Portable pad for wireless charging using focused RF beams

• US 10,320,240 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• 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:
  US15/610,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20170264133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 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 method for use by a portable pad having a battery, a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, the method comprising:

receiving, at the wireless receiver, first focused radio frequency (RF) beams from a transmitting device;

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

charging the battery of the portable pad using the supply current and voltage converted from the first focused RF beams; and

wirelessly charging, using one or more directional antennas of the wireless transmitter, an electronic device by transmitting second focused RF beams to a receiver of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more directional antennas are part of an antenna array in the portable pad.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting short distance wireless signals simultaneously with the transmitting of the second focused RF beams from the portable pad to the electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the second focused RF beams uses beam steering to focus one or more directional antennas of the portable pad to direct the second focused RF beams to one or more directional antennas of the electronic device.

5. A portable pad comprising:

a battery;

a wireless receiver configured to receive first focused radio frequency (RF) beams from a transmitting device, convert the first focused RF beams into a supply current and voltage, and charge the battery of the portable pad using the supply current and voltage converted from the first focused RF beams; and

a wireless transmitter having one or more directional antennas, the wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly charge, using the one or more directional antennas of the wireless transmitter, an electronic device by transmitting second focused RF beams to a receiver of the electronic device.

6. The portable pad of claim 5, wherein the one or more directional antennas are part of an antenna array in the portable pad.

7. The portable pad of claim 5, further configured to transmit short distance wireless signals simultaneously with the transmitting of the second focused RF beams from the portable pad to the electronic device.

8. The portable pad of claim 5, wherein the transmitting of the second focused RF beams uses beam steering to focus one or more directional antennas of the portable pad to direct the second focused RF beams to one or more directional antennas of the electronic device.

9. A method for use by a portable pad having a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, the method comprising:

receiving, at the wireless receiver, first focused radio frequency (RF) beams from a transmitting device;

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

wirelessly charging, using the wireless transmitter, an electronic device by transmitting second focused RF beams to a receiver of the electronic device;

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

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

transmitting simultaneously both short distance wireless signals and the second focused RF beams from the portable pad to the electronic device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitting of the second focused RF beams uses beam steering to focus one or more directional antennas of the portable pad to direct the second focused RF beams to one or more directional antennas of the electronic device.