WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER FOR CHARGEABLE DEVICES

• US 20130249481A1
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jacobs, Paul E., Kirby, Miles A., Ozaki, Ernest T., Mangan, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,793,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034

Abstract

Apparatus and methods directed to wireless power are disclosed. A charging device includes an antenna circuit for wirelessly receiving power from a first device via a power antenna. Received power can be stored in an energy storage device. The antenna circuit can wirelessly power or charge a plurality of second electronic devices via the power antenna based on power stored in the energy storage device. Furthermore, a wireless charging apparatus is disclosed that includes a display for receiving a device placed on its surface. Changes in a magnetic field in response to the placement of the chargeable electronic device on the surface of the display is detected. A communication link with the chargeable electronic device in response to the change in the level of the magnetic field is activated. A transmit antenna circuit wirelessly transmits power to the chargeable electronic device.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus, comprising:

an energy storage device; and

an antenna circuit configured to wirelessly receive power from a first device via a power antenna and to store at least a portion of the wirelessly received power in the energy storage device, the antenna circuit being further configured to wirelessly power or charge a plurality of second electronic devices via the power antenna based on at least a portion of the power stored in the energy storage device, the antenna circuit being further configured to perform at least one of transmitting or receiving data via the power antenna.

2. The charging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a portable charging pad comprising the energy storage device and the antenna circuit.

3. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a charger device, and wherein the charger device is configured to wirelessly transmit power to a plurality of chargeable devices.

4. The charging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the charger device is configured to receive power from a power outlet.

5. The charging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the charger device is configured to wirelessly relay power wirelessly received from another device.

6. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit the power stored in the energy storage device subsequent to wirelessly receiving power.

7. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit power if a power level of energy storage device is above a threshold.

8. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging device is further configured to receive information from the plurality of second devices and to transmit the information to a third electronic device.

9. A wireless charging apparatus, comprising:

a display configured to receive a chargeable electronic device placed on a surface of the display;

a transmit antenna circuit configured to wirelessly transmit power via a magnetic field to the chargeable electronic device;

a detection circuit configured to detect a change in a level of the magnetic field in response to the placement of the chargeable electronic device on the surface of the display; and

a communication circuit configured to activate a communication link with the chargeable electronic device in response to the change in the level of the magnetic field.

10. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication circuit is configured to activate at least one of a Bluetooth communication link, a 60 MHz communication link, a Wi-Fi communication link, an IEEE 802.11 communication link, or a UWB communication link

11. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display is configured to display a user interface configured to allow a user to operate the chargeable electronic device using the multi-touch surface.

12. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the surface comprises a multi-touch surface configured to receive touch input.

13. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the display is configured to display interactive elements associated with the chargeable electronic device.

14. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication circuit is further configured to initiate a key exchange with the chargeable electronic device prior to activating the communication link.

15. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication circuit is further configured to receive data from the chargeable electronic device, and wherein the display is further configured to display at least a portion of the data.

16. The wireless charging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication circuit is further configured to receive data from the chargeable electronic device and transmit the data to a second chargeable electronic device.

17. A method of wireless power transfer, comprising:

wirelessly receiving power from a first device via a power antenna;

storing at least a portion of the wirelessly received power in an energy storage device;

wirelessly transmitting at least a portion of the power stored in the energy storage device via the power antenna at a level sufficient to power or charge a plurality of second electronic devices; and

performing at least one of transmitting or receiving data via the power antenna.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein wirelessly transmitting at least a portion of the power stored in the energy storage device comprises wirelessly transmitting power if a power level of the energy storage device is above a threshold.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein wirelessly receiving power comprises wirelessly receiving power at a portable charging pad.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein wirelessly receiving power comprises wirelessly receiving power at one of a cellular telephone, a portable media player, a camera, a gaming device, a navigation device, a headset, a tool, or a toy.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving a request for wireless power transmission from the electronic device.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising authenticating the electronic device before wirelessly transmitting power.

23. A charging apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

means for storing energy;

means for wirelessly receiving power from a first device via a power antenna, at least a portion of the wirelessly received power being stored in the means for storing energy;

means for wirelessly powering or charging a plurality of second electronic devices via the power antenna based on at least a portion of the power stored in the means for storing energy; and

means for performing at least one of transmitting or receiving data via the power antenna.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the means for wirelessly transmitting power comprises means for wirelessly transmitting power stored in the means for storing energy subsequent to wirelessly receiving power.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the means for wirelessly transmitting power comprises means for wirelessly transmitting power if a power level of the means for storing energy is above a threshold.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the means for performing at least one of transmitting or receiving data is configured to receive information from one electronic device and to transmit the information to another electronic device.

27. A method for wireless power transfer, comprising:

wirelessly transmitting power via a magnetic field at a level sufficient to charge or power a chargeable electronic device placed on a surface of a display;

detecting a change in a level of the magnetic field in response to placement of the chargeable electronic device on the surface of the display; and

activating a communication link with the chargeable electronic device in response to the change in the level of the magnetic field.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving data via the communication link from the chargeable electronic device and displaying at least a portion of the data on the display.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving data via the communication link from the chargeable electronic device and audibly conveying at least a portion of the data.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising initiating a key exchange with the chargeable electronic device before activating the communication link

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving data from the chargeable electronic device and transmitting the data to a second electronic device.

32. A wireless power apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

means for displaying and for receiving a chargeable electronic device placed on the surface of the means for displaying;

means for wirelessly transmitting power via a magnetic field at a level sufficient to charge or power the chargeable electronic device;

means for detecting a change in a level of the magnetic field in response to placement of the chargeable electronic device on the surface; and

means for activating a communication link with the chargeable electronic device in response to the change in the level of the magnetic field.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for receiving data via the communication link, and wherein the means for displaying comprises means for displaying at least a portion of the data.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for initiating a key exchange with the chargeable electronic device before activating the communication link

35. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for receiving data from the chargeable electronic device via the communication link and means for transmitting the data to a second electronic device.