Systems and methods for wirelessly delivering power to electronic devices that are unable to communicate with a transmitter

• US 9,787,103 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A., Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Rossoshek, Helen
• Application Number:
  US14/584,375
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• 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 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation

Abstract

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

Claims

1. A method for wireless powering of an electronic device, comprising:

receiving, by a transmitter, an activation command via an activation button associated with the transmitter that causes the transmitter to create a first constructive interference pattern by converging a first plurality of radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves near a surface of the transmitter to power an electronic device that has insufficient power to communicate with the transmitter;

transmitting, by the transmitter, the first plurality of RF power transmission waves to converge to form the first constructive interference pattern near the surface of the transmitter; and

after the electronic device has sufficient power to communicate with the transmitter;

receiving, from the electronic device, an indication of a location of the electronic device; and

transmitting a second plurality of RF power transmission waves that converge to form a second constructive interference pattern, distinct from the first constructive interference pattern, near the location of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation button is on the transmitter.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a battery of the electronic device is charged to a predetermined level using energy received from the first constructive interference pattern to allow the electronic device to establish communication with the transmitter for continuing to receive power from the transmitter when the electronic device is moved away from near the proximity of the transmitter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, after the electronic device has sufficient power to communicate with the transmitter, the electronic device communicates with the transmitter through one or more communications signals sent through a communications component of the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more communications signals are transmitted using a standard wireless communication protocol selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, ZigBee, and FM radio.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation button is on a portable device, distinct from the electronic device, that is in communication with the transmitter.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, from the portable device, an additional activation command and information that identifies a location of the portable device; and

in response to receiving the additional activation command, transmitting, by the transmitter, a third plurality of RF power transmission waves that converge to form a third constructive interference pattern in proximity to the location of the portable device.

8. A transmitter comprising:

a communications component

a plurality of radio (RF) antennas;

a processor configured to;

receive an activation command via an activation button associated with the transmitter that causes the transmitter to create a first constructive interference pattern by converging a first plurality of radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves near a surface of the transmitter to power an electronic device that has insufficient power to communicate with the transmitter;

cause the plurality of RF antennas to transmit the first plurality of RF power transmission waves to converge to form the first constructive interference pattern near the surface of the transmitter; and

after the electronic device has sufficient power to communicate with the transmitter;

receive, from the electronic device and via the communications component, an indication of a location of the electronic device; and

cause the plurality of RF antennas to transmit a second plurality of RF power transmission waves that converge to form a second constructive interference pattern, distinct from the first constructive interference pattern, near the location of the electronic device.

9. The transmitter of claim 8, wherein the transmitter further comprises the activation button.

10. The transmitter of claim 8, wherein a battery of the electronic device is charged to a predetermined level using energy received from the first constructive interference pattern to allow the electronic device to establish communication with the transmitter for continuing to receive power from the transmitter when the electronic device is moved away from near the surface of the transmitter.

11. The transmitter of claim 8, wherein the activation button is on a portable device, distinct from the electronic device, that is in communication with the transmitter.

12. The transmitter of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, from the portable device and via the communications component, an additional activation command and information that identifies a location of the portable device; and

in response to receiving the additional activation command, cause the plurality of RF antennas to transmit a third plurality of RF power transmission waves that converge to form a third constructive interference pattern in proximity to the location of the portable device.

13. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processor of a transmitter, cause the transmitter to:

receive an activation command via an activation button associated with the transmitter that causes the transmitter to create a first constructive interference pattern by converging a first plurality of radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves near a surface of the transmitter to power an electronic device that has insufficient power to communicate with the transmitter;

transmit the first plurality of RF power transmission waves to converge to form the first constructive interference pattern near the surface of the transmitter; and

after the electronic device has sufficient power to communicate with the transmitter;

receive, from the electronic device and via the communications component, an indication of a location of the electronic device; and

transmit a second plurality of RF power transmission waves that converge to form a second constructive interference pattern, distinct from the first constructive interference pattern, near the location of the electronic device.

14. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the activation button is on the transmitter.

15. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein a battery of the electronic device is charged to a predetermined level using energy received from the first constructive interference pattern to allow the electronic device to establish communication with the transmitter for continuing to receive power from the transmitter when the electronic device is moved away from near the surface of the transmitter.

16. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the activation button is on a portable device, distinct from the electronic device, that is in communication with the transmitter.

17. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the executable instructions also cause the transmitter to:

receive, from the portable device and via the communications component, an additional activation command and information that identifies a location of the portable device; and

in response to receiving the additional activation command, transmit a third plurality of RF power transmission waves that converge to form a third constructive interference pattern in proximity to the location of the portable device.