WIRELESS POWER RECEIVER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

• US 20130063082A1
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: LEE, Kyung-Woo, Won, Eun-Tae, Lee, Young-Min, Park, Se-Ho, Byun, Kang-Ho, Kang, Noh-Gyoung
• Granted Patent: US 9,509,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a wireless power receiver for wirelessly receiving power. A drive power for driving the wireless power receiver is received from a wireless power transmitter. A communication network is established with the wireless power transmitter. A wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter is joined. A charge power is received from the wireless power transmitter.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a wireless power receiver for wirelessly receiving power, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a drive power for driving the wireless power receiver, from one or more wireless power transmitters;

determining a wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power from among the one or more wireless power transmitters;

establishing a communication network with the wireless power transmitter from which it was determined to wirelessly receive power;

joining a wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter; and

receiving a charge power from the wireless power transmitter.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power comprises:

establishing a scan channel, generating a wireless power transmitter search signal for a wireless power transmitter search, and transmitting the generated wireless power transmitter search signal over the scan channel;

receiving a wireless power transmitter search response signal from each of the one or more wireless power transmitters using the scan channel in response to the wireless power transmitter search signal; and

parsing each of the wireless power transmitter search response signals to determine the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein establishing the scan channel comprises establishing one of IEEE802.15.4 channel 11, IEEE802.15.4 channel 15, IEEE802.15.4 channel 20, and IEEE802.15.4 channel 24 as the scan channel.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein generating and transmitting the wireless power transmitter search signal and receiving the wireless power transmitter search response signal are repeatedly performed for the IEEE802.15.4 channels 11, 15, 20, and 24.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein generating and transmitting the wireless power transmitter search signal and receiving the wireless power transmitter search response signal are repeatedly performed for the IEEE802.15.4 channels 11, 15, 20, and 24 in order of the IEEE802.15.4 channel 11, the IEEE802.15.4 channel 24, the IEEE802.15.4 channel 15, and the IEEE802.15.4 channel 20.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wireless power transmitter search signal comprises at least one of a protocol version, a sequence number, manufacturer information, product information, impedance information, and capacity information.

8. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein parsing the wireless power transmitter search response signals to determine the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power comprises determining the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power, based on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values of the wireless power transmitter search response signals.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein joining the wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter comprises:

transmitting a join request signal to the wireless power transmitter; and

receiving a join response signal, which indicates whether the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network, from the wireless power transmitter.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein joining the wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter further comprises transmitting an ACKnowledgement (ACK) signal in response to the join response signal.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the join request signal comprises at least one of a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter, product information, a maximum voltage value allowed at an input stage of a Direct Current (DC)/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, a minimum voltage value allowed at the input stage of the DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, a rated voltage value at an output stage of the DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, and a rated current value at the output stage of the DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the join response signal comprises at least one of a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter, information indicating whether the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network, and a session ID.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the information indicating whether the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network is represented by a value of 0 or 1 recorded in a permission field of the join response signal, wherein the value of 0 indicates that the wireless power receiver is not permitted to join the wireless power network, and the value of 1 indicates that the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving the charge power from the wireless power transmitter comprises:

receiving a command signal indicating a charge start command from the wireless power transmitter; and

starting charging in correspondence with the command signal.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein receiving the charge power from the wireless power transmitter further comprises transmitting an ACK signal to the wireless power transmitter in response to the command signal.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the command signal comprises at least one of a session ID of the wireless power receiver, a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter, a command type, and command type-related information.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the charge start command is recorded in a field indicating the command type.

18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein starting the charging in correspondence with the command signal comprises performing control such that a switch unit connected to a charge unit of the wireless power receiver is an ON state, based on the charge start command.

19. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein receiving the charge power from the wireless power transmitter further comprises receiving another command signal from the wireless power transmitter.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein receiving the charge power from the wireless power transmitter further comprises, when the other command signal corresponds to a charge finish command type, finishing the charging by performing control such that the switch unit is in an OFF state.

21. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein receiving the charge power from the wireless power transmitter further comprises, when the command signal is a command signal other than the charge start command, transmitting a report signal to the wireless power transmitter.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the report signal comprises at least one of a session ID of the wireless power receiver, a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power, a voltage value applied to an output stage of a DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, and a current value applied to the output stage of the DC/DC converter of the wireless power receiver.

7. The method as claimed in 2, wherein the wireless power transmitter search response signal comprises at least one of a sequence number and network IDentifier (ID) information of a corresponding wireless power transmitter.

23. A wireless power receiver comprising:

a power reception unit for receiving a drive power for driving the wireless power receiver, from one or more wireless power transmitters;

a control unit for determining a wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power from among the one or more wireless power transmitters; and

a communication unit for establishing a communication network with the wireless power transmitter from which it was determined to wirelessly receive power, and joining a wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter,

wherein the power reception unit receives a charge power from the wireless power transmitter.

24. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 23, wherein the control unit establishes a scan channel, generates a wireless power transmitter search signal for a wireless power transmitter search, and transmits the generated wireless power transmitter search signal over the scan channel;

and

when the communication unit receives a wireless power transmitter search response signal from each of the one or more wireless power transmitters using the scan channel in response to the wireless power transmitter search signal, and parses each of the wireless power transmitter search response signals to determine the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power.

25. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 24, wherein the control unit establishes one of IEEE802.15.4 channel 11, IEEE802.15.4 channel 15, IEEE802.15.4 channel 20, and IEEE802.15.4 channel 24 as the scan channel.

26. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control unit repeatedly transmits the wireless power transmitter search signal and receives the wireless power transmitter search response signal for the IEEE802.15.4 channels 11, 15, 20, and 24.

27. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 26, wherein the control unit repeatedly transmits the wireless power transmitter search signal and receives the wireless power transmitter search response signal for the IEEE802.15.4 channels 11, 15, 20, and 24 in order of the IEEE802.15.4 channel 11, the IEEE802.15.4 channel 24, the IEEE802.15.4 channel 15, and the IEEE802.15.4 channel 20.

28. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 24, wherein the wireless power transmitter search signal comprises at least one of a protocol version, a sequence number, manufacturer information, product information, impedance information, and capacity information.

30. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 24, wherein the control unit determines the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power, based on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of the wireless power transmitter search response signals.

31. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 23, wherein the communication unit transmits a join request signal to the wireless power transmitter, and receives a join response signal, which indicates whether the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network, from the wireless power transmitter.

32. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 31, wherein the communication unit transmits an ACKnowledgement (ACK) signal in response to the join response signal.

33. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 31, wherein the join request signal comprises at least one of a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter, product information, a maximum voltage value allowed at an input stage of a Direct Current (DC)/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, a minimum voltage value allowed at the input stage of the DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, a rated voltage value at an output stage of the DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, and a rated current value at the output stage of the DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver.

34. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 31, wherein the join response signal includes at least one of a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter, information indicating whether the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network, and a session ID.

35. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 34, wherein the information indicating whether the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network is represented by a value of 0 or 1 recorded in a permission field of the join response signal, wherein the value of 0 indicates that the wireless power receiver is not permitted to join the wireless power network, and the value of 1 indicates that the wireless power receiver is permitted to join the wireless power network.

36. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 23, further comprising:

a rectification unit for rectifying power wirelessly received by the power reception unit;

a DC/DC conversion unit for DC/DC converting the rectified power, wherein the DC/DC conversion unit is connected at an input stage thereof to an output stage of the rectification unit;

a charge unit for storing the DC/DC converted power, wherein the charge unit is connected to an output stage of the DC/DC conversion unit; and

a switch unit for controlling a connection between the DC/DC conversion unit and the charge unit, wherein the switch unit is disposed between the DC/DC conversion unit and the charge unit,

wherein, when the communication unit receives a command signal indicating a charge start command from the wireless power transmitter, the control unit starts charging in correspondence with the command signal.

37. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 36, wherein the communication unit transmits an ACK signal to the wireless power transmitter in response to the command signal.

38. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 36, wherein the command signal comprises at least one of a session ID of the wireless power receiver, a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter, a command type, and command type-related information.

39. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 38, wherein the charge start command is recorded in a field indicating the command type.

40. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 36, wherein the control unit performs control such that the switch unit is an ON state, based on the charge start command.

41. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 36, wherein the communication unit receives another command signal from the wireless power transmitter.

42. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 41, wherein, when the other command signal corresponds to a charge finish command type, the control unit finishes the charging by performing control such that the switch unit is in an OFF state.

43. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 36, wherein, when the command signal is a command signal other than the charge start command, the communication unit transmits a report signal to the wireless power transmitter.

44. The wireless power receiver as claimed in claim 43, wherein the report signal comprises at least one of a session ID of the wireless power receiver, a sequence number, a network ID of the wireless power transmitter from which to wirelessly receive power, a voltage value applied to an output stage of a DC/DC conversion unit of the wireless power receiver, and a current value applied to the output stage of the DC/DC converter of the wireless power receiver.

29. The wireless power receiver as claimed in 24, wherein the wireless power transmitter search response signal comprises at least one of a sequence number and network IDentifier (ID) information of a corresponding wireless power transmitter.

45. A method of controlling a wireless power receiver for wirelessly receiving power, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a drive power for driving the wireless power receiver, from a wireless power transmitter;

establishing a communication network with the wireless power transmitter;

joining a wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter; and

receiving a charge power from the wireless power transmitter.

46. The method as claimed in claim 45, wherein establishing the communication network comprises:

transmitting device information of the wireless power receiver to the wireless power transmitter;

receiving device information of the wireless power transmitter corresponding to the device information of the wireless power receiver; and

transmitting a response signal to the wireless power transmitter.

47. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the device information of the wireless power receiver comprises at least one of a protocol version, a sequence number, manufacturer information, device information, impedance information, power capacity information, device ID information, network ID information and a wireless charging service profile.

48. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the device information of the wireless power transmitter comprises at least one of a protocol version, a sequence number, ID information of the wireless power transmitter, ID information of the wireless power receiver, a wireless charging service profile, device ID information and a power class.

49. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the response signal comprises at least one of a protocol version, a sequence number, manufacturer information, device information, impedance information, required power amount information and a wireless charging profile.

50. The method as claimed in claim 45, wherein joining a wireless power network comprises:

transmitting a required power amount information to the wireless power transmitter; and

receiving a joining response signal indicating whether joining of the wireless power receiver to the wireless power network is permitted, from the wireless power transmitter.

51. The method as claimed in claim 50, wherein the joining response signal comprises at least one of time information for joining the wireless power network, channel information, permission information for joining the wireless power network and power class information.

52. The method as claimed in claim 45, wherein establishing the communication network comprises:

transmitting device information of the wireless power receiver to the wireless power transmitter; and

receiving a permission signal indicating whether joining of the wireless power receiver to the wireless power network is permitted, from the wireless power transmitter.