WIRELESS POWER DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20140103867A1
• Filed: 12/16/2013
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,350,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 50/80 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: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

A wireless power distribution and control system may be used to supply power wirelessly to various devices. The devices in the system may have control over the system and/or over certain features of other devices. For example, a smartphone charging in the wireless power distribution and control system may have access to and control over other devices in the system, such as the overhead lights, or a projector in a conference room. The identification of other devices, as well as commands for controlling these devices may be communicated over the wireless power link. The type and degree of control of each device in that system may vary based on access control levels for the power supplies and connected devices. The devices that receive power may be configured to automatically connect with the power distribution system and to monitor the other devices connected to the system.

Claims

1. A method for wirelessly powering a device comprising:

receiving, at the device, an indication of a wireless power supply within a proximity of the device;

authorizing, by the device, a wireless transfer of power from the wireless power supply; and

communicating information from the wireless power supply to the device upon the authorization for the wireless power transfer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the information comprises access codes.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the access codes comprise passcodes for accessing features.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the passcodes comprise a wireless network password that enables the device to connect with the wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information comprises control commands.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the control commands control the device.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the device comprises a controller device and the control commands control other remote devices.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the controller device is located externally from the wireless power supply and the other remote devices, further wherein the controller device is configured to provide the control commands for the other remote devices from the external location.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the other remote devices are located externally from the wireless power supply and are controlled by the controller device over a network.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the information further comprises an access code that is required for the controller device to control the other remote devices.

11. In a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor for establishing communication in a wireless power distribution network, the storage medium comprising instructions operative for:

identifying a device to be charged by a wireless power supply;

receiving identification from the device;

validating an access level for the device; and

providing wireless charge based on the validation;

wherein the access level comprises access information outside of the wireless power distribution network.

12. The storage medium of claim 11 wherein the access level comprises a wireless network access password for establishing communication over a wireless network with the wireless network access password.

13. The storage medium of claim 11 wherein the providing the wireless charge is further based on receiving a confirmation from a user of the device.

14. A wireless power distribution system comprising:

a wireless power supply configured to provide power;

one or more remote devices that receive power wirelessly from the wireless power supply; and

a controller device that is configured to wirelessly receive power from the wireless power supply and configured to receive information about the remote devices over a wireless network.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the controller device is further configured to receive the information when not wirelessly receiving power from the wireless power supply.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the wireless network through which the controller device receives information is separate from the wireless power distribution.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the information comprises control commands that allow the controller device to control the remote devices.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller device can control the remote devices without wirelessly receiving power from the wireless power supply.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the information comprises access codes, wherein the access codes are required before the controller device can control the remote devices.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the information comprises access codes for accessing features, such as a wireless network for enabling communication.