Magnetic Alignment System with NFC for Electronic Devices

Abstract

To provide electronic devices that facilitate establishing and maintaining desired alignment between two (or more) devices for enabling efficient wireless power transfer between the electronic devices.SOLUTION: A magnetic alignment system 300 includes a primary annular magnetic alignment component and a secondary annular magnetic alignment component. The primary alignment component 316 includes an inner annular magnetic region 352 having first magnetic orientation, an outer annular magnetic region 354 having second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation, and a central non-magnetized region 356 disposed between the inner annular magnetic region and the outer annular magnetic region. The secondary alignment component 318 has magnetic orientation with a radial component. The magnetic alignment system also includes additional features, such as a rotational magnetic alignment component and / or a NFC coil and circuitry.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 907,332, filed on September 27, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 061,752, filed on August 5, 2020; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 028,256, filed on September 22, 2020. The disclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

Background Art

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to consumer electronic devices, and more particularly to magnetic alignment components and systems that facilitate establishing and maintaining a desired alignment between two (or more) devices, for example, for the purpose of enabling efficient wireless power transfer between devices.

[0003] Portable electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, electronic watches, etc.) operate when there is a charge stored in their batteries. Some portable electronic devices include rechargeable batteries that can be recharged by coupling the portable electronic device to a power source via a physical connection such as a charging cord. However, when charging the battery in a portable electronic device using a charging cord, it is necessary to physically connect the portable electronic device to an electrical outlet. In addition, to use a charging cord, the mobile device typically needs to have a connector, typically a receptacle connector, configured to couple with a connector, typically a plug connector of the charging cord. The receptacle connector includes a cavity within the portable electronic device that provides a path through which dust and moisture can enter and damage the device. Furthermore, the user of the portable electronic device needs to physically connect a charging cable to the receptacle connector to charge the battery.

[0004] To avoid such drawbacks, wireless charging technologies have been developed that utilize electromagnetic induction to charge portable electronic devices without the need for a charging cord. For example, some portable electronic devices can be recharged simply by placing the device on the charging surface of a wireless charger device. The power transmission coil disposed under the charging surface is driven by an alternating current that generates a time-varying magnetic flux that induces a current in a corresponding power receiving coil within the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can use that induced current to charge the internal battery of the device. Some portable electronic devices are designed not only to receive power wirelessly but also to wirelessly transmit power to other portable electronic devices such as accessory devices.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Among other factors, the efficiency of wireless power transmission depends on the alignment between the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil. For example, the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil can function best when they are coaxially aligned. When a portable electronic device has a flat surface without a guiding function, it can be difficult to find proper alignment. Often, alignment is achieved by trial and error as the user shifts the relative positions of the device and the charger and observes the effect on charging performance. Establishing optimal alignment in this way can be time-consuming. Furthermore, the absence of surface features can make it difficult to maintain optimal alignment. For example, if the portable electronic device and / or the charger are pushed together during charging, they may become misaligned. For these and other reasons, improved techniques for establishing and maintaining alignment between electronic devices are desirable.

[0006] According to the embodiments described herein, a portable electronic device and an accessory device can include complementary magnetic alignment components that facilitate alignment of the accessory device with the portable electronic device and / or attachment of the accessory device to the portable electronic device. The magnetic alignment components can include, in some embodiments, an annular magnetic alignment component that can surround inductive charging power transmission and reception coils. In the nomenclature used herein, a "primary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to an annular magnetic alignment component used in a wireless charger device or other terminal accessory. A "secondary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to an annular magnetic alignment component used in a portable electronic device. A "secondary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to an annular magnetic alignment component used in a portable electronic device. An "auxiliary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to an annular magnetic alignment component used in a charge-through accessory.

[0007] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment system can also include a rotational magnetic alignment component that facilitates aligning the two devices in a preferred rotational orientation. The rotational magnetic alignment component can include, for example, one or more magnets disposed outside the annular alignment component. It should be understood that any device having an annular alignment component may or may not have a rotational alignment component, and the rotational alignment component may be classified as primary, secondary, or auxiliary depending on the type of device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment components can be fixed at a predetermined position within the device housing. Alternatively, any or all of the magnetic alignment components within the device (including annular and / or rotational alignment components) can be made movable in the axial and / or lateral directions. The movable magnetic alignment components can be moved (e.g., axially) closer to each other to increase the magnetic force holding the devices in an aligned state, or moved away from each other to reduce the magnetic force holding the devices in an aligned state.

[0009] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment system can also include an NFC coil and support circuitry to enable devices to identify each other using the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol. The NFC coil within a particular device can be an annular coil disposed inside or outside of the annular alignment component. For example, in a device having an annular alignment component surrounding an inductive charging coil, the NFC coil may be disposed within an annular gap between the inductive charging coil and the annular alignment component. It should be understood that the NFC component is optional in the context of providing magnetic alignment and can be used with movable or fixed magnetic alignment components.

[0010] By referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, a deeper understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0095] In this specification, various embodiments of a magnetic alignment system and its components are described. The magnetic alignment system can include an annular alignment component, and each annular alignment component can include a ring of magnets (or a single annular magnet) having a specific magnetic orientation or magnetic orientation pattern, and a "primary" annular alignment component can attract and hold a complementary "secondary" annular alignment component. The magnetic alignment components can be incorporated into various devices, and the magnetic alignment components in one device can attract another device having a complementary magnetic alignment component into a desired alignment and / or hold another device in a desired alignment. (Devices aligned by a magnetic alignment system can be said to be "attached" to each other.)

[0096] For the purposes of this specification, a number of different categories of devices can be distinguished. As used herein, "portable electronic device" generally refers to all electronic devices that are portable, consume power, and provide at least some bi-directional interaction with a user. Examples of portable electronic devices include smartphones and other mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, headphones, earbuds), and any other electronic device that a user can carry or wear. Other portable electronic devices may include robotic devices, remote control devices, personal care appliances, and the like.

[0097] An "accessory device" (or "accessory") generally refers to a device that is useful in relation to a portable electronic device to enhance the functionality and / or aesthetic of the portable electronic device. Many categories of accessories may incorporate magnetic alignment. For example, one category of accessories includes wireless charger accessories. As used herein, a "wireless charger accessory" (or "wireless charger device" or "wireless charger") is an accessory that can provide power to a portable electronic device using wireless power transfer technology. A "battery pack" (or "external battery") is a type of wireless charger accessory that incorporates a battery for storing charge that can be transferred to a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the battery pack may also wirelessly receive power from another wireless charger accessory. Wireless charger accessories may also be referred to as "active" accessories with respect to their ability to provide and / or receive power. Other accessories are "passive accessories" that do not provide or receive power. For example, some passive accessories are "cases" that can cover one or more surfaces of a portable electronic device to provide protection (e.g., from damage caused by impact of the portable electronic device against other objects), aesthetic enhancement (e.g., decorative colors, etc.), and / or functional enhancement (e.g., cases incorporating storage pockets, batteries, card readers, or various types of sensors). Cases can have various form factors. For example, a "tray" can refer to a case having a rear panel that covers the back of the portable electronic device and side surfaces for securing the portable electronic device within the tray with the front face (which may include a display) exposed. A "sleeve" can refer to a case having a front panel and a back panel with an open end (or "throat") into which the portable electronic device can be inserted such that the front and back of the device are covered, and in some cases, the front panel of the sleeve can include a window that makes visible a portion (or all) of the display of the portable electronic device.As used herein, a "folio" can refer to a case having a retaining portion that covers at least the back (and optionally one or more sides) of a portable electronic device and a cover that can be closed to cover the display or opened to expose the display. It should be understood that not all cases are passive accessories. For example, a "battery case" can incorporate a battery pack in addition to protective and / or aesthetic features, and a battery case can generally be shaped as a tray, sleeve, or folio. Other examples of active cases can include cases that incorporate a card reader, sensor, battery, or other electronic components that enhance the functionality of a portable electronic device.

[0098] As used herein, a "charge-through accessory" is distinguished from a "terminal accessory" which is an accessory that is not a charge-through accessory, where a charge-through accessory is an accessory that can be disposed between a portable electronic device and a wireless charger device without interfering with wireless power transfer therebetween. Wireless charging accessories are typically terminal accessories, but not all terminal accessories provide wireless charging for a portable electronic device. For example, some terminal accessories can be "mounting" accessories designed to hold a portable electronic device in a particular position. Examples of mounts can include tripods, docking stations, other stands, or mounts that can hold a portable electronic device in a desired position and / or orientation (which may or may not be adjustable). Such accessories may or may not incorporate wireless charging capabilities.

[0099] According to the embodiments described herein, a portable electronic device and an accessory device can include complementary magnetic alignment components that facilitate alignment of the accessory device with the portable electronic device and / or attachment of the accessory device to the portable electronic device. The magnetic alignment components can include, in some embodiments, an annular magnetic alignment component that can surround inductive charging power transmission and reception coils. (It will be apparent that the annular magnetic alignment component can also be used in devices that do not have an inductive charging coil.) In the nomenclature used herein, a "primary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to the annular magnetic alignment component used in a wireless charger device or other terminal accessory. A "secondary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to the annular magnetic alignment component used in a portable electronic device. A "secondary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to the annular magnetic alignment component used in a portable electronic device. An "auxiliary" annular magnetic alignment component refers to the annular magnetic alignment component used in a charge-through accessory. (In the present disclosure, adjectives such as "annular", "magnetic", "primary", "secondary", and "auxiliary" may be omitted when the context is clear.) The primary and secondary annular alignment components have complementary magnetic orientations such that the primary and secondary annular alignment components are attracted to each other and devices having these components can be attached in a desired alignment. For example, the primary annular alignment component can have a "quadrupole" magnetic configuration having an inner annular region with magnetic polarity in a first axial direction, an outer annular region with magnetic polarity in a second axial direction opposite the first direction, and a central non-magnetized region between the inner annular region and the outer annular region. The secondary annular alignment component can have a radial magnetic configuration (e.g., exactly or approximately, as described in the examples below, with the north pole oriented radially inward or radially outward). When aligned, the primary and secondary annular alignment components can form a closed magnetic loop such that most of the DC magnetic flux is contained within the magnet. Alternatively, the secondary annular alignment component can also have a quadrupole magnetic configuration that matches the primary annular alignment component. The auxiliary annular alignment component can operate as a "repeater" and can have a quadrupole configuration that matches the primary annular alignment component.

[0100] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment system can also include a rotational magnetic alignment component that facilitates aligning two devices in a preferred rotational orientation. The rotational magnetic alignment component can include, for example, one or more magnets disposed outside the annular alignment component. The magnet(s) of the rotational alignment component can have complementary orientations such that the rotational alignment components in the two devices are attracted to each other, and the two devices including these components can be attached in a desired rotational orientation. For example, the rotational alignment component can have a quadrupole configuration including a first magnetized region having a magnetic polarity in a first axial direction (e.g., extending along one side of a rectangular magnet), a second magnetized region having a magnetic polarity in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction (e.g., extending along the opposite side of the rectangular magnet), and a central non-magnetized region. As another example, the rotational alignment component can have a tripole configuration including a first magnetized region having a magnetic polarity in a first axial direction (e.g., extending along one side of a rectangular magnet), a second magnetized region having a magnetic polarity in the first axial direction (e.g., extending along the opposite side of the rectangular magnet), a central magnetized region having a magnetic polarity in a second axial direction opposite the first direction, and non-magnetized regions between the central magnetized region and each of the first and second magnetized regions. Other magnetic configurations can be substituted. Any device having an annular magnetic alignment component may or may not have a rotational magnetic alignment component, and it should be understood that the rotational alignment component may be classified as primary, secondary, or auxiliary, for example, depending on the type of device.

[0101] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment component can be fixed at a predetermined position within the device housing. Alternatively, any or all of the magnetic alignment components within the device (including the annular and / or rotational alignment components) can be made movable in the axial and / or transverse directions. The movable magnetic alignment components can be moved (e.g., axially) closer to each other to increase the magnetic force holding the device in an aligned state, or moved away from each other to reduce the magnetic force holding the device in an aligned state.

[0102] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment system can also include NFC coils and supporting circuitry to enable devices to identify each other using the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol. The NFC coil within a particular device can be a loop coil disposed inside or outside the circular alignment component. For example, in a device having a circular alignment component surrounding an inductive charging coil, the NFC coil may be disposed within the circular gap between the inductive charging coil and the circular alignment component. It should be understood that the NFC components are optional in the context of providing magnetic alignment.

[0103] Accordingly, the following description focuses on specific examples incorporating various combinations of components, but it should be understood that any device can have a circular magnetic alignment component that can be, for example, any of the primary, secondary, or auxiliary circular magnetic alignment components described herein. Further, any device having a circular magnetic alignment component can also have a rotational magnetic alignment component that can be, for example, any of the rotational magnetic alignment components described herein. Further, any device having a circular magnetic alignment component, whether or not it also has a rotational magnetic alignment component, can also have an NFC coil (and supporting reader circuitry and / or tag circuitry) that can be implemented according to any of the examples described herein. 1. Primary and Secondary Circular Magnetic Alignment Components 1.1. Overview of the Magnetic Alignment System

[0104] FIG. 1 shows a simplified diagram of a wireless charging system 100 incorporating a magnetic alignment system 106 according to some embodiments. A portable electronic device 104 is placed on a charging surface 108 of a wireless charger device 102. The portable electronic device 104 can be a consumer electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, wearable device, or any other electronic device for which wireless charging is desired. The wireless charger device 102 can be any device configured to generate a time-varying magnetic flux to induce a current in a suitably configured receiving device. For example, the wireless charger device 102 can be a wireless charging mat, pack, docking station, etc. The wireless charger device 102 can include or have access to a power source such as battery power or standard AC power.

[0105] To enable wireless power transfer, the portable electronic device 104 and the wireless charger device 102 can each include induction coils 110 and 112, which can operate to transfer power between them. For example, the induction coil 112 can be a power transmission coil that generates a time-varying magnetic flux 114, and the induction coil 110 can be a power receiving coil in which a current is induced in response to the time-varying magnetic flux 114. The received current can be used to charge the battery of the portable electronic device 104, provide operating power to components of the portable electronic device 104, and / or be used for other purposes as desired. (As used herein, "wireless power transfer" and "inductive power transfer" generally refer to the process of generating a time-varying magnetic field in a conductive coil of a first device to induce a current in a conductive coil of a second device.)

[0106] To enable efficient wireless power transfer, it is desirable to align induction coils 112 and 110. According to some embodiments, magnetic alignment system 106 can provide such alignment. In the example shown in FIG. 1, magnetic alignment system 106 includes a primary magnetic alignment component 116 disposed within or on the surface of wireless charger device 102, and a secondary magnetic alignment component 118 disposed within or on the surface of portable electronic device 102. The primary and secondary alignment components 116 and 118 are configured to magnetically attract each other to an alignment position where induction coils 110 and 112 are aligned with each other to provide efficient wireless power transfer.

[0107] According to the embodiments described herein, the magnetic alignment components of the magnetic alignment system (including the primary or secondary alignment components) can be formed from arcuate magnets arranged in an annular configuration. In some embodiments, each magnet can be oriented with a magnetic polarity in a desired direction, whereby the magnetic attraction between the primary magnetic alignment component and the secondary magnetic alignment component provides the desired alignment. In some embodiments, the arcuate magnet can include a first magnetic region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a first direction and a second magnetic region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a second direction different from (e.g., opposite to) the first direction. As will be described below, different configurations can provide different degrees of magnetic field leakage. 1.2. Magnetic alignment system having uniaxial magnetic orientation

[0108] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a magnetic alignment system 200 according to some embodiments, and FIG. 2B shows a cross-section through the magnetic alignment system 200 across the cut plane shown in FIG. 2A. The magnetic alignment system 200 may be an implementation of the magnetic alignment system 106 of FIG. 1. In the magnetic alignment system 200, all of the alignment components have magnetic polarities that are oriented in the same direction (along the axis of the annular configuration). For convenience of explanation, the "axial" direction (also referred to as the "longitudinal" or "z" direction) is defined as being parallel to the axis of rotational symmetry 201 of the magnetic alignment system 200, and the cross-section (also referred to as the "transverse" or "x" or "y" direction) is defined as being perpendicular to the axis 201. The terms "proximal side" or "proximal surface" are used herein to refer to the side or surface of one alignment component that is oriented toward other alignment components when the magnetic alignment system is aligned, and the terms "distal side" or "distal surface" are used to refer to the side or surface opposite the proximal side or proximal surface. (The terms "top" and "bottom" may be used with reference to the particular figures shown in the drawings, but have no other significance.)

[0109] As shown in FIG. 2A, the magnetic alignment system 200 can include a primary alignment component 216 (which may be an implementation of the primary alignment component 116 of FIG. 1) and a secondary alignment component 218 (which may be an implementation of the secondary alignment component 118 of FIG. 1). The primary alignment component 216 and the secondary alignment component 218 have an annular shape and may also be referred to as "annular" alignment components. Specific dimensions can be selected as desired. In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 216 and the secondary alignment component 218 can each have an outer diameter of about 54 mm and a radial width of about 4 mm. The outer diameter and the radial width of the primary alignment component 216 and the secondary alignment component 218 do not have to be exactly equal. For example, the radial width of the secondary alignment component 218 can be slightly narrower than the radial width of the primary alignment component 216, and / or the outer diameter of the secondary alignment component 218 can be slightly smaller than the radial width of the primary alignment component 216. When aligned, the inner and outer sides of the primary alignment component 216 extend beyond the corresponding inner and outer sides of the secondary alignment component 218. The thickness (or axial dimension) of the primary alignment component 216 and the secondary alignment component 218 can also be selected as desired. In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 216 has a thickness of about 1.5 mm, while the secondary alignment component 218 has a thickness of about 0.37 mm.

[0110] The primary alignment component 216 can include several sectors, each of which can be formed from one or more primary arcuate magnets 226, and the secondary alignment component 218 can include several sectors, each of which can be formed from one or more secondary arcuate magnets 228. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of primary magnets 226 is equal to the number of secondary magnets 228, and each sector includes exactly one magnet, but this is not essential. The primary magnets 226 and the secondary magnets 228 can have an arcuate (or curved) shape in cross-section such that when the primary magnets 226 (or secondary magnets 228) are arranged adjacent to each other end to end, the primary magnets 226 (or secondary magnets 228) form an annular structure as shown. In some embodiments, the primary magnets 226 can contact each other at the interface surface 230, and the secondary magnets 228 can contact each other at the interface surface 232. Alternatively, a small gap or space can separate adjacent primary magnets 226 or secondary magnets 228 to provide a greater tolerance during manufacturing.

[0111] In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 216 can also include an annular shield 214 (also referred to as a DC magnetic shield or a DC shield) disposed on the distal surface of the primary magnets 226. In some embodiments, the shield 214 can be formed as a single piece of annular material and adhered to the primary magnets 226 to fix the primary magnets 226 in place. The shield 214 can be formed of a material having a high magnetic permeability, such as stainless steel, and can redirect the magnetic field to prevent it from propagating beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 216, thereby protecting sensitive electronic components disposed beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 216 from magnetic interference.

[0112] The primary magnet 226 and the secondary magnet 228 (and all other magnets described herein) can be made of a magnetic material such as an NdFeB material, other rare earth magnetic materials, or other materials that can be magnetized to create a permanent magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnets can be plated with a thin layer (e.g., 7-13 μm) of NiCuNi or a similar material. Each primary magnet 226 and each secondary magnet 228 can have a monolithic structure that includes a single magnetic region having an axially aligned magnetic polarity, as indicated by the magnetic polarity indicators 215, 217 in FIG. 2B. For example, each primary magnet 226 and each secondary magnet 228 can be a bar magnet shaped into an arcuate structure that is grounded and has an axial magnetic orientation. (As will be apparent, the term "magnetic orientation" refers to the direction of the orientation of the magnetic polarity of a magnet or a magnetized region.) In the illustrated embodiment, the primary magnet 226 has its north pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its south pole oriented toward the distal surface, while the secondary magnet 228 has its south pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its north pole oriented toward the distal surface. In other embodiments, the magnetic orientation may be reversed such that the primary magnet 226 has its south pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its north pole oriented toward the distal surface, while the secondary magnet 228 has its north pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its south pole oriented toward the distal surface.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 2B, the axial magnetic orientation of the primary magnet 226 and the secondary magnet 228 can generate a magnetic field 240 that provides an attractive force between the primary magnet 226 and the secondary magnet 228, thereby facilitating alignment between the respective electronic devices in which the primary alignment component 216 and the secondary alignment component 218 are arranged (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1). The shield 214 can redirect a portion of the magnetic field 240 away from the region below the primary magnet 226, but the magnetic field 240 can still propagate to the regions laterally adjacent to the primary magnet 226 and the secondary magnet 228. In some embodiments, the lateral propagation of the magnetic field 240 can result in magnetic field leakage to other magnetically sensitive components. For example, if an induction coil with a ferromagnetic shield is disposed in the internal (or inner) region of the annular primary alignment component 216 (or secondary alignment component 218), the leakage of the magnetic field 240 may saturate the ferrimagnetic shield, which can reduce the wireless charging performance.

[0114] The magnetic alignment system 200 is illustrative, and it will be understood that variations and modifications are possible. For example, although the primary alignment component 216 and the secondary alignment component 218 are each shown as being composed of eight arcuate magnets, in other embodiments, different numbers of magnets may be used, such as 16 magnets, 36 magnets, or any other number of magnets, and the number of primary magnets may not be equal to the number of secondary magnets. In other embodiments, the primary alignment component 216 and / or the secondary alignment component 218 may each be formed from a single monolithic annular magnet, but segmenting the magnetic alignment components 216 and 218 into arcuate magnets can improve manufacturing because (for some types of magnetic materials) the smaller arcuate segments are less likely to be brittle than a single monolithic annular magnet and are less likely to incur losses due to the physical stresses applied to the magnetic material during manufacturing. 1.3. Magnetic Alignment System with Closed-Loop Configuration

[0115] As described above with reference to FIG. 2B, a magnetic alignment system having a single axial magnetic orientation can allow for lateral leakage of the magnetic field, which can adversely affect the performance of other components of the electronic device. Thus, some embodiments provide a magnetic alignment system having a "closed-loop" configuration that reduces magnetic field leakage. Here, examples will be described.

[0116] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a magnetic alignment system 300 according to some embodiments, and FIG. 3B shows a cross-section through the magnetic alignment system 300 across the cut plane shown in FIG. 3A. The magnetic alignment system 300 may be an implementation of the magnetic alignment system 106 of FIG. 1. In the magnetic alignment system 300, the alignment component has a magnetic component configured in a "closed-loop" configuration as described below.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 3A, the magnetic alignment system 300 can include a primary alignment component 316 (which may be an implementation of the primary alignment component 116 of FIG. 1) and a secondary alignment component 318 (which may be an implementation of the secondary alignment component 118 of FIG. 1). The primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 have an annular shape and may also be referred to as "annular" alignment components. Specific dimensions can be selected as desired. In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 can each have an outer diameter of about 54 mm and a radial width of about 4 mm. The outer diameter and the radial width of the primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 do not have to be exactly equal. For example, the radial width of the secondary alignment component 318 can be slightly narrower than the radial width of the primary alignment component 316, and / or the outer diameter of the secondary alignment component 318 can be slightly smaller than the radial width of the primary alignment component 316. When aligned, the inner and outer sides of the primary alignment component 316 extend beyond the corresponding inner and outer sides of the secondary alignment component 318. The thickness (or axial dimension) of the primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 can also be selected as desired. In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 316 has a thickness of about 1.5 mm, while the secondary alignment component 318 has a thickness of about 0.37 mm. (All numerical values in this specification are examples and may vary as desired.)

[0118] The primary alignment component 316 can each include several sectors that can be formed from several primary magnets 326, and the secondary alignment component 318 can each include several sectors that can be formed from several secondary magnets 328. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of primary magnets 326 is equal to the number of secondary magnets 328, and each sector includes exactly one magnet, but this is not essential. For example, as described below, a sector may include a plurality of magnets. The primary magnets 326 and the secondary magnets 328 can have an arcuate (or curved) shape in cross section such that when the primary magnets 326 (or secondary magnets 328) are arranged adjacent to each other end to end, the primary magnets 326 (or secondary magnets 328) form an annular structure as shown. In some embodiments, the primary magnets 326 can contact each other at the interface 330, and the secondary magnets 328 can contact each other at the interface 332. Alternatively, a small gap or space may separate adjacent primary magnets 326 or secondary magnets 328 to provide a greater tolerance during manufacture.

[0119] In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 316 can also include an annular shield 314 (also referred to as a DC magnetic shield or a DC shield) disposed on the distal surface of the primary magnets 326. In some embodiments, the shield 314 is formed as a single piece of annular material and can be adhered to the primary magnets 326 to fix the primary magnets 326 in place. The shield 314 can be formed of a material having a high magnetic permeability and / or a high magnetic saturation value, such as stainless steel or low-carbon steel, and can redirect the magnetic field to prevent it from propagating beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 316, thereby protecting sensitive electronic components disposed beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 316 from magnetic interference.

[0120] The primary magnet 326 and the secondary magnet 328 can be made of a magnetic material such as an NdFeB material, other rare earth magnetic materials, or other materials that can be magnetized to create a permanent magnetic field. Each secondary magnet 328 can have a single magnetic region having a magnetic polarity with a component in the radial direction in the cross section (as indicated by the magnetic polarity indicator 317 in FIG. 3B). As described below, the magnetic orientation may be in a radial direction with respect to the axis 301 or in another direction having a radial component in the cross section. Each primary magnet 326 can include two magnetic regions having opposite magnetic orientations. For example, each primary magnet 326 can have an inner arcuate magnetic region 352 magnetically oriented in a first axial direction (as indicated by the polarity indicator 353 in FIG. 3B), an outer arcuate magnetic region 354 magnetically oriented in a second axial direction opposite to the first direction (as indicated by the polarity indicator 355 in FIG. 3B), and a central non-magnetized region 356 having no magnetic orientation. The central non-magnetized region 356 can magnetically separate the inner arcuate region 352 from the outer arcuate region 354 by preventing the magnetic field from passing directly through the central region 356. A magnet having regions of opposite magnetic orientation separated by a non-magnetized region may be referred to herein as having a "quadrupole" configuration.

[0121] In some embodiments, each secondary magnet 328 can be made of a magnetic material that is grounded and formed into an arcuate structure. For example, using a magnetizer, a magnetic orientation having a radial component can be created within the cross-section. Similarly, each primary magnet 326 can be made of a single piece of magnetic material that is grounded and formed into an arcuate structure. Applying the magnetizer to the arcuate structure, while demagnetizing or avoiding the generation of magnetic orientation in the central region, an axial magnetic orientation can be induced in one direction within the inner arcuate region of the structure, and an axial magnetic orientation in the opposite direction can be induced within the outer arcuate region of the structure. In some alternative embodiments, each primary magnet 326 may be a composite structure having two arcuate pieces of magnetic material providing an inner arcuate magnetic region 352 and an outer arcuate magnetic region 354. In such embodiments, the central non-magnetized region 356 may be formed from an arcuate piece of non-magnetic (or demagnetized) material, or may be formed as an air gap defined by the sidewalls of the inner arcuate magnetic region 352 and the outer arcuate magnetic region 354. The DC shield 314 can be formed of a material having a high magnetic permeability and / or a high magnetic saturation value, such as stainless steel or low-carbon steel, and can be plated, for example, with 5 - 10 μm of matte Ni. Alternatively, the DC shield 314 can be formed of a magnetic material having a radial magnetic orientation (in the opposite direction of the secondary magnet 328). In some embodiments, the DC shield 314 can be completely omitted.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 3B, the magnetic polarity of the secondary magnet 328 (indicated by the indicator 317) can be oriented such that when the primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 are aligned, the south pole of the secondary magnet 328 is directed toward the north pole of the inner arcuate magnetic region 352 (indicated by the indicator 353), while the north pole of the secondary magnet 328 is directed toward the south pole of the outer arcuate magnetic region 354 (indicated by the indicator 355). Accordingly, the respective magnetic orientations of the inner arcuate magnetic region 352, the secondary magnet 328, and the outer arcuate magnetic region 356 can generate a magnetic field 340 that provides an attractive force between the primary magnet 326 and the secondary magnet 328, thereby facilitating the alignment between the respective electronic devices in which the primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 are arranged (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1). The shield 314 can redirect a portion of the magnetic field 340 away from the region under the primary magnet 326. Further, the "closed loop" magnetic field 340 formed around the central non-magnetized region 356 can have dense and compact lines of force that do not drift outside the primary magnet 326 and the secondary magnet 328 as long as the magnetic field 240 drifts outside the primary magnet 226 and the secondary magnet 228 in FIG. 2B. Accordingly, magnetically sensitive components can be arranged relatively close to the primary alignment component 316 with reduced concern about stray magnetic fields. Thus, compared to the magnetic alignment system 200, the magnetic alignment system 300 can help reduce the overall size of the device in which the primary alignment component 316 is arranged, and can also help reduce noise generated by the magnetic field 340 in adjacent components such as the inductive power receiving coil arranged inside the secondary alignment component 318 or in the device.

[0123] Each primary magnet 326 includes two regions of opposite magnetic orientation, but it should be understood that the two regions can, but need not necessarily, provide equal magnetic field strength. For example, the outer arcuate magnetization region 354 can be polarized more strongly than the inner arcuate magnetization region 352. Depending on the particular implementation of the primary magnet 326, various techniques can be used to create an asymmetric polarization intensity. For example, the inner arcuate region 352 and the outer arcuate region 354 can have different radial widths, and an increase in the radial width of the magnetic region increases the magnetic field strength of that region due to an increase in the volume of the magnetic material. If the inner arcuate region 352 and the outer arcuate region 354 are separate magnets, magnets with different magnetic strengths can be used.

[0124] In some embodiments, the outer arcuate region 354 having an asymmetric polarization that is polarized more strongly than the inner arcuate region 352 can create a flux “sink” effect toward the outer pole. This effect may be desirable in various situations. For example, when the primary magnet 326 is disposed within a wireless charger device and the wireless charger device is used to charge a “legacy” portable electronic device that has an inductive power receiving coil but does not have a secondary (or optional) circular magnetic alignment component, the (DC) magnetic flux from the primary circular alignment component can enter the ferrite shield around the inductive power receiving coil. The DC magnetic flux can contribute to saturating the ferrite shield and degrading the charging performance. Providing a primary circular alignment component having a stronger magnetic field in the outer arcuate region than in the inner arcuate region can help draw the DC magnetic flux away from the ferrite shield, thereby improving the charging performance when a wireless charger device having a circular magnetic alignment component is used to charge a portable electronic device lacking a circular magnetic alignment component.

[0125] The magnetic alignment system 300 is exemplary, and it will be understood that variations and modifications are possible. For example, while the primary alignment component 316 and the secondary alignment component 318 are each shown as being composed of eight arcuate magnets, in other embodiments, a different number of magnets may be used, such as 16 magnets, 18 magnets, 32 magnets, 36 magnets, or any other number of magnets, and the number of primary magnets need not be equal to the number of secondary magnets. In other embodiments, the secondary alignment component 318 can be formed of a single monolithic annular magnet. Similarly, the primary alignment component 316 can be formed from a single monolithic annular piece of magnetic material having an appropriate magnetization pattern as described above, or the primary alignment component 316 can be formed from a monolithic inner annular magnet and a monolithic outer annular magnet having an annular air gap or region of non-magnetic material between the inner and outer annular magnets. In some embodiments, a structure using a plurality of arcuate magnets can improve manufacturing because smaller arcuate magnets are less likely to be brittle than a single monolithic annular magnet and losses due to physical stresses applied to the magnetic material during manufacturing are less likely to occur. It should also be understood that the magnetic orientation of the various magnetic alignment components or individual magnets need not be precisely aligned with the lateral and axial directions. The magnetic orientation can have any angle that provides a closed-loop path for the magnetic field through the primary and secondary alignment components. 1.4. Magnetic Orientation of Closed-Loop Magnetic Alignment System 1.4.1. Radially Symmetric Orientation

[0126] As described above, in embodiments of a magnetic alignment system having a closed-loop magnetic orientation, such as magnetic alignment system 300, the secondary alignment component 318 can have a magnetic orientation with a radial component. For example, in some embodiments, the secondary alignment component 318 can have a magnetic polarity in the radial direction. FIG. 4 shows a simplified top view of a secondary alignment component 418 according to some embodiments. Similar to the secondary alignment component 318, the secondary alignment component 418 can be formed from arcuate magnets 428a - h having a radial magnetic orientation as indicated by magnetic polarity indicators 417a - h. In this example, each arcuate magnet 428a - h has a north pole directed radially outward and a south pole directed radially inward, but this orientation can be reversed, and the north pole of each arcuate magnet 428a - h can be directed radially inward and the south pole can be directed radially outward.

[0127] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a magnetic alignment system 500 according to some embodiments. The magnetic alignment system 500, which may be implemented as the magnetic alignment system 300, includes a secondary alignment component 518 having a radially outward magnetic orientation (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4) and a complementary primary alignment component 516. In this example, the magnetic alignment system 500 includes a gap 517 between two of the sectors, but the gap 517 is optional, and the magnetic alignment system 500 can have a complete annular structure. Also shown is a component 502 that can include an induction coil assembly or other components located within the central region of, for example, the primary magnetic alignment component 516 or the secondary magnetic alignment component 518. The magnetic alignment system 500 can have a closed-loop configuration similar to the magnetic alignment system 300 (as shown in FIG. 3B) and can include arcuate sectors 501, each of which can be made of one or more arcuate magnets. In some embodiments, the closed-loop configuration of the magnetic alignment system 500 can reduce or prevent magnetic field leakage that can affect the component 502.

[0128] FIG. 5B shows an axial cross-sectional view through one of the arcuate sectors 501. The arcuate sector 501 includes a primary magnet 526 and a secondary magnet 528. As indicated by the orientation indicator 517, the secondary magnet 528 has a magnetic polarity oriented in the radially outward direction, i.e., the north magnetic pole is directed toward the radially outer side of the magnetic alignment system 500. Similar to the primary magnet 326 described above, the primary magnet 526 includes an inner arcuate magnetic region 552, an outer arcuate magnetic region 554, and a central non-magnetized region 556 (which can include, for example, an air gap or a region of non-magnetic or non-magnetized material). The inner arcuate magnetic region 552 has a magnetic polarity axially oriented such that the north magnetic pole is directed toward the secondary magnet 528, as indicated by the indicator 553, and the outer arcuate magnetic region 554 has an opposite magnetic orientation such that the south magnetic pole is directed toward the secondary magnet 528, as indicated by the indicator 555. As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the arrangement of the magnetic orientations shown in FIG. 5B results in a magnetic attraction between the primary magnet 526 and the secondary magnet 528. In some embodiments, the magnetic polarities may be reversed such that the north magnetic pole of the secondary magnet 528 is directed toward the radially inner side of the magnetic alignment system 500, the north magnetic pole of the outer arcuate region 554 of the primary magnet 526 is directed toward the secondary magnet 528, and the north magnetic pole of the inner arcuate region 552 is oriented away from the secondary magnet 528.

[0129] When the primary alignment component 516 and the secondary alignment component 518 are aligned, due to the radially symmetric arrangement and directional equivalence of the magnetic polarities of the primary alignment component 516 and the secondary alignment component 518, the secondary alignment component 518 can rotate freely (with respect to the primary alignment component 516) in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction within the lateral plane while maintaining alignment along the axis.

[0130] As used herein, the orientation of "radial direction" need not be exactly or purely radial. For example, FIG. 5C shows a secondary arcuate magnet 538 according to some embodiments. The secondary arcuate magnet 538 has a purely radial magnetic orientation as indicated by arrow 539. Each arrow 539 is directed at the center of curvature of the magnet 538 and, when extending inwardly, the arrows 539 converge at the center of curvature. However, to achieve this pure radial magnetization, it is necessary for the magnetic domains within the magnet 538 to be oriented obliquely with respect to adjacent magnetic domains. In some types of magnetic materials, a pure radial magnetic orientation may not be practical. Accordingly, some embodiments use a "pseudo-radial" magnetic orientation that approximates the pure radial orientation of FIG. 5C. FIG. 5D shows a secondary arcuate magnet 548 having a pseudo-radial magnetic orientation according to some embodiments. The magnet 548 has a magnetic orientation indicated by an arrow 549 perpendicular to a baseline 551 connecting the inner corners 552, 553 of the arcuate magnet 548. When extending inwardly, the arrow 549 does not converge. Accordingly, adjacent magnetic domains within the magnet 548 are parallel to each other and can be easily achieved with magnetic materials such as NdFeB. However, the overall effect in a magnetic alignment system can be similar to the pure radial magnetic orientation shown in FIG. 5C. FIG. 5E shows a secondary annular alignment component 558 composed of magnets 548 according to some embodiments. The magnetic orientation arrow 549 extends to the center point 561 of the annular alignment component 558. As shown, the magnetic field direction may be approximately radial, and the proximity of the approximation depends on the number of magnets 548 and the inner radius of the annular alignment component 558. In some embodiments, 18 magnets 548 can provide a pseudo-radial orientation, and in other embodiments, more or fewer magnets may be used. It should be understood that all references herein to magnets having a "radial" magnetic orientation include pseudo-radial magnetic orientations and other magnetic orientations that are approximately radial but not purely radial.

[0131] In some embodiments, (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5B) the radial magnetic orientation of the secondary alignment component 518 provides a magnetic force profile between the secondary alignment component 518 and the primary alignment component 516 that is the same around the entire circumference of the magnetic alignment system. The radial magnetic orientation can also result in a larger magnetic permeability, such that the secondary alignment component 518 can resist magnetic removal, improve the axial attraction force, and improve the lateral shear force when the two components are aligned.

[0132] FIGS. 6A and 6B show graphs of force profiles for different magnetic alignment systems according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 6A shows a graph 600 of the vertical attraction force (vertical resistance force) in the axial (z) direction for different magnetic alignment systems that use magnets of equal size and similar type. Graph 600 has a horizontal axis representing displacement from the center of alignment, where 0 represents the alignment position, and negative and positive values represent displacements in the opposite direction (in any unit) from the alignment position. Further, it has a vertical axis representing the vertical resistance force (F NORMAL ) as a function of displacement in the lateral plane. For the purposes of this description, F NORMAL is defined as the magnetic force between the primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component in the axial direction, F NORMAL >0 represents an attraction force, and F NORMAL<0 represents the repulsive force. Graph 600 shows the vertical resistance profiles of three different types of magnetic alignment systems. The first type of magnetic alignment system uses a "central" alignment component such as a pair of complementary disk-shaped magnets arranged along the axis, and a representative vertical resistance profile for the central magnetic alignment system is shown as line 601 (dashed-dotted line). The second type of magnetic alignment system uses an annular alignment component having an axial magnetic orientation, such as the magnetic alignment system 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and a representative vertical resistance profile for such an annular axial magnetic alignment system is shown as line 603 (dashed line). The third type of magnetic alignment system uses an annular alignment component having a closed-loop magnetic orientation and radial symmetry (e.g., the magnetic alignment system 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B), and a representative vertical resistance profile for the radially symmetric closed-loop magnetic alignment system is shown as line 605 (solid line).

[0133] Similarly, FIG. 6B shows a graph 620 of the lateral (shear) force in the lateral direction of different magnetic alignment systems. Graph 620 has a horizontal axis representing the lateral displacement in the opposite direction from the alignment position using the same convention as graph 600, and a vertical axis representing the shear force (F SHEAR ) as a function of direction (in any unit). For the purposes of this description, F SHEAR is defined as the magnetic force between the lateral primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component, and F SHEAR >0 represents a force directed to the left along the displacement axis, and F SHEAR <0 represents a force directed to the right along the displacement axis. Graph 620 shows the shear force profiles for the same three types of magnetic alignment systems as graph 600, and a representative shear force profile for the central magnetic alignment system is shown as line 621 (dashed-dotted line). A representative shear force profile for the annular axial magnetic alignment system is shown as line 623 (dashed line), and a representative vertical resistance profile for the radially symmetric closed-loop magnetic alignment system is shown as line 625 (solid line).

[0134] As shown in FIG. 6A, each type of magnetic alignment system achieves the strongest magnetic attraction in the axial direction (i.e., the normal force) when the primary and secondary alignment components are in the alignment position (0 on the horizontal axis), as indicated by respective peaks 611, 613, and 615. The strongest attracting normal force is achieved at the alignment position for all systems, but the magnitude of the peak depends on the type of magnetic alignment system. In particular, a radially symmetric closed-loop magnetic alignment system (e.g., the magnetic alignment system 500 of FIG. 5) provides a stronger magnetic attraction when in the alignment position than other types of magnetic alignment systems. This strongly attracting normal force can overcome small misalignments and help hold the device in the alignment position, thereby achieving a more accurate and robust alignment between the primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component, which in turn can provide a more accurate and robust alignment between the portable electronic device and the wireless charger device in which the magnetic alignment system is implemented internally.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 6B, the strongest shear forces are obtained when the primary and secondary alignment components are just outside the alignment position, for example, at -2 units and +2 units of separation from the alignment position, as indicated by respective peaks 631a - b, 633a - b, and 635a - b, and these shear forces act to bias the alignment components towards the alignment position. Similar to the normal force, the peak intensity of the shear force depends on the type of magnetic alignment system. In particular, a radially symmetric closed - loop magnetic alignment system (e.g., the magnetic alignment system 500 of FIG. 5) provides a higher magnitude of shear force when just outside the alignment position than other types of magnetic alignment systems. This strong shear force can provide tactile feedback (sometimes described as the sensation of a "snap") to help the user identify when the two components are aligned. Further, similar to the normal force, the shear force can overcome small misalignments due to friction and achieve a more accurate and robust alignment between the primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component, thereby providing a more accurate and robust alignment between the portable electronic device and the wireless charger device in which the magnetic alignment system is implemented internally.

[0136] Depending on the specific configuration of the magnet, various design choices can be used to increase the sense of snap for a closed-loop magnetic alignment system. For example, reducing the amount of magnetic material in the area near the magnetic alignment component by using less material or increasing the distance between the magnetic alignment component and other magnetic materials can reduce stray magnetic fields and increase the perceived "snap" effect of the magnetic alignment component. As another example, increasing the magnetic field strength of the aligned magnet (e.g., by increasing the amount of material) can increase both the shear force and the perpendicular resistance. As yet another example, the width of the magnetization region (and / or the relative strength of the magnetic field in each region) in the primary circular alignment component can be optimized based on the specific magnetic orientation pattern of the secondary circular alignment component (e.g., depending on whether the secondary circular alignment component has a purely radial magnetic orientation as in FIG. 5C or a pseudo-radial magnetic orientation as in FIG. 5D). A further consideration can be the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the device including the primary and secondary alignment components, and lower friction reduces the resistance to the shear force applied by the circular magnetic alignment component.

[0137] A radially symmetric closed-loop magnetic alignment system (e.g., the magnetic alignment system 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B) can provide accurate and robust alignment in the axial and lateral directions. Further, due to the radial symmetry, the alignment system does not have a preferred rotational orientation in the lateral plane around the axis. The shear force profile can be the same regardless of the relative rotational orientation of the electronic device being aligned. 1.4.2. Alternating Radial Orientations

[0138] In some embodiments, the closed-loop magnetic alignment system can be designed to provide one or more preferred rotational orientations. FIG. 7 shows a simplified top view of a secondary alignment component 718 according to some embodiments. The secondary alignment component 718 includes sectors 728a-h having a radial magnetic orientation as indicated by magnetic polarity indicators 717a-h, and each of the sectors 728a-h can include one or more secondary arcuate magnets. In this example, the secondary magnets within sectors 728b, 728d, 728f, and 728h each have a north pole oriented radially outward and a south pole oriented radially inward, and the secondary magnets within sectors 728a, 728c, 728e, and 728g each have a north pole oriented radially inward and a south pole oriented radially outward. In other words, the magnets within adjacent sectors 728a-h of the secondary alignment component 718 have alternating magnetic orientations.

[0139] Complementary primary alignment components can have sectors with corresponding alternating magnetic orientations. For example, FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a magnetic alignment system 800 according to some embodiments. The magnetic alignment system 800 includes a primary alignment component 816 that is complementary to a secondary alignment component 818 (e.g., shown in FIG. 7) having alternating radial magnetic orientations. A portion of the arcuate portion of the magnetic alignment system 800 is not shown to clarify the internal structure, but it should be understood that the magnetic alignment system 800 can be a complete annular structure. Also shown, for example, is a component 802 that can include an induction coil assembly or other components located within the central region of the primary annular alignment component 816 and / or the secondary annular alignment component 818. The magnetic alignment system 800 can be a closed-loop magnetic alignment system similar to the magnetic alignment system 300 described above, and can include arcuate sectors 801b, 801c of alternating magnetic orientation, each arcuate sector 801b, 801c including one or more arcuate magnets in the primary annular alignment component 816 and the secondary annular alignment component 818, respectively. In some embodiments, the closed-loop configuration of the magnetic alignment system 800 can reduce or prevent magnetic field leakage that can affect the component 802. Similar to the magnetic alignment system 500, the magnetic alignment system 800 can include a gap 803 between two sectors.

[0140] FIG. 8B shows an axial cross-sectional view through one of the arcuate sectors 801b, and FIG. 8C shows an axial cross-sectional view through one of the arcuate sectors 801c. The arcuate sector 801b includes a primary magnet 826b and a secondary magnet 828b. As indicated by the orientation indicator 817b, the secondary magnet 828b has a magnetic polarity oriented in the radially outward direction, i.e., the north magnetic pole is directed toward the radially outer side of the magnetic alignment system 800. Similar to the primary magnet 326 described above, the primary magnet 826b includes an inner arcuate magnetic region 852b, an outer arcuate magnetic region 854b, and a central non-magnetized region 856b (which can include, for example, an air gap or a region of non-magnetic or non-magnetized material). The inner arcuate magnetic region 852b has a magnetic polarity axially oriented such that the north magnetic pole is directed toward the secondary magnet 828b, as indicated by the indicator 853b, and the outer arcuate magnetic region 854b has an opposite magnetic orientation such that the south magnetic pole is directed toward the secondary magnet 828b, as indicated by the indicator 855b. As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the arrangement of the magnetic orientations shown in FIG. 8B results in magnetic attraction between the primary magnet 826b and the secondary magnet 828b.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 8C, the arcuate sector 801c has a "reverse" magnetic orientation with respect to the arcuate sector 801b. The arcuate sector 801c includes a primary magnet 826c and a secondary magnet 828c. As indicated by the orientation indicator 817c, the secondary magnet 828c has a magnetic polarity oriented in the radially outward direction, i.e., the north pole is directed toward the radially outer side of the magnetic alignment system 800. Similar to the primary magnet 326 described above, the primary magnet 826c includes an inner arcuate magnetic region 852c, an outer arcuate magnetic region 854c, and a central non-magnetized region 856c (which can include, for example, an air gap or a region of non-magnetic material or non-magnetized material). The inner arcuate magnetic region 852c has a magnetic polarity axially oriented such that the south pole is directed toward the secondary magnet 828c, as indicated by the indicator 853c, and the outer arcuate magnetic region 854c has an opposite magnetic orientation such that the north pole is directed toward the secondary magnet 828c, as indicated by the indicator 855c. As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the magnetic orientation arrangement shown in FIG. 8C results in magnetic attraction between the primary magnet 826c and the secondary magnet 828c.

[0142] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A - 8C, the alternating arrangement of magnetic polarities can create a "ratchet" feeling when the secondary alignment component 818 is aligned with the primary alignment component 816 and one of the alignment components 816, 818 is rotated relative to the other about a common axis. For example, when the secondary alignment component 816 is rotated relative to the primary alignment component 816, each radially outer magnet 828b either alternately approaches the complementary magnet 826b of the primary alignment component 816 to produce an attracting magnetic force as a result, or approaches the anti-complementary magnet 826c of the primary alignment component 816 to produce a repulsive magnetic force as a result. If the primary magnets 826b, 826c and the secondary magnets 828b, 828c have the same angular size and spacing in any given orientation, each pair of magnets experiences a similar net (attractive or repulsive) magnetic force such that the alignment is stable and robust in the rotational orientation where the complementary magnet pairs 826b, 828b and 826c, 828c are close. In other rotational orientations, a torque can be received toward the stable rotational orientation.

[0143] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A - 8C, each sector includes one magnet, and the direction of magnetic orientation alternates with each magnet. In some embodiments, a sector may include two or more magnets having the same direction of magnetic orientation. For example, FIG. 9A shows a simplified top view of a secondary alignment component 918 according to some embodiments. The secondary alignment component 918 includes a secondary magnet 928b having a radially outward magnetic orientation and a secondary magnet 928c having a radially inward orientation, similar to the secondary alignment component 818 described above. In this embodiment, the magnets are arranged such that a pair of outward-facing magnets 928b (forming the first sector 901) are adjacent to a pair of inward-facing magnets 928c (forming the second sector 903 adjacent to the first sector 901). The pattern of alternating sectors (having two magnets per sector) is repeated around the secondary alignment component 918. Similarly, FIG. 9B shows a simplified top view of another secondary alignment component 918' according to some embodiments. The secondary alignment component 918' includes a secondary magnet 928b having a radially outward magnetic orientation and a secondary magnet 928c having a radially inward orientation. In this embodiment, the magnets are arranged such that a group of four radially outward magnets 928b (forming the first sector 911) are adjacent to a group of four radially inward magnets 928c (forming the second sector 913 adjacent to the first sector 911). The pattern of alternating sectors (having four magnets per sector) is repeated around the secondary alignment component 918'. Although not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the structure of the complementary primary alignment component for the secondary alignment component 918 or 918' will be apparent in view of FIGS. 8A - 8C. The shear force profiles of the alignment components in FIGS. 9A and 9B may be similar to the ratchet profile described above, but the number of rotational orientations providing stable alignment is different. 1.4.3. Other Magnetic Orientations

[0144] In other embodiments, various force profiles can be created by changing the magnetic orientation of different sectors within the primary and / or secondary alignment components. As a mere example, FIG. 10 shows a simplified top view of a secondary alignment component 1018 according to some embodiments. The secondary alignment component has sectors 1028a - h having a sector-dependent magnetic orientation indicated by magnetic polarity indicators 1017a - h. In this example, the secondary alignment component 1018 can be considered to be bisected by a bisecting line 1001 that defines two halves of the secondary alignment component 1018. In the first half 1003, the sectors 1028e - h have a magnetic polarity oriented radially outward, similar to the above-described example.

[0145] In the second half body 1005, the sectors 1028a - d have magnetic polarities oriented not radially but substantially parallel to the bisecting line 1001. In particular, sectors 1028a and 1028b have magnetic polarities oriented in a first direction parallel to the bisecting line 1001, and sectors 1028c and 1028d have magnetic polarities oriented in a direction opposite to the direction of the magnetic polarities of sectors 1028a and 1028b. The complementary primary alignment components can have an inner annular region with the north pole oriented towards the secondary alignment component 1018, an outer annular region with the north pole oriented away from the secondary alignment component 1018, and a central non - magnetized region, providing a closed - loop magnetic orientation as described above. The asymmetric arrangement of the magnetic orientation in the secondary alignment component 1018 can change the shear - force profile such that the secondary alignment component 1018 generates a smaller shear - force - resistant movement in the direction towards the second half body 1005 (upward in the figure) than in the direction towards the first half body 1003 (downward in the figure). In some embodiments, such an asymmetric arrangement can be used when the primary alignment component is attached to a docking station and the secondary alignment component is attached to a portable electronic device that docks with the docking station. Assuming that the secondary annular alignment component 1018 is oriented within the portable electronic device such that the half - ring 1005 is on the upper side of the portable electronic device, the asymmetric shear force can facilitate the operation of sliding the portable electronic device downward to dock with the docking station or sliding it upward to remove it from the docking station, while still providing an attractive force that draws the portable electronic device into the desired alignment with the docking station.

[0146] In the above embodiments, the secondary annular magnetic alignment component has a magnetic orientation that is generally aligned within the cross-section. In some alternative embodiments, the secondary annular magnetic alignment component may instead have a quadrupole configuration similar to the primary annular magnetic alignment component 316 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, where the distal surface of the secondary arcuate magnet may or may not have a DC shield (if present, it may be similar to the DC shield 314 of FIGS. 3A and 3B). By using a quadrupole magnetic configuration in both the primary and secondary alignment components, a closed-loop DC magnetic flux path and a strong "snap" feeling can be provided, but the thickness of the secondary magnetic alignment component may need to be increased to accommodate the quadrupole magnet and the DC shield, which can increase the overall thickness of the portable electronic device that houses the secondary magnetic alignment component. To reduce the thickness, the DC shield on the distal surface of the secondary alignment component can be omitted, but omitting the DC shield may result in an increase in magnetic flux leakage to adjacent components.

[0147] It will be understood that the foregoing examples are illustrative and not limiting. The sectors of the primary and / or secondary alignment components can include magnetic elements having magnetic polarities oriented in any desired direction and in any combination, provided that the primary and secondary alignment components of a given magnetic alignment system have complementary magnetic orientations that apply a force towards the desired alignment position. Different combinations of magnetic orientations may result in different shear force profiles, and the choice of magnetic orientation may be made based on the desired shear force profile (e.g., high snap), avoidance of DC magnetic flux leakage to other components, and other design considerations. 1.5. Annular Magnetic Alignment Components with Gaps

[0148] In the above examples, the primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component have an annular shape. As described above (e.g., referring to FIG. 3A), the ring may be completely closed. In other embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5A and 8A), the primary or secondary annular alignment component can include one or more gaps, each gap being a portion of the ring where no magnetic material (or actually any material) is present.

[0149] FIG. 11 shows an example of an aligned component 1118 having a gap (which may be a primary or secondary annular magnetic alignment component) according to some embodiments. As shown, the alignment component 1118 may include a number of arcuate magnets 1128 that form an annular shape. In this embodiment, the gap 1101 between two magnets is formed by omitting one of the arcuate magnets 1128. More generally, gaps such as the gap 1101 can be formed using various techniques. For example, the angle φ defined by each arcuate magnet can be selected such that 360° / φ is not an integer. Accordingly, the size of the gap 1101 may be equal to or smaller (or larger) than the size of the arcuate magnet 1128. In various embodiments of the magnetic alignment system, gaps such as the gap 1101 may be formed in either or both of the secondary alignment component and the primary alignment component, and the size, number, and location of the gaps may vary between the primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component. To provide reliable magnetic alignment, the size of the gap 1101 or other gaps may be limited, for example, to 20° or less of an arc.

[0150] In some embodiments, gaps such as the gap 1101 can provide a convenient path for electrical connection to components located within the internal region 1103 inside the alignment component 1118. For example, as described above, an induction coil (or other electronic component) may be disposed within the internal region 1103, and the gap 1101 within the alignment component 1118 can provide a convenient path for electrical connection between the induction coil (or other component) and a battery (or other component) located outside the alignment component 1118. It should be understood that the electrical connection can also be made by routing a connection path above or below the magnet 1128 (in or out of the plane of FIG. 11), but routing a connection path above or below the magnet can result in an increase in the thickness of the device in which the alignment component 1118 is disposed.

[0151] It should be understood that gaps such as gap 1101 can be included in the primary alignment component, the secondary alignment component, or both. In some embodiments where gaps are provided in both the primary alignment component and the secondary alignment component, the presence of the gaps can change the shear force profile to create a preferred rotational orientation. The extent to which the preferred orientation occurs can depend on the size of the gaps and the particular configuration of the magnets. 1.6. Portable electronic device incorporating a magnetic alignment component

[0152] Figures 12A and 12B show simplified rear views of a portable electronic device incorporating a magnetic alignment component, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated example, the portable electronic device incorporates a secondary magnetic alignment component having a radial magnetic orientation and can allow for a thinner device profile, but it should be understood that the portable electronic device can alternatively incorporate a primary magnetic alignment component.

[0153] FIG. 12A shows a smartphone 1200 as an example of a portable electronic device that can incorporate magnetic alignment components according to some embodiments. The smartphone 1200 can support various computing and communication activities and can draw operating power from an in-vehicle battery (not shown). In some embodiments, the battery can be recharged using wireless power transfer. For example, the smartphone 1200 can include a coil assembly 1210 that can be configured as an inductive power receiving coil for wireless power transfer. Such a time-varying magnetic field can be provided by a power transmission coil within a wireless charger device (not shown in FIG. 12A). Additionally, or alternatively, the coil assembly 1210 may be operable as an inductive power transmission coil for wireless power transfer and may be operable to generate a time-varying magnetic field that can be used to charge accessory devices such as a wireless headset, an external battery, or another portable electronic device (e.g., another smartphone). The coil assembly 1210 can include an inductive power receiving coil (e.g., a wound coil of conductive wire) coupled to a power storage device (e.g., a battery) or a power consuming device. In some embodiments, the coil assembly 1210 can also include an electromagnetic shield (e.g., one or more ferrite pieces) disposed on the distal surface, inner annular surface, and / or outer annular surface of the coil.

[0154] For optimal wireless charging performance, it is desirable to align the coil 1210 within the transmitting (or receiving) device with the coil. The annular magnetic alignment component 1218 can be, for example, any implementation of the secondary magnetic alignment components described above, and can include an annular arrangement of magnets 1228 having an interface surface 1232 that can be an air gap or surface where adjacent magnets contact each other. The magnetic polarities of the magnets 1228 can be oriented in various directions in the lateral plane, for example, radially as described above with reference to FIG. 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic alignment component 1218 includes a gap 1201 that can provide an electrical connection path for wires (or conductive traces) connecting between the coil 1210 and components outside the magnetic alignment component 1218.

[0155] The coil 1210 can be optimized to support wireless power transfer between devices. In some embodiments, for example, it may be desirable to support wireless data transfer between devices to enable identification of different devices each incorporating a magnetic alignment system. Thus, in some embodiments, a near field communication (NFC) coil 1260 can be provided in the region between the coil 1210 and the magnet 1228. An NFC reader circuit and / or other components (not shown) can be connected to the terminals 1262a, 1226b of the NFC coil 1260 via the gap 1201. Exemplary embodiments of the NFC coil 1210 are described in Section 5 below.

[0156] In some embodiments, magnetic alignment components, such as component 1218, can be modified to fit different sized portable electronic devices while maintaining a constant outer diameter and radial width of the ring. As an example, FIG. 12B shows a smartphone 1200' as another example of a portable electronic device that can incorporate a magnetic alignment component according to some embodiments. Like smartphone 1200 of FIG. 12A, smartphone 1200' can support various computing and communication activities and can draw operating power from an in-vehicle battery (not shown). One difference between smartphone 1200 and smartphone 1200' can be that smartphone 1200' has a smaller form factor than smartphone 1200. For example, smartphone 1200' may be narrower (in the x direction) and / or shorter (in the y direction) than smartphone 1200. However, these different form factor smartphones may desirably interoperate with the same wireless charger device and / or other accessories. Accordingly, smartphone 1200' can include a wireless charging coil 1210' that can be identical to wireless charging coil 1210 of smartphone 1200.

[0157] To provide alignment between coil 1210' and a coil in another device, smartphone 1200' can include a magnetic alignment component 1218'. Magnetic alignment component 1218' can be, for example, any implementation of the secondary magnetic alignment components described above and can include an annular arrangement of magnets 1228' having a boundary surface 1232' that can be an air gap or surface where adjacent magnets 1228' touch each other. The magnetic polarities of magnets 1228' can be oriented in various directions in the lateral plane, for example, radially as described above. Additionally, NFC coil 1260' can be provided in the region between coil 1210' and magnets 1228', similar to NFC coil 1260 of FIG. 12A.

[0158] In the illustrated embodiment, to accommodate the narrower width of the smartphone 1200', the magnetic alignment component 1218' includes diametrically opposed gaps 1201a, 1201b. In addition to reducing the width (x-direction) of the magnetic alignment component 1218', the gaps 1201a and / or 1201b can provide an electrical connection path for a wire (or conductive trace) that connects between the coil 1210' and a component outside the magnetic alignment component 1218'. In some embodiments, the arcuate magnet sections 1228' adjacent to the gaps 1201a, 1201b can have chamfered corners 1229a-b and 1231a-b, thereby further reducing the width of the alignment component 1218' without reducing the outer diameter.

[0159] Smartphones 1200 and 1200' are merely examples, and it should be understood that various portable electronic devices having various form factors can accommodate an annular alignment component of a given diameter and width. Further, FIGS. 12A and 12B show the alignment components 1218, 1218' and coils 1210, 1210' on the rear of the smartphones 1200, 1200', but it should be understood that these components can be within the rear housing of the smartphones 1200, 1200' and the rear housing can be opaque so that the alignment components 1218, 1218' and coils 1210, 1210' need not be visible to the user. 1.7 Wireless Charger Device Incorporating a Magnetic Alignment Component

[0160] FIG. 13 shows a simplified diagram of a wireless charger device 1300 incorporating a magnetic alignment component according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless charger device incorporates a primary alignment component, but it should be understood that the wireless charger device can alternatively incorporate a secondary magnetic alignment component.

[0161] The wireless charger device 1300 can support inductive power transmission for charging a portable electronic device (e.g., the smartphone 1200 of FIG. 12A or the smartphone 1200' of FIG. 12B). In this embodiment, the wireless charger device 1300 has a housing 1302 that surrounds the power transmission coil assembly 1312. Although not shown in FIG. 13, it should be understood that the power transmission coil assembly 1312 can include an inductive power transmission coil having a wire that can be connected to an external power source (e.g., via the cable 1304). In some embodiments, the power transmission coil assembly 1312 can also include an electromagnetic shield (e.g., one or more ferrite pieces disposed on the distal surface, inner annular surface, and / or outer annular surface of the power transmission coil for reducing parasitic electric fields, and / or a thin layer of metal disposed on the proximal surface of the power transmission coil). The control circuit for controlling the power transmission coil can be disposed within the housing 1302 or at other locations as desired. The primary magnetic alignment component 1316 is disposed around the power transmission coil assembly 1312.

[0162] The components of the wireless charger device 1300 can be enclosed within a housing 1302 that can be made of aluminum, plastic, ceramic, or other durable materials. The housing 1302 is shown as a pack shape, but other shapes can also be used. For example, the housing 1302 can be rectangular, oval, or any other shape that provides a charging surface. In some embodiments, the housing 1302 can be a two-piece housing that includes an enclosure for the distal surface and sides of the wireless charger device 1300 and an upper cap that covers the proximal surface of the power transmission coil assembly 1312. The upper cap (not shown in FIG. 13) can be made of a ceramic or other material that is transmissive to electromagnetic fields, and the enclosure can be made of aluminum, plastic, or other materials. The upper cap and the enclosure can be sealed together using a suitable adhesive. FIG. 13 shows a view into the interior of the wireless charger device 1300, but it will be understood that the housing 1302 can be opaque. The housing 1302 can include an opening that allows for connection of a cable 1304 to the power transmission coil assembly 1312. In some embodiments, one end of the cable 1304 is snap-coupled to the electronics of the power transmission coil assembly 1312, and the other end of the cable 1304 (not shown) is coupled to a plug connector (e.g., a USB Type A or USB-C connector) that can be used to draw power from a grid or other power source via an adapter.

[0163] For optimal wireless charging performance, it is desirable to align the power transmission coil of the coil assembly 1312 with a corresponding coil within a receiving device such as the smartphone 1200. The magnetic alignment component 1316 can be, for example, any implementation of the primary magnetic alignment components described above, and can include an annular arrangement of magnets 1326 having an interface surface 1330 between adjacent magnets 1326, where the air gap or adjacent magnets 1326 may be in contact with each other's surfaces. The magnets 1326 can provide a closed-loop configuration as described above. For example, each magnet 1326 can include an inner arcuate region having an axial magnetic orientation in a first direction, an outer arcuate region having an axial magnetic orientation in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a central arcuate region having no distinct magnetic orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic alignment component 1316 includes a gap 1301 that can provide an electrical connection path for a wire (or conductive trace) that connects between the coil assembly 1312 and the cable 1304 without adding to the axial thickness of the wireless charger device 1300.

[0164] The coil assembly 1312 can be optimized to support wireless power transfer between devices. In some embodiments, for example, it may be desirable to support wireless data transfer between devices to enable, for example, identifying different devices incorporating a magnetic alignment system. Thus, in some embodiments, a near-field communication (NFC) coil 1364 can be provided in the region between the coil assembly 1312 and the magnetic alignment component 1316. In some embodiments, the NFC coil 1364 can be coupled to a passive NFC tag that can be read by a suitably configured NFC reader (e.g., within the smartphone 1200 of FIG. 12A). Exemplary embodiments of the NFC coil 1364 are described in Section 5 below.

[0165] In various embodiments, the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 can be used to facilitate alignment between the wireless charger device 1300 and various different portable electronic devices having different form factors (e.g., including the portable electronic device 1200 and the portable electronic device 1200'). As long as the portable electronic device aligned with the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 has a complementary secondary alignment component having an annular shape that matches the primary alignment component 1316 and a magnetic field orientation complementary to the primary alignment component 1316, the primary alignment component 1316 can facilitate alignment of the wireless charger device 1300 with the portable electronic device regardless of any other dimensions of either device. It will also be understood that some embodiments of the wireless charger device 1300 can be used to charge a portable electronic device that does not have a magnetic alignment component, but in such cases, the primary alignment component 1316 may not be able to facilitate optimal alignment with the portable electronic device, and the user may need to align the device using other techniques (e.g., manual adjustment based on charging performance, or placing the device in a cradle that holds the device such that the respective charging coils are aligned). 1.8. Wireless Charging System with Magnetic Alignment

[0166] FIG. 14A shows a simplified perspective view of a system 1400 including a portable electronic device 1200 (of FIG. 12A) aligned with a wireless charger device 1300 (of FIG. 13) according to some embodiments. In FIG. 14A, portions of the wireless charger device 1300 are shown using dashed lines to avoid obscuring other details. As shown, the wireless charger device 1300 can be arranged with its charging (or proximal) surface in contact with the rear (or proximal) surface 1403 of the portable electronic device 1200. When the device is arranged in this configuration, the secondary alignment component 1218 within the portable electronic device 1200 can attract and hold the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 of the wireless charger device 1300 so that the power transmission coil assembly 1312 of the wireless charger device 1300 aligns with the coil assembly 1210 of the portable electronic device 1200. As shown, the wireless charger device 1300 can have any rotational orientation about an axis defined by the centers of the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 and the secondary magnetic alignment component 1218. For example, the gap 1201 within the secondary magnetic alignment component 1218 need not be aligned with the gap 1301 within the primary magnetic alignment component 1316.

[0167] FIG. 14B shows a simplified partial cross-sectional view of the system 1400 according to some embodiments. The portable electronic device 1200 has a rear housing 1402 (which can be made of a material such as glass or plastic that is transmissive to electromagnetic fields and DC magnetic fields) and a front housing 1404 (which can include a touch screen display). The coil assembly 1210 can include an inductive power receiving coil 1410 (which can be made of, for example, a twisted wire wound around a coil) and a shield 1412 (which can include, for example, a ferromagnetic shield). The secondary magnet 1428 forms part of the secondary magnetic alignment component 1218 and can have a magnetic field oriented in the radially inward direction (as indicated by the arrow). The alignment component 1218 is shown in FIG. 14A, but it will be understood that the rear housing 1402 can be opaque and the alignment component 1218 need not be visible to the user.

[0168] The wireless charger device 1300 has a housing 1302 that includes a single-piece enclosure 1406 that forms the distal surface and the side surfaces of the housing 1302, and an upper cap 1408 that forms the proximal surface of the housing 1302. As described above, the enclosure 1406 and the upper cap 1408 can be made of the same material or different materials, and the upper cap 1408 can be made of a material that is permeable to AC and DC magnetic fields. The power transmission coil assembly 1312 can include an inductive power transmission coil 1416 (e.g., which can be made from a stranded wire wound around a coil) and an electromagnetic shield 1415 (e.g., which can include a ferromagnetic shield). The primary magnet 1426 forms a part of the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 and can include an inner arcuate region 1452 having a magnetic field oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region 1454 having a magnetic field oriented in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, and a non-magnetized central arcuate region 1456. As described above, the DC shield 1414 can be disposed on the distal surface of the primary magnet 1426. Although the alignment component 1316 is shown in FIG. 14A, it will be understood that the housing 1302 may be opaque and the alignment component 1316 may not be visible to the user.

[0169] When aligned, the primary magnet 1426 and the secondary magnet 1428 generate a closed-loop magnetic flux as indicated by line 1440. The magnetic flux 1440 can attract the primary annular alignment component 1318 and the secondary annular alignment component 1216 so that the centers of the primary annular alignment component 1318 and the secondary annular alignment component 1216 are aligned along a common axis. The power transmission coil 1416 is fixed at a position concentric with the primary alignment component 1316, and the power reception coil 1410 is fixed at a position concentric with the secondary alignment component 1218. As a result of aligning the primary annular alignment component 1318 and the secondary annular alignment component 1216 along the common axis, the power transmission coil 1416 and the power reception coil 1410 are also aligned along the common axis, enabling efficient wireless power transmission. For example, the power transmission coil 1416 is driven with an alternating current to generate a time-varying magnetic field that induces a time-varying current in the power reception coil 1416. Electromagnetic shields (e.g., shields 1415 and 1412) can confine the AC magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the coils 1416 and 1410.

[0170] In particular, some embodiments provide a gap region 1411 between the secondary magnet 1428 and the power reception coil assembly 1210 that may experience low DC magnetic flux and may also experience a low AC electromagnetic field due to the electromagnetic shield 1412 around the coil 1410. Similarly, some embodiments provide a gap region 1413 between the primary magnet 1426 and the power transmission coil assembly 1312 that may experience low DC magnetic flux and may also experience a low AC electromagnetic field due to the electromagnetic shield 1418 around the power transmission coil 1416. In some embodiments, for example, an NFC antenna coil (not shown) may be disposed within the gap region 1411 and / or 1413 to support identification of the wireless charger device 1300 by the portable electronic device 1200. An exemplary embodiment of the NFC coil 1260 is described in Section 5 below. Note that a similar gap region may be created when using a z-pole magnetic alignment system of the type shown in FIG. 2, but a larger space is required between the charging coil and the magnet.

[0171] As can be appreciated with reference to FIG. 14B, each secondary alignment magnet 1428 of the secondary alignment component 1218 can have a thin axial dimension so that the secondary alignment component 1218 does not require an increase in the thickness of the portable electronic device 1200. For example, the axial thickness of each secondary alignment magnet 1428 can be less than or equal to the thickness of the power receiving coil assembly 1210 (including the coil 1410 and the shield 1412). The primary alignment component 1426 can have a thicker axial dimension that, for example, occupies all of the axial space between the enclosure 1406 and the top cap 1408. In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 1426 can also have a radial width that is slightly larger than the radial width of the secondary alignment component 1428.

[0172] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless charging system 1500 that includes a portable electronic device 1504 (e.g., which can be the portable electronic device 1200 or any other portable electronic device described herein) and a wireless charger device 1502 (e.g., the wireless charger device 1300 or any other wireless charger device described herein) that can be aligned together via a magnetic alignment system 1506. The magnetic alignment system 1506 can include a primary alignment component 1516 within the wireless charger device 1502 and a secondary alignment component 1518 within the portable electronic device 1504. The primary alignment component 1516 and the secondary alignment component 1516 can be configured according to any of the embodiments described herein. The portable electronic device 1504 can include a computing system 1541 coupled to a memory bank 1542. The computing system 1541 can include control circuitry configured to execute instructions stored in the memory bank 1542 to perform various functions for operating the portable electronic device 1504. The control circuitry can include one or more programmable integrated logic circuits such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0173] Computing system 1541 can be coupled to user interface system 1543, communication system 1544, and sensor system 1545 to enable portable electronic device 1504 to execute one or more functions. For example, user interface system 1543 can include a display, speakers, a microphone, actuators for enabling tactile feedback, and one or more input devices such as buttons, switches, and capacitive screens for enabling touch-sensing of the display. Communication system 1544 can include radio communication components, NFC components, Bluetooth components, and / or WiFi components to enable portable electronic device 1504 to make phone calls, interact with wireless accessories, and access the Internet. In some embodiments, communication system 1544 can include an NFC reader circuit used in association with magnetic alignment system 1506 to identify aligned devices, examples of which are described in Section 5 below. Sensor system 1545 can include optical sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, magnetometers, and / or any other type of sensor capable of measuring parameters of external entities and / or the environment.

[0174] All of these electrical components require power to operate. Accordingly, portable electronic device 1504 also includes battery 1546 that discharges stored energy to power the electrical components of portable electronic device 1504. To replenish the energy discharged to power the electrical components, portable electronic device 1504 includes charging circuit 1547 and induction coil 1510 that can receive power from wireless charger device 1502 coupled to external power source 1522.

[0175] The wireless charger device 1502 can include a power transmission coil 1512 for generating a time-varying magnetic flux that can induce a current in the coil 1510 of the portable electronic device 1504. The induced current can be used by charging the circuit 1547 to charge the battery 1546. The wireless charger device 1502 can further include a computing system 1521 coupled to the communication system 1522 and the wireless charging circuit 1523. The wireless charging circuit can include circuit components that convert standard AC power having a first set of voltage and frequency characteristics (e.g., standard AC wall power) into AC power suitable for operating the coil 1510. Suitable circuit components including a rectifier (AC-DC converter), a boost circuit (DC-DC boost circuit), an inverter (DC-AC converter), etc. are known in the art. The computing system 1521 can include logic circuitry (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an FPGA, etc.) configured to control the operation of the wireless charger device 1502, such as controlling the wireless charging circuit 1523 and generating a time-varying magnetic flux to induce a current in the coil 1510 to charge the portable electronic device 1504 using the power received from the external power source 1522. In some embodiments, the computing system 1521 can implement functions compliant with the Qi standard for wireless charging (published by the Wireless Power Consortium).

[0176] In some embodiments, the components implementing the computing system 1521 and the wireless charging circuit 1523 can be disposed within a housing that holds the coil 1512 and the primary alignment component 1516 (e.g., within the pack-shaped housing 1302 of FIGS. 13 and 14A - 14B). In other embodiments, some or all of the components implementing the computing system 1521 and the wireless charging circuit 1523 can be disposed elsewhere, such as, for example, at the distal end of the cable 1304 of FIGS. 13 and 14A. For example, the logic circuitry implementing the computing system 1521 can be disposed within the housing 1302, while the wireless charging circuit 1532 is disposed within the boot of the plug connector at the distal end of the cable 1304. (In this case, the cable 1304 can supply AC power to the wireless charger device 1300.) As another example, the logic circuitry implementing the computing system 1521 and the circuit components implementing a portion of the wireless charging circuit 1523 can be disposed within the housing 1302, while the circuit components implementing the other portion of the wireless charging circuit 1523 are disposed within the boot of the plug connector at the distal end of the cable 1304. For example, the inverter may be disposed within the housing 1302, while the rectifier and the boost circuit are disposed within the boot. (In this case, the cable 1304 can supply DC power to the wireless charger device 1300.)

[0177] System 1500 is described with reference to certain blocks, but it will be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of components. Further, these blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components, and the same physical component may be used to implement aspects of multiple blocks. A block can be configured to perform various operations, for example, by programming a processor or by providing appropriate control circuitry, and depending on how the initial configuration is obtained, various blocks may or may not be reconfigurable. Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in various devices, including electronic devices that use any combination of circuitry and software to enable wireless charging operations and / or other operations where physical alignment between devices is desired. 2. Rotational alignment components

[0178] In the various embodiments described above, the magnetic alignment system can provide robust alignment in the lateral plane, and may or may not provide rotational alignment. For example, the radially symmetric magnetic alignment system 500 of FIGS. 5A-5B may not define a preferred rotational orientation. The radially alternating magnetic alignment system 800 of FIGS. 8A-8C can define multiple equally preferred rotational orientations. In some applications, such as the alignment of a portable electronic device with a wireless charger pack or mat, rotational orientation may not be a concern. In other applications, such as the alignment of a portable electronic device in a docking station or other mounting accessory, a particular rotational alignment may be desirable. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the annular magnetic alignment component can be enhanced with one or more rotational alignment components spaced apart outside the annular magnetic alignment component. The rotational alignment components can help guide the devices to a target rotational orientation relative to each other.

[0179] FIG. 16 shows an example of a magnetic alignment system having an annular alignment component and a rotational alignment component, according to some embodiments. FIG. 16 shows the proximal surfaces of a portable electronic device 1604 and an accessory 1602, respectively. In this example, the primary alignment component of the magnetic alignment system is included in the accessory device 1602, and the secondary alignment component of the magnetic alignment system is included in the portable electronic device 1604. The portable electronic device 1604 can be, for example, a smartphone designed such that the front provides a touch screen display and the back supports wireless charging. The accessory device 1602 can be, for example, a charging dock that supports the portable electronic device 1604, and the user can view and access its display. For example, the accessory device 1602 can support the portable electronic device 1604 such that the display is vertical or at an angle that is conveniently tilted for viewing and / or touching. In the illustrated example, the accessory device 1602 supports the portable electronic device 1604 in a "portrait" orientation (with the short sides of the display at the top and bottom), but in some embodiments, the accessory device 1602 can support the portable electronic device 1604 in a "landscape" orientation (with the long sides of the display at the top and bottom). The accessory device 1602 can also be mounted on a swivel, gimbal, etc., whereby the user can adjust the orientation of the portable electronic device 1604 by adjusting the orientation of the accessory device 1602.

[0180] As described above, the components of the magnetic alignment system can include a primary circular alignment component 1616 disposed within the accessory 1602 and a secondary circular alignment component 1618 disposed within the portable electronic device 1604. The primary circular alignment component 1616 can be similar or identical to any of the primary alignment components described above. For example, the primary circular alignment component 1616 can be formed from arcuate magnets 1626 disposed in a circular configuration. Although not shown in FIG. 16, one or more gaps can be provided in the primary circular alignment component 1616, for example, by omitting one or more of the arcuate magnets 1626 or by providing a gap in one or more of the interfaces 1630 between adjacent arcuate magnets 1626. In some embodiments, each arcuate magnet 1626 includes an inner arcuate region having a first magnetic orientation (e.g., axially oriented in a first direction), an outer arcuate region having a second magnetic orientation opposite the first magnetic orientation (e.g., axially oriented opposite the first direction), and a central non-magnetized arcuate region between the inner and outer regions (as described above, the non-magnetized central region can include an air gap or a non-magnetic material). In some embodiments, the primary circular alignment component 1616 can also include a DC shield (not shown) on the distal side of the arcuate magnet 1626.

[0181] Similarly, the secondary annular alignment component 1618 can be similar or identical to any of the secondary alignment components described above. For example, the secondary annular alignment component 1618 can be formed from arcuate magnets 1628 arranged in an annular configuration. Although not shown in FIG. 16, for example, one or more gaps can be provided in the secondary annular alignment component 1618 by omitting one or more of the arcuate magnets 1628 or by providing a gap in one or more of the interface surfaces 1632 between adjacent arcuate magnets 1628. As described above, the arcuate magnets 1628 can provide a radially oriented magnetic polarity. For example, all sectors of the secondary annular alignment component 1618 can have a radially outward magnetic orientation or a radially inward magnetic orientation, or some sectors of the secondary annular alignment component 1618 can have a radially outward magnetic orientation and other sectors of the secondary annular alignment component 1618 can have a radially inward magnetic orientation.

[0182] As described above, the primary annular alignment component 1616 and the secondary annular alignment component 1618 can provide a shearing force that promotes alignment in the lateral plane such that the center point 1601 of the primary annular alignment component 1616 is aligned with the center point 1603 of the secondary annular alignment component 1618. However, the primary annular alignment component 1616 and the secondary annular alignment component 1618 may not provide a torque force towards any particular rotational orientation, such as a portrait orientation.

[0183] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the magnetic alignment system can incorporate one or more rotational alignment components in addition to the annular alignment components. The rotational alignment components can include one or more magnets that provide torque about a common axis of the (aligned) annular alignment components, thereby ensuring the establishment of a preferred rotational orientation. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the primary rotational alignment component 1622 can be spaced apart and disposed outside the primary annular alignment component 1616, while the secondary rotational alignment component 1624 can be spaced apart and disposed outside the secondary annular alignment component 1618. The secondary rotational alignment component 1624 is disposed at a fixed distance (y0) from the center point 1603 of the secondary annular alignment component 1618 and can be disposed at the center between the side edges of the portable electronic device 1604 (as indicated by the distance x0 from either side edge). Similarly, the primary rotational alignment component 1622 is disposed at the same distance y0 from the center point 1601 of the primary annular alignment component 1616 and is positioned at a rotational angle that results in a torque profile that is advantageous for the desired orientation of the portable electronic device 1604 with respect to the accessory 1602 when the secondary rotational alignment component 1624 is aligned with the primary rotational alignment component 1622. It should be noted that the same distance y0 can be applied to various portable electronic devices having different form factors, thereby enabling a single accessory to be compatible with a group of portable electronic devices. A longer distance y0 can increase the torque towards the preferred rotational alignment, but the maximum distance y0 may be limited by design considerations such as the size of the smallest portable electronic device in a group of portable electronic devices incorporating a mutually compatible magnetic alignment system.

[0184] According to some embodiments, each of the primary rotational alignment component 1622 and the secondary rotational alignment component 1624 can be implemented using one or more magnets (e.g., rare earth magnets such as NdFeB), and these magnets are each magnetized such that their magnetic polarities are oriented in a desired direction. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the magnets have a rectangular shape, but can be replaced with other shapes (e.g., rounded shapes). The magnetic orientations of the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 can be complementary such that an attractive magnetic force is applied when the proximal surfaces of the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 are close to each other. This attractive magnetic force can help rotate the portable electronic device 1604 and the accessory 1602 to a preferred rotational orientation in which the proximal surfaces of the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 are aligned with each other. Examples of magnetic orientations of the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 that can be used to provide a desired attractive force are described below. In some embodiments, the primary rotational alignment component 1622 and the secondary rotational alignment component 1624 can have the same lateral (xy) dimensions and the same thickness. The dimensions can be selected based on the desired magnetic field strength and / or torque, the dimensions of the device in which the rotational alignment components are deployed, and other design considerations. In some embodiments, the lateral dimensions can be from about 6 mm (x direction) to about 16 mm (y direction), and the thickness can be any thickness from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm, and the specific dimensions can be selected based on the size of the device to be aligned. In some embodiments, the thickness of the rotational alignment components for a given device can be selected to match the thickness of the annular alignment components within the device. In some embodiments, each of the primary rotational alignment component 1622 and the secondary rotational alignment component 1624 can be implemented using two or more rectangular blocks of magnetic material arranged adjacent to each other. In other embodiments, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances, there may be a small gap between adjacent magnets.

[0185] Figures 17A and 17B illustrate an example of rotational alignment according to some embodiments. In Figure 17A, in the illustrated drawing, the accessory 1602 is disposed on the rear surface of the portable electronic device 1604 such that the central point 1601 of the primary annular alignment component 1616 overlaps the central point 1603 of the secondary annular alignment component 1618 and the primary annular alignment component 1616 and the secondary alignment component 1618 are aligned with each other in the lateral plane. There is a relative rotation such that the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 are misaligned. In this configuration, the attractive force between the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 can bias the portable electronic device 1604 and the accessory 1602 toward the target rotational orientation. In Figure 17B, the attractive magnetic force between the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 causes the portable electronic device 1604 and the accessory 1602 to be brought into the target rotational alignment such that the side portion of the portable electronic device 1604 is parallel to the side portion of the accessory 1602. In some embodiments, the attractive magnetic force between the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 can also serve to hold the portable electronic device 1604 and the accessory 1602 in a fixed rotational alignment.

[0186] The rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 can have various patterns of magnetic orientation. As long as the magnetic orientations of the rotational alignment components 1622 and 1624 are complementary to each other, there can be a torque toward the target rotational orientation when the device is horizontally aligned and close to the target rotational orientation. Figures 18A - 21B illustrate examples of the magnetic orientations of the rotational alignment components according to various embodiments. Although the magnetic orientation is shown for only one of the rotational alignment components, it will be understood that the magnetic orientation of the complementary rotational alignment component can be complementary to the shown magnetic orientation.

[0187] Figures 18A and 18B show a perspective view and a top view of a rotational alignment component 1824 having a "z-pole" configuration according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the perspective view is not to any particular scale and that the lateral (xy) dimensions and the axial (z) thickness can be varied as desired. As shown in FIG. 18A, the rotational alignment component 1824 can have a uniform magnetic orientation along the axial direction, as indicated by arrow 1805. Thus, as shown in FIG. 18B, the north magnetic pole (N) may be closest to the proximal surface 1803 of the rotational alignment component 1824. A complementary z-pole alignment component can have a uniform magnetic orientation with the south magnetic pole closest to the proximal surface. The z-pole configuration can provide a highly reliable alignment.

[0188] Other configurations can provide a highly reliable alignment and a stronger or more prominent "clicking" sensation for the user. The "clicking sensation" refers, in this context, to a user-perceivable torque about the common axis of the annular alignment component that is biased towards the target rotational alignment and / or resists small displacements from the target rotational alignment. Greater variations in torque as a function of the rotation angle can provide a more prominent clicking sensation. The following are examples of magnetization configurations for rotational alignment components that can provide a more prominent clicking sensation than the z-pole configuration of FIGS. 18A and 18B.

[0189] Figures 19A and 19B show a perspective view and a top view of a rotational alignment component 1924 having a "quadrupole" configuration according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the perspective view is not to any particular scale and that the lateral (xy) dimensions and the axial (z) thickness can be varied as desired. As shown in FIG. 19A, the rotational alignment component 1924 has a first magnetized region 1925 with a magnetic orientation along the axial direction such that the north magnetic pole (N) is closest to the proximal (+z) surface 1903 of the rotational alignment component 1924 (as indicated by arrow 1905), and a second magnetized region 1927 with a magnetic orientation opposite to that of the first region such that the south magnetic pole (S) is closest to the proximal surface 1903 (as indicated by arrow 1907). Between the magnetized regions 1925 and 1927 is an unmagnetized central region 1929. In some embodiments, the rotational alignment component 1924 can be formed from a single piece of magnetic material that has been exposed to a magnetizer to form regions 1925, 1927, 1929. Alternatively, the rotational alignment component 1924 can be formed using two pieces of magnetic material with a non-magnetic material or an air gap therebetween. As shown in FIG. 19B, the proximal surface of the rotational alignment component 1924 can have one region with a "north" polarity and another region with a "south" polarity. Complementary quadrupole rotational alignment components can have corresponding regions of south and north polarities at the proximal surface.

[0190] Figures 20A and 20B show a perspective view and a top view of a rotational alignment component 2024 having an "annular design" configuration according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the perspective view is not to any particular scale and the lateral (xy) dimensions and the axial (z) thickness can be varied as desired. As shown in FIG. 20A, the rotational alignment component 2024 has an annular outer magnetization region 2025 with a magnetic orientation along the axial direction such that the north magnetic pole (N) is closest to the proximal (+z) surface 2003 of the rotational alignment component 2024 (as indicated by arrow 2005), and an inner magnetization region 2027 having a magnetic orientation opposite to that of the first region such that the south magnetic pole (S) is closest to the distal surface 2003. Between the magnetization regions 2025 and 2027 is an unmagnetized neutral annular region 2029. In some embodiments, the rotational alignment component 2024 can be formed from a single piece of magnetic material exposed to a magnetizer to form regions 2025, 2027, 2029. Alternatively, the rotational alignment component 2024 can be formed using two or more pieces of magnetic material with a non-magnetic material or an air gap therebetween. As shown in FIG. 20B, the proximal surface of the rotational alignment component 2024 can have an annular outer region having a "north" polarity and an inner region having a "south" polarity. The proximal surface of a complementary annular design rotational alignment component can have an annular outer region having a south polarity and an inner region having a north polarity.

[0191] Figures 21A and 21B show a perspective view and a top view of a rotational alignment component 2124 having a "three-pole" configuration according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the perspective view is not to any particular scale and that the lateral (xy) dimensions and the axial (z) thickness can be varied as desired. As shown in FIG. 21A, the rotational alignment component 2124 has a central magnetization region 2125 with a magnetic orientation along the axial direction such that the south pole (S) is closest to the proximal (+ +z) surface 2103 of the rotational alignment component 2124 (as indicated by arrow 2105), and outer magnetization regions 2127, 2129 having a magnetic orientation opposite to that of the central region 2125 such that the north pole (N) is closest to the proximal surface 2103 (as indicated by arrows 2107, 2109). Between the central magnetization region 2125 and each of the outer magnetization regions 2127, 2129 are non-strongly magnetized neutral regions 2131, 2133. In some embodiments, the rotational alignment component 2124 can be formed from a single piece of magnetic material exposed to a magnetizer to form regions 2125, 2127, 2129. Alternatively, the rotational alignment component 2124 can be formed using three (or more) pieces of magnetic material with a non-magnetic material or an air gap therebetween. As shown in FIG. 21B, the proximal surface may have a central region with a "south" polarity and the outer regions may have a "north" polarity on both sides. The proximal surface of a complementary three-pole rotational alignment component may have a central region with a north polarity and outer regions with a south polarity on both sides.

[0192] The examples of FIGS. 18A - 21B are illustrative and it will be understood that other configurations may be used. The choice of magnetization pattern for the rotational alignment component can be independent of the magnetization pattern of the annular alignment component in which the rotational alignment component is used.

[0193] In some embodiments, the selection of the magnetization pattern for the rotational alignment component can be based on optimizing the torque profile. For example, as described above, it may be desirable to provide the user with a noticeable cogging sensation when approaching the desired rotational alignment. The cogging sensation can be the result of torque about the axis of rotation defined by the annular alignment component. The amount of torque depends on various factors including the distance between the axis and the rotational alignment component (distance y0 in FIG. 16), the length of the rotational alignment component (in the y direction as defined in FIG. 16), the strength of the magnetic field of the rotational alignment component (which may depend on the size of the rotational alignment component), the coefficient of friction between the aligned surfaces, and whether the annular alignment component applies any torque towards the preferred rotational orientation.

[0194] FIG. 22 shows a graph of torque as a function of angular rotation (degrees) for different magnetization configurations of the rotational alignment components according to various embodiments, for an alignment system of the type shown in FIG. 16. The angular rotation is defined such that zero degrees corresponds to the target rotational alignment (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17B, the proximal surfaces of the rotation angle components 1622 and 1624 are closest). Torque is defined such that a positive (negative) value indicates a force in the direction that decreases (increases) the rotation angle. For the purpose of generating the torque profile, the annular alignment components 1616 and 1618 are rotationally symmetric and are assumed not to exert torque about the z-axis defined by the center points 1601 and 1603. Three different magnetization configurations are considered. Line 2204 corresponds to the quadrupole configuration of FIGS. 19A and 19B. Line 2205 corresponds to the annular design configuration of FIGS. 20A and 20B. Line 2206 corresponds to the tripole configuration of FIGS. 21A and 21B. As shown, the annular design (line 2205) and tripole (line 2206) configurations provide sharper peaks in torque compared to the quadrupole configuration (line 2204), and thus provide a more pronounced "clicking" sensation for the user. In addition, the tripole configuration provides a stronger peak torque than the annular design configuration, and thus provides a more pronounced "clicking" sensation. (The tripole configuration can also reduce magnetic flux leakage compared to other configurations.) The numerical values in FIG. 22 are exemplary, and it should be understood that the torque in a particular embodiment may depend on various other factors in addition to the magnetization configuration, such as the volume of the magnet, the aspect ratio, and the distance y0 from the center of the annular alignment component.

[0195] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a single rotational alignment component is disposed outside the annular alignment component at a distance y0 from the center of the annular alignment component. This configuration enables a single magnetic element to generate a torque that produces a significant clocking sensation for the user alignment device. In some embodiments, other arrangements are possible. For example, FIG. 23 shows a portable electronic device 2304 having an alignment system 2300 with a plurality of rotational alignment components according to some embodiments. In this embodiment, the alignment system 2300 includes an annular alignment component 2318 and a set of rotational alignment components 2324 disposed at various locations around the periphery of the annular alignment component 2318. In this example, there are four rotational alignment components 2324 disposed at angular intervals of approximately 90 degrees. In other embodiments, different numbers and spacings of rotational alignment components may be used. Each rotational alignment component 2324 can have any of the magnetization configurations described above, including a z-pole, quadrupole, tripole, or annular design configuration, or a different configuration. Further, different rotational alignment components 2324 can have different magnetization configurations from each other. It should be noted that the rotational alignment components 2324 can be disposed in proximity to the periphery of the annular alignment component 2318, and a number of magnetic components can provide sufficient torque with a shorter lever arm. Complementary rotational alignment components can be disposed around the outer periphery of any type of annular alignment component (e.g., a primary alignment component, a secondary alignment component, or an annular alignment component as described herein).

[0196] It will be understood that the foregoing examples of the rotational alignment component are illustrative and that changes and modifications are possible. In some embodiments, the rotational alignment component may be provided as any appendage to the annular alignment component, and a device having both the annular alignment component and the rotational alignment component may be laterally aligned with any other device having a complementary annular alignment component, regardless of whether the other device has a rotational alignment component or not. Thus, for example, the portable electronic device 1604 of FIG. 16 can be rotationally aligned with the accessory 1602 (having both the annular alignment component 1616 and the rotational alignment component 1622), and can be laterally aligned with another accessory having the annular alignment component 1616 but not the rotational alignment component 1622 (such as the wireless charger device 400 of FIG. 4). In the latter case, the lateral alignment can be achieved, for example, to support efficient wireless charging, but there may be no preferred rotational alignment, or the rotational alignment can be achieved using non-magnetic features (such as mechanical retention features like ledges, clips, notches, etc.). The rotational magnetic alignment component can be used in conjunction with any type of annular magnetic alignment component (such as a primary annular magnetic alignment component, a secondary annular magnetic alignment component, or an auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component as described below). 3. Primary, Secondary, and Auxiliary Annular Magnetic Alignment Components 3.1. Overview of the 3-Component Magnetic Alignment System

[0197] In some embodiments, the magnetic alignment system can align three or more devices. Here, an example of a magnetic alignment system having three annular alignment components (referred to as a primary, a secondary, and an auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component) will be described. The primary and secondary annular magnetic alignment components described in this section may be the same as the primary and secondary annular magnetic alignment components described above, and it should be understood that a given pair of primary and secondary annular magnetic alignment components can be used with or without the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component. It should also be understood that the system for which alignment is desired may include more than three devices, and additional auxiliary annular alignment components may be provided to facilitate the alignment of more than three devices.

[0198] FIG. 24 shows a simplified diagram of a wireless charging system 2400 incorporating a three-component magnetic alignment system 2406 according to some embodiments. The wireless charging system 2400 includes a portable electronic device 2404, a wireless charger device 2402, and an accessory 2420 disposed between the portable electronic device 2404 and the wireless charger device 2402. The portable electronic device 2404 can be a consumer electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, or any other electronic device for which wireless charging is desired. The wireless charger device 2402 can be any device configured to generate a time-varying magnetic flux to induce a current in a suitably configured receiving device. For example, the wireless charger device 2402 can be a wireless charging mat, a pack, a docking station, or the like. The wireless charger device 2402 includes or has access to a power source such as battery power or standard AC power.

[0199] To enable wireless power transfer, the portable electronic device 2404 and the wireless charger device 2402 can each include induction coils 2410 and 2412, which can be operated to transfer power between them. For example, the induction coil 2412 can be a power transmission coil that generates a time-varying magnetic flux 2414, and the induction coil 2410 can be a power reception coil in which a current is induced in response to the time-varying magnetic flux 2414. The received current can charge the battery of the portable electronic device 2404, provide operating power to components of the portable electronic device 2404, and / or be used for other purposes as desired. In some embodiments, wireless power transfer between the wireless charger device 2402 and the portable electronic device 2404 can occur regardless of whether the accessory 2420 is present.

[0200] Accessory 2420 can be an accessory used with portable electronic device 2404 to protect, enhance, and / or supplement the aesthetics and / or functionality of portable electronic device 2404. For example, accessory 2420 can be a protective case, an external battery pack, a camera attachment, or any other pass-through accessory. In some embodiments, accessory 2420 can include one or more wireless charging coils 2438. For example, accessory 2420 can be a portable external battery pack that is attached to portable electronic device 2404 and can be carried together with the portable electronic device. In some embodiments, accessory 2420 can operate wireless charging coil 2438 as a power receiving coil to charge the onboard battery (e.g., from wireless charger device 2402), or operate as a power transmitting coil to supply power to portable electronic device 2404. In some embodiments, accessory 2420 can include separate power transmitting and receiving coils 2438. Accessory 2420 can operate the coil(s) 2438 to transmit power or receive and store power according to current conditions. In still other embodiments, accessory 2420 can be a "non-powered" or "passive" accessory such as a case that does not include an active circuit, and wireless charging coil 2438 can be omitted. In such a case, accessory 2420 can be designed so as not to interfere with wireless power transmission between wireless charger device 2402 and portable electronic device 2404. For example, the relevant portion of accessory 2420 can be made of a material such as plastic, leather, or other material that is transparent to time-varying electromagnetic flux 2414.

[0201] To enable efficient wireless power transfer, it is desirable to align induction coils 2412 and 2410 (and coil 2438 in embodiments where coil 2438 is present). According to some embodiments, magnetic alignment system 2406 can provide such alignment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, magnetic alignment system 2406 includes a primary magnetic alignment component 2416 disposed within or on the surface of wireless charger device 2402, a secondary magnetic alignment component 2418 disposed within or on the surface of portable electronic device 2402, and an auxiliary magnetic alignment component 2470 disposed within or on the surface of accessory 2420. The primary, secondary, and auxiliary magnetic alignment components 2416, 2418, and 2470 are configured to magnetically attract each other to an alignment position where induction coils 2410 and 2412 (and / or 2438 if present) are aligned with each other to provide efficient wireless power transfer.

[0202] Magnetic alignment system 2406 can enable modularity in that various types of accessories 2420 can align with the primary and / or secondary magnetic alignment components 2416, 2418, assuming accessory 2420 includes auxiliary alignment component 2470. For example, in some embodiments (e.g., where accessory 2420 is a protective case), accessory 2420 can be mechanically coupled to portable electronic device 2404 in a fixed position such that auxiliary magnetic alignment component 2420 aligns with secondary magnetic alignment component 2418, and portable electronic device 2404 can align with the primary alignment component 2418 of wireless charger device 2402, fully or partially depending on auxiliary magnetic alignment component 2470. Thus, when accessory 2420 is disposed on charging surface 2408 of wireless charger device 2402 such that primary alignment component 2416 aligns with auxiliary alignment grid pattern element 2470, secondary alignment component 2418 of portable electronic device 2404 also aligns with primary alignment component 2470, and efficient wireless power transfer is supported.

[0203] As another example, in some embodiments where the accessory 2420 is an external battery, the auxiliary alignment component 2470 can attract and align the secondary alignment component 2418 such that power from an internal power source (not shown) within the accessory 2420 can be wirelessly transmitted to the portable electronic device 2404 using the induction coil 2438 and the induction coil 2410. The modularity of the magnetic alignment system 2406 also enables the wireless charger device 2402 to be stacked with the portable electronic device 2404 and the accessory 2420. For example, the auxiliary alignment component 2470 can attract and align the secondary alignment component 2418 and at the same time, can attract and align the primary alignment component 2416. Thus, when the portable electronic device 2404, the accessory 2420, and the wireless charger device 2402 are all stacked together, power can be transmitted wirelessly from the wireless charger device 2402 to the accessory 2420 (e.g., to charge the internal battery of the accessory 2420) and from the accessory 2420 to the portable electronic device 2404. Both power transmissions can be performed simultaneously, i.e., the wireless charger device 2402 can supply power to the accessory 2420 while the accessory 2420 supplies power to the portable electronic device 2404. In some embodiments, to enable simultaneous power transmission, the accessory 2420 can include two induction coils 2438 for receiving power and for transmitting power. In other embodiments, the power transmission can be performed sequentially. For example, the wireless charger device 2402 can supply power to the accessory 2402, and the accessory 2402 can supply power to the portable electronic device 2404 when the wireless charger device 2402 is not supplying power.

[0204] FIG. 24 is merely illustrative and non-limiting. For example, although FIG. 24 shows three devices stacked on top of each other, it should be understood that the same principle can be applied to form a system of four or more devices. For example, a wireless charging system can include a portable electronic device attached to a wireless charger device, attached to an external battery that is magnetically aligned, and coupled to a protective case that is magnetically aligned. All induction coils within each device can be aligned together, and wireless power can be transmitted between the wireless charger device and the external battery, between the battery and the portable electronic device, and / or between the wireless charger device and the portable electronic device. It will be recognized that any number of devices can be stacked together without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0205] According to embodiments described herein, the alignment components of a magnetic alignment system (including primary, secondary, or auxiliary alignment components) can be formed from arcuate magnets arranged in an annular configuration. In some embodiments, each magnet has its magnetic polarity oriented in a desired direction such that the magnetic polarities between the primary, secondary, and auxiliary alignment components result in a desired alignment. In some embodiments, an arcuate magnet can include a first magnetic region with a magnetic polarity oriented in a first direction and a second magnetic region with a magnetic polarity oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. As will be described below, different configurations can provide different degrees of magnetic field leakage. 3.2. Magnetic Alignment System with Uniaxial Directional Magnetic Orientation

[0206] FIG. 25A shows a perspective view of a magnetic alignment system 2500 according to some embodiments, and FIG. 25B shows a cross-section through the magnetic alignment system 2500 across the cut plane shown in FIG. 25A. The magnetic alignment system 2500 may be an implementation of the magnetic alignment system 2406 of FIG. 24. In the magnetic alignment system 2500, all alignment components have magnetic polarities oriented in the same direction (along the axis of the annular configuration).

[0207] As shown in FIG. 25A, the magnetic alignment system 2500 can include a primary alignment component 2516 (which may be an implementation of the primary alignment component 2416 in FIG. 24), a secondary alignment component 2518 (which may be an implementation of the secondary alignment component 2418 in FIG. 24), and an auxiliary alignment component 2570 (which may be an implementation of the auxiliary alignment component 2470 described above). The primary alignment component 2516, the secondary alignment component 2518, and the auxiliary alignment component 2570 have an annular shape and can be referred to as "annular" alignment components. Specific dimensions can be selected as desired. In some embodiments, the dimensions can be similar to the exemplary values described in Section 1.

[0208] The primary alignment component 2516 can include a number of sectors formed from one or more primary arcuate magnets 2526. The secondary alignment component 2518 can include a number of sectors formed from one or more secondary arcuate magnets 2528. The auxiliary alignment component 2470 can include a number of sectors formed from one or more auxiliary arcuate magnets 2572. In the illustrated example, the number of primary magnets 2526 is equal to the number of secondary magnets 2528 and the number of auxiliary magnets 2570, and each sector includes exactly one magnet, but this is not essential. The primary magnet 2526, the secondary magnet 2528, and the auxiliary magnet 2572 can have an arcuate (or curved) shape in cross-section such that when the primary magnet 2526 (or secondary magnet 2528 or auxiliary magnet 2572) is arranged adjacent to each other end-to-end, the primary magnet 2526 (or secondary magnet 2528 or auxiliary magnet 2572) forms an annular structure as shown. In some embodiments, the primary magnets 2526 can contact each other at the interface 2530, the secondary magnets 2528 can contact each other at the interface 2532, and the auxiliary magnets 2572 can contact each other at the interface 2574. Alternatively, a small gap or space can separate adjacent primary magnets 2526, adjacent secondary magnets 2528, or adjacent auxiliary magnets 2572 to provide a greater tolerance during manufacturing.

[0209] In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 2516 can also include an annular shield 2514 disposed on the distal surface of the primary magnet 2526. In some embodiments, the shield 2514 can be formed as a single piece of annular material and adhered to the primary magnet 2526 to fix the primary magnet 2526 in place. The shield 2514 can be formed of a material having a high magnetic permeability and / or a high magnetic saturation value, such as stainless steel or low-carbon steel, and can redirect the magnetic field to prevent it from propagating beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 2516, thereby protecting sensitive electronic components disposed beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 2516 from magnetic interference.

[0210] The primary magnet 2526, the secondary magnet 2528, and the auxiliary magnet 2572 can be made of a magnetic material such as an NdFeB material, other rare-earth magnetic materials, or other materials that can be magnetized to create a permanent magnetic field. Each primary magnet 2526, each secondary magnet 2528, and each auxiliary magnet 2572 can have a monolithic structure that includes a single magnetic region with axially aligned magnetic polarities, as indicated by the magnetic polarity indicators 2515, 2517, 2519 in FIG. 25B. For example, each primary magnet 2526, each secondary magnet 2528, and each auxiliary magnet 2572 can be a bar magnet shaped into an arcuate structure that is grounded and has an axial magnetic orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary magnet 2526 has its north pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its south pole oriented toward the distal surface, the secondary magnet 2528 has its south pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its north pole oriented toward the distal surface, and the auxiliary magnet 2572 has corresponding magnetic orientations such that the north pole of the auxiliary magnet 2572 is oriented toward the proximal surface of the secondary magnet 2528 and the south pole of the auxiliary magnet 2572 is oriented toward the proximal surface of the primary magnet 2526. In other embodiments, the magnetic orientations can be reversed, with the primary magnet 2526 having its south pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its north pole oriented toward the distal surface, the secondary magnet 2528 having its north pole oriented toward the proximal surface and its south pole oriented toward the distal surface, and the auxiliary magnet 2572 having corresponding magnetic orientations such that the south pole of the auxiliary magnet 2572 is oriented toward the proximal surface of the secondary magnet 2528 and the north pole of the auxiliary magnet 2572 is oriented toward the proximal surface of the primary magnet 2526.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 25B, the axial magnetic orientation of the primary magnet 2526, the auxiliary magnet 2572, and the secondary magnet 2528 can generate a magnetic field 2540 that provides an attractive force between the primary magnet 2526 and the auxiliary magnet 2572, and between the auxiliary magnet 2572 and the secondary magnet 2528, thereby facilitating alignment between the respective devices in which the primary alignment component 2516, the auxiliary alignment component 2570, and the secondary alignment component 2518 are arranged (e.g., as shown in FIG. 24). The shield 2514 can redirect a portion of the magnetic field 2540 away from the region below the primary magnet 2526, but the magnetic field 2540 can still propagate to the regions laterally adjacent to the primary magnet 2526 and the secondary magnet 2528. In some embodiments, the lateral propagation of the magnetic field 2540 can result in magnetic field leakage to other magnetically sensitive components. For example, if an induction coil with a ferromagnetic shield is disposed inside (or within) the annular primary alignment component 2516 (or secondary alignment component 2518), the leakage of the magnetic field 2540 may saturate the ferromagnetic shield, which can potentially reduce the wireless charging performance.

[0212] The magnetic alignment system 2500 is illustrative, and it will be understood that variations and modifications are possible. For example, although the primary alignment component 2516, the auxiliary alignment component 2570, and the secondary alignment component 2518 are each shown as being composed of eight arcuate magnets, in other embodiments, different numbers of magnets such as 16 magnets, 36 magnets, or any other number of magnets may be used, and the number of primary magnets need not be equal to the number of secondary magnets. Similarly, the number of auxiliary magnets need not be equal to either the number of primary magnets or the number of secondary magnets. In other embodiments, the primary alignment component 2516 and / or the secondary alignment component 2518 and / or the auxiliary alignment component 2570 may each be formed from a single monolithic annular magnet, but segmenting the alignment components 2516, 2518, and 2570 into arcuate magnets can improve manufacturing, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. 3.3. Magnetic Alignment System with Closed-Loop Magnetic Configuration

[0213] As described above with reference to FIG. 25B, a magnetic alignment system having a single axial magnetic orientation can allow for lateral leakage of the magnetic field, which can adversely affect the performance of other components of the electronic device. Accordingly, some embodiments provide a magnetic alignment system having a closed-loop magnetic configuration that reduces magnetic field leakage. Here, examples will be described.

[0214] FIG. 26A shows a perspective view of a magnetic alignment system 2600 according to some embodiments, and FIG. 26B shows a cross-section through the magnetic alignment system 2600 across the cut plane shown in FIG. 26A. The magnetic alignment system 2600 may be an implementation of the magnetic alignment system 2406 of FIG. 24. In the magnetic alignment system 2600, the alignment components have magnetic components configured in a "closed-loop" configuration as described below.

[0215] As shown in FIG. 26A, the magnetic alignment system 2600 may include a primary alignment component 2616 (which may be an implementation of the primary alignment component 2416 of FIG. 24), a secondary alignment component 2618 (which may be an implementation of the secondary alignment component 2418 of FIG. 24), and an auxiliary alignment component 2670 (which may be an implementation of the auxiliary alignment component 2470 of FIG. 24). The primary alignment component 2616, the secondary alignment component 2618, and the auxiliary alignment component 2670 have an annular shape and may be referred to as "annular" alignment components. Specific dimensions can be selected as desired. In some embodiments, the dimensions can be similar to the exemplary values described in Section 1.

[0216] The primary alignment component 2616 can include a number of sectors formed from a number of primary magnets 2626, the secondary alignment component 2618 can include a number of sectors each of which can be formed from a number of secondary magnets 2628, and the auxiliary alignment component 2670 can include a number of sectors each of which can be formed from a number of auxiliary magnets 2672. In the illustrated example, the number of primary magnets 2626 is equal to the number of secondary magnets 2628 and the number of auxiliary magnets 2672, and each sector includes exactly one magnet, but this is not essential. The primary magnets 2626, the secondary magnets 2628, and the auxiliary magnets 2672 can have an arcuate (or curved) shape in cross-section such that when the primary magnet 2626 (or the secondary magnet 2628 or the auxiliary magnet 2672) is arranged adjacent to each other end to end, the primary magnet 2626 (or the secondary magnet 2628 or the auxiliary magnet 2672) forms an annular structure as illustrated. In some embodiments, adjacent primary magnets 2626 can contact each other at the interface 2630, adjacent secondary magnets 2628 can contact each other at the interface 2632, and adjacent auxiliary magnets 2672 can contact each other at the interface 2680. Alternatively, a small gap or space can separate adjacent primary magnets 2626, adjacent secondary magnets 2628, or adjacent auxiliary magnets 2672 to provide a greater tolerance during manufacturing.

[0217] In some embodiments, the primary alignment component 2616 can also include an annular shield 2614 disposed on the distal surface of the primary magnet 2626. In some embodiments, the shield 2614 can be formed as a single piece of annular material and adhered to the primary magnet 2626 to fix the primary magnet 2626 in place. The shield 2614 can be formed of a material having a high magnetic permeability, such as stainless steel, and can redirect the magnetic field to prevent it from propagating beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 2616, thereby protecting sensitive electronic components disposed beyond the distal side of the primary alignment component 2616 from magnetic interference. In some embodiments, the auxiliary alignment component 2670 does not include a similar shield, and thus can provide a stronger magnetic attraction to the primary alignment component 2616.

[0218] The primary magnet 2626, the secondary magnet 2628, and the auxiliary magnet 2672 can be made of a magnetic material such as an NdFeB material, other rare earth magnetic materials, or other materials that can be magnetized to create a permanent magnetic field. Each secondary magnet 2628 can have a single magnetic region having a magnetic polarity with a component in the radial direction in the cross section (as indicated by the magnetic polarity indicator 2617 in FIG. 26B). As described below, the magnetic orientation may be in the radial direction with respect to the axis 2601 or in another direction having a radial component in the cross section. Each primary magnet 2626 can include two magnetic regions having opposite magnetic orientations. For example, each primary magnet 2626 can have an inner arcuate magnetic region 2652 magnetically oriented in a first axial direction (as indicated by the polarity indicator 2653 in FIG. 26B), an outer arcuate magnetic region 2654 magnetically oriented in a second axial direction opposite to the first direction (as indicated by the polarity indicator 2655 in FIG. 26B), and a central non-magnetized region 2656 having no magnetic orientation. The central non-magnetized region 2656 can magnetically separate the outer arcuate region 2654 from the inner arcuate region 2652 by preventing the magnetic field from passing directly through the central region 2656. Similarly, each auxiliary magnet 2672 can include two magnetic regions having opposite magnetic orientations. For example, each auxiliary magnet 2672 can have an inner arcuate magnetic region 2674 magnetically oriented in a first axial direction (as indicated by the polarity indicator 2673 in FIG. 26B), an outer arcuate magnetic region 2676 magnetically oriented in a second axial direction opposite to the first direction (as indicated by the polarity indicator 2675 in FIG. 26B), and a central non-magnetized region 2678 having no magnetic orientation. The central non-magnetized region 2678 can magnetically separate the outer arcuate region 2676 from the inner arcuate region 2674 by preventing the magnetic field from passing directly through the central region 2678.

[0219] In some embodiments, each secondary magnet 2626 can be made of a magnetic material that is grounded and formed into an arcuate structure. For example, using a magnetizer, a magnetic orientation having a radial component within the cross-section can be created. Similarly, each primary magnet 2626 can be made of a single piece of magnetic material that is grounded and formed into an arcuate structure. Applying the magnetizer to the arcuate structure, while demagnetizing or avoiding the generation of magnetic orientation in the central region, an axial magnetic orientation can be induced in one direction within the inner arcuate region of the structure, and an axial magnetic orientation in the opposite direction can be induced within the outer arcuate region of the structure. In some alternative embodiments, each primary magnet 2626 may be a composite structure having two arcuate pieces of magnetic material that provide an inner arcuate magnetic region 2652 and an outer arcuate magnetic region 2654. In such embodiments, the central non-magnetized region 2656 may be formed from an arcuate piece of non-magnetic material, or may be formed as an air gap defined by the sidewalls of the inner arcuate magnetic region 2652 and the outer arcuate magnetic region 2654. Any manufacturing technique that can be used to form the primary magnet 2626 can be used to form the auxiliary magnet 2672. Thus, each auxiliary magnet 2672 can be made of a single piece of magnetic material that is grounded and formed into an arcuate structure. Applying the magnetizer to the arcuate structure, while demagnetizing or avoiding the generation of magnetic orientation in the central region, an axial magnetic orientation can be induced in one direction within the inner arcuate region of the structure, and an axial magnetic orientation in the opposite direction can be induced within the outer arcuate region of the structure. In some alternative embodiments, each auxiliary magnet 2672 may be a composite structure having two arcuate pieces of magnetic material that provide an inner arcuate magnetic region 2674 and an outer arcuate magnetic region 2676. In such embodiments, the central non-magnetized region 2678 may be formed from an arcuate piece of non-magnetic (or demagnetized) material, or may be formed as an air gap defined by the sidewalls of the inner arcuate magnetic region 2674 and the outer arcuate magnetic region 2676. It should be understood that in some embodiments, one manufacturing technique can be used for the primary magnet 2626 while a different manufacturing technique can be used for the auxiliary magnet 2672. For example, each auxiliary magnet 2672 can be monolithic, and each primary magnet 2626 can be a composite structure. Alignment between devices can be provided as long as the magnetic fields of the various magnets are aligned as described.Furthermore, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the inner and outer arcuate magnetic regions of the quadrupole primary or auxiliary arcuate magnets can have equal magnetic field strengths, but this is not essential, and the above-described asymmetric polarization can be applied.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 26B, the inner arcuate magnetic regions 2652 of the primary magnet 2626 and the inner arcuate magnetic regions 2674 of the auxiliary magnet 2672 can have the same magnetic orientation, as indicated by the polarity indicators 2653 and 2673. Similarly, the outer arcuate magnetic regions 2654 of the primary magnet 2626 and the outer arcuate magnetic regions 2676 of the auxiliary magnet 2672 can have the same magnetic orientation, as indicated by the polarity indicators 2655 and 2675. With this configuration, a magnetic attraction force is generated between the primary magnet 2626 and the auxiliary magnet 2672, which can facilitate the alignment between them. The magnetic polarity of the secondary magnet 2628 (indicated by the indicator 2617) can be oriented such that when the secondary magnetic alignment component 2618 is aligned with the auxiliary magnetic alignment component 2670, the south pole of the secondary magnet 2628 faces towards the north pole of the inner arcuate magnetic region 2674 of the auxiliary magnet 2672 (and also towards the north pole of the inner arcuate magnetic region 2652 of the primary magnet 2626), and the north pole of the secondary magnet 2628 faces towards the south pole of the outer arcuate magnetic region 2676 of the auxiliary magnet 2672 (and also towards the south pole of the outer arcuate magnetic region 2654 of the primary magnet 2626).

[0221] Accordingly, the magnetic orientations of the inner arcuate magnetic regions 2652, 2674, the secondary magnet 2628, and the outer arcuate magnetic regions 2676, 2678 can generate a magnetic field 2640 that provides an attractive force between the primary magnet 2626 and the auxiliary magnet 2672 and between the auxiliary magnet 2672 and the secondary magnet 2628, thereby facilitating the alignment between the primary alignment component 2616, the auxiliary alignment component 2670, and the secondary alignment component 2618 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 24). The shield 2614 on the distal surface of the primary magnet 2626 can redirect a portion of the magnetic field 2640 away from the region below the primary magnet 2626. Further, the "closed-loop" magnetic field 2640 formed around the central non-magnetized regions 2656 and 2678 can have dense and compact lines of force that do not drift outside the primary, auxiliary, and secondary magnets 2626, 2672, 2628 as long as the magnetic field 2540 drifts outside the primary, auxiliary, and secondary magnets 2526, 2572, 2528 in FIG. 25B. Accordingly, magnetically sensitive components can be placed relatively close to the primary alignment component 2616 with reduced concern about stray magnetic fields. Thus, compared to the magnetic alignment system 2500, the magnetic alignment system 2600 can help reduce the overall size of the device in which the primary alignment component 2616 is placed and can also help reduce noise generated by the magnetic field 2640 in adjacent components such as an inductive power receiving coil placed inside the secondary alignment component 2618.

[0222] The magnetic alignment system 2600 is exemplary, and it will be understood that variations and modifications are possible. For example, while the primary alignment component 2616, the auxiliary alignment component 2672, and the secondary alignment component 2618 are each shown as being composed of eight arcuate magnets, in other embodiments, different numbers of magnets such as 16 magnets, 36 magnets, or any other number of magnets may be used, and the number of primary magnets need not be equal to the number of secondary magnets. Similarly, the number of auxiliary magnets need not be equal to either the number of primary magnets or the number of secondary magnets. In other embodiments, the secondary alignment component 2618 can be formed of a single monolithic annular magnet. Similarly, the primary alignment component 2616 and / or the auxiliary alignment component 2672 can be formed from a single monolithic annular piece of magnetic material having an appropriate magnetization pattern as described above, or the primary alignment component 2616 and / or the auxiliary alignment component 2672 can be formed from a monolithic inner annular magnet and a monolithic outer annular magnet having an annular air gap or a region of non-magnetic material between the inner annular magnet and the outer annular magnet. However, a structure using a plurality of arcuate magnets can improve manufacturing because smaller arcuate magnets are less likely to be brittle than a single monolithic annular magnet and losses due to physical stresses applied to the magnetic material during manufacturing are less likely to occur. It should also be understood that the magnetic orientation of the various components or individual magnets need not be precisely aligned with the lateral and axial directions. The magnetic orientation can have any angle that provides a closed-loop path for the magnetic field through the primary and secondary alignment components. 3.4. Magnetic Orientation of the Closed-Loop Magnetic Alignment System

[0223] Any of the magnetic orientations described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8A - 8C, 9A - 9B, or 10 can also be applied to a system including an auxiliary alignment component. The magnetic orientation of the auxiliary magnets can be made to match the magnetic orientation of the corresponding primary magnets. 3.5. Annular Magnetic Alignment Components with a Gap

[0224] In the above example, the primary magnetic alignment component, the secondary magnetic alignment component, and the auxiliary magnetic alignment component have an annular shape. As described above (e.g., see FIG. 3A), the ring may be completely closed. In other embodiments, the ring can include one or more gaps, and each gap may be a section of the ring where no magnetic material (or any material) is present. An exemplary magnetic alignment component having a gap has been described above with reference to FIG. 11, and the auxiliary alignment component may also include one or more gaps, for example, to accommodate the form factor of an accessory device in which the auxiliary magnetic alignment component is present and / or to accommodate electronic circuit components that may be present within the accessory device. Further, compatible annular alignment components in different devices may differ in the number, size, and / or position of the gaps. 3.6. Accessory Device Incorporating a Magnetic Alignment Component

[0225] FIG. 27 shows a simplified rear view of an accessory device 2700 incorporating an auxiliary magnetic alignment component according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory device incorporates an auxiliary alignment component, but it should be understood that the accessory device can alternatively incorporate a primary or secondary magnetic alignment component.

[0226] The accessory device 2700 may be, for example, a protective or aesthetic case for a portable electronic device such as the smartphone 1200 of FIG. 12A. Thus, the accessory device 2700 can have a housing 2702 that is the same size (or slightly larger) as the smartphone 1200. In some embodiments, the housing 2702 can be shaped as a tray that covers the sides and back of the smartphone 1200 while leaving the front (display) surface of the smartphone 1200 exposed. The housing 2702 (or a portion thereof) can be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, leather, and / or other materials. The auxiliary alignment component 2770 can be disposed within the housing 2702 in a position such that when the smartphone 1200 is inserted into the accessory device 2700 in a preferred orientation, the auxiliary alignment component 2770 is coaxially aligned with the secondary alignment component 1218 of the smartphone 1200.

[0227] The auxiliary alignment component 2770 can be, for example, any implementation of the auxiliary alignment components described above, and can include an annular arrangement of magnets 2772 having a boundary surface 2780 that can be an air gap or a boundary surface where adjacent magnets contact each other. The magnets 2772 can have a quadrupole configuration as described above. For example, each magnet 2772 can include an inner arcuate region having an axial magnetic orientation in a first direction, an outer arcuate region having an axial magnetic orientation in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a central arcuate region having no distinct magnetic orientation. Although not shown in FIG. 27, the auxiliary magnetic alignment component 2770 can include one or more gaps between adjacent magnets 2772. In some embodiments, the gap(s) can provide an electrical connection path for a wire (or conductive trace) that connects the inner and outer regions of the auxiliary magnetic alignment component 2770. In some embodiments, the gap(s) can be arranged to allow for a reduced lateral dimension for use with a smartphone having a smaller form factor for the housing 2702. For example, the pattern of the gaps can match the pattern of the magnetic alignment component 1218' of the smartphone 1200' of FIG. 12B.

[0228] In some embodiments, for example, it may be desirable to support wireless data transfer between the accessory device 2700 and the smartphone 1200 in order for the accessory device 2700 to be able to identify itself to the smartphone 1200. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the near field communication (NFC) coil 2766 may be provided within the region inside the magnetic alignment component 2766. In some embodiments, the NFC coil 2766 can be coupled to a passive NFC tag that can be read by a suitably configured NFC reader (e.g., within the smartphone 1200 of FIG. 12). Exemplary embodiments of the NFC coil 2766 are described in Section 5 below.

[0229] In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory device 2700 is a passive device whose function can be protection and / or aesthetics. Accordingly, it may be desirable to make the accessory device 2700 thin and provide smooth inner and outer surfaces. In some embodiments, the magnet 2772 can have a thin axial dimension so that the accessory device 2700 can have a smooth surface and the desired thinness. The accessory device 2700 can have various shapes and features. For example, the accessory device 2700 can be shaped as a tray that covers the sides and back of the smartphone 1200 while leaving the front (display) surface of the smartphone 1200 exposed. Alternatively, the accessory device 2700 can include a cover that is folded over the front of the smartphone 1200 and unfolded to allow access to the display. As another example, the accessory device 2700 can be formed as a sleeve having an opening at one end (e.g., the upper end or side), and when not in use and removed from the sleeve for use, allows the smartphone 1200 to be inserted into the sleeve.

[0230] In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory device 2700 may be a passive device that does not include power consumption components. Accordingly, the region 2711 inside the annular alignment component 2770 can be made of the same material as the surrounding housing 2702, providing a continuous rear surface for the accessory device 2700. Alternatively, some or all of the region 2711 may not include material, allowing the corresponding portion of the back surface of the smartphone 1200 to be exposed. In some embodiments, the housing 2702 (or a portion thereof) of the accessory device 2700 can be made of a transparent material such that the back surface (or a portion thereof) of the smartphone 1200 can be seen through the accessory device 2700. In the absence of a transparent magnetic material, an opaque material annular region can be placed over the magnetic alignment component 2770 so that the individual magnets are not visible. The opaque material can have a color (or colors) selected for a desired aesthetic effect.

[0231] In some embodiments, the accessory 2700 can be an active device. For example, the accessory 2700 can include an external battery that can provide power to the smartphone 1200. Accordingly, the central region 2711 can include one or more wireless charging coils that can be arranged and operate as described above with reference to the accessory 2420 of FIG. 24. 3.7. Wireless Charging System with Magnetic Alignment

[0232] FIG. 28A shows a simplified perspective view of a system 2800 including a portable electronic device 1200 (of FIG. 12A) aligned with an accessory device 2700 (of FIG. 27) and a wireless charger device 1300 (of FIG. 13) according to some embodiments. In FIG. 28A, a portion of the wireless charger device 1300 and the accessory device 2700 are shown using dashed lines to avoid obscuring other details. As shown, the accessory device 2700 can be placed adjacent to the portable electronic device 1200, for example, by inserting the portable electronic device 1200 into the accessory device 2700, and the wireless charger device 1300 can be placed with its charging (or proximal) surface in contact with the back (or proximal) surface 2803 of the accessory device 2700. When the devices are arranged in this configuration, the secondary alignment component 1218 within the portable electronic device 1200 aligns with the auxiliary alignment component 2770 of the accessory device 2700 and with the primary alignment component 1316 of the wireless charger device 1300. Thus, the auxiliary alignment component 2770 within the accessory device 2700 and the secondary alignment component 1218 within the portable electronic device 120 can attract and hold the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 of the wireless charger device 1300 so that the power transmission coil assembly 1312 of the wireless charger device 1300 aligns with the coil assembly 1210 of the portable electronic device 1200. As shown, the wireless charger device 1300 can have any rotational orientation about an axis defined by the centers of the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 and the secondary magnetic alignment component 1218. For example, the gap 1201 within the secondary magnetic alignment component 1218 need not be aligned with the gap 1301 within the primary magnetic alignment component 1316.

[0233] Figure 28B shows a simplified partial cross-sectional view of system 2800 according to some embodiments. The portable electronic device 1200 has a back housing 2802 (which can be made of a material such as glass or plastic that is transparent to electromagnetic fields and DC magnetic fields) and a front housing 2804 (which can include a touch screen display). The coil assembly 1210 can include an inductive power receiving coil 2810 (which can be made, for example, from a twisted wire wound around the coil) and a shield 2812 (which can include, for example, a ferromagnetic shield). The secondary magnet 2828 forms a part of the secondary magnetic alignment component 1218 and can have a magnetic field oriented in the radially inward direction (as indicated by the arrow). Although the secondary alignment component 1218 is shown in Figure 28A, it should be understood that the back housing 2802 can be opaque and the secondary alignment component 1218 need not be visible to the user.

[0234] The wireless charger device 1300 has a housing 1302 that includes a single-piece enclosure 2806 that forms the distal surface and side surfaces of the housing 1302 and an upper cap 2808 that forms the proximal surface of the housing 1302. As described above, the enclosure 2806 and the upper cap 2808 can be made of the same material or different materials, and the upper cap 2808 can be made of a material that is transparent to AC electromagnetic fields and DC magnetic fields. The power transmission coil assembly 1312 can include an inductive power transmission coil 2816 (which can be made, for example, from a twisted wire wound around the coil) and an electromagnetic shield 2814 (which can include, for example, a ferromagnetic shield). The primary arcuate magnet 2826 forms a part of the primary magnetic alignment component 1316 and can include an inner arcuate region 2852 having a magnetic field oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region 2854 having a magnetic field oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, and an unmagnetized central arcuate region 2856. As described above, the shield 2814 can be disposed on the distal surface of the primary magnet 2826. Although the primary alignment component 1316 is shown in Figure 28A, it should be understood that the housing 1302 can be opaque and the primary alignment component 1316 need not be visible to the user.

[0235] The accessory device 2700 has a back housing 2702 that includes a rear layer 2805 (forming the rear surface 2803) and a front layer 2807 that contacts the back housing 2802 and the surface 2809 of the portable electronic device 1200. The rear layer 2805 and the front layer 2807 can be made of the same material or different materials, as desired. The auxiliary arcuate magnet 2872 forms part of the auxiliary alignment component 2770 and can include an inner arcuate portion 2874 having a magnetic field oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate portion 2876 having a magnetic field oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, and a non-magnetized central arcuate portion 2878. Although the auxiliary alignment component 2770 is shown in FIG. 28A, it should be understood that the back housing 2702 can be opaque and the auxiliary alignment component 2770 may not be visible to the user.

[0236] When aligned, the primary magnet 2826, the auxiliary magnet 2872, and the secondary magnet 2828 generate a closed-loop magnetic flux as indicated by line 2840. The magnetic flux 2840 can attract the primary annular alignment component 1318, the auxiliary annular alignment component 2770, and the secondary annular alignment component 1216 so that the centers of the primary annular alignment component 1318, the auxiliary annular alignment component 2770, and the secondary annular alignment component 1216 are aligned along a common axis. The power transmission coil 2816 is fixed at a position concentric with the primary alignment component 1316, and the power reception coil 2810 is fixed at a position concentric with the secondary alignment component 1218. As a result of aligning the primary annular alignment component 1318, the auxiliary annular alignment component 2770, and the secondary annular alignment component 1216 along a common axis, the power transmission coil 2816 and the power reception coil 2810 are also aligned along the common axis, enabling efficient wireless power transmission. For example, the power transmission coil 2816 is driven with an alternating current to generate a time-varying magnetic field that induces a time-varying current in the power reception coil 2816. Electromagnetic shields (e.g., shields 2814 and 2812) can confine the AC magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the coils 2816 and 2812. Further, in embodiments where the accessory device 2700 includes one or more wireless charging coils, such wireless charging coils can also be aligned along a common axis with the coils 2816 and 2810.

[0237] Some embodiments provide a gap region 2811 between the secondary magnet 2828 and the coil assembly 1210 that may experience low DC magnetic flux and may also experience a low AC electromagnetic field due to the electromagnetic shield 2812 around the coil 2810. Similarly, some embodiments provide a gap region 2813 between the primary magnet 2826 and the power transmission coil assembly 1312 that may experience low DC magnetic flux and may also experience a low AC electromagnetic field due to the electromagnetic shield 2818 around the power transmission coil 2816. In some embodiments, for example, an NFC antenna coil (not shown) may be disposed within the gap region 2811 and / or 2813 to support identification of the wireless charger device 1300 by the portable electronic device 1200. Similarly, for example, an NFC antenna coil (not shown) may be disposed within a corresponding region 2815 between the back layer 2805 and the front layer 2807 of the accessory device 2700 to support identification of the accessory device 2700 by the portable electronic device 1200. Exemplary embodiments of the NFC antenna coil that may be disposed within the gap regions 2811, 2813, and / or 2815 are described in Section 5 below.

[0238] As can be understood with reference to FIG. 28B, the arcuate magnets 2828 of the secondary alignment component 1218 may have a thin axial dimension such that the secondary alignment component 1218 does not require an increase in the thickness of the portable electronic device 1200. For example, the axial thickness of each secondary alignment magnet 2828 may be less than or equal to the thickness of the power receiving coil assembly 1210 (including the coil 2810 and the shield 2812). The primary alignment magnet 2826 can have a thicker axial dimension, for example, occupying all of the axial space between the enclosure 2806 and the upper cap 2808.

[0239] Similarly, each arcuate magnet 2872 of the auxiliary alignment component 2770 can have a thin axial dimension so as to keep the overall thickness of the accessory device 2700 small. The rear layer 2805 and the front layer 2807 may be planar layers. The space between the layers 2805 and 2807 not occupied by the auxiliary alignment magnets 2872 may be an air gap, or part or all of the space may be filled with a material. In some embodiments, the surfaces 2803 and 2809 do not exhibit local deviations from flatness due to the presence of the auxiliary alignment magnets 2872. In some embodiments, the accessory device 2700 (or its rear housing element) can be formed as a single piece of material with the auxiliary alignment component 2770 embedded therein. The auxiliary alignment magnets 2872 and the primary alignment magnets 2826 can have the same radial width, and in some embodiments, the radial width of the auxiliary alignment magnets 2872 and the primary alignment magnets 2826 may be slightly larger than the radial width of the secondary alignment magnets 2828.

[0240] It should be understood that the auxiliary alignment component 2770 is optional, and a charge-through accessory without an auxiliary alignment component may be disposed between the portable electronic device 1200 and the wireless charger device 1300. Depending on the thickness and material composition of the accessory, the primary annular alignment component 1316 and the secondary annular alignment component 1218 may experience sufficient attraction to provide reliable alignment between the coils 2816 and 2810. However, in the case of DC magnets, the attraction decreases rapidly as the distance between the magnets increases, so the alignment may not be very strong. Thus, the auxiliary alignment component 2770 can be used as a "repeater" that reduces the distance between adjacent magnets and thus increases the magnetic force that promotes alignment.

[0241] FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless charging system 2900 that includes a portable electronic device 2904 (e.g., portable electronic device 1200 or any other portable electronic device described herein), a wireless charger device 2902 (e.g., wireless charger device 1300 or any other wireless charger device described herein), and an accessory device 2906 (e.g., accessory device 2800 or any other accessory device described herein) that can be aligned together via a magnetic alignment system 2908 according to some embodiments. The magnetic alignment system 2908 can include a primary alignment component 2916 within the wireless charger device 2902, a secondary alignment component 2918 within the portable electronic device 2904, and an auxiliary alignment component 2970 within the accessory device 2906. The primary alignment component 2916, the secondary alignment component 2918, and the auxiliary alignment component 2970 can be constructed according to any of the embodiments described herein. The portable electronic device 2904 can include a computing system 2941 coupled to a memory bank 2942. The computing system 2941 can include control circuitry configured to execute instructions stored in the memory bank 2942 to perform various functions for operating the portable electronic device 2904. The control circuitry can include one or more programmable integrated logic circuits such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0242] Computing system 2941 can be coupled to user interface system 2943, communication system 2944, and sensor system 2945 to enable portable electronic device 2904 to execute one or more functions. For example, user interface system 2943 can include a display, speakers, microphones, actuators for enabling tactile feedback, and one or more input devices such as buttons, switches, and capacitive screens for enabling touch-sensing of the display. Communication system 2944 can include radio communication components, NFC components, Bluetooth components, and / or WiFi components to enable portable electronic device 2904 to make calls, interact with wireless accessories, and access the Internet. In some embodiments, communication system 2944 can include an NFC reader circuit used in association with magnetic alignment system 2906 to identify one or more aligned devices, examples of which are described in Section 5 below. Sensor system 2945 can include optical sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, magnetometers, and / or any other type of sensor capable of measuring parameters of external entities and / or the environment.

[0243] All of these electrical components require power to operate. Accordingly, portable electronic device 2904 also includes battery 2946 that discharges stored energy to power the electrical components of portable electronic device 2904. To replenish the energy discharged to power the electrical components, portable electronic device 2904 includes charging circuit 2947 and induction coil 2910 that can receive power from wireless charger device 2902 coupled to external power source 2922.

[0244] The wireless charger device 2902 can include a power transmission coil 2912 for generating a time-varying magnetic flux that can induce a current in the coil 2910 of the portable electronic device 2904. The induced current can be used by charging the circuit 2947 to charge the battery 2946. The wireless charger device 2902 can further include a computing system 2921 coupled to a communication system 2922 and a wireless charging circuit 2923. The wireless charging circuit can include circuit components that convert standard AC power having a first set of voltage and frequency characteristics (e.g., standard AC wall power) into AC power suitable for operating the coil 2910. Suitable circuit components including a rectifier (AC-DC converter), a boost circuit (DC-DC boost circuit), an inverter (DC-AC converter), etc. are known in the art. The computing system 2921 can include logic circuitry (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an FPGA, etc.) configured to control the operation of the wireless charger device 2902, such as controlling the wireless charging circuit 2923 and generating a time-varying magnetic flux to induce a current in the coil 2910 to charge the portable electronic device 2904 using the power received from the external power source 2922. In some embodiments, the computing system 2921 can implement functions compliant with the Qi standard for wireless charging (published by the Wireless Power Consortium).

[0245] In some embodiments, the components implementing the computing system 2921 and the wireless charging circuit 2923 can be arranged within a housing that holds the coil 2912 and the primary alignment component 2916 (e.g., within the pack-shaped housing 1302 of FIGS. 13 and 14A - 14B). In other embodiments, some or all of the components implementing the computing system 2921 and the wireless charging circuit 2923 can be arranged elsewhere, such as, for example, at the distal end of the cable 1304 of FIGS. 13 and 14A. For example, the logic circuit implementing the computing system 2921 can be arranged within the housing 1302, while the wireless charging circuit 2932 is arranged within the boot of the plug connector at the distal end of the cable 1304. (In this case, the cable 1304 can supply AC power to the wireless charger device 1300.) As another example, the logic circuit implementing the computing system 2921 and the circuit components implementing a part of the wireless charging circuit 2923 can be arranged within the housing 1302, while the circuit components implementing the other part of the wireless charging circuit 2923 are arranged within the boot of the plug connector at the distal end of the cable 1304. For example, the inverter may be arranged within the housing 1302, while the rectifier and the boost circuit are arranged within the boot. (In this case, the cable 1304 can supply DC power to the wireless charger device 1300.)

[0246] As described above, the accessory device 2906 may be a passive accessory such as a protective case for the portable electronic device 1002, and does not need to include any components other than the auxiliary alignment component 2970. In some embodiments, the accessory device 2906 can be an active device. For example, the accessory device 2906 can include a computing system 2961 coupled to a memory bank 2962 and a communication system 2963. The computing system 2961 can execute instructions stored in the memory bank 2962 to perform one or more functions using the communication system 2963. In some embodiments, the computing system 2961 can be configured to transmit data regarding the user interface theme of the portable electronic device 2904 from the memory bank 2962 to the portable electronic device 2904 via the communication system 2963, and the portable electronic device 2904 can use this data to change its user interface. As an example, the accessory device 2906 may be a protective case having a photo of a car thereon, and the memory bank 2962 has information stored to configure the user interface to include a car theme having car-related icons, animations, and / or sounds. Thus, when the accessory device 2906 is installed on the portable electronic device 2902, the computing system 2941 can receive a car-themed user interface from the accessory device 2906 and change the user interface system 2943 according to the received car-themed data (e.g., what is displayed, which sound is played to signal an event, etc.). In some embodiments, the accessory device 2906 can also include a wireless charging component 2964 that can assist with wireless charging between the portable electronic device 2904 and the wireless charger device 2902. For example, the wireless charging component 2964 can include a block of magnetic material that can help induce magnetic flux through the accessory device 2906.Alternatively, the wireless charging component 2964 can include a pair of inductive coils, where one inductive coil disposed in proximity to the wireless charger device 2902 can receive magnetic flux, and the magnetic flux can be relayed to the other inductive coil disposed in proximity to the portable electronic device 2904, such that the received magnetic flux can be transmitted back to the portable electronic device 2904. In some embodiments, the accessory device 2906 can include a battery (not shown) for storing the power initially received from the wireless charger device 2902 for later delivery to the portable electronic device 2904.

[0247] Although system 2900 is described with reference to specific blocks, it will be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description only and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of components. Further, these blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components, and the same physical component may be used to implement the functionality of multiple blocks. The blocks can be configured to perform various operations, for example, by programming a processor or by providing appropriate control circuitry, and depending on how the initial configuration is obtained, it may or may not be possible to reconfigure the various blocks. Embodiments of the present invention can be realized in a variety of devices including electronic devices that use any combination of circuitry and software to enable wireless charging operations and / or other operations where physical alignment between devices is desired. 4. System with Movable Magnetic Alignment Component

[0248] In the above-described embodiments, it is assumed (not essential) that the magnetic alignment components (including the annular magnetic alignment components and, where applicable, the rotational magnetic alignment components) are fixed in a fixed position relative to the device housing (or enclosure) and do not move axially or laterally. Thereby, a fixed magnetic flux is provided. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for one or more of the magnetic alignment components to move axially. For example, in various embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable to limit the magnetic flux provided by these magnetic structures. Limiting the magnetic flux can help prevent demagnetization of various payment cards that a user may carry with an electronic device incorporating one of these magnetic structures. However, depending on the situation, it may be desirable to increase this magnetic flux in order to increase the magnetic attraction between the electronic device and an accessory or a second electronic device. Also, it may be desirable for one or more of the magnetic alignment components to move laterally. For example, the electronic device and the attachment structure or the wireless device may be laterally offset from each other. The ability of the magnetic alignment component to move laterally can compensate for this offset and improve the coupling between the devices, especially when the coil moves with the magnetic alignment component. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide a structure in which some or all of the magnets within these magnetic structures can change position or be moved in other ways. Examples of magnetic structures having movable magnets are shown in the following figures.

[0249] Figures 30A to 30C show an example of a movable magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 3000 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a magnet 3010 (which can be any of the annular or rotating magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 30A, the movable magnet 3010 can be housed within the first electronic device 3000. The first electronic device 3000 can include a device enclosure 3030, a magnet 3010, and a shield 3020. The magnet 3010 may be in a first position (not shown) adjacent to the non-movable shield 3020. In this position, the magnet 3010 can be separated from the device enclosure 3030. As a result, the magnetic flux 3012 on the surface of the device enclosure 3030 can be relatively low, thereby protecting magnetic devices and magnetically stored information such as the information stored on a payment card. When the magnet 3010 within the first electronic device 3000 is attracted to a second magnet (not shown) within a second electronic device (not shown), the magnet 3010 can move, for example, away from the shield 3020 and move adjacent to the device enclosure 3030 as shown. With the magnet 3010 in this position, the magnetic flux 3012 on the surface of the device enclosure 3030 can be relatively high. This increase in the magnetic flux 3012 facilitates attracting the second electronic device to the first electronic device 3000.

[0250] With this configuration, a large amount of magnetic attraction may be required for the magnet 3010 to separate from the shield 3020. Accordingly, these and other embodiments of the present invention can include a shield that is divided into a shield portion and a return plate portion. For example, in Figure 30B, the line 3060 can be used to indicate the division of the shield 3020 into the shield 3040 and the return plate 3050.

[0251] In FIG. 30C, the movable magnet 3010 can be housed within the first electronic device 3000. The first electronic device 3000 can include a device enclosure 3030, a magnet 3010, a shield 3040, and a return plate 3050. In the absence of magnetic attraction, the magnet 3010 can be placed in a first position (not shown) such that the shield 3040 can be adjacent to the return plate 3050. Again, in this configuration, the magnetic flux 3012 at the surface of the device enclosure 3030 can be relatively low. Since the magnet 3010 and the first electronic device are attracted to a second magnet (not shown) within a second electronic device (not shown), the magnet 3010 can move, for example, away from the return plate 3050 and move adjacent to the device enclosure 3030 as shown. In this configuration, the shield 3040 can be separated from the return plate 3050, and the magnetic flux 3012 at the surface of the device enclosure 3030 can be increased. As described above, this increase in the magnetic flux 3012 facilitates attracting the second electronic device to the first electronic device 3000.

[0252] In these and other embodiments of the present invention, various housings and structures can be used to guide the movable magnet. Further, various surfaces can be used with these movable magnets. These surfaces can be rigid. Alternatively, these surfaces can be compliant and at least somewhat flexible. Examples are shown in the following figures.

[0253] Figures 31A and 31B show a movable magnetic structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 3100 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 3110 (which can be any of the annular or rotating magnetic alignment components described herein). Figure 31A shows the movable first magnet 3110 within the first electronic device 3100. The first electronic device 3100 can include the first magnet 3110, a protective surface 3112, housings 3120 and 3122, a compliant structure 3124, a shield 3140, and a return plate 3150. In this figure, the first magnet 3110 is not attracted to a second magnet (not shown), and thus the shield 3140 is magnetically attracted to or attached to the return plate 3150. In this position, the compliant structure 3124 can be expanded or relaxed. The compliant structure 3124 can be formed of an elastomer, silicone rubber open cell foam, silicone rubber, polyurethane foam, or other foam or other compressible material.

[0254] In Figure 31B, a second electronic device 3160 is brought close to the first electronic device 3100. The second magnet 3170 can attract the first magnet 3110, thereby separating the shield 3140 and the return plate 3150. The housings 3120 and 3122 can compress the compliant structure 3124, whereby the protective surface 3112 of the first electronic device 3100 can move towards or adjacent to the housing 3180 of the second electronic device 3160. The second magnet 3170 can be held in a fixed location within the second electronic device 3160 by a housing 3190 or other structure. When the second electronic device 3160 is removed from the first electronic device 3100, the first magnet 3110 and the shield 3140 can be magnetically attracted to the return plate 3150 as shown in Figure 31A.

[0255] Figures 32A and 32B show a movable magnetic structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 3200 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 3210 (which can be any of the annular or rotating magnetic alignment components described herein). FIG. 32A shows the movable first magnet 3210 within the first electronic device 3200. The first electronic device 3200 can include the first magnet 3210, a flexible surface 3212, housing portions 3220 and 3222, a shield 3240, and a return plate 3250. In this figure, the first magnet 3210 is not attracted to the second magnet, and thus the shield 3240 is magnetically attached to or attracted to the return plate 3250. In this position, the flexible surface 3212 can be relaxed. The flexible surface 3212 can be formed of an elastomer, a continuous foam of silicone rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane foam, or other foam or other compressible material.

[0256] In FIG. 32B, a second electronic device 3260 is brought close to the first electronic device 3200. The second magnet 3270 can attract the first magnet 3210, thereby separating the shield 3240 and the return plate 3250 from each other. The first magnet 3210 can stretch the flexible surface 3212 towards the second electronic device 3260, thereby enabling the first magnet 3210 of the first electronic device 3200 to move towards the housing 3280 of the second electronic device 3260. The second magnet 3270 can be held in a fixed location within the second electronic device 3260 by the housing 3290 or other structure. When the second electronic device 3260 is removed from the first electronic device 3200, the first magnet 3210 and the shield 3240 can be magnetically attracted to the return plate 3250 as shown in FIG. 32A.

[0257] Figures 33 - 35 show a movable magnetic structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 3300 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 3310 (which can be any of the annular or rotating magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 33, the first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 can be magnetically attracted or attached to a return plate 3350 in the first electronic device 3300. The first electronic device 3300 can be at least partially housed within a device enclosure 3320. In Figure 34, the housing 3380 of the second electronic device 3360 can move laterally across the surface of the device enclosure 3320 of the first electronic device 3300 in direction 3385. The second magnet 3370 within the second electronic device 3360 can begin to attract the first magnet 3310 within the first electronic device 3300. This magnetic attraction force 3315 can pull the first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 away from the return plate 3350 by overcoming the magnetic attraction 3345 between the shield 3340 and the return plate 3350. In Figure 35, the second magnet 3370 within the second electronic device 3360 is aligned with the first magnet 3310 within the first electronic device 3300. The first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 are pulled away from the return plate 3350, thereby reducing the magnetic attraction force 3345. The first magnet 3310 moves closer to or adjacent to the device enclosure 3320, thereby increasing the magnetic attraction force 3315 to the second magnet 3370 within the second electronic device 3360.

[0258] As shown in Figures 33 - 35, the magnetic attraction force between the first magnet 3310 in the first electronic device 3300 and the second magnet 3370 in the second electronic device 3360 can increase when the first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 are pulled away from the return plate 3350. This is shown using a chart in the following figure.

[0259] FIG. 36 shows the normal force between a first magnet in a first electronic device and a second magnet in a second electronic device as a function of their lateral offset. As shown in FIGS. 33 - 36, when the offset between the first magnet 3310 and the second magnet 3570 is large, the first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 may remain attached to the return plate 3350 within the first electronic device 3300, and the magnetic attraction 3315 can be minimized. The shear force required to overcome this magnetic attraction is shown here as curve 3610. As shown in FIG. 34, as the offset or lateral distance between the first magnet 3310 and the second magnet 3370 decreases, the first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 can be pulled away from or separated from the return plate 3350, thereby increasing the magnetic attraction 3315 between the first magnet 3310 and the second magnet 3370. This is shown here as discontinuity 3620. As shown in FIG. 35, when the first magnet 3310 and the second magnet 3370 are aligned, the magnetic attraction 3315 increases along curve 3630 to a maximum 3640. The difference between curve 3610 and curve 3630 can show the increase in magnetic attraction between a telephone or other electronic device such as the second electronic device 3360, and an attachable wireless charging device or other accessory device such as the first electronic device 3300, which results from the ability of the first magnet 3310 to move axially. In this embodiment, the first magnet 3310 does not move laterally, but it should also be noted that in other embodiments such movement is possible. If the first magnet 3310 is capable of moving laterally, curve 3630 can have a flat peak from zero offset to an offset that can be overcome by the possible lateral movement range of the first magnet 3310.

[0260] FIG. 37 shows the shear force between a first magnet in a first electronic device and a second magnet in a second electronic device as a function of their lateral offset. Without an offset between the first magnet 3310 and the second magnet 3360, as shown in FIG. 33, there is no shear force to move the second magnet 3370 relative to the first magnet 3310. As the offset increases, the shear force, which is the force attempting to realign the magnets, can increase along curve 3740. At discontinuity 3710, the first magnet 3310 and the shield 3340 can return to the return plate 3350 (as shown in FIGS. 33 - 42), whereby the magnetic shear force is reduced at point 3720. The magnetic shear force can continue to drop along curve 3730 as the offset increases. The difference between curve 3730 and curve 3740 can indicate an increase in the magnetic attraction between a telephone or other electronic device such as the second electronic device 3360 and a mountable wireless charging device or other accessory device such as the first electronic device 3300, resulting from the first magnet 3310 being able to move axially. In this embodiment, the first magnet 3310 does not move laterally, but it should also be noted that in other embodiments such movement is possible. If the first magnet 3310 is movable laterally, curve 3730 can remain at zero until the lateral movement of the second magnet 3370 overcomes the possible lateral movement range of the first magnet 3310.

[0261] In these and other embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable to further increase this shear force. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide various high - friction or high - stickiness surfaces, suction cups, pins, or other structures to increase this shear force. Examples are shown in the following figures.

[0262] Figures 38A and 38B show a movable magnet with a high friction or high stickiness surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 3800 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 3810 (which can be any of the annular magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 38A, the first magnet 3810 and the shield 3840 can be magnetically attracted or attached to the return plate 3850 in the first electronic device 3800. The first electronic device 3800 can be housed within a device enclosure 3820. Part or all of the surface of the device enclosure 3820 can have a coating, layer, or other structure 3822. The structure 3822 can provide a high friction or high stickiness surface. In Figure 38B, the first magnet 3810 and the shield 3840 can be attracted to a second magnet (not shown) within a second electronic device (not shown). As described above, the separation of the first magnet 3810 and the shield 3840 from the return plate 3850 can provide an increased amount of magnetic flux to hold the second electronic device in a determined position relative to the first electronic device 3800. The structure 3822 can increase the friction or stickiness between the first electronic device 3800 and the second electronic device in the lateral or shear direction.

[0263] Figures 39A and 39B show a movable magnet with a high friction or high stickiness surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 3900 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 3910 (which can be any of the annular or rotating magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 39A, the first magnet 3910 and the shield 3940 can be magnetically attracted or attached to a return plate 3950 in the first electronic device 3900. The first electronic device 3900 can be housed within a device enclosure 3920. A part or all of the surface of the device enclosure 3920 can have a coating, layer, or other structure 3922, in this example, on top of the first magnet 3910. The structure 3922 can provide a high friction or high stickiness surface. In Figure 39B, the first magnet 3910 and the shield 3940 can be attracted to a second magnet (not shown) within a second electronic device (not shown). Thereby, the first magnet 3910 and the shield 3940 are separated from the return plate 3850, thereby deforming the structure 3922 which can be flexible or compliant. As described above, the first magnet 3910 can provide an increased amount of magnetic flux to hold the second electronic device in a determined location relative to the first electronic device 3900. The structure 3922 can increase the friction or stickiness between the first electronic device 3900 and the second electronic device in the lateral or shear direction.

[0264] Figures 40A and 40B show a movable magnet with a high-friction surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 4000 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 4010 (which can be any of the primary circular magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 40A, the first magnet 4010 and the shield 4040 can be magnetically attracted or attached to the return plate 4050 in the first electronic device 4000. The first electronic device 4000 can be housed within a device enclosure 4020. A part or all of the surface of the device enclosure 4020 can have a coating, layer, or other structure 4022, in this example, on top of the upper surface of the first electronic device 4000. The structure 4022 can provide a high-friction or high-stickiness surface. In Figure 40B, the first magnet 4010 and the shield 4040 can be attracted to a second magnet (not shown) within a second electronic device (not shown). By separating the first magnet 4010 and the shield 4040 from the return plate 4050, the upper surface formed by the structure 4022 can be pushed upward and engaged with the second electronic device with a high-friction surface. As described above, the first magnet 4010 can provide an increased amount of magnetic flux to hold the second electronic device in a fixed position relative to the first electronic device 4000. The structure 4022 can increase the friction or stickiness between the first electronic device 4000 and the second electronic device in the lateral or shear direction.

[0265] Figures 41A and 41B show another movable magnet with a high friction or high stickiness surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 4100 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 4110 (which can be any of the annular magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 41A, the first magnet 4110 and the first shield 4150 can be fixed in a determined location within the device enclosure 4120 of the first electronic device 4100. Part or all of the surface of the device enclosure 4120 can have a coating, layer, or other structure 4122. The structure 4122 can provide a high friction or high stickiness surface. The first electronic device 4100 can further include a movable second magnet 4191 and a second shield 4192 that can be attached to a sliding mechanism 4190. In Figure 41B, when a second electronic device (not shown) contacts the first electronic device 4100, the sliding mechanism 4190 is pressed down, moving the second magnet 4191 away from the second shield 4192 and the upper surface of the device enclosure 4120. The polarity of the second magnet 4191 can be opposite to or can be made opposite to the polarity of the first magnet 4110, and when the sliding mechanism 4190 is pressed down, the net magnetic flux at the upper surface of the device enclosure 4120 increases. The structure 4122 can increase the friction or stickiness between the first electronic device 4100 and the second electronic device in the lateral or shear direction.

[0266] Figure 43 shows a partial perspective view of the movable magnet structure of Figure 42. The first electronic device 4200 can be housed within a device enclosure 4220. As described above, the first electronic device 4200 can include inductive charging, near-field communication complementation, or other electronic circuits for component 4278. A return plate 4250 (shown in Figure 42) can be attached to a beam 4270.

[0267] Figure 44 shows another cut-away side view of the electronic device of FIG. 42. The first electronic device 4200 can be housed within the device enclosure 4220. As described above, the first electronic device 4200 can include inductive charging, short-range communication components, or other electronic circuitry for component 4278. The return plate 4250 can be attached to the beam 4270. The first magnet 4210 and shield 4240 can be attracted to or attached to the return plate 4250. The high friction or high stickiness structure 4222 can cover part or all of the upper surface of the first electronic device 4200. The beam 4270 can be attached to the return plate 4250, fixed at point 4274, and the tip 4272 can extend above the upper surface of the device enclosure 4220.

[0268] Figures 45 and 46 show the electronic device of FIG. 42 when engaging with a second electronic device. In FIG. 45, the second electronic device 4280 can include a second magnet 4290. The second electronic device 4280 can engage with the first electronic device 4200. The first electronic device 4200 can include the first magnet 4210, shield 4240, and return plate 4250. The return plate 4250 can be attached to the beam 4270. The beam 4270 can include a tip 4272 that can extend above the upper surface of the device enclosure 4220. The tip 4272 can prevent the second electronic device 4280 from engaging with the high friction or high stickiness structure 4222 of the first electronic device 4200 until the second electronic device 4280 is aligned or substantially aligned with the first electronic device 4200. The beam 4270 can be attached to the device enclosure 4220 at point 4274. The first electronic device 4200 can include component 4278.

[0269] In FIG. 46, the second electronic device 4280 can be aligned with the first electronic device 4200. When this occurs, the first magnet 4210 and the shield 4240 can be removed from the return plate 4250. Thereby, the magnetic flux between the second magnet 4290 in the second electronic device 4280, the first magnet 4210, and the first electronic device 4200 can be increased. The tip 4272 is pushed into the device enclosure 4220 due to this increase in magnetic attraction, thereby further pushing the return plate 4250 away from the shield 4240. The high friction or high stickiness structure 4222 can engage with the second electronic device 4280 to increase the shear force required to remove the second electronic device 4280 from the first electronic device 4200.

[0270] In these and other embodiments of the present invention, various structures can be used to restrict the movement of magnets within an electronic device. Examples are shown in the following figures.

[0271] FIGS. 47A and 47B show structures for restricting the movement of a magnet within an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 4700 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 4710 (e.g., any of the annular magnetic alignment components described herein). In FIG. 47A, the magnet 4710, the shield 4740, and the structure 4770 can be housed by a device enclosure 4720 within the electronic device 4700. The structure 4770 can include a notch 4772 that can fit into a tab 4724. In FIG. 47B, the magnet 4710 is moving with the shield 4740 and the structure 4770. The notch 4772 receives the tab 4724 when the shield 4740 is removed from the return plate 4750. Thereby, the movement of the magnet 4710 within the electronic device 4700 can be restricted. The electronic device 4700 can include an upper device enclosure portion 4722. The tab 4724 can be formed as part of, or separately from, the upper device enclosure portion 4722.

[0272] Figures 48A and 48B show a structure for restricting the movement of a magnet within an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 4800 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 4810 (e.g., any of the annular magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 48A, the magnet 4810, the shield 4840, and the return plate 4850 can be housed within the device enclosure 4820 of the electronic device 4800. The upper device enclosure portion 4822 can include a guide 4824. The guide 4824 can restrict the movement of the magnet 4810 within the electronic device 4800. In Figure 48B, the magnet 4810 and the shield 4840 are removed from the return plate 4850 and guided to a fixed position by the guide 4824. The guide 4824 can include one or more chamfered edges 4825. Again, the guide 4824 can be formed with or separately from the upper device enclosure portion 4822 of the electronic device 4800.

[0273] Figures 49A and 49B show a structure for restricting the movement of a magnet within an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the first electronic device 4900 can be a wireless charger device or other device having a first magnet 3010 (which can be any of the annular magnetic alignment components described herein). In Figure 49A, the magnet 4910, the shield 4940, and the return plate 4950 can be housed within the device enclosure 4920 of the electronic device 4900. The magnet 4910 and the shield 4940 can be supported by a structure 4970. The structure 4970 can be attached to an anchor 4974 via an actuator 4972. The actuator 4972 has hinges 4973 and 4975 at each end to allow the structure 4970 to move relative to the anchor 4974. The anchor 4974 can be attached to or formed as part of either the upper device enclosure portion 4922 or the device enclosure 4920. In Figure 49B, the magnet 4910 and the shield 4940 are removed from the return plate 4950. The actuator 4972 has changed position but continues to connect the structure 4970 to the anchor 4974. The anchor 4974 can be attached to or formed as part of either the upper device enclosure portion 4922 or the device enclosure 4920. 5. NFC Circuit in the Magnetic Alignment System

[0274] For various applications, it may be desirable for a device having a magnetically aligned component to be able to identify other devices that are to be aligned. In some embodiments where the device supports a wireless charging standard that defines a communication protocol between devices, the device can be used to communicate that protocol. For example, the Qi standard for wireless power transmission defines a communication protocol that enables a receiving device (i.e., a device having an induction coil for receiving power transmitted wirelessly) to communicate information to a transmitting device (i.e., a device having an induction coil that generates a time-varying magnetic field for wirelessly transmitting power to another device) via the modulation scheme of the induction coil. The Qi communication protocol or a similar protocol can be used to communicate information such as device identification or charge state, or a request to increase or decrease power transmission from the receiving device to the transmitting device.

[0275] In some embodiments, a separate communication subsystem, such as a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem, may be provided to enable additional communication including device identification from a tag circuit located within one device to a reader circuit located within another device. (As used herein, "NFC" encompasses various protocols including known standard protocols that use short-range electromagnetic radiation to communicate data between antenna structures in proximity to each other, e.g., between coils of wire.) For example, each device having a circular magnetic alignment component can have an NFC coil disposed inside the circular magnetic alignment component and concentrically arranged with the circular magnetic alignment component. If the device also has an inductive charging coil (which can be a power transmission coil or a power reception coil), the NFC coil can be disposed within an annular gap between the inductive charging coil and the circular magnetic alignment component. In some embodiments, the NFC protocol can be used to enable a portable electronic device to identify an accessory device when the respective magnetic alignment components of the portable electronic device and the accessory device are aligned. For example, the NFC coil of the portable electronic device can be coupled to an NFC reader circuit, and the NFC coil of the accessory device can be coupled to an NFC tag circuit. When the devices are brought into proximity, the NFC reader circuit of the portable electronic device is activated to read the NFC tag of the accessory device. In this way, the portable electronic device can obtain information (e.g., device identification) from the accessory device.

[0276] In some embodiments, the NFC reader within the portable electronic device can be triggered by detecting a change in the DC (or static) magnetic field within the portable electronic device corresponding to a change expected when an accessory device having a complementary magnetic alignment component is aligned. When the expected change is detected, assuming the presence of another device, the NFC reader can be activated to read the NFC tag within the other device.

[0277] Here, an example of a device incorporating an NFC circuit and a magnetic alignment component will be described. 5.1. Portable electronic device having an NFC reader circuit

[0278] FIG. 50 shows a simplified rear view of a portable electronic device 5004 according to some embodiments. In this example, the portable electronic device 5004 is a smartphone, but other devices having different form factors can be substituted. The portable electronic device 5004 can include a wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012. The wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 can include a wireless power receiving coil for inductive power transmission from another device, and an AC magnetic and / or electrical shield disposed around some or all of the surfaces of the wireless power receiving coil. A secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018 can be disposed around the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012. The secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018 can include a number of arcuate magnets 5028 arranged in a circular configuration as shown. Each arcuate magnet 5028 can have a radial component, for example, a radially inward or radially outward magnetic orientation. (Examples of secondary circular magnetic alignment components that can be included in the portable electronic device 5004 are described in Sections 1 and 3.) In some embodiments, the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018 can include a gap 5001 (as described above with reference to FIG. 11, for example), which can provide a space for electrical connection to the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 without adding to the thickness of the portable electronic device 5004. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 5004 can also include a rotational alignment component 5024 that can be implemented as described in Section 2 above. It should also be understood that the portable electronic device 5004 can have an opaque back housing (not shown in FIG. 50) such that components such as the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 and the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018 are not visible to the user.

[0279] According to some embodiments, the NFC coil 5060 can be disposed within an annular gap region between the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018 and the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012. The NFC coil 5060 can be, for example, a single turn of a two-strand wire (e.g., made of copper or other conductive material) having terminals 5062a, 5062b connected to an NFC reader circuit (not shown). The NFC reader circuit, which can be a conventional design in general, can be disposed on the main logic board of the portable electronic device 5004 away from the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018. In some embodiments, by disposing the NFC coil 5060 within the annular gap region between the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018 and the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012, the NFC coil 5060 can be shielded from the AC electromagnetic field generated within the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 and from the DC magnetic field of the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018. For example, the shielding can be provided by a combination of an AC shield within the power receiving coil assembly 5012 and a closed-loop configuration of the arcuate magnet sections when coupled to the primary magnetic alignment component (as described above in Sections 1 and 3).

[0280] FIG. 51 shows an exploded view of a wireless charging and alignment assembly 5100 for a portable electronic device incorporating an NFC reader, according to some embodiments. The wireless charging and alignment assembly 5100 can include a wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 and a secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018. The wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 and the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018 can be disposed on a layer 5101 of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). In some embodiments, an electrical shield 5103 for the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 can be disposed on a portion of the PSA layer 5101, for example, by depositing silver or other conductive material in a suitable pattern. As is known in the art, the electrical shield 5103 can block the AC electric field radiated by the wireless power transmission coil 5012 during operation while allowing the AC magnetic field to pass through. The NFC coil 5060 can be disposed on the PSA layer 5101 in the space between the outer edge of the electrical shield 5103 and the inner edge of the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018. The NFC coil 5060 can be, for example, a single-turn multi-layer stranded wire coil. The electromagnetic shield assembly 5107 can be disposed on the distal surface of the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012, the NFC coil 5060, and the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018, thereby shielding other components of the portable electronic device 5004 from the electromagnetic fields generated by the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 and the NFC coil 5060.

[0281] FIG. 52 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of the portable electronic device 5004 of FIG. 50 incorporating the assembly 5104 of FIG. 51. As shown, the wireless charging and alignment assembly 5100 can be disposed between the front housing 5203 and the rear housing 5205 of the portable electronic device 5001. In some embodiments, the front housing 5203 can be or incorporate a touch screen display. The rear housing 5205 can be made of glass or plastic, or any other material that does not interfere with the magnetic fields of wireless power or data transfer, or annular alignment components such as the secondary annular alignment component 5012. The assembly 5100 is oriented with the PSA layer 5101 and the electrical shield 5103 towards the rear housing 5205 and the shield assembly 5107 towards the front housing 5203 to enable wireless charging through the rear housing 5205.

[0282] The portable electronic device 5004 is exemplary, and it will be understood that variations and modifications are possible. Assemblies such as the wireless charging and alignment assembly 5104 can be incorporated into various electronic devices. In some embodiments, the NFC coil 5060 and the NFC reader circuit coupled thereto are dedicated for identifying an accessory device having a primary magnetic alignment component complementary to the secondary magnetic alignment component 5018, and the portable electronic device 5004 can include one or more other NFC coils and associated circuits for other applications (such as in-store payment transactions) that include NFC technology. 5.2. Wireless Charger Device with NFC Tag Circuit

[0283] In some embodiments, the NFC tag may be located within a device that includes a wireless charger and an annular alignment structure. The NFC tag can be arranged and configured such that when the wireless charger device is aligned with a portable device having a complementary annular alignment structure and an NFC reader, the NFC tag is readable by the NFC reader of the portable electronic device.

[0284] FIG. 53 shows an exploded view of a wireless charger device 5302 incorporating an NFC tag according to some embodiments, and FIG. 54A shows a partial cross-sectional view of the wireless charger device 5302 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 53, the wireless charger device 5302 can include an enclosure 5304 that can be made of plastic or metal (e.g., aluminum), and a charging surface 5306 that can be made of silicone, plastic, glass, or other materials that are permeable to AC and DC magnetic fields. The charging surface 5306 can be shaped to fit within a circular opening 5303 at the top of the enclosure 5304.

[0285] The wireless power transfer coil assembly 5311 can be disposed within the enclosure 5304. The wireless power transfer coil assembly 5311 can include a wireless power transfer coil 5312 for inductive power transfer to another device, and an AC magnetic and / or electrical shield 5313 disposed around some or all of the surfaces of the wireless power transfer coil 5312. A control circuit 5314 (e.g., that can include a logic board and / or a power circuit) for controlling the wireless power transfer coil 5312 can be disposed at the center of the coil 5312 and / or under the coil 5312. In some embodiments, the control circuit 5314 can operate the wireless power transfer coil 5312 according to a wireless charging protocol such as the Qi protocol or other protocols.

[0286] The primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 can surround the wireless power transmission coil assembly 5311. The primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 can include a number of arcuate magnet sections arranged in an annular configuration as shown. Each arcuate magnet section can include an inner arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, and a centrally arcuate region that is not magnetically polarized. (The examples are described in items 1 and 3 above.) In some embodiments, the diameter and thickness of the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 are selected such that the arcuate magnet sections of the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 fit under the lip 5309 of the upper surface of the enclosure 5304, as best seen in FIG. 54A. For example, each arcuate magnet section can be inserted into a position under the lip 5309 either before or after magnetizing the inner and outer regions. In some embodiments, the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 can have a gap 5336 between two adjacent arcuate magnet sections. The gap 5336 can be aligned with an opening 5307 in the side surface of the enclosure 5304 to allow an external wire to be connected to the wireless power transmission coil 5312 and / or the control circuit 5314.

[0287] The support ring subassembly 5340 can include an axially extending annular frame 5342 and a friction pad 5344 at the upper edge of the frame 5342. The friction pad 5344 can be made of a material such as silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as thermoplastic urethane (TPU), and can provide support and protection for the charging surface 5306. The frame 5342 can be made of a material such as polycarbonate (PC), glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate (GFPC), or glass fiber reinforced polyamide (GFPA). The frame 5342 can have an NFC coil 5364 disposed thereon. For example, the NFC coil 5364 can be a 4-turn or 5-turn solenoid coil made of copper wire or other conductive wire wound on the frame 5342. The NFC coil 5364 can be electrically connected to an NFC tag circuit (not shown) that can be part of the control circuit 5314. The related design principles of the NFC circuit are well known in the technical field and detailed descriptions are omitted. The frame 5342 can be inserted into the gap region 5317 between the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 and the wireless power transmission coil assembly 5311. In some embodiments, the gap region 5317 is shielded from the AC electromagnetic field generated within the wireless power transmission coil 5312 by the AC shield 5313 and is also shielded from the DC magnetic field of the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5316 by the closed loop configuration of the arcuate magnet section.

[0288] FIG. 54B shows a partial cross-sectional view of another wireless charger device 5402 according to some embodiments. The wireless charger device 5402 is generally similar to the wireless charger device 5302 of FIGS. 53 and 54A. For example, the wireless charger device 5402 can include an enclosure 5404 that can be made of plastic or metal (e.g., aluminum), and a charging surface 5406 that can be made of silicone, plastic, glass, or other materials that are permeable to AC and DC magnetic fields. The charging surface 5406 can be shaped to fit within a circular opening at the top of the enclosure 5404. The wireless power transmission coil assembly 5411 can be disposed within the enclosure 5304. The wireless power transmission coil assembly 5411 is similar or identical to the wireless power transmission coil assembly 5311. A control circuit 5414 that can be similar or identical to the control circuit 5314 can be disposed, for example, under the coil assembly 5411.

[0289] The primary circular magnetic alignment component 5416 can surround the wireless power transmission coil assembly 5411. The primary circular magnetic alignment component 5416 can be similar or identical to the primary circular magnetic alignment component 5316. In some embodiments, the diameter and thickness of the primary circular magnetic alignment component 5416 are selected such that the arcuate magnet section of the primary circular magnetic alignment component 5416 fits under the lip 5409 on the upper surface of the enclosure 5404, similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 54A.

[0290] The support frame 5442 can extend between the enclosure 5404 and the upper cap 5406. The support ring subassembly can be made of a material such as polycarbonate (PC), glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate (GFPC), or glass fiber reinforced polyamide (GFPA). The frame 5442 can have on its upper surface an NFC coil 5464 disposed thereon. For example, the NFC coil 5464 can be a four-turn or five-turn planar coil made of concentric turns of copper wire or other conductive wire wound on the frame 5442. (Alternatively, a solenoid wound NFC coil similar to the coil 5364 can be used.) The NFC coil 5464 can be electrically connected to an NFC tag circuit (not shown) that can be part of the control circuit 5414. The frame 5442 can be inserted into the gap region between the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5416 and the wireless power transmission coil assembly 5411. In some embodiments, the gap region 5417 is shielded from the AC electromagnetic field generated within the wireless power transmission coil 5412 by the AC shield 5413 and from the DC magnetic field of the primary annular magnetic alignment component 5416 by the closed loop configuration of the arcuate magnet sections. 5.3. Accessory Device with NFC Tag Circuit

[0291] As described above in Section 3, an accessory device such as a case for a mobile phone can include an auxiliary magnetic alignment component, with or without a wireless charging coil. The auxiliary magnetic alignment component can function as a "repeater" to support the use of the primary and secondary alignment components to align the wireless power transmission coil of the charger device with the wireless power receiving coil of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is attached (e.g., inserted) to the accessory device.

[0292] In some embodiments, the NFC tag circuit and coil may be incorporated into an accessory device having an auxiliary magnetic alignment component. The NFC tag can be read by an NFC reader of a portable electronic device (e.g., using the NFC coil 5060 and associated NFC reader circuit of the portable electronic device 5004 as described above), enabling the portable electronic device to identify the accessory device when the accessory device is aligned proximate to the portable electronic device.

[0293] FIG. 55 shows an example of an accessory device 5500 incorporating an auxiliary alignment component having an NFC tag circuit and coil according to some embodiments. The accessory device 5500 may be, for example, a case for a portable electronic device 5004 (which can be a smartphone, for example). The accessory device 5500 can be shaped as needed as a tray, sleeve, or other form factor that covers and protects one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device 5004. In particular, the accessory device 5500 can have a rear (or back) panel 5502 that covers the back surface of the portable electronic device 5004. It should be understood that the rear panel 5502 need not cover the entire back surface of the portable electronic device 5004. For example, a cutout region 5503 can be provided to expose the rear camera lens of the portable electronic device 5004.

[0294] The back surface 5502 can include an auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5570. The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5570 can include a number of arcuate magnets 5572 arranged in an annular configuration as shown. Each arcuate magnet 5572 can include an inner arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, and a centrally located arcuate region that is not magnetically polarized. (Examples are described in Section 3.) The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5570 can align with the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018 of the electronic device 5002.

[0295] The NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 can be disposed inside the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5316. In some embodiments, all or part of the area 5505 of the back surface 5502 inside the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 can be a cutout area. FIG. 56 shows a more detailed view of the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 according to some embodiments. The NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 can include a printed circuit on a printed wiring board (PCB) 5602 (e.g., a flexible PCB) having a circular outer periphery that fits within the inner diameter of the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5572 as shown in FIG. 55. In some embodiments, the PCB 5602 can be a disk. In other embodiments, the PCB 5602 can have a central opening 5603 having various shapes. In some embodiments, the size of the opening 5603 can be based on the area required to accommodate the NFC tag circuit components.

[0296] The NFC antenna coil 5604 is disposed on the peripheral portion of the NFC antenna coil 5604 of the PCB 5602 and can be an etched planar coil on the PCB 5602, for example, including 4 turns or 5 turns made of copper or other conductive materials. The NFC antenna coil 5604 can be coupled to an NFC tag chip 5606 (shown in inset 5620) and a capacitor 5608 that can be disposed on the PCB 5602 inside the NFC antenna coil 5604. The NFC tag chip 5606 can be, for example, a passively powered NFC tag chip compatible with an NFC reader of a portable electronic device or other passively powered NFC tag circuit. The capacitor 5608 can be, for example, a multilayer ceramic capacitor that supports the operation of the NFC tag chip 5606. The specific selection and configuration of the supporting capacitor depends on the NFC tag chip and coil configuration, and the relevant design principles of the NFC circuit are well known in the art and detailed description is omitted.

[0297] Generally, the NFC tag circuit 5606 and the capacitor 5608 have a height that extends above the PCB 5602. To provide a flat profile for the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566, an additional tape layer may be added to the PCB 5602. FIG. 57 shows an exploded view of the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 including tape layers laminated on the PCB 5602 to provide a uniform height, according to some embodiments. The PCB 5602 is shown at the bottom. The tape layers 5702 and 5703 can each be a layer of polyester tape (PET) having a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), and each layer can have a thickness of, for example, about 150 μm. As shown, each of the tape layers 5702 and 5703 can be shaped to conform to the shape of the PCB 5602 and may have holes 5705 for accommodating the height of the NFC tag chip 5606 and the capacitor 5608. The total thickness of the tape layers 5702 and 5703 can be equal to or exceed the height of the NFC tag chip 5606 and the capacitor 5608. (Although two tape layers are shown, it should be understood that any number of tape layers can be used depending on the thickness of the tape layers and the height of the NFC circuit components.) The top layer 5710 can be, for example, PSA and need not have holes therethrough. In some embodiments, the overall height of the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 can be less than half a millimeter.

[0298] FIG. 58 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the charge-through accessory 5500 of FIG. 55 incorporating an NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 and an auxiliary alignment component 5570 according to some embodiments. The charge-through accessory 5500 can be, for example, a tray or other case for a portable electronic device, and the portion shown in FIG. 58 can form a part of the rear panel 5502 of the charge-through accessory 5500. (The rear surface of the portable electronic device can be disposed adjacent to the surface 5801.) The rear panel 5502 can have an internal structure having an inner layer 5804 and an outer layer 5806, and this internal structure can be made of silicone, plastic, leather, or other materials that are permeable to DC and AC magnetic fields. In some embodiments, the inner layer 5804 and the outer layer 5806 provide a flat surface for the rear panel 5502. A central layer 5808 can be disposed between the inner layer 5804 and the outer layer 5806. The central layer 5808 can define a recessed region 5809 for accommodating the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 and the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5870. The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5870 can be similar or identical to the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5570 or other examples described above. As shown, the height of the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 can be less than or equal to the height of the auxiliary alignment component 5870, and the recessed region 5809 can be appropriately shaped.

[0299] As shown in FIG. 56, the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 extends inwardly from the NFC coil 5604 to provide a space for the NFC tag chip 5606 and the capacitor 5608. Since both the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 and the auxiliary annular alignment component 5570 include opaque elements, it is not possible to make all parts of the rear panel 5502 of the accessory 5500 transparent to reveal the back surface of the portable electronic device held within the accessory 5500. For aesthetic reasons, it may be desirable to minimize the width of the non-transparent regions of the rear panel 5502.

[0300] FIG. 59 shows an example of another accessory device 5900 having an auxiliary alignment component with an NFC tag circuit and a coil. The accessory device 5900 may be, for example, a case for a portable electronic device 5004 (which can be a smartphone, for example). Similar to the accessory device 5500 described above, the accessory device 5900 can be shaped as needed as a tray, sleeve, or other form factor that covers and protects one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device 5004. In particular, the accessory device 5900 can have a rear (or back) panel 5902 that covers the back surface of the portable electronic device 5004. It should be understood that the rear panel 5902 does not need to cover the entire back surface of the portable electronic device 5004. For example, a cutout region 5903 can be provided to expose the rear camera lens of the portable electronic device 5004.

[0301] The rear panel 5902 can include an auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5970 and an NFC tag circuit assembly 5966. The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5970 can include a number of arcuate magnets 5972 arranged in an annular configuration as shown. Each arcuate magnet 5972 can include an inner arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, and a centrally arcuate region that is not magnetically polarized. (Examples were described above with reference to Section 3.) The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5970 can align with the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018 of the portable electronic device 5002.

[0302] FIG. 60 shows an enlarged view of the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5970 and the NFC tag circuit assembly 5966 of FIG. 59 according to some embodiments. The annular alignment component 5970 can include a number of arcuate magnets 5972 arranged in an annular configuration, and a gap 6001 is provided between a selected pair of adjacent magnets 5972. In the illustrated example, each gap 6001 is formed by omitting an arcuate magnet 5972. Using other techniques as described above, the gap 6001 can be formed. The gap 6001 can accommodate components of the NFC tag circuit assembly 5966, thereby reducing the inward extension of the NFC tag circuit assembly 5966 and increasing the area without components in the central region 6003.

[0303] The NFC tag circuit assembly 5966 can include a printed circuit on a PCB 6002 (e.g., a flexible PCB) having a circular inner periphery and a circular outer periphery with protrusions 6022 extending into the gaps 6001 of the annular magnetic alignment component 5970. The NFC antenna coil 6004 can be disposed on the circular portion of the PCB 6002. The NFC antenna coil 6004 can be an etched planar coil or a wound wire coil on the PCB 6002, and can include, for example, 4 or 5 turns made of copper or other conductive material. The NFC antenna coil 6004 can be coupled to an NFC tag chip 6006 and a capacitor 6008, each of which can be disposed on a different one of the protrusions 6022 of the PCB 6002 between the magnets 5972 of the annular alignment component 5970. The NFC tag chip 6006 and the capacitor 6008 can include standard NFC tag circuit components as described above. As can be seen from the figure, the PCB 6002 can be made smaller in addition to the width of the auxiliary annular alignment component 5970 than the PCB 5602 of FIG. 56. A narrower opaque assembly may be aesthetically desirable when the rear panel 5902 of the accessory 5900 is generally made of a transparent material and / or when the region 6003 inside the NFC tag circuit assembly 5966 provides a hole through the rear panel 5902.

[0304] FIG. 61 shows an exploded view of an NFC tag circuit assembly 5966 according to some embodiments. The PCB 6002 can have a PSA layer thereunder and a tape layer 6104 thereon. The tape layer 6104 can be a layer of PET having PSA. In some embodiments, the magnet 5972 of the annular alignment component 5960 provides a uniform height, and the tape layer 6104 can be overlaid and encapsulated over the NFC tag chip 6006 and the capacitor 6008.

[0305] As described above, a portable electronic device can include an annular magnetic alignment component and an NFC reader circuit, and each accessory device can include an annular magnetic alignment component and an NFC tag circuit. The NFC reader and tag circuits enable the NFC reader circuit to read the NFC tag when the portable electronic device is aligned with one or more accessory devices, such that the NFC reader circuit in the portable electronic device is brought sufficiently close to the NFC tag circuit(s) of the accessory device(s) to enable the portable electronic device to identify the accessory device(s). The NFC tag circuit can be a passive tag excited by the proximity of the NFC reader coil, and the accessory device incorporating the NFC tag circuit need not have its own power source.

[0306] FIG. 62 shows a simplified partial cross-sectional view of a system 6200 including a wireless charger device 6202, a portable electronic device 6204, and an accessory device 6220 according to some embodiments. The portable electronic device 6204 has a secondary annular magnetic alignment component 6218 (which can be similar or identical to the secondary magnetic alignment component 5018), a wireless power receiving coil assembly 6212 (which can be similar or identical to the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 described above), and an NFC coil 6260 (which can be similar to the NFC coil 5060 described above) connected to an NFC reader circuit (not shown). The NFC coil 6260 can be disposed between the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 6218 and the wireless power receiving coil assembly 6212.

[0307] The wireless charger device 6202 includes a primary circular magnetic alignment component 6216 (which may be similar or identical to the above-described primary circular magnetic alignment component 5316), a wireless power transmission coil assembly 6211 (which may be similar to the above-described wireless power transmission coil assembly 5311), a support ring sub-assembly 6240 that may be similar to the above-described support ring sub-assembly 5340, and an NFC tag circuit assembly 6240 that can include an NFC coil 6264 and an associated NFC tag circuit (not shown). The NFC coil 6264 can be disposed between the primary circular alignment component 6216 and the wireless power transmission coil assembly 6211.

[0308] The accessory device 6220 includes an auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 6270 (which may be similar or identical to the above-described auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 5570) and an NFC tag circuit assembly 6266 that may be similar or identical to the above-described NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 or NFC tag circuit assembly 5966. The NFC tag circuit assembly 6266 can be disposed inside the auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 6270.

[0309] The wireless charger device 6202 includes a primary circular magnetic alignment component 6216 (which may be similar or identical to the above-described primary circular magnetic alignment component 5316), a wireless power transmission coil assembly 6211 (which may be similar to the above-described wireless power transmission coil assembly 5311), a support ring sub-assembly 6240 that may be similar to the above-described support ring sub-assembly 5340, and an NFC tag circuit assembly 6240 that can include an NFC coil 6264 and an associated NFC tag circuit (not shown). The NFC coil 6264 can be disposed between the primary circular alignment component 6216 and the wireless power transmission coil assembly 6211.

[0310] The accessory device 6220 includes an auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 6270 (which may be similar or identical to the above-described auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 5570), and an NFC tag circuit assembly 6266 that may be similar or identical to the above-described NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 or NFC tag circuit assembly 5966. The NFC tag circuit assembly 6266 may be disposed inside the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 6270.

[0311] As shown in FIG. 62, the NFC coil 6260 of the portable electronic device 6204 is proximate to the NFC coil 6266 of the accessory device 6220 and the NFC coil 6264 of the wireless charger device 6202. Accordingly, the portable electronic device 6204 can read the NFC tags of both the accessory device 6220 and the wireless charger device 6202 whenever either is attached. It should be understood that at different times, the wireless charger device 6202 may be absent while the accessory device 6220 is present, or the accessory device 6220 may be absent while the wireless charger device 6202 is present. At any given time, the portable electronic device 6204 can read the NFC tag of any device that happens to be present and aligned with the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 6216. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 6204 can include a low-power proximity sensor that detects when an accessory device or wireless charger device is aligned, and the portable electronic device 6204 can activate its NFC reader circuit in response to a proximity detection event. Specific examples are described below.

[0312] In the embodiment of FIG. 62, the accessory device 6220 has its NFC coil 6266 disposed inside the secondary annular alignment component 6270. In some alternative embodiments, the NFC coil of the accessory device may be disposed outside the auxiliary annular alignment component. FIG. 63 shows an example of an accessory device 6300 having an auxiliary alignment component including an NFC tag circuit and a coil, according to some embodiments. The accessory device 6300 may be, for example, a case for a portable electronic device 5004 (which can be, for example, a smartphone). Similar to the accessory devices 5500 and 5900 described above, the accessory device 6300 can be shaped as needed as a tray, sleeve, or other form factor that covers and protects one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device 5004. In particular, the accessory device 6300 can have a rear (or back) panel 6302 that covers the back surface of the portable electronic device 5004. It should be understood that the rear panel 6302 does not need to cover the entire back surface of the portable electronic device 5004. For example, a cutout region 6303 can be provided to expose the rear camera lens of the portable electronic device 5004.

[0313] The rear panel 6302 can include an auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 6370 and an NFC tag circuit assembly 6366. The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 6370 can include a number of arcuate magnets 6372 arranged in an annular configuration as shown. Each arcuate magnet 6372 can include an inner arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region having a magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, and a centrally arcuate region that is not magnetically polarized. (Examples are described in Section 3.) The auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 6370 can align with the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 5018 of the portable electronic device 5002. The NFC tag circuit assembly 6366 can be disposed outside (i.e., the outer peripheral portion) of the auxiliary annular magnetic alignment component 6370. Although not shown in detail, it should be understood that the NFC tag circuit assembly 6366 can be constructed similarly to the NFC tag circuit assembly 5566 described above. For example, the NFC tag circuit assembly 6366 can include a ring-shaped PCB having an etched NFC coil. The peripheral extension of the PCB (e.g., in region 6371) can provide an area for mounting NFC tag circuit components (e.g., NFC tag chips and capacitors).

[0314] FIG. 64 shows a system 6400 that includes a wireless charger device 6402, a portable electronic device 6404, and an accessory device 6420, according to some embodiments. The portable electronic device 6404 has a secondary annular magnetic alignment component 6418 (which may be similar or identical to the secondary magnetic alignment component 5018), a wireless power receiving coil assembly 6412 (which may be similar or identical to the wireless power receiving coil assembly 5012 described above), and an NFC coil 6460 (which may be similar to the NFC coil 5060 described above) connected to an NFC reader circuit (not shown). The NFC coil 6460 can be disposed between the secondary annular magnetic alignment component 6418 and the wireless power receiving coil assembly 6412.

[0315] The wireless charger device 6402 includes a primary circular magnetic alignment component 6416 (which may be similar or identical to the primary circular magnetic alignment component 5316 described above), a wireless power transmission coil assembly 6411 (which may be similar to the wireless power transmission coil assembly 5511 described above), an NFC tag circuit assembly 6440 that may be similar to the support ring sub-assembly 5540 described above and can include an NFC coil 6464 and an associated NFC tag circuit (not shown). The NFC coil 6464 can be disposed between the primary circular alignment component 6416 and the wireless power transmission coil assembly 6411.

[0316] The accessory device 6420 includes an auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 6470 (which may be similar or identical to the auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 5570 described above) and an NFC tag circuit assembly 6466 that may be similar or identical to the NFC tag circuit assembly 6366 described above. In particular, the NFC tag circuit assembly 6466 can be disposed outside the auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 6470.

[0317] As shown in FIG. 64, the NFC coil 6460 of the portable electronic device 6404 is close to the NFC coil 6466 of the accessory device 6420 and the NFC coil 6464 of the wireless charger device 6402. Accordingly, the portable electronic device 6404 can read the NFC tags of both the accessory device 6420 and the wireless charger device 6402 whenever either one is attached. It should be understood that at different times, the accessory device 6420 may be present while the wireless charger device 6402 is absent, or the wireless charger device 6402 may be present while the accessory device 6420 is absent. At any given time, the portable electronic device 6404 can read the NFC tag of any device that happens to be present and is aligned with the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 6416. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 6404 can include a low-power proximity sensor that detects when an accessory device or a wireless charger device is aligned, and the portable electronic device 6204 can activate its NFC reader circuit in response to a proximity detection event. Specific examples will be described below. 5.4. Proximity Detection for Triggering the NFC Reader Circuit

[0318] Referring again to FIG. 50, it may be desirable to selectively trigger the NFC reader circuit within the portable electronic device 5004 when a compatible accessory is in proximity to the portable electronic device 5004. Proximity-based triggering of the NFC reader circuit can enable significant power savings compared to periodically polling the NFC reader circuit, and can avoid the need for the user to perform any action to trigger the NFC reader circuit other than bringing the device into proximity.

[0319] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic sensor can be used to detect when a device having a circular alignment component complementary to the secondary circular alignment component 5018 is aligned. For example, the triaxial magnetometer 5080 can be disposed within the back enclosure of the portable electronic device 5004 in an area near the secondary circular alignment component 5018 and coupled to control logic located within the main logic board of the portable electronic device 5004. The magnetometer 5080 can be a low-power component that can be periodically polled to measure the magnetic field at the location of the magnetometer 5080. Specifically, based on the periodic polling, a "baseline" magnetic field can be established, which can include contributions from the secondary circular alignment component 5018 and any other device currently aligned with the secondary circular alignment component 5018. When a device having a circular magnetic alignment component complementary to the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018 (e.g., the wireless charger device 5302 or the accessory device 5500) is aligned with the secondary circular magnetic alignment component 5018, the magnetic field at the location of the magnetometer 5080 changes abruptly with respect to the baseline in a specific predictable manner. Thus, using the measured change in the magnetic field (with respect to the baseline) having a specific magnitude, it is possible to detect when a device having a complementary magnetic alignment component is in proximity to the portable electronic device 5004. In some embodiments, the change can be defined as a three-dimensional vector, and the detection of the approaching device can be triggered based on a change in the magnitude and / or direction of the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer 5080. Further, by aligning different types of devices, different changes in the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer 5080 can result. For example, as shown in FIG. 62, the primary circular magnetic alignment component 6216 may be thicker than the auxiliary circular magnetic alignment component 6270, and this difference can have different effects on the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer 5080.In addition, while the portable electronic device 5004 is already aligned with an accessory (e.g., accessory 5500), the change in the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer 5018 when a wireless charger device (e.g., wireless charger device 5302) is aligned may be different from the change measured when the wireless charger device (e.g., wireless charger device 5302) is aligned while no accessory is present. Control logic (e.g., a logic circuit located on the main logic board of the portable electronic device 5500) can periodically monitor (e.g., every few milliseconds or several times per second) the change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetometer 5018 and, based on the change, determine whether a device with complementary magnetic alignment components has been brought close (or whether such a device is already known to exist and whether another such device has been brought close). In response to determining that a device has been brought close, the control logic can trigger the operation of the NFC coil 5060 and the associated NFC reader circuit to read an NFC tag that may be present in the newly proximate device. It should be understood that the removal (or removal from proximity) of an active or passive accessory device can also be detected by detecting a change in the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer 5080.

[0320] In some embodiments, based on the information in the NFC tag of the aligned device, the portable electronic device 5004 can change some aspects of its behavior. In some embodiments, the NFC tag in the accessory device can indicate characteristics of the accessory device, such as its color or design style. The portable electronic device 5004 can accordingly change its color scheme or other elements of its user interface. For example, the portable electronic device 5004 can generate a transient color wash effect on the screen in a color that matches the color of the accessory device. As another example, the accessory device can be a sleeve having an opaque front panel with a window to expose a portion of the display of the portable electronic device 5004. When the portable electronic device is aligned within the sleeve, the portable electronic device 5004 can switch to a mode of displaying specific content (e.g., the current time or a notification) on the portion of the display aligned with the window. In some embodiments, accessory identification can provide context information regarding the environment in which the accessory is present. For example, a docking accessory can be located within a vehicle or placed in a specific room, and the portable electronic device 5004 can change its behavior based on the context information (e.g., by switching to an in-vehicle display mode when docked within a vehicle dock). As yet another example, the accessory can be a removable pack. When the portable electronic device 5004 detects whether the accessory is attached or removed (e.g., based on a magnetometer signal), the portable electronic device 5004 can store information regarding the attachment or removal event (e.g., location information indicating where the portable electronic device 5004 was when the attachment or removal occurred). In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 5004 can provide the stored information to the user (e.g., provide location information indicating where the removal occurred to assist the user in identifying the location of the removed accessory).As a further example, accessory identification can, as a result, enable the portable electronic device 5004 to launch a specific application associated with the accessory or unlock a specific function of a specific application. From these examples, it should be understood that many aspects of the device behavior can be changed according to the information received from the NFC tag. As a still further example, if an accessory is identified as a battery pack via its NFC tag but the portable electronic device 5004 cannot draw power from the accessory, the portable electronic device 5004 can determine that the battery is dead and can accordingly warn the user. It should be understood that many aspects of the behavior of the portable electronic device can be changed in response to detecting that a particular accessory has been attached or removed.

[0321] FIG. 65 shows a flowchart of a process 6500 that may be implemented on a portable electronic device 5004, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the process 6500 may be repeatedly executed while the power of the portable electronic device 5004 is on. At block 6502, the process 6500 may determine a baseline magnetic field, for example, using a magnetometer 5080. At block 6504, the process 6500 may continue to monitor the signal from the magnetometer 5080 until a change in the magnetic field is detected. At block 6506, the process 6500 may determine whether the change in the magnetic field matches the magnitude and direction of the change associated with the alignment of complementary magnetic alignment components. If not, the baseline magnetic field may be updated at block 6502. If the change in the magnetic field matches the magnitude and direction of the change associated with the alignment of complementary alignment components at block 6506, at block 6508, the process 6500 may operate an NFC reader circuit associated with the NFC coil 5060 to read the NFC tag of the aligned device. In some embodiments, NFC tags associated with different types of devices (e.g., passive accessories for active accessories such as wireless chargers) are tuned to respond to different stimulation signals from the NFC reader circuit, and information regarding a particular change in the magnetic field may be used to determine the particular stimulation signal to be generated by the NFC reader circuit. At block 6510, the process 6500 may receive the identification information read from the NFC tag. At block 6512, the process 6500 may change the behavior of the portable electronic device 5004 based on the identification information, for example, generating a color wash effect as described above. After block 6512, the process 6500 may optionally return to block 6502 to provide continuous monitoring of the magnetometer 5080. The process 6500 is exemplary, and it should be understood that other processes may be executed in addition to or instead of the process 6500.

[0322] The above NFC tag and NFC reader circuit are exemplary and it will be understood that variations and modifications are possible. For example, the coil design can be changed by replacing a wound wire coil with an etched coil (or vice versa), or a solenoid coil with a flat coil (or vice versa). A "wound wire" coil can be fabricated using various techniques including winding the wire, stamping the coil from a copper sheet, molding plastic over the stamped part, or depositing the wire on a plastic part using a needle dispenser, and the wire can be heated to be embedded in the softened plastic. An etched coil can be fabricated by coating the surface with metal and etching away the unwanted metal. The number of turns of various NFC coils can be changed for a particular application. The selection of a wound wire coil or an etched coil for a particular device can depend on various design considerations. For example, in a device having an internal logic board, a wound wire NFC coil can be terminated at the logic board, and in the absence of a logic board, an etched coil can simplify the termination of the coil. Other design considerations can include the Q factor of the coil (a wound coil can provide a higher Q in a smaller space) and / or ease of assembly.

[0323] Furthermore, if a device having an NFC tag circuit has an active circuit (such as a wireless charger device having an active circuit for controlling the charging behavior), the NFC tag circuit is not limited to being a passive tag. An active NFC tag circuit can be provided to enable two-way communication with a compatible portable electronic device. For example, an active NFC circuit in a portable electronic device and a wireless charger device can be used to support the transmission of firmware updates to the wireless charger device.

[0324] The proximity detection technology can also be changed. For example, different types of magnetometers (e.g., single-axis magnetometers) can be used, or multiple magnetometers at different positions relative to the magnetic alignment component can be used. In some embodiments, a Hall effect sensor can be used instead of a magnetometer, but since a Hall effect sensor generally only indicates a change or no change rather than measuring the magnitude or direction of the change, false positives can increase. It should also be understood that proximity detection as described herein can be used for other purposes in addition to or instead of triggering an NFC reader circuit. 6. Exemplary Devices Incorporating Magnetic Alignment Components 6.1. Wireless Charger Device

[0325] Examples of wireless charger devices (or wireless chargers) incorporating a circular magnetic alignment component are described above with reference to, for example, FIGS. 13 and 53 - 54. As another example, FIG. 66 shows an exploded view of a wireless charger device 6600 according to some embodiments, and FIG. 67 shows a simplified partial cross-sectional view of a wireless charger device 6600 according to some embodiments. The wireless charger device 6600 is similar to the wireless charger device 1300 described above and can incorporate a magnetic alignment component (e.g., a primary circular alignment component as described above), as well as other features related to optimizing charging performance.

[0326] The wireless charger device 6600 can have a two-piece pack-shaped housing including a cap 6602 and an enclosure 6606. The cap 6602 that provides a charging surface for the wireless charger device 6600 is made of polycarbonate or other plastic, and the proximal side (upper side in FIGS. 66 and 67) is coated with soft-touch silicone or the like to provide a durable surface. Other materials that are permeable to electromagnetic fields can also be used. In some embodiments, since the wireless charger device 6600 can rely on magnetic force rather than friction to maintain alignment with the device to be charged, the proximal surface of the upper cap 6602 may be a low-friction surface (e.g., textured silicone). The enclosure 6606 can be made of aluminum, other conductive materials, or plastic materials. As best seen in FIG. 67, the enclosure 6606 can include a back housing 6601, side walls 6603, and an overhang lip 6605 having a concave ledge 6609 on which the upper cap 6602 can rest. The upper cap 6602 can have a small offset (e.g., 150 μm) above the upper surface of the lip 6605 to prevent iron particles that may adhere to the lip 6605 from scratching the surface of the device disposed close to the upper cap 6602. In some embodiments, the upper cap 6602 can be sealed to the concave ledge 6609 using a suitable sealing material. The enclosure 6606 can include an opening 6607 through the side wall 6603 to enable connection of a wire conduit (e.g., a wire) between the inside and outside of the wireless charger device 6600.

[0327] The annular magnetic alignment component 6616 can include arcuate magnets 6626 disposed on the annular DC shield 6614. The magnetic alignment component 6616 can be any implementation of the primary annular alignment components described above. For example, each arcuate magnet 6626 can have a quadrupole configuration having an inner arcuate region with a magnetic polarity oriented in a first axial direction, an outer arcuate region with a magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first direction, and a central non-magnetized region between the inner arcuate region and the outer arcuate region. In some embodiments, the DC shield 6614 can be divided, for example, into four arcuate segments, and one or more arcuate magnets 6626 can be mounted on each segment of the DC shield 6614. The segments can be individually inserted into the enclosure 6606 such that each segment fits under the lip 6605 and the segments are adjacent to each other (either abutting or having a small gap to accommodate manufacturing tolerances). Reference surface features can be provided on the inner surface of the enclosure 6606 to facilitate the accurate placement of each segment. A gap 6617 large enough to accommodate an electrical connection path can be provided between two adjacent segments of the annular magnetic alignment component 6616, and the gap 6617 can be aligned with the opening 6607 of the enclosure 6606. The annular magnetic alignment component 6616 can be arranged such that the proximal surface of the magnet 6626 is adjacent to (e.g., in contact with) the inner surface of the lip 6605 to maximize the magnetic alignment force exerted by the annular magnetic alignment component 6616 on a portable electronic device placed adjacent to the upper surface of the cap 6603. In some embodiments, the DC shield 6614 can be placed on the inner surface of the back housing 6601 of the enclosure 6606, and the annular magnetic alignment component 6616 can extend to the full height inside the sidewall 6603 such that the proximal surface of the magnet 6626 is adjacent to the inner surface of the lip 6605. In other embodiments, the annular magnetic alignment component 6616 can be shorter than the inside of the sidewall 6603, and a spacer 6615 (shown in FIG. 67) can be placed between the DC shield 6614 and the back housing 6601 such that the magnet 6626 is adjacent to the underside of the lip 6605.In any case, an adhesive (not shown) can be used to hold the magnetic alignment component 6616 (or a sector thereof) in a fixed position.

[0328] The charging coil assembly 6612 can include a coil 6620, an electrical shield 6622, electromagnetic shields 6626, 6628, and a shim 6624. The coil 6620 can be a coil of wound copper wire having terminals toward the center of the coil, and the coil has its proximal surface oriented toward the upper cap 6601 and the opposing distal surface. The upper electromagnetic shield 6626 and the lower electromagnetic shield 6628 can be made of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., MnZn). The upper electromagnetic shield 6626 that provides primary electric field shaping for the coil 6620 can be contoured to surround the distal surface and the outside of the coil 6620, and can have a slit 6627 for providing a space for wires extending from the outer edge of the coil 6620 to a terminal point within the central region of the coil 6620. The lower electromagnetic shield 6628 that functions as a spacer for the main logic board 6632 is flat and is shaped to be disposed under the coil 6620 and have a groove for accommodating wires extending from the outer edge of the coil 6620 to a terminal point within the central region of the coil 6620. The lower electromagnetic shield 6628 can be grounded to the enclosure 6606. In some alternative embodiments, the lower electromagnetic shield 6628 can be replaced with a plastic spacer. In other alternative embodiments, the upper electromagnetic shield 6626 and the lower magnetic shield 6628 can be formed from a single piece of ferrite material. The electrical shield 6622 can be disposed on the proximal surface of the coil 6620. The electrical shield 6622 can be made from a flexible printed wiring board patterned with a conductive material to be permeable to a magnetic field while blocking an electric field. The electrical shield 6622 can include conductive peripheral protrusions that can contact the enclosure 6606 to provide a ground. The shim 6624 can be made of a polycarbonate material, provides a uniform height across the proximal surface of the charging coil assembly 6612, and can be used to assist in supporting the cap 6602.

[0329] The support ring sub-assembly 6640 can be disposed between the annular magnetic alignment component 6616 and the coil assembly 6612 (as best seen in FIG. 67). The support ring sub-assembly 6640 may be the implementation of the support ring sub-assembly 5340 described above with reference to FIGS. 53 and 54. For example, the support ring sub-assembly 6640 can include an annular frame 6642 and an NFC coil 6664. The annular frame 6642 can be made of, for example, glass-reinforced polycarbonate or other plastics. The NFC coil 6664 can be, for example, a 4- or 5-turn wound copper coil. The NFC coil 6664 can be coupled to an NFC tag circuit that can be disposed on the main logic board 6632. The NFC coil 6664 and the associated tag circuit can be used for device identification as described in section 5 above.

[0330] The main logic board 6632 is disposed on the central portion of the rear housing 6601 of the enclosure 6606 and can be fixed in place by a pressure-sensitive adhesive 6634. The main logic board 6632 can include contact pads for connecting to external wires through the opening 6607 of the enclosure 6606, and additional ground contacts for grounding the ground enclosure 6606 and the electrical shield 6622. The main logic board 6632 can include circuit components for controlling the operation of the coil 6620. For example, depending on the implementation, the main logic board 6632 can be coupled to receive DC power through the contact pads and include a power circuit (e.g., a boost circuit and an inverter) for driving the coil 6620. In addition or alternatively, the main logic board 6632 can include a logic circuit (e.g., a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, etc.) for monitoring the behavior of the coil 6620 and controlling the current supplied to the coil 6620 based on the monitoring. Examples of control logic for operating a wireless charging coil are known in the art, and for example, the logic circuit can implement functions compliant with the Qi standard for wireless charging. In some embodiments, the main logic board 6632 can also include NFC tag circuit components coupled to the NFC coil 6664. In some embodiments, the logic circuit, the power circuit, and / or the NFC tag circuit can be implemented as integrated circuits mounted on the main logic board 6632, and the integrated circuits may be covered by a shield can to avoid electrical interference.

[0331] In some embodiments, the thermal performance of the wireless charger device 6600 can be improved by placing some or all of the power circuit in a location external to the enclosure 6606. For example, FIG. 68 shows an exploded view of a cable assembly 6800 having an integrated power circuit that can be connected to the wireless charger device 6600. (For ease of understanding the connection, parts of the wireless charger device 6600, particularly the enclosure 6606 and the annular alignment component 6616 are shown.) The cable assembly 6800 can have any desired length and can include a cable 6802 that includes a plurality of wires (or other conductors) that are electrically insulated from each other and transmit power, ground, and data signals. The cable 6802 can have a proximal end 6804 that can be captively coupled to the wireless charger device 6600. For example, the proximal end 6804 of the cable 6802 can be inserted through an opening 6607 in the enclosure 6606 and secured using a crimp 6806. In various embodiments, the crimp 6808 can be welded to the enclosure 6606 or the DC shield 6614.

[0332] The cable 6802 can have a distal end 6808 that can be captively coupled to a boot assembly 6810. The boot assembly 6810 can include a boot housing 6812 made of a plastic such as polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). A crimp 6814 (e.g., made of stainless steel) can secure the distal end 6808 of the cable 6802 inside the boot housing 6812.

[0333] The circuit board 6822 can be disposed within the boot housing 6812. The circuit board 6822 can include a DC boost circuit and optionally a power circuit such as an inverter. The circuit board 6822 can also include a logic circuit for controlling the operation of the power circuit. Similar to the main logic board 6632 described above, power and / or logic circuits can be mounted using integrated circuits mounted on the surface of the logic board 6632. The circuit board 6822 can be connected to a connector 6824 which can be, for example, a USB-C plug connector or other standard c...

Claims

1. An alignment module, comprising:

1. An annular magnetic alignment component including a plurality of arcuate magnets, each of which comprises: an inner arcuate region having a first axially oriented magnetic polarity; an outer arcuate region having magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction; an annular magnetic alignment component including a non-magnetized central arcuate region disposed between the inner arcuate region and the outer arcuate region; an containment structure surrounding and holding the arcuate magnet in an annular arrangement, the containment structure having a central opening inside the annular magnetic alignment component; An alignment module comprising:

2. a rotational alignment component including a rectangular magnet; The alignment module of claim 1 , wherein the containment structure further holds the rectangular magnet in a fixed position outside of the annular magnetic alignment component.

3. The alignment module of claim 1 , wherein the containment structure has an annular shape.

4. The alignment module of claim 3 , wherein the containment structure comprises an annular front enclosure joined at inner and outer edges and an annular back enclosure.

5. The alignment module of claim 4 , wherein the annular front enclosure and the annular back enclosure are made of plastic.

6. The alignment module of claim 5 , wherein the annular front enclosure and the annular back enclosure are joined by welding.

7. The alignment module of claim 5 , wherein the annular front enclosure is formed in a first injection molding step and the annular back enclosure is injection molded over the annular front enclosure.

8. 2. The alignment module of claim 1, wherein the containment structure comprises an annular front enclosure, an annular rear enclosure, an annular inner enclosure, and an annular outer enclosure, the annular front enclosure and the annular rear enclosure being joined to the annular inner enclosure and the annular outer enclosure by an adhesive.

9. An alignment module, comprising:

1. An annular magnetic alignment component including a plurality of arcuate magnets, each of which comprises: an inner arcuate region having a first axially oriented magnetic polarity; an outer arcuate region having magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction; an annular magnetic alignment component including a non-magnetized central arcuate region disposed between the inner arcuate region and the outer arcuate region; a rotational alignment component including a rectangular magnet and disposed outside the outer periphery of the annular magnetic alignment component; a containment structure that holds the annular magnetic alignment component and the rotational alignment component in a fixed spatial relationship relative to one another, the containment structure comprising: A front planar layer; A posterior planar layer; a magnet retainer layer made of a plastic material, the magnet retainer layer including a circular opening for receiving the annular magnetic alignment component and a rectangular opening for receiving the rectangular magnet; the magnet retainer layer further comprises an encapsulation structure including a disk of the plastic material filling an area inside the annular magnetic alignment component; An alignment module comprising:

10. The alignment module of claim 9 , wherein the magnet retainer layer, the arcuate magnets, and the rectangular magnets have equal thicknesses.

11. a first adhesive layer attaching the front planar layer to the magnet retainer layer; a second adhesive layer attaching the backplane layer to the magnet retainer layer; The alignment module of claim 9 further comprising:

12. The alignment module of claim 9 , wherein the front planar layer and the back planar layer are rectangular layers with rounded corners.

13. An alignment module, comprising:

1. An annular magnetic alignment component including a plurality of arcuate magnets, each of which comprises: an inner arcuate region having a first axially oriented magnetic polarity; an outer arcuate region having magnetic polarity oriented in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction; an annular magnetic alignment component including a non-magnetized central arcuate region disposed between the inner arcuate region and the outer arcuate region; an enclosure structure surrounding and holding the arcuate magnets in an annular arrangement; a near field communication (NFC) coil disposed within the encapsulation structure and positioned inside and coaxial with the annular magnetic alignment component, the NFC coil being coupled to an NFC tag circuit; An alignment module comprising:

14. The encapsulation structure comprises: A front planar layer; A posterior planar layer; a magnetic retainer layer including a circular opening for receiving the annular magnetic alignment component and the NFC coil; The alignment module of claim 13 comprising:

15. The alignment module of claim 14 , wherein the magnet retainer layer and the arcuate magnet have equal thicknesses.

16. The alignment module of claim 14 , wherein the magnet retainer layer comprises a disk of material that fills the area inside the annular magnetic alignment component and the NFC coil.

17. a rotational alignment component including a rectangular magnet and disposed outside the annular magnetic alignment component; The alignment module of claim 14 , wherein the magnet retainer layer has a rectangular opening for receiving the rotational alignment component.

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