INDUCTIVE CHARGING INCLUDING USE OF AFTER-MARKET ACCESSORIES
A system and method for inductive charging including use of after-market accessories. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a receiver coil or receiver associated with a mobile device, and provided as a separable or after-market accessory for use with the mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more charger coils, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments, the receiver can be a component of or attached to a shell, case, or other cover of the mobile device, provided as an after-market accessory that replaces an original shell, case, or cover, or connected to a power input jack of the mobile device and/or to battery connectors within the mobile device.
1 . A system for inductive charging including use of after-market accessories, comprising:
a receiver coil or receiver associated with a mobile device, and provided as a separable or after-market accessory for use with the mobile device; and
wherein, when the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more charger coils, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is a component of, or is attached to a shell, case, or other cover of the mobile device, provided as an after-market accessory that replaces an original shell, case, or cover of the mobile device.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is connected to a power input jack of the mobile device and/or to battery connectors within the mobile device.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the base unit and mobile device communicate with each other prior to and/or during charging or powering to verify the authenticity, power requirements and/or other characteristics of the mobile device or a battery therein and/or verify or handshake the presence of the mobile device proximate the base unit.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is integrated into a mobile device case or battery door which includes a mobile device connector that mates with a corresponding power connector of the mobile device, to provide power and/or data to the mobile device.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is integrated into a mobile device case or battery door which connect with a power input jack of the mobile device and include a pass-through that allows for connection of a wired power and/or data cable.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is incorporated into a rechargeable battery for use with the mobile device.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the base unit is integrated within an automobile.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the base unit is integrated within an automobile, and wherein the base unit includes one or more components for providing context-aware connectivity and/or other capabilities with a mobile device including, upon charging or powering the mobile device, configuring various aspects of the automobile environment.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is an automobile.
11 . A method of inductive charging including use of after-market accessories, comprising the steps of:
providing a receiver coil or receiver associated with a mobile device, and provided as a separable or after-market accessory for use with the mobile device; and
wherein, when the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more charger coils, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is a component of, or is attached to a shell, case, or other cover of the mobile device, provided as an after-market accessory that replaces an original shell, case, or cover of the mobile device.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is connected to a power input jack of the mobile device and/or to battery connectors within the mobile device.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the base unit and mobile device communicate with each other prior to and/or during charging or powering to verify the authenticity, power requirements and/or other characteristics of the mobile device or a battery therein and/or verify or handshake the presence of the mobile device proximate the base unit.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is integrated into a mobile device case or battery door which includes a mobile device connector that mates with a corresponding power connector of the mobile device, to provide power and/or data to the mobile device.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is integrated into a mobile device case or battery door which connect with a power input jack of the mobile device and include a pass-through that allows for connection of a wired power and/or data cable.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the receiver coil or receiver is incorporated into a rechargeable battery for use with the mobile device.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the base unit is integrated within an automobile.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the base unit is integrated within an automobile, and wherein the base unit includes one or more components for providing context-aware connectivity and/or other capabilities with a mobile device including, upon charging or powering the mobile device, configuring various aspects of the automobile environment.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the mobile device is an automobile.