Communications via wireless charging

• US 9,385,787 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Toivanen, Timo Juhani, Saari, Jarmo Ilkka
• Primary Examiner(s): West, Lewis
• Application Number:
  US14/167,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20150215005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 455/573, 455/572, 455/343.1, 455/41.1, 320/108, 320/127
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for wireless charging. In some example embodiments, there is provide a method. The method may include receiving, at a power receiver, a first ping message and a second ping message; detecting, at the power receiver, a first time between transmissions of the first ping message and the second ping message; and decoding, at the power receiver, the first time into a data value representative of a transmitted data value sent by a power transmitter. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a power receiver, a first ping message and a second ping message, wherein the first ping message is received from a secondary coil at the power receiver;

detecting, at the power receiver, a first time between transmissions of the first ping message and the second ping message; and

decoding, at the power receiver, the first time into a data value representative of a transmitted data value sent by a power transmitter.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending, by the power receiver, an indication to enter a communication phase to enable the transmissions of the first ping message and the second ping message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication phase includes a calibration phase to determine at least a round trip time associated with at least one ping message.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

sending, by the power receiver, a terminate indication to the power transmitter to cease the communication phase and to enable an identification and configuration phase.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decoding, at the power receiver, a detected third time between transmissions of the second ping message and a third ping message.

6. A method comprising:

receiving, by a power transmitter, a data value;

encoding, by the power transmitter, the received data value into a first time between transmissions of a first ping message and a second ping message; and

sending, by the power transmitter, the first ping message and the second ping message according to the encoded first time between transmissions;

wherein the sending of the second ping message is delayed until the first time to encode the data value.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving, by the power transmitter, at least one of an indication to enter a communication phase and a termination indication to cease the communication phase.

8. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code configured to cause the apparatus to at least;

receive a first ping message and a second ping message, wherein the first ping message is received from a secondary coil at the power receiver;

detect a first time between transmissions of the first ping message and the second ping message; and

decode the first time into a data value representative of a transmitted data value sent by a power transmitter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least send an indication to enter a communication phase to enable the transmissions of the first ping message and the second ping message.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication phase includes a calibration phase to determine at least a round trip time associated with at least one ping message.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least send a terminate indication to the power transmitter to cease the communication phase and to enable an identification and configuration phase.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least decode a detected third time between transmissions of the second ping message and a third ping message.

13. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code configured to cause the apparatus to at least;

receive a data value;

encode the received data value into a first time between transmissions of a first ping message and a second ping message; and

send the first ping message and the second ping message according to the encoded first time between transmissions;

wherein the sending of the second ping message is delayed until the first time to encode the data value.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least receive at least one of an indication to enter a communication phase and a termination indication to cease the communication phase.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform at least the following:

receiving, at a power receiver, a first ping message and a second ping message, wherein the first ping message is received from a secondary coil at the power receiver;

detecting, at the power receiver, a first time between transmissions of the first ping message and the second ping message; and

decoding, at the power receiver, the first time into a data value representative of a transmitted data value sent by a power transmitter.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform at least the following:

receiving, by a power transmitter, a data value;

encoding, by the power transmitter, the received data value into a first time between transmissions of a first ping message and a second ping message; and

sending, by the power transmitter, the first ping message and the second ping message according to the encoded first time between transmissions;

wherein the sending of the second ping message is delayed until the first time to encode the data value.