WIRELESS POWER CHARGING TIMING AND CHARGING CONTROL

• US 20140292269A1
• Filed: 06/11/2014
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Keating, Virginia Walker, Mangan, Michael John, Kirby, Miles Alexander Lyell
• Granted Patent: US 9,160,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to timing and control of wireless power transfer. A wireless power charging device includes at least one transmitter and a processor in communication with the at least one transmitter. The transmitter is configured for transmitting wireless power to one or more electronic devices, and the processor is configured to deactivate the transmitter during a pre-determined time interval. The charging device may include charging modes that a user may select between from an interface of the charging device. Charging modes may be related to times of operation such as those based on a user schedule, based on energy rates, or with modes programmed by a user. A charging schedule may be created by a user through the interface of the charging device or from an external device in communication with the charging device.

Claims

1. A wireless power charging device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive information from an electronic device, the information defining a parameter for charging the electronic device;

a wireless power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power at a level sufficient to charge or power the electronic device;

a processor configured to selectively enable the wireless power transmitter to wirelessly transmit power to the electronic device based at least in part on the parameter; and

a display having an interface including an input region configured to permit a user to view and adjust a time interval or charging mode, the time interval or charging mode being defined at least in part on the parameter.

2. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the information received from the electronic device comprises a charging schedule, the charging schedule defining the time interval or charging mode.

3. The wireless power charging device of claim 2, wherein the charging schedule comprises a plurality of user-defined charging times.

4. The wireless power charging device of claim 2, wherein the charging schedule comprises the time interval or charging mode.

5. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the input region is configured to permit the user to select between a plurality of charging modes.

6. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the information comprises one of an identifier of the charging device or a charging status of the charging device.

7. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to provide information associated with charging the electronic device.

8. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, further comprising a load sensing circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the electronic device.

9. The wireless power charging device of claim 8, further comprising a power amplifier, wherein the load sensing circuit monitors current flowing to the power amplifier.

10. The wireless power charging device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to detect changes in loading on the power amplifier.

11. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to wirelessly transmit power to another wireless device.

12. The wireless power charging device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to transmit to the electronic device during a first transmit phase or duty cycle and transmit to another wireless device during a second transmit phase or duty cycle.

13. The wireless power charging device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to detect changes to the loading on the power amplifier and enable wireless power transfer during the first or second transmit phases based at least in part on the detected changes.

14. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a light emitting diode.

15. The wireless power charging device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured as at least one of a camera, a phone, an audio/video player, and a personal digital assistant.

16. A method of operating a charging device, the method comprising:

receiving information from an electronic device, the information defining a parameter for charging the electronic device;

displaying a time interval or charging mode on the charging device, the time interval or the charging mode being defined at least in part on the parameter;

receiving user input on the charging device to adjust the displayed time interval or charging mode; and

selectively enabling wireless power transmission to the electronic device during the adjusted time interval or charging mode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving information comprises receiving a charging schedule within a data file, the charging schedule defining the time interval or charging mode.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein selectively enabling wireless power transmission includes transmitting to the electronic device during a first transmit phase or duty cycle and transmitting to another wireless device during a second transmit phase or duty cycle.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

detecting changes to loading on a power amplifier; and

enabling wireless power transfer during the first or second transmit phases based at least in part on the detected changes.

20. A wireless power charging device, comprising:

means for receiving information from an electronic device, the information defining a parameter for charging the electronic device;

means for displaying a time interval or charging mode on the charging device, the time interval or the charging mode being defined at least in part on the parameter;

means for receiving user input on the charging device to adjust the displayed time interval or charging mode; and

means for selectively enabling wireless power transmission to the electronic device during the adjusted time interval or charging mode.