Ultrasonic charging apparatus, system and method
A charging apparatus ( 102 ), system ( 100 ) and method ( 500 ) are provided for charging and/or powering a wearable electronic device, such as electronic eyeglasses. The charging apparatus comprises an acoustic horn, a piezoelectric transducer, and charger circuitry for converting ultrasonic waves received at the horn into a charging signal. The charging signal is used for charging and/or powering the wearable electronic device while the device is being worn.
1. A method of charging a wearable electronic device, comprising:
receiving ultrasonic wave transmissions at an acoustic horn, the acoustic horn being electrically and mechanically coupled to the wearable electronic device;
generating a concentrated ultrasonic wave signal within the acoustic horn;
directing the concentrated ultrasonic wave signal to a piezoelectric transducer and an AC-DC converter located within the acoustic horn to convert the concentrated ultrasonic wave signal into a charging signal;
charging a battery coupled to the wearable electronic device via the charging signal while the wearable electronic device is being worn; and
powering the wearable electronic device with the charged battery.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to receiving the ultrasonic wave transmissions:
transmitting ultrasonic waves from a remote ultrasonic transmitter.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the remote ultrasonic transmitter is located in one of: a vehicle, a lamp, a table and a chair.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising one or more of:
adjusting positioning of the acoustic horn for alignment with the remote ultrasonic transmitter; and
adjusting positioning of the remote ultrasonic transmitter for alignment with the acoustic horn.
5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
adjusting a frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic waves generated by the remote ultrasonic transmitter via a feedback link of the receive transducer.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic horn is integrated into the electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic horn is attachable to and detachable from the electronic device.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
attaching the acoustic horn to the electronic device prior to charging.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
wearing the electronic device while the battery of the electronic device is being charged.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic wave transmissions are received at a larger input opening of the acoustic horn, and the piezoelectric transducer and AC-DC converter are located at an output end of the acoustic horn.