Power Receiving Device Having Device Discovery and Power Transfer Capabilities

• US 20140091626A1
• Filed: 09/28/2012
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Walley
• Inventors: WALLEY, John, Van Der Lee, Reinier, Rajakarunanayake, Yasantha, Bishtein, Vadim
• Granted Patent: US 10,404,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/43
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries

Abstract

A wireless power transfer system is disclosed that includes a power station and a chargeable device. The power station transmits discovery beacons in order to detect a chargeable device within its vicinity using any available communication protocols and/or standards. Once a device is discovered, the power station can perform coil selection with the device in order to select preferred coils for power transfer. In addition, the chargeable device is capable of detecting the beacon signal and providing a response to notify the power station of its presence. The chargeable device is capable of performing its own coil selection for further optimization and includes various assistance functionality to aid a user in optimizing a connection with the power station.

Claims

1. A device capable of wireless power reception in a wireless power transfer environment, the device comprising:

a receiver configured to operate in a broadband mode and a narrowband mode, the receiver being configured to receive a beacon signal from the environment when in the broadband mode;

a receiver module configured to determine a carrier frequency of the received beacon signal and to tune the receiver to the narrowband mode centered at the determined carrier frequency,

wherein the beacon signal includes one or more wireless power transfer (WPT) standards supported by a nearby power station.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein in response to the receipt of the beacon signal, the receiver transmits a response signal to the environment, and

wherein the response signal includes at least one WPT standard supported by the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the beacon signal was received via a non-WPT communication standard.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a diode bridge that includes an arrangement of a plurality of current control devices,

wherein the receiver module determines the carrier frequency of the received beacon signal based on a digitized output of the diode bridge.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein in the broadband mode, the receiver receives signals from within a broad frequency spectrum that includes a plurality of anticipated possible transmission carrier frequencies, and

wherein in the narrowband mode, the receiver receives signals primarily at the determined carrier frequency while filtering signals outside the immediate vicinity of the carrier frequency.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of power sources;

a plurality of power sinks; and

a power logic module configured to route power received by the plurality of power sources to the plurality of power sinks based on need and priority of the power sinks.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the power sources is also a power sink.

8. A device capable of wireless power reception from a power station, the device comprising:

a power receiving module configured to wirelessly receive power from the power station;

a sensor module configured to an offset of the power receiving module to a preferred position on the power station;

a controller module configured to calculate a movement vector from a current position of the device to the preferred position based on the offset received from the sensor module; and

a display module configured to display the vector.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the power receiving module supplies operating power to at least one of the sensor module, the controller module and the display module from the wireless power received from the power station.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the displayed vector includes a direction portion and a magnitude portion.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the displayed vector includes an illustrative indicator and a written indicator.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the sensor module includes a motion sensor configured to detect a change in position from an original position of the device to the current position, and

wherein the controller module is configured to update the displayed vector based on the detected change in position.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the motion sensor is a MEMS sensor.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein when the motion sensor detects a change in position from the original position within a predetermined threshold of an original movement vector, the controller module causes the display module to display a success notification.

15. A method of wirelessly receiving power from a power station by a wirelessly chargeable device, the method comprising:

receiving a beacon signal from the power station;

determining a carrier frequency of the beacon signal;

tuning a receiver of the chargeable device based on the determined carrier frequency of the beacon signal;

transmitting a response signal to the power station in response to the beacon signal, the response signal including characteristics and power transfer capabilities of the wirelessly chargeable device; and

wirelessly receiving power from the power station in accordance with the power transfer capabilities.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a test signal from the power station on a plurality of coils;

determining coupling coefficients for each of the plurality of coils based on the received test signal; and

identifying to the power station results of the coupling coefficient determination.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the results of the coupling coefficient determination include at least one of a preferred coil selection and a preferred coil coupling between the plurality of coils of the wirelessly chargeable device and a plurality of power station coils.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the characteristics include at least one of shielding properties and a metal layout of the wirelessly chargeable device, and

wherein the power transfer capabilities include an identification of all wireless power transfer (WPT) standards supported by the wirelessly chargeable device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the wirelessly received power is routed, together with any power received from other power sources, to power sinks based on need and priority of the power sinks.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

upon a change in a number of wirelessly chargeable devices being serviced by the power station;

terminating wireless power transfer between the power station and the wirelessly chargeable device;

performing a coil selection procedure to obtain an updated coil selection; and

wirelessly transferring power between the power station and the wirelessly chargeable device using the updated coil selection.