CN110289701B

CN110289701B - System and method for wireless power transfer

Info

Publication number: CN110289701B
Application number: CN201910405209.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迈克尔·A·利布曼; 格雷戈里·斯科特·布雷维尔
Original assignee: Energous Corp
Current assignee: Energous Corp
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2015-12-22
Publication date: 2023-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-22
Also published as: CN110289701A; JP6912380B2; JP7274533B2; EP3241224A4; JP2018506252A; CN107408448B; KR20170100649A; JP2021182858A; EP3241224A1; WO2016109316A1; CN107408448A

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits an electrical energy transmission signal (e.g., a Radio Frequency (RF) signal wave) to create a three-dimensional energy pocket. At least one receiver may be connected or integrated into the electronic device and receive electrical energy from the energy pouch. The transmitter may locate at least one receiver in three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates waveforms to create an energy pocket around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses algorithms to orient, focus and control the three-dimensional waveform. The receiver may convert a transmission signal (e.g., an RF signal) into electrical energy for powering the electronic device. Thus, embodiments for wireless power transfer enable powering and charging of multiple electronic devices without the need for wires.

Description

System and method for wireless power transfer

Related cross-reference

The application relates to a division application of a system and a method for wireless power transmission, which is filed on 12 months 22 days 2015 and has the application number of 201580077115.3.

The application No. 201580077115.3 is a partially successor application to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/891,430 entitled "Methodology For Pocket-Forming method" filed on 10 th 2013, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No.61/720,798 entitled "Scalable Antenna Assemblies For Power Transmission (retractable antenna assembly for power transmission)" filed on 31 th 2012, U.S. provisional patent application No.61/668,799 entitled "Receivers For Wireless Power Transmission (receiver for power transmission)" filed on 6 th 2012, and U.S. provisional patent application No.61/677,706 entitled "Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission (transmitter for wireless power transmission)" filed on 31 th 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The application of application number 201580077115.3 is a partially successor application to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/925,469 entitled "Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming method" filed on month 6 and 24 of 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The application No. 201580077115.3 is a partially successor application to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/946,082 entitled "Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming" filed on 7.19 in 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The application No. 201580077115.3 is a partially successor application to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/891,399 entitled "Receivers For Wireless Power Transmission (receiver for wireless power transmission)" filed on 10 th 2013, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No.61/720,798 entitled "Scalable Antenna Assemblies For Power Transmission (retractable antenna assembly for power transmission)" filed on 31 th 2012, U.S. provisional patent application No.61/668,799 entitled "Receivers For Wireless Power Transmission (receiver for power transmission)" filed on 6 th 2012, and U.S. provisional patent application No.61/677,706 entitled "Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission (transmitter for wireless power transmission)" filed on 31 th 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The application No. 201580077115.3 is a partially successor application to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/891,445 entitled "Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission (transmitter for wireless power transmission)" filed on 10 th 2013, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No.61/720,798 entitled "Scalable Antenna Assemblies For Power Transmission (retractable antenna assembly for power transmission)" filed on 31 th 2012, U.S. provisional patent application No.61/668,799 entitled "Receivers For Power Transmission (receiver for power transmission)" filed on 6 th 2012, and U.S. provisional patent application No.61/677,706 entitled "Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission (transmitter for wireless power transmission)" filed on 31 th 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The application of application number 201580077115.3 is a partially successor application to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/926,020 entitled "Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range (with an optional range of wireless power transfer)" filed on month 6 of 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The application of application number 201580077115.3 is a partially successor to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/286,243 entitled "Enhanced Transmitter for Wireless Power Transmission (enhanced transmitter for wireless power transmission)" filed on 5/23 in 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The application of application number 201580077115.3 relates to U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/583.625 entitled "Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission (receiver for wireless power transmission)" filed on 2014, U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/583,630 entitled "Methodology For Pocket-Forming Method" filed on 2014, 12, 27, U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/583,634 entitled "Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission (transmitter for wireless power transmission)" filed on 2014, 12, 27, U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/583,640 entitled "Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming Method" filed on 2014, 12, 27, U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/583,641 entitled "Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range (wireless power transmission with selectable range)" filed on 2014, and U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/583 entitled "Method for Forming Dimensional Pocket-Forming bag" filed on 2014, 12, 27, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the application of three-dimensional patent application No.14/583.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to wireless power transfer.

Background

Portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, notebook computers, and other electronic devices have become a daily requirement for us to communicate and interact with each other. Frequent use of these electronic devices may require a large amount of electrical energy, which can easily drain the batteries attached to these devices. Thus, users often need to plug the device into a power supply to recharge the device. This may require charging the electronic device at least once a day, or charging the high-demand electronic device more than once a day.

Such activities can be tedious and can create a burden on the user. For example, the user may be required to carry a charger in case his electronic device is not powered enough. Furthermore, the user must find available power sources that can be connected. Finally, the user must plug a charger into a wall or other power source to be able to charge his or her electronic device. However, such activity may render the electronic device inoperable during charging.

Current solutions to the above problems may include devices with rechargeable batteries. However, the above mentioned method requires the user to carry an additional battery and also ensures that the additional battery pack is charged. Solar cell chargers are also known, however, solar cells are expensive and require large solar cell arrays to charge any large capacity battery. Other methods include a cushion or pad that enables the removal of the need for a pad The plug of the device is physically connected to the electrical outlet to charge the device by using an electromagnetic signal. In this case, it is still necessary to place the device at a specific location for a period of time to charge the device. Assuming Electromagnetic (EM) signals are single source power transfer, the EM signal power is reduced by a distance r to l/r ² The proportional factor decreases, in other words the signal power decays in a manner proportional to the square of the distance. Thus, the power received at a large distance from the EM transmitter is a fraction of the transmitted power. In order to increase the power of the received signal, the transmit power must be increased. Assuming that the transmitted signal has an effective reception rate three centimeters from the EM transmitter, it is necessary to increase the transmission power 10000 times to receive the same signal power over an effective distance of three meters. Since most of the energy will be transmitted rather than received by the intended device, this energy transmission is wasteful, it is detrimental to living tissue, it is likely to interfere with most of the electronics in the vicinity, and it may dissipate as heat.

In yet another approach, such as directed power transfer, it is often necessary to know the location of the device to be able to direct the signal in the correct direction, thereby enhancing the power transfer efficiency. However, even in the case where the device has been located, effective transmission cannot be ensured due to reflection and interference of objects in the vicinity of the path or receiving device. Furthermore, in many use cases, the device is not stationary, which increases the difficulty.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits an electrical energy transmission signal (e.g., a Radio Frequency (RF) signal wave) to create a three-dimensional energy pocket. At least one receiver may be connected to or integrated into the electronic device and receive electrical energy from the energy pouch. The transmitter may locate the at least one receiver in three dimensions using a communication medium (e.g., bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates waveforms to create an energy pocket around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses algorithms to orient, focus (focus) and control the three-dimensional waveform. The receiver can convert a transmission signal (e.g., an RF signal) into electricity for powering an electronic device and/or for charging a battery. Thus, embodiments for wireless power transfer may enable powering and charging of multiple electronic devices without the need for wires.

In an embodiment, a method for transmitting wireless power may include: a transmitter receives a first communication signal from a first electronic device coupled to a first receiver, the first communication signal including a location associated with the first electronic device; the transmitter allocates a plurality of antennas to the first electronic device; the transmitter transmits a first power transfer signal to the first receiver in a first phase from a first antenna of the plurality of antennas to a location of the first electronic device; the transmitter receives voltage level data based on the first power transfer signal from the first receiver; the transmitter transmitting a second power transfer signal to the first receiver in a second phase in a manner from the first antenna to the location of the first electronic device; the transmitter receives voltage level data based on the second power transmission signal from the receiver; the transmitter receives a second communication signal from a second electronic device coupled to the second receiver, the second communication signal including a second location associated with the second electronic device; the transmitter divides the plurality of antennas into a first group and a second group; and the transmitter allocates a first grouping of the plurality of antennas to the first electronic device and a second grouping of the plurality of antennas to the second electronic device.

In another embodiment, a transmitter may include: receiving a first communication signal from a first electronic device coupled to a first receiver, the first communication signal including a location associated with the first electronic device; assigning a plurality of antennas to a first electronic device; transmitting a first power transfer signal to a first receiver in a first phase from a first antenna of a plurality of antennas to a location of the first electronic device; receiving voltage level data based on the first power transmission signal from the first receiver; transmitting a second power transfer signal to the first receiver in a second phase in a manner from the first antenna to the location of the first electronic device; receiving voltage level data based on the second power transmission signal from the receiver; receiving a second communication signal from a second electronic device coupled to the second receiver, the second communication signal including a second location associated with the second electronic device; dividing the plurality of antennas into a first group and a second group; and assigning a first grouping of the plurality of antenna clocks to the first electronic device and a second grouping of the plurality of antennas to the second electronic device.

Additional features and advantages of the embodiments will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the application as claimed.

Drawings

Non-limiting embodiments of the present application are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and not to scale. The drawings represent various aspects of the present application unless the background art indicates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system overview according to an example embodiment;

fig. 2 illustrates steps of wireless power transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 3 illustrates an architecture for wireless power transfer according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates components of a system for wireless power transfer using a pouch formation process, according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 5 illustrates steps for powering a plurality of receiver devices according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 6A illustrates waveforms that may be unified into a single waveform for wireless power transfer with a selected range;

fig. 6B illustrates waveforms that may be unified into a single waveform for wireless power transfer with a selected range;

FIG. 7 illustrates a wireless power transfer with a selected range that can produce multiple energy pockets along various radii (radii) of the transmitter;

FIG. 8 illustrates a wireless power transfer with a selected range that can produce multiple energy pockets along various radii of the transmitter;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate architecture diagrams for wirelessly charging a client computing platform in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transfer through the use of multiple pocket formation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10B illustrates a plurality of adaptive pocket formations according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a system architecture diagram for wirelessly charging a client device according to an example embodiment;

fig. 12 illustrates a method for determining a receiver position using antenna elements according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 13A illustrates an array subset configuration according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 13B illustrates an array subset configuration according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 14 illustrates a flat panel (flat) transmitter according to an example embodiment;

fig. 15A shows a transmitter according to an example embodiment;

fig. 15B illustrates a cassette transmitter according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates an architecture diagram for incorporating a transmitter into different devices according to an example embodiment;

fig. 17 shows a transmitter configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 18A shows a plurality of rectifiers connected in parallel with an antenna element according to an example embodiment;

fig. 18B illustrates a plurality of antenna elements connected in parallel with a rectifier according to an example embodiment;

fig. 19A illustrates a plurality of antenna elements coupled to and connected to a shunt rectifier according to an example embodiment;

fig. 19B illustrates a grouping of multiple antenna elements connected to different rectifiers according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 20A illustrates a device with an embedded receiver according to an example embodiment;

fig. 20B illustrates a battery with an embedded receiver according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 20C illustrates external hardware that may be attached to a device according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 21A illustrates hardware in the form of a housing according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 21B illustrates hardware in the form of a printed film or flexible printed circuit board according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates internal hardware according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 23 illustrates a portable transmitter having a power plug that may connect the portable wireless transmitter to one or more power outlets according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 24 illustrates a transmitter in which multiple plugs connect a portable wireless transmitter to a power supply and/or an electrical adapter, according to an example embodiment;

fig. 25 illustrates a wireless power transfer system in which a transmitter may include a button that may create at least one energy pocket when activated, according to an example embodiment;

fig. 26 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced wireless power transmitter that may be used for wireless power transfer in accordance with an embodiment;

fig. 27 shows a transmitter arrangement of antenna elements that may be coupled to a dedicated receiving Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), according to an embodiment;

fig. 28 shows a block diagram of a dedicated receive RFIC in an enhanced radio energy transmitter according to an embodiment;

fig. 29 illustrates a component level embodiment for a wireless power system including three transmitters according to an example embodiment;

fig. 30 illustrates a wireless power transfer system including two transmitters in two different rooms according to an example embodiment;

fig. 31 illustrates a wireless power transfer system including two transmitters plugged into lamp sockets in two different rooms according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 32 illustrates internal hardware used as a receiver and embedded within a smart phone shell according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 33 illustrates a block diagram of a receiver for wirelessly powering or charging one or more electronic devices, according to an example embodiment;

fig. 34 illustrates a power conversion process that may be implemented in a receiver during wireless power transfer according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 35 illustrates a system architecture diagram according to an example embodiment;

fig. 36 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power network including a transmitter and a wireless receiver in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 37 shows a wireless power transfer system network according to an embodiment;

fig. 38 illustrates a wireless power transfer system architecture according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 39 illustrates an exemplary computing device in which one or more of the implementations may operate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 40 illustrates a wireless energy transfer system for transferring wireless energy using an adaptive three-dimensional (3-D) bag-forming technique in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 41 shows a flowchart of a pairing process according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 42 shows a flowchart of an unpaired process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 43 illustrates a tracking and positioning flowchart in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 44A illustrates wireless power transfer where a cell phone receiver receives charge and/or power at low efficiency in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 44B illustrates wireless power transfer where a cell phone receiver receives charge and/or power at low efficiency in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 45 shows a flowchart of a charge request process according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 46 illustrates an example routine (route) that may be utilized by a microcontroller of a transmitter to authenticate a device requiring wireless power transfer, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 47 illustrates an example routine that may be utilized by a microcontroller of a transmitter to transfer power to a device that was previously verified in the routine, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 48 illustrates a transmitter creating at least one energy pocket on a portable mat that may further redirect electrical energy to other receiving devices, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 49A illustrates a wireless power transfer system including a tracker that may be used to establish a desired location for generating an energy pocket on at least one receiving device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 49B illustrates wireless power transfer including a tracker that may be used to establish a desired location for generating an energy pocket on at least one receiving device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 50 illustrates wireless power transfer including a tracker that can establish a desired location for generating an energy pocket on a plurality of receiving devices in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 51 illustrates a flowchart of a method for automatically allocating a subset of antenna arrays to simultaneously power two or more client devices in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 52 illustrates a flowchart of an example routine that may be utilized by the system management GUI initialized radio energy management software to command the system to charge one or more client devices, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

fig. 53 illustrates a flowchart of a process for powering a plurality of client devices using a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) method in a wireless power transfer system according to an embodiment;

fig. 54 is a flowchart of a process for adjusting the number of antennas allocated to a wireless power receiver to make power transfer from the wireless power transmitter to the receiver more balanced in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 55A illustrates a block diagram of a transmitter that may be used for wireless power transfer in accordance with an example embodiment;

fig. 55B shows an exemplary illustration of a patch antenna array that may be used in a transmitter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 56A shows a single array in which all antennas may operate at 5.8GHz according to an example embodiment;

fig. 56B illustrates a paired array in which the upper half of the antenna elements may operate at 5.8GHz and the lower half may operate at 2.4GH, according to an example embodiment;

fig. 56C illustrates a square array in which each antenna element may be virtually separated to avoid power loss during wireless power transfer according to an example embodiment;

fig. 57 shows a table depicting an exemplary distribution of communication channels over time in the case of using TDM in radio power transmission in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 58 illustrates a chart of exemplary potential interactions between a wireless power receiver and a wireless power transmitter, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 59 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary potential interaction of a wireless power receiver and a wireless power transmitter as part of a wireless power transfer system architecture in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 60 illustrates a flowchart generally showing an exemplary method for transmitting wireless power to a device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 61 illustrates a flowchart generally showing an exemplary method for monitoring wireless power delivered to a device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 62 illustrates a flowchart of a method for monitoring battery performance in a wireless power transfer system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 63 illustrates a sequence diagram of a method for monitoring battery performance according to an example embodiment; and

fig. 64 illustrates a flowchart of a method for disabling a client device from receiving power from a wireless power transfer system based on a prescribed health and safety environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is described in detail herein with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part hereof. Other embodiments may be utilized and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not limiting of the subject matter embodying the application. Furthermore, the embodiments described in the present application may be combined to form additional embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the application is thereby intended. Variations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, as well as additional applications of the principles of the application, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the application.

I. System and method for wireless power transfer

A. System composition examples

Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 for wireless power transfer (wireless power transmission) by forming an energy pocket 104. The system 100 may include a transmitter 101, a receiver 103, a client device 105, and a pouch detector 107. The transmitter 101 may transmit a power transfer signal comprising a power transfer wave that may be captured by the receiver 103. The receiver 103 may include an antenna, antenna elements, and other circuitry (described in detail below) that may convert the captured waves into a source of electrical energy usable by a client device 105 associated with the receiver 103. In some embodiments, transmitter 101 may transmit a power transfer signal comprised of power transfer waves along one or more trajectories by controlling the phase, gain, and/or other waveform characteristics of the power transfer waves, and/or by selecting different transmit antennas. In such an embodiment, the transmitter 101 may control the trajectory of the power transfer signal to cause the underlying power transfer wave to converge at a location in space, resulting in a particular form of interference. One type of interference "constructive interference (constructive interference)" generated at the convergence of the power transmission waves may be an energy field caused by the convergence of the power transmission waves such that they are superimposed together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location, and conversely, interference superimposed together in such a manner that they are subtracted from each other and reduce the energy concentrated at that location is referred to as "destructive interference (destructive interference)". Accumulating enough energy upon constructive interference may create an energy field or "energy pocket" 104 that may be acquired by an antenna of the receiver 103 provided that the antenna is configured to operate at the frequency of the power transfer signal. Thus, the power transfer wave establishes the energy pocket 104 at a location in space where the receiver 103 can receive, acquire, and convert the power transfer wave into usable power that can power or charge the associated electronic client device 105. The detector 107 may be a device comprising a receiver 103 capable of generating a notification or alarm in response to receiving a power transfer signal. As an example, a user searching for the best location of the receiver 103 to charge the user's client device 105 may use a detector 107 that includes an LED light 108, and the LED light 108 may illuminate when the detector 107 captures a power transfer signal from a single beam or energy pocket 104.

1. Transmitter

The transmitter 101 may transmit or propagate a power transfer signal to a receiver 103 associated with the device 105. Although several embodiments are mentioned below that describe the power transfer signal as a Radio Frequency (RF) wave, it should be understood that the power transfer signal may be a physical medium capable of being propagated through space and capable of being converted into a source 103 of electrical energy. The transmitter 101 may transmit a power transfer signal as a single beam directed at the receiver 103. In some cases, one or more transmitters 101 may transmit a plurality of power transfer signals that diffuse in multiple directions and may deflect from a physical obstruction (e.g., a wall). The plurality of power transfer signals may be aggregated at a location in three-dimensional space to form the energy pocket 104. The receiver 103 within the confines of the energy pouch 104 can capture the power transfer signal and convert it to a usable energy source. Transmitter 101 may control pocket formation based on phase adjustments and/or relative amplitude adjustments to the power transfer signal to form a constructive interference pattern.

Although the exemplary embodiments refer to the use of RF wave transmission technology, the wireless charging technology should not be limited to RF wave transmission technology. Rather, it should be understood that possible wireless charging techniques may include any number of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiver and converting the transmitted energy into electricity. Non-limiting example transmission techniques for energy converted to electricity by a receiving device may include: ultrasonic, microwave, resonant and induced magnetic fields, laser, infrared or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be placed such that a transducer array is formed that transmits ultrasound to a receiving device that receives the ultrasound and converts it to electricity. In the case of a resonant or induced magnetic field, the magnetic field is created in the transmitter coil and converted to electricity by the receiver coil. Furthermore, while the exemplary transmitter 101 is shown as a single unit comprising potentially multiple transmitters (transmitter arrays), the transmitter arrays for both the RF power transmission methods and other power transmission methods mentioned in this paragraph can also comprise multiple transmitters physically dispersed around the room rather than being in a compact regular structure.

The transmitter comprises an antenna array in which antennas are used for transmitting power transmission signals. Each antenna transmits a power transfer wave, wherein the transmitter applies a different phase and amplitude to signals transmitted from different antennas. Similar to the formation of the energy pockets, the transmitter may form a phased array of delayed versions of the signal to be transmitted, then apply different amplitudes to the delayed versions of the signal, and then transmit the signal from the appropriate antennas. Delaying a signal is similar to imparting a phase shift to the signal for sinusoidal waveforms such as RF signals, ultrasound, microwaves or other waves.

2. Energy bag

The energy pocket 104 may be formed at the location of the constructive interference pattern of the power transfer signal emitted by the transmitter 101. The energy pocket 104 may represent a three-dimensional field in which energy may be acquired by a receiver 103 located within the energy pocket 104. The energy pocket 104 generated by the transmitter 101 during pocket formation may be acquired by the receiver 103, converted to an electrical charge, and then provided to an electronic client device 105 associated with the receiver 103 (e.g., notebook, smartphone, rechargeable battery). In some embodiments, there may be multiple transmitters 101 and/or multiple receivers 103 powering respective client devices 105. In some embodiments, the adaptive pocket-forming may adjust the transmission of the power transfer signal to adjust the power level and/or identify movement of the device 105.

3. Receiver with a receiver body

The receiver 103 may be used to power or charge an associated client device 105, and the client device 105 may be an electrical device coupled to or integrated with the receiver 103. The receiver 103 may receive power transfer waves from one or more power transfer signals originating from one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may receive the power transfer signal of a single beam generated by the transmitter 101, or the receiver 103 may acquire the power transfer wave from the energy pocket 104, which energy pocket 104 may be a three-dimensional field in space generated by the convergence of multiple power transfer waves generated by one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may include an antenna array 112, the antenna array 112 being configured to receive power transmission waves from the power transmission signal and to extract energy from the power transmission signal of the individual beam or energy pocket 104. The receiver 103 may include circuitry that converts energy of the power transfer signal (e.g., radio frequency electromagnetic radiation) into electrical energy. The rectifier of the receiver 103 may convert the electrical energy from AC (Alternating current ) to DC (Direct current). Other types of regulators may also be applied. For example, the voltage regulation circuit may increase or decrease the voltage of the power required by the client device 105. The relay may then transfer power from the receiver 103 to the client device 105.

In some embodiments, the receiver 103 may include a communication component that communicates control signals to the transmitter 101 to exchange data in real-time or near real-time. The control signal may contain status information about the client device 105, the receiver 103 or a power transfer signal. For example, the status information may include current location information of the device 105, the amount of charge received, the amount of charge used, and user account information, among other types of information. Furthermore, in some applications, the receiver 103 including the rectifier may be integrated into the client device 105. For practical purposes, the receiver 103, the wire 111, and the client device 105 may be a single unit contained in a single package.

4. Control signal

In some embodiments, the control signal may be used as a data input for each antenna element that is responsible for controlling the generation of the power transfer signal and/or the formation of the pocket. The control signal may be generated by the receiver 103 or the transmitter 101 through the use of an external power source (not shown) and in some cases a local oscillation chip (not shown) that may include the use of piezoelectric materials. The control signal may be an RF wave or any other communication medium or protocol capable of transferring data between processors, such as RFID, infrared, near Field Communication (NFC). As will be described in detail later, the control signals may be used to communicate information between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 103 that is used to adjust the power transfer signals, and contain information related to status, efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geographic location, and other types of information.

5. Detector for detecting a target object

The detector 107 may include hardware similar to the receiver 103 that may enable the detector 107 to accept power transfer signals from one or more transmitters 101. The user may use the detector 107 to identify the location of the energy pocket 104 so that the user may determine preferred parameters of the receiver 103. In some embodiments, the detector 107 may include an indicator light 108 that indicates when the detector is placed within the energy pouch 104. By way of example, in fig. 1, the detectors 107a, 107b are located within the energy pocket 104 generated by the transmitter 101, and as the detectors 107a, 107b are receiving the power transfer signal of the energy pocket 104, the detectors 107a, 107b may be triggered to turn on their respective indicator lights 108a, 108b; however, since the third detector 107c located outside the energy pocket 104 does not receive the power transmission signal from the transmitter 101, the indicator lamp 108c of the third detector 107c is turned off. It should be appreciated that in alternative implementations, the functionality of the detector, such as an indicator light, may also be integrated into the receiver or client device.

6. Client device

The client device 105 may be any electronic device that requires continuous power or requires power from a battery. Non-limiting examples of client devices 105 may include the following types of electronic devices: notebook computers, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, music players, toys, batteries, flashlights, luminaires, electronic watches, cameras, gaming machines, appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called "wearable" (e.g., exercise bracelets, pedometers, smartwatches) devices, among other types of devices.

In some embodiments, the client device 105a may be a different physical device than the receiver 103a associated with the client device 105 a. In such an embodiment, the client device 105a may be connected to the receiver by a wire 111 that carries power from the receiver 103a to the client device. In some cases, other types of data may be transmitted over the wire 111, such as power consumption status, power usage metering, device identifier, and other types of data.

In some embodiments, the client device 105b may be permanently integrated or detachably coupled to the receiver 103b, forming a single integrated product or unit. As an example, the client device 105b may be placed in a sleeve (sleeve) having an embedded receiver 103b and removably coupled to a power input of the device 105b, which may typically be used to charge a battery of the device 105 b. In this example, although the device 105b may be decoupled from the receiver, it remains in the sleeve regardless of whether the device 105b requires charge or is in use. In another example, instead of having a battery that remains charged to the device 105b, the device 105b may include an integrated receiver 105b that may be permanently integrated into the device 105b to form a foggy product, device, or unit. In this example, the device 105b relies almost entirely on the integrated receiver 103b to generate electrical energy by harvesting the energy bag 104. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the connection between the receiver 103 and the client device 105 may be a wire 111 or may be an electrical connection on a circuit board or integrated circuit or may even be a wireless connection such as inductive or electromagnetic.

B. Wireless power transmission method

Fig. 2 illustrates steps of wireless power transfer in accordance with an exemplary method 200 embodiment.

In a first step 201, a Transmitter (TX) establishes a connection with or is otherwise associated with a Receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may communicate information using a wireless communication protocol that is capable of transferring information between two processors of an electronic device (e.g.,bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), wi-Fi, NFC,) And transmitting control data. For example, in implementation->Or->In a variant embodiment, the transmitter may scan the receiver for broadcast advertising signals or the receiver may transmit advertising signals to the transmitter. The advertising signal may inform the transmitter of the presence of the receiver and may trigger between the transmitter and the receiverAnd (5) association. As described herein, in some embodiments, the advertising signal may convey information used by various devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, server computers, other receivers) to perform and manage the process of pocket formation. The information contained within the advertising signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUTD), voltage of the received power, client device power consumption, and other types of data related to power transfer. The transmitted advertising signal may be used by the transmitter to identify the receiver and, in some cases, to locate the receiver in two-dimensional space or three-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter may establish a connection in the transmitter associated with the receiver, thereby enabling the transmitter and the receiver to communicate control signals over the second communication channel.

In a next step 203, the transmitter may use the advertisement signal to determine a set of power transfer signal characteristics for transmitting the power transfer signal, and then establish an energy pocket. Non-limiting examples of power transfer signal characteristics may include phase, gain, amplitude, direction, and the like. The transmitter may use information contained in the advertisement signal of the receiver or information contained in a subsequent control signal received from the receiver to determine how to generate and transmit the power transfer signal so that the receiver may receive the power transfer signal. In some cases, the transmitter may transmit a power transfer signal to create an energy pocket from which the receiver may draw power. In some embodiments, the transmitter may include a processor executing a software module capable of automatically identifying the power transfer signal characteristics required to establish the energy pocket based on information received from the receiver, such as the voltage of the power the receiver draws from the power transfer signal. It should be understood that the functions of the processor and software modules may also be implemented in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit ).

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal or subsequent signal transmitted by the receiver over the second communication channel may indicate one or more power transfer signal characteristics that the transmitter may then use to generate and transmit a power transfer signal to establish the energy pocket. For example, in some cases, the transmitter may automatically identify the phase and gain required to transmit the power transfer signal based on the location of the device and the type of device or receiver; and in some cases, the receiver may inform the transmitter of the phase and gain for effectively transmitting the power transfer signal.

In a next step 205, after the transmitter determines the appropriate characteristics to be used by the transmitter in transmitting the power transfer signal, the transmitter may begin transmitting the power transfer signal on a separate channel based on the control signal. An electrical energy transfer signal may be transmitted to create an energy pocket. The antenna elements of the transmitter may transmit the power transfer signal such that the power transfer signal is concentrated in a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space around the receiver. The field generated around the receiver forms an energy pocket from which the receiver can draw electrical energy. An antenna element may be used to transmit the power transfer signal to establish two-dimensional power transfer; and in some cases, a second or additional antenna element may be used to transmit the power transfer signal to create a three-dimensional energy pocket. In some cases, multiple antenna elements may be used to transmit power transfer signals to create an energy pocket; and in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include all antennas in the transmitter; and in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include only one or more, but not all, of the antennas in the transmitter.

As mentioned previously, the transmitter may generate and transmit an electrical energy transfer signal based on a determined set of electrical energy transfer signal characteristics, which may be generated and transmitted using an external power source and a local oscillating chip comprising piezoelectric material. The transmitter may include an RFIC that controls the generation and transmission of power transfer signals based on information related to the power transfer and pocket formation received from the receiver. May use, for example, BLE, NFC, or Wireless communication protocol of the likeIt is proposed to transfer the control data on different channels in dependence on the power transfer signal. The RFIC of the transmitter may automatically adjust the phase and/or relative amplitude of the power transfer signal as desired. Pocket-forming is accomplished by a transmitter transmitting a power transmission signal in a manner that forms a constructive interference pattern.

When transmitting the power transfer signal during formation of the bag, the antenna elements of the transmitter may use the concept of wave interference to determine certain power transfer signal characteristics (e.g., direction of transmission, phase of the power transfer signal wave). The antenna elements may not only use the concept of constructive interference to generate the energy pocket, but also use the concept of destructive interference to generate transmission zeroes in specific physical locations.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may provide power to multiple receivers using pouch formation, which may require the transmitter to perform a process for multi-pouch formation. A transmitter comprising a plurality of antenna elements may achieve multiple pocket formation by automatically calculating the phase and gain of a power transmission signal wave for each antenna element of the transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal for a respective receiver. The transmitter may calculate the phase and gain independently because multiple wave paths for each power transfer signal may be generated by the antenna elements of the transmitter to transmit the power transfer signal to the corresponding antenna elements of the receiver.

As an example of calculating the phase/gain adjustment of two antenna elements of the transmitter transmitting two signals (i.e., X and Y), where Y is a 180 degree phase shift variant (version) of X (y= -X). At a physical location where the cumulative received waveform is X-Y, the receiver receives X-y=x+x=2x, and at a physical location where the cumulative received waveform is x+y, the receiver receives x+y=x-x=0.

In a next step 207, the receiver may acquire or receive electrical energy from the electrical energy transfer signal of the individual beam or energy pocket. The receiver may include a rectifier and an AC/DC converter that may convert the electrical energy from AC current to DC current, and then the rectifier of the receiver may rectify the electrical energy to produce electrical energy that is available to a client device associated with the receiver, such as a notebook computer, smart phone, battery, toy, or other electronic device. The receiver may utilize the energy pocket generated by the transmitter during pocket formation to charge or power the electronic device.

In a next step 209, the receiver may generate control data containing information indicating the effectiveness of the individual beams or energy pockets providing the power transfer signals to the receiver. The receiver may then transmit a control signal containing the control data to the transmitter. The control signal may be intermittently transmitted depending on whether the transmitter and receiver are in synchronous communication (i.e., the transmitter expects to receive control data from the receiver). Further, the transmitter may continuously transmit the power transfer signal to the receiver regardless of whether the transmitter and receiver are communicating control signals. The control data may contain information related to the transmission of the power transmission signal and/or the establishment of an active energy pocket. Some information in the control data may inform the transmitter how to efficiently generate, transmit, and in some cases adjust the characteristics of the power transfer signal. A wireless protocol, such as BLE, NFC, wi-Fi or the like, capable of transmitting control data related to the power transfer signal and/or the formation of the pouch may be used to transmit and receive control signals unrelated to the power transfer signal over the second channel.

As mentioned before, the control data may contain information indicating the validity of the power transfer signal of the individual beam or the establishment of the energy pocket. The control data may be generated by a processor of the receiver that monitors various aspects of the receiver and/or a client device associated with the receiver. The control data may be based on various types of information such as the voltage of the power received from the power transfer signal, the quality of the power transfer signal received, the quality of battery charge or the quality of the power received and the position or movement of the receiver, as well as other types of information for adjusting the power transfer signal and/or bag formation.

In some embodiments, the receiver may determine the amount of power received from the power transfer signal transmitted by the transmitter and may then indicate that the transmitter should "split" or segment the power transfer signal into less intense power transfer signals. The less intense power transfer signal may bounce off objects or walls in the vicinity of the device, thereby reducing the amount of power transferred directly from the transmitter to the receiver.

In a next step 211, the transmitter may calibrate the antenna that transmitted the power transfer signal such that the antenna transmits the power transfer signal with a more efficient set of characteristics (e.g., direction, phase, gain, amplitude). In some embodiments, the processor of the transmitter may automatically determine more efficient features for generating and transmitting the power transfer signal based on the control signal received from the receiver. The control signals may contain control data and may use any number of wireless communication protocols (e.g., BLE, wi-Fi, ) Transmitted by the receiver. The control data may contain information that explicitly indicates more efficient features for the power transfer wave; or the transmitter may automatically determine more efficient characteristics based on waveform characteristics (e.g., shape, frequency, amplitude) of the control signal. The transmitter may then automatically reconfigure the antenna to transmit the recalibrated power transfer signal in accordance with the newly determined more efficient characteristics. For example, after a user moves the receiver outside of the three-dimensional space in which the energy pocket is created, the processor of the transmitter may adjust the gain and/or phase of the power transfer signal and other characteristics of the power transfer characteristics to adjust for positional changes in the receiver.

C. System architecture for power transmission system

Fig. 3 illustrates an architecture 300 for wireless power transfer using pocket formation, according to an example embodiment. "pocket-forming" may refer to generating two or more power transmission waves 342 that converge at a location in three-dimensional space where a constructive interference pattern is produced. The transmitter 302 may transmit and/or propagate a controllable power transmission wave 342 (e.g., microwaves, radio waves, ultrasonic waves) that may be concentrated in three-dimensional space. These power transfer waves 342 can be controlled by phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form a constructive interference pattern (pocket formation) in the location of the energy pocket interaction. It should also be appreciated that the same principle can be used by the transmitter to create destructive interference in a location where the transmitted power transmission waves substantially cancel each other and where no significant energy can be collected by the receiver, thereby creating a transmission zero. In a typical use case, the goal of receiving a power transfer signal at the location of the receiver is objective (objective); in other cases, however, it is desirable to avoid in particular the transmission of electrical energy to a specific location; in other cases, however, it is desirable to locate the power transfer signal at one location while avoiding transfer to the second location in particular. The transmitter takes into account the use case when calibrating the antenna for power transmission.

The antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may operate in a single array, a paired array, a quad array, or any other suitable arrangement that may be designed according to the desired application. Energy pockets may be formed at constructive interference patterns of the power transmission waves 342 that accumulate to form a three-dimensional energy field around which one or more corresponding transmission zeroes may be generated in a particular physical location by destructive interference patterns. Transmission zeroes in a particular physical location may refer to areas or regions of space where no pockets of energy are formed due to destructive interference patterns of the power transmission wave 342.

The receiver 320 may then utilize the power transfer wave 342 transmitted by the transmitter 302 to establish a power pack for charging or powering the electronic device 313, thereby effectively providing wireless power transfer. An energy pocket may refer to a region or area of space in which energy or electrical energy is accumulated in the form of a constructive interference pattern of the electrical energy transmission wave 342. In other cases, there may be multiple transmitters 302 and/or multiple receivers 320 for powering electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, music players, toys, and other devices) simultaneously. In other embodiments, the adaptive pocket formation may be used to regulate power on an electronic device. Adaptive pocket-forming may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power at one or more target receivers.

The receiver 320 may communicate with the transmitter 302 by generating a short wave signal (short signal) via the antenna element 324 to indicate its position relative to the transmitter 302. In some embodiments, receiver 320 may additionally utilize a network interface card (not shown) or similar computer network component to communicate with other devices or components of system 300 over network 340, such as a cloud computing service that manages multiple sets of transmitters 302. Receiver 320 may include circuitry 308, circuitry 308 for converting power transfer signal 342 captured by antenna element 324 into power that may be provided to a battery of electronic device 313 and/or device 315. In some embodiments, the circuitry may provide electrical energy to a battery of the receiver 335, and the battery of the receiver 335 may store the energy without communicatively coupling the electronic device 313 to the receiver 320.

The communication component 324 can enable the receiver 320 to communicate with the transmitter 302 by transmitting the control signal 345 based on a wireless protocol. The wireless protocol may be proprietary or use a protocol such as bluetooth BLE, wi-Fi, NFC, zigBee, etc. The communication component 324 can then be used to communicate information such as: an identifier of the electronic device 313 along with battery level information, geographic location data, or other information used by the transmitter 302 in determining when to transmit power to the receiver 320 and in determining the location of the power transfer wave 342 used to create the energy pocket. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket formation may be used to regulate the power provided to the electronic device 313. In such an embodiment, the communication component 324 of the receiver may transmit voltage data indicative of the amount of power received at the receiver 320 and/or the amount of voltage provided to the electronic device 313b or the battery 315.

Once the transmitter 302 identifies and locates the receiver 320, a channel or path for the control signal 345 may be established through which the transmitter 302 may learn the gain and phase of the control signal 345 from the receiver 320. The antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may begin transmitting or propagating a controllable power transfer wave 342 (e.g., radio frequency waves, ultrasonic waves), which power transfer wave 342 may be focused in three dimensions by using at least two antenna elements 306 to control the power transfer wave 342 emanating from each antenna element 306. These power transfer waves 342 may be generated by using an external power source and a local oscillation chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. The power transfer wave 342 may be controlled by the transmitter circuit 301, and the transmitter circuit 301 may include a proprietary chip for adjusting the phase and/or gain of the power transfer wave 342. The phase, gain, amplitude, and other waveform characteristics of the power transfer wave 342 may be used as inputs to the antenna element 306 to form a constructive interference pattern (pocket formation). In some embodiments, the microcontroller 310 or other circuitry of the transmitter 302 may generate a power transfer signal that includes the power transfer wave 342 and may be split into multiple outputs by the transmitter circuit 301 according to the number of antenna elements connected to the transmitter circuit 301. For example, if four antenna elements 306a-d were connected to the circuit 301a, the power transfer signal would be split into four different outputs, each of which arrives at the antenna element 306 and is transmitted in the form of a power transfer wave 342 originating from the respective antenna element 306.

Pocket formation may utilize interference to alter the directivity of antenna element 306, where constructive interference generates an energy pocket and destructive interference generates a transmission zero. The receiver 320 may then utilize the energy pocket created by the pocket formation to charge or power the electronic device, thereby effectively providing wireless power transfer.

Multi-pocket formation may be achieved by calculating the phase and gain from each antenna 306 of transmitter 302 to each receiver 320.

Fig. 35 illustrates a wireless charging system architecture 3500 in accordance with an example embodiment. The system architecture 3500 may include one or more radio energy transmitters 3501 and one or more radio energy receivers 3520a, 3530b. In some embodiments, the wireless charging system architecture 3500 may include one or more electronic devices 3552, wherein the electronic devices 3552 may not have an embedded wireless power receiver 3520a. In other embodiments, the wireless charging system architecture 3500 may include an electronic device 3552 with an embedded power receiver 3520a. Pairing may refer to the association of a single electronic client device with a single power receiver in a distributed system database of a wireless power transfer system, such that, for example, when a user or an automated system process commands a client device to be charged, the system is able to determine a power receiver to transfer power to the client device to charge it based on the association. A system database may refer to an exact copy of a system database of installed products stored within and accessible to any system computer, or an exact copy of a subset of the database.

The power transmitter 3501 may transmit a controllable Radio Frequency (RF) wave concentrated in the 3-D space. These RF waves may be controlled by phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive interference patterns (pocket formation). Bag formation may refer to the generation of two or more RF waves that converge in three dimensions to form a controllable constructive interference pattern. Energy pockets may be formed at the constructive interference pattern of the three-dimensional shape, whereas transmission zeroes in specific physical locations may be generated at the destructive interference pattern. An energy pocket refers to a region or area of space where energy or electrical energy is accumulated in the form of a constructive interference pattern of RF waves. Transmission zeroes in a particular physical location refer to regions or areas of space where no energy pockets are formed due to destructive interference patterns of RF waves. Adaptive bag forming refers to dynamically adjusting bag formation to regulate power at one or more target receivers. Electrical energy may refer to electrical energy, where "wireless power transfer" may be equivalent to "wireless energy transfer" and "wireless electrical energy transfer" may be equivalent to "wireless energy transfer".

According to an example embodiment, the power transmitter 3501 may include a power transmitter manager application 3594a, a third party BTLE API 3512a, a BTLE chip 3512b, antenna manager software 3593, and an antenna array 3586a, among other components. The power transmitter manager application 3594a may be an executable program loaded in a non-volatile memory within the power transmitter 3501. The power transmitter manager application 3594a may control the behavior of the power transmitter 3501, monitor the state of charge of the electronic device 3552, while the power receiver 3520a may keep track of the location of the power receiver 3520a and may perform power scheduling, etc. In some embodiments, power transmitter 3501 may include a database (not shown) for storing information related to power receiver 3520a, electronic device 3552, power status, power schedule, ID, pairing, and any information needed to operate the system. BTLE or BLE may refer to bluetooth low energy communication hardware and/or software. The database may refer to the following databases: SQL files or files of different formats or any format, or arrays of data structures within a computer's volatile memory or non-volatile memory but for organizing, storing, and retrieving data within a computer's database. The third party BTLE API 3512a enables efficient interaction between the power transmitter manager 3594a and the BTLE chip 3512 b. Antenna manager software 3593 may process instructions from power transmitter manager application 3594a and may control antenna array 3586a.

The antenna array 3586a included in the power transmitter 3501 may include a number of antenna elements capable of transmitting power. In some embodiments, antenna array 3586a can include 64 to 256 antenna elements distributed in an equally spaced grid. In an embodiment, antenna array 3586a may have an 8x8 grid to have a total of 64 antenna elements. In another embodiment, antenna array 3586a may have a 16x16 grid to have 256 antenna elements in total. However, the number of antenna elements may vary with respect to the desired range and power transfer capability of the power transmitter 3501. In general, with more antenna elements, a wider range and higher power transfer capability can be achieved. Alternative configurations including circular patterns or polygonal arrangements, etc. may also be employed. The antenna elements of antenna array 3586a may include antenna types for operation over frequency bands such as 900MHz, 2.5GHz, 5.250GHz, or 5.8GHz, and the antenna elements may operate at independent frequencies, allowing multi-channel operation of the pouch formation.

Additionally, the power transmitter 3501 may include other communication methods such as Wi-Fi, zigBee, LAN, and the like. The power receiver 3520a can include a power receiver application 3594b, a third party BTLE API 3512a, a BTLE chip 3512b, and an antenna array 3586b. The power receiver 3520a can utilize the energy pocket generated by the power transmitter 3501 for charging or powering the electronic device 3552a and the electronic device 3520 b. Power receiver application 3594b may be an executable program loaded in non-volatile memory within power receiver 3520 a. The third party BTLE API 3512a may enable efficient interaction between the power receiver application 3594b and the BTLE chip 3512 b. Antenna array 3586b is capable of harvesting power from the energy pouch.

Electronic device 3552 and electronic device 3520a can include a GUI for managing their interactions within wireless charging system architecture 3500. The GUI may be associated with an executable program loaded in a non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, electronic device 3552 and electronic device 3520a can include a database (not shown) for storing information related to power receiver 3520a, power status, power schedule, IDs, pairing, and any information needed to operate the system. The system management GUI may refer to a software application running on a computer in a wireless power transfer system or on a remote server located in the internet cloud. The system management GUI is a graphical user interface between a system user or operator and software within the wireless power transfer system and is used for configuration, monitoring, command, control, reporting, and any other system management functions.

In some embodiments, wireless charging system architecture 3500 may include a plurality of power transmitters 3501 and/or a plurality of power receivers 3520a for charging or powering electronic devices 3552. In a system including multiple power transmitters 3501, two or more power transmitters may communicate constantly using any available communication channel including Bluetooth, BTLE, wi-Fi, zigBee, LAN, LTE, LTE direct, and the like.

Fig. 36 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer system (WPTS, wireless power transmission system) 3600 in which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may operate. The wireless power transfer system 3600 may include communication between one or more wireless power transmitters 3601 and one or more wireless power receivers 3620a and client devices 3620 b. The client device 3652 may be paired with an adaptable receiver 3620a that enables wireless power transmission to the client device 3652. In another embodiment, client device 3620b may include a wireless power receiver built-in as part of the device hardware. Client device 3652 can be any device that uses a power source, such as a notebook computer, stationary computer, mobile phone, tablet, mobile gaming device, television, radio, and/or any group of devices that require or benefit from a power source.

In an embodiment, one or more of the wireless power transmitters 3601 may include a microprocessor that integrates a power transmitter manager application 3694a (PWR TX MGR APP) as embedded software, a third party application programming interface 3612a (third party API) for the bluetooth low energy chip 3612b (BTLE CHIP HW). APP may refer to a software application running on a mobile phone, notebook, desktop or server computer. The bluetooth low energy chip 3612b can enable communication between the wireless power transmitter 3601 and other devices including a power receiver 3620a, client devices 3652 and 3620b, and so on. The radio energy transmitter 3601 may also include antenna manager software (antenna MGR software) to control an RF antenna array that may be used to form controllable RF waves that may be focused in three dimensions and create an energy pocket on the radio energy receiver. In some embodiments, one or more bluetooth low energy chips 3612b may utilize other wireless communication protocols including Wi-Fi, bluetooth, LTE direct, and the like.

The power transmitter manager application 3694a may invoke the third party application programming interface 3612a for running a number of functions including establishing a connection, ending a connection, and sending data. Third party application programming interface 3612a may command bluetooth low energy chip 3612b according to the functions invoked by power transmitter manager application 3694 a.

The power transmitter manager application 3694a may also include a distributed system database that may store relevant information associated with the client device 3652, such as an identifier for the client device 3652, a voltage range for the power receiver 3620a, a location of the client device 3652, a signal strength, and/or any other relevant information associated with the client device 3652. The database may also store information related to the wireless power network, the information including: receiver ID, transmitter ID, end user handset, system management server, charge schedule, charge priority, and/or any other data related to the wireless power network.

Meanwhile, the third party application programming interface 3612a may call the power transmitter manager application 3694a through a callback function that may be registered when the power transmitter manager application 3694a is started. The third party application programming interface 3612a may have a timer callback that may be made ten times a second and may be sent each time a connection begins, a connection ends, a connection is attempted, or a message is received.

Client device 3620b may include a power receiver application 3694b (PWR RX APP), a third party application programming interface 3650a (third party API) for bluetooth low energy chip 3630b (BTLE CHIP HW), and an RF antenna array 3686b, which RF antenna array 3686b may be used to receive and utilize the energy pocket transmitted from wireless power transmitter 3601.

The power receiver application 3694b may invoke the third party application programming interface 3650a for running a number of functions including establishing a connection, ending a connection, and sending data. The third party application programming interface 3650a may have a timer callback that may be made ten times a second and may be sent each time a connection begins, a connection ends, a connection is attempted, or a message is received.

Client device 3652 may be paired with an applicable power receiver 3620a via a BTLE connection 3696. A graphical user interface (GUI 3698) may be used to manage the wireless power network from the client device 3652. GUI 3698 may be a software module that may be downloaded from any application repository and run on any operating system including iOS and android, etc. The client device 3652 can also communicate with the radio energy transmitter 3601 via a BTLE connection 3696 to send important data, such as an identifier for the device, battery level information, geographic location data, or any other information that can be used for the radio energy transmitter 3601.

Radio energy manager software may be used to manage the radio energy transmission system 3600. The wireless power manager may be a software module residing in memory and executed by a processor within the computing device. The wireless power manager may include a local application GUI, or may reside in a web GUI from which a user may see options and status, as well as execute commands to manage the wireless power transfer system 3600. The cloud-based computing device may be connected to the wireless power transmitter 3601 via a standard communication protocol, including bluetooth, bluetooth low energy, wi-Fi, zigBee, or the like. The power transmitter manager application 3694a may exchange information with a wireless power manager to control access to the client devices 3652 and power transfer. The functions controlled by the wireless power manager may include scheduling power transmissions for the various devices, setting priorities between different client devices, accessing certificates (credentials) for each client, tracking the physical location of the power receiver relative to the power transmitter area, propagating messages, and/or any functions required to manage the wireless power transmission system 3600.

The computing device may be connected to the wireless power transmitter 3061 through a network connection. Network connection may refer to any connection between computers, including intranet, local Area Network (LAN), virtual Private Network (VPN), wireless local area network (WAN), bluetooth Low energy, wi-Fi, zigBee, and the like. The power transmitter manager application 3694a may exchange information with a wireless power manager to control access to power transmissions by the device. The functions controlled by the wireless power manager may include scheduling power transmissions for the various devices, the number of antennas allocated to the client devices, priorities among the different client devices, access credentials for each client, physical location, propagating messages, and/or any function required to manage components within the wireless power transmission system 3600.

One or more radio energy transmitters 3601 may automatically transmit power to any single radio energy receiver that is sufficiently close to the power transmitter 3601 to establish communication with the radio energy transmitter. The wireless power receiver may then power or charge an electrically connected electronic device, such as client device 3652. A single radio energy transmitter 3601 may simultaneously power multiple radio energy receivers. Alternatively, components within the wireless power transfer system 3600 may be configured via a wireless power manager graphical user interface to automatically transfer power to only a particular wireless power receiver based on specific system criteria and/or conditions, such as the time of day when power transfer is automatically scheduled, the power receiver physical location, and the owner of the client device, among others.

The wireless power receiver may take the energy transmitted from the wireless power transmitter 3601 into the antenna of the wireless power receiver, rectify it, condition it, and then send the generated electrical energy to an electrical connection device to power or charge the device. If any of the radio energy receivers are moved to different spatial locations, the radio energy transmitter 3601 may change the number of antennas allocated, the phase and amplitude of the transmitted RF to keep the generated energy beam aimed at the receiver.

Fig. 37 shows a wireless power transfer system network according to an embodiment. According to some embodiments, the wireless power transfer system network 3700 may include a plurality of wireless power transfer systems capable of communicating with the telematics service 3777 through the internet cloud 3769.

In some embodiments, the wireless power transfer system may include one or more wireless power transmitters 3701, one or more power receivers 3720, one or more optional backup servers 3767, and a local network 3740. According to some embodiments, each power transmitter 3701 may include wireless power transmitter manager 3765 software and a distributed power transmission system database 3763. Each power transmitter 3701 may be capable of managing power and delivering power to one or more power receivers 3720, wherein each power receiver 3720 is capable of powering or charging one or more electronic devices 3761.

The power transmitter manager 3765 may control the behavior of the power transmitter 3701, monitor the state of charge of the electronic devices 3761, and control the power receiver 3720, keep track of the location of the power receiver 3720, perform power scheduling, run system checks, keep track of the energy provided to each of the different electronic devices 3761, and so forth.

According to some embodiments, database 3763 may store information related to, such as an identifier of electronic device 3761, a voltage range for a measurement from power receiver 3720, a location, a signal strength, and/or any information related to from electronic device 3761. Database 3763 may also store information related to the wireless power transfer system, such as receiver ID, transmitter ID, end user handset name or ID, system management server ID, charge schedule, charge priority, and/or any data associated with wireless power transfer system network 3700. In addition, in some embodiments, database 3763 may store past data and system states.

Past system states may include details such as the following: the amount of power delivered to the electronic device 3761, the amount of power transferred to a group of electronic devices 3761 associated with a user, the amount of time the electronic device 3761 is associated to the wireless power transmitter 3791, pairing records, activity within the system, any actions or events of any wireless power devices in the system, errors, faults, configuration problems, and so forth. Past system state data may also include power schedules, names, customer login names, authorization and authentication credentials, encryption information, physical areas of system operation, details for running the system, and any other system or user related information.

The present system state data stored in database 3763 may include location and/or movement in the system, configuration, pairing, errors, faults, alarms, problems, messages sent between the radio energy devices, tracked information, and the like.

According to some example embodiments, the database 3763 within the power transmitter 3701 may also store future system state information, wherein the future state of the system may be predicted or estimated based on historical data from past system state data and present system state data.

In some embodiments, records from all device databases 3763 in the wireless power transfer system may also be stored in the server 3767 and updated periodically. In some embodiments, the wireless power transfer system network 3700 may include two or more servers 3767. In other embodiments, the wireless power transfer system network 3700 may not include the server 3767.

In another exemplary embodiment, the wireless power transmitter 3701 is also capable of detecting a fault in a wireless power transfer system. Examples of faults in the power transfer system 502 may include any component overheating, failing, and overloading, among others. If any radio energy transmitter 3701 within the system detects a fault, the fault may be analyzed by the radio energy transmitter manager 3765 in the system. After the analysis is complete, a recommendation or alert may be generated and reported to the owner of the power transfer system or a cloud-based telematics service for distribution to the system owner or manufacturer or provider.

In some embodiments, power transmitter 3701 may use network 3740 to send and receive information. Network 3740 may be a local area network or any communication system between components of a wireless power transfer system. Network 3740 may enable communication among power transmitters, system management server 3767 (if any), other power transfer systems (if any), and the like. According to some embodiments, the network 3740 may facilitate data communication between the power transmission system and the telematics service 3777 through the internet cloud 3779.

The telematics service 3777 may be operated by the owner of the system, the manufacturer or vendor of the system, or the service provider. The remote management system may include an enterprise cloud 3775, remote manager 3773 software, and a back-office server 3769, where remote manager 3773 may also include a generic database 3771. The functions of the background server 3769 and the remote manager 3773 may be combined into a single physical server or virtual server.

Generic database 3771 may store additional copies of information stored in device database 3763. In addition, the general database 3771 may store marketing information, customer billing, customer configuration, customer authentication and customer support information, and the like. In some embodiments, generic database 3771 may also store information such as: less common features, errors in the system, problem reporting, data statistics, quality control, etc. Each radio energy transmitter 3701 may periodically establish a TCP communication connection with the remote manager 3773 for authentication, problem reporting purposes, or reporting status or usage details, etc.

Fig. 38 illustrates a wireless power transfer system architecture 3800 according to an example embodiment. The wireless power transfer system architecture 3800 may include a wireless power transfer system, an internet cloud 3879, and a telematics service 3883. The disclosed wireless power transfer system may include one or more wireless power transmitters 3877, one or more wireless power receivers 3820 that may be coupled to or built into any client devices 3861, one or more local system management servers 3867 or cloud-based remote system management servers 3873 (e.g., background servers), and a local network 3840. Network 3840 connections may refer to any connection between computers, such as an intranet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a wireless local area network (WAN), the internet, and so forth.

According to some embodiments, each radio power transmitter 3877 may include radio power transmitter manager software 3865, a distributed system database 3883, and TDM power transmission 3875 software modules. Each radio power transmitter 3877 is capable of managing power and delivering power to one or more radio power receivers 3820, each radio power receiver 3820 being capable of powering or charging one or more client devices 3861. Examples of client devices 3861 may include smartphones, palmtops, music players, toys, and the like. Some client device 3861 may run a system management GUI app. The app may be obtained, downloaded and installed from a public software application store or digital application distribution platform such as apple iTunes, android playstores and/or amazon.

According to yet another embodiment, the wireless power transfer system may include a system manager GUI application located in the local system management server 3867 or cloud-based remote system management server 3873, running in the local system management server 3867 or cloud-based remote system management server 3873, or running in accordance with the local system management server 3867 or cloud-based remote system management server 3873, which may be used to control wireless power transfer to a particular wireless power receiver 3820 in accordance with system criteria or operating conditions such as: power transfer schedule, physical location of the client device 3861, and so forth.

Each radio energy transmitter manager software 3865 is capable of controlling the behavior of the radio energy transmitter 3877 to monitor various aspects such as: the time of start of power transmission, the unique system identification of both the radio power transmitter 3877 and the radio power receiver 3820, the number of devices connected, the directional angle of the antenna used, the voltage at the power receiver antenna of the radio power receiver 3820, and the real-time communication connection between the radio power transmitter 508 and the radio power receiver 3820, etc., which can be used to track information from the radio power receiver 3820 wherever the radio power receiver 3820 is located or moved to. In addition, the power transmitter manager software 3865 may control the use of TDM power transmission 3875, which may or may not place the wireless power transmission system in TDM power transmission 3875 mode. In particular, the TDM power transmission 3875 mode may control the antenna array of the radio power transmitter 3877 by reassigning antenna groupings, wherein each grouping may be used to transmit power to client devices 3861 that are only in the online mode for a specified time interval, while the remaining client devices 3861 that are in the offline mode wait to be powered by the radio power transmitter 3877.

With TDM power transmission 3875 mode, the wireless power transmitter 3877 may switch one particular group of client devices 3861 coupled to the wireless power receiver 3820 to an online mode, and conversely, another particular group of client devices 3861 may be switched to an offline mode until all client devices 3861 in sufficient proximity to the wireless power transmitter 3877 receive sufficient power. This TDM power transmission cycle may continue, however, there are too many client devices 3861 for the wireless power transmitter 3877 to power them simultaneously.

According to some embodiments, distributed system database 3883 may record relevant information from: a wireless power receiver 3820, a wireless power transmitter 3877, and a local system management server 3867 within the client device 3861. The information may include, but is not limited to: an identifier for the client device 3861, a voltage measurement, location, signal strength of a power supply circuit within the radio receiver 3820, an ID of the radio transmitter 3877, a name ID of the end user handset, an ID of a system management server, a charging schedule, a charging priority, and/or any data related to the radio power transmission system. In addition, the wireless power transmitter 3877, the wireless power receiver 3820 powering the client device 3861, and the local system management server 3867 may operate as a system information generator.

The distributed system database 3871 may be implemented by a database management system (DBMS) known in the art, such as, for example, mySQL, postgreSQL, SQLite (lightweight database), microsoft SQL Server, microsoft Access, oracle, SAP, dBASE, foxPro, IBM DB2, libreOffice Base, fileMaker Pro, and/or any other type of database that may organize a collection of data.

In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 3877 may use the network 3840 to transmit and receive information. Network 3840 may be a local area network, WIFI, or any communication system between components of a wireless power transfer system. Network 3840 may enable communication between two or more radio transmitters 3877, communication of radio transmitters 3877 with a system management server 3867, communication between a radio transmission system and a telematics service 3883, and the like, via an internet cloud 3879.

The telematics service 3883 may be operated by the owner, manufacturer, provider of the system, or service provider. The telematics service 3883 may include different components such as a background server, a telematics service manager, and a general telematics service database.

Fig. 39 is an exemplary computing device 3900 that can operate one or more of the embodiments in accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, computing device 3900 includes a bus 3995, input/output (I/O) devices 3985, a communication interface 3987, memory 3989, storage devices 3991, and a central processing unit 3993. In another embodiment, computing device 3900 includes more, fewer, different, or different arrangement of components than the computing device shown in fig. 39.

In fig. 39, a bus 3995 is in physical communication with (I/O) devices 3985, a communication interface 3987, a memory 3989, a storage device 3991, and a central processing unit 3993. Bus 3995 includes a path that allows the components within computing device 3900 to communicate with each other. Examples of (I/O) devices 3985 include peripherals and/or other mechanisms that may enable an inspector or candidate to input information to computing device 3900, including keyboards, computer mice, buttons, touch screens, touch pads, voice recognition, biometric mechanisms, and the like. (I/O) device 3985 also includes mechanisms to output information to a user of computing device 3900, such as, for example, a display screen, a microphone, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a printer, a speaker, an orientation sensor, and so forth. The orientation sensor includes one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or more compasses, and the like. The accelerometer provides for a respective change in the respective angle about the respective axis. The gyroscopes provide respective rates of change of the respective angles about the respective axes, and the compasses provide compass heading.

Examples of communication interface 3987 include mechanisms that enable computing device 3900 to communicate with other computing devices and/or systems via a network connection. Examples of the memory 3989 include Random Access Memory (RAM), read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, and the like. Examples of storage devices 3991 include magnetic or optical recording media, ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) hard disks, solid state disks, floppy disks, optical disks, and the like. In an embodiment, memory 3989 and storage 3991 store information and instructions for execution by central processing unit 3993. In another embodiment, central processing unit 3993 comprises a microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Object Array (FPOA), or the like. In this embodiment, the central processing unit 3993 interprets and executes instructions retrieved from memory 3989 and storage 3991.

Examples of such implementations include servers, authorized computing devices, smartphones, desktop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, another type of processor control device that can receive, process, transmit digital data, and the like. In addition, computing device 3900 may perform certain operations necessary for proper operation of the system architecture. In response to the central processing unit 3993 executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 3989, a suitable computing device 3900 can perform these operations.

In an embodiment, software instructions of the system are read into memory 3989 from another storage location (e.g., storage device 3991), or another computing device 3900 (e.g., first client device, second client device, computing device, etc.) via communication interface 3987. In this embodiment, software instructions contained within memory 3989 cause central processing unit 3993 to perform processing.

Fig. 40 is a functional block diagram illustrating a wireless energy transfer system 4000 that uses adaptive three-dimensional bag-forming techniques to transfer wireless energy. In some embodiments, wireless energy transfer system 4000 includes a cloud service provider, any number of suitable wireless energy transfer transmitters 4001-4001n, and any number of suitable wireless charging devices. In other embodiments, wireless energy transfer system 4000 includes more, fewer, different, or differently arranged components than the wireless energy transfer system shown in fig. 40.

In FIG. 40, the cloud service provider includes a system management service 4067 and an information distribution service, each wireless charging device including an associated receiver 4020-4020n, client devices 4052-4052n, and GUIs 4061-4061n. In some embodiments, there may be additional wireless charging devices (e.g., up to n), each including a receiver, a client device, and a GUI.

In some implementations, the cloud service provider, the wireless power transmitter 4001, and the wireless charging device are in wired/wireless communication with one or more of each other. In these embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 4001 is wirelessly coupled and communicates with the wireless charging device via any suitable wireless protocol. Examples of suitable wireless protocols include Bluetooth, bluetooth Low energy, wi-Fi, zigBee, and the like.

In some embodiments, the cloud service provider is implemented as computer hardware and software that includes any number of components required to run a set of applications, including any number of processors, random access memory modules, physical storage devices, wired communication ports, wireless communication ports, and the like. In an example, a cloud service provider is implemented using one or more components of a computing device. In these embodiments, the cloud service provider executes any software required by the host system management service 4067, including software capable of managing: user credentials, device identification, device authentication, use or payment associated with one or more users, processing service requests, information requests, storing and reading data related to one or more users, and the like. In other embodiments, the cloud service provider further comprises a database for storing user data, device data, payment data, and the like.

In some embodiments, the system management service 4067 is configured to manage the following: power transmission from one or more wireless power transmitters to one or more receivers, credentials associated with a user of the mobile device, billing associated with wireless power transmission, and the like. In these embodiments, the system management service 4067 is hardware and software configured to issue commands to the one or more radio energy transmitters 4001 including starting, interrupting or stopping the transfer of power to the one or more radio energy receivers, and the like. In an example, the cloud service provider functions substantially similarly to the computing device. In another example, the system management service 4067 functions substantially similar to a wireless power manager.

In some embodiments, the cloud service provider executes any software required by the host information distribution service. Examples of such software include software capable of storing and reading data related to one or more users, performing analysis with respect to the data, and the like. In other embodiments, the information distribution service is hardware and software configured to collect usage data, billing data, demographic (demographics) data, and the like from the system management service 4067, the wireless power transmitter 4001, the receiver 4020, and/or the client device 4052. Examples of data include total charge time, total energy delivered to the device, average amount of energy delivered to the device per month, location where energy is delivered to the mobile device, mobile device user demographic descriptors, and the like.

In other embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 4001 is implemented as computer hardware and software that includes any number of components required to run a desired set of applications, including any number of processors, random access memory modules, physical storage devices, wired communication ports, wireless communication interfaces that enable coupling to antennas, and the like. In an example, the wireless power transmitter 4001 is implemented using one or more components of a computing device. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 4001 is implemented as a transmitter capable of transmitting power to a wireless charging device (including a wireless power receiver) and a wireless power receiver (coupled to one or more electronic devices) using an adaptive three-dimensional bag forming technique. In these embodiments, one or more wireless power transmitters 4001 communicate with one or more receivers 4020 (either as part of a wireless charging device or coupled to one or more electronic devices), locate the one or more receivers 4020 in three-dimensional space, and transmit power signals to form an energy pocket at the one or more receivers 4020.

In some embodiments, the wireless charging device is implemented as computer hardware and software that includes any number of components required to run a desired set of applications, including any number of processors, random access memory modules, physical storage devices, wired communication ports, wireless communication interfaces that enable coupling to antennas, and the like. In some embodiments, the wireless charging device is implemented as a computing device coupled to and in communication with a suitable wireless power receiver. Examples of wireless charging devices include mobile handsets, notebook computers, portable video game systems, video game controllers, and the like. In an example, the wireless charging device is implemented using one or more components of a computing device. In some embodiments, the wireless charging device is implemented to include a receiver (e.g., receiver 4020) operable to receive power from a wireless power transmitter using an adaptive three-dimensional bag-forming technique. In these embodiments, a receiver portion (e.g., receiver 4020) included in one or more wireless charging devices communicates with one or more wireless power transmitters 4001 and receives energy from an energy pocket formed at a location of the receiver associated with the one or more wireless charging devices, which may include an inherent receiver (e.g., receiver 4020) or may be coupled to and communicate with a single wireless receiver.

In operation, the wireless power transmitter 4001 propagates identifiers associated with the respective transmitters using a suitable wireless communication protocol, including bluetooth, bluetooth low energy, zigbee, and the like. Examples of suitable identifiers include MAC addresses, IMEIs, serial numbers, ID strings, and the like. In other embodiments, the suitable identifier also includes information about the version of software used in the radio energy transmitter 4001. In some embodiments, a client device 4052 within the wireless charging device is configured to detect the one or more identifiers propagated through the one or more wireless power transmitters 4001 and display one or more graphical representations of the wireless power transmitters 4001 to the mobile device user via the GUI 4061. In other embodiments, the client device 4052 determines a version of software running on the radio energy transmitter 4001 and uses that version information to determine the format of the location and identifier associated with the radio energy transmitter 4001 within the information propagated by the radio energy transmitter 4001.

In some embodiments, the client device 4052 can communicate a user request to the system management service 4067, including initiating a charge, interrupting a charge, ending a charge, authenticating a payment transaction, and the like. In other embodiments, a cloud service provider communicates with one or more wireless power transmitters 4001 and manages the distribution of power signals from the one or more wireless power transmitters 4001. The wireless power transmitter 4001 is in wireless communication with the receiver 4020 and is configured to transmit a power signal from the wireless power transmitter 4001 to the receiver 4020 using an adaptive three-dimensional bag forming technique.

Fig. 41 is a flowchart of a pairing process 4100 according to an example embodiment. The pairing process 4100 begins when the electronic device identifies 4121 a power receiver available in the system. Then, using the signal strengths, the electronic device can monitor 4123 the proximity (proximity) of each of the available power receivers. The electronic device may continually check 4125 whether one of the power receivers is within proximity to perform pairing. If no power receiver is within the range, the electronic device may continue to monitor the proximity of the power receiver. If one of the power receivers is within the range, the electronic device may continue to check the database 4127 to determine if the power receiver has been paired 4129. If the power receiver is associated with another electronic device, the electronic device may continue to scan the power receivers and track their proximity. If the power receiver has no association, the electronic device may begin the pairing protocol and may start 4131 a timer and continuously monitor the proximity of the power receiver. After a period of time, the electronic device may check 4135 whether the power receiver is still within range. If the power receiver is not within the proximity range, the electronic device may continue to track the proximity of the power receiver. If the power receiver is still within proximity, the electronic device may update 4137 the database to associate its ID with the power receiver's ID.

In some embodiments, a GUI in the electronic device may analyze a plurality of signal strength measurements (RSSI) for a predetermined period of time prior to updating the database. In some embodiments, the GUI may calculate and average signal strength measurements and compare the average to a predetermined reference value. After updating the information in the internal database, the electronic device may send 4139 a copy of the updated database to the power transmitter, ending the pairing process 4100.

Fig. 42 is a flowchart of an unpaired process 4200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Unpaired process 4200 begins when an electronic device paired with a power receiver continuously monitors 4241 the proximity of the power receiver to check 4243 if the power receiver is out of pairing range. If there is no change, the electronic device may continue to monitor 4241 for proximity of the paired power receiver. If there is a change, the electronic device may start 4245 the timer. After a period of time, the electronic device may check the signal strength of the advertisement propagated by the power receiver to determine 4249 whether the power receiver is still within range. This may be done by a GUI in the electronic device. The GUI may analyze a plurality of signal strength measurements (RSSI) over a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, the GUI may calculate and average signal strength measurements and compare the average to a predetermined reference value.

If the electronic device determines that the power receiver is still within proximity, normal monitoring of the power receiver for proximity may continue. If the electronic device determines that the power receiver is no longer within proximity, the electronic device may continue to update 4251 the internal database and then send 4253 an updated version of the database to the power transmitter. In a parallel process, the electronic device may begin scanning and identifying 4255 available power receivers and continuously monitor for proximity of the available power receivers, ending unpaired process 4200.

In an exemplary embodiment, a smart phone including a GUI for interacting with a wireless charging system is paired with a power receiver embedded in the phone housing. At a first moment, the smart phone communicates with the power receiver, authenticates, receives a database of the power receiver, and begins scanning the power receiver device. After scanning, the smartphone found 3 available power receivers. The smart phone tracks the proximity of the electrical energy device based on the signal strength. At a second moment, one of the power receivers is placed in proximity of the smartphone. The smart phone determines that the power receiver is within range and begins the pairing process. After a few seconds, the smartphone again checks the signal strength and determines that the power receiver is still within an acceptable distance for pairing. The smart phone then updates its own internal database and sends a copy of the updated database to the power receiver. At a third time, the smart phone sends a power supply request to the power transmitter. The power transmitter searches the database to determine the power receiver associated with the smart phone, then directs the antenna array to the power receiver associated with the smart phone, and begins transmitting power.

D. Composition of a system for forming an energy pouch

Fig. 4 illustrates components of an exemplary wireless power transfer system 400 using a pouch formation process. The system 400 may include one or more transmitters 402, one or more receivers 420, and one or more client devices 446.

1. Transmitter

The transmitter 402 may be any device capable of broadcasting a wireless power transfer signal, which may be an RF wave 442 for wireless power transfer as described herein. The transmitter 402 may be responsible for performing tasks related to transmitting power transfer signals, which may include bag formation, adaptive bag formation, and multiple bag formation. In some embodiments, the transmitter 402 may transmit a wireless power transfer signal, which may include a radio signal having any frequency or wavelength, in the form of an RF wave to the receiver 420. The transmitter 402 may include one or more antenna elements 406, one or more RFICs (Radio frequency integrated circuit, radio frequency integrated circuits) 408, one or more microcontrollers 410, one or more communication components 412, a power supply 414, and a housing that may distribute all requested components of the transmitter 402. The various components of the transmitter 402 include and/or may be fabricated using meta-materials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, etc.

In the exemplary system 400, the transmitter 402 may transmit or propagate a controlled RF wave 442 that converges at a location in three-dimensional space to form an energy pocket 444. These RF waves may be controlled by phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive or destructive interference patterns (pocket formation). The energy pocket 444 may be a field formed at the constructive interference pattern and may be three-dimensional in shape; conversely, transmission zeroes located in a particular physical location may be generated at the destructive interference pattern. The receiver 420 may draw electrical energy from the energy pocket created by the pocket formation for use in charging or powering an electronic client device 446 (e.g., notebook, cell phone). In some embodiments, the system 400 may include multiple transmitters 402 and/or multiple receivers 420 for charging the various electronic devices. Non-limiting examples of client device 446 may also include: smart phones, palm top computers, music players and toys, etc. In some embodiments, adaptive pocket formation may be used to regulate power on an electronic device.

2. Receiver with a receiver body

The receiver 420 may include a housing that may include at least one antenna element 424, a rectifier 426, a power converter 428, and a communication component 430.

The housing of the receiver 420 may be made of any material capable of facilitating signal or wave transmission and/or reception, such as plastic or hard rubber. The housing may be external hardware added to the different electronic device, for example in the form of a container, or may be embedded within the electronic device.

3. Antenna element

Antenna element 424 of receiver 420 may include any type of antenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals in the frequency band used by transmitter 402A. Antenna element 424 may include a combination of vertical or horizontal polarization, right or left hand polarization, elliptical or other polarization, and any number of polarizations. Multiple polarizations are beneficial in devices such as smartphones or portable gaming systems where there is no preferential direction or the polarization direction may change over time during use. For devices with well-defined desired directions (e.g., two-handed video game controllers), there may be a preferred polarization for the antennas, which may specify the antenna count ratio for a given polarization. The antenna type of antenna element 424 of receiver 420 may include a patch antenna having a height of about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches and a width of about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches. The patch antenna may preferably have a connectivity dependent polarization, i.e. the polarization may vary depending on which side the patch is fed. In some embodiments, the type of antenna may be any type of antenna, such as a patch antenna, that is capable of dynamically changing the polarization of the antenna to optimize wireless power transfer.

4. Rectifier device

The rectifier 426 of the receiver 420 may include a diode, a resistor, an inductor, and/or a capacitor to convert an Alternating Current (AC) voltage generated by the antenna element 424 to a Direct Current (DC) voltage. The rectifier 426 may be placed as close to the antenna element a24B as technically possible to minimize losses in the electrical energy collected from the electrical energy transfer signal. After shaping the AC voltage, the generated DC voltage may be regulated using a power converter 428. The voltage converter 428 may be a DC-DC converter that may help provide a constant voltage output to an electronic device, or to a battery as in the exemplary system 400, regardless of the input. Typical voltage outputs may be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, the power converter may include an electronic switch-mode DC-DC converter that may provide high efficiency. In this embodiment, receiver 420 may include a capacitor (not shown) adapted to receive electrical energy prior to transducer 428. The capacitor may ensure that sufficient current is supplied to the electronic switching device (e.g., a switched mode DC-DC converter) so that the electronic switching device may operate efficiently. When charging an electronic device (e.g., a cell phone or a notebook computer), an initial high current may be required that can exceed the minimum voltage required to activate operation of the electronic switch-mode DC-DC converter. In this case, a capacitor (not shown) may be added at the output of the receiver 420 to provide the additional energy required. Thereafter, lower power can be provided. For example, 1/80 of the total initial power may be used while the cell phone or notebook is still charged.

5. Communication component

The communication component 430 of the receiver 420 can communicate with one or more devices of the system 400, such as other receivers 420, client devices, and/or transmitters 402. As will be explained in the following embodiments, different arrangements of antennas, rectifiers or power converters are possible for the receiver.

E. Bag forming method for multiple devices

1. Basic configuration

Fig. 5 illustrates steps for powering a plurality of receiver devices according to an exemplary embodiment. In a first step 501, a Transmitter (TX) establishes a connection or is associated with a Receiver (RX). That is, the transmitter and receiver may communicate information using a wireless communication protocol that is capable of transferring information between two processors of an electronic device (e.g.,BLE、Wi-Fi、NFC、/>) And transmitting control data. For example, in implementation->Or->In a variant embodiment, the transmitter may scan the receiver for broadcast advertising signals or the receiver may transmit advertising signals to the transmitter. The advertisement signal may inform the transmitter of the presence of the receiver and may trigger a contact between the transmitter and the receiver. As described later, in some embodiments, the advertising signal may communicate information that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, server computers, other receivers) to perform and manage the process of pocket formation. The information contained within the advertising signal may include a device identifier (e.g. MAC address, IP address, UUTD), voltage of received power, device power consumption, and other types of data related to power transfer waves. The transmitter may use the transmitted advertising signal to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate the receiver in two-dimensional space or three-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter may establish a connection in the transmitter associated with the receiver, thereby enabling the transmitter and the receiver to communicate control signals over the second communication channel.

As an example, when it includesThe Bluetooth processor may be powered on according to +.>The standard begins to announce the receiver. The transmitter may identify the advertisement and begin to establish a connection for communicating the control signal and the power transfer signal. In some embodiments, the advertisement signal may contain a unique identifier to allow the transmitter to distinguish the advertisement and ultimately to distinguish the receiver from all other +.>The devices are distinguished.

In a next step 503, when the transmitter detects an advertisement signal, the transmitter may automatically form a communication connection with the receiver, which may enable the transmitter and the receiver to communicate control signals and power transfer signals. The transmitter may then instruct the receiver to begin transmitting real-time sampled data or control data. The transmitter may also begin transmitting power transfer signals from the antennas of the transmitter's antenna array.

In a next step 505, the receiver may then measure a voltage and other metrics related to the effectiveness of the power transfer signal based on the power energy received through the antenna of the receiver. The receiver may generate control data containing the measurement information and then transmit a control signal containing the control data to the transmitter. For example, the receiver may sample the voltage measurements of the received electrical energy, for example, at a rate of 100 times per second. The receiver may transmit the voltage sample measurements back to the transmitter in the form of control signals 100 times per second.

In a next step 507, the transmitter may execute one or more software modules that monitor metrics, such as voltage measurements, received from the receiver. The algorithm may alter the generation and transmission of the power transfer signal through the antenna of the transmitter to maximize the effectiveness of the energy pocket around the receiver. For example, the transmitter may adjust the phase of the transmitter's antenna as it transmits the power transfer signal until the power received by the receiver indicates an energy pocket effectively established around the receiver. When the optimal configuration for the antenna is identified, the memory of the transmitter may store the configuration to keep the transmitter propagating at the highest level.

In a next step 509, the algorithm of the transmitter may determine when the power transfer signal must be adjusted, and may also change the configuration of the transmitter antenna in response to determining that such an adjustment is required. For example, the transmitter may determine that the power received at the receiver is less than a maximum value based on data received from the receiver. The transmitter can then not only automatically adjust the phase of the power transfer signal, but can also continue to receive and monitor the voltage reported from the receiver.

In a next step 511, after a determined period of time for communicating with a particular receiver, the transmitter may scan and/or automatically detect advertisements from other receivers located in range of the transmitter. The transmitter may be responsive to a signal from the second receiverThe advertisement establishes a connection with the second receiver.

In a next step 513, the transmitter may continue to adjust one or more antennas in the antenna array of the transmitter after establishing the second communication connection with the second receiver. In some embodiments, the transmitter may identify the subset of antennas to serve the second receiver to resolve the array into a subset of arrays associated with the receiver. In some embodiments, the entire antenna array may serve a first receiver for a given period of time, and then the entire array may serve a second receiver for that period of time.

A manual or automatic process performed by the transmitter may select a subset of the array to serve the second receiver. In this example, the array of transmitters may be split in half, forming two subsets. Thus, one half of the antennas may be configured to transmit power to a first receiver, while the other half of the antennas may be configured to transmit power to a second receiver. In a current step 513, the transmitter may apply similar techniques discussed above to configure or optimize the subset of antennas for the second receiver. The transmitter and the second receiver may communicate control data when a subset of antennas for transmitting the power transfer signal is selected. Thus, when the transmitter alternately communicates with the first receiver and/or scans for new receivers, the transmitter has received a sufficient amount of sampled data to adjust the phase of the wave transmitted by the second subset of the antenna array of the transmitter, thereby effectively transmitting the power transfer wave to the second receiver.

In a next step 515, the transmitter may alternatively communicate with the first receiver or scan for additional receivers after adjusting the second subset to transmit power transfer signals to the second receiver. The transmitter may reconfigure the first subset of antennas and then alternate between the first receiver and the second receiver at predetermined intervals.

In a next step 517, the transmitter may continue to alternate between receivers and scan for new receivers at predetermined intervals. Upon detection of each new receiver, the transmitter may establish a connection and thus begin transmitting power transfer signals.

In some exemplary embodiments, the receiver may be electrically connected to a device similar to a smart phone. The processor of the transmitter will scan for any bluetooth devices. The receiver may begin advertising itself as a bluetooth device through the bluetooth chip. In an advertisement, there may be a unique identifier so that the transmitter can distinguish the advertisement as it scans for it, ultimately distinguishing the receiver from all other bluetooth devices within range. When the transmitter detects the advertisement and notices that it is a receiver, the transmitter can instantaneously form a communication connection with the receiver and instruct the receiver to begin transmitting real-time sampled data.

The receiver will then measure the voltage at its receiving antenna and send a voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter (e.g., 100 times per second). The transmitter may begin to change the configuration of the transmit antennas by adjusting the phase. As the transmitter adjusts the phase, the transmitter monitors the voltage sent back from the receiver. In some embodiments, the higher the voltage, the more energy in the energy pocket. The antenna phase may be changed until the voltage is at the highest level and there is a maximum energy pocket around the receiver. The transmitter may hold the antenna at a particular phase to bring the voltage to a highest level.

The transmitter may change each individual antenna, one at a time. For example, if there are 32 antennas in the transmitter and 8 phases per antenna, the transmitter may start from the first antenna and will step into the first antenna through all 8 phases. The receiver may then send back an electrical energy level (power level) for each of the 8 phases of the first antenna. The transmitter may then store the highest phase for the first antenna. The transmitter may repeat this process for the second antenna and step into the second antenna with 8 phases. The receiver may again send back the power level from each phase and the transmitter may store the highest level. Next, the transmitter may repeat the process for the third antenna and continue to repeat the process until all 32 antennas are stepped in by 8 phases. At the end of the process, the transmitter may transmit the maximum voltage to the receiver in the most efficient manner.

In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect the advertisement of the second receiver and form a connection with the second receiver. When the transmitter forms communication with the second receiver, the transmitter may aim the original 32 antennas at the second receiver and repeat the phase process for the 32 antennas aimed at the second receiver. Once this is done, the second receiver can draw as much power from the transmitter as possible. The transmitter may communicate with the second receiver for one second and then alternate back to the first receiver for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one second), and the transmitter may continue to alternate back and forth between the first receiver and the second receiver for a predetermined time interval.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect the advertisement of the second receiver and form a communication connection with the second receiver. First, the transmitter may communicate with the first receiver and reassign half of the example 32 antennas aimed at the first receiver, i.e., dedicate only 16 antennas toward the first receiver. The transmitter may then assign a second half of the antennas to the second receiver, i.e., dedicate 16 antennas to the second receiver. The transmitter may adjust the phase of a second half of the antennas. Once the 16 antennas have experienced each of the 8 phases, the second receiver can obtain the maximum voltage in the most efficient way for the receiver.

2. Determining optimal location for bag formation

Fig. 43 illustrates a tracking positioning flowchart 4300 that may be used by an algorithm in a controller, CPU, processor, computer, or the like for determining an optimal location and orientation of an electronic device that may receive power and/or charge through wireless power compensation transmissions. For optimal efficiency, the electronic device may use various sensors for determining the voltage level in the battery and/or the power level received when the wireless power transfer begins 4359. Such a sensor may indicate whether the device is receiving power at maximum available efficiency 4359. Examples of sensors and/or circuitry to determine power efficiency may include one or more of the following: accelerometers, ambient light sensors, GPS sensors, compasses, proximity sensors, pressure sensors, gyroscopes, infrared sensors, motion sensors, OPS sensor circuitry, and/or other types of sensors or circuitry.

The maximum available efficiency may depend on distance from the transmitter, obstructions, temperature, etc. If the device is receiving power with maximum available efficiency, an application, software, or program installed on the electronic device and/or in the receiver may perceive and/or notice the user to maintain the current location 4363. Moreover, if the device is receiving power at an efficiency that is less than the maximum available efficiency, the software or program may use various sensors for tracking and determining the optimal location of the electronic device relative to the location and orientation of the transmitter. The sensors may include accelerometers, infrared, OPS, and the like. In addition, communication modules for tracking and positioning may use communication reciprocity. The communication module may include and incorporate bluetooth technology, infrared communication, wi-Fi, FM radio, and the like. By comparing the voltage levels and/or power received in and/or in each location of the electronic device, the software and/or program may inform and/or instruct the user to change the device location 4365 for viewing the optimal location and/or orientation.

Fig. 44A illustrates a wireless power transfer 4400A in which a transmitter 4401A may create pocket formations in a plurality of handsets 4452A. As depicted in fig. 44A, wireless power transfer 4400A may charge and/or power cell phone 4452A with low efficiency because antenna 4406B on the receiver may face the same direction of RF waves 4442B, and thus energy pocket 4404A may provide less charge and/or power to antenna 4406B.

Fig. 44B illustrates wireless power transfer in which a cell phone receives charging and/or power at low efficiency, according to an example embodiment. As shown in fig. 44B, by rotating the cellular phone 4452B 180 degrees, the antenna 4406B can receive electric power with higher efficiency, which can be achieved due to the direction of the antenna 4406B (facing the opposite direction of the RF wave 4442B).

3. Receiver-initiated charging

Fig. 45 is a flowchart of a charge request process 4500 according to an exemplary embodiment. Process 4500 begins when an electronic device including a GUI for interacting with a wireless charging system communicates 4569 with a power transmitter. During communication, the electronic device may send information including a device ID, a state of charge, and the like to the power transmitter. The power transmitter may update its own database and may send a copy to the electronic device including the IDs of the available power transmitters within the system. The electronic device may then check 4571 whether the ID of the electronic device has been associated with the ID of the power receiver.

If the electronic devices are not paired, the electronic devices may begin scanning 4573 the power receiver. All power receivers in the system can broadcast advertising messages at any time. The advertisement message may include a unique 32-bit device ID and a system ID or UUTD (Universally Unique Identifier, universally unique identification code). In some embodiments, the advertisement message may include additional information. The electronic device is able to monitor the signal strength of advertisements propagated by different power receivers and track the proximity of the power receiver to the electronic device.

When the electronic device detects that the power receiver is within proximity for a long period of time, the electronic device may check the database to determine if the power receiver has been paired with another electronic device. If the power receiver has not been paired with another device, the electronic device may update the database with an association of the ID of the electronic device with the ID of the power receiver during pairing 4575. The electronic device may then send a copy of the updated database to the power transmitter.

Once the electronic devices are paired, the user or electronic device may send a power supply request 4577 to the power transmitter via a GUI in the electronic device. The power receiver may be turned on 4579 if the power transmitter finds it suitable to provide power to the electronic device.

The power transmitter may then aim the antenna array at a power receiver associated with the electronic device and begin transmitting power to the power receiver. The power receiver may then begin charging 4581 the electronic device. Once the electronic device is charged, the process may end.

Fig. 46 illustrates an example routine 4600 that may be utilized by a microcontroller of the transmitter 4600 to control wireless power transfer. Routine 4600 begins when transmitter 4600 receives a power delivery request 4683 from a receiver. At power delivery request 4683, the receiver may send a signature signal, which may be encoded using techniques such as: delay coding, OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), CDM (code division multiplexing ), or other binary coding used to identify a given electronic device including a receiver. At this stage, the microcontroller may continue to authenticate 4685, where the microcontroller may evaluate the signature signal sent by the receiver. Based on authentication 4685, the microcontroller may make a determination 4687. If the receiver is not authorized to receive power, then at decision 4687 the microcontroller decides not to deliver power 4689, thus ending the routine 4600 at end 4691. On the other hand, if the receiver is authorized to receive power, the microcontroller may determine the device type 4693. In this step, the microcontroller may obtain information from the receiver such as: device type, manufacturer, serial number, total power required, and other such information. Thereafter, the microcontroller may run the device module 4695, wherein the microcontroller may run a routine suitable for authenticating the device. Furthermore, if multiple receivers are requiring power, the microcontroller may deliver power equally to all receivers or may utilize the priority status of each receiver. Such priority status may be user defined. In some embodiments, the user may choose to deliver more power to their smartphone than to the gaming device. In other cases, the user may choose to power his smartphone first and then power his gaming device.

Fig. 47 shows an example of a routine 4700 that may be utilized by a microcontroller at a device module. Routine 4700 may begin with determining a power delivery profile (power delivery profile) 4741, in which step the routine may decide to run a default power profile or a user-defined profile. In the former case, the microcontroller may verify the battery level 4743, in which step the microcontroller may determine the power requirements of the electronic device including the receiver. Thereafter, the microcontroller may enter decision 4745. At decision 4745, if the battery of the electronic device including the receiver is fully charged, the microcontroller executes not to deliver power 4747, thus ending the routine 4700 at end 4751. On the other hand, if the battery of the electronic device including the receiver is not fully charged, the microcontroller may verify at decision 4749 whether the electronic device meets specific power supply criteria. The above power supply criteria may depend on the electronic device that requires power. For example, a smartphone may receive power only if: other such criteria when not in use, or possibly during use but only when the user is not making a call through it, or during use as long as Wi-Fi is not damaged. In the case of a user-defined profile, the user may specify the minimum battery level that his device may have before delivering power, or the user may specify criteria for powering his or her device, as well as other such options.

Alternatively, the microcontroller may also record data about the processor on the transmitter. The data may include power supply statistics related to: the period of time that the device needs to be powered, the time it takes to power the device, the amount of power delivered to the device, the priority status of the device, where the device is most often powered (e.g., at home or at a workplace). In addition, the statistics described above may be uploaded to a cloud-based server so that the user can view all such statistics. In some embodiments, the store, coffee shop, etc. that sets the wireless power as an auxiliary service may use the above mentioned statistics to charge the user a corresponding monetary amount for the total power received. In some cases, the user may purchase a power supply time, for example, the user may pay for one hour of power. Thus, the above mentioned statistics can help the microcontroller decide when to stop delivering power to such a user.

4. Transmitter-initiated charging

Fig. 48 illustrates a transmitter creating at least one energy pocket on a portable mat that may further redirect electrical energy to other receiving devices, according to an example embodiment. Figure 48 shows an alternative configuration to WPT in the form of a wireless power transfer 4800 in which the transmitter 4801 can create at least one energy pocket 4804 on a portable pad 4894. The pad 4894 may include at least one receiver and at least one transmitter (not shown) for receiving wireless power from the transmitter 4801 and retransmitting the power to a device through pocket formation, such as a smart phone 4852 operatively coupled to the receiver (not shown). In some embodiments, pad 4894 may communicate with transmitter 4801 by short RF signals sent via antenna elements of transmitter 4801 or via a standard communication protocol. The above operation may enable the transmitter 4801 to easily position the cushion 4894. The disclosed configuration is beneficial when the smartphone 4852 cannot communicate directly with the transmitter 4801. This arrangement may also be beneficial because cushion 4894 may be placed in virtually any desired and readily accessible location. Finally, the transmitter 4801 can include a button (not shown) similar to the button of the transmitter 4801, which when activated, the transmitter 4801 can create the energy pocket 4804 on the cushion 4894. The duration of the energy pocket 4804 on the pad 4894 may be custom defined to suit the needs of various users, a further advantage of the WPT is that other devices may be placed near the pad 4894 and may also receive power wirelessly, i.e. the electronic device that needs to be charged may not even need to be placed on the pad 4894.

Fig. 49 includes fig. 49A and 49B describing wireless power transfer 4900A. Referring first to fig. 49A, a smartphone 4952A operably coupled to a receiver (not shown) may lack available power and may not be able to communicate with the transmitter 4901A. In this embodiment, the tracker may be used to communicate the location where power should be delivered to the transmitter 4901A. The tracker may include communication components (not shown) within it, such as those described above for the transmitter and receiver, for communicating the above location to the transmitter 4901A. Such communication means may be activated upon request by a user. For example, the tracker may comprise an activation button (not shown) which, when pressed, activates the above mentioned communication means.

Fig. 49B illustrates wireless power transfer including a tracker that may be used to establish a location on at least one receiving device required to generate an energy pocket, according to an example embodiment.

After the activation described above, the communication component may send a request to the transmitter 4901A for creating an energy pocket 4904B at the location of the tracker. To charge the smartphone 4952A, the user may activate the tracker at the same location or close to the smartphone 4952A (fig. 49B). After establishing the necessary charge, the smartphone 4952A may optionally communicate its location (via its own device) to the transmitter 4901A to continue to deliver power wirelessly. In other embodiments, the energy pocket 4904B may be created at a spatial domain or area that may be beneficial or easily accessible to a user, but in which no electronic device is present. In this case, an electronic device requiring charging, such as a smart phone 4952A, may be moved to the above-described location for use with the energy pouch 4904B. When there is no electronic device that needs to be charged, the user may customize the duration of the energy pouch 4904B. In some other embodiments, the duration of the energy pocket 4904B may be given by the operation of the tracker, for example, at least one energy pocket 4904B may be generated after the tracker is activated. Such an energy pocket 4904B may remain active until the activation button of the tracker is pressed a second time.

In the above configuration of wireless power transfer, an electronic device such as a smart phone 4952A may utilize a smaller and cheaper receiver. The above-described object can be achieved in that the receiver does not need its own communication components to communicate the position to the transmitter 4901A. Instead, a tracker may be used to perform this function. In some other embodiments, the tracker may take the form of an accessory that connects to the electronic device via a connection such as USB (Universal Serial Bus ). In this case, the tracker may be activated after connection to the device and may control the amount of power delivered wirelessly. In some embodiments, the user may create as many energy bags 4904B as devices that need to be charged.

Fig. 50 illustrates a wireless power transfer 5000 in which a user carrying a tracker 5098 may create various power pockets 5004 in different locations for powering various electronic devices including a receiver for pocket formation. At the time of request and at a user-specified location, an energy pocket 5004 may be formed by a transmitter 5001. Furthermore, once the devices establish a charge, the devices may optionally communicate their location (via their own means) to the transmitter 5001 to continue to wirelessly transmit power.

5. Charging multiple devices using time division multiplexing

Fig. 51 illustrates a flowchart of a method for automatically allocating a subset of antenna arrays to simultaneously power two or more client devices in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

The method 5100 begins when a user or system operator accesses a system management GUI through a website or on a client computing device to instruct 5153 a wireless power transfer system to charge a client device, which may be paired with an adapted receiver or may include a wireless power receiver built into a portion of the hardware of the device. In other embodiments, the system auto-charge schedule may also command the wireless power transfer system to charge the client device. The system management may then send a charge command 5155 to all system transmitters. Each system transmitter may determine if it is within the power range of the power receiver, and if the system transmitter is not within the power range of the power receiver, the best transmitter may be selected 5157 to control the wireless power receiver of the client device to power, and the selected transmitter may then begin communicating with the wireless power receiver in real-time to track 5159 the orientation of the wireless power receiver relative to the transmit antenna array, aim the entire power transmit antenna array at the wireless power receiver, and begin power transmission. The wireless power receiver may then receive the power and subsequently power the client device.

After method 5100, the user or auto-scheduling software may command 5161 to charge the second client device, and then the selected transmitter may begin communicating with the receiver of the second client device in real-time to track the direction of the second wireless power receiver and divide the antenna array of the transmitter in half 5163 so that the transmitter may aim and use half or a subset of the power antenna array to power the first client device, aim and use the remaining antennas to power the second client device so that both client devices may continuously receive power. Then, at decision 5165, if the user or auto-scheduling software commands to charge more client devices, the selected transmitter may begin communicating with a third or more client devices in real-time and reassign 5167 its antenna array to target and power each receiver by dividing the antenna array into antenna subsets. If there are no more client devices to charge, the system manager may check at decision 5169 whether any client devices that are charging or powering are to cease powering, and then, if one or more client devices are to cease powering, the subset of antenna arrays allocated for powering the receiver of the client device may be redistributed 5171 among the receivers of the remaining client devices to continue powering the receiver. This process occurs almost simultaneously for the device being powered, since the transmitter software is already tracking and using their exact orientation with respect to the antenna array on the fly. If no client device stops charging, the system manager may again check at decision 5165 if there are more client devices to charge and follow the same steps described previously. The method may continue to loop as long as the wireless power system is charging or powering the receivers of one or more client devices.

Fig. 52 shows a flow diagram of an example routine 5200 that may be utilized by the wireless power management software, which may be initialized via the system management GUI to command the system to charge one or more client devices at step 5273. System management may distribute commands to all system transmitters managed by the wireless management software. Then, based on the number of client devices to be charged, at decision 5275, the management software can determine whether there are enough antennas and communication channels available. If there are sufficient antennas and communication channels to charge the client device, the management software may allocate the closest transmitter to charge the client device and may allocate a dedicated communication channel to begin communication with the client device at step 5277, which may be accomplished by continuously tracking the direction of the client device according to the power transfer antenna array, or monitoring the battery level, or receiving measurements or other telemetry or metadata from the receiver, or any other function that supports wireless power transfer. The dedicated communication channel may be selected from available channels for communication with the client device.

Subsequently, at decision 5279, the wireless management software can continue to charge the client devices until more client devices request power. If no additional client devices are requesting power, routine 5200 ends. However, if more devices are requesting power, then at decision 5279 the radio energy manager can determine if there are enough antennas and communication channels available for the new client device. If there are not enough antennas and communication channels, then at step 5281 the radio energy manager can allocate all antennas or antenna groups and communication channels from the antenna array using TDM (Time Division Multiplexing ).

TDM is used to enable a transmitter to communicate with more power receivers than it has channels by sharing the available channels over time. The transmitter communicates with each receiver in turn, and thus with each receiver for a limited time, which may be a short time of, for example, 1 second or less. By sharing a limited number of transmitter communication channels to enable frequent communication with all receivers, the transmitter may track and/or power all of the receivers (which in turn transmit power to the client device).

TDM also supports sharing power transfer from the entire transmitter antenna array among all devices over time. That is, when the transmitter automatically switches communications to receive power in the scheduled receivers so that the transmitter can track the direction (angle) of the receiver relative to the transmitter antenna array, the transmitter also quickly redirects the antenna array from one receiver to another receiver so that each scheduled receiver periodically obtains antenna power during its "time slice". The transmitter may also direct a single packet (subset) of antennas to a particular receiver and simultaneously direct one or more other packets to one or more other receivers.

TDM may be used to enable charging, more particularly to communicate between a transmitter and a power receiver of a client device by using an existing communication channel that may be shared by more than one device instead of a dedicated channel. By using TDM techniques, the radio energy transmitter may cause one or more of its respective transmit antennas and communication channels to be reassigned to a particular grouping of client devices that may be in an online mode, so that the client devices of the particular grouping may be powered simultaneously. The remaining client devices may be switched to an offline mode while the online client devices are powered and remain on for a limited time interval.

Subsequently, at decision 5279, the wireless power manager can continue to charge the client devices until more client devices request power. Finally, at decision 5279, if no additional client devices are requesting power, routine 5200 ends.

Fig. 53 is a flowchart of a process 5300 for powering a plurality of client devices using a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) method in a wireless power transfer system, according to an embodiment. At step 5383, process 5300 begins when a system management GUI operated by a user in a wireless power transmitter system can command a system management server to manually or automatically power one or more client devices from a wireless power receiver. Subsequently, at step 5385, the system management server may communicate commands to one or more radio energy transmitters in the radio energy transmission system.

Each wireless power transmitter may examine a local system distributed database or other storage of system status, control and configure to determine if the transmitter is within power range of the client device at step 5387, and may control the wireless power receiver of the client device that is commanded to receive power. The process may end if the wireless power receiver of the client device is not within the power range of the wireless power transmitter. However, if the wireless power receiver of the client device is within the power range of the wireless power transmitter, then the wireless power transmitter may begin communicating with the wireless power receiver of the client device in real-time at step 5389. Whenever there are one or more client devices commanding the wireless power transmitter to power, the wireless power transmitter may regroup its power transfer antennas, in which groups each grouping may be assigned to each client device to enable all client devices to be powered simultaneously.

Thereafter, at step 5391, if there are sufficient transmitter antennas to power all of the wireless power receivers of the client devices within the power range, a system management server within the wireless power transfer system may command the wireless power transmitter. If the transmitter antenna within the radio transmitter is capable of meeting the power requirements of all of the radio receivers, the radio transmitter may continue to power all of the client devices at step 5393. However, if the existing power supply of the wireless power transmitter does not meet the requirements of all wireless power receivers, then at step 5395 the system management server may instruct the power transmitter manager within the wireless power transmitter to conduct TDM power transmission. A radio energy manager within the radio energy transmitter may receive commands regarding a client device to be powered and may determine a radio energy receiver associated with the client device.

Using TDM power transmission, the wireless power transmitter groups or reallocates one or more of its transmit antennas such that each group transmits power to a different wireless power receiver, thereby enabling the receiver's client devices to receive power simultaneously. The remaining client devices of the radio energy receiver may be set to an offline mode while the online client devices are powered. At step 5397, the TDM power transmission system may determine whether there is sufficient power for the online client device. If there is insufficient power for the online client devices, i.e., one or more of the client devices may not receive sufficient power, the wireless power transmitter will set one or more of the online client devices to offline mode and try again, and then by setting more devices to offline mode until all of the online client devices receive sufficient power.

At step 5399, the TDM power transmission process may enable the wireless power transmitter to power all client devices for a specified time interval (or period) using an automatic on-line/off-line process.

Similarly, if there is insufficient power for the currently online client devices, the client device that has been in online mode for the longest duration may be sequentially switched to offline mode until all online client devices have obtained sufficient power. However, if the client devices in online mode receive enough power, then at step 5393, the TDM power transmission may decide to keep the same number of client devices in online mode and power them.

Fig. 54 is a flowchart of a process 5400 for adjusting the number of antennas allocated to a wireless power receiver to make power transfer from the wireless power transmitter to the receiver more balanced. Process 5400 may be part of an overall process for wireless power transfer and may be performed by a microprocessor as part of a system architecture. Process 5400 can be performed by a processor by executing software code in a power transmission management application, such as a power transmitter manager application. In some embodiments, the processor may perform process 5400 by executing instructions laid out in a radio energy manager application, in yet another embodiment, the processor may perform process 5400 by executing instructions laid out in a software application that is not part of the system architecture.

Code executed by the microprocessor may cause various components included in the system architecture to initiate or terminate activities. Hardware circuitry that replaces those hardware circuitry in the system architecture may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement the processes described herein. Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. Although the block diagrams in the disclosed process 5400 are shown in a particular order, the actual order may be different. In some embodiments, certain steps may be performed in parallel.

The process begins when a processor commands a Wireless Power Transmitter (WPT) to communicate with a Wireless Power Receiver (WPR) in sufficient proximity to the WPT to establish communication with the WPT, step 5451. WPR may pass data to WPT including: the identification code of the WPR, the approximate spatial location of the WPR, the power state of the WPR, and the like. At step 5453, the processor may determine from the received data and additional data (e.g., database) that may be stored in the database whether WPT should deliver power to WPR. If the processor determines that the WPT should not power the WPR, the processor may continue to look at more wireless power receivers that are in range and that should be powered at step 5465. If the processor determines that WPT should power the WPR, at step 5455 the processor may calculate a more approximate location of the WPR by using the approximate spatial location data received from the WPR and additional metrics, which may include signal strength, WPT type, and the type of device to which the WPR may be attached, etc.

At step 5457, the processor may command the WPT to allocate a set of antennas from an antenna array that may be used to transmit RF waves to the WPR. At step 5459, the processor may command the WPT to modify the amplitude and phase and other parameters of the transmitted RF wave to shape a beam that may be focused on the WPR. In step 5461, the processor may read state data from the WPR. The status data from the WPR may include a measurement of the energy received by the WPR, the power level of the WPR, the perceived spatial location of the WPR, and minimum power sufficient to power the electronic device to which the WPR may be attached, as well as other operating parameters. In some embodiments, the minimum power setting may come from other sources, such as a look-up table in other locations within the system.

At step 5463, the processor may use the read information and determine whether the power delivered to that WPR is unbalanced compared to other WPRs or whether any WPR has obtained too much or too little power. If the power received by the WPR is less than the minimum power, then returning to step 5457, the processor may command the WPT to allocate more antennas for the set of antennas that may be used to power the WPR. In some embodiments, if the number of available antennas is insufficient to power the WPR, the WPT may utilize techniques such as time division multiplexing to share more antennas with the WPR to meet the power requirements of the WPR within the power range of the one or more wireless power transmitters. Techniques such as time division multiplexing may enable charging of multiple WPRs during an automatic online mode or offline mode sequence over a prescribed time interval or period.

If the WPR receives power substantially exceeding its minimum power required, then returning to step 5457, the processor may command the WPT to reduce the number of antennas allocated to the WPR and power other WPRs using the reallocated antennas to enable simultaneous continued wireless powering of the first WPR. At step 5465, the processor may look up another wireless powered receiver that is in range and should be powered and if such a receiver is found, then returning to step 5453, the processor may initiate communication with the new WPR and the process may repeat from step 5453. When the processor determines from the communication with the WPR that the WPT has completed transmitting power to the WPR, returning to step 5451, the WPT may communicate with the WPR to notify that the power transmission has ended and may disconnect the communication at step 5453. The WPT may then examine the database to determine WPR (if any) that are in a range where the WPT should transmit power, at step 5465.

Fig. 55A depicts a block diagram of a transmitter 5500A that may be used for wireless power transfer. Such a transmitter 5500A may include one or more antenna elements 5506A, one or more Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) 5508A, one or more microcontrollers 5510A, communications components 5512A, a power source 5514A, and a housing 5501A, where the housing 5501A may distribute all requested components of the transmitter 5500A. The components in the transmitter 5500A may be fabricated using metamaterials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, and the like.

The transmitter 5500A may be responsible for pocket formation, adaptive pocket formation, and multiple pocket formation through the use of the components mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. The transmitter 5500A may send a wireless power transmission in the form of a radio signal to one or more receivers, which may include any radio signal having any frequency or wavelength.

Fig. 55B is an exemplary illustration of a patch antenna array 5500B that may be used in the transmitter 5500A. The patch antenna array 5500B may include N antenna elements 5506A, where the gain requirements for power transfer may be 64 to 256 antenna elements 5506A distributed in any equally spaced grid. In an embodiment, the patch antenna array 5500B may have an 8x8 grid to have a total of 64 antenna elements 5506A. In another embodiment, the patch antenna array 5500B may have a 16x16 grid to have a total of 256 antenna elements 5506A. However, the number of antenna elements 5506A may vary with respect to the desired range and power transfer capability of the transmitter 5500A, the more antenna elements 5506A, the wider the range and the higher the power transfer capability. Alternative configurations may also include circular patterns and polygonal arrangements. The patch antenna array 5500B may also be split into multiple pieces and distributed along multiple surfaces (aspects).

The antenna element 5506A may include a patch antenna element 5506A, a dipole antenna element 5506A, and any suitable antenna for wireless power transfer. For example, suitable antenna types may include patch antennas having a height of from about 1/2 inch to about 6 inches and a width of from about 1/2 inch to about 6 inches. The shape and orientation of the antenna element 5506A may vary depending on the desired characteristics of the transmitter 5500A, and the orientation may be flat along the X, Y, and Z axes, as well as combinations of various orientation types and three-dimensional arrangements. The antenna element 5506A material may include suitable materials that enable efficient radio signal transmission, low heat dissipation, and the like.

The antenna element 5506A may include suitable antenna types for operation in frequency bands such as 900MHz, 2.5GHz, or 5.8GHz, as these bands comply with FCC (Federal Communications Commission ) regulations section 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment). The antenna element 5506A may operate at independent frequencies to allow multi-channel operation of the pouch formation.

In addition, the antenna element 5506A may have at least one polarization or polarization selection. Such polarization may include vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, circular polarization, left-hand polarization, right-hand polarization, or a combination of these polarizations. The polarization selection may vary depending on the characteristics of the transmitter 5500A. In addition, antenna elements 5506A may be located in various surfaces of the transmitter 5500A.

The antenna elements 5506A may operate in a single antenna array, a paired array, a square array, and any other arrangement, as may be designed according to the desired application.

Fig. 56 illustrates an antenna array 5686A in accordance with various embodiments. Antenna array 5686A may include suitable antenna types for operation in frequency bands such as 900MHz, 2.5GHz, or 5.8GHz, as these frequency bands comply with FCC regulations section 18.

Fig. 56A shows a single antenna array 5686A in which all antenna elements 5606B can operate at 5.8 hz. Thus, a single array 5686A may be used to charge or power a single device.

Fig. 56B shows a paired array 5686B in which the upper half 5688B of the antenna element 5606B can operate at 5.8GHz and the lower half 5690B can operate at 2.4 GHz. The paired antenna 5686B may then be used to simultaneously charge or power two receivers that may operate on different frequency bands, such as the frequency bands described above. As can be seen in fig. 56B, the size of the antenna element 5606B may vary depending on the antenna type.

Fig. 56C shows a quad array 5686C in which each antenna element may be virtually separated to avoid power loss during wireless power transfer. In this embodiment, each antenna element may be virtually divided into two antenna elements: an antenna element 5694C and an antenna element 5692C. The antenna element 5694C may be used to transmit power in the 5.8GHz band, while the antenna element 5692C may be used to transmit power in the 2.4GHz band. Then, the square array 5686C can be used for the following cases: multiple receivers operating on different frequency bands need to be charged or powered.

In a first exemplary embodiment, portable electronic devices operating at 2.4GHz may be powered or charged. In this example, the transmitter may be used to deliver the energy pouch to an electronic device. The transmitter may have a single array of 8 x 8 patch antennas, where all antenna elements may operate in the 2.4GHz band, which may occupy less volume than other antennas, thus enabling the transmitter to be located in small and thin spaces such as walls, mirrors, doors, ceilings, and the like. Furthermore, the patch antenna may be optimized to operate wireless power transfer from long range transfer to narrow range transfer, which feature may allow operation of the portable device in larger areas such as train stations, bus stations, airports, and the like. Furthermore, an 8 x 8 patch antenna may generate smaller energy pockets than other antennas due to its smaller volume, which may reduce losses and may enable more accurate generation of energy pockets that may be used to charge or power various portable devices near an area and/or objects that do not require energy pockets near or on them.

In a second exemplary implementation, two electronic devices operating on two different frequency bands may be charged or powered simultaneously. In this example, the transmitter may be used to deliver the energy pouch to two electronic devices. In this example, the transmitter may have a paired array with different types of antennas (a planar antenna and a dipole antenna), in which paired array 1/2 of the array may be formed by the planar antenna while the other half of the antennas are formed by the dipole antennas. As described in the first exemplary implementation, the patch antenna may be optimized to radiate electrical energy in a narrow hall of considerable distance. On the other hand, dipole antennas can be used for short-range radiation of electrical energy, but cover more area due to their radiation direction, and furthermore, the dipole antennas can be adjusted manually, a feature which is beneficial when the transmitter is located in a crowded space and the transmission needs to be optimized.

Fig. 57 is a table depicting an exemplary distribution over time of using TDM communication channels 5700 in wireless power transfer. More specifically, fig. 57 depicts a table with channel assignments for 5 client devices, while the radio energy transmitter allows only 4 communication channels.

Fig. 57 shows how a limited 4 communication channels of a transmitter are used over time to communicate with 5 receivers-more than the number of channels of the transmitter. Time advances from left to right and is represented as 10 time slices. Each time slice represents a limited amount of clock time, for example 1 second. Each 'Cn' represents one of the communication channels of the transmitter. Each 'Rn' represents one of the wireless power transmitters that receives power from the wireless transmitter and then transmits power to the client device.

During time slice t0, the transmitter communicates with receiver R1 using channel C1, with receiver R2 using channel C2, with receiver R3 using channel C3, with receiver R4 using channel C4, and there is no communication with receiver R5.

During time slice t1, the transmitter now communicates with receiver R5 using C1 to give R5 an opportunity to receive power, receiver R2 continues to communicate with the transmitter over channel C2, receiver R3 continues to communicate with the transmitter over channel C3, and receiver R4 continues to communicate with the transmitter over channel C4. There is no communication with the receiver Rl.

During time slice t2, the transmitter now communicates with receiver R1 using C2 to give R1 an opportunity to receive power, receiver R3 continues to communicate with the transmitter over channel C3, receiver R4 continues to communicate with the transmitter over channel C4, and receiver R5 continues to communicate with the transmitter over channel C1. There is no communication with the receiver R2.

During a time slice when the transmitter communicates with a particular receiver, it may use the communication to obtain the receiver power state from the receiver, which the transmitter uses to target the receiver to the transmitter antenna to power the receiver's client device. The system may use other methods to control aiming the antenna at the receiver, such as receiver beacon signal transmission and transmitter beacon signal reception. The transmitter may aim the array antenna subset at each of the four receivers in communication.

This mode continues over time while the user schedules the receiver to receive power. More receivers may be added to these schedules or some receivers may be removed. When there are more transmitter channels (4 in this example) available, these channels (TDM) are shared over time so that the transmitter can communicate with any number of receivers. When there are no more transmitter channels, the transmitter assigns each channel to a specific receiver.

An exemplary distribution of communication channels using TDM in radio power transmission is depicted in a table with channel assignments for 5 client devices while the radio power transmitter allows only 4 communication channels. When the fifth client device R5 is instructed to start charging during time period t1, the wireless power manager may use TDM technology. Subsequently, at time period t1, the radio energy manager may instruct the radio energy transmitter to stop communicating with the first client device R1 using the first communication channel C1, and to start communicating with the fifth client device R5 using the first communication channel C1. Thereafter, at a time period t2 after a finite time, the radio energy manager may instruct the radio energy transmitter to cease communication with the second client device R2 using the second communication channel C2, and then the radio energy transmitter may resume communication with the first client device R1 using the second communication channel R2 and aim the antenna group at the first client device R1. Subsequently, after a limited time period t3, the radio energy manager may command the radio energy transmitter to stop communication with the third client device R3 that is using the third communication channel C3. The radio energy transmitter can now resume communication with the second client device R2 using the third communication channel C3 and aim the antenna group at the second client device R2. This process may continue until the number of client devices to be powered changes.

Fig. 58 is a diagram 5800 of an exemplary potential interaction between a radio energy receiver and a radio energy transmitter, according to some embodiments. Graph 5800 may describe how TDM power transfer (software modules) may be at the radioA process that can operate in a transmitter. Specifically, the process may be at time t ₀ Beginning at time t ₀ Where the wireless power device (D1) may reach the wireless power transmitter, the TDM power transmission may instruct the wireless power transmitter to allocate antenna Groups (GA) to power D1.

At time t ₁ If D1 is moved from the initial position, the TDM power transmission may command the wireless power transmitter to change the number of antennas based on the original grouping and assign an antenna grouping (GB 1) to power D1. If another radio energy receiver (D2) arrives at the radio energy transmitter at the same time, the TDM power transmission may instruct the radio energy transmitter to allocate another antenna Group (GB) to power D2. The radio energy transmitter can now power both radio energy receivers.

At time t ₃ If both D1 and D2 are moved from their locations, the TDM power transmission may instruct the wireless power transmitter to change the number of antennas and assign one antenna group (GB 1) to power D1 and another antenna group (GC 2) to power D2 according to the original group. If there are two more radio energy receivers (D3 and D4) reaching the radio energy transmitter, the TDM power transmission can instruct the radio energy transmitter to allocate two antenna groups (GC 3 and GC 4) to power D3 and D4. The radio transmitter can now power four devices and there may not be more transmit antennas available for additional radio receivers.

If the additional radio energy receiver (D5) comes into range of the radio energy transmitter, at time t ₃ And no additional antennas are available to designate new packets to power D5, the TDM power transmission may use antenna sharing techniques to ensure that all devices are receiving power. For example, TDM power transmission may switch antenna packets from one device to another device within a specified time interval. If no other change in position occurs, e.g. from time t ₄ To t ₉ The TDM power transmission may continue to switch packets from the radio power receiver with the longest transmitted power time to the radio power receiver with the shortest transmitted power time.

Fig. 59 shows a chart 5900 of exemplary potential interactions of a wireless power receiver and a wireless power transmitter that may be part of a wireless power transfer system architecture. The graph 5900 may provide an example of a radio energy receiver served by a radio energy transmitter. According to some embodiments, the additional radio energy receiver may be powered when it reaches the radio energy transmitter.

According to another embodiment, multiple radio energy transmitters may together power one or more receivers. At time t ₀ The radio energy device (D1) may come into range of the radio energy transmitter. The processor may instruct the radio energy transmitter to allocate antenna Groups (GA) of all transmitter antennas to power the client device D1 functions.

At time t ₁ The system starts to power the client device D2 again, so the transmitter employs two new antenna groups (G for continuing D1 to be powered _B1 And a group G for a newly powered device D2 _B2 ) Replacement of previous antenna group G _A . Since there are two packets, each packet gets half of the entire transmitter antenna array.

At time t ₂ There are two more devices D3 and D4 to start receiving power, so the transmitter replaces the previous two antenna groups G with four antenna groups _B1 And G _B2 Currently, one antenna grouping is used: g _C1 、G _C2 、G _C3 、G _C4 To power each client device (Dl, D2, D3, D4).

At time t ₃ The fifth client device D5 is configured to receive power. However, the maximum antenna grouping allowed at the same time is 4. Thus, in order to power 5 client devices, time division multiplexing must be used to instantaneously use the 4 antenna groups to power 4 devices simultaneously, with each subsequent time interval t _n During this time, one of the 5 devices is not powered. Thus, at time t ₃ Up to four antenna groups G _C1 、G _C2 、G _C3 、G _C4 Providing client devices D5, D2, D3, D4, respectivelyAnd (5) electricity. At time t ₄ Power to D2 is stopped, power to D1 is restarted, and D3, D4, and D5 continue to receive power. This cycling mode continues indefinitely until all devices are charged.

6. Power transfer management

Fig. 60 is a flow chart 6000 generally illustrating an exemplary method for transmitting wireless power to a device. The steps of the exemplary method are implemented in a computer readable medium containing computer readable code such that the steps are implemented when the computer readable code is executed by a computer device. In some embodiments, certain steps of the method may be combined, performed simultaneously, performed in a different order, or omitted without departing from the goals of the method.

In fig. 60, the process begins when a client device starts 6067 application after a client request. In some embodiments, a client device detects a receiver to which it is coupled and reads an identifier associated with the receiver from the receiver. In other embodiments, the receiver is inherent to the client device, and thus the client device already includes an identifier associated with the receiver. In still other embodiments, the client device propagates or advertises an identifier associated with the receiver to other client devices in range.

The client device then communicates 6069 with the system management service via a suitable network connection including ethernet, local Area Network (LAN), virtual Private Network (VPN), wide Area Network (WAN), bluetooth low energy, wi-Fi, zigBee, and the like. In some embodiments, the client device communicates a credential associated with a user of the client device, an identifier of a receiver associated with the client device, etc., and then the system management service authenticates 6071 the credential associated with the client device. In some embodiments, if the certificate cannot be authenticated, registration of the user is required. In other embodiments, the system management service denies access to the user if authentication fails.

The client device then detects 6073 the broadcast from the transmitter and reads the identifier associated with the transmitter. In some embodiments, the transmitter uses bluetooth, bluetooth low energy (BTLE), wi-Fi, or the like to broadcast its presence and an identifier associated therewith. The identifier associated with the transmitter may include the transmitter's MAC address, network address, etc., and the client device displays 6075 the transmitter's presentation to the mobile device user via the GUI. In some embodiments, the GUI generates a presentation form of the transmitter such that a mobile device user can request a transmission of power from the transmitter to the client device. In other embodiments, the GUI displays additional information such as, for example, the distance of the transmitter to the client device, costs associated with receiving power from the transmitter, and the like.

Next, the client device receives 6077 a command from the mobile device user to power the client device, which sends 6079 a request for wireless power delivery to the system management service. In some embodiments, the request sent by the client device includes a credential associated with the client device (e.g., a user account credential), an identifier associated with one or more nearby transmitters, an identifier associated with the client device, an identifier associated with a receiver coupled to the client device (when not integrated into the client device), billing instructions, and so forth.

The system management service then authenticates 6081 the client device, verifies the billing configuration, and verifies whether the client device is authorized to receive wireless power. In some embodiments, the system management service authenticates the client device by comparing a certificate contained within the request (e.g., user account certificate) and an identifier associated with the client device with data stored in a database within the cloud service provider. In other embodiments, the system management service additionally verifies that the billing configuration of the user is valid, and then the system management service determines 6083 if the client device is authorized to receive power. In some embodiments, if the client device is not authorized, the process ends. In other embodiments, the process proceeds to another process that enables the mobile device user to authorize the client device by adding additional funds to the account, requesting authorization from a third party, and so forth.

The system management service communicates 6085 with the transmitter and instructs the transmitter to power a receiver associated with the client device. In some embodiments, the system management service communicates with the transmitter using a suitable network connection including Ethernet, local Area Network (LAN), virtual Private Network (VPN), wide Area Network (WAN), bluetooth Low energy, wi-Fi, zigBee, and the like. In other embodiments, the command includes any number of suitable parameters for performing the required charging method, including the desired power output, the amount of time to charge, the amount of power delivered, and the like. In some embodiments, the receiver is integrated with the client device. In other embodiments, the receiver is a wireless receiver coupled and electrically connected to one or more client devices.

The transmitter establishes 6087 communication with the receiver and locates the receiver in three dimensions. The transmitter then uses its antenna to form an energy pocket 6089 at the receiver. Next, the receiver receives 6091 energy from the pocket formed by the transmitter and powers the client device.

Fig. 61 is a flow chart 6100 generally illustrating an exemplary method for monitoring wireless power delivered to a device. The steps of the exemplary method are implemented in a computer readable medium comprising computer readable code such that the steps are implemented when the computer readable code is executed by a computer device. In some embodiments, certain steps of the method may be combined, performed simultaneously, performed in a different order, or omitted without departing from the goals of the method.

In fig. 61, the process begins with the transmitter reading 6151 the power and energy data from the receiver. In some embodiments, the receiver is integrated with the client device. In other embodiments, the receiver is a wireless receiver coupled and electrically connected to one or more client devices. In some embodiments, the data includes a speed at which power is delivered from the wireless power transmitter to the receiver, a total energy transferred from the wireless power transmitter to the receiver, a current battery level of the client device, and the like.

The transmitter then communicates 6153 with the system management service and informs the system management service that it is charging the client device. In some embodiments, the transmitter also reports the transmitted energy/power satisfying the charging request of the client device, the identifier of the receiver, etc.

Next, the system management service bills the mobile device user for energy sent from the transmitter to the client device if needed 6155. The system management service then communicates 6157 the account information to the client device. In some embodiments, the account information includes billing information as well as information associated with a current billing session, information from a previous billing session, account balance information, charges associated with radio energy received during the current billing session, power transfer speed of the transmitter, and so forth.

The GUI displayed by the client device shows 6159 that the client device is being charged. In some embodiments, the GUI displays the account balance information, account information, etc. mentioned above.

One or more of the radio energy transmitter, receiver, and/or system management service then communicates 6161 the usage status information to the information distribution service. In some embodiments, the usage status information is used to run analysis of customer behavior, demographics, quality of service, and the like. In some embodiments, the information distribution service resides in a remote cloud. In other embodiments, the information distribution service resides in a local network.

For example, a user with a smart phone walks into a coffee shop. The smart phone detects the wireless power transmitter operated by the cafe and reads the ID of the transmitter. The user then notices that the smartphone is too low, commanding the mobile app to request local radio power. The user may also have the configured radio energy system management automatically do so whenever and/or wherever radio energy is available. The smartphone then communicates its ID, the ID of its receiver, and the ID of the transmitter to the system management service. The system management service reviews its system database and finds the smart phone or the receiver and transmitter of the smart phone. The system management service then communicates with the transmitter and instructs the transmitter to power the user's smart phone receiver. The transmitter then communicates with the receiver to determine the location of the receiver and transmits wireless energy to the receiver using a bag-forming technique. The receiver uses this energy to power the smartphone.

In another example, a customer using a wearable device with a built-in radio energy receiver visits a friend's house equipped with a radio energy transmitter. The wearable device detects the resident's wireless power transmitter and reads the transmitter's ID, and the homeowner's transmitter configures the system management service to automatically power any wireless power receiver. The receiver of the wearable device communicates its ID and the ID of the transmitter to the system management service, which then reviews its system database and finds the wearable device, the receiver and the transmitter of the wearable device. The system management service then communicates with the transmitter and instructs the transmitter to power the receiver of the user's wearable device. The transmitter then communicates with the receiver to determine the location of the receiver and transmits wireless energy to the receiver using an adaptive three-dimensional bag-forming technique. The receiver then uses the energy to power the wearable device.

7. Measuring and reporting power level

Fig. 62 shows a flowchart of a method for monitoring battery performance 6200 in a wireless power transfer system, according to an embodiment. In some exemplary embodiments, the wireless power transfer system is capable of determining a current or actual speed at which the electronic device is charging, and comparing that value to a desired reference speed. If the current speed is significantly less than the desired reference speed, the battery or associated charging circuitry within the electronic device may malfunction and result in poor charging efficiency or performance.

When the wireless power transfer system detects this error condition, the system may alert a system operator or a user of the client device, or any other suitable party, so that the problem may be resolved and the electronic device battery charging system may not waste power any more when charging or stopping for a longer period of time than it should be.

In an alternative embodiment, the wireless power transfer system monitors the charging speed of the client device from when the device first serves the system, and then uses that charging speed as a reference to compare with the current speed at which the device is charged, so that if the current speed at which the device is charged is less than the reference speed based on the initial charging speed, an alert is generated by the system indicating that the device is out of order and that it takes too long to charge or waste power while charging.

In some exemplary embodiments, a method for monitoring battery performance 6281 begins at step 6263, where an operator or user installs and operates a wireless power transfer system. The client device may then pair with a radio energy receiver within the system in step 6265. Pairing may occur when the client electronic device detects that the power receiver is within an appropriate proximity range for an appropriate period of time. An internal database may then be entered into to determine if the power receiver has not been paired with another electronic device. If the power receiver is not already paired with another device, the consumer electronic device may associate its ID with the ID of the power receiver and update the internal database. The electronic device may then send a copy of the updated database record to the power transmitter. In this way, the device may be ready to begin wireless charging.

In step 6267, the wireless power transmitter may continually monitor the battery level of the client device to determine if the battery needs to be charged in step 6269. In other embodiments, the wireless power transmitter may charge the client device according to a predefined schedule. The wireless power transfer system may automatically charge the battery of the client device whenever charging is performed or if the battery is underfilled and the battery needs to be charged, or the system may automatically charge the battery in response to some other condition or situation built into the system or configured by an operator or user, etc.

If the wireless power transmitter determines that the client device needs to be charged, then in step 6271 the wireless power transmitter may begin transmitting power to a wireless power receiver connected to the client device. To this end, the radio energy transmitter communicates continuously in real time with the radio energy receiver.

During charging, in step 6273, the receiver continuously transmits a charging power value to the wireless power transmitter. Further, in step 6275, the client device may continually send a battery power value to the wireless power transmitter.

In step 6277, using the values received in steps 6273 and 6275, the transmitter can calculate the charging speed of the client device. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter will monitor its own real-time clock circuit or other circuit to measure the current real-time or clock time to calculate the charging speed of the client device battery.

Then, in step 6279, the wireless power transmitter may determine that the charging speed of the client device is within or outside an acceptable range. In some exemplary embodiments, the wireless power transmitter will look up the desired charging speed for a particular client device in a reference table; the unique identity or class of device is known to the system in advance by an operator or user, or the client device automatically communicates the class from the client device directly to the wireless power transmitter or other system computer of the wireless power transfer system. The reference table is located in transmitter memory or local database or is downloaded or communicated to the transmitter from a remote management or information service on a remote server.

In some embodiments, the reference charging speed desired by a particular client device is already stored in the memory of the transmitter. Moreover, the charging speed of each category or model of client device for which a transmitter is desired to charge is also stored in memory in its entirety. These speeds are already stored in the memory of the transmitter at the time of transmitter manufacture, or may have been uploaded or transferred to the transmitter from another system computer, such as a system management server containing updated all types of speeds, categories or models of client devices for which charging of the wireless power transfer system is desired.

If the wireless power transmitter detects that the actual charging performance of the device is lower than the desired charging performance, then in step 6281 the transmitter may alert the system operator or client device user: the battery or charging circuitry of the client device, etc., malfunctions, may lose power, may take too long to charge, and may require investigation, repair, or replacement. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter is also capable of determining the root cause of a system failure when the battery of the client device does not result in too low a charge rate or loss of power.

In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter communicates this information by automatic data replication, by sending a message over a system network between the transmitter and other system computers, or by other suitable communication means. In addition, an operator or user may receive the alert and respond by: the wireless system is configured to no longer wirelessly charge the client device and then remove the client device from service to enable investigation, repair or replacement thereof or other suitable solutions.

If the wireless power transmitter determines that no evidence of system or component failure is found in the analyzed data, the wireless power transmitter continues to charge the client device and continuously checks if the battery level of the client device is full in step 6283. If the battery of the client device is not full, the wireless power transmitter may continue to transmit wireless power to a wireless power receiver connected to the client device to keep the client device charged. If the battery of the client device has been full or the time to stop charging the device has arrived, the wireless power transmitter stops charging the device in step 6285, and the process ends.

Fig. 63 is a sequence chart 6300 of a method for monitoring battery performance according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. Sequence diagram 6300 includes a client device 6352, a system management computer 6373, a wireless power transmitter 6301, a wireless power receiver 6320, and a user or operator 6375.

The system management computer first sends the wireless power transmitter 6301 the desired charging speed 6355 of the client device 6352. The client device 6352 then transmits the battery power 6357 for the client device 6373. Thereafter, the wireless power transmitter 6301 starts delivering wireless power 6359 to the wireless power receiver 6320 connected to the client device 6352. The wireless power receiver then continuously transmits the transmitted measured value of power 6361 to the client device 6352. The client device 6352 then sends the latest battery level 6363 to the wireless power transmitter 6301. Using the measured value 6361 of the power transferred to the client device 6352 and the latest battery level 6363, the wireless power transmitter 6301 calculates the charging speed of the client device 6352. In the event that the charging rate of the client device 6352 is below a threshold, the wireless power transmitter sends an alert 6365 to the user or operator 6375. The user or operator 6375 then takes action 6367 to correct the error.

For example, a home has installed a wireless power transfer system in their home. One of their family members configures the system to wirelessly power or charge a smartphone. The smart phone has been in use for several years. The system automatically charges the smartphone whenever the smartphone is within the power range of the system and the battery level of the smartphone is low enough to permit charging. The home has installed a software app for a wireless power transfer system downloaded from a public application store in a smart phone. The app automatically communicates the value of the battery level of the smartphone to the system. After charging the smartphone, the system observes that the smartphone spends three times as much time as it should be fully charged. The system then communicates an alert of the problem to the owner of the home system by sending the owner a text message with the name of the smartphone and a brief description of the problem. The owner then purchases an alternate smartphone.

In another example, a user purchases a wearable product that is worn on the user's wrist. The product includes a wireless power receiver. The wireless power transmitter is located in the user's bedroom and wears a product that can be worn on the user's wrist every night when the user goes to bed. The wireless power transfer system then automatically charges a battery within the wearable product by transmitting power from a transmitter in the bedroom at a distance from the power receiver to power the receiver within the wearable product on the user's wrist. Every night, the wearable device performs background charging.

Starting from the first charge of the wearable client device by the transmitter, the transmitter calculates a charge rate of a battery of the wearable device. The wireless power transfer system has no reference information about the charging speed of the battery of the specific wearable product.

After one year, the wireless power transfer system detects that the amount of time currently charging the wearable battery is longer than the time it takes for the user to begin wirelessly charging the wearable product with the system for the first time. The system then alerts the user by sending an email containing information that the user's wearable device has currently spent longer to charge. The user then replaces the wearable product with the latest model.

8. Secure delivery of electrical energy

Fig. 64 illustrates a flow chart of a method 6400 for disabling a client device from receiving power from a wireless power transfer system based on a prescribed health and safety environment. The disclosed methods may operate in one or more of the components of a wireless power transfer system. The wireless power transfer system may include one or more system computers, GUI system management software running on the client device, one or more telematics servers, one or more system management servers, and the like. The system computer may refer to one of the computers of the wireless power transfer system and be part of a communication network between all of the computers of the wireless power transfer system. The system computer may communicate with any other system computer over the network and may be a wireless power transmitter, a wireless power receiver, a client device, a system management service server, and/or other computing device. Examples of client devices may include smartphones, palmtops, music players, and the like.

The telematics server may be coupled to a system database that may be replicated or distributed across all network computers operating in the wireless power transfer system. The distributed system database, together with database distribution management software operating within all network computers, may allow instant messaging in a wireless power transfer system. A network computer may refer to any system computer or active telematics server that is online and has a connection to a network of a particular wireless power transfer system.

In step 6469, the process begins when a Wireless Power Transfer System (WPTS) starts and runs a system check to ensure that all communication channels are operating properly. Subsequently, if this step has not been completed, then in step 6471, the user may download and install a system management software application (GUI App) for WPTS in the client device. The app may be obtained, downloaded and installed from a public software application store such as apple iTunes, google's application store, amazon's application store, or a digital application distribution platform. In other embodiments, a user may browse a web page hosted by a computer or server in which the user may command, control, or configure the WPTS. An App or web page may have a user interface including, but not limited to: industry standard checks identify controls, or any other user interface controls displayed or described on a display screen of a client device for specifying or controlling health safety operating parameters, or web pages provided by a computer managing the wireless power transfer system.

After this process, in decision 6473, the GUI app verifies if there are any restrictions (descriptions) for power transfer enabled in WPTS. If the ban for power transfer is enabled, then the following step 6485 continues, whereas if the ban for power transfer has not been enabled, then in decision 6475 the GUI may display a message to the user asking if the user wishes to enable healthy and safe operating parameters for wireless power transfer. If the user does not accept the enable of the ban, then in step 6491, WPTS allows power delivery without the ban, and the process ends. If the user accepts the enable ban in decision 508, the GUI app may display a checklist to the user in step 6477, in which he or she may specify that radio energy should not be transferred to the device the user is in use. Then, in step 6479, the user specifies a forbidden case that may include, but is not limited to, the following criteria:

1) If the client device is currently moving, the user is instructed to carry the device on his or her own or to hold or wear the device. The motion or movement of the client device may refer to a physical three-dimensional movement of the client device relative to the transmitter that transmits power to the device, or relative to the spatial location of the transmitter, such that when in motion, the client device may change its physical distance from the transmitter or may change its angle to an antenna in the transmitter.

2) If the client device is currently physically oriented to indicate any gesture it is using. For example, if the device is a mobile handset that is currently oriented vertically.

3) If the client device currently detects that it is within proximity of the user, such as if the device is being held against the user's face.

4) If the client device is currently making a call.

5) If the client device is currently touching, tapping or performing a finger action such as sliding, pinching, rotating, or interacting in any way with the client device.

6) If the client device is currently connected to a headset or any other external device.

Subsequently, in step 6487, after the user has specified the prohibit condition or criteria, the prohibit condition policy is applied to all system computers. The WPTS then updates the client device data records in its distributed database in step 6483. The WPTS reads and verifies the prohibited condition associated with the client device. Subsequently, in step 6485, the WPTS reads and verifies the prohibited condition associated with the client device. Next, in decision 6487, if a disable condition exists, in step 6489, power delivery is disabled, or if in decision 6487, a disable condition does not exist, power delivery is enabled in step 6489. The process ends.

The GUI app running on the client device may continually monitor the client device to detect whether the current operation of the client device matches any of the health-safe prohibited conditions. The monitoring client device may include, but is not limited to: reading measurement hardware within the device, or sensing any other aspect of the device that indicates whether a disable condition exists, the measurement hardware uses an accelerometer or gyroscope internal to the client device or a sensor that indicates whether the device is clamped to the face to determine the current speed, yaw, pitch, or roll or pose of the device.

The health safety decision whether the client device is currently in a condition that is prohibited from receiving power from the transmission system may be stored by the GUI app in a data record describing the control and configuration of the client device. The record may be part of a distributed database of WPTS with a copy residing in memory of the client device. The GUI app and other computers in the wireless power transfer system then automatically distribute the updated records throughout the system to keep all copies of the database in the same overall WPTS.

An exemplary embodiment describes how to make a determination to deliver power to a client device. Within the system database, records of paired client devices are associated with records of wireless power receivers attached to or built into the client devices.

If a user uses the user interface (GUI or web page) of the WPTS to manually command (from the power received by the radio receiver) to charge the client device, or if the user uses the user interface to configure the record of the radio receiver to automatically charge the client device, such as by time, name or physical location, or other method, the record of the radio receiver will be updated by the radio transmitter currently controlling the database record of the radio receiver, since this transmitter is the closest radio transmitter to the radio receiver, to indicate that the radio receiver should currently close its output switch to enable power output to the client device. The records of the radio energy receivers are also distributed in the system by the radio energy transmitter for reading by other radio energy transmitters.

Once the radio transmitter controlling the radio receiver determines that it should transmit power to the radio receiver, the radio transmitter will then check a record of the client device associated with or paired with the radio receiver and will transmit power only to the radio receiver if the health and safety determination does not currently prohibit power from being transmitted to the client device. If power transfer is not disabled, the power transmitter may take the following actions:

a) Real-time communication with the receiver is initiated to obtain continuous feedback on the received electrical energy to keep the transmit antenna aimed at the receiver.

B) And starting to transmit power to the receiver.

C) The receiver is instructed to close its electrical relay switch to deliver electrical energy to the client device.

If the user changes the security restrictions, the radio energy transmitter will re-determine if the radio energy receiver should receive power.

F. Wireless power transmission with a selected range

1. Constructive interference

Fig. 6A is an exemplary system that illustrates wireless power transfer principles that may be implemented during an exemplary pouch formation process. A transmitter 601 including multiple antennas in an antenna array may adjust the phase and amplitude and other properties of a power transmission wave 607 transmitted from each antenna of the transmitter 601. In the absence of any phase or amplitude adjustments, a power transfer wave 607 may be transmitted from each of the antennas. In this case, the transmitted waves will arrive at different locations with different phases, since each antenna element of the transmitter is at a different distance from the receiver at each location.

A receiver (RCVR) may receive multiple signals 607a from multiple antenna elements and if the signals increase in a destructive manner, the combination of the signals may be substantially zero. The antenna elements of the transmitter may transmit identical power transfer signals (i.e., including power transfer waves having identical characteristics), however, each of the power transfer signals 607a may arrive at the receiver 180 degrees offset from each other, so that the power transfer signals may "cancel" each other. Signals that are shifted in this way may be referred to as "destructive interference". In contrast, as shown in fig. 6B, in so-called "constructive interference", the signals 607B arrive at the receiver exactly "in phase" with each other, thus increasing the amplitude of the signals. In the illustrative example in fig. 6A, it is noted that the phases of the transmitted signals are the same at the time of transmission, and they are superimposed destructively at the receiver; however, in fig. 6B, the phases of the transmission signals are adjusted at the time of transmission so that they arrive at the receiver in a phase-aligned manner and are superimposed constructively. In this illustrative embodiment, there will be an energy pocket located around the receiver in fig. 6B, while there will be a transmission zero located around the receiver in fig. 6A.

Fig. 7 depicts a wireless power transfer 700 with a selected range in which a transmitter 702 may generate a pocket formation for a plurality of receivers associated with an electronic device 701. The transmitter 702 may be formed by generating a pocket with a selected range of wireless power transmissions 700, which wireless power transmissions 700 may include one or more wireless charging radius ranges 704 and one or more radius ranges of zero in a particular physical location 706. Multiple electronic devices 701 may be charged or powered within a wireless charging radius 704. Thus, multiple energy points may be created that may be used to enable restrictions for powering and charging the electronic device 701. As an example, the limitation may include operating a particular electronic device in a particular or limited point contained within the wireless charging radius range 704. Furthermore, security restrictions may be implemented by using wireless power transfer 700 with a selective range, which may avoid energy pockets in areas or regions where energy needs to be avoided, which may include the following: a field including devices sensitive to energy pockets and/or a field including personnel not wanting energy pockets near and/or on the field. In an embodiment such as the one shown in fig. 7, the transmitter 702 may include an antenna element found on a different plane in the service area than the receiver associated with the electronic device 701. For example, the antenna elements of the electronic device 701 may be located in a room and the transmitter 702 may be mounted on a ceiling in the room. The selection range of the energy pocket may be established by placing the antenna array of the transmitter 702 on a ceiling or other elevated location by using energy transmission waves represented as concentric circles, and the transmitter 702 may emit an electrical energy transmission wave that will generate the 'cone' of energy pockets. In some embodiments, the transmitter 701 may control the radius of each charging radius range 704 such that the width of the cone may be adjusted by appropriate selection of antenna phase and amplitude for creating an interval for the service domain to create an energy pocket directed to the domain on a lower plane.

Fig. 8 depicts a wireless power transfer 800 with a range of options in which a transmitter 802 may produce pocket formations for multiple receivers 806. The transmitter 802 may be formed by generating a pouch with a selected range of wireless power transmissions 800, which wireless power transmissions 800 may include one or more wireless charging points 804. Multiple electronic devices may be charged or powered in the wireless charging station 804. The energy pocket may be generated in the plurality of receivers 806 independent of the obstruction 804 surrounding the plurality of receivers. The energy pockets may be generated in the wireless charging station 804 by creating constructive interference in accordance with principles described herein. By tracking the receiver 806 and by using the same in various communication systems such asTechnology, infrared communication, WMultiple communication protocols such as i-Fi, FM radio, etc., form the location of the energy pocket.

G. Exemplary System embodiment Using a Heat map

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate architectures 900A, 900B for wirelessly charging a client computing platform according to an example embodiment. In some implementations, a user may be in a room and may hold an electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet) on the hand. In some implementations, the electronic device may be located on furniture within the room. The electronic device may include receivers 920A, 920B embedded in the electronic device or as separate adapters connected to the electronic device. The receivers 920A, 920B may include all of the components described in fig. 11. The transmitters 902A, 902B may be suspended from a wall of the room behind the user. The transmitters 902A, 902B may also include all of the components described in fig. 11.

It is difficult to align RF waves in a straight direction to the receivers 920A, 920B because the user may obstruct the path between the receivers 920A, 920B and the transmitters 902A, 902B. However, since the short signals generated from the receivers 920A, 920B may be omnidirectional to the type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce on the walls 944A, 944B until they reach the transmitters 902A, 902B. The hotspots 944A, 944B may be any items in a room that will reflect RF waves. For example, a large metal clock on a wall may be used to reflect RF waves onto the user's cell phone.

A microcontroller in the transmitter adjusts the signal transmitted from each antenna based on the signal received from the receiver. The adjustment may include forming a conjugate (conjugate) of the phase of the signal received from the receiver, and the phase adjustment of the transmit antenna also takes into account the built-in phase of the antenna element. The antenna elements may be controlled simultaneously to direct energy in a given direction. The transmitters 902A, 902B may scan the room and find hotspots 944A, 944B. Once calibration is performed, the transmitters 902A, 902B may focus the RF waves into the channel following a path, which may be the most efficient path. Subsequently, the RF signals 942A, 942B may form one energy pocket on a first electronic device and another energy pocket in a second electronic device while avoiding obstacles such as users and furniture. The transmitter may use different methods when scanning the rooms in the service area, fig. 9A and 9B. As an illustrative example, but without limiting the possible methods that can be used, the transmitter may detect the phase and amplitude of the signal from the receiver and use the phase and amplitude of the signal to form a set of transmission phases and amplitudes, for example, by calculating the conjugate of the phase and amplitude of the signal and applying them at the time of transmission. As another illustrative example, the transmitter may apply all possible phases of the transmit antenna to subsequent transmissions one at a time and detect the intensity of the energy pocket formed by each combination by observing the signal from the receiver. The transmitter then repeats the calibration from time to time. Note that the transmitter need not search for all possible phases but may search for a set of phases that are more likely to produce a strong energy pocket based on previous calibration values. In yet another illustrative example, the transmitter may use preset values for the transmission phase of the antenna to form energy pockets pointing to different locations in the room. For example, the transmitter may scan the physical space in the room from top to bottom and from left to right by using the preset phase value of the antenna in subsequent transmissions. The transmitter then detects the phase value that produces the strongest energy pocket around the receiver by observing the signal from the receiver. Other possible approaches exist without departing from the spirit described herein. Whichever method is used, the result of the scan is a heat map of the room in which the transmitter identifies a hot spot indicating the best phase and amplitude for the transmitting antenna, thereby maximizing the energy pocket around the receiver.

The transmitters 902A, 902B may use bluetooth connections to determine the locations of the receivers 920A, 920B and may use different non-overlapping portions of the RF band to communicate RF waves to the different receivers 920A, 920B. In some implementations, the transmitters 902A, 902B can scan the room to determine the location of the receivers 920A, 920B and form energy pockets orthogonal to each other with non-overlapping RF transmission bands. The use of multiple energy pockets to direct energy to the receiver may inherently be safer than some alternative power transmission methods because there is no strong single transmission, and the total power transmission signal received at the receiver is strong.

H. Exemplary System embodiment

Fig. 10A illustrates wireless power transfer using a multiple pocket formation 1000A, which multiple pocket formation 1000A may include one transmitter 1002A and at least two receivers 1020A. Receiver 1020A may be in communication with transmitter 1002A, which is further described in fig. 11. Once the transmitter 1002A identifies and locates the receiver 1020A, a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain and phase from the receiver 1020A.

The transmitter 1002A may begin transmitting a controlled RF wave 1042A that may be focused in three dimensions using a minimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves 1042A can be generated by using an external power supply and a local oscillation chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. The RF wave 1042A may be controlled by an RFIC, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting the phase and/or relative amplitude of the RF signal that may be used as an input to the antenna element to form a constructive interference pattern (pocket formation). Pocket formation may utilize interference to change the directionality of the antenna element in which constructive interference generates an energy pocket 1060A and destructive interference generates a null. The receiver 1020A may then charge or power the electronic devices (e.g., the notebook computer 1062A and the smartphone 1052A) with the energy pocket created by the pocket formation 1060A, thereby effectively providing wireless power transfer.

The multi-pocket formation 1000A may be implemented by calculating the phase and gain from each antenna of the transmitter 1002A to the receiver 1020A. The above calculation process may be performed independently because multiple paths may be generated from the antenna element of transmitter 1002A to the antenna element of receiver 1020A.

I. Exemplary System embodiment

Fig. 10B is an exemplary view of a plurality of adaptive pocket formations 1000B. In this embodiment, the user may be in a room and may hold the electronic device in the hand, which in this case may be tablet 1064B. Further, smartphone 1052B may be located on furniture in a room. Tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B may each include a receiver embedded in each electronic device or as separate adapters connected to tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B. The receiver may include all of the components described in fig. 11. The transmitter 1002B may hang from a wall in the room behind the user. The transmitter 1002B may also include all of the components described in fig. 11. Because the user may obstruct the path between the receiver and the transmitter 1002B, the RF waves 1042B may have difficulty aiming each receiver in a line-of-sight manner. However, since the short signals generated from the receiver may be omnidirectional to the type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce on the wall until they find the transmitter 1002B. Almost simultaneously, the microcontroller resident in the transmitter 1002B can recalibrate the transmitted signals based on the received signals sent by each receiver by adjusting phase and gain and forming a convergence of the power transmission waves so that they add together and enhance the energy concentrated at that location, conversely, interference added together in a manner that subtracts one another and reduces the energy concentrated at that location is referred to as "destructive interference", and conjugation of the phases of the signals received from the receivers and adjustment of the transmission antennas take into account the built-in phases of the antenna elements. Once calibration is performed, the transmitter 1002B may focus the RF wave in the most efficient path. Subsequently, an energy pocket 1060B may be formed on the tablet 1064B, while another energy pocket 1060B may be formed in the smartphone 1052B while taking into account obstructions such as users and furniture. The benefits of the above-described attributes are that the wireless power transfer using multiple bags to form 1000B can be inherently safe (since the transfer along each energy bag is not very strong), and that RF transmissions are typically reflected from and do not penetrate living tissue.

Once the transmitter 1002B identifies and locates the receiver, a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain and phase from the receiver 1020A. The transmitter 1002B may begin transmitting a controlled RF wave 1042B that is focused in three dimensions using a minimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves 1042B can be generated by using an external power supply and a local oscillation chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. The RF wave 1042B may be controlled by an RFIC, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting the phase and/or relative amplitude of the RF signal that may be used as an input to the antenna element to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket formation). Pocket formation may utilize interference to change the directionality of an antenna element in which constructive interference generates an energy pocket, while destructive interference generates a transmission zero in a particular physical location. The receiver may then charge or power electronic devices (e.g., notebook computers and smart phones) with the energy pocket created by the pocket formation, effectively providing wireless power transfer.

The multi-pocket formation 1000B may be achieved by calculating the phase and gain from each antenna of the transmitter to the receiver. The above calculation process may be performed independently, since multiple paths may be generated from the antenna elements of the transmitter to the antenna elements of the receiver.

Examples of calculations for at least one antenna element may include: the phase of the signal from the receiver is determined and the conjugate of the reception parameters is applied to the antenna element for transmission.

In some embodiments, two or more receivers may operate at different frequencies to avoid power loss during wireless power transfer. This may be achieved by including an array of multiple embedded antenna elements in the transmitter 1002B. In one embodiment, a single frequency may be transmitted through each antenna in the array. In other embodiments, some of the antenna elements in the array may be used to transmit on different frequencies. For example, 1/2 of the antennas in the array may operate at 2.4GHz, while the other 1/2 antennas may operate at 5.8 GHz. In another example, 1/3 of the antennas in the array may operate at 900MHz, another 1/3 of the antennas may operate at 2.4GHz, and the remaining antennas in the array may operate at 5.8 GHz.

In another embodiment, each array of antenna elements may actually be divided into one or more antenna elements during wireless power transfer, wherein each set of antenna elements in the array transmits at a different frequency. For example, an antenna element of a transmitter may transmit a power transfer signal at 2.4GHz, but a corresponding antenna element of a receiver may be configured to receive the power transfer signal at 5.8 GHz. In this example, the processor of the transmitter may adjust the antenna elements of the transmitter to virtually or logically divide the antenna elements in the array into multiple patches that may be fed independently. Thus, 1/4 of the antenna elements in the array may be capable of transmitting at 5.8GHz as required by the receiver, while another set of antenna elements may transmit at 2.4 GHz. Thus, by virtually dividing the array of antenna elements, an electronic device coupled to the receiver can continue to receive wireless power transmissions. The above method may be beneficial because: for example, one set of antenna elements may transmit at about 2.4GHz while the other antenna elements may transmit at 5.8GHz, thus adjusting the number of antenna elements in a given array when cooperating with receivers operating at different frequencies. In this example, although the array is divided into groups of the same number of antenna elements (e.g., four antenna elements), the array may also be divided into groups of different numbers of antenna elements. In alternative embodiments, each antenna element may alternate at a selected frequency.

The efficiency of wireless power transfer and the amount of power that can be delivered (using bag formation) can be a function of the total number of antenna elements 1006 used in a given receiver and transmitter system. For example, for a transmission of about one watt at about 15 feet, the receiver may include about 80 antenna elements, while the transmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another equivalent wireless power transfer system (delivering approximately one watt at approximately 15 feet) may include a receiver having approximately 40 antenna elements and a transmitter having approximately 512 antenna elements. Halving the number of antennas in a receiver may require doubling the number of antenna elements in the transmitter. In some embodiments, it is beneficial for cost reasons to have a greater number of antenna elements in the transmitter than in the receiver, since there will be far fewer transmitters than receivers in a wide deployment of the system. However, for example, as long as there are at least two antenna elements in the transmitter 1002B, the opposite deployment may be achieved by placing more antennas on the receiver rather than on the transmitter.

Transmitter-system and method for wireless power transfer

The transmitter may use the components described below to be responsible for pocket formation, adaptive pocket formation, and multiple pocket formation. The transmitter may transmit a wireless power transfer signal to the receiver in the form of any physical medium capable of propagating in space and converting into usable electrical energy, examples of which may include RF waves, infrared waves, acoustic, electromagnetic fields, and ultrasonic waves. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the power transfer signal may be most radio signals having any frequency or wavelength. The transmitter is described with reference to RF transmissions, which are by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, to the RF transmission range.

The transmitter may be located in a variety of locations, surfaces, mountings, or embedded structures such as desks, tables, floors, walls, and the like. In some cases, the transmitter may be located in a client computing platform, which may be any computing device that includes a processor and software modules capable of performing the processes and tasks described herein. Non-limiting examples of client computing platforms may include desktop computers, notebook computers, handheld computers, tablet computing platforms, netbooks, smartphones, game consoles, and/or other computing platforms. In other embodiments, the client computing platform may be a variety of electronic computing devices. In these embodiments, each of the client computing platforms may have a different operating system and/or physical components. The client computing platforms may execute the same operating system and/or the client computing platforms may execute different operating systems. The client computing platform and/or device may be capable of executing multiple operating systems. In addition, the cassette transmitter may comprise various arrangements of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layers, which may be oriented in the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis, or any combination of these axes.

It should be appreciated that wireless charging techniques are not limited to RF wave transmission techniques, but may include alternative or additional features for transmitting energy to a receiver to convert the transmitted energy into electricity. Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that may be converted to electricity by a receiving device may include: ultrasonic, microwave, resonant and induced magnetic fields, laser, infrared or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound waves, for example, one or more transducer elements may be placed such that a sensor array is formed that transmits ultrasound waves to a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts them to electrical power. In the case of a resonant or induced magnetic field, the magnetic field is created in the transmitter coil and converted to electricity by the receiver coil.

A. Component of transmitter apparatus

Fig. 11 shows a diagram of a system 1100 architecture for wirelessly charging a client device according to an example embodiment. The system 1100 may include a transmitter 1101 and a receiver 1120, each of which may include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The transmitter 1101ASIC may include one or more Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) 1104, one or more antenna elements 1106, one or more Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) 1108, one or more Microcontrollers (MC) 1110, a communications component 1112, and a power supply 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be housed in a housing that may distribute all of the requested components of the transmitter 1101. The components in the transmitter 1101 may be fabricated using meta-materials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, and/or any other materials. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the entire transmitter or the entire receiver may be implemented on a single circuit board, as well as one or more of the functional blocks implemented in the respective circuit boards.

1. Printed circuit board 1104

In some implementations, the transmitter 1101 may include multiple layers of PCB 1104, which layers of PCB 1104 may include antenna elements 1106 and/or RFICs 1108 for providing better control of pocket formation and may enhance the response to a target receiver. The PCB 1104 layer may be mechanically supported and electrically connected to the electronic components described herein using conductive tracks, pads, and/or other features etched from copper sheets laminated to a non-conductive substrate. The PCB may be single layer (one copper layer), double layer (two copper layers) and/or multi-layer. Multiple layers of PCB 1104 may increase the range and amount of power that the transmitter 1101 may transmit. The PCB 1104 layer may be connected to a single MC 1110 and/or a dedicated plurality of MC 1110. Similarly, RFIC 1108 may be connected to antenna element 1106 as depicted in the embodiments above.

In some embodiments, the inside of the cassette transmitter 1101 includes multiple layers of PCB 1104, which multiple layers of PCB 1104 may include antenna elements 1106 and/or RFICs 1108 for providing better control over pocket formation, and may enhance the response to the target receiver. Further, the range of wireless power transmission can be increased by the cassette transmitter. The multiple layers of PCB 1104 may increase the range and amount of power waves (e.g., RF power waves, ultrasound waves) that may be wirelessly transmitted and/or propagated by the transmitter 1101 due to the high density of antenna elements 1106. The PCB 1104 layer may be connected to a single microcontroller 1110 and/or a microcontroller 1110 dedicated to each antenna element 1106. Similarly, RFIC 1108 may control antenna element 1106 as depicted in the embodiments above. In addition, the box shape of the transmitter 1101 can enhance the action ratio of wireless power transmission.

2. Antenna element

The antenna elements 1106 may be directional and/or omnidirectional and include patch antenna elements, dipole antenna elements, and any other suitable antenna for wireless power transfer. For example, suitable antenna types may include patch antennas having a height of from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches and a width of from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches. The shape and orientation of the antenna element 1106 may vary depending on the characteristics desired for the transmitter 1101, and the orientation may be flat along the X, Y and Z axes, as well as combinations of various orientation types and three-dimensional arrangements. The antenna element 1106 material may comprise suitable materials that enable efficient RF signal transmission, low heat dissipation, and the like. The number of antenna elements 1106 may vary with respect to the desired range and power transfer capability of the transmitter 1101, with the more antenna elements 1106, the wider the range and the higher the power transfer capability.

The antenna element 1106 may include suitable antenna types for operation in frequency bands such as 900MHz, 2.5GHz, or 5.8GHz, as these bands comply with FCC (Federal Communications Commission ) regulations section 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical devices). The antenna elements 1106 may operate at independent frequencies to allow for multi-channel operation of the pocket formation.

Furthermore, the antenna element 1106 may have at least one polarization or polarization selection. Such polarization may include vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, circular polarization, left-hand polarization, right-hand polarization, or a combination of polarizations. The polarization selection may vary depending on the characteristics of the transmitter 1101. Further, antenna elements 1106 may be located in various surfaces of the transmitter 1101. The antenna elements 1106 may operate in a single antenna array, a paired array, a quad array, and any other arrangement, which may be designed according to the desired application.

In some embodiments, the entire side of the printed circuit board PCB 1104 may be tightly packed with the antenna element 1106. RFIC 1108 may be connected to a plurality of antenna elements 1106. Multiple antenna elements 1106 may surround a single RFIC 1108.

3. Radio frequency integrated circuit

RFIC 1108 may receive an RF signal from MC 1110 and split the RF signal into multiple outputs, each of which is linked to antenna element 1106. For example, each RFIC 1108 may be connected to four antenna elements 1106. In some implementations, each RFIC 1108 may be connected to eight, one, and/or multiple antenna elements 1106.

RFIC 1104 may include a plurality of RF circuits that may include digital components such as amplifiers, capacitors, oscillators, piezoelectric crystals, and/or the like, and/or analog components. RFIC 1104 may control characteristics of antenna element 1106, such as gain and/or phase for pocket formation, and manage the antenna element by direction, power level, etc. The phase and amplitude of the pocket-forming in each antenna element 1106 may be adjusted by the corresponding RFIC 1108 to generate a desired pocket-forming and transmission zero. In addition, the RFIC 1108 may be connected to the MC 1110, and the MC 1110 may utilize a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), ARM, PIC type microprocessor, central processing unit, computer, or the like. The smaller number of RFICs 1108 present in the transmitter 1101 may correspond to desired features such as: less control over bag formation, lower particle size grades, and lower cost embodiments. In some implementations, the RFIC 1108 may be coupled to one or more MC 1110, and the MC 1110 may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1101.

In some embodiments of the transmitter 1101, the phase and amplitude of the individual pocket-forming in each antenna element 1106 may be adjusted by a corresponding RFIC 1108 to generate a desired pocket-forming and transmission zero. RFICs 1108 coupled to each antenna element 1106 may reduce processing requirements and may enhance control of pocket formation, allowing for multiple pocket formation and high granularity pocket formation with less loading on MC 1110, and may allow for higher response to a greater number of multiple pocket formations. Furthermore, multiple pocket formation may charge a greater number of receivers and may allow for better tracking of those receivers.

The RFIC 1108 and antenna element 1106 may operate in any arrangement designed according to the desired application. For example, in a flat arrangement, the transmitter 1101 may include an antenna element 1106 and an RFIC 1108. A subset of 4, 8, and/or any number of antenna elements 1106 may be connected to a single RFIC 1108.RFIC 1108 may be embedded directly behind each antenna element 1106; such integration may reduce losses due to too short a distance between components. In some embodiments, a row or column of antenna elements 1106 may be connected to a single MC 1110. RFIC 1108 connected to each row or column of antenna elements may allow for a lower cost transmitter 1101, which transmitter 1101 may create pocket formation by varying the phase and gain between rows or columns. In some implementations, RFIC 1108 may output between 2-8 volts of power for receiver 1120 to obtain.

In some implementations, a cascading arrangement of RFICs 1108 may be implemented. The flat transmitter 1101 using a cascaded arrangement of RFICs 1108 may provide better control over pocket formation and may enhance the response to the target receiver 1106, as well as achieve higher reliability and accuracy due to multiple redundancies of the RFICs 1108.

4. Micro controller

MC 1110 may include a processor running an ARM and/or DSP. ARM is a family of general purpose microprocessors based on reduced instruction set computing (RSIC). A DSP is a general-purpose signal processing chip that can provide mathematical manipulation of information signals to modify or improve them in some manner, characterized by the representation of discrete-time, discrete-frequency and/or other discrete-domain signals by a series of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. The DSP may measure, filter and/or compress a continuous real analog signal. The first step may be to convert the signal from analog to digital form by sampling and then digitizing it using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), i.e. the analog signal may be converted into a stream of discrete values. The MC 1110 may also run Linux and/or any other operating system. MC 1110 may also be connected to Wi-Fi to provide information over network 1140.

The MC1110 may control various features of the RFIC 1108, such as time of bag formation (time of email), direction of bag formation, bounce angle, power density, and so forth. In addition, the MC1110 may control multi-pocket formation on multiple receivers or a single receiver. The transmitter 1101 may allow distance discrimination for wireless power transfer. In addition, MC1110 may manage and control communication protocols and signals by controlling communication component 1112. MC1110 may process information received by communication component 1112, and communication component 1112 may send and receive signals to and from the receiver to track the receiver and concentrate radio frequency signals 1142 (i.e., energy pockets) onto the receiver. Other information may be transmitted from the receiver 1120 and may be transmitted to the receiver 1120; such information may include authentication protocols, other protocols over the network 1140, and the like.

The MC1110 may be implemented via a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) and/or an integrated circuit bus (I ² C) The protocol communicates with the communication section 1112. For example, in embedded systems, sensors, and SD cards, SPI communication may be used for short-range, single host communication. The devices communicate in a master/slave mode of the master device initialization data framework. Allowing multiple slave devices to have respective slave select lines. I ² C is a multi-master, multi-slave, single-terminal serial computer bus for attaching low-speed peripherals to computer motherboards and embedded systems.

5. Communication component

Communication component 1112 may include and incorporate bluetooth technology, infrared communication, wi-Fi, FM radio, and the like. The MC 1110 may determine the optimal time and location for bag formation, including the most efficient trajectory for conveying bag formation to reduce losses due to obstructions. The trajectory may include directional pocket formation, bounce, and distance discrimination of pocket formation. In some implementations, the communication component 1112 can communicate with a plurality of devices, which can include the receiver 1120, client device, or other transmitter 1101.

6. Power supply 1101

The transmitter 1101 may be fed by a power supply 1114, which power supply 1114 may include an AD power supply or a DC power supply. The voltage, power, and amperage provided by the power supply 1114 may vary depending on the power desired to be delivered. The conversion of electrical energy into radio signals may be managed by the MC 1110 and performed by the RFIC 1108, which may utilize a number of methods and components to generate radio signals of a variety of frequencies, wavelengths, intensities, and other characteristics. As an example of using various methods and components for radio signal generation, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used to create and change radio frequencies in different antenna elements 1106. In addition, various filters may be used to smooth the signal and amplifiers may be used to increase the power to be transmitted.

The transmitter 1101 may transmit RF power waves having a pocket formation from a few watts to a predetermined wattage of power capacity required by a particular chargeable device. Each antenna may manage a particular power capacity. The power capacity may be application dependent.

7. Shell body

In addition to the housing, the independent base station may include the MC 1110 and the power supply 1114, and thus, multiple transmitters 1101 may be managed by a single base station and a single MC 1110. This capability may enable the transmitter 1101 to be located in a number of strategic locations such as ceilings, decorations, walls, and the like. The antenna element 1106, the RFIC1 108, the MC 1110, the communication component 1112, and the power supply 1114 may be connected in a variety of arrangements and combinations depending on the desired characteristics of the transmitter 1101.

Fig. 23 illustrates a wireless power transfer system 2300 having a portable transmitter 2301 that can be connected to a power plug of one or more power outlets according to an exemplary embodiment. The portable wireless transmitter 2301 may include antenna elements in a planar arrangement. The portable wireless transmitter 2301 may be connected to a power source by one or more power plugs 2370, such power plugs 2370 may be compliant with standards for each country and/or region. The power plug 2370 may be used to connect the portable wireless transmitter 2301 to one or more electrical sockets of a wall, floor, ceiling and/or electrical adapter.

To enhance portability of the portable wireless transmitter 2301, the power plug 2370 may be foldable, retractable, ultra-compact, or the like. These features may reduce the size for transport and for bag formation. The portable wireless transmitter 2301 may be built into a housing 2306, and the housing 2306 may provide additional protection from harsh conditions of water, high temperature, sand, insects, shock, vibration, etc., which may threaten the integrity of the portable wireless transmitter 2301. Accordingly, the housing 2306 may be made using a variety of materials that provide the above-described characteristics.

Fig. 24 illustrates a wireless power transfer system 2400 including a transmitter 2401 in which multiple power plugs connect a portable wireless transmitter to respective power supplies and/or electrical adapters according to an example embodiment. Fig. 24 depicts a portable wireless transmitter 2401 showing different power plugs, which may include a USB adapter 2470b and a cigarette lighter plug 2470c. USB adapter 2470b may be used to receive power from any device having a USB port. Such devices may include notebook computers, smart televisions, tablet computers, and the like. The cigarette lighter plug 2470c may be used to receive power from any cigarette lighter socket such as those used in automobiles. In addition, portable wireless transmitter 2401 may include various power plugs 2470a, and these power plugs 2470a may vary depending on the end application.

Fig. 25 illustrates a wireless power transfer system 2500 in which a transmitter 2501 can include a button 2572 that can create at least one energy pocket 2504 upon activation. A smartphone 2552, operably coupled to a receiver (not shown), can receive electrical energy wirelessly after being placed on the surface by utilizing the energy pouch 2504 mentioned above. Such a configuration of wireless power transfer 2500 may be beneficial where the smartphone 2552 cannot communicate its location to the transmitter 2501, for example, when the smartphone 2552 is completely dead. Communication may refer to information represented as data sent from one computer to one or more computers or processors of a wireless power transfer system. The data takes the form of a string of bytes, where each byte is 8 binary bits, and each binary bit is a value of '0' or '1'. Bits are transferred from one computer to another electrical or electronic computer by representing '0' and '1' as discrete or distinct voltages or currents or phases or frequencies. Bits are transferred wirelessly from one computer to another computer by representing '0' and '1' as Radio Frequency (RF) energy. Furthermore, the smartphone 2552 can be quickly charged due to its proximity to the transmitter 2501. A further advantage of this configuration is that if the user decides to remove the smartphone 2552 from the surface of the transmitter 2501 (after the smartphone 2552 has established a minimum charge for communication with the transmitter 2501), the smartphone 2552 may still receive power wirelessly through the pocket formation. Thus, the mobility of the smartphone 2552 is not affected.

B. Exemplary method of transmitting Electrical energy

Fig. 12 is a method 1200 for determining a receiver position using antenna elements. The method 1200 for determining the receiver position may be a set of programming rules or logic managed by the MC. The process may begin at step 1201, where a first signal is captured using a first subset of antennas from an antenna array. This process may occur immediately by switching to a different subset of antenna elements and in a next step 1203 capturing a second signal using the second subset of antennas. For example, a first signal may be captured using a row of antennas, and a second signal may be captured using a column of antennas. A row of antennas may provide a levelness direction such as azimuth in a spherical coordinate system. A column of antennas may provide a direction of perpendicularity such as elevation. The antenna elements for capturing the first signal and for capturing the second signal may be aligned in a straight line, a vertical, a horizontal or a diagonal direction. The first subset and the second subset of antennas may be aligned in a cross-shaped structure to cover the angle around the transmitter.

Once both the vertical and horizontal values are measured, in a next step 1205, the MC may determine appropriate phase and gain values for the vertical and horizontal antenna elements used to capture the signal. The appropriate phase and gain values may be determined by the positional relationship of the receiver to the antenna. The MC may use this value to adjust the antenna element to form an energy pocket that the receiver may use to charge the electronic device.

Data relating to the initial values of all antenna elements in the transmitter may be calculated and stored in advance for use by the MC to assist in the calculation of the appropriate values for the antenna elements. In a next step 1207, after determining the appropriate values for the vertical and horizontal antennas for the acquisition signal, the process may continue by using the stored data to determine the appropriate values for all antennas in the array. The stored data may contain initial test values of phase and gain at different frequencies for all antennas in the array. Different data sets may be stored for different frequencies, so that the MC may select the appropriate data set. In a next step 1209, the MC may then adjust all antennas through the RFIC to form an energy pocket at the appropriate location.

C. Array subset configuration

Fig. 13A illustrates an example embodiment of an array subset configuration 1300A for use in a method for determining receiver position. The transmitter may include an antenna array 1306A. A line of antennas 1368A may be used to first acquire the signal transmitted by the receiver. The row of antennas 1368A may then transmit the signals to an RFIC, where the signals may be converted from radio signals to digital signals and passed to the MC for processing. The MC may then determine the appropriate adjustments of phase and gain for a row of antennas 1368A to form an energy pocket at the appropriate location based on the receiver position. The second signal may be captured by a column of antennas 1370A. A column of antennas 1370A may then transmit signals to an RFIC, where the signals may be converted from radio signals to digital signals and passed to the MC for processing. The MC may then determine the appropriate adjustments for the phase and gain of a column of antennas 1370A to form an energy pocket at the appropriate location based on the receiver position. Once the appropriate adjustments for a row of antennas 1368A and a column of antennas 1370A are determined, the MC can determine the appropriate values for the remaining antenna elements 1306A in the antenna array 1368A by using the previously stored data about the antennas and thereby adjusting the results from the row of antennas 1368A and the column of antennas 1370A.

D. With arrangements of systems associated with transmitters, transmitter parts, antenna patches and transmitters

1. Exemplary System

Fig. 13B illustrates another example embodiment of an array subset configuration 1300B. In array subset configuration 1300B, two initial signals are captured by two diagonal antenna subsets. The process follows the same path so that each subset is adjusted accordingly. The remaining antenna elements 1306B in the antenna array are adjusted based on the adjustments made and the data stored in advance.

2. Flat transmitter

Fig. 14 depicts several embodiments of front and back views of a flat transmitter 1402. For example, in a flat arrangement, the transmitter 1402 may include an antenna element 1406 and an RFIC 1408.RFIC1408 may be embedded directly behind each antenna element 1406; such integration may reduce losses due to too short a distance between components.

In an embodiment of the transmitter 1402 (i.e., fig. 1), the phase and amplitude of the pocket-forming in each antenna element 1406 may be adjusted by a corresponding RFIC1408 to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission zeroes. RFICs 1408, coupled separately to each antenna element 1406, may reduce processing requirements and may enhance control of bag formation, allowing for multi-bag formation and high granularity bag formation with less loading on MC 1410; thus, a higher response to a greater number of multi-pocket formations may be allowed. Furthermore, multi-pocket formation may charge a greater number of receivers and may allow for better tracking of the receivers. As described in the embodiment of fig. 11, RFIC1408 may be coupled to one or more MC 1410, and microcontroller 1410 may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1402.

In another embodiment (i.e., view 2), a subset of 4 antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single RFIC 1408. The lesser number of RFICs 1408 present in the transmitter 142 may correspond to desired features such as: less control over bag formation, lower particle size grades, and lower cost embodiments. As described in the embodiment of fig. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MC1410, and microcontroller 1410 may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1402.

In yet another embodiment (i.e., view 3), the transmitter 1402 may include an antenna element 1406 and an RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A row or column of antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single MC 1410. The lesser number of RFICs 1408 present in the transmitter 1402 may correspond to desired features such as: less control over bag formation, lower particle size grades, and lower cost embodiments. The RFIC 1408 connected to each row or column of antenna elements may allow for a lower cost transmitter 1402, which may create pocket formation by varying the phase and gain between rows or columns. As described in the embodiment of fig. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MC1410, and microcontroller 1410 may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1402.

In some embodiments (i.e., view 4), the transmitter 1402 may include an antenna element 1406 and an RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. In this exemplary embodiment a cascading arrangement is depicted. The two antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single RFIC 1408 and then to the single RFIC 1408 so that they may be connected to the last RFIC 1408 and ultimately to one or more MC 1410. The flat transmitter 1402 using the cascaded arrangement of RFICs 1408 may provide good control of pocket formation and may enhance the response to the target receiver. Further, higher reliability and accuracy may be obtained due to multiple redundancies of RFIC 1408. As described in the embodiment of fig. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MC 1410, and microcontroller 1410 may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1402.

3. Multiple printed circuit board layers

Fig. 15A depicts a transmitter 1502A that may include multiple PCB layers 1204A, which multiple PCB layers 1204A may include antenna elements 1506A for providing better control of pocket formation, and may enhance response to a target receiver. The plurality of PCB layers 1504A may increase the range and amount of power transmitted by the transmitter 1502A. The PCB layer 1504A may be connected to a single MC and/or a dedicated MC. Similarly, the RFIC may be connected to the antenna element 1506A as depicted in the embodiments above. The RFIC may be coupled to one or more MC. Further, the MC may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1502A.

4. Cassette transmitter

Fig. 15B depicts a cassette transmitter 1502B, which may include a plurality of PCB layers 1504B within the cassette transmitter, which plurality of PCB layers 1504B may include antenna elements 1506B for providing better control of pocket formation, and may enhance response to a target receiver. Further, the range of wireless power transmission can be increased by the cassette transmitter 1502B. The plurality of PCB layers 1504B may increase the range and amount of RF power waves that may be wirelessly transmitted and/or propagated through the transmitter 1502B due to the high density of the antenna elements 1506B. The PCB layer 1504B may be connected to a single MIC and/or MC specific to each antenna element 1506B. Similarly, the RFIC may control the antenna element 1506B as depicted in the embodiments above. In addition, the box shape of the transmitter 800 can increase the action ratio of wireless power transmission; thus, the cassette transmitter 1502B may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as a desk, table, floor, wall, etc. Further, cassette transmitter 1502B may comprise a variety of arrangements of PCB layers 1504B, may be oriented in the X, Y, and Z axes, or any combination of these axes. The RFIC may be coupled to one or more MC. Further, the MC may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 1502B.

5. Irregular configurations for various types of products

Fig. 16 depicts a diagram of an architecture 1600 for incorporating a transmitter 1602 into a disparate device. For example, the flat transmitter 1602 may be applied to the frame of the television set 1646 or through the frame of the sound bar 1648. The transmitter 1602 may include a plurality of tiles (tiles) 1650 with antenna elements and RFICs in a planar arrangement. The RFIC may be embedded directly behind each antenna element; such integration may reduce losses due to too short a distance between components.

For example, the television set 1646 may have a bezel around the television set 1646 that includes a plurality of tiles 1650, each tile including a particular number of antenna elements. For example, if there are 20 tiles 1650 for a baffle around the television set 1646, each tile 1650 may have 24 antenna elements and/or any number of antenna elements.

In the tile 1650, the phase and amplitude of the pocket-forming in each antenna element can be adjusted by the corresponding RFIC to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission zeroes. RFICs coupled to each antenna element separately may reduce processing requirements and may enhance control over pocket formation, allowing for multi-pocket formation and high granularity pocket formation with less load on the microcontroller; thus, a higher response to a greater number of multi-element pouch formations may be allowed. Furthermore, multi-pocket formation may charge a greater number of receivers and may allow for better tracking of the receivers.

The RFIC may be coupled to one or more microcontrollers and the microcontrollers may be included in a tile 1650 in a separate base station or transmitter 1602. A row or column of antenna elements may be connected to a single microcontroller. In some implementations, a lesser number of RFICs present in the transmitter 1602 may correspond to desired features such as: less control over bag formation, lower particle size grades, and lower cost embodiments. The RFICs connected to each row or column of antenna elements enable cost reduction by having fewer components because fewer RFICs are required to control each of the transmitters 1602. The RFIC may generate a bag-formed power transfer wave by varying the phase and gain between rows or columns.

In some implementations, the transmitter 1602 may use a cascade arrangement of tiles 1650, the tiles 1650 including RFICs that may provide better control over pocket formation and enhance response to a target receiver. Further, higher reliability and accuracy can be obtained from multiple redundancies of the RFICs.

In an embodiment, multiple PCB layers including antenna elements may provide better control over pocket formation and may enhance response to a target receiver. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range and amount of power that the transmitter 1602 can transmit. The PCB layer may be connected to a single microcontroller and/or a dedicated microcontroller. Similarly, the RFIC may be connected to an antenna element.

The cassette transmitter 1602 may include a plurality of PCB layers on its inner side that may include antenna elements for providing better control of pocket formation and may enhance response to a target receiver. Further, the range of wireless power transmission can be increased by the cassette transmitter 1602. The multiple PCB layers may increase the range and amount of RF power waves that may be wirelessly transmitted and/or propagated through the transmitter 1602 due to the high density of antenna elements. The PCB layer may be connected to a single microcontroller and/or a microcontroller dedicated to each antenna element. Similarly, the RFIC may control the antenna elements. The box shape of the transmitter 1602 may enhance the action ratio of wireless power transfer. Thus, cassette transmitter 1602 may be located on a variety of surfaces such as a desk, table, floor, etc. In addition, the cassette transmitter may comprise various arrangements of PCB layers, may be oriented in the X, Y and Z axes or any combination of these axes.

6. Multiple antenna elements

Fig. 17 is an example of a transmitter configuration 1700 including a plurality of antenna elements 1706. The antenna elements 1706 may form an array by arranging row antennas 1768 and column antennas 1770. The transmitter configuration may include at least one RFIC 1708 to control characteristics of the antenna element 1706, such as gain and/or phase for pocket formation, and manage the antenna element by direction, power level, etc. The array of antenna elements 1706 may be connected to an MC 1710, which MC 1710 may determine the optimal time and location for pocket formation, including the most efficient trajectory for pocket formation to reduce losses due to obstructions. The trajectory may include directional pocket formation, bounce, and distance discrimination of pocket formation.

The transmitter device may utilize the antenna elements 1706 to determine the location of the receiver to determine how to adjust the antenna elements 1706 to form an energy pocket in the appropriate location. The receiver may send a series of signals to the transmitter to provide information. The string signal may be any conventional known signal that may be detected by the antenna element 1706. The signal transmitted by the receiver may contain information such as phase and gain.

7. Enhanced radio energy transmitter configuration

Fig. 26 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced radio energy transmitter 2601 that may be used for radio energy transmission, according to an embodiment. The transmitter 2601 may include a housing 2674, at least two or more antenna elements 2606, at least one receive (Rx) RF integrated circuit (RFIC) 2626, a plurality of transmit (Tx) RF integrated circuits (RFIC) 2608, at least one Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and/or microcontroller 2610, and/or a communication component 2612. The microcontroller 2610 may be included in a separate base station or transmitter 2601. The RF input signal 2642 may be generated using a power supply 2614 and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using piezoelectric material, or may be based on other wireless power supplies (not shown) such as frequency chips, bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

The housing 2674 may be made of any material that may allow transmission and/or reception of signals or waves, such as plastic or hard rubber. The antenna element 2606 may include a suitable type of antenna for operation in frequency bands such as 900MHz, 2.5GHz, or 5.8GHz, as these frequency bands conform to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 47 regulation part 18-industrial, scientific, and medical equipment. The antenna element 2606 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as well as combinations of these polarizations. The antennas may be omni-directional and/or directional antennas. An omni-directional antenna is a type of antenna that radiates radio wave power uniformly in all directions in a plane. The directional antenna may be an antenna or antenna array at the radio energy transmitter that may have its own direction or phase adjusted to control where the wireless energy pocket will be available in three dimensions within the power range of the transmitter. The antenna types may include patch antennas having a height from about 1/8 inch to about 8 inches and a width from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches. Other types of antenna elements 2606 that may be used may include antennas based on meta-materials, dipole antennas, planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs), and the like.

The transmitter 2601 may include a variety of arrangements in which the antenna element 2606 may be connected to a dedicated Rx RFIC 2626 or Tx RFIC 2608. The arrangement may include different configurations, such as a dedicated row or column of antenna elements 2606 coupled to the Rx RFIC 2626 and at least two or more rows/columns of antenna elements 2606 coupled to the Tx RFIC 2608. The Rx RFIC 2626 may include a proprietary chip that adjusts the phase and/or relative frequency amplitude of the RF input signal 2642 collected from the dedicated set/configured antenna element 2606 for receiving the RF input signal 2642. The Rx RFIC may be designed to include hardware and logic dedicated to receiving and processing the RF input signal 2642, which does not include components as the TX RFIC 2608.

In the present embodiment of the enhanced wireless transmitter 24, the RFIC may be connected to 2674 antenna elements 2606 and configured to allow Rx RFIC to be a dedicated receiver for RF input signals 2642 that is operatively coupled to dedicated columns of at least two or more antenna elements 2606 (e.g., eight antenna elements 2606) depending on the configuration and operation of the transmitter 2601. The remaining 23 Tx RFICs 2608 may be operably coupled to the set/configured antenna elements 2602 in addition to the Tx RFICs used to receive the RF input signals 2642 through the Rx RFICs. The Tx RFIC may be coupled to the transmit antenna element 2606 according to a control signal from the microcontroller 2610.

The microcontroller 2610 may include a proprietary algorithm that implements control of the Rx RFIC 2626 and allows operation of the Rx RFIC 2626 using switch control, which enables monitoring of reception independent of transmission without overlapping operation of the Rx RFIC 2626 and the Tx RFIC 2608. The RF input signal 2642 may be sampled immediately after the Rx RFIC 2626 is enabled for reception by the switch control in the microcontroller 2610.

After operation of the Rx RFIC 2626, the Tx RFIC 2608 may implement wireless power transfer to a receiver. The microcontroller 2601 may select a column of antenna elements 2606, a row of antenna elements 2606, or any intervening arrangement of antenna elements 2606 to couple with the Tx RFIC 2608 depending on the location of the radio energy to be transmitted.

The microcontroller 2610 may also process information sent by the receiver through the communication component 2612 for determining the optimal time and location for bag formation. The communication component 2612 may be based on a standard wireless communication protocol that may include bluetooth, wi-Fi, or ZigBee. In addition, the communication component 2612 is used to communicate other information such as an identifier for a device or user, battery level, location, or other such information. Other communication components 2612 may be included, including radar, infrared cameras, or sound devices for triangulating the position of electronic devices.

Fig. 27 shows a transmitter arrangement 2701 of an antenna element 2706 that may be coupled to a dedicated Rx RFIC 2726 according to an embodiment. Based on the locations where RF input signals may be received and the locations transmitted by the transmitter to be processed by the communication components in relation to determining the optimal time and locations for pocket formation (which may enhance radio energy transmission efficiency), the microcontroller 2710 may select an arrangement of Tx RFICs and antenna elements 2707 to maximize the transmission operation of the transmitter. The microcontroller 2710 may send switch control signals to the Rx RFIC 2726, which Rx RFIC 2726 is coupled to the antenna column 2706b or antenna row 2706a to include antenna elements 2706 that receive RF input signals. After receiving and processing the signal through the Rx RFIC 2726, the remaining antenna element 2706 may be coupled to the Tx RFIC using various configurations of the antenna element 2706 due to interpolation steps (performed by the microcontroller 2710) to control the operation of the Tx RFIC using an ARM microprocessor in the microcontroller 2710 to enhance the wireless power transfer performance of the transmitter, directing wireless power transfer to the appropriate location.

The antenna element 2706 connected to the Rx RFIC 2726 may reduce processing requirements and may enhance control of pocket formation, allowing for multi-pocket formation and high granularity pocket formation with less loading on the microcontroller 1710; thus, allowing for a higher response to a greater number of multi-pocket formations for transmission. Furthermore, the multiple pocket formation may charge a greater number of receivers and may allow for better tracking of the receivers to provide a lower cost embodiment.

Fig. 28 shows a block diagram 2800 of an Rx RFIC 2808 in an enhanced radio energy transmitter according to an embodiment. The RF input signal received through antenna element 2806 enables microcontroller 2810, antenna element 2806 being dedicated to receive and operatively coupled to Rx RFIC 2808 in accordance with the location from which the input signal is radiated onto the transmitter. The RF input signal may then be frequency sampled by an array of down-converters included in the Rx RFIC 2808, where the frequency range of the RF input signal may be converted to an RF signal of a new frequency range of about 2.4GHz or about 5.6 GHz.

The down converter 2876 may include a local oscillator (not shown) that provides a signal of a predetermined frequency to mix with the RF input signal to create a sum heterodyne and a difference heterodyne, one of which may be filtered to provide the desired output frequency. In this embodiment, a signal of about 5.8GHz may be downconverted to an output signal of about 5.0 GHz. The 5.0GHz output signal from the down converter 2876 may then be fed to the address line (a 20) 2878 at a frequency of 10MHz for processing by the microcontroller 2810. The enhanced radio energy transmitter may receive at one frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz) and transmit at a higher frequency (e.g., 5.7 GHz).

The microcontroller 2810 may be enabled to send control signals to the Rx RFIC 2808 for about 1ms or 100 mus and may enable control in one millisecond every second or at a rate of about 10 times/second depending on the speed at which the RF input signal is received. If the RF signal can be received constantly, for example, once every 10 mus, the updating can be performed at a rate of about 1000 times/sec.

In microcontroller 2810, a proprietary algorithm may enable sampling of the input signal from each a20 2878 and an ARM microprocessor (not shown) may be used to drive the required Tx RFIC, which is coupled to a certain setting/configuration of antenna element 2806 to transfer radio energy to the appropriate location of the receiver. The use of an ARM microprocessor may reduce cost, emissions, and power consumption, as it is ideal for electronic devices that use wireless power transfer to power or charge. The instruction set architecture of an ARM microprocessor may allow for higher processing power and energy efficiency of microcontroller 2810.

8. Multiple transmitter configuration

Fig. 29 depicts a block diagram of a radio energy system 2900 that may include a plurality of radio energy transmitters 2901 connected to a single base station 2980. The transmitter 2901 may include one or more antenna elements 2906, one or more Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) 2908, communication components 2912, and a housing 2974, where the housing 2974 may distribute all of the components previously mentioned. The base station 2980 may include one or more microcontrollers 2910, a power source 2914, and a housing 2974, and the housing 2974 may distribute all of the components previously mentioned. The components and base stations in the wireless power supply system 2900 may be fabricated using meta-materials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, etc.

The base station 2980 may be located in a number of locations to which the transmitter 2910 may remain connected. Such connections may include a variety of connectors, which may include coaxial cables, telephone lines, LAN lines, wireless connections, and the like. The connection between the base station 2980 and the transmitter 2910 is intended to establish a link between the RFIC 2908 and the microcontroller 2910, as well as a power supply 2914 connection.

The microcontroller 2910 may control various features of the RFIC 2908, such as the time of emission of the pocket formation, the direction of the pocket formation, the bounce angle, the power density, and so forth. Further, the microcontroller 2910 may control multi-pocket formation on multiple receivers or a single receiver. Further, the microcontroller 2910 can manage and control communication protocols and signals by controlling the communication section 2912. A protocol may refer to a method of conversion between low level information data (such as binary bits or bytes) and high level information data (such as numerical values, characters, letters, punctuation marks, numbers, or symbols in an ASCII table). The protocol may also have a desired format or pattern of information data over time. Thus, the microcontroller 2910 may drive the features described above in multiple transmitters 2901 simultaneously.

The base station 2980 may be fed by the power supply 2914, and the base station 2980 may then feed the transmitter 2901. The power supply 2914 may include an AC power source or a DC power source. The voltage, power, and amperage provided by the power supply 2914 may vary depending on the desired electrical energy to be delivered. The conversion of power to radio signals may be managed by the microcontroller 2910 and performed by the RFIC 2908, and the RFIC 2908 may utilize a variety of methods and components to generate radio signals of a variety of frequencies, wavelengths, intensities, and other characteristics.

As an example using a variety of methods and components for radio signal generation, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used to create and change radio frequencies in different antenna elements 2906. In addition, various filters may be used to smooth the signal and amplifiers may be used to increase the power to be transmitted. However, in some embodiments, the wireless charging techniques of the present invention are not limited to RF transmission techniques and include additional techniques for transmitting electrical energy to a receiving device, where the receiving device converts the transmitted energy into electrical energy. Exemplary forms of energy that may be converted into electrical energy by the receiving device include: ultrasonic, microwave, resonant and induced magnetic fields, laser, infrared or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one or more sensor elements may be placed such that a sensor array is formed that transmits ultrasound to a receiving device that receives the ultrasound and converts it into electricity. In the case of a resonant or induced magnetic field, the magnetic field is created in the transmitter coil and converted to electricity by the receiver coil. Further, the RFIC 2908, microcontroller 2910, communication component 2914, and the remaining electronic components may be built into a solid state circuit for improving the reliability of the wireless power supply system 2900. Other techniques for improving the reliability of electronic components may be used.

Fig. 30 depicts a radio energy system 3000 that may include two transmitters 3001, a base station 3080, and a connection 3082. The base station 3080 may enable operation of different transmitters 3001 in different rooms or area coverage. Each transmitter 3001 may operate at a different frequency, power density, and within a different range. In addition, each transmitter 3001 may provide power to multiple receivers. Further, the base station 3080 may enable a single operation of all transmitters 3001, thus providing higher wireless charging capability by using each transmitter 3001 as a single transmitter.

Fig. 31 depicts a wireless power system 3100, which may include two transmitters 3101, a base station 3180, and a connection 3182. Base station 3180 may enable operation of different transmitters 3101 in different rooms or area coverage. Each transmitter 3101 may operate at a different frequency, power density, and within a different range. In addition, each transmitter 3101 may provide power to a plurality of receivers. Further, base station 3180 may enable single operation of all transmitters 3101, which may provide higher wireless charging capability by using each transmitter 3101 as a single transmitter. In addition, the transmitter 3101 may be plugged into a lamp socket 3184. The lamp socket 3184 may increase the location where the transmitter 3101 may be mounted.

Receiver-system and method for receiving and utilizing wireless power transfer

A. Composition of receiver device

Turning back to fig. 11, fig. 11 shows a diagram of a system 1100 architecture for wirelessly charging a client device, the system 1100 may include a transmitter 1101 and a receiver 1120, each receiver 1120 may include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), according to an example embodiment. The ASIC of the receiver 1120 may include a printed circuit board 1122, an antenna element 1124, a rectifier 1126, a power converter 1129, a communication component 1130, and/or a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) 1132. Receiver 1120 may also include a housing that may distribute all of the requested components. The various components of the transmitter 1120 include metamaterials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, and/or can be fabricated using metamaterials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, and the like.

1. Antenna element

The antenna element 1124 may include suitable antenna types for operation in a frequency band similar to that described for the antenna element 1106 of the transmitter 1101. The antenna element 1124 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarization, as well as suitable combinations of polarizations. It may be beneficial to use multiple polarizations in a device (e.g. a smart phone or portable game system), where there is no preferential direction or the polarization direction may change continuously over time during use. Conversely, for a device with a well-defined direction (e.g., a two-handed video game controller), there may be a preferred polarization for the antennas, which may specify the antenna count ratio for a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas having a height of from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches and a width of from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches. An advantage of a patch antenna is that the polarization may be dependent on the connectivity, i.e. the polarization may vary depending on the side to which the patch is fed. This may further prove advantageous because a receiver, such as receiver 1120, may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transfer. As will be explained in the following embodiments, different arrangements of antennas, rectifiers or power converters are possible for the receiver.

2. Rectifier device

Rectifier 1126 may convert Alternating Current (AC) that periodically changes direction to Direct Current (DC) that adopts a non-negative value. Because of the alternating current nature of the input AC sine wave, the rectification process produces only DC power that is non-negative and includes multiple current pulses. The output of the rectifier may be smoothed by an electronic filter to produce a stable current. The rectifier 1126 may include a diode and/or a resistor, an inductance, and/or a capacitance to rectify an Alternating Current (AC) voltage generated by the antenna element 1124 to a Direct Current (DC) voltage.

In some embodiments, rectifier 1126 may be a full wave rectifier. The full wave rectifier may convert the entire input waveform to one of constant polarity (positive or negative) at its output. The full wave rectifier can convert both polarities of the input waveform to a pulsed DC (direct current) and produce a higher average output voltage. Two diodes and a center tapped transformer and/or four diodes in a bridge configuration and any AC source (including transformers without center taps) may be used for the full wave rectifier. For single phase AC, if the transformer is center tapped, a full wave rectifier can be formed using two back-to-back diodes (cathode-to-cathode, anode-to-anode, depending on the desired output polarity). A double number of turns on the transformer secondary is required to obtain the same output voltage as the bridge rectifier, but the rated power is unchanged. The rectifier 1126 may be placed as close to the antenna element 1124 as technically possible to minimize losses. After rectifying the AC voltage, the DC voltage may be regulated using a power converter 1129.

3. Power supply converter

The power converter 1129 may be a DC-DC converter that helps provide a constant voltage output to the receiver 1120 and/or helps boost the voltage to the receiver 1120. In some implementations, the DC-DC converter may be a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT). MPPT is an electronic DC-DC converter that down-converts a higher voltage DC output to a lower voltage required for battery charging. Typical voltage outputs may be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, the power converter 1129 may include an electronic switch mode DC-DC converter capable of providing high efficiency. In this case, a capacitor may be included before the power converter 1129 to ensure that sufficient current is provided to the switching device to be operated. When charging an electronic device, such as a cell phone or a notebook computer, an initial high current is required that can exceed the level required to activate operation of the electronic switch-mode DC-DC converter. In this case, a capacitor may be added to the output of the receiver 1120 to provide the additional energy required. Thereafter, as required to provide the appropriate amount of current, lower power may be provided, for example using 1/80 of the total initial power, while still allowing the cell phone or notebook to be charged.

In an embodiment, a plurality of rectifiers 1126 may be connected in parallel with the antenna element 1124. For example, four rectifiers 1126 are connected in parallel with four antenna elements 1124. However, more rectifiers 1126 may be used. This arrangement is advantageous because each rectifier 1126 may only need to handle 1/4 of the total power. If one watt is being delivered to the electronic device, each rectifier 1126 may only need to handle one quarter watt. This arrangement may significantly reduce the cost because the cost of using multiple low power rectifiers 1126 is lower than the cost of using one high power rectifier 1126 when processing the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total power processed by rectifier 1126 may be combined into power converter 1129. In other embodiments, a power converter 1129 is present for each rectifier 1126.

In other embodiments, multiple antenna elements 1124 may be connected in parallel with the rectifier 1126, after which the DC voltage may be regulated by the power converter 1129. In this example, four antenna elements 1124 may be connected in parallel with a single rectifier 1126. This arrangement may be advantageous because each antenna element 1124 may only handle 1/4 of the total power. Furthermore, this arrangement may enable differently polarized antenna elements 1124 to be used with a single rectifier 1126 because the signals do not cancel each other. Due to the above properties, the arrangement may be applicable to electronic client devices where the direction is not well defined or changes over time. Finally, this arrangement is beneficial when using antenna elements 1124 of the same polarization and configured with phases that are not significantly different. However, in some embodiments, one rectifier 1126 may be present per antenna element 1124 and/or multiple rectifiers 1126 may be present per antenna element 1124.

In an exemplary embodiment, an arrangement may be implemented in which the outputs of the plurality of antenna elements 1124 are combined and connected to a parallel rectifier 1126, the outputs of which rectifier 1126 may be further combined into one or more power converters 1129. There may be 16 antenna elements 1124 whose outputs are combined at four rectifiers 1126 in parallel. In other embodiments, the antenna elements 1124 may be subdivided into groups (e.g., four groups) and may be connected to separate rectifiers 1126.

In yet another embodiment, the following arrangement may be implemented: the groupings of antenna elements 1124 are connected to different rectifiers 1126 and in turn also to different power converters 1129. In this embodiment, each of four groupings of antenna elements 1124 (each grouping containing four antenna elements 1124 in parallel) may be independently connected to four rectifiers 1126. In this embodiment, the output of each rectifier 1126 may be directly connected to the power converter 1129 (four in total). In other embodiments, the outputs of all four rectifiers 1126 may be combined prior to each power converter 1129 to handle the total power in parallel. In some embodiments, the combined output of each rectifier 1126 may be connected to a single power converter 1129. The benefit of this arrangement is that it allows for greater proximity between the rectifier 1126 and the antenna element 1124. This feature is desirable because it keeps losses to a minimum.

4. Communication component

Similar to the communication components of emitter 1101, communication components 1130 may be included in receiver 1120 to communicate with a transmitter or other electronic device. In some implementations, the receiver 1120 may communicate with a given transmitter 1120 using built-in communication components (e.g., bluetooth) of the device based on processor-provided requests (such as battery level, user-predefined charging profile), or other transmitters 1101 may include one or more Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) 1104, one or more antenna elements 1106, one or more Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) 1108, one or more Microcontrollers (MC) 1110, communication components 1112, and a power supply 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be enclosed in a housing that may distribute all of the requested components of the transmitter 1101. The components in the transmitter 1101 may be fabricated using meta-materials, micro-printed circuits, nanomaterials, and/or any other materials. The types of information communicated between the receiver and the transmitter by the communication means include, but are not limited to, power level in the battery, signal strength and power level received at the receiver, timing information, phase and gain information, user identification, client device privileges, security related signaling, emergency signaling, and authentication exchanges, among others.

5.PMICs

A Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) 1132 is a system block of integrated circuits and/or system-on-chip devices for managing power requirements of the host system. The PMIC 1132 may include battery management, voltage regulation, and charging functions. It may include a DC-DC converter to enable dynamic voltage regulation. In some embodiments, PMIC 1132 may provide an electrical energy conversion efficiency of up to 95%. In some implementations, PMIC 1132 may be integrated in connection with dynamic frequency adjustment. The PMIC 1132 may be implemented in an operable battery device, such as a mobile handset and/or portable media player. In some embodiments, the battery may be replaced with an input capacitance and an output capacitance. The PMIC 1132 may be directly connected to the battery and/or the capacitor. When the battery is being charged directly, no capacitance may be implemented. In some embodiments, PMIC 1132 may be wound on a battery. The PMIC 1132 may include a Power Management Chip (PMC) that functions as a battery charger and is connected to the battery. The PMIC 1132 may use Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). The PMIC 1132 may use a switching amplifier (class D electronic amplifier). In some embodiments, output converters, rectifiers, and/or BLE may also be included in PMIC 1132.

6. Shell body

The housing may be made of any suitable material that may allow transmission and/or reception of signals or waves, such as plastic or hard rubber. The housing may be external hardware added to the different electronic device, for example in the form of a container, or may be embedded within the electronic device.

7. Network system

Network 1140 may comprise any common communication architecture that facilitates communication between transmitter 1101 and receiver 1120. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the network 1140 may be the Internet, a private intranet, or some mixture of the two. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the network components may be implemented on dedicated processing devices, or alternatively in a cloud processing network.

A. With arrangements of receivers, receiver parts and systems relating to receivers

1. Multiple rectifiers connected in parallel with antenna element

Fig. 18A shows an arrangement 1800A in which a plurality of rectifiers 1826A may be connected in parallel to an antenna element 1824A. For example, four rectifiers 1826A may be connected in parallel to four antenna elements 1824A. However, more rectifiers 1826A may be used. The arrangement 1800A may be advantageous because each rectifier 1826A may only need to handle 1/4 of the total power. If one watt is being delivered to the electronic device, each rectifier 1826F may only need to handle one quarter watt. The arrangement 1800A may significantly reduce cost because the cost of using multiple low power rectifiers 1826A is lower than the cost of using one high power rectifier 1826A when processing the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total power processed by rectifier 1186A may be combined into DC-DC power converter 1828A. In other embodiments, there may be one DC-DC converter 1828A per rectifier 1826A.

2. Multiple antenna elements connected in parallel with a rectifier

Fig. 18B shows an arrangement 1800B in which a plurality of antenna elements 1824B may be connected in parallel with a rectifier 1826B, after which the DC voltage may be regulated by a DC-DC power converter 1828B. In this example, four antenna elements 1824B may be connected in parallel with a single rectifier 1826B. The arrangement 1800B may be advantageous because each antenna element 1824B may handle only 1/4 of the total power. Furthermore, arrangement 1800B may enable differently polarized antenna elements 1824B to be used with a single rectifier 1826B because the signals do not cancel each other. Due to the attributes above, arrangement 1800B may be applicable to electronic devices that do not explicitly define a direction or change in direction over time. Finally, arrangement 1800B may be beneficial when using antenna elements 1824B that are the same polarization and are configured with phases that are not significantly different. However, in some embodiments, one rectifier 1826B may be present per antenna element 1824B and/or multiple rectifiers 1826B may be present per antenna element 1824B (as depicted in fig. 18A).

3. Multiple antenna elements connected in parallel with multiple rectifiers

Fig. 19A illustrates an arrangement 1900A in which combining multiple antenna element 1924A outputs and connecting to a parallel rectifier 1926A may be implemented, the output of the rectifier 1926A may be further combined into one DC converter 1928A. Arrangement 1900A shows by way of example 16 antenna elements 1924A, the outputs of which may be combined at four rectifiers 1926A in parallel. In other embodiments, the antenna elements 1924A may be subdivided into groups (e.g., four groups) and may be connected to separate rectifiers as shown in fig. 19B below.

4. Arrangement of packets

Fig. 19B shows an arrangement 1900B in which groups of antenna elements 1624B may be connected to different rectifiers 1926B and in turn also to different DC converters 1928B. In arrangement 1900B, each of four groupings of antenna elements 1924B (each grouping including four antenna elements 1924B in parallel) may be independently connected to four rectifiers 1926B. In this embodiment, the output of each rectifier 1926B may be directly connected to the DC converter 1928B (four total). In other embodiments, the outputs of all four rectifiers 1926B may be combined before each DC converter 1928B to handle the total power in parallel. In other embodiments, the combined output of each rectifier 1926B may be connected to a single DC converter 1928B. The arrangement 1900B has the benefit of allowing greater proximity between the rectifier 1926B and the antenna element 1924B. This feature is desirable because it keeps losses to a minimum.

The receiver may be implemented in, connected to, or embedded in an electronic device or apparatus that relies on electrical energy to perform its intended function, such as a cell phone, notebook computer, television remote control, child toy, or any other such device. The receiver formed with the pouch may be used to fully charge the battery of the device when the device is "on" or "off" or is in use or not in use. In addition, battery life may be extended. For example, a device operating on two watts may increase its battery duration to about 50% with a receiver that may deliver one watt. Finally, the receiver may be used to fully charge some devices that are currently running on battery, after which the battery is no longer needed. This last attribute may be beneficial for devices that are cumbersome or difficult to replace, such as wall clocks. The embodiments below provide some examples of how integrating a receiver on an electronic device may be performed.

5. Enhanced radio energy receiver configuration

Fig. 33 illustrates a block diagram of a receiver 3320 for wirelessly powering or charging one or more electronic devices. According to some aspects of this embodiment, the receiver 3320 may operate with a variable power supply generated from transmitted RF waves to deliver constant and stable power or energy to the electronic device. Further, the receiver 3320 may use a variable power supply generated from RF waves to power up the electronic components within the receiver 3320 for proper operation.

The receiver 3320 may be integrated into an electronic device and may include a housing that may be made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic or hard rubber) to allow signal or wave transmission and/or reception. The housing may be external hardware added to the different electronic device, for example in the form of a container, or may be embedded within the electronic device.

The receiver 3320 may include an antenna array 3386 that may convert RF waves or energy bags into electrical energy. The antenna array 3386 may include one or more antenna elements 3324 operatively coupled to one or more rectifiers 3326. The RF wave may take a sinusoidal shape within a voltage amplitude and power range, which may depend on the characteristics of the transmitter and the transmission environment. The transmission environment may be affected by the following variations: movement of the object within the physical boundary or movement of the boundary itself. But also by variations in the transmission medium; such as changes in air temperature or humidity. Thus, the voltage or power generated by the antenna array 3386 at the receiver 3320 may be variable. As an illustrative but non-limiting example, the Alternating Current (AC) voltage or power generated by the antenna element 3324 from the transmitted RF wave or energy bag may vary from about 0 volts or 0 watts to about 5 volts or about 3 watts.

The antenna element 3324 may include a suitable antenna type for operation in a frequency band similar to that described for the transmitter. The antenna element 3324 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarization, as well as combinations of suitable polarizations. It may be beneficial to use multiple polarizations in a device (e.g. an electronic device), wherein there is no preferential direction or the polarization direction may be changed continuously over time during use. Conversely, for a device with a well-defined direction (e.g., a two-handed video game controller), there may be a preferred polarization for the antennas, which may specify a number of antenna ratios for a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas having a height of from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches and a width of from about 1/8 inch to about 6 inches. An advantage of a patch antenna is that the polarization may be dependent on the connectivity, i.e. the polarization may vary depending on the side to which the patch is fed. This may further prove advantageous because the receiver 3320 may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize radio power transmission.

The rectifier 3326 may include a diode or resistor, inductor, or capacitor to rectify the AC voltage generated by the antenna element 3324 into a Direct Current (DC) voltage. The rectifier 3326 may be placed as close to the antenna element 3324 as technically possible to minimize losses. In one embodiment, the rectifier 3326 may operate in a synchronous mode in which the rectifier 3326 may include switching elements that may improve the rectification efficiency. As an illustrative but non-limiting example, the output of rectifier 3326 may vary from about 0 volts to about 5 volts.

An input boost converter may be included in the receiver 3320 to convert the variable DC output voltage of the rectifier 3326 to a more stable DC voltage usable by components and/or electronics of the receiver 3320. Input boost converter 3258 may operate as a boost DC-DC converter to boost the voltage from rectifier 3326 to a voltage level suitable for proper operation of receiver 3320. As an illustrative but non-limiting example, input boost converter 3258 can operate with a voltage of at least 0.4 volts to about 5 volts to produce an output voltage of about 5 volts. In addition, the input boost converter may reduce or eliminate rail-to-rail offset. In one embodiment, the input boost converter may present a synchronous topology to improve power conversion efficiency.

Since the voltage or power generated from the RF wave may be zero to some extent for wireless power transfer, the receiver 3320 may include a storage element 3352 to store energy or charge from the output voltage generated by the input boost converter. In this manner, by outputting a boost converter, the storage element 3352 may deliver a continuous voltage or power to a load, which may represent a battery or internal circuit of an electronic device that requires continuous power or charging. For example, the load may be the battery of a mobile handset, requiring constant delivery at 2.5 watts, 5 volts.

Storage element 3352 may include a battery 3392 to store power or charge from the electrical energy received from input boost converter 3258. The battery 3392 may be of different types including, but not limited to, alkaline nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion, and the like. The battery 3392 may present a shape and size suitable for fitting the receiver 3320, while the charge capacity of the battery 3392 and the battery (cell) design may depend on load requirements. For example, the battery 3392 may deliver a voltage of from about 3 volts to about 4.2 volts for charging or powering a mobile handset.

In another embodiment, the storage element 3352 may include a capacitor in place of the battery 3392 for storing and delivering charge as desired by the receiver. As an example, where the mobile handset is charged or powered, the receiver 3320 may include a capacitor having operating parameters suitable for matching load requirements.

Receiver 3320 may also include an output boost converter operably coupled with storage element 3352 and an input boost converter, where the output boost converter may be used to match the impedance and power requirements of the load. As an illustrative but non-limiting example, the output boost converter may boost the output voltage of battery 3392 from approximately 3 volts or 4.2 volts to approximately 5 volts, which may be the voltage required by the battery or internal circuitry of the electronic device. Similar to the input boost converter, the output boost converter may be based on a synchronous topology for enhancing power conversion efficiency.

The storage element 3352 may provide power or voltage to a communication subsystem, which may include a low dropout linear regulator (LDO), a microcontroller, and an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). The LDO may be used as a DC linear regulator to provide a regulated voltage suitable for low energy applications as in microcontrollers. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the EEPROM to store data related to the operation and monitoring of the receiver 3320. The microcontroller may also include a Clock (CLK) input and a general purpose input/output (GPIO).

In one embodiment, the microcontroller in combination with the EEPROM may run an algorithm for controlling the operation of the input boost converter and the output boost converter according to load demand. The microcontroller may actively monitor the overall operation of the receiver 3320 by taking one or more power measurements 3388 (ADC) at different nodes. For example, the microcontroller may measure the voltage or power delivered throughout: rectifier 3326, input boost converter, battery 3392, output boost converter, communication subsystem, and/or load. The microcontroller may communicate these power measurements 3388 to the load so that the electronics can learn how much power is available from the receiver 3320. In another embodiment, based on the power measurement 3388, the microcontroller may control the power or voltage delivered at the load by adjusting the load current limit at the output boost converter. In yet another embodiment, the amount of electrical energy that the input boost circuit can obtain from the antenna array 3386 may be controlled and optimized by a microcontroller executing a maximum power tracking (MPPT) algorithm.

In another embodiment, the microcontroller may adjust how the electrical energy or energy is discharged from the storage element 3352 based on monitoring the power measurements 3388. For example, if the power or voltage operating at the output boost converter is too low, the microcontroller may direct the output boost converter to consume battery 3392 for powering the load.

The receiver 3320 may include a switch 3390 for recovering or interrupting the power delivered at the load. In one embodiment, the microcontroller may control the switch 3390 via one or more radio power transfer user subscription terms of service or according to an administrator policy.

Fig. 34 illustrates a power conversion process 3400 that may be implemented in a receiver during wireless power transfer. According to some aspects of this embodiment, the power conversion process 3400 may allow electrical energy to be extracted from the RF wave and/or energy bag to provide the appropriate voltage or power to the components of the receiver 108 as well as the electronics.

The power conversion process 3400 begins when the antenna element 3324 may convert RF waves and/or energy bags to AC voltage or power. In step 3451, the rectifier may rectify the AC voltage or power to a DC voltage or power. At this stage, the DC voltage or power generated at the rectifier may be variable depending on the conditions used to extract electrical energy from the RF wave and/or energy bag. The input boost converter may then set the DC voltage or power obtained from the rectifier to a voltage level or power level that may be used by a storage element or other internal element of the receiver in step 3453. In an embodiment, the input boost converter may receive input from the microcontroller (based on the MPPT algorithm) for adjusting and optimizing the amount of electrical energy available from the antenna array. At this stage, the voltage steadily increasing at the input boost converter may be directly utilized by the load, but may not be continuous at all times, taking into account the inherent characteristics of the RF wave.

In step 3455, the stabilized DC voltage generated by the input boost converter may be used to charge a storage element, which may be in the form of a battery or a capacitor. The storage element may always maintain a suitable charge level for delivering continuous power to the load. In addition, the storage element may provide the appropriate power or voltage to the communication subsystem.

At step 3457, the voltage or power generated by the storage element may be set by the output boost converter to match the impedance or power requirements of the load. In an embodiment, the microcontroller may set a current limit at the output boost converter to adjust the amount of electrical energy delivered at the load depending on the application.

After the secondary boost conversion, the output boost converter may now provide a stable continuous power or voltage to the load, using appropriate electrical specifications for charging or powering the electronic device operatively coupled to the receiver, in step 3459.

The microcontroller may control the switch to interrupt or resume power or voltage delivery at the load in accordance with the provision of service contracted by the user of the wireless power transfer. For example, if the wireless power transfer is a service provided to a user of the receiver, the microcontroller may interrupt or resume powering or charging the electronic device according to the user's contract status by using the switch. Further, the microcontroller may adjust the operation of the switch based on charging or power supply priorities established for the one or more electronic devices. For example, if the electronic device coupled to the receiver has a lower power or charging priority than another electronic device coupled to a suitable receiver that may require charging and has a higher charging priority, the microcontroller may open the switch. In this case, the transmitter may direct RF waves to a receiver coupled to an electronic device having a higher charging or powering priority.

6. Embedded receiver

Fig. 20A illustrates an embodiment of a device 2000A, which may represent a conventional cell phone, computer, or other electronic device, the device 2000A may include an embedded receiver 2020A. The device 2000A may also include a power source, a communication component 2030A, and a processor. The receiver 2020A may utilize the pocket-forming to provide power to a power supply of the device 2000A. Further, the receiver 2020A may communicate with a given transmitter using a built-in communication component 2030A (e.g., bluetooth) of the device 2000A based on requirements provided by the transmitter, such as battery level, user-predefined charging profile, or other parameters.

7. Battery with embedded receiver

Fig. 20B shows another embodiment in which the device 2000B may include a battery with an embedded receiver 2020B. The battery may receive power wirelessly through the pocket formation and may be charged through its embedded receiver 2020B. The battery may be used as a power supply or may be used as a backup power supply. An advantage of this arrangement is that the battery does not need to be removed for charging. This is particularly useful for game controllers or game devices where the battery (typically AA or AAA) can be continuously replaced.

8. External communication part

Fig. 20C shows an alternative embodiment 2000C in which the receiver 2020C and communication component 2030C may be included in external hardware that is attachable to a device. The hardware may take appropriate form, such as the following: may be placed on a cell phone, remote control, and other devices, and the hardware may be connected through a suitable interface such as a communications serial bus (USB). In other embodiments, the hardware may be printed on a flexible film, which may then be glued or attached to the electronic device. This option may be advantageous because it may be produced at a lower cost and may be integrated into a variety of devices. As in the previous embodiments, the communication component 2030C may be included in hardware that may provide overall communication with a transmitter or electronic device.

9. Housing or casing for a receiver connected to a USB

Fig. 21A shows hardware in the form of the following housings: including a receiver 2102A that may be connected to a smart phone and/or any other electronic device via a flexible cable or USB. In other embodiments, the housing or casing may be a computer casing, a cell phone casing, and/or a camera casing, among other such options.

10. Printed-on-film PCB

Fig. 21B shows hardware in the form of a printed film or flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that may include a plurality of print receivers 2102B. The printed film may be glued or attached to the electronic device and may be connected through an interface such as USB. The advantage of the printed film is that it can be cut into segments to meet the size and/or requirements of a particular electronic device. The efficiency of wireless power transfer and the amount of power that can be delivered (formed using bags) can be a function of the total number of antenna elements used in a given receiver and transmitter system. For example, for a transport of about one watt at about 15 feet, the receiver may include about 80 antenna elements, while the transmitter may include 256 antenna elements. Another equivalent wireless power transfer system (about 1 watt at about 15 feet) may include about 40 antenna elements, while the transmitter may have about 512 antenna elements. Reducing the number of antenna elements in the receiver by half may require doubling the number of antenna elements in the transmitter. In some cases, placing more antenna elements in the transmitter than in the receiver may be cost effective. However, the opposite effect can be obtained as long as there are at least two antenna elements in the transmitter (more antenna elements are placed on the receiver than on the transmitter).

Antenna hardware and functionality

A. Spacing arrangement

Fig. 22 illustrates internal hardware in which a receiver 2220 may be used to receive wireless power transmissions in an electronic device 2252 (e.g., a smart phone). In some implementations, the electronic device 2252 may include a receiver 2220 that may be embedded around an inner edge of a housing 2254 (e.g., a smartphone housing) of the electronic device 2252. In other embodiments, receiver 2220 may be implemented to cover the back of housing 2254. The housing 2254 may be one or more of the following: smart phone covers, notebook computer covers, camera covers, GPS covers, game controller covers, and/or tablet computer covers, among other options. The housing 2254 may be made of plastic, rubber, and/or other suitable materials.

The receiver 2220 may include an array of antenna elements 2224 strategically distributed over a grid area as shown in fig. 22. The housing 2254 may include an array of antenna elements 2224 located around the edge of the housing 2254 and/or along the back of the housing 2254 for optimal reception. The number, spacing, and type of antenna elements 2224 may be calculated based on the design, size, and/or type of electronic device 2252. In some embodiments, there may be a spacing (e.g., lmm-4 mm) and/or meta-material between the housing 2254 containing the antenna element 2224 and the electronic device 2252. The spacing and/or metamaterials may provide additional gain for the RF signals. In some implementations, meta-material may be used to create a multi-layer PCB to be implemented into the housing 2254.

B. Meta-material

Internal hardware in the form of printed film 2256 and/or a flexible PCB may include different components such as a plurality of printed antenna elements 2224 (connected in series, parallel or series-parallel with each other), rectifiers, and power converter elements. The printed film 2256 may be adhered or attached to any suitable electronic device, such as an electronic device 2252 and/or a tablet computer. The printed film 2256 may be connected by any suitable interface, such as a flexible cable 2258. Printed film 2256 may exhibit a number of benefits; one of these benefits may be that the printed film may be cut into portions to meet specific smart mobile device sizes and/or requirements. According to one embodiment, the spacing between antenna elements 2224 for receiver 2220 may be in the range of about 2nm to about 12nm, with a most suitable spacing being about 7nm. Additionally, in some implementations, the optimal number of antenna elements 2224 available in the receiver 2220 of the electronic device 2252, such as a smart phone, may be in the range of about 20 to about 30. However, the number of antenna elements 2224 within receiver 2220 may vary depending on the design and size of electronic device 2252. The antenna element 2224 may be made of different conductive materials, such as copper, gold, silver, and the like. In addition, the antenna element 2224 may be printed, etched or otherwise attached to any suitable non-conductive flexible substrate, such as a flexible PCB or the like. The disclosed configuration and orientation of the antenna element 2224 may exhibit better reception, efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.

C. Internal hardware

Fig. 32 shows internal hardware 3200 in which a receiver 3220 may be used for wireless power transfer in a smartphone 3252. Fig. 32 illustrates a first embodiment in which a smartphone 3252 may include a receiver 3220 embedded around an inner edge of a housing of the smartphone 3252. The receiver 3220 may include an array of antenna elements 3224 strategically distributed over a grid area. A receiver may refer to a device comprising: at least one antenna element, at least one rectifying circuit, and at least one power converter, which may utilize an energy pouch to power or charge a client device.

The number and type of antenna elements 3224 may be calculated according to the design of the smartphone 3252. When charging an electronic device, such as a cell phone (smart phone) or a notebook computer, an initial high current may be required that can exceed the minimum voltage required to activate operation of the electronic switch-mode DC-DC converter. In this case, a capacitor (not shown) may be added at the output of the receiver 3220 to provide the additional energy required. Thereafter, a lower power, for example 1/80 of the total initial power, may be provided while the cell phone or notebook is still charged. Charging may refer to converting RF energy into electrical energy through a receiver using an antenna, wherein the electrical energy may be transmitted through an electrical circuit connection from the receiver to an electrically connected client device, the battery of which may be charged, powered, and/or any combination thereof by the device using the transmitted energy. A client device may refer to any device in a wireless power transfer system that receives wireless power from a wireless transmitter through an electrical connection with a wireless power receiver. The client device may be a computer, a laptop, a mobile electronic device such as a smart phone, an electronic toy, a remote control for a television or other client device, or any electronic or electrical device to be wirelessly charged.

Finally, a communication component may be included in the reception 3220 to communicate with a transmitter or other electronic equipment. A transmitter may refer to a device that includes: a chip that can generate two or more RF signals, at least one RF signal that is phase shifted and gain adjusted relative to other RF signals, and substantially all devices pass through one or more RF antennas such that the aggregate RF signal is directed onto a target.

As will be explained in the following embodiments, different arrangements of antennas, rectifiers or power converters are possible for the receiver. In particular, the internal hardware 3200 in the form of printed film 3256 and/or flexible PCB may include different components, such as a plurality of printed antenna elements 3224 (connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel with each other), rectifiers 206, and power converter 3229 elements. The printed film 3256 can be adhered or attached to any electronic device such as a smart phone 3252 or tablet computer and can be connected through any interface such as a flexible cable. Printed film 3256 may exhibit a number of benefits, one of which may be that the printed film may be cut into portions to meet specific smart mobile device sizes and/or requirements.

According to an embodiment, the spacing between the antenna elements 3224 of the receiver 3220 may be in the range of about 5nm to about 12 nm. However, the number of antennas within the receiver 3220 may vary depending on the design and size of the smartphone 3252. The antenna element 3224 may be made of different conductive materials, such as copper, gold, silver, and the like. In addition, antenna element 3224 may be printed, etched, or otherwise attached to any suitable non-conductive flexible substrate, such as a flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB), or the like. The disclosed configuration and orientation of antenna element 3224 may exhibit better reception, efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.

The above method descriptions and process flow diagrams are provided only as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the different embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the embodiments above may be performed in any order. Words such as "then," "next," and the like are not used to limit the order of steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the invention. Although a process flow diagram may describe operations as a sequential process, multiple operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. Further, the order of operations may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a step, a subroutine, etc. When a procedure corresponds to a function, the end of the procedure may correspond to the function returning to the calling function or the main function.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented in software, framework, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or any combination thereof. A code segment or computer-executable instruction may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instruction data, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, data, parameters, data may be transferred, forwarded, or transmitted via a suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement the systems and methods is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods described without reference to the specific software code would be understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the systems and methods based on the description herein.

When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which may reside on a computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media include computer storage media and tangible storage media, facilitating transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory computer readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of non-limiting example, such non-transitory processor-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or any other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or any other tangible storage medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers, combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. Furthermore, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments should be considered. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, within the true scope and spirit indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power transfer, the method comprising:

a transmitter comprising a communication component, a plurality of antennas, and a controller, receives a respective plurality of control signals from a plurality of electronic devices via the communication component over a plurality of available communication channels, the plurality of electronic devices coupled to a respective plurality of receivers, the plurality of control signals comprising information identifying respective locations of the plurality of electronic devices;

A controller of the transmitter compares the number of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged with the number of the plurality of available communication channels of the transmitter;

allocating dedicated communication channels of the transmitter to communicate with each of the plurality of receivers, each receiver coupled to a respective one of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged, when it is determined that the number of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged is less than or equal to the number of the plurality of available communication channels;

sharing at least one of the plurality of available communication channels in two or more of the plurality of receivers to be powered upon determining that the number of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged is greater than the number of the plurality of available communication channels; and

a controller of the transmitter sends power transfer signals to the respective plurality of receivers via a subset of the plurality of antennas, wherein each receiver of the respective plurality of receivers is configured to convert energy from some of the power transfer signals into usable power for powering or charging a respective electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

When the number of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged is determined to be less than or equal to the number of the plurality of available communication channels, allocating a dedicated subgroup of the plurality of antennas to charge each of the plurality of electronic devices;

when it is determined that the number of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged is greater than the number of the plurality of available communication channels, at least one subset of the plurality of antennas is quickly redirected from one receiver of the plurality of receivers coupled to a respective one of the plurality of electronic devices to another receiver to periodically power each of the plurality of receivers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

the controller of the transmitter determines the optimal location and orientation of the electronic device for receiving the wireless power transfer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

a first grouping of the plurality of antennas is allocated to a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices and a second grouping of the plurality of antennas is allocated to a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sharing at least one of the plurality of available communication channels further comprises:

the transmitter communicates with each of the plurality of receivers for a limited time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the finite time is 1 second or less.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

a set of active characteristics for transmitting the power transfer signal to the respective electronic device, including one or more of direction, phase, gain, amplitude, or frequency, is adjusted in accordance with the plurality of control signals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas are planar antennas, patch antennas, or dipole antennas.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas are configured to operate within a frequency band of approximately 900MHz, 2.5GHz, or 5.8 GHz.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of antennas is vertically polarized, horizontally polarized, circularly polarized, left-hand polarized, or right-hand polarized.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the power transfer signal is of a type selected from the group consisting of: electromagnetic waves, ultrasound waves and magnetic resonance.

12. A system for wireless power transfer, the system comprising a transmitter comprising:

a plurality of antennas configured to transmit power transmission signals;

a communication component configured to receive a respective plurality of control signals from a plurality of electronic devices coupled to a respective plurality of receivers over a plurality of available communication channels, the plurality of control signals including information identifying respective locations of the plurality of electronic devices; and

a controller operatively coupled to the communication component and circuitry for controlling the plurality of antennas, the controller configured to:

comparing the number of the plurality of electronic devices to be charged with the number of the plurality of available communication channels of the transmitter;

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

an optimal location and orientation of an electronic device for receiving wireless power transmissions is determined.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

communicate with each of the plurality of receivers for a limited time.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of antennas are planar antennas, patch antennas, or dipole antennas.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of antennas are configured to operate within a frequency band of approximately 900MHz, 2.5GHz, or 5.8 GHz.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of antennas is vertically polarized, horizontally polarized, circularly polarized, left-hand polarized, or right-hand polarized.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the power transfer signal is of a type selected from the group consisting of: electromagnetic waves, ultrasound waves and magnetic resonance.