KR20180056968A - Apparatus and method for transferring wireless power to a position estimated by using various communication systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for transmitting wireless power to an estimated location by using various communication systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to the device and method for transmitting wireless power by receiving feedback information such as a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) signal, estimating the location of a user terminal based on the received feedback information, and performing beamforming to an estimated location. The device for transmitting wireless power according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a feedback receiving unit receiving, from a user terminal, feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a VLC signal; a location estimating unit estimating the location of the user terminal based on the received feedback information; and a wireless power transmitting unit transmitting wireless power to an estimated location by performing beamforming.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING WIRELESS POWER TO A POSITION [0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for transmitting wireless power to an estimated location using various communication systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for receiving feedback information on a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) signal from a user terminal, To an apparatus and method for transmitting wireless power through an optimal path between a user terminal and a wireless power transmission apparatus by estimating a position by estimating the position of a more accurate user terminal and performing beamforming at an estimated position .

The wireless power transmission technology for wirelessly transmitting power is increasing in preference and frequency of use due to the convenience of the user in contrast to the wired power transmission technology for transferring power to the wired network. Accordingly, wireless power transmission technologies such as smart phones, notebooks, and portable TVs charging wireless power using wireless power transmission technology are being developed continuously.

2. Description of the Related Art [0002] In particular, a wireless charging technique using a remote wireless power transmission technique using beam forming in an indoor space of a wireless channel environment in which a plurality of wireless channels such as a home, an office, an airport,

However, when a wireless power transmission technique using beam forming is used in a wireless channel environment in which a plurality of wireless channels exist, in order to consider power consumption for beamforming and interference with surrounding channels, It is necessary to more accurately measure the channel estimation and location of wireless charging products to be charged.

Currently, the most commonly used technology related to location tracking technology is GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite service or GPS satellite service, which is developed for outdoor environment. It can receive GPS satellite signals There is a limit to the service available only in the location.

In addition, WPS (Wi-Fi Positioning System) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) are used as positioning technologies in an indoor environment. However, WPS has a limitation in accuracy in terms of positioning accuracy, and RFID has a disadvantage in that it is not easy for a user to recognize a tag as a reader.

In addition, a visible light communication (VLC) using a Bluetooth-based beacon system and an illumination light is used as a positioning technique in an indoor environment.

However, the indoor positioning method using the Bluetooth based beacon system has a limitation in terms of cost because a separate beacon transmission device is required to be installed in a plurality of spaces for positioning.

On the other hand, the visible light communication system can save the cost of constructing the positioning infrastructure by utilizing the existing lighting infrastructure, but there is a disadvantage that it is highly influenced by the surrounding environment due to obstacles and walls due to the straightness of light.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of existing positioning techniques, to estimate the position of the wirelessly-charged product more accurately based on the position estimation technique with improved positioning accuracy, and to perform wireless beam- Transmission technology needs to be proposed.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0120681, "Fusion positioning method and system using WPS (WI-FI positioning system) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0017861, " Apparatus and method for processing position information using visible light communication " Korean Patent No. 10-1163335 entitled " Indoor Wireless Positioning Method Based on Distance Estimation Method of Received Signal Strength and Recording Medium on which a Program for Performing the Method is Recorded "

The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and method for transmitting wireless power to an estimated location using various communication systems.

The present invention receives feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) signal from a user terminal, And to provide a method and apparatus for estimating the position of a vehicle.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for estimating a position of a user terminal based on feedback information received from a user terminal, and performing beamforming on the estimated position to transmit wireless power.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for estimating a position of a user terminal based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal strength information of a beacon signal, and light strength information of a visible light communication signal, Method.

The present invention estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal, corrects the estimated position based on the position information of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal, And to provide an apparatus and method for re-correcting a corrected position based on information.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for receiving feedback information related to received signal strength information of a Wi-Fi signal from a user terminal when a user terminal is detected in a service area of a Wi-Fi node.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for transmitting a signal requesting a search of a user terminal to a Wi-Fi node based on position information of a Bluetooth node related to a beacon signal when feedback information related to a beacon signal is received.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a Wi-Fi node to divide a service area and search for the user terminal in a service area corresponding to a location of a Bluetooth node among the divided service areas.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for calculating an optimum path for wireless power transmission and a position of an obstacle between a user terminal and a wireless power transmission apparatus based on feedback information related to a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal and a visible light communication signal from a user terminal I want to.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for estimating the position of a user terminal in a convergent manner by correcting a position of a user terminal estimated based on a Wi-Fi signal using a beacon signal and a visible light communication signal.

The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and method for transmitting wireless power by performing beamforming only on an estimated position based on feedback information associated with a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless power transmission apparatus receives feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) signal from a user terminal A feedback receiving unit A position estimator for estimating a position of the user terminal based on the received feedback information; And a wireless power transmission unit for performing beamforming to transmit the wireless power to the estimated position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless power transmission apparatus estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal, (Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI) of the received signal strength indicator.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless power transmission apparatus recalibrates the corrected position based on light intensity information of a visible light communication (VLC) signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless power transmission apparatus corrects the estimated position based on position information of a Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal, and transmits the visible light communication (VLC) Corrects the corrected position based on position information of a visible light communication (VLC) node associated with the signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the user terminal is detected in a service area of a Wi-Fi node, the wireless power transmission device transmits a signal strength of a Wi-Fi signal received from the user terminal Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the feedback receiver receives the feedback information related to the beacon signal, the wireless power transmission apparatus generates a beacon signal based on the position information of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal And a control signal transmitter for transmitting a signal requesting the search of the user terminal to a Wi-Fi node.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Wi-Fi node may divide a service area, receive the request signal, and transmit the service area corresponding to the position of the Bluetooth node among the divided service areas And searches for the user terminal in the service area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless power transmission apparatus calculates an optimal path for the wireless power transmission and the position of the obstacle between the user terminal and the wireless power transmission apparatus based on the feedback information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user terminal transmits feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) signal to a wireless power transmission device A feedback transmission unit; And a wireless power receiving unit for receiving wireless power from the wireless power transmission apparatus at an estimated position based on the feedback information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the estimated position is estimated based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal by the wireless power transmission apparatus, (VLC) node associated with the visible light communication (VLC) signal based on the position of a Bluetooth node associated with the beacon signal and based on the location of the visible light communication And the corrected position is corrected again.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an operation method of a wireless power transmission apparatus includes feedback from a user terminal to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) Receiving information; Estimating a position of the user terminal based on the received feedback information; And performing beamforming to the estimated position to transmit wireless power.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a wireless power transmission apparatus, the method comprising: estimating a position of the user terminal based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of a Wi-Fi signal; And correcting the estimated position based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of a beacon signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a wireless power transmission apparatus includes correcting the corrected position based on light strength information of a visible light communication (VLC) signal .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the feedback information related to the beacon signal is received, the method of operating the wireless power transmission apparatus may further comprise the step of, based on the position information of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal And transmitting a signal requesting the search of the user terminal to a Wi-Fi node.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a wireless power transmission apparatus includes: a step in which a Wi-Fi node divides a service area, receives the request signal, And searching for the user terminal in a service area corresponding to the location of the node.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a wireless power transmission apparatus includes calculating an optimal path for wireless power transmission and a position of an obstacle between the user terminal and the wireless power transmission apparatus based on the feedback information do.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless power transmission apparatus estimates a position of a user terminal based on feedback information related to a Wi-Fi signal, corrects an estimated position based on feedback information related to a beacon signal, By correcting the corrected position again based on the related feedback information, the position of the user terminal can be more accurately estimated.

Also, the wireless power transmission apparatus receives the feedback information related to the beacon signal and transmits the location of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal to the Wi-Fi node, so that the Wi-Fi node preferentially searches for the service area corresponding to the location of the Bluetooth node, The time for estimating the position of the user terminal can be reduced.

In addition, the wireless power transmission device may perform a beamforming at a more accurately estimated position by fusely estimating the position of the user terminal based on feedback information associated with the Wi-Fi signal, the beacon signal, and the visible light communication signal, .

In addition, the wireless power transmission apparatus can reduce the power consumption for beamforming by estimating the position of the user terminal based on various communication systems, and then performing beamforming to the estimated position.

In addition, the wireless power transmission apparatus can calculate the optimal path for wireless power transmission between the user terminal and the wireless power transmission apparatus by estimating the position of the user terminal based on various communication systems.

In addition, the wireless power transmission device can transmit wireless power to a user terminal without being affected by an obstacle or a human body in an indoor environment such as a home, an office, an exhibition hall, an airport, a bus, and a subway.

In addition, the wireless power transmission apparatus can generate a beam that is not affected by other channels in the indoor wireless communication environment in which various channels are scattered, as the location of the user terminal.

In addition, the wireless power transmission apparatus estimates the position of the user terminal using the existing lighting and Bluetooth node, so that the installation cost of the Bluetooth node can save the installation cost of the lighted communication node.

In addition, the wireless power transmission device can transmit the wireless power remotely to various wearable devices by creating a beam that is not affected by other channels to the location of the user terminal.

In addition, the wireless power transmission apparatus can achieve maximum efficiency against power consumption for beamforming by creating a beam that is not affected by other channels to the position of the user terminal.

1 shows a block diagram of a wireless power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a user terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present document will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and terminologies used herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described, but to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

The following terms are defined in consideration of functions in various embodiments and may vary depending on the intention of a user, an operator, or the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar components.

The singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this document, the expressions "A or B" or "at least one of A and / or B" and the like may include all possible combinations of the items listed together.

Expressions such as " first, "" second," " first, "or" second, " But is not limited to those components.

When it is mentioned that some (e.g., first) component is "(functionally or communicatively) connected" or "connected" to another (second) component, May be connected directly to the component, or may be connected through another component (e.g., a third component).

As used herein, the term "configured to" is intended to encompass all types of information, including, but not limited to, " , "" Made to "," can do ", or" designed to ".

In some situations, the expression "a device configured to" may mean that the device can "do " with other devices or components.

For example, a processor configured (or configured) to perform the phrases "A, B, and C" may be implemented by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device or a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) , And a general purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or an application processor) capable of performing the corresponding operations.

Also, the term 'or' implies an inclusive or 'inclusive' rather than an exclusive or 'exclusive'.

That is, unless expressly stated otherwise or clear from the context, the expression 'x uses a or b' means any of the natural inclusive permutations.

Hereinafter, terms such as "part," "group," and the like are used to denote units for processing at least one function or operation, and may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

1 shows a block diagram of a wireless power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates components of a wireless power transmission system for transmitting wireless power through beamforming to a user terminal 120 by a wireless power transmission device 110.

1, a wireless power transmission system includes a wireless power transmission device 110, a user terminal 120, a Wi-Fi node 130, a Bluetooth node 140, and a Visible Light Communication, VLC) node 150.

The wireless power transmission apparatus 110 includes a feedback receiving unit 112, a position estimating unit 114, and a wireless power transmitting unit 116.

The feedback receiving unit 112 may receive feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal from the user terminal 120.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback receiver 112 may receive feedback information on a Wi-Fi signal from the user terminal 120, and sequentially receive feedback information on a beacon signal and a visible light communication signal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the feedback receiver 112 may receive position information of the Bluetooth node 140 that transmits the beacon signal as feedback information on the beacon signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback receiver 112 receives the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal from the user terminal 120, the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) Information and light intensity information of the visible light communication signal as feedback information.

The feedback receiver 122 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects feedback information related to received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal from the user terminal 120 when the user terminal 120 is detected in the service area of the Wi- .

That is, when a user carrying the user terminal 120 enters the service area of the Wi-Fi node 130, the Wi-Fi node 130 transmits a signal to the user terminal 120, And the feedback receiving unit 112 may receive the feedback information from the user terminal 120. The feedback information may include information on the strength of the received signal.

In the above example, the signal transmitted by the Wi-Fi node 130 may include a signal for positioning the user terminal 120.

The position estimation unit 114 may estimate the position of the user terminal 120 based on the feedback information received from the user terminal 120. [

For example, the received feedback information may include received signal strength information of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal strength information of a beacon signal, light intensity information of a visible light communication signal, position information of a Bluetooth node 140 related to a beacon signal, And location information of the associated visible light communication node 150.

The position estimating unit 114 estimates the position of the user terminal 120 based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal and estimates the position based on the received signal strength information of the beacon signal And the position of the user terminal can be finally calculated by correcting again the corrected position based on the light intensity information of the visible light communication signal.

The location estimating unit 114 estimates the location of the user terminal 120 based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal, and based on the location information of the Bluetooth node 140 related to the beacon signal, And can finally calculate the position of the user terminal by correcting again the corrected position based on the position information of the visible light communication node 150 related to the visible light communication signal.

The wireless power transmission unit 116 may transmit the wireless power by performing beamforming to the position of the estimated user terminal 120 based on feedback information on the Wi-Fi signal, the beacon signal, and the visible light communication signal.

The wireless power transmission unit 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may perform beamforming to transmit wireless power to a location of the user terminal 120 using a plurality of antennas.

That is, the wireless power transmission unit 116 performs beamforming for transmitting wireless power in a limited manner to the estimated position to perform wireless charging with respect to the user terminal 120 located at the estimated position using a plurality of antennas Can be performed.

The user terminal 120 includes a signal information receiving unit 122, a feedback transmitting unit 124, and a wireless power receiving unit 126.

For example, the user terminal 120 may include an optical signal receiver (not shown) for receiving an optical signal from the visible light communication node 150.

When receiving the Wi-Fi signal from the Wi-Fi node 130, the signal information receiving unit 122 may calculate the received signal strength of the Wi-Fi signal and store the calculated received signal strength in the storage unit.

When receiving the beacon signal from the Bluetooth node 140, the signal information receiving unit 122 may calculate the received signal strength of the beacon signal and store the calculated received signal strength in the storage unit.

The signal information receiving unit 122 may receive a beacon signal including the position information of the Bluetooth node 140 from the Bluetooth node 140. [

When receiving the visible light communication signal from the visible light communication node 150, the signal information receiving unit 122 may calculate the light intensity of the visible light communication signal and store the calculated light intensity in the storage unit.

The feedback transmission unit 124 may generate feedback information corresponding to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal.

The feedback transmission unit 124 may transmit feedback information corresponding to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal to the wireless power transmission apparatus 110.

The feedback transmission unit 124 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention transmits the received signal strength information related to the Wi-Fi signal, the received signal strength information related to the beacon signal, or the location information of the Bluetooth node 140 to the wireless power transmission apparatus 110, Light intensity information related to the visible light communication signal or position information of the visible light communication node 150 may be transmitted as feedback information.

The wireless power receiving unit 126 may receive wireless power from the wireless power transmission apparatus 110. [

The wireless power receiving unit 126 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may receive wireless power from the wireless power transmission apparatus 110 when the wireless power transmission apparatus 110 is located at a location estimated by the wireless power transmission apparatus 110. [

The Wi-Fi node 130 may divide the service area of the Wi-Fi node 130 and may transmit a Wi-Fi signal to the user terminal 120 when the user terminal 120 is searched in any of the divided service areas .

The Wi-Fi node 130 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention transmits a signal requesting the location search of the user terminal 120 based on the location information of the Bluetooth node 140 related to the beacon signal from the wireless power transmission unit 110 .

The Wi-Fi node 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may preferentially search the user terminal 120 in a service area corresponding to a location of the Bluetooth node among the divided service areas.

The Bluetooth node 140 may transmit the beacon signal to the user terminal 120 and transmit the location information of the Bluetooth node 140 to the wireless power transmission apparatus 110 when the user accesses the user terminal 120. [

The visible light communication node 150 may transmit the visible light communication signal to the user terminal 120 when the user terminal 120 is located in the communicable area of the visible light communication node 150. [

2 is a block diagram of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates the components of a wireless power transmission device 200.

2, the wireless power transmission apparatus 200 includes a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, a wireless power transmission unit 230, and a control unit 240.

The communication unit 210 performs a function of converting a baseband signal and a bit string according to a physical layer standard of the system.

For example, the communication unit 210 may generate complex symbols by encoding and modulating a transmission bit stream during data transmission.

Also, the communication unit 210 can recover the received bit stream by demodulating and decoding the baseband signal upon receiving the data.

For example, at the time of data transmission, the communication unit 210 can generate demodulation symbols by encoding and modulating a transmission bit stream.

In addition, the communication unit 210 up-converts the baseband signal to an RF band signal, transmits the RF band signal through the antenna, and downconverts the RF band signal received through the antenna to a baseband signal.

For example, the communication unit 210 may include a transmission filter, a reception filter, an amplifier, a mixer, an oscillator, a digital to analog converter (DAC), an analog to digital converter (ADC)

In addition, the communication unit 210 may include different communication modules for processing signals of different frequency bands.

For example, different communication standards may include Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), WiGig (WiFi Gigabyte), cellular networks such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) .

Also, different frequency bands may include super high frequency (SHF) (e.g., 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz) and millimeter wave (e.g., 60 GHz) bands.

The communication unit 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a feedback receiver 212 and a control signal transmitter 214.

The feedback receiver 212 may receive feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal from a user terminal.

The feedback receiver 212 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention receives information on a received signal intensity of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal intensity information of a beacon signal, light intensity information of a visible light communication signal, position information of a Bluetooth node related to a beacon signal , And position information of a visible light communication node associated with the visible light communication signal.

Also, when the user terminal is connected to the Bluetooth node, the feedback receiving unit 212 may receive the location information of the Bluetooth node from the Bluetooth node.

When receiving feedback information related to a beacon signal through a feedback receiver, the control signal transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention transmits a signal requesting a location search of a user terminal to a Wi- Node.

That is, the control signal transmitter may transmit the location information of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal and the signal requesting the location search of the user terminal to the Wi-Fi node.

The storage unit 220 stores data such as a basic program, an application program, and setting information for operation of the wireless power transmission apparatus 200.

In particular, storage 220 may store at least one set of instructions (e.g., applications) for managing files in accordance with various embodiments.

The storage unit 220 may provide the stored data at the request of the control unit 240.

The storage unit 220 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory.

The storage unit 220 may store instructions or data related to at least one other component of the wireless power transmission device 200. [

The storage unit 220 is included in the wireless power transmission apparatus 200 and may be referred to as an 'internal storage' or an 'internal storage'.

The storage unit 220 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may store feedback information received from a user terminal.

The storage unit 220 may store received signal intensity information of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal intensity information of a beacon signal, light intensity information of a visible light communication signal, position information of a Bluetooth node, and position information of a visible light communication node.

The wireless power transmission unit 230 may transmit the wireless power by performing beamforming on the estimated position of the user terminal based on the feedback information received from the user terminal.

The wireless power transmission unit 230 may transmit the wireless power by performing beamforming in a range corresponding to the estimated position of the user terminal using a plurality of antennas for beamforming.

The wireless power transmission unit 230 may wirelessly supply power to the user terminal through a self-resonance induction method or an electromagnetic wave method.

The wireless power transmission unit 230 may calculate the beamforming vector to transmit the wireless power by performing beamforming in a range corresponding to the estimated position of the user terminal using a plurality of antennas for beamforming.

In addition, the wireless power transmission unit 230 can perform beamforming based on the calculated beamforming vector. For example, the beamforming vector may be based on a beamforming covariance matrix.

The control unit 240 may control operations of the communication unit 210, the storage unit 220, and the wireless power transmission unit 230.

For example, the control unit 240 may perform an operation or data processing related to the control and / or communication of at least one other component of the wireless power transmission device 200.

For example, the control unit 240 may control a plurality of hardware or software components connected to the control unit 240 by driving an operating system or an application program, and may perform various data processing and calculations.

For example, the control unit 240 may be implemented as a system on chip (SOC). The control unit 240 may load and process the command or data received from at least one of the other components (e.g., non-volatile memory) into the volatile memory and store the resulting data in the non-volatile memory.

The control unit 240 includes a position estimating unit 242.

The position estimator 242 can estimate the position of the user terminal based on the feedback information received from the user terminal.

For example, the received feedback information may include received signal strength information of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal strength information of a beacon signal, light intensity information of a visible light communication signal, position information of a Bluetooth node 140 related to a beacon signal, And location information of the associated visible light communication node 150.

The position estimator 242 according to an embodiment of the present invention estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal, corrects the estimated position based on the received signal strength information of the beacon signal, The position of the user terminal can be finally calculated by correcting again the corrected position based on the light intensity information of the visible light communication signal.

The position estimator 242 according to an embodiment of the present invention estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal and corrects the estimated position based on the position information of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal And can finally calculate the position of the user terminal by correcting again the corrected position based on the position information of the visible light communication node associated with the visible light communication signal.

The position estimator 242 according to another embodiment of the present invention estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal, corrects the estimated position based on the received signal strength information of the beacon signal , The accuracy of the corrected position can be calculated by comparing the corrected position with the reference information.

The position estimator 242 according to another embodiment of the present invention estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the beacon signal and corrects the estimated position based on the received signal strength information of the Wi- have.

For example, the control unit 240 may control the wireless power transmission apparatus 200 to perform the procedure shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and the like.

Meanwhile, the control unit 240 may determine the beam forming ratio (number of times of beam forming, time, etc.) for the optimal path considering the obstacle position and the obstacle position.

The control unit 240 may generate beamforming information on the position of the obstacle and beamforming ratio information on the optimal path and transmit the information to the wireless power transmitting unit 230. [

Accordingly, the wireless power transmission unit 230 can perform beamforming for the position of the obstacle and beamforming for the optimal path based on the beamforming ratio information.

The path that bypasses the obstacle position is an optimal path and the beam forming can be performed by avoiding the obstacle position. However, in consideration of the situation where the obstacle is removed, the controller 240 controls the beam forming ratio Beamforming ratio information can be generated to perform beamforming on the position.

At this time, the control unit 240 can set the power level of the transmitted radio power to be lower than the path without obstacle when the beamforming is performed for the obstacle position. Particularly, the control unit 240 acquires information about the surrounding environment at an early stage using the Internet of objects, etc., and is classified into an environment (for example, week, exhibition, home, etc.) The beamforming ratio for the obstacle position can be set to the lowest, or the power level of the transmitted wireless power can be set to the minimum.

In addition, if the surrounding environment is classified into an environment in which people are unlikely to exist (nighttime, a sensor network environment in a machine room, etc.), the beam forming ratio with respect to the obstacle position may be increased.

In other words, the control unit 240 can acquire the surrounding environment information and generate the beam forming ratio information according to the surrounding environment information.

At this time, even if no obstacle is detected, the control unit 240 can determine the beam forming ratio according to the surrounding environment information in consideration of human influence and the like.

For example, when the environment is classified into a low possibility environment, the time for beamforming in the direction of the user terminal is longer than the time for beamforming in the direction of the user terminal Can be set.

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a user terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the components of the user terminal 300.

3, the user terminal 300 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a wireless power receiving unit 330, and a control unit 340.

The communication unit 310 performs a function of converting a baseband signal and a bit string according to a physical layer standard of the system.

For example, the communication unit 310 may generate complex symbols by encoding and modulating transmission bit streams during data transmission.

In addition, the communication unit 310 can recover the received bit stream by demodulating and decoding the baseband signal upon receiving the data.

For example, at the time of data transmission, the communication unit 310 can generate demodulation symbols by encoding and modulating a transmission bit stream.

Also, the communication unit 310 up-converts the baseband signal to an RF band signal, transmits the RF band signal through the antenna, and downconverts the RF band signal received through the antenna to a baseband signal.

For example, the communication unit 310 may include a transmission filter, a reception filter, an amplifier, a mixer, an oscillator, a DAC, an ADC, and the like.

In addition, the communication unit 310 may include different communication modules for processing signals of different frequency bands.

For example, different communication standards may include Bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi, WiGig, cellular networks (e.g., LTE), and the like.

The communication unit 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a feedback transmission unit 312 and a signal information reception unit 314. [

The feedback transmission unit 312 may transmit feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal to the wireless power transmission apparatus.

In addition, the feedback transmission unit 312 may generate feedback information corresponding to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal.

The feedback transmitter 312 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a wireless power transmission device that transmits information about a received signal strength information related to a Wi-Fi signal, received signal strength information related to a beacon signal or position information of a Bluetooth node, Intensity information or position information of the visible light communication node as feedback information.

When the signal information receiving unit 314 receives the Wi-Fi signal from the Wi-Fi node, the signal information receiving unit 314 can calculate the received signal strength of the Wi-Fi signal.

When receiving the beacon signal from the Bluetooth node, the signal information receiving unit 314 can calculate the received signal strength of the beacon signal.

The signal information receiving unit 314 may receive a beacon signal including the location information of the Bluetooth node from the Bluetooth node.

When receiving the visible light communication signal from the visible light communication node, the signal information receiving unit 314 can calculate the light intensity of the visible light communication signal.

The storage unit 320 stores data such as a basic program, an application program, and setting information for the operation of the user terminal 300.

In particular, storage 320 may store at least one set of instructions (e.g., applications) for managing files in accordance with various embodiments.

The storage unit 320 may provide the stored data at the request of the control unit 340.

The storage 320 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory.

The storage 320 may store instructions or data related to at least one other component of the user terminal 300.

The storage unit 320 is included in the user terminal 300 and may be referred to as an 'internal storage' or an 'internal storage'.

The storage unit 320 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a received signal intensity information of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal intensity information of a beacon signal, light intensity information of a visible light communication signal, position information of a Bluetooth node related to a beacon signal, The position information of the visible light communication node related to the signal can be stored.

The wireless power receiver 330 may receive wireless power from the wireless power transmission device.

The wireless power receiving unit 330 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can receive wireless power from the wireless power transmission apparatus when the wireless power receiving unit 330 is located at a position estimated by the wireless power transmission apparatus.

The wireless power receiving unit 330 according to an embodiment of the present invention can receive wireless power at an estimated position based on feedback information from the wireless power transmission apparatus.

The control unit 340 may control operations of the communication unit 310, the storage unit 320, and the wireless power receiving unit 330.

For example, the control unit 340 may perform operations and data processing related to control and / or communication of at least one other component of the user terminal 300. For example,

For example, the control unit 340 may control a plurality of hardware or software components connected to the control unit 340 by driving an operating system or an application program, and may perform various data processing and calculations.

For example, the control unit 340 may be implemented as an SOC. The control unit 340 may load and process the command or data received from at least one of the other components (e.g., non-volatile memory) into the volatile memory and store the resultant data in the non-volatile memory.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of estimating a position of a user terminal based on received feedback information after receiving a feedback information from a user terminal and transmitting wireless power through beamforming to an estimated position ≪ / RTI >

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 401, the wireless power transmission apparatus receives feedback information from a user terminal.

A wireless power transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention receives feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal from a user terminal.

For example, the feedback information includes received signal intensity information of a Wi-Fi signal, received signal intensity information of a beacon signal, light intensity information of a visible light communication signal, position information of a Bluetooth node related to a beacon signal, Location information, and location information.

In step 403, the wireless power transmission apparatus estimates the position of the user terminal based on the feedback information.

A wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention estimates a position of a user terminal based on received signal strength information of a Wi-Fi signal, corrects an estimated position based on received signal strength information of a beacon signal, And corrects the corrected position again based on the light intensity information of the signal.

A wireless power transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can sequentially estimate a position of a user terminal based on a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication signal.

In step 405, the wireless power transmission apparatus transmits wireless power to the estimated position based on the feedback information.

The wireless power transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may perform beamforming to an estimated position based on feedback information to transmit wireless power.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus can transmit wireless power by forming a beam only at a corresponding position using a plurality of antennas at a sequentially estimated position based on feedback information.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of a wireless power transmission system in which a wireless power transmission apparatus receives feedback information related to a location of a user terminal and performs beamforming to a location of a user terminal estimated using received feedback information, The operation method of the apparatus will be more specifically illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 5, in step 501, the wireless power transmission apparatus determines whether to receive feedback information for estimating the position of the user terminal.

For example, when the wireless power transmission apparatus receives the request signal for the wireless power transmission from the user terminal, it determines whether or not the feedback information for estimating the position of the user terminal is received.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the wireless power transmission apparatus does not receive the feedback information, the wireless power transmission apparatus may request the feedback information to the user terminal in step 503.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the wireless power transmission apparatus receives feedback information for estimating the position of the user terminal, the wireless power transmission apparatus determines whether or not the feedback information related to the Wi-Fi signal is received in step 505 .

According to another embodiment of the present invention, if the wireless power transmission apparatus does not receive the feedback information related to the Wi-Fi signal, the process proceeds to step 509 and it is determined whether the feedback information related to the beacon signal is received.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus may omit the step of estimating the position of the user terminal based on the feedback information associated with the Wi-Fi signal.

Meanwhile, when the wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention receives the Wi-Fi signal, the position of the user terminal is estimated based on the feedback information related to the Wi-Fi signal in step 507.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus primarily estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the Wi-Fi signal included in the feedback information.

In step 509, the wireless power transmission apparatus determines whether to receive feedback information related to the beacon signal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, if the wireless power transmission apparatus fails to receive the feedback information related to the beacon signal, the process proceeds to step 513 and it is determined whether the feedback information related to the visible light communication signal is received.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus may omit the step of estimating the position of the user terminal based on the feedback information related to the beacon signal.

Meanwhile, when the wireless power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention receives the beacon signal, the position of the user terminal estimated in step 507 is corrected based on the feedback information related to the beacon signal in step 511.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus secondarily estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength information of the beacon signal included in the feedback information.

If the wireless power transmission apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention does not receive the feedback information related to the Wi-Fi signal and receives the beacon signal, the location of the user terminal can be primarily estimated in step 511. [ (Not shown)

In step 513, the wireless power transmission apparatus determines whether feedback information related to the visible light communication signal is received.

When receiving the feedback information related to the visible light communication signal, the wireless power transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention again corrects the corrected position based on the feedback information associated with the visible light communication signal in step 515.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus secondarily estimates the position of the user terminal, which is primarily estimated based on the feedback information associated with the Wi-Fi signal, based on the feedback information related to the beacon signal, and based on the feedback information related to the visible light communication signal , Thereby calculating the position of the user terminal fusedly.

On the other hand, in step 513, when the wireless power transmission apparatus does not receive the feedback information related to the visible light communication signal, the position of the user terminal, which is primarily estimated based on the feedback information associated with the Wi-Fi signal, And then calculates the position of the user terminal.

If the wireless power transmission apparatus fails to receive the feedback information related to the beacon signal in step 509 and fails to receive the feedback information related to the visible light communication signal in step 513, As shown in FIG.

That is, the wireless power transmission apparatus calculates a position of a more accurate user terminal by sequentially estimating the position of the user terminal based on the feedback information received from the user terminal, which is related to the Wi-Fi signal, the beacon signal and the visible light communication signal.

Methods according to the claims or the embodiments described in the specification may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Such software may be stored on a computer readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium includes at least one program (software module), at least one program that when executed by the at least one processor in an electronic device includes instructions that cause the electronic device to perform the method of the present invention .

Such software may be in the form of non-volatile storage such as volatile or read only memory (ROM), or in the form of random access memory (RAM), memory chips, For example, in the form of a memory such as an integrated circuit or in the form of a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVDs), a magnetic disc, tape, or the like. < / RTI >

The storage and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage means suitable for storing programs or programs, including instructions that, when executed, implement the embodiments.

Embodiments provide a program including code for implementing an apparatus or method as claimed in any one of the claims herein, and a machine-readable storage medium storing such a program.

Furthermore, such programs may be electronically delivered by any medium, such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection, and the embodiments suitably include equivalents.

In the above-described specific embodiments, elements included in the invention have been expressed singular or plural in accordance with the specific embodiments shown.

It should be understood, however, that the singular or plural representations are selected appropriately for the sake of convenience of description and that the above-described embodiments are not limited to the singular or plural constituent elements, , And may be composed of a plurality of elements even if they are represented by a single number.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims, as well as the appended claims.

110: wireless power transmission device 112: feedback receiver
114: Position estimation unit 116: Wireless power transmission unit
120: user terminal 122: signal information receiver
124: feedback transmission unit 126: wireless power reception unit
130: Wi-Fi node 140: Bluetooth node
150: visible light communication node 200: wireless power transmission device
210: communication unit 212: feedback receiver
214: Control signal transmission unit 220:
230: wireless power transmission unit 240:
242: Position estimation unit 300:
312: feedback transmission unit 314: signal information reception unit
320: storage unit 330: wireless power receiver
340:

Claims (16)

A feedback receiver for receiving feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal, and a visible light communication (VLC) signal from a user terminal;
A position estimator for estimating a position of the user terminal based on the received feedback information; And
And a wireless power transmission unit for performing beamforming to the estimated position to transmit wireless power
Wireless power transmission device.
The method according to claim 1,
The position estimating unit estimates the position of the user terminal based on the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal and calculates a received signal strength of the beacon signal Indicator, RSSI) information,
Wireless power transmission device.
3. The method of claim 2,
The position estimating unit may again correct the corrected position based on light intensity information of the visible light communication (VLC) signal
Wireless power transmission device.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the position estimator corrects the estimated position based on position information of a Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal and transmits the visible light communication related to the visible light communication (VLC) , VLC). The corrected position is corrected again based on the position information of the node
Wireless power transmission device.
The method according to claim 1,
The feedback receiver is connected to the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal from the user terminal when the user terminal is detected in a service area of a Wi-Fi node. Receiving feedback information
Wireless power transmission device.
The method according to claim 1,
When the feedback receiver receives the feedback information related to the beacon signal, transmits a signal requesting the search of the user terminal based on the location information of the Bluetooth node related to the beacon signal to the Wi- Wi-Fi < RTI ID = 0.0 >
Wireless power transmission device.
The method according to claim 6,
The Wi-Fi node is configured to divide a service area, receive the request signal, search for a user terminal in a service area corresponding to a location of the Bluetooth node among the divided service areas, doing
Wireless power transmission device.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the position estimator calculates an optimum path for wireless power transmission and a position of an obstacle between the user terminal and the wireless power transmission apparatus based on the feedback information,
The wireless power transmission unit receives beamforming information on the position of the obstacle and beamforming ratio information on the optimal path from the control unit, and performs beamforming based on the beamforming ratio information
Wireless power transmission device.
A feedback transmission unit for transmitting feedback information related to at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal and a visible light communication (VLC) signal to a wireless power transmission apparatus; And
And a wireless power receiver for receiving wireless power at a location estimated based on the feedback information from the wireless power transmission device
User terminal.
10. The method of claim 9,
The estimated position is estimated based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal by the wireless power transmission apparatus, and Bluetooth (Bluetooth) related to the beacon signal Correcting said estimated position based on a position of a visible light communication (VLC) node and correcting said corrected position based on a position of a visible light communication (VLC) node associated with said visible light communication After that,
User terminal.
Receiving feedback information associated with at least one of a Wi-Fi signal, a beacon signal and a visible light communication (VLC) signal from a user terminal;
Estimating a position of the user terminal based on the received feedback information; And
And performing beamforming to the estimated position to transmit wireless power
A method of operating a wireless power transmission device.
12. The method of claim 11,
The step of estimating the position comprises:
Estimating a position of the user terminal based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the Wi-Fi signal; And
And correcting the estimated position based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) information of the beacon signal
A method of operating a wireless power transmission device.
13. The method of claim 12,
The step of estimating the position comprises:
Correcting the corrected position based on light intensity information of the visible light communication (VLC) signal,
A method of operating a wireless power transmission device.
12. The method of claim 11,
(Wi-Fi) signal for requesting a search of the user terminal based on location information of a Bluetooth node associated with the beacon signal when receiving feedback information related to the beacon signal, Further comprising the steps of:
A method of operating a wireless power transmission device.
15. The method of claim 14,
The Wi-Fi node is configured to divide a service area, receive the request signal, search for a user terminal in a service area corresponding to a location of the Bluetooth node among the divided service areas, doing
A method of operating a wireless power transmission device.
12. The method of claim 11,
The step of estimating the position comprises:
And calculating an optimal path for the wireless power transmission and the location of the obstacle between the user terminal and the wireless power transmission device based on the feedback information
A method of operating a wireless power transmission device.

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