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: Systems and methods for enabling transfer of power, from a wireless charger or power supply, to one or more receivers placed on or near the wireless charger or power supply, whereby the charging surface or coil is separated from the drive or control electronics is described.

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

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 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 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 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: 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 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: A system includes a primary coil, a first drive circuit, a first sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit for providing power inductively to a portable device that includes a battery and an inductive receiver unit including a receiver coil and a receiver circuit. A portable device includes a battery and a receiver unit capable of receiving inductive power from a compatible inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit. A system includes a system rechargeable battery, an inductive coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, a communication and control circuit, a receiver rectifier circuit, and a wired power input for providing power inductively to a compatible portable device comprising a battery and an inductive receiver unit including a receiver coil and a receiver circuit.

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: Systems and methods for enabling transfer of power, from a wireless charger or power supply, to one or more receivers placed on or near the wireless charger or power supply, whereby the charging surface or coil is separated from the drive or control electronics is described.

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: 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: 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: 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.