Systems and methods for a configuration web service to provide configuration of a wireless power transmitter within a wireless power transmission system

• US 9,891,669 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2014
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Bell, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US14/465,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20160056669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 307104, 320108
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices

Abstract

A system and method for a configuration web service to provide configuration of a wireless power transmitter within a wireless power transmission system is disclosed. The wireless power transmitter configuration network may include at least one wireless power transmitter connected to an energy power source and at least one computer device which may communicate with each other through wireless or wired network connections, where each wireless power transmitter may include a distributed system database coupled to web service software. The operator/user may browse the specific URL or IP address associated with the configuration web page, which the wireless power transmitter may host and render, to specify the wireless power transmitter'"'"'s configuration information. The configuration web service may allow users to perform configurations with and without the need of an external network service in range and regardless of the physical location of the wireless power transmitter.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a wireless power transmitter, the method comprising:

while transmitting, by a plurality of antennas of the wireless power transmitter, a first plurality of wireless power waves to a receiver that uses energy from the first plurality of wireless power waves to power or charge an electronic device that is coupled with the receiver, wherein the first plurality of wireless power waves is transmitted using a first set of transmission features;

receiving a request from an operator of the wireless power transmitter for accessing a configuration web page that allows the operator to configure the wireless power transmitter;

in response to receiving the request, providing, by a web service executed at the wireless power transmitter, information used to present the configuration web page; and

receiving, via the web service executed at the wireless power transmitter, one or more user-configurable operational parameters based on instructions provided by the operator on the configuration web page, the one or more user-configurable operational parameters including information used to configure operation of the wireless power transmitter;

configuring, by one or more processors of the wireless power transmitter, the wireless power transmitter based upon the one or more user-configurable operational parameters; and

while the wireless power transmitter is configured based upon the one or more user-configurable operational parameters, transmitting, by the plurality of antennas of the transmitter, a second plurality of wireless power waves using a second set of transmission features, distinct from the first set of transmission features, to the receiver, wherein the second plurality of wireless power waves forms a constructive interference pattern proximate to the receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing, in a database of the wireless power transmitter, the one or more user-configurable operational parameters.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator to authorize a list of receivers within a communication range of the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprises:

receiving, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator related to charging schedules or charging priorities for the wireless power transmitter to transmit wireless power waves to one or more receivers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprises:

receiving, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator to provide contact information of one or more users to receive a notification that reports a system event related to operations of the wireless power transmitter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprises:

receiving, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator specifying one or more conditions causing the wireless power transmitter to cease transmitting wireless power waves to one or more receivers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprises:

receiving, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator to switch between an automatic control and a manual control of the wireless power transmitter for transmitting wireless power waves to one or more receivers.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

in accordance with a determination that the receiver has not been authorized by the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter;

storing, in a database of the wireless power transmitter, identification information of the receiver; and

providing, via the web service, a notification to the operator that the receiver needs to be configured.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to transmitting the second plurality of wireless power waves, establishing, by the wireless power transmitter, a communication with the receiver; and

determining whether the receiver has been authorized by the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter,

wherein transmitting the second plurality of wireless power waves using the second set of transmission features to the receiver is performed in accordance with a determination that the receiver has been authorized by the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, via the web service, a pending configuration event related to at least one of (1) one or more receivers detected by the wireless power transmitter that have not been configured, and (2) a need to add additional wireless power transmitters to an area; and

generating, via the web service, a notification to the operator that reports the detected pending configuration event.

11. A wireless power transmitter, comprising:

a plurality of antennas configured to transmit wireless power waves;

one or more processors; and

memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless power transmitter to;

while transmitting, by a plurality of antennas of the wireless power transmitter, a first plurality of wireless power waves to a receiver that uses energy from the first plurality of wireless power waves to power or charge an electronic device that is coupled with the receiver, wherein the first plurality of wireless power waves is transmitted using a first set of transmission features;

receive a request from an operator of the wireless power transmitter for accessing a configuration web page that allows the operator to configure the wireless power transmitter;

in response to receiving the request, provide, by a web service executed at the wireless power transmitter, information used to present the configuration web page; and

receive, via the web service executed at the wireless power transmitter, one or more user-configurable operational parameters based on instructions provided by the operator on the configuration web page, the one or more user-configurable operational parameters including information used to configure operation of the wireless power transmitter;

configure, by the one or more processors, the wireless power transmitter based upon the one or more user-configurable operational parameters; and

while the wireless power transmitter is configured based upon the one or more user-configurable operational parameters, transmit, by the plurality of antennas of the transmitter, a second plurality of wireless power waves using a second set of transmission features, distinct from the first set of transmission features, to the receiver, wherein the second plurality of wireless power waves forms a constructive interference pattern proximate to the receiver.

12. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless power transmitter to:

store, in a database of the wireless power transmitter, the one or more user-configurable operational parameters.

13. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to receive the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprise executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to:

receive, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator to authorize a list of receivers within a communication range of the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter.

14. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to receive the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprise executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to:

receive, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator related to charging schedules or charging priorities for the wireless power transmitter to transmit wireless power waves to one or more receivers.

15. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to receive the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprise executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to:

receive, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator to provide contact information of one or more users to receive a notification that reports a system event related to operations of the wireless power transmitter.

16. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to receive the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprise executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to:

receive, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator specifying one or more conditions causing the wireless power transmitter to cease transmitting wireless power waves to one or more receivers.

17. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to receive the one or more user-configurable operational parameters comprise executable instructions that cause the wireless power transmitter to:

receive, via the configuration web page, instructions from the operator to switch between an automatic control and a manual control of the wireless power transmitter for transmitting wireless power waves to one or more receivers.

18. The wireless power transmitter of claim 17, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless power transmitter to:

in accordance with a determination that the receiver has not been authorized by the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter;

store, in a database of the wireless power transmitter, identification information of the receiver; and

provide, via the web service, a notification to the operator that the receiver needs to be configured.

19. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless power transmitter to:

prior to transmitting the second plurality of wireless power waves, establish, by the wireless power transmitter, a communication with the receiver; and

determine whether the receiver has been authorized by the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter,

wherein transmitting the second plurality of wireless power waves using the second set of transmission features to the receiver is performed in accordance with a determination that the receiver has been authorized by the wireless power transmitter to receive wireless power waves from the wireless power transmitter.

20. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless power transmitter to:

detect, via the web service, a pending configuration event related to at least one of (1) one or more receivers detected by the wireless power transmitter that have not been configured, and (2) a need to add additional wireless power transmitters to an area; and

generate, via the web service, a notification to the operator that reports the detected pending configuration event.