Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/580,616, filed December 23, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to techniques for wireless charging. Specifically, this disclosure relates to wireless power receiving coil formed in a loop of a device.

Background Art

[0003] A basic wireless charging system may include a wireless power transmitter unit (PTU) and a wireless power receiving unit (PRU). For example, a PTU may include a transmit (Tx) coil, and a PRU may include receive (Rx) coil. Magnetic resonance wireless charging may employ a magnetic coupling between the Tx coil and the Rx coil. As wearable computing devices become increasingly popular, wireless charging systems may be implemented as charging systems for wearable devices as opposed to, or even in addition to, traditional wired charging systems. However, in many cases, wearable computing devices vary in shape and size making it challenging to find a flat surface to embed a wireless power Rx coil.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Fig. 1 is block diagram of a PTU to provide power to a PRU having an Rx coil embedded in a loop of a device;

[0005] Fig. 2 is an illustration of perspective view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil;

[0006] Fig. 3 is an illustration of a perspective view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a break point; [0007] Fig. 4 is an illustration of a perspective view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a flexible portion;

[0008] Fig. 5 is an illustration of a side view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a foldable portion;

[0009] Fig. 6 is an illustration of a front view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil;

[0010] Fig. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a connectable portion to close the loop; and

[0011] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a device for wireless charging.

[0012] The same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and the figures to reference like components and features. Numbers in the 100 series refer to features originally found in Fig. 1 ; numbers in the 200 series refer to features originally found in Fig. 2; and so on.

Description of the Aspects

[0013] The present disclosure relates generally to techniques for embedding a wireless power receiving (Rx) coil within a computing device having a looped shape. For example, a wearable computing device may include a bracelet having various sensors. In this scenario, the wireless power Rx coil is embedded in the loop wherein each turn of the Rx coil follows the entire length of the loop. More specifically, a first turn will follow the entire length of the loop and connect to a second turn following the entire length of the loop, and so on. The techniques described herein may improve efficiency of wireless charging as the wireless Rx coil may be relatively larger than if the wireless Rx coil did not follow the entire length of the loop.

[0014] In some cases, the techniques discussed herein may be implemented using a wireless charging standard protocol, such as the specification provided by Alliance For Wireless Power (A4WP) version 1 .2.1 , May 07, 2014. A wireless power Rx coil may be a component in a power receiving unit (PRU), while a wireless power Tx coil may be a component in a power transmitting unit (PTU), as discussed in more detail below.

[0015] Fig. 1 is block diagram of a PTU to provide power to a PRU having an Rx coil embedded in a loop of a device. A PTU 102 may couple to a PRU 104 via magnetic inductive coupling between resonators 106, 108, as indicated by the arrow 1 10. The resonator 106 may be referred to herein as a Tx coil 1 06 of the PTU 102. The resonator 108 may be referred to herein as a Rx coil 108 of the PRU 104.

[0016] As discussed above, the Rx coil 108, as well as other components of discussed below, may be embedded in a device having a loop, as indicated at 1 12. The device 1 12 may be a wearable device, such as a smart watch, smart bracelet, smart necklace, smart glasses, and the like. Different implementations of the device 1 12 are discussed below in regard to Figs. 2-7. As illustrated and discussed in more detail below, the loop of the device 1 12 may be a result of a shape of the device 1 12. In some cases, such as in wearable computing glasses, the loop may be formed as a result of connecting ends of stems of the glasses. In any case, the device 1 12 includes a Rx coil 108 embedded within the loop such that each turn of the Rx coil 108 may follow an entire length of the loop.

[0017] The PRU 104 may include a controller 1 14 configured to detect current received at the Rx coil 108 resulting from an inductive coupling between the Tx coil 106 and the Rx coil 108. In some cases, the controller 1 14 may be configured to initiate a wireless data broadcast indicating a resonant frequency of the Rx coil 108. As discussed in more detail below, a length of the loop of the device 1 12 may be variable due to flexible portions of the loop, removable portions of the loop, foldable portions of the loop, and the like. As the length of the loop changes, the resonant frequency associated with the Rx coil 1 08 may also change. Therefore, the PRU 104 may include wireless data transmission component to broadcast a data signal indicating a resonance frequency of the Rx coil 108 based, in part, on the variable length.

[0018] The wireless data transmission component may be Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module 1 16 in some cases. In some cases, the wireless data transmission component may be integrated as operations of the controller 1 14 and a load modulation circuit 1 1 8, wherein the data transmission may be indicated by patterns in the load modulation.

[0019] Further, load modulation may be implemented via a direct current to direct current (DC2DC) converter 1 20 of the PRU 104. The DC2DC converter 120 is an electronic circuit configured to convert a direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another after receiving the voltage from a matching network rectifier 122. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the DC2DC converter 120 provides a DC output to a battery 124, or another current/power consuming component. The DC2DC converter 120 may convert DC received as a result of the inductive coupling of the Tx coil 106 and the Rx coil 108. In order to perform modulation, the controller 1 14 may direct the

DC2DC converter 120 to vary the conversion such that a load is modulated and detectable by the PTU 102. In other examples, the controller 1 14 may turn the DC2DC converter 128 on and off, resulting in a load modulation detectable at the PTU 102. In this example, by turning off the DC2DC converter 120, the modulated load is achieved by a lower load than the normal load observed when the DC2DC converter is running normally. Other examples of a wireless broadcast, such as a load achieved by activating a shunt resistor, are contemplated by the techniques described herein. In any case, the varying resonance frequency of the Rx coil 108 due to the varying length of the loop of the device 1 12 may be compensated for at the PTU 1 02 after the wireless data broadcast signal is received at the PTU 102.

[0020] The PTU 102 may include a BLE module 1 26 configured to

communicate with the BLE module 1 16. The PTU 102 may also include a current sensor 128, a controller 130, a power amplifier 132, a DC2DC converter 134, an oscillator 1 36, and a matching network 138. The inductive coupling 1 1 0 may cause an initial load change detected by the current sensor 128 of the PTU 102. The current sensor 128 may be an ampere meter, a volt meter, or any other meter configured to sense load variations occurring due to inductive coupling between the PTU 102 and another object, such as the PRU 104. The current sensor 1 28 may provide an indication of load change to a controller 130 of the PTU 102. The controller 130 may power on the power amplifier 132 configured to receive direct current (DC) from the DC2DC converter 134, and to amplify and oscillate the current. An oscillator 136 may oscillate the power provided at a given frequency and a matching network 138 may be used to match the amplified oscillation provided to the resonator 106 of the PTU 102.

[0021] The block diagram of Fig. 1 is not intended to indicate that the device 1 10 is to include all of the components shown in Fig. 1 . Further, the device 1 10 or may include any number of additional components not shown in Fig. 1 , depending on the details of the specific implementation, as long the device 1 10 may be formed in a loop having the Rx coil 108 embedded along the length of the loop, as described in more detail below.

[0022] Fig. 2 is an illustration of perspective view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil. In this example, the device 1 12 of Fig. 1 is a wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200 having an Rx coil, such as the Rx coil 108 of the PRU 104 of Fig. 1 . The Rx coil 108 may be connected to an integrated circuit 202. The integrated circuit 202 may include one or more of the components in a PRU, such as the PRU 1 04 of Fig. 1 . As illustrated in Fig. 2, each turn of the Rx coil 108 extends along the entire length of a loop of the wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200. For example, a first turn of the Rx coil 1 06 indicated at 204 follows the length the loop of the wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200, and connects to a second turn of the Rx coil 108 indicated at 206. Other examples of the device 1 12 of Fig. 1 may be

implemented.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an illustration of a perspective view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a break point. In this example, the wirelessly chargeable bracelet, generally indicated at 200, may include a detachable section 302. As illustrated in a close up view 304, the detachable portion 302 may include detachable connectors 306 that may be received at receivers 308. In some cases, the receivers 308 may be holes defined in a cross section of the wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200. In some cases, the detachable connectors 306 may be implemented as magnetic conductive components wherein the detachable connectors 306 magnetically attach to the receivers 308. In any case, when the detachable connectors 306 are received at the receivers 308, a circuit associated with the Rx coil 1 08 is completed, and wireless power may be received from a PTU, such as the PTU of Fig. 1 . This implementation may enable the wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200 to be removed from an arm of a user for example by opening the detachable portion.

[0024] Fig. 4 is an illustration of a perspective view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a flexible portion. As discussed above in regard to Fig. 1 , the device 1 1 2 may have a loop that is composed of at least a portion of flexible material. In this scenario, the wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200 may include the Rx coil 108 having a flexible portion 402. As illustrated in the close up view 404 of the flexible portion 402 of the Rx coil 108, turns of the Rx coil 108 may be formed in a zigzag. Other formations of the flexible portion 402 may be implemented such as circular formation, a coiled formation, and the like. This implementation may enable the wirelessly chargeable bracelet 200 to be removed from an arm of a user for example by stretching the flexible portion 402.

[0025] Fig. 5 is an illustration of a side view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a foldable portion. In this example, the device 1 12 of Fig. 1 is a wirelessly chargeable smart watch 500 having an Rx coil, such as the Rx coil 108 of the PRU 1 04 of Fig. 1 . A loop of the wirelessly chargeable smart watch 500 may include a foldable portion, generally indicated by the dashed box 502. In this example, the Rx coil 108 may be foldable at the foldable portion 502. This implementation may enable the wirelessly chargeable smart watch 500 to be removed an arm of a user, for example, by unfolding the foldable portion 502.

Further, as indicated at 504, a band of the wirelessly chargeable smart watch 500 may include removable sections. In this scenario, removable sections 504 may be connectable by detachable connectors and receivers, such as the detachable connectors 306 and receivers 308 of Fig. 3. In some cases, the wirelessly chargeable smart watch 500 may be formed of a non-magnetic material such that the material will not interfere with wireless charging of the Rx coil 108.

[0026] Fig. 6 is an illustration of a front view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil. In this example, the device 1 12 of Fig. 1 is a wirelessly chargeable necklace 602 having an Rx coil, such as the Rx coil 108 of the PRU 104 of Fig. 1 . The Rx coil 108 may be connected to an integrated circuit 604. The integrated circuit 604 may include one or more of the components in a PRU, such as the PRU 104 of Fig. 1 . As illustrated in the close up view 606, each turn of the Rx coil 1 08 may extend along the entire length of a loop of the wirelessly chargeable necklace 602. Although not illustrated in Fig. 6, similar to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the wirelessly chargeable necklace 602 may include one or removable sections, or detachable connectors between beads 608 of the wirelessly chargeable necklace 602. This implementation may enable the wirelessly chargeable necklace 602 to be removed a neck of a user, for example, by detaching the detachable connectors.

[0027] Fig. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view and a close up view of a device having an embedded wireless Rx coil and a connectable portion to close the loop. While examples of the device 1 1 2 of Fig. 1 may be configured to be worn in a loop, the device 1 12 may also include devices that may be formed into a loop for wireless charging, as illustrated with a wirelessly chargeable smart glass 702 of Fig. 7. In this example, the device 1 12 of Fig. 1 is the wirelessly chargeable smart glass 702 having an Rx coil, such as the Rx coil 108 of the PRU 1 04 of Fig. 1 . The Rx coil 108 may be connected to an integrated circuit 702. The integrated circuit 702 may include one or more of the components in a PRU, such as the PRU 104 of Fig. 1 .

[0028] The loop may be formed by connecting stems 704 and 706 together, as indicated by the circle 708. As illustrated in the close up view 710, each turn of the Rx coil 1 08 may extend along the entire length of a loop of the wirelessly chargeable smart glass 702. The stems 704 and 706 may include detachable connectors and receivers, such as the detachable connectors 306 and receivers 308 of Fig. 3, as indicated by the dashed circle 712.

[0029] The implementations of the device 1 1 2 of Fig. 1 described herein may provide possibilities to increase efficiency of wireless charging. By integrating the Rx coil 108 as a part of a loop in the device 1 1 2 structure, a larger inductive area is formed, than if the Rx coil 1 08 was placed on a surface without each turn following the entire length of the loop. The larger area may enable a larger magnetic flux to be couple to the Rx coil 108 when placed on a charging coil, such as the PTU 102 of Fig. 1 . Further, magnetic flux further away, or at an increased "Z" height from the PTU 102 may be coupled to the Rx coil 108, and some stray fields associated with the PTU 1 02 may be coupled to the Rx coil 108.

[0030] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a device for wireless charging. The method 800 may include forming a device having a loop at block 802. As discussed above in regard to Fig. 8, the device need not be formed in a loop necessarily, but may be formed to have a loop in certain dispositions. At block 804, a wireless power receiving coil disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the wireless power receiving coil follows the entire length of the loop.

[0031] In some cases, the method may include embedding a wireless data transmission component to broadcast a data signal. As discussed above in regard to Fig. 1 , the wireless data transmission component may be a BLE module, or may be implemented with load modulation via various components of a PRU, such as the PRU 104 of Fig. 1 .

[0032] In some cases, the length of the loop may be formed to be variable. The broadcast data signal includes data indicating a resonance frequency of the wireless power receiving unit based, in part, on the variable length of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0033] In some cases, forming the device includes at least a portion of expandable material. In this case, the forming the wireless power receiving coil includes forming an expandable portion embedded within the portion of the expandable material of the device.

[0034] In some cases, forming the device includes forming a detachable portion. In this scenario, forming the wireless power receiving coil includes forming a detachable portion embedded within the detachable portion of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0035] In some cases, forming the device comprises forming a foldable portion. In this scenario, forming the wireless power receiving coil comprises forming a foldable portion embedded within the foldable portion of the device.

[0036] In some cases, the method 800 further includes forming detachable connectors to unloop the device. In this scenario, the detachable connectors comprise conductive connectors that when attached to each other close an electrical circuit of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0037] Further, in some cases, the method 800 includes any combination of the cases discussed above. For example, the device and coil may be formed with expandable portions, foldable portions, detachable connectors and receivers, or any combination thereof.

[0038] Not all components, features, structures, characteristics, etc. described and illustrated herein need be included in a particular aspect or aspects. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, for example, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to "a" or "an" element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0039] Example 1 includes an apparatus for wireless charging. The apparatus includes a device formed in a loop, and a wireless power receiving coil disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the wireless power receiving coil follows the entire length of the loop.

[0040] Example 1 may include any combination of the cases and situations described below. In some cases, the apparatus includes a wireless data

transmission component to broadcast a data signal. A length of the loop is variable based on characteristics of the device. The broadcast data signal may include data indicating a resonance frequency of the wireless power receiving coil based, in part, on the variable length of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0041] In some cases, the device includes at least a portion of expandable material. The wireless power receiving coil may include an expandable portion embedded within the portion of the expandable material of the device.

[0042] In some cases, the device includes a detachable portion. The wireless power receiving coil may include a detachable portion embedded within the detachable portion of the wireless power receiving coil. [0043] In some cases, the device includes a foldable portion. The wireless power receiving coil may include a foldable portion embedded within the foldable portion of the device.

[0044] In some cases, the apparatus may include detachable connectors to unloop the device. The detachable connectors comprise conductive connectors that when attached to each other close an electrical circuit of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0045] Example 2 includes a method of forming a device for wireless charging. The method may include forming a device having a loop, and embedding a wireless power receiving coil disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the wireless power receiving coil follows the entire length of the loop.

[0046] Example 2 may include any combination of the cases and situations described below. In some cases, the method includes embedding a wireless data transmission component within the device to broadcast a data signal. A length of the loop may be variable based on characteristics of the device. The broadcast data signal may include data indicating a resonance frequency of the wireless power receiving unit based, in part, on the variable length of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0047] In some cases, forming the device includes forming at least a portion of expandable material. Forming the wireless power receiving coil may include forming an expandable portion embedded within the portion of the expandable material of the device.

[0048] In some cases, forming the device includes forming a detachable portion. Forming the wireless power receiving coil comprises forming a detachable portion embedded within the detachable portion of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0049] In some cases, forming the device includes forming a foldable portion. Forming the wireless power receiving coil comprises forming a foldable portion embedded within the foldable portion of the device.

[0050] In some cases, the method may include forming detachable connectors to unloop the device. The detachable connectors comprise conductive connectors that when attached to each other close an electrical circuit of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0051] Example 3 includes an system for wireless charging. The system includes a wearable computing device formed in a loop, and a wireless power receiving coil disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the wireless power receiving coil follows the entire length of the loop.

[0052] Example 3 may include any combination of the cases and situations described below. In some cases, the system includes a wireless data transmission component to broadcast a data signal. A length of the loop is variable based on characteristics of the wearable computing device. The broadcast data signal may include data indicating a resonance frequency of the wireless power receiving coil based, in part, on the variable length of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0053] In some cases, the wearable computing device includes at least a portion of expandable material. The wireless power receiving coil may include an expandable portion embedded within the portion of the expandable material of the wearable computing device.

[0054] In some cases, the wearable computing device includes a detachable portion. The wireless power receiving coil may include a detachable portion embedded within the detachable portion of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0055] In some cases, the wearable computing device includes a foldable portion. The wireless power receiving coil may include a foldable portion embedded within the foldable portion of the wearable computing device.

[0056] In some cases, the system may include detachable connectors to unloop the wearable computing device. The detachable connectors comprise conductive connectors that when attached to each other close an electrical circuit of the wireless power receiving coil.

[0057] Example 4 includes an apparatus for wireless charging. The apparatus includes a device formed in a loop, and a means for wireless power receiving disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the means for wireless power receiving follows the entire length of the loop. [0058] Example 4 may include any combination of the cases and situations described below. In some cases, the apparatus includes a wireless data

transmission component to broadcast a data signal. A length of the loop is variable based on characteristics of the device. The broadcast data signal may include data indicating a resonance frequency of the means for wireless power receiving based, in part, on the variable length of the means for wireless power receiving.

[0059] In some cases, the device includes at least a portion of expandable material. The means for wireless power receiving may include an expandable portion embedded within the portion of the expandable material of the device.

[0060] In some cases, the device includes a detachable portion. The means for wireless power receiving may include a detachable portion embedded within the detachable portion of the means for wireless power receiving.

[0061] In some cases, the device includes a foldable portion. The means for wireless power receiving may include a foldable portion embedded within the foldable portion of the device.

[0062] In some cases, the apparatus may include detachable connectors to unloop the device. The detachable connectors comprise conductive connectors that when attached to each other close an electrical circuit of the means for wireless power receiving.

[0063] Example 5 includes a method of forming a device for wireless charging. The method may include forming a device having a loop, and embedding a means for wireless power receiving disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the means for wireless power receiving follows the entire length of the loop.

[0064] Example 5 may include any combination of the cases and situations described below. In some cases, the method includes embedding a wireless data transmission component within the device to broadcast a data signal. A length of the loop may be variable based on characteristics of the device. The broadcast data signal may include data indicating a resonance frequency of the wireless power receiving unit based, in part, on the variable length of the means for wireless power receiving. [0065] In some cases, forming the device includes forming at least a portion of expandable material. Forming the means for wireless power receiving may include forming an expandable portion embedded within the portion of the expandable material of the device.

[0066] In some cases, forming the device includes forming a detachable portion. Forming the means for wireless power receiving comprises forming a detachable portion embedded within the detachable portion of the means for wireless power receiving.

[0067] In some cases, forming the device includes forming a foldable portion. Forming the means for wireless power receiving comprises forming a foldable portion embedded within the foldable portion of the device.

[0068] In some cases, the method may include forming detachable connectors to unloop the device. The detachable connectors comprise conductive connectors that when attached to each other close an electrical circuit of the means for wireless power receiving.

[0069] It is to be noted that, although some aspects have been described in reference to particular implementations, other implementations are possible according to some aspects. Additionally, the arrangement and/or order of circuit elements or other features illustrated in the drawings and/or described herein need not be arranged in the particular way illustrated and described. Many other arrangements are possible according to some aspects.

[0070] In each system shown in a figure, the elements in some cases may each have a same reference number or a different reference number to suggest that the elements represented could be different and/or similar. However, an element may be flexible enough to have different implementations and work with some or all of the systems shown or described herein. The various elements shown in the figures may be the same or different. Which one is referred to as a first element and which is called a second element is arbitrary.

[0071] It is to be understood that specifics in the aforementioned examples may be used anywhere in one or more aspects. For instance, all optional features of the computing device described above may also be implemented with respect to either of the methods or the computer-readable medium described herein.

Furthermore, although flow diagrams and/or state diagrams may have been used herein to describe aspects, the techniques are not limited to those diagrams or to corresponding descriptions herein. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described herein.

[0072] The present techniques are not restricted to the particular details listed herein. Indeed, those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that many other variations from the foregoing description and drawings may be made within the scope of the present techniques. Accordingly, it is the following claims including any amendments thereto that define the scope of the present techniques.