Patent Description:
Data or power ports that undergo repetitive insertion and removal of physical or wired connectors may degrade over time. Additionally, having to locate and connect a wired connector to a power port may be difficult or inconvenient for passengers.

Wireless charging has provided an alternative to wired charging, allowing a user to simply set a device atop a service to charge. Such wireless charging device is described in the preamble of claim <NUM> and is for example disclosed in <CIT>. Because wireless charging utilizes a coil to produce an electromagnetic field to charge a device, the device must be aligned over the center of the coil. Further, no conducting material that could interfere with the electromagnetic field should be placed between the device and the coil for the wireless charger to operate properly.

In smaller, isolated wireless charging pads, the center of the coil is readily identifiable as the central point of the small charging pad itself. However, if a wireless charging coil is positioned under a larger surface it can be difficult to determine where the central axis of the coil is located. For this reason, conventional solutions have included a printed indication of the coil central axis on the charging device or a sticker or other label placed thereon. One disadvantage of these solutions is that they fail to indicate to a user whether the charging device is powered on and/or properly charging.

Other conventional solutions include providing an LED indicator either surrounding the coil or positioned apart from the surface of the wireless charging device that supports the device to be charged, such that the LED indicator does not interfere with the electromagnetic field of the coil. However, these solutions require additional components and dedicated wiring that potentially interferes with the charging capability of the device and is distracting or aesthetically unpleasant.

<CIT> discloses a method of operating a charging display system, according to which the charging display system communicates with the chargeable device and uses its own integral display to display information about the chargeable device in the case of a chargeable device having no integral display or a small display.

Therefore, what is desirable is a wireless charging device having a dynamic indicator that allows for aesthetically pleasing feedback not limited to prior size and positioning constraints as a result of the induction coil.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a wireless charging assembly in accordance with the characterizing features of claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is directed to an aircraft monument assembly having personal electronic device charging capability, according to claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is directed to an assembly for an aircraft passenger seating environment according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention may be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Like reference numerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar element, feature or function. In the drawings:.

The present invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein.

With reference to the drawing figures, the present invention is directed to wireless charging assemblies having dynamic indicators on or within a charging surface that indicate generally a charging location (e.g., central axis) of an electromagnetic coil of or within the wireless charging assembly. The wireless charging assembly may be integral with and/or mountable under aircraft passenger seating monuments or other structures within an aircraft cabin environment.

The visual indicator of the wireless charging assembly may be arranged within and/or displayed through or from the charging surface of the wireless charging assembly such that the visual indicator indicates at least one of the presence of the wireless charger, location of the wireless charger relative to the support surface, wireless charging capability, where and how to position a device to be charged in relation to the inductive charging coil, and the status of the wireless charging assembly. The status may include, but is not limited to, power, operation, mode, availability, charge level, etc. Mode may be, for example, indicative of the operating state of the charger based on the state of the device battery. For example, one displayed color may indicate active charging, while another different color may be used to indicate when charging is complete and a full battery. Other visual indicators may include, but are not limited to, changing colors, transitional colors between discrete states, steady versus flashing lights, audio signals in connection with visual signals, etc. For example, the visual indicator may emit a first color of visible light when the charger is powered on and ready, a second color of light different from the first when the charger is powered on but malfunctioning, no light when the charger is powered off, different colors of light to indicate charger state based on battery state, a predetermined color corresponding to a discrete battery range or level (e.g., red light indicating low charge, orange light indicating charge level above a predetermined threshold level, and green light indicating fully charged), etc..

The visual indicator may be configured (e.g., shaped) to match any housing, encasement and/or support surface shape and design. For example, the color of the light emitted from the visual indicator in the wireless charging assembly may be configured for a particular theme in the area where the wireless charging assembly is installed, such as a premium class aircraft passenger suite. Additionally or alternatively, the visual indicator may be configured as a symbol and/or logo. Example signals may include a familiar lightning bolt or power sign generally recognizable to indicate charging capability. The visual indicator may be a passive indicator, meaning that the visual indicator is ultimately optically coupled to the light source, but does not itself produce or generate visible light. The visual indicator is thus distinguished from an LED indicator. By being passive, the visual indicator can be virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding support surface when the visual indicator is not illuminated.

When not powered, the wireless charging device may emit no light from the visual indicator to inform the user that the wireless charging device may not be used to charge their personal electronic device. Accordingly, the wireless charging assembly may further include a switch (e.g., virtual or physical) to provide the user with the option of powering on the wireless charging device. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless charging assembly may include a switch for turning on/off the light emitted from the visual indicator without turning off the power to the wireless charging device, such that the personal electronic device may be charged by the wireless charging device without emitting any light from the visual indicator of the wireless charging assembly. Moreover, the wireless charging assembly may include a dimmer control for changing the brightness of the light emitted from the visual indicator of the wireless charging assembly. In some embodiments, the wireless charging assembly may include a color control for changing the color of the light emitted from the visual indicator of the wireless charging assembly. The wireless charging assembly may include a controller with wireless connection capabilities (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, RF) such that the controls over one or more of the power, light, brightness, color, etc. may be operated remotely. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless charging assembly may include controls, switches, or connections for external controllers such that one or more of the power, light, brightness, color, etc. may be operated.

Referring to <FIG>, a non-limiting example of a premium class aircraft passenger seating arrangement is shown generally at reference numeral <NUM>, as one of many possible exemplary environments for a wireless charging assembly. A wireless charging device may be mostly hidden below a surface <NUM> of the structural environment with a charging device indicator <NUM> as a visual indicator and incorporated into the surface <NUM> of the environment <NUM>. There may be multiple wireless charging devices with associated charging device indicators <NUM>. For example, a charging device indicator <NUM> may be located on any surface of any aircraft monument. The aircraft monument featuring the wireless charging device may be located in convenient proximity to a passenger seat <NUM> within the environment <NUM>. Examples of aircraft monuments include, but are not limited to, passenger seats, seat elements, furniture, end bays, consoles, tables (fixed or deployable), arm rests, ottomans, partitions, panels, fuselage walls, galleys, cabinets, closets, etc..

<FIG> shows a detailed perspective view of a backlit indicator <NUM> for a wireless charging device integrated into a surface <NUM>, in accordance with the present invention. The wireless charging assembly may be aesthetically integrated into the clean lines of the designed space, rather than conspicuously obtruding in a disjointed manner. The panel visible in <FIG> may include controls incorporated with the various operational aspects of the wireless charging device and assembly, such as but not limited to backlight color and brightness, power modes, etc..

Other passenger or vehicular environments for the wireless charging assembly with a fiber optic backlit indicator are possible. Moreover, the operational environment <NUM> in which a wireless charging device featuring a charging device indicator <NUM> is not limited to travel-related environments, but rather may be used in any space where a dedicated surface may be used for placing personal electronic devices.

Providing unobtrusive, clean lines in a designed space, free from cords, clutter, protrusions and separate charging devices can be very advantageous to the aesthetic appeal and organization of the area. This may be especially beneficial within travel spaces, where managing and keeping track of personal items in transit is essential.

In addition to the pleasing visual appearance a wireless and/or inductive charging assembly installation generates, there are numerous technological advantages. For example, the wear on the power and/or data ports on personal electronic devices may be minimized, such that the personal electronic devices enjoy a longer life of use. The inclusion and widespread adoption of wireless charging may lead to personal electronic devices with no external ports whatsoever, increasing the chances for waterproof and/or more resilient devices. In addition to the materials and wear costs that wireless charging assemblies may cutdown, surface-integrated inductive chargers can save users time in not having to inconveniently plug and unplug wired connectors, as well as not having to buy, search for, and replace wired charging components.

Although not shown in <FIG>, the surfaces in which the wireless charging devices are integrated may include molded and/or movable surfaces for positioning, holding, supporting, cradling, etc. personal electronic devices for users while also charging the personal electronic device. The charging surface may be a bi-folding assembly with different surface treatments and/or sculpted receptacles on one side for use with specific devices, consumables, or other items, and a flat and durable surface on the other side for adapting to many kinds of tasks. The surface portion <NUM> may be equipped with a tilt mechanism for adjusting the direction that the charging portion <NUM> faces. The tilt mechanism may have a number of determinate angles available or be infinitely adjustable. Moreover, the surface portion <NUM> may be a bifold table with a first portion and a second portion pivotably connected, such that the surface portion <NUM> may unfold for additional work surface area or even differently sized or power-rated induction coils. This is especially advantageous for small or oddly shaped alcoves, in which the space available for stowing a wireless charging assembly is very limited, but a larger work surface area is desired.

Further, the surfaces with integrated charging spots may be equipped with various surface features, including assorted inserts, shapes, sizes, and configurations, which are readily interchangeable for holding different items or devices. The surface portions, accessories, and other wireless charging assembly components may be made from durable lightweight materials including, but not limited to, plastics and aluminum.

In addition to the user benefits derived from the integral wireless charging assembly, the modifiable features (e.g., surface contours, indicator design, lighting choices) of the disclosed wireless charging assemblies facilitate installation into many different structures or monuments, regardless of the seating or environmental dimensions. Accordingly, the wireless charging assemblies and devices of the present disclosure may be mass-produced as modular fittings or installation kits for any type of structure, monument, seating arrangement, table, desk, alcove, surface, interface, furniture, workbench, chamber, kiosk, suite, cockpit, platform, panel, base, cab, compartment, box, podium, case, crate, lavatory, galley, bay, carriage, counter, etc..

Finally, should the passenger no longer desire or need use of the charging portion <NUM> of the monument or other surface <NUM>, the charging surfaces may still be used for any other purpose. Additionally, the power source for the integrated wireless charging device may be disconnected or shut off in order to ensure no interference with materials or media being used on the charging portion of the surface <NUM>, as confirmed by the visual indicator <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary wireless charging assembly <NUM> including a fiber optic panel <NUM> for backlighting the indicator <NUM> on the surface portion <NUM> and an induction coil <NUM>.

Conventional wireless charging devices require there to be no metal or conductive materials between the induction coil and the charging surface, so as to not interfere with the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil. Interrupting the electromagnetic field disrupts the charging capabilities between an inductively coupled wireless charging device and a personal electronic device, thereby undermining the ability to induce a voltage in (i.e., charge) the personal electronic device. Thus, standard lighting elements and the wire connections required there between cannot be introduced between the primary coil of the wireless charger and the secondary coil of the personal electronic device. This requirement has inhibited the ways in which wireless charging devices or assemblies can indicate the specific location that the personal electronic device to be charged is placed. Traditional wireless charging devices have accordingly failed to include lighted and/or dynamic indicators for positioning where to position the personal electronic devices to be charged. As such, providing a wireless charging device hidden under a large surface is difficult since there can be no dynamic power state indicators in the area of the primary induction coil.

To solve these deficiencies, the wireless charging assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, includes a fiber optic panel <NUM> that refracts, reflects, transmits or otherwise emits visible light originating from a remote light source (e.g., away from electromagnetic field generated by the primary induction coil) in a bright and uniform manner. The fiber optic panel <NUM> may be a film including woven optic or scintillating fiber. The fiber optic panel <NUM> may be surface treated, roughened, formed, printed, etc. such that the translucent/transparent fiber optic panel <NUM> deflects light in seemingly all or predetermined directions to elicit the appearance of a homogenous panel light source. The fiber optic panel <NUM> may comprise multiple layers of fiber optic film, as well as reflector layers, etc..

Additionally, the fiber optic panel <NUM> may be sufficiently thin so as to not interfere or disrupt the inductive coupling between the wireless charging device and the personal electronic device. For example, the fiber optic panel <NUM> may have a uniform thickness ranging from about <NUM> in. to about <NUM> in.

The fiber optic panel <NUM> may include or be coupled to a light connector assembly that serves as a light guide, supplying the fiber optic panel <NUM> with light from a remote light source. The light connector assembly may convert a flattened array of optic or scintillating fibers (providing a uniform light supply along the edge of the fiber optic panel <NUM>) into a compact, cylindrical bundle of optic fibers that may be threaded and/or positioned to connect back to the remote light source, located outside the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil <NUM>.

Finally, the wireless charging assembly <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (PCB) or control panel <NUM>, for controlling the operations of the wireless charging assembly <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may include communications modules for receiving remote and/or wireless data communications, such as instructional signals. The control panel <NUM> may include components such as light sources and/or connections, power sources and/or connections, controllers for the light source, power source, etc..

Claim 1:
A wireless charging assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a surface (<NUM>) including a visual indicator (<NUM>) configured to be illuminated by visible light emitted from beneath the surface (<NUM>);
an induction coil (<NUM>) disposed beneath the surface (<NUM>) and having a center axially aligned with at least a portion of the visual indicator (<NUM>);
an electrically powered light generator and a controller operable for controlling the electrically-powered light generator;
the electrically powered light generator is optically coupled to a fiber optic panel (<NUM>) disposed between the induction coil (<NUM>) and the surface (<NUM>), the fiber optic panel (<NUM>) configured to emit visible light;
wherein light emitted by the fiber optic panel (<NUM>) is configured to illuminate the visual indicator (<NUM>), the visual indicator (<NUM>) being a passive visual indicator; characterized in that:
wherein the visual indicator (<NUM>) is integrally formed in the surface (<NUM>) and a top of the visual indicator (<NUM>) is flush with the surface (<NUM>); and
the visual indicator comprises at least one translucent or transparent inlay embedded in at least a portion of the surface, wherein the at least one translucent or transparent plastic inlay is acrylic;
the fiber optic panel (<NUM>) comprises at least one layer of fiber optic film and has a uniform thickness ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; and
the electrically powered light generator is positioned remote from the induction coil (<NUM>),
the fiber optic panel (<NUM>) is optically coupled to a light connector assembly that is configured to serve as a light guide, supplying the fiber optic panel (<NUM>) with light from the remote electrically powered light generator.