Apparatus and method for providing compatibility in wireless power transmission system

• US 10,270,297 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2013
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Yoon, Yong Gu, Jung, Choon Kil
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly, Xuan
• Application Number:
  US14/419,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20150214745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: 307104
• 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 50/80 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing compatibility with a wireless power transmitting device in a wireless power transmitting system. The method includes the steps of: detecting a wireless power receiving device on the basis of a load change; transmitting a request signal for requesting information for a receiving device to the wireless power receiving device; receiving the information for the receiving device from the wireless power receiving device, wherein the information selectively includes version information on standard technical specifications for realizing the wireless power receiving device; and, when the version information is included in the information for the receiving device, performing a wireless power transmitting operation according to the standard technical specifications corresponding to the version information.

Claims

1. A method performed by a wireless power transmitting device in a wireless power transmission system, the method comprising:

receiving a communication from the wireless power receiving device, wherein the communication selectively includes version information regarding a standard technical specification implemented by the wireless power receiving device;

when the version information is not included in the communication, performing a wireless power transmitting operation according to a first version of the standard technical specification; and

when the version information is included in the communication, performing the wireless power transmitting operation according to a second version of the standard technical specification corresponding to the version information, wherein the second version corresponds to a new version of the standard technical specification and the first version is a legacy version.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication from the wireless power receiving device further includes a level of reception power which the wireless power receiving device receives from the wireless power transmitting device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an approach of the wireless power receiving device based on a load change; and

transmitting a signal to the wireless power receiving device, wherein the communication is received in response to the signal.

4. A wireless power transmitting device for use in a wireless power transmission system, the wireless power transmitting device comprising:

a primary coil for transmitting wireless power based on magnetic induction or magnetic resonance;

an electric drive unit connected to the primary coil and configured to provide an electric drive signal to the primary coil to allow the primary coil to generate the magnetic induction or the magnetic resonance; and

a control unit connected to the electric drive unit and configured to control the electric drive signal, the control unit further configured to;

receive a communication from a wireless power receiving device, wherein the communication selectively includes version information regarding a standard technical specification implemented by the wireless power receiving device,

when the version information is not included in the communication, perform a wireless power transmitting operation according to a first version of the standard technical specification, and

when the version information is included in the communication, perform the wireless power transmitting operation according to a second version of the standard technical specification corresponding to the version information wherein the second version corresponds to a new version of the standard technical specification and the first version is a legacy version.

5. The wireless power transmitting device of claim 4, wherein the communication from the wireless power receiving device further includes a level of reception power which the wireless power receiving device receives from the wireless power transmitting device.

6. The wireless power transmitting device of claim 4, wherein the control unit is further configured to:

detect a load change associated with an approach of the wireless power receiving device, and

transmit a signal to the wireless power receiving device, wherein the communication is received in response to the signal.

7. A method for providing compatibility with a wireless power receiving device in a wireless power transmission system, the method comprising:

implementing one of a first version or a second version of a standard technical specification, wherein the first version corresponds to a legacy version of the standard technical specification and the second version is a new version of the standard technical specification;

receiving a signal from a wireless power transmitting device;

transmitting a communication from the wireless power receiving device to the wireless power transmitting device in response to the signal, wherein the communication does not include version information when the wireless power receiving device implements the first version of the standard technical specification and wherein the communication does include the version information when the wireless power receiving device implements the second version of the standard technical specification; and

performing a wireless power receiving operation according to the implemented one of the first version or the second version the standard technical specification.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communication from the wireless power receiving device further includes a level of reception power which the wireless power receiving device receives from the wireless power transmitting device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein when the version information is not included in the communication, performing the wireless power receiving operation according to the first version of the standard technical specification.

10. A wireless power receiving device for use in a wireless power transmission system, the wireless power receiving device comprising:

a secondary coil for receiving wireless power from a wireless power transmitting device based on magnetic induction or magnetic resonance;

a rectification unit for rectifying power generated in the secondary coil by the magnetic induction or the magnetic resonance; and

a control unit configured to;

implement one of a first version or a second version of a standard technical specification, wherein the first version corresponds to a legacy version of the standard technical specification and the second version is a new version of the standard technical specification;

receive a signal from the wireless power transmitting device,

transmit a communication from the wireless power receiving device to the wireless power transmitting device in response to the signal, wherein the communication does not include version information when the wireless power receiving device implements the first version of the standard technical specification and wherein the communication does include the version information when the wireless power receiving device implements the second version of the standard technical specification, and

perform a wireless power receiving operation according to the implemented one of the first version or the second version of the standard technical specification.

11. The wireless power receiving device of claim 10, wherein the communication further includes a level of reception power which the wireless power receiving device receives from the wireless power transmitting device.

12. The wireless power receiving device of claim 10, wherein when the version information is not included in the communication, the control unit is configured to perform the wireless power receiving operation according to the first version of the standard technical specification.