U.S. patent application number 12/572407 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for wireless power transfer for portable enclosures.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Miles Alexander Lyell Kirby, Michael John Mangan, William Von Novak.
Application Number | 20100201312 12/572407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539875 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100201312 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kirby; Miles Alexander Lyell ;
et al. |
August 12, 2010 |
WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER FOR PORTABLE ENCLOSURES
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments are directed to portable wireless
charging. A portable charging system may comprise at least one
antenna positioned within a portable enclosure. The at least one
antenna may be configured to receive power from a power source and
wirelessly transmit power to a receive antenna coupled to a
chargeable device positioned within a near-field of the at least
one antenna.
Inventors: |
Kirby; Miles Alexander Lyell;
(San Diego, CA) ; Mangan; Michael John; (San
Diego, CA) ; Von Novak; William; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
5775 MOREHOUSE DR.
SAN DIEGO
CA
92121
US
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
42539875 |
Appl. No.: |
12/572407 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61151290 |
Feb 10, 2009 |
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61152208 |
Feb 12, 2009 |
|
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61163381 |
Mar 25, 2009 |
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61164263 |
Mar 27, 2009 |
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61164399 |
Mar 28, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
320/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 50/12 20160201;
H02J 50/20 20160201; H02J 7/025 20130101; H02J 7/342 20200101; H02J
7/0042 20130101; H02J 7/00 20130101; H02J 50/90 20160201; H02J
50/50 20160201; H02J 50/40 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/108 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Claims
1. A portable charging system, comprising at least one antenna
configured for positioning within a portable apparatus and to
receive power from a power source and wirelessly transmit power to
at least one receive antenna coupled to a chargeable device.
2. The portable charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least
one antenna comprises one of a transmit antenna and a repeater
antenna.
3. The portable charging system of claim 1, wherein the portable
apparatus comprises one of a purse, a backpack, a piece of luggage,
and a briefcase.
4. The portable charging system of claim 1, wherein the power
source comprises at least one of a battery, a power outlet, and a
wireless transmit antenna.
5. The portable charging system of claim 4, wherein the battery is
integrated within the portable enclosure.
6. The portable charging system of claim 4, further comprising a
power connector configured to couple the power outlet to at least
one of the transmit antenna and the battery.
7. The portable charging system of claim 6, wherein the power
connector comprises a removable cord configured to couple to an
electrical connector on the portable enclosure.
8. The portable charging system of claim 6, wherein the power
connector comprises a retractable cord configured to retract into
the portable enclosure and extend out from the portable
enclosure.
9. The portable charging system of claim 1, further comprising at
least one coil, wherein each coil is positioned proximate a storage
area within the portable enclosure and configured to receive power
from the power source and transmit power via inductive coupling to
a receiver positioned within the storage area.
10. The portable charging system of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of antennas positioned within the portable apparatus,
wherein at least one antenna is oriented in a different plane than
at least one other antenna.
11. The portable charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least
one antenna comprises two concurrently operable and spatially
separated antennas.
12. The portable charging system of claim 1, further comprising at
least one wireless receive antenna, wherein each wireless receive
antenna is configured to receive power from an associated transmit
antenna and charge an electronic device operably coupled
thereto.
13. The portable charging system of claim 12, wherein the
electronic device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a
camera, a media player, a gaming device, a tool, navigation device,
a headset, and a toy.
14. The portable charging system of claim 12, wherein the power
source comprises at least one of a battery and a power outlet.
15. The portable charging system of claim 14, wherein the battery
comprises at least one of chargeable battery and a replaceable
battery.
16. A portable charging system, comprising: an antenna configured
to receive power from a power source and transmit power within a
near-field; and a portable apparatus having at least one receive
antenna coupled thereto and positioned within the near-field,
wherein each receive antenna is operably coupled to at least one
connection port positioned within the portable apparatus and each
connection port is configured to physically couple to a charging
port of a chargeable device.
17. The portable charging system of claim 16, wherein each
connection port comprises one or more connectors configured to
physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.
18. A method of charging a chargeable device within a portable
apparatus, comprising: receiving power in at least one antenna
integrated within a portable apparatus; and wirelessly transmitting
power from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna
positioned within a near-field of the at least one antenna and
coupled to a chargeable device.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving
power in at least one transmit antenna integrated within the
portable apparatus.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving
power in at least one repeater antenna integrated within the
portable apparatus.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein wirelessly transmitting power
from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna
comprises wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one
antenna to at least one receive antenna coupled to a chargeable
device.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein wirelessly transmitting power
from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna
comprises wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one
antenna to at least one receive antenna coupled to a chargeable
device if the chargeable device is in need of power.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving
power from at least one of a battery, a power outlet, and a
transmit antenna.
24. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving
power in a first antenna and a second antenna oriented in a
different plane than the first antenna.
25. A device that facilitates charging a chargeable device, the
device comprising: means for receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus; and means for
wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at
least one other antenna positioned within a near-field of the at
least one antenna and coupled to a chargeable device.
26. A method of charging a chargeable device within a portable
apparatus, comprising: receiving power in at least one antenna
integrated within a portable apparatus; and transmitting power from
the at least one antenna to at least one connection port configured
to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving
power in at least one receive antenna integrated within a portable
apparatus from at least one transmit antenna external to the
portable apparatus.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein transmitting power from the at
least one antenna to at least one connection port comprises
transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one
connection port having at least one connector configured to
physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.
29. A device that facilitates charging a chargeable device, the
device comprising: means for receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus; and means for
transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one
power connector configured to physically couple to a charging port
of a chargeable device.
30. A wearable device, comprising: an energy storage module; and a
transmit antenna positioned proximate a storage area of the
wearable device and configured to receive power from the energy
storage module and wirelessly transmit power to a receive antenna
coupled to a chargeable device positioned in the storage area.
31. The wearable device of claim 30, wherein the wearable device
comprises one of a shirt, a coat, a pair of pants, a shoe, and a
wearable accessory.
32. The wearable device of claim 30, wherein the energy storage
module comprises at least one of a chargeable battery and a
replaceable battery.
33. The wearable device of claim 30, wherein the transmit antenna
is configured to receive power from the energy storage module in
one of a wired and a wireless manner.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to:
[0002] U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/163,381 entitled
"WIRELESS CHARGING IN TRAVEL GEAR" filed on Mar. 25, 2009, and
assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated
by reference herein;
[0003] U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/152,208 entitled
"WIRELESS POWER CHARGERS IN CARRYING CASES" filed on Feb. 12, 2009,
and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly
incorporated by reference herein;
[0004] U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/164,263 entitled
"PASSIVE ALIGNER FOR WIRELESS POWER" filed on Mar. 27, 2009, and
assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated
by reference herein;
[0005] U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/164,399 entitled
"WIRELESS CHARGING" filed on Mar. 28, 2009, and assigned to the
assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference
herein; and
[0006] U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/151,290 entitled
"MULTIDIMENSIONAL WIRELESS CHARGER" filed on Feb. 10, 2009, and
assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0007] 1. Field
[0008] The present invention relates generally to wireless
charging, and more specifically to devices, systems, and methods
related to portable wireless charging systems.
[0009] 2. Background
[0010] Typically, each battery powered device such as a wireless
communication device such as a cell-phone requires its own charger
and power source, which is usually the AC power outlet. This
becomes unwieldy when many devices need charging.
[0011] Approaches are being developed that use over the air power
transmission between a transmitter and the device to be charged.
These generally fall into two categories. One is based on the
coupling of plane wave radiation (also called far-field radiation)
between a transmit antenna and receive antenna on the device to be
charged which collects the radiated power and rectifies it for
charging the battery. Antennas are generally of resonant length in
order to improve the coupling efficiency. This approach suffers
from the fact that the power coupling falls off quickly with
distance between the antennas. So charging over reasonable
distances (e.g., >1-2 m) becomes difficult. Additionally, since
the system radiates plane waves, unintentional radiation can
interfere with other systems if not properly controlled through
filtering.
[0012] Other approaches are based on inductive coupling between a
transmit antenna embedded, for example, in a "charging" mat or
surface and a receive antenna plus rectifying circuit embedded in
the host device to be charged. This approach has the disadvantage
that the spacing between transmit and receive antennas must be very
close (e.g. mms). Though this approach does have the capability to
simultaneously charge multiple devices in the same area, this area
is typically small, hence the user must locate the devices to a
specific area. Therefore, there is a need to provide a wireless
charging arrangement that accommodates flexible placement and
orientation of transmit and receive antennas. In addition, it is
desirable to have wireless power platforms that are mobile
platforms, to enable users to charge their device while on the
go.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a wireless
power transfer system.
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless
power transfer system.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a loop antenna for use
in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B show layouts of loop antennas for transmit
and receive antennas according to exemplary embodiments of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates various placement points for a receive
antenna relative to a transmit antenna to illustrate coupling
strengths in coplanar and coaxial placements.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a receiver, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 depicts a simplified schematic of a portion of
transmit circuitry for carrying out messaging between a transmitter
and a receiver.
[0021] FIGS. 9A-9D are simplified block diagrams illustrating a
beacon power mode for transmitting power between a transmitter and
a receiver.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter
including a presence detector.
[0023] FIG. 11 depicts a portable charging system having at least
one transmit antenna, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a portable charging system having at
least one repeater antenna, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0025] FIGS. 13A-13C each illustrate a portable charging system
having a plurality of transmit antennas, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 14A and 14B each depict a portable charging system
including transmit antennas oriented in differing planes, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates a portable charging system having
transmit antenna positioned proximate a pocket of a portable
device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 16 depicts a portable charging system having one or
more receive antennas, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 17 depicts another portable charging system having one
or more receive antennas, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 18 illustrates a portable charging system including at
least one antenna integrated within an article of clothing, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of charging a
chargeable device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another method of
charging a chargeable device, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a coil and associated coil
transmit circuitry, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described
herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0035] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary
embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to
represent the only embodiments in which the present invention can
be practiced. The term "exemplary" used throughout this description
means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and
should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous
over other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description includes
specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough
understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplary
embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and
devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring
the novelty of the exemplary embodiments presented herein.
[0036] The words "wireless power" is used herein to mean any form
of energy associated with electric fields, magnetic fields,
electromagnetic fields, or otherwise that is transmitted between
from a transmitter to a receiver without the use of physical
electromagnetic conductors.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates wireless transmission or charging system
100, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the
present invention. Input power 102 is provided to a transmitter 104
for generating a radiated field 106 for providing energy transfer.
A receiver 108 couples to the radiated field 106 and generates an
output power 110 for storing or consumption by a device (not shown)
coupled to the output power 110. Both the transmitter 104 and the
receiver 108 are separated by a distance 112. In one exemplary
embodiment, transmitter 104 and receiver 108 are configured
according to a mutual resonant relationship and when the resonant
frequency of receiver 108 and the resonant frequency of transmitter
104 are exactly identical, transmission losses between the
transmitter 104 and the receiver 108 are minimal when the receiver
108 is located in the "near-field" of the radiated field 106.
[0038] Transmitter 104 further includes a transmit antenna 114 for
providing a means for energy transmission and receiver 108 further
includes a receive antenna 118 for providing a means for energy
reception. The transmit and receive antennas are sized according to
applications and devices to be associated therewith. As stated, an
efficient energy transfer occurs by coupling a large portion of the
energy in the near-field of the transmitting antenna to a receiving
antenna rather than propagating most of the energy in an
electromagnetic wave to the far field. When in this near-field a
coupling mode may be developed between the transmit antenna 114 and
the receive antenna 118. The area around the antennas 114 and 118
where this near-field coupling may occur is referred to herein as a
coupling-mode region.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless
power transfer system.
[0040] The transmitter 104 includes an oscillator 122, a power
amplifier 124 and a filter and matching circuit 126. The oscillator
is configured to generate at a desired frequency, such as 13.5 MHz,
which may be adjusted in response to adjustment signal 123. The
oscillator signal may be amplified by the power amplifier 124 with
an amplification amount responsive to control signal 125. The
filter and matching circuit 126 may be included to filter out
harmonics or other unwanted frequencies and match the impedance of
the transmitter 104 to the transmit antenna 114.
[0041] The receiver may include a matching circuit 132 and a
rectifier and switching circuit to generate a DC power output to
charge a battery 136 as shown in FIG. 2 or power a device coupled
to the receiver (not shown). The matching circuit 132 may be
included to match the impedance of the receiver 108 to the receive
antenna 118.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 3, antennas used in exemplary
embodiments may be configured as a "loop" antenna 150, which may
also be referred to herein as a "magnetic" antenna. Loop antennas
may be configured to include an air core or a physical core such as
a ferrite core. Air core loop antennas may be more tolerable to
extraneous physical devices placed in the vicinity of the core.
Furthermore, an air core loop antenna allows the placement of other
components within the core area. In addition, an air core loop may
more readily enable placement of the receive antenna 118 (FIG. 2)
within a plane of the transmit antenna 114 (FIG. 2) where the
coupled-mode region of the transmit antenna 114 (FIG. 2) may be
more powerful.
[0043] As stated, efficient transfer of energy between the
transmitter 104 and receiver 108 occurs during matched or nearly
matched resonance between the transmitter 104 and the receiver 108.
However, even when resonance between the transmitter 104 and
receiver 108 are not matched, energy may be transferred at a lower
efficiency. Transfer of energy occurs by coupling energy from the
near-field of the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna
residing in the neighborhood where this near-field is established
rather than propagating the energy from the transmitting antenna
into free space.
[0044] The resonant frequency of the loop or magnetic antennas is
based on the inductance and capacitance. Inductance in a loop
antenna is generally simply the inductance created by the loop,
whereas, capacitance is generally added to the loop antenna's
inductance to create a resonant structure at a desired resonant
frequency. As a non-limiting example, capacitor 152 and capacitor
154 may be added to the antenna to create a resonant circuit that
generates resonant signal 156. Accordingly, for larger diameter
loop antennas, the size of capacitance needed to induce resonance
decreases as the diameter or inductance of the loop increases.
Furthermore, as the diameter of the loop or magnetic antenna
increases, the efficient energy transfer area of the near-field
increases. Of course, other resonant circuits are possible. As
another non-limiting example, a capacitor may be placed in parallel
between the two terminals of the loop antenna. In addition, those
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that for transmit
antennas the resonant signal 156 may be an input to the loop
antenna 150.
[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the invention include coupling
power between two antennas that are in the near-fields of each
other. As stated, the near-field is an area around the antenna in
which electromagnetic fields exist but may not propagate or radiate
away from the antenna. They are typically confined to a volume that
is near the physical volume of the antenna. In the exemplary
embodiments of the invention, magnetic type antennas such as single
and multi-turn loop antennas are used for both transmit (Tx) and
receive (Rx) antenna systems since magnetic near-field amplitudes
tend to be higher for magnetic type antennas in comparison to the
electric near-fields of an electric-type antenna (e.g., a small
dipole). This allows for potentially higher coupling between the
pair. Furthermore, "electric" antennas (e.g., dipoles and
monopoles) or a combination of magnetic and electric antennas is
also contemplated.
[0046] The Tx antenna can be operated at a frequency that is low
enough and with an antenna size that is large enough to achieve
good coupling (e.g., >-4 dB) to a small Rx antenna at
significantly larger distances than allowed by far field and
inductive approaches mentioned earlier. If the Tx antenna is sized
correctly, high coupling levels (e.g., -2 to -4 dB) can be achieved
when the Rx antenna on a host device is placed within a
coupling-mode region (i.e., in the near-field) of the driven Tx
loop antenna.
[0047] FIGS. 4A and 4B show layouts of loop antennas for transmit
and receive antennas according to various exemplary embodiments of
the present invention. Loop antennas may be configured in a number
of different ways, with single loops or multiple loops at wide
variety of sizes. In addition, the loops may be a number of
different shapes, such as, for example only, circular, elliptical,
square, and rectangular. FIG. 4A illustrates a large square loop
transmit antenna 114S and a small square loop receive antenna 118
placed in the same plane as the transmit antenna 114S and near the
center of the transmit antenna 114S. FIG. 4B illustrates a large
circular loop transmit antenna 114C and a small square loop receive
antenna 118' placed in the same plane as the transmit antenna 114C
and near the center of the transmit antenna 114C.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows various placement points for a receive antenna
relative to a transmit antenna to illustrate coupling strengths in
coplanar and coaxial placements. "Coplanar," as used herein, means
that the transmit antenna and receive antenna have planes that are
substantially aligned (i.e., have surface normals pointing in
substantially the same direction) and with no distance (or a small
distance) between the planes of the transmit antenna and the
receive antenna. "Coaxial," as used herein, means that the transmit
antenna and receive antenna have planes that are substantially
aligned (i.e., have surface normals pointing in substantially the
same direction) and the distance between the two planes is not
trivial and furthermore, the surface normal of the transmit antenna
and the receive antenna lie substantially along the same vector, or
the two normals are in echelon.
[0049] As examples, points p1, p2, p3, and p7 are all coplanar
placement points for a receive antenna relative to a transmit
antenna. As another example, point p5 and p6 are coaxial placement
points for a receive antenna relative to a transmit antenna. The
table below shows coupling strength (S21) and coupling efficiency
(expressed as a percentage of power transmitted from the transmit
antenna that reached the receive antenna) at the various placement
points (p1-p7) illustrated in FIG. 5.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Efficiency (TX Distance from S21 efficiency
DC power in to Position plane (cm) (%) RX DC power out) p1 0 46.8
28 p2 0 55.0 36 p3 0 57.5 35 p4 2.5 49.0 30 p5 17.5 24.5 15 p6 17.5
0.3 0.2 p7 0 5.9 3.4
[0050] As can be seen, the coplanar placement points p1, p2, and
p3, all show relatively high coupling efficiencies. Placement point
p7 is also a coplanar placement point, but is outside of the
transmit loop antenna. While placement point p7 does not have a
high coupling efficiency, it is clear that there is some coupling
and the coupling-mode region extends beyond the perimeter of the
transmit loop antenna.
[0051] Placement point p5 is coaxial with the transmit antenna and
shows substantial coupling efficiency. The coupling efficiency for
placement point p5 is not as high as the coupling efficiencies for
the coplanar placement points. However, the coupling efficiency for
placement point p5 is high enough that substantial power can be
conveyed between the transmit antenna and a receive antenna in a
coaxial placement.
[0052] Placement point p4 is within the circumference of the
transmit antenna but at a slight distance above the plane of the
transmit antenna in a position that may be referred to as an offset
coaxial placement (i.e., with surface normals in substantially the
same direction but at different locations) or offset coplanar
(i.e., with surface normals in substantially the same direction but
with planes that are offset relative to each other). From the table
it can be seen that with an offset distance of 2.5 cm, placement
point p4 still has relatively good coupling efficiency.
[0053] Placement point p6 illustrates a placement point outside the
circumference of the transmit antenna and at a substantial distance
above the plane of the transmit antenna. As can be seen from the
table, placement point p7 shows little coupling efficiency between
the transmit and receive antennas.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A
transmitter 200 includes transmit circuitry 202 and a transmit
antenna 204. Generally, transmit circuitry 202 provides RF power to
the transmit antenna 204 by providing an oscillating signal
resulting in generation of near-field energy about the transmit
antenna 204. By way of example only, transmitter 200 may operate at
the 13.56 MHz ISM band.
[0055] Transmit circuitry 202 may include a fixed impedance
matching circuit 206 for matching the impedance of the transmit
circuitry 202 (e.g., 50 ohms) to the transmit antenna 204 and a low
pass filter (LPF) 208 configured to reduce harmonic emissions to
levels to prevent self-jamming of devices coupled to receivers 108
(FIG. 1). Other exemplary embodiments may include different filter
topologies, including but not limited to, notch filters that
attenuate specific frequencies while passing others and may include
an adaptive impedance match, that can be varied based on measurable
transmit metrics, such as output power to the antenna or DC current
draw by the power amplifier. Transmit circuitry 202 further
includes a power amplifier 210 configured to drive an RF signal as
determined by an oscillator 212. The transmit circuitry may be
comprised of discrete devices or circuits, or alternately, may be
comprised of an integrated assembly. An exemplary RF power output
from transmit antenna 204 may be on the order of 2.5 Watts.
[0056] Transmit circuitry 202 further includes a processor 214 for
enabling the oscillator 212 during transmit phases (or duty cycles)
for specific receivers, for adjusting the frequency of the
oscillator, and for adjusting the output power level for
implementing a communication protocol for interacting with
neighboring devices through their attached receivers.
[0057] The transmit circuitry 202 may further include a load
sensing circuit 216 for detecting the presence or absence of active
receivers in the vicinity of the near-field generated by transmit
antenna 204. By way of example, a load sensing circuit 216 monitors
the current flowing to the power amplifier 210, which is affected
by the presence or absence of active receivers in the vicinity of
the near-field generated by transmit antenna 204. Detection of
changes to the loading on the power amplifier 210 are monitored by
processor 214 for use in determining whether to enable the
oscillator 212 for transmitting energy to communicate with an
active receiver. Transmit antenna 204 may be implemented as an
antenna strip with the thickness, width and metal type selected to
keep resistive losses low.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a receiver, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A receiver 300
includes receive circuitry 302 and a receive antenna 304. Receiver
300 further couples to device 350 for providing received power
thereto. It should be noted that receiver 300 is illustrated as
being external to device 350 but may be integrated into device 350.
Generally, energy is propagated wirelessly to receive antenna 304
and then coupled through receive circuitry 302 to device 350.
[0059] Receive antenna 304 is tuned to resonate at the same
frequency, or near the same frequency, as transmit antenna 204
(FIG. 6). Receive antenna 304 may be similarly dimensioned with
transmit antenna 204 or may be differently sized based upon the
dimensions of an associated device 350. By way of example, device
350 may be a portable electronic device having diametric or length
dimension smaller that the diameter of length of transmit antenna
204. In such an example, receive antenna 304 may be implemented as
a multi-turn antenna in order to reduce the capacitance value of a
tuning capacitor (not shown) and increase the receive antenna's
impedance. By way of example, receive antenna 304 may be placed
around the substantial circumference of device 350 in order to
maximize the antenna diameter and reduce the number of loop turns
(i.e., windings) of the receive antenna and the inter-winding
capacitance.
[0060] Receive circuitry 302 provides an impedance match to the
receive antenna 304.
[0061] Receive circuitry 302 includes power conversion circuitry
306 for converting a received RF energy source into charging power
for use by device 350. Power conversion circuitry 306 includes an
RF-to-DC converter 308 and may also in include a DC-to-DC converter
310. RF-to-DC converter 308 rectifies the RF energy signal received
at receive antenna 304 into a non-alternating power while DC-to-DC
converter 310 converts the rectified RF energy signal into an
energy potential (e.g., voltage) that is compatible with device
350. Various RF-to-DC converters are contemplated including partial
and full rectifiers, regulators, bridges, doublers, as well as
linear and switching converters.
[0062] Receive circuitry 302 may further include switching
circuitry 312 for connecting receive antenna 304 to the power
conversion circuitry 306 or alternatively for disconnecting the
power conversion circuitry 306. Disconnecting receive antenna 304
from power conversion circuitry 306 not only suspends charging of
device 350, but also changes the "load" as "seen" by the
transmitter 200 (FIG. 2) as is explained more fully below. As
disclosed above, transmitter 200 includes load sensing circuit 216
which detects fluctuations in the bias current provided to
transmitter power amplifier 210. Accordingly, transmitter 200 has a
mechanism for determining when receivers are present in the
transmitter's near-field.
[0063] When multiple receivers 300 are present in a transmitter's
near-field, it may be desirable to time-multiplex the loading and
unloading of one or more receivers to enable other receivers to
more efficiently couple to the transmitter. A receiver may also be
cloaked in order to eliminate coupling to other nearby receivers or
to reduce loading on nearby transmitters. This "unloading" of a
receiver is also known herein as a "cloaking" Furthermore, this
switching between unloading and loading controlled by receiver 300
and detected by transmitter 200 provides a communication mechanism
from receiver 300 to transmitter 200 as is explained more fully
below. Additionally, a protocol can be associated with the
switching which enables the sending of a message from receiver 300
to transmitter 200. By way of example, a switching speed may be on
the order of 100 .mu.sec.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, communication between the
transmitter and the receiver refers to a Device Sensing and
Charging Control Mechanism, rather than conventional two-way
communication. In other words, the transmitter uses on/off keying
of the transmitted signal to adjust whether energy is available in
the near-filed. The receivers interpret these changes in energy as
a message from the transmitter. From the receiver side, the
receiver uses tuning and de-tuning of the receive antenna to adjust
how much power is being accepted from the near-field. The
transmitter can detect this difference in power used from the
near-field and interpret these changes as a message from the
receiver.
[0065] Receive circuitry 302 may further include signaling detector
and beacon circuitry 314 used to identify received energy
fluctuations, which may correspond to informational signaling from
the transmitter to the receiver. Furthermore, signaling and beacon
circuitry 314 may also be used to detect the transmission of a
reduced RF signal energy (i.e., a beacon signal) and to rectify the
reduced RF signal energy into a nominal power for awakening either
un-powered or power-depleted circuits within receive circuitry 302
in order to configure receive circuitry 302 for wireless
charging.
[0066] Receive circuitry 302 further includes processor 316 for
coordinating the processes of receiver 300 described herein
including the control of switching circuitry 312 described herein.
Cloaking of receiver 300 may also occur upon the occurrence of
other events including detection of an external wired charging
source (e.g., wall/USB power) providing charging power to device
350. Processor 316, in addition to controlling the cloaking of the
receiver, may also monitor beacon circuitry 314 to determine a
beacon state and extract messages sent from the transmitter.
Processor 316 may also adjust DC-to-DC converter 310 for improved
performance.
[0067] FIG. 8 shows a simplified schematic of a portion of transmit
circuitry for carrying out messaging between a transmitter and a
receiver. In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a
means for communication may be enabled between the transmitter and
the receiver. In FIG. 8, a power amplifier 210 drives the transmit
antenna 204 to generate the radiated field. The power amplifier is
driven by a carrier signal 220 that is oscillating at a desired
frequency for the transmit antenna 204. A transmit modulation
signal 224 is used to control the output of the power amplifier
210.
[0068] The transmit circuitry can send signals to receivers by
using an ON/OFF keying process on the power amplifier 210. In other
words, when the transmit modulation signal 224 is asserted, the
power amplifier 210 will drive the frequency of the carrier signal
220 out on the transmit antenna 204. When the transmit modulation
signal 224 is negated, the power amplifier will not drive out any
frequency on the transmit antenna 204.
[0069] The transmit circuitry of FIG. 8 also includes a load
sensing circuit 216 that supplies power to the power amplifier 210
and generates a receive signal 235 output. In the load sensing
circuit 216 a voltage drop across resistor Rs develops between the
power in signal 226 and the power supply 228 to the power amplifier
210. Any change in the power consumed by the power amplifier 210
will cause a change in the voltage drop that will be amplified by
differential amplifier 230. When the transmit antenna is in coupled
mode with a receive antenna in a receiver (not shown in FIG. 7) the
amount of current drawn by the power amplifier 210 will change. In
other words, if no coupled mode resonance exist for the transmit
antenna 210, the power required to drive the radiated field will be
first amount. If a coupled mode resonance exists, the amount of
power consumed by the power amplifier 210 will go up because much
of the power is being coupled into the receive antenna. Thus, the
receive signal 235 can indicate the presence of a receive antenna
coupled to the transmit antenna 235 and can also detect signals
sent from the receive antenna, as explained below. Additionally, a
change in receiver current draw will be observable in the
transmitter's power amplifier current draw, and this change can be
used to detect signals from the receive antennas, as explained
below.
[0070] FIGS. 9A-9D are simplified block diagrams illustrating a
beacon power mode for transmitting power between a transmitter and
a one or more receivers. FIG. 9A illustrates a transmitter 520
having a low power "beacon" signal 525 when there are no receive
devices in the beacon coupling-mode region 510. The beacon signal
525 may be, as a non-limiting example, such as in the range of
.about.10 to .about.20 mW RF. This signal may be adequate to
provide initial power to a device to be charged when it is placed
in the coupling-mode region.
[0071] FIG. 9B illustrates a receive device 530 placed within the
beacon coupling-mode region 510 of the transmitter 520 transmitting
the beacon signal 525. If the receive device 530 is on and develops
a coupling with the transmitter it will generate a reverse link
coupling 535, which is really just the receiver accepting power
from the beacon signal 525. This additional power, may be sensed by
the load sensing circuit 216 (FIG. 7) of the transmitter. As a
result, the transmitter may go into a high power mode.
[0072] FIG. 9C illustrates the transmitter 520 generating a high
power signal 525' resulting in a high power coupling-mode region
510'. As long as the receive device 530 is accepting power and, as
a result, generating the reverse link coupling 535, the transmitter
will remain in the high power state. While only one receive device
530 is illustrated, multiple receive devices 530 may be present in
the coupling-mode region 510. If there are multiple receive device
530 they will share the amount of power transmitted by the
transmitter based on how well each receive device 530 is coupled.
For example, the coupling efficiency may be different for each
receive device 530 depending on where the device is placed within
the coupling-mode region 510.
[0073] FIG. 9D illustrates the transmitter 520 generating the
beacon signal 525 even when a receive device 530 is in the beacon
coupling-mode region 510. This state may occur when receive device
530 is shut off, or the device cloaks itself, perhaps because it
does not need any more power.
[0074] A receiver and a transmitter may communicate on a separate
communication channel (e.g., Bluetooth, zigbee, etc). With a
separate communication channel, the transmitter may determine when
to switch between beacon mode and high power mode, or create
multiple power levels, based on the number of receive devices in
the coupling-mode region 510 and their respective power
requirements.
[0075] Exemplary embodiments of the invention include enhancing the
coupling between a relatively large transmit antenna and a small
receive antenna in the near-field power transfer between two
antennas through introduction of additional antennas into the
system of coupled antennas that will act as repeaters and will
enhance the flow of power from the transmitting antenna toward the
receiving antenna.
[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more extra antennas
(illustrated below) are used that couple to the transmit antenna
and receive antenna in the system. These extra antennas comprise
repeater antennas, such as active or passive antennas. A passive
antenna may include simply the antenna loop and a capacitive
element for tuning a resonant frequency of the antenna. An active
element may include, in addition to the antenna loop and one or
more tuning capacitors, an amplifier for increasing the strength of
a repeated near-field radiation.
[0077] The combination of the transmit antenna and the repeater
antennas in the power transfer system may be optimized such that
coupling of power to very small receive antennas is enhanced based
on factors such as termination loads, tuning components, resonant
frequencies, and placement of the repeater antennas relative to the
transmit antenna.
[0078] A single transmit antenna exhibits a finite near-field
coupling-mode region. Accordingly, a user of a device charging
through a receiver in the transmit antenna's near-field
coupling-mode region may require a considerable user access space
that would be prohibitive or at least inconvenient. Furthermore,
the coupling-mode region may diminish quickly as a receive antenna
moves away from the transmit antenna.
[0079] A repeater antenna may refocus and reshape a coupling-mode
region from a transmit antenna to create a second coupling-mode
region around the repeater antenna, which may be better suited for
coupling energy to a receive antenna.
[0080] FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter 200
including a presence detector 905. The transmitter is similar to
that of FIG. 6 and, therefore, does not need to be explained again.
However, in FIG. 10, the transmitter 200 includes a presence
detector 905 connected to the processor 214 (also referred to as a
controller herein). The processor 214 can adjust an amount of power
delivered by the amplifier 210 in response to signals from the
presence detector 905.
[0081] As a non-limiting example, the presence detector may be a
motion detector utilized to sense the initial presence of a device
to be charged that is inserted into the coverage area of the
transmitter. After detection, the transmitter is turned on and the
RF power received by the device is used to toggle a switch on the
Rx device in a pre-determined manner, which in turn results in
changes to the driving point impedance of the transmitter.
[0082] As another non-limiting example, the presence detector may
be a detector capable of detecting a human, for example, by
infrared detection, motion detection, or other suitable means. In
some exemplary embodiments, there may be regulations limiting the
amount of power that a transmit antenna may transmit at a specific
frequency. In some cases, these regulations are meant to protect
humans from electromagnetic radiation. However, there may be
environments where transmit antennas are placed in areas not
occupied by humans, or occupied infrequently by humans, such as,
for example, garages, factory floors, shops, and the like. If these
environments are free from humans, it may be permissible to
increase the power output of the transmit antennas above the normal
power restrictions regulations. In other words, the controller 214
may adjust the power output of the transmit antenna 204 to a
regulatory level or lower in response to human presence and adjust
the power output of the transmit antenna 204 to a level above the
regulatory level when a human is outside a regulatory distance from
the electromagnetic field of the transmit antenna 204.
[0083] In many of the examples below, only one guest device is
shown being charged. In practice, a multiplicity of the devices can
be charged from a near-field generated by each host.
[0084] In exemplary embodiments, a method by which the Tx circuit
does not remain on indefinitely may be used. In such an exemplary
embodiment, the Tx circuit may be programmed to shut off after a
pre-determined amount of time, which may be user-defined or factory
preset. This feature prevents the Tx circuit, notably the power
amplifier, from running long after the wireless devices in its
perimeter are fully charged. This event may be due to the failure
of the circuit to detect the signal sent from either the repeater
or the Rx coil that a device is fully charged. To prevent the Tx
circuit from automatically shutting down if another device is
placed in its perimeter, the Tx circuit automatic shut off feature
may be activated only after a set period of lack of motion detected
in its perimeter. The user may be able to determine the inactivity
time interval, and change it as desired. As a non-limiting example,
the time interval may be longer than that needed to fully charge a
specific type of wireless device under the assumption of the device
being initially fully discharged.
[0085] Exemplary embodiments of the invention include using
portable apparatuses as the charging stations or "hosts," housing
totally, or partially, the transmit antenna and other circuitry
necessary for wireless transfer of power to other often smaller
devices, equipment, or machines referred to as "guests." As
non-limiting examples, these charging stations or hosts could be
backpacks, briefcases, purses, clothing, luggage, and so on. The
charging system, which can be at least partially embedded in the
aforementioned examples, may either be a retrofit to existing
apparatus, or made as part of its initial design and
manufacturing.
[0086] In the exemplary embodiments described herein,
multi-dimensional regions with multiple antennas may be performed
by the techniques described herein. In addition, multi-dimensional
wireless powering and charging may be employed, such as the means
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/567,339, entitled
"SYSTEMS AND METHOD RELATING TO MULTI-DIMENSIONAL WIRELESS
CHARGING" filed on Sep. 25, 2009, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
[0087] FIG. 11 depicts a portable charging system 400 including a
portable enclosure, container or other portable device illustrated
as a bag 402 having a transmit antenna 404 coupled thereto, in
accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. Bag 402 may comprise any portable bag such as, for
example only, a backpack, a purse, a piece of luggage, or a
briefcase. It is noted that although various exemplary embodiments
of the present invention are depicted in the drawings as being
implemented with a specific bag type (e.g., a briefcase), exemplary
embodiments described herein may be implemented in any known and
suitable portable device such as a portable bag. Portable charging
system 400 may also include a battery 406 integrated within bag
402. Battery 406 may be operably coupled to transmit antenna 404
via transmit circuitry 202 (see FIG. 6) and may be configured to
supply power to transmit antenna 404 via transmit circuitry 202.
Battery 406 may comprise any known and suitable chargeable battery,
replaceable battery, or any combination thereof. Additionally,
charging system 400 may include a receive antenna 407 positioned
proximate battery 406 to enable for wireless charging of battery
406 via an external transmit antenna (not shown).
[0088] Furthermore, charging system 400 may include a power
connector 408 configured to couple an external power source (not
shown), such as a power outlet, to transmit antenna 404 via
transmit circuitry 202, to battery 406, or any combination thereof.
Accordingly, power connector 408 may be configured to supply power
to transmit antenna 404 via transmit circuitry 202, supply power
for charging battery 406, or any combination thereof. Power
connector 408 may comprise any known, suitable power source
connector. As a non-limiting example, power connector 408 may
comprise a removable power cord configured to couple to an
electrical connector (e.g., a USB port or an external power plug)
on bag 402. Furthermore, power connector 408 may comprise, for
example only, a retractable power cord configured to retract into
bag 402 and be pulled out from bag 402.
[0089] In one contemplated operation, transmit antenna 404 may
receive, via transmit circuitry 202, power from the external power
source by means of power connector 408, battery 406, or any
combination thereof and, upon receipt of power, may transmit power
within a near-field of transmit antenna 404. The power may then be
received by a receive antenna within a coupling mode-region of the
receive antenna and transmit antenna 404. For example, power
transmitted from transmit antenna 404 may be received by a receive
antenna 410 coupled to a battery (e.g., battery 136 of FIG. 2)
within chargeable device 412. More specifically, power transmitted
from transmit antenna 404 may be received by receive antenna 410
and a receiver, such as receiver 108 of FIG. 2, which is coupled to
a battery of chargeable device 412. As non-limiting examples,
device 412 may comprise a cellular telephone, a portable media
player, a camera, a gaming device, a navigation device, a headset
(e.g., a Bluetooth headset), a tool, a toy, or any combination
thereof. It is noted that transmit antenna 404 may be configured to
simultaneously transmit power to one or more receive antennas
within a near-field of transmit antenna 404. It is further noted
that, according to one exemplary embodiment, transmit antenna 404
may be configured to transmit power within its near-field only if
at least one device is within the near-field and the at least one
device is in need of a charge.
[0090] Additionally, charging system 400 may include a coil 414
integrated within bag 402 and positioned proximate a storage area
416 (e.g., a pocket) of bag 402. With reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.
21, coil 414 may be configured to receive power, via coil transmit
circuitry 417, from a power source 415 (e.g., via power connector
408, battery 406, or any combination thereof) and generate a field
according to coil transmit circuitry 417. Furthermore, coil 414 may
be configured to transmit power, via inductive coupling, to a
receiver positioned within storage area 416 and adequately aligned
with coil 414. For example only, coil 414 may be configured to
transmit power, via inductive coupling, to a battery (not shown)
within device 418, which is positioned within storage area 416.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
coil 414 may be configured to transmit power only if a device is
proximate thereto and in need of a charge. It is noted that
although charging system 400 only includes one coil and one
transmit antenna, a charging system having one or more coils and/or
one or more transmit antennas is within the scope of the present
invention. As an example, each pocket within bag 402 may have an
associated coil proximate thereto. Furthermore, as an example, a
lid 420 and a base 422 of bag 402 may each include an associated
transmit antenna.
[0091] Accordingly, while bag 402 is coupled to an external power
source (e.g., a power outlet), one or more devices (e.g., device
412) within bag 402 may wirelessly receive power from the external
source via power connector 408 and transmit antenna 404, and one or
more devices (e.g., device 418) within bag 402 may wirelessly
receive power from the external source via power connector 408 and
coil 414. Furthermore, while bag 402 is coupled to the external
power source, battery 406 may be charged with power received from
the external source via power connector 408. In addition, while bag
402 is not coupled to the external power source, one or more
devices (e.g., device 412) within bag 402 may wirelessly receive
power, via associated receive circuitry, from battery 406 via
transmit antenna 404 and transmit circuitry 202. Furthermore, one
or more devices (e.g., device 418) within bag 402 may wirelessly
receive power from battery 406 via an associated coil. Moreover, it
is noted that battery 406 may be configured to wirelessly receive
power from a transmit antenna external to bag 402.
[0092] FIG. 12 depicts another portable charging system 450
including a portable device illustrated as a bag 452 having a
repeater antenna 454 integrated therein. Similarly to bag 402, bag
452 may comprise any known and suitable portable bag. Repeater
antenna 454 may be configured to refocus and reshape a
coupling-mode region from a transmit antenna to create a second
coupling-mode region around repeater antenna 454, which may be
better suited for coupling energy to a receive antenna. In one
contemplated operation, repeater antenna 454 may receive power
transmitted from a transmit antenna external to bag 452. For
example, repeater antenna 454 may receive power transmitted from
transmit antenna 455, which may be, for example, integrated within
a table (not shown). Upon receipt of power, repeater antenna 454
may transmit power within a near-field of repeater antenna 454 and
the power may be received by a receiver within an associated
coupling-mode region. For example, power wirelessly transmitted
from repeater antenna 454 may be received by receive antenna 458
coupled to a battery (e.g., battery 136 of FIG. 2) within device
460. More specifically, power wirelessly transmitted from repeater
antenna 454 may be received by receive antenna 458 and a receiver,
such as receiver 108 (see FIG. 2), which may be coupled to a
battery within device 460. As described above, utilizing a repeater
antenna may increase the charging rate of a device by refocusing a
coupling-mode region, reshaping a coupling-mode region, or any
combination thereof. Furthermore, according to one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, repeater antenna 454 may be
configured to transmit power within its near-field only if at least
one device is within the near-field and the at least one device is
in need of a charge.
[0093] FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate another portable charging system
550 including a plurality of transmit antennas 556, 558 and a
battery 554 integrated within a portable device illustrated as a
bag 552. For example only, battery 554 may comprise a chargeable
battery, a replaceable battery, or any combination thereof. As
noted below, battery 554 may be configured to receive power from an
external transmit antenna via a receive antenna and receive
circuitry 302 (see FIG. 7) coupled to battery 554.
[0094] As depicted in FIG. 13A, a first transmit antenna 556 and a
second transmit antenna 558 are each operably coupled to battery
554 via receive circuitry 302 and are each configured to receive
power from battery 554 via receive circuitry 302. Moreover, first
transmit antenna 556 and a second transmit antenna 558 may each be
configured to transmit power within a respective near-field. More
specifically, first transmit antenna 556 may be configured to
wirelessly transmit power that may be received by a one or more
receive antennas positioned within a near-field of first transmit
antenna 556, and second transmit antenna 558 may be configured to
wirelessly transmit power that may be received by one or more
receive antennas positioned within a near-field of second transmit
antenna 558. For example, power transmitted from first transmit
antenna 556 may be received by receive antenna 560 coupled via
receive circuitry 302 to a battery (not shown) within a device 562.
Furthermore, for example, power transmitted from second transmit
antenna 558 may be received by a first receive antenna 562 coupled
via receive circuitry 302 to a battery (not shown) within a device
566 and a second receive antenna 564 coupled via receive circuitry
302 to a battery (not shown) within a device 568. Although only two
transmit antenna are depicted within charging system 550, charging
system 550 may include any number of transmit antennas integrated
within a portable bag.
[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 13B, charging system 550 may also
include a transmit antenna 570 external to bag 552 and configured
to receive power from an external source (not shown) and transmit
power to, and thus charge, battery 554. Furthermore, in this
depicted exemplary embodiment, transmit antenna 556 and transmit
antenna 558 may be configured as repeater antennas and, therefore,
transmit antenna 570 may also be configured to provide power via
transmit circuitry 202 to each of first transmit antenna 556 and
second transmit antenna 558. Furthermore, each of first transmit
antenna 556 and second transmit antenna 558 may then transmit power
to one or more receive antennas positioned within an associated
near-field. In addition, charging system 550 may include a repeater
antenna 557 oriented at an angle with respect to a longitudinal
axis of bag 552. Repeater antenna 557 may be configured to receive
power from transmit antenna 570 and convey power to one or more
receive antennas positioned with an associated near-field.
[0096] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, charging system 550
may include a power connector 572 configured to couple an external
power source (not shown), such as a power outlet, to first transmit
antenna 556, second transmit antenna 558, battery 554, or any
combination thereof. Accordingly, power connector 572 may be
configured to supply power via transmit circuitry 202 to first
transmit antenna 556, second transmit antenna 558, or any
combination thereof. Furthermore, power connector 572 may be
configured to supply power to battery 554. Similarly to power
connector 408 described above with reference to FIG. 11, power
connector 572 may comprise any known, suitable power source
connector. For example only, power connector 572 may comprise a
removable power cord configured to couple to an electrical
connector (e.g., a USB port or an external power plug) on bag 552.
Furthermore, power connector 572 may comprise, for example only, a
retractable power cord configured to retract into bag 552 and be
pulled out from bag 552. It is noted that transmit antenna 556 and
transmit antenna 558 may each be configured to transmit power
within a respective near-field only if at least one device is
positioned within the near-field and at least one device is in need
of a charge.
[0097] Although charging system 550 depicts a plurality of transmit
antennas wherein each transmit antenna is oriented in a
substantially similar plane, other exemplary embodiments of the
present invention may include a plurality of transmit antennas
integrated within a portably bag and having substantially differing
orientations. For example, FIGS. 14A and 14B respectively
illustrate portable charging systems 580 and 582, each including
transmit antennas oriented in differing planes. More specifically,
charging system 580 includes a first transmit antenna 586 oriented
in a lateral plane and a second transmit antenna 584 oriented in a
vertical plane perpendicular to the orientation of first transmit
antenna 586.
[0098] Furthermore, another charging system 582 includes a first
transmit antenna 590 oriented in a first lateral plane and a second
transmit antenna 592 oriented in a second lateral plane parallel to
the first lateral plane. Moreover, charging system 582 includes a
third transmit antenna 588 oriented in a vertical plane
perpendicular to the orientations of each of first transmit antenna
590 and second transmit antenna 592. It is noted that, although
transmit antennas within charging systems 580 and 582 are depicted
as being oriented in either a substantially vertical orientation or
a substantially lateral orientation, transmit antennas oriented at
an angle from a horizontal plane or a vertical plane are within the
scope of the present invention. Orienting transmit antennas in
differing orientations may more effectively provide power to
receive antennas positioned in various orientations.
[0099] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,
concurrent operation of directly or nearly adjacent antennas may
result in interfering effects between the concurrently activated
and physically nearby or adjacent antennas. As such, a means may be
used for selecting and multiplexing between directly or nearly
adjacent antennas so as to minimize interfering effects. For
example, independent activation of directly or nearly adjacent
antennas may be controlled by a controller and may occur according
to a time-domain based sequence. More specifically, a multiplexer
may time-multiplex an output signal from an amplifier to each of
the antennas. Furthermore, upon activation of one antenna, adjacent
antennas may be "cloaked" to allow improved wireless charging
efficiency of the activated antenna.
[0100] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 15, another charging
system 620 may include a portable device illustrated as a bag 622
having a transmit antenna 624 positioned proximate a storage area
626 (e.g., a pocket) of bag 622. Transmit antenna 624 may be
configured to receive power from a battery (not shown) integrated
within bag 622, an external power source (not shown), or any
combination thereof. Furthermore, transmit antenna 624 may be
configured as a repeater antenna configured to wirelessly receive
power from another transmit antenna (not shown) either external to
or integrated within bag 622. Upon receipt of power, transmit
antenna 624 may wirelessly transmit power that may be received by a
receiver within an associated coupling-mode region. For example,
power transmitted from transmit antenna 624 may be received by a
receive antenna coupled to a battery (not shown) of a device
positioned within storage area 626. According to one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, transmit antenna 624 may be
configured to transmit power within its near-field only if at least
one device is within the near-field and at least one device is in
need of a charge.
[0101] Placing a transmit antenna proximate a storage area wherein
the transmit antenna has a substantially similar shape of the
storage area may enable for improved wireless charging efficiency
of a device (e.g., a cellular telephone) placed in the storage
area. More specifically, because a device (e.g. a cellular
telephone) placed in a storage area (e.g., storage area 626) may be
passively aligned by the shape of the storage area, a device within
the storage area may be substantially aligned with the transmit
antenna and charging efficiency may be increased.
[0102] FIG. 16 illustrates another charging system 630 including
one or more receive antennas 632 integrated within a portable
device illustrated as a bag 633, in accordance with one or more
exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Each receive
antenna 632 may be configured to receive power via receive
circuitry 302 (see FIG. 7) from a charging source, such as an
external transmit antenna 634. By way of example only, each receive
antenna 632 may be configured to receive power from transmit
antenna 634, which may be integrated within, attached to, and/or
positioned on a table (not shown). Charging system 630 may also
include one or more connection ports 636 having one or more
connectors 637. Each connection port 636 may be positioned with an
associated charging area and may be operably coupled to at least
one receive antenna 632. Further, one or more connectors 637 may be
configured to couple to a charging port of a device (e.g., a
camera, cellular telephone, or a media player). As configured, each
connection port 636 may provide power received from a receive
antenna to a device operably coupled thereto. According to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, connection ports 636
may be configured to draw power from a charging source only if at
least one device is coupled to one or more connectors 637 and the
at least one device is in need of a charge.
[0103] Another charging system 650, according to one or more
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated in
FIG. 17. Charging system 650 includes one or more wireless receive
antennas 652 integrated within a bag 654, and an external wireless
transmit antenna 656. Charging system 650 may also include one or
more connection ports 658 having one or more connectors 657. Each
connection port 658 may be operably coupled to at least one receive
antenna 652 and may further be configured to couple one or more
connectors 657 to a charging port of a device (e.g., a camera,
cellular telephone, or a media player). Additionally, each
connection port 658 may be positioned within an associated storage
area and may be configured to provide power received from a receive
antenna to a device operably coupled thereto. It is noted that,
according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
connection port 658 may be configured to draw power from a charging
source only if at least one device is coupled to one or more
connectors 657 associated with connection port 658, and the at
least one device is in need of a charge.
[0104] The exemplary embodiments described above may enable a
device (e.g., a camera, cellular telephone, or a media player) user
to simultaneously charge one or more devices while transporting a
portable apparatus having the one or more chargeable devices
therein. Further, the above described exemplary embodiments may
enable a device user to simultaneously charge one or more devices
within a portable apparatus without any need to remove any device
from the portable apparatus. It is noted that, although the
portable charging systems described above include portable bags, a
portable charging system having any known and suitable portable
apparatus is within the scope of the present invention.
[0105] FIG. 18 illustrates yet another portable charging system 670
including a transmit antenna 672 integrated within a portable
device such as an article of clothing 674, in accordance with one
or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 18, article of clothing 674 may include
transmit antenna 672 positioned proximate a storage area 678 (e.g.,
a pocket) within article of clothing 674 and configured to hold a
device. Furthermore, charging system 670 may include a battery 676
integrated within article of clothing 676. In one contemplated
operation, battery 676 may be charged prior to article of clothing
674 being worn by an individual. Although article of clothing 674
is illustrated in FIG. 18 as a shirt, any article of clothing may
be within the scope of the invention. By way of example and not
limitation, article of clothing 674 may include a shirt, a pair of
pants, a coat, a shoe, or any wearable accessory.
[0106] Transmit antenna 672 may be configured to receive power from
energy storage module 676 in any known and suitable wireless or
wired manner. Furthermore, transmit antenna 672 may be configured
to transmit power within a near-field of transmit antenna 672. The
transmitted power may then be received by a receive antenna (not
shown) within a coupling-mode region of the receive antenna and
transmit antenna 672. For example, power transmitted from transmit
antenna 672 may be received by a receive antenna coupled to a
battery of a device (not shown) positioned within storage area 678.
As an example, while an individual is wearing article of clothing
674, one or more devices positioned within storage area 678 and
proximate transmit antenna 672 may wirelessly receive power, via
receive circuitry 302, from battery 676 via transmit circuitry 202
and transmit antenna 672.
[0107] As described above with reference to FIG. 15, placing a
transmit antenna proximate a storage area (e.g., a pocket) wherein
the transmit antenna has a substantially similar shape of the
storage area may enable for improved wireless charging efficiency
of a device (e.g., a cellular telephone) placed in the storage
area. More specifically, because a device (e.g. a cellular
telephone) placed in a storage area (e.g., storage area 678) may be
passively aligned by the shape of the storage area, a device within
the storage area may be substantially aligned with the transmit
antenna and charging efficiency may be increased. It is noted that
transmit antenna 672 may be configured to transmit power within a
respective near-field only if at least one device is within the
near-field and the at least one device is in need of a charge.
[0108] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of charging
a chargeable device, in accordance with one or more exemplary
embodiments. Method 700 may include receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus (depicted by numeral
702). Method 700 may further include wirelessly transmitting power
from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna
positioned within a near-field of the at least one antenna and
coupled to a chargeable device (depicted by numeral 704).
[0109] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another method 720 of
charging a chargeable device, according to one or more exemplary
embodiments. Method 720 may include receiving power in at least one
antenna integrated within a portable apparatus (depicted by numeral
722). Furthermore, method 720 may include transmitting power from
the at least one antenna to at least one connection port configured
to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device
(depicted by numeral 724).
[0110] It is further noted that a "portable device," as described
herein, may comprise a device that is configured to receive a
chargeable device and at least partially surround the chargeable
device. Stated another way, a "portable device" may comprise a
device configured to encompass more than one surface of a
chargeable device.
[0111] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed
herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer
software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this
interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative
components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been
described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether
such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends
upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on
the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described
functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but
such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing
a departure from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
[0112] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the exemplary embodiments
disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general
purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application
Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0113] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied
directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor,
or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in
Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM),
Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable
Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk,
a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An
exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the
processor can read information from, and write information to, the
storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be
integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may
reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the
alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as
discrete components in a user terminal.
[0114] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions
described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or
any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions
may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or
code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media
includes both computer storage media and communication media
including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer
program from one place to another. A storage media may be any
available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of
example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can
comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program
code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be
accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0115] The previous description of the disclosed exemplary
embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to
make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these
exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied
to other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended
to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown herein but is to
be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
novel features disclosed herein.
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