Inductive coupling system for power and data transfer

Claim 2

Apparatus for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device, comprising: a first circuit connected to a data source for receiving data signals and connected to a power source for receiving power to amplify said received data signals; a second circuit connected to said portable electronic device, said first circuit inducing in said second circuit said received data signals when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a circuit connected to said second circuit for demodulating said induced signals, thereby providing data to said device; a circuit connected to said second circuit for rectifying said induced signals, thereby providing power to said device and; a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier circuit for charging batteries used to power said device.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first circuit comprises: a first inductive winding; and a power amplifier connected to said power source for amplifying said received data signals.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second circuit comprises a second inductive winding.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a modulator connected to said first circuit for modulating said received data signals.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said modulator delivers modulated signals by one of either frequency, amplitude or phase, according to the value of said received data signals.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sink of electrical power connected to said rectifier circuit for supplying operating power to said device.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said device comprises a personal digital assistant.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data source comprises a personal computer.

Claim 10

Apparatus for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device, comprising: a first circuit connected to a data source for transferring data signals and connected to a power source for receiving power to amplify said transferred data signals; a second circuit connected to said device, said first circuit inducing in said second circuit said data signals transferred from said data source when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a demodulator connected to said second circuit for demodulating said signals induced in said second circuit, thereby providing data to said device; a rectifier connected to said second circuit for rectifying said signals induced in said second circuit, thereby providing power to said device; a modulator connected to said second circuit for modulating data signals transferred from said device, said modulated data signals being induced in said first circuit when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a demodulator connected to said first circuit for demodulating said data signals induced in said first circuit for transfer to said data source; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier for charging batteries used to power said device.

Claim 11

Apparatus for inductively coupling power and data to a portable electronic device, comprising: a first circuit connected to a data source for transferring data signals and connected to a power source for receiving power to amplify said transferred data signals; a second circuit connected to said device, said first circuit inducing in said second circuit said data signals transferred from said data source when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a demodulator connected to said second circuit for demodulating said signals induced in said second circuit, thereby providing data to said device; a rectifier connected to said second circuit for rectifying said signals induced in said second circuit, thereby providing power to said device; a modulator connected to said second circuit for modulating data signals transferred from said device, said modulated data signals being induced in said first circuit when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a demodulator connected to said first circuit for demodulating said data signals induced in said first circuit for transfer to said data source; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier for charging batteries used to power said device.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first circuit comprises: a first inductive winding; and a power amplifier connected to said power source for amplifying said data signals transferred from said data source.

Claim 13

Apparatus for inductively coupling power to a portable data processing device, comprising: a first circuit connected to a power source for receiving power signals; a second circuit connected to said device for inducing in said second circuit said received power signals when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a rectifier connected to said second circuit for rectifying said power signals induced in said second circuit; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier and connected to said device batteries for charging said batteries from said rectified power signals.

Claim 14

Apparatus for inductively coupling power to a portable data processing device, comprising: a first circuit connected to a power source for receiving power signals; a second circuit connected to said device for inducing in said second circuit said received power signals when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; a rectifier connected to said second circuit for rectifying said power signals induced in said second circuit; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier and connected to said device batteries for charging said batteries from said rectified power signals.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first and second circuits respectively comprise first and second inductive windings.

Claim 16

Apparatus for inductively coupling data to a portable data processing device, comprising: a first circuit for transferring data signals, said first circuit connected to a data source; a second circuit for transferring data signals, said second circuit connected to said device; said first circuit inducing in said second circuit data signals being transferred from said source when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; said second circuit inducing in said first circuit data signals being transferred from said device when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; modem circuitry connected to said first circuit for modulating data signals received by said first circuit from said source and for demodulating data signals induced in said first circuit for transfer to said source; modem circuitry connected to said second circuit for modulating data signals received by said second circuit from said device and for demodulating data signals induced in said second circuit for transfer to said device; rectifier circuitry connected to said second circuit for rectifying said power signals induced in said second circuit; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier circuitry for charging batteries used to power said device.

Claim 17

Apparatus for inductively coupling data to a portable data processing device, comprising: a first circuit for transferring data signals, said first circuit connected to a data source; a second circuit for transferring data signals, said second circuit connected to said device; said first circuit inducing in said second circuit data signals being transferred from said source when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; said second circuit inducing in said first circuit data signals being transferred from said device when said second circuit is placed in proximity to said first circuit; modem circuitry connected to said first circuit for modulating data signals received by said first circuit from said source and for demodulating data signals induced in said first circuit for transfer to said source; modem circuitry connected to said second circuit for modulating data signals received by said second circuit from said device and for demodulating data signals induced in said second circuit for transfer to said device; rectifier circuitry connected to said second circuit for rectifying said power signals induced in said second circuit; and a battery charging circuit connected to said rectifier circuitry for charging batteries used to power said device.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a support for containing said first circuit.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said support defines a recess for receiving and holding said portable device in said first position.

Claim 20

Apparatus for inductively coupling data and power to a battery-powered, portable electronic device having a microprocessor, the apparatus comprising: a first inductive winding disposed in a support unit; a power amplifier connected to said first inductive winding and to a power source for amplifying signals input to said amplifier; a modulator connected between a second electronic device and said power amplifier for modulating signals output by said second electronic device and inputting said modulated signals to said power amplifier; a second inductive winding disposed in said portable device, said second inductive winding inductively coupled to said first inductive winding, such that signals in said first inductive winding induce signals in said second winding, when said portable device is in a proximal position relative to said support unit; a rectifier circuit connected to said second inductive winding for rectifying signals induced in said second inductive winding, thereby providing power for said device; a battery charging circuit connected between the output of said rectifier circuit and a battery; and a modem connected between said second inductive winding and a microprocessor for demodulating signals induced in said secondary winding, thereby providing demodulated signals comprising data for said microprocessor.

Claim 21

Apparatus for inductively coupling data and power to a battery-powered, portable electronic device having a microprocessor, the apparatus comprising: a first inductive winding disposed in a support unit; a power amplifier connected to said first inductive winding and to a power source for amplifying signals input to said amplifier; a modulator connected between a second electronic device and said power amplifier for modulating signals output by said second electronic device and inputting said modulated signals to said power amplifier; a second inductive winding disposed in said portable device, said second inductive winding inductively coupled to said first inductive winding, such that signals in said first inductive winding induce signals in said second winding, when said portable device is in a proximal position relative to said support unit; a rectifier circuit connected to said second inductive winding for rectifying signals induced in said second inductive winding, thereby providing power for said device; a battery charging circuit connected between the output of said rectifier circuit and a battery; and a modem connected between said second inductive winding and a microprocessor for demodulating signals induced in said secondary winding, thereby providing demodulated signals comprising data for said microprocessor.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein data signals output by said microprocessor are modulated by said modem, said modulated microprocessor data signals being input to said secondary inductive winding and inducing data signals in said primary winding, said apparatus further comprising a demodulator connected between said first inductive winding and said second electronic device for demodulating said signals induced in said primary winding for transfer to said second electronic device.