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US 11,121,590 B1Granted
Wireless power system with communications
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsParin Patel, Daniel P. Kumar, Andrew C. Chang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless power system may include an accessory configured to transfer or relay wireless power to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include wireless charging circuitry and sensors configured to detect compatible accessories currently coupled with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device performs wireless charging or related functions in accordance with the coupled accessories.
Claims18
An electronic device operable with an accessory, the electronic device comprising:
- a wireless charging coil;
- near-field communications circuitry having a near-field communications antenna around the wireless charging coil;
- a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the near-field communications antenna with a corresponding near-field communications antenna in the accessory and to align the wireless charging coil with a corresponding wireless charging coil in the accessory when the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory;
- a magnetic sensor configured to detect when the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory, wherein the near-field communications circuitry is configured to receive information from the accessory in response to detecting that the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory;
- and
- an output device configured to present an icon associated with the accessory using the received information, wherein the icon comprises an icon selected from a group consisting of:
- a wireless charging mat icon, a wireless charging puck icon, a removable case icon, a battery case icon, and a dock icon.
4 more elements
An electronic device operable with an accessory, the electronic device comprising:
- a wireless charging coil;
- near-field communications circuitry having a near-field communications antenna;
- a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the wireless charging coil with a corresponding wireless charging coil in the accessory when the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory, wherein the magnetic alignment structure and the wireless charging coil form concentric structures;
- a magnetic sensor configured to detect when the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory, wherein the near-field communications circuitry is configured to receive information from the accessory in response to detecting that the magnetic alignment structure is magnetically coupled to the accessory;
- and
- an output device configured to present an output associated with the accessory using the received information.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.