Inductive power source for peripheral devices
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsJeremy Burr, Rajgopal Ramamoorthy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for providing power to a computer peripheral device during the normal operation of the device is disclosed. A base is provided that includes a winding of a coil. The winding is driven to make a constantly changing magnetic field. The peripheral device also includes a winding of a coil. When the winding of the coil is placed in the changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced in the winding. That voltage can be converted into power for use by the peripheral device. In one embodiment the peripheral device is a mouse. The peripheral device may include a rechargeable battery, and the induced power could be used by a circuit to recharge the battery.
Claims29
A system for inductively transferring electrical power to a computer peripheral device during normal operation of the peripheral device, comprising:
- a base unit including:
- a source loop solenoid having an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit to generate a magnetic field,
- a loop power circuit to provide a signal to drive the source loop, and
- a power source coupler structured to provide power to the loop power circuit when the power source coupler is coupled to a power source;
- and
- the peripheral device having a victim loop and structured to be inductively coupled to the base unit while the peripheral device is in operable condition;
- wherein the base unit comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area.
A system for inductively transferring electrical power to a computer peripheral device during normal operation of the peripheral device comprising:
- a base unit including:
- a source loop solenoid having an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit to generate a magnetic field.
- a loop power circuit to provide a signal to drive the source loop, and
- a power source coupler structured to provide power to the loop power circuit when the power source coupler is coupled to a power source;
- and
- the peripheral device having a victim loop and structured to be inductively coupled to the base unit while the peripheral device is in operable condition;
- wherein the peripheral device comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area.
A system for supplying power to a computer mouse, comprising:
- a base unit having a power signal input connectable to a power source, and having a non-planar magnetic source loop coupled to the power signal input, the source loop comprising an axis arranged substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the base unit;
- and
- the computer mouse having a magnetic victim loop coupled to a load circuit within the mouse, wherein the computer mouse comprises a first urea and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area.
A method of powering a computer peripheral device having a victim loop coupled to circuitry of the peripheral device, the method comprising:
- accepting a power signal at a power input;
- and
- applying a source loop driving signal to a source loop solenoid while the source loop solenoid is proximate to the computer peripheral device;
- wherein the source loop solenoid has an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface over which the peripheral device is moved;
- and
- wherein the peripheral device comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area.
A method of recharging a rechargeable battery in a computer mouse that has a magnetic victim loop coupled to a battery recharging circuit, the method comprising:
- creating a magnetic field by driving a magnetic source loop solenoid with a magnetic source loop driving signal;
- and
- causing the magnetic field to interact with the magnetic victim loop in the computer mouse;
- wherein the magnetic source loop solenoid has an axis substantially perpendicular to a planar surface over which the computer mouse is moved;
- wherein the magnetic source loop solenoid is included in a base unit;
- and
- wherein the base unit comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein a level of magnetic permeability is higher in the first area than in the second area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.