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Archives · 2020 · 20200242982

Application (pre-grant publication)

Electrical Charger For A Spinning Device

Number
20200242982
Published
2020-07-30
Filed
2020-04-06
Assignee
DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC.
Inventors
Nocon; Nathan
CPC
G09F13/02; G09F13/04; G09F13/20; G09F19/02; G09F27/00; G09F27/005; H02J50/10; H02J50/12; H02J7/751
Verdict
Medium Hardware
Source
Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Untethered wireless charger for a spinning prop/toy (pre-grant).

Abstract

There is provided a system that includes a base providing a wireless power source, a rotor situated over the base and configured to spin, and a device coupled to the rotor and configured to spin with the rotor, the device having a display and a wireless power receiver, where the wireless power source and the wireless power receiver are configured to power the device to show an image on the display while the rotor is spinning.

Background

BACKGROUND

Advances in computer technology and software have made possible the creation of richly featured virtual characters capable of simulating interactivity with a human viewer of the virtual character. The illusion of interactivity can be further enhanced when the virtual character is displayed as a three-dimensional (3D) image, apparently independent of the display system generating it. For example, a display screen upon which a two-dimensional (2D) graphic is rendered may be spun to generate a floating image that appears to be three-dimensional 3D.

One obstacle to use of a system including a spinning device such as a display is implementing a solution for recharging a battery powering the spinning device. Conventional solutions for providing electrical coupling for objects that are spinning utilize slip rings or conductive springs or pins. However, those conventional solutions may be subject to excessive wear, as well as add noise to the system, which can be significantly disadvantageous when the system is a display system providing an interactive 3D floating image.SUMMARY

There are provided electrical chargers for a spinning device and methods for their use, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

21. A system comprising: a base providing a power source; a rotor configured to spin; a device including a battery, the device coupled to the rotor and configured to spin with the rotor; and a power receiver electrically connected to the battery; the power receiver being situated over the power source so as to receive power from the power source, and to charge the battery using the power when the rotor is not spinning or is spinning below a predetermined spin rate, and wherein the power receiver stops receiving the power from the power source after the rotor begins to spin or spins above the predetermined spin rate.