BACKGROUND

[0001] Consumers' use of mobile devices has become ubiquitous.

Rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries or nickel-cadmium batteries) power many of these mobile devices. Mobile devices that rely on rechargeable batteries include mobile phones, smart watches, headphones, earphones, laptop computers, biometric tracking devices, and various other devices. Developers and manufacturers of many mobile devices continually strive to increase the battery life of the

rechargeable batteries included in such devices to increase the usability of such devices and overall consumer satisfaction. However, rechargeable mobile devices inevitably must be connected to a power source to replenish their batteries. Accordingly, creating more efficient and user-friendly charging systems continues to present ongoing design and technical challenges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The foregoing embodiments and many of the attendant advantages will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0003] FIG. 1 A is an exterior perspective view of a charging device, according to some embodiments.

[0004] FIG. IB is a profile view of a side of the charging device depicted in FIG. 1 A while the charging device is resting on the surface of an object, according to some embodiments.

[0005] FIG. 1C is an exterior view of the top side of the charging device depicted in FIGS. 1 A-1B, according to some embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the charging device depicted in

FIGS. 1A-1C, according to some embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional, side view of the charging system depicted in FIGS. 1 A-2A, according to some embodiments. [0008] FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating a charging system that includes the charging device depicted in FIGS. 1 A-2B and a rechargeable device coupled to the charging device, according to some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a system block diagram illustrating the charging system depicted in FIG. 3, according to some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the charging device and the rechargeable device depicted in FIG. 4 while the charging device and the rechargeable device are coupled together in a first coupling configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the charging device and the rechargeable device depicted in FIG. 5 A while the charging device and the rechargeable device are coupled together in a second coupling configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 6A is an exterior perspective view showing a top side of a charging device having an alternative design, according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 6B is an exterior view of the top side of the charging device depicted in FIG. 8A, according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 7A is an exterior side view of the charging device depicted in FIGS. 6A-6B while the charging device is coupled to first and second rechargeable devices in a first coupling configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 7B is an exterior top view of the charging device depicted in FIGS. 6A-7A while the charging device is coupled to first and second rechargeable devices in a second coupling configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 7C is an exterior front view of the charging device depicted in FIGS. 6A-7B while the charging device is coupled to first and second rechargeable devices in a second coupling configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a system diagram illustrating a charging system that includes the charging device depicted in FIGS. 6A-7C and rechargeable devices coupled to the charging device, according to some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a system block diagram illustrating the charging system illustrated in FIG. 8, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In overview, aspects of the present disclosure include charging systems featuring improved designs that enable the charging systems to engage rechargeable devices securely and to charge the rechargeable batteries included in these rechargeable devices effectively. In some embodiments, a charging system may include a charging device shaped to couple securely to a separate rechargeable device housing a rechargeable battery (sometimes referred to herein as a "rechargeable device"). In such embodiments, the charging device may include a top surface having a concave shape suitable for engaging with a corresponding convex surface of the rechargeable device. The charging device may also include a charging connector positioned at or near a point of inflection of the top surface. The rechargeable device may include a charging connector positioned on the convex surface. Due to the complementary shapes of the top surface of the charging device and the surface of the rechargeable device, when the charging connector of the rechargeable device is coupled to the charging connector of the charging device, the convex surface of the rechargeable device may engage the concave top surface of the charging device, thereby causing the rechargeable device to remain stably positioned on top of the charging device while the charging device is providing power from a power source to the rechargeable device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the charging device may include a male charging connector that protrudes from the top surface of the charging device. The male charging connector may include one or more electrical contacts suitable for providing an electrical charge and/or electronic data to a corresponding female charging connector included in the rechargeable device. The male charging connector may be configured to mate with the female charging connector of the rechargeable device such that the respective electrical contacts of the charging connectors are coupled electrically when the charging connectors are mated. In some alternative embodiments, the charging device may instead include a female charging connector that is included in a recess in the top surface of the charging device. In such embodiments, the rechargeable device may include a male charging connector that protrudes from the convex surface of the rechargeable device. When the male charging connector of the rechargeable device is coupled to the female charging connector of the charging device, the convex surface of the rechargeable device may lay substantially flush against the concave surface of the charging device.

[0021] In some additional (or alternative) embodiments, the charging system may include a first charging device and a second charging device. The first charging device may be configured to couple to and provide power to a first rechargeable device, and the second charging device may similarly be configured to couple to and provide power to a second rechargeable device. The first charging device may be electronically coupled to the second charging device and to a power source (e.g., a wall outlet, a host device that provides power from an internal power source or from an external power source, or the like). The first charging device may receive power from the power source (for ease of description, sometimes referred to herein as "charging power") and may provide at least a first portion of the charging power to the first rechargeable device. In some embodiments, the first charging device may be configured to provide a second portion of the charging power to the second charging device. The second charging device may, in such embodiments, relay the second portion of the charging power to the second rechargeable device.

[0022] In some additional (or alternative) embodiments, the charging system may include a charging device configured to be couplable to a first rechargeable device and a second rechargeable device. The charging device may include two charging interfaces that can be coupled to a reciprocal charging interface of the first chargeable device and/or the second chargeable device. The charging device may be electronically coupled to a power source (e.g., a wall outlet, a host device that provides power from an internal power source or from an external power source, or the like). The charging interface of the charging device may, when coupled to the first rechargeable device and/or the second rechargeable device, provide charging power from the power source to the first rechargeable device and/or the second charging device. In some

embodiments, the top surface of the charging device may be configured to receive a surface of the first rechargeable device and a surface of the second rechargeable device in order to facilitate coupling of the coupling device with the first and/or second rechargeable device. The top surface of the charging device may be, at least substantially, symmetrical about a first axis and a second axis. In such embodiments, the first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may both be coupled to the charging device in one of two configurations when the first and second rechargeable devices are positioned relative to one another such that an interior side of the rechargeable devices are in proximity.

[0023] In some embodiments, a first charging device may determine an amount of the charging power received from the power source and may allocate the charging power between the first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device. By way of a non-limiting example, the first charging device may determine that the power source is providing two amperes of power and may provide a first allocation of the two amperes of power (e.g., 1.5 amperes) to the first rechargeable device via a charging connector included on the first charging device. In this example, the first charging device may provide a second allocation of the two amperes of power (e.g., 0.5 amperes) to the second charging device, which may in turn provide the second allocation of the two amperes of power to the second rechargeable device via a charging connector included in the second charging device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first charging device may determine how to allocate the charging power between the first and second rechargeable devices based at least in part on power information received from the first and second rechargeable devices. The first charging device may be configured to receive first power information directly from the first rechargeable device and to receive second power information indirectly from the second rechargeable device via the second charging device. Power information of a rechargeable device may include, for example, a battery charge level (e.g., 75% battery charged) and/or information related to how much power the rechargeable device is configured to receive (e.g., no more than one ampere). Based on the respective power information received from the first and second rechargeable devices, the first charging device may reference a set of rules (e.g., via a look-up table), a model, or another data structure indicating power management strategies to determine how to allocate the charging power. In some embodiments, the first charging device may utilize the first and second power information to compare the power levels of the first and second rechargeable devices against one or more power thresholds. In such embodiments, the first charging device may allocate the charging power based at least in part on the respective differences between the power levels of the first and second rechargeable devices and the one or more power thresholds. By way of a non-limiting example, the first charging device may determine that the power level of the first rechargeable device is below a 50% power threshold and that the power level of the second rechargeable device is above the 50% power threshold. In this example, the first charging device may provide 75% of power received from the power source to the first rechargeable device and 25% of the received power to the second rechargeable device.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first charging device may continually receive updated power information from the first and second rechargeable devices and may adjust the allocations of the power received from the power source that are provided to the first and second rechargeable devices. Continuing with the above example, the first charging device may receive first updated power information from the first charging device indicating that the power level of the first charging device is above the 50% power threshold. The first charging device may also receive second updated power information from the second charging device indicating that the second charging device is also above the 50% power threshold. In response, the first charging device may provide 50% of the power received from the power source to the first rechargeable device (e.g., a first modified allocation) and may provide the other 50% of the power received from the power source to the second rechargeable device (e.g., a second modified allocation). According to such embodiments, the first charging device may dynamically/adaptively change the amount of power provided to the first and/or second rechargeable devices based on continually updated power information received from such rechargeable devices.

[0026] As the first rechargeable device receives the first allocation of charging power, the first rechargeable device may have additional power that may be utilized to charge the first rechargeable device's battery while powering (directly or indirectly) one or more features of the first rechargeable device. By way of a non-limiting example, a first set of features of the rechargeable device may include or relate to one or more operations, components, functions, settings, operational states, or the like that are available on the first rechargeable device. Thus, in some embodiments, in response to receiving a first allocation of charging power from the charging system, the first rechargeable device may determine whether to modify a first set of features of the first rechargeable device based at least in part on the amount of the first allocation of charging power being receiving on the first rechargeable device. The first rechargeable device may additionally (or alternatively) determine whether to modify the first set of features based on any one or more of the amount of power currently available on the first rechargeable device, the amount of the first allocation of charging power, or at least one feature of the first set of features. In some embodiments, the first charging device may modify the first set of features by activating a deactivated feature (e.g., activating a deactivated cellular radio), deactivating an active feature (e.g., deactivating an active wireless communication radio), causing a feature to transition from a low- power state to a high-power state or vice versa (e.g., causing a processing unit to transition from a low-power "sleep" mode to a high-power "awake" mode), or changing a characteristic of a feature (e.g., dimming the brightness of a screen or reducing the sensitivity of a touch pad). In a non-limiting example, the first rechargeable device may determine that a wireless-communication-radio feature (e.g., a first feature) is active on the first rechargeable device. The first rechargeable device may utilize information regarding the first feature (e.g., an amount of power required to operate the first feature), the amount of power currently available to the first rechargeable device, and the amount of the first allocation of charging power received from charging system to determine that the wireless-communication-radio is active. In this example, the amount of power currently available may be below a minimum performance threshold (e.g., there may be less than ten percent battery power left), and as a result, the first rechargeable device may cause its battery to recharge more quickly by deactivating the wireless communication radio, which may otherwise be drawing power from the first rechargeable device's battery and thus slowing the battery's recharge rate.

Accordingly, the first rechargeable device may modify the first feature of the first set of features by deactivating the wireless communication radio. In some embodiments, the first rechargeable device may store or otherwise have access to a set of rules (e.g., implemented as a look-up table), a model, or another data structure that the first rechargeable device may utilize to identify zero or more modifications to make to the first set of features. [0027] In some embodiments, the first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may be configured to operate collectively. For example, the first rechargeable device may be a host device and the second rechargeable device may be a peripheral or accessory device controlled by the first rechargeable device. In another example, the first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may be peer devices that operate together. In some embodiments, while the first rechargeable device and a second rechargeable device are each electronically coupled to a charging system, the first rechargeable device may request from the second rechargeable device information regarding a second allocation of charging power that the second

rechargeable device is receiving, a second set of features available on the second rechargeable device, an amount of power available on the second rechargeable device, and the like. In response to receiving this information, the first rechargeable device may determine whether to modify the first set of features of the first rechargeable device and/or the second set of features of the second rechargeable device.

Specifically, the first rechargeable device may determine whether the amount of charging power received on the first rechargeable device and/or the second

rechargeable device motivates or requires modifying the features of one or both rechargeable devices, and if applicable, the first rechargeable device may modify (directly or indirectly) the first and/or second set of features. In a non-limiting example, the first rechargeable device may determine that the second rechargeable device is receiving a relatively small amount of charging power from the charging system. In response, the first rechargeable device may cause the second rechargeable device to deactivate a speaker system to reduce the amount of power that is used on the second rechargeable device, thereby increasing the rate at which the second rechargeable device's battery is recharged despite receiving only a relatively small amount of charging power. In some embodiments, the first rechargeable device may continually request updated information from the second rechargeable device and may continually determine whether to modify the first and/or second sets of features based at least in part on the updated information. In a continuation of the above example, after a period of time, the first rechargeable device may determine that the second rechargeable device is receiving the same relatively small amount of charging power but that the second rechargeable device's available power exceeds a 75% threshold. In response, the first rechargeable device may cause the second rechargeable device to reactivate the second rechargeable device's speaker system.

[0028] As described, the charging system may obtain power information from each of the first and second rechargeable devices and, in response, may provide a first allocation of charging power to the first rechargeable device and a second allocation of the charging power to the second rechargeable device. In some embodiments, the first rechargeable device may determine the amount of the first allocation of charging power. The first rechargeable device may also determine the amount of the second allocation of charging power, for example, by requesting such information from the second rechargeable device. Based at least in part on the amounts of the first and second allocations of the charging power, the first rechargeable device may determine a first artificial power information associated with the first rechargeable device.

Additionally (or alternatively), the first rechargeable device may similarly determine second artificial power information associated with the second rechargeable device. In some embodiments, the artificial power information may indicate an artificial power level and/or some other information regarding the amount of power that is available on a rechargeable device. By way of a non-limiting example, the first rechargeable device may determine that the first and section allocations of charging power provided to the first and second rechargeable devices, respectively, are not suitable based on the features active on the first and/or second rechargeable devices. In this example, the first rechargeable device may have active features that are using twice as much power as the active features of the second rechargeable device, but the charging system may be providing each of the first and second rechargeable devices with 50% of the charging power. Accordingly, continuing with this example, the first rechargeable device may generate first and second artificial power information indicating that the first rechargeable device has a first artificial amount of available power and the second rechargeable has a second artificial amount of available power, wherein the first artificial amount of power is less than the second artificial amount of power. The first rechargeable device may cause the first and second artificial power information to be provided to the charging device (e.g., by providing the first artificial information directly to the charging system and providing the second artificial information indirectly to the charging system indirection via the second rechargeable device). In some embodiments, in response to receiving the first and/or second artificial power information, the charging system may determine a modified amount of power provided to the first and/or second rechargeable devices, respectively, based at least in part on the first and/or second artificial power information. In the above example, by providing the first artificial power information to the charging system, the first rechargeable device may cause the charging system to provide the first rechargeable device with more power that may be needed or useful in powering the first rechargeable device's active features.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may each include at least one speaker. The first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may be selectively coupled to each other via one or more coupling devices (e.g., interlocking components, magnets, or the like). In some embodiments, while the first rechargeable device is coupled to the first rechargeable device, the first rechargeable device may also be coupled to the first charging device, and the second electronic may also be coupled to the second charging device. In this configuration, each of the first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may generate sound suitable for group listening while receiving a charging power from the first and second charging devices, respectively.

[0030] Various embodiments may refer to a "first rechargeable device" and a "second rechargeable device." However, any reference to a rechargeable device as a "first" device or a "second" device is merely for ease of description and, unless set forth in any claim, is not intended to limit a rechargeable device as being a "first" or

"second" device. For example, in various embodiments, the first rechargeable device (or one or more components included therein) may be described as performing one or more first operations, and a second rechargeable device (or one or more components included therein) may be described as performing one or more other second operations. However, unless set forth in any claim, a first rechargeable device and the second rechargeable device may perform the same or similar operations. [0031] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims.

[0032] FIGS. 1 A-1C illustrate different exterior views of a charging

system 100, according to some embodiments. FIG. 1 A illustrates an exterior perspective view of the charging system 100. FIG. IB illustrates a profile view of the charging system 100. FIG. 1C illustrates an exterior view of a top side of the charging system 100. With reference to FIGS. 1 A-1C, in some embodiments, the charging system 100 may include a charging device 102 and an electrical cord 106 coupled to the charging device 102. The charging device 102 may include a first body portion 114 and a second body portion 116. In some embodiments, the first body portion 114 may be positioned proximate to a top portion 112 of the charging device 102, and the second body portion 116 may be positioned distal from the top portion 112. The first body portion 114 and the second body portion 116 may be configured to form, collectively, an opening 118 at one end of the charging device 102 through which a first end of the electrical cord 106 enters and couples to an interior portion of the charging device 102 (e.g., as illustrated in and further described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B). The electrical cord 106 may pass through a strain relief 110 that may protrude from the opening 118. In some embodiments, a second end of the electrical cord 106 (not shown) may be coupled to a power and/or data connector (e.g., as illustrated in and further described with reference to FIG. 3).

[0033] With reference to the example illustrated in FIG. 1 A, the charging device 102 may include a charging connector 104. The charging connector 104 may include a protruding portion 120 that extends in a direction away from the top portion 112 of the charging device 102. The protruding portion 120 may terminate at a charging surface 122. In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1 A), one or more openings may be formed in the charging surface 122, and the one or more openings may be configured to enable one or more electrical contacts 124 originating from the interior of the charging device 102 (not shown) to protrude from the charging surface 122. The one or more electrical contacts 124 may be at least partially exposed and configured to couple electrically to one or more corresponding electrical contacts included in a separate electrical device (e.g., as illustrated in and described further with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B).

[0034] With reference to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 A-1B, the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 of the charging device 102 may be configured to have, at least substantially, a concave shape. In some embodiments, portions of the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 of the charging device 102 proximate to a first end of the charging device 102 (indicted by reference 126) and a second end of the charging device 102 (indicated by reference 128) may extend in a direction away from the charging device 102 to a greater extent than the extent to which portions of the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 nearer to the center of the charging device 102 extend away from the charging device 102. As a result, the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 of the charging device 102 may form a curved shape (e.g., as illustrated by the bowl-like shape of the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 in the example depicted in FIG. IB). In some embodiments, the charging

connection 104 may be positioned proximate to a minimum point of the curve formed by the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 of the charging device 102 so that the charging connection 104 protrudes away from the "bottom" of the curve formed by the first body portion 114 and the top portion 112 of the charging device 102.

[0035] With reference to FIG. IB, the second body portion 116 of the charging device 102 may be configured to include a surface that is at least substantially flat. In some embodiments, the charging device 102 may be positioned on an object 150 (e.g., a table, desk, floor, or the like), and the flat surface of the second body portion 116 of the charging device 102 may enable the charging device 102 to rest on the object 150 so that the charging connector 104 faces away from the object 150. Accordingly, while the charging device 102 is positioned on the object 150 and the charging connector 104 is oriented away from the object, the charging connector 104 may be readily available to couple with a corresponding charging connector on a separate rechargeable device. Further, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in and further described with reference to FIG. 3), the flat surface of the second body portion 116 of the charging device 102 may support and maintain the position of both the charging device 102 and the separate rechargeable device. As such, by way of an example, the charging device 102 may function as a "dock" on which a user may place and retrieve a rechargeable device in order to charge the rechargeable device.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 1C, the charging device 102 may be configured to have a generally elongated shape. For example, the charging device 102 may be configured such that a size of a first dimension of the charging device 102 (e.g., a length of the charging device 102 along a first axis indicated by dotted referential line 130) is smaller than a size of a second dimension of the charging device 102 (e.g., a width of the charging device 102 along a second axis indicated by dotted referential line 132). In some embodiments, the shape of the charging device 102 may be rounded (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1C), but the shape of the charging device 102 is not limited to having a rounded shape and may have non-rounded shapes (e.g., rectangular).

[0037] In some embodiments, the top portion 112 of the charging device 102 may be configured to be symmetrical with respect to a first axis and/or a second axis. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1C, the top portion 112 may be positioned on the charging device 102 such that the charging connector 104 is at least substantially centered and symmetrical about a first axis that longitudinally bisects the charging device 102 (e.g., as depicted by the referential line 132). In this example, the top portion 112 may also (or alternatively) be centered and symmetrical about a second axis that latitudinally bisects the charging device 102 (e.g., as depicted by the referential line 130).

[0038] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1C, the charging connector 104 is positioned along the first axis represented by the referential line 130 at the bottom of the curve formed by the top portion 112 and the first body portion 114 of the charging device 102. In this example, the one or more electrical contacts 124 may also be arranged symmetrically along the first axis. In some additional (or alternative) embodiments, the charging connector 104 may be configured to protrude from the first body portion 1 14 so that the charging connector 104 is symmetrical about a second axis (e.g., as depicted by the referential line 132). In some embodiments, the one or more electrical contacts 124 may be arranged on the charging surface 122 of the charging connector 104 symmetrically along one or both of the first and second axes.

[0039] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate different exterior views of the charging system 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 A-1C, according to some embodiments. FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of the charging system 100 in which various components of the charging device 102 are shown disassembled along an axis of assembly (e.g., a third axis depicted by referential line 210). FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the charging system 100 taken alone referential line 130 as shown in FIG. 1C. With reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, the charging device 102 may include one or more components housed or embedded internally within the charging device 102. In some embodiments, the charging device 102 may include a first magnetic element 202a, a second magnetic element 202b, and a printed-circuit board (a PCB 206). Further, the charging cord 106 may include one or more electrical leads 208 couplable to the PCB 206 and/or to the one or more electrical contacts 124.

[0040] The top portion 112 of the charging device 102 may include or otherwise be configured to form an opening 250 at or about a center point of the top portion 112. A size of the opening 250 may be configured to enable the protruding portion 120 of the charging connector 104 (coupled to or formed as part of the first body portion 114) to pass through the opening 250. The top portion 112 may be moved into engagement with the first body portion 114 by causing the protruding portion 120 to pass through the opening 250 until a bottom surface of the top portion 112 engages a top surface of the first body portion 114 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2B). In some embodiments, the opening 250 may be configured to have a shape that accommodates and is

complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the protruding portion 120 in order to enable the protruding portion 120 to pass easily through the opening 250. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the opening 250 may have a rectangular, rounded-rectangular, elliptical, circular, triangular, or pentagonal shape (or one of various other shapes) that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the charging connector 104. By way of the non-limiting example illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, the opening 250 may have a shape that features two substantially straight edges and two arcuate edges (e.g., a rounded- rectangular shape). [0041] In some embodiments, a top surface of the first body portion 114 of the charging device 102 may feature a first recessed portion 204a and a second recessed portion 204b. The first recessed portion 204a may be configured to have one or more dimensions suitable for enabling the first magnetic element 202a to be inserted or housed in the first recessed portion 204a. Similarly, the second recessed portion 204b may be configured to have one or more dimensions suitable for enabling the second magnetic element 202b to be positioned within the second recessed portion 204b. In some embodiments, while the first magnetic element 202a is positioned within the first recessed portion 204a and the second magnetic element 202b is positioned within the second recessed portion 204b, a bottom surface of the top portion 112 may be coupled to a surface of the first body portion 114 (e.g., a top surface) such that the bottom surface of the top portion 112 sits flush against the top surface of the first body portion 114. In such embodiments, the recessed portions 204a, 204b may be configured so that the magnetic elements 202a, 202b do not protrude from the recessed

portions 204a, 204b, thereby enabling the top portion 112 to sit flush against the first body portion 1 14.

[0042] In some embodiments, one or both of the first magnetic element 202a and the second magnetic element 202b may include a permanent magnet (e.g., a bar magnet), a ferromagnetic element, an electromagnet, or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments in which the magnetic elements 202a, 202b each include a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, the magnetic elements 202a, 202b may be coupled to or positioned within the recessed portion 204a, 204b such that the same pole (e.g., a "north" or "south" pole) of each of the magnetic elements 202a, 202b faces towards the top portion 112. In another example, opposite poles of the magnetic elements 202a, 202b (e.g., north and south poles, or south and north poles, respectively) may face towards the top portion 112.

[0043] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, the charging connector 104 may include one or more openings 212. The one or more openings 212 may be configured with dimensions suitable for enabling the one or more electrical

contacts 124 to pass through the one or more openings 212. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical contacts 124 may pass through the one or more openings 212 so that the one or more electrical contacts 124 protrude at least partially from the charging surface 122 of the charging connector 104. In some embodiments, the PCB 206 may be coupled to the first body portion 114 (and/or the second body portion 116) at least partially between the first recessed portion 204a and the second recessed portion 204b so that the one or more electrical contacts 124 protrude from the charging

connector 104 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2B).

[0044] The first body portion 114 may be coupled to the second body portion 116 to form a chamber 230. In some embodiments, the first recessed portion 204a and the second recessed portion 204b of the first body portion 114 may reside, at least substantially, in the chamber 230. The PCB 206 may be housed within the chamber 230, and a portion of the strain relief 110 proximate to the opening 118 may also reside in the chamber 230. In some embodiments, a portion of the charging cable 106 and the one or more electrical leads 208 may enter the chamber 230 via the opening 118 so that the one or more electrical leads 208 may be electrically coupled to the one or more electrical contacts 124 (e.g., via the PCB 206).

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates an exterior view of an operating environment 300 that includes the charging system 100 depicted in and described with reference to

FIGS. 1 A-2B, according to some embodiments. The charging system 100 may include the charging device 102 and the charging cable 106 (e.g., as described above). For clarity and simplicity of description, duplicative descriptions of structural features of the charging system 100 may not be repeated in the following descriptions.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 3, the charging device 102 may be couplable to a separate rechargeable device 302 by mating or otherwise coupling the charging connector 104 (obscured in the example illustrated in FIG. 3 by the rechargeable device 302) to a corresponding charging connector (not shown) included in the rechargeable device 302. The rechargeable device 302 may be one of various rechargeable devices that includes a rechargeable battery configured to provide the rechargeable device 302 with power for one or more components of the rechargeable device 302. By way of non-limiting example, the rechargeable device 302 may be one of any of the following: a personal computing device, laptop computing device, handheld computing device, terminal computing device, mobile device (e.g., mobile phones or tablet computing devices), wearable device configured with network access and program execution capabilities (e.g., "smart eyewear" or "smart watches"), audio device, wireless device, electronic reader, media player, home entertainment system, gaming console, set-top box, television configured with network access and program execution capabilities (e.g., "smart TVs"), or some other rechargeable device or appliance that includes a rechargeable battery. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the rechargeable device 302 may be a personal audio device configured to play out audio (among various other functions) when worn on a user's ear.

[0047] One end of the charging cable 106 may terminate at and be coupled to a coupling device 310. In some embodiments, the coupling device 310 may include a first portion 312 that may be configured to mate with or otherwise engage with a second connector 322 included in or coupled to the power and/or data source 320. The power and/or data source 320 may be one (or more) of various sources of power and/or electronic data. Without limitation, the power and/or data source 320 may be a power adapter, a wall plug, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a portable battery charger, a car-charger adapter, or the like. When the first connector 312 of the coupling device 310 is mated to the second connector 322 of the power and/or data source 320, power may travel from the power and/or data source 320 through the charging cable 106 to the charging device 102. For example, the power and/or data source 320 may provide an amount of current at a particular voltage (e.g., two amperes of current at five volts) to the charging device second connector 322. The power and/or data connector 310 may be one of various connectors currently known in the art. By way of non-limiting examples, the power and/or data connector 310 may be or otherwise include a Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector, such as a USB-A-type connector or a USB-C-type connector, or one of various standard or proprietary connectors.

[0048] In some embodiments, the charging system 100 may be configured to provide the rechargeable device 302 with at least a portion of the power received from the power and/or data source 320. For example, the charging device 102 may receive two amperes of current from the power and/or data source 320, and the charging device 102 may determine that the rechargeable device 302 is configured to receive a maximum of one ampere of current (e.g., based at least in part on information provided from the rechargeable device 302 to the charging device 102). In response, the charging device 102 may provide the rechargeable device 302 with one ampere of power in response. In some embodiments, the charging device 102 may send and receive data to the rechargeable device 302 (e.g., charging information as described above). Additionally (or alternatively), when the coupling device 310 is coupled to the coupling device 322 and the rechargeable device 302 is coupled to the charging device 102, the charging device 102 may forward data and other information from the rechargeable device 302 to the power and/or data source 320. For example, the power and/or data source 320 may transmit charging information, electronic files, or other data through the charging system 100 to the rechargeable device 302.

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates a component block diagram of an operating

environment 400, according to some embodiments. Specifically, the example illustrated in FIG. 4 depicts a general architecture of the charging device 102, the rechargeable device 302, the coupling device 310, and the power and/or data source 320 (e.g., each as described with reference to the operating environment 300 depicted in FIG. 3). The general architectures of the charging device 102 and the rechargeable device 302 each includes an arrangement of computer hardware and/or software components. Each of the charging device 102 and the rechargeable device 302 may include more (or fewer) elements than those shown in FIG. 4. It is not necessary, however, that all of these generally conventional elements be shown in order to provide an enabling disclosure.

[0050] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the rechargeable device 302 may include an input/output device interface 434, a network interface 446, at least one optional microphone 448, a memory 444, a processing unit 438, a power source 432, a computer-readable-medium drive 440, a charging interface 436, and at least one speaker 442, all of which may communicate with one another by way of a

communication bus. The network interface 446 may provide connectivity to one or more networks or computing systems, and the processing unit 438 may receive and/or send information and instructions from/to other computing systems or services via the network interface 446. For example, the network interface 446 may be configured to communicate with another rechargeable device (e.g., a second rechargeable device paired with the rechargeable device 302) that may be accessible directly or indirectly via a network (not shown). In some embodiments, the network interface 446 may enable the rechargeable device 302 to communicate to another rechargeable device via wireless communication links, such as via a Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth communication links. The network interface 446 may also (or alternatively) be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices via a wired communication link (not shown). In some embodiments, the network interface 446 may receive audio data from one or more other computing devices and may provide the audio data to the processing unit 438. In such embodiments, the processing unit 438 may cause the audio data to be transformed into an electrical audio signal that is provided to the one or more speakers 442 for output as sound.

[0051] In some embodiments, the charging device 102 may include one or more sensors 404. The one or more sensors 404 may include, but are not limited to, one or more biometric sensors, heat sensors, gyroscopic sensors, accelerometers, pressure sensors, force sensors, light sensors, or the like. In such embodiment, the one or more sensors 404 may be configured to obtain sensor information. For example, the one or more sensors 404 may include a Hall effect sensor (or similar sensor) that may detect when the rechargeable device 302 is coupled to the charging device 102.

[0052] The processing unit 438 may communicate to and from memory 444. In some embodiments, the memory 444 may include RAM, ROM, and/or other persistent, auxiliary or non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory 444 may store an operating system that provides computer program instructions for use by the processing unit 438 in the general administration and operation of the rechargeable device 302. In some embodiments, the memory 444 may contain digital representations of audio data or electronic audio signals (e.g., digital copies of songs or videos with audio). In such embodiments, the processing unit 438 may obtain the audio data or electronic audio signals from the memory 444 and may provide electronic audio signals to the one or more speakers 442 for playout as sound.

[0053] In some embodiments, the input/output interface 434 may also receive input from an optional input device 452, such as a keyboard, mouse, digital pen, microphone, touch screen, touch pad, gesture recognition system, voice recognition system, image recognition through an imaging device (which may capture eye, hand, head, body tracking data and/or placement), gamepad, accelerometer, gyroscope, or another input device known in the art. The input/output interface 434 may additionally (or alternatively) be configured to provide information to an optional display 450 for display on the optional display 450. In some embodiments, the one or more optional microphones 448 may be configured to receive sound from an analog sound source (e.g., human speech). The one or more optional microphones 448 may further be configured to convert the sound into audio data or electrical audio signals that are directly or indirectly provided to the one or more speakers 442 for output as sound.

[0054] In some embodiments, the rechargeable device 302 may include one or more sensors 430. The one or more sensors 430 may include, but are not limited to, one or more biometric sensors, heat sensors, gyroscopic sensors, accelerometers, pressure sensors, force sensors, light sensors, or the like. In such embodiment, the one or more sensors 430 may be configured to obtain sensor information from a user of the rechargeable device 302 and/or from an environment in which the rechargeable device 302 is worn by the user. The processing unit 438 may receive sensor readings from the one or more sensors 430 and may generate one or more outputs based on these sensor readings. For example, the processing unit 438 may configure a light-emitting diode included on the rechargeable device (not shown) to flash according to a preconfigured patterned based on the sensor readings.

[0055] In some embodiments, the charging device 102 may include a processing unit 412, a memory 416, and a charging interface 414. In some additional

embodiments, the charging device 102 may optionally include one or more

microphones 402, one or more sensors 404, a power source 406, and one or more speakers 408. Various components of the charging device 102 may communicate with one another by way of a communication bus.

[0056] The processing unit 412 may communicate to and from the memory 416. In some embodiments, the memory 416 may include RAM, ROM, and/or other persistent, auxiliary or non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory 416 may store an operating system 418 that provides computer program instructions for use by the processing unit 416 in the general administration and operation of the charging device 102. The memory 416 may further include computer program instructions and other information for implementing aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the memory 416 may include a power-control service 420, which may be executed by the processing unit 412 to perform various operations (e.g., such as one or more operations described with reference to FIG. 5A-5B). While the power- control service 420 is illustrated as a distinct module in the memory 416, in some embodiments, the power-control service 420 may be incorporated as a module in the operating system 418 or another application or module, and as such, a separate power- control service 420 may not be required to implement some embodiments.

[0057] In some embodiments, the charging interface 414 of the charging device 102 may be configured to engage with or couple with the charging interface 436 of the rechargeable device 302. In such embodiments, the charging interface 414 may include one or more electrical contacts configured to transmit power and/or data obtain on the charging device 102 to the charging interface 436 of the rechargeable

device 302. By way of a non-limiting example, the rechargeable device 302 may, in response to detecting that the charging interface 436 is electrically coupled to the charging interface 414, provide the charging device 102 with information regarding an amount of battery power available on the rechargeable device 302. The processing unit 412 may have access to charging power received from the power and/or data source 320 (e.g., via the coupling device 310). Thus, in response to receiving the information from the rechargeable device 302 regarding an amount of battery power available on the rechargeable device 302, the processing unit 412 of the charging device 102 (e.g., by executing the instructions included in the power-control service 420 in the memory 416) may determine an amount of charging power to provide to the rechargeable device 302. The processing unit 412 may then provide the determined amount of charging power to the charging interface 414, which may in turn provide it to the rechargeable device 302 via the charging interface 436.

[0058] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate different cross-sectional views of the charging system 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 A-4 while coupled electronically to the rechargeable device 302 described with reference to FIGS. 3-4, according to some embodiments. FIG. 5 A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the charging system 100 and the rechargeable device 302 while the rechargeable device 302 is coupled to the charging system 100 in a first coupling configuration. FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the charging system 100 and the rechargeable device 302 while the rechargeable device 302 is coupled to the charging system 100 in a second coupling configuration.

[0059] With reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the charging system 100 may include the charging device 102 and the charging cable 106 (e.g., as described above). The charging device 102 may include the first body portion 114; the second body portion 116; the top portion 112; the strain relief 110; the first magnetic element 202a; the second magnetic element 202b; the PCB 206; the charging connector 104 that includes the protruding portion 120, the charging surface 122, and the one or more electrical contacts 124; and one or more components or features (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS. 1 A-4). The rechargeable device 302 may include a processing unit, a power source, and a speaker (e.g., as described with reference to FIG. 4, the processing unit 438, the power source 432, and the one or more speakers 442). For clarity and simplicity of description, duplicative descriptions of structural features of the charging system 100 and the rechargeable device 302 may not be repeated in the following descriptions.

[0060] With reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the rechargeable device 302 may include one or more components housed or embedded internally within the

rechargeable device 302. In some embodiments, the rechargeable device 302 may include a first magnetic element 506a included in a first housing 514a of an exterior body 552 of the rechargeable device 302, a second magnetic element 506b included in a second housing 514b of the exterior body 552, and a printed-circuit board (a PCB 502). The rechargeable device 302 may include a charging connector 516. The charging connector 516 may include one or more electrical contacts 504. The charging connector 516 and the one or more electrical contacts 504 may be configured to couple to the charging connector 104 and the one or more electrical contacts 124 of the charging device 102 to enable charging power received on the charging device 102 to be transferred from the charging device 102 to the rechargeable device 302 via the one or more electrical contacts 124, 504 of the charging connectors 104, 516, respectively. The processing unit 438 of the rechargeable device 302 may direct the PCB 502 to transfer the received charging power to the power source 432 (e.g., a rechargeable battery). The charging connector 516 may have a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of the charging connector 104 to facilitate a firm connection between the one or more electrical contacts 124, 504 when the rechargeable device 302 is coupled to the charging device 102. Thus, in some embodiments in which the charging connector 104 protrudes form the top surface 1 12 of the charging device 102, the charging connector 502 may be recessed within the exterior body 552 of the rechargeable device 302. In such embodiments, the charging connector 104 may be insertable to the recess formed by the charging connector 502 until the one or more electrical contacts 124, 504 engage physically to form an electrical connection.

Similarly, the magnetic elements 506a, 506b and corresponding housings 514a, 514b may be recessed within the exterior body 552.

[0061] With reference to FIG. 5A, the rechargeable device 302 may be coupled to the charging device 102 according to a first coupling configuration. Specifically, while coupled in the first coupling configuration, the charging connector 104 may be inserted into the charging connector 516 until a curved surface 550 of the exterior body 552 of the rechargeable device 302 engages the top portion 112 of the charging device 102. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5A, the curved surface 550 of the rechargeable device 302 may rest flush against the top portion 112 of the charging device 102. As further illustrated in FIG. 5 A, while the charging device 102 is coupled to the rechargeable device 302 in the first coupling configuration, the charging connector 516 of the rechargeable device 302 and the charging connector 104 of the charging device 104 may be centered, and thus at least substantially symmetrical, in relation to a first axis (e.g., illustrated by the referential line 132). In such

embodiments, the magnetic elements 506a, 506b of the rechargeable device 302 may be (at least substantially) symmetrical about or equidistant to the first axis 132, and the magnetic elements 202a, 202b of the charging device 102 may also be (at least substantially) symmetrical about or equidistant to the first axis. In some additional (or alternative) embodiments, the portion of the curved surface 550 of the exterior body 552 of the recharging device may be at least substantially symmetrical in relation to the first axis while the rechargeable device 302 is coupled to the charging device 102.

[0062] While the charging device 102 and the rechargeable device 302 are coupled together in the first configuration, the magnetic element 506a of the

rechargeable device 302 may align with (at least substantially) and may be attracted to the magnetic element 202a of the charging device 102. Similarly, the magnetic element 506b of the rechargeable device 302 may align with (at least substantially) and may be attracted to the magnetic element 202b of the charging device 102. In such embodiments, the magnetic elements 202a, 202b may have an opposite polarity from the magnetic elements 506a, 506b, causing the magnetic elements 202a, 202b to attract the magnetic elements 506a, 506b (and vice versa), thereby securing the charging device 102 to the rechargeable device 302 in the first coupling configuration.

[0063] In some embodiments in which the charging connector 104 and the charging connector 516 are symmetrical in relation to the first axis (e.g., the referential line 132), the charging device 102 and the rechargeable device 302 may couple together in either the first coupling configuration (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5 A) or in a second coupling configuration (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5B). Specifically, with reference to the example illustrated in FIG. 5B, the recharging device 302 may be coupled to the charging device 102 by rotating one of these devices one-hundred-eighty degrees about the first axis (e.g., the referential line 132). In such embodiments, the electrical connectors 504 and 124 may be reversible as would be known be one skilled in the art. As such, when the rechargeable device 302 and the charging device 102 are coupled together in the second coupling configuration as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the charging connector 516 may be coupled to the charging connector 104, and the charging device 102 may provide charging power to the rechargeable device 302 by sending the charging power to the charging connector 516 through the charging connector 104. Further, because the curved surface 550 of the exterior body 552 is also symmetrical in relation to the first axis (e.g., as described above), the charging connector 104 of the charging device 102 may be inserted into the charging connector 516 until the curved surface 550 of the exterior body 552 sits flush against the top portion 112 of the charging device 102. In some further embodiments, while in the second coupling configuration, the magnetic element 506a may be aligned and magnetically attracted to the magnetic element 202b (and vice versa). Similarly, the magnetic element 506b may be aligned with and magnetically attracted to the magnetic element 202a (and vice versa). In such embodiments, the polarity of the magnetic element 202a and 202b may be the same, and the magnetic elements 506a, 506b may have the same polarity, but the magnetic elements 202a, 202b may have a different polarity to enable the magnetic elements 202a, 202b to be attracted to the magnetic elements 506a, 506b regardless of whether the charging device 102 and the rechargeable device 302 are coupled together in the first coupling configuration or the second coupling configuration.

[0064] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate different exterior views of an alternative charging system 600, according to some embodiments. FIG. 6A illustrates an exterior perspective view of the charging system 600. FIG. 6B illustrates a top-down view of the charging system 600. With reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, in some embodiments, the charging system 600 may include a charging device 602 and an electrical cord 106 coupled to the charging device 602. The electrical cord 106 may be configured similarly to the electrical cord 106 described above (e.g., at least with reference to FIG. 1A).

[0065] The charging device 602 may include a first body portion 614 and a second body portion 616. The first body portion 614 and the second body portion 616 may be configured to form, collectively, an opening 618 at one end of the charging device 602 through which a first end of the electrical cord 106 enters and couples to an interior portion of the charging device 602. The electrical cord 106 may pass through a strain relief 610 that may protrude from the opening 618. In some embodiments, a second end of the electrical cord 106 (not shown) may be coupled to a power and/or data connector (e.g., as illustrated in and further described with reference to FIG. 8).

[0066] With reference to the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the charging device 602 may include a first charging connector 604a and a second charging connector 604b. The first charging connector 604a may include a first protruding portion 620a that extends in a direction away from a top portion 612 of the charging device 602. The first protruding portion 620a may terminate at a first charging surface 622a. In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6A), one or more openings may be formed in the first charging surface 622a, and the one or more openings may be configured to enable one or more electrical contacts 624a originating from the interior of the charging device 602 (not shown) to protrude from the first charging surface 622a. The one or more first electrical contacts 624a may be at least partially exposed and configured to couple electrically to one or more corresponding electrical contacts included in a separate electrical device (e.g., as illustrated in and described further with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C).

[0067] The second charging connector 604b may include a second protruding portion 620b that extends in a direction away from the top portion 612 of the charging device 602. The second protruding portion 620b may terminate at a second charging surface 622b. In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6A), one or more openings may be formed in the second charging surface 622b, and the one or more openings may be configured to enable one or more second electrical contacts 624b originating from the interior of the charging device 602 (not shown) to protrude from the second charging surface 622a. The one or more second electrical contacts 624b may be at least partially exposed and configured to couple electrically to one or more corresponding electrical contacts included in a separate electrical device (e.g., as illustrated in and described further with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C).

[0068] With reference to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the top portion 612 (and, in some embodiments, parts of the first and second body portions 614, 616) of the charging device 602 may be configured to have, at least substantially, a concave shape. In some embodiments, at least portions of the top portion 612 of the charging device 602 proximate to a first end of the charging device 602 (indicted by reference 626) and a second end of the charging device 602 (indicated by

reference 628) may extend in a direction away from the charging device 602 to a greater extent than the extent to which at least parts of the top portion 612 nearer to the center of the charging device 602 extend away from the charging device 602. In some additional (or alternative) embodiments, at least portions of the top portion 612 of the charging device 602 proximate to a third end of the charging device 602 (indicted by reference 630) and a fourth end of the charging device 602 (indicated by reference 632) may extend in a direction away from the charging device 602 to a greater extent than the extent to which at least parts of the top portion 612 nearer to the center of the charging device 602 extend away from the charging device 602. As a result, at least the top portion 612 of the charging device 602 may form a curved shape (e.g., as illustrated by the bowl-like shape of the top portion 612 in the example depicted in FIG. 6A).

[0069] The first and/or second body portions 614, 616 of the charging device 602 may be configured to include a bottom surface that is at least substantially flat. In some embodiments, the charging device 602 may be positioned on an object (e.g., a table, desk, floor, or the like) so that the charging connector 604 faces away from the object. Accordingly, while the charging device 602 is positioned on the object and the charging connector 604 is oriented away from the object, the first charging connector 604a and the second charging connector 604b may each be coupleable with at least one corresponding charging connector on a separate rechargeable device.

Further, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in and further described with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C), the flat surface of the second body portion 616 of the charging device 602 may support and maintain the position of both the charging device 602 and one or two separate rechargeable devices. As such, by way of an example, the charging device 602 may function as a "dock" on which a user may place and retrieve one or two rechargeable devices in order to charge those rechargeable devices.

[0070] The charging device 602 may include one or more components housed or embedded internally within the charging device 602. In some embodiments, the charging device 602 may include a first magnetic element 650a, a second magnetic element 650b, a third magnetic element 650c, a fourth magnetic element 650d, and a printed-circuit board (a PCB 656). The charging cord 106 may include one or more electrical leads 658 coupleable to the PCB 656 and/or to the one or more electrical contacts 624a, 624b.

[0071] In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6A), the top portion 612 of the charging device 602 may include or otherwise be configured to form a first opening 660a sized to enable the first protruding portion 620a of the first charging connector 604a (e.g., coupled to or formed as part of the first body

portion 614) to pass through the first opening 660a. In some embodiments, the top portion 612 may be moved into engagement with at least the first body portion 614 by causing the first protruding portion 620a to pass through the first opening 660a until a bottom surface of the top portion 612 engages a top surface of at least the first body portion 614. In some embodiments, the first opening 660a may be configured to have a shape that accommodates and is complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the first protruding portion 620 in order to enable the first protruding portion 620a to pass easily through the first opening 660a. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the first opening 660a may have a rectangular, rounded-rectangular, elliptical, circular, triangular, or pentagonal shape (or one of various other shapes) that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the charging connector 604. By way of the non-limiting example illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the first opening 660a may have a shape that features two substantially straight edges and two arcuate edges (e.g., a rounded- rectangular shape).

[0072] In some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6A), the top portion 612 of the charging device 602 may include or otherwise be configured to form a second opening 660b sized to enable the second protruding portion 620b of the second charging connector 604b (e.g., coupled to or formed as part of the second body portion 616) to pass through the second opening 660b. In some embodiments, the top portion 612 may be moved into engagement with at least the second body portion 616 by causing the second protruding portion 620b to pass through the second opening 660b until a bottom surface of the top portion 612 engages a top surface of at least the second body portion 616. In some embodiments, the second opening 606b may be configured to have a shape that accommodates and is complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the second protruding portion 620b in order to enable the second protruding

portion 620b to pass easily through the second opening 660b. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the second opening 660b may have a rectangular, rounded-rectangular, elliptical, circular, triangular, or pentagonal shape (or one of various other shapes) that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the second charging connector 604b. By way of the non-limiting example illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the second opening 660b may have a shape that features two substantially straight edges and two arcuate edges (e.g., a rounded-rectangular shape). In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of the first charging connector 604a and the second charging connector 604b may be the same or substantially similar.

[0073] In some embodiments, the magnetic elements 650a-650d may be included in the charging device 602 (e.g., within recessed portions of the charging device 602 below the top portion 612 as generally described with reference to

FIGS. 2A-2B). In some embodiments, at least one of the magnetic elements 650a- 650d may include a permanent magnet (e.g., a bar magnet), a ferromagnetic element, an electromagnet, or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments in which the magnetic elements 650a-650d each include a permanent magnet or an

electromagnet, the magnetic elements 650a-650d may be coupled to or positioned within the charging device such that the same pole (e.g., a "north" or "south" pole) of each of the magnetic elements 650a-650d faces towards the top portion 612. In another example, opposite or alternating poles of the magnetic elements 650a-650d (e.g., some combination of north and south poles) may face towards the top portion 612. In some embodiments, the magnetic elements 650a-650b may be at a least substantially aligned with the first charging connector 604a in the direction of a second axis (e.g., referential line 634), and the magnetic elements 650c-650d may be at a least substantially aligned with the second charging connector 604b along the same axis.

[0074] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the first charging connector 604a may include the one or more electrical contacts 624a. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical contacts 624a may pass through the one or more openings in the charging connector 604a so that the one or more electrical contacts 624a protrude at least partially from the charging surface 622a of the charging connector 604a. The second charging connector 604b may include one or more electrical contacts 624b, which may be configured similarly to the one or more electrical contacts 624b.

[0075] The charging device 602 may be configured to have a generally ellipsoidal shape. For example, the charging device 602 may be configured such that a size of a first dimension of the charging device 602 (e.g., a length of the charging device 602 along a first axis indicated by dotted referential line 634) is smaller than a size of a second dimension of the charging device 602 (e.g., a width of the charging device 602 along a second axis indicated by dotted referential line 632). In some embodiments, the shape of the charging device 602 may be rounded (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6B), but the shape of the charging device 602 is not limited to having a rounded shape and may have non-rounded shapes (e.g., rectangular).

[0076] In some embodiments, the top portion 612 of the charging device 602 may be configured to be symmetrical with respect to a first axis and/or a second axis. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6b, the top portion 612 may be positioned on the charging device 602 such that each charging connector 604a, 604b is at least substantially centered and symmetrical about a first axis that longitudinally bisects the charging device 602 (e.g., as depicted by the referential line 632). In this example, the top portion 612 may also (or alternatively) be centered and symmetrical about a second axis that latitudinally bisects the charging device 602 (e.g., as depicted by the referential line 634).

[0077] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first charging connector 604a and the second charging connector 604b may be positioned symmetrically along the second axis (referential line 634) with respect to each other. Each of the first charging connector 604a and the second charging connector 604b (e.g., the one or more electrical contacts 624a, 624b) may also be arranged symmetrically along the first axis

(referential line 632).

[0078] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate different exterior views of a system 700 in which the charging device 602 (e.g., as described with reference to FIGs. 6A-6B) coupled electronically to a first rechargeable device 302a and a second rechargeable device 302b, according to some embodiments. FIG. 7 A illustrates a side view of the charging device 602 and the first rechargeable device 302a while the first rechargeable device 302a and the second rechargeable device 302b (obscured by the first

rechargeable device 302a) are coupled to the charging device 602 in a first coupling configuration. FIG. 7B illustrates a top-down view of the system 700 while the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b are coupled to the charging device 602 in a second coupling configuration. FIG. 7C illustrates a front view of the system 700 while the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b are coupled to the charging device 602 in a second coupling configuration. [0079] With reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, the system 700 may include the charging device 602 and the charging cable 106 (e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 6A-6B). The first rechargeable device 302a may be configured the same as or similarity to the rechargeable device 302 described above (e.g., with reference to FIGS. 3A-5B). The second rechargeable device 302b may be configured as a mirror image of the first rechargeable device 302a. For clarity and simplicity of description, duplicative descriptions of structural features included in the charging device 602 and the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may not be repeated in the following descriptions.

[0080] With reference to FIG. 7 A, the first rechargeable device 302a may be coupled to the charging device 602 in a first coupling configuration. Specifically, the charging connector 506a of the first rechargeable device 302a may be electronically coupled to the second charging connector 604b, and the magnetic elements 506a, 506b of the first rechargeable device 302a may be attracted to the third and fourth magnetic elements 650c, 650d of the charging device 602. The charging connector of the second rechargeable device 302b (obscured by the first rechargeable device 302a) may similarly be electronically coupled to the first charging connector 604a of the charging device 602 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C). The charging connectors of the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b and the first and second charging connectors 604a, 604b of the charging device 602 may be at least substantially symmetrical along an axis (e.g., referential line 832).

[0081] With reference to FIG. 7B, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may be coupled to the charging device 602 in a second configuration. In some embodiments, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may be coupled to the charging device 602 in the second coupling configuration by rotating both rechargeable devices 302a, 302b one-hundred eighty degrees around the axis (referential line 832) from the first coupling configuration. While in the first or second coupling configuration, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may be symmetrical with each other along an axis (referential line 834). In some embodiments, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may be coupled together via magnetic elements included on or near portions of the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b near the axis (referential line 834). As such, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may be decoupled from the charging device 602 together and may be recoupled to the charging device 602 in either the first or second coupling positions.

[0082] With reference to FIG. 7C, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may each have a curved surface (e.g., surfaces 708a, 708b) that conforms to the top portion 612 on the charging device 602. For example, the top portion 612 may be concave in shape, and the curved surfaces 708a, 708b may be convex in shape. As such, the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may securely rest on the charging device 602a while coupled to the charging device 602a in either the first or second coupling configurations.

[0083] FIG. 8 illustrates an exterior view of an operating environment 800 that includes the charging device 602 depicted in and described with reference to FIGS. 6A- 7C, according to some embodiments. The charging device 602 may be coupled to the charging cable 106 (e.g., as described above). For clarity and simplicity of description, duplicative descriptions of structural features of the charging device 602 and the charging cable 106 may not be repeated in the following descriptions.

[0084] With reference to FIG. 8, the charging device 102 may be couplable to the first and second rechargeable devices 302a, 302b (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C) by mating or otherwise coupling the charging connectors 604a, 604b (obscured in the example illustrated in FIG. 8 by the rechargeable device 302a) to a corresponding charging connector included in each of the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b (obscured in FIG. 8).

[0085] One end of the charging cable 106 may terminate at and be coupled to the coupling device 602. In some embodiments, the coupling device 310 may include the first portion 312 that may be configured to mate with or otherwise engage with a second connector 322 included in or coupled to the power and/or data source 320. The power and/or data source 320 may be one (or more) of various sources of power and/or electronic data. Without limitation, the power and/or data source 320 may be a power adapter, a wall plug, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a portable battery charger, a car-charger adapter, or the like. When the first connector 312 of the coupling device 310 is mated to the second connector 322 of the power and/or data source 320, power may travel from the power and/or data source 320 through the charging cable 106 to the charging device 602. For example, the power and/or data source 320 may provide an amount of current at a particular voltage (e.g., two amperes of current at five volts) to the charging device second connector 322. The power and/or data connector 310 may be one of various connectors currently known in the art. By way of non-limiting examples, the power and/or data connector 310 may be or otherwise include a

Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector, such as a USB-A-type connector or a USB-C- type connector, or one of various standard or proprietary connectors.

[0086] In some embodiments, the charging system 800 may be configured to provide the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b with at least a portion of the power received from the power and/or data source 320. For example, the charging device 602 may receive two amperes of current from the power and/or data source 320, and the charging device 602 may provide one amp to the first rechargeable device 302a and one amp to the second rechargeable device 302b. Additionally (or alternatively), when the coupling device 310 is coupled to the coupling device 322, and the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b are coupled to the charging device 602, the charging device 602 may forward data and other information from the rechargeable device 302a, 302b to the power and/or data source 320.

[0087] FIG. 9 illustrates a component block diagram of an operating

environment 900, according to some embodiments. Specifically, the example illustrated in FIG. 9 depicts a general architecture of the charging device 602, the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b, the coupling device 310, and the power and/or data source 320 (e.g., each as described with reference to one or more FIG. 6A-8). The general architectures of the charging device 602 and the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b each includes an arrangement of computer hardware and/or software components. Each of the charging device 602 and the rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may include more (or fewer) elements than those shown in FIG. 9. It is not necessary, however, that all of these generally conventional elements be shown in order to provide an enabling disclosure.

[0088] The rechargeable devices 302a, 302b may be include the same or similar component as the rechargeable device 302 (e.g., as described with reference to FIG. 4). In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the rechargeable device 302a may include a charging interface 436a, a processing unit 438a, a power source 432a, and a network interface 446a. The second rechargeable device 302b may be configured as a mirror image of the first rechargeable device 302a and thus may have similar or the same components. In some embodiments, the network interface 446a may enable the first rechargeable device 302a to communicate with the second rechargeable device 302b via wireless communication links, such as via a Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth communication links.

[0089] In some embodiments, the charging device 602 may include a processing unit 912, a memory 916, a first charging interface 914a, and a second charging interface 914b. In some additional embodiments, the charging device 602 may optionally include one or more microphones 402, one or more sensors 404, a power source 406, and one or more speakers 408. Various components of the charging device 602 may communicate with one another by way of a communication bus.

[0090] The processing unit 912 may communicate to and from the memory 916. In some embodiments, the memory 916 may include RAM, ROM, and/or other persistent, auxiliary or non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory 916 may store an operating system 918 that provides computer program instructions for use by the processing unit 916 in the general administration and operation of the charging device 602. The memory 916 may further include computer program instructions and other information for implementing aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the memory 916 may include a power-control service 920, which may be executed by the processing unit 912 to perform various operations (e.g., such as one or more operations described with reference to FIG. 6A-8). While the power- control service 920 is illustrated as a distinct module in the memory 916, in some embodiments, the power-control service 920 may be incorporated as a module in the operating system 918 or another application or module, and as such, a separate power- control service 920 may not be required to implement some embodiments.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first charging interface 914a of the charging device 602 may be configured to engage with or couple with the charging

interface 436a of the first rechargeable device 302a. In such embodiments, the charging interface 914a may include one or more electrical contacts configured to transmit power and/or data obtained on the charging device 602 to the charging interface 436a of the rechargeable device 302a. By way of a non-limiting example, the rechargeable device 302a may, in response to detecting that the charging interface 436a is electrically coupled to the charging interface 914a, provide the charging device 602 with information regarding an amount of battery power available on the rechargeable device 302a. The processing unit 912 may have access to charging power received from the power and/or data source 320 (e.g., via the coupling device 310). Thus, in response to receiving the information from the rechargeable device 302a regarding an amount of battery power available on the rechargeable device 302a, the processing unit 912 of the charging device 602 (e.g., by executing the instructions included in the power-control service 920 in the memory 916) may determine an amount of charging power to provide to the rechargeable device 302a. The processing unit 912 may then provide the determined amount of charging power to the charging interface 914a, which may in turn provide it to the rechargeable device 302a via the charging interface 436a. The charging device 602 may similarly provide power and/or data to and from the second rechargeable device 302b via the charging interface 914b.

[0092] It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0093] Conditional language such as, among others, "can," "could," "might" or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, are otherwise understood within the context as used in general to convey that certain embodiments include, while other

embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0094] Disjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, or Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

[0095] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as "a" or "an" should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as "a device configured to" are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, "a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C" can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C.

[0096] To the extent that they are not inconsistent with the specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the US patents, US patent application publications, US patent applications, referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not limited to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/556, 198, filed September 8, 2017, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0097] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.