Using an audio cable as an inductive charging coil

摘要

The disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for inductively charging an electronic device. This technique involves winding an audio cable for the electronic device around a charging mechanism multiple times so that one or more conductors in the audio cable form an inductive receiving coil. Next, a magnetic field is created through the charging mechanism to induce a current in the inductive receiving coil. Finally, the induced current in the inductive receiving coil is used to charge a rechargeable battery for the electronic device.

主权项

1. An electronic media player device that supports inductive charging, comprising:
a housing including a first conductive portion configured to function as a first contact on a surface of the electronic device and a receptacle connector separate from the conductive portion; wherein the first contact is configured to electrically couple to a second contact-from an audio cable for the electronic device after the audio cable has been wound multiple times around a charging mechanism, so that one or more conductors in the audio cable form an inductive receiving coil, wherein the audio cable includes a plug connector, wherein electrically coupling the first and second contacts and the plug and receptacle connectors completes a high-speed inductive charging circuit between the inductive receiving coil and the electronic device; a processor and memory configured to play media files; a battery within the electronic device; and a charging circuit within the electronic device, wherein the charging circuit is configured to use a current induced by a magnetic field and received from the inductive receiving coil to charge the battery; wherein the second contact is a second conductive portion located on a first earphone attached to the audio cable.