Wireless device charging

Abstract

Systems, devices, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media facilitate wireless device charging. A presence of a second device may be detected, by a first device, as being adjacent to the first device. The first device may include a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be detected by the first device. A charging configuration of the first device may be adjusted, by the first device, based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used, by the first device, to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device.

Description

WIRELESS DEVICE CHARGINGTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to electronic devices and particularly to wireless device charging.BACKGROUND

[0002] Various portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers, provide users functionality on the go. A portable electronic device, such as a tablet or smart phone, may also have a plastic cover for protecting the device in addition to the housings already included in the portable electronic device by design. Accessory devices have been developed to complement a user's experience while interacting with portable electronic devices. For example, a stylus input device may provide input to an electronic device by contacting a surface of the portable electronic device and allowing a user to write or draw on the surface, such as the display screen. Such accessory devices may be active devices such that they include batteries that need to be charged.

[0003] Thus, there is a need for devices and methods that address such situations. This and other needs are addressed by the present disclosure.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate generally to electronic devices and more particularly to wireless device charging.

[0005] In one aspect, a device facilitates wireless device charging. The device may include a processing device and memory communicatively coupled with, and readable by, the processing device and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform one or a combination of the following operations. A presence of a second device may be detected as being adjacent to the device. The device may include a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication of a distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be detected. A charging configuration of the device may be adjusted based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may include detecting whether or not a case is installed on the device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be basedat least in part on a hall effect sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a proximity sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a sensing resistor. In various embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the device. In various embodiments, the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the device may include adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits.

[0006] In another aspect, a method facilitates wireless device charging. The method may include one or a combination of the following. A presence of a second device may be detected, by a first device, as being adjacent to the first device. The first device may include a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be detected by the first device. A charging configuration of the first device may be adjusted, by the first device, based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used, by the first device, to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may include detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a hall effect sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a proximity sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a sensing resistor. In various embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device. In various embodiments, the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the first device may include adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits.

[0007] In yet another aspect, a non-transitory, machine-readable medium having machine- readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform one or a combination of the following operations. A presence of a second device may be detected as being adjacent to a first device. The first device may include the processing device and a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication ofa distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be detected. A charging configuration of the first device may be adjusted based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may include detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a hall effect sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a proximity sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a sensing resistor. In various embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device.

[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of various embodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tablet computer stylus system, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a system including a stylus docked to a tablet computer via a stylus accessory, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates certain aspects of a system that may include a tablet computer and a stylus, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 4 A and 4B respectively illustrate illustrates a tablet without a tablet case and the tablet with a tablet case installed on the tablet, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively illustrate another view of the tablet without the tablet case and with the tablet case, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functionality of an adaptive charging system that adapts to multiple scenarios involving multiple charging distances, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating of an adaptive charging system, including some circuit components, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the tablet with the tablet case, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates charging current and battery voltage for a charging process, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates one example method for wireless device charging, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

[0021] Various embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide for portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers, smart phones, or other portable devices, that may be configured to charge other external devices. In some examples, the other external devices may include accessory devices. Portable electronic devices often benefit from the use of accessorydevices. Accessory devices have been developed to complement a user’s experience while interacting with a portable electronic device.

[0022] One example of an accessory device is a stylus input device. A stylus input device is often used for enabling a user to accurately interact with the electronic device. For example, a stylus provides a tip that can accurately select items displayed on an electronic display of the device. In another example, a stylus may be used as a writing or drawing utensil as a user would use a pencil or other writing implement. Such accessory devices and other external devices may be active devices such that they include rechargeable power storage units that need to be charged.

[0023] Disclosed embodiments of a portable device may be configured to wirelessly charge accessory devices and other external devices that are brought into close proximity to the portable device. The wireless charging may be achieved, for example, via near-field communication (NFC) technology. The wireless charging may be in a fixed environment such that a distance between a transmitting charger coil of a portable device and a receiving coil of the receiving device being charged, such as a stylus, may be set at fixed distance. The transmitting charger coil and the receiving coil may couple to each other magnetically and thereby allow for power to be transferred from the portable device to the receiving device.

[0024] However, there may be problems with such a design when the distance between the transmitting charger coil of the portable device and the receiving coil of the receiving device changes. As the distance between the charger coil of the portable device and the receiving coil of the device being charged increase, the power transferred for charging decreases. Variability in the distance between the two coils may be a common occurrence, for example, that depends on whether a case (e.g., a protective case, a plastic cover accessory, etc.) is used with the portable device. Such distance variability results in multiple charging distances that affect the effectiveness and performance characteristics of charging. Thus, for example, when a protective case is used on the portable device, the charging of the external device may be weak, slow, or otherwise inadequate.

[0025] Disclosed embodiments may solve such technical problems by adapting to multiple scenarios involving multiple charging distances. Disclosed embodiments may detect when a case is not used and when a case is used and what distance the case adds. Disclosed embodiments may dynamically adjust tuning of the portable device to optimize power transfer for each of the multiple scenarios detected. Accordingly, the power transfer need not be compromised when, for example, a protective case of a certain type that adds a certain distance between charging coil and receiver coil is used.

[0026] Although embodiments illustrated herein may refer to a tablet computer and a stylus device as an example, the embodiments described herein may be applied to other electronic devices that may include a charger and other external devices that may be charged. For example, the external device may correspond to any suitable device with a power storage unit that may be charged from an electronic device. In various embodiments, the electronic device may correspond to an assistant device (e.g., Google® Nest® Hub; Google® Nest® Hub Max); a home automation controller (e.g., controller for an alarm system, thermostat, lighting system, door lock, motorized doors, etc.); a gaming device (e.g., a gaming system, gaming controller, data glove, etc.); a communication device (e.g., a smart phone such as a Google® Pixel® Phone, cellular phone, mobile phone, wireless phone, portable phone, radio telephone, etc.); other computing device (e.g., personal digital assistants (PDAs), a tablet computer, phablet computer, notebook computer, laptop computer, digital paper tablets, smart picture frames, etc.); and / or the like. In various embodiments, the external device may correspond to one or a combination of the foregoing devices. An external device may, for example, correspond to a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, a digital camera, headphones, earbuds, a speaker, a gaming controller, a remote control, an e-book reader, a drawing tablet, a wireless keyboard, a mouse, another peripheral device, and / or the like.

[0027] Various embodiments will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures, beginning with FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a tablet computer stylus system, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a tablet computer 104 (which may be referenced herein as a “tablet device” or “tablet”) and a stylus 102. The tablet computer 104 may be example of a portable device. Other types of portable devices may be used in other embodiments.

[0029] In some embodiments, the stylus 102 may include one or more docking magnets 105 for magnetically coupling the stylus 102 to the tablet computer 104. In some embodiments, the tablet computer 104 may further include corresponding one or more docking magnets 108 that the one or more docking magnets 105 magnetically couple to when the stylus 102 is magnetically docked to the tablet computer 104. In some embodiments, the docking magnets 124 of the tablet computer 104 may be interchangeably used to dock the tablet computer 104 to a dock or to a tablet computer case.

[0030] In some embodiments, the stylus 102 may include a communication system 118 that communicates with a communication system 120 of the tablet computer 104. Each ofcommunication system 118 and communication system 120 may allow for communication with various wireless networks and / or wireless devices using one or more communication protocols. Each of communication system 118 and communication system 120 may allow for communication with a Wi-Fi based wireless local area network and communication directly with other devices, such as via Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or some other low-power device-to-device communication protocol. In some embodiments, each of communication system 118 and communication system 120 may include computer components that are enabled to receive and send electrical signals between component devices of the system 100 and to and from a user.

[0031] The tablet computer 104 may be configured to wirelessly charge the stylus 102, for example, using NFC technology, when the stylus 102 is brought into close proximity to the tablet computer 104. The stylus 102 may be disposed in close proximity to the tablet computer 104 by, for example, being placed adjacent to the tablet device and / or in contact with the tablet computer 104. This may include, for example, the stylus 102 being placed on a surface of the tablet computer 104, being magnetically and removably docked or otherwise coupled to the tablet computer 104, being magnetically and removably docked or otherwise coupled to a case of the tablet computer 104, and / or being removably fastened to the tablet computer 104 or its case with other means.

[0032] For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a system 100-1 including a stylus 102-1 docked to a tablet computer 104-1 via a stylus accessory 206, in accordance with embodiments according to the present disclosure. In FIGS. 1 and 2 and the following figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components.

[0033] The stylus 102-1 may be stored in a stylus accessory 206, which may be magnetically coupled, and removably dockable, to the tablet 104-1. Advantageously, the stylus accessory 206 may be quickly docked to the tablet 104-1 in many configurations as desired by a user. The tablet 104-1 may include one or more corresponding docking magnets (not shown) that magnetically couple to one or more docking magnets (not shown) of the stylus accessory 206.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, the tablet computer 104 may act a power source with a charger 114 for charging a battery 116 of the stylus 102. The battery 116 may be any suitable energy storage device, such as a lithium-ion battery, capable of storing energy and discharging stored energy. The tablet computer 104 may have a similar battery. The tablet computer 104 may, forexample, provide power to the battery 116 of the stylus 102 via the charger 114, which discharges power to the stylus 102 when the stylus 102 is docked to the tablet computer 104.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates certain aspects of a system 100-2 that may include a tablet computer 104-2 and a stylus 102-2, in accordance with embodiments according to the present disclosure. The tablet 104-2 may include a transmit device 304 and a transmitting charger coil 306 that may correspond to the charger 114-1 of the tablet 104-2. The transmit device 304 may correspond to a polar device. Although illustrated as separate components, in some embodiments, the transmit device 304 may include the transmitting charger coil 306. As indicated, the transmit device 304 and the transmitting charger coil 306 may be included in the tablet 104-2. However, in various embodiments, the transmit device 304 and the transmitting charger coil 306 may be included in any other suitable portable device.

[0036] The stylus 102-2 may include a receiving device 302, the battery 116, and a receiving coil 308. The receiving device 302, including the battery 116, may correspond to a listener device. The receiving device 302, the battery 116, and the receiving coil 308 may correspond to a charge receiving component of the stylus 102-2. However, in various embodiments, the receiving device 302, the battery 116, and the receiving coil 308 may correspond to a charge receiving component of any other suitable electronic device. The distance between the transmitting charger coil of the tablet 104-2 and the receiving coil 308 of the stylus 102-2 may vary, for example, depending on whether a table case is used with the tablet 104-2.

[0037] Referring again to FIG. 1, the tablet computer 104 may include one or more processors, including one or more general -purpose processors and / or one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, video decoders, and / or the like). The tablet computer 104 may further include one or more non-transitory storage devices, which can comprise, without limitation, local storage, and / or may include, for example, a solid- state storage device, such as a random access memory (“RAM”), and / or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and / or the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any appropriate data storages, including without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and / or the like.

[0038] By way of example, the tablet 104 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 128. In some embodiments, the CPU 128 may be included in a system on chip (SoC) 130. The tablet computer 104 also may include software elements, which may be located within the working memory, including an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code, such as one or more application programs, which may include computer programs provided byvarious embodiments, and / or may be designed to implement methods, and / or configure systems, provided by other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed herein may be implemented as code and / or instructions executable by the tablet computer 104 (e.g., one or more processors of the CPU 128); in an aspect, then, such code and / or instructions may be used to configure and / or adapt the tablet computer 104 (or other portable device) to perform one or more operations in accordance with the described methods. A set of the instructions and / or code may be stored on a non- transitory, computer-readable storage medium, such as the non-transitory storage device(s).

[0039] According to a set of embodiments, some or all of the procedures of methods disclosed herein may be performed by the tablet computer 104 in response to the CPU 128 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into the operating system and / or other code, such as an application program) contained in the working memory. Such instructions may be read into the working memory from another computer-readable medium, such as one or more of the non-transitory storage device(s). Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the working memory might cause the CPU 128 to perform one or more procedures of the methods described herein.

[0040] For example, FIG. 10 illustrates one example method 1000 for wireless device charging, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. One or a combination of the aspects of the method 1000 may be performed in conjunction with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, and the method 1000 is to be interpreted in view of other features disclosed herein and may be combined with one or more of such features in various embodiments. Teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of configurations that may correspond to the configurations disclosed herein. As such, certain aspects of the methods disclosed herein may be omitted, and the order of the steps may be shuffled in any suitable manner and may depend on the implementation chosen. Moreover, while the aspects of the methods disclosed herein, may be separated for the sake of description, it should be understood that certain steps may be performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0041] As indicated by block 1005, a presence of a second device (e.g., the stylus 102) may be detected by a first device (e.g., the tablet 104) as being adjacent to the first device. The first device may include a first coil (e.g., coil 306). The second device may include a second coil (e.g., coil 308).

[0042] As indicated by block 1010, an indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be detected by the first device. In someembodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device comprises detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a hall effect sensor. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a proximity sensor. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a sensing resistor.

[0043] As indicated by block 1015, a charging configuration of the first device may be adjusted based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device. In some embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device. In some embodiments, the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the first device comprises adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits. As indicated by block 1020, the adjusted charging configuration may be used by the first device to facilitate charging of a battery (e.g., battery 116) of the second device. Thus, for example, the tablet computer 104 may adapt its charging configuration as a function of the charging distance between the tablet computer 104 and the stylus 102 and use the adapted charging configuration to charge the battery 116 of the stylus 102.

[0044] The tablet computer 104 may be configured to adapt to multiple scenarios where the distance between a charger of the tablet computer 104 and a receiving coil of the stylus 102 changes. FIG. 4A, for example, illustrates a tablet 104-3 without a tablet case, whereas FIG. 4B illustrates the tablet 104-3 with a tablet case 430 installed on the tablet 104-3. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the tablet case 430 may encase the tablet computer 104 to protect edges of the tablet 104- 1 from damage resulting from drops or the like.

[0045] The addition of the tablet case 430 adds distance to a minimum distance between the transmitting charger coil of the tablet 104 and the receiving coil of the stylus 102. FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, respectively illustrate another view of the tablet 104-3 without the tablet case 430 and with the tablet case 430. FIG. 5A illustrates the tablet 104-3 with a portion of its housing 502 uncovered by the tablet case 430. The tablet 104-1 may include a transmitting charger coil 306-1 disposed inside the tablet 104-3 such that there is a minimum distance dl between the transmittingcharger coil 306-1 and a rear surface of the housing 502. The minimum distance dl may depend on implementation but may generally be minimized by the design of the tablet 104-1. Thus, the overall distance between the transmitting charger coil 404 and the receiving coil (e.g., 308 in FIG. 3) of the stylus 102 would at least include the minimum distance dl, with any additional distance between the rear surface of the housing 502 depending on the design of the stylus 102 and, in some embodiments, the design of any stylus accessory 206 that may be used.

[0046] FIG. 5B illustrates a distance d2 added between the housing 502 and a rear surface of the table case 430. Thus, the distance d2 is added by the tablet case 430 to the minimum distance dl . The distance d2 may vary, depending on the particular design of the tablet case 430. However, the tablet 104 may detect and adapt to each of the multiple charging distances illustrated by the scenario of FIG. 5 A when no tablet case is attached to the tablet 104 and the scenario of FIG. 5B when the tablet case 430 is attached to the tablet 104 with varying distances d2 added.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functionality of an adaptive charging system 600 that adapts to multiple scenarios involving multiple charging distances, in accordance with embodiments according to the present disclosure. The system 600 may include the transmit device 304-1, which may be included in the tablet 104 or any other suitable portable device. The transmit device 304-1 may be powered by a power source 602. In various embodiments, the power source 602 may correspond to a battery (e.g., providing battery voltage (Vbat)), voltage common collector (VCC), and / or the like. The system 600 may include the receiving device 302, which may be included in the stylus 102 or any other suitable electronic device and which may include a battery to be charged.

[0048] The transmit device 304-1 may include a tuning circuit controller 606. The tuning circuit controller 606 may correspond to a control mechanism configured to control a tuning circuit to adaptively charge the receiving device 302. The tuning circuit controller 606 may include one or more switches 604. In some embodiments, the one or more switches 604 may be an internal switch on the transmit device 304-1. In various embodiments, the switch 304-1 may be controlled via a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) or via any other suitable means. In some embodiments, the tuning may include a plurality of matching circuits and corresponding circuit paths. The one or more switches 604 may be configured to toggle between two or more matching circuits and corresponding circuit paths. For example, the one or more switches 604 may toggle between matching circuit 610 with corresponding circuit path 615 and matching circuit 620 with corresponding circuit path 625. The matching circuits may be different matching circuits, eachtuned for a different charging distance and corresponding scenario to optimize power transfer for that charging distance and corresponding scenario.

[0049] The matching circuit 610 and the corresponding path 615, for example, may correspond to a scenario where there is no case used with the tablet 104 or other portable device. In some embodiments, that scenario may correspond to a default scenario with a minimum charging distance. The matching circuit 620 and the corresponding path 625 may correspond to a different scenario where there is a greater charging distance. For example, the matching circuit 620 and the corresponding path 625 may be selected and used when a case is installed on the tablet 104 or other portable device, thereby increasing the charging distance above the minimum charging distance. In some embodiments, one or more additional matching circuits and corresponding paths may be used to address different charging distances.

[0050] The tablet 104 or other portable device may be configured to detect different charging distances. For example, tablet 104 or other portable device may detect when a case is not used and when a case is used and, in some embodiments, the distance added. In various embodiments, such detection may be based at least in part on one or a combination of a hall effect sensor 630, a proximity coil 640, and / or a sensing resistor 650. In some embodiments, the hall effect sensor 630, the proximity coil 640, and / or the sensing resistor 650, as well as corresponding circuit components, may be included in the tuning circuit controller 606. Each of the hall effect sensor 630, the proximity coil 640, and the sensing resistor 650 may correspond to a different method by which the tablet 104 or other portable device may detect different charging distance scenarios. Based at least in part on the charging distance scenario detected, the tablet 104 or other portable device may dynamically switch between the two or more matching circuits and corresponding circuit paths in order to optimize transfer for the charging distance scenario detected.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating of an adaptive charging system 600-1, including some circuit components, in accordance with embodiments according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the adaptive charging system 600-1 may correspond to the adaptive charging system 600, showing various aspects thereof, and may be included in the tablet 104 or any other suitable portable device. The adaptive charging system 600-1 may include a transmit device 304-2, which may correspond to the transmit devices 304, 304-1. The tablet 104 or another portable device may include the CPU 128. In some embodiments, the CPU 128 may be included in the SoC 130. Although illustrated separately, the transfer device 304-2 may include the SoC 130 and / or CPU

[0052] The transmit device 304-2 may be electrically coupled to matching circuits 710. In some embodiments, the matching circuits 710 may, for example, correspond to the matching circuits 610, 620 illustrated in FIG. 6. The adaptive charging system 600-1 may include the antenna coil 306-1 and the antenna coil 308-1, which may respectively correspond to the antenna coils 306, 308 of FIG. 3.

[0053] The adaptive charging system 600-1 may include a receiving device 302-1, which may correspond to the receiving device 302. The receiving device 302-1 may be electrically coupled to the antenna coil 308-1. The receiving device 302-1 may include the battery 116. In various embodiments, the receiving device 302-1 may also include a matching component 730 and / or a rectifier component 734 configured to facilitate charging of the battery 116 based on electromagnetic induction with the antenna coils 306-1, 308-1.

[0054] In various embodiments, the system 600-1 may include an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter 702 and / or receiver paths 704, 706. The EMC filter 702 may include capacitors Cemc and inductors Lemc, which may have any suitable values. The receiver paths 704, 706 may include capacitors Crx and resistors Rrx, which may have any suitable values. In various embodiments, the transmit device 304-2 may include the EMC filter 702 and / or the receiver paths 704, 706.

[0055] The matching circuits 710 may include switch 604-1. In some embodiments, the matching circuits 710 may also include switches 604-2, 604-3. In various embodiments, the switch 604-1 and / or the switches 604-2, 604-3 may be internal to the SOC 130 and may be configured in software. In various embodiments, the switch 604-1 and / or the switches 604-2, 604- 3 may be external to the SOC 130. In various embodiments, the CPU 128 may control the switch 604-1 and / or the switches 604-2, 604-3.

[0056] The switches 604-1 and / or 604-2, 604-3 may correspond to one or more switchable gates to adjust the capacitance of the matching circuits 710. The matching circuits 710 may include capacitors Cp, Cs. In some embodiments, the matching circuits 710 may also include capacitors Cps. In various embodiments, the transmit device 304-2 and / or the CPU 128 may control the switches 604-1, 604-2, 604-3 to select a circuit configuration of the matching circuits 710 to optimize power transfer for each power transfer scenario. Accordingly, the transmit device 304-2 may dynamically adjust tuning of the portable device to optimize power transfer for each of the multiple scenarios detected.

[0057] Adjusting the tuning may include adjusting output capacitance to accommodate changes in loading schemes due to additional space between variances in detected charging distances.With different coil distances, a k factor corresponding to the impedance experienced by the transmitter side may change, and the matching circuits 710 may be controlled to adjust the impedance (e.g., so there is 7 ohms on both sides for maximum power transfer). For example, depending on whether a case is detected, the switches 604-1 and / or 604-2, 604-3 may be closed or opened to increase or decrease capacitance of the matching circuits 710, for example, by enabling or disabling capacitors Cp, Cs, and / or Cps in order to perform the matching transformation. With the smart compensation controlled by the transmitted device 304-2, the set of capacitors may facilitate optimized power transfer through impedance transformation from a port of the transmit device 304-2.

[0058] The tuning circuit controller 606 (illustrated in FIG. 6) may include the transmit device 304-2, the CPU 128 and / or SoC 130, and one or a combination of the hall effect sensor 630, the proximity coil 640, and / or the sending resistor 650. The SoC 130 (e.g., CPU 128) may be configured to determine the charging distance and / or charging distance scenario.

[0059] In embodiments that include the hall effect sensor 630, the hall effect sensor 630 may be included in the transmit device 304-2 and / or the tablet 104 or another portable device such that the hall effect sensor 630 may sense one or more magnets embedded in a case, such as a protective case for the tablet 104 or another portable device. FIG. 8, for example, illustrates a view of the tablet 104-4 with the tablet case 430-1, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure. The tablet 104-4 may include the hall effect sensor 630-1 disposed inside the tablet 104-3 such that the hall effect sensor (HES) 630-1 may accurately sense one or more magnets 805 embedded within the tablet case 430-1. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets 805 may include the one or more docking magnets 105 illustrated with respect to FIG. 1.

[0060] Accordingly, when the tablet case 430-1 is used with the tablet 104, the magnetic field(s) of the one or more magnetics 805 may trigger the hall effect sensor 630. Referring again to FIG. 7, the hall effect sensor 630 may communicate one or more signals to the CPU 128 to indicate the presence of the tablet case 430-1. The hall effect sensor input may be received by the CPU 128. The CPU 128, having detected to the charging distance scenario, may consequently control the switches 604-1, 604-2, 604-3 to select a circuit configuration of the matching circuits 710 to adjust the output scheme as a function of the detected scenario.

[0061] In embodiments that include the proximity sensor 640, the proximity sensor 640 may be included in the transmit device 304-2 and / or the tablet 104 or another portable device such that the proximity sensor 640 is disposed near the antenna coils 306-1, 308-1 to monitor the magnetic field of the antenna coil 308-1 and accurately sense the proximity of the antenna coil 308-1. Forexample, the proximity sensor 640 may be disposed adjacent to inductor Lant of the antenna coil 306-1. The proximity sensor 640 may communicate one or more signals to the CPU 128 to indicate the proximity of the antenna coil 308-1.

[0062] Based at least in part on the one or more signals from the proximity sensor 640, the CPU 128 may determine the charging distance and / or the charging distance scenario. In so doing, the CPU 128 may differentiate between the sensed magnetic field of the antenna coil 306-1 (which may correspond to a baseline measurement) and the sensed magnetic field of the antenna coil 308- 1. The CPU 128 may consequently control the switches 604-1, 604-2, 604-3 to select a circuit configuration of the matching circuits 710 to adjust the output scheme as a function of the charging distance and / or the charging distance scenario.

[0063] In embodiments that include the sensing resistor 650, the sensing resistor 650 may be included in the transmit device 304-2 and / or the tablet 104 or another portable device such that the sensing resistor 650 is disposed on the DC voltage supply line to the transmit device 304-2 such that the DC current magnitude may be sensed and one or more signals may be communicated to the CPU 128 to indicate the sensed DC current magnitude. In various embodiments, an ADC and / or op-amp circuit may be used in conjunction with the sensing resistor 650 to facilitate detection of currents in radiated field.

[0064] The sensing resistor 650 may correspond to a low-value series sensing resistor as a means of determining the transmitter constant current magnitude during the constant current mode phase of charging that is typically used for charging batteries. FIG. 9, for example, illustrates charging current and battery voltage for a charging process, in accordance with certain embodiments according to the present disclosure. The charging current may be sensed by the sensing resistor 650. The battery voltage may correspond to the voltage of the battery 116. After the charging has started and the transient current corresponding to the start has past, the constant current reading may be used by the CPU 128. The CPU 128 may be configured to differentiate the constant current from the initial transient current and the depleting charging current that follows the constant current when the battery 116 is at a constant voltage during the charging process. The constant current magnitude reading may be used by the CPU 128 to determine the charging distance and / or the charging distance scenario. The CPU 128 may consequently control the switches 604-1, 604-2, 604-3 to select a circuit configuration of the matching circuits 710 to adjust the output scheme as a function of the charging distance and / or the charging distance scenario.

[0065] Accordingly, a device may facilitate wireless device charging. The device may include a processing device and memory communicatively coupled with, and readable by, the processingdevice and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform one or a combination of the following operations. A presence of a second device may be detected as being adjacent to the device. The device may include a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication of a distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be detected. A charging configuration of the device may be adjusted based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may include detecting whether or not a case is installed on the device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a hall effect sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a proximity sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a sensing resistor. In various embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the device. In various embodiments, the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the device may include adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits.

[0066] In another aspect, a method may facilitate wireless device charging. The method may include one or a combination of the following. A presence of a second device may be detected, by a first device, as being adjacent to the first device. The first device may include a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be detected by the first device. A charging configuration of the first device may be adjusted, by the first device, based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used, by the first device, to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may include detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a hall effect sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first deviceand the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a proximity sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a sensing resistor. In various embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device. In various embodiments, the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the first device may include adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits.

[0067] In yet another aspect, a non-transitory, machine-readable medium may have machine- readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform one or a combination of the following operations. A presence of a second device may be detected as being adjacent to a first device. The first device may include the processing device and a first coil. The second device may include a second coil. An indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be detected. A charging configuration of the first device may be adjusted based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device. The adjusted charging configuration may be used to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may include detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a hall effect sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a proximity sensor. In various embodiments, the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device may be based at least in part on a sensing resistor. In various embodiments, the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device may include adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device.

[0068] It should be noted that the methods, systems, and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasizedthat technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.

[0069] Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known, processes, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. This description provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0070] Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A device to facilitate wireless device charging, the device comprising: a processing device; and memory communicatively coupled with, and readable by, the processing device and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising: detecting a presence of a second device as being adjacent to the device, wherein the device comprises a first coil, and the second device comprises a second coil; detecting an indication of a distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device; adjusting a charging configuration of the device based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device; and using the adjusted charging configuration to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device.

2. The device to facilitate wireless device charging as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device comprises detecting whether or not a case is installed on the device.

3. The device to facilitate wireless device charging as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a hall effect sensor.

4. The device to facilitate wireless device charging as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a proximity sensor.

5. The device to facilitate wireless device charging as recited in claim 1, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a sensing resistor.

6. The device to facilitate wireless device charging as recited in claim 1, wherein the adjusting the charging configuration of the device comprising adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the device.

7. The device to facilitate wireless device charging as recited in claim 6, wherein the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the device comprises adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits.

8. A method for wireless device charging, the method comprising: detecting, by a first device, a presence of a second device as being adjacent to the first device, wherein the first device comprises a first coil, and the second device comprises a second coil; detecting, by the first device, an indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device; adjusting, by the first device, a charging configuration of the first device based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device; and using, by the first device, the adjusted charging configuration to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device.

9. The method for wireless device charging as recited in claim 8, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device comprises detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device.

10. The method for wireless device charging as recited in claim 8, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a hall effect sensor.

11. The method for wireless device charging as recited in claim 8, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a proximity sensor.

12. The method for wireless device charging as recited in claim 8, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a sensing resistor.

13. The method for wireless device charging as recited in claim 8, wherein the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device comprising adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device.

14. The method for wireless device charging as recited in claim 13, wherein the adjusting the tuning of the one or more matching circuits of the first device comprises adjusting a capacitance of the one or more matching circuits.

15. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium having machine-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising: detecting a presence of a second device as being adjacent to a first device, wherein the first device comprises the processing device and a first coil, and the second device comprises a second coil; detecting an indication of a distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device; adjusting a charging configuration of the first device based at least in part on the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device; and using the adjusted charging configuration to facilitate charging of a battery of the second device.

16. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device comprises detecting whether or not a case is installed on the first device.

17. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a hall effect sensor.

18. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a proximity sensor.

19. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the detecting the indication of the distance between the first coil of the first device and the second coil of the second device is based at least in part on a sensing resistor.

20. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the adjusting the charging configuration of the first device comprising adjusting tuning of one or more matching circuits of the first device.

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