System, apparatus and method for supplying electric power, apparatus and method for receiving electric power, storage medium and program

• US 8,446,251 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2012
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kozuma, Yosuke, Nishikawa, Shinpei, Kimura, Shinji, Hori, Yusuke, Mikano, Goro, Iwasaki, Yuuki, Onitsuka, Shigetoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US13/546,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20120274151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/572.1, 455/152.1, 345/30, 178/18.01
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• 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 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00304 Overcurrent protection

Abstract

An electric power supply system includes an electric power reception apparatus and an electric power supply apparatus adapted to supply electric power to the electric power reception apparatus when the electric power reception apparatus is placed on the electric power supply apparatus. The electric power supply apparatus includes a plurality of electric power supply units adapted to supply electric power by electromagnetic induction to the electric power reception apparatus. A selection unit of the electric power supply apparatus selects, from the total plurality of electric power supply units, a plurality of electric power supply units whose location corresponds to a position where the electric power reception apparatus is placed, and a control unit controls the supply of electric power such that electric power is supplied to the electric power reception apparatus from the selected plurality of electric power supply units.

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising:

at least one electric power reception section;

an electric power supply section adapted to induce electrical power into said at least one electric power reception section upon determination that said at least one electric power reception section is located on said electric power supply section; and

wherein said electric power supply section includes a detection circuit that detects a presence of a current level in said electric power supply section indicative of the presence on said electric power supply section of a substance other than an electric power reception section.

2. A power supply system of claim 1 wherein said detection circuit determines that an eddy current has been induced in said electric power supply section indicative of the presence on said electric power supply section of said substance other than an electric power reception section.

4. A power supply system of claim 1 wherein upon detection of the presence of the substance other than an electric power reception section located on said electric power supply section said detection circuit limits a current flowing in said electric power supply section.

5. A power supply system of claim 1 wherein said detection circuit detects the presence of more than one substance other than an electric power reception section located on said electric power supply section.

3. A power supply system comprising:

at least one electric power reception section;

an electric power supply section adapted to induce electrical power into said at least one electric power reception section upon determination that said at least one electric power reception section is located on said electric power supply section; and

wherein said electric power supply section includes a detection circuit that determines that heat has been induced in said electric power supply section indicative of the presence on said electric power supply section of a substance other than an electric power reception section.

6. A power supply system of claim 3 wherein said detection circuit detects the presence of more than one substance other than an electric power reception section located on said electric power supply section.