US 7,888,892 B2 · Mobile electronic apparatus having a rechargeable storage device

Abstract

A mobile electronic apparatus includes a storage device for storing electrical energy and a rotating mechanism configured to energize the apparatus. The rotating mechanism includes a motor, a shaft connected to the motor, and a mass eccentrically attached to the shaft, where the motor is configured to rotate the shaft and the mass to cause the mobile electronic apparatus to vibrate when activated, where motion of the mobile electronic apparatus is configured to cause the mass and the shaft to rotate with respect to the motor, and where rotation of the shaft with respect to the motor is converted into electrical energy. The apparatus also includes circuitry for harvesting the electrical energy and for recharging the storage device with the harvested electrical energy.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A mobile electronic apparatus comprising:

a storage device for storing electrical energy;
a rotating mechanism configured to energize the apparatus comprising,
a motor;
a shaft connected to the motor;
a mass eccentrically attached to the shaft, wherein, in a first state, the motor is configured to receive electrical energy and to consume the electrical energy to rotate the shaft and the mass to cause the mobile electronic apparatus to vibrate when activated, and wherein, in a second state, motion of the mobile electronic apparatus is configured to cause the mass and the shaft to rotate with respect to the motor, wherein rotation of the shaft with respect to the motor is converted into electrical energy;
and
circuitry for harvesting the electrical energy and for recharging the storage device with the harvested electrical energy.

4 more elements

A method for recharging an electrical energy storage device of a mobile electronic apparatus having a rotating mechanism, said rotating mechanism having a motor, a shaft attached to the motor, and a mass eccentrically attached to the shaft, wherein application of electrical energy into the motor causes the motor to rotate the shaft and the mass, said method comprising:

receiving motion on the mobile electronic apparatus that causes the mass and the shaft to rotate with respect to the motor;
in the motor, converting mechanical energy resulting from the rotation of the shaft to electrical energy;
harvesting the electrical energy;
and
recharging the electrical energy storage device with the harvested electrical energy.

2 more elements

A system for recharging an electrical energy storage device of a mobile electronic apparatus, said system comprising:

a rotating mechanism for causing the mobile electronic apparatus to vibrate in response to a predetermined condition occurring, said rotating mechanism having a motor having a rotor and a stator, a shaft connected to the rotor, and a mass eccentrically attached to the shaft, wherein the mass is configured to cause the shaft and the rotor to rotate with respect to the stator during normal movement of the mass, wherein, in a first state, relative movement of the rotor with respect to the stator is converted into an electrical current and wherein, in a second state, application of electrical energy into the stator is configured to cause the rotor and the mass to rotate with respect to the stator to cause the mobile electronic apparatus to vibrate;
and
circuitry for harvesting the electrical energy and for recharging the electrical energy storage device with the harvested electrical energy when the motor is in the first state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mobile electronic apparatus having a rechargeable storage device

Life of this patent

Mobile electronic apparatus having a rechargeable storage device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16