Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack may include at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one phase change material (PCM) pouch in contact with the at least one rechargeable battery cell within a housing. The battery pack may include electrical conductors electrically connected to the at least one rechargeable battery cell to enable electrical power to be conducted to and from the at least one rechargeable battery cell. A compressible element, such as a foam element, may be positioned between a PCM pouch and an inside wall of the housing, thereby absorbing swelling of the rechargeable battery cell(s) to reduce risk of damage to the battery cells and battery pack. The electrical conductors may be formed on a rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB).

Abstract: A system and method for bi-directional communication through capacitive coupling is achieved with capacitive plates within the environment of a wireless power transfer system. Data is transferred using capacitance over a separate path from the transfer of electrical power in the wireless power transfer system.

Abstract: A wireless charging device may include a first transmit coil disposed on a first layer, and a second transmit coil disposed on a second layer. The second transmit coil is electrically coupled to the first transmit coil. The first and second transmit coils form a transmit inductor to inductively transfer a wireless power signal. A wireless device capable of being powered by the wireless charging device may include a device housing including a first surface and a second surface. A first receive coil may extend in a first plane in alignment with the first surface. A second receive coil may be spaced apart from the first receive coil, and the second receive coil may extend in the first plane or a second plane different from the first plane and be aligned with the second surface, where the first and second coils inductively receive wireless power signals.

Abstract: A base station comprising: a wireless power receiver module to wirelessly receive energy from a portable device; a wireless transceiver module adapted to establish a wireless data communication with the portable device so as to wirelessly receive/transmit data; a wired interface for wired connection to an accessory device; a power distribution module coupled to the wireless power receiver module and adapted to supply the energy received from the portable device both to the accessory device, via the wired interface, and to the wireless transceiver module; a communication module coupled to the wireless transceiver module and to the wired interface, adapted to adapt data wirelessly received from the portable device, via the wireless transceiver module, into data suitable to be transmitted in a wired way to the accessory device, via the wired interface, and vice versa, to adapt data received in a wired way from the accessory device, via the wired interface, into data suitable to be transmitted wirelessly to the p

Abstract: A wireless power system and method performs wireless power transmission with sensing to detect a distance and/or misalignment of a power receiver from the power transmitter. Power transmission is adjusted in response to the sensing detecting the distance and/or misalignment exceeding a determined threshold, or in response to instructions sent by the receiver based, at least in part, on a duration of the overvoltage condition exceeding a determined time period.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer (WPT) system is operative to dynamically make power-transfer efficiency optimizations based on supply power, load characteristics, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, optimizations include power-level-specific path selection, loading-based WPT voltage adjustments, and other techniques in various combinations.

Abstract: A wireless power system and method performs wireless power transmission with sensing to detect a distance and/or misalignment of a power receiver from the power transmitter. Power transmission is adjusted in response to the sensing detecting the distance and/or misalignment exceeding a determined threshold, or in response to instructions sent by the receiver based, at least in part, on a duration of the overvoltage condition exceeding a determined time period.

Abstract: A wireless power system providing protection from overvoltage conditions. A wireless power receiver has one or more magnets to allow detection of a distance of the wireless power receiver from a wireless power transmitter using a Hall effect sensor. When the detected distance is less than a determined threshold, the wireless power transmitter is instructed to transmit power. The wireless power receiver has one or more transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes communicatively connected so that when a determined operating voltage of a protected portion of the receiver is exceeded, the TVS diodes provide a low impedance path for transient current to divert the transient current away from the protected portion of the receiver. When the wireless power receiver detects an overvoltage condition, the receiver sends a reset command to the wireless power transmitter.

Abstract: A base station comprising: a wireless power receiver module to wirelessly receive energy from a portable device; a wireless transceiver module adapted to establish a wireless data communication with the portable device so as to wirelessly receive/transmit data; a wired interface for wired connection to an accessory device; a power distribution module coupled to the wireless power receiver module and adapted to supply the energy received from the portable device both to the accessory device, via the wired interface, and to the wireless transceiver module; a communication module coupled to the wireless transceiver module and to the wired interface, adapted to adapt data wirelessly received from the portable device, via the wireless transceiver module, into data suitable to be transmitted in a wired way to the accessory device, via the wired interface, and vice versa, to adapt data received in a wired way from the accessory device, via the wired interface, into data suitable to be transmitted wirelessly to the p

Abstract: A wireless power system providing protection from overvoltage conditions. A wireless power receiver has one or more magnets to allow detection of a distance of the wireless power receiver from a wireless power transmitter using a Hall effect sensor. When the detected distance is less than a determined threshold, the wireless power transmitter is instructed to transmit power. The wireless power receiver has one or more transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes communicatively connected so that when a determined operating voltage of a protected portion of the receiver is exceeded, the TVS diodes provide a low impedance path for transient current to divert the transient current away from the protected portion of the receiver. When the wireless power receiver detects an overvoltage condition, the receiver sends a reset command to the wireless power transmitter.

Abstract: A reader includes a scanning head that comprises an optical sensor to capture an indicia that encodes data and a processor to interpret the indicia to decode the data, and an elongate handle connected at a first end to the scanning head and graspable to orient the optical sensor toward the indicia. A selected one of the scanning head and the elongate handle includes: a first receiving coil; a second receiving coil; a battery to provide electric power to the processor and the optical sensor; and a power receiving circuit coupled to the first and second receiving coils in series, and configured to operate the first and second receiving coils together to wirelessly receive electric power to charge the battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods which allow for the coexistence of wireless charging (WCH) and short-range communication (e.g., NFC) in a close spaced relationship. A cradle may include a plurality of slots which each removably receive one of the mobile systems. The cradle and the mobile systems may each include NFC and WCH coils that are closely spaced but are placed orthogonally relative to each other. A time multiplexer may be used to disconnect WCH while performing NFC communication to prevent crosstalk in the same mobile system. A filtering system may act on the NFC circuits to allow contemporary activation of WCH and NFC communication on mobile systems. A slot multiplexer may be provided in the cradle to allow for selection of a single mobile system slot at a time to activate NFC communication with the mobile systems, using a single NFC communication controller for all of the mobile system slots.

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize wireless charging to initiate near field communication (NFC) pairing between mobile systems which utilize wireless charging and wireless charging base stations. Wireless signals sent by a mobile system over a wireless charging channel are used to initiate communication between an NFC reader presented in a base station and a passive NFC tag (or an active NFC tag used in a passive mode) present in the mobile system. Such feature allows the mobile system to act as an initiator for NFC communication without requiring the mobile system to be equipped with an NFC reader. A wireless power receiver of a mobile system may communicate with a wireless power transmitter of a base station using backscatter modulation. Commands of a standard wireless charging protocol may be repurposed to send a request for initiation of an NFC session from a mobile system to a base station.

Abstract: Systems and methods which allow for the coexistence of wireless charging (WCH) and short-range communication (e.g., NFC) in a close spaced relationship. A cradle may include a plurality of slots which each removably receive one of the mobile systems. The cradle and the mobile systems may each include NFC and WCH coils that are closely spaced but are placed orthogonally relative to each other. A time multiplexer may be used to disconnect WCH while performing NFC communication to prevent crosstalk in the same mobile system. A filtering system may act on the NFC circuits to allow contemporary activation of WCH and NFC communication on mobile systems. A slot multiplexer may be provided in the cradle to allow for selection of a single mobile system slot at a time to activate NFC communication with the mobile systems, using a single NFC communication controller for all of the mobile system slots.

Abstract: A reader includes a scanning head that comprises an optical sensor to capture an indicia that encodes data and a processor to interpret the indicia to decode the data, and an elongate handle connected at a first end to the scanning head and graspable to orient the optical sensor toward the indicia. A selected one of the scanning head and the elongate handle includes: a first receiving coil; a second receiving coil; a battery to provide electric power to the processor and the optical sensor; and a power receiving circuit coupled to the first and second receiving coils in series, and configured to operate the first and second receiving coils together to wirelessly receive electric power to charge the battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize wireless charging to initiate near field communication (NFC) pairing between mobile systems which utilize wireless charging and wireless charging base stations. Wireless signals sent by a mobile system over a wireless charging channel are used to initiate communication between an NFC reader presented in a base station and a passive NFC tag (or an active NFC tag used in a passive mode) present in the mobile system. Such feature allows the mobile system to act as an initiator for NFC communication without requiring the mobile system to be equipped with an NFC reader. A wireless power receiver of a mobile system may communicate with a wireless power transmitter of a base station using backscatter modulation. Commands of a standard wireless charging protocol may be repurposed to send a request for initiation of an NFC session from a mobile system to a base station.

Abstract: A mounting assembly and method that utilize Hall effect sensors to detect orientation and insertion of a portable device in a base are provided. Hall effect sensors positioned on one of a portable device and a base are arranged to interact with one or more magnets positioned on the other of the portable device or the base such that a change in proximity of at least one of the magnets to at least one of the sensors will cause the sensor to output a voltage signal that differs depending on the nearness of the magnet. Depending on at least one of the magnitude of the signal, the profile of the signal over time, and the identity of the sensor that output the signal, it is determined whether the orientation of the portable device in the base is correct and/or if the portable device is fully inserted in the base.

Abstract: A mounting assembly and method that utilize Hall effect sensors to detect orientation and insertion of a portable device in a base are provided. Hall effect sensors positioned on one of a portable device and a base are arranged to interact with one or more magnets positioned on the other of the portable device or the base such that a change in proximity of at least one of the magnets to at least one of the sensors will cause the sensor to output a voltage signal that differs depending on the nearness of the magnet. Depending on at least one of the magnitude of the signal, the profile of the signal over time, and the identity of the sensor that output the signal, it is determined whether the orientation of the portable device in the base is correct and/or if the portable device is fully inserted in the base.