US007548040B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 7,548,040 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`Jun. 16, 2009
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Lee et al.
`
`(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 ofthis
`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 Al
`
`Feb. 8, 2007
`
`7,042,196 B2
`2003/0050011 Al*
`2005/0017677 Al*
`2006/0058076 Al
`
`5/2006 Ka-Laietal.
`
`3/2003 Palermo etal.
`........0.... 455/41
`1/2005 Burtonetal. .......... 320/108
`3/2006 Mickle et al.
`
`2006/0061323 Al
`2006/0061324 Al
`2006/0061325 Al
`2006/0061326 Al
`2006/0063568 Al
`2006/0071632 Al
`
`3/2006 Chengetal.
`3/2006 Oglesbee
`3/2006 Tanget al.
`3/2006 Vine etal.
`3/2006 Mickle et al.
`4/2006 Ghabraetal.
`
`2006/0076922 Al
`
`4/2006 Cheng etal.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“RCA 900MHz Wireless Headphones WHP170/WHP175,” Product
`Manual, 44 pages, 2004, http://accessories.rca.com/reaaccessories/
`productdownloads/whp175_ib.pdf.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/703,080, filed on Jul.
`28, 2005.
`
`Primary Examiner—Edward Tso
`Assistant Examiner—Alexis Boateng
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H02F 7/00
`(52) US.CL wee 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 Bl
`6,633,155 Bl
`
`6/1977 Trombly
`6/1994 Bruniet al.
`10/1996 Hulseyet al.
`9/1999 Rohde
`1/2000 Kaite et al.
`4/2001 Borchardt etal.
`10/2003 Liang
`
`221
`
`220
`'—— ~ Power
`!
`Adapter
`
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`2227)
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`r
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`‘
`
`(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 rechargesthe battery is received by acoil other
`than the coil in the speaker.
`
`18 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`2267}
`
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`227
`2297
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`Battery
`Charging
`Circuit
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`Headphone
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`23
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`'
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`i
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`APPLE 1006
`
`ml
`
`Wireless Headphone
`Apparatus
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1006
`
`

`

`US 7,548,040 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“RCA 900MHzWireless Stereo Headphones with Induction Charg-
`ing and Auto-Tuning, WHP175,” | page, printed Jul. 24, 2006,http://
`accessories.rca.com/en-US/modeldetail.
`html?maincat=Wireless+Solutions
`
`&subcat=900+MHZ-+Wireless+Headphones
`&modelnum=WHP175.
`“RCA 900MHz Music and TV Headphones,” 2 pages, 2006, http://
`www.activeandable.com/products/253.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`Sheet 17 of 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`US 7,548,040 B2
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`Sheet 20 of 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`US 7,548,040 B2
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`Sheet 21 of 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`Sheet 22 of 24
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`US 7,548,040 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`US 7,548,040 B2
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`Sheet 23 of 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 16, 2009
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`Sheet 24 of 24
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`US 7,548,040 B2
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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 U.S. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 60/703,080,filed Jul. 28, 2005, which is
`hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`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 showsa prior art method of battery charging of a
`wireless headset/headphone apparatus via a wire connection.
`FIG. 2 showsa prior art method of battery charging of a
`wireless headset/headphone apparatus via a wire connection.
`FIG. 3 showsa prior art method of battery charging of a
`wireless headset/headphone apparatus via a wire connection.
`FIG. 4 showsa 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/headphoneapparatus.
`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/headphoneapparatus with a second-
`ary inductive charging element.
`FIG.11 is a block diagram showing wireless battery charg-
`ing ofa wireless headset/headphone apparatus wherea coil of
`a transducerin the headset/headphoneapparatusis also used
`as an energy collection element.
`FIG.12 is a block diagram showingwireless battery charg-
`ing ofa wireless headset/headphone apparatus wherea coil of
`a transducerin the headset/headphoneapparatusis 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/headphoneapparatus are also used
`as energy collection elements.
`FIG.14 is a block diagram showingwireless battery charg-
`ing of an electronic device with additional data communica-
`tion capabilities.
`FIG.15 is a block diagram showingwireless 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 andhasa rigid connector used for power and data
`communication.
`
`20
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`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-
`phonesor 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 headphonesfor audiolis-
`tening. Because the headphones/headsets are wireless, they
`are required to provide their own powersource, typically a
`battery (wired headphones/headsets are powered by the base
`system). Many use rechargeable batteries and require a
`methodfor recharging the batteries.
`Priorart battery charging methods are described below:
`In FIG.1, representing prior art, the power source 1 pro-
`vides input via a conductive means6 to a power adapter 5. The
`poweradapter 5 provides powerto the wireless headphone/
`headset 4 via a conductive means, typically a powercable 3.
`The cable is connected to the wireless headphone/headsetvia
`a mating connectorpair 7, 8. The power source 1 can be an AC
`line source. The power adapter 5 would convert the AC line
`source to DC.
`
`In FIG.2, representing priorart, 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 connectorpair 13,
`14. The power source 10 can be the regulated DC output of a
`powered Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket.
`FIG.3, representing priorart, describes the battery charg-
`ing mechanism ofa wireless headset/headphone 25. Poweris
`providedto the wireless headset/headphone25 via a conduc-
`tive means,typically a powercable 30. The cable is connected
`to the wireless headphone/headset 25 via a mating connector
`pair 31, 32. Poweris input to a battery charging circuit 26
`which managesthe charging of the battery 27. Poweris 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 24in the case of a headset.
`FIG.4, representing prior art, describes a wireless battery
`charging mechanism. The powersource 40 provides input via
`a conductive means 41 to a power adapter 42. The power
`adapter 42 provides powerto the electronic device 44 via
`wireless means, typically inductive coupling 43.
`As improvements of technology becomeavailable,there is
`an opportunity for further reduction of size and weight of
`wireless headphones/headsets. Wired methodsof recharging
`batteries in wireless headphones/headsets add size by way of
`the necessity of connectors and increasethe risk of failure via
`failure of mechanical components caused by fatigue and cor-
`
`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 showingwireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated video player.
`FIG.22 is a block diagram showingwireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated music/audio player.
`FIG.23 is a block diagram showingwireless battery charg-
`ing of a headset/headphone apparatus where a power adapter
`has an integrated cellular phone.
`FIG.24 is a block diagram showingwireless 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, maximizereliability, and improve end
`user experience.
`The inventionrelates 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 andits requirements. Various modificationsto 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
`intendedto be limited to the embodiments shownbutis 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 poweradapter 201 provides
`powerto 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery in a wireless head-
`phone apparatus 226. The power source 220 provides power
`to a poweradapter 221. An inverter circuit 222 provides AC
`powerto 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery in a wireless head-
`set apparatus 256. The power source 240 provides powerto a
`poweradapter 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 245is transferredvia the battery charging circuit
`247to 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 signalto the transducer 230 and interfaces with
`the microphone251.
`FIG. 8 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 304. The input powersource 300 is
`DCvoltage. By way of a non-limiting example, the DC volt-
`age is provided by Universal Serial Bus terminals. The input
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`powersource 300 provides power to the poweradapter 302.
`Energyis 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 324. The input powersource 320 is
`an AC line voltage. The input power source 320 provides
`powerto 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 ofbattery
`404. The energystored in the battery 404 is used to powerthe
`headphone/headsetcircuit 405, which provides a drive signal
`to the transducer 406 and interface with the microphone 407.
`By wayof 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 powerthe 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 shownin FIG.11 and described above, the coil of the
`speakerofthe wireless headphone/headset apparatus 450 has
`a dualrole. 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
`poweradapter). 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 465is transferred via the battery
`charging circuit 462 to the battery 463. The coupled power
`from the coil 465is rectified via rectifier 464, which converts
`the AC voltage from the coil 465 to DC voltage. Therectified
`voltage is filtered using an energy storage capacitor 469. The
`battery charging circuit 462 manages charging ofthe 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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`US 7,548,040 B2
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`6
`can be used to upgrade software, provide control signals,
`transfer data files, provide battery charging status, provide
`meansof association between variouselectronic devices, and
`provide diagnostic data.
`FIG. 15 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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-
`phone/headset apparatus 527 and other electronic devices
`520. There is a data communication channel 523 between the
`poweradapter 524 andother 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 meansof association between various electronic
`devices, and provide diagnostic data.
`FIG. 16 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 poweris provided via connec-
`tor 602.
`
`FIG. 17 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 poweris provided via con-
`nector 612.
`
`FIG. 18 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 poweris 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 RFsignal 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/headsetcircuit 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 andto
`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-
`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 asa relay device), or a mechanical switch select-
`able by a user. Preferably, the switch 470 can sense whenthe
`headphone/headset apparatus 460 is near the poweradapter,
`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 poweradapter. 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 hasa single speaker. FIG. 12 is
`an exampleofthe use of a headphone/headset apparatus with
`one speaker. To provide both left and right audio (including
`stereo), two such headset apparatuses would be used—one
`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
`speakeranda right speaker. In such a situation, the coil from
`one or both speakers can provide the dual role of causing its
`speakerto produce sound andto collect inductive energy. For
`example, FIG. 13 showsa 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 poweradapter 504. There is a wireless data
`communication channel 508 between the electronic device
`507 and other electronic devices 500. There is a data commu-
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`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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 andeffective battery charging.
`FIG. 20 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 poweris 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery in a wireless head-
`phone/headset apparatus 710, 711. Power adapter 712 pro-
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`US 7,548,040 B2
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`7
`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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 poweris provided via con-
`nector 733. The poweradapter 732 has an embeddedcellular
`phone 734 as it has embeddedcontrol, display, and memory
`elements.
`
`FIG. 24 describes, by way of a non-limiting example, a
`methodfor wirelessly charging thebattery 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 manyof 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, butare not limited to, cellular phones, portable DVD
`players, MP3 players, and portable computing devices, in
`addition to headphone/headset apparatuses.
`Tt is intended that the foregoing detailed description be
`understoodas an illustration of selected forms that the inven-
`tion can take and not asa definition of the invention.It is only
`the following claims,
`including all equivalents,
`that are
`intendedto define the scope of this invention.
`Whatis 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 andto 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,
`whereinthe 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 MP3player, 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 theelectronic device is near
`a power adapter and automatically isolate