Abstract: An electronic device and a protective cover having a magnetic structure with multiple opposing poles on a surface for use with magnetically sensitive components is provided. The magnetic structure is configured for aligning the electronic device and the protective cover, and creating a separable magnetic attachment between the electronic device and the protective cover. The magnetic structure includes more than three magnetic sections arranged in a linear configuration, with each of the magnetic sections magnetized in a direction perpendicular to first and second surfaces of the magnetic structure. The magnetic structure generates flux densities having similar magnitudes relative to the first and second surfaces as a function of distance from each surface, respectively, along a perpendicular axis. Adjacent magnetic sections are magnetized in opposing directions such that the magnetic structure does not impair normal operation of a camera, a compass, and an inductive charger in the electronic device.

Abstract: A system for inductive charging is provided. The system comprises a magnetic structure having one or more pieces that include substantially flat first and second surfaces. Each piece includes at least two magnetic poles of opposite polarity located at each of the first and second surfaces such that each piece includes at least two pairs of opposing magnetic poles oriented to cause magnetization in two opposing directions. The magnetic structure creates a magnetic field with flux densities having substantially similar magnitudes relative to the first and second surfaces as a function of distance from the first and second surfaces, respectively, along an axis that runs perpendicular to the first and second surfaces. The magnetic field does not impair normal operation of a magnetically sensitive component. The magnetic structure is configured to create a magnetic attachment between devices and to align the charging and receiving coils in the devices.

Abstract: A system and method for powering or charging multiple receivers wirelessly with a power transmitter. In accordance with an embodiment, to enable ease of use, it is desirable that the receiver can be placed on a larger surface area charger without the need for specific alignment of the position of the receiver; that the system can be used to charge or power multiple devices of similar or different power and voltage requirements or operating with different wireless charging protocols on or near the same surface; and that a degree of freedom is provided with respect to vertical distance (away from the surface of the charger) between the charger and the receivers. Such features enable improved functionality with devices, vehicles, or other products, including, for example, charging of electric vehicles (EV), and trains.

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.

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: Systems and methods for modifying the magnitude and/or phase of an electromagnetic field in one or multiple dimensions. Applications for use in charging or powering multiple devices with a wireless power charger system are also described. Applications include beam shaping, beam forming, phase array radar, beam steering, etc. and inductive charging and power, and particularly usage in mobile, electronic, electric, lighting, or other devices, batteries, power tools, kitchen, industrial applications, vehicles, and other usages. Embodiments of the invention can also be applied generally to power supplies and other power sources and chargers, including systems and methods for improved ease of use and compatibility and transfer of wireless power to mobile, electronic, electric, lighting, or other devices, batteries, power tools, kitchen, military, industrial applications and/or vehicles.

Abstract: An electronic device for inductive power transfer with a second electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first inductive coil and a permanent magnet strucrure for creating a magnetic attachment between the electronic device and the second electronic device. The permanent magnet structure is positioned around an outer perimeter of the inductive coil to align the inductive coil with a second inductive coil in the second electronic device for inductive power transfer. The permanent magnet structure forms a ring that includes a gap and includes one or more arc-shaped magnets. The permanent magnet structure is configured such that the electronic device can be rotated across a continuous range of angles with respect to the second electronic device while keeping alignment between the coils during inductive power transfer. The electronic device is configured to communicate with the second electronic device through a modulated current in the inductive coil.

Abstract: An electronic device for inductive power transfer with a second electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes an inductive coil and a permanent magnet structure for creating a magnetic attachment between the electronic device and the second electronic device. The permanent magnet structure is positioned around an outer perimeter of the inductive coil to align the inductive coil with a second inductive coil in the second electronic device for inductive power transfer. The permanent magnet structure forms a ring that includes a gap and includes one or more arc-shaped permanent magnets. The permanent magnet structure is configured such that the electronic device can be rotated across a continuous range of rotational angles with respect to the second electronic device while keeping the alignment between the inductive coil and the second inductive coil during inductive power transfer.

Abstract: A system for inductive power transfer includes a charger. The charger is an inductive charger. The system also includes a first mobile device that includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the first mobile device. A charger for inductive charging includes a printed circuit board having a charger coil, a substantially planar magnetic layer, a charger drive circuit, and means for positioning a receiver in a power transfer position. A mobile device that receives power inductively includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the mobile device. A method for inductive power transfer to a mobile device, which includes a receiver, includes positioning the receiver in a power transfer position to inductively receive power from an inductive charger. The method further includes inductively transferring power from the charger to the receiver of the first mobile device.

Abstract: The invention enables efficient wireless power transfer, and charging of devices and batteries, in a manner that allows freedom of placement of devices or batteries in one or multiple dimensions. Provided is a base unit for wireless power transfer or charging through a time varying magnetic field. The unit typically includes a magnetic material or layer that guides magnetic flux generated by a charger coil as to create a preferential path for returning magnetic flux from a receiver coil in one or multiple dimensions. The receiver may include a magnetic core having a magnetic permeability exceeding 1 with copper Litz wire around a ferrite core. With power receivers proximate to the base unit, the base unit coil may inductively generate a current in receiver coils or receivers associated with the power receivers. Uni-directionally or bi-directionally wireless communication protocols include NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, and etc. control and optimize power transfer therebetween.

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

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.

Abstract: An inductive charging system for inductive charging of electronic devices is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes a substantially planar inductive charging coil parallel to the surface of the inductive charger or the electronic device. The system further includes a metallic layer positioned proximate to and substantially parallel to the inductive coil to cover a surface of the inductive coil. The metallic layer comprises multiple substantially concentric rings or polygons, with each of the concentric rings or polygons having multiple sections separated by gaps such that each concentric ring or polygon is discontinuous. Adjacent sections of each concentric ring or polygon are electrically isolated from one another to avoid eddy current generation and heating of the metallic layer during inductive power transfer.

Abstract: An electronic device having an inductive power transfer system to transfer power to a portable device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first inductive coil for power transfer using an alternating magnetic field. The electronic device further includes a permanent magnet structure for creating a separable magnetic attachment between the electronic device and the portable device having a second inductive coil for inductive power transfer. The permanent magnet structure is positioned around an outer perimeter of the first inductive coil to align the first inductive coil with the second inductive coil in the portable device for inductive power transfer. The permanent magnet structure includes one or more discontinuous arc-shaped permanent magnets assembled to form a full or partial ring shape that includes a gap to impede eddy current generation in the permanent magnet structure by the alternating magnetic field during inductive power transfer.

Abstract: A system for inductive power transfer includes a charger. The charger is an inductive charger. The system also includes a first mobile device that includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the first mobile device. A charger for inductive charging includes a printed circuit board having a charger coil, a substantially planar magnetic layer, a charger drive circuit, and means for positioning a receiver in a power transfer position. A mobile device that receives power inductively includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the mobile device. A method for inductive power transfer to a mobile device, which includes a receiver, includes positioning the receiver in a power transfer position to inductively receive power from an inductive charger. The method further includes inductively transferring power from the charger to the receiver of the first mobile device.

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.