Wireless power system capable of operating with audio-visual electronic devices

Abstract

To provide a wireless power system for charging an electronic device.SOLUTION: In a wireless power system 8 including a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device, a wireless power transmitting device 12 has a wired link 60 to an audio-visual electronic device, and the audio-visual electronic device enters a pairing mode with the wireless power receiving device when the wireless power receiving device 24 is absorbed by the wireless power transmitting device. In the pairing mode, the wireless power receiving device controls a user interface of the audio-visual electronic device, and displays a request for authorization to a user in correspondence with the wireless power receiving device being absorbed by the wireless power transmitting device if the wireless power receiving device is not yet authorized to be in the pairing mode with the audio-visual electronic device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 349,766, filed June 16, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 167,534, filed March 29, 2021, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The present application relates generally to power systems, and more particularly to wireless power systems for charging electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In a wireless charging system, a wireless power transmitting device, such as a charging mat or a charging pack, wirelessly transmits power to a wireless power receiving device, such as a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device has a coil and a rectifier circuit. The coil of the portable electronic device receives an AC wireless power signal from the wireless power transmitting device. The rectifier circuit converts the received signal into DC power. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The wireless power system includes a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power transmitting device may include a coil and a wireless power transmitting circuit coupled to the coil. The wireless power transmitting circuit may be configured to transmit a wireless power signal using the coil. The wireless power receiving device may include a coil configured to receive the wireless power signal from the wireless power transmitting device and a rectifier circuit configured to convert the wireless power signal into DC power.

[0004] The wireless power transmitting device may have a wired connection to the audiovisual electronic device. When the wireless power receiving device is attached to the wireless power transmitting device, the audiovisual electronic device may determine whether the wireless power receiving device is authorized for pairing mode. If authorized, the audiovisual electronic device may enter pairing mode with the wireless power receiving device. In pairing mode, the wireless power receiving device may send commands to the audiovisual electronic device to present audio or visual functions supported by the wireless power receiving device, or to transmit or receive data.

[0005] If the wireless powered device is still not authorized for pairing mode with the audiovisual electronic device, a request for authorization may be displayed to the user If the user authorizes pairing mode, the wireless powered device and the audiovisual electronic device may establish a communication link.

[0006] In some cases, the audiovisual electronic device may identify multiple candidate devices for a pairing mode in which a user interface of the audiovisual electronic device is controlled by an external device. In response to one of the candidate devices being adsorbed to the wireless power transmitting device, the audiovisual electronic device may enter into a pairing mode with the candidate device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless charging system including a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device, according to some embodiments.

[0008] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a wireless power transmitting and receiving circuit, according to some embodiments.

[0009] [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary wireless power transmitting device, such as a wireless charging pack connected to a connector plug via a cable, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a state diagram of an exemplary audiovisual electronic device operable with a wireless charging system, according to some embodiments.

[0011] [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart of example operations involved in operating a system in which adhesion between a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device triggers communication between the wireless power receiving device and an audiovisual electronic device, according to some embodiments.

[0012] [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of example operations involved in operating a system in which adsorption of a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device triggers a pairing mode between the wireless power receiving device and an audiovisual electronic device, according to some embodiments.

[0013] [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart of example operations involved in operating a wireless power transmitting device operable with a wireless power receiving device and an audiovisual electronic device, according to some embodiments.

[0014] [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart of example operations involved in operating an audiovisual electronic device operable with a wireless power receiving device and a wireless power transmitting device, according to some embodiments.

[0015] [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart of example operations involved in operating a wireless power receiving device operable with a wireless power transmitting device and an audiovisual electronic device, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A wireless power system includes a wireless power transmitting device, such as a wireless charging pack, that transmits power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving device, such as a cellular phone, a watch, a tablet computer, an earphone case, or other electronic device. The wireless power receiving device uses power from the wireless power transmitting device to power the device and charge an internal battery.

[0017] An exemplary wireless power system (wireless charging system) is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, wireless power system 8 includes a wireless power transmitting device, such as wireless power transmitting device 12, and a wireless power receiving device, such as wireless power receiving device 24. Wireless power transmitting device 12 includes control circuitry 16. Wireless power receiving device 24 includes control circuitry 30. Control circuitry within system 8, such as control circuitry 16 and control circuitry 30, is used in controlling the operation of system 8. This control circuitry may include processing circuitry associated with a microprocessor, a power management unit, a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and / or an application specific integrated circuit having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry performs desired control and communication functions within device 12 and device 24. For example, the processing circuitry may be used in selecting a wireless power coil (in embodiments having multiple coils), determining power transmission levels, processing sensor data and other data, processing user input, handling negotiation between device 12 and device 24, sending and receiving in-band and out-of-band data, taking measurements, and otherwise controlling the operation of system 8.

[0018] The control circuitry in system 8 may be configured to execute operations in system 8 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for executing operations in system 8 is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) in control circuitry 16 and / or control circuitry 30. The software code may be referred to as software, data, program instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include non-volatile memory such as a Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM), one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid-state drives), one or more removable flash drives, or other removable media, etc. The software stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be executed on processing circuitry in control circuitry 16 and / or control circuitry 30. The processing circuitry may include an application specific integrated circuit having processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other processing circuitry.

[0019] The power transmitting device 12 may be a stand-alone power adapter (e.g., a wireless power transmitting device that includes a power adapter circuit), a wireless charging pack, or other device that is coupled to a power adapter or other equipment by a cable, a portable device, an equipment that is integrated into furniture, a vehicle, or other system, a removable battery case, or other wireless power transmitting equipment. An exemplary configuration in which the wireless power transmitting device 12 is a wireless charging pack having a cable with a plug adapted to mate with a device such as a power adapter or other electronic device equipped with a USB connector port may be described herein as an example.

[0020] The power receiving device 24 may be a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone, a watch, a tablet computer, or other electronic device. The power receiving device 24 may also be a device accessory such as a case (that mates with and holds an additional electronic device such as a cellular phone or an earphone). The power transmitting device 12 may be coupled to a wall outlet (e.g., an alternating current power source), may generate direct current (DC) power using an AC-DC converter, and / or may have a battery to provide power. In some embodiments described herein as an example, the AC-DC converter 14 is a stand-alone power converter or is incorporated into a laptop computer or other equipment with a connector port (such as a vehicle). In this type of configuration, the device 12 is separate from the equipment containing the converter 14 and has a cable that plugs into a connector port to receive DC power from the converter 14.

[0021] DC power may be used to power the control circuit 16. In operation, a controller in the control circuit 16 transmits wireless power to the receiving circuit 54 of the device 24 using a transmitting circuit (sometimes referred to as a charging circuit) 52. The transmitting circuit 52 may include a switching circuit (e.g., an inverter circuit 61 formed from switches such as transistors) that are switched on and off based on a control signal provided by the control circuit 16 to generate an AC current signal through one or more wireless transmitting coils, such as the wireless transmitting coil 36. As an example, the coils 36 may be arranged in a planar coil array (e.g., in a configuration in which the device 12 is a wireless charging mat) or may be arranged to form a cluster of coils (e.g., in a configuration in which the device 12 is a wireless charging pack). As another example, the device 12 may have only a single coil. As another example, the device 12 may have multiple coils (e.g., 2 or more coils, 4 or more coils, 6 or more coils, 2-6 coils, less than 10 coils, etc.).

[0022] When an AC current passes through one or more coils 36, the coils 36 generate an electromagnetic field signal 44 in response to the AC current signal. The electromagnetic field signal (sometimes referred to as a wireless power signal) 44 can then induce a corresponding AC current to flow in one or more nearby receiving coils, such as coil 48 in the powered device 24. When the alternating electromagnetic field is received by the coils 48, a corresponding alternating current is induced in the coils 48. A rectifier circuit, such as rectifier circuit 50, including rectifier components, such as synchronous rectifier metal-oxide semiconductor transistors arranged in a bridge network, converts the received AC signal (the received alternating signal associated with the electromagnetic field signal 44) from the one or more coils 48 into a DC voltage signal for powering the device 24.

[0023] The DC voltage generated by rectifier circuit 50 (sometimes referred to as rectifier output voltage Vrect) can be used to charge a battery, such as battery 58, and can be used to power other components in device 24. For example, device 24 can include input / output devices 56. Input / output devices 56 can include input devices for collecting user input and / or making environmental measurements, and may include output devices for providing output to a user. By way of example, input / output devices 56 can include a display (screen) for generating visual output, a speaker for presenting output as an audio signal, light-emitting diode status indicator lights and other light-emitting components for emitting light to provide status and / or other information to a user, haptic devices for generating vibrations and other tactile output, and / or other output devices. Input / output devices 56 may also include sensors for collecting input from a user and / or making measurements of the surroundings of system 8.Exemplary sensors that may be included in the input / output device 56 include three-dimensional sensors (e.g., a three-dimensional image sensor such as a structured light sensor that emits a light beam and uses a two-dimensional digital image sensor to collect image data for a three-dimensional image from a light spot that is generated when a target is illuminated by the light beam, a binocular three-dimensional image sensor that collects a three-dimensional image using two or more cameras in a binocular imaging configuration, a three-dimensional LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor, a three-dimensional radio frequency sensor, or other sensor that collects three-dimensional image data), cameras (e.g., infrared and / or visible cameras with corresponding infrared and / or visible digital image sensors, and / or ultraviolet cameras), eye-tracking sensors (e.g., eye-tracking systems based on image sensors and, if desired, a light source that emits one or more light beams that are reflected from the user's eyes and then tracked using an image sensor), touch sensors, buttons, capacitive proximity sensors, infrared proximity sensors, etc. These may include sensors such as light-based (optical) proximity sensors, other proximity sensors, force sensors, switch-based contact sensors, gas sensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, magnetic sensors, audio sensors (microphones), ambient light sensors, optical sensors for making spectral measurements and other measurements on a target object (e.g., by emitting light and measuring reflected light), microphones for collecting voice commands and other audio input, distance sensors, motion, position, and / or orientation sensors configured to collect information regarding the motion, position, and / or orientation (e.g., an inertial measurement unit including an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and / or all of these sensors or one or two subsets of these sensors), sensors such as buttons to detect button press inputs, a joystick with sensors to detect joystick movement, a keyboard, and / or other sensors. These components (which form the load of device 24) may be powered by the DC voltage generated by rectifier circuit 50 (and / or the DC voltage generated by battery 58).

[0024] Device 12 may optionally have one or more input / output devices (eg, input and / or output devices of the types described in connection with input / output device(s) 56).

[0025] Device 12 and / or device 24 can communicate wirelessly using in-band or out-of-band communications. Device 12 may have wireless transceiver circuitry 40 that wirelessly transmits out-of-band signals to device 24, for example, using one or more antennas 62. Wireless transceiver circuitry 40 may be used to wirelessly receive out-of-band signals from device 24 using antenna(s) 62. Device 24 may have wireless transceiver circuitry 46 that transmits out-of-band signals to device 12 using one or more antennas 66. Receiver circuitry within wireless transceiver 46 can receive out-of-band signals from device 12 using antenna(s) 66. In-band transmission between device 12 and device 24 can be performed using coils 36 and 48. In one exemplary configuration, frequency shift keying (FSK) is used to convey in-band data from device 12 to device 24, and amplitude shift keying (ASK) is used to convey in-band data from device 24 to device 12. During these FSK and ASK transmissions, power may be conveyed wirelessly from device 12 to device 24.

[0026] Out-of-band communication between power transmitting device 12 and power receiving device 24 (eg, using antennas 62 and 66) may be performed at any desired frequency.For example, out-of-band communication may be performed in wireless local area network (WLAN) communication bands such as the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (IEEE 802.11) bands, wireless personal area network (WPAN) communication bands such as the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication band, cellular low band (LB) (e.g., 600 to 960 MHz), cellular low-midband (LMB) (e.g., 1400 to 1550 MHz), cellular midband (MB) (e.g., 1700 to 2200 MHz), cellular high band (HB) (e.g., 2300 to 2700 MHz), cellular ultra-high band (UHB) (e.g., 3300 to 5000 MHz), or other cellular communication bands from about 600 MHz to about 5000 MHz (e.g., 3G bands, 4G It may be implemented using cellular telephony bands such as the LTE bands, the 5G New Radio Frequency Range 1 (FR1) bands below 10 GHz, etc., near-field communications (NFC) bands (e.g., at 13.56 MHz), satellite navigation bands (e.g., the L1 global positioning system (GPS) band at 1575 MHz, the L5 GPS band at 1176 MHz, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) bands, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) bands, etc.), ultra-wideband (UWB) communications bands supported by the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol, and / or other UWB communications protocols (e.g., a first UWB communications band at 6.5 GHz and / or a second UWB communications band at 8.0 GHz), and / or any other desired communications bands.As yet a further example, transceiver circuitry 40 and transceiver circuitry 46 may support communications at frequencies between about 10 GHz and 300 GHz (e.g., in the Extremely High Frequency (EHF) or millimeter wave communications bands between about 30 GHz and 300 GHz, and / or in the centimeter wave communications bands between about 10 GHz and 30 GHz (sometimes referred to as the Super High Frequency (SHF) band). The communications bands handled by the radio frequency transceiver circuits may be referred to herein as frequency bands or simply "bands," and may span a corresponding range of frequencies.

[0027] The control circuitry 16 includes an external object measurement circuit 41 that can be used to detect external objects adjacent to the device 12 (e.g., to detect objects on top of a charging mat or adjacent a mating surface of a charging pack, if desired). The circuitry 41 can detect foreign objects such as coils, paperclips, and other metal objects, and can detect the presence of a wireless powered device 24 (e.g., the circuitry 41 can detect the presence of one or more coils 48). During object detection and characterization operations, the external object measurement circuitry 41 can be used to make measurements on the coils 36 to determine whether any devices 24 are present on the device 12.

[0028] In an exemplary configuration, the measurement circuitry 41 of the control circuitry 16 includes signal generator circuitry (e.g., an oscillator circuit that generates an AC probe signal at one or more probe frequencies, a pulse generator that may generate impulses so that impulse responses can be measured to gather inductance information, Q-factor information, etc.), and signal detection circuitry (filters, analog-to-digital converters, impulse response measurement circuitry, etc.). During a measurement operation, switching circuitry within the device 12 (e.g., within a pack of the device 12) may be coordinated by the control circuitry 16 to switch each of the coils 36 into use. As each coil 36 is selectively switched into use, the control circuitry 16 applies a probe signal to that coil using the signal generator circuitry of the signal measurement circuitry 41 while measuring a corresponding response using the signal detection circuitry of the signal measurement circuitry 41. Measurement circuitry 43 within the control circuitry 30 and / or the control circuitry 16 may also be used in making current and voltage measurements (e.g., so that this information can be used by the device 24 and / or the device 12).

[0029] Alignment structures, such as magnetic alignment structures 64 and 68, may optionally be included in the system. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless power transmitting device 12 may have a magnetic alignment structure 64. The wireless power receiving device 24 may have a magnetic alignment structure 68. Each magnetic alignment structure 64 in the power transmitting device may be magnetically coupled to a corresponding magnetic alignment structure 68 in the power receiving device. When the transmitter alignment structure 64 is coupled to the receiver alignment structure 68, the transmitting coil(s) 36 may be aligned with the receiving coil(s) 48. Thus, the magnetic alignment structures ensure proper alignment of the receiving coils relative to the transmitting coils. The magnetic alignment structures 64 and 68 may be permanent magnets (e.g., formed from a hard magnetic material that remains magnetic over time). The magnetic alignment structures may have any desired shape or arrangement. As an example, the magnetic alignment structures may form a circular ring (e.g., when viewed from above). In some examples, the alignment structure may include multiple discrete portions arranged in an arc to form a circular ring. To allow the magnetic alignment structure to easily align coils 36 and 48, coil(s) 36 may be adjacent to magnetic alignment structure 64 and / or coil 48 may be adjacent to magnetic alignment structure 68. Illustratively, coil 36 and magnetic alignment structure 64 may be concentric circular rings and / or coil 48 and magnetic alignment structure 68 may be concentric circular rings.

[0030] In a possible configuration, the antenna 62 of the power transmitting device 12 includes an NFC loop, and the antenna 66 of the power receiving device 24 includes an NFC loop. Thus, the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24 can communicate using near field communication (NFC). When the transmitter alignment structure 64 is coupled to the receiver alignment structure 68, the NFC loop of the power transmitting device 12 can be aligned with the NFC loop of the power receiving device 24.

[0031] The devices 12 and 24 of the wireless charging system 8 can also communicate with an audiovisual electronic device, such as the audiovisual electronic device 110 of FIG. 1. The audiovisual electronic device 110 (sometimes referred to as an audiovisual interface, audiovisual device, audio device, display, etc.) may be an electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a watch, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a computer monitor (display), a case that mates with and holds an additional electronic device, such as a cellular phone or earphones, or other electronic equipment. These examples are merely illustrative. The audiovisual interface 110 may also be a smart speaker, a streaming media player, or an in-car entertainment (ICE) system for a vehicle. In general, an audiovisual electronic device may have audio and / or visual output components.

[0032] 1, audiovisual electronic device 110 may include control circuitry 112 that may be used in controlling the operation of audiovisual electronic device 110. The control circuitry may include a processing circuit associated with a microprocessor, a power management unit, a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and / or an application specific integrated circuit having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry implements desired control and communication functions within audiovisual electronic device 110.

[0033] The control circuitry in the audiovisual electronic device 110 may be configured to execute operations in the audiovisual electronic device 110 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for executing operations in the audiovisual electronic device 110 is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) in the control circuitry 112. The software code may be referred to as software, data, program instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include non-volatile memory such as a Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM), one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid-state drives), one or more removable flash drives, or other removable media, etc. The software stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be executed on the processing circuitry of the control circuitry 112. The processing circuitry may include an application specific integrated circuit having processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other processing circuitry.

[0034] The control circuitry 112 may include wireless transceiver circuitry 114 to wirelessly exchange (e.g., transmit and / or receive) signals with the device 12 and / or device 24 using one or more antennas 116. For example, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may communicate with the power transmitting device 12 via a wired or wireless link 60. The audiovisual electronic device 110 may communicate with the power transmitting device 24 via a wired or wireless link 78. The wireless communication between the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the device 12 and / or device 24 may use any of the frequency bands discussed above in connection with the communication between the device 12 and device 24. For example, the wireless communication between the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the device 12 and / or device 24 may use a Bluetooth frequency band or a WiFi frequency band.

[0035] The audiovisual electronic device 110 may also include input / output (I / O) devices 118. In general, the input / output devices 118 may include input devices for collecting user input and / or making environmental measurements, and may include output devices for providing output to a user. For example, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may include a display (screen) 120 for presenting visual output, one or more speakers 122 for presenting output as audio signals, light-emitting diode status indicator lights and other light-emitting components for emitting light that presents status and / or other information to the user, haptic devices for generating vibrations and other tactile output, and / or other output devices. The input / output devices 118 may also include one or more sensors 124 for collecting input from a user and / or making measurements of the surroundings of the audiovisual electronic device 110.Exemplary sensors 124 that may be included in the input / output device 118 include three-dimensional sensors (e.g., a three-dimensional image sensor such as a structured light sensor that emits a light beam and uses a two-dimensional digital image sensor to collect image data for a three-dimensional image from a light spot generated when a target is illuminated by the light beam, a binocular three-dimensional image sensor that collects a three-dimensional image using two or more cameras in a binocular imaging configuration, a three-dimensional LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor, a three-dimensional radio frequency sensor, or other sensor that collects three-dimensional image data), cameras (e.g., infrared and / or visible cameras with corresponding infrared and / or visible digital image sensors, and / or ultraviolet cameras), eye-tracking sensors (e.g., eye-tracking systems based on image sensors and, if desired, a light source that emits one or more light beams that are reflected from the user's eyes and then tracked using an image sensor), touch sensors, buttons, capacitive proximity sensors, infrared proximity sensors, etc. These may include sensors such as light-based (optical) proximity sensors, other proximity sensors, force sensors, switch-based contact sensors, gas sensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, magnetic sensors, audio sensors (microphones), ambient light sensors, optical sensors for making spectral measurements and other measurements about a target object (e.g., by emitting light and measuring reflected light), microphones for collecting voice commands and other audio input, distance sensors, motion, position, and / or orientation sensors configured to collect information about the motion, position, and / or orientation (e.g., an inertial measurement unit including an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and / or all of these sensors or one or two subsets of these sensors), sensors such as a button that detects a button press input, a joystick with a sensor that detects joystick movement, a keyboard, and / or other sensors.

[0036] The input / output devices 118 in the audiovisual electronic device 110 may also include a port 126 (sometimes referred to as a connector 126 or a connector port 126) configured to mate with a corresponding connector. The port 126 may be, for example, a USB port (e.g., a USB Type-C port, a USB 4.0 port, a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port, a micro USB port, etc.) or a multi-pin connector port.

[0037] The control circuitry 112 of the audiovisual electronic device 110 may also include a charging circuit 121. The charging circuit may be configured to provide DC power to the port 126. In this manner, the charging circuit may be capable of charging a portable electronic device connected to the port. In another possible configuration, the charging circuit may power a wireless power transmitting device, which may provide a wireless power signal to the portable electronic device.

[0038] 2 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary wireless charging circuit for system 8. As shown in FIG. 2, circuit 52 can include an inverter circuit, such as one or more inverters 61, or other drive circuitry that generates a wireless power signal that is transmitted through an output circuit that includes one or more coils 36 and a capacitor, such as capacitor 70. In some embodiments, device 12 can include multiple individually controlled inverters 61, each providing a drive signal to a respective coil 36. In other embodiments, inverter 61 is shared among multiple coils 36 using switching circuitry.

[0039] During operation, control signals for the inverter(s) 61 are provided by the control circuitry 16 at the control input 74. Although a single inverter 61 and a single coil 36 are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, multiple inverters 61 and multiple coils 36 may be used if desired. In a multiple coil configuration, a switching circuit (e.g., a multiplexer circuit) may be used to couple a single inverter 61 to multiple coils 36 and / or each coil 36 to a respective inverter 61. During wireless power transmission operation, transistors within one or more selected inverters 61 are driven by AC control signals from the control circuitry 16. The relative phase between the inverters may be dynamically adjusted (e.g., a pair of inverters 61 may generate in-phase or out-of-phase (e.g., 180° out-of-phase) output signals).

[0040] Applying a drive signal using an inverter(s) 61 (e.g., a transistor or other switch in circuit 52) ​​causes an output circuit formed from a selected coil 36 and capacitor 70 to generate an alternating electromagnetic field (signal 44) that is received by a wireless power receiving circuit 54 using a wireless power receiving circuit formed from one or more coils 48 and one or more capacitors 72 in device 24.

[0041] If desired, the relative phase between the drive coils 36 (e.g., the phase of one of the driven coils 36 relative to another adjacent driven coil 36) may be adjusted by the control circuitry 16 to help enhance wireless power transfer between the device 12 and the device 24. A rectifier circuit 50 is coupled to one or more coils 48 (e.g., a pair of coils) to convert the received power from AC to DC and provide a DC output voltage Vrect across rectifier output terminals 76 for powering load circuits within the device 24 (e.g., for charging a battery 58, for powering a display and / or other input / output devices 56, and / or for powering other components). A single coil 48 or multiple coils 48 may be included within the device 24.

[0042] 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the system 8 in an exemplary configuration in which the wireless power transmitting device 12 is a wireless charging pack. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 12 has a device housing 90 (e.g., a disk-shaped pack housing formed from a polymer, other dielectric material, and / or other material). The device housing 90 can house a device microcontroller for communicating with a plug 94, a DC-DC power converter circuit such as a step-down voltage converter (e.g., a buck converter), a voltage regulator circuit such as a low-dropout (LDO) regulator, a wireless power transmitting circuit such as an inverter 61 (see FIG. 2), a coil(s) 36, and a capacitor 70, a near-field communication (NFC) circuit for communicating with the power receiving device 24, an over-temperature protection (OTP) circuit such as a temperature sensor, a debug circuit, a filter circuit, a magnetic alignment structure 64 (see FIG. 1) for attracting the device 24 during a charging operation, and / or other power transmitting device components.

[0043] A cable 92 is coupled to the device housing 90 to provide power to the coil(s) 36. One end of the cable 92 may be pigtailed to the housing 90. The opposite end of the cable 92 is terminated using a plug 94. The plug 94 has a boot portion 98, which may be referred to as the "boot" of the plug. The boot 98, which may be referred to as a connector boot, may be formed from polymers, metals, and / or other materials and may have an interior region configured to accommodate electrical components (e.g., integrated circuits, discrete components such as transistors, printed circuits, etc.). The boot 98 has a first end connected to the cable 92 and a second end connected to a connector portion 96 (which may be referred to as the "connector" of the plug). The connector 96 may include 24 pins, 10-30 pins, 10 or more pins, 20 or more pins, 30 or more pins, 40 or more pins, 50 or more pins, or any suitable number of pins supported within a connector housing. Pins in the connector 96 are configured to mate with corresponding pins in a port 126 of an external device, such as an audiovisual electronic device 110. The audiovisual electronic device 110 may be an in-car entertainment system, a portable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, a smart speaker, or any other desired type of system. In some cases, the connector 96 may mate with a standalone power adapter. The plug 94 having a connector protruding from the boot 98 may be referred to as a male plug. The plug 94 may be a reversible plug (i.e., a plug that can mate with a corresponding connector port in at least two different symmetrical orientations).

[0044] During normal operation of system 8, power receiving device 24 may be placed on the charging surface of power transmitting device 12. Magnetic alignment structures 64 and 68 in devices 12 and 24 attract each other, thereby holding devices 12 and 24 together during charging.

[0045] The boot 98 may have a boot housing that houses various electrical components. The boot housing may house a boot microcontroller for communicating with the device microcontroller in the housing 90, a DC-DC power converter circuit such as a step-up voltage converter (e.g., a boost converter), a voltage regulator circuit such as a low dropout (LDO) regulator, an electronic fuse circuit such as an e-fuse or fuse to provide overcurrent protection upon detection of a short circuit, overload, mismatched load, or other device fault event, a filter circuit, and / or other boot components.

[0046] In the example of FIG. 3, the power transmitting device 12 is formed separately from the audiovisual electronic device 110 and is connected to the audiovisual electronic device 110. In this type of configuration, a charging circuit 121 in the audiovisual electronic device 110 can power the coil 36 in the power transmitting device 12 by providing DC power via the connector 126. However, this example is merely illustrative. In some cases, the power transmitting device 12 may be integrated with the audiovisual electronic device 110 (e.g., as a module of the audiovisual electronic device 110). In other words, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may include a power transmitting module having the components and functions described in connection with the device 12. As an example, the audiovisual electronic device may be an in-car entertainment system with an integrated wireless transmitting coil. In operation, a charging circuit in the in-car entertainment system can provide DC power to the wireless transmitting coil to transmit wireless power to the wireless power receiving device.

[0047] The audiovisual electronic device 110 may have multiple operating modes. FIG. 4 is a state diagram illustrating exemplary operating modes of an audiovisual electronic device. The audiovisual electronic device may operate in a normal mode 130. In the normal mode, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may not be paired with an external electronic device. The audiovisual electronic device may pair with an external electronic device and enter a pairing mode 132. When in the pairing mode 132, the audiovisual electronic device may exchange information with the external electronic device (e.g., using a wired or wireless communication link). In the pairing mode 132, one or more output devices in the audiovisual electronic device may be controlled using information from the external electronic device. In the pairing mode, the audiovisual electronic device may be synchronized with the external electronic device.

[0048] In the normal mode, the audiovisual electronic device may display one or more affordances that represent the functionality provided by the audiovisual electronic device. An affordance is a user interface element that indicates an action / result associated with that portion of the user interface. For example, one example of an affordance is a button (e.g., a virtual button on a touch-sensitive display) with a musical note icon. When this affordance is displayed on the audiovisual electronic device and selected by a user (e.g., using touch input), the audiovisual electronic device can enter a mode in which music is played. Some non-limiting examples of functionality provided by the audiovisual electronic device are to operate a radio (e.g., AM FM radio) or a navigation application. When an affordance for a radio function is selected, the audiovisual electronic device can display the current radio station and / or selectable preset radio stations. When an affordance for a navigation application is selected, the audiovisual electronic device can display a map of the route the user should follow. The functionality provided by the audiovisual electronic device may be self-sufficient (meaning the functionality can be executed in normal mode without being paired with a separate electronic device).

[0049] When the audiovisual electronic device is switched to pairing mode 132, the audiovisual electronic device can switch to displaying one or more affordances representing the functionality provided by the paired electronic device. For example, the functionality provided by the paired electronic device may be a music playback functionality. An affordance representing the music playback functionality may be displayed on the audiovisual electronic device. When selected by a user, music stored on the paired electronic device may be wirelessly transmitted to the audiovisual electronic device and played using a speaker of the audiovisual electronic device. In general, the functionality provided by the paired electronic device requires the paired electronic device to operate. In other words, if the audiovisual electronic device 110 is not paired with a separate electronic device, the audiovisual electronic device 110 cannot execute the functionality provided by the paired electronic device in normal mode 130.

[0050] As one illustrative example described herein, the audiovisual interface 110 may be an in-car entertainment system. During normal mode 130, the in-car entertainment system may use native software for operation. The in-car entertainment system is not controlled by a separate device (e.g., a cellular phone) in normal mode. The in-car entertainment system 110 may also be operable in pairing mode 132. In pairing mode, the in-car entertainment system 110 may exchange information with and be controlled by a separate device, such as a cellular phone. The in-car entertainment system 110 and the paired separate device (e.g., a cellular phone) may operate using known standards (e.g., CarPlay®) in pairing mode.

[0051] In pairing mode 132, audiovisual interface 110 can operate using information from powered device 24. In other words, one or more components in audiovisual interface 110 may be controlled by device 24. Consider an example where audiovisual interface 110 is an in-car entertainment system (sometimes referred to as an infotainment system) and powered device 24 is a cellular phone. While in-car entertainment system 110 and cellular phone 24 are connected (e.g., in pairing mode 132), input / output components (e.g., display, speaker, etc.) of in-car entertainment system 110 may be controlled by cellular phone 24. For example, a user interface based on an existing home screen in cellular phone 24 may be provided on the home screen of the in-car entertainment system. In other words, affordances (e.g., buttons and / or icons) from the existing home screen of the cellular phone may be provided for display on the home screen of the in-car entertainment system. Applications on cellular phone 24 may be operated using the user interface of in-car entertainment system 110. For example, a navigation application in the cellular phone 24 can operate using the input / output components of the in-car entertainment system 110. This allows the display 120 of the in-car entertainment system (which may be larger than the cellular phone's display and conveniently located in the vehicle) to be used for navigation instead of the cellular phone's display. The display 120 may be a touch-sensitive display, and the application (controlled by the cellular phone and displayed using the in-car entertainment system) can receive user input when the user touches the touch-sensitive display. A music application in the cellular phone 24 can provide music to the in-car entertainment system 110 for playback using the speaker 122.The in-car entertainment system 110 may be customized using information from the cellular phone while in pairing mode 132.

[0052] Information may be exchanged between the in-car entertainment system 110 and a separate control device (e.g., a cellular phone) using wired or wireless communication. In one possible configuration, the control device (e.g., a cellular phone) may be physically connected to the vehicle (and in-car entertainment system 110) using a cable (e.g., a wired connection). The control device provides content to the in-car entertainment system using this wired connection.

[0053] In another possible configuration, the control device (e.g., a cellular phone) may be wirelessly connected to the vehicle (and in-car entertainment system 110). The control device uses this wireless connection to provide content to the in-car entertainment system. The wireless connection may use a Bluetooth communication band. Alternatively, to increase the bandwidth of the wireless connection, the wireless connection may use a Wi-Fi communication band, such as the 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz Wi-Fi communication bands. These examples are merely illustrative. In general, any desired frequency band may be used for wireless communication between the control device and the in-car entertainment system.

[0054] Consider an example in which powered device 24 is a cellular phone, power transmitting device 12 is a wireless charger in a vehicle, and audiovisual interface 110 is an in-car entertainment system in the vehicle.

[0055] In some cases, the cellular phone may be connected directly to the audiovisual interface 110 (bypassing the wireless charger 12) using a wired connection between the cellular phone and the vehicle's port 126. In addition to enabling wired charging, the wired connection between the powered device 24 and the audiovisual interface 110 can also provide a link that allows the audiovisual interface 110 to operate using information from the cellular phone 24 (as described above). The in-car entertainment system can operate using information from the cellular phone while the cellular phone is physically connected to the vehicle (e.g., in pairing mode).

[0056] Having the wireless power transmitting device 12 in the vehicle can make the charging process easier for the user. Instead of plugging in a wire between the cellular phone 24 and the vehicle, the cellular phone may simply be placed on the wireless charger in the vehicle. The wireless charger can be coupled to a port 126 in the vehicle and receive DC power from the port. This DC power is used to operate the power transmitting device and transmit wireless power to the cellular phone. This type of configuration allows the user to easily charge the cellular phone 24. However, there is no longer a wired connection between the cellular phone 24 and the in-car entertainment system 110. Thus, the in-car entertainment system 110 may not know that the cellular phone 24 is present and may not know to enter pairing mode with the cellular phone.

[0057] To improve the user experience and easily link the cellular phone 24 and the in-car entertainment system 110, the establishment of a wireless charging link between the power transmitting device 12 and the powered device 24 can trigger wireless communication between the powered device 24 and the in-car entertainment system 110. When the powered device 24 is placed on the power transmitting device 12, a wireless charging link is established between the device 24 and the device 12. The power transmitting device 12 (which has a wired connection to the vehicle) can notify the in-car entertainment system of the presence of the powered device 24. This can trigger the in-car entertainment system 110 to attempt to communicate with the powered device 24 to establish a link with the powered device. Once the link between the in-car entertainment system 110 and the powered device 24 is established, the in-car entertainment system 110 can enter a pairing mode 132 and be controlled by the powered device 24.

[0058] As a first example, a user may have previously paired their cellular phone 24 to the in-car entertainment center 110 (e.g., the ICE 110 has already operated in pairing mode with the cellular phone 24). Thus, the cellular phone 24 is a recognized device to the in-car entertainment center 110, and the user has previously authorized the cellular phone 24 to operate in pairing mode with the in-car entertainment system. The user may enter the vehicle and place the cellular phone 24 on the wireless charger 12. In response to detecting the cellular phone, the wireless charger 12 notifies the in-car entertainment system 110 of the presence of the cellular phone 24 in the vehicle. In response, the in-car entertainment system 110 may enter pairing mode with the cellular phone 24 and begin displaying content provided by the cellular phone 24 (e.g., may switch from displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the in-car entertainment system to displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the cellular phone).

[0059] As a second example, a user may not have previously paired their cellular phone 24 to the in-car entertainment center 110. Thus, the cellular phone 24 is not a recognized device to the in-car entertainment center 110, and the user has not yet authorized the cellular phone 24 to operate in pairing mode with the in-car entertainment system. The user may enter the vehicle and place the cellular phone 24 on the wireless charger 12. In response to detecting the cellular phone, the wireless charger 12 notifies the in-car entertainment system 110 of the presence of the cellular phone 24 in the vehicle. In response, the in-car entertainment system 110 may attempt to establish communication with the cellular phone 24 (and may enter pairing mode with the cellular phone 24). The user may be prompted as to whether they would like to pair the cellular phone 24 with the in-car entertainment system 110 (e.g., the cellular phone 24 may display a prompt to allow pairing). If the user allows the pairing, the in-car entertainment system 110 may enter a pairing mode with the cellular telephone 24 and begin displaying content provided by the cellular telephone 24 (e.g., may switch from displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the in-car entertainment system to displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the cellular telephone).

[0060] As a third example, multiple users may enter a vehicle, each with a cellular phone that has previously been paired with the in-car entertainment system 110. The in-car entertainment system 110 may identify (e.g., using wireless communication) the presence of multiple paired cellular phones. However, because there are multiple paired cellular phones, the in-car entertainment system 110 may not know which cellular phone to use as a controller for the in-car entertainment system. The in-car entertainment system may refrain from entering pairing mode in this scenario (because it is unclear which device the in-car entertainment system should pair with). One of the cellular phones may then be placed on the wireless charger 12. The wireless charger 12 may report to the in-car entertainment system 110 which cellular phone is placed on the charger. The in-car entertainment system then enters pairing mode with the cellular phone present on the wireless charger. In other words, placing a cellular phone on the wireless charger serves as an instruction to use the cellular phone as a control device in pairing mode for the in-car entertainment system.

[0061] As another example, when multiple in-range electronic devices are present to pair with the in-car entertainment system, the in-car entertainment system may pair with a first one of the devices (e.g., a default device). Then, when a second one of the in-range devices is placed on the wireless charger, the wireless charger 12 can report to the in-car entertainment system 110 which device is placed on the charger. The in-car entertainment system then exits pairing mode with the first device and switches to pairing mode with the second device (present on the wireless charger).

[0062] 5 is a flow chart of example operations involved in operating a system in which adhesion between a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device triggers communication between the wireless power receiving device and an audiovisual electronic device. As shown, in step 502, adhesion between the power receiving device and the power transmitting device may be detected. When the power receiving device 24 and the power transmitting device 12 are attracted, the magnetic alignment structures 64 and 68 may be magnetically coupled to align the coils 36 and 48. In this configuration, the power transmitting device 12 may transmit wireless power to the power receiving device 24.

[0063] There are many ways to detect adhesion between the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24. The power transmitting device 12 and / or the power receiving device 24 may include sensors or other components that allow adhesion of the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24 to be detected. As discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 , an external object measurement circuit 41 in the power transmitting device 12 can be used to perform measurements on the coil 36 to determine whether any device 24 is present on the device 12. Thus, the external object measurement circuit 41 can detect adhesion between the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, one or more components within the wireless power receiving device 24 can detect adhesion between the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24. The power receiving device 24 may include an NFC loop and / or a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) used to detect adhesion of the device 24 to the device 12. For example, a magnetic sensor within the power receiving device 24 can detect the presence of the device 12 when the device 24 is placed adjacent to the device 12. In response to the magnetic sensor being triggered, the NFC loop within the power receiving device 24 can attempt to communicate with a corresponding NFC loop in the power transmitting device 12.

[0065] The above-described examples of detecting adhesion between the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24 are merely illustrative. In general, any desired sensor in one or both of the devices 12 and 24 may be used to detect adhesion. A magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor), an optical sensor (e.g., a camera, a proximity sensor, etc.), a measurement circuit coupled to the coil 36 and / or the coil 48, or any other desired type of sensor may be included in the device 12 and the device 24 and used to help detect adhesion. In addition, one or more sensors may also be included in the audiovisual electronic device 110 to detect adhesion between the device 12 and the device 24. In an example where the audiovisual electronic device 110 is an in-car entertainment system, the in-car entertainment system may include one or more sensors, such as a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) and / or an optical sensor (e.g., a camera, a proximity sensor, etc.), to help detect adhesion between the device 12 and the device 24.

[0066] After detecting the adhesion between the power receiving device and the power transmitting device, the power transmitting device 12 can negotiate a power transmission rate with the power receiving device 24 and start delivering wireless power to the power receiving device 24. Additionally, in step 504, a device identifier of the power receiving device may be communicated to the audiovisual electronic device 110. As discussed in connection with FIG. 1, the audiovisual electronic device may be an in-car entertainment system. Alternatively, the audiovisual electronic device may be an electronic device such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a smart speaker, etc.

[0067] There are several ways in which the device identifier of the powered device may be communicated to the audiovisual electronic device 110. In one possible configuration, the powered device 24 may transmit the device identifier to the power transmitting device 12 using in-band communication. The power transmitting device 12 then relays the device identifier to the audiovisual electronic device 110. In other words, while wireless power is being delivered from the power transmitting device 12 to the powered device 24, the powered device 24 may transmit one or more packets (with the device identifier) ​​to the device 12 using the coil 48 (e.g., using amplitude shift keying). The device 12 may receive the device identifier in-band (e.g., using the coil 36).

[0068] As previously mentioned, the device 12 may have a wired link 60 to the audiovisual electronic device 110. As shown in Fig. 3, for example, the power transmitting device 12 may have a connector 96 that mates with a corresponding port 126 in the audiovisual electronic device 110. The wired connection between the power transmitting device 12 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may enable the power transmitting device 12 to receive DC power from the audiovisual electronic device 110. Additionally, the wired connection between the power transmitting device 12 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may enable the power transmitting device 12 to transmit information, such as a device identifier, to the audiovisual electronic device 110.

[0069] Thus, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may receive the device identifier of the powered device 24 via a wired connection with the power transmitting device 12. This example is merely illustrative. In another possible configuration, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may receive the device identifier of the powered device 24 directly from the powered device 24 (e.g., using the antenna 116 and out-of-band communication).

[0070] In other words, the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may have a wireless link 78 that enables communication between the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110. The powered device 24 may transmit its device identifier to the audiovisual electronic device 110 using the antenna 66 (e.g., over the Bluetooth or WiFi communication bands). The audiovisual electronic device 110 may receive the device identifier using the antenna 116.

[0071] In summary, the device identifier may be communicated from the powered receiving device 24 to the audiovisual electronic device 110 in step 504 in at least two ways. The first option is to transmit the device identifier from the powered receiving device 24 to the power transmitting device 12 using in-band communication (e.g., using coils 36 and 48). The device identifier is then provided to the audiovisual electronic device 110 using a wired connection between the power transmitting device 12 and the audiovisual electronic device 110. The second option is to transmit the device identifier directly from the powered receiving device 24 to the audiovisual electronic device 110 using out-of-band communication (e.g., using antennas 66 and 116).

[0072] In a first option, the power transmitting device 12 can send a request to the device 24 to trigger the device 24 to transmit its device identifier in-band to the power transmitting device 12 (so that the power transmitting device 12 can then relay the device identifier to the audiovisual electronic device 110). As another option, the device 24 can receive information from the device 12 indicating that the device 12 is connected to or otherwise in proximity to an additional audiovisual electronic device that may wish to (or can) pair with the power receiving device 24. In response to this information, the device 24 can transmit its device identifier to the device 12. Alternatively, in some wireless power delivery schemes, the power receiving device 24 can automatically transmit its device identifier to the device 12 as part of an identification phase of a wireless power communication protocol. The power transmitting device 12 can then relay the device identifier to the audiovisual electronic device 110.

[0073] In a second option, power transmitting device 12 can send a request to device 24 that triggers device 24 to transmit its device identifier out-of-band to audiovisual electronic device 110. Alternatively, device 24 can receive information from device 12 indicating that device 12 is connected to or otherwise in proximity to an audiovisual electronic device that may wish to (or be able to) pair with power receiving device 24. In response to this information, device 24 can transmit its device identifier directly to audiovisual electronic device 110 (e.g., using antenna 66).

[0074] It should be noted that prior to steps 502 and 504, the power transmitting device 12 may have exchanged information with the audiovisual electronic device 110. For example, once a wired connection between the power transmitting device 12 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 is established, the power transmitting device 12 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may exchange information such as device type, power delivery capabilities, etc. The power transmitting device 12 may receive information from the audiovisual electronic device 110 identifying that the audiovisual electronic device 110 is an in-car entertainment system or other device that may wish to (or be able to) pair with the power receiving device 24. Thus, once an adhesion between the power receiving device 24 and the power transmitting device 12 is detected in step 502, the power transmitting device 12 and / or the power receiving device 24 know to proceed to step 504 (and ensure that a device identifier is communicated to the audiovisual electronic device 110).

[0075] In step 506, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may receive the device identifier 24 and determine whether the powered device 24 has previously been paired with the audiovisual electronic device 110. The audiovisual electronic device may maintain a list of devices that have previously been paired (e.g., a list of authorized device identifiers). If the received device identifier is on the list of authorized device identifiers, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may proceed to step 510 and pair with the powered device 24.

[0076] There are many options for how to pair the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 in step 510. The audiovisual electronic device 110 can directly send a pairing request to the device 24 using antennas 116 and 66 (e.g., using Bluetooth or WiFi communication bands). Alternatively, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may send a pairing request to the device 24 using the device 12 as a repeater. In other words, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can provide a pairing request to the device 12 using a wired connection between the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the device 12. The device 12 can then send a pairing request to the device 24 using in-band communication (e.g., frequency shift keying that occurs while power is being delivered from the device 12 to the device 24). In response to receiving the pairing request, the device 24 can trigger the antenna 66 to communicate with the antenna 116 of the audiovisual electronic device 110. Triggering antenna 66 to communicate with antenna 116 may involve scanning various frequency bands to identify a frequency band for communication with audiovisual electronic device 110 and / or transmitting a signal using antenna 66 to establish a wireless link with audiovisual electronic device 110.

[0077] If, at step 506, the received device identifier is not on the list of authorized device identifiers, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may proceed to step 508. At step 508, permission may be requested from the user to pair the powered device 24 with the audiovisual electronic device 110. The permission may be requested using input / output components of the powered device 24 and / or the audiovisual electronic device 110. As an example, the request for permission may be displayed on a display within the audiovisual electronic device 110. Alternatively, the request for permission may be displayed on a display within the powered device 24.

[0078] If the user rejects the request to pair the powered device 24 with the audiovisual electronic device 110, the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may cease communication and the powered device 24 will simply receive wireless power from the power transmitting device 12. If the user accepts the request to pair the powered device 24 with the audiovisual electronic device 110, the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may be paired in step 510 as described above.

[0079] By pairing the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 in step 510, a communication link may be established between the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110. The communication link may be a wireless communication link between the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 (similar to that described above). Alternatively, the communication link may include communication between the device 12 and the device 24 using the coils 36 and 48 (e.g., in-band communication), and communication between the device 12 and the device 110. In other words, an ongoing communication link between the device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may use the device 12 as a repeater.

[0080] There are many ways in which the communication link can be used. For example, consider an example in which the audiovisual electronic device 110 is an in-car entertainment system. After the powered device 24 and the in-car entertainment system 110 are paired, the in-car entertainment system 110 can enter a pairing mode 132. The powered device 24 transmits commands and / or data to the in-car entertainment system 110 that are used to control a user interface of the in-car entertainment system 110. For example, the in-car entertainment system 110 can display content provided by the powered device 24 via the wireless link on a display.

[0081] In step 510, in response to detecting alignment of the power receiving device 24 with the power transmitting device 12 for wireless power transmission, control circuitry within the power receiving device 24 may transmit instructions to the audio-visual electronic device 110 for presenting audio or visual features supported by the power receiving device 24. Alternatively, in response to detecting alignment of the power receiving device 24 with the power transmitting device 12 for wireless power transmission, control circuitry within the power receiving device 24 may transmit or receive information.

[0082] Consider another example where the audiovisual electronic device 110 is a laptop or desktop computer. After the powered device 24 and the computer 110 are paired, the powered device 24 and the computer 110 may be synchronized. For example, a photo taken on the powered device 24 may be sent from the powered device 24 to the computer 110 using a communications link and stored on the computer 110. Music or television programs downloaded on the computer 110 may be sent from the computer 110 to the powered device 24 using a wireless link and stored on the powered device 24.

[0083] 5 allows the powered device 24 to automatically pair with (and send instructions to) the audiovisual electronic device in response to being placed on a power transmitting device 12 coupled to the audiovisual electronic device. This allows functions such as the powered device 24 automatically entering a pairing mode controlling the in-car entertainment system 110 or automatically synchronizing the powered device 24 with the computer 110 in response to the device 24 being attached to the wireless charger 12. However, in some cases, a user may wish to disable this type of functionality. Thus, there may be user-controllable settings (e.g., on the powered device 24, the power transmitting device 12, and / or the audiovisual electronic device 110) that allow a user to selectively enable and disable automatic pairing and subsequent functionality.

[0084] Consider an example in which system 110 is an in-car entertainment system. In-car entertainment system 110 may have a setting such as "automatically enter pairing mode with wireless charging devices" that a user can toggle on and off using input / output component 118. Alternatively or additionally, device 24 may have a setting such as "automatically enter pairing mode with available in-car entertainment systems while wirelessly charging" that a user can toggle on and off using input / output component 56.

[0085] Consider an example in which audiovisual electronic device 110 is a laptop or desktop computer. Computer 110 may have a setting such as "automatically sync with wireless charging devices" that a user can toggle on and off using input / output component 118. Alternatively or additionally, device 24 may have a setting such as "automatically sync with available computers while wirelessly charging" that a user can toggle on and off using input / output component 56.

[0086] 5 shows an example of how the adhesion between a power receiving device and a power transmitting device may trigger additional steps associated with an audiovisual electronic device. Another example of this type of functionality is shown in FIG.

[0087] 6 is a flow chart of exemplary operations involved in operating a system in which adhering a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device triggers a pairing mode between the wireless power receiving device and an audiovisual electronic device. As shown in FIG. 6, in step 602, multiple candidates for a pairing mode with the audiovisual electronic device 110 can be detected.

[0088] As an example of step 602, consider a scenario in which the audiovisual electronic device 110 is an in-car entertainment system 110. The in-car entertainment system 110 may be operable in a pairing mode 132 in which the in-car entertainment system is controlled by a separate electronic device, such as a cellular phone. The in-car entertainment system 110 and / or the cellular phone may have a setting that allows the cellular phone to automatically pair with the in-car entertainment system 110 and enter the pairing mode when in range. A user may enter a vehicle holding a cellular phone that was previously paired with the in-car entertainment system. In response to the cellular phone being present in the vehicle and the vehicle being powered on, the in-car entertainment system and the cellular phone may enter the pairing mode 132 in which the cellular phone controls the user interface of the in-car entertainment system.

[0089] However, in some cases, the in-car entertainment system may have multiple authorized cellular phones configured to enter pairing mode 132 when in range. For example, three users may enter the vehicle, each holding a respective cellular phone that was previously paired with the in-car entertainment system. Each cellular phone individually enters pairing mode 132 and controls the user interface of the in-car entertainment system when the vehicle is turned on. However, because multiple authorized cellular phones are present in the vehicle, the in-car entertainment system 110 does not know which cellular phone to use for pairing mode 132. Thus, the in-car entertainment system may refrain from entering pairing mode with any one of the cellular phones. In other words, when multiple valid pairing options are available for the in-car entertainment system, the in-car entertainment system may not pair with any of the valid options.

[0090] Alternatively, when multiple authorized cellular phones are present in the vehicle, the in-car entertainment system 110 may default to entering pairing mode 132 with one of the cellular phones within range.

[0091] An attachment between one of the candidate power receiving devices and the power transmitting device may be detected in step 604. Once the power receiving device 24 and the power transmitting device 12 are attached, the magnetic alignment structures 64 and 68 may be magnetically coupled to align the coils 36 and 48. In this configuration, the power transmitting device 12 may transmit wireless power to the power receiving device 24.

[0092] During step 604, in a configuration in which the power transmitting device is connected to a port in the in-car entertainment system, the in-car entertainment system 110 can use a charging circuit (e.g., charging circuit 121 in FIG. 1 ) to power the wireless transmitting coil in the power transmitting device 12. In a configuration in which the wireless transmitting coil is integrated with the in-car entertainment system, the charging circuit can power the integrated wireless transmitting coil without the need for a user interface cord coupled to a port in the in-car entertainment system.

[0093] Any of the techniques discussed in connection with step 502 for detecting adhesion between the power receiving device 24 and the power transmitting device 12 may be used in step 604. After detecting adhesion between the power receiving device and the power transmitting device, the power transmitting device 12 can negotiate a power transfer rate with the power receiving device 24 and begin delivering wireless power to the power receiving device 24.

[0094] In step 606, the in-car entertainment system can enter pairing mode 132 with the power receiving device 24 attached to the power transmitting device 12. Returning to the previous example, in step 602, a first, second, and third cellular telephone can be identified. The first cellular telephone has a first corresponding device identifier, the second cellular telephone has a second corresponding device identifier, and the third cellular telephone has a third corresponding device identifier. The in-car entertainment system 110 can have the first, second, and third device identifiers on a list of authorized devices. In step 602, the in-car entertainment system 110 can detect the presence of the first, second, and third cellular telephones and verify that all three cellular telephones are authorized devices for pairing mode. However, the in-car entertainment system does not enter pairing mode with any one of the cellular telephones. Alternatively, the in-car entertainment system can enter pairing mode with the first cellular telephone by default.

[0095] In step 604, the second cellular telephone may be adsorbed to the power transmitting device 12. In step 606, the in-car entertainment system may receive information indicating that the second cellular telephone is adsorbed to the power transmitting device (e.g., a device identifier of the second cellular telephone). The in-car entertainment system may receive this information (e.g., a device identifier of the second cellular telephone) from the power transmitting device (e.g., via a wired connection) or directly from the second cellular telephone (e.g., via a wireless connection). In response to this information, the in-car entertainment system may enter a pairing mode 132 with the second cellular telephone. In other words, the second cellular telephone may control a user interface of the in-car entertainment system.

[0096] In summary, the placement of a given device among a plurality of candidate devices on the power transmitting device can function to select the given device for pairing mode with the in-car entertainment system.

[0097] In some cases, a user may want to disable this type of functionality. Thus, there may be user-controllable settings (e.g., on the power receiving device 24, the power transmitting device 12, and / or the audiovisual electronic device 110) that allow a user to selectively enable and disable automatic pairing. The user-controllable settings may allow a user to prioritize candidate devices for entering pairing mode 132. In this case, device priority may determine which devices enter pairing mode instead of attachment to the power transmitting device 12.

[0098] The steps of FIG. 6 are described in relation to an example of an in-car entertainment system. However, these steps may be applied to any other type of audiovisual electronic device 110. As another example, consider an example in which the audiovisual electronic device 110 is a speaker. Multiple candidate devices may have been previously paired with the speaker and may be configured to provide music to the speaker. By placing one of the candidate devices on the power transmitting device, it can be determined which candidate device will pair with the speaker and control the speaker.

[0099] 7 is a flow chart illustrating example operations involved in operating a power transmitting device. In step 702, the power transmitting device 12 may receive information identifying a wired connection to an audiovisual electronic device. The information may identify the type of audiovisual electronic device to which the power transmitting device is connected. The power transmitting device 12 may be connected to a port 126 of the audiovisual electronic device.

[0100] In step 704, the power transmitting device 12 may detect adhesion to the power receiving device 24. The adhesion may be detected using the measurement circuitry 41 and / or any other desired sensor.

[0101] After detecting attachment to the powered device, the power transmitting device can receive a device identifier from the powered device using in-band communication in step 706. The power transmitting device 12 may automatically receive the device identifier after being attached to the powered device. Alternatively, the power transmitting device 12 can send a request to the powered device 24 (e.g., using in-band communication) for the powered device to send device identifier information.

[0102] In addition, after detecting attachment to the power receiving device, the power transmitting device 12 can begin delivering wireless power to the power receiving device.

[0103] After receiving the device identifier of the powered device 24 from the powered device 24 in step 708, the power transmitting device 12 may relay the device identifier to the audiovisual electronic device 110 (e.g., using a wired connection to the audiovisual electronic device 110). The audiovisual electronic device may use the device identifier to take additional steps (e.g., pair with the powered device) as desired.

[0104] The power transmitting device 12 may further transmit information about the audiovisual electronic device 110 to the power receiving device 24 (e.g., after suction is detected in step 704). The power transmitting device 12 may transmit information about the audiovisual electronic device to the power receiving device 24 using, for example, in-band communication.

[0105] At any point following step 704 (once attachment to the powered device 24 is detected), the power transmitting device 12 can relay information between the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110. The power transmitting device 12 can have a first (wireless, in-band) communication link with the powered device 24 and a second (wired) communication link with the audiovisual electronic device 110. Using these two communication links, the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 can communicate (via the power transmitting device 12).

[0106] The steps of FIG. 7 may be performed by control circuitry within the boot 98 of the transmitting device 12 and / or within the housing 90 of the transmitting device 12.

[0107] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating example operations involved in operating the audiovisual electronic device 110. In step 802, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may receive information identifying a wired connection to a wireless power transmitting device (e.g., a wireless charging pack). The information may identify the type of power transmitting device to which the audiovisual electronic device is connected. The power transmitting device 12 may be connected to a port 126 of the audiovisual electronic device. The audiovisual electronic device 110 may provide DC power to the wireless power transmitting device 12 via the port 126. The audiovisual electronic device 110 may provide the DC power using a battery and / or using an AC-DC converter (such as the AC-DC converter 14 of FIG. 1).

[0108] Next, in step 804, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may receive a device identifier of the wireless power receiving device 24 using the wired connection between the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the wireless power transmitting device 12. The device identifier and / or other information provided by the power transmitting device 12 may indicate that the power receiving device 24 is attached to the power transmitting device.

[0109] The example of receiving the device identifier of the wireless powered receiving device 24 using a wired connection to the power transmitting device 12 is merely illustrative. The audiovisual electronic device 110 can also wirelessly receive the device identifier of the wireless powered receiving device 24 directly from the wireless powered receiving device 24 in step 804.

[0110] In step 806, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can take appropriate action based on the received device identifier. There are many possible actions that the audiovisual electronic device 110 can take using this information. First, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can compare the received device identifier to a list of authorized device identifiers to determine whether the adsorbed powered receiving device 24 has been previously paired with the audiovisual electronic device 110 (e.g., step 506 of FIG. 5). If it is determined that the adsorbed powered receiving device 24 has been previously paired with the audiovisual electronic device 110 or if permission to pair the adsorbed powered receiving device with the audiovisual electronic device 110 is received (e.g., step 508 of FIG. 5), the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 can pair and establish a communication link (e.g., step 510 of FIG. 5). After establishing the wireless communication link, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can enter a pairing mode 132 in which the powered device 24 controls the user interface of the audiovisual electronic device 110. In the pairing mode, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can receive instructions from the wireless powered receiving device 24 to present audio or visual features supported by the wireless powered receiving device 24. Alternatively, after establishing a wireless communication link, the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the powered device 24 can be synchronized. As another example, in step 806, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can use the received device identifier to select which of multiple candidate devices should enter the pairing mode 132 (e.g., step 606 of FIG. 6).

[0111] At step 806, the audiovisual electronic device may display a user interface affordance on the display 120. The user interface affordance may represent switching the audiovisual electronic device to a pairing mode. In response to a selection of the user interface affordance (e.g., by a user touching the user interface affordance on the touch-sensitive display 120), the audiovisual electronic device may switch operation (e.g., from a normal mode to a pairing mode) and receive data representing audio or visual capabilities from the powered device 24.

[0112] At any point following step 804 (once attachment to the powered device 24 is detected), the audiovisual electronic device 110 can transmit information to the powered device 24 via the power transmitting device 12 (e.g., with the device 12 acting as a repeater). At any point, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may exchange information wirelessly directly with the powered device 24. At any point thereafter after a wired connection between the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the power transmitting device 12 is established, the audiovisual electronic device 110 can exchange information with the powered transmitting device 12 using the wired connection.

[0113] In step 806, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may customize a user interface based on the received device identifier. In one such example, the audiovisual electronic device 110 customizes the user interface by allowing the powered device 24 to control the user interface. However, other configurations are possible. For example, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may have stored preferences associated with the device identifier. In response to receiving the device identifier, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may revert to those stored preferences. Any type of preference (e.g., volume level, display settings, preferred user interface appearance, etc.) may be associated with the device identifier. If the audiovisual electronic device 110 is an in-car entertainment system, vehicle preferences (e.g., preset radio stations, seat position(s), cabin temperature, steering wheel position, mirror position(s), etc.) may also be associated with the device identifier. In response to receiving the device identifier, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may set the relevant components in the vehicle to the preferences stored for that device identifier. In addition, one or more sensors (e.g., a camera, a three-dimensional image sensor such as a structured light sensor that emits a light beam, a proximity sensor, an eye gaze detection sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a touch sensor, etc.) may also be included within the audiovisual electronic device 110 to obtain additional information that is used to update any of the aforementioned settings within the audiovisual electronic device 110 and to provide a customized experience to the user.

[0114] 9 is a flow chart of example operations involved in operating a power receiving device. In step 902, the power receiving device 24 may detect attachment to the power transmitting device 12. The attachment may be detected using an NFC loop, a magnetic sensor, a measurement circuit 43 coupled to the receiving coil 48, and / or any other desired sensor.

[0115] After detecting attachment to the power transmitting device, the power receiving device 24 may transmit a device identifier to the power transmitting device using in-band communications (e.g., amplitude shift keying) in step 904. The power receiving device 24 may automatically transmit a device identifier to the power transmitting device after being attached to the power transmitting device (e.g., according to a wireless charging communications protocol). The power receiving device 24 may transmit a device identifier to the power transmitting device 12 after receiving information from the power transmitting device indicating that the power transmitting device is coupled to an audiovisual electronic device that is a candidate for pairing. Alternatively, the power receiving device 24 may transmit a device identifier to the power transmitting device 12 in response to receiving a request from the power transmitting device 12 (e.g., using in-band communications) for the power receiving device to transmit device identifier information to the power transmitting device.

[0116] Additionally, in step 904, the power receiving device 24 may begin receiving wireless power from the power transmitting device.

[0117] In step 906, the powered device 24 may receive information from the power transmitting device 12 identifying a wired connection between the power transmitting device and the audiovisual electronic device 110. This example is merely illustrative. In some cases, step 906 may be omitted (e.g., the audiovisual electronic device 110 may communicate directly with the powered device 24 instead of the power transmitting device 12 notifying the device 24 about the presence of the audiovisual electronic device 110). In some configurations, the order of steps 904 and 906 may be reversed.

[0118] Thereafter, in step 908, the powered device 24 may invoke pairing mode with the audiovisual electronic device 110. The powered device 24 may ensure that the user has authorized the pairing mode before entering the pairing mode. For example, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may be on an authorized list of devices with which the powered device 24 should automatically pair. In this case, the powered device 24 may enter pairing mode 132 with the audiovisual electronic device 110 without seeking additional authorization from the user. In another example where the audiovisual electronic device 110 is not on an authorized list of devices in the device 24, the audiovisual electronic device 110 and / or the device 24 may display a request for authorization to pair to the user. If the user authorizes the pairing, the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the device 24 enter into pairing mode.

[0119] The example of step 908 is merely illustrative. In another example, in step 908, the powered device 24 and the audiovisual electronic device 110 may pair and establish a communication link (e.g., step 510 of FIG. 5). The communication link may be a wireless communication link or may be a communication link using the device 12 as a repeater (as described above). After establishing the communication link, the audiovisual electronic device 110 may enter a pairing mode 132 in which the powered device 24 controls the user interface of the audiovisual electronic device 110 (as described above). The powered device 24 may send instructions to the audiovisual electronic device 110 to present audio or visual features supported by the powered device 24. Alternatively, after establishing the communication link, the audiovisual electronic device 110 and the powered device 24 may be synchronized.

[0120] At any point following step 902 (once adhesion to the powered device 24 is detected), the powered device 24 may transmit information to the audiovisual electronic device 110 via the power transmitting device 12. Additionally, in some configurations, the powered device 24 may wirelessly exchange information directly with the audiovisual electronic device 110. At any point after adhesion between the powered device 24 and the power transmitting device 12 is established, the powered device 24 may exchange information with the power transmitting device 12 using in-band communications (while power is being delivered from the device 12 to the device 24).

[0121] It should be noted that the ordering of steps in Figures 5-9 is merely exemplary: steps can be reordered, certain steps can be omitted, etc., if desired.

[0122] It should be noted that in some cases, one or more of the aforementioned steps in FIGS. 5-9 may be performed without device 12 transmitting wireless power to device 24. In one possible scenario, device 24 may have a fully charged battery when attached to device 12. Although device 12 may not enter a dedicated power transfer phase with device 24, the attachment between device 12 and device 24 may still trigger the establishment of a wireless communication link between device 24 and audiovisual electronic device 110. In another possible scenario, device 12 may not be configured to deliver wireless power. Device 12 may simply be a dock or other electronic device that is magnetically attached to device 24 and has a wired connection to audiovisual electronic device 110. In this type of scenario, devices 12 and 24 may optionally communicate using antennas 62 / 66 instead of coils 36 / 48.

[0123] In-band communication between device 12 and device 24 is described with respect to many of the steps of Figures 5-9. It should be understood that any communication between device 12 and device 24 may optionally be performed out-of-band (e.g., using antennas 62 / 66 instead of coils 36 / 48).

[0124] The above-described technology contemplates communication between the power transmitting device 12 and the power receiving device 24 of information such as received power, charging status, etc. to control wireless power transmission, as well as information such as device type, device identifier, etc. to permit pairing of the devices for communication via protocols such as Bluetooth. It is contemplated that embodiments of the technology may be implemented without the use of personally identifiable information. As a matter of prudence, it is noted that to the extent any implementation of the technology involves the use of personally identifiable information, implementers should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled in a manner that minimizes the risk of unintended or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to the user, for example, by providing an opportunity for the user to opt in and / or out of sharing the information.

[0125] According to one embodiment, an electronic device operable with a power transmitting device and an audio-visual interface is provided, the electronic device including a coil configured to receive a wireless power signal from the power transmitting device, a rectifier configured to convert the wireless power signal into direct current power, a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the coil with the power transmitting device, and a control circuit configured to communicate with the audio-visual interface in response to detecting alignment of the electronic device with the power transmitting device for wireless power transmission, wherein communicating with the audio-visual interface includes sending instructions to the audio-visual interface for presenting an audio or visual function supported by the electronic device.

[0126] According to another embodiment, communicating with the audiovisual interface includes instructing the audiovisual interface to switch from displaying one or more affordances representative of functionality provided by the audiovisual interface to displaying one or more affordances representative of functionality provided by the electronic device.

[0127] According to another embodiment, commanding the audiovisual interface includes commanding the audiovisual interface via a wireless communication protocol using an antenna distinct from the coil.

[0128] According to another embodiment, communicating with the audiovisual interface includes communicating with the audiovisual interface via a wireless communication protocol using an antenna distinct from the coil.

[0129] According to another embodiment, communicating with the audiovisual interface includes communicating with the audiovisual interface using an antenna operating in the Bluetooth frequency band.

[0130] According to another embodiment, communicating with the audiovisual interface includes communicating with the audiovisual interface using an antenna operating in the Wi-Fi frequency band.

[0131] According to another embodiment, transmitting the command to the audiovisual interface includes transmitting the command using a coil.

[0132] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a display, and the control circuitry is further configured to display on the display a request for wireless pairing with the audiovisual interface pursuant to communication with the audiovisual interface.

[0133] According to one embodiment, an audiovisual electronic device is provided, the audiovisual electronic device including a charging circuit configured to power a wireless transmitting coil; a communications circuit configured to receive at least audio or visual information from one or more in-range electronic devices; and a control circuit configured to receive, using the communications circuit, data representing one or more of the audio or visual functions from a first in-range electronic device of the plurality of in-range electronic devices when the wireless transmitting coil is charging the wireless receiver, and to receive, using the communications circuit, data representing one or more of the audio or visual functions from a second in-range electronic device of the plurality of in-range electronic devices when the wireless transmitting coil is not charging the wireless receiver.

[0134] According to another embodiment, the communication circuitry includes wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate using an antenna separate from the wireless transmitting coil.

[0135] According to another embodiment, the communication circuitry includes wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate using the wireless transmitting coil while the wireless transmitting coil transmits a wireless power signal to the wireless receiver.

[0136] According to another embodiment, the communication circuitry includes a wired communication circuitry configured to communicate using the connector.

[0137] According to another embodiment, the first in-range electronic device is a wireless power receiver.

[0138] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to switch the operation of the audiovisual electronic device and receive data representing an audio or visual function from the wireless receiver according to the wireless transmitting coil starting wireless power transmission to the wireless receiver.

[0139] According to another embodiment, the wireless transmitting coil is adjacent to a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the wireless transmitting coil with the wireless receiver.

[0140] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is further configured to switch operation of the audiovisual electronic device to receive data representative of audio or visual functionality from the wireless receiver in response to detecting alignment of the wireless receiver with the wireless transmitting coil.

[0141] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is further configured to display a user interface affordance on a display of the audiovisual electronic device in accordance with the wireless transmitting coil initiating wireless power transmission to the wireless receiver, and, in response to a selection of the user interface affordance, switch an operation of the audiovisual electronic device to receive data representing an audio or visual function from the wireless receiver.

[0142] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device operable with a power transmitting device and an audio-visual interface, the electronic device including a coil configured to receive a wireless power signal from the power transmitting device, a rectifier configured to convert the wireless power signal into direct current power, and a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the coil with the power transmitting device, the one or more programs including instructions for communicating with the audio-visual interface pursuant to detecting alignment of the electronic device with the power transmitting device for wireless power transmission, wherein communicating with the audio-visual interface includes sending instructions to the audio-visual interface for presenting an audio or visual function supported by the electronic device.

[0143] According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in communication with the audiovisual interface includes instructing the audiovisual interface to switch from displaying one or more affordances representative of functionality provided by the audiovisual interface to displaying one or more affordances representative of functionality provided by the electronic device.

[0144] According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the electronic device includes a display, and the one or more programs further include instructions for displaying on the display a request for wireless pairing with the audiovisual interface pursuant to communication with the audiovisual interface.

[0145] The above is merely illustrative and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. 1. An electronic device operable with a power transmitting device and an audiovisual interface, comprising: a coil configured to receive a wireless power signal from the power transmitting device; a rectifier circuit configured to convert the wireless power signal into DC power; a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the coil with the power transmitting device; and a control circuit configured to communicate with the audiovisual interface in response to detecting alignment of the electronic device with the power transmitting device for wireless power transmission, the control circuit sending instructions to the audiovisual interface for presenting an audio or visual function supported by the electronic device; An electronic device comprising:

2. 10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein communicating with the audiovisual interface includes instructing the audiovisual interface to switch from displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the audiovisual interface to displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the electronic device.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein instructing the audiovisual interface comprises instructing the audiovisual interface via a wireless communication protocol using an antenna separate from the coil.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the audiovisual interface includes communicating with the audiovisual interface via a wireless communication protocol using an antenna separate from the coil.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the audiovisual interface includes communicating with the audiovisual interface using an antenna operating in the Bluetooth frequency band.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the audiovisual interface includes communicating with the audiovisual interface using an antenna operating in a Wi-Fi frequency band.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the command to the audiovisual interface includes transmitting the command using the coil.

8. a display, and the control circuitry displaying on the display a request for wireless pairing with the audiovisual interface in accordance with communication with the audiovisual interface; The electronic device of claim 1 , further configured to:

9. 1. An audiovisual electronic device comprising: a charging circuit configured to power the wireless transmitting coil; a communications circuit configured to receive at least audio or visual information from one or more in-range electronic devices; A control circuit comprising: receiving data representative of one or more audio or visual functions from a first in-range electronic device of a plurality of in-range electronic devices using the communications circuitry while the wireless transmitting coil is charging a wireless receiver; and receiving data representative of one or more of an audio or visual function from a second in-range electronic device of the plurality of in-range electronic devices using the communications circuitry when the wireless transmitting coil is not charging a wireless receiver. A control circuit configured as above; An audiovisual electronic device comprising:

10. 10. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 9, wherein the communications circuitry includes wireless communications circuitry configured to communicate using an antenna different from the wireless transmitting coil.

11. 10. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 9, wherein the communications circuitry includes wireless communications circuitry configured to communicate using the wireless transmitting coil while the wireless transmitting coil is transmitting a wireless power signal to the wireless receiver.

12. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the communication circuitry includes a wired communication circuitry configured to communicate using a connector.

13. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the first in-range electronic device is the wireless receiver.

14. The control circuit switching an operation of the audiovisual electronic device to receive data representing an audio or visual function from the wireless power receiver according to the wireless power transmitting coil starting wireless power transmission to the wireless power receiver; 10. An audiovisual electronic device as claimed in claim 9, configured to:

15. 10. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 9, wherein the wireless power transmitting coil is adjacent to a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the wireless power transmitting coil with the wireless receiver.

16. The control circuit switching operation of the audiovisual electronic device to receive data representing an audio or visual function from the wireless receiver in response to detecting alignment of the wireless receiver with the wireless transmitting coil.

16. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 15, further configured to:

17. The control circuit displaying a user interface affordance on a display of the audiovisual electronic device in response to the wireless power transmitting coil initiating wireless power transmission to the wireless power receiver; and responsive to a selection of the user interface affordance, switching operation of the audiovisual electronic device to receive data representing an audio or visual function from the wireless receiver.

10. The audiovisual electronic device of claim 9, further configured to:

18. 1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device operable with a power transmitting device and an audiovisual interface, the electronic device comprising: a coil configured to receive a wireless power signal from the power transmitting device; a rectifier circuit configured to convert the wireless power signal to direct current power; and a magnetic alignment structure configured to align the coil with the power transmitting device, the one or more programs comprising: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for communicating with the audiovisual interface in accordance with detecting alignment of the electronic device with the power transmitting device for wireless power transmission, wherein communicating with the audiovisual interface comprises sending instructions to the audiovisual interface for presenting audio or visual features supported by the electronic device.

19. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein communicating with the audiovisual interface includes instructing the audiovisual interface to switch from displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the audiovisual interface to displaying one or more affordances representing functionality provided by the electronic device.

20. the electronic device further comprising a display, the one or more programs further comprising: displaying on the display a request for wireless pairing with the audiovisual interface in accordance with communication with the audiovisual interface; 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions for:

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