US007548040B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 7,548,040 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Lee et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 16, 2009
`
`(54) WIRELESS BATTERY CHARGING OF
`ELECTRONIC DEVICES SUCH AS WIRELESS
`HEADSETS/HEADPHONES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Thomas H. Lee, Burlingame, CA (US);
`Arthur J. Collmeyer, Incline Village,
`NV (US); Dickson T. Wong,
`Burlingame, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: ZeroG Wireless, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
`(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 196 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 11/494,874
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 28, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0032274 A1
`
`Feb. 8, 2007
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/703,080, filed on Jul.
`28, 2005.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H02] 7/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`........................ 320/108; 320/114; 320/115
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 320/108
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,031,449 A
`5,323,099 A
`5,568,036 A
`5,959,433 A
`6,016,046 A
`6,215,981 B1
`6,633,155 B1
`
`6/1977 Trombly
`6/1994 Bruni et a1.
`10/1996 Hulsey et a1.
`9/1999 Rohde
`l/2000 Kaite et a1.
`4/2001 Borchardt et a1.
`10/2003 Liang
`
`
`............... 455/41
`............... 320/108
`
`7,042,196 B2
`2003/0050011 A1 *
`2005/0017677 A1 *
`2006/0058076 A1
`
`5/2006 Ka-Lai et a1.
`3/2003 Palermo et a1.
`l/2005 Burton et a1.
`3/2006 Mickle et a1.
`
`2006/0061323 A1
`2006/0061324 A1
`2006/0061325 A1
`2006/0061326 A1
`2006/0063568 A1
`2006/0071632 A1
`
`3/2006 Cheng et a1.
`3/2006 Oglesbee
`3/2006 Tang et a1.
`3/2006 Vine et a1.
`3/2006 Mickle et a1.
`4/2006 Ghabra et a1.
`
`2006/0076922 A1
`
`4/2006 Cheng et a1.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“RCA 900MHz Wireless Headphones WHPl70/WHP175,” Product
`Manual, 44 pages, 2004, http://accessories.rca.com/rcaaccess0ries/
`productdownloads/Whpl75,ib.pdf.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary ExamineriEdward Tso
`Assistant ExamineriAlexis Boateng
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiBrinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`This disclosure relates to wireless battery charging of elec-
`tronic devices such as wireless headsets/headphones. In one
`embodiment, an electronic device is provided comprising a
`speaker comprising a coil, and the coil is operative both to
`cause the speaker to produce sound and to receive energy
`transferred to the coil via inductive coupling. The received
`energy is used to recharge a rechargeable battery in the elec-
`tronic device. In other embodiments, the coil used to receive
`the energy that recharges the battery is received by a coil other
`than the coil in the speaker.
`
`18 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
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`US 7,548,040 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`_
`.
`_
`“RCA 900MHz ereless Stereo Headphones Wlth Inductlon Charg-
`ing and Auto-Tuning, WHP175,” 1 page, printed Jul. 24, 2006, http://
`accessories.rca.com/en-US/m0deldetail.
`html?maincat:Wireless+Soluti0ns
`
`&subcat:900+MHZ+Wireless+Headphones
`&m0delnum:WHP 17 5.
`“RCA 900MHz Music and TV Headphones,” 2 pages, 2006, http://
`wwwactiveandable.com/products/Z53.
`
`* Cited by examiner
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`US 7,548,040 B2
`
`1
`WIRELESS BATTERY CHARGING OF
`ELECTRONIC DEVICES SUCH AS WIRELESS
`HEADSETS/HEADPHONES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims the benefit of US. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 60/703,080, filed Jul. 28, 2005, which is
`hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Portable entertainment and communication equipment
`have been proliferating, including devices such as cellular
`phones, portable DVD players, MP3 players, and portable
`computing devices.
`In all of these examples, audio communication is a large
`part of the user experience. In order to increase convenience
`and audio quality and to provide privacy, one-way head-
`phones or two-way headsets are employed.
`For added convenience, wireless headphones/headsets are
`available. For example, Bluetooth headsets are available for
`telephone conversations as well as headphones for audio lis-
`tening. Because the headphones/headsets are wireless, they
`are required to provide their own power source, typically a
`battery (wired headphones/headsets are powered by the base
`system). Many use rechargeable batteries and require a
`method for recharging the batteries.
`Prior art battery charging methods are described below:
`In FIG. 1, representing prior art, the power source 1 pro-
`vides input via a conductive means 6 to a power adapter 5. The
`power adapter 5 provides power to the wireless headphone/
`headset 4 via a conductive means, typically a power cable 3.
`The cable is connected to the wireless headphone/headset via
`a mating connectorpair 7, 8. The power source 1 can be anAC
`line source. The power adapter 5 would convert the AC line
`source to DC.
`
`In FIG. 2, representing prior art, the power source 10 can be
`a regulated DC source, removing the need for a separate
`power adapter. In this case, DC power is delivered to the
`wireless headset/headphones 11 via a conductive means,
`typically a power cable 12. The cable is connected to the
`wireless headphone/headset via a mating connector pair 13,
`14. The power source 10 can be the regulated DC output of a
`powered Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket.
`FIG. 3, representing prior art, describes the battery charg-
`ing mechanism of a wireless headset/headphone 25. Power is
`provided to the wireless headset/headphone 25 via a conduc-
`tive means, typically a power cable 30. The cable is connected
`to the wireless headphone/headset 25 via a mating connector
`pair 31, 32. Power is input to a battery charging circuit 26
`which manages the charging of the battery 27. Power is then
`provided to the rest of the system 28, which interfaces the
`transducer(s) 29 in the case of a headphone, or transducer(s)
`29 and microphone 24 in the case of a headset.
`FIG. 4, representing prior art, describes a wireless battery
`charging mechanism. The power source 40 provides input via
`a conductive means 41 to a power adapter 42. The power
`adapter 42 provides power to the electronic device 44 via
`wireless means, typically inductive coupling 43.
`As improvements of technology become available, there is
`an opportunity for further reduction of size and weight of
`wireless headphones/headsets. Wired methods of recharging
`batteries in wireless headphones/headsets add size by way of
`the necessity of connectors and increase the risk of failure via
`failure of mechanical components caused by fatigue and cor-
`
`2
`rosion of contact elements. Furthermore, the end user com-
`plexity is increased by a wired-based recharging procedure.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a prior art method of battery charging of a
`wireless headset/headphone apparatus via a wire connection.
`FIG. 2 shows a prior art method of battery charging of a
`wireless headset/headphone apparatus via a wire connection.
`FIG. 3 shows a prior art method of battery charging of a
`wireless headset/headphone apparatus via a wire connection.
`FIG. 4 shows a prior art method of battery charging of an
`electronic device via wireless charging.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headset/headphone apparatus.
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headphone apparatus.
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headset apparatus.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headset/headphone apparatus with a DC
`voltage input source.
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headset/headphone apparatus with an AC
`voltage input source.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headset/headphone apparatus with a second-
`ary inductive charging element.
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing ofa wireless headset/headphone apparatus where a coil of
`a transducer in the headset/headphone apparatus is also used
`as an energy collection element.
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing ofa wireless headset/headphone apparatus where a coil of
`a transducer in the headset/headphone apparatus is also used
`as an energy collection elemenet.
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headset/headphone apparatus where coils of
`transducers in the headset/headphone apparatus are also used
`as energy collection elements.
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of an electronic device with additional data communica-
`tion capabilities.
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a wireless headphone/headset apparatus with addi-
`tional data communication capabilities.
`FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`provides a platform for the headset/headphone apparatus.
`FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`also provides a protective cavity for the headset/headphone
`apparatus.
`FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`also provides a protective cavity for the headset/headphone
`apparatus and has a rigid connector used for power and data
`communication.
`
`10
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`for a headset/headphone apparatus provides optimum induc-
`tive coupling to maximize charging.
`FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated memory card device.
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`US 7,548,040 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated Video player.
`FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated music/audio player.
`FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated cellular phone.
`FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated radio.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`What is needed in the art is a mechanism to re-charge
`batteries in wireless headphones/headsets in order to mini-
`mize size and weight, maximize reliability, and improve end
`user experience.
`The invention relates to wireless battery charging of wire-
`less headphones/headsets. The following description is pre-
`sented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and
`use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent
`application and its requirements. Various modifications to the
`preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those
`skilled in the art and generic principles herein may be applied
`to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not
`intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be
`
`accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
`features described herein.
`
`FIG. 5 describes a method for wirelessly charging the
`battery in a wireless headphone/headset apparatus 204. The
`power source 200 provides energy via a conductive means
`202 to a power adapter 201. The power adapter 201 provides
`power to the wireless headphone/headset apparatus 204 via
`non-conductive means 203, typically inductive coupling.
`FIG. 6 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone apparatus 226. The power source 220 provides power
`to a power adapter 221. An inverter circuit 222 provides AC
`power to the charging coil 223. Energy is transferred to the
`wireless headphone 226 via inductive coupling 224 to an
`energy collection element 225. The energy received by the
`energy collection element 225 is transferred via the battery
`charging circuit 227 to the battery 228. The battery charging
`circuit manages 227 the charging of battery 228. The energy
`stored in the battery 228 is used to power the headphone
`circuit 229, which provides drive signal to the transducer 230.
`FIG. 7 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`set apparatus 256. The power source 240 provides power to a
`power adapter 241 . An inverter circuit 242 provides AC power
`to the charging coil 243. Energy is transferred to the wireless
`headset 256 via inductive coupling 244 to an energy collec-
`tion element 245. The energy received by the energy collec-
`tion element 245 is transferred via the battery charging circuit
`247 to the battery 248. The battery charging circuit 247 man-
`ages the charging of battery 248. The energy stored in the
`battery 248 is used to power the headset circuit 249, which
`provides drive signal to the transducer 230 and interfaces with
`the microphone 251.
`FIG. 8 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 304. The input power source 300 is
`DC voltage. By way of a non-limiting example, the DC volt-
`age is provided by Universal Serial Bus terminals. The input
`
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`power source 300 provides power to the power adapter 302.
`Energy is transferred to the wireless headphone/headset 304
`via the wireless charging magnetic field 303.
`FIG. 9 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 324. The input power source 320 is
`an AC line voltage. The input power source 320 provides
`power to the power adapter 322. Energy is transferred to the
`wireless headphone/headset apparatus 324 via inductive cou-
`pling 323.
`FIG. 10 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 400. Energy is transferred to the
`wireless headphone/headset apparatus 400 via inductive cou-
`pling 401 to an energy collection element 402. The energy
`received by the energy collection element 402 is transferred
`via the battery charging circuit 403 to the battery 404. The
`battery charging circuit 403 manages the charging of battery
`404. The energy stored in the battery 404 is used to power the
`headphone/headset circuit 405, which provides a drive signal
`to the transducer 406 and interface with the microphone 407.
`By way of a non-limiting example, the secondary coil 402 is
`a trace pattern on a printed wiring board or an inductive
`component.
`FIG. 11 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 450. Energy is transferred to the
`wireless headphone/headset 450 via inductive coupling 451
`to an energy collection element 457. The energy received by
`the energy collection element 457 is transferred via the bat-
`tery charging circuit 452 to the battery 453. The battery charg-
`ing circuit 452 manages the charging of battery 453. The
`energy stored in the battery 453 is used to power the head-
`phone/headset circuit 454, which provides a drive signal to
`the transducer 455. By way of a non-limiting example, the
`energy collection element 457 is the inductive coil of the
`transducer 455. The transducer has a dual purpose of produc-
`ing sound 456 and receiving magnetic energy via the wireless
`magnetic field 451.
`As shown in FIG. 11 and described above, the coil of the
`speaker of the wireless headphone/headset apparatus 450 has
`a dual role. The coil causes the speaker to produce sound 456,
`and it also acts as an inductive energy collector by receiving
`energy 451 transferred to the coil via inductive coupling (i.e.,
`the coil acts as a secondary coil to the primary coil in the
`power adapter). The battery charging circuit 452 recharges
`the battery 453 with energy transferred to the coil via induc-
`tive coupling. Additional components that can be used with
`such an apparatus are shown in FIG. 12 and are described
`below.
`
`FIG. 12 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 460. Energy is transferred to the
`wireless headphone/headset apparatus 460 via inductive cou-
`pling 461 to an energy collection element 465. The energy
`collection element 465 has a dual role and is also used as the
`
`transducer coil of a headphone/headset/audio speaker. The
`energy received by the coil 465 is transferred via the battery
`charging circuit 462 to the battery 463. The coupled power
`from the coil 465 is rectified via rectifier 464, which converts
`the AC voltage from the coil 465 to DC voltage. The rectified
`voltage is filtered using an energy storage capacitor 469. The
`battery charging circuit 462 manages charging of the battery
`463 by taking the raw energy received by the coil 465 and
`providing the proper voltage to the battery 463 based on its
`type (e.g., lithium ion versus NiCad battery). The energy
`stored in the battery 463 is used to power the headphone/
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`can be used to upgrade software, provide control signals,
`transfer data files, provide battery charging status, provide
`means of association between various electronic devices, and
`provide diagnostic data.
`FIG. 15 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 527. Energy from the power source
`521 is provided to the power adapter 524. Energy is trans-
`ferred to the wireless headphone/headset apparatus 527 via
`inductive coupling 526. There is a wireless data communica-
`tion channel 525 between the wireless headphone/headset
`527 and the power adapter 524. There is a wireless data
`communication channel 528 between the wireless head-
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`phone/headset apparatus 527 and other electronic devices
`520. There is a data communication channel 523 between the
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`power adapter 524 and other electronic devices 520. By way
`of non-limiting examples, the data communication channels
`523, 525, 528 can be used to upgrade software, provide con-
`trol signals, transfer data files, provide battery charging sta-
`tus, provide means of association between various electronic
`devices, and provide diagnostic data.
`FIG. 16 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 600, 601. As shown in FIG. 15,
`wireless headphones can take the form of earbuds. Power
`adapter 603 provides energy through a wireless means to
`headphone/headset apparatus 600, 601. Power adapter 603
`provides a platform to set the headphone/headset apparatus
`600, 601 while charging. Input power is provided via connec-
`tor 602.
`
`FIG. 17 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 610, 611. Power adapter 612 pro-
`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 610, 611. Power adapter 612 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 610, 611. Input power is provided via con-
`nector 612.
`
`FIG. 18 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 620, 621. Power adapter 622 pro-
`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 620, 621. Power adapter 622 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 620, 621. Input power is provided via con-
`nector 623.
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`headset circuit 468. In one embodiment, the headphone/head-
`set circuit 468 includes an RF receiver (or transceiver) to
`receive an incoming RF signal via an antenna (not shown), a
`signal processor to demodulate the signal, a CODEC to
`decompress the signal (if the signal is compressed), and a
`power amplifier circuit to provide a drive signal 467 to the
`speaker coil 465. If the apparatus 460 is a headset, the head-
`phone/headset circuit 468 can also include an analog-to-digi-
`tal converter, a voice processor, and an RF transceiver. Of
`course, the headphone/headset circuit 468 can include addi-
`tional or different functionality.
`The wireless headphone/headset apparatus 460 in this
`embodiment also comprises a switch 470 controlled by a
`switch control signal 471. The switch control signal 471
`causes the switch 470 to close when in charging mode and to
`open when in non-charging mode. When the switch 470 is
`open (in non-charging mode), the coil 465 is isolated from the
`battery charging circuit 462, the rectifier 464, and the energy
`storage capacitor 469. Disconnecting these components
`reduces the load on the coil 465 and eliminates audio distor-
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`tion caused by these component (e.g., when a stray magnetic
`field causes the coil 465 to deliver energy to these compo-
`nents). When the switch 470 is closed (in charging mode), the
`coil 465 is in communication with the battery charging circuit
`462 and other components, and energy received by the coil
`465 is used to re-charge the battery 463. The switch 470 can
`take any suitable form, including, but not limited to, a solid
`state switch (such as a MOSFET), an electromechanical
`switch (such as a relay device), or a mechanical switch select-
`able by a user. Preferably, the switch 470 can sense when the
`headphone/headset apparatus 460 is near the power adapter,
`so that it automatically closes to the charge position when
`near the power adapter and automatically opens to the non-
`charge position when away from the power adapter. Alterna-
`tively, as described below, the power adapter can be operative
`to wirelessly communicate with the headphone/headset appa-
`ratus. In this way, the power adapter can wirelessly transmit
`the switch control signal 471 to the headphone/headset appa-
`ratus 460 to cause the switch 470 to close when the head-
`
`phone/headset apparatus 460 is near the adapter.
`A headphone/headset apparatus can include one speaker,
`such as a single earbud, which has a single speaker. FIG. 12 is
`an example of the use of a headphone/headset apparatus with
`one speaker. To provide both left and right audio (including
`stereo), two such headset apparatuses would be usedwne
`for the left ear and one for the right ear. However, a head-
`phone/headset apparatus can also include more than one
`speaker, such as a pair of headphones containing a left
`speaker and a right speaker. In such a situation, the coil from
`one or both speakers can provide the dual role of causing its
`speaker to produce sound and to collect inductive energy. For
`example, FIG. 13 shows a wireless headphone/headset appa-
`ratus 480 with a headphone/headset circuit 488 capable of
`providing audio drive signals 487, 490 for two coils 485, 491
`of two speakers.
`FIG. 14 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`wireless battery charging method of any electronic device
`507. Energy from the power source 501 is provided to the
`power adapter 504. Energy is transferred to the electronic
`device 507 via inductive coupling 506. There is a wireless
`data communication channel 505 between the electronic
`
`device 507 and the power adapter 504. There is a wireless data
`communication channel 508 between the electronic device
`507 and other electronic devices 500. There is a data commu-
`
`nication channel 503 between the power adapter 504 and
`other electronic devices 500. By way of non-limiting
`examples, the data communication channels 503, 505, 508
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`FIG. 19 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 630, 631, 632, 633. The mechanical
`and electrical design of the power adapter 638 optimizes
`inductive coupling between the charging coil 223 in FIG. 6,
`and the energy collection element 225 in FIG. 6. This would
`include mechanical orientation and electrical housing to
`insure maximum coupling and effective battery charging.
`FIG. 20 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 700, 701. Power adapter 702 pro-
`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 700, 701. Power adapter 702 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 700, 701. Input power is provided via con-
`nector 704. The power adapter 702 can also be used as a
`portable memory device 703 as it has embedded control and
`memory elements.
`FIG. 21 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 710, 711. Power adapter 712 pro-
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`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 710, 711. Power adapter 712 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 710, 711. Input power is provided Via con-
`nector 713. The power adapter 712 contains an embedded
`Video player 714 as it has embedded control, display, and
`memory elements.
`FIG. 22 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 720, 721. Power adapter 722 pro-
`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 720, 721. Power adapter 722 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 720, 721. Input power is provided via con-
`nector 723. The power adapter 722 has an embedded audio
`device 724 as it has embedded control and memory elements.
`FIG. 23 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 730, 731. Power adapter 732 pro-
`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 730, 731. Power adapter 732 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 730, 731. Input power is provided via con-
`nector 733. The power adapter 732 has an embedded cellular
`phone 734 as it has embedded control, display, and memory
`elements.
`
`FIG. 24 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`method for wirelessly charging the battery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 740, 741. Power adapter 742 pro-
`vides energy through a wireless means to the headphone/
`headset apparatus 740, 741. Power adapter 742 provides
`charging, physical protection, and storage of the headphone/
`headset apparatus 740, 741. Input power is provided via con-
`nector 743. The power adapter 732 has an embedded audio
`radio 744 as it has embedded control, display, and memory
`elements.
`
`While many of these embodiments have been discussed in
`conjunction with a wireless headphone/headset apparatus,
`the above description makes clear that the charging tech-
`niques discussed herein can be used with any suitable elec-
`tronic device. As mentioned above, electronic devices
`include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, portable DVD
`players, MP3 players, and portable computing devices, in
`addition to headphone/headset apparatuses.
`It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be
`understood as an illustration of selected forms that the inven-
`
`tion can take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only
`the following claims,
`including all equivalents,
`that are
`intended to define the scope of this invention.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. An electronic device comprising:
`a rechargeable battery;
`a speaker comprising a coil, wherein the coil is operative
`both to cause the speaker to produce sound and to receive
`energy transferred to the coil via inductive coupling; and
`a battery charging circuit in communication with the coil
`such that energy transferred to the coil via inductive
`coupling is provided to the battery charging circuit,
`wherein the battery charging circuit is in communication
`with the rechargeable battery and is operative to
`recharge the rechargeable battery with energy trans-
`ferred to the coil via inductive coupling.
`2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic
`device comprises a headphone.
`3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the headphone
`comprises an earbud.
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`4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic
`device comprises a headset.
`5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic
`device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular
`phone, a portable DVD player, an MP3 player, and a portable
`computing device.
`6. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a
`switch positioned between the coil and the battery charging
`circuit, the switch operable to selectively (i) put the coil in
`communication with the battery charging circuit and (ii) iso-
`late the coil from the battery charging circuit.
`7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the switch is
`operative to automatically put the coil in communication with
`the battery charging circuit when the electronic device is near
`a power adapter and automatically isolate th