Wireless charging system and method

• US 8,847,547 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2013
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Chang Ki, Jung, Won Bae
• Primary Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V
• Application Number:
  US13/871,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20130234659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 455/41.1, 4553431-3436, 455/573, 340/538.16, 340/854.8, 340/870.31, 340/870.32
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A wireless charging system can optimize charging efficiency regardless of a location of a mobile terminal. The wireless charging system wirelessly charges a mobile terminal using electromagnetic induction between a first coil included in a charging pad and a second coil included in the mobile terminal. The charging pad can detect a location of the mobile terminal on the charging pad. The charging pad can move the first coil to correspond to the detected location of the mobile terminal; and supply power to the first coil and charging a battery.

Claims

1. A terminal comprising:

a first coil configured to charge a battery using an induction current induced to the first coil by a magnetic field generated by an external device adjacent to the terminal;

a communication unit configured to transmit a control signal to the external device, the control signal being a command requesting the external device to move a location of a second coil formed in the external device; and

a control unit configured to check a charging efficiency and to control the communication unit to transmit the control signal to the external device when the charging efficiency is less than a threshold.

2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein:

the communication unit is further configured to transmit a charging completion message to the external device, the charging completion message being a command requesting the external device to terminate charging process, and

the control unit is further configured to determine whether the charging of the battery is completed and to control the communication unit to transmit the charging completion message to the external device when the charging of the battery is determined to be completed.

3. The terminal of claim 2,

wherein when the external device receives the charging completion message, the external device interrupts a power supply for charging the battery in the terminal to the second coil.

4. The terminal of claim 2,

wherein when the external device receives the charging completion message, the external device moves the second coil to a location that does not correspond to a location of the first coil.

5. The terminal of claim 1,

wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit certification information to the external device, the certification information being used by the external device to determine whether the terminal is adequate for a wireless charging.

6. The terminal of claim 5,

wherein when the external device fails to receive correct certification information, the external device does not start charging process.

7. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the control signal through short range wireless communication.

8. The terminal of claim 1,

wherein when the external device receives the control signal, the external device moves the location of the second coil.

9. A method of a terminal, the terminal comprising a first coil configured to charge a battery using an induction current induced to the first coil by a magnetic field generated by an external device adjacent to the terminal, the method comprising:

determining a charging efficiency; and

transmitting a control signal to the external device when the charging efficiency is less than a threshold, the control signal being a command requesting the external device to move a location of a second coil formed in the external device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining whether the charging of the battery is completed; and

transmitting a charging completion message to the external device when the charging of the battery is determined to be completed, the charging completion message being a command requesting the external device to terminate charging process.

11. The method of claim 10,

wherein when the external device receives the charging completion message, the external device interrupts a power supply for charging the battery in the terminal to the second coil.

12. The method of claim 10,

wherein when the external device receives the charging completion message, the external device moves the second coil to a location that does not correspond to a location of the first coil.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting certification information to the external device, the certification information being used by the external device for determining whether the terminal is adequate for a wireless charging.

14. The method of claim 13,

wherein when the external device fails to receive correct certification information, the external device does not start charging process.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the control signal is transmitted through short range wireless communication.

16. The method of claim 9,

wherein when the external device receives the control signal, the external device moves the location of the second coil.

17. A wireless charging system, comprising:

a charging pad configured to generate a magnetic field when power is supplied; and

a terminal adjacent to the charging pad, the terminal comprising;

a first coil configured to charge a battery using an induction current induced to the first coil by a magnetic field generated by the charging pad;

a communication unit configured to transmit a control signal to the external device, the control signal being a command requesting the external device to move a location of a second coil formed in the charging pad; and

a control unit configured to determine a charging efficiency and to control the communication unit to transmit the control signal to the charging pad when the charging efficiency is determined to be less than a threshold.

18. The wireless charging system of claim 17, wherein:

the communication unit is further configured to transmit a charging completion message to the charging pad, the charging completion message being a command requesting the charging pad to terminate charging process, and

the control unit is further configured to determine whether the charging of the battery is completed and to control the communication unit to transmit the charging completion message to the charging pad when the charging of the battery is determined to be completed.

19. The wireless charging system of claim 17,

wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit certification information to the charging pad, the certification information being used by the charging pad to determine whether the terminal is adequate for a wireless charging.

20. The wireless charging system of claim 17, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the control signal through short range wireless communication.