Powering cell phones and similar devices using RF energy harvesting

• US 20090102296A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Original Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Inventors: Greene, Charles E., Harrist, Daniel W., McElhinny, Michael Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/005,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/149
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas

Abstract

A device for receiving wireless power includes a point of reception, wherein the point of reception is positionable in at least a first position and a second position. A method for receiving wireless power. The method includes the steps of positioning a point of reception in contact with a housing to a first position. There is the step of receiving wireless power at the point of reception and providing it to a power harvester in the housing. There is the step of converting the wireless power to usable DC with the power harvester. There is the step of providing the usable DC to core components in the housing. There is the step of using the DC by the core components. There is the step of repositioning the point of reception to a second position. There is the step of receiving wireless power at the point of reception at the second position and providing it to the power harvester. There is the step of converting the wireless power received by the point of reception in the second position to usable DC with the power harvester. There is the step of providing the usable DC to the core components in the housing. There is the step of using the DC by the core components.

Claims

1. A device for receiving wireless power, comprising:

a point of reception, wherein the point of reception is positionable in at least a first position and a second position.

2. The device as described in claim 1, wherein when the device is in a first location, when the point of reception is in the first position, the point of reception receives better reception than when in the second position.

3. The device as described in claim 2, wherein when the device is in a second location, when the point of reception is in the second position, the point of reception receives better reception than when in the first position.

4. The device as described in claim 1, wherein the point of reception is an antenna.

5. The device as described in claim 1, further including a communications antenna.

6. The device as described in claim 5, wherein the point of reception is co-located with the communications antenna.

7. The device as described in claim 1, wherein the point of reception is connected to a communications port of the device.

8. The device as described in claim 1, wherein the device includes a housing.

9. The device as described in claim 8, wherein the point of reception is connected to the housing.

10. The device as described in claim 9, wherein the point of reception is pivotally connected to the housing.

11. The device as described in claim 10, wherein the point of reception is connected to an end of the housing.

12. The device as described in claim 10, wherein the point of reception is connected to a side of the housing.

13. The device as described in claim 9, wherein the point of reception is slideably connected to the housing.

14. The device as described in claim 13, wherein the point of reception is connected to a back of the housing.

15. The device as described in claim 13, wherein the point of reception is connected to a side of the housing.

16. The device as described in claim 9, wherein the point of reception is retractably connected to the housing.

17. The device as described in claim 16, wherein the point of reception is connected to an end of the housing.

18. The device as described in claim 9, further including a stop mechanism configured to position the point of reception.

19. The device as described in claim 9, wherein the point of reception is rotatably connected to the housing.

20. The device as described in claim 1 including a power harvester for converting wireless energy into usable DC, and core components in electrical communication with the power harvester to receive the DC to power the core components.

21. The device as described in claim 20, further including an alternative power source connected to the core components to power the core components in conjunction with the power harvester.

22. The device as described in claim 20, further including a power regulator and/or power storage circuit connected to the power harvester.

23. The device as described in claim 20, further including a power storage charger connected to the power harvester.

24. The device as described in claim 20, further including power storage connected to the power harvester.

25. The device as described in claim 20, wherein the core components include a memory connected to an integrated circuit and to the power harvester to power memory.

26. The device as described in claim 20 wherein the core components includes a transmitter.

27. The device as described in claim 26 wherein the core components include a speaker.

28. The device as described in claim 27 wherein the core components include a receiver for receiving spoken words and converting the words into signals to be transmitted by the transmitter.

29. A device for receiving wireless power and communications data, comprising:

an antenna configured to receive wireless power and communications data;

a filter to separate the wireless power and the communications data; and

a rectifier to convert the wireless power into a usable form.

30. A method for receiving wireless power comprising the steps of:

positioning a point of reception in contact with a housing to a first position;

receiving wireless power at the point of reception and providing it to a power harvester in the housing;

converting the wireless power to usable DC with the power harvester;

providing the usable DC to core components in the housing;

using the DC by the core components;

repositioning the point of reception to a second position;

receiving wireless power at the point of reception at the second position and providing it to the power harvester;

converting the wireless power received by the point of reception in the second position to usable DC with the power harvester;

providing the usable DC to the core components in the housing; and

using the DC by the core components.