Beam power with multipoint broadcast

• US 8,399,824 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2011
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Nugent, Thomas J. Jr., Weaver, Thomas A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sohn, Seung C
• Application Number:
  US13/317,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20120032530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227.26, 250/205, 250/206, 250/214.R, 250/214.PR, 342/457, 342/357.1, 342/357.12, 455/69, 455/70, 455/92, 455/522, 455/523
• US Class Current: 250/227.26
• 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 method of requesting power from one of a plurality of power beaming units, the method comprising:

receiving a broadcast signal including location information for a plurality of power beaming units;

selecting a subset of the plurality of power beaming units for a power request; and

transmitting a request signal requesting power transmission from the subset.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a broadcast signal includes receiving a plurality of broadcast signals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a broadcast signal includes receiving a broadcast signal from each member of the plurality of power beaming units.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a broadcast signal includes receiving a single signal describing all members of the plurality of power beaming units.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a broadcast signal includes receiving information about power transmission characteristics of at least one of the power beaming units.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a subset includes determining which members of the plurality of power beaming units are compatible with a power receiver.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a power transmission from at least one member of the subset.