AUTOMATED CHARGING

• US 20150042287A1
• Filed: 08/06/2013
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Liu, Yunxin, Zhao, Chunshui, Zhang, Yongguang
• Granted Patent: US 9,559,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/134
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/62 in response to charging parameters, e.g. current, voltage or electrical charge
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/15 Preventing overcharging
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

An automated charging device detects a presence of a power-consuming device. The automated charging device may determine whether the power-consuming device is in need of recharging by determining a status of a power level of the power-consuming device. In response to determining that the power-consuming device is due for recharging, the automated charging device may direct a wireless power source to the power-consuming device without user intervention and/or instruction. The automated charging device may detect a location of the power-consuming device and use the detected location to appropriately direct the wireless power source to the power-consuming device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a presence of a power-consuming device within a neighborhood of a charging device;

determining a power level of the power-consuming device without direct physical contact between the charging device and the power-consuming device; and

determining whether to charge the power-consuming device based at least in part on the power level of the power-consuming device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the power level of the power-consuming device is less than a predetermined threshold; and

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising contactlessly charging the power-consuming device by the charging device.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a response indicating that the power-consuming device is fully charged; and

ceasing to charge the power-consuming device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein detecting the presence of the power-consuming device comprises:

capturing one or more images associated with the neighborhood of the charging device using an image sensor; and

recognizing the power-consuming device from the one or more images.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, detecting the presence of the power-consuming device comprising receiving a presence signal from the power-consuming device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining the power level of the power-consuming device comprises:

receiving a signal from the power-consuming device, the signal enabling the charging device to determine the power level of the power-consuming device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, the signal comprising a light code made up of a light pattern emitted from one or more lights associated with the power monitoring unit.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising comparing the signal against one or more predetermined signals, at least one of the one or more predetermined signals indicating that the power level of the power-consuming device is less than a predetermined threshold.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the power-consuming device comprising a device that includes a rechargeable power unit.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving information of the power-consuming device to be charged, wherein detecting the presence of the power-consuming device comprises determining that a device that is within the neighborhood of the charging device is the power-consuming device based on the information.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, the information being received from a user of the charging device or predefined when or after manufacture of the charging device.

13. A method executable by a power-consuming device, the method comprising:

receiving a light beam from a charging device;

in response to receiving the light beam, determining a power level; and

contactlessly and wirelessly signaling the power level to the charging device, the signaling indicating enabling the charging device to determine a status of the power level of the power-consuming device.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising, prior to determining the power level of the power-consuming device, activating a power monitoring unit associated with the power-consuming device, the power monitoring unit drawing no power from a rechargeable power unit the power-consuming device for operation.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein activating the power monitoring unit comprising energizing the power monitoring unit through a photovoltaic panel that generates power from the light beam received from the charging device.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the power monitoring unit is in a low-power mode prior to the activating.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

after sending the signal to the charging device, receiving another light beam from the charging device;

generating power based on the other light beam; and

charging the power-consuming device using the generated power.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

determining that the power-consuming device is fully charged; and

signaling to the charging device to cease sending the other light beam.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the signaling comprises sending a light code made up of a light pattern emitted from the power-consuming device.

20. A power-consuming device comprising:

a rechargeable power unit;

a power monitoring unit configured to determine a power level of the rechargeable power unit without drawing power from the rechargeable power unit;

an energy generation unit configured to generate power, provide the generated power to the power monitoring unit and charge the rechargeable power unit in response to the power monitoring unit determining that the power level of the rechargeable power unit is less than a predetermined threshold; and

a signaling unit configured to signal a status of the power level of the rechargeable power unit to a remote charging device in response to receiving an instruction from the power monitoring unit.