Wireless powering of electronic devices with selective delivery range

• US 10,224,758 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2013
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael, Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhou, Zixuan
• Application Number:
  US14/069,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20150123483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 320101, 320108, 307104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a methodology for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This methodology may include one transmitter and at least one or more receivers, being the transmitter the sender of energy and the receiver the device that is desired to charge or power. In the present disclosures, transmitters may power devices within a predefined range out of which devices may not be operable. This configuration may be beneficial in retail store settings where improved interactivity between users and devices is required. In addition, the configuration provides a safety feature to avoid unauthorized usage of electronic devices. A variation of this configuration is given in an academic setting where electronic devices utilized for learning are required to stay within school premises. Finally, an example of how such devices may improve their own form factors by using the disclosed wireless power transmission may be provided.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power transmission comprising:

transmitting, by a plurality of antennas of a transmitter, a plurality of power waves forming a constructive interference pattern at a location of a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive power waves only from the transmitter when the receiver is within a predefined distance threshold from the transmitter;

detecting, by a controller of the transmitter and based on communications signals received from the receiver, that the receiver has moved to a new location;

in response to detecting that the receiver has moved to the new location, determining, by the controller of the transmitter, whether the new location of the receiver is within the predefined distance threshold;

in response to determining by the controller of the transmitter that the new location is within the predefined distance threshold;

adjusting, by the controller of the transmitter, the plurality of antennas such that transmission of the plurality of power waves forms a new constructive interference pattern at the new location of the receiver; and

in response to determining that the new location is not within the predefined distance threshold;

providing, by the transmitter, an indication that the receiver is not within the predefined distance threshold, wherein the receiver is configured to be functionally inoperable upon exceeding the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

2. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitter includes communication circuitry that receives the communications signals from the receiver, and

the communication circuitry is distinct from the plurality of antennas that transmit the plurality of power waves.

3. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 2, wherein:

the communications signals also include information identifying the receiver, a user, a battery level, or a time and location for forming the new constructive interference pattern.

4. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a capacitor having a storage capacity for powering the receiver whenever the receiver is within the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter and for powering the receiver only for a limited predetermined period of time whenever the receiver exceeds the predefined distance threshold.

5. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 1, wherein the transmitter:

identifies a plurality of receivers, including the receiver, as being within the predefined distance threshold and

delivers power to each approved receiver of the plurality of receivers through one or more constructive interference patterns formed by convergence of power waves in proximity to each approved receiver, and

ceases delivering power to a respective approved receiver when the respective approved receiver is moved out of the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

6. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 4, wherein the capacitor providing an operating voltage to the receiver eliminates the need for a battery to power the receiver when it is within the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

7. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 3, wherein the communication circuitry uses standard wireless communication protocols including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee or FM radio between the transmitter and receiver.

8. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas of the transmitter operate in a frequency band selected from the group consisting of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.

9. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 5, wherein the plurality of receivers:

are located in an educational setting,

include tablets, electronic readers, laptops, virtual glasses or smartphones, and

each approved receiver of the plurality of receivers is provided with wireless power whenever within the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter and is disabled whenever outside the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

10. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 1, wherein providing the indication includes issuing an alarm.

11. The method for wireless power transmission of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining by the controller of the transmitter that the new location is within the predefined distance threshold, determining, based on the communications signals received from the receiver, an optimum time and location for forming the new constructive interference pattern at the new location of the receiver.

12. A wireless power transmitter comprising:

a plurality of antennas configured to transmit a plurality of power waves forming a constructive interference pattern at a location of a receiver configured to receive power waves only from the transmitter when the receiver is within a predefined distance threshold from the transmitter; and

a controller configured to;

detect, by the controller of the transmitter and based on communications signals received from the receiver, that the receiver has moved to a new location;

in response to detecting that the receiver has moved to the new location, determine whether the new location of the receiver is within the predefined distance threshold;

in response to determining that the new location is within the predefined threshold distance;

adjust the plurality of antennas such that transmission of the plurality of power waves forms a new constructive interference pattern at the new location of the receiver; and

in response to determining that the new location is not within the predefined distance threshold;

provide an indication that the receiver is not within the predefined distance threshold, wherein the receiver is configured to be functionally inoperable upon exceeding the predefined threshold distance from the transmitter.

13. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein:

the transmitter further comprises communication circuitry that receives the communications signals from the receiver, and

the communication circuitry is distinct from the plurality of antennas that transmit the plurality of power waves.

14. The wireless power transmitter of claim 13, wherein the communications signals also include information that identifies the receiver, a user, a battery level, or a time and location for forming the new constructive interference pattern.

15. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the receiver includes a capacitor having a storage capacity configured to power the receiver whenever the receiver is within the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter and to power the receiver only for a limited predetermined period of time whenever the receiver is out of the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

16. The wireless power transmitter of claim 13, wherein the capacitor providing an operating voltage to the receiver eliminates the need for a battery to power the receiver when it is within the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

17. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein providing the indication includes issuing an alarm.

18. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to:

in response to determining that the new location is within the predefined distance threshold, determine, based on the communications signals received from the receiver, an optimum time and location for forming the new constructive interference pattern at the new location of the receiver.

19. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify a plurality of receivers, including the receiver, as being within the predefined distance threshold and

cause the plurality of antennas to deliver power to each approved receiver of the plurality of receivers through one or more constructive interference patterns formed by convergence of power waves in proximity to each approved receiver, and

cause the plurality of antennas to cease delivering power to a respective approved receiver when the respective approved receiver is moved out of the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

20. The wireless power transmitter of claim 19, wherein the plurality of receivers:

are located in an educational setting,

include tablets, electronic readers, laptops, virtual glasses or smartphones, and

each approved receiver of the plurality of receivers is provided with wireless power whenever within the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter and is disabled whenever outside the predefined distance threshold from the transmitter.

21. The wireless power transmitter of claim 13, wherein the communication circuitry is configured to communicate with the receiver through the communication signals on wireless communication protocols including Bluetooth, Zigbee or FM radio signals.

22. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the plurality of antennas operate in a frequency band selected from the group consisting of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.