System and method for wireless power control communication using bluetooth low energy

• US 9,979,223 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2016
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Redding, Brian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Application Number:
  US15/249,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20160365747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320108, 320114, 320128, 320132, 320149, 307104
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/55 using an external connection, either wireless or wired
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for connecting with a charging device via a wireless communications network. In one aspect, a wireless charger comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a power signal. The wireless charger further comprises a device scanner configured to scan for one or more connection solicitations transmitted by devices. The wireless charger further comprises a receiver configured to receive a connection solicitation via the wireless communications network from the charging device in response to the transmitted power signal. The transmitter may be configured to transmit a connection request to establish a connection with the charging device in response to the received connection solicitation.

Claims

1. A charging device for connecting with a wireless charger via a wireless communications network, the charging device comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger, wherein receipt of the power signal causes the receiver to be detectable by the wireless charger;

a processor configured to generate a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network, the receiver further configured to receive a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

2. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the connection solicitation is broadcasted by the transmitter.

3. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the power signal charges the charging device.

4. The charging device of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to operate in one of a charger powered mode, in which the charging device does not include enough power to operate in a normal mode while charging, or a self-powered mode, in which the charging device includes enough power to operate in the normal mode while charging.

5. The charging device of claim 4, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation, wherein the processor is configured to operate in the charger powered mode, and wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a command to terminate the connection with the wireless charger when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power such that the processor can operate in the normal mode while the charging device is charging.

6. The charging device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to transition into the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power such that the processor can operate in the normal mode while the charging device is charging, and wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a message to reestablish a connection with the wireless charger.

7. The charging device of claim 4, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation.

8. The charging device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to transition from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode when the charging device receives a sufficient amount of power such that the processor can operate in the normal mode while the charging device is charging without terminating the connection with the wireless charger.

9. The charging device of claim 4, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a command to initiate a charging operation in the charging device when the processor is operating in the self-powered mode.

10. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a charging report to the wireless charger, the charging report comprising a current charging level of the charging device.

11. The charging device of claim 10, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a stop charging command from the wireless charger based on the transmitted charging report.

12. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications network uses a predetermined protocol for communication.

13. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the connection solicitation comprises charging information associated with a charging service.

14. The charging device of claim 13, wherein the charging information comprises a target device address and a charging service type.

15. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the connection request is received in a communication separate from the received power signal.

16. A method for connecting with a wireless charger via a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

receiving by a load a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger, wherein receipt of the power signal causes the wireless charger to detect the load;

generating a connection solicitation by a processor in response to the power signal being received by the load;

transmitting the connection solicitation by a transmitter via the wireless communications network; and

receiving a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the connection solicitation comprises broadcasting the connection request via the wireless communications network.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising charging based on the received power signal.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising operating in one of a charger powered mode, in which not enough power is available to operate in a normal mode while charging, or a self-powered mode, in which enough power is available to operate in the normal mode while charging.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

operating in the charger powered mode; and

transmitting a command to terminate the connection with the wireless charger when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by a second physical implementation.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

transitioning into the self-powered mode when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging; and

transmitting a message to reestablish a connection with the wireless charger.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising transitioning from the charger powered mode to the self-powered mode when a sufficient amount of power is received to operate in the normal mode while charging without terminating the connection with the wireless charger, wherein the charger powered mode is supported by a first physical implementation and the self-powered mode is supported by the first physical implementation.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving a command to initiate a charging operation when operating in the self-powered mode.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting a charging report to the wireless charger via the wireless communications network, the charging report comprising a current charging level of a charging device.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising receiving a stop charging command from the wireless charger via the wireless communications network, based on the transmitted charging report.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network comprises transmitting the connection solicitation using a Bluetooth protocol.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein generating a connection solicitation comprises generating the connection solicitation comprising charging information associated with a charging service.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the charging information comprises a target device address and a charging service type.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving a connection request comprises receiving the connection request in a communication separate from the received power signal.

30. An apparatus for connecting with a wireless charger via a wireless communications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a power signal transmitted by the wireless charger, wherein receipt of the power signal causes the receiving means to be detectable by the wireless charger;

means for generating a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received;

means for transmitting the connection solicitation via the wireless communications network; and

means for receiving a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein means for transmitting the connection solicitation comprises means for broadcasting the connection solicitation.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for charging based on the received power signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving a power signal and the means for receiving a connection request comprise a receiver, wherein the means for generating comprises a processor, and wherein the means for transmitting comprises a transmitter.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to:

receive a power signal transmitted by a wireless charger, wherein receipt of the power signal causes the wireless charger to detect the apparatus;

generate a connection solicitation in response to the power signal being received;

transmit the connection solicitation via a wireless communications network; and

receive a connection request to establish a connection with the wireless charger in response to the transmitted connection solicitation.