Method and apparatus for improved wireless charging efficiency
View Patent ↗A method, apparatus and computer program product for wireless charging are provided. An indicator displayed on a wireless device may assist a user in placing the device in a more efficient position on a wireless charger. The indicator may comprise an image, and moving the device such that the image aligns with an image on a wireless charger places the device is in a more efficient charging position. Other types of indicators may be displayed to assist a user in moving a device to a more efficient position on the wireless charger.
1. A method comprising:
receiving an indication of a first position of a device on a wireless charger;
while the device is in the first position, determining, by a processor, a more efficient position of the device on the wireless charger for charging the device on the wireless charger relative to the first position; and
while the device is in the first position, providing an indicator of the more efficient position.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position comprises a first image provided on the device replicating a second image on the wireless charger such that the device is in the more efficient position in an instance in which the first image is aligned with the second image.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position comprises a partial image in an instance in which the device is offset from the more efficient position and a complete image in an instance in which the device is in the more efficient position.
4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an image to be used as the indicator of the more efficient position.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position indicates rotating the device.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position indicates moving the device.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein determining a more efficient position comprises retrieving stored position information.
8. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
receive an indication of a first position of a device on a wireless charger;
while the device is in the first position, determine a more efficient position of the device on the wireless charger for charging the device on the wireless charger relative to the first position; and
while the device is in the first position, provide an indicator of the more efficient position.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position comprises a first image provided on the device replicating a second image on the wireless charger such that the device is in the more efficient position in an instance in which the first image is aligned with the second image.
10. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position comprises a partial image in an instance in which the device is offset from the more efficient position and a complete image in an instance in which the device is in the more efficient position.
11. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:
receive an image to be used as the indicator of the more efficient position.
12. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position indicates rotating the device.
13. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position indicates moving the device.
14. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein determining a more efficient position comprises retrieving stored position information.
15. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to:
receive an indication of a first position of a device on a wireless charger;
while the device is in the first position, determine a more efficient position of the device on the wireless charger for charging the device on the wireless charger relative to the first position; and
while the device is in the first position, provide an indicator of the more efficient position.
16. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position comprises a first image provided on the device replicating a second image on the wireless charger such that the device is in the more efficient position in an instance in which the first image is aligned with the second image.
17. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position comprises a partial image in an instance in which the device is offset from the more efficient position and a complete image in an instance in which the device is in the more efficient position.
18. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions to:
receive an image to be used as the indicator of the more efficient position.
19. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position indicates rotating the device.
20. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the indicator of the more efficient position indicates moving the device.
21. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein determining a more efficient position comprises retrieving stored position information.