Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to wireless power transfer systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to approaches for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless power transfer may be implemented to transfer power between various electronic components without using a wire. The power may be transferred in the form of electromagnetic waves. Such technique may be used in various applications. One such application is detection of a receiver electronic device using an amount of power transferred from the transmitter device to the receiver device.

SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wireless power transfer systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to approaches for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system.
[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a wireless power transfer system. The system may include a transmitter sub-system and a receiver sub-system. The transmitter sub-system is to detect a parameter change of an antenna coil due to presence of one of a conducting material and a ferromagnetic material. The transmitter sub-system may further generate magnetic flux for a defined duration. The generated magnetic flux may provide energy above a defined threshold to a dummy coil followed by an energy harvester circuit present in the receiver sub-system. The receiver sub-system may receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit, and may utilize the said received energy to establish communication with the transmitter sub-system to complete the detection of a valid receiver.
[0005] In another aspect, the receiver sub-system is to receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit, upon the transmitter sub-system stopping generation of the magnetic flux.
[0006] In yet another aspect, the generated magnetic flux may be a low strength magnetic flux relative to magnetic flux during power transfer.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the defined threshold energy provided to the dummy coil may be such that it avoids thermal shock to a user during a presence of a foreign meta object and avoids affecting electronic components.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the transmitted sub-system may include transmitter electronics and a transmitter power coil. The transmitter electronics is to convert AC grid voltage to high frequency AC voltage. Further, the transmitted power coil may include an inductive coil. The inductive coil is to generate the magnetic flux based on the high frequency AC voltage received from the transmitter electronics.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the transmitted coil is to further generate weak magnetic field for energy harvesting circuit.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the antenna coil may be a Near-field communication (NFC) antenna coil.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the NFC antenna coil may include a transmitter side NFC antenna coil that includes an inductor coil that generates magnetic field channel for data exchange through near field-based communication (NFC).
[0012] In yet another aspect, the magnetic field channel may be a 13.56 MHz magnetic field channel.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the receiver sub-system may include a receiver power coil and receiver electronics. High frequency AC voltage (electromotive force (EMF)) may be induced in the receiver power coil based on presence of the high frequency magnetic flux generated by the transmitter power coil. The receiver electronics may convert high frequency voltage generated by the receiver power coil to DC voltage.
[0014] In yet another aspect, the NFC antenna coil may include a receiver side NFC antenna coil that utilizes the magnetic field generated by the transmitter side NFC antenna coil for communication/data transfer.
[0015] An embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a method for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system. The method may include the steps of: detecting, using a transmitter sub-system, a parameter change of an antenna coil due to presence of one of a conducting material and a ferromagnetic material, and generate magnetic flux for a defined duration, wherein the generated magnetic flux provides energy above a defined threshold to a dummy coil followed by an energy harvester circuit; and receiving, at a receiver sub-system, the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit, wherein the receiver sub-system comprises the dummy coil followed by the energy harvester circuit, and wherein the receiver sub-system is to utilize the said received energy to establish communication with the transmitter sub-system to complete the detection of a valid receiver.
[0016] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless power transfer system, as per an implementation of the present subject matter; and
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system, as per an implementation of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosures as defined by the appended claims.
[0021] Embodiments explained herein relate to wireless power transfer systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to approaches for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system.
[0022] Generally, wireless power transfer techniques may be used for transmission of electrical energy without using wires. In a wireless power transmission system, generally a transmitted device may generate an electromagnetic field (EMF). The EMF may transmit power across space to a receiver device. Upon reception, the receiver device may extract power from the field.
[0023] In one example, the power may be transferred by magnetic fields using inductive coupling between coils of wire. In another example, the power may be transferred by electric fields using capacitive coupling between metal electrodes. In yet another example, the power may be transferred by beams of electromagnetic radiations, such as microwaves or laser beams.
[0024] Wireless power transfer may be used in various areas of applications, and using various methodologies. One such application is detection of a receiver electronic device. Such detection may be implemented using various methodologies.
[0025] In one example, a transmitter and a receiver may be in communication, and the transmitter may transfer power to the receiver. The receiver may have an electro-chemical based energy source. During the power transfer, the receiver may charge the electro-chemical based energy resource. In cases of non-transfer of power and only detection of the receiver device, the receiver device may utilize the stored energy and use the said energy to reply the transmitter query.
[0026] In another example, a minimum amount of power may be transferred to build the required receiver electronics output voltage. The receiver electronic may utilize the generated power and perform the communication process.
[0027] However, such existing and conventional approaches may be inefficient. There is, therefore, a need to provide an improved approach for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system.
[0028] To this end, approaches for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system are described. As would be appreciated, the approaches of the present subject matter may efficiently establish a communication, i.e., wireless power transfer between the transmitter and the receiver, and may power on the electronic device. The proposed approaches may further prevent the unwanted power transfer state of transmitter to the receiver electronics. Even further, the approaches of the present subject matter may eliminate the use of a separate electronic circuitry or device for powering on the receiver electronic device. The power transferred from the transmitter to the receiver, using the approaches of the present subject matter, may be only sufficient enough to perform the communication with the transmitter.
[0029] These and other aspects have been described in further details in conjunction with FIGs. 1-2. It may be noted that these figures are only illustrative, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject matter in any manner.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless power transfer system 100, as per an implementation of the present subject matter. The wireless power transfer system 100, also herein referred to as system 100, may include a transmitter sub-system 102 and a receiver sub-system 104. The system 100 may be used to efficiently and wirelessly transmit power from one device to another device. Such devices, in one example, may be electronic devices. However, any other type of electro-mechanical devices, electrical devices, optical devices, or any other type devices may also be covered within the scope of the present subject matter. In each of the corresponding cases, the respective devices may communicate using their respective compatible method of communication.
[0031] As would be further noted, such wireless power transfer system 100 may have various areas of applications. Although the present description has been described with respect to transmission of query by a transmitter device and reception by a receiver device, and establishing a communication between the transmitter and the receiver for detection of the receiver device, the same may not be construed to limit the scope of the present subject in any manner. Other areas of application besides detection of electronic devices may also be covered within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0032] One such example is wireless home appliances and electronic devices. In such cases, the electronic devices may be understood as receiver devices. Such receiver devices may be detected using a transmitter device, and an initial communication may be established between the transmitter device and the receiver device. However, it may be noted that such example is only illustrative, and not to be construed to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any manner. Other examples would also lie within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0033] Continuing with the present example, as depicted in FIG. 1, the transmitter sub-system 102 may include a transmitter antenna coil 106. In a similar manner, the receiver sub-system 104 may include a receiver antenna coil 108. These antenna coils may be used to establish a communication session between the transmitter sub-system 102 and the receiver sub-system 104.
[0034] In one example, the antenna coils may be Near-field based communication (NFC) coils. In such cases, the communication may be NFC-based communication. The transmitter side NFC antenna coil 106 may include an inductor coil. The inductor coil may generate magnetic field channel for data exchange through near field-based communication. In another example, the magnetic field channel may be a 13.56 MHz magnetic field channel. The receiver side NFC antenna coil 108 may utilize the magnetic field generated by the transmitter side NFC antenna coil 106 for communication/data transfer.
[0035] However, it may be noted that such example is not to construe the scope of the present subject matter in any manner. Other communication techniques known to a person skilled in the art may also be used to establish the communication session without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0036] Continuing further, the transmitter sub-system 102 may include transmitter electronics 110 and transmitter power coil 112. In operation, as depicted in FIG. 1, input A/C voltage may be provided to the transmitter electronics 110. The transmitter sub-system 102 may detect a parameter change of the transmitter antenna coil 106 due to presence of one of a conducting materials and a ferromagnetic material. In one example, the parameter may be inductance of the transmitter antenna coil 106. In such cases, the transmitter sub-system 106 may detect the inductance change of the transmitter anternna coil 106. Any other parameters associated with the transmitter antenna coil 106 would also be covered within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0037] Continuing further, the transmitter electronics 110 may convert the A/C grid voltage to high frequency AC voltage. The transmitter power coil 112 may include an inductive coil. The inductive coil, based on the high frequency AC voltage received from the transmitter electronics 110, may generate magnetic flux for a defined duration. The transmitter power coil 112 may further generate weak magnetic field for energy harvesting circuit, as would be described further. The generated magnetic flux may be a low strength magnetic flux relative to magnetic flux during power transfer.
[0038] The receiver sub-system 104 may include a dummy coil 114 followed by an energy harvester circuit 116. The generated magnetic flux may provide energy above a defined threshold to the dummy coil 114 followed by the energy harvester circuit 116. As would be noted and appreciated, the defined threshold energy provided to the dummy coil 114 may be such that it avoids thermal shock to a user during a presence of a foreign metal object and further avoids affecting electronic components.
[0039] Continuing further, the receiver sub-system 104 may receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit 116 and may utilize the said received energy to establish communication with the transmitter sub-system 102 to complete the detection of a valid receiver. In one example, the receiver sub-system 104 may receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit 116, upon the transmitter sub-system 102 stopping generation of the magnetic flux. However, it may be noted that this example is only illustrative, and the receiver sub-system 104 may receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit 116 in other cases as well. All such examples would lie within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0040] In another example, the receiver sub-system 104 may include a receiver power coil 118 and receiver electronics 120. Based on the presence of the high frequency magnetic flux generated by the transmitter power coil 112, high frequency AC voltage (electromotive force (EMF)) may be induced in the receiver power coil 118. The receiver electronics 120 may convert the high frequency voltage generated by the receiver power coil 118 to DC voltage.
[0041] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system, such as wireless power transfer system 100, as per an implementation of the present subject matter. The method 200 may be implemented in the system 100 as described in conjunction with FIG. 1.
[0042] At block 202, a transmitter sub-system may detect a parameter change of an antenna coil due to presence of one of a conducting material and a ferromagnetic material. Thereafter, the transmitter sub-system may generate magnetic flux for a defined duration, wherein the generated magnetic flux provides energy above a defined threshold to a dummy coil followed by an energy harvester circuit.
[0043] At block 204, a receiver sub-system may receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit. The receiver sub-system may include the dummy coil followed by the energy harvester circuit. The receiver sub-system is to utilize the said received energy to establish communication with the transmitter sub-system to complete the detection of a valid receiver.
[0044] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:1. A wireless power transfer system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a transmitter sub-system (102) to detect a parameter change of an antenna coil due to presence of one of a conducting material and a ferromagnetic material, and generate magnetic flux for a defined duration, wherein the generated magnetic flux provides energy above a defined threshold to a dummy coil followed by an energy harvester circuit; and
a receiver sub-system (104) comprising the dummy coil followed by the energy harvester circuit, wherein the receiver sub-system is to receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit, and is to utilize the said received energy to establish communication with the transmitter sub-system to complete the detection of a valid receiver.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiver sub-system is to receive the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit, upon the transmitter sub-system stopping generation of the magnetic flux.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated magnetic flux is a low strength magnetic flux relative to magnetic flux during power transfer.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the defined threshold energy provided to the dummy coil is such that it avoids thermal shock to a user during a presence of a foreign metal object and avoids affecting electronic components.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter sub-system comprises:
transmitter electronics to convert AC grid voltage to high frequency AC voltage; and
a transmitter power coil comprising an inductive coil, wherein the inductive coil is to generate the magnetic flux based on the high frequency AC voltage received from the transmitter electronics.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter coil is to further generate weak magnetic field for energy harvesting circuit.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna coil is a Near-field communication (NFC) antenna coil.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the NFC antenna coil comprises a transmitter side NFC antenna coil that comprises an inductor coil that generates magnetic field channel for data exchange through near field-based communication (NFC).

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the magnetic field channel is a 13.56 MHz magnetic field channel.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the receiver sub-system comprises:
a receiver power coil in which high frequency AC voltage is induced (electromotive force (EMF)) based on presence of the high frequency magnetic flux generated by the transmitter power coil; and
receiver electronics that converts high frequency voltage generated by the receiver power coil to DC voltage.

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the NFC antenna coil comprises a receiver side NFC antenna coil that utilizes the magnetic field generated by the transmitter side NFC antenna coil for communication/data transfer.

12. A method (200) for powering an electronic device using a wireless power transfer system, the method comprising:
detecting (202), using a transmitter sub-system, a parameter change of an antenna coil due to presence of one of a conducting material and a ferromagnetic material, and generate magnetic flux for a defined duration, wherein the generated magnetic flux provides energy above a defined threshold to a dummy coil followed by an energy harvester circuit; and
receiving (204), at a receiver sub-system, the energy stored in the energy harvester circuit, wherein the receiver sub-system comprises the dummy coil followed by the energy harvester circuit, and wherein the receiver sub-system is to utilize the said received energy to establish communication with the transmitter sub-system to complete the detection of a valid receiver.