Laptop computer as a transmitter for wireless charging

• US 9,847,669 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2016
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A., Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US15/010,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20160149437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/23 characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage

Abstract

Configurations and methods of wireless power transmission using a laptop computer may include a transmitter and/or a receiver embedded in the laptop screen. The embedded transmitter may emit RF waves for the generation of pockets of energy that may be utilized by receivers in peripheral devices for charging or powering. Meanwhile, the receiver embedded in the laptop computer may collect RF waves from a separate transmitter for charging or powering the laptop computer.

Claims

1. A laptop computer comprising:

a screen portion comprising a screen layer and a transmitter layer,

wherein the transmitter layer;

is integrated between a back-light layer and a frame of the laptop and

comprises at least two or more antennas configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves that converge to form constructive interference in proximity to a location of a receiver that is not in contact with the laptop computer; and

a communications component configured to communicate information with the receiver that is used to determine the location of the receiver.

2. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the communications component is configured to receive a power requirement from the receiver.

3. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the communications component is configured to receive data selected from the group consisting of a battery level, a device identifier, a user identifier, and an indication of power consumption.

4. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the at least two or more antennas comprise a flat antenna, a patch antenna, or a dipole antenna.

5. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter layer is a substantially planar layer.

6. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a frame of the screen portion, and the transmitter layer is positioned on the frame.

7. A computer system comprising:

a screen portion comprising a screen layer and a transmitter layer, wherein the transmitter layer is integrated between a back-light layer and a frame of the screen portion;

at least two or more antennas in the transmitter layer that are configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves that converge to form constructive interference in proximity to a location of a receiver that is not in contact with the computer system; and

a communications component configured to communicate with the receiver that is used to determine the location of the receiver.

8. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the computer system is a laptop computer, desktop computer, or a notebook computer.

9. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the computer system is a tablet computer or a smart phone.

10. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the communications component is configured to receive a power requirement from the receiver.

11. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the communications component is configured to receive data selected from the group consisting of a battery level, a device identifier, a user identifier, and an indication of power consumption.

12. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the at least two or more antennas comprise a flat antenna, a patch antenna, or a dipole antenna.

13. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the transmitter layer comprises a substantially planar layer.

14. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein the at least two or more antennas are positioned on the frame of a screen portion.