Wirelessly powered specialty lighting, motion, sound

• US 20080166965A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Original Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Inventors: Greene, Charles E., Harrist, Daniel W., McElhinny, Michael Thomas, Graham, David Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/006,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20080166965A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/15 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for wirelessly powering an item. A source is configured to send wireless power. A target is configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power. A component is connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target. When the component receives the usable power, the component activates. Also disclosed is an assembly including a system for wirelessly powering a component and a structure for supporting the system and an item.

Claims

1. A system for wirelessly powering an item, comprising:

a source including a point of emission and configured to send wireless power;

a target including a point of reception and configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power; and

a component connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target, wherein when the component receives the usable power, the component activates and the active component can be sensed by a person.

2. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the source includes a power transmitter.

3. A system as described in claim 2 wherein the source further includes a wired power source.

4. A system as described in claim 3 wherein the target includes a power receiver.

5. A system as described in claim 4 wherein the power receiver includes a power harvester.

6. A system as described in claim 5 wherein the power harvester includes circuitry or components configured to convert wireless power into usable power.

7. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the component includes a light.

8. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the component has moveable parts.

9. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the component produces a sound.

10. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the component produces a scent.

11. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the component includes a changeable surface characteristic.

12. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the target and the component are incorporated into the item.

13. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the item is an ornament.

14. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the item is a snowflake shape.

15. A system as described in claim 14 wherein the snowflake shape is configured to be supported by a surface.

16. A system as described in claim 15 wherein the surface is a window.

17. A system as described in claim 1 including one or more additional sources.

18. A system as described in claim 17 wherein the source and the one or more additional sources are connected.

19. A system as described in claim 18 wherein the source and the one or more additional sources are connected in series.

20. A system as described in claim 18 wherein the source and the one or more additional sources are connected in parallel.

21. A system as described in claim 20 including one or more additional targets.

22. A system as described in claim 21 wherein the target and the one or more additional targets are connected.

23. A system as described in claim 1 including one or more additional components.

24. A system as described in claim 23 wherein the component and the one or more additional components are connected.

25. A system as described in claim 1 including one or more controllers electrically connected to the system to control the system.

26. A system as described in claim 1 including one or more switches electrically connected to the system to aid with control of the system.

27. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the source includes an attachment mechanism for attaching to a structure.

28. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the target includes an attachment mechanism for attaching to a structure.

29. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the component includes an attachment mechanism for attaching to a surface.

30. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the source operates on batteries.

31. A system as described in claim 2 wherein the wireless power transmitter pulses power wirelessly.

32. A system as described in claim 7 including a switch which controls the light.

33. A system as described in claim 32 wherein the light is an LED.

34. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the target includes a charge storage element which stores power to supply to the component.

35. A system as described in claim 34 including means for activating the component.

36. A system as described in claim 35 wherein the activating means includes a switch that passes or accepts power to the component.

37. A system as described in claim 36 wherein the activating means includes a voltage sensor such that when a predetermined voltage level is reached, the switch is activated to allow power to flow to the component.

38. A system as described in claim 36 wherein the activating means includes a timer to control activation of the switch.

39. A system as described in claim 36 wherein the activating means includes a button to control activation of the switch.

40. A system as described in claim 9 wherein the component includes a speaker.

41. A system as described in claim 40 wherein the component includes a driver to control the speaker.

42. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the item has an orb shape.

43. A system as described in claim 1 including a housing having a face, and the target is replaceable unit that fits in the face.

44. A system as described in claim 4 wherein the receiver converts usable power to DC.

45. A system as described in claim 4 wherein the receiver includes an antenna.

46. An assembly comprising:

a system for wirelessly powering a component; and

a structure for supporting the system,

wherein the system includes;

a source including a point of emission and configured to send wireless power; and

a target including a point of reception and electrically connected to the component and configured to receive the wireless power, to convert the wireless power to a useable power, and to activate a component using the useable power.

47. An item that is wirelessly powered comprising:

a point of reception configured to receive wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power; and

a component connected to the point of reception and configured to receive the useable power, wherein when the component receives the usable power, the component activates.

48. The item described in claim 47, wherein the item is an ornament.

49. A method for wirelessly powering an item comprising the steps of:

sending wireless power from a point of emission connected to a source;

receiving the wireless power at a point of reception connected to a target;

converting the wireless power to a useable power at the target;

receiving the useable power from the target at a component connected to the target; and

activating by the component when the component receives the usable power, wherein the active component can be sensed by a person.

50. A structure comprising:

a base;

an element extending from the base having a first portion through which at least one wireless power transmitter is attached to the element, and a second portion through which at least one target configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power is attached to the element.

51. A system for wirelessly powering an item attached to a tree comprising

a source configured to send wireless power from a point of emission;

and

at least one target configured to receive the wireless power at a point of reception and convert the wireless power to a useable power wherein the at least one target is attached to the tree.