HK1089566B - An adapter for a remote device - Google Patents

Description

Power adapter for remote device

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority and benefit of U.S. provisional application No.60/444794 entitled "adaptive inductively coupled ballast circuit" by David w.baarman, filed on 4/2/2003. The entire disclosure of this prior application is incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application No.10/357932 entitled "inductively powered device," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application incorporates by reference the following applications filed on the same day and assigned to the same assignee as the present application: the self-adaptive induction power supply has a serial number of 10/689499; an inductor arrangement, serial No. 10/689224, current U.S. patent No. 6975198; a static charge storage device, serial No. 10/689154, and an adaptive inductive power supply with communication, serial No. 10/689148.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to contactless power supplies and communications with electronic devices.

Background

A CPS (contactless power supply) supplies power to the remote device without any physical connection. The adaptive CPS allows power to be provided to multiple different remote devices simultaneously. In this way, all of the CD player, MP3 player, and cellular telephone may be powered simultaneously from the same adaptive CPS. One major advantage of the adaptive CPS is that it frees the user from maintaining a series of charging devices, cables and batteries to power the system. With the CPS and appropriately equipped remote devices, separate chargers, cables and batteries for each remote device are not required.

However, these remote devices must be built with the ability to obtain power from the CPS. There are many remote devices that have not been explicitly constructed using a CPS in use.

Some remote devices, such as MP3 players, need to communicate with the workstation. In connecting such remote devices to a workstation, a user connects a cable between the remote device and the workstation. The use of cables also clutter the work area around the workstation and cause increased problems.

There is a strong need for an adapter that enables these remote devices that do not have a CPS power interface to use a CPS. There is also a great need for an adapter that enables remote devices to also access a workstation.

Disclosure of Invention

An adapter for coupling a remote device with a rechargeable power source has a contactless power interface and a power regulator for powering the remote device.

The adapter may have a rechargeable power source, such as a battery, that powers the adapter. The adapter may also have a first transceiver for communicating with a contactless power supply.

The adapter may have a second transceiver for communicating with a remote device. Alternatively, the adapter may have only a transmitter.

The contactless power interface may include a variable impedance element, such as a variable inductor. The controller is coupled to the variable impedance element and can vary an impedance of the variable impedance element. The controller changes the impedance of the variable impedance element in response to a command from the contactless power supply.

Operating the adapter may include obtaining charging information from the remote device and then providing the charging information to the contactless power supply. And then power is supplied to the remote device. Alternatively, the adapter may have memory that is preloaded with power information for a particular remote device.

If the first and second transceivers are equipped, the adapter establishes a first communication link between the adapter and the contactless power supply. The adapter establishes a second communication link between the adapter and the remote device. The adapter then receives power demand information from the remote device and transmits the power demand information to the contactless power supply.

When the adaptive power interface has an adjustable element, the contactless power supply is set to the optimum setting for the adjustable element. If the tunable element is a variable inductor, the step of determining the optimum setting for the tunable element includes determining the optimum inductance setting for the variable inductor.

The adapter and method of operating the adapter allows the remote device to use a contactless power supply even if the remote device is not specifically designed to operate with a contactless power supply. In addition, the adapter allows the remote device to be connected to a workstation that is attached to a contactless power supply.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an adapter, a remote device, and a CPS;

FIG. 2 shows a CPS system interfacing with a computer workstation and a remote device equipped with a CPS interface;

fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a remote device CPS interface;

FIG. 4 is a method of operation of the CPS interface;

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of an adapter;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a CPS interface;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a CPS interface with a half-wave rectifier;

fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of a CPS interface with a full wave rectifier.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows CPS10 connected to a remote device 12 through an adapter 14. The remote device 12 may be a notebook computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a cellular telephone, an MP3 (motion picture experts group layer three audio) player, or any of a myriad of portable electronic devices. The CPS10 provides power to the remote device 12 through the adapter 14. Furthermore, if the remote device 12 has a communication bus as many remote devices, the CPS10 may communicate directly with the remote device 12 through the adapter 14.

Fig. 2 shows the CPS10 connected to a PC (personal computer) 16. The PC16 is coupled to a network 18. The network 18 may be a LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), or the Internet. The personal computer 16 may communicate with the remote device 12 through the CPS 10. According to the present embodiment, the remote device 12 may communicate with the PC16 and optionally the network 18 through the adapter 14 and CPS 10.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the CPS10, adapter 14, and remote device 12. The remote device rechargeable power source 20 powers the remote device 12. Rechargeable device power supply monitor 22 monitors the operation of rechargeable power supply 20. Rechargeable device power supply monitor 22 and remote device rechargeable power supply 20 may be components of modern rechargeable batteries commonly referred to as "smart batteries" or "intelligent batteries". In a smart battery, the rechargeable device power supply monitor 22 may provide information related to the operation and power requirements of the remote device rechargeable power supply 20, such as temperature, maximum current, voltage, remaining charge, and projected time to complete charging. Further enhancements to the information provided by smart batteries have been proposed. For example, U.S. patent 5572110 contains several enhancements to information that can be monitored about smart battery operation.

The communication link 24 is a communication link provided within the remote device 12. The communication link 24 may be a USB, RS-232, serial, single wire, two wire, or any other suitable communication link. The communication link 24 may be connected to the system management bus of the remote device 12 or directly to the rechargeable device power supply monitor 22.

The remote device 12 may also include many other systems that provide the unique functionality of the remote device 12.

The PC16 is connected to the CPS10 through a PC interface 30. The PC interface 30 may be any type of interface, such as USB (universal serial bus), firewire, RS-232, parallel wire, bluetooth, WIFI, or any other interface that allows two-way communication between two or more devices.

The CPS controller 32 has many different functions. Which controls communications of the PC16 through the PC interface 30. It also controls the operation of the CPS power interface 34. One embodiment of the CPS power interface 34 is more fully described in the application "adaptive inductive Power supply" assigned to the assignee of the present application and filed by David Baarman, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The CPS controller 32 may adjust the frequency, duty cycle, and resonant frequency of the CPS power interface 34.

The CPS controller 32 also controls the operation of the transceiver 36. CPS transceiver 36 may use many different types of communication protocols. The CPS transceiver 36 may be completely separate from the CPS power interface 34 and may have its own communication antenna and communication protocol. Alternatively, it may be combined with the CPS power interface and may communicate with remote devices via any of a number of PLC (Power line communication) protocols.

The adapter 14 includes an adapter controller 38. An adapter controller 38 controls the various components of the adapter 14. Adapter controller 38 may be any of a number of pass-through microcontrollers such as Intel 8051 or Motorola 6811, or any of a number of variations of those microcontrollers, programmed to perform the functions described below. Adapter controller 38 may have ROM (read only memory) and RAM (random access memory) on a chip. The adapter controller 38 may have a series of analog and digital outputs for controlling various functions within the adapter 14.

The adapter controller 38 is connected to a contactless power interface 40. Alternatively, the adapter controller 38 may be a microprocessor associated with a microcontroller.

The contactless power interface 40 may comprise a resonant tank circuit. If the contactless power interface contains a resonant tank circuit, the adapter controller 38 may control the resonant frequency of the contactless power interface 40 therein, as well as whether the contactless power interface 40 is coupled to any other device in the adapter 14. In order to change the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the contactless power interface 40 will adjust the impedance of the variable impedance element. If the variable impedance element is a variable inductor, the inductance of the variable inductor will be changed.

The contactless power interface 40 is connected to an adapter rechargeable power supply 42. Adapter rechargeable power source 42 is the power source for adapter 14. Adapter rechargeable power source 42 may include a conventional rechargeable battery or a miniature capacitor. Micro-capacitors are preferred because of their very short charging time.

The adapter transceiver 44 allows communication with the CPS transceiver 36. The adapter transceiver 44 and the CPS transceiver 36 will use the same protocol and communication method. Adapter controller 38 manages communications through adapter transceiver 44.

Alternatively, the adapter transceiver 44 may be a transmitter only. In this case, it is only limited information that is sent to the transceiver 36, such as power consumption information of the remote device 12. Power consumption information for the remote device 12 or adapter 14 may be stored in the memory 50. In this case, the adapter transceiver 44 may be an RFID (radio frequency identification) device only.

The second transceiver 46 provides a communication path with the remote device 12 by connecting to the remote device transceiver 24. The connection to the remote device transceiver 24 may be physical. Thus, information may be communicated between the PC16 and the remote device 12 through the remote device transceiver 24, the adapter second transceiver 46, the adapter transceiver 44, the CPS transceiver 36, and the PC interface 30.

The power regulator 48 powers the remote device rechargeable power source 20. Power regulator 48 may include discrete components or it may be a single integrated circuit dedicated to voltage, current, and/or power regulation. The power regulator 48 may be turned on or off by the adapter controller 38. In addition, the adapter controller 38 may control the voltage and current output of the power regulator 48 to the remote device rechargeable power source 20.

A memory 50 is coupled to the adapter controller 38. The memory 50 contains information relating to the remote device 12. The memory 50 may also optionally contain an identification number identifying the remote device 12. For example, the memory 50 may contain an identification number indicating that the adapter 14 is to be used with a particular type of PDA, such as a Palm Pilot.

In this case, the identification number may then be used by the CPS10 to determine power usage information about the adapter 14 and the remote device 12 from a look-up table.

Fig. 4 illustrates the operation of the CPS10, remote device 12, and adapter 14. The CPS10 is powered from an external power supply (not shown), and the CPS10 powers on the CPS power interface 34. Placing the contactless power supply interface 40 near the energized CPS10 results in charging of the adapter rechargeable power supply 42, step 100. Obviously, if adapter rechargeable power supply 42 is already charged, no further charging occurs. Once sufficient charge is stored within the adapter rechargeable power supply 42, the adapter controller 38, the adapter second transceiver 46, and the adapter transceiver 44 are powered on, step 102.

A data communication link is then established between the CPS10 and the adapter 14, step 104. A second data communication link is then established between the adapter 14 and the remote device 12, step 106. At this point, charging information is obtained from the remote device 12, step 108. The charging information may include the amount of charge remaining in the rechargeable power source 20, the time to recharge the rechargeable power source 20, the voltage requirements of the remote device 12 to charge the rechargeable power source 20, and the current requirements of the remote device 12 to charge the rechargeable power source 20. The adapter 14 then provides the charging information to the CPS10, step 110.

The CPS10 then calculates the optimal settings for the contactless power interface 40, step 112. CPS10 may provide the above information to adapter 14. Alternatively, the adapter 14 may retrieve similar information from the remote device 12, step 114. The adapter controller 38 then configures the contactless power interface 40, step 116. It is possible that the rechargeable power source 20 is charged or cannot be charged. In this case, the CPS10 configures the adapter 14 to not supply power to the remote device 12.

If the contactless power interface 40 includes an adjustable resonant tank circuit, the adapter controller 38 may configure the resonant frequency of the adjustable resonant tank circuit.

At this point, if necessary, charging of the rechargeable power source 20 is started, step 118. The adapter 14 then checks the CPS10 to determine whether the CPS has sufficient capability to charge the remote device 12, step 120. If not, charging stops, step 122. If so, the adapter 14 determines from the remote device 12 whether charging should continue, step 124. If not, charging stops, step 122.

At this point, the charging information is retrieved from the remote device 12 and the process is repeated, step 108.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the adapter. Housing 140 encloses secondary winding 142, charging circuit 144, and rechargeable power source 146. Secondary winding 142 receives power from CPS 10. The secondary winding 142 may be a triaxial winding having three orthogonally arranged windings, as more fully described in the patent application entitled "inductor apparatus" assigned to David w.baarman and Terry l.lautzenheiser, the assignee of the present application.

The charging circuit 144 powers the rechargeable power source 146 in a suitable form. The rechargeable power source 146 may be, for example, a super capacitor or a rechargeable battery. Connectors 148, 150 allow the adapter to be placed in a remote device as a replacement for a battery. For example, if the remote device uses 12 volt dry cell batteries, the housing 140 will have the same shape and configuration as the 12 volt dry cell batteries. Thus, the adapter would be a simple alternative to the 12 volt dry cell. Alternatively, if the remote device uses a 600MA lithium ion battery, the housing 140 and electrical connectors 148, 150 would be configured to have a similar appearance and operation as that particular battery.

If the remote device has a communication port, such as a USB or firewire port, the adapter shown in FIG. 5 may be equipped with a wireless transceiver 152. Wireless transceiver 152 may receive information through CPS10 and transmit information to the workstation. The wireless transceiver 152 is connected to the dongle 154. Dongle 154 is provided with dongle connector 156. Dongle connector 156 would be placed into the communication port of the remote device. Thereby enabling communication between the remote device and the CPS.

Fig. 6-8 show circuit diagrams of three embodiments of the adapter 14. In these embodiments, the adapter 14 only powers the remote device 12. The adapter 14 includes a plurality of coils in different directions to provide improved coupling when the remote device is in different directions within the electromagnetic field generated by the CPS.

Fig. 6 shows an adapter for connecting to a remote device. As shown, three coils 202, 204, 206 are connected in parallel to the load. The three coils may be orthogonally configured as described in the patent application "induction coil apparatus" assigned to the assignee of the present application and filed on even date herewith. Capacitors 206, 208, 210 and diodes 212, 214, 216 are connected in series with each coil 200, 202, 204. The values of the components are selected to provide a resonant frequency. The power induced in each coil 202, 204, 206 is combined at the input of the power regulator 218. Alternatively, diodes 212, 214, 216 may be eliminated from circuit 680 to provide AC power for power regulator 218. The power regulator 218 regulates the voltage and current available at the terminals 220, 222. The terminals 220, 222 are for connection to a power input of a remote device.

Fig. 7 shows an adapter that receives power from three independent coils 240, 242, 244 using a half-wave rectifier. As shown, the coils 240, 242, 244 are connected in parallel to the power regulator 246 by a set of diodes 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258 connected in series with each coil 240, 242, 244. In the present embodiment, the value of each diode 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258 is determined primarily based on the characteristics of the power regulator 246. The power regulator 246 provides a relatively constant voltage and current output at terminals 241, 243. Furthermore, capacitors 260, 262, 264 are connected in series between one side of the coils 240, 242, 244 and the respective diodes 250, 254, 258. The value of each capacitor 260, 262, 264 is also determined based primarily on the load characteristics.

Fig. 8 shows a full wave rectifier used within the adapter. As shown, the coils 270, 272, 274 are connected in parallel to the power regulator 276 by a set of diodes 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300. In the present embodiment, the value of each diode 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300 is determined primarily based on the characteristics of the power regulator 276. Power regulator 276 provides a relatively constant voltage and current output at terminals 271, 273. Further, each capacitor 302, 304, 306 is connected in series between one side of the respective coil 270, 272, 274 and the corresponding diode 282, 284, 290, 292, 296, 300. The value of each capacitor 302, 304, 306 is also determined based primarily on the characteristics of power regulator 276.

The power regulators 218, 246, 276 are capable of providing constant voltage and constant current at their respective outputs even when the power drawn from the coils is operating at different frequencies. CPS10 may provide power at different frequencies. Thereby, the currents and voltages induced in the respective coils of the adapter also have different currents and voltages. The power regulators 218, 246, 276 are designed to accommodate the differences in current and voltage produced by the coils.

The above description is of the preferred embodiment. Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claims (15)

1. A system for charging a remote device rechargeable power source, comprising:

a remote device including a remote device rechargeable power source and a remote device transceiver;

a contactless power supply having a primary winding and a contactless power transceiver; and

an adapter connectable to the remote device and including a secondary winding, a power regulator to power a remote device rechargeable power source, a rechargeable power adapter to power the adapter, a first adapter transceiver to establish a first bidirectional communication link with a remote device transceiver, and a second adapter transceiver to establish a second bidirectional communication link with a contactless power source transceiver;

wherein the primary winding is coupled with the secondary winding, the power regulator is connected with the remote device rechargeable power source, and the rechargeable power adapter is connected with the adapter.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller that controls the power regulator.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a variable impedance element coupled to the controller, the variable impedance element having an impedance.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is capable of varying the impedance of the variable impedance element.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the variable impedance element is a variable inductor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller varies the impedance of the variable inductor in response to instructions from the contactless power supply via a second bidirectional communication link.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is operable to receive a charging requirement from the remote device via a first bidirectional communication link.

8. A remote device charging system, comprising:

a remote device having a remote device rechargeable power source;

a contactless power supply comprising a primary winding;

an adapter including a secondary winding and an adapter rechargeable power source;

a first bidirectional communication link between the remote device and the adapter; and

a second bidirectional communication link between the adapter and the contactless power supply;

wherein the primary winding is coupled with a secondary winding and the adapter rechargeable power source is connected with the secondary winding.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a computer; and

a third bi-directional communication link between the contactless power supply and the computer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second bidirectional communication links includes two transceivers, the two transceivers of the first bidirectional communication link being connected to the remote device and the adapter, respectively, and the two transceivers of the second bidirectional communication link being connected to the adapter and the contactless power supply, respectively.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the communication links includes two transceivers, the two transceivers in a first bidirectional communication link being connected to the remote device and the adapter, respectively, and the two transceivers in a second bidirectional communication link being connected to the adapter and the contactless power supply, respectively.

12. A method of connecting a remote device to a network through a contactless power supply, comprising:

creating a first communication link between the remote device and an adapter;

creating a second communication link between the adapter and the contactless power supply;

creating a third communication link between the contactless power supply and a computer; and

creating a fourth communication link between the computer and a network; whereby said remote device is communicable with said network via first, second, third and fourth communication links.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing information of a remote device rechargeable power source within a remote device to the contactless power source over first and second communication links; and

providing power to the remote device rechargeable power source by a power regulator in the adapter in response to the information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the information comprises charging information.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the steps of creating a first communication link and creating a second communication link includes using two transceivers, the two transceivers in the first communication link being connected to the remote device and the adapter, respectively, and the two transceivers in the second communication link being connected to the adapter and the contactless power supply, respectively.