WO2024233594A1

WO2024233594A1 - Systems and methods for extended operational capabilities for mobile autonomous vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2024233594A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/028237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jennifer GRENZ; Andrew Rosen
Original assignee: Ossia Inc.
Priority date: 2023-05-08
Filing date: 2024-05-08
Publication date: 2024-11-14

Abstract

Systems and methods for operating a mobile autonomous vehicle (MAV) in wireless power delivery environments (WPDE) having a plurality of spaced apart wireless power transmitters (WPTs). A MAV includes a wireless power receiver (WPR). A method includes: first receiving, by a first WPT positioned in the WPDE, a MAV-transmitted beacon signal; first transmitting, by the first WPT and in response to first receiving the beacon signal, a wireless power signal (WPS) focused on the WPR to facilitate charging MAV energy storage device(s) in a first time period; second receiving, by at least a second WPT in the WPDE, the MAV-transmitted beacon signal; and second transmitting, by the at least a second WPT and in response to second receiving the beacon signal, a WPS focused on the WPR to facilitate charging the MAV energy storage device(s) in a second time period occurring at least in part after the first time period.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTENDED OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES FOR MOBILE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Autonomous vehicles that are unmanned are presently used in a wide array of use cases on land, sea and air. Some autonomous vehicles include electric motors for providing motive force to enable the autonomous vehicle to move from place to place. Some autonomous vehicles include wireless communications components to receive and transmit data of various types for useful ends to users. Electric motors and wireless communications components of mobile autonomous vehicles require an onboard energy storage like rechargeable batteries. An effective operational range of a mobile autonomous vehicle may thus be limited by an energy storage capacity of its onboard power source. In at least some known use cases, an autonomous vehicle having electrically operated components must return to an operational hub for recharging before continuing on its routine. Such operational requirements may limit the utility of operations and/or the user experience for mobile autonomous vehicles.

[0002] Accordingly, a need exists for technology that overcomes the problems demonstrated above, as well as one that provides additional benefits. The examples provided herein of some prior or related devices, systems and methods, and their associated limitations, are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or prior systems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description.

SUMMARY

[0003] Devices, systems, methods and computer program products according to the present technology may find advantageous practical applications to various beneficial technical ends in a wide array of use cases where mobile autonomous vehicles are required or desired. In one example, package delivery networks using unmanned mobile autonomous vehicles may benefit from COTA wireless power transmitters positioned through an operational area like a city, town or metropolitan area, where renewable energy sources like solar panels with associated high-capacity batteries positioned proximate to the energy source and the COTA power transmitters. Operational efficiency of package delivery using mobile autonomous vehicles may be thereby enhanced by practicing embodiments of the present technology as disclosed herein. In like manner, military, police, firefighting, surveillance, and security operational use cases that employ unmanned mobile autonomous vehicles may be similarly enhanced through the practice of the present technology.

[0004] Some aspects of the present technology that may enable various useful practical and technical beneficial ends include the ability to effectively deliver wireless power both at a distance, and while an autonomous vehicle is still in motion. Components like the COTA wireless power transmitters, the renewable power source, and a collocated rechargeable battery pack may be ruggedized to remain effective for use in a wide range of weather conditions, as well as operational scenarios such as the components being dropped from the sky to the ground using parachutes. The “off-grid” nature of the power source used according to the disclosure makes the system highly mobile and easy to network quickly to facilitate ‘pop up’ deployment , as well as removal or repositioning, as needed. A mobile autonomous vehicle may expand its effective operational range by the power “hand off’ between COTA transmitters in the networked system according to the present technology. It is expected that persons having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize and appreciate advantageous use cases beyond those examples provided herein, and be able to practice the present technology in any suitable application or environment (e.g., on Earth, or even in outer space or on another planet), or with any autonomous vehicle (bit is presently known, or as yet unknown) without undue experimentation.

[0005] A first aspect of the disclosure provides a method for operating at least one mobile autonomous vehicle in a wireless power delivery environment. The wireless power delivery environment may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters (WPTs) spaced apart from one another by a distance. The mobile autonomous vehicle(s) may include a wireless power receiver (WPR) and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR. The distance may be proportional to at least one of: the energy storage capacity, an expected discharge rate, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The method may include the step of first receiving, using at least one antenna of a first WPT of the plurality of WPTs, a beacon signal transmitted by the mobile autonomous vehicle into a first portion of the wireless power delivery environment including the first WPT. The method may include the step of first transmitting, in response to the first receiving and using an antenna array of the first WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging, in a first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The method may include the step of second receiving, using at least one antenna of at least a second WPT of the plurality of WPTs, the beacon signal transmitted by the mobile autonomous vehicle into at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment including the at least a second WPT. The method may include the step of second transmitting, in response to the second receiving and using at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in at least a second time period occurring at least in part after the first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The first portion of the wireless power delivery environment is spatially different from the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment. The wireless power delivery environment is an outdoor wireless power delivery environment in the method.

[0006] A second aspect of the disclosure provides a wireless power delivery system for use with at least one mobile autonomous vehicle in a wireless power delivery environment. The at least one mobile autonomous vehicle includes a WPR and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR. The wireless power delivery system may include (i) a first WPT positioned in a first portion of the wireless power delivery environment, and comprising an antenna array and a controller operably coupled to the antenna array. The controller of the first WPT may be configured to: first receive, via at least one antenna of the first WPT, a beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and first transmit, using the antenna array of the first WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The wireless power delivery system may also include (ii) at least a second wireless power transmitter (WPT) positioned in at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment and spaced apart from the first WPT by a distance, the at least a second WPT comprising an antenna array and controller operably coupled to the antenna array of the at least a second WPT. The distance may be proportional to at least one of: the energy storage capacity of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle, and an expected discharge rate of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The controller of the at least a second WPT may be configured to: second receive, via at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT, the beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and second transmit, using the antenna array of the at least a second WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a second time period occurring at least in part after the first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The first portion of the wireless power delivery environment may be spatially different from the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

[0007] A third aspect of the disclosure provides one or more non-transitory computer readable media. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media have stored thereon program instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause a first, and at least a second, WPT to accomplish various useful functions according to the present technology. In some examples, the one or more non-transitory computer readable media may be embodied in a computer program product. Each of the first, and the at least a second, WPTs include arespective antenna array. Each of the first, and the at least a second, WPTs may include a processor capable of executing the program instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions may cause the first WPT including an antenna array and positioned in a first portion of the wireless power delivery environment having at least one mobile autonomous vehicle including a WPR and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR to: (a) first receive, via at least one antenna of the first WPT, a beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and (b) first transmit, using the antenna array of the first WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a first time period, of at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. When executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions may further cause the at least a second WPT including an antenna array and positioned in at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment to: (c) second receive, via at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT, the beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and (d) second transmit, using the antenna array of the at least a second WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a second time period occurring at least in part after the first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The first portion of the wireless power delivery environment may be spatially different from the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the disclosure provides a method in a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment. The method may include the step of enabling one or more mobile autonomous vehicles included in or on a container to enter the wireless power delivery environment. Each mobile autonomous vehicle of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles may include a WPR and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR. The method may include the step of receiving, using at least one antenna of at least one WPT included in or on the container, a beacon signal transmitted by the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment including the at least one WPT. The method may include the step of transmitting, in response to the receiving and using an antenna array of the at least one WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the disclosure provides a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment. The system may include a container and at least one WPT included in or on the container. The at least one WPT may include an antenna array and a controller operably coupled to the antenna array. The at least one WPT may be configured to receive, using at least one antenna of the antenna array, a beacon signal transmitted by one or more mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment including the at least one WPT. The at least one WPT may be configured to transmit, using the antenna array and in response to the beacon signal being received, a wireless power signal focused on a WPR collocated with one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to facilitate recharging of at least one energy storage device of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles.

[0010] A sixth aspect of the disclosure provides a mobile autonomous vehicle comprising at least one of the WPR according to the present technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

[0012] FIG. 1A is an illustration of an outdoor wireless power delivery environment for autonomous vehicles in the form of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology.

[0013] FIGS. IB and 1C are diagrams of other autonomous vehicles in the form of a ground vehicle and a water-based vehicle that may be used in a wireless power delivery environment, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology.

[0014] FIG. ID is a perspective view of a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology. [0015] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a wireless power transmission system 201 that may be used in a wireless power delivery environment in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an autonomous vehicle with associated wireless power receiver client that may be used in a wireless power delivery environment in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict flow charts of a method for operating a mobile autonomous vehicle in a wireless power delivery environment, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology.

[0018] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of a method for operating a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computing device with a wireless power receiver, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the example form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to implement or otherwise perform any one or more of the techniques and methodologies of the present technology described herein, may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Tire following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment; and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

[0022] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but no other embodiments. [0023] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that same thing can be said in more than one way.

[0024] Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0025] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0026] In the following detailed description of certain embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of example embodiments. The appended figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. It is also to be understood that features of the embodiments and examples herein can be combined, exchanged, or removed, other embodiments may be utilized or created, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [0027] In accordance with various embodiments, the methods and functions described herein may be implemented as one or more software programs running on a computer, processor, or controller. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays, system-on-chip (SoC), circuit logic, and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the circuits, functions, processes, and methods described herein. Methods and functions may be performed by modules or engines, both of which may include one or more physical components of a computing device (e.g., logic, circuits, processors, controllers, etc.) configured to perform a particular task or job, or may include instructions that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform a particular task or job, or may be any combination thereof. Further, the methods described herein may be implemented as a computer readable storage medium or memory device including instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform the methods.

[0028] Now referring to the figures, FIG. 1A is an illustration of a wireless power delivery environment 1 for autonomous vehicles 300 in the form of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology. In the example shown in FIG. 1 A, a wireless power delivery environment 1 is an outdoor environment. In another example, wireless power delivery environment 1 may be an outdoor environment. The environment 1 can provide wireless power delivery from one or more wireless power transmission systems (WPTSs) 201a, 201b, . . . 201n (also referred to as “wireless power delivery systems”, “antenna array systems” and “wireless chargers”) to a UAV 300 operating within the wireless power delivery environment 1. The UAVs 300 may have one or more wireless power transfer circuits 301 (also referred to herein as a “client”, “wireless power receiver”, and the plural variations thereof). The wireless power receiver(s) 301 are configured to receive and process wireless power from the one or more wireless power transmission systems 201a, 201b, . . . 201n. UAV 300 may include one or more rechargeable energy storage devices (not shown in FIG. 1A) like rechargeable batteries for its flight thrust (e.g., electric motor-driven rotor blades), maneuvering (e.g., electric motor-driven rudders) and related functionality.

[0029] Each WPTS 201 situated in the outdoor wireless power delivery environment 1 can include an antenna array 104 having multiple antenna elements (e.g., an antenna array including hundreds or thousands of antennas, in some embodiments), which are capable of delivering wireless power to UAV 300. In some embodiments, the antennas of the antenna array 104 are adaptively-phased RF antennas. The wireless power transmission systems 201 are capable of determining the appropriate phases with which to deliver a coherent power transmission signal 5 to the wireless power receiver(s) 301 on board UAV 300. The antenna array 104 may be configured to emit wireless power signals 5 (e.g., continuous wave or pulsed power transmission signals 5) from multiple antennas at a specific phase relative to each other. In some embodiments, the wireless power signal 5 are transmitted from the WPTSs at a frequency of 61 Gigahertz (GHz). It is appreciated that use of the term “array” does not necessarily limit the antenna array to any specific array structure. That is, the antenna array does not need to be structured in a specific “array” form or geometry. Furthermore, as used herein the term “array” or “array system” may include related and peripheral circuitry for signal generation, reception, and transmission, such as radios, digital logic, and modems.

[0030] In some embodiments, the WPTS 201 can have an embedded cellular and/or satellite communications interface(s) for data communications via one or more transceivers and/or antennas included among, or separate and distinct from, the antennas of the antenna array 104. In some embodiments, one or more of the power delivery antennas of antenna array 104 can alternatively or additionally be configured for data communications with transmitters or transceivers of the UAV 300, in addition to or in lieu of wireless power delivery. Such data communications may be implemented via any wireless data communication technology.

[0031] Each wireless power receiver 301 can include one or more antennas (not shown in FIG. 1A) for receiving signals from the wireless power transmission systems 201a-201n. Likewise, each wireless power transmission system 201a-201n includes the antenna array 104 having one or more antennas or sets of antennas capable of emitting continuous wave or discrete (pulse) signals at specific phases relative to each other. Each of the wireless power transmission systems 201a-201n is capable of determining the appropriate phases for delivering the coherent wireless power signals 5 to the wireless power receiver(s) 301. For example, in some embodiments, coherent wireless power signals 5 can be determined by computing the complex conjugate of a received beacon (or calibration) signal 30 transmitted by the wireless power receiver 301 and received at each antenna of the array 104 such that the coherent wireless power signal 5 is phased for delivering power to the particular location of the wireless power receiver 301 that transmitted the beacon (or calibration) signal 30.

[0032] For a WPR 301 associated with a moving UAV 300, WPTS(s) 201 may utilize the techniques described herein — including retrodirective wireless power transmission in response to receipt of beacon (or calibration) signals 30 from UAV 300 (also referred to herein as COTA technology) — to track the moving UAV 300 and target transmission of wireless power signals 5 to any present location of its WPR 301 even while it is moving. This may further enable a reduction of weight of MAVs operated using the disclosed systems and methods, as by minimizing the number, or storage capacity, of rechargeable batteries on board MAV and thereby also facilitating minimization of its weight. A natural extension of such advantageous technical effects achieved with practice of the present technology is reduction of size and/or cost of a MAV given the comparatively lesser battery storage capacity required as compared to at least some known systems and methods.

[0033] The outdoor wireless power delivery environment 1 may include one or more power sources 10. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of WPTSs 201 have one or more associated power sources 10 positioned nearby. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the power sources 10 are embodied in at least one solar panel 10 configured to generate electric power photovoltaically. In other embodiments, power sources 10 may be embodied in a wind turbine or other wind driven electric generator, either instead of or in addition to solar' panel(s). In still other embodiments, power sources 10 may be embodied in a hydroelectric generator, either instead of or in addition to solar panel(s) and/or a wind-based electric generator. Such a use case may be feasible where, for instance, one or more of the WPTSs 201 are situated within a practical distance from a source of water under flow (e.g., stream, river, waterfall, etc.). Notably, any combination of types of power source(s) 10 may be utilized according to the present technology. In some cases, any of the aforementioned “off-grid” type power sources 10 may be replaced, or used in combination, with a connection to a utility-provided electric power network where available and feasible.

[0034] The outdoor wireless power delivery environment 1 may also include one or more rechargeable batteries 20. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of WPTSs 201 have one or more associated rechargeable batteries 20 positioned nearby. In operation, in some embodiments, a respective power source 10 is electrically coupled to at least one associated rechargeable battery 20. Power converters, maximum power point trackers (MPPTs), and other components may be present in the aforementioned electrical coupling to facilitate charging the rechargeable battery 20 using an electric current transmitted thereto from power source 10.

[0035] In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 1 A, power source 10 and rechargeable battery 20 are situated externally with respect to each WPTS 201. In other embodiments, power source 10 and rechargeable battery 20 may be integrated with the rest of the WPTS 201 as, for example, a packaged or self-contained system described below with reference to FIG. ID. In either case, the at least one rechargeable battery 20 associated with a respective WPTS 201 of the plurality of WPTSs 201 in environment 1 is electrically coupled to electronic components of WPTS 201 to enable an electric current to be received from the at least one battery 20 to thereby enable the WPTS 201 to effectively operate according to the present technology. [0036] The wireless power receivers 301 and the WPTSs 201 can be configured to operate in a multipath wireless power delivery environment 1. That is, the wireless power receivers 201 and the WPTS 201a-201n can be configured to utilize reflective object(s) such as buildings, walls, rocks, and other structures that are RF reflective obstructions within range to transmit beacon (or calibration) signals 30, receive wireless power signals 5, or receive data within the wireless power delivery environment 1. Such reflective object(s) can be utilized for multi-directional signal communication regardless of whether an object is blocking the line of sight between a WPTS 201 and the wireless power receiver 301.

[0037] The WPTSs 201 and the wireless power receiver 301 associated with UAV 300 can each include a data communication module for communication via a data channel. Alternatively, or additionally, the wireless power receiver 301 can direct the UAV 300 to communicate with the wireless power transmission system via a respective data communication module.

[0038] In some embodiments, the wireless power receiver 301 may implement a dualband technique where a first band can be used as a dedicated retrodirective wireless power transfer (WPT) channel while a second band can be used as a communication channel. For example, a communication channel (node) can implement a low energy compatible communication type, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

[0039] Taken together, the plurality of WPTSs 201, the plurality of power sources 10, the plurality of rechargeable batteries 20, and the WPR 301 situated in the wireless power delivery environment may be referred to herein as a wireless power delivery system. In some embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may also be considered as being included in the aforementioned wireless power delivery system.

[0040] FIGS. IB and 1C are diagrams of other autonomous vehicles in the form of a ground vehicle 40 and a water-based vehicle 50 which may be used with a wireless power delivery environment (e.g., environment 1 as shown in FIG. 1 A). The concepts of the above description relating to FIG. 1A are applicable in an analogous fashion for ground vehicle 40 and a water-based vehicle 50 operating in a ground (e.g., land) or water (e.g., sea, riverine, or lake), and persons having ordinary skill in the art are expected to be able to readily practice the concepts described above with reference to FIG. 1 in such non-aerial environments without requiring undue experimentation, and without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0041 ] In some embodiments, a ground vehicle 40 according to the present technology may be an unmanned all-terrain vehicle 40, as shown in FIG. IB with wheels (such a vehicle 40 may additionally, or instead, include tracks). In other embodiments, a ground vehicle 40 according to the present technology may be a robot. In either of those two, or other use cases, the ground vehicle 40 may include the wireless power receiver(s) 301 configured to receive and process wireless power signals 5 from the one or more wireless power transmission systems 201a, 201b, . . . 20 In. Ground vehicle 40 may include one or more rechargeable energy storage devices (not shown in FIG. IB) like rechargeable batteries for its motive power (e.g., electric motor-driven wheels), maneuvering (e.g., electric motor-driven steering) and related functionality.

[0042] In some embodiments, a water-based vehicle 50 according to the present technology may be an unmanned boat operating above water at all times, as shown in FIG. 1C. In other embodiments, a water-based vehicle 50 according to the present technology may be an unmanned submersible or submarine that can operate underwater for extended periods of time and surface periodically for purposes of having its onboard batteries charged according to the present technology. In either of those two, or other use cases, the water-based vehicle 50 may include the wireless power receiver(s) 301 configured to receive and process wireless power signals 5 from the one or more wireless power transmission systems 201a, 201b, . . . 201n. Water-based vehicle 50 may include one or more rechargeable energy storage devices (not shown in FIG. 1C) like rechargeable batteries for its motive power (e.g., electric motor-driven propellor), maneuvering (e.g., electric motor-driven rudder) and related functionality.

[0043] In some embodiments, WPTSs 201 electrically coupled to rechargeable batteiy 20 may be situated on or within with a buoy 60 or other floatation device that may be stationary (e.g., anchored) or able to drift about the water surface. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, power source 10 electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery 20 may be embodied in a tidal (or wave) electric generator configured to induce an electric current by wave or other kinetic action effect for transmitting to the rechargeable battery 20. In other embodiments (not shown in FIG. 1C), power source(s) 10 embodied in the above-described solar panel(s) and/or wind-driven generator(s) may be situated on buoy 60. In still other embodiments, power source(s) 10 may be embodied in a hydro-electric generator, either instead of or in addition to a tidal (or wave) electric generator, solar panel(s) and/or a windbased electric generator. In one example use case, for such a buoy 60 or other floatation device situated in water that is under flow, a hydro-electric generator may be feasibly utilized according to the present technology.

[0044] Notably, any combination of types of power source(s) 10 may be utilized according to the present technology for such a buoy 60 or other floatation device(s). In some cases, any of the aforementioned “off-grid” type power sources 10 may be replaced, or used in combination, with a connection to a utility-provided electric power network where available and feasible (e.g., a wired connection from power electronics of buoy 60 to an underwater electric power line). It will appreciated that practice of the present technology for any sort of mobile autonomous vehicle (MAV) may provide enhancements to the efficient use of electric power on board the MAV during its operation.

[0045] FIG. ID is a perspective view of a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology. With further reference being made to FIGS. 1A- 1C, 2 and 3, the system may include a container 55 and at least one WPT 201 included in or on the container 55. WPT 201 may be as described herein according to the present technology, such as one or more of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 A and 2. For example, and with limitation, WPT(s) 201 may include an antenna array and a controller operably coupled to the antenna array. The controller of WPT 201 as shown in FIG. ID may be capable of directing at least one antenna (e.g., antenna(s) of the antenna array of a WPT 201) to receive a beacon signal 30 transmitted by one or more mobile autonomous vehicles 300 into the wireless power delivery environment including the WPT(s) 201 (e.g., environment 1). As such, controller of WPT 201 may receive the beacon signal, or data encoded thereby, via the at least one antenna. The controller of WPT 201 as shown in FIG. ID may be capable of directing the antenna array to transmit wireless power signal 5 focused on a wireless power receiver 301 collocated with one or more mobile autonomous vehicles 300 in response to beacon signal 30 being received. As such, controller of WPT 201 may transmit the WPS 5 using the antenna array into environment 1 to facilitate recharging of at least one energy storage device (304) of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles 300. In one embodiment, the self-contained system according to the present technology may include the one or more autonomous vehicles 300 situated in or on the container 55. Each of the MAV(s) 300 may include the WPR 301 and the at least one energy storage device 304 operably coupled to the WPR 301.

[0046] In some embodiments, the self-contained system may include means for enabling the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles 300 to enter the wireless power delivery environment. Several ways to accomplish that are possible. In an example, container 55 in the form of a box may have one of its sides (e.g., its top side) not covered up or only partially covered. In that case, such means may be, or may include, at least one open panel or portion of the container 55. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. ID, the aforementioned means for enabling may be, or may include, means for exposing 65 an interior cavity of the container 55 having, or able to contain, the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles 300 to the wireless power delivery environment (1). For instance, container 55 may be a box having sides and a top that, upon placement on a ground surface, at least partially disassemble. Corners on an upper side of the box container 55 may have brackets that can be activated to disengage in response to a mechanical and/or electrical stimulus, such as a sensor that can detect when a bottom 75 of container lands on the ground as where container 55 is air dropped to a location under parachute. In another example, the means 65 may include one or more rivets holding together sides and top of container 55. Sides may be rotatably coupled to bottom 75 by hinges. Upon coming to rest on a ground surface, a mechanical and/or electrical mechanism may sense that and cause explosive charges positioned in or proximate to the rivet(s) to activate, thereby disengaging the rivet(s) or other fasteners to cause sides and top of box to fall away, leaving bottom 75 resting on ground with the functional components intact and coupled to the bottom 75.

[0047] In one embodiment, the self-contained system may include the power source(s) 10 included in or on the container 55 to generate electric power. Power source(s) 10 may be operably coupled to the WPT(s) 201. Power source(s) 201 may be capable of transmitting at least a portion of the generated electric power to the WPT(s) 201 for operation thereof. Self-contained system may include at least one rechargeable battery 20 included in or on the container 55. The rechargeable battery 20 may be operably coupled to power source(s) 10. The rechargeable battery 20 may thereby receive and store at least a portion of the electric power generated by power source(s) 10. Rechargeable battery 20 may be operably coupled to the WPTs 201 to provide at least a portion of the electric power stored in the at least one rechargeable battery 20 to WPTs 201, either instead of, or in addition to, WPTs 201 being powered directly by power source(s) 10.

[0048] In some embodiments, the self-contained system may be used with a plurality of MAVs 300. In such cases, to receive the beacon signal 30, the controller may be operable to first receive, using the at least one antenna, a first beacon signal 30 transmitted by a first MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs 300 into the wireless power delivery environment 1. Also in such cases, to receive the beacon signal 30, the controller may be operable to second receive, using the at least one antenna, a second beacon signal 30 transmitted by at least a second MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs 300 into the wireless power delivery environment 1.

[0049] As used with two or more MAVs 300, to transmit the wireless power signal 5, the controller may be further operable to first transmit, in response to the first beacon signal 30 being first received and using the antenna array, a first wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the first MAV 300 to facilitate recharging of energy storage device(s) 304 of the first MAV 300. Also in such cases, the controller of WPT 201 may be operable to second transmit, in response to the second beacon signal 30 being second received and using the antenna array, a second wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle 300 to facilitate recharging of energy storage device(s) 304 of the at least a second MAV 300.

[0050] In the self-contained system according to the present technology and as used with two or more MAVs 300, the controller may be operable to first transmit a first wireless signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the first MAV 300 in a first time period and second transmit a second wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the at least a second MAV 300 in at least a second time period. In an example, the first time period and the at least a second time period may at least partially overlap.

[0051 ] In some embodiments, controller of WPTs 201 , as used with a plurality of MAVs 300, may be operable to first transmit the first wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the first MAV 300 using a first subset of multiple antennas of the antenna array. In such cases, the controller, to second transmit the second wireless power signal 5, may be operable to second transmit the second wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the at least a second MAV 300 using at least a second subset of multiple antennas different from the first subset. In an example, the controller may first transmit the first wireless signal 5 using the first subset of the multiple antennas and second transmit the second wireless signal 5 using the at least a second subset of the multiple antennas simultaneously. In this manner, as can be appreciated, a greater number of MAVs 300 as compared to WPTs 201 may thus be effectively recharged and operated over extended periods of time using the self-contained system according to the present technology.

[0052] In another embodiment, self-contained system as used with a plurality of MAV s

300 may include a plurality of WPTs 201 included in or on the container 55. In such cases, a first WPT 201 of the plurality of WPTs 201 may include a first antenna array and a first controller operably coupled to the first antenna array. The first controller may be operable to first receive, using at least one antenna of the first WPT 201, a first beacon signal transmitted by a first MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs into the wireless power delivery environment 1. At least a second WPT 201 of the plurality of WPTs 201 may include a second antenna array and a second controller operably coupled to the second antenna array. The second controller may be operable to second receive, using at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT 201, a second beacon signal transmitted by at least a second MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs 300 into the wireless power delivery environment 1. [0053] For embodiments of self-contained system according to the present technology having two or more WPTs 201, the first controller may be operable to first transmit, using the first antenna array and in response to the first beacon signal 30 being received, a first wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 collocated with the first MAV 300 to facilitate recharging of the energy storage device(s) thereof. In such cases, the second controller may be operable to second transmit, using the second antenna array and in response to the second beacon signal 30 being received, a second wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 collocated with the at least a second MAV 300 to facilitate recharging of the energy storage device(s) of the at least a second MAV 300. In some embodiments, the first and second controllers may be further operable to respectively first transmit the first wireless power signal and second transmit the second wireless signal simultaneously. In this manner, as can be appreciated, the self-contained system having two or more WPTs 201 may enable effective in-flight recharging of a greater number of MAVs 300 in environment 1 as compared to embodiments of the present technology having only one WPT 201.

[0054] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a wireless power transmission system 201, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. WPTS 201 may be utilized in any of the embodiments of wireless power delivery environment 1 and with any of the various autonomous vehicles 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. The wireless power transmission system 201 may also be referred to herein as a wireless power delivery system or wireless power transmitter (WPT). The wireless power delivery system 201 can include one or more circuit boards, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), which may include a master bus controller (MBC) board 202 and multiple mezzanine boards 203 that may include one or more antenna array boards 250. The MBC board 201 can include a control circuit 210, an external data interface (I/F) 215, an external power KF 220, a communications I/F 230 and a proxy 240. External power I/F 220 may include a connector device to electrical couple with rechargeable battery 20 for providing operational power initially sourced from power source 10 to WPTS 201, as further described above with reference to FIG. 1 A.

[0055] Wireless power transmission system 200 includes at least one RF antenna 260 operatively coupled to the MBC board 201 and one or more of its aforementioned components. In one embodiment, the mezzanine boards 203 (or antenna array boards 250) can each include multiple power transmission antennas 260A-260N. WPTS 201 may include at least one antenna 218 operatively coupled to controller 210 by way of the communications interface 230. WPTS 201 may also include at least one antenna 222 operatively coupled to controller 210 by way of the proxy 240. Some or all of the components of MBC board 202 or the mezzanine board(s) 203 can vary in quantity or be omitted in some embodiments; further, additional components can also be added. In some embodiments only one of communication block 230 and proxy 240 may be included.

[0056] The control circuit 210 (or more succinctly “controller” 210) can be implemented via hardware circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, software, computer(s), microprocessor(s), microcontroller(s), field programmable gate array(s), or any combination thereof, and can be configured to provide control and intelligence to the components of the MBC board 201 as well as to the mezzanine board(s) 203. The control circuit 210 may include one or more processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), memory units, interface circuits, etc., and may direct and control the various data and power communications capabilities of the wireless power delivery system 201. The communications interface 230 can direct data communications on a data carrier frequency, such as a base clock signal for clock synchronization. Likewise, the proxy block 240 can communicate with clients via data communications as discussed herein. In certain embodiments, any of the data communications herein can be implemented via any short-range wireless technology, such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, etc., including combinations or variations thereof. In further embodiments, the data communications can be implemented via a low-power communication protocol, low- bandwidth communication protocol, or a protocol providing both low-power and low- bandwidth.

[0057] In some embodiments, the controller 210 can also facilitate or otherwise enable data aggregation for devices, such as for Internet of Things (loT) devices. In some embodiments, wireless power receivers (e.g., 301) can access, track, or otherwise obtain loT information about the device in which the wireless power receiver is embedded and provide that loT information to the wireless power transmission system 201 over a data connection. This loT information can be provided to a data collection system (not shown), which may be local or server-based on an intranet (e.g., private network) or extranet (e.g., internet cloud-based), via the external data I/F 215, where the data can be aggregated, processed, or otherwise utilized. For example, the data collection system can process the data it receives to identify trends across various factors, such as geographies, wireless power transmission systems 201, environments 1, autonomous vehicles 300, etc. In some embodiments, the aggregated data or trend data determined from the aggregated data can be used to improve operation of the autonomous vehicles 300 in environment 1 via remote updates or other updates. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the aggregated data can be provided to third party data consumers. In a specific example, the wireless power transmission system 201 can act as a gateway or enabler for loT devices; the loT information could include information regarding capabilities of the device in which the wireless power receiver is embedded, usage information of the device, power levels of an autonomous vehicle 300, information obtained by the autonomous vehicle 300 or the wireless power receiver 301 itself (e.g., via sensors, etc.), or any combination thereof.

[0058] The external power I/F 220 can be configured to receive external power from the at least one rechargeable battery 20 and provide the power to various components of the wireless power transmission system 201. In some embodiments, the WPTS 201 may include power converters and like power electronics components based on the power requirements of the wireless power delivery system 201.

[0059] In operation, the MBC board 202 can control the wireless power transmission system 201 when it receives power from rechargeable battery 20 and is activated. The MBC board 202 may then activate one or more of the power transmission antenna elements 260A-260N, where the activated power transmission antenna elements 260A-260N can enter a default discovery mode to identify an available wireless power receiver 301 of the autonomous vehicle 300 within range of the wireless power transmission system 201. When a wireless power receiver 301 is found, the activated antenna elements 260A-260N can power on, enumerate, and (optionally) calibrate. The controller 210, another circuit within the MBC board 202, or a combination thereof may determine when an RF signal (e.g., beacon signal 30) is detected from a transmitter or transceiver of an autonomous vehicle

300 (e.g., wireless power receiver 301). For example, a detection circuit or module of the MBC board 202 can detect a beacon signal 30 transmitted from a wireless power receiver

301 embedded in or otherwise associated with the autonomous vehicle 300 at a predetermined time, frequency and/or phase. Such a beacon signal 30 may prompt the wireless power delivery system 201 to initiate processes resulting in a precisely wireless power signal 5 being transmitted to the location wireless power receiver 103 to facilitate efficient and speedy charging an energy storage device (e.g., rechargeable Li-ion or NiMH battery) of the autonomous vehicle 300, as discussed below.

[0060] Tire MBC board 202 can generate a discovery signal via at least one antenna 260 of the antenna array boards 250. Alternatively, or additionally, the discovery signal may be transmitted using at least one antenna 218 operatively coupled to the controller 210 by way of the communications interface 230. The discovery signal may also be referred to as an activation signal or interrogation signal. In some embodiments, the discovery signal can be a pulse train modulated signal or a low-level interrogation signal. Generally, the discovery signal questions (or interrogates) the space (e.g., environment 1) within range of WPTS 201 for wireless power receivers 103, and a receiver 103 within that space may answer (or reply) via a beacon signal 30, for example.

[0061] The WPTS 201 can monitor one or more antennas, such as the antennas 260 A- 260N or a dedicated antenna, to detect an RF beacon signal 30 transmitted by the wireless power receiver 103. Alternatively, or additionally, antenna(s) 218 may be utilized for detection of the aforementioned RF beacon signal 30. Once such a beacon signal 30 is received from a wireless power receiver 103, the controller 210 can determine if the received signal 30 includes a data communication component, a beacon component, or both. When a data communication component is present, the controller 210 may decode the communication portion of the signal 30 and process the data. In some examples, the data provided by the communication portion of the signal 30 may be system level monitoring data (e.g., energy storage level, etc.) or may be data related to the purpose or function of the electronic device 102 having, or otherwise associated with, the wireless power receiver 103 (e.g., sensor data or data about an loT device).

[0062] Tire control circuit 210 may determine a range and location of a client device (e.g., autonomous vehicle 300 having its associated wireless power receiver 301), such as by performing phase data extraction from the beacon component. For example, the WPTs 201 may implement a phase-based determination system such as described in U.S. Patent 10,396,602 or U.S. Patent 10,447,092, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Range for purposes of wireless power signal transmission from WPT 201 to WPR 301 may be determined by controller 210 according to a received signal strength (e.g., RSSI) of received beacon signals 30. Such RSSI values may be calibrated for use by controller 210 prior to deployment of the present technology into an environment 1. Among other techniques as described herein, when an RSSI of a beacon signal 30 as determined by controller 210 falls below or approaches a predetermined minimum value, WPT 201 may cease transmitting wireless power signals to a WPR 301 until such time that a beacon signal 30 having a higher RSSI value is received.

[0063] Based on the range and location of the client, the control circuit 210 can establish and commence wireless power delivery to the wireless power receiver 103 via a dedicated, retrodirective linkage channel using one or more of the antennas 260A-260N. In some embodiments, a proxy antenna element 240 (e.g., antenna(s) 222) can broadcast the discovery signal to wireless power receiver(s) 103 within a certain range. As discussed herein, the discovery signal can indicate to a wireless power receiver 103 that wireless power delivery is available. [0064] Wireless power transmission system 201 may include at least one memory storage device 212 (referred to more succinctly as “memory”) operatively coupled to the controller 210. Memory 212 may be further coupled to data I/F 215 or to other means for a user of WPTS 201 to load or otherwise provide or access data to and/or from memory 212. In some embodiments, memory 212 includes one or more non-transitory computer- readable media (NT-CRM) 214 capable of storing program instructions to facilitate, at least in part, performance of the various method and process steps described herein according to the present technology. NT-CRM 214 may be embodied in, for example and without limitation, ROM, EEPROM and/or Flash-type memory.

[0065] In some embodiments, WPTS 201 may be enclosed in a weather- and/or waterproof, or at least resistant, housing 70. Housing 70 may be ruggedized to protect WPTS 201 from potentially problematic operational conditions in an outdoor wireless power delivery environment 1 . In some embodiments, housing 70 may be explosion- and/or fireproof, or at least resistant. Padding 80 may be situated between an interior wall of ruggedized housing 70 and the components of WPTS 201 to provide shock resistance. Housing 70, either standing alone or in combination with padding, may be fire, heat, bullet, and/or shrapnel proof (or at least resistant). The associated rechargeable energy storage device(s) 20 may be similarly “ruggedized”. In some embodiments, the aforementioned energy storage device(s) 20 may be embodied in a battery pack set up enclosed in a ruggedized housing, where similar temperature and shock control components may be present in an interior of such a housing in like manner as described above for the WPTS 201 according to the present technology. In other embodiments, the energy storage device(s) 20 may be situated inside the ruggedized and/or temperature-controlled housing 70 of the WPTS 201.

[0066] In the case of the outdoor wireless power delivery environment 1, there may be extremes of temperature experienced over periods of time ranging from a day to week, month or more. In some use cases, it may be desirable to operate WPTS 201 in outdoor wireless power delivery environments 1 where ambient temperatures may range from below freezing (< 0°C) to in excess of 50°C. Upper and lower portions of the aforementioned range may be operationally non-ideal for WPTS 201. In some examples, a WPTS 201 according to the present technology may have an optimal or desired range of operating temperatures of from 10°C to 40°C. Similarly, a specific type (e.g., lead acid vs. NiMH vs. Li-ion) of rechargeable battery 20 may be selected for use based on an anticipated range of temperatures in environment 1. [0067] The example WPTS 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 may include a temperature regulation subsystem 90 to maintain a temperature of the interior of housing 70 having components of WPTS 201 within its respective range of optimal or desired range of operating temperatures. In some embodiments, subsystem 90 may include a thermostat, thermocouple, or like control component(s) (which may be, or may include, control circuit 210) to control operation of a heater and/or cooling fan powered by, for example, rechargeable battery 20, or another energy storage device (not shown in FIG. 2). In an example, when, during operation, a temperature inside housing 70 approaches a first set point value at or near the lower end of the WPTS 201 optimal or desired range, the heater will energize until the interior temperature of housing 70 returns to or exceeds the first set point value. Similarly, when, during operation, a temperature inside housing 70 approaches a second set point value at or near the upper end of the WPTS 201 optimal or desired range, the cooling fan will energize to remove air from inside housing 70 until the interior temperature of housing 70 returns to or drops below the second set point value. Heat sinks and/or vents situated on or in housings and/or other parts of components of the present technology may be included for temperature regulation purposes.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an autonomous vehicle 300 with associated wireless power receiver client 301 that may be used with the wireless power delivery environment 1 shown in FIG. 1A in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, the autonomous vehicle 300 may be embodied in one of the vehicle types as shown and described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. Wireless power receiver client 301, standing alone or as associated with autonomous vehicle 300, may be more succinctly referred to herein as a “wireless power receiver” (WPR) or “client device.” Various electrical and mechanical components of the wireless power receiver client 301 may be at least partially positioned inside of an interior cavity defined by a housing 302 or the autonomous vehicle 300.

[0069] A circuit 303 and/or other electronic components of the autonomous vehicle 300 may provide for and otherwise facilitate the provision of functions for the benefit of users of autonomous vehicle 300. For example, and without limitation, circuit 303 may include at least one switch and a motor controller, and circuit 303 may be operatively coupled to an electric motor 305 to provide a torque to a motor shaft to move an axle attached to a wheel, a rotor, a propellor, or the like of the one of the autonomous vehicle types shown and described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C.

[0070] Mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may include an energy storage device 304 at least partly positioned inside of the housing 303. Energy storage device 304 may be embodied in a rechargeable battery including, for example and without limitation, at least one Li-ion or an NiMH battery cell. Energy storage device 304 may be electrically coupled, or couplable to, the circuit 303 of electronic device 300 to provide a voltage (Vbat, e.g., 3.7- 4.2V for a Li-ion battery cell) for use in operating circuit 303. Circuit 303 may include one or more components (not shown in FIG. 3) to convert and/or condition Vbat to another voltage for use in operating circuit 303 or other aspects of autonomous vehicle 300.

[0071] Wireless power receiver client 301 may include component parts and associated functions for use as a wireless transceiver for use in receiving wireless power signals 5 and/or data communications signals from, for example, WPTS 201, and for transmitting signals (e.g., RF beacon signals 30) to WPTS 201. At least a portion of the wireless power receiver client 301 may be formed as a printed circuit board (PCB). At least a portion of the PCB may be formed of a flexible material to facilitate conformance and fit into, for example, housing 302. As such, wireless power receiver client 301 is well suited for either retrofitting into existing electronic devices 300 or for integrating into new designs. Accordingly, the present technology may enable most any autonomous vehicle 300 having rechargeable battery 304 to advantageously utilize wireless charging, even in wireless power delivery environments 1 where noise or other interfering signals or effects may exist.

[0072] Wireless power receiver (WPR) client 301 may include, or be coupled, or couplable, to at least one antenna 306. The antenna 306 may be a dual-band antenna or may include more than one antenna. In some embodiments, WPR client 301 may include a single antenna 306 (e.g., a dual-band antenna) that provides data transmission functionality as well as wireless power and data reception functionality.

[0073] Antenna 306 may be coupled, or couplable, to a switch 307. Switch is coupled to a controller 308 through two lines, as shown in FIG. 3. A state of switch 307 may be controlled by controller 308 by a switch control signal transmitted on a control line 309. Controller 308 may be embodied in one or more of the types of components as described above with reference to FIG. 2 for the controller 210 of WPTS 201. In embodiments where controller 308 is or includes a computer, processor, microcontroller, or the like, controller 308 may include or be coupled, or couplable, to a memory storage device 310 (also referred to herein as memory 310). Memory 310 may include one or more non-transitory computer readable media (e.g., ROM, EEPROM and/or Flash-type) to store as, for example, firmware or software, program instructions executable by controller 308 for implementing, or otherwise enabling or facilitating, the processes and methods described herein according to the present technology. [0074] The switch 307 in a first state (denoted by dashed line) couples antenna 306 to a power amplifier (PA) 311 that may in turn be coupled to the controller 308. Controller 308 includes or is associated with or is coupled to a communications interface 312. The communications interface 312 includes analog and/or digital circuitry under control of controller 308 to generate an RF signal (e.g., RF beacon signal 30) for transmission using antenna 306 to the wireless power delivery environment 1 which may contain at least one WPTS 201. The PA 311 may amplify this RF signal to facilitate its transmission to environment 1, and thus also its receipt by WPTS 201.

[0075] Tire switch 307 in a second state (denoted by a solid line) couples antenna 306 to a means (e.g., an RF rectifier/energy harvester 313) for inducing a voltage in response to the wireless power signal being received via antenna(s) 306. With the switch 307 in the second state, WPR client 301 utilizes antenna(s) 306 to receive a wireless power signal 5 transmitted by WPTS 201 into environment 1. The wireless power signal passes from antenna 306 to the RF rectifier/energy harvester 313, which induces a voltage (V_rCe) in response to the wireless power signal 5 being received from WPTS 201.

[0076] In some embodiments, the controller 308 and/or the communications interface 312 can communicate with or otherwise derive device information (e.g., loT information, client ID, or a power urgency indicator) from the autonomous vehicle 300 in which WPR client 301 is embedded or otherwise associated with. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the WPR client 301 can have one or more wired or wireless data connections (not shown in FIG. 3) with the autonomous vehicle 300 over which autonomous vehicle 300 information can be obtained by the controller 308. Alternatively, or additionally, autonomous vehicle 300 information can be determined or inferred by the controller 308 and/or other components of WPR client 301; for example, via one or more sensors (not shown in FIG. 3). The autonomous vehicle 300 information can include, but is not limited to, information about the capabilities of the autonomous vehicle 300 with which the WPR client 301 is associated, usage information of the autonomous vehicle 300, power levels of the energy storage device(s) 304 of the autonomous vehicle 300, information obtained or inferred by the autonomous vehicle 300, or any combination thereof.

[0077] In some embodiments, a client identification (ID) module (not shown) can store a client ID that can uniquely identify the WPR client 301 in the wireless power delivery environment 1. For example, the client ID can be transmitted to one or more WPTSs 201 when communication is established. In some embodiments, the WPR client 301 may be able to receive and identify one or more other WPR clients 301 in the wireless power delivery environment 1 based on respective client IDs. Data representative of the client ID may be stored in memory 310 for use by the controller 308 and/or the communication module 312.

[0078] WPR client 301 may include a power converter (PC) 314 (e.g., buck/boost) coupled to and between the RF rectifier/energy harvester 313 and the energy storage device 304. When a wireless power signal is being received by the RF rectifier/energy harvester 313 of the WPR client 301 via antenna(s) 306, a DC current 315 is transmitted to PC 314. The PC 314 may contain circuitry to convert and/or condition the DC current 315 to, for example a DC current 316 at Vbat to charge the energy storage device 304. In some embodiments, the PC 314 may convert and/or condition the DC current 315 to another DC current 317 at Vcc to power controller 308 and/or other components of WPR client 301. In other embodiments, the PC 314 may convert and/or condition the DC current 315 to another DC current 318 at VOP to operate circuit 303 and/or other components of autonomous vehicle 300. In an example, not shown in FIG. 3, components and functions of PC 314 may be included in the RF rectifier/energy harvester 313. In some implementations, functionality (e.g., sense/measure voltages or currents, adjust parameters such as a switching frequency, etc.) of RF rectifier/energy harvester 313 and/or PC 317 may be at least partially under the control of controller 308 by way of at least one control signal line 319.

[0079] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict flow charts of a method 400 for operating a mobile autonomous vehicle 300 in a wireless power delivery environment 1. Referring now to FIG. 4, and with further reference being made to the foregoing figures, the environment includes a plurality of WPTs 201 spaced apart from one another by a distance 25. Tire mobile autonomous vehicle 300 includes at least one WPR 301 and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR 301. Method 400 may commence from a start state. Method 400 may include the steps of positioning 481 a first WPT 201 in the first portion of environment 35, and positioning 482 at least a second WPT 201 in the at least a second portion 45 of environment 1, where the first and the at least a second WPTs 201 are spaced apart from each other by the distance 25.

[0080] In some embodiments, the distance 25 may be a predetermined distance 25 selected to be proportional to at least one of: the energy storage capacity of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle, and an expected discharge rate of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle. The value of the distance 25 may be taken into account for at least one of the positioning 481 and the positioning 482 steps of method 400. In an example, the distance 25 is 1/lOOth of 1 mile (0.01 mile) ±10% (or ±5%, or ±1%, or ±0.5%, or ±0.1%), where the tolerance (e.g., the ±% value) is wider or tighter depending on the operational stringency of the particular use case involved. In another example, the distance 25 is l/10th of 1 mile (0.1 mile) ±10% (or ±5%, or ±1%, or ±0.5%, or ±0.1%), where the tolerance (e.g., the ±% value) is wider or tighter depending on the operational stringency of the particular use case involved. In yet another example, the antenna array 104 of at least one of the plurality of WPTs 201 positioned in the wireless power delivery environment 1 is a 60 inch by 60 inch array, and the distance 25 is 1/2 of 1 mile (0.5 mile) ±10% (or ±5%, or ±1%, or ±0.5%, or ±0.1%), where the tolerance (e.g., the ±% value) is wider or tighter depending on the operational stringency of the particular use case involved.

[0081] In an example, the first portion 35 of the wireless power delivery environment 1 and at least one portion of the at least a second portion 45 of environment 1 spatially overlap. In another example, the first portion 35 and at least one portion of the at least a second portion 45 of environment 1 do not spatially overlap.

[0082] In some embodiments, the method 400 may include the step of first receiving 405, using at least one antenna of a first WPT 201 of the plurality of WPTs 201, a beacon signal 30 transmitted by the WPR 301 associated with mobile autonomous vehicle 300 into a first portion 35 of the wireless power delivery environment 1 including the first WPT 201. The method 400 may also include the step of first transmitting 410, in response to the first receiving 405 and using the antenna array 104 of the first WPT 201, a wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 to facilitate recharging, in a first time period 412, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle 300.

[0083] In some embodiments, during the first period of time 412, the at least a second WPT 201 may be out of range for receiving the beacon signal 30 during the first receiving step 405 of method 400. In some embodiments, during the first period of time 412, the WPR 301 of the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be out of range for receiving the wireless power signal 5 from the at least a second WPT 201.

[0084] In some embodiments, method 400 may include the step of detecting 425, by the first receiving 405, that the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 is within range of the first WPT 201 for wireless power delivery via the wireless power signal 5. In an example, receipt by the first WPT 201 of the beacon signal 30 is indicative that the WPR 301 is within range of the first WPT 201 for purposes of effective wireless power delivery. In some embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during the first receiving 405 step of method 400. In other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be stationary during the first receiving 405 step of method 400. In still other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during a one or more time spans during which the first receiving 405 step is being performed in method 400, and may be stationary during one or more other time spans during which the first receiving 405 step is being performed in method 400.

[0085] In some embodiments, method 400 may include the step of determining 435, e.g., prior to the first transmitting 410 and in response to the first receiving 405, that the WPR 301 is authorized to receive the wireless power signal 5 from the first WPT 201. The determining 435 step may be performed prior to commencing performance of the first transmitting 410 in method 400. In an example, if, in a logical branch 437, the WPR 301 is not so authorized, method 400 may loop back to the determining 435 step. In another example, if the WPR 301 is not authorized to receive the wireless power signal 5 from the first WPT 201, method 400 may loop back to the start state. On the other hand, if, in logical branch 437, the WPR 301 is authorized to receive the wireless power signal 5 from the first WPT 201, method 400 may proceed to the first transmitting 410 step.

[0086] In some embodiments, for the first transmitting 410 step, the WPR 301 may continuously or semi-continuously transmit the beacon signal 30 to the first WPT 201 to facilitate focusing 445, e.g., by the antenna array 104, of the wireless power signal 5 of the first WPT 201 on the spatial location of the WPR 301. In some embodiments, during the first transmitting 410 step, the method 400 may include the step of tracking 455 a spatial location of the WPR 301 to further facilitate the aforementioned focusing 445. In an example, tracking 455 the spatial location of the WPR 301 may be based at least in part on the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal 30. In some embodiments of method 400, the tracking 455 of the spatial location of the WPR 301 may make use of one or more of the above-described techniques implemented as a phase-based determination system.

[0087] In some embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during the first transmitting 410 step of method 400. In other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be stationary during the first transmitting 410 step of method 400. In still other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during a one or more time spans during which the first transmitting 410 step is being performed in method 400, and may be stationary during one or more other time spans during which the first transmitting 410 step is being performed in method 400.

[0088] In some embodiments, the method 400 may include the step of determining 465 cessation of receipt of the beacon signal 30 from the WPR 301 during the first transmitting 410 step. In an example, transmission of the wireless power signal 5 by the first WPT 201 may be ceased 475 in response to determining 465 the cessation of receipt of the beacon signal 30.

[0089] Still referring to FIG. 4, in embodiments where the first portion 35 of the wireless power delivery environment 1 includes the first rechargeable energy storage device 20 operably coupled to the first power source 10, method 400 may include the step of receiving 485, by the first rechargeable energy storage device 20, an electric current transmitted by the first power source 10. In such embodiments, method 400 may also include the steps of charging 487 the first rechargeable energy storage device 20 using the electric current transmitted by the first power source 10, and receiving 489, by the first WPT 201, an electric current transmitted by the first rechargeable energy storage device 20 and having an electric power sufficient to operate the first WPT 201 for purposes of the disclosed method 400. The first power source 10 may be, or may include, at least one of: photovoltaic electric generator (e.g., solar panel), a hydro-electric power generator, a wind- driven electric generator, a tidal electrical generator, and a wave-driven electric generator. [0090] Tire circled “A” in FIG. 4 denotes a transitioning point to FIG. 5. Referring now to FIG. 5, as well as to the foregoing figures, method 400 may further include the step of second receiving 415, using at least one antenna of at least a second WPT 201 of the plurality of WPTs 201, the beacon signal 30 transmitted by the WPR 301 associated with mobile autonomous vehicle 300 into at least a second portion 45 of the wireless power delivery environment 1 including the at least a second WPT 201. Method 400 may also include the step of second transmitting 420, in response to the second receiving 415 and using the antenna array 104 of the at least a second WPT 201, a wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 to facilitate recharging, in at least a second time period 422 occurring at least in part after the first time period 412, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle 300. The first portion 35 of the wireless power delivery environment 1 may be spatially different from the at least a second portion 45 of the wireless power delivery environment 1.

[0091] In some embodiments, during the at least a second period of time 422, the first WPT 201 may be out of range for receiving the beacon signal 30 during the at least a second receiving 415 step of method 400. In some embodiments, during the at least a second period of time 422, the WPR 301 may be out of range for receiving the wireless power signal 5 from the first WPT 201.

[0092] In some embodiments, method 400 may include the step of detecting 430, by the second receiving 415, that the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 is within range of the at least a second WPT 201 for wireless power delivery via the wireless power signal 5. In an example, receipt by the at least a second WPT 201 of the beacon signal 30 is indicative that the WPR 301 is within range of the at least a second WPT 301 for purposes of effective wireless power delivery. In some embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during the second receiving 415 step of method 400. In other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be stationary during the second receiving 415 step of method 400. In still other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during one or more time spans during which the second receiving 405 step is being performed in method 400, and may be stationary during one or more other time spans during which the second receiving 415 step is being performed in method 400.

[0093] In some embodiments, method 400 may include the step of determining 440, e.g., prior to the second transmitting 420 and in response to the second receiving 415, that the WPR 301 is authorized to receive the wireless power signal 5 from the at least a second WPT 201 . The determining 440 step may be performed prior to commencing performance of the second transmitting 420 in method 400. In an example, if, in a logical branch 439, the WPR 301 is not so authorized, method 400 may loop back to the determining 440 step. In another example, if the WPR 301 is not authorized to receive the wireless power signal 5 from the at least a second WPT 201, method 400 may loop back to the start state. On the other hand, if, in logical branch 439, the WPR 301 is authorized to receive the wireless power signal 5 from the at least a second WPT 201, method 400 may proceed to the second transmitting 420 step.

[0094] In some embodiments, for the second transmitting 420 step, the WPR 301 may continuously or semi-continuously transmit the beacon signal 30 to the at least a second WPT 201 to facilitate focusing 450, e.g., by the antenna array 104, of the wireless power signal 5 of the at least a second WPT 201 on the spatial location of the WPR 301. In some embodiments, during the second transmitting 420 step, the method 400 may include the step of tracking 460 a spatial location of the WPR 301 to further facilitate the aforementioned focusing 450. In an example, tracking 460 the spatial location of the WPR 301 may be based at least in part on the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal 30. In some embodiments of method 400, the tracking 460 of the spatial location of the WPR 301 may make use of one or more of the above-described techniques implemented as a phase-based determination system.

[0095] In some embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during the second transmitting 420 step of method 400. In other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be stationary during the second transmitting 420 step of method 400. In still other embodiments, the mobile autonomous vehicle 300 may be in motion during a one or more time spans during which the second transmitting 420 step is being performed in method 400, and may be stationary during one or more other time spans during which the second transmitting 420 step is being performed in method 400.

[0096] In some embodiments, the method 400 may include the step of determining 470 cessation of receipt of the beacon signal 30 from the WPR 301 during the second transmitting 420 step. In an example, transmission of the wireless power signal 5 by the at least a second WPT 201 may be ceased 480 in response to determining 470 the cessation of receipt of the beacon signal 30.

[0097] Still referring to FIG. 5, in embodiments where the at least a second portion 45 of the wireless power delivery environment 1 includes the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device 20 operably coupled to the at least a second power source 10, method 400 may include the step of receiving 491, by the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device 20, an electric current transmitted by the at least a second power source 10. In such embodiments, method 400 may also include the steps of charging 493 the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device 20 using the electric current transmitted by the at least a second power source 10, and receiving 495, by the at least a second WPT 201, an electric current transmitted by the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device 20 and having an electric power sufficient to operate the at least a second WPT 201 for purposes of the disclosed method 400. The at least a second power source 10 may be, or may include, at least one of: photovoltaic electric generator (e.g., solar panel), a hydroelectric power generator, a wind-driven electric generator, a tidal electrical generator, and a wave-driven electric generator.

[0098] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of a method 500 for operating a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present technology. Further reference is made to the above-described FIGS. 1A-1D and 2-5. Method 500 may be performed by, or otherwise implemented in, the self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, as described, for example and without limitation, above with reference to FIG. ID. Method 500 may include the step of enabling 502 one or more MAVs 300 included in or on a container 55 to enter the wireless power delivery environment 1. Each of the MAVs 300 may include a WPR 301 and energy storage device(s) 304 operably coupled to the WPR 301. Method 500 may include the step of receiving 504, using at least one antenna of WPTs 201 included in or on the container 55, a beacon signal 30 transmitted by the MAVs 300 into the wireless power delivery environment 1 including the WPTs 201. Method 500 may include the step of transmitting 506, in response to receiving the beacon signal 30 and using an antenna array of the at least one WPT 201, a wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the MAV(s) 300 to facilitate recharging the energy storage device(s) 304 of the MAV(s) 300. [0099] In some embodiments, method 500 may include the step of providing 508 the container 55 to the wireless power delivery environment 1 for use therein with one or more MAVs 300. The design of the self-contained system according to the present technology may be such that a single unit may be dropped off and picked up from place to place many times, as needed. Different configurations of the self-contained system may be utilized depending on the application and/or characteristics of different use environments 1. The container 55 having the functional components of the self-contained system as described herein may be provided 508 in method 500 by air (e.g., placed using a helicopter or parachuted from an airplane), by ground (towed or otherwise carried by a car, truck or tracked vehicle), or by boat or barge (for use on the water). In some embodiments, the enabling 502 step of method 500 may include the providing 508, as described above, as where container 55 already has an opening into its interior. In other embodiments, the enabling 502 step of method 500 may include exposing 510 the interior cavity of the container 55 having the MAV(s) 300 to the wireless power delivery environment 1, as where container 55 is fully closed off from environment 1 initially and an opening must be provided via techniques and means such as are described above with reference to FIG. ID. [0100] In a subprocess 518 that may be performed at least partially concurrently with the enabling 502, receiving 504 and transmitting 506 steps, method 500 may include generating 512 electric power using power source(s) 10 included in or on the container 55 and/or as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 A-1C. In an example, method 500 may include transmitting the electric power to the at least WPT 201 for use in its operation in method 500. Method 500 may include storing 514 at least a portion of the generated 512 electric power in at least one rechargeable battery 20 included in or on the container 55 and operably coupled to the WPTs 201. Method 500 may include powering 516 the WPTs 201 using the at least one rechargeable battery (20) and/or by electric power being transmitted to WPTs 201 from power source(s) 10.

[0101] Method 500 may be practiced with a plurality of MAVs 300. In one such embodiment, the step of receiving 504 the beacon signal 30 may include first receiving a first beacon signal 30 transmitted by a first MAV of the plurality of MAVs 300, and second receiving a second beacon signal 30 transmitted by at least a second MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs 300, into the wireless power delivery environment 1. In such cases, the step of transmitting 506 the wireless power signal 5 may include first transmitting, using the antenna array, the wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the first MAV 300 in response to the first receiving, and second transmitting, using the antenna array, the wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 of the at least a second MAV 300, to facilitate recharging of the respective energy storage devices 300.

[0102] As implemented with two or more MAVs 300, the above described first and second transmitting steps of metho 500 may be performed in a first time period and in at least a second time period, respectively. In an example, the first time period and the at least a second time period at least partially overlap. In some embodiments, the first transmitting step may be performed using a first subset of multiple antennas of the antenna array, and the second transmitting step may be performed using at least a second subset of the multiple antennas different from the first subset. In an example, the first transmitting and the second transmitting steps may be performed simultaneously in the method.

[0103] For embodiments of self-contained system according to the present technology having two or more WPTs 201, and where method 500 is utilized for a plurality of MAVs 300, the receiving 504 step may include first receiving, using at least one antenna of a first WPT 201 of the plurality of WPTs 201, a first beacon signal 30 transmitted by a first MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs 300 into wireless power delivery environment 1 including the first WPT (300). In such cases, the receiving 504 step of method 500 may include second receiving, using at least one antenna of at least a second WPT 201 of the plurality of WPTs 201, a second beacon signal 30 transmitted by at least a second MAV 300 of the plurality of MAVs 300 into wireless power delivery environment 1 including the at least a second WPT 300.

[0104] For method 500 implemented using two or more WPTs 201 and multiple MAVs 300, the transmitting 506 step may include first transmitting, using a first antenna array of the first WPT 201, a first wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 collocated with the first MAV 300 and in response to first receiving the first beacon signal 30, and second transmitting, using a second antenna array of the at least a second WPT 201, a second wireless power signal 5 focused on the WPR 301 collocated with the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle 300 in response to second receiving the second beacon signal 30. Accordingly, the aforementioned first and second transmitting steps may facilitate recharging of the energy storage device(s) 304 of the first and second MAVs 300. In some embodiments, the first and second transmitting steps may be performed simultaneously in method 500.

[0105] FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of a computing device 600 with a wireless power receiver 610, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Computing device 600 includes any form of a computer with a wireless power receiver 610, such as a mobile (or smart) phone, tablet computer device, desktop computer device, laptop computing device, wearable computing device, or any other computing device for which wireless power charging could be applicable, in accordance with various embodiments herein. The wireless power receiver 610 may be implemented as the electronic device 300 with WPR 301 having controller 308, or any combination thereof. Further, wireless power receiver 610 may execute and perform any of the methods and functions described herein according to the present technology and with reference to the WPR 301 and the various components thereof.

[0106] Various interfaces and modules are shown in or coupled to the computing device 600: however, computing device 600 does not require all of such modules or functions for performing the functionality described herein. It is appreciated that, in many embodiments, various components are not included or necessary for operation of the respective computing device. For example, components such as global positioning system (GPS) radios, cellular radios, SIM cards, cameras, and accelerometers, as well as other components, may not be included in some implementations of a computing device. Further, one or more of the components or modules shown may be combined or removed.

[0107] For example, with the wireless power receiver 610 implemented, the battery, power management module, or both may be redundant in some embodiments, such as if all power management functions for the computing device 600 are built into the wireless power receiver 610. Further, a battery might not be necessary in embodiments that receive constant power via the wireless power receiver 610.

[0108] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the example form, of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to implement or otherwise perform any one or more of the techniques and methodologies of the present technology described herein, may be executed. Computer system 700 may, for some embodiments of the present technology, be representative of controller means including, without limitation, controller 210 of WPTS 201 or controller 308 of WPR 301. [0109] In the example of FIG. 8, the computer system 700 includes a processor, memory, non-volatile memory, and an interface device. Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity. The computer system 700 is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the components depicted in the examples of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented. For example, the computer system 700 can be any radiating object or antenna array system. The computer system 700 can be of any applicable known or convenient type. The components of the computer system 700 can be coupled together via a bus or through some other known or convenient device.

[0110] The processor of computer system 700 may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an INTEL PENTIUM microprocessor or MOTOROLA POWER PC microprocessor. One of skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms “machine- readable (storage) medium” or “computer-readable (storage) medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor. In some embodiment, these storage media are embodied in non-transitory computer-readable media that can store program instructions (e.g., as software or firmware) which, when executed by one or more processors of the disclosed technology (e.g., WPTS 201 or WPR 301), cause the controller means (e.g., controller 210 or controller 308) to implement, execute, or otherwise facilitate performance of the various algorithms and methods disclosed herein.

[01 1 1 ] In computer system 700, the memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or distributed.

[0112] The bus of computer system 700 also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and drive unit. The non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during execution of software in the computer system 700. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed. The non-volatile memory is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. An embodiment of computer system 700 will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor.

[0113] Software or firmware utilized by computer system 700 may be stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the drive unit. Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to store the entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software and/or firmware to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer readable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein, firmware or a software program is assumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers) when the software program is referred to as “implemented in a computer-readable medium”. A processor is considered to be “configured to execute a program” when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor.

[0114] The bus also couples the processor to the network interface device of computer system 700. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system. The interface can include an analog modem, ISDN modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g., “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system (e.g., 700) to other computer systems. The interface can include one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices. The I/O devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device. The display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device. For simplicity, it is assumed that controllers of any devices not depicted in the example of FIG. 8 reside in the interface.

[0115] In operation, the computer system 700 can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system. One example of operating system software with associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as WINDOWS from MICROSOFT Corporation of Redmond, Washington, and their associated file management systems. Another example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the LINUX operating system and its associated file management system. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit.

[0116] Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self- consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

[0117] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[0118] Tire algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular- computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the techniques are not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages.

[0119] In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a client-server network environment or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

[0120] The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

[0121] While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine- readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the presently disclosed technique and innovation.

[0122] In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the disclosure, may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions set at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or more processing units or processors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elements involving the various aspects of the disclosure.

[0123] Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the disclosure applies equally regar dless of the particular type of machine or computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

[0124] Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or computer-readable (storage) media include but are not limited to recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, har'd disk drives, optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links.

[0125] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense: that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above detailed description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number, respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0126] The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are, at times, shown as being performed in a series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

[0127] Embodiments of the present technology may be applied to, or make use of, technology described in patent applications invented and/or assigned to OSSIA Inc. of Redmond, Washington, USA. A non-exhaustive listing of such US patent application publications is as follows: 20220052560; 20220014049; 20210408833; 20210408832; 20210399587; 20210373117; 20210359553; 20210351616; 20210321472; 20210313845; 20210296943; 20210288529; 20210249910; 20210249909; 20210249908; 20210249903; 20210242723; 20210143682; 20210135493; 20210126492; 20210104918; 20210066962; 20210063525; 20210049975; 20200336015; 20200303954; 20200296780; 20200287423; 20200235614; 20200220391; 20200220387; 20200185972; 20200177031; 20200162122; 20200144864; 20200136712 ; 20200127704; 20200119593; 20200091968; 20200091773; 20200044489; 20200036233; 20200026673; 20200021142; 20200014251; 20190393736; 20190386521; 20190372400: 20190356050; 20190348872; 20190341811; 20190334386: 20190306735: 20190305604; 20190207430: 20190199404; 20190199145: 20190197984; 20190181698; 20190165615; 20190165599; 20190157915; 20190148990; 20190148950; 20190140490; 20190140487; 20190115792; 20190097465; 20190097464; 20190074732; 20190067825; 20190020199; 20180366085; 20180338252; 20180309329; 20180287418; 20180287417; 20180259615; 20180255596; 20180248399; 20180241254; 20180219585; 20180219426; 20180183275; 20180159373; 20180152024; 20180054088; 20170358959; 20170338698; 20170331331; 20170311288; 20170250474; 20170237298; 20170187249; 20170187231; 20160262131; 20160013685; 20150022022; 20140241231; 20140217967; and any and all patents or patent applications incorporated by reference therein.

[0128] Any patents or patent applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

[0129] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above detailed description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

[0130] While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a means- plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. §112(f), other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer- readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) will begin with the words “means for”.) Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the disclosure.

[0131] Tire detailed description provided herein may be applied to other systems, not necessarily only the system described above. The elements and acts of the various examples described above can be combined to provide further implementations of the invention. Some alternative implementations of the invention may include not only additional elements to those implementations noted above, but also may include fewer elements. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. While the above description defines certain examples of the invention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appeals in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

[0132] Tire illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.

[0133] This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments can be made, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be reduced. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for operating a mobile autonomous vehicle in a wireless power delivery environment having a plurality of wireless power transmitters (WPTs) spaced apart from one another by a distance, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle includes a wireless power receiver (WPR) and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR, and wherein the method comprises: first receiving, using at least one antenna of a first WPT of the plurality of WPTs, a beacon signal transmitted by the mobile autonomous vehicle into a first portion of the wireless power delivery environment including the first WPT : first transmitting, in response to the first receiving and using an antenna array of the first WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging, in a first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle; second receiving, using at least one antenna of at least a second WPT of the plurality of WPTs, the beacon signal transmitted by the mobile autonomous vehicle into at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment including the at least a second WPT : and second transmitting, in response to the second receiving and using at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in at least a second time period occurring at least in part after the first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle, wherein the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment is spatially different from the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

3. Tire method of claim 1, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned ground-based vehicle.

4. Tire method of claim 1, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned water-based vehicle.

5. Tire method of claim 1, wherein the wireless power delivery environment is an outdoor wireless power delivery environment.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising at least one of: detecting, by the first receiving, that the mobile autonomous vehicle is within range of the first WPT for wireless power delivery; and detecting, by the at least a second receiving, that the mobile autonomous vehicle is within range of the at least a second WPT for wireless power delivery.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising at least one of: determining, prior to the first transmitting and in response to the first receiving, that the WPR is authorized to receive the wireless power signal from the first WPT: and determining, prior to the second transmitting and in response to the second receiving, that the WPR is authorized to receive the wireless power signal from the at least a second WPT.

8. Tire method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion during at least one of: the first receiving step, and the second receiving step.

9. Tire method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion during at least one of: the first transmitting step, and the second transmitting step.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, for at least one of: the first transmitting step, and the second transmitting step, the WPR continuously or semi-continuously transmits the beacon signal to the first, or the at least a second, WPT to facilitate focusing of the wireless power signal of the first, or the at least a second, WPT on the WPR.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising tracking, during at least one of: the first transmitting step, and the at least a second transmitting step, and based on the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal, a spatial location of the WPR to further facilitate focusing of the wireless power signal of the first, or the at least a second, WPT on the WPR.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: determining cessation of receipt of the beacon signal during the first, or the at least a second, transmitting step; and in response to determining cessation of receipt of the beacon signal, ceasing, by the first, or the at least a second WPT, transmission of the wireless power signal to the WPR.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion and at least one portion of the at least a second portion spatially overlap.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion and at least one portion of the at least a second portion do not spatially overlap.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein, during the first period of time, the at least a second WPT is out of range for receiving the beacon signal during the first receiving step.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the first period of time, the WPR is out of range for receiving the wireless power signal from the at least a second WPT.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the at least a second period of time, the first WPT is out of range for receiving the beacon signal during the at least a second receiving step.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the at least a second period of time, the WPR is out of range for receiving the wireless power signal from the first WPT.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment includes a first rechargeable energy storage device operably coupled to a first power source, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the first rechargeable energy storage device, an electric current transmitted by the first power source; charging the first rechargeable energy storage device using the electric current transmitted by the first power source; and receiving, by the first WPT, an electric current transmitted by the first rechargeable energy storage device and having an electric power sufficient to operate the first WPT in the method.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment includes at least a second rechargeable energy storage device operably coupled to at least a second power source, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device, an electric current transmitted by the at least a second power source; charging the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device using the electric current transmitted by the at least a second power source; and receiving, by the at least a second WPT, an electric current transmitted by the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device and having an electric power sufficient to operate the at least a second WPT in the method.

21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the first, or the at least a second, power source is at least one of: a solar panel, a wind-driven electric generator, a hydroelectric generator, a tidal electrical generator, and a wave-driven electric generator.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance is proportional to at least one of: the energy storage capacity of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle, and an expected discharge rate of the at least one energy storage device of the mobile autonomous vehicle.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning the first, and the at least a second, WPTs in the first, and the at least a second, portions of the wireless power delivery environment prior to commencement of the first, and the at least a second, transmitting steps.

24. A wireless power delivery system for use with at least one mobile autonomous vehicle in a wireless power delivery environment, the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle including a wireless power receiver (WPR) and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR, the wireless power delivery system comprising:

(i) a first wireless power transmitter (WPT) positioned in a first portion of the wireless power delivery environment, and comprising an antenna array and a controller operably coupled to the antenna array, wherein the controller of the first WPT is configured to: first receive, via at least one antenna of the first WPT, a beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and first transmit, using the antenna array of the first WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle; and

(ii) at least a second wireless power transmitter (WPT) positioned in at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment and spaced apart from the first WPT by a distance, the at least a second WPT comprising an antenna array and controller operably coupled to the antenna array of the at least a second WPT, wherein the controller of the at least a second WPT is configured to: second receive, via at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT, the beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and second transmit, using the antenna array of the at least a second WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a second time period occurring at least in part after the first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle, wherein the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment is spatially different from the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

25. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle includes an unmanned aerial vehicle.

26. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle includes an unmanned ground-based vehicle.

27. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle includes an unmanned water-based vehicle.

28. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the wireless power delivery environment is an outdoor wireless power delivery environment.

29. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein at least one of: the controller of the first WPT is further configured to detect, in response to the beacon signal being first received from the WPR, that the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is within range of the first WPT for wireless power delivery: and the controller of the at least a second WPT is further configured to detect, in response to the beacon signal being second received from the WPR, that the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is within range of the at least a second WPT for wireless power delivery.

30. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein at least one: the controller of the first WPT is further configured to determine, prior to the wireless power signal being first transmitted and in response to the beacon signal being first received from the WPR, that the WPR is authorized to receive the wireless power signal from the first WPT; and the controller of the at least a second WPT is further configured to determine, prior to the wireless power signal being second transmitted and in response to the beacon signal being second received from the WPR, that the WPR is authorized to receive the wireless power signal from the at least a second WPT.

31 . The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein at least one of: the controller of the first WPT is further configured to receive the beacon signal from the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion; and the controller of the at least a second WPT is further configured to receive the beacon signal from the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion.

32. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein at least one of: the controller of the first WPT is further configured to first transmit the wireless power signal to the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion; and the controller of the at least a second WPT is further configured to second transmit the wireless power signal to the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion.

33. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the WPR transmits the beacon signal into at least one of: the first, and the at least a second, portion of the wireless power delivery environment, and wherein at least one of: the controller of the first WPT is further configured to focus the wireless power signal on the WPR according to the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal; and the controller of the at least a second WPT is further configured to focus the wireless power signal on the WPR according to the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal.

34. The wireless power delivery system of claim 33, wherein at least one of: the controller of the first WPT is further configured to track, while the wireless power signal is being transmitted to the WPR in the first time period and based on the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal, a spatial location of the WPR to facilitate the wireless power signal being focused on the WPR by the antenna array of the first WPT ; and the controller of the at least a second WPT is further configured to track, while the wireless power signal is being transmitted to the WPR in the at least a second time period and based on the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal, a spatial location of the WPR to facilitate the wireless power signal being focused on the WPR by the antenna array of the at least a second WPT.

35. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein at least one of:

(a) the controller of the first WPT is further configured to: determine cessation of receipt of the beacon signal from the WPR during the first period; and in response to cessation of receipt of the beacon signal being determined, cease transmission of the wireless power signal to the WPR: and

(b) the controller of the at least second WPT is further configured to: determine cessation of receipt of the beacon signal from the WPR during the at least a second period; and in response to cessation of the receipt of the beacon signal being determined, cease transmission of the wireless power signal to the WPR.

36. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the first portion and at least one portion of the at least a second portion spatially overlap.

37. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the first portion and at least one portion of the at least a second portion do not spatially overlap.

38. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein, during the first period of time, the at least a second WPT is out of range for receiving the beacon signal from the WPR.

39. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein, during the first period of time, the WPR is out of range for receiving the wireless power signal from the at least a second WPT.

40. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein, during the at least a second period of time, the first WPT is out of range for receiving the beacon signal from die WPR.

41. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein, during the at least a second period of time, the WPR is out of range for receiving the wireless power signal from die first WPT.

42. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24 further comprising: a first power source; and a first rechargeable energy storage device operably coupled to and between the first WPT and the first power source, wherein the first power source is configured to transmit an electric current sufficient to charge the first rechargeable energy storage device, and wherein the first rechargeable energy storage device is configured to transmit an electric current sufficient to power operation of the first WPT.

43. The wireless power delivery system of claim 42, wherein the first power source and the first rechargeable energy storage device ar e positioned in the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

44. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24 further comprising: at least a second power source; and at least a second rechargeable energy storage device operably coupled to and between the at least a second WPT and the at least a second power source, wherein the at least a second power source is configured to transmit an electric current sufficient to charge the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device, and wherein the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device is configured to transmit an electric current sufficient to power operation of the at least a second WPT.

45. The wireless power delivery system of claim 44, wherein the at least a second power source and the at least a second rechargeable energy storage device are positioned in the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

46. The wireless power delivery system of any one of claims 42-45, wherein the first, or the at least a second, power source is at least one of: a solar panel, a wind-driven electric generator, a hydro-electric power generator, a tidal electrical generator, and a wave-driven electric generator.

47. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24, wherein the distance is proportional to at least one of: the energy storage capacity of the at least one energy storage device of the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle, and an expected discharge rate of the at least one energy storage device of the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle.

48. The wireless power delivery system of claim 24 further comprising the WPR.

49. The wireless power delivery system of claim 48 further comprising the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle.

50. One or more non-transitory computer readable media having stored thereon program instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause:

(i) a first wireless power transmitter (WPT) including an antenna array and positioned in a first portion of the wireless power delivery environment having at least one mobile autonomous vehicle including a wireless power receiver (WPR) and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR to: first receive, via at least one antenna of the first WPT, a beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and first transmit, using the antenna array of the first WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a first time period, of at least one energy storage device of the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle, wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause:

(ii) at least a second wireless power transmitter (WPT) including an antenna array and positioned in at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment to: second receive, via at least one antenna of the at least a second WPT, the beacon signal transmitted by the WPR into the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment; and second transmit, using the antenna array of the at least a second WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR to facilitate recharging, in a second time period occurring at least in pail after the first time period, of the at least one energy storage device of the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle, wherein the first portion of the wireless power delivery environment is spatially different from the at least a second portion of the wireless power delivery environment.

51. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 50, wherein at least one of: when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to detect, in response to the beacon signal being first received from the WPR, that the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is within range of the first WPT for wireless power delivery; and when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to detect, in response to the beacon signal being second received from the WPR, that the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is within range of the at least a second WPT for wireless power delivery.

52. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 50, wherein at least one of: when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to determine, prior to the wireless power signal being first transmitted and in response to the beacon signal being first received from the WPR, that the WPR is authorized to receive the wireless power signal from the first WPT ; and when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to determine, prior to the wireless power signal being second transmitted and in response to the beacon signal being second received from the WPR, that the WPR is authorized to receive the wireless power signal from the at least a second WPT.

53. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 50, wherein at least one of: when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to receive the beacon signal from the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion; and when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to receive the beacon signal from the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion.

54. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 50, wherein at least one of: when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to first transmit the wireless power signal to the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion; and when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to second transmit the wireless power signal to the WPR while the at least one mobile autonomous vehicle is in motion.

55. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 50, wherein the WPR transmits the beacon signal into at least one of: the first, and the at least a second, portion of the wireless power delivery environment, and wherein at least one of: when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to focus, using the antenna array, the wireless power signal on the WPR according to the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal; and when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to focus the wireless power signal on the WPR according to the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal.

56. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 55, wherein at least one of: when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to track, while the wireless power signal is being transmitted to the WPR in the first time period and based on the continuously or semi-continuously transmitted beacon signal, a spatial location of the WPR to facilitate the wireless power signal being focused on the WPR by the antenna array of the first WPT ; and when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to track, while the wireless power signal is being transmitted to the WPR in the at least a second time period and based on the continuously or semi- continuously transmitted beacon signal, a spatial location of the WPR to facilitate the wireless power signal being focused on the WPR by the antenna array of the at least a second WPT.

57. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 50, wherein at least one of:

(a) when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the first WPT to: determine cessation of receipt of the beacon signal from the WPR during the first period of time; and in response to cessation of receipt of the beacon signal being determined, cease transmission of the wireless power signal to the WPR; and

(b) when executed by the at least one processor, the program instructions further cause the at least a second WPT to: determine cessation of receipt of the beacon signal from the WPR during the at least a second period of time; and in response to cessation of the receipt of the beacon signal being determined, cease transmission of the wireless power signal to the WPR.

58. A mobile autonomous vehicle comprising the wireless power receiver (WPR) of claim 24.

59. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 58, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

60. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 58, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned ground-based vehicle.

61. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 58, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned water-based vehicle.

62. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 58, wherein the WPR is situated inside of a housing of the mobile autonomous vehicle.

63. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 58, wherein the WPR is coupled to an exterior of a housing of the mobile autonomous vehicle.

64. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 58, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is configured to, or otherwise capable of operating in an outdoor wireless power delivery environment.

65. A method in a self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, the method comprising: enabling one or more mobile autonomous vehicles included in or on a container to enter the wireless power delivery environment, wherein each mobile autonomous vehicle of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles includes a wireless power receiver (WPR) and at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR; receiving, using at least one antenna of at least one wireless power transmitter (WPT) included in or on the container, a beacon signal transmitted by the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment including the at least one WPT ; and transmitting, in response to the receiving and using an antenna array of the at least one WPT, a wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles.

66. The method of claim 65 further comprising providing the container to the wireless power delivery environment.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the enabling comprises providing the container to the wireless power delivery environment.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the enabling comprises exposing an interior cavity of the container having the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to the wireless power delivery environment.

69. The method of claim 65 further comprising: generating electric power using at least one power source included in or on the container: and transmitting the electric power to the at least WPT.

70. The method of claim 69 further comprising storing at least a portion of the electric power in at least one rechargeable battery included in or on the container and operably coupled to the at least one WPT.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein transmitting the electric power to the at least one WPT comprises powering the at least one WPT using the at least one rechargeable battery.

72. The method of claim 65, wherein the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles includes a plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles, and wherein: receiving the beacon signal comprises: first receiving a first beacon signal transmitted by a first mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment; and second receiving a second beacon signal transmitted by at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment.

73. Tire method of claim 72, wherein transmitting the wireless power signal comprises: first transmitting, in response to the first receiving and using the antenna array, the wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the first mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the first mobile autonomous vehicle: and second transmitting, in response to second receiving and using the antenna array, the wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the first transmitting and second transmitting steps are performed in a first time period and in at least a second time period, respectively.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the first time period and the at least a second time period at least partially overlap.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein: the first transmitting step is performed using a first subset of multiple antennas of the antenna array; and the second transmitting step is performed using at least a second subset of the multiple antennas different from the first subset.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the first transmitting and the second transmitting steps are performed simultaneously in the method.

78. The method of claim 65, wherein the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles includes a plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles, wherein the at least one WPT includes a plurality of WPTs included in or on the container, and wherein the receiving step comprises: first receiving, using at least one antenna of a first WPT of the plurality of WPTs, a first beacon signal transmitted by a first mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment including the first WPT; and second receiving, using at least one antenna of at least a second WPT of the plurality of WPTs, a second beacon signal transmitted by at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment including the at least a second WPT.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the transmitting step comprises: first transmitting, using a first antenna array of the first WPT and in response to first receiving the first beacon signal, a first wireless power signal focused on the WPR collocated with the first mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the first mobile autonomous vehicle; and second transmitting, using a second antenna array of the at least a second WPT and in response to second receiving the second beacon signal, a second wireless power signal focused on the WPR collocated with the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the first transmitting and the second transmitting steps are performed simultaneously in the method.

81. A self-contained system for operating mobile autonomous vehicles in a wireless power delivery environment, the system comprising: a container; and at least one wireless power transmitter (WPT) included in or on the container, and comprising: an antenna array; and a controller operably coupled to the antenna array, and configured to: receive, using at least one antenna of the antenna array, a beacon signal transmitted by one or more mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment including the at least one WPT ; and transmit, using the antenna array and in response to the beacon signal being received, a wireless power signal focused on a wireless power receiver (WPR) collocated with one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to facilitate recharging of at least one energy storage device of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles.

82. The system of claim 81 further comprising the one or more autonomous vehicles situated in or on the container.

83. The system of claim 82, wherein each mobile autonomous vehicle of the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles includes the WPR and the at least one energy storage device operably coupled to the WPR.

84. The system of claim 81 or claim 82, further comprising means for enabling the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to enter the wireless power delivery environment.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the means for enabling is or includes means for exposing an interior cavity of the container having, or able to contain, the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to the wireless power delivery environment.

86. The system of claim 81 or claim 82, further comprising means for providing the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles to enter the wireless power delivery environment.

87. The system of claim 81 further comprising at least one power source included in or on the container, and configured to generate electric power.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein the at least one power source is operably coupled to the at least one WPT, and further configured to transmit at least a portion of the electric power to the at least one WPT for operation thereof.

89. The system of claim 87 or claim 88, further comprising at least one rechargeable battery included in or on the container, and operably coupled to the at least one power source, wherein the at least one rechargeable battery is configured to receive and store at least a portion of the electric power.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the at least one rechargeable battery is further operably coupled to the at least one WPT to provide at least a portion of the electric power stored in the at least one rechargeable battery to the at least one WPT for operation thereof.

91. The system of claim 81 or claim 82, wherein the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles includes a plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles, and wherein to receive the beacon signal, the controller is further configured to: first receive, using the at least one antenna, a first beacon signal transmitted by a first mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment; and second receive, using the at least one antenna, a second beacon signal transmitted by at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment.

92. Tire system of claim 91, wherein to transmit the wireless power signal, the controller is further configured to: first transmit, in response to the first beacon signal being first received and using the antenna array, a first wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the first mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the first mobile autonomous vehicle; and second transmit, in response to the second beacon signal being second received and using the antenna array, a second wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the controller is further configured to first transmit a first wireless signal focused on the WPR of the first mobile autonomous vehicle in a first time period and second transmit a second wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle in at least a second time period.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein the first time period and the at least a second time period at least partially overlap.

95. The system of claim 92, wherein: to first transmit the first wireless power signal, the controller is further configured to first transmit the first wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the first mobile autonomous vehicle using a first subset of multiple antennas of the antenna array; and to second transmit the second wireless power signal, the controller is further configured to second transmit the second wireless power signal focused on the WPR of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle using at least a second subset of multiple antennas different from the first subset.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the controller is further configured to first transmit the first wireless signal using the first subset of the multiple antennas and second transmit the second wireless signal using the at least a second subset of the multiple antennas simultaneously.

97. The system of claim 81 or claim 82, wherein the one or more mobile autonomous vehicles includes a plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles, and wherein the at least one WPT includes a plurality of WPTs included in or on the container, and including: a first WPT including: a first antenna array; and a first controller operably coupled to the first antenna array, and configured to first receive, using at least one antenna of the first antenna array, a first beacon signal transmitted by a first mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment; and at least a second WPT including: a second antenna array: and a second controller operably coupled to the second antenna array, and configured to second receive, using at least one antenna of the second antenna array, a second beacon signal transmitted by at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle of the plurality of mobile autonomous vehicles into the wireless power delivery environment.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein: the first controller is further configured to first transmit, using the first antenna array and in response to the first beacon signal being received, a first wireless power signal focused on the WPR collocated with the first mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the first mobile autonomous vehicle; and the second controller is further configured to second transmit, using the second antenna array and in response to the second beacon signal being received, a second wireless power signal focused on the WPR collocated with the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle to facilitate recharging of the at least one energy storage device of the at least a second mobile autonomous vehicle.

99. The system of claim 98. wherein the first and second controllers are further configured to first transmit the first wireless power signal and second transmit the second wireless signal, respectively, simultaneously.

100. A mobile autonomous vehicle comprising the wireless power receiver (WPR) of claim 81.

101. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 100, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

102. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 100, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned ground-based vehicle.

103. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 100, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is an unmanned water-based vehicle.

104. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 100, wherein the WPR is situated inside of a housing of the mobile autonomous vehicle.

105. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 100, wherein the WPR is coupled to an exterior of a housing of the mobile autonomous vehicle.

106. The mobile autonomous vehicle of claim 100, wherein the mobile autonomous vehicle is configured to, or otherwise capable of operating in an outdoor wireless power delivery environment.