WIRELESS POWER FEEDING SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

• US 20160197488A1
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Akazawa, Minoru, Kitajima, Keisuke, Hada, Manabu
• Granted Patent: US 10,211,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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

Abstract

A method of determining a power transmission device to be set as a master device such that wasteful communication is not caused. In a wireless power feeding system, a power transmission device that transmits electric power to a power reception device forms a group with other power transmission devices. The power transmission device performs communication with the power reception device or the other power transmission devices using a wireless transmission section and a wireless reception section, and exchanges information with the other power transmission devices. The power transmission device receives a setting for determining a power transmission device to be set as a master device out of the self device and the other power transmission devices, with which information has been exchanged. If the received setting is for setting the self device as the master device, the self device is set as the master device.

Claims

1. A wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device,

wherein the power transmission device comprises:

a power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power to the power reception device;

a communication unit configured to perform communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

an information exchanging unit configured to exchange information with any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said communication unit can perform communication;

an input unit configured to receive a setting for determining a power transmission device to be set as a master device out of the self device and any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said information exchanging unit has exchanged information; and

a determination unit configured to determine the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where the setting received by said input unit is a setting for determining the self device as the master device.

2. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the information exchanged by said information exchanging unit includes at least one of a communicatable distance, a power transmittable distance, and the maximum transmittable electric power.

12. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

13. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 1, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

22. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

23. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 2, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

3. A wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device,

wherein the power transmission device comprises:

a power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power to the power reception device;

a communication unit configured to perform communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

an information exchanging unit configured to exchange information with any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said communication unit can perform communication;

a comparison unit configured to compare management information stored in the self device and management information of any of the at least one other power transmission device, which is obtained by said information exchanging unit; and

a determination unit configured to determine the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged based on a result of comparison by said comparison unit that the self device has higher capabilities.

4. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 3, wherein the management information includes at least one of performance of a CPU of the power transmission device, a compliant version of a standard, a management capability value of the power reception device, and a communicatable distance.

24. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 3, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

25. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 3, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

26. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 4, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

27. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 4, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

5. A wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device,

wherein the power transmission device comprises:

a power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power to the power reception device;

a communication unit configured to perform communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire time information at a predetermined timing;

an information exchanging unit configured to exchange information with any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said communication unit can perform communication;

a comparison unit configured to compare time information in management information stored in the self device and time information in management information of any of the at least one other power transmission device, which is obtained by said information exchanging unit; and

a determination unit configured to determine the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged based on a result of comparison by said comparison unit that time information of the self device is earliest.

6. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined timing is immediately after startup of the power transmission device.

28. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 5, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

29. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 5, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

30. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 6, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

31. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 6, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

7. A wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device,

wherein the power transmission device comprises:

a power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power to the power reception device;

a communication unit configured to perform communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

a calculation unit configured to calculate the number of communicatable power transmission devices, using said communication unit;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire the number of communicatable power transmission devices from each communicatable one of the at least one other power transmission device, using said communication unit;

a comparison unit configured to compare the number of communicatable power transmission devices, which is calculated by said calculation unit, and the number of communicatable power transmission devices of each communicatable one of the at least one other power transmission device, which is acquired by said acquisition unit; and

a determination unit configured to determine the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged, based on a result of comparison by said comparison unit that the number of communicatable power transmission devices, which is calculated by said calculation unit, is larger than the number of communicatable power transmission devices of each communicatable one of the at least one other power transmission device, which is acquired by said acquisition unit.

32. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 7, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

33. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 7, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

8. A wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device,

wherein the power transmission device comprises:

a power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power to the power reception device;

a communication unit configured to perform communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

a calculation unit configured to calculate location information, a power feeding area, and a communication area of the self device;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from each of the at least one other power transmission device location information, a power feeding area, and a communication area thereof, using said communication unit;

a comparison unit configured to compare the location information, the power feeding area, and the communication area of the self device, which are calculated by said calculation unit, and the location information, the power feeding area, and the communication area of each of the at least one other power transmission device, which are acquired by said acquisition unit; and

a determination unit configured to determine the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case it is judged based on a result of comparison by said comparison unit that the self device is advantageous.

9. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 8, wherein said determination unit determines a master-slave relationship by comparing the communication area of each power transmission device by said comparison unit.

10. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 8, wherein said determination unit determines a master-slave relationship by determining, based on comparison by said comparison unit, whether or not the communication area of each power transmission device accommodates all power feeding areas of the other power transmission devices of the group.

34. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 8, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

35. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 8, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

36. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 9, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

37. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 9, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

38. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 10, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

39. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 10, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

11. A wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device,

wherein the power transmission device comprises:

a power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power to the power reception device;

a communication unit configured to perform communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

a generation unit configured to generate a random number;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire a random number from each of the at least one other power transmission device, using said communication unit;

a comparison unit configured to compare the random number of the self device, which is generated by said generation unit, and the random number which is acquired from each of the at least one other power transmission device; and

a determination unit configured to determine the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged based on a result of comparison by said comparison unit that the random number of the self device is larger than the random number acquired from each of the at least one other power transmission device.

40. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 11, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which information has been exchanged by said information exchanging unit, that the self device is set as the master device.

41. The wireless power feeding system according to claim 11, wherein in a case where communication with none of the at least one other power transmission device can be performed by said communication unit, said determination unit determines the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device.

14. A method of controlling a wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device, comprising:

transmitting electric power from the power transmission device to the power reception device;

performing communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

exchanging information with any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said communication can be performed;

receiving a setting for determining a power transmission device to be set as a master device out of the self device and any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said exchanging of information has been performed; and

determining the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where the received setting is a setting for determining the self device as the master device.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a power transmission device to execute the method according to claim 14.

15. A method of controlling a wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device, comprising:

transmitting electric power from the power transmission device to the power reception device;

performing communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

exchanging information with any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said communication can be performed;

comparing management information stored in the self device and management information of any of the at least one other power transmission device, which is obtained by said exchanging of information; and

determining the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged based on a result of said comparing that the self device has higher capabilities.

42. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a power transmission device to execute the method according to claim 15.

16. A method of controlling a wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device, comprising:

transmitting electric power from the power transmission device to the power reception device;

performing communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

acquiring time information at a predetermined timing;

exchanging information with any of the at least one other power transmission device, with which said communication can be performed;

comparing time information in management information stored in the self device and time information in management information of any of the at least one other power transmission device, which is obtained by said exchanging of information; and

determining the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is determined based on a result of said comparing that time information of the self device is earliest.

43. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a power transmission device to execute the method according to claim 16.

17. A method of controlling a wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device, comprising:

transmitting electric power from the power transmission device to the power reception device;

performing communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

calculating the number of communicatable power transmission devices, using said communication;

acquiring the number of communicatable power transmission devices from each communicatable one of the at least one other power transmission device, using said communication;

comparing the number of communicatable power transmission devices, which is calculated by said calculating, and the number of communicatable power transmission devices of each communicatable one of the at least one other power transmission device, which is acquired by said acquiring; and

determining the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged, based on a result of said comparing that the number of communicatable power transmission devices, which is calculated by said calculating, is larger than the number of communicatable power transmission devices of each communicatable one of the at least one other power transmission device, which is acquired by said acquiring.

44. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a power transmission device to execute the method according to claim 17.

18. A method of controlling a wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device, comprising:

transmitting electric power from the power transmission device to the power reception device;

performing communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

calculating location information, a power feeding area, and a communication area of the self device;

acquiring, from each of the at least one other power transmission device, location information, a power feeding area, and a communication area thereof, using said communication;

comparing the location information, the power feeding area, and the communication area of the self device, which are calculated by said calculating, and the location information, the power feeding area, and the communication area of each of the at least one other power transmission device, which are acquired by said acquiring; and

determining the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case it is judged based on a result of said comparing that the self device is advantageous.

45. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a power transmission device to execute the method according to claim 18.

19. A method of controlling a wireless power feeding system for supplying electric power to a power reception device, in which a power transmission device that transmits electric power forms a group in cooperation with at least one other power transmission device, comprising:

transmitting electric power from the power transmission device to the power reception device;

performing communication with the power reception device or the at least one other power transmission device;

generating a random number;

acquiring a random number from each of the at least one other power transmission device, using said communication;

comparing the generated random number of the self device and the acquired random number from each of the at least one other power transmission device; and

determining the self device as the power transmission device to be set as the master device, in a case where it is judged based on a result of said comparing that the calculated random number of the self device is larger than the acquired random number from each of the at least one other power transmission device.

46. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a power transmission device to execute the method according to claim 19.

20. (canceled)