HyperInfo Canada Inc. <http://WWW.HyperInfo.CA/GS.Sunatori/>
65, des Parulines <mailto:GS.Sunatori@HyperInfo.CA>
Gatineau, QC J9A 1Z4 <skype:GS.Sunatori>
Canada <tel:+1-819-595-9210>
Submission Terms
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Technical Approach
Title of Proposal:
Novel Design Concepts or Technologies for Home Appliances: Induction Cooktop for Wireless Charging of Mobile Devices
Proposed Technical Approach:
The proposal is to develop "Induction Cooktop for Wireless Charging of Mobile Devices".
Electrolux manufactures high-quality induction cooktops. Electrolux also produces high-quality mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, tablet computers, etc.), some of which already have wireless charging features.
We propose that Electrolux's induction cooktops incorporate an innovative feature of inductive charging for mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, tablet computers, etc.) so that induction-ready mobile devices can be charged by Electrolux's induction cooktops using the Qi wireless charging standard.
Here is a partial list of Qi-enabled smartphones, which is not limited to Electrolux's products.
HTC Droid DNA
HTC Windows Phone
LG Nexus
LG Spectrum
Nokia Lumia
...
Here are some of the wireless chargers on the market that are compatible with all Qi-enabled smartphones.
Duracell myGrid
Energizer Inductive Charger
Powermat 3X
WildCharge Pad
...
However, there is no induction cooktop on the market whatsoever that can act as a wireless charger. Although the induction coil of the cooktop can be re-used, there is a need to make a few modifications to the induction cooktop circuitry to comply with the Qi wireless charging standard, which Electrolux could easily make. Please note that Electrolux is already a member of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Qi.
The vision of the proposed product concept is that the user will simply place his/her mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, tablet computers, etc.) on the induction cooktop for charging battery, instead of placing them on a separate wireless charger. The creative product design concept for the consumer market appliances has function/design that would dramatically increase product marketability of current home appliances (induction cooktops).
Furthermore, Electrolux's induction cooktops could incorporate an innovative feature of communication via standard protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, ZigBee) because induction cooktops, unlike gas or electric, have precise temperature control and can be used as a slow cooker that could be programmed remotely on the Internet or from a mobile device.
Prior art search reveals that the design concept does not infringe on any patents, so there is freedom to practice. Therefore, the client has patent filing opportunities (utility patent, design patent, industrial design), which the respondent is willing to draft. The design concept is technically sound, and is easily demonstrable. The design concept can be realistically developed or adapted into a product within 1-2 years. Rights to the respondent's idea may be transferred to the client in exchange for prize awards.
Proposed Plan and Deliverables:
Phase 1 - Intellectual Property (IP) development
Simon Sunatori will produce draft patent application "Induction Cooktop for Wireless Charging of Mobile Devices", to be delivered to the client's legal team.
Phase 2 - Commercial development
Simon Sunatori will act as a consultant to the client for technical advice, usability analysis, beta testing, etc.
Deliverables
a draft patent application "Induction Cooktop for Wireless Charging of Mobile Devices"
Proposed Budget
Phase 1 (a total of $100 000 USD)
$100 000 USD for labour
Phase 2
TBD
Visuals/Diagrams/Models/Photos
Proposal Team Experience
Simon Sunatori, P.Eng./ing., M.Eng., is a Canadian engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He obtained a Master of Engineering (Engineering Physics) degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1983, and is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Member of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), a Life Member of the World Future Society (WFS), a Lifetime Fellow of the North American Academy of Arts and Sciences (NAAAS), among others.
HyperInfo Canada has conducted Research and Development projects, especially in the field of Electromagnetic Technology. The company owns more than 60 patents in many fields, i.e., electronics, magnetics, optics, dynamics, software, hardware, energy, safety, environment, medical, consumer products, sporting goods, fashion, food, etc. The company has commercialised the "HyperFeeder" (a squirrel-proof bird feeder with concentric perching rings and a transparent globe), the "MagneScribe" (an auto-retractable ballpoint pen with an ergonomic cushion) and the "Magic Spicer" (a self-sealing auto-aligning magnetically-hanging spice dispenser with a continuously-variable hole-size selector).
Here is a partial list of Simon Sunatori's Canadian patent applications.
Method for Producing a Coreless Frozen Pizza (2 650 085)
Drip-free Interconnect with Unisex Magnetic Connector (2 626 157)
Backpressure Regulator using Magnetic Repulsion (2 624 740)
