SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS POWER CONTROL COMMUNICATION USING BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY

• US 20130257365A1
• Filed: 11/15/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Redding, Brian A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,431,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• 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 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• 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 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/55 using an external connection, either wireless or wired
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for connecting with a charging device via a wireless communications network. In one aspect, a wireless charger comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a power signal. The wireless charger further comprises a device scanner configured to scan for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices. The wireless charger further comprises a receiver configured to receive a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network from the charging device in response to the transmitted power signal. The transmitter may be configured to transmit a connection request to establish a connection with the charging device in response to the received connection solicitation.

Claims

1. A wireless charger for connecting with a charging device via a wireless communications network, the wireless charger comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a power signal;

a device scanner configured to scan for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices; and

a receiver configured to receive a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network from the charging device in response to the transmitted power signal, the transmitter further configured to transmit a connection request to establish a connection with the charging device in response to the received connection solicitation.

2. The wireless charger of claim 1, further comprising a load detector configured to detect a load based on the transmitted power signal, wherein the device scanner is further configured to scan for one or more connection solicitations based on the detected load.

3. The wireless charger of claim 1, wherein the connection solicitation comprises charging information associated with a charging service.

4. The wireless charger of claim 3, wherein the charging information comprises a target device address and a charging service type.

5. The wireless charger of claim 1, wherein the connection request is transmitted in a communication separate from the transmitted power signal.

6. The wireless charger of claim 1, wherein the power signal charges the charging device.

7. The wireless charger of claim 6, wherein the charging device comprises a charger powered mode in which the charging device does not include enough power to operate in a normal mode while charging and a self-powered mode in which the charging device includes enough power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

8. The wireless charger of claim 7, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation, wherein the charging device is in the charger powered mode, and wherein the charging device terminates the connection with the wireless charger when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

9. The wireless charger of claim 8, wherein the charging device transitions into the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging, and wherein the charging device reestablishes a connection with the wireless charger.

10. The wireless charger of claim 7, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

11. The wireless charger of claim 10, wherein the charging device transitions from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging without terminating the connection with the wireless charger.

12. The wireless charger of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a command to initiate a charging operation in the charging device when the charging device is in the self-powered mode.

13. The wireless charger of claim 1, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a charging report from the charging device, the charging report comprising a current charging level of the charging device.

14. The wireless charger of claim 13, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a stop charging command to the charging device based on the received charging report.

15. The wireless charger of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications network uses a Bluetooth protocol for communication.

16. A method for connecting with a charging device via a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

transmitting a power signal;

scanning for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices;

receiving a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network from the charging device in response to the transmitted power signal; and

transmitting a connection request to establish a connection with the charging device in response to the received connection solicitation.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising detecting a load based on the transmitted power signal, wherein the scanning for one or more connection solicitations comprises scanning for one or more connection solicitations based on the detected load.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving a connection solicitation comprises receiving charging information associated with a charging service.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the charging information comprises a target device address and a charging service type.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting a connection request comprises transmitting the connection request in a communication separate from the transmitted power signal.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting a power signal further comprises transmitting the power signal to charge the charging device, and wherein the charging device comprises a charger powered mode in which the charging device does not include enough power to operate in a normal mode while charging and a self-powered mode in which the charging device includes enough power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising terminating the connection with the charging device when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation, and wherein the charging device is in the charger powered mode.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising reestablishing a connection with the charging device after the charging device transitions into the self-powered mode, wherein the charging device transitions into the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising maintaining the connection with the charging device when the charging device transitions from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting a command to initiate a charging operation in the charging device when the charging device is in the self-powered mode.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a charging report from the charging device, the charging report comprising a current charging level of the charging device.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising transmitting a stop charging command to the charging device based on the received charging report.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network comprises receiving the connection solicitation using a Bluetooth protocol.

29. An apparatus for connecting with a charging device via a wireless communications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting a power signal;

means for scanning for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices;

means for receiving a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network from the charging device in response to the transmitted power signal; and

means for transmitting a connection request to establish a connection with the charging device in response to the received connection solicitation.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising means for detecting a load based on the transmitted power signal, wherein the means for scanning for one or more connection solicitations comprises means for scanning for one or more connection solicitations based on detecting the load.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for receiving a connection solicitation comprises means for receiving a target device address and a charging service type.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for transmitting a connection request comprises means for transmitting the connection request in a communication separate from the transmitted power signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for transmitting a power signal further comprises means for transmitting the power signal to charge the charging device, and wherein the charging device comprises a charger powered mode in which the charging device does not include enough power to operate in a normal mode while charging and a self-powered mode in which the charging device includes enough power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for terminating the connection with the charging device when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation, and wherein the charging device is in the charger powered mode.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for maintaining the connection with the charging device when the charging device transitions from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for transmitting a command to initiate a charging operation in the charging device when the charging device is in the self-powered mode.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for transmitting a power signal and the means for transmitting a connection request comprise a transmitter, wherein the means for detecting a load comprises a load detector, wherein the means for scanning for devices comprises a device scanner, and wherein the means for receiving comprises a receiver.

38. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein means for receiving a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network comprises means for receiving the connection solicitation using a Bluetooth protocol.

39. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to:

transmit a power signal;

scan for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices;

receive a connection solicitation via a wireless communications network from the charging device in response to the transmitted power signal; and

transmit a connection request to establish a connection with the charging device in response to the received connection solicitation.

40. The medium of claim 39, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to:

detect a load based on the transmitted power signal; and

scan for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices based on the detected load.

41. The medium of claim 39, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to receive a target device address and a charging service type.

42. The medium of claim 39, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to transmit the connection request in a communication separate from the transmitted power signal.

43. The medium of claim 39, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to transmit the power signal to charge the charging device, and wherein the charging device comprises a charger powered mode in which the charging device does not include enough power to operate in a normal mode while charging and a self-powered mode in which the charging device includes enough power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

44. The medium of claim 43, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to terminate the connection with the charging device when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation, and wherein the charging device is in the charger powered mode.

45. The medium of claim 44, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to reestablish a connection with the charging device after the charging device transitions into the self-powered mode, wherein the charging device transitions into the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

46. A charging device for connecting with a wireless charger via a wireless communications network, the charging device comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger;

a processor configured to generate a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network, the receiver further configured to receive a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

47. The charging device of claim 46, wherein the connection solicitation is broadcasted by the transmitter.

48. The charging device of claim 46, wherein the connection solicitation comprises charging information associated with a charging service.

49. The charging device of claim 48, wherein the charging information comprises a target device address and a charging service type.

50. The charging device of claim 46, wherein the connection request is received in a communication separate from the received power signal.

51. The charging device of claim 46, wherein the power signal charges the charging device.

52. The charging device of claim 51, wherein the processor is further configured to operate in one of a charger powered mode, in which the charging device does not include enough power to operate in a normal mode while charging, or a self-powered mode, in which the charging device includes enough power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

53. The charging device of claim 52, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation, wherein the processor is configured to operate in the charger powered mode, and wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a command to terminate the connection with the wireless charger when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power such that the processor can operate in the normal mode while the charging device is charging.

54. The charging device of claim 53, wherein the processor is further configured to transition into the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power such that the processor can operate in the normal mode while the charging device is charging, and wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a message to reestablish a connection with the wireless charger.

55. The charging device of claim 52, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

56. The charging device of claim 55, wherein the processor is further configured to transition from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power such that the processor can operate in the normal mode while the charging device is charging without terminating the connection with the wireless charger.

57. The charging device of claim 52, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a command to initiate a charging operation in the charging device when the processor is operating in the self-powered mode.

58. The charging device of claim 46, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a charging report to the wireless charger, the charging report comprising a current charging level of the charging device.

59. The charging device of claim 58, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a stop charging command from the wireless charger based on the transmitted charging report.

60. The charging device of claim 46, wherein the wireless communications network uses a Bluetooth protocol for communication.

61. A method for connecting with a wireless charger via a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

receiving a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger;

generating a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received;

transmitting the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network; and

receiving a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the connection solicitation comprises broadcasting the connection request.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein generating a connection solicitation comprises generating the connection solicitation comprising charging information associated with a charging service.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the charging information comprises a target device address and a charging service type.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein receiving a connection request comprises receiving the connection request in a communication separate from the received power signal.

66. The method of claim 61, further comprising charging based on the received power signal.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising operating in one of a charger powered mode, in which not enough power is available to operate in a normal mode while charging, or a self-powered mode, in which enough power is available to operate in the normal mode while charging.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

operating in the charger powered mode; and

transmitting a command to terminate the connection with the wireless charger when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising:

transitioning into the self-powered mode when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging; and

transmitting a message to reestablish a connection with the wireless charger.

70. The method of claim 67, further comprising transitioning from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging without terminating the connection with the wireless charger, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

71. The method of claim 67, further comprising receiving a command to initiate a charging operation when operating in the self-powered mode.

72. The method of claim 61, further comprising transmitting a charging report to the wireless charger, the charging report comprising a current charging level of a charging device.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising receiving a stop charging command from the wireless charger based on the transmitted charging report.

74. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network comprises transmitting the connection solicitation using a Bluetooth protocol.

75. An apparatus for connecting with a wireless charger via a wireless communications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger;

means for generating a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received;

means for transmitting the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network; and

means for receiving a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein means for transmitting the connection solicitation comprises means for broadcasting the connection solicitation.

77. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein means for generating a connection solicitation comprises means for generating the connection solicitation comprising a target device address and a charging service type.

78. The apparatus of claim 75, further comprising means for charging based on the received power signal.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, further comprising means for operating in one of a charger powered mode, in which not enough power is available to operate in a normal mode while charging, or a self-powered mode, in which enough power is available to operate in the normal mode while charging.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising:

means for operating in the charger powered mode; and

means for transmitting a command to terminate the connection with the wireless charger when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation.

81. The apparatus of claim 80, further comprising:

means for transitioning into the self-powered mode when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging; and

means for transmitting a message to reestablish a connection with the wireless charger.

82. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising means for transitioning from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging without terminating the connection with the wireless charger, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

83. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising means for receiving a command to initiate a charging operation when operating in the self-powered mode.

84. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the means for receiving a power signal and the means for receiving a connection request comprise a receiver, wherein the means for generating comprises a processor, and wherein the means for transmitting comprises a transmitter.

85. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein means for transmitting the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network comprises means for transmitting the connection solicitation via a Bluetooth protocol.

86. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to:

receive a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger;

generate a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received;

transmit the connection solicitation via a wireless communications network; and

receive a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

87. The medium of claim 86, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to broadcast the connection solicitation.

88. The medium of claim 86, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to generate the connection solicitation comprising a target device address and a charging service type.

89. The medium of claim 86, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to charge based on the received power signal.