Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, described herein are systems and/or methods for enabling efficient wireless power transfer and charging of devices and/or batteries, including in some embodiments freedom of placement of the devices and/or batteries in one or multiple (e.g. one, two or three) dimensions, and/or improved features such as ease of use and compatibility. Exemplary applications include beam inductive or magnetic charging and power for use in, e.g., mobile, electronic, electric, lighting or other devices, machines, batteries, power tools, kitchen, military, medical, industrial tools or systems, robots, trains, buses, trucks and/or vehicles, and other environments.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a secondary coil or receiver associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more primary coils, each primary coil having a generally planar shape so that when a current is passed through the primary coil a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the secondary coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments the system can incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.

Abstract: A system for providing power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. The system a primary coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit. The communication and control circuit is configured to perform operations, including detection of communication and drive circuit operations. A portable device that includes a receiver unit coupled to a battery and configured to receive inductive power from an inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit is also disclosed. The receiver unit includes a receiver coil, a ferrite layer, and a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a receiver communication and control circuit to modulate current in the receiver coil to communicate with a base unit while the receiver circuit is being powered by the inductive charging system.

Abstract: An inductive charger where the charging surface or coil is separated from the drive or control electronics is described.

Abstract: A system for providing power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. The system a primary coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit. The communication and control circuit is configured to perform operations, including detection of communication and drive circuit operations. A portable device that includes a receiver unit coupled to a battery and configured to receive inductive power from an inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit is also disclosed. The receiver unit includes a receiver coil, a ferrite layer, and a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a receiver communication and control circuit to modulate current in the receiver coil to communicate with a base unit while the receiver circuit is being powered by the inductive charging system.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a secondary coil or receiver associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more primary coils, each primary coil having a generally planar shape so that when a current is passed through the primary coil a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the secondary coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments the system can incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.

Abstract: A system for power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment the system includes a first primary coil that provides power inductively at a first power level and a second primary coil that provides power inductively at a second power level different from the first power level. The first primary coil and the second coil area are different in size and overlap one another partially. The system further includes a communication and control circuit that receives current modulated information in the primary coil that provides power. The received information includes information corresponding to a voltage or current induced by the primary coil that provides power, a unique identification code, and a manufacturer code. The system selects which primary coil to use to charge the portable device based on the received information.

Abstract: Systems for inductive charging and electronic devices for receiving inductive charge are disclosed. They include a coil, a plurality of resonant capacitors, and one or more capacitor switches that electrically couple a selection of the resonant capacitors to the coil. In a first mode of operation, the capacitor switches couple a first selection of the resonant capacitors to the coil to form a resonant circuit having a first resonant frequency to operate at a first power level. In a second mode of operation, the capacitor switches couple a second selection of the resonant capacitors to the coil to form a resonant circuit having a second resonant frequency to operate at a second power level.

Abstract: A system for power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment the system includes a first primary coil that provides power inductively at a first power level and a second primary coil that provides power inductively at a second power level different from the first power level. The first primary coil and the second coil area are different in size and overlap one another partially. The system further includes a communication and control circuit that receives current modulated information in the primary coil that provides power. The received information includes information corresponding to a voltage or current induced by the primary coil that provides power, a unique identification code, and a manufacturer code. The system selects which primary coil to use to charge the portable device based on the received information.

Abstract: A system for inductive charging of electronic devices is disclosed. An inductive charger includes an enclosure with a charging surface, an inductive charging coil, and a metallic shield layer. The coil includes a spiral-shaped conductor that transmits power through the charging surface with an alternating magnetic field when an electronic device is positioned in proximity to the charging surface. The shield layer is positioned between the conductor and the charging surface such that the shield layer covers the conductor, and it provides a frequency-dependent response in which transmission of electromagnetic power through the shield layer is allowed in the frequency range while transmission of electromagnetic interference noise through the first shield layer is attenuated at frequencies higher than the frequency range.

Abstract: Provided is a base for wirelessly charging and/or wirelessly powering in which multiple inductive charging protocols are used, with one of the protocols using uni-directional messaging and another of the protocols using bi-directional messaging. Different inductive charging protocols using different frequency ranges are also described.

Abstract: An electronic device having an inductive power transfer system is disclosed. The electronic device includes an inductive coil for inductive power transfer using an alternating magnetic field and a permanent magnet for creating a separable magnetic attachment between the electronic device and a second device having an inductive coil. The permanent magnet is positioned substantially at the geometric center of the inductive coil to align the inductive coil with the inductive coil in the second device. The permanent magnet has substantially flat first and second surfaces substantially parallel to the inductive coil, and the permanent magnet is manufactured to have an electrical resistivity to impede eddy current generation in the permanent magnet and heating of the permanent magnet by the alternating magnetic field during inductive power transfer.

Abstract: A system for providing power inductively to a portable device. The system includes a primary coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit. The communication and control circuit is configured to perform operations, including detection of communication and drive circuit operations. A portable device that includes a receiver unit coupled to a battery and configured to receive inductive power from an inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit The receiver unit includes a receiver coil, a ferromagnetic layer, and a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a receiver communication and control circuit to modulate current in the receiver coil to communicate with a base unit while the receiver circuit is being powered by the inductive charging system.

Abstract: A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field from the pad and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated into the system to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements. These include variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and/or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and/or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries.

Abstract: A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field from the pad and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated into the system to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements. These include variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and/or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and/or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries.

Abstract: A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field from the pad and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated into the system to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements. These include variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and/or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and/or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries.

Abstract: A system for inductive charging is provided. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a permanent magnet structure having two or more discontinuous permanent magnet sections assembled to form a full or partial ring shape. The sections are each magnetized in a direction perpendicular to their top and bottom surfaces in a pattern comprising multiple opposing poles at each surface to reduce an effect of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet structure on magnetically sensitive components of the portable device or battery or other nearby devices.

Abstract: A system and method for contextually aware charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more charger coils, for use in inductive charging; and one or more components within the base unit for providing context-aware connectivity and/or other capabilities with a mobile device. When a mobile device having one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with, is placed in proximity to the base unit, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device, and at the same time the context-aware connectivity and/or other capabilities are initiated. In accordance with various embodiments, the base unit and/or the mobile device can adapt to a location or use model of interest to provide different functionalities, applications and features.

Abstract: A charger or power supply is provided that effects substantially continuous charging to one or more devices and/or batteries, on a surface of the charger or power supply. The charger or power supply comprises: a plurality of coils arrayed in one or multiple layers to provide substantially continuous charging or to supply wireless power over an effective charging area of the surface of the charger or power supply, wherein the effective charging area is larger than a single coil surface area, and the coils are arrayed such that any location on the effective charging area is at a distance equal to or less than a radius or a side-to-center length of at least one coil. Ferromagnetic and/or electrically conductive layers or structures positioned within the charger or power supply shield components within the charger or power supply (or shield the nearby environment of the charger or power supply).

Abstract: A power source, charging system, and inductive receiver for mobile devices. A pad or similar base unit comprises a primary, which creates a magnetic field by applying an alternating current to a winding, coil, or any type of current carrying wire. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field and transferring it to a mobile or other device. The receiver can also comprise electronic components or logic to set the voltage and current to the appropriate levels required by the mobile device, or to communicate information or data to and from the pad. The system may also incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.