Wireless charging device with reflected power communication

• US 7,825,625 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Posamentier, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fantu; Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US11/771,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20090001929A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries

Abstract

Disclosed is a wireless charging device for charging electronic devices placed in a docking area of the wireless charging device. The wireless charging device includes an inductive coupler, a reflected power detector, a power source and a power control system. The inductive coupler is configured to charge at least one electronic device present in the docking area. The inductive coupler takes power form the power source. The inductive coupler is also configured to communicate with the electronic device to exchange a set of information. The reflected power detector is operably coupled to the inductive coupler and identifies the set of information exchanged by the inductive coupler. The power control system is operably coupled to the reflected power detector and the power source. The power control system controls the charging of the electronic device by the power source based on the set of information identified by the reflected power detector.

Claims

1. A wireless charging device for charging electronic devices placed in a docking area of the wireless charging device, the wireless charging device comprising:

an inductive coupler configured to

charge at least one electronic device through an inductive coupling, wherein the electronic device is present in the docking area, and

maintain a communication link with the at least one electronic device for exchanging of a set of information, the set of information used during the charging of the at least one electronic device;

a reflected power detector operably coupled to the inductive coupler, said reflected power detector configured to identify the set of information received from the inductive coupler, wherein said reflected power detector further comprises an embedded modulator configured to modulate a charging field of said wireless charging device to maintain a closed loop communication with the at least one electronic device and to allow constant exchange of the set of information in a feedback manner;

a power source capable of providing power to the inductive coupler; and

a power control system operably coupled to the reflected power detector and the power source for constantly controlling the charging of the at least one electronic device by the power source through the inductive coupler based on the set of information identified by the reflected power detector in the closed loop communication during the charging operation.

2. The wireless charging device of claim 1, wherein the set of information comprises at least one of a presence of the at least one electronic device in the docking area, charging requirement of the at least one electronic device, a charging state of the wireless charging device, and safety information corresponding to the charging of the at least one electronic device.

3. The wireless charging device of claim 1, wherein the communication link is bidirectional between the wireless charging device and the at least one electronic device.

4. A method for charging electronic devices placed in a docking area of a wireless charging device, the method being performed at the wireless charging device, the method comprising:

determining whether at least one electronic device is present in the docking area;

setting a communication link with the at least one electronic device to exchange a set of information, wherein the set of information comprises at least one of a presence of the at least one electronic device in the docking area, charging requirement of the at least one electronic device, a charging state of the wireless charging device, and safety information corresponding to the charging of the at least one electronic device, wherein the setting the communication link comprises;

modulating a charging field of the wireless charging device; and

maintaining a closed loop communication with the at least one electronic device, wherein the closed loop communication allows constant exchange of the set of information in a feedback manner;

charging the at least one electronic device; and

constantly controlling the charging of the at least one electronic device based on the set of information through an inductive coupling with the at least one electronic device in the closed loop communication during the charging operation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining whether the at least one electronic device is present in the docking area is performed through the inductive coupling.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the setting the communication link is performed through the inductive coupling.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication link is bidirectional between the wireless charging device and the at least one electronic device.