This would basically be either an aftermarket pad that could come in different sizes, or formed to the exact desktop specs at the factory, but the premise is that it would be able to power any devices placed on it, wirelessly via induction either through induction compliant batteries or special adapters connected to the power ports of devices not built with the technology from the factory. It would be strong enough to power monitors, laptops, etc. This pad would also be able to utilize a new type of connectivity which would allow communications between the devices, I'm guessing much like Bluetooth connectivity, but contact oriented.
The area I don't know much about is the feasibility of doing induction with a number of different devices with varying voltages simultaneously from the same source. I'd imagine that the device communications would be something based on a modification of Bluetooth and other already existing protocols.
The only wired connections coming to this desk would be a single 120V line, and maybe a wired ethernet cable.-- Jkolmar, Feb 12 2012 Like this? http://www.technolo...com/Infotech/17791/ [Psalm_97, Feb 12 2012] Or more like this? http://shop.htcpedi...-battery-cover.htmlBaked. [Psalm_97, Feb 12 2012] Baked. Links provided.-- Psalm_97, Feb 12 2012 Right, but this would be for more than just power, it could provide a universal communication medium for devices, like a wireless monitor connection, etc.. It would basically connect the devices through something like a contact oriented Bluetooth, and power them as well...-- Jkolmar, Feb 12 2012 So it would send pulses through the power interface, like power line networking?-- Psalm_97, Feb 12 2012 Something like that, I'm guessing it would be some play on Bluetooth connectivity, but a variation that would support video well. The object is to have a universal standard that would let devices identify eachother and connect easily without drivers, but using the powered desktop as the communication medium. The point of the whole thing is to be able to place your devices anywhere on the desk that you want without worrying about ANY cables whatsoever. The only drawback, though is that the computer tower would have to be on the desk, but if it's just a small desktop model (Atom based system?) then it wouldn't be too bad. I think for places like computer labs, big countertops, scenarios like that it would be great to have.-- Jkolmar, Feb 12 2012 That would greatly reduce efficiency for power AND data transfer. Those powerline networks require two plug-ins for each piece of hardware, one for power and one for data. And if you have a power transfer point as a horizontal surface someone is bound to spill a drink on it, and maybe get himself electrocuted. Also it's a lot harder to remember to go back to the computer and pick up your gadgets before you head out.
Here's what I would do. Make a wall-mounted, magnetized pad hanging by the back door. When you come in, make it a habit to stick your phone, media player and whatever else on the pad. As you go out, it's right by the door, all charged up and ready to roll.
For data transfer, no need to get esoteric. The pad also functions as a wifi repeater. When you slap your electronics on it, both the pad and the phone register the connection and start communicating. The pad communicates with your computer the same way, through the local wireless network.
What sayest thou?-- Psalm_97, Feb 12 2012 //Baked.// Hold your horses, [Psalm_97]. This idea has nothing to do with charging batteries (although it would work for that too). It's about wirelessly connecting and powering components.
Yes, it would be less efficient than wired power connections, but still far more efficient than batteries.
The main danger I can think of it that certain metal items would become hot if placed on the desk. That wouldn't be a big problem if the system were low-power; enough to power mouses and keyboards, say. Otherwise, you'd want power-on-request.
Sensitive electronics would need to be very well shielded, of course.-- spidermother, Feb 12 2012 Again, the power mat has nothing to do with this idea - it appears to be a battery charging device (although I refuse to follow a purely Flash-based link). Note also that it is a Duracell product! It can hardly be expected to eliminate batteries.
(You've hit two of my pet peeves - proprietary format web content, and over use of batteries.)-- spidermother, Feb 13 2012 Much better. But it is described as a "contactless charger", a concept that has been in the pipeline for ages, and is related to, but not the same as, a desk that powers the devices on it.-- spidermother, Feb 13 2012 You're missing the whole point. Pad chargers are baked, but this would also act as a data port or hub to access the devices it was charging.
Of course while the rest of the world is making standard class-compliant charger/hubs and devices, Apple will be making its own proprietary versions that are not compatible with anything else, device or charger, for no apparent reason.-- Psalm_97, Feb 13 2012 Actually, the reason is very apparent if you open your wallet and look at the little sheets of linen with complicated patterns printed on them. You see, most people think that Apple's specialty is making innovative electronic devices. It's not. Anyone can do that. Apple's specialty is making you buy innovative electronic devices and all of the associated paraphanalia from Apple instead of mix'n'matching products from other companies.-- Alterother, Feb 13 2012 //Apple's specialty is making you buy...//
Fails here. :D I don't have that much money and I always look around and find something more suited to my particular needs, while iStuff is targeted at the lowest common denominator.-- Psalm_97, Feb 13 2012 Whoops, didn't mean to turn this thread into an anti-iJunk rant.
The topic is a charging pad that communicates with the stuff it's charging. Go!-- Psalm_97, Feb 13 2012 Precisely. That's why I suggested the pad just be a repeater. Besides, I don't think the data transfer through the power charging interface would work unless the device had two contacts, one for charging, the other for data transfer.
Of course you could just have a plug-cradle like so many devices already have, with different pins carrying power and data, but have all devices standardized to the same plug... but that gets into a "let's all do this" scenario, not a real halfbakery idea.-- Psalm_97, Feb 13 2012 It wouldn't be able to use the same bluetooth pipeline to connect with all of the devices... A multichannel? Basically multiple bluetooth controllers in a single box. It would show up on your computer as a hub of sorts.-- Psalm_97, Feb 13 2012 //The topic is a charging pad that communicates with the stuff it's charging.// No it's not! Again with the batteries. Always with the batteries. For the third time, this idea is not about charging pads. It's a desk top that powers and connects the devices or components placed on it.
The author mentions batteries, and yes, devices such as mobile phones could use this for charging, but I think that's quite tangential to this idea. Why the #$%* would you run something on batteries when it's sitting right on its power source?
The high data rate between a computer and a monitor would be a challenge. A server-client setup would be one solution.-- spidermother, Feb 14 2012 That's a slightly circular argument, isn't it? It's like electrifying a railway, and installing electrically powered diesel synthesizers in the locomotives, because they already have diesel engines.
Of course you'd use this to recharge devices that benefit from the extended mobility of batteries; but to me, that's a windfall, rather than the core of the idea.-- spidermother, Feb 14 2012 Actually the original author mentions a desktop that is powering the monitor via a contact surface. This would negate the need for a separate power cable, as well as (if you can get the signal through) a video cable between desktop and monitor.
I think it was my fault for taking it in a whole other direction. But I would like to see a power charging surface that charged a lot of different devices just by laying them on it, and operated as a hub to access them for data transfer as well.-- Psalm_97, Feb 14 2012 It's cool to see the discussion on this, I haven't checked back in a little while. This was such a random thought, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized some other uses: Incorporate something like this thoughout the house, maybe in things like flooring, wall surfacing, anything where you could benefit from having a power/device communications link available, no matter where you are in the house. I think this is a question as much about the physical technology as it is about what type of protocol to use for the device communication and powering, because I think this may might have to be something completely new? If this technology ever got to the point to where it could be incorporated into many other products inexpensively, as well as building materials, you could build a truly smart house... Everything wireless, everything communicating and controllable. No outlets anywhere. Attach a light LED TV to a wall via suction mount (maybe?) and it would be able to get it's signal and power from no matter where you put it, you could rearrange your house any way you want since data, signal and power outlets wouldn't be a determining factor. Possibility?-- Jkolmar, Feb 19 2012 Afterthought: carpeted rooms wouldn't work for floor devices.-- Jkolmar, Feb 19 2012 The whole-house or whole-room wireless power was baked in Nikola Tesla's lab. There were huge coils on opposing walls, and then all the lamps in between were lit wirelessly.
Also, //spill a drink on it, and maybe get himself electrocuted// is not going to happen - wireless power, by definition, is isolated from the mains. There would be no greater risk than spilling a drink on a laptop.-- mitxela, Feb 19 2012 random, halfbakery