System and method for wireless charging of a beacon and/or sensor device
First Claim
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1. A device comprising:
- a primary battery cell capable of providing operating power to a first component of the device that performs a first function;
a secondary power source having a capacitor configured to provide power to a second component of the device that performs a second function different from the first function, wherein the second function comprises monitoring an environmental parameter associated with the device; and
an induction coil coupled to the secondary power source and configured to receive power transmission signals from a wireless power charging transmitter to charge the capacitor to provide power for the second component;
a controller configured to send a signal to the wireless power charging circuit to begin wireless charging of the second power source in response to the device initiating performance of the second function,wherein the induction coil receives the power transmission signals in response to the controller sending the signal.
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Abstract
A beacon and/or sensor device having a primary and secondary power source uses the second power source in case of a requirement to carry out additional tasks such as advanced functions. The secondary power source of the beacon or sensor device is capable of being wirelessly charged by a wireless charging transmitter when brought in close proximity and/or contact to the beacon and/or sensor device. Thus, the primary power source is not used and drained while performing advanced functions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a primary battery cell capable of providing operating power to a first component of the device that performs a first function; a secondary power source having a capacitor configured to provide power to a second component of the device that performs a second function different from the first function, wherein the second function comprises monitoring an environmental parameter associated with the device; and an induction coil coupled to the secondary power source and configured to receive power transmission signals from a wireless power charging transmitter to charge the capacitor to provide power for the second component; a controller configured to send a signal to the wireless power charging circuit to begin wireless charging of the second power source in response to the device initiating performance of the second function, wherein the induction coil receives the power transmission signals in response to the controller sending the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A beacon comprising:
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a primary battery cell capable of providing operating power to a first component of the beacon that performs a first function; a secondary power source including a capacitor capable of providing power to a sensor module, wherein a second function performed by the sensor module is different from the first function; a controller configured to; sense a power level of the capacitor, determine if the power level of the capacitor is below a required power level to operate the sensor module to perform the second function, the second function comprising monitoring an environmental parameter associated with the beacon, and based upon the determination, send a Bluetooth®
signal to a wireless power charging transmitter to begin wireless power charging of the capacitor; andan induction coil coupled to the capacitor and configured to receive power transmission signals from the wireless power charging transmitter to charge the capacitor, wherein the capacitor further provides power to the sensor module. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of operating a device, the method comprising:
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providing operating power from a primary power source to a first component that performs a first function; supplying dedicated power from a secondary power source to a module that performs a second function different from the first function, the second function comprising monitoring an environmental parameter associated with the device; transmitting a first data signal representing a low power level of the secondary power source from a first antenna to a wireless power charging transmitter; and receiving power charging transmissions at a plurality of induction coils in the device from the wireless power charging transmitter to charge the secondary power source in response to the first data signal, wherein the second power source supplies power to the module. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification