Enhanced transmitter that selects configurations of antenna elements for performing wireless power transmission and receiving functions
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling transmission of pocket-forming wireless RF signals suitable for charging devices, comprising:
- a controller, coupled to a communication component, configured to communicate with a receiver via a communication signal indicating a location of the receiver;
one or more receiving circuits coupled to the controller, each receiving circuit configured to receive and sample one or more incoming RF signals from the receiver;
a plurality of transmitting circuits operatively coupled to the controller, each transmitting circuit configured to generate one or more outgoing RF signals based upon the one or more incoming RF signals sampled at the one or more receiving circuits; and
an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements within a housing, the plurality of antenna elements including at least some dedicated antenna elements,wherein the controller is configured to;
(i) select a first configuration of at least some of the dedicated antenna elements to be coupled to the one or more receiving circuits, and(ii) select, based on the location of the receiver, a second configuration, distinct from the first configuration, of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to be coupled to the plurality of transmitting circuits to transmit the one or more outgoing RF signals, the one or more outgoing RF signals converging and forming controlled constructive interference at the location of the receiver.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling transmission of pocket-forming wireless RF signals suitable for charging devices, comprising:
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a controller, coupled to a communication component, configured to communicate with a receiver via a communication signal indicating a location of the receiver; one or more receiving circuits coupled to the controller, each receiving circuit configured to receive and sample one or more incoming RF signals from the receiver; a plurality of transmitting circuits operatively coupled to the controller, each transmitting circuit configured to generate one or more outgoing RF signals based upon the one or more incoming RF signals sampled at the one or more receiving circuits; and an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements within a housing, the plurality of antenna elements including at least some dedicated antenna elements, wherein the controller is configured to; (i) select a first configuration of at least some of the dedicated antenna elements to be coupled to the one or more receiving circuits, and (ii) select, based on the location of the receiver, a second configuration, distinct from the first configuration, of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to be coupled to the plurality of transmitting circuits to transmit the one or more outgoing RF signals, the one or more outgoing RF signals converging and forming controlled constructive interference at the location of the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for controlling transmission of wireless RF signals suitable for charging devices, comprising:
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an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements within a housing, the plurality of antenna elements including at least some dedicated antenna elements; and a controller, operatively coupled to a plurality of transmitting circuits, wherein the controller is configured to; (i) send switching signals to a receiving circuit to select a first configuration of at least some of the dedicated antenna elements to be coupled to the receiving circuit to receive incoming RF signals, wherein the controller is coupled to a communications component configured to communicate with a receiver via a communication signal indicating a location associated with the receiver, (ii) process the incoming RF signals, and (iii) select, based on the location associated with the receiver, a second configuration, distinct from the first configuration, of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to be coupled to the plurality of the transmitting circuits to generate outgoing RF signals for forming controlled constructive interference at the location associated with the receiver based on the processing. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A transmitter for controlling transmission of wireless RF signals suitable for charging devices, comprising:
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a controller; a plurality of transmitting circuits operatively coupled to the controller; and an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements within a housing, the plurality of antenna elements including at least some dedicated antenna elements, wherein the controller is coupled to a communication component configured to communicate with a receiver via a communications signal indicating a location associated with the receiver and the controller is configured to; (i) select a first configuration of at least some of the dedicated antenna elements to be coupled to the one or more receiving circuits, and (ii) select, based on the location associated with the receiver, a second configuration, distinct from the first configuration, of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to be coupled to the plurality of transmitting circuits to generate outgoing RF signals for forming controlled constructive interference at the location associated with the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of controlling transmission of wireless RF signals suitable for charging devices, the method comprising:
at a transmitter that includes a controller, a plurality of transmitting circuits coupled to the controller, one or more receiving circuits coupled to the controller, a communication component coupled to the controller, and an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements within a housing, the plurality of antenna elements including at least some dedicated antenna elements; receiving, by the communication component and from a receiver, a communication signal that indicates a location associated with the receiver; selecting, by the controller, a first configuration of at least some of the dedicated antenna elements to be coupled to the one or more receiving circuits; and selecting, based on the location associated with the receiver, a second configuration, distinct from the first configuration, of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to be coupled to the plurality of transmitting circuits; and generating, by the plurality of transmitting circuits, outgoing RF signals for transmission by the second configuration of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to form controlled constructive interference at the location associated with the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification