Inductively chargeable audio devices

Abstract

An inductively enabled audio speaker is disclosed configured to receive power inductively from an inductive power outlet. The audio speaker device has a voice coil which, as well as being able to produce an audible output, is further configured to function as a secondary inductor to inductively couple with a primary inductor. The inductively enabled audio speaker may be used to power an electrical device such as a Bluetooth earpiece, a telephone or the like.

1 . A power providing system for an electrical device, said system comprising an earphone unit selectively connectable to said electrical device via at least one connector, wherein said earphone unit comprises: a secondary inductor selectively inductively couplable to a primary inductor to provide power to the electrical device via said connector. 
     
     
         2 . The power providing system of  claim 1 , said earphone unit comprising at least one inductive element for inductively coupling said primary inductor to said secondary inductor. 
     
     
         3 . The power providing system of  claim 2 , said inductive element comprising said secondary inductor. 
     
     
         4 . The power providing system of  claim 1 , secondary inductor comprising a voice coil of at least one speaker of said earphone unit. 
     
     
         5 . The power providing system of  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a conducting wire and said secondary inductor comprises at least one loop of said conducting wire. 
     
     
         6 . The power providing system of  claim 1  wherein said secondary inductor comprises at least one loop of wire is incorporated into a support strap for supporting the electrical device. 
     
     
         7 . The power providing system of  claim 1  wherein said connector comprises at least two conducting wires and said secondary inductor comprises at least one loop formed by connecting said conducting wires. 
     
     
         8 . The power providing system of a  claim 1  wherein said inductive element comprises a ferromagnetic core extending through said secondary inductor and into said earphone unit for selectively coupling with said primary inductor. 
     
     
         9 . An electrical device comprising at least one earphone jack configured to connect to at least one earphone unit configured to receive power inductively from a primary inductor, wherein said earphone jack is connected to a signal input for receiving audio signals and to a charger output connected to a power cell via a rectifier. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical device of  claim 9  wherein said earphone jack is further connected to a switching unit configured to selectively connect the earphone unit to one of said signal input or said charger output. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical device of  claim 9  wherein said earphone unit comprises a voice coil operable to convert an electrical signal into an audible output, and further operable to inductively couple with a primary inductor to receive power, wherein said earphone jack is operable to selectively provide said electrical signal to said voice coil and to receive power from said voice coil. 
     
     
         12 . A method for charging an internal power cell of an electrical device comprising the steps of:
 providing a primary inductor connected to a power source via a driver;   providing an earphone unit comprising a secondary inductor;   connecting said earphone unit to the electrical device via an earphone jack of said electrical device;   inductively coupling said secondary inductor to said primary inductor, and   providing a variable voltage to the primary inductor.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said earphone jack is connected to a switching unit operable to selective connectable to an audio signal input or a charger output.