Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates generally to a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover.
BACKGROUND
[002] As intelligentization develops quicker, a lawn mower is autonomously operated instead of being manually operated. Therefore, not only can people mow grass at an obviously higher speed, but also a great convenience is brought. In addition, the application range of wireless charging technology becomes wider. In particular, the technology is applied to various intelligent devices, such as mobile phones. Complex interface connections are reduced by using wireless charging, so that the charging is easier, and the user experience is improved. However, this charging manner is obviously inapplicable to many device, that is, the autonomous lawn mower. Therefore, a system that can automatically make the receiving end and the transmitting end aligned and fastened is needed, to charge a large device like the autonomous lawn mower.
[003] The household product applications are, for example, gardening robots, cleaning robots, and snow removal robots, and the robots greatly save people's time and bring great convenience to both industrial production and home life. However, current self-moving devices such as intelligent lawn mowers generally adopt a wired charging manner, which requires the establishment of wired charging stations on the lawn. The wired charging station has a plurality of disadvantages.
[004] Therefore, there is a need of a system which overcomes the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems.
[006] Before the present subject matter relating to a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular system described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the implementations or versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[007] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present subject matter.
[008] In an embodiment, a system for charging mobile device using a mover, the system includes a robot, a receptacle, a wireless power supply device, a detection module and a switch. The robot is configured to perform location positioning based on UWB-RTLS (Ultra-Wide Band-Real Time Location System). The receptacle is configured to issue charge order instruction upon a plurality of mobile devices. The wireless power supply device is configured to supply power to the mobile device. The detection module is configured to determine whether the robot along with the mobile device has reached the charging location and whether the mobile device has been actively kept for charging. The switch is configured to selectively connect or disconnect the wireless power supply device.
[009] In another embodiment, a method for charging mobile device using a mover, the method includes the step of initiating the robot movement based on UWB-RTLS location information. The method includes the step of issuing charge order instructions from the receptacle to the mobile device using the UWB-RTLS location information. The method includes the step of determining, using the detection module, whether the robot and the mobile device have reached the charging location and whether the mobile device is actively kept for charging. The method includes the step of selectively connecting or disconnecting the wireless power supply device based on the determination of step (c).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific system or method disclosed in the document and the drawings.
[0011] The present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates an automatic wireless charging system using RTLS according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating exemplary operation in the case of charging a plurality of mobile devices in a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram of a charging principle of an autonomous moving device wireless charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] In the above accompanying drawings, a non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
[0016] Further, the figures depict various embodiments of the present subject matter for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the present subject matter described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover, similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover is now described.
[0018] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. For example, although the present disclosure will be described in the context of a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover can be utilized in any situation. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0019] In an embodiment, a system for charging mobile device using a mover, the system includes a robot, a receptacle, a wireless power supply device, a detection module, and a switch. The robot is configured to perform location positioning based on UWB-RTLS (Ultra-Wide Band-Real Time Location System). The receptacle is configured to issue charge order instruction upon a plurality of mobile devices. The wireless power supply device is configured to supply power to the mobile device. The detection module is configured to determine whether the robot along with the mobile device has reached the charging location and whether the mobile device has been actively kept for charging. The switch is configured to selectively connect or disconnect the wireless power supply device.
[0020] In another implementation, the UWB-RTLS is utilized for precise real-time location positioning of the robot within a charging environment.
[0021] In another implementation, the receptacle is equipped with communication capabilities to issue charge order instructions based on the UWB-RTLS location information.
[0022] In another implementation, a control unit is configured to communicate with the detection module and the wireless power supply device, wherein the control unit controls the switch based on information received from the detection module.
[0023] In another implementation, the wireless power supply device is configured to deliver power to the mobile device through wireless charging technologies.
[0024] In another implementation, the detection module comprises sensors for determining the presence and placement of the mobile device within the charging location.
[0025] In another implementation, the detection module further comprises a communication interface for exchanging information with the mobile device.
[0026] In another embodiment, a method for charging mobile device using a mover, the method includes the step of initiating the robot movement based on UWB-RTLS location information. The method includes the step of issuing charge order instructions from the receptacle to the mobile device using the UWB-RTLS location information. The method includes the step of determining, using the detection module, whether the robot and the mobile device have reached the charging location and whether the mobile device is actively kept for charging. The method includes the step of selectively connecting or disconnecting the wireless power supply device based on the determination of step (c).
[0027] In another implementation, the wireless power supply device is disconnected if the mobile device is not actively kept for charging or has not reached the charging location.
[0028] In another implementation, the wireless power supply device is connected if the robot and the mobile device are confirmed to be at the charging location and the mobile device is actively kept for charging.
[0029] Figure 1 illustrates an automatic wireless charging system using RTLS according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] In an embodiment, an automatic wireless charging system using RTLS includes an UWB-RTLS (Ultra-Wide Band-Real Time Location System) -based mobile unit 10, an RTLS wireless charger 20 and n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) (RTLS) Access Point (RAP) 30. The UWB-RTLS-based moving object 10 i.e., a robot is a concept that includes a wide range of movable objects such as a robot and a cleaner. The UWB-RTLS-based moving object 10 includes a UWB-RTLS And acquires relative position information. The RTLS wireless charger 20 is a wireless charging method for the UWB-RTLS-mounted mobile body 10, and can be used for MF / HF (0.3 to 30 ?) at a close distance (within 1 m) by magnetic resonant coupling ) Frequency using the resonant frequency of the transceiver. A robotic moving device, or referred to as an autonomous moving device, or an automatic self-propelling device, generally needs to move within an activity area. The activity area designates a range that the autonomous moving device may move, and correspondingly a wireless charging station that charges the autonomous moving device may be disposed in the activity area.
[0031] In an embodiment, the mobile device is also provided with a charging controller that monitors the charging voltage when the charger charges the rechargeable battery and applies control to the charger to start or stop charging, and an authenticator that authenticates the starting or stopping of charging with commands received from the charge pad. The mobile device is also provided with a receiver coil that receives AC power from a transmitter coil provided in the charge pad, a rectifier that rectifies AC power output by the receiver coil into DC power, and a switch that connects or disconnects the rectifier and the receiver coil.
[0032] The wireless charge pad is provided with a receptacle upon which a mobile device is placed, a controller that controls the respective units provided in the charge pad, and a position detecting coil that acts as a position detector which detects the position of a mobile device placed on the receptacle according to changes in capacitance. The charge pad is also provided with a transmitter coil that transmits AC power to the charge pad, and a coil mover that moves the transmitter coil to the position of a mobile device detected by the position detecting coil on a plane parallel to the receptacle. In the receptacle, the position detecting coil is provided separately from the transmitter coil and disposed with the receptacle overlaid. A detection current used to detect a mobile device flows through the position detecting coil. The position detecting coil identifies the position of a mobile device by detecting changes in the capacitance of the receiver coil in a mobile device placed on the receptacle and a capacitor disposed at the rectifier, and causes the transmitter coil to move to the position where the mobile device is placed.
[0033] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating exemplary operation in the case of charging a plurality of mobile devices in the present disclosure.
[0034] In an embodiment, a charge pad 6 in the case of charging a plurality of mobile devices 5A to 5C. Three mobile devices 5A to 5C are placed on the receptacle of a charge pad 6. Since the charge level of the rechargeable battery in the mobile device 5A is 100% (full charge), the switch disconnects the capacitors and the receiver coil, and the charge pad 6 does not recognize the mobile device 5A. The charge level of the rechargeable battery in the mobile device 5B is 85%, the switch connects the capacitor whose capacitance is C1 to the receiver coil. Also, since the charge level of the rechargeable battery in the mobile device 5C is 60%, the switch connects the capacitor whose capacitance is to the receiver coil. In this way, the charge pad 6 recognizes changes in the capacitances of the receiver coil and the capacitors and respectively provided in the mobile devices 5B and 5C. The controller of the charge pad 6 is able to find the mobile device 5C whose rechargeable battery is at the lowest charge level, move the transmitter coil 36 in order to charge the rechargeable battery in this mobile device 5C with priority, and start charging. Furthermore, when charging of the rechargeable battery in the mobile device 5C is completed, charging of the rechargeable battery in the mobile device 5B is started next. In so doing, it is possible to rapidly detect the mobile device whose rechargeable battery is at the lowest charge level and start charging, even when a plurality of mobile devices 5A to 5C are placed on the receptacle of a charge pad 6. For this reason, recharging can be efficiently started even in cases where the charge level of a rechargeable battery has decreased due to quiescent power drain, etc. by a mobile device whose rechargeable battery had been fully charged by wireless charging.
[0035] Figure 3 is a diagram of a charging principle of an autonomous moving device wireless charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] In an embodiment, the wireless charging transmitting apparatus 10 includes a wireless charging transmitting end, which is specifically a transmitting coil 12. The wireless charging receiving apparatus 20 includes a wireless charging receiving end, which is specifically a receiving coil 22. The control apparatus determines, according to electromagnetic intensity, a distance between the center of the receiving coil 22 and the center of the transmitting coil 12, and controls the autonomous moving device to move towards the transmitting coil 12. When the mobile device needs to be charged, and when the distance between the wireless charging transmitting apparatus and the wireless charging receiving apparatus is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, the control apparatus controls the robot to move slowly. In addition, the control apparatus may further control a posture of the mobile device to be correspondingly adjusted, so that an optimal cooperation status is achieved between the wireless charging receiving apparatus 20 and the wireless charging transmitting apparatus. When the distance between the wireless charging transmitting apparatus and the wireless charging receiving apparatus is not less than the first preset threshold, the autonomous moving device may accelerate towards the wireless charging transmitting apparatus or approach the wireless charging transmitting apparatus at a relatively high speed.
[0037] The electromagnetic energy transmission efficiency between the wireless charging receiving device and the wireless charging transmitting device is the highest.
[0038] Although the description provides implementations of a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover, it is to be understood that the above descriptions are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or systems. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for a system and method for charging mobile device using a mover.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A system for charging mobile device using a mover, comprising:
a robot configured to perform location positioning based on UWB-RTLS (Ultra-Wide Band-Real Time Location System);
a receptacle configured to issue charge order instruction upon a plurality of mobile devices;
a wireless power supply device configured to supply power to the mobile device;
a detection module configured to determine whether the robot along with the mobile device has reached the charging location and whether the mobile device has been actively kept for charging;
a switch configured to selectively connect or disconnect the wireless power supply device.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UWB-RTLS is utilized for precise real-time location positioning of the robot within a charging environment.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle is equipped with communication capabilities to issue charge order instructions based on the UWB-RTLS location information.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to communicate with the detection module and the wireless power supply device, wherein the control unit controls the switch based on information received from the detection module.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless power supply device is configured to deliver power to the mobile device through wireless charging technologies.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection module comprises sensors for determining the presence and placement of the mobile device within the charging location.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection module further comprises a communication interface for exchanging information with the mobile device.
8. A method for charging mobile device using a mover, comprising:
(a) initiating the robot movement based on UWB-RTLS location information;
(b) issuing charge order instructions from the receptacle to the mobile device using the UWB-RTLS location information;
(c) determining, using the detection module, whether the robot and the mobile device have reached the charging location and whether the mobile device is actively kept for charging;
(d) selectively connecting or disconnecting the wireless power supply device based on the determination of step (c).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wireless power supply device is disconnected if the mobile device is not actively kept for charging or has not reached the charging location.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wireless power supply device is connected if the robot and the mobile device are confirmed to be at the charging location and the mobile device is actively kept for charging.