MULTI-MODE WIRELESSLY RECHARGEABLE BATTERY SYSTEM

• US 20180109148A1
• Filed: 10/17/2017
• Published: 04/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PowerSphyr Inc.
• Original Assignee: PowerSphyr Inc.
• Inventors: MENG, David F., WRIGHT, William B.
• Application Number:
  US15/786,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20180109148A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/10 using reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/04 for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/12 Arrangements for reducing harmonics from ac input or output
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A device including a processor configured to identify a power transferring unit, to determine a range configuration relative to the power transferring unit, and to determine a power status of the device is provided. The device includes a first antenna configured to receive an oscillating power signal from the power transferring device at a first selected frequency based on the range configuration relative to the power transferring device, and on the power status of the device. The device includes a rectifier circuit configured to convert the oscillating power signal from the first antenna at the first selected frequency into a direct-current signal to charge an energy storage medium. The rectifier circuit is configured to provide the direct-current signal to an appliance coupled with the device. A method for using the above device and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium including instructions to use the above device are also provided.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor configured to identify a power transferring unit, to determine a range configuration relative to the power transferring unit, and to determine a power status of the device;

a first antenna configured to receive an oscillating power signal from the power transferring device at a first selected frequency based on the range configuration relative to the power transferring device, and on the power status of the device; and

a rectifier circuit configured to convert the oscillating power signal from the first antenna at the first selected frequency into a direct-current signal to charge an energy storage medium, wherein the rectifier circuit is further configured to provide the direct-current signal to an appliance coupled with the device.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory storing instructions which cause the processor to communicate with a processor in the appliance and to provide an identification of the power transferring device, the range configuration relative to the power transferring device and the power status of the device, to the appliance.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flex circuit embedding the processor and the first antenna in a casing configured in a standard AA shape.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second antenna configured to receive an inductively coupled magnetic power signal from the power transferring device at a second selected frequency when the processor determines a near field range configuration relative to the power transferring device and a power level lower than a threshold as the power status of the device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the rectifier circuit comprises a balancing circuit configured to receive a differential input from the oscillating power signal from the first antenna.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna is configured to detect multiple wireless signals operating at multiple frequencies, the processor further configured to tune the first antenna at a frequency of one of the multiple wireless signals and to cause the rectifier circuit to convert the one of the wireless signals into the direct-current signal.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the rectifier circuit comprises a matching circuit configured to balance a differential coupling of the first antenna to provide the direct-current signal to the appliance.

8. A method, comprising:

identifying, by a rechargeable battery, a power transferring unit in a proximity of the rechargeable battery;

determining a range configuration between the power transferring unit and the rechargeable battery;

determining a power status of the rechargeable battery;

selecting a first antenna in the power receiving unit based on the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the rechargeable battery, and on the power status of the rechargeable battery;

receiving, with the first antenna, an oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at a selected frequency;

converting the oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at the selected frequency into a direct-current signal; and

providing the direct-current signal to a mobile device coupled with the rechargeable battery.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein converting the oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at the selected frequency into a direct-current signal comprises balancing a differential input from the first antenna.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving, with the first antenna, an oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit comprises tuning a radio-frequency amplifier circuit coupled to the first antenna at the selected frequency in the rechargeable battery.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein selecting a first antenna in the rechargeable battery comprises selecting a radio-frequency antenna to receive a directed radio-frequency power when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the rechargeable battery is within a far field, and selecting an inductively coupled antenna when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the rechargeable battery is within a near field.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein selecting the first antenna in the rechargeable battery comprises selecting a radio-frequency antenna configured to receive a propagating, directed radio-frequency signal as the oscillating power signal when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the rechargeable battery is beyond a near field configuration and within a far field configuration.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein selecting the first antenna in the rechargeable battery comprises simultaneously selecting a radio-frequency antenna configured to receive a propagating, directed radio-frequency signal and an inductively coupled antenna, when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the rechargeable battery is within a near field configuration.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving, in a reserve battery, at least a first portion of the direct-current signal, and providing at least a second portion of the direct-current signal from the reserve battery to a mobile electronic device coupled with the rechargeable battery.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, in a wireless receiver, multiple wireless signals operating at multiple frequencies,

tuning the at least one power receiving circuit at a frequency of one of the wireless signals, and

converting, in a rectifier circuit, the one of the wireless signals into the direct-current signal.

16. The method claim 8, further comprising identifying a sensitive region in the mobile device and selecting a mode of power transfer based on the sensitive region.

17. A non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor in a mobile computing device, cause the mobile computing device to perform a method, comprising:

receiving, from a rechargeable battery in the mobile computing device, an identification of a power transferring unit, a range configuration between the mobile computing device and the power transferring unit, and a power status of the rechargeable battery;

providing, in a display for a user of the mobile computing device, the power status of the rechargeable battery;

requesting, from the user, an authorization to recharge the rechargeable battery with the power transferring unit; and

providing to the rechargeable battery a selected mode of power transfer from the power transferring unit based on the range configuration between the mobile computing device and the power transferring unit, and the power status of the rechargeable battery.

18. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions for receiving, from the rechargeable battery, an identification of an appliance proximal to the mobile computing device, a power status of the appliance, and a request to transfer a power signal to the appliance.

19. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions for receiving, from the rechargeable battery, an identification of a radiating power signal available for recharging the rechargeable battery, and a request to authorize the rechargeable battery to harvest the radiating power signal.

20. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions for selecting a mode of power transfer based on a sensitive region in the mobile computing device.