(19)
`
`(12)
`
`&

 


`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`(11)
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`09.07.2008 Bulletin 2008/28
`
`(21) Application number: 07033586.4
`
`(22) Date of filing: 24.12.2007
`
`(51) Int Cl.:
`H02J7/02(2006.01)
`H04M1/60(2006.01)
`
`H02J7/00(2006.01)
`H04M1/737(2006.01)
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE
`SI SK TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL BA HR MK RS
`
`(30) Priority: 04.01.2007 DK 200700005
`
`(72) Inventor: Reinholdt-Nielsen, Christian
`3600 Frederikssund (DK)
`
`(74) Representative: Larsen, Hans Ole et al
`Larsen & Birkeholm A/S
`Skandinavisk Patentbureau
`Banegaardspladsen 1
`P.O. Box 362
`1570 Copenhagen V (DK)
`
`(71) Applicant: GN A/S
`2750 Ballerup (DK)
`
`(54)
`
`A headset with a rechargeable battery, a base unit adapted to charge a rechargeable battery
`and a communications unit
`
`(57)
`A headset with a rechargeable battery is
`charged inductively via a secondary coil, which is coupled
`to a primary coil which is incorporated in a base unit.
`The headset has an AC-DC converter which com-
`prises a voltage doubler, while the base unit has a DC-
`AC converter which comprises a self-oscillating circuit.
`
`The invention provides an inductive charging ar-
`rangement which may be composed of few components,
`and thus be compact, and additionally has a high effi-
`ciency with a low power loss, as the self-oscillating circuit
`adapts its switch frequency to whether it is loaded or non-
`loaded.
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP1 942 570A1
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1078
`Apple v. GUI
`IPR2021-00472
`
`

`

`1
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`2
`
`Description
`
`[0001] The invention relates to a headset with a re-
`chargeable battery adapted to be charged by a DC cur-
`rent via an inductive coupling, said headset comprising
`a secondary coil of the inductive coupling as well as an
`AC-DC converter for providing the DC current, said AC-
`DC converter being connected to the secondary coil.
`[0002] The invention moreover relates to a base unit
`adapted to charge a rechargeable battery in a headset
`via an inductive coupling, said base unit comprising a
`DC-AC converter which is connected to a primary coil of
`the inductive coupling.
`[0003] Finally, the invention relates to a communica-
`tions unit comprising a base unit and a headset with a
`rechargeable battery adapted to be charged via a DC-
`DC converter, said base unit comprising a primary side
`of the DC-DC converter in the form of a DC-AC converter
`connected to a primary coil, said headset comprising a
`secondary side of the DC-DC converter in the form of a
`secondary coil and an AC-DC converter, said primary
`coil and said secondary coil forming an inductive cou-
`pling.
`[0004] US 2005/0017677 discloses an
`induction
`charger which may be used inter alia in connection with
`a headset. This known induction charger is of a general
`type which provides for several possible settings, as the
`secondary side includes voltage and current meters as
`well as a processor which controls a switching circuit to
`adapt charging current.
`[0005] Further, EP 1414221 A1 discloses a headset
`with a rechargeable battery which may be charged in-
`ductively. However, no concrete embodiment of the in-
`ductive system is disclosed.
`[0006] Finally, US 2003/0211871 A1 discloses a head-
`set which may be charged inductively. Nor does this doc-
`ument disclose any concrete embodiment of the induc-
`tive system, but mentions that charging may take place
`via a charger tray.
`[0007] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to pro-
`vide a headset which may be charged inductively by
`means of few components.
`[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by a
`headset of the type defined in the introductory portion of
`claim 1, which is characterized in that the AC-DC con-
`verter comprises a voltage doubler.
`[0009] Such a voltage doubler is composed of relative-
`ly few components and moreover has the advantage that
`the coil included on the secondary side may be composed
`of few windings, which in turn means that space may be
`saved when it is incorporated in a compact headset.
`[0010] A good, realizable structure of the voltage dou-
`bler with few components is, as stated in claim 2, that
`the voltage doubler is formed by two series connections,
`each said series connection comprising a diode and a
`capacitor, and, as stated in claim 3, that the voltage dou-
`bler comprises two diodes and two capacitors, and that
`a common terminal of the two diodes is connected to the
`
`first terminal of the secondary coil, and that a common
`terminal of the two capacitors is connected to the second
`terminal of the secondary coil, and, as stated in claim 4,
`that the voltage doubler is adapted to charge the capac-
`itors in that the two diodes are biased in the forward di-
`rection in their respective half-periods by an applied AC
`signal.
`[0011]
`In order to be able to minimize the size and the
`weight of the headset, it is advantageous, as stated in
`claim 5, that the secondary coil is an air coil.
`[0012] To ensure a good, inductive coupling, it is ex-
`pedient, if, as stated in claim 6, the headset is adapted
`to be coupled to a base unit comprising a primary coil,
`such that the primary coil and the secondary coil consti-
`tute an inductive coupling during the charging of the re-
`chargeable battery, and, as stated in claim 7, that the
`headset is adapted to engage a base unit comprising a
`primary coil, such that the primary coil and the secondary
`coil are concentric when the headset and the base unit
`are in engagement.
`[0013]
`It is moreover expedient, as stated in claim 8,
`that the headset is configured with a projection or a de-
`pression to provide a concentric position of the secondary
`coil relative to the primary coil, said projection or depres-
`sion being adapted to engage the base unit, as this
`makes it easy to adapt several types of headsets me-
`chanically to the base unit.
`[0014] Further advantageous features of the headset
`are defined in claims 9 and 10.
`[0015] As mentioned, the invention also relates to a
`base unit. This base unit is characterized in that the DC-
`AC converter comprises a self-oscillating circuit. This
`provides the advantage that the circuit always switches
`optimally, both then it is loaded and non-loaded, which
`in turn means that radiation and power consumption will
`be as small as possible.
`[0016] An expedient way of realizing the self-oscillat-
`ing circuit is, as stated in claim 12, that it comprises two
`transistors which are interconnected via a series connec-
`tion of two coils which constitute the primary coil, and
`that a capacitor is connected in parallel with the coils,
`and, as stated in claim 13, that the two coils have a com-
`mon terminal which is connected to a series connection
`of a DC source and a third coil, and, as stated in claim
`14, that the two coils have a common terminal which is
`connected to a DC source, and that the two transistors
`have a common terminal which is connected to a third
`coil, and, as stated in claim 15, that the two transistors
`are NPN transistors.
`[0017] A simple implementation of the two coils is, as
`stated in claim 16, that the coils are formed by a single
`coil having a central tap.
`[0018]
`In order to be able to minimize the size and the
`weight of the base unit, it is advantageous, as stated in
`claim 17, that the primary coil is an air coil.
`[0019] An advantageous embodiment of the base unit
`is, as stated in claim 18, that it is adapted to be coupled
`to a headset comprising a secondary coil, such that the
`
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`

`3
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`4
`
`primary coil and the secondary coil constitute an induc-
`tive coupling during the charging of the rechargeable bat-
`tery, and, as stated in claim 19, that it is adapted to en-
`gage a headset comprising a secondary coil, such that
`the primary coil and the secondary coil are concentric
`when the base unit and the headset are in engagement.
`[0020] Finally, it is advantageous, as stated in claim
`20, that the base unit is configured with a projection or a
`depression to provide a concentric position of the primary
`coil relative to the secondary coil, said projection or de-
`pression being adapted to engage the headset, as this
`makes it easy to adapt several types of headsets me-
`chanically to the base unit.
`[0021] As mentioned, the invention also relates to a
`communications unit. This communications unit is char-
`acterized in that the DC-AC converter comprises a self-
`oscillating circuit, and that the AC-DC converter compris-
`es a voltage doubler.
`[0022] The invention will now be explained more fully
`with reference to the drawing, in which:
`
`5
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`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`fig.1
`
`fig. 2
`
`fig. 3
`
`fig. 4
`
`shows the basic structure of a DC-DC convert-
`er in a communications unit according to the
`invention,
`
`shows how a primary coil and a secondary coil
`are coupled in the DC-DC converter,
`
`shows an AC-DC converter in a headset ac-
`cording to the invention,
`
`30
`
`shows a DC-AC converter in a base unit ac-
`cording to the invention,
`
`fig. 4A
`
`shows an alternative embodiment of the circuit
`of fig. 4,
`
`35
`
`fig. 5
`
`fig. 6
`
`fig. 7
`
`shows voltage characteristics of the circuit in
`figs. 4 and 4A,
`
`shows further voltage characteristics of the
`DC-AC converter in figs. 4 and 4A, while
`
`40
`
`shows current and voltage characteristics of
`the AC-DC converter in fig. 3.
`
`45
`
`[0023] Fig. 1 shows a DC-DC converter in a commu-
`nications unit according to the invention, where the nu-
`meral 1 designates a DC-AC converter which is connect-
`ed to a coil 2, which, as shown in fig. 4, may be formed
`by two coils 2a, 2b or by a single coil having a central
`tap. The DC/AC converter and the coil 2 may be arranged
`in a base unit adapted to be connected to a headset.
`[0024] The input gate to the DC-AC converter may be
`connected to the public mains system via a rectifier and
`a voltage divider, as is well-known.
`[0025] The numeral 5 designates an AC-DC converter
`which is connected to a coil 3. The output of the AC-DC
`
`50
`
`55
`
`3
`
`converter applies a DC voltage to a terminal 6, which
`may be connected to a rechargeable battery (not shown),
`which may be arranged in a headset.
`[0026] The circuit of fig. 1 operates in that a generated
`AC voltage on the coil 2 is transferred inductively to the
`coil 3, such that the rechargeable battery may be charged
`through a galvanically separated coupling, whereby me-
`chanical and electrical plug connections between the
`base unit and the headset are omitted. The DC-AC con-
`verter and the coil 2 form the primary side, and the AC-
`DC converter and the coil 3 form the secondary side in
`the assembled DC-DC converter.
`[0027] The use of an inductive coupling, as described,
`for the charging of a headset allows the transfer of energy
`to the rechargeable battery to take place without it being
`necessary to provide holes in the headset, as the induc-
`tive coupling operates directly through the housing or
`cabinet of the headset, which surrounds the inner, elec-
`trical parts.
`[0028] Fig. 2 shows how the primary coil 2 and the
`secondary coil 3 may be coupled to each other. The pri-
`mary coil 2 is outermost and concentric with the second-
`ary coil 3. They are separated by chassis parts 7, 8, of
`which the chassis part 7 constitutes a portion of a housing
`of a headset, while the chassis part 8 constitutes a portion
`of a housing of a base unit which comprises the DC-AC
`converter 1.
`[0029]
`If the coils 2, 3 are arranged as air coils, i.e.
`coils without an iron core, in a communications unit ac-
`cording to the invention, a reduction of both size and
`weight will be achieved hereby, which is advantageous
`in e.g. wireless headsets which communicate via Blue-
`tooth or another wireless standard.
`[0030] The chassis parts may be provided with depres-
`sions or projections which are adapted to engage each
`other. The base unit may e.g. be provided with a depres-
`sion which is adapted to receive a pin provided in the
`headset, or vice versa. Hereby, a concentric position of
`the coils may be ensured, which gives an optimum trans-
`fer of energy in the inductive coupling. The coils incor-
`porated in the DC-AC and AC-DC converters may be
`embedded in the chassis parts.
`[0031] Fig. 3 shows the AC-DC converter 5 in the form
`of a voltage doubler. In one embodiment, it is formed by
`a diode 9, whose one terminal is connected to a terminal
`12a on the secondary coil 3, while its other terminal 10a
`is connected to a capacitor 10, whose opposite terminal
`13 is connected to the other terminal 13 of the secondary
`coil 3.
`[0032]
`In addition, the other terminal 13 of the second-
`ary coil 3 has connected thereto a capacitor 11, whose
`opposite terminal is connected to a terminal on a diode
`12, whose opposite terminal is connected to the common
`terminal 12a between the secondary coil 3 and the diode
`9.
`[0033] The voltage doubler serves as two series con-
`nections, which operate in their respective half-periods
`by an applied AC signal. Each series connection consists
`
`

`

`5
`
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`6
`
`of a diode and a capacitor, where the diode, when con-
`ducting current, will charge the capacitor.
`[0034] When current and voltage are induced in the
`secondary coil 3, the diode 9 will conduct in the positive
`half-wave and thus charge the capacitor 10. The diode
`12 will be in a reverse direction and thus will not conduct
`current. The opposite applies in the negative half-wave.
`Here, the diode 12 will conduct and charge the capacitor
`11, while the diode 9 is in a reverse direction and does
`not conduct current.
`[0035]
`If it is assumed that voltages across the sec-
`ondary coil are 3 Erms, the peak voltage across the ca-
`pacitor 10 will be 1.4 x Erms, and also the voltage across
`the capacitor 11 will be 1.4 x Erms. The voltage level at
`the point 6 will be twice the voltage at the point 13. The
`total voltage across the two capacitors will therefore be
`2.8 x Erms. That is twice the voltage which is achieved
`by a conventional rectifier bridge consisting of four di-
`odes.
`[0036] As the voltage on the secondary side is deter-
`mined by the proportion of the number of windings on
`the primary and secondary coils, a reduction in the
`number of windings on the secondary side is achieved.
`This means that the coil takes up less physical space
`and will be easier to configure to the desired geometry.
`[0037]
`In addition, the diode voltage loss is reduced,
`as there is only the loss in one diode in each half-wave,
`whereas, in a conventional rectifier bridge with four di-
`odes, there will be a diode voltage loss in two diodes in
`each half-wave.
`[0038] With reference now to fig. 4, it will be explained
`how the DC-AC converter 11 in the form of a self-oscil-
`lating circuit is constructed.
`[0039] The coil 2 consists of two coils 2a, 2b or a coil
`with a central tap 21. The central tap 21 of the coils is
`coupled to a series connection of a DC source 14 and a
`coil 15. The coils 2a and 2b are connected in parallel to
`a capacitor 18 via the terminals 22, 23.
`[0040] The terminals 22, 23 are moreover coupled to
`their respective transistors 16, 17 (Q1 and Q2), which
`are capable of receiving control signals from a control
`circuit (not shown) on their bases 20 and 19, respectively.
`[0041] Fig. 4A shows an alternative embodiment of the
`self-oscillating circuit in fig. 4. Here, the coil 15 has been
`moved from the series connection with the DC supply to
`a location between earth and a common terminal 21 a of
`the two transistors. The principle of the mode of operation
`is unchanged relative to the circuit shown in fig. 4.
`[0042]
`It will then be explained how the circuit of figs.
`1 - 4A operates.
`[0043] By alternately applying pulses to the bases 19,
`20 on the transistors 16, 17, the DC source 14 will gen-
`erate a sine-shaped AC voltage on the coils 2a, 2b
`through the coil 15, which will be transferred to the coil
`3 in the AC-DC converter 5 and further to a rechargeable
`battery.
`[0044]
`In fig. 5, the numeral 24 shows a voltage which
`is generated on the terminal 21 in response to the volt-
`
`ages 25, 26, which are the collector voltages on Q1 and
`Q2, respectively.
`[0045] The voltages across the two coils 2a and 2b are
`shown at 27 and 28, respectively, in fig. 6.
`[0046]
`In fig. 7, the numeral 29 designates a current
`through the diode 12 in fig. 3, while the numeral 30 des-
`ignates the current through the diode 9. The voltage
`across the coil 3 is composed of a DC component 31 and
`a pulsating voltage 32, which is symmetrical relative to
`the component 31.
`[0047] The switch frequency is adapted on the primary
`side of the DC-DC converter by the self-oscillating circuit
`in response to the load on the secondary side. Since the
`circuit 1 is self-oscillating, and the switch frequency will
`change because of the inductance in the assembled
`transformer, the circuit will switch optimally, both when
`it is loaded by a rechargeable battery which is to be sup-
`plied with a DC current, and when it is non-loaded. When
`the circuit switches optimally, the radiation is minimum,
`and the power consumption of the circuit will be low, i.e.
`unnecessary energy is not consumed when the headset
`is not positioned in the base unit.
`[0048] As will be seen in fig. 6, an approximately sine-
`shaped signal is involved, which is transferred via the
`inductive coupling. This has the advantage that, in prac-
`tice, this also means quite few harmonics to the switch
`frequency, which therefore gives a very low, air-borne
`radiation and thus a high efficiency of the assembled DC-
`DC converter.
`
`Claims
`
`1. A headset with a rechargeable battery adapted to be
`charged by a DC current via an inductive coupling
`(4), said headset comprising a secondary coil (3) of
`the inductive coupling as well as an AC-DC converter
`(5) for providing the DC current, said AC-DC con-
`verter being connected to the secondary coil (3),
`characterized in that the AC-DC converter com-
`prises a voltage doubler.
`
`2. A headset according to claim 1, characterized in
`that the voltage doubler is formed by two series con-
`nections, each said series connection comprising a
`diode and a capacitor.
`
`3. A headset according to claim 1 or 2, characterized
`in that the voltage doubler comprises two diodes (9,
`12) and two capacitors (10, 11), and that a common
`terminal (12a) of the two diodes is connected to the
`first terminal of the secondary coil (3), and that a
`common terminal (13) of the two capacitors is con-
`nected to the second terminal of the secondary coil
`(3).
`
`4. A headset according to claim 2 or 3, characterized
`in that the voltage doubler is adapted to charge the
`
`5
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`7
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`8
`
`capacitors (10, 11) in that the two diodes (9, 12) are
`biased in the forward direction in their respective
`half-periods by an applied AC signal.
`
`15. A base unit according to claims 12 - 14, character-
`ized in that the two transistors (16, 17) are NPN
`transistors.
`
`5. A headset according to claims 1 - 4, characterized
`in that the secondary coil (3) is an air coil.
`
`5
`
`16. A base unit according to claims 12 - 15, character-
`ized in that two of the coils (2a, 2b, 15) are formed
`by a single coil having a central tap.
`
`6. A headset according to claims 1 - 5, characterized
`in that it is adapted to be coupled to a base unit
`comprising a primary coil (2), such that the primary
`coil (2) and the secondary coil (3) constitute an in-
`ductive coupling (4) during the charging of the re-
`chargeable battery.
`
`7. A headset according to claims 1 - 6, characterized
`in that it is adapted to engage a base unit comprising
`a primary coil (2), such that the primary coil (2) and
`the secondary coil (3) are concentric when the head-
`set and the base unit are in engagement.
`
`8. A headset according to claims 6 - 7, characterized
`in that it is configured with a projection or a depres-
`sion to provide a concentric position of the secondary
`coil (3) relative to the primary coil (2), said projection
`or depression being adapted to engage the base
`unit.
`
`9. A headset according to claims 1 - 8, characterized
`in that it is a wireless headset.
`
`10. A headset according to claims 1 - 9, characterized
`in that it is a Bluetooth headset.
`
`11. A base unit adapted to charge a rechargeable battery
`in a headset via an inductive coupling (4), said base
`unit comprising a DC-AC converter (1) which is con-
`nected to a primary coil (2) of the inductive coupling,
`characterized in that the DC-AC converter com-
`prises a self-oscillating circuit.
`
`12. A base unit according to claim 11, characterized in
`that the self-oscillating circuit (1, 2) comprises two
`transistors (16, 17) which are interconnected via a
`series connection of two coils (2a, 2b) which consti-
`tute the primary coil (2), and that a capacitor (18) is
`connected in parallel with the coils.
`
`13. A base unit according to claim 12, characterized in
`that the two coils (2a, 2b) have a common terminal
`(21) which is connected to a series connection of a
`DC source (14) and a third coil (15).
`
`14. A base unit according to claim 12, characterized in
`that the two coils (2a, 2b) have a common terminal
`(21) which is connected to a DC source (14), and
`that the two transistors (16, 17) have a common ter-
`minal (21 a) which is connected to a third coil (15).
`
`17. A base unit according to claims 11 - 16, character-
`ized in that the primary coil (2) is an air coil.
`
`10
`
`18. A base unit according to claims 11 - 17, character-
`ized in that it is adapted to be coupled to a headset
`comprising a secondary coil (3), such that the prima-
`ry coil (2) and the secondary coil (3) constitute an
`inductive coupling (4) during the charging of the re-
`chargeable battery.
`
`19. A base unit according to claims 11 - 18, character-
`ized in that it is adapted to engage a headset com-
`prising a secondary coil (3), such that the primary
`coil (2) and the secondary coil (3) are concentric
`when the base unit and the headset are in engage-
`ment.
`
`20. A base unit according to claims 18 - 19, character-
`ized in that it is configured with a projection or a
`depression to provide a concentric position of the
`primary coil (2) relative to the secondary coil (3), said
`projection or depression being adapted to engage
`the headset.
`
`21. A communications unit comprising a base unit and
`a headset with a rechargeable battery adapted to be
`charged via a DC-DC converter, said base unit com-
`prising a primary side (1, 2) of the DC-DC converter
`in the form of a DC-AC converter (1) connected to a
`primary coil (2), said headset comprising a second-
`ary side (3, 5) of the DC-DC converter in the form of
`a secondary coil (3) and an AC-DC converter (5),
`said primary coil and said secondary coil constituting
`an inductive coupling (4), characterized in that the
`DC-AC converter comprises a self-oscillating circuit,
`and that the AC-DC converter comprises a voltage
`doubler.
`
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
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`6
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
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`EP 1 942 570 A1
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`7
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`

`EP 0 204 375 A (PHILIPS CORP [US]; PHILIPS|11-21
`NV [NL]} 10 December 1986 (1986-12-10)
`* abstract *
`* figure 1 *
`
`> EPOFORM1503
`
`Hurtado-Albir,
`16 April 2008
`Munich
`T : theory orprinciple underlying the invention
`CATEGORYOF CITED DOCUMENTS
`E : earlier patent document, but published on, or
`after the filing date
`X: particularly relevantif taken alone
`D: documentcited in the application
`Y : particularly relevantif combined with another
`L: document cited for other reasons
`documentof the same category
`A: technological background
`& : memberof the same patent family, corresponding
`©: non-written disclosure
`
`P:intermediate document document
`
`
`
`03.82(PO4C01)
`
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`0) EuropeanPatent
`
`Oftice
`
`EUROPEANSEARCH REPORT
`
`ApplicationNumber
`
`EP 07 03 3586
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`(LUCEY ROBERT E
`US 6 421 426 B1
`16 July 2002 (2002-07-16)
`* abstract *
`* paragraph [0046]
`* figure 17 *
`
`*
`
`[US])
`
`EP 1 096 638 A (SEIKO EPSON CORP [JP])
`2 May 2001 (2001-05-02)
`* abstract *
`* figures 1,2 *
`
`INV.
`H0207/02
`HO2J07/00
`HO4M1/60
`HO4M1/737
`
`(NASSIMI SHARY [US])
`US 2003/211871 Al
`13 November 2003 (2003-11-13)
`* the whole document *
`
`1,11,21
`
`EP 1 414 221 A (SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMM |1,11,21|TecHNicaLFIELDS
`
`AB [SE]) 28 April 2004 (2004-04-28)
`SEARCHED
`Are)
`* the whole document *
`HO2J
`HO4M
`
`EP 1 406 368 A (CHAUVIN ARNOUX [FR])
`7 April 2004 (2004-04-07)
`* the whole document *
`
`The present search report has been drawn up for all claims
`Place of search
`Date of completion of the search
`
`Examiner
`
`F
`
`10
`10
`
`

`

`EP 1 942 570 A1
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`EP 07 03 3586
`Application Number
`
`9 Office
`European Patent
`0
`
`CLAIMS INCURRING FEES
`
`The present Europeanpatent application comprised at the timeoffiling more than ten claims.
`
`Only part of the claims have been paid within the prescribed time limit. The present European search
`report has been drawnup forthefirst ten claims and for those claims for which claims fees have
`beenpaid, namely claim(s):
`
`No claims fees have beenpaid within the prescribed time limit. The present European search report has
`been drawn up forthe first ten claims.
`
`LACK OF UNITY OF INVENTION
`
`The Search Division considers that the present European patent application does not comply with the
`requirements of unity of invention and relates to several inventions or groups of inventions, namely:
`
`see sheet B
`
`All further search fees have been paid within the fixed time limit. The present European search report has
`been drawn up forall claims.
`
`Asall searchable claims could be searched without effort justifying an additional fee, the Search Division
`did not invite payment of any additional fee.
`
`Only part of the further search fees have been paid within the fixed time limit. The present European
`search report has been drawn up for those parts of the European patent application whichrelate to the
`inventions in respect of which search fees have been paid, namely claims:
`
`claims (Rule 164 (1) EPC).
`
`Noneof the further search fees have been paid within the fixed time limit. The present European search
`report has been drawnup for those parts of the European patent application which relate to the invention
`first mentioned in the claims, namely claims:
`
`The present supplementary European search report has been drawnup for those parts
`of the European patent application which relate to the invention first mentioned in the
`
`11
`11
`
`

`

`EP 1 942 570 A1
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`0) EuropeanPatent
`)
`Office
`
`LACKOF UNITYOF INVENTION
`SHEET B
`
`ApplicationNumber
`EP 07 03 3586
`
`The Search Division considers that the present European patent application does not comply with the
`requirements of unity of invention and relates to several inventions or groupsof inventions, namely:
`
`1. claims: 1-10,21
`
`Headset with a rechargeable battery adapted to be charged
`via an inductive coupling by means of a voltage doubler in
`the headset, and communication unit comprising the headset
`and a base unit performing the inductive coupling by means
`of a self-oscilating unit.
`
`self-oscillating (resonant) circuit.
`
`2. claims: 11-20
`
`Base unit adapted to charge a rechargeable battery in a
`headset via an inductive coupling by means of a
`
`12
`12
`
`

`

`Patentfamily
`member(s)
`
`8904798 A
`2300399
`1042930
`20000726
`9909761
`
`1296659
`0055955
`3888060
`522583
`6469472
`
`3684956
`61284088
`4628284
`
`335352
`1706171
`60213611
`
`Publication
`date
`
`08-03-1999
`25-02-1999
`11-10-2000
`07-04-2000
`25-02-1999
`
`23-05-2001
`21-09-2000
`28-02-2007
`01-03-2003
`22-10-2002
`
`27-05-1992
`15-12-1986
`09-12-1986
`
`15-08-2006
`07-12-2005
`
`18-10-2007 EPOFORMP0459 For more details about this annex : see Official Journal of the European Patent Office, No. 12/82
`
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`ANNEX TO THE EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
`ON EUROPEANPATENTAPPLICATIONNO.
`
`EP 07 03 3586
`
`This annexlists the patent family members relating to the patent documents cited in the above-mentioned European search report.
`The members are as contained in the European Patent Office EDP file on
`The European PatentOffice is in no wayliable for these particulars which are merely given for the purposeof information.
`16-04-2008
`
`Patent document
`cited in search report
`
`Publication
`date
`
`US 6421426
`
`16-07-2002
`
`13
`13
`
`

`

`REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
`
`EP 1 942 570 A1
`
`This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
`patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
`excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
`
`Patent documents cited in the description
`
`•
`•
`
`US 20050017677 A [0004]
`EP 1414221 A1 [0005]
`
`•
`
`US 20030211871 A1 [0006]
`
`14
`
`