PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9977205-B2
Application Number: US-201615273624-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic charging and optical data transfer system

Abstract:
Embodiments describe an apparatus for magnetic charging and optical data transferring. The apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, and a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a housing including a first exterior surface opposite a second exterior surface; 
 an inductive transmitting coil disposed within the housing and positioned proximate the first exterior surface, wherein the coil has an inner diameter; 
 an optically transparent window forming a portion of the first exterior surface of the housing and positioned within the inner diameter of the coil; and 
 a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing and optically coupled to the optically transparent window, the first optical data transfer module configured to perform bidirectional data transfer through the optically transparent window. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first optical data transfer module is further configured to automatically align with a second optical data transfer disposed outside of the housing by moving in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the second optical data transfer is configured to automatically align with the first optical data transfer module by moving in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising alignment magnets laterally disposed around the optically transparent window. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the optically transparent window is formed of a selectively transmissive material that is selectively transparent to at least one of infrared or ultraviolet light. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the optically transparent window includes a selectively transmissive coating, wherein the selectively transmissive coating is selectively transparent to at least one of infrared or ultraviolet light. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a magnetic shield disposed around the first optical data transfer module. 
     
     
       8. A docking station for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a housing including an exterior mating surface configured to interface with the portable electronic device; 
 an inductive transmitting coil disposed within the housing and positioned proximate the exterior mating surface, wherein the coil has an inner diameter; 
 an optically transparent window forming a portion of the exterior mating surface and positioned within the inner diameter of the coil; and 
 an optical data transfer module disposed within the housing and optically coupled to the optically transparent window such that bidirectional optical data signals can be sent from and received by the optical data transfer module. 
 
     
     
       9. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the optical data transfer module is further configured to automatically align with a portable electronic device optical data transfer disposed within the portable electronic device by moving in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       10. The docking station of  claim 9  wherein the portable electronic device optical data transfer is configured to automatically align with the optical data transfer module by moving in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       11. The docking station of  claim 8  further comprising alignment magnets laterally disposed around the optically transparent window. 
     
     
       12. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the optically transparent window is formed of a selectively transmissive material that is selectively transparent to at least one of infrared or ultraviolet light. 
     
     
       13. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the optically transparent window includes a selectively transmissive coating, wherein the selectively transmissive coating is selectively transparent to at least one of infrared or ultraviolet light. 
     
     
       14. The docking station of  claim 8  further comprising a magnetic shield disposed around the optical data transfer module.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/235,070, filed on Sep. 30, 2015, and titled “Magnetic Charging and Optical Data Transfer System,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern mobile devices, such as smart phones, smart watches, tablets, and the like, operate when sufficient charge is stored in their batteries. Currently, a single cable connection can be used to both charge the mobile device and allow for data transfer between the mobile device and a charger. Some modern mobile devices can charge their batteries via wireless charging. However, there is no effective way to utilize a single point of exchange system to wireless transfer both power and data to a device from a separate computer or other data source. Thus, improvements in integrated data transfer and wireless charging methods are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provide systems, methods, and devices that can achieve both wireless charging and data transferring for electronic devices. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window. 
     The first optical data transfer module may be further configured to automatically align with a second optical data transfer disposed outside of the housing by moving in a horizontal plane. The second optical data transfer may be configured to automatically align with the first optical data transfer module by moving in a horizontal plane. The apparatus may further include alignment magnets laterally disposed around the optically transparent window. In certain embodiments, the optically transparent window is formed of a selectively transmissive material that is selectively transparent to at least one of infrared or ultraviolet light. The optically transparent window may include a selectively transmissive coating, where the selectively transmissive coating is selectively transparent to at least one of infrared or ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a magnetic shielding disposed around the first optical data transfer module. 
     A better understanding of the nature and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure may be gained with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary charging and data transfer system, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top-down view of a phone, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary charging and data transfer system  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Charging and data transfer system  100  may include an external charging and data puck  102  and a phone  104 . As shown, external charging and data puck  102  is below phone  104  such that a back of the phone  106  is touching or very close to external charging and data puck  102 . External charging and data puck  102  may be connected to a computer (not shown) that receives and/or transmits data through external charging and data puck  102 . The computer may also provide power to phone  104  through external charging and data puck  102 . In embodiments, external charging and data puck  102  can instead be directly connected to a power outlet (e.g., a wall outlet). Although a phone is illustrated as coupled to external charging and data puck  102 , one skilled in the art understands that any suitable electronic device may be coupled to external charging and data puck  102 . 
     In embodiments, external charging and data puck  102  includes a first inductive ring  108  for providing power to electronic devices. First inductive ring  108  may be a transmitting coil for wireless charging. As an example, first inductive ring  108  may be a transmitting coil that can generate time-varying magnetic fields. The generated time-varying magnetic fields may induce a corresponding current in a second inductive ring  110 . Second inductive ring  110  may be a receiving coil for wireless charging. Second inductive ring  110  may be disposed in a receiving device, such as phone  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . In embodiments, either one of the first or second inductive ring may be used for transmitting and receiving. The first and second inductive rings are shown as an inductive ring pair. 
     For transmitting data, external charging and data puck  102  may include a first optical data transfer module  112  and a puck optical window  114 . First optical data transfer module  112  may be configured to emit and/or detect optical signals, such as light emitted at various frequencies, for sending and/or receiving data to electronic devices, such as phone  104 . In embodiments, first optical data transfer module  112  may be configured to emit and/or detect columnated light, focusing light, or dispersing light. The light may exit from and enter into external charging and data puck  102  through puck optical window  114 . 
     In embodiments, puck optical window  114  is transparent to the emitted light such that puck optical window  114  does not adversely affect the intensity of the emitted light. For instance, puck optical window  114  may be formed of a selectively transmissive material. The selectively transmissive material may be reflective of light in certain wavelengths while transparent to light in other wavelengths. As an example, the selectively transmissive material may be reflective of visual light and transparent to infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) light. Thus, a user would not be able to see through puck optical window  114 , but optical signals could transmit through it. In some embodiments, puck optical window  114  is an optically transparent material that includes a selectively transmissive coating. Similar to the selectively transmissive material, the selectively transmissive coating may be reflective of light in certain wavelengths while transparent to light in other wavelengths. The selectively transmissive coating may be a deposited coating or a laminated coating. In some embodiments, puck optical window  114  is an optically transparent window that is transparent to visual, IR, and ultraviolet light. In embodiments, the emitted light is ultraviolet light. However, one skilled in the art understands that light having any suitable wavelengths can be emitted as an optical signal. 
     The emitted light may be received by an electronic device, e.g., phone  104 . In embodiments, phone  104  may include a glass window  116  and a second optical data transfer module  118 . Second optical data transfer module  118  may be configured to detect the light emitted from first optical data transfer module  112  in external charging and data puck  102 . Additionally, second optical data transfer module  118  may be configured to emit light to first optical data transfer module  112 . Accordingly, data may transfer between external charging and data puck  102  and phone  104  in both directions. Similar to puck optical window  114 , light may exit from and enter into phone  104  through glass window  116 . In embodiments, glass window  116  is transparent to the light such that glass window  116  does not adversely affect the intensity of the light. Similar to puck optical window  114 , glass window  116  may be formed of a selectively transmissive material, an optically transparent material including a selectively transmissive coating, or an optically transparent material. Glass window  116  may be shaped in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. For example, glass window  116  may be in the shape of a company&#39;s logo. Thus, glass window  116  may blend into the design of phone  104 , thereby complementing its aesthetic design. 
     Successful optical data transfer may require highly accurate alignment between first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118 . Any misalignment may lead to lower bandwidth data transfer rates. To achieve accurate alignment, first optical data transfer module  112  may include an active stage. The active stage may be an electrostatic stage that moves first optical data transfer module  112  upon application of an electric field. Accordingly, the active stage may be configured to perform fine movements in the X and Y directions of a horizontal plane (e.g., horizontally and perpendicularly to the cross-section shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the active stage may also be configured to perform fine movements in the Z direction and in a rotational direction. The rotational direction may be around a vertical or a horizontal central axis of the active stage. The fine movements may allow active alignment between first and second optical data transfer modules. In some embodiments, second optical data transfer module  118  may also incorporate an active stage for performing active alignment. Accordingly, one or both of first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  may move to achieve alignment with one another. By allowing the first and/or second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  to move, highly accurate alignment may be achieved, thereby allowing maximum bandwidth for data transfer between the computer and phone  104  through external charging and data puck  102 . 
     In embodiments, alignment mechanisms may be implemented to ensure that accurate alignment has been achieved. For example, light sensors  120  may be disposed around one of the first and/or second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  to detect light. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the light sensors  120  may be disposed around second optical data transfer module  118 . Light emitted from first optical data transfer module  112  may be directed toward second optical data transfer module  118 . When light sensors  120  detect little to no emitted light, then it can be determined that first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  are accurately aligned. In other embodiments, an array of optical channels may be implemented to ensure accurate alignment. A known alignment signal may be sent through one optic channel. When the alignment signal is detected, phone  104  and/or the computer may know whether the optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  are aligned by determining the strength and location of the detected signal. 
     In embodiments, first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  may be laterally disposed within the inductive ring pair as shown in  FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  are disposed proximate to the inductive ring pair. Thus, when power is transferred between the inductive ring pair, strong, time-varying magnetic fields may be generated around first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118 . The magnetic fields may negatively affect the electronics within first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118 . In embodiments, a magnetic shielding may be used to minimize this negative effect. For instance, a metal cylindrical wall having a high magnetic permeability which also may or may not be electrically conductive may be disposed around first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118 . The metal cylindrical wall may be formed of a material that includes nickel and iron such as mu-metal. It is to be appreciated that the time-vary magnetic fields may not affect the optical signals emitted between first and second optical transfer modules  112  and  118  because the optical signals may operate in a spectrum that is far away from the spectrum of the electromagnetic waves. In some embodiments, first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  may be laterally disposed outside of the inductive ring pair. Being disposed outside of the inductive ring pair may decrease the negative effects of the magnetic field induced upon the electronics within first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top-down view of a phone, such as phone  104 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, a plurality of alignment magnets  202  may be disposed around glass window  116  for rough alignment purposes. Alignment magnets  202  may help external charging and data puck  102  attach to the back surface of phone  104  and in a certain orientation. Once attached, one or both of first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  may move to perform active alignment with one another while external charging and data puck  102  and phone  104  remain still. Thus, highly accurate alignment may be achieved between first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  without having a user manually adjust the position of phone  104  for performing fine alignment. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , glass window  116  may be disposed on a center axis of second inductive ring  110 . Glass window  116  may be one or more logos that are formed into a back surface of phone  104 . One skilled in the art understands that glass window  116  may be any shape desired to be formed. Second optical data transfer module  118  (not shown) may be disposed within phone  104  and below glass window  116 . Although  FIG. 2  shows one glass window  116 , more than one glass window  116  may be included in the back surface of phone  104 . Accordingly, embodiments may have more than one optical data transfer module  118  corresponding to the more than one glass window  116 . As such, there may be more than one points of data transfer between phone  104  and external charging and data puck  102 . 
     Disposing glass window  116  on the center axis of second inductive ring  110  may be an efficient use of the space provided around glass window  116 . Accordingly, first and second optical data transfer modules  112  and  118  may be laterally disposed within first inductive ring  108 . In embodiments, at least a portion of the back surface of phone  104  is magnetically permeable to allow magnetic fields to interact with second inductive ring  110 . 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the disclosure, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the disclosure, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. The specific details of particular embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the disclosure. 
     Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as “bottom or “top” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as a “bottom” surface may then be oriented “above” other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160922
Publication Date: 20180522
Grant Date: 20180522
Priority Date: 20150930
Inventors: WILLIAMS, ALEXANDER W.
MERZ, NICHOLAS G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04B10/114", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/80", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/80", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4277", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00034", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4293", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4277", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/114", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00034", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4293", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B5/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B5/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 57047327