Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Electronic devices, in particular portable electronic devices used for wireless communication, are typically powered by rechargeable batteries, capacitors or photoelectric cells. Photoelectric cells may not provide adequate power under low light conditions. Rechargeable batteries and capacitors and devices with built-in batteries, all of which will subsequently be referred to as batteries, have to recharged periodically, which is typically done by placing the battery in a charger to establish a path for the electric charging current between the battery and the charger.
[003] Wirelessly powering a remote electronic device requires a means for identifying the location of electronic devices within a transmission field of a power-transmitting device. Conventional systems typically attempt to proximately locate an electronic device, so there are no capabilities for identifying and mapping the spectrum of available devices to charge, for example, in a large coffee shop, household, office building, or other three-dimensional space in which electrical devices could potentially move around. Moreover, what is needed is a system for managing power wave production, both for directionality purposes and power output modulation. Because many conventional systems do not contemplate a wide range of movement of the electronic devices they service, what is also needed is a means for dynamically and accurately tracking electronic devices that may be serviced by the power-transmitting devices.
[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 an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof, 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 an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof. 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, an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end is disclosed. The system includes a power oscillator, an array of one or more antennas, at least one or more coils, a rectifier and a controller. The power oscillator is configured to generate an oscillating signal. The array of one or more antennas positioned to receive the oscillating signal. The at least one or more coils driven by the power oscillator. The rectifier connected to the antenna is configured to rectify the received oscillating signal. The controller for identifying the receiver end of the user device based on the rectified signal.
[009] In another embodiment, a method for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end is disclosed. The method includes the step of generating an oscillating signal using a power oscillator. The method includes the step of receiving the oscillating signal with an array of one or more antennas. The method includes the step of driving at least one or more coils with the power oscillator. The method includes the step of rectifying the received oscillating signal using a rectifier connected to the antenna. The method includes the step of identifying the receiver end of the user device based on the rectified signal.
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 shows components of an exemplary wireless charging system, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a notebook in which a coil is attached to the bottom in accordance with one embodiment.
[0014] Figure 3 shows schematically a charging system using an RF radiation field.
[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 an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof, similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof 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 an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof 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, an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end is disclosed. The system includes a power oscillator, an array of one or more antennas, at least one or more coils, a rectifier and a controller. The power oscillator is configured to generate an oscillating signal. The array of one or more antennas positioned to receive the oscillating signal. The at least one or more coils driven by the power oscillator. The rectifier connected to the antenna is configured to rectify the received oscillating signal. The controller for identifying the receiver end of the user device based on the rectified signal.
[0020] In another implementation, the power oscillator operates within a predetermined frequency range suitable for wireless power transfer.
[0021] In another implementation, a tuning circuit connected to the power oscillator to adjust the frequency of the oscillating signal.
[0022] In another implementation, the array of one or more antennas is arranged to optimize reception of the oscillating signal from the power oscillator.
[0023] In another implementation, at least one or more coils are positioned in proximity to the user device to enhance the efficiency of power transfer.
[0024] In another implementation, the at least one or more coils are positioned in proximity to the user device to enhance the efficiency of power transfer.
[0025] In another implementation, the identification signals include information related to the receiver end of the user device.
[0026] In another implementation, the controller is configured to dynamically adjust the power transfer parameters based on the identified receiver end of the user device.
[0027] In another embodiment, a method for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end is disclosed. The method includes the step of generating an oscillating signal using a power oscillator. The method includes the step of receiving the oscillating signal with an array of one or more antennas. The method includes the step of driving at least one or more coils with the power oscillator. The method includes the step of rectifying the received oscillating signal using a rectifier connected to the antenna. The method includes the step of identifying the receiver end of the user device based on the rectified signal.
[0028] In another implementation, the method includes the step of adjusting the frequency of the oscillating signal using a tuning circuit connected to the power oscillator.
[0029] Figure 1 shows components of an exemplary wireless charging system, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0030] In an embodiment, system 100 includes transmitters 101, an external mapping memory 117, a receiver 103, and an electronic device 121 to be charged. Transmitters 101 may send various types of waves 131, 133, 135, such as communication signals 131, sensor waves 133, and power waves 135, into a transmission field, which may be the two or three-dimensional space into which transmitters 101 may transmit power waves 135. The transmitters 101 may transmit power transmission signals comprising power waves 135, which may be captured by receivers 103 configured to convert the energy of the power waves 135 into electrical energy, for an electronic device 121 associated with the receiver 103. That is, the receivers 103 may comprise antennas, antenna elements, and other circuitry that may convert the captured power waves 135 into a useable source of electrical energy on behalf of electronic devices 121 associated with the receivers 103. Transmitters 101 may comprise one or more transmitter processors that may be configured to process and communicate various types of data (e.g., heat-mapping data, sensor data). In an embodiment, the present methods for wireless power transmission incorporate various safety techniques to ensure that human occupants 141a in or near a transmission field are not exposed to EMF energy near or above regulatory limits or other nominal limits. One safety method is to include a margin of error (e.g., about 10% to 20%) beyond the nominal limits, so that human subjects are not exposed to power levels at or near the EMF exposure limits. A second safety method can provide staged protection measures, such as reduction or termination of wireless power transmission if humans 141a (and in some embodiments, other living beings or sensitive objects) move toward a pocket of energy 137 with power density levels exceeding EMF exposure limits.
[0031] Transmitters 101 may comprise an antenna array 115, which may be a set of one or more antennas configured to transmit one or more types of waves 131, 133, 135. In some embodiments, an antenna array 115 may comprise antenna elements, which may be configurable "tiles" comprising an antenna, and zero or more integrated circuits controlling the behavior of the antenna in that element, such as generating power waves 135 having predetermined characteristics (e.g., amplitude, frequency, trajectory, phase). An antenna of the antenna array 115 may transmit a series of power waves 135 having the predetermined characteristics, such that the series of power waves 135 arrive at a given location within a transmission field, and exhibit those characteristics.
[0032] Transmitters 101 may be associated with one or more mapping-memories, which may be non-transitory machine-readable storage media configured to store mapping data, which may be data describing aspects of transmission fields associated with the transmitters 101. Mapping data may comprise heat-map data and sensor data. The heat-map data may be generated by transmitter processors to identify receivers 103 located in a transmission field; and the sensor data may be generated by transmitter processors and/or sensor processors to identify sensitive objects 141, 143 located in the transmission field. Thus, mapping data stored in a mapping memory of the system 100 may include information indicating the location of receivers 103, the location of sensitive objects 141, 143, transmission parameters for power waves 135, and other types of data, which can be used by the transmitters 101 to generate and transmit safe and effective power waves 135 (e.g., location of tagged objects, tracking parameters).
[0033] Receivers 103 may be used for powering or charging an associated electronic device 121, which may be an electrical device 121 coupled to or integrated with one or more receivers 103. A receiver 103 may comprise one or more antennas (not shown) that may receive power waves 135 from one or more power waves 135 originating from one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may receive one or more power waves 135 produced by and transmitted directly from the transmitter 101, or the receiver 103 may harvest power waves 135 from one or more pockets of energy 137, which may be a three-dimensional field in space resulting from the convergence of a plurality of power waves 135 produced by one or more transmitters 101.
[0034] An electronic device 121 coupled to a receiver 103 may be any electrical device 121 that requires continuous electrical energy or that requires power from a battery. The receiver 103 may be permanently integrated into the electronic device 121, or the receiver 103 may be detachably coupled to the electronic device 121, which, in some cases, may result in a single integrated product or unit. As an example, the electronic device 121 may be placed into a protective sleeve comprising embedded receivers 103 that are detachably coupled to the device's 121 power supply input. Non-limiting examples of electronic devices 121 may include laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys, batteries, flashlights, lamps, electronic watches, cameras, gaming consoles, appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called "wearables" (e.g., fitness bracelets, pedometers, smart watch), among other types of electrical devices 121.
[0035] In some embodiments, a system 100 may comprise an administrative device 123 that may function as an interface for an administrator to set configuration settings or provide operational instructions to various components of the system 100. The administrative device 123 may be any device comprising a communications component capable of wired or wireless communication with components of the system 100 and a microprocessor configured to transmit certain types of data to components of the system 100. Non-limiting examples of an administrative device 123 may include a guidance device (e.g., radio guidance device, infrared guidance device, laser guidance device), a computing device, a smartphone, a tablet, or other device capable of providing instructional and operational data to components of the system 100.
[0036] In an embodiment, transmitters of the wireless charging system may determine the location of receivers in a transmission field covered by the transmitters. Transmitters may be associated with a mapping memory allowing the transmitters to track the motion of receivers, as the receivers move through a transmission field.
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates a pad in which a coil is attached to the bottom in accordance with one embodiment.
[0038] In n embodiment, a pad 200 in which a coil 201 is embedded. The coil is driven by a power oscillator 202 (power source not shown) and is controlled by intelligent controller 203, which may contain a microcontroller. Also shown is the near field 210 and the far field 211, which are available. The near field is defined typically as the field within the geometry size of the coil itself (i.e., if the coil is 5 inches in diameter, the near field would be that order of magnitude, whereas a point 50 inches away would be considered in the far field), while the far field is typically defined as the field seen from a distance of a multiple of the geometry of the device. Typically, measurements for EMI are done at a distance of approximately 5 meters or more from the device, and actually they are mostly measuring the far field, whereas near field sniffer ports are used only for determining potential leak
[0039] Figure 3 shows schematically a charging system using an RF radiation field.
[0040] In an embodiment, a housing 10 includes an RF source 11, e.g., an oscillator circuit coupled to a power amplifier or a magnetron, generating RF power. The RF power is coupled to an antenna 30 which radiates the RF power, preferably unidirectionally, towards the bottom portion 12 of the housing 10. A number of charge storage devices 20, e.g. rechargeable batteries and/or devices, are placed on a support surface 13 inside the housing 10 or directly on the bottom portion 12 of the housing 10. To enable efficient absorption of the polarized RF emission, the antenna elements are preferably oriented parallel to the polarization direction; to accommodate a non-parallel or even a random orientation of the antenna dipoles with respect to the polarization direction, the RF antenna 30 and/or the charge storage devices 20 may be rotated about respective rotation axes 19 and 19'. The RF energy is preferably supplied in the form of microwaves typically having a frequency of between several Gigahertz and several tens of Gigahertz. For example, typical microwave ovens operate at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, corresponding to a wavelength of approximately 12.5 cm. Higher frequencies correspond to shorter wavelengths, with the wavelength inversely proportional to the frequency. The RF frequency may be adapted to specific device characteristics, such as the physical dimensions and the RF absorption strength of the device 20 to be placed in the RF field.
[0041] Although the description provides implementations of an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof, 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 an apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end and method thereof.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An apparatus for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end, comprising:
a power oscillator configured to generate an oscillating signal;
an array of one or more antennas positioned to receive the oscillating signal;
at least one or more coils driven by the power oscillator;
a rectifier connected to the antenna configured to rectify the received oscillating signal; and
a controller for identifying the receiver end of the user device based on the rectified signal.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power oscillator operates within a predetermined frequency range suitable for wireless power transfer.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tuning circuit connected to the power oscillator to adjust the frequency of the oscillating signal.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array of one or more antennas is arranged to optimize reception of the oscillating signal from the power oscillator.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one or more coils are positioned in proximity to the user device to enhance the efficiency of power transfer.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one or more coils are positioned in proximity to the user device to enhance the efficiency of power transfer.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification signals include information related to the receiver end of the user device.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to dynamically adjust the power transfer parameters based on the identified receiver end of the user device.
9. A method for charging a user device by identifying a receiver end, comprising:
generating an oscillating signal using a power oscillator;
receiving the oscillating signal with an array of one or more antennas;
driving at least one or more coils with the power oscillator;
rectifying the received oscillating signal using a rectifier connected to the antenna; and
identifying the receiver end of the user device based on the rectified signal.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising adjusting the frequency of the oscillating signal using a tuning circuit connected to the power oscillator.