Charging case for electronic devices

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for aiding in charging an electronic device using a charging case. The charging case includes a conductive contact and may connect to a conductive contact of the electronic device while still allowing user access to the main connector port of the electronic device. The charging case includes a power module that may receive power from an external power source. The power module may include an inductive coupling coil, photovoltaic cells, or a power cable port. Circuitry within the charging case may control and transmit power from the power module to the electronic device through the conductive contacts. The charging case may include a battery. The charging case may also include a data module for receiving data from an external data source, and the case circuitry may process and transmit data from the data module to the electronic device through the conductive contacts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronics case, comprising:
 a conductive contact configured to connect to a conductive contact of an electronic device;   a power module configured to receive power from an external power source; and   charging case circuitry configured to transfer power from the power module to an electronic device through the conductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of the electronic device available for use during charging of the device via the case.   
     
     
         2 . The electronics case of  claim 1  further comprising a device port access configured to allow access to the main connector port of the electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . The electronics case of  claim 1  further comprising a data module configured to receive data from an external data source and transfer data to an electronic device through the conductive contact. 
     
     
         4 . The electronics case of  claim 3  wherein the data module comprises an inductive coil, and is configured to send and receive data through inductive coupling. 
     
     
         5 . The electronics case of  claim 3  wherein the data module comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port. 
     
     
         6 . The electronics case of  claim 1  wherein the power module comprises at least one of: photovoltaic cells, an inductive coil configured to electromagnetically couple to a primary inductive charging coil, a set of conductive contacts, and/or a charging cable port. 
     
     
         7 . The electronics case of  claim 1  further comprising a battery configured to receive a charge from the power module and connect into the battery slot of the electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The electronics case of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, or GPS device. 
     
     
         9 . An electronics case, comprising:
 a conductive contact configured to connect to a conductive contact of an electronic device;   a power and data module configured to receive power and data from an external power source using common circuitry; and   charging case circuitry configured to transfer power and data from the power and data module to an electronic device through the conductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of the electronic device available for use during charging of the device via the case.   
     
     
         10 . The electronics case of  claim 9  wherein the power and data module comprises an inductive coil configured to wirelessly power the electronic device through inductive coupling, and further configured to send and receive data through inductive coupling. 
     
     
         11 . The electronics case of  claim 9  wherein the power and data module comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port. 
     
     
         12 . The electronics case of  claim 9  wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, or GPS device. 
     
     
         13 . The electronics case of  claim 9  further comprising a battery configured to receive a charge from the power module and connect into the battery slot of the electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . A system for charging an electronic device, comprising:
 a charging pad comprising a primary inductive coupling circuit; and   a charging case configured to connect with the electronic device through a conductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of the electronic device available for use during charging of the device via the case, the case comprising:
 a secondary inductive coupling circuit configured to receive power from the primary inductive coupling circuit; and 
 charging case circuitry configured to control power transfer from the secondary inductive coupling circuit to the electronic device through the conductive contact. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a processor within the charging pad configured to transfer data by regulating the current flow through the primary inductive coupling circuit, and wherein the secondary inductive coupling circuit is further configured to receive data from the primary inductive coupling circuit. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the charging case circuitry is further configured to perform power conditioning and/or preliminary data processing prior to transferring power and/or data to the electronic device through the conductive contact. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a battery within the charging case configured to receive power from the secondary inductive coupling circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the primary inductive coupling circuit comprises a plurality of inductive coupling coils, and wherein a coil closest to the axis of the secondary inductive coupling circuit is used to transfer power and/or data to the secondary inductive coupling circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the charging case further comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the charging case circuitry is further configured to transfer data to the primary inductive coupling circuit of the charging pad by regulating a current through the secondary inductive coupling circuit.