System and method for three mode wireless energy harvesting

• US 9,318,921 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama (University of Alabama System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama (University of Alabama System)
• Inventors: Abu-Qahouq, Jaber
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bukhari, Aqeel
• Application Number:
  US13/063,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20110218014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,413 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• 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

Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for a three mode wireless energy harvesting concept wherein a triceiver system with a single antenna can be configured to transmit wireless data, receive wireless data and exchange power with other devices. When not being used for exchanging power, the triceiver system with the single antenna can be operably connected to data transfer functions of a wireless device. When used for receiving power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting RF signals to electrical energy. When used for transmitting power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting electrical energy to RF signals.

Claims

1. An energy harvesting and transmission management system for a mobile device comprised of:

a triceiver system with a single antenna of the mobile device;

an RF wireless energy to electrical energy converter operably connected to the triceiver antenna; and

a power and wireless traffic controller operably connected to the triceiver antenna;

wherein the power and wireless traffic controller is configured to;

switch the triceiver antenna of the mobile device to transmit data;

switch the triceiver antenna of the mobile device to receive data; and

switch the triceiver antenna of the mobile device between power interface modes comprising transmitting power to other wireless devices through a plurality of RF wireless signals and receiving power from other wireless devices through a plurality of RF wireless signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein receiving a plurality of RF wireless signals from other devices further comprises converting the RF wireless signals into electrical energy.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the triceiver system with the single antenna comprises:

a mode for receiving wireless data;

a mode for transmitting wireless data;

a mode for receiving RF wireless transmissions, wherein said RF wireless transmissions are converted to electrical energy; and

a mode for distributing electrical energy through RF wireless transmissions.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the triceiver antenna is configured to operate at a same frequency when transmitting or receiving data and when transmitting or receiving electrical energy.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the triceiver antenna is configured to operate at different frequencies when transmitting or receiving data and when transmitting or receiving electrical energy.

4. A method for harvesting RF wireless energy with a mobile device comprising:

using a triceiver system with a single antenna of the mobile device for transmitting data;

using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the mobile device for receiving data;

using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the mobile device for distributing electrical energy through RF wireless transmissions;

using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the mobile device for receiving electrical energy through RF wireless transmissions; and

converting the received RF wireless transmissions into the electrical energy.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein distributing electrical energy through RF wireless transmissions comprises:

transmitting RF wireless signals to one or more other devices, wherein said wireless signals have one or more frequencies.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein using the triceiver system with the single antenna for receiving RF wireless transmissions further comprises converting the RF wireless signals to the electrical energy.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the electrical energy is stored or used by a device receiving the RF wireless transmission.

8. A method for charging a wireless mobile device comprising:

using a triceiver system with a single antenna of the wireless mobile device to transmit data;

using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the wireless mobile device to receive data;

using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the wireless mobile device to receive power through a plurality of RF wireless signals; and

using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the wireless mobile device to transmit power through a plurality of RF wireless signals at different power levels, wherein a wireless device receiving the RF wireless signals converts the RF wireless signals to electrical energy.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein using the triceiver system with the single antenna to transmit the RF wireless signals comprises transmitting RF wireless signals at different frequencies.

10. A method for charging wireless devices comprising:

setting a first wireless device to receive power through a triceiver system with a single antenna of the first wireless device, the first wireless device being able to receive power and transmit power through the triceiver system, the first wireless device being able to receive data and transmit data through the triceiver system; and

setting a second wireless device to transmit power through a triceiver system with a single antenna of the second wireless device, the second wireless device being able to receive power and transmit power through the triceiver system, the second wireless device being able to receive data and transmit data through the triceiver system; and

transmitting an RF signal from the second wireless device to the first wireless device, wherein the first device converts the RF signal to electrical energy for use by the first device, wherein the first and second wireless devices are mobile wireless devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein setting a first wireless device to receive power through a triceiver system is user selected.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein setting a first wireless device to receive power through a triceiver system is automatic depending upon battery charge of the first device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein setting a first wireless device to receive power through a triceiver system occurs when the first device is inoperable because a battery of the first device is depleted and said first device receives an RF signal from the second device such that said RF signal enables the first device to operate.

14. A method for controlling power and wireless traffic in a mobile device comprising:

controlling a duration of time for harvesting and receiving wireless energy using a triceiver system with a single antenna of the mobile device;

controlling a duration of time for wireless data traffic using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the mobile device;

adjusting the duration of time for wireless data traffic and the duration of time for harvesting and receiving wireless energy based on wireless traffic volume using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the mobile device; and

adjusting the duration of time for wireless data traffic and the duration of time for harvesting and receiving wireless energy based on the amount of power being harvested using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the mobile device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein power and wireless traffic is controlled over a total time period, further comprising setting a mode duty cycle (MDC), wherein MDC=WH time/Total Time Period, and WH time is the duration of time for harvesting wireless energy.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein power and wireless traffic is controlled over a total time period, further comprising setting a RX_TX time, wherein RX-TX time=Total Time Period−

WH time, and WH time is the duration of time for harvesting wireless energy.

17. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable code sections which, when executed by a processor, perform a method comprising:

switching a single antenna of a triceiver system associated with a mobile wireless device between a data transmit, data receive, and power interface mode, wherein said power interface mode is comprised of an energy receive mode and an energy transmit mode;

receiving an RF signal via said single antenna while in said energy receive mode of said power interface mode and converting said RF signal into electrical energy for use by said mobile wireless device; and

converting electrical energy into an RF signal and transmitting the RF signal via said single antenna while in said energy transmit mode of said power interface mode, wherein said RF signal can be converted into electrical energy by another device.

18. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable code which, when executed by a processor, performs a method for controlling power and wireless traffic of a wireless mobile device and comprising:

controlling a duration of time for harvesting and receiving wireless energy using a triceiver system with a single antenna of the wireless mobile device;

controlling a duration of time for wireless data traffic using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the wireless mobile device;

adjusting the duration of time for wireless data traffic and the duration for time for harvesting and receiving wireless energy based on wireless data traffic volume using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the wireless mobile device; and

adjusting the duration of time for wireless data traffic and the duration of time for harvesting and receiving wireless energy based on the amount of power being harvested using the triceiver system with the single antenna of the wireless mobile device.