Radio frequency method for recharging a wireless telephone

• US 9,491,705 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonathan W. Skipper
• Original Assignee: Jonathan W. Skipper
• Inventors: Skipper, Jonathan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Fayyaz
• Application Number:
  US13/955,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20150038197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/572, 455/573, 4553431-3436
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0245 according to signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity

Abstract

When the charge of a battery in a mobile telephone is less than a predefined level, a recharge request message or notice is wirelessly transmitted to a charging module. In response, the charging module begins transmitting a radio frequency signal. The mobile telephone receives the radio frequency signal and extracts energy therefrom which is used to recharge the battery. When the charge of the battery is greater than a predetermined level, recharging the battery terminates and a termination message is wirelessly transmitted to the charging module, which responds by discontinuing transmission of the radio frequency signal.

Claims

1. A method for charging a battery in a mobile telephone comprising:

monitoring a state of charge of the battery;

when the state of charge is less than a first predefined level, wirelessly transmitting a recharge request message from the mobile telephone wherein the recharge request message is a first radio frequency signal;

activating a charging module to transmit a second radio frequency signal in response to the charging module receiving the recharge request message;

receiving the second radio frequency signal at the mobile telephone;

extracting energy from the second radio frequency signal that is received; and

employing the energy to recharge the battery and, while employing the energy to recharge the battery, further performing the steps of;

measuring a strength of the second radio frequency signal using the mobile telephone and, in response to the strength of the second radio frequency signal being less than a predetermined level, wirelessly transmitting a low charging signal strength message from the mobile telephone;

receiving the low charging signal strength message at the charging module which responds to the low charging signal strength message by increasing an intensity of the second radio frequency signal being transmitted; and

playing audio material through a speaker of the charging module while the charging module transmits the second radio frequency signal, thereby indicating that recharging is taking place.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the charging module further responding to receiving the recharge request message by wirelessly transmitting an acknowledgement message.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising the mobile telephone responding to the acknowledgement message by commencing to recharge the battery.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising, after transmitting the recharge request message, the mobile telephone awaits receipt of the second radio frequency signal, and upon that receipt, the mobile telephone commences recharging the battery.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

after employing the energy to recharge the battery has commenced, monitoring a state of charge of the battery; and

when the state of charge is greater than a second predefined level, wirelessly transmitting a recharge termination message from the mobile telephone.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the charging module responding to receiving the recharge termination message by ceasing to transmit the second radio frequency signal.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising while employing the energy to recharge the battery:

the mobile telephone measuring strength of the second radio frequency signal;

in response to the strength of the second radio frequency signal being less than a predetermined level, the mobile telephone providing a human perceptible warning.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring state of charge of the battery; and

the mobile telephone providing a human perceptible indication of the state of charge of the battery.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising emitting a sound pattern from an audio output transmitter of the mobile telephone to indicate a present charge level to the user.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising emitting a tone from an audio output transmitter of the mobile telephone to indicate a present charge level to the user.