Systems and methods for wireless power transmission by modifying a number of antenna elements used to transmit power waves to a receiver
First Claim
1. A method for wireless power transmission, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a communications component of a transmitter that includes an antenna array for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power waves, a first communication signal from a receiver, the first communication signal comprising a location associated with the receiver;
transmitting, by the transmitter, a first set of at least two RF power waves using a first set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to the location of the receiver such that the first set of RF power waves converges to form a first constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver;
receiving, by the communications component of the transmitter from the receiver, a second communication signal indicating a first amount of power received by the receiver based on the first constructive interference pattern;
in accordance with a determination, by a processor of the transmitter and based at least in part of the first amount of power received by the receiver, that a number of RF antenna elements used to transmit RF power waves to the receiver should be modified, selecting a second set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to transmit RF power waves to the receiver, wherein the second set of at least two RF antenna elements is different from the first set of at least two RF antenna elements; and
transmitting, by the second set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array of the transmitter, a second set of at least two RF power waves to the location of the receiver such that the second set of RF power waves converges to form a second constructive interference pattern proximate to 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
22 Claims
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1. A method for wireless power transmission, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a communications component of a transmitter that includes an antenna array for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power waves, a first communication signal from a receiver, the first communication signal comprising a location associated with the receiver; transmitting, by the transmitter, a first set of at least two RF power waves using a first set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to the location of the receiver such that the first set of RF power waves converges to form a first constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver; receiving, by the communications component of the transmitter from the receiver, a second communication signal indicating a first amount of power received by the receiver based on the first constructive interference pattern; in accordance with a determination, by a processor of the transmitter and based at least in part of the first amount of power received by the receiver, that a number of RF antenna elements used to transmit RF power waves to the receiver should be modified, selecting a second set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to transmit RF power waves to the receiver, wherein the second set of at least two RF antenna elements is different from the first set of at least two RF antenna elements; and transmitting, by the second set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array of the transmitter, a second set of at least two RF power waves to the location of the receiver such that the second set of RF power waves converges to form a second constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for wireless power transmission comprising:
a transmitter comprising a processor, a communications component and an antenna array for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power waves, the transmitter configured to; receive, by the communications component, a first communication signal from a receiver, the first communication signal comprising a location associated with the receiver; transmit a first set of at least two RF power waves using a first set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to the location of the receiver such that the first set of RF power waves converges to form a first constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver; receive, by the communications component, a second communication signal from the receiver, the second communications signal indicating a first amount of power received by the receiver based on the first constructive interference pattern; in accordance with a determination, by the processor and based at least in part of the first amount of power received by the receiver, that a number of RF antenna elements used to transmit RF power waves to the receiver should be modified, select a second set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to transmit RF waves to the receiver, wherein the second set of at least two RF antenna elements is different from the first set of at least two RF antenna elements; and transmit a second set of at least two RF waves from the second set of at least two RF antenna elements of the antenna array to the location of the receiver such that the second set of RF waves converges to form a second constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification