Wireless charging dock with auto-positioning

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9401621-B2
Application number	US-201414213698-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2014
Priority date	Mar 14, 2014
Publication date	Jul 26, 2016
Grant date	Jul 26, 2016

Abstract

A wireless charging system may auto-position an electronic device for charging. A docking station may include a transmission source providing wireless charging to the electronic device when the device is moved into charging range by motion elements configured to move the electronic device along one or more docking surfaces of the docking station. In some embodiments, position sensors may detect the presence and location of the electronic device. A control unit may operate the motion elements to move the electronic device toward the charging area.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A docking station for charging up an electronic device, comprising:
a position sensor configured to detect a position of the electronic device;
a charger configured to wirelessly charge the electronic device when the electronic device is positioned within a charging range of the charger;
a motion element responsive to the sensor, the motion element configured to move the electronic device towards the charging range of the charger, upon an activating indication, the activating indication triggered in response to a determination that movement of the electronic device is needed based on the detected position of the electronic device;
wherein the position sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor;
wherein the motion element is configured to move the electronic device in response to a trigger signal received from the first sensor or the second sensor; and
wherein the motion element is configured to stop moving the electronic device in response to a trigger signal received simultaneously from the first sensor and the second sensor.

2. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a charging area, wherein the motion element is responsive to move the electronic device into the charging area.

3. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the motion element is in the electronic device.

4. The docking station of claim 3 , wherein the motion element is configured to vibrate.

5. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the motion element is coupled to a docking surface of the docking station.

6. The docking station of claim 5 , wherein the motion element includes:
a first vibration motor configured to move the electronic device in a first direction; and
a second vibration motor configured to move the electronic device in a second direction.

7. The docking station of claim 6 , wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

8. The docking station of claim 6 , wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

9. A charging system, comprising:
an electronic device;
a motion element; and
a docking station, having:
a transmission source configured to emit a charging signal to the electronic device when the electronic device is within a charging area of the transmission source;
a position sensor;
a control unit;
wherein the position sensor is configured to detect a position of the electronic device and relay to the control unit an indication associated with the detected position,
wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether movement of the electronic device is needed based on the indication associated with the detected position,
wherein the control unit is configured to activate the motion element upon determining that movement of the electronic device is needed, the motion element capable of moving the electronic device towards the charging area of the transmission source upon activation; and
two docking surfaces arranged to provide a ridge between the two docking surfaces, wherein the ridge is configured to hold the electronic device and the control unit is configured to move the electronic device along the ridge.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the control unit controls a vibration motor of the motion element coupled to the electronic device or to the docking station.

Assignees

• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Amano Masayuki
• Tsukamoto Yasumichi
• Nakamura Yoshio

Classifications

• H02J50/10

  using inductive coupling · CPC title

• H02J7/731

  specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02J7/025 Primary

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H02J7/0044

  Electricity · mapped topic

• Y02B40/90

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic