Extendable wireless power delivery for small devices

Abstract

In various embodiments, an electronic device such as a portable computer has a structure that extends from the device to wirelessly transfer electrical power between itself and an external device. The structure may be placed in a non-extended position when not being used for such power transfer. In some embodiments power transfer may take place in either direction, and may be used for various purposes, such as to provide operational power and/or to charge a battery. The external device may be placed on or near the extended structure for power transfer to take place.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first device containing a processor, a display, a keyboard, and a wireless power transfer system contained at least partly in a structure, the structure having an extended position to be used when wirelessly transferring power between the first device and an external device and a retracted position to be used when not transferring power between the first device and the external device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a form factor of an optical disk drive. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure, when extended, forms a shelf on which to set the external device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first device is selected from a list of computers consisting of:
 a) a desktop computer;   b) a laptop computer;   c) a notebook computer;   d) a netbook computer; and   e) a tablet computer.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the structure has a hinged attachment to a body of the first device and is to be extended from the first device by rotating the structure about the hinged attachment. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is to extend from the first device in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is to use inductive coupling to transfer power between the first device and the external device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is to be used to charge a battery. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is to be used to transfer power from the first device to the external device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is to be used to transfer power from the external device to the first device. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 determining an extendable portion of a wireless power delivery system is in position for wirelessly transferring power to or from an external device; and   activating circuitry for said wirelessly transferring power.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said activating is in response to an action by a user. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said activating is in response to detecting a presence of the external device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said determining comprises executing a command to extend the extendable portion. 
     
     
         15 . An article comprising
 a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium that contains instructions, which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations comprising:
 determining an extendable portion of a wireless power delivery system is in position for wirelessly transferring power; and 
 activating circuitry for said wirelessly transferring power. 
   
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein said activating is in response to an action by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein said activating is in response to detecting a presence of the external device. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein said determining comprises executing a command to extend the extendable portion.