GB2579251A

GB2579251A - Accessory for a portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2579251A
Application number: GB1819396.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reilly Keith
Original assignee: Alfatronix Ltd
Current assignee: Alfatronix Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-28
Filing date: 2018-11-28
Publication date: 2020-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-28
Also published as: GB201819396D0; WO2020109415A1; GB2579251B

Abstract

An accessory 200 configured to be affixed to a portable electronic device, the accessory 200 comprising: indentations 220 configured to interface with corresponding features with at least three orders of rotational symmetry on a charging surface for a wireless charging unit for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device; wherein the indentations 220 are configured to receive one or more protrusions on the charging surface of the wireless charging unit. Alternatively, the accessory 200 may comprise one or more protrusions configured to be received by one or more indentations positioned in the wireless charging unit. The portable electronic device may be a mobile phone and the accessory 200 may be a case for a mobile phone. The indentations 220 and protrusions may be positioned such that, when they are interfaced, the battery of the electronic device may be aligned with the charging element of the wireless charging device. The portable device may be positioned or oriented in at least three positions. A portable device with indentations or protrusions, and a wireless charging device with indentations or protrusions are also presented.

Description

Accessory for a Portable Electronic Device

Field and Background

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the wireless charging of portable electronic devices.

[0002] A variety of wireless charging systems are available in the market place. In general, these involve placing a device (for example a mobile phone) onto a wireless charging unit in an approximately central position.

[0003] A number of present wireless charging systems typically use an inductive charging system in which an induction coil or loop in the wireless charging unit is energised in such manner as to induce a current flow in a corresponding charging coil or loop of the device being charged. This enables charging to take place when the device being charged is sufficiently well aligned to the wireless charging unit to permit the induction effect to take place. A device being charged using an inductive wireless charging unit may provide an indication that it is receiving charging power, which commonly takes the form of an icon displayed on a display screen of a multipurpose device display.

Summary

[0004] Aspects are set out in the accompanying claims.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an accessory configured to be affixed to a portable electronic device, the accessory comprising: features configured to interface with corresponding features with at least three orders of rotational symmetry on a charging surface for a wireless charging unit for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device; wherein the features comprise one or more indentations configured to receive one or more protrusions on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit, or one or more protrusions configured to be received by one or more indentations positioned on the wireless charging unit.

[0006] In some aspects the features may be further configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of a portable electronic device to which the accessory is affixed to be aligned substantially with a centre of the features on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit.

[0007] In some aspects the features may be further configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of a portable electronic device to which the accessory is affixed to be aligned substantially with a centre of a charging element of the wireless charging unit.

[0008] In some aspects, the features may further comprise one or more indentations forming at least one elongate groove.

[0009] According to this aspect, the one or more indentations may further comprise two or more arcuate grooves, the arcuate grooves forming a subsection of a circumference of a substantially circular shape.

[0010] In some aspects the features may be arranged to form a subsection of a shape corresponding to a shape formed by corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit.

[0011] In some aspects the accessory is a case for a portable electronic device.

[0012] According to this aspect, the accessory may be a case for a mobile telephone.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an accessory for a portable electronic device, the accessory comprising: two or more arcuate grooves configured to receive at least a portion of one or more elongate ridges positioned on an accessory for a portable electronic device, wherein the arcuate grooves form a subsection of a circumference of a circle.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a portable electronic device comprising: features configured to interface with corresponding features with at least three orders of rotational symmetry on a charging surface for a wireless charging unit for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device; wherein the features comprise one or more indentations configured to receive one or more protrusions on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit, or one or more protrusions configured to be received by one or more indentations positioned on the wireless charging unit.

[0015] In some aspects the features may be further configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of the portable electronic device to be aligned substantially with a centre of the features on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit.

[0016] In some aspects the features may be further configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of the portable electronic device to be aligned substantially with a centre of a charging element of the wireless charging unit.

[0017] In some aspects the features may further comprise one or more indentations forming at least one elongate groove.

[0018] In some aspects the one or more indentations may further comprise two or more arcuate grooves, the arcuate grooves forming a subsection of a circumference of a substantially circular shape.

[0019] In some aspects the features may be arranged to form a subsection of a shape corresponding to a shape formed by corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit.

Description of Figures

[0020] Aspects of the present teachings will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: [0021] Figure 1 shows a wireless charging unit.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an accessory for a portable electronic device.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the accessory depicted in Figure 2 placed on the wireless charging unit depicted in Figure 1.

[0024] While the presently taught approaches are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood however that drawings and detailed description attached hereto are not intended to be limiting to the particular form disclosed but rather it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Detailed Description

[0025] The present disclosure relates to an approach to wireless charging which may render a portable electronic device less susceptible to displacement from a wireless charging unit. Thus a small displacement which is enough to cause cessation of charging but which is not necessarily immediately noticeable to a user may be avoided. Such an approach may find application for example in situations where the wireless charging unit and device being charged are in a moving vehicle, where motions of the vehicle could cause a device under charge to be displaced from a charging surface located within the vehicle.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a wireless charging unit (100) for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device according to an example teaching of the disclosure. The wireless charging unit (100) comprises a generally planar charging surface (110) on which a portable electronic device to be charged may be placed. The charging surface (110) comprises features (which may be referred to as mating features) configured to interface with corresponding features on an accessory for a portable electronic device in a keying relationship.

[0027] In the present example, the features on the charging surface (110) comprise a series of ten protrusions (120), in the form of elongate ridges, arranged in a substantially circular circumferential shape. The centre of the substantially circular arrangement of protrusions (120) is aligned, in the plane of the charging surface (110), substantially with the centre of a charging element of the wireless charging unit (100). An accessory for a portable electronic device comprising one or more indentations configured to receive the protrusions (120) may be placed on the charging surface (110) such that at least a portion of the protrusions (120) are received by the one or more indentations. As it is generally expected that such a wireless charging unit (100) would be used with the plane of the charging surface (110) being approximately horizontal (so as to minimise a risk of sliding of a device under charge from the wireless charging unit (100) in use), the provision of the protrusions (120) and indentations operate to reduce a risk of a device under charge being displaced from the wireless charging unit (100), for example if the device is knocked or due to movement of a vehicle in which the wireless charging unit (100) is operated.

[0028] The substantially circular circumferential arrangement of features on the charging surface (110) advantageously allows an accessory for the portable electronic device to be rotated after being placed on the charging surface (110), while inhibiting lateral movement of the portable electronic device and maintaining the alignment of the portable electronic device with respect to the charging element of the wireless charging unit (100).

[0029] In the present example, the features configured to interface with the accessory for the portable electronic device comprise one or more protrusions (120), however the features may alternatively comprise one or more indentations. Furthermore, while in this example a series of ten elongate ridges is depicted, any number or shape of protrusions or indentations may be disposed on the wireless charging unit, including, for example, a single protrusion or indentation. As discussed above, the purpose of the protrusions and indentations is to permit reliable maintaining of the relative position of the wireless charging unit (100) and the device under charge, even in the event of the device being knocked or the wireless charging unit (100) being caused to move, for example by motion of a vehicle.

[0030] While the present example comprises a substantially circular arrangement of features, the features may be arranged in any shape comprising at least three orders of rotational symmetry. For example, the features may be arranged in a substantially triangular or square shape. By utilising a shape for the arrangement of the protrusion(s) (120) comprising at least three orders of rotational symmetry, the protrusion(s) (120) necessarily form a two-dimensional shape on the charging surface (110), thereby providing grip between the charging surface (110) and an accessory for a portable electronic device, such that lateral movement of the portable electronic device about the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100) is inhibited. Additionally, by utilising an arrangement of protrusions (120) with three orders of rotational symmetry, the accessory can be placed on the charging surface (110) by a user in a number of different orientations, thereby providing an ergonomic and easy means for initiating wireless charging, whilst inhibiting lateral movement of the portable electronic device.

[0031] In the present example, the features configured to interface with the accessory for a portable electronic device are integrally formed on a charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100). However, the features configured to interface with the accessory for a portable electronic device may be positioned on a separate surface which is attachable to a wireless charging unit (100).

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates an accessory (200) for a portable electronic device according to an example teaching of the disclosure. The accessory (200) comprises two arcuate grooves (220) positioned on the rear surface (210) of the accessory (200). The indentations are shaped to receive a subsection of the substantially circular arrangement of protrusions (120) on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100) depicted in Figure 1.

[0033] The use of two arcuate grooves (220) on the accessory (200) allows the portable electronic device to be freely rotated after being placed on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit, whilst preventing lateral movement of the portable electronic device and maintaining the alignment of the portable electronic device with respect to the charging element of the wireless charging unit. This arrangement further allows the portable electronic device to be initially placed on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit in any rotational orientation, whilst similarly inhibiting lateral movement of the portable electronic device and thereby maintaining the alignment of the portable electronic device with respect to the charging element of the wireless charging unit. Furthermore, the use of two arcuate grooves (220) ensures that the portable electronic device can be rotated on a wireless charging unit when the width of the portable electronic device is smaller than a diameter of the circular arrangement of protrusions (120) on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100).

[0034] In the present example, the features positioned on the accessory (200) for a portable electronic device comprise two arcuate grooves (220), however any appropriate arrangement of indentations or protrusions which interface with corresponding features positioned on a charging surface (110) of a wireless charging unit (100) may be utilised. For example, the features positioned on the accessory (200) may comprise one or more protrusions configured to be received by one or more indentations positioned on a charging surface (110) of a wireless charging unit (100).

[0035] Similarly, the features positioned on the accessory (200) may comprise any number of grooves (220), for example a single elongate groove. The groove(s) (220) may be arranged in a substantially circular circumferential shape or a subsection of a substantially circular circumferential shape. The groove(s) (220) may alternatively be arranged in a shape possessing at least three orders of rotational symmetry (for example a triangle or square) or a subsection of a shape possessing at least three orders of rotational symmetry.

[0036] In the present example the accessory (200) is an accessory for a mobile telephone, however accessories for other portable electronic devices are contemplated. The accessory (200) may be an accessory for any portable electronic device which is capable of being charged wirelessly (such as a mobile telephone, a tablet, a smart watch, a laptop, a power bank, etc.). Furthermore, although in this example the accessory (200) for the portable electronic device is a case, other accessories are contemplated. For example, the accessory (200) may be attached by an adhesive or any other means, to a surface of the portable electronic device. In the alternative, the protrusions or indentations may be an integral part of the portable electronic device, such that the portable electronic device includes the necessary protrusions or indentations to interact directly with the wireless charging unit (100) of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates the accessory (200) for a portable electronic device depicted in Figure 2 positioned on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100) depicted in Figure 1. The indentations positioned on the accessory (200) receive a portion of the protrusions (120) positioned on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100).

[0038] The positioning of the arcuate grooves (220) on the accessory (200) provides that when the portable electronic device is placed on the charging surface (110) of the wireless charging unit (100), the battery of the portable electronic device is aligned substantially with the centre of the charging element of the wireless charging unit (100). That is, the accessory (200) provides that the portable electronic device is positioned such that the battery is located in the location, with respect to the wireless charging unit (100), which ensures optimal (i.e. the fastest possible) and/or consistent charging of the portable electronic device.

[0039] Accordingly, it is seen that the wireless charging unit (100) and accessory (200) of the present disclosure are operable to inhibit movement of the accessory (200) (and thus a device to which the accessory (200) is fitted) relative to the wireless charging unit (100). Thereby, cessation or reduction of charging caused by such movement is inhibited. For example, if the device is inadvertently knocked the wireless charging unit (100) and accessory (200) cooperate in their mechanical inter-relation to impede this from causing the device from being moved away from the centre of the wireless charging unit (100) and consequential stopping of charging of the device may stop. Thus, a small displacement that impedes charging but is not noticeable to a user may be avoided.

[0040] The arrangements taught herein can be appropriate for deployment for a wireless charging unit within a vehicle. By use of the interaction of the protrusions and indentations, the accessory (and thus a device to which the accessory is fitted) may be inhibited from relative displacement even when movement of the vehicle creates forces that would tend to cause the device to slide across the charging surface of the wireless charging unit. Thus a consequent cessation or reduction in charging may be avoided, and also potential damage caused by complete displacement away from the wireless charging unit may also be avoided. Furthermore, as a user may be driving the vehicle, such a user may be unable to reposition the device on the wireless charging unit while controlling the vehicle, thus by use of the presently taught approaches a delay in completing of charging during a vehicle journey may be avoided.

[0041] Therefore, by adoption of the presently taught techniques, a device under charge may be reliably located in an optimum charging location when first applied to the wireless charging unit, and the device may be further impeded from departing from that optimum charging position.

[0042] While the present teachings have been described with reference to example embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the scope is not limited to the example embodiments or constructions. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various elements of the example embodiments are shown in various combinations and configurations, which are provided by way of example, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

Claims

Claims 1. An accessory configured to be affixed to a portable electronic device, the accessory comprising: features configured to interface with corresponding features with at least three orders of rotational symmetry on a charging surface for a wireless charging unit for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device; wherein the features comprise one or more indentations configured to receive one or more protrusions on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit, or one or more protrusions configured to be received by one or more indentations positioned on the wireless charging unit.
2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the features are configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of a portable electronic device to which the accessory is affixed to be aligned substantially with a centre of the features on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit.
3. The accessory according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the features are configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of a portable electronic device to which the accessory is affixed to be aligned substantially with a centre of a charging element of the wireless charging unit.
4. The accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the features comprise one or more indentations forming at least one elongate groove.
5. The accessory according to claim 4, wherein the one or more indentations comprise two or more arcuate grooves, the arcuate grooves forming a subsection of a circumference of a substantially circular shape.
6. The accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the features are arranged to form a subsection of a shape corresponding to a shape formed by corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit.
7. The accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the accessory is a case for a portable electronic device.
8. The accessory according to claim 7, wherein the accessory is a case for a mobile telephone.
9. An accessory for a portable electronic device, the accessory comprising: two or more arcuate grooves configured to receive at least a portion of one or more elongate ridges positioned on an accessory for a portable electronic device, wherein the arcuate grooves form a subsection of a circumference of a circle.
10. A portable electronic device comprising: features configured to interface with corresponding features with at least three orders of rotational symmetry on a charging surface for a wireless charging unit for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device; wherein the features comprise one or more indentations configured to receive one or more protrusions on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit, or one or more protrusions configured to be received by one or more indentations positioned on the wireless charging unit.
11. The portable electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the features are configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of the portable electronic device to be aligned substantially with a centre of the features on the charging surface for a wireless charging unit.
12. The portable electronic device according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the features are configured to interface with the corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit to cause a battery of the portable electronic device to be aligned substantially with a centre of a charging element of the wireless charging unit.
13. The portable electronic device according to any of claims 10-12, wherein the features comprise one or more indentations forming at least one elongate groove.
14. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the one or more indentations comprise two or more arcuate grooves, the arcuate grooves forming a subsection of a circumference of a substantially circular shape.
15. The portable electronic device according to any of claims 10-14, wherein the features are arranged to form a subsection of a shape corresponding to a shape formed by corresponding features positioned on the wireless charging unit.
16. A charging surface for a wireless charging unit configured to wirelessly charge a portable electronic device, wherein the charging surface comprises features configured to interface with the accessory of any of claims 1-9 or the portable electronic device according to any of claims 10-15.
17. A system for charging a portable electronic device, the system comprising: an accessory for a portable electronic device according to any of claims 1-9, or a portable electronic device according to any of claims 10-15; and a wireless charging unit configured to wirelessly charge a portable electronic device, the wireless charging unit comprises features configured to interface with the accessory of any of claims 1-9 or the portable electronic device of any of claims 10-15.