Wireless charging of devices in accordance with schedule and/or priority

• US 10,044,231 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2018
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Array IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Golba LLC
• Inventors: Moshfeghi, Mehran
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US15/926,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20180226836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 140 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a system for charging devices. The system includes a master device and a slave device. Some embodiments provide a method for charging devices in a system that includes a slave device and a master device. The slave device includes (1) an antenna to receive a radio frequency (RF) beam and (2) a power generation module connected to the antenna that converts RF energy received by the slave antenna to power. The master device includes (1) a directional antenna to direct RF power to the antenna of the slave device and (2) a module that provides power to the directional antenna of the master device.

Claims

1. A wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitting device for wirelessly charging a plurality of electronic devices, the RF transmitting device comprising:

one or more directional antennas to direct an RF beam to an antenna of each of the plurality of electronic devices;

a module that provides power to the one or more directional antennas; and

a database that stores a power schedule information for charging the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive the RF beam from the one or more directional antennas;

wherein the RF transmitting device charges batteries of the plurality of electronic devices using the one or more directional antennas to direct the RF beam to the antenna of each of the plurality of electronic devices, in accordance with the power schedule information stored in the database.

2. The RF transmitting device of claim 1, wherein the power schedule information provides a power transmission schedule based on a charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

3. The RF transmitting device of claim 2 further comprising a user interface for a user to enter the charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

4. The RF transmitting device of claim 2, wherein the RF transmitting device monitors a power status of each of the plurality of electronic devices to determine the charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

5. The RF transmitting device of claim 2, wherein the RF transmitting device receives the charging priority of a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices from the first electronic device.

6. The RF transmitting device of claim 1, wherein the power schedule information specifies a longer period of power transmission to a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices than a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices.

7. The RF transmitting device of claim 1, wherein the one or more directional antennas are part of an antenna array.

8. The RF transmitting device of claim 1 further comprising:

a communication module using short distance wireless signals for data communications with the plurality of electronic devices.

9. The RF transmitting device of claim 1, wherein the RF transmitting device charges a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices to a pre-determined low level.

10. A wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitting device for wirelessly charging a plurality of electronic devices, the RF transmitting device comprising:

one or more directional antennas to direct an RF beam to an antenna of each of the plurality of electronic devices;

a module that provides power to the one or more directional antennas; and

a database that stores a charging priority for charging the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive the RF beam from the one or more directional antennas;

wherein the RF transmitting device charges batteries of the plurality of electronic devices using the one or more directional antennas to direct the RF beam to the antenna of each of the plurality of electronic devices, in accordance with the charging priority stored in the database.

11. The RF transmitting device of claim 10 further comprising a user interface for a user to enter the charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

12. The RF transmitting device of claim 10, wherein the RF transmitting device monitors a power status of each of the plurality of electronic devices to determine the charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

13. The RF transmitting device of claim 10, wherein the RF transmitting device receives the charging priority of a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices from the first electronic device.

14. The RF transmitting device of claim 10 further comprising:

a communication module using short distance wireless signals for data communications with the plurality of electronic devices.

15. A method for use by a wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitting device for wirelessly charging a plurality of electronic devices, the method comprising:

providing power to one or more directional antennas of the RF transmitting device, the RF transmitting device having a database that stores a power schedule information for charging the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive the RF beam from the one or more directional antennas; and

directing an RF beam, using one or more directional antennas of the RF transmitting device, to an antenna of each of the plurality of electronic devices to charge batteries of the plurality of electronic devices, in accordance with the power schedule information stored in the database.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the power schedule information provides a power transmission schedule based on a charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving the charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices, using a user interface of the RF transmitting device.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

monitoring a power status of each of the plurality of electronic devices to determine the charging priority of each of the plurality of electronic devices.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving the charging priority of a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices from the first electronic device.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the power schedule information specifies a longer period of power transmission to a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices than a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices.