External or Internal Receiver for Smart Mobile Devices

• US 20160099614A1
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Published: 04/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: LEABMAN, Michael A., BREWER, Gregory Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,075,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/23 characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• 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 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03

Abstract

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power transmission to a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

transmitting, by the transmitter, power transmission waves that converge in a three dimensional space to form a pocket of energy at a predetermined location for receiving by antenna elements of a receiver integrated with a mobile device, whereby the receiver harvests power from the pocket of energy at the predetermined location to charge the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver is embedded around an internal edge of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein antenna elements for harvesting power are distributed on a grid around an internal edge of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver is embedded around an internal edge of the mobile device, and an array of antenna elements are distributed on a grid on an outwardly facing surface of the receiver.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein an output of the receiver is connected to a battery for the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver is formed on a printed film and comprises:

printed antenna elements connected in serial, parallel, or combination thereof;

a rectifier; and

a power converter, wherein the printed film is affixed to an internal edge of the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacing between antenna elements is approximately 5 mm to 12 mm for receiving the pockets of energy.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are made from conductive materials of copper, silver, or gold, and the receiver antenna elements are etched or laminated onto a non-conductive flexible substrate band.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver is mounted on a peripheral edge cover of a predetermined thickness and circumference conforming to generally an outer edge of the mobile device with an array of the antenna elements spaced apart from each other on an inner surface of the cover.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection to send pockets of energy to the receiver when the mobile device comes within a predetermined range of the transmitter;

verifying a battery charge level of smart mobile device; and

transmitting power transmission waves based upon the battery charge level.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the cover with the receiver is a laptop cover, camera cover, GPS cover, a tablet cover, or an iPod cover.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the pocket of energy to regulate power to the receiver within predetermined range of the transmitter.

13. A receiver for wireless power transmission to a mobile device, comprising:

a flexible housing mounted on the mobile device;

an array of antenna elements spaced around the flexible housing and configured for reception of power transmission waves that converge as pockets of energy generated by a transmitter; and

a rectifier connected to a power convertor configured for converting the pockets of energy into a charging or powering voltage for the mobile device.

14. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the flexible housing is a flexible printed circuit board connected to the antenna elements, rectifier, and power converter.

15. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the antenna elements are printed antenna elements on the flexible housing and configured for collecting the power transmission waves for charging the mobile device.

16. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the power converter is a DC-DC converter configured to provide a constant voltage output to the mobile device.

17. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the flexible housing:

comprises a flexible cable configured for connection to a battery in the mobile device and

is configured to provide a cover for a smartphone, iPad, iPod, tablet, a laptop computer, a camera, or a GPS unit.

18. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the antenna elements spaced face out from an inner surface of the flexible housing when used as a cover for the mobile device and the antenna elements are facing out from the outer surface of the flexible housing when embedded around an internal edge of the mobile device for reception of the power transmission waves.