Beam power for local receivers

• US 20100079010A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Weaver, Thomas A., Nugent, Thomas J. JR., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,168,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/149
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/15 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• 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

Abstract

A beam power source transmits a signal indicating power availability, receives a request for power in response, and beams power in response to the request.

Claims

1. A power source configured to beam power to a receiving unit, comprising:

a location unit configured to locate a receiving unit in need of power by

initiating contact with the receiving unit by broadcasting a signal indicative of its ability to supply power; and

receiving a request for power from the receiving unit in response to the broadcast signal; and

a power beaming unit configured to beam power to the receiving unit.

3. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power within an enclosed space.

4. The power source of claim 1, wherein broadcasting includes initiating broadcasting in response to a detected condition.

5. The power source of claim 4, wherein the detected condition includes detection of a person in a broadcast area.

6. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to receive a request for power in the form of a transmission from the receiving unit.

7. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to receive a request for power in the form of a reflection of the broadcast signal from the receiving unit.

8. The power source of claim 7, wherein the location unit is configured to receive a request for power in the form of a modulated reflection of the broadcast signal from the receiving unit.

19. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to determine an attitude of the receiving unit.

20. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to broadcast an electromagnetic signal.

23. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to broadcast an acoustic signal.

24. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal.

25. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to receive an acoustic signal.

26. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to receive a request for power including information describing power needs.

30. The power source of claim 1, further comprising a decision unit configured to determine whether to beam power from the power beaming unit.

31. The power source of claim 30, wherein the decision unit is configured to accept power request information from the power receiving unit to determine whether to beam power from the power beaming unit.

32. The power source of claim 31, wherein the power request information includes a requested characteristic of the beamed power.

33. The power source of claim 31, wherein the power request information includes proposed payment terms for the beamed power.

34. The power source of claim 30, wherein the decision unit is configured to determine whether to initiate power beaming.

35. The power source of claim 30, wherein the decision unit is configured to determine whether to suspend power beaming.

36. The power source of claim 30, wherein the decision unit is configured to determine whether to terminate power beaming.

37. The power source of claim 30, wherein the decision unit is configured to receive a signal confirming receipt of received power.

38. The power source of claim 30, wherein the decision unit is configured to receive a signal confirming an amount of power received.

39. The power source of claim 38, wherein the decision unit is configured to compare the amount of power received with an amount of power transmitted.

40. The power source of claim 1, wherein the location unit is configured to transmit data to the receiving unit.

41. The power source of claim 40, wherein the location unit is configured to transmit data to the receiving unit by modulating the beamed power from the power beaming unit.

42. The power source of claim 40, wherein the location unit is configured to transmit data to the receiving unit via a separate channel from the beamed power from the power beaming unit.

45. The power source of claim 40, wherein the location unit is configured to transmit data to the receiving unit for authenticating identity of the receiving unit.

46. The power source of claim 40, wherein the location unit is configured to transmit data to the receiving unit for monitoring receipt of power by the receiving unit.

47. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power directly to the receiving unit.

48. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power to a beam-directing element configured to redirect the power to the receiving unit.

50. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam electromagnetic power.

53. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit includes a laser that generates a power beam.

54. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam pulsed power.

55. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power continuously.

56. The power source of claim 1, further comprising an impingement detector configured to detect that the beamed power has encountered an obstruction.

57. The power source of claim 56, wherein the impingement detector is configured to detect scattered or reflected radiation.

2. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The power source of claim 1, wherein the request for power from the receiving unit includes location information for the receiving unit. 11.-15. (canceled)

16. The power source of claim 10, wherein the location information for the receiving unit includes identifying information for the receiving unit, and wherein the location unit is configured to determine a location for the receiving unit on the basis of the identifying information.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

27-29. -29. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

49. (canceled)

51. (canceled)

52. (canceled)

58-117. -117. (canceled)

118. A power receiver configured to receive power beamed from a power source, comprising:

a signal receiver configured to detect a broadcast signal indicative of power availability;

a transmission unit configured to transmit a request for power in response to the detected signal; and

a power receiving unit configured to accept power beamed from a power source at an aperture.

119-176. -176. (canceled)

177. A method of transmitting power, comprising:

initiating contact with a receiving unit by broadcasting a signal indicating an ability to supply power;

receiving a request for power from the receiving unit in response to the broadcast signal; and

beaming power to the receiving unit in response to the request.

178-250. -250. (canceled)

251. A method of transmitting power, comprising:

broadcasting a signal indicating an ability to supply power;

receiving a request for power from a receiving unit in response to the broadcast signal; and

determining whether to beam power to the receiving unit in response to the request.

252-268. -268. (canceled)

269. A method of receiving power, comprising:

receiving an initial broadcast signal indicating an ability of a power source to supply power;

transmitting a request for power in response to the broadcast signal; and

receiving beamed power in response to the request.

270-323. -323. (canceled)

324. A power source configured to beam power to a receiving unit, comprising:

a power beaming unit configured to beam optical power; and

a location unit configured to locate a receiving unit in need of power by

receiving a radio frequency signal requesting power from the receiving unit;

locating an optical beam path from the power beaming unit to the receiving unit; and

transmitting a response to the optical signal indicating a willingness to transmit power.

325. A power source configured to beam power to a receiving unit, comprising:

a location unit configured to locate a receiving unit in need of power by

receiving an internet communication requesting power from the receiving unit; and

transmitting a response to the optical signal indicating a willingness to transmit power; and

a power beaming unit configured to beam power to the receiving unit.