Method and apparatus for providing wireless charging power to a wireless power receiver

• US 9,966,802 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2013
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Kyung-Woo, Byun, Kang-Ho, Jung, Hee-Won
• Primary Examiner(s): Siek, Vuthe
• Application Number:
  US13/937,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20140009110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 320108, 320137
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• 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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting charging power to a wireless power receiver. The method includes detecting the wireless power receiver by applying different detection powers with different power levels; applying a driving power to drive the detected wireless power receiver; receiving a request signal for communication from the detected wireless power receiver using the driving power; determining whether or not to subscribe the detected wireless power receiver to a wireless power network; transmitting, to the detected wireless power receiver, a response signal to the request signal for communication, the response signal indicating whether or not the detected wireless power receiver is subscribed to the wireless power network; and transmitting charging power to the detected wireless power receiver, when the detected wireless power receiver is subscribed to the wireless power network.

Claims

1. An operation method of a wireless power transmitter, the operation method comprising:

applying a first detection power with a first power level into a resonator of the wireless power transmitter;

after a predetermined time interval since applying the first detection power, applying a second detection power with a second power level into the resonator of the wireless power transmitter, wherein the first power level is different from the second power level;

detecting the wireless power receiver by detecting a change of load impedance in the wireless power transmitter while applying the first detection power or the second detection power; and

transmitting a charging power to the detected wireless power receiver,

wherein the first detection power and the second detection power are for detecting the change of load impedance caused by placement of the wireless power receiver.

2. The operation method of claim 1, wherein detecting the wireless power receiver comprises:

determining whether the change of load impedance exceeds a predetermined threshold, while the first detection power or the second detection power is applied; and

detecting the wireless power receiver based on the determination.

3. The operation method of claim 1, wherein the second detection power has a minimum power level that will detect the change of load impedance with respect to the wireless power receiver in a first category.

4. The operation method of claim 1,

wherein the second detection power is applied after a predetermined time gap after applying the first detection power.

5. The operation method of claim 1, further comprising:

applying a driving power to drive the detected wireless power receiver,

wherein applying the driving power comprises keeping applying the driving power, if the wireless power receiver is detected.

6. A wireless power transmitter, comprising:

a resonator; and

a controller configured to;

control such that a first detection power with a first power level is applied into the resonator;

after a predetermined time interval since applying the first detection power, control such that a second detection power with a second power level is applied into the resonator, wherein the first power level is different from the second power level,

detect the wireless power receiver by detecting a change of load impedance in the wireless power transmitter; and

control the resonator to transmit a charging power to the detected wireless power receiver,

wherein the first detection power and the second detection power are for detecting the change of load impedance caused by placement of the wireless power receiver.

7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine whether the change of load impedance exceeds a predetermined threshold, while the first detection power or the second detection power is applied into the resonator, and

detect the wireless power receiver based on the determination.

8. The wireless power transmitter of claim 6, wherein the second detection power has a minimum power level that will detect the change of load impedance with respect to the wireless power receiver in a first category.

9. The wireless power transmitter of claim 6, wherein the second detection power is applied after a predetermined time gap after applying the first detection power.

10. The wireless power transmitter of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to apply a driving power to drive the detected wireless power receiver, if the wireless power receiver is detected.

11. A method of detecting a wireless power receiver by a wireless power transmitter, the method comprising:

applying a first power to a resonator of the wireless power transmitter for a first period of time;

applying a second power to the resonator, wherein the second power is different from the first power;

identifying a change of load impedance in the wireless power transmitter that exceeds a predetermined threshold, while the first power or the second power is applied; and

detecting the wireless power receiver, based on the identified load impedance change.

12. A wireless power transmitter, comprising:

a resonator; and

a controller configured to;

control such that a first power is applied to the resonator for a first period of time,

control such that a second power is applied to the resonator, wherein the second power is different from the first power,

identify a change of load impedance in the wireless power transmitter that exceeds a predetermined threshold, while the first power or the second power is applied, and

detect the wireless power receiver, based on the identified load impedance change.