1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIIII IIII 11111111
`US 20100203831Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`MUTH
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0203831 Al
`Aug. 12, 2010
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) HEADSET CHARGE VIA SHORT-RANGE RF
`COMMUNICATION
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`James Michael MUTH, Santa Ana,
`CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.
`L.C.
`1100 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
`WASHINGTON, DC 20005 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Broadcom Corporation, Irvine,
`CA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/367,234
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.6,2009
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04B 7100
`(2006.01)
`H04M 1100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................................... 455/41.2; 455/569.1
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`Embodiments of the present invention enable energy transfer
`via short-range RF communication between a main device
`and an associated device, thereby allowing the main device to
`energy charge the associated device. Accordingly, the need
`for a separate charger for the associated device can be elimi(cid:173)
`nated. Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for
`applications in which the main device and the associated
`device operate in close proximity to each other. Further,
`embodiments of the present invention are suitable for appli(cid:173)
`cations in which the associated device is more energy-con(cid:173)
`strained than the main device. According to embodiments,
`energy transfer applications can be supported using near field
`communication (NFC). In an embodiment, energy transfer
`via NFC is enabled between a Bluetooth enabled cellular
`phone and a Bluetooth headset. In another embodiment,
`energy transfer via NFC is enabled between a Bluetooth
`enabled digital camera and a Bluetooth enabled digital frame.
`
`402
`
`404
`
`Bluetooth Enabled Cellular Phone
`
`Bluetooth Headset
`
`408
`
`Bluetooth
`Transceiver
`
`Bluetooth
`Communication
`
`412
`
`Bluetooth
`Transceiver
`
`NFC Communication
`
`414
`
`416
`
`418
`
`NFC Tag
`
`RF to DC
`Converter
`
`Storage
`battery
`
`Battery
`
`406
`
`NFC Tag
`Reader
`
`410
`
`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 1 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 12, 2010 Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 2010/0203831 Al
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`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 2 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 12, 2010 Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 2010/0203831 Al
`
`Transmit an activation signal to a RF tag
`of an associated device
`
`202
`
`1----------- -----------n
`j V 204
`Establish pairing with the associated
`1
`device
`:
`1
`----------- -----------'
`
`Transmit a control signal to the RF tag of
`the associated device to indicate start of
`an energy charging session
`
`Receive an acknowledgment signal from
`the RF tag of the associated device in
`response to the control signal
`
`Determine RF transmit power level
`
`Transmit RF energy at the determined RF
`transmit power level to the RF tag of the
`associated device
`
`206
`
`208
`
`210
`
`212
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`?
`
`Stop RF energy transmission to the
`RF tag of the associated device
`
`216
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 3 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 12, 2010 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 2010/0203831 Al
`
`Receive an activation signal from a RF tag
`reader of a main device
`
`302
`
`r----------- ----------~(\;
`304
`: Establish pairing with the main device
`'
`I
`I
`----------- -----------'
`
`306
`
`308
`
`310
`
`312
`
`314
`
`Receive a control signal from the RF tag
`reader of the main device indicating start
`of an energy charging session
`
`Transmit an acknowledgment signal to the
`RF tag reader of the main device in
`response to the control signal
`
`Receive RF energy from the RF tag reader
`of the main device
`
`Convert the received RF energy to a DC
`signal
`
`Provide the DC signal to an associated
`storage battery to charge said storage
`battery
`
`No
`
`316
`
`Yes
`
`Stop
`
`318
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 4 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 12, 2010 Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 2010/0203831 Al
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`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 5 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2010/0203831 Al
`
`Aug. 12, 2010
`
`1
`
`HEADSET CHARGE VIA SHORT-RANGE RF
`COMMUNICATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`1. Field of the Invention
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to energy
`transfer applications via short-range radio frequency (RF)
`communication technology.
`[0003] 2. Background Art
`[0004] A host of communication applications involve inter(cid:173)
`action between a main device and an associated device. An
`example includes Bluetooth communication between a Blue(cid:173)
`tooth enabled cellular phone and a Bluetooth headset.
`[0005] Today, a separate charger/power supply is used for
`each of the main device and the associated device. In mobile
`applications, the user is thus burdened by having to carry
`along multiple chargers in order to ensure that the main device
`and the associated device are adequately charged. In addition,
`having numerous chargers clutters a user's space.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] The present invention relates generally to energy
`transfer applications via short-range RF communication tech(cid:173)
`nology.
`[0007] Embodiments of the present invention enable
`energy transfer via short-range RF communication between a
`main device and an associated device, thereby allowing the
`main device to energy charge the associated device. This
`allows the associated device charger to be supplemented or
`completely eliminated.
`[0008] Embodiments of the present invention are suitable
`for applications in which the main device and the associated
`device operate in close proximity to each other. Further,
`embodiments of the present invention are suitable for appli(cid:173)
`cations in which the associated device is more energy-con(cid:173)
`strained than the main device.
`[0009] According to embodiments, energy transfer appli(cid:173)
`cations can be supported using near field communication
`(NFC). In an embodiment, energy transfer via NFC is enabled
`between a Bluetooth enabled cellular phone and a Bluetooth
`headset.
`[0010] Further embodiments, features, and advantages of
`the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of
`the various embodiments of the present invention, are
`described in detail below with reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DRAWINGS/FIGURES
`
`[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the
`present invention and, together with the description, further
`serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable
`a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the
`invention.
`[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an example
`system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`[0013] FIG. 2 is a process flowchart of a method of energy
`charging an associated device by a main device via a short(cid:173)
`range RF communication technology according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`[0014] FIG. 3 is a process flowchart of a method of energy
`charging an associated device by a main device via a short-
`
`range RF communication technology according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an example
`system application according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`[0016] The present invention will be described with refer(cid:173)
`ence to the accompanying drawings. Generally, the drawing
`in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the
`leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
`EMBODIMENT(S)
`
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an example
`system 100 according to an embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion. Example system 100 includes a main device 102 and an
`associated device 104. In an embodiment, the relationship
`between main device 102 and associated device 104 is such
`that associated device 104 provides an add-on or complemen(cid:173)
`tary feature to main device 102. In another embodiment, main
`device 102 and associated device 104 operate in close prox(cid:173)
`imity to each other such that short-range RF communication
`can be sustained between the two. Further, generally, associ(cid:173)
`ated device 104 runs on a smaller energy supply than main
`device 102 and/or is more energy-constrained than main
`device 102.
`[0018] According to an embodiment, main device 102 and
`associated device 104 are both Bluetooth enabled. Main
`device 102 may be any Bluetooth enabled device, including a
`mobile device such as a cellular phone, for example. Associ(cid:173)
`ated device 102 may be any Bluetooth enabled object oper(cid:173)
`able to communicate via Bluetooth with main device 102.
`Main device 102 and associated device 104 may communi(cid:173)
`cate any type of data, including text, audio, and video. In an
`embodiment, main device 102 includes a Bluetooth enabled
`cellular phone, and associated device 104 includes a Blue(cid:173)
`tooth headset.
`[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, main device 102 includes a
`processor 106, a battery 108, and a RF tag reader 110. Battery
`108 provides energy to power processor 106 and RF tag
`reader 110. Processor 106 and RF tag reader 110 communi(cid:173)
`cate by means of an interface. In an embodiment, processor
`106 controls RF tag reader 110.
`[0020] Associated device 104 includes a RF tag 112, a RF
`to DC converter 114, and storage battery 116. RF tag 112 is
`coupled to RF to DC converter 114, which is coupled to
`storage battery 116. Generally, RF tag 112 includes an inte(cid:173)
`grated circuit for storing information, and an antenna for
`transmitting and receiving RF signals according to a short(cid:173)
`range RF communication technology. In other implementa(cid:173)
`tions, the antenna may be separate from RF tag 112.
`In an embodiment, RF tag reader 110 of main device
`[0021]
`102 and RF tag 112 ofassociated device 104 are configured to
`communicate with each other via a short-range RF commu(cid:173)
`nication technology (e.g., NFC). In an embodiment, RF tag
`reader 110 reads an identification code from RF tag 112,
`which identifies associated device 104 to main device 102.
`Further, RF tag reader 110 and RF tag 112 may be used to
`establish a pairing between main device 102 and associated
`device 104. In an embodiment, pairing main device 102 and
`associated device 104 includes performing an authentication
`process via RF tag reader 110 and RF 112, which allows for
`subsequent trusted data communication between main device
`102 and associated device 104. In an embodiment, pairing via
`RF tag reader 110 and RF tag 112 includes placing RF tag
`
`Ex.1009
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`

`

`US 2010/0203831 Al
`
`Aug. 12, 2010
`
`2
`
`reader 110 in contact with or in close proximity of RF tag 112
`so that the pairing process can take place.
`[0022]
`In addition, according to an embodiment, RF tag
`reader 110 and RF tag 112 may be used to enable energy
`charging and/or powering of associated device 104 by main
`device 102. For example, upon successful pairing between
`main device 102 and associated device 104, RF tag reader 110
`and RF tag 112 may be used to transfer energy from main
`device 102 to associated device 104. The transferred energy
`can be used to power associated device 104 and/or to energy
`charge storage battery 116 of associated device 104.
`[0023] Accordingly, in an embodiment, RF tag reader 110
`transmits RF energy to RF tag 112, which directs the received
`RF energy to a RF to DC converter 114. RF to DC converter
`114 converts the received RF energy to a DC signal and
`provides the generated DC signal to storage battery 116 to
`charge storage battery 116. Alternatively, or additionally, the
`generated DC signal is used to power circuitry within asso(cid:173)
`ciated device 104.
`[0024] FIG. 2 is a process flowchart 200 of a method of
`energy charging an associated device by a main device via a
`short-range RF communication technology according to an
`embodiment of the present invention. Process 200 is gener(cid:173)
`ally performed at the main device. For example, process 200
`may be performed at a cellular phone to energy charge an
`associated Bluetooth headset.
`[0025] Process 200 begins in step 202, which includes
`transmitting an activation signal to a RF tag of an associated
`device. The activation signal causes an inductive current to be
`generated at the RF tag, activating the RF tag. In an embodi(cid:173)
`ment, step 202 is performed by a RF tag reader of the main
`device. In an embodiment, step 202 includes transmitting an
`activation signal from a NFC reader of a cellular phone to a
`NFC tag of a Bluetooth headset.
`[0026] Optionally, in step 204, process 200 includes estab(cid:173)
`lishing pairing with the associated device. In an embodiment,
`step 204 is performed when pairing has not been established
`previously with the associated device. In an embodiment, step
`204 includes establishing Bluetooth pairing with a Bluetooth
`headset via NFC communication with the NFC tag of the
`Bluetooth headset.
`In step 206, process 200 includes transmitting a
`[0027]
`control signal to the RF tag of the associated device to indi(cid:173)
`cate the start of an energy charging session. Then, step 208
`includes receiving an acknowledgment signal from the RF tag
`of the associated device in response to the control signal. In an
`embodiment, steps 206 and 208 are performed by the RF tag
`reader of the main device.
`[0028] Subsequently, in step 210, process 200 includes
`determining a RF transmit power level of the RF tag reader. In
`an embodiment, the RF transmit power level of the RF tag
`reader depends on (a) the energy level of the battery of the
`main device; and/or (b) whether the main device is connected
`to an AC power source.
`[0029] Then, in steps 212 and 214, process 200 includes
`transmitting energy to the associated device until the energy
`charging session is terminated. In particular, step 212
`includes transmitting RF energy at the determined RF trans(cid:173)
`mit power level to the RF tag of the associated device. In an
`embodiment, step 212 is performed by the RF tag reader of
`the main device via a short-range RF communication tech(cid:173)
`nology. For example, step 212 can be performed by a NFC
`reader of a cellular phone via NFC. In an embodiment, pro(cid:173)
`cess 200 further includes, during the energy charging session,
`
`increasing optionally the determined RF transmit power level
`when the main device becomes connected to an AC power
`source.
`[0030] When the energy charging session is terminated at
`step 214, process 200 proceeds to step 216, which includes
`stopping RF energy transmission to the RF tag of the associ(cid:173)
`ated device. In an embodiment, terminating an energy charg(cid:173)
`ing session includes receiving a control signal by the RF tag
`reader; and terminating RF energy transmission from the RF
`tag reader to the RF tag of the associated device in response to
`the received control signal. According to embodiments, the
`control signal may be due to one or more of an energy charg(cid:173)
`ing termination signal received by the RF tag reader from the
`RF tag of the associated device (when the storage battery of
`the associated device is fully charged, for example); a user
`command by a user of the main device; loss of communica(cid:173)
`tion with the RF tag of the associated device; the battery level
`of the main device dropping below a determined threshold;
`and disconnecting the main device from an AC power source.
`[0031] FIG. 3 is a process flowchart 300 of a method of
`energy charging an associated device by a main device via a
`short-range RF communication technology according to an
`embodiment of the present invention. Process 300 is gener(cid:173)
`ally performed at the associated device. For example, process
`300 may be performed at a Bluetooth headset being charged
`by a Bluetooth enabled cellular phone.
`[0032] Process 300 begins in step 302, which includes
`receiving an activation signal at a RF tag of the associated
`device from a RF tag reader of the main device.
`[0033] Optionally, in step 304, process 300 includes estab(cid:173)
`lishing pairing with the main device. In an embodiment, step
`304 is performed when pairing has not been established pre(cid:173)
`viously with the main device. In an embodiment, step 304
`includes establishing Bluetooth pairing with a Bluetooth
`enabled cellular phone via NFC communication with a NFC
`reader of the cellular phone.
`[0034]
`In step 306, process 300 includes receiving a control
`signal from the RF tag reader of the main device indicating
`the start of an energy charging session. Then, step 308
`includes transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the RF tag
`reader of the main device in response to the control signal. In
`an embodiment, steps 306 and 308 are performed by the RF
`tag of the associated device.
`[0035] Subsequently, in steps 310 through 316, process 300
`includes receiving energy from the RF tag reader of the main
`device and using the received energy to power the associated
`device and/or to charge a storage battery of the associated
`device, until the energy charging session is terminated.
`[0036]
`In particular, in step 310, process 300 includes
`receiving RF energy from the RF tag reader of the main
`device. In an embodiment, step 310 is performed by the RF
`tag of the associated device. Then, in step 312, process 300
`includes converting the received RF energy to a DC signal. In
`an embodiment, step 312 is performed by a RF to DC con(cid:173)
`verter, which may be integrated within or separate from the
`RF tag of the associated device. Then, in step 314, process
`300 includes providing the generated DC signal to the storage
`battery of the associated device to charge said storage battery.
`Alternatively, or additionally, process 300 includes using the
`generated DC signal to power circuitry within the associated
`device.
`[0037] When the energy charging session is terminated at
`step 316, process 300 proceeds to step 318, which includes
`ending process 300. According to embodiments of the present
`
`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 7 of 9
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`US 2010/0203831 Al
`
`Aug. 12, 2010
`
`3
`
`invention, an energy charging session may be terminated by
`the main device, the associated device, or due to other rea(cid:173)
`sons. When the energy charging session is sought to be ter(cid:173)
`minated by the associated device, process 300 may further
`include transmitting an energy charging termination signal
`from the RF tag of the associated device to the RF tag reader
`of the main device. In an embodiment, an energy charging
`termination signal is transmitted when the storage battery of
`the associated is fully charged.
`[0038] FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an example
`system application 400 according to an embodiment of the
`present invention. Example system application 400 involves a
`Bluetooth enabled cellular phone 402 and a Bluetooth head(cid:173)
`set 404. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art
`based on the teachings herein, embodiments of the present
`invention can be used to enable a multitude of system appli(cid:173)
`cations in addition to the example applications described
`herein.
`[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, cellular phone 402 includes a
`battery 406, a Bluetooth transceiver 408, and a NFC reader
`410. Bluetooth headset 404 includes a Bluetooth transceiver
`412, a NFC tag 414, a RF to DC converter 416, and a storage
`battery 418. In an embodiment, RF to DC converter 416 is
`integrated within NFC tag 414.
`[0040] Bluetooth transceivers 408 and 412 enable Blue(cid:173)
`tooth communication between cellular phone 402 and Blue(cid:173)
`tooth headset 404. In an embodiment, Bluetooth communi(cid:173)
`cation allows cellular phone 402 to direct incoming voice to
`Bluetooth headset 404 and to receive outgoing voice from
`Bluetooth headset 404.
`[0041] NFCreader410 and NFC tag 414 enable NFC com(cid:173)
`munication between cellular phone 402 and Bluetooth head(cid:173)
`set 404. In an embodiment, NFC tag 414 is configured to
`identify Bluetooth headset 404 to cellular phone 402 via NFC
`reader 410. In another embodiment, NFC reader 410 and
`NFC tag 414 are configured to Bluetooth pair cellular phone
`402 and Bluetooth headset 404, thus allowing for subsequent
`trusted Bluetooth communication between the two.
`[0042]
`In an embodiment, following successful Bluetooth
`pairing via NFC of cellular phone 402 and Bluetooth headset
`404, cellular phone 402 may be used to power Bluetooth
`headset 404 and/or energy charge storage battery 418 ofB!ue(cid:173)
`tooth headset 404. Accordingly, in an embodiment, NFC
`reader 410 and NFC tag 414 are configured to transfer energy
`via NFC from cellular phone 402 to Bluetooth headset 404.
`The transferred energy is received by NFC tag 414, converted
`from RF energy to a DC signal by RF to DC converter 416,
`and then used to energy charge storage battery 418 and/or to
`power circuitry within Bluetooth headset 404.
`[0043]
`In an embodiment, an energy charging session via
`NFC between cellular phone 402 and Bluetooth headset 404
`includes communicating control signals to indicate the start
`and end of the energy charging session. Accordingly, in an
`embodiment, NFC tag 414 is configured to receive an energy
`charging start signal from NFC reader 410 and to transmit an
`acknowledgment signal in response to the energy charging
`signal to NFC reader 410. In another embodiment, NFC tag
`414 is further configured to transmit an energy charging ter(cid:173)
`mination signal to NFC reader 410 when storage battery 418
`of Bluetooth headset 404 is fully charged.
`[0044]
`It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description
`section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is
`intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and
`Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exem-
`
`plary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated
`by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the
`present invention and the appended claims in any way.
`[0045] The present invention has been described above
`with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the
`implementation of specified functions and relationships
`thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks
`have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the
`description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as
`the specified functions and relationships thereof are appro(cid:173)
`priately performed.
`[0046] The foregoing description of the specific embodi(cid:173)
`ments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention
`that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the
`art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such
`specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, with(cid:173)
`out departing from the general concept of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are
`intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of
`the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guid(cid:173)
`ance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phrase(cid:173)
`ology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description
`and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseol(cid:173)
`ogy of the present specification is to be interpreted by the
`skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
`[0047] The breadth and scope of the present invention
`should not be limited by any of the above-described exem(cid:173)
`plary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance
`with the following claims and their equivalents.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of energy charging a Bluetooth headset via a
`short-range RF communication technology, comprising:
`receiving radio frequency (RF) energy at a RF tag of the
`Bluetooth headset from a RF tag reader of a cellular
`phone;
`converting the received RF energy to a DC signal; and
`providing the DC signal to a storage battery of the Blue(cid:173)
`tooth headset.
`2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`receiving an activation signal at the RF tag of the Bluetooth
`headset from the RF tag reader of the cellular phone.
`3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`establishing Bluetooth pairing with the cellular phone via
`the short-range communication technology with the RF
`tag reader of the cellular phone.
`4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`receiving an energy charging start signal at the RF tag of
`the Bluetooth headset from the RF tag reader of the
`cellular phone; and
`transmitting an acknowledgment signal in response to the
`energy charging start signal from the RF tag of the
`Bluetooth headset to the RF tag reader of the cellular
`phone.
`5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`transmitting an energy charging termination signal from
`the RF tag of the Bluetooth headset to the RF tag reader
`of the cellular phone when the storage battery is fully
`charged.
`6. A method of energy charging a Bluetooth headset via a
`short-range communication technology, comprising:
`transmitting an energy charging start signal from a RF tag
`reader of a cellular phone to a RF tag of the Bluetooth
`headset;
`
`Ex.1009
`APPLE INC. / Page 8 of 9
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`

`

`US 2010/0203831 Al
`
`Aug. 12, 2010
`
`4
`
`determining a radio frequency (RF) transmit power level of
`the RF tag reader of the cellular phone; and
`transmitting RF energy at the determined RF transmit
`power level from the RF tag reader of the cellular phone
`to the RF tag of the Bluetooth headset.
`7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
`transmitting an activation signal from the RF tag reader of
`the cellular phone to the RF tag of the Bluetoothheadset.
`8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
`receiving an acknowledgment signal in response to the
`energy charging start signal at the RF tag reader of the
`cellular phone from the RF tag of the Bluetooth headset.
`9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
`establishing pairing with the Bluetooth headset via the
`short-range communication technology with the RF tag
`of the Bluetooth headset.
`10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
`receiving a control signal; and
`terminating RF energy transmission from the RF tag reader
`of the cellular phone to the RF tag of the Bluetooth
`headset in response to the received control signal.
`11. The method of claim 10, wherein the control signal is
`due to an energy charging termination signal received by the
`RF tag reader of the cellular phone from the RF tag of the
`Bluetooth headset.
`12. The method of claim 10, wherein the control signal is
`due to a user command by a user of the cellular phone.
`13. The method of claim 10, wherein the control signal is
`due to a loss of short-range communication with the RF tag of
`the Bluetooth headset.
`14. The method of claim 10, wherein the control signal is
`due to a battery level of the cellular phone dropping below a
`determined threshold.
`15. The method of claim 10, wherein the control signal is
`due to disconnecting the cellular phone from an AC power
`source.
`16. The method of claim 6, wherein the RF transmit power
`level of the RF tag reader is determined based on one more of
`(a) an energy level of a battery of the cellular phone; and (b)
`whether or not the cellular phone is connected to an AC power
`source.
`
`17. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
`increasing the determined RF transmit power level when
`the cellular phone becomes connected to an AC power
`source.
`18. A Bluetooth headset, comprising:
`a Bluetooth transceiver configured to communicate via
`Bluetooth with a respective Bluetooth transceiver of a
`cellular phone;
`a RF tag configured to receive radio frequency (RF) energy
`from a RF tag reader; and
`a RF to DC converter configured to convert the received RF
`energy into a DC signal and to provide the DC signal to
`a storage battery of the Bluetooth headset, thereby
`energy charging the storage battery.
`19. The Bluetooth headset of claim 18, wherein the RF tag
`is further configured to identify the Bluetooth headset to the
`RF tag reader.
`20. The Bluetooth headset of claim 18, wherein the RF tag
`is further configured to Bluetooth pair the Bluetooth headset
`with the cellular phone.
`21. The Bluetooth headset of claim 18, wherein the RF tag
`is further configured to receive an energy charging start signal
`from the RF tag reader and to transmit an acknowledgment
`signal in response to the energy charging signal to the RF tag
`reader.
`22. The Bluetooth headset of claim 18, wherein the RF tag
`is further configured to transmit an energy charging termina(cid:173)
`tion signal to the RF tag reader when the storage battery of the
`Bluetooth headset is fully charged.
`23. The Bluetooth headset of claim 18, wherein the RF to
`DC converter is integrated within the RF tag.
`24. The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range RF
`communication technology is near field communication
`(NFC), and wherein the RF tag includes a NFC tag and the RF
`tag reader includes a NFC reader.
`25. The method of claim 6, wherein the short-range RF
`communication technology is near field communication
`(NFC), and wherein the RF tag includes a NFC tag and the RF
`tag reader includes a NFC reader.
`26. The Bluetooth headset of claim 18, wherein the RF tag
`includes a near field communication (NFC) tag, and wherein
`the RF tag reader includes a NFC reader.
`
`* * * * *
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`Ex.1009
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