Contextually aware charging of mobile devices

Abstract

A system and method for contextually aware charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more charger coils, for use in inductive charging; and one or more components within the base unit for providing context-aware connectivity and/or other capabilities with a mobile device. When a mobile device having one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with, is placed in proximity to the base unit, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device, and at the same time the context-aware connectivity and/or other capabilities are initiated. In accordance with various embodiments, the base unit and/or the mobile device can adapt to a location or use model of interest to provide different functionalities, applications and features.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for charging a mobile device having an inductive receiver coil, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive charge via an inductive connection provided by the inductive receiver coil, wherein the system comprises:
 a charger having one or more inductive charging coils, the charger further including:   a sense circuit coupled to the one or more inductive charging coils to sense a proximity of the mobile device to the charger; and   a regulation, communication and control circuit to control transfer of power from the charger to the mobile device via the inductive connection, and to communicate one or more information describing status, preferences, or identification of the mobile device or a user of the mobile device;   wherein when both a wired connection and the inductive connection are available, the regulation, communication and control circuit determines which one, or both, of the wired connection and the inductive connection to use to charge the mobile device based on a prioritization algorithm; and   a host device, separate from and in communication with the charger, to operate within a communication environment to enable the host device to communicate with other devices or systems, wherein the host device is configured to:   receive the information describing the status, preferences, location or identification of the mobile device or the user; and   in response to initiation of, or during, charging of the mobile device by the charger, perform one or more programmed actions to configure the communication environment and one or more devices therein, including communicating with the charger or the mobile device, to select the programmed actions based on the status, preferences, or identification of the mobile device or the user;   wherein the mobile device, the charger and the host device are configured such that when proximity of the mobile device, including the inductive receiver coil associated therewith, is sensed by the sense circuit of the charger:   the charger and the mobile device exchange data to recognize or authenticate the mobile device with the charger;   the one or more inductive charging coils inductively generates a current in the inductive receiver coil associated with the mobile device to charge or power the mobile device according to its charging characteristics; and   the host device or mobile device is reconfigured to provide contextual functionality dependent on an environment in which the mobile device is located, the environment indicated by an identification received from the charger or the mobile device.