Intelligent wireless power charging system

• US 8,024,012 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2008
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hsu, Louis, Clevenger, Lawrence, Dalton, Timothy, Radens, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US12/137,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20090312046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 455/572, 455/571, 455/290, 455/343.1, 455/573, 455/343.2, 455/343.6
• US Class Current: 455/572
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices

Abstract

A system and methodology for intelligent power management of wirelessly networked devices. The system provides for reliable wireless communication via a wireless power charging method and, a method to maintain power capacity of batteries in a wireless device. The batteries are charged via an RF harvesting unit embedded inside the wireless device. An intelligent wireless power charging system further comprises at least two batteries and at least two RF adaptor devices coupled to an AC power line. The first adaptor is set for data communication while the second adaptor is used to transmit the power. In addition, when a first battery is in use during active mode, the second battery is subjected to wireless charging.

Claims

1. An intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices including one or more chargeable energy storage devices for powering said networked device, said system comprising:

an adaptor device, adapted for coupling to an AC source, said adaptor device further comprising a power charge unit receiving said AC source and generating and transmitting RF power signals via a first transmitter for charging said chargeable energy storage devices of said wirelessly networked device;

said adaptor further having a second transmitter device for transmitting wireless data communication signals from said AC source to said wirelessly networked device, and a receiver device for receiving wireless data communication signals from said wirelessly networked device to said AC source; and

,

a switchable antenna device switched to receive wireless data communication signals from or transmit wireless data communication signals to said wirelessly networked device in a first operation mode, and switched to transmit said RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device in a second operation mode, wherein said wirelessly networked device comprises;

a power harvesting unit including an RF energy converter for receiving said transmitted RF power signals and converting said RF power signals into a charge current suitable for charging said wirelessly networked device;

a switch device coupled to said one or more chargeable energy storage devices for switching in or out said charging current according to device power level status; and

,

a control unit for monitoring a device power level status indicating a state of charge of said one or more energy storage devices, said control unit operatively coupled to said switch device for enabling switching in a charge current for charging said energy storage device when a device power level status is determined below an acceptable limit,

wherein, said system provides wireless device power charging to maintain an energy storage device at a proper charge level.

2. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein said AC source provides said AC power and signals.

3. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 2, wherein said adaptor device further comprises:

a network interface device for enabling data communications between said adaptor unit and a communications network over an AC power line;

said wirelessly networked device adapted for communication with said communications network via said adaptor.

4. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one or more energy storage devices includes a primary battery for powering said wirelessly networked device, said switching device further controllable for switching out powering of wirelessly networking device from said primary battery and initiate charging operations for said primary battery when said primary battery is determined to have a device power level status below an acceptable limit.

5. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 2, wherein wireless charge signals generated for charging said wirelessly networked device are tailored to characteristics of said one or more energy storage devices, said wireless charge signals being controlled to perform a charging hysteresis or tailor charge/discharge cycles depth as needed by an energy storage device.

6. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power charge unit of said adaptor device comprises:

a signal converter means for generating a dc signal commensurate with said received AC power signals;

a frequency generator device receiving said generated dc signal and selecting a RF power signal frequency according to said generated dc signal; and

,

RF power amplifier for generating said transmitted RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device at said selected RF power signal frequency.

7. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wirelessly networked device receives simultaneously both said RF power signals and said wireless data communication signals.

8. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 7, wherein said adaptor device further comprises:

processing means for converting received wireless data signals from said receiver device into data signals suitable for transmission over said AC power line to said communications network; and

,

converting data signals received from said communications network into data signals suitable for wireless transmission to said wirelessly networked device.

9. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one or more energy storage devices further includes a back-up battery, said switching device further controllable for switching out powering of wirelessly networking device from said primary battery and seamless switching in said back-up battery for powering wirelessly networked device operation.

10. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control unit further determines a charge state of said back-up battery, said switching device further controllable for enabling a charging operation for said back-up battery when said back-up battery is determined to have a device power level status below an acceptable limit.

11. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 8, wherein said adaptor device queries, via wireless data communication, an energy storage level of said one or more energy storage devices of said wirelessly networked device, said system enabling generation of signals for receipt at said wireless device adaptor from said wirelessly networked device for indicating power level status, said adaptor either initiating said storage device charging operations or not, in response.

12. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 8, wherein said wirelessly networked device is adapted to determine whether it is in distance range or out of range of said adaptor device for receiving said RF power signals, and when out of range, generates an out of range indication for a user.

13. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 12, wherein said adaptor device is a first adaptor device utilized for handling said wireless data communication between said communications network and said wirelessly networked device, said system further comprising:

a second adaptor device, connectable on a power receptacle means for receiving AC power signals, said second adaptor further comprising;

a power charge unit receiving said AC power signals and generating and transmitting said RF power signals suitable for powering said wirelessly networked device when said wirelessly networked device indicates a power level status below a set limit.

14. The intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices as claimed in claim 12, wherein said wirelessly networked device comprises a first antenna device for receiving said wireless data communication signals communicated from said first antenna device, and a second antenna device for receiving said RF power signals from said second adaptor device, wherein said wirelessly networked device receives simultaneously both said RF power signals and said wireless data communication signals, said RF power signals being transmitted to said wirelessly networked device via said antenna device at a respective different RF frequency.

15. An adaptor device, for coupling to an AC power receptacle providing AC power signals, for use in an intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices, said adaptor device comprising:

a power charge unit receiving said AC power signals and generating and transmitting RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device, said power charge unit comprising;

a signal converter means for generating a dc signal commensurate with said received AC power signals;

a frequency generator device receiving said generated dc signal and selecting a RF power signal frequency according to said generated dc signal; and

,

RF power amplifier for generating said transmitted RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device at said selected RF power signal frequency;

a transmitter device for transmitting wireless data communication signals to said wirelessly networked device, and a receiver device for receiving wireless data communication signals from said wirelessly networked device; and

,

a single antenna device adapted to receive wireless data communication signals from or send wireless signals to said wirelessly networked device and simultaneously, transmit said RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device,

wherein said wireless data communication signals and said RF power signals are transmitted to said wirelessly networked device via said antenna device at a respective different RF frequency.

16. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 15, wherein said RF power signals generating comprises:

converting said received AC power signals into a dc signal;

selecting, based on said dc signal, a RF power signal frequency; and

,

amplifying signals at said RF power signal frequency for powering a wirelessly networked device at said selected RF power signal frequency.

17. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 15, wherein said monitoring comprises:

implementing, at said wirelessly networked device, a control device for determining whether it is in distance range or out of range of said adaptor device for receiving said RF power signals, and when out of range, generating an out of range indication for a user.

18. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 17, wherein said communicating a current determined power level to said adaptor device is in response to a query issued by said adaptor device via wireless transmission to said wirelessly networked device.

19. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 15, wherein said monitoring comprises:

implementing, at said wirelessly networked device, a control device for determining a power level of said chargeable energy storage devices;

communicating a current determined power level to said adaptor device via wireless data signal transmission; and

,

generating, at said adaptor device, said RF power signals for receipt at said wireless device adaptor, when said control device determines a device power level below an acceptable limit.

20. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 15, wherein said adaptor device is a first adaptor device utilized for handling said wireless data communication between said communications network and said wirelessly networked device, said method further comprising:

providing a second adaptor device, mountable on a second power receptacle means for receiving AC power signals, said second adaptor comprising a power charge unit receiving said AC power signals and generating and transmitting said RF power signals suitable for powering said wirelessly networked device when said wirelessly networked device indicates a power level status below a set limit.

21. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

receiving, at a first antenna device at said wireless device, said wireless data communication signals communicated from said first adaptor device, and

simultaneously receiving, at a second antenna device at said wireless device, said RF power signals from said second adaptor device, for charging simultaneously performing charging operations, said wireless data communication signals and said RF power signals being transmitted to said wirelessly networked device at a respective different RF frequency.

22. A method of remote intelligent charging of wirelessly networked devices, said device having one or more chargeable energy storage devices for powering said networked device, said method comprising:

receiving, at an adaptor device coupled to an AC power receptacle, AC power signals, said adaptor device having a transmitter device for transmitting wireless data communication signals to said wirelessly networked device, and a receiver device for receiving wireless data communication signals from said wirelessly networked device;

generating, at said adaptor device, RF power signals from said received AC power signals for wireless transmission to a wirelessly networked device; and

,

transmitting, via an RF transmitter at said adaptor device, said RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device, wherein said adaptor device includes a single antenna device adapted to receive wireless data communication signals from or send wireless signals to said wirelessly networked device in a first operation mode, and in a second operation mode, to transmit said RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device;

receiving, at said wirelessly networked device, said transmitted RF power signals; and

,

converting said received RF power signals into charge current suitable for charging said wirelessly networked device;

monitoring a device power level status indicating a state of charge of said one or more energy storage devices; and

,

switching a charging current in or out, via a switch device coupled to said one or more chargeable energy storage devices, to charge an energy storage device according to a determined device power level status;

wherein said switching device enables switching in a charge current for charging said energy storage device when a device power level status is determined below an acceptable limit.

23. The method of remote intelligent charging as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

tailoring wireless charge signals generated for charging said wirelessly networked device to characteristics of said one or more energy storage devices, said wireless charge signals being controlled to perform a charging hysteresis or tailor charge/discharge cycles depth as needed by an energy storage device.

24. An intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices including one or more chargeable energy storage devices for powering said networked device, said system comprising:

a first adaptor device, for coupling to an AC power receptacle, having a transmitter device for transmitting wireless data communication signals to a wirelessly networked device, and a receiver device for receiving wireless data communication signals from said wirelessly networked device, said first adaptor device providing an interface for communicating data signals to a network via AC power lines;

a second adaptor device, for coupling to an to an AC power receptacle providing AC power signals, and adapted for wireless data communication with said wirelessly networked device, said second adaptor device further comprising a power charge unit receiving said AC power signals and generating and transmitting RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device;

said first adaptor device including a single antenna device adapted to receive wireless data communication signals from or send wireless signals to said wirelessly networked device, and, said second adaptor device including a single antenna device adapted to transmit said RF power signals for powering said wirelessly networked device, said wirelessly networked device receiving simultaneously both said wireless data communication signals from said first adaptor device and RF power signals from said second adaptor device;

a power harvesting unit, provided at said wirelessly networked device, including RF energy converter unit for receiving said transmitted RF power signals and converting said RF power signals into a charge current suitable for charging said wirelessly networked device;

a switch device, at said wirelessly networked device, coupled to said one or more chargeable energy storage devices for switching in or out said charging current according to device power level status; and

,

a control unit for monitoring a device power level status indicating a state of charge of said one or more energy storage devices, said control unit operatively coupled to said switch device for enabling switching in a charge current for charging said energy storage device when a device power level status is determined below an acceptable limit,

wherein, said system provides for wireless device power charging to maintain continuously an energy storage device at a proper charge level.

25. An intelligent power management system for wirelessly networked devices including one or more chargeable energy storage devices for powering said networked device, said system comprising:

a first adaptor device, for coupling to an AC power receptacle, having a transmitter device for transmitting wireless data communication signals to a wirelessly networked device, and a receiver device for receiving wireless data communication signals from said wirelessly networked device, said first adaptor device providing an interface for communicating data signals to a network via AC power lines;

a second adaptor device, for coupling to an to an AC power receptacle providing AC power signals, and adapted for wireless data communication with said wirelessly networked device, said second adaptor device further comprising a power charge unit receiving said AC power signals and generating and transmitting RF power signals for powering a wirelessly networked device;

said first adaptor device including a single antenna device adapted to receive wireless data communication signals from or send wireless signals to said wirelessly networked device, and, said second adaptor device including a single antenna device adapted to transmit said RF power signals for powering said wirelessly networked device, said wirelessly networked device receiving simultaneously both said wireless data communication signals from said first adaptor device and RF power signals from said second adaptor device;

a power harvesting unit, provided at said wirelessly networked device, including RF energy converter unit for receiving said transmitted RF power signals and converting said RF power signals into a charge current suitable for charging said wirelessly networked device;

a switch device, at said wirelessly networked device, coupled to said one or more chargeable energy storage devices for switching in or out said charging current according to device power level status; and

,

a control unit for monitoring a device power level status indicating a state of charge of said one or more energy storage devices, said control unit operatively coupled to said switch device for enabling switching in a charge current for charging said energy storage device when a device power level status is determined below an acceptable limit,

said one or more energy storage devices includes a primary battery for powering said wirelessly networked device, and, further includes a back-up battery, said switching device controllable for switching out powering of wirelessly networking device from said primary battery and initiate charging operations for said primary battery when said primary battery is determined to have a device power level status below an acceptable limit, and, seamless switching in said back-up battery for powering wirelessly networked device operations, wherein, said system provides wireless device power charging to maintain an energy storage device at a proper charge level.