Method and system for managing wireless power transfer for electrical devices

• US 10,063,111 B2
• Filed: 01/01/2015
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: Alperin, Eduardo, Kantor, Aya, Podkamien, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Houston, Adam
• Application Number:
  US15/108,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20160336815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 307104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing wireless power transfer network for communication devices, providing central management in communication with a cloud based network for enabling remote activation. The system comprising at least one wireless power outlet and at least one management server. The management system, of the current disclosure, is enabling possible remote activation and associate between a communication device and a wireless power receiver, thus, allowing power transfer between the remote health check and maintenance of all of wireless power outlets from an outlet to a communication device via an associated wireless power receiver as well as providing communication based upon its UDID associated with the relevant RXID.

Claims

1. A method for a management server to associate a wireless power receiver with a communication device, said wireless power receiver configured and operable to communicate with a wireless power outlet, to receive power from said wireless power outlet, and to provide power to the communication device, said communication device is labeled with a device identification code (UDID), said wireless power receiver is labeled with a wireless power receiver identification code (RXID), and said wireless power outlet is labeled with a wireless power outlet identification code (TXID), the method comprising:

receiving at least a first message from said communication device communicating at least said UDID and data pertaining to device location of said communication device;

receiving at least a second message from said wireless power outlet communicating at least said TXID and said RXID;

said management server comparing said device location with an outlet location associated with said TXID; and

associating the device having said UDID with the wireless power receiver having said RXID only if said device location matches said outlet location.

2. The method of claim 1 said first message further including a first timestamp indicating the time at which said wireless power receiver is coupled to said wireless power outlet, and said second message further including a second timestamp indicating the time at which said wireless power receiver is coupled to said wireless power outlet.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

associating the device having said UDID with the wireless power receiver having said RXID only if said first timestamp matches said second timestamp.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

said management server sending a message to said communication device prompting a user to confirm device location.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said management server receives a plurality of UDIDs from a plurality of communication devices, said method further comprising:

said management server sending a message to said communication device requesting a user to reinitiate coupling of said wireless power receiver and said wireless power outlet.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving said at least a second message from said wireless power outlet comprises said management server receiving said second message via a communication gateway.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

said management server authorizing a wireless power transfer session between said wireless power outlet and said wireless power receiver.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising said management server associating said wireless power transfer session with said UDID.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said management server receives a plurality of UDIDs from a plurality of communication devices, said method further comprising:

saving details of said wireless power transfer session;

storing all of said plurality of UDIDs in a candidate set; and

if one of said plurality of UDIDs is subsequently associated with said RXID then associating said wireless power transfer session with the UDID associated therewith.

10. A method for a communication device configured to receive power transfer via a wireless power receiver conductively connected thereto, said communication device labeled with a device identification code (UDID) operable to activate wireless power transfer from a wireless power outlet labeled with a wireless power outlet identification code (TXID) to said wireless power receiver labeled with a wireless power receiver identification code (RXID), said method comprising:

executing a power transfer software application on said communication device;

said power transfer software application accessing location data of said communication device;

said power transfer software application sending at least a first message to a management server communicating at least said UDID and data pertaining to device location of said communication device; and

said wireless power receiver communicating said RXID to said wireless power outlet such that wireless power outlet sends at least a second message communicating said TXID and said RXID to said management server.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of executing said power transfer software application comprises:

downloading said power transfer software application to said communication device;

installing said power transfer software application onto said communication device; and

configuring said power transfer software application to communicate with said management server.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of said power transfer software application accessing location data of said communication device, further comprises:

receiving, via said power transfer software application, an instruction to enable location services.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of said power transfer software application accessing location data of said communication device, further comprises:

receiving, via said power transfer software application, an instruction to bring said communication device into range of said wireless power outlet.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said wireless power receiver is selected from a group consisting of ring devices, cases, skins, backcovers, embedded devices and wirelessly enabled batteries.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said location data is determined by said power transfer software application by accessing satellite positioning data values of said communication device.

16. The method of claim 10, said first message further comprising a first timestamp indicating the time at which said wireless power receiver is coupled to said wireless power.

17. The method of claim 10, said second message further comprising a second timestamp indicating the time at which said wireless power receiver is coupled to said wireless power.