Selective wireless charging of authorized slave devices

• US 9,847,670 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2016
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Array IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Golba LLC
• Inventors: Moshfeghi, Mehran
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US15/263,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20160380471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a system for charging devices. The system includes a master device and a slave device. Some embodiments provide a method for charging devices in a system that includes a slave device and a master device. The slave device includes (1) an antenna to receive a radio frequency (RF) beam and (2) a power generation module connected to the antenna that converts RF energy received by the slave antenna to power. The master device includes (1) a directional antenna to direct RF power to the antenna of the slave device and (2) a module that provides power to the directional antenna of the master device.

Claims

1. A method for selective wireless charging of a slave device, said method comprising:

using one or more antennas to form an RF beam using RF signals from a transmitter in a master device;

selectively charging said slave device if said slave device has authorized being charged;

selectively confining said RF beam to a space where said slave device is situated for charging said slave device; and

said selectively charging comprises said slave device registering and providing identifying information in a slave information database.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said selectively charging comprises said master device examining said slave information database for said identifying information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said identifying information comprises a MAC ID, an IP address, a product name, or a product serial number.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said selectively charging said slave device is controlled by a processor in said slave device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said selectively charging said slave device is controlled by a processor in said master device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said selectively confining said RF beam to said space where said slave device is situated is controlled by a processor in said master device.

7. A master device configured for selective wireless charging of a slave device, said master device comprising one or more antennas to form an RF beam using RF signals from a transmitter in said master device, said master device being configured to;

selectively charge said slave device if said slave device has authorized being charged;

selectively confine said RF beam to a space where said slave device is situated for charging said slave device; and

wherein said master device is configured to selectively charge said slave device when said slave device has registered and has provided identifying information in a slave information database.

8. The master device of claim 7 wherein said master device is configured to examine said slave information database for said identifying information.

9. The master device of claim 7 wherein said identifying information comprises a MAC ID, an IP address, a product name, or a product serial number.

10. The master device of claim 7 wherein said selectively charging said slave device is controlled by a processor in said master device.

11. The master device of claim 7 wherein said selectively confining said RF beam to said space where said slave device is situated is controlled by a processor in said master device.

12. A system for selective wireless charging of a slave device, said system comprising:

a master device using one or more antennas to form an RF beam using RF signals from a transmitter in said master device;

a slave device being selectively charged if said slave device has authorized being charged;

said master device selectively confining said RF beam to a space where said slave device is situated for charging said slave device; and

wherein said slave device provides identifying information in a slave information database, and wherein said master device examines said slave information database for said identifying information to enable said selective wireless charging of said slave device.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said identifying information comprises a MAC ID, an IP address, a product name, or a product serial number.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein at least two master devices are utilized and cooperate to selectively confine said RF beam to said space where said slave device is situated.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said being selectively charged is controlled by a processor in said slave device.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said being selectively charged is controlled by a processor in said master device.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein said selectively confining said RF beam is controlled by a processor in said master device.