Mobile phone having a wireless power module

• US 10,135,302 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Eckhoff, Philip A., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Tuckerman, David B., Wood, Jr., Lowell L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US15/361,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20170077762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

A mobile device includes a shell; a first replaceable hardware component received within the shell; and a second replaceable hardware component received within the shell, the second replaceable hardware component configured to receive a wireless power signal from a remote device and convert the power signal into electrical energy usable by the mobile device.

Claims

1. A mobile device, comprising:

a platform having more than one interchangeable electronics module receiver;

a power module received within at least one of the more than one interchangeable electronics module receiver, the power module configured to receive a wireless power signal from a remote device and convert the wireless power signal into electrical energy usable by the mobile device; and

a processing circuit coupled to the power module, wherein the processing circuit is configured to at least one of;

(i) provide a frequency for the wireless power signal to the remote device;

(ii) provide a request for the wireless power signal based on a projected future energy usage of the mobile device;

or

(iii) provide a request for the wireless power signal based on a current remaining energy level for the mobile device.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the power module includes a power signal receiver configured to receive the wireless power signal.

3. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the power signal receiver includes an antenna configured to receive the wireless power signal and a rectifier configured to convert the wireless power signal to electrical energy.

4. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein the antenna includes a radio frequency antenna.

5. The mobile device of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency antenna includes a microwave antenna.

6. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein the rectifier includes a demodulating diode.

7. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the power signal receiver includes a photovoltaic cell.

8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal includes radio frequency waves.

9. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal includes microwaves.

10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal includes a laser beam.

11. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal includes an infrared transmission.

12. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal includes a magnetic field.

13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine the current remaining energy level for the mobile device based on an energy level of a battery.

14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the power module includes the battery.

15. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is at least one of a mobile phone, a tablet, and a laptop computer.

16. A mobile device, comprising:

a shell, at least a portion of the shell including an infrared-transparent portion; and

a power module received within the shell, the power module configured to receive a laser beam from a remote device through the infrared-transparent portion of the shell and convert the laser beam into electrical energy usable by the mobile device.

17. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the power module includes a photovoltaic cell configured to receive the laser beam.

18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the laser beam includes an infrared transmission.

19. The mobile device of claim 16, further comprising a retroreflector.

20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the retroreflector is provided within the shell adjacent the infrared-transparent portion.

21. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the retroreflector is at least one of coupled to the shell, integrated into the shell, or enclosed by the shell.

22. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein an exterior of the power module includes a second infrared-transparent portion.

23. The mobile device of claim 16, further comprising a processing circuit coupled to the power module.

24. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the processing circuit is configured to provide a request for the laser beam based on a projected future energy usage of the mobile device.

25. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the processing circuit is configured to provide a request for the laser beam based on a current remaining energy level for the mobile device.

26. The mobile device of claim 25, wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine the current remaining energy level for the mobile device based on an energy level of a battery.

27. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the power module includes the battery.

28. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the power module is configured to provide at least a portion of the electrical energy to the battery.

29. A mobile device, comprising:

a shell;

a power module received within the shell, the power module configured to receive a wireless power signal from a remote device and convert the wireless power signal into electrical energy usable by the mobile device; and

a retroreflector at least one of coupled to the shell, integrated into the shell, or enclosed by the shell.

30. The mobile device of claim 29, wherein the shell includes an infrared-transparent portion, the power module positioned to receive the wireless power signal through the infrared-transparent portion of the shell.

31. The mobile device of claim 29, wherein the shell defines an aperture, and wherein the power module is positioned to receive the wireless power signal through the aperture.