Wireless inductive power transfer
First Claim
1. A wireless power transfer system comprising:
- a power transmitterconfigured to;
provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;
the power transmitter comprising;
a receiver configured to;
receive data messages, the data messages being load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal by at least one of the plurality of power receivers;
a broadcast transmitter configured to;
broadcast on a broadcast communication channel,whereineach of the plurality of power receivers comprising;
a transmitter for transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal;
whereinthe power transmitter comprises a communication controller configured to;
determine presence of load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; and
broadcast first indications on the broadcast communication channel, said first indications being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available in a time interval for communication of a data message from a power receiver when load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal is determined not present;
at least a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers comprises;
a broadcast receiver for receiving said first indications from the power transmitter on the broadcast communication channel;
a transmission controller arranged to align transmissions of data messages with received first indications by controlling a timing of transmissions of data messages to correspond to time intervals indicated by the first indications.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (101) arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers (105, 109) via a wireless inductive power signal. T power transmitter (101) comprises a receiver (203) for receiving data messages, load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal and a broadcast transmitter (205) broadcasting on a broadcast communication channel. The power receivers (105) comprise a transmitter (505) for load modulating data message on the power signal. The power transmitter (101) comprises a communication controller (207) which broadcasts first indications indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available for load modulation in a time interval. A first power receiver comprises a broadcast receiver (507) receiving first indications from the power transmitter (101) and a transmission controller (509) aligning transmissions of data messages with received first indications. The invention may improve communication for scenarios where one power transmitter simultaneously supports a plurality power receivers.
5 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A wireless power transfer system comprising:
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a power transmitter configured to; provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter; the power transmitter comprising; a receiver configured to; receive data messages, the data messages being load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal by at least one of the plurality of power receivers; a broadcast transmitter configured to; broadcast on a broadcast communication channel, wherein each of the plurality of power receivers comprising; a transmitter for transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; wherein the power transmitter comprises a communication controller configured to; determine presence of load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; and broadcast first indications on the broadcast communication channel, said first indications being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available in a time interval for communication of a data message from a power receiver when load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal is determined not present; at least a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers comprises; a broadcast receiver for receiving said first indications from the power transmitter on the broadcast communication channel; a transmission controller arranged to align transmissions of data messages with received first indications by controlling a timing of transmissions of data messages to correspond to time intervals indicated by the first indications. - View Dependent Claims (2)
wherein each of the power receivers comprises; a power message controller configured to include an allocated temporary identity in power feedback messages transmitted to the power transmitter; and the power transmitter comprises; a power estimator configured to; determine a received power estimate for at least one power receiver of the plurality of power receivers using said temporary identities of received power feedback messages.
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3. A power transmitter for a wireless power transfer system including a plurality of power receivers configured to:
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receive power from the power transmitter via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter; the power transmitter comprising; a receiver configured to; receive data messages load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal by at least one of the plurality of power receivers; a broadcast transmitter configured to; broadcast on a broadcast communication channel; and a communication controller configured to; determine presence of load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; and broadcast first indications on the broadcast communication channel, said first indications being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available in a time interval for communication of a data message from a power receiver of the plurality of power receivers when said presence of said load modulation is not determined. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power receiver for a wireless power transfer system including a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;
the power receiver comprising; a transmitter configured to; transmit data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; a broadcast receiver configured to; receive first indications from the power transmitter on a broadcast communication channel, a first indication being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available for load modulation in a time interval; and a transmission controller configured to; align, when said power receiver includes alignment capability, transmissions of data messages with received first indications by controlling a timing of transmissions of data messages to correspond to time intervals indicated by said first indications. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of operation for a wireless power transfer system including a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;
the method comprising; the power transmitter receiving data messages, the data messages being load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal by at least one of the plurality of power receivers; the power transmitter broadcasting on a broadcast communication channel; each of the plurality of power receivers transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; the power transmitter broadcasting first indications on the broadcast communication channel, said first indications being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available in a time interval for communication of a data message from a power receiver of the plurality of power receivers by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal, when load modulation on the wireless inductive power signal is not present; at least a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers receiving first indications from the power transmitter on the broadcast communication channel; and the first power receiver aligning transmissions of data messages with received first indications by controlling a timing of transmissions of data messages to correspond to time intervals indicated by first indications.
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15. A method of operation for a power transmitter for a wireless power transfer system including a plurality of power receivers arranged to receive power from the power transmitter via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;
the method comprising; receiving data messages load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal by at least one of the plurality of power receivers; and broadcasting first indications on a broadcast communication channel, when load modulation on the wireless inductive power signal is not present, wherein said first indications being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available in a time interval for communication of a data message from a power receiver of the plurality of power receivers by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal.
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16. A method of operation for a power receiver for a wireless power transfer system including a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;
the method comprising; transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal; receiving first indications from the power transmitter on a broadcast communication channel, a first indication being indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available for load modulation in a time interval; and aligning, when said power receiver includes alignment capability, transmissions of said data messages with said received first indications by controlling a timing of transmissions of said data messages to correspond to time intervals indicated by said first indications.
Specification