Multi-mode transmitter with an antenna array for delivering wireless power and providing Wi-Fi access

• US 10,263,432 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A., Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Cox, Cassandra
• Application Number:
  US14/585,484
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• 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: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method for wireless power transmission is provided. The method comprising emitting, by a first antenna element of a transmitter, a first signal comprising a plurality of wireless power waves establishing a pocket of energy. The method further comprising emitting, by a second antenna element of the transmitter, a second signal different from the first signal. The second signal provides Wi-Fi access.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power transmission, the method comprising:

emitting, by a first antenna element of a transmitter, a first signal comprising a plurality of wireless power waves establishing a pocket of energy; and

emitting, by a second antenna element of the transmitter, a second signal different from the first signal, wherein the second signal provides Wi-Fi access,

wherein the transmitter comprises (i) a housing and (ii) an antenna array housed in the housing, the antenna array comprising the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the antenna array is defined via a first portion and a second portion,

the first antenna element is part of the first portion,

the second antenna element is part of the second portion,

the first signal is emitted via the first portion, and

the second signal is emitted via the second portion.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first portion and the second portion are symmetrical geometrically.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first portion and the second portion are asymmetrical geometrically.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the first portion comprises a first plurality of antenna elements,

the second portion comprises a second plurality of antenna elements, and

the first plurality of antenna elements is numerically different from the second plurality of antenna elements.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the first portion comprises a first plurality of antenna elements,

the second portion comprises a second plurality of antenna elements, and

the first plurality of antenna elements is numerically identical to the second plurality of antenna elements.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal are emitted concurrently.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

switching the transmitter between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first signal is emitted during the first mode only, and the second signal is emitted during the second mode only.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first signal is emitted to a first receiver, and

the second signal is emitted to a second receiver, wherein a device comprises the first receiver and the second receiver.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first signal is emitted to a first receiver coupled to a first device, and

the second signal is emitted to a second receiver coupled to a second device different from the first device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first signal is emitted to a first receiver,

the second signal is emitted to a second receiver, and

the first receiver and the second receiver are one receiver.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a third antenna element participating in emitting the first signal concurrently with the first antenna element.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is emitted via a signal path defined by the transmitter based at least in part on at least one of gain information obtained from a receiver and phase information obtained from the receiver.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein emitting the first signal is adaptive based at least in part on the signal path defined by the transmitter.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitter determines a position of a first receiver based at least in part on a signal triangulation of a second receiver,

the first signal is emitted to the first receiver based at least in part on the position of the first receiver,

the first receiver and the second receiver are coupled to a device,

the signal triangulation is based on a third signal different from the first signal and the second signal, and

the transmitter receives the third signal from the second receiver.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one wireless power wave of the plurality of wireless power waves is a radio frequency (RF) wireless power wave.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the pocket of energy is established based at least in part on bouncing at least one wireless power wave of the plurality of wireless power waves from at least one of a furniture item, a floor, a wall extending from the floor, and a ceiling extending from the wall.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signal provides Wi-Fi access by providing a device that receives the second signal with an internet connection.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first signal is emitted by the transmitter to a receiver; and

the pocket of energy is established by constructive interference of the plurality of wireless power waves at a location of the receiver.

20. A wireless power transmitter comprising:

a housing;

an antenna array housed in the housing, the antenna array comprising a first antenna element and a second antenna element;

the first antenna element is configured to emit a first signal comprising a plurality of wireless power waves that constructively interfere around a wireless power receiver, wherein the wireless power receiver is coupled to an electronic device; and

the second antenna element is configured to emit a second signal different from the first signal to the electronic device, wherein the second signal provides Wi-Fi access by providing the electronic device that receives the second signal with an internet connection.