Wireless energy transfer

• US 8,175,660 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Porwal, Gunjan
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US11/928,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20090108679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,652 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/573, 455/343.1, 455/574, 320/107, 320/128, 307/149
• US Class Current: 455/573
• 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 50/40 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 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034

Abstract

Method for wireless energy transfer is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes transferring electrical energy from one electronic device to another electronic device with the help of electromagnetic waves. An electronic device that requires electrical energy can get energy transferred from one or more other electronic devices present in its vicinity. The electrical energy being transferred can be used to charge the battery of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A method of transferring electrical energy from a transmitting electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a request message for electrical energy from a requesting electronic device;

responsive to the request message, converting a part of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device into electromagnetic signals; and

transmitting the electromagnetic signals to the requesting electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the converting a part of electrical energy comprises determining the amount of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the electromagnetic signals comprises determining a transmission frequency.

4. A method of receiving electrical energy at a requesting electronic device, the method comprising:

sending a request message for electrical energy to one or more electronic devices;

selecting a transmitting electronic device from the one or more electronic devices having compatible parameters with the requesting electronic device;

receiving electromagnetic signals based on a part of the electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device; and

converting the electromagnetic signals into electrical energy at the requesting electronic device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the receiving electromagnetic signals comprises determining a reception frequency.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the converting the electromagnetic signals comprises amplifying and rectifying the electromagnetic signals.

7. A system for transferring electrical energy from a transmitting electronic device, the system comprising:

a communication module configured to receive a request message for electrical energy from a requesting electronic device having compatible parameters with the transmitting electronic device; and

a power module configured to;

convert a part of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device into electromagnetic signals; and

transmit the electromagnetic signals to the requesting electronic device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the power module determines a transmission frequency.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the power module further determines an amount of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device.

10. A system for receiving power at a requesting electronic device, the system comprising:

a plurality of electronic devices present within a pre-specified range of the requesting electronic device;

a communication module configured to send a request for electrical energy to one or more of the plurality of electronic devices having compatible parameters with the requesting electronic device; and

a power module configured to;

receive electromagnetic signals based on a part of the electrical energy stored in the one or more of the plurality of electronic devices; and

convert the electromagnetic signals into electrical energy at the requesting electronic device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of electronic devices is selected from a group consisting of cell phones, laptops, PDAs, cameras, and portable audio/video players.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module determines a reception frequency.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module amplifies and rectifies the received electromagnetic signals.

14. A transmitting electronic device transferring electrical energy, the transmitting electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to processor, said memory including one or more processor executable instructions;

a communication module configured to receive a request message for electrical energy from a requesting electronic device having compatible parameters with the transmitting electronic device; and

a power module configured to;

convert a part of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device into electromagnetic signals; and

transmit the electromagnetic signals to the requesting electronic device.

15. The transmitting electronic device of claim 14 is selected from a group consisting of a cell phone, laptop, PDA, camera, and portable audio/video player.

16. The transmitting electronic device of claim 14, wherein the power module determines a transmission frequency.

17. The transmitting electronic device of claim 14, wherein the power module further determines an amount of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device.

18. A requesting electronic device receiving electrical energy, the requesting electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to processor, said memory including one or more processor executable instructions;

a communication module configured to send a request to one or more electronic devices having compatible parameters with the requesting electronic device to transfer electrical energy; and

a power module configured to;

receive electromagnetic signals based on a part of the electrical energy stored in a transmitting electronic device; and

convert the electromagnetic signals into electrical energy at the requesting electronic device.

19. The requesting electronic device of claim 18 is selected from a group consisting of a cell phone, laptop, PDA, camera, and portable audio/video player.

20. The requesting electronic device of claim 18, wherein the power module determines a reception frequency.

21. The requesting electronic device of claim 18, wherein the power module further determines an amount of electrical energy stored in the requesting electronic device.

22. The requesting electronic device of claim 18, wherein the power module amplifies and rectifies the received electromagnetic signals.

23. A transmitting electronic device transferring electrical energy, the transmitting electronic device comprising:

means for converting a part of electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device into electromagnetic signals in response to receiving a request message for electrical energy from a requesting electronic device; and

means for transmitting the electromagnetic signals to the requesting electronic device.

24. A requesting electronic device receiving electrical energy, the requesting electronic device comprising:

means for sending a request for electrical energy to one or more electronic devices;

means for selecting a transmitting electronic device from the one or more electronic devices having compatible parameters with the requesting electronic device;

means for receiving electromagnetic signals based on a part of the electrical energy stored in the transmitting electronic device; and

means for converting the electromagnetic signals into electrical energy at the requesting electronic device.