace  406  into the battery  402 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross sectional view  408  of the battery  402  formed with the conductive trace  406  within an edge  404  of the battery  402 . In this way, the battery  402  can be used to relay signals between one or more components of a device in which the battery  402  is incorporated, while also providing power to the device. It should be noted that the conductive trace  406  can be electrically isolated from any power terminals, anode layers, and/or cathode layers, such that the battery  402  can concurrently provide power and relay signals in a device. Additionally, the conductive trace  406  can be a single wire or a cable having multiple wires for routing multiple signals through the conductive trace  406 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 4C-4E  illustrate different types of components that can be incorporated into the battery  402  according to embodiments discussed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 4C  illustrates a cross section  410  of an edge of a battery incorporating a capacitive element  414  in the edge of the battery. The capacitive element  414  can be used for any purpose suitable for employing a capacitive element. For example, the capacitive element  414  can be used as a sensor for detecting movement inside or outside a device incorporating the battery  402 . In this way, the weight of the battery  402  can be leveraged for making the sensor more or less sensitive.  FIG. 4D  illustrates a cross section  412  of an edge of the battery  402  incorporating multiple cables  416  in the edge of the battery  402 . The cables can be electrical or optical cables for transmitting electrical or optical signals, respectively.  FIG. 4E  illustrates a cross section  420  of an edge of a battery incorporating a coaxial trace  418  in the edge of the battery. The coaxial trace  418  can include a conductive layer and a dielectric layer surrounding the conductive layer. Additionally, the battery housing  312  can act as a ground layer and/or an electromagnetic shielding layer. In this way, signals that have a frequency that may be subject to electromagnetic interference can be routed through the battery, and specifically through the coaxial trace  418 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrates embodiments of a battery incorporating one or more components above or below anode and cathode layers  514  of the battery. Specifically,  FIG. 5A  illustrates a cross sectional view  500  of a battery  522  being formed with one or more components above the anode and cathode layers  514  of the battery  522 . The components formed in the battery  522  can include a single conductive trace  512 , a capacitive element  516 , multiple wires  518 , and/or a coaxial trace  520 , as discussed herein. One or more of the aforementioned components can be disposed between a first layer  502  and a second layer  510  of a battery housing  524 . The first layer  502 , the second layer  510 , and a third layer  508  can be pressed together with a pressing force  506  in order to create the battery housing  524  around the anode and cathode layers  514 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross sectional view  526  of the battery  522  having one or more conductive elements above the anode and cathode layers  514 . In this way, the area above the anode and cathode layers  514  can be used to route signals or perform other circuit related functions. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a cross sectional view  528  of a battery  538  incorporating one or more components below the anode and cathode layers  514  of the battery  538 . The components formed in the battery  538  can include a single conductive trace  512 , a capacitive element  516 , multiple wires  518 , and/or a coaxial trace  520 , as discussed herein. One or more of the aforementioned components can be disposed between a second layer  532  and a third layer  534  of a battery housing  540 . The first layer  530 , the second layer  532 , and the third layer  534  can be pressed together with a pressing force  506  in order to create the battery housing  540  around the anode and cathode layers  514 .  FIG. 5D  illustrates a cross sectional view  536  of the battery  538  having one or more conductive elements below the anode and cathode layers  514 . In this way, the area below the anode and cathode layers  514  can be used to route signals or perform other circuit related functions for a device in which the battery  538  can be incorporated. It should be noted that any of the embodiments discussed herein can be combined in any suitable way to incorporate electrical components within a battery. For example, in some embodiments, components can be incorporated in one or more edges of a battery, as well as above and/or below the anode and cathode layers of the battery. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate embodiments of a battery incorporating a conductive trace that allows for routing signals between different portions of the battery. Specifically,  FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross-sectional view  600  of a battery  606  incorporating one or more conductive traces  612  extending through different regions of the battery  606 . Each conductive trace  612  can extend from a bottom of the battery  606 , through the anode and cathode layers  608 , to a top of the battery  606 . In this way, a component can be connected to a different component through a conductive trace  612  that extends from the top to the bottom of the battery  606 . The conductive trace  612  can extend through the anode and cathode layers  608  and be electrically isolated from anode and cathode layers  608  using a non-conductive layer surrounding the conductive trace  612 . It should be noted that the term electrically isolated, as used herein, can refer to the plane meaning of electrically isolated, or refer to the property of a component having a conductive pathway that is not shared with another component. For example, each battery discussed herein can include power terminals that are connected to anode and cathode layers, respectively, and the power terminals can have different conductive pathways than a conductive trace (at least within the battery). 
         [0033]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross-sectional view  602  of a battery  618  incorporating a conductive trace  614  that extends from one edge of the battery  618  to another edge of the battery  618 . In this way, different components or circuits can be connected to each other through the conductive trace. This provides the benefit of providing more space outside of the battery  618  because the connection between the different components does not have to be routed above or below the battery  618 .  FIG. 6C  illustrates a cross-sectional view  604  of a battery  620  incorporating a conductive trace  616  that extends from one side of the battery  620  to a different side of the battery  620 , and from the bottom of the battery  620  to the top of the battery  620 . It should be noted that any suitable routing of the conductive trace  616  can be used to route signals through the battery  620 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrates an embodiment of an adapter that includes a battery and can route signals from one device through the battery to another device. Specifically,  FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective view  700  of an adapter  706  that includes a plug  722  and a port  720 . The plug  722  can be connected to a device port  708  for routing power to or from the device port  708 . Additionally, the plug  722  can route signals or data to or from the device port  708 . The device port  708  can include power terminals  712  and data terminals  710 . The data terminals  710  can output a data signal that can route through a battery of the adapter  706  to data lines  716  at the port  720 . In this way, the adapter  706  can simultaneously provide power while also routing signals to an external device that can be connected to the port  720 . The port can include any number of data lines  716  and be sized to fit any plug of a device that is suitable for receiving data from another device.  FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross-sectional view  702  of cross-section A, illustrated in  FIG. 7A . Specifically,  FIG. 7B  illustrates a battery  714  that can be incorporated into the adapter  706 . The battery  714  can be connected to supply terminals  718  that can route power to a device that is connected to the port  720 . Additionally, the data lines  716  can route signals between the plug  722  and the port  720 .  FIG. 7C  illustrates a cross-sectional view  702  of cross-section A, illustrated in  FIG. 7A , with hidden lines illustrating how the data lines  716  traverse the battery  714 . It should be noted that the data lines  716  can be incorporated into the battery  714  according to any embodiments discussed herein. Furthermore, the data lines  716  can represent conductive traces, wires, cables, coaxial traces, coaxial cables, optical wires, or any other medium for relaying data. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates a method  800  for forming a battery that includes a conductive trace that is electrically isolated from a set of power terminals of the battery. The method  800  can be performed by a computing device or other device suitable for manufacturing a battery. The method  800  can include a step  802  of disposing an anode and a cathode layer between layers of a battery housing. At step  804 , the layers of the battery housing are arranged around a conductive trace. At step  806 , the anode layer, cathode layer, and the conductive trace are sealed within, or at least partially within the battery housing to form the battery. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates a method  900  of transmitting a signal through a conductive trace that is disposed within a battery and is electrically isolated from a set of power terminals of the battery. The method  900  can be performed by any component suitable for sending electrical or optical signals. The method  900  can include a step  902  of generating a signal at a first component. The first component can be any electrical or optical component not limited to a transmitter, receiver, processor, sensor, circuit component, wire, or any other suitable component. At step  904 , the signal is transmitted to a conductive trace that is incorporated into a battery housing. The conductive trace can be any electrically conductive pathway or optical pathway for sending signals. At step  906 , the signal is caused to traverse a portion of the battery housing. At step  908 , a second component is caused to receive the signal from the conductive trace. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a computing device  1000  that can represent the components of the computing device  102 , a device incorporating any of the battery embodiments discussed herein, and/or a manufacturing device suitable for manufacturing any of the battery embodiments discussed herein. It will be appreciated that the components, devices or elements illustrated in and described with respect to  FIG. 10  may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. The computing device  1000  can include a processor  1002  that represents a microprocessor, a coprocessor, circuitry and/or a controller for controlling the overall operation of computing device  1000 . Although illustrated as a single processor, it can be appreciated that the processor  1002  can include a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors can be in operative communication with each other and can be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the computing device  1000  as described herein. In some embodiments, the processor  1002  can be configured to execute instructions that can be stored at the computing device  1000  and/or that can be otherwise accessible to the processor  1002 . As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor  1002  can be capable of performing operations and actions in accordance with embodiments described herein. 
         [0038]    The computing device  1000  can also include user input device  1004  that allows a user of the computing device  1000  to interact with the computing device  1000 . For example, user input device  1004  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further, the computing device  1000  can include a display  1008  (screen display) that can be controlled by processor  1002  to display information to a user. Controller  1010  can be used to interface with and control different equipment through equipment control bus  1012 . The computing device  1000  can also include a network/bus interface  1014  that couples to data link  1016 . Data link  1016  can allow the computing device  1000  to couple to a host computer or to accessory devices. The data link  1016  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, network/bus interface  1014  can include a wireless transceiver. 
         [0039]    The computing device  1000  can also include a storage device  1018 , which can have a single disk or a plurality of disks (e.g., hard drives) and a storage management module that manages one or more partitions (also referred to herein as “logical volumes”) within the storage device  1018 . In some embodiments, the storage device  1018  can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory or the like. Still further, the computing device  1000  can include Read-Only Memory (ROM)  1020  and Random Access Memory (RAM)  1022 . The ROM  1020  can store programs, code, instructions, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  1022  can provide volatile data storage, and store instructions related to components of the storage management module that are configured to carry out the various techniques described herein. The computing device  1000  can further include data bus  1024 . Data bus  1024  can facilitate data and signal transfer between at least processor  1002 , controller  1010 , network/bus interface  1014 , storage device  1018 , ROM  1020 , and RAM  1022 . 
         [0040]    The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium can be any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable storage medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable storage medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In some embodiments, the computer readable storage medium can be non-transitory. 
         [0041]    The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.