Battery Pack Integrated Wireless Interface for Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating wireless interfaces such as RFID into cellular devices is costly and can occupy valuable slots, reducing the device's functionality and increasing power consumption, especially when built directly into the phone.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating the chip radio and antenna into the battery pack, allowing wireless connectivity through the battery pack's power contacts, which reduces hardware and software overhead and enables cost-effective implementation without requiring additional slots in the phone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless interfaces such as RFID are built directly into the phone, then wireless connectivity is achieved, but hardware costs increase and valuable device slots are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless interface functionality into a separate battery pack module that can be independently installed. The RFID chip and antenna are integrated into the battery pack rather than being built into the phone itself, allowing users to add wireless capability only when needed through a removable battery pack, thus avoiding permanent occupation of device slots and reducing base hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides power to the device while also containing the wireless interface hardware. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill both power supply and wireless communication roles, eliminating the need for separate wireless interface slots in the phone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless hardware is built into the phone, then connectivity is enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless interface is made dynamically configurable through the removable battery pack. Users can install the enhanced battery pack only when wireless connectivity is needed, and use a standard battery pack when wireless functionality is not required. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics to actual usage patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized package formats are used, then compatibility is improved, but overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wireless interface hardware (RFID chip and antenna) directly into the battery pack structure, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate wireless interface slots and reduces software overhead by directly integrating the communication pathway between the battery pack and device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes hardware costs, enhances RF communication range and reliability, and allows users to opt-in to wireless features incrementally, with the option to use conventional or enhanced battery packs, improving antenna positioning and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna mounted on the battery pack and coupled to the processor and adapted to transmit and receive data
Implementation Method 2
A high frequency signal superimposed on a direct current carried through the standard battery contacts operates to send data between the processor and the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided that includes a processor mounted on a battery pack and a communication pathway from the processor to an electronic device comprising power battery contacts. The apparatus also includes an antenna mounted on the battery pack and coupled to the processor and adapted to transmit and receive data. A method is provided that includes installing an integrated chip including a processor and an antenna on a battery pack. The method also includes coupling the integrated chip and an electronic device when the battery pack is installed in the electronic device using power battery contacts. A high frequency signal superimposed on a direct current carried through the power battery contacts operates to send data between the processor and the electronic device.