POWER SYSTEM

• US 20130234532A1
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fells, Julian Andrew John, Baarman, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,853,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/10 using induction coils
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• 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 7/00045 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: H02M 3/28 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption. One method includes detecting the presence of an object, identifying whether the object is a valid device and restricting power if its not a valid device. Another method includes temporarily applying a low amount of power to the primary unit to detect a load, supplying more power to determine if its a valid secondary device, and restricting power if its not. An apparatus for reducing power consumption includes two power inputs, where the lower power input powers a sense circuit. A switch selectively decouples the higher power input from the primary subcircuit during detection mode and couples the higher power input to the primary subcircuit during power supply mode.

Claims

1. A method for reducing power consumption in a primary unit capable of transferring power to a secondary device, said secondary device separable from said primary unit, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting presence of an object within proximity of said primary unit;

sending a pulse of power to said object in response to detecting presence of said object within proximity of said primary unit;

determining whether a valid secondary device is present in proximity to said primary unit in response to sending said pulse of power to said object; and

in response to a determination that a valid secondary device is not present, restricting power supplied to said primary unit.

2. The method for reducing power consumption in said primary unit of claim 1 wherein said detecting uses a lower amount of power than said pulse power.

3. The method for reducing power consumption in said primary unit of claim 1 wherein said detecting includes at least one of detecting a change in magnetic field indicative of presence of an object, detecting a change in capacitance, detecting a change in mass, detecting a change in motion indicative of presence of an object, detecting a change in pressure indicative of presence of an object, and detecting a change in light level indicative of presence of an object.

4. A method for reducing power consumption in a primary unit capable of transferring power to a secondary device, said secondary device separable from said primary unit, said method comprising the steps of:

applying a pulse of low power to said primary unit;

detecting whether there is a draw of power in said primary unit indicative of a load within proximity to said primary unit;

upon detecting a load, supplying power to said primary unit at a higher level than said pulse of low power;

determining whether a valid secondary device is present in proximity to said primary unit in response to said supply of power at said higher level;

in response to a determination that a valid secondary device is not present, restricting power supplied to said primary unit.

5. The method for reducing power consumption in said primary unit of claim 4 wherein in response to a determination that a valid secondary device is present, supplying power to said primary unit to transfer power to said valid secondary device.

6. A primary unit capable of transferring power to a secondary device, said secondary device separable from said primary unit, said primary unit comprising:

a first power input for supplying power during a power supply mode;

a second power input for supplying power during a detection mode, wherein said second power input provides less power than said first power input;

a primary subcircuit capable of transferring power to a secondary device;

a switch operable to selectively couple said first power input to said primary subcircuit; and

a sense circuit for detecting the presence of an object within proximity of the primary unit, said sense circuit powered by said second power input, wherein said sense circuit operates said switch to decouple said primary subcircuit from said first power input during said detection mode, wherein said primary unit consumes less power during said detection mode than during said power supply mode.

7. The primary unit of claim 6 wherein said sense circuit includes at least one of a hall sensor, a reed switch, a motion sensor, a switch, a capacitance sensor, a mass sensor, a pressure sensor, and a light sensor.

8. The primary unit of claim 6 wherein said sense circuit is programmed to control a switch operable to selectively couple said first power input to said auxiliary unit.

9. A primary unit capable of transferring power to a secondary device, said secondary device separable from said primary unit, said primary unit comprising:

a power supply circuit for wirelessly transferring power to a secondary device during a power supply mode;

a detection circuit for detecting the presence of an object within proximity of the primary unit during a detection mode;

an identification unit for identifying whether a detected object is a valid secondary device during an identification mode;

a switch operable to selectively couple and decouple said power supply circuit to a supply of power; and

a control circuit located within the primary unit programmed to alternately operate said primary unit in said detection mode, said identification mode, and said power supply mode, wherein said control circuit operates said switch to decouple said power supply circuit from said supply of power during said detection mode, wherein said primary unit consumes less power during said detection mode than during said power supply mode.

10. The primary unit of claim 9 wherein said detection circuit includes at least one of a hall sensor, a reed switch, a motion sensor, a switch, a pressure sensor, and a light sensor.

11. A method for reducing power consumption in a primary unit capable of transferring power to a secondary device, said secondary device separable from said primary unit, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a primary unit capable of selectively operating in a detection mode, an identification mode, and a power supply mode.

detecting presence of an object within proximity of said primary unit during said detection mode, wherein said detection mode includes;

restricting the supply of power to at least a portion of the primary unit;

detecting presence of an object within proximity of the primary unit;

in dependence upon said detecting, either staying in said detection mode or entering said identification mode;

identifying said object during said identification mode, wherein said identification mode includes;

identifying whether said detected object is a valid secondary device;

upon identifying a valid secondary device entering said power supply mode;

upon failing to identify a valid secondary device entering said detection mode;

supplying power wirelessly to the secondary device during said power supply mode, wherein said power supply mode includes;

supplying power to said primary unit at a higher level than during said detection mode, said higher level of power sufficient for said primary unit to function as a wireless power supply.

12. The method for reducing power consumption in said primary unit of claim 11 wherein said detecting includes at least one of detecting a change in magnetic field indicative of presence of an object, detecting a change in capacitance, detecting a change in mass, detecting a change in motion indicative of presence of an object, detecting a change in pressure indicative of presence of an object, and detecting a change in light level indicative of presence of an object.