Patent Abstract:
A system for charging a personal electronic device (“PED”). The system includes a power storage module (or “portable power source”) including a magnetic transfer module, a charging module, and a storage module. The power storage module wirelessly transfers power to the PED via a device interface module, to power a device charging module in the PED.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/868,699 filed Aug. 22, 2013, entitled “WIRELESS BATTERY CHARGER” the entirety of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a wireless battery charging system and methods, and more particularly to a proximity power source to recharge a mobile device or portable electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, portable music player, navigation device, or similar device. 
         [0004]    Portable electronic devices (hereinafter “PED” or simply “mobile device”) have become commonplace in today&#39;s world. Users wish to utilize portable electronic devices to provide various functions such as telephone and video communications, text-based communication, internet browsing, gaming, music and video playback, navigation, location services, and other features, all of which affect the available battery life of a PED. Due to the limited battery capacity of current batteries, these battery-intensive functions require users of such devices to have access to at least one of the following: spare batteries, external batteries, a fixed power supply such as an AC source via a wall outlet, an AC-DC converter, or an induction mat connected to an AC source or from a DC source such as a USB connection. 
         [0005]    Access to an external power source is not always available to a user and a user may not have the time to wait for a PED to recharge. Thus, users may be inconvenienced by having to relocate to an area where an external source is accessible, and/or discontinue use of various functions provided by the mobile device. The users may also have to locate or carry a cable and/or power converter to connect the mobile device to the external source. 
         [0006]    In addition, users may be inclined to use devices that have a slim profile and do not want to add a bulky external battery to a mobile device in order to increase the usability of the device, or they may not wish to remain tethered to an external battery source. 
         [0007]    Charging cases and charging mats currently exist using magnetic induction technology. Technologies such as magnetic resonance may also be used, as discussed below in more detail. In order to charge a PED utilizing such a device, the PED must be placed on the charging mat, which itself is connected to an external power source. As a result of the magnetic fields created, the internal battery of the PED may be charged through induction. Additionally, as discussed above, portable external batteries exist that may allow a user to connect their PED via cable to a portable power source that allows them to charge a PED while it is connected, or to operate their device while it is connected to the cabled external battery. However, a need exists to combine the cableless connection of wireless charging with the portability of an external battery to provide a user with maximum flexibility and portability. Further there is a need for an external power source that allows the user to not be tethered to a fixed location while charging, thereby providing maximum portability and an easy way to charge PEDs while on the move. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In an embodiment, a system is provided for charging a personal electronic device. The system comprises a power storage module (or “portable power source”) comprising a magnetic transfer module, a charging module, and a storage module. The power storage module wirelessly transfers power to the PED via a device interface module, to power a device charging module in the PED. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, a method is provided for charging a PED using an external power module by placing the external power module in proximity to the PED, inducing a magnetic transfer of power from the external power module to the PED, and storing the transferred power in an internal power storage module of the PED. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the device will charge itself when placed in proximity to a charging source and will then charge PEDs when placed in proximity to them without cables. In an embodiment the portable power source device may need to utilize cable for charging, however the device may have a micro USB port (or comparable port) for charging, e.g., using a traditional cable. In another embodiment, the portable power source may utilize a charging mat, such as a magnetic induction or magnetic resonance charging mat. In another embodiment, the power source may use a cable when a charging mat is not available. In an embodiment, the portable power source may interface through an I/O port to allow for wireless charging, and a charging source (referred to as a mat) to charge the case or battery. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, a mobile device case comprises a wireless receiving system capable of transferring a charge to the internal battery of the PED from a portable battery with a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver, and a charging mat with a wireless transmitter. In an embodiment, the portable battery&#39;s transmitter is capable of transmitting power to the wireless power receiver in the case when it is in the general proximity of the case. In an embodiment, the portable battery may be charged when it is in proximity to the charging mat. In another embodiment, the portable battery may directly charge from a DC source. In another embodiment, the portable battery, when connected to a DC source, will transmit power to the internal battery within the device when it is within the proximity of the portable battery before the portable battery charges itself. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, a portable power source does not add bulk to a case used with a PED. Further, the portable power source itself is highly portable and charges a PED via wireless charging, such as magnetic induction or magnetic resonance charging, when in proximity to a mobile device. In an embodiment, this allows for a user to maintain a thin and light case while still gaining the benefit of a portable battery charging pack. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic view of the wireless charging system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a personal electronic device, a portable battery, and a charging station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts various wireless charging scenarios in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a personal electronic device, a portable battery, and a charging station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a charging scenario and a use scenario of a personal electronic device and a portable battery in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts a personal electronic device and a portable battery in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a personal electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts charging system  10 . According to some embodiments, charging system  10  comprises charging area  100  which may comprise a cable interface  120  and a power transmitter module  130 . Charging station  100  may also comprise indicator light(s)  105 , power switch(es)  107 , and a power connector  110 . Power pack  140  may comprise external power connector  142 , power transmitter module  144 , power receiver module  146 , and power storage module  148 . 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, PED case  150  comprises a PED power receiver module  152 . PED  154  may be placed within PED case  150  and may have its own internal power storage module, such as a battery. PED  154  may also have a connector that interfaces with PED case  150 , such as a USB port, Micro USB port, or Lightning connector. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, charging station  100  may be a charging mat, holder, fixture, or other physical configuration that allows for wireless inductive charging of a PED. Inductive charging (also known as “wireless charging”) uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects. In other embodiments, charging station  100  may allow for wireless charging by way of magnetic resonance, including but not limited to Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), Power by Proxy, and/or WiTricity, or other methods of wireless charging. 
         [0024]    Power connector  110  may be a standard AC power connector with an AC to DC transformer. Additionally, or alternatively, power connector  110  may connect directly to a DC source using for example, a USB connector or any other type of DC power connector such as an automobile auxiliary power connector. Additionally, and/or alternatively, power connector  110  may be an AC connector without a transformer. 
         [0025]    According to some embodiments, cable interface  120  may allow for removal of a power cord from charging station  100  and may comprise an AC-DC transformer or other electronics such as surge protection, over voltage protection, under current detection, or thermal protection, etc. Cable interface  120  may be coupled to indicator light(s)  105  and/or switches  107  to indicate the status of the charging station and to control the charging station. Indicator light(s)  105  may be LEDs, or other visual forms of indicators. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment using magnetic induction or magnetic resonance, a magnetic field is used as a bridge between power transmitter module  130  in charging station  100  and power receiving module  146  in power pack  140 , which can then use that energy to charge a power storage module  148  or to run a mobile device. Charging station  100  may comprise a transmitting coil in the form of power transmitter  130  to create an alternating electromagnetic field from within a charging station  100 . A receiving coil in power pack  140  in the form of power receiver module  146  takes power from the electromagnetic field generated by power transmitter module  130  and converts it back into electrical current to charge the power storage module  148 . By placing power transmitter module  130  in proximity to power receiver module  146 , the two coils combine to form an electrical transformer which provides power to power storage module  148 . 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, power storage module  148  may be a battery or other storage device and may include galvanic cells, electrolytic cells, fuel cells, flow cells, and/or voltaic piles. The power storage module  148  may be comprised of a Nickel-cadmium (“NiCd” or “NiCad”) battery, a lead-acid battery, a NIMH battery, a NiZn battery, a lithium ion battery, or any other type of rechargeable and or reusable battery. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, power pack  140  may be thought of as a portable power source utilized to charge PED  154  when away from charging station  100 . In an embodiment, power pack  140  retains a charge in power storage module  148 . By placing power pack  140  with power transmitter module  144  in proximity to PED case  150  with an installed PED, power receiver module  152  and power transmitter  144  combine to form an electrical transformer which provides power to charge the internal battery of PED  154 . 
         [0029]    According to some embodiments, instead of power receiver module  152  and power transmitter  144  combining to form an electrical transformer to provide power to charge the internal battery of PED  154 , the combination may instead, or in addition to, combine to power a separate rechargeable power storage area such as a battery built into PED case  150 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  depicts a personal electronic device, a portable battery, and a charging station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment, this figure depicts exemplary use of the charging station  100 , power pack  140 , and PED case  150  in a “home” environment, i.e., when a user is not away from the base station setting of charging station  100 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  depicts various wireless charging scenarios in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, for example, the power pack  140  and PED case  150  may be transported as a pair and carried in, e.g., a bag or pocket, to wireless charge PED  154 . Power pack  140  may be placed on either side of PED  154  and will charge as long as the two are in close proximity. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  depicts a personal electronic device, a portable battery, and a charging station in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, additional charging stations  100  may be placed in areas convenient to the user such as other rooms in a home, in an office, or at other places frequently visited by the user of the PED. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts a charging scenario and a use scenario of a personal electronic device and a portable battery in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, power pack  140  and PED case  150  may be placed into close proximity to charge PED  154  in almost any environment such as in a car cupholder, or on an airplane (subject to FAA regulations), or virtually any other environment where a PED user may need wireless charging without access to, e.g., a wireless charging mat that requires an external power source such as AC or DC. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  depicts a personal electronic device and a portable battery in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the power pack  140  itself can be used as charging station  100  by use of e.g., a 5 volt USB charger or similar charging cable. Use of the system in this embodiment is particularly useful when a PED user is away from home for an extended period of time and does not have access to charging station  100 , but wishes to continually recharge power pack  140  and PED  154 , using power pack  140  in place of charging station  100 . With respect to  FIGS. 2-6 , as discussed above, magnetic induction, magnetic resonance, or other wireless transfer technology may be utilized, including those (such as magnetic resonance in particular) aimed at increasing the freedom of positioning devices and/or allowing for multiple devices within a single flux field. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  depicts a personal electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment, the size and shape of PED  154  is materially unaffected by PED case  150 . 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with embodiments, many variations and modifications as will be evident to those skilled in this art may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and the invention is thus not to be limited to the precise details of methodology or construction set forth above as such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7