Wireless charging of devices in a car

• US 10,263,474 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2017
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• 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:
  US15/610,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20170264134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 method of wirelessly charging an electronic device in a car including a wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitting device receiving power from a power source in the car, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving, at the electronic device, RF beams from the wireless RF transmitting device;

converting the RF beams into a supply current and voltage; and

charging a battery of the electronic device using the supply current and voltage converted from the RF beams;

wherein the electronic device includes circuitry for an RF integrated circuit, an antenna array, a microprocessor and a communication circuit for communications with the wireless RF transmitting device to control the charging of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelessly receiving uses the antenna array to receive the RF beams from the wireless RF transmitting device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the antenna array includes one or more directional antennas.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using short distance wireless signals for communications with the wireless RF transmitting device.

5. An electronic device in a car including a wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitting device receiving power from a power source in the car, the electronic device comprising:

a receiver configured to wirelessly receive RF beams from the wireless RF transmitting device and convert the RF beams into a supply current and voltage; and

a battery configured to be charged using the supply current and voltage converted from the RF beams;

wherein the electronic device includes circuitry for an RF integrated circuit, an antenna array, a microprocessor and a communication circuit for communications with the wireless RF transmitting device to control the charging of the electronic device.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the receiver uses the antenna array to wirelessly receive the RF beams from the wireless RF transmitting device.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the antenna array includes one or more directional antennas.

8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein electronic device is configured to use short distance wireless signals for communications with the wireless RF transmitting device.