Method of protecting power receiver and related wireless charging device

• US 9,507,969 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Chu, Feng-Seng
• Primary Examiner(s): ABEDIN, SHANTO
• Application Number:
  US14/188,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20140245464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 726 34- 36, 455/41.2, 455/411, 340/10.4, 340/10.51, 340/540, 340/687
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/81 by operating on the power supply, e.g. enabling or disabling power-on, sleep or resume operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/12 Usage or charge determination
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/006 dispensed for the electrical charging of other devices than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/10 with alarm or warning devices, e.g. indicating the interrupting of the supply
• 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 7/00045 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

Abstract

A method for a power receiver for protecting a power receiver from being taken without permission while charged wirelessly includes receiving wireless power from a power transmitter and performing wireless charging in a security mode by the power receiver; detecting whether the wireless charging is interrupted without receiving a security code for authorization; and starting a protection function if the power receiver detects that the wireless charging is interrupted without receiving the security code for authorization.

Claims

1. A method for a power transmitter for protecting a power receiver from being taken without permission while charged wirelessly, the method comprising:

the power transmitter transmitting wireless power to the power receiver for wireless charging;

the power transmitter constantly receiving a feedback from the power receiver, wherein the feedback is included in a control error packet (CEP) for sending to the power transmitter during wireless charging, and the feedback is sent periodically or non-periodically;

the power transmitter detecting whether the wireless charging is interrupted by determining that the wireless charging is interrupted when the power transmitter does not receive the feedback for more than a specific time; and

the power transmitter starting a protection function if the power transmitter detects that the wireless charging is interrupted and an authorized remove notification signal has not been received from the power receiver;

wherein the authorized remove notification signal is received via an end power transfer packet with a message code indicating that the power receiver is removed with authorization.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a notification from the power receiver indicating that the power receiver is going to perform wireless charging in a security mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification is realized by a bit included in a configuration packet transmitted to the power transmitter, for notifying that the power receiver is going to perform the wireless charging in the security mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection function comprises releasing a warning signal to notify an owner of a power receiver theft, or sending a message to a specific person or a place for help.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending an unauthorized interruption notification signal to the power receiver after detecting that the wireless charging is interrupted.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the power receiver releases a warning signal to notify an owner of a power receiver theft, launches a function for reporting a location of the power receiver, or sends a message to a specific person or a place for help after receiving the unauthorized interruption notification signal.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

stopping the protection function after the power receiver is replaced on the power transmitter or after time-out.