Wireless Charging Touchpad Integration for Mobile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless power transfer systems face challenges when embedding a wireless power transmitter beneath a laptop computer's touchpad, as it impedes the operation of the touchpad and keyboard, making it difficult to comfortably use the laptop while charging a mobile device.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a wireless power transmitter beneath the touchpad of a laptop computer allows a mobile device positioned over it to act as a touchpad, enabling wireless communication for controlling the laptop, thus allowing simultaneous operation and charging without interfering with the laptop's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless power transmitter is embedded beneath the touchpad, then wireless charging capability is provided, but the touchpad operation is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the user and the laptop. When placed on the laptop surface, it provides a virtual touchpad interface through its touchscreen display, allowing cursor control and input operations while the physical touchpad remains occupied by the charging mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device creates a virtual copy of the touchpad functionality through software interface elements (cursor, click buttons, scroll wheels) displayed on its touchscreen. This virtual interface replicates the essential functions of the physical touchpad, enabling continued laptop operation during wireless charging.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the mobile device is positioned on the touchpad for charging, then wireless power transfer is enabled, but the keyboard and touchpad usage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both a wireless power receiver for charging the laptop and as a virtual input device (touchpad/keyboard alternative) for controlling the laptop. This multi-functionality resolves the conflict between power transfer and operation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the input interface from the two-dimensional physical touchpad surface to the mobile device's touchscreen display, which can be positioned in three-dimensional space above the laptop. This dimensional change allows the input interface to be separated from the power transfer location.
3Productivity
If the wireless power transmitter is placed beneath the touchpad, then charging function is achieved, but the laptop usability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves itself as the control interface for the laptop. By using its own touchscreen display to provide virtual touchpad functionality, it eliminates the need for the physical touchpad, allowing the laptop to remain usable while charging without requiring additional external devices or modifications.
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 solution enables efficient wireless charging and continuous operation of the laptop's touchpad and keyboard functions, allowing the mobile device to control the laptop through a graphical user interface, thereby overcoming the placement challenges and maintaining device usability.
Implementation Method 1
detect a magnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device can be used to control a computing device different from the mobile device. The mobile device includes a processor configured to receive user input through a graphical user interface (GUI) of the mobile device. The processor can be configured to generate the GUI after detecting a magnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter. The GUI includes a simulated button and/or an interface configured to receive tactile input indicative of spatial information. The processor is configured to provide information indicative of user input to the computing device to control the computing device.