System and method for providing health safety in a wireless power transmission system

• US 9,893,554 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Bell, Douglas, Leabman, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cavallari, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/584,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20160099613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• 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 50/402 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use

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 controlling wireless transmission of power in accordance with safety restrictions, comprising:

receiving, via an application executing on an electronic device that is coupled to a wireless power receiver, user-selected safety restrictions used to determine when wirelessly delivered power may be transmitted to the wireless power receiver;

determining, using data provided by a sensor of the electronic device, whether any of the safety restrictions are present at the electronic device;

upon determining that the safety restrictions are not present at the electronic device, receiving radio frequency (RF) power waves that are sent to the electronic device by a wireless power transmitter, wherein the wireless power transmitter only transmits the RF power waves when the safety restrictions are not present at the electronic device; and

while receiving the RF power waves;

continuing to determine whether any of the safety restrictions are present at the electronic device; and

upon determining that at least one of the safety restrictions is present at the electronic device, ceasing to receive the RF power waves from the wireless power transmitter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to to one of (a) movement of the electronic device and (b) an orientation of the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to proximity of the electronic device to a user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to usage of the electronic by a user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to whether a peripheral device is connected to the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor of the electronic device is a sensor used to determine pitch, yaw, roll, or attitude of the electronic device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless power receiver that includes at least one antenna for receiving the RF power waves.

7. An electronic device for receiving wireless power comprising:

at least one receiving antenna for receiving wireless power waves;

a sensor;

one or more processors configured to;

determine, using data provided by a sensor of the electronic device, whether any of the safety restrictions are present at the electronic device;

upon determining that the safety restrictions are not present at the electronic device, receive radio frequency (RF) power waves that are sent to the electronic device by a wireless power transmitter, wherein the wireless power transmitter only transmits the RF power waves when the safety restrictions are not present at the electronic device; and

while receiving the RF power waves;

continue to determine whether any of the safety restrictions are present at the electronic device; and

upon determining that at least one of the safety restrictions is present at the electronic device, cease to receive the RF power waves from the wireless power transmitter.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to one of (a) movement of the electronic device and (b) an orientation of the electronic device.

9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to proximity of the electronic device to a user.

10. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to usage of the electronic device by a user.

11. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the safety restrictions include restrictions related to whether a peripheral device is connected to the electronic device.

12. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the sensor of the electronic device is a sensor used to determine pitch, yaw, roll, or attitude of the electronic device.