Power supply apparatus, method, and storage medium to output wireless power, detect value relating to output power, and charge based on detected value

• US 9,178,360 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2012
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tanabe, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US13/398,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20120212070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition

Abstract

A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit that wirelessly outputs power to an electronic apparatus, a control unit that determines that a predetermined object is detected if a reflection corresponding to power outputted is greater than or equal to a first value and determines that the predetermined object is detected if a change of a reflection corresponding to power outputted by the power supply unit is greater than or equal to a second value.

Claims

1. A power output apparatus comprising:

an output unit that wirelessly outputs power to an electronic apparatus;

a detection unit that detects a value relating to a traveling wave of power output by the output unit and a reflected wave of power output by the output unit; and

a control unit performs at least one of a first process and a second process, wherein the first process includes a process for determining whether a change of a value detected by the detection unit is not less than a first predetermined value, wherein the second process includes a process for determining whether a value detected by the detection unit is not less than a second predetermined value, and wherein the control unit causes the output unit to output charging power for causing the electronic apparatus to charge a battery if a change of a value detected by the detection unit is less than the first predetermined value and a value detected by the detection unit is less than the second predetermined value.

2. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls so that power outputted by the output unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value if a predetermined object is not detected.

3. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are set based on an operating status of the electronic apparatus or a movement distance of the electronic apparatus.

4. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value if a status of the electronic apparatus is changed.

5. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a value relating to a traveling wave of power output by the output unit and a reflected wave of power output by the output unit is a value indicating a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).

6. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a process for restricting power output from the output unit if a change of a value detected by the detection unit is not less than the first predetermined value.

7. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a process for restricting power output from the output unit if a value detected by the detection unit is not less than the second predetermined value.

8. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a process for informing an existence of a foreign object if a change of a value detected by the detection unit is not less than the first predetermined value.

9. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a process for informing an existence of a foreign object if a value detected by the detection unit is not less than the second predetermined value.

10. The power output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that obtains status information relating to a status of the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus, wherein the control unit controls, according to a status of the electronic apparatus, a timing of causing the communication unit to obtain next the status information from the electronic apparatus.

11. The power output apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit sets, according to the status information obtained by the communication unit, the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value.

12. A method for controlling a power output apparatus, the method comprising:

detecting a value relating to a traveling wave of power output by the power output apparatus and a reflected wave of power output by the power output apparatus;

performing at least one of a first process and a second process, wherein the first process includes a process for determining whether a change of a detected value is not less than a first predetermined value, and wherein the second process includes a process for determining whether a detected value is not less than a second predetermined value; and

outputting charging power for causing an electronic apparatus to charge a battery if a change of a detected value is less than the first predetermined value and a detected value is less than the second predetermined value.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a value relating to a traveling wave of power output by the power output apparatus and a reflected wave of power output by the power output apparatus is a value indicating a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising

performing a process for restricting power output from the power output apparatus if a change of a detected value is not less than the first predetermined value.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising performing a process for restricting power output from the power output apparatus if a detected value is not less than the second predetermined value.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising performing a process for informing an existence of a foreign object if a change of a detected value is not less than the first predetermined value.

17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising performing a process for informing an existence of a foreign object if a detected value is not less than the second predetermined value.

18. The method according to claim 12, further comprising obtaining status information relating to a status of the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus;

and

controlling, according to a status of the electronic apparatus, a timing of obtaining next the status information from the electronic apparatus.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising setting, according to the status information obtained from the electronic apparatus, the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to perform a method for controlling a power output apparatus, the method comprising:

detecting a value relating to a traveling wave of power output by the power output apparatus and a reflected wave of power output by the power output apparatus;

performing at least one of a first process and a second process, wherein the first process includes a process for determining whether a change of a detected value is not less than a first predetermined value, and wherein the second process includes a process for determining whether a detected value is not less than a second predetermined value; and

outputting charging power for causing an electronic apparatus to charge a battery if a change of a detected value is less than the first predetermined value and a detected value is less than the second predetermined value.