Apparatus and system for charging a portable electronic device
AssigneePalm, Inc.
InventorsWilliam D. Webb, Huy Nguyen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A charging apparatus for a portable rechargeable electronic device is described. The charging apparatus contains a substantially flat conductive surface for receiving the electronic device placed thereon. Small conducting nodules of the device mate with the conductive surface to charge a rechargeable battery of the device. Charging may commence upon placement of the device. The surface may contain a positive and a negative electrode. The surface may have lips placed around the perimeter to form a tray like structure. Synchronization with a host system and the device may occur wirelessly.
Claims35
A charging apparatus comprising:
- a conductive region comprising a flat and substantially planar contactable exposed surface;
- and
- a charge controller electronically coupled to said conductive region for polarity sensing and controlling the charging of a portable electronic device,
- wherein said conductive region is adapted to have exposed nodules of said portable electronic device placed thereon to enable said charging of said portable electronic device.
A charging apparatus comprising:
- a first flat conductive surface;
- a second flat conductive surface;
- and
- a charge controller electronically coupled to said first flat conductive surface and said second flat conductive surface, said charge controller for polarity sensing and for controlling charging of a portable electronic device, wherein said portable electronic device is adapted to be placed on said first flat conductive surface and said second flat conductive surface, and wherein said charging controller is adapted to initiate charging of said portable electronic device in response to placement of said portable electronic device upon said surfaces.
A charger comprising:
- a first substantially planar electrode surface;
- a second substantially planar electrode surface electrically isolated from said first substantially planar electrode surface, said electrode surfaces for electrically contacting nodules of a portable electronic device for charging a rechargeable energy source therein;
- a charge controller coupled to said electrode surfaces and for determining a polarity thereof based on a determined polarity of said nodules, said charge controller for establishing said charging upon placement of said portable electronic device on said electrode surfaces.
A portable electronic device comprising:
- a processor coupled to a bus;
- a memory coupled to said bus;
- a rechargeable energy source;
- and
- a contactable conductive element to said bus and said renewable energy source and externally disposed on said portable electronic device, said conductive element configured to contact a flat planar charging electrode for charging said renewable energy source.
A charging system comprising:
- a charging apparatus comprising:
- a conductive flat surface;
- and
- a charge controller electronically coupled to said conductive flat surface for polarity sensing and for controlling the charging of a portable electronic device;
- and
- wherein said portable electronic device comprises:
- a rechargeable energy source;
- and
- a contactable conductive element coupled to said rechargeable energy source, said contactable conductive element externally disposed on said portable electronic device, said conductive element configured to contact said conductive flat surface;
- wherein said charging apparatus is adapted to have said portable electronic device placed thereon to initiate said charging of said portable electronic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.