U.S. patent application number 14/323516 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for wireless transfer station with display.
The applicant listed for this patent is Enovate Medical, LLC. Invention is credited to Allen Kilbourne, David R. Miller, Gordon Waid, Kou Yang.
Application Number | 20150365737 14/323516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54835898 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150365737 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; David R. ; et
al. |
December 17, 2015 |
Wireless transfer station with display
Abstract
A technology for a wireless transfer station that is operable to
display information. The wireless transfer station can include a
wireless transfer station housing with an outer surface, wherein
the outer surface includes an optically viewable portion integrated
into the outer surface of the wireless transfer station housing.
The wireless transfer station can also include an energy
information module that can be located within the wireless transfer
station housing. The energy information module can be configured to
provide selected energy information for display. The wireless
transfer station can also include a display integrated into the
wireless transfer station housing and located beneath the optically
viewable portion of the outer surface, wherein the display is
viewable to a user through the optically viewable portion. The
display can be configured to display the energy information from
the energy information module.
Inventors: |
Miller; David R.;
(Murfreesboro, TN) ; Kilbourne; Allen; (Canton,
MI) ; Waid; Gordon; (Murfreesboro, TN) ; Yang;
Kou; (Canton, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Enovate Medical, LLC |
Murfreesboro |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54835898 |
Appl. No.: |
14/323516 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62010921 |
Jun 11, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/870.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 50/10 20160201;
H02J 50/40 20160201; A61B 5/0015 20130101; H01M 10/425 20130101;
H01M 10/482 20130101; H01M 2/1235 20130101; H02J 50/12 20160201;
G01V 3/12 20130101; H02J 50/50 20160201; H02J 50/80 20160201; Y02E
60/10 20130101; H01M 2/1094 20130101; H01M 10/46 20130101; H02J
7/0044 20130101; H04B 5/0037 20130101; H04B 5/0081 20130101; H01M
2220/30 20130101; H02J 7/0022 20130101; H02J 7/0047 20130101; H01M
2010/4278 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 9/00 20060101
H04Q009/00; H02J 7/02 20060101 H02J007/02; H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00; H02J 5/00 20060101 H02J005/00 |
Claims
1. A wireless transfer station operable to display information,
comprising: a wireless transfer station housing with an outer
surface, wherein the outer surface includes an optically viewable
portion integrated into the outer surface of the wireless transfer
station housing; an energy information module: located within the
wireless transfer station housing; and configured to provide
selected energy information for display; and a display: integrated
into the wireless transfer station housing; located beneath the
optically viewable portion of the outer surface, wherein the
display is viewable to a user through the optically viewable
portion; and configured to display the energy information from the
energy information module.
2. The wireless transfer station of claim 1, wherein the optically
viewable portion is seamlessly integrated into the outer surface of
the wireless transfer station housing.
3. The wireless transfer station of claim 1, further comprising:
the wireless transfer station housing including an inner cavity; a
battery bay located within the inner cavity containing one or more
rechargeable batteries; and a wireless transfer module configured
to receive wireless energy from a battery pack and provide at least
a portion of the received wireless energy to the one or more
rechargeable batteries.
4. The wireless transfer station of claim 3, further comprising: a
coil alignment module configured to determine an alignment of a
wireless transfer coil of the wireless transfer module with a
wireless transfer coil of the wireless transfer station or with a
wireless transfer coil of a device; and the display is configured
to display alignment information received from the coil alignment
module.
5. The wireless transfer station of claim 3, further comprising: a
coil distance module configured to determine a distance between a
wireless transfer coil of the wireless transfer module with a
wireless transfer coil of the battery pack or with a wireless
transfer coil of a device; and the display is configured to display
alignment information received from the coil distance module.
6. The wireless transfer station of claim 1, further comprising: a
second optically viewable portion integrated into the outer surface
of the wireless transfer station housing; and a second display:
integrated into the wireless transfer station housing; located
beneath the second optically viewable portion of the outer surface,
wherein the second display is viewable to a user through the second
optically viewable portion; and configured to display the energy
information from the energy information module.
7. The wireless transfer station of claim 6, wherein the second
display is configured to: determine when the display cannot
properly display energy information; and display energy information
when the display cannot properly display energy information.
8. The wireless transfer station of claim 6, further comprising: a
communications module configured to receive selection information
from a device or an other wireless transfer station, wherein the
selection information is used to select a wireless transfer
station; and the display or the second display is configured to
display an indicator that indicates when the wireless transfer
station is next to be used in a wireless transfer station use order
based on the received selection information.
9. The wireless transfer station of claim 1, wherein the wireless
transfer station housing is hermetically sealed to be liquid proof
and dust proof.
10. The wireless transfer station of claim 9, wherein the wireless
transfer station housing is comprised of a plurality of housing
pieces that are welded together to form a hermetically sealed
wireless transfer station housing.
11. The wireless transfer station of claim 9, further comprising a
seal monitor configured to monitor when the hermetic seal is
broken.
12. The wireless transfer station of claim 1, wherein the energy
information includes error information, safety information,
wireless transfer station usage information, charge cycle
information, voltage usage, current usage, state of health
information, energy remaining information, an operating system (OS)
version, a software version, a firmware version, and communication
information.
13. The wireless transfer station of claim 1, further comprising:
an energy transfer module configured to determine an estimated
energy transfer level from a battery pack to the wireless energy
battery pack; and the display is configured to display energy
transfer information received from the energy transfer module.
14. A wireless battery pack operable to display information,
comprising: a wireless battery pack housing with an outer surface,
wherein the wireless battery pack housing is configured to be
sealed; and a display: viewable in at least a portion of the outer
surface of the wireless battery pack housing; and configured to
display information associated with the wireless battery pack.
15. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising a
communication module configured to: communicate information between
the wireless battery pack and a wireless transfer station; or
communicate information between the wireless battery pack and a
device.
16. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, wherein the wireless
battery pack housing includes a hole configured to receive
injection material to seal components within the wireless battery
pack housing or the wireless battery pack.
17. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising: a
charge module configured to estimate a remaining charge time of the
wireless battery pack; and the display configured to display
information from the charge module.
18. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising: a
warranty alert module configured to determine a warranty status of
the wireless battery pack or a state of health of the wireless
battery pack; and the display is configured to display information
from the warranty alert module.
19. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising: a
safety alert module configured to determine a safety status of the
wireless battery pack, wherein the safety status is based on one or
more of: a temperature of the wireless battery pack; a temperature
of one or more rechargeable batteries in the wireless battery pack;
a voltage level of one or more of the rechargeable batteries; a
current level of one or more of the rechargeable batteries; or an
internal pressure level of the wireless battery pack; and the
display is configured to display information from the safety alert
module.
20. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising: an
error module configured to detect an error status of the wireless
battery pack, wherein the error status includes: alignment
information between the wireless battery pack and a battery pack or
a device; distance information between the wireless battery pack
and the battery pack or the device; overvoltage information; under
voltage information; overcurrent information; under current
information; communication information; and the display is
configured to indicate the error status of the wireless battery
pack based on error status information received from the error
module.
21. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising: a
battery abuse module configured to determine when the one or more
rechargeable batteries has been used outside of warranted uses; and
the display is configured to display information from the battery
abuse module.
22. The wireless battery pack of claim 14, further comprising a
sensory alert module configured to provide information using a
sensory device integrated into the wireless battery pack or in
communication with the wireless battery pack.
23. A wireless battery display operable to display information,
comprising: an energy information module: located within a wireless
battery pack housing of a wireless battery pack; and configured to
provide selected energy information to the wireless battery display
in communication with the energy information module; and the
wireless battery display: sized and shaped to be integrated beneath
an optically viewable portion in the wireless battery pack housing;
configured to be viewable to a user through the optically viewable
portion of the wireless battery pack housing; and configured to
display energy information from the energy information module.
24. The wireless battery display of claim 23, wherein the optically
viewable portion is a substantially transparent material or a
translucent material.
25. The wireless battery display of claim 23, wherein the wireless
battery pack housing is comprised of a substantially clear
polycarbonate material.
26. The wireless battery display of claim 23, wherein: the display
is one or more of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a resistive LCD
display, a capacitive LCD display, a light emitting diode (LED)
display, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, an organic LED
(OLED) display, an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, a touch
screen display, a haptic display, or a tactile display; and the
wireless battery display is configured to display one or more
colors based on the selected energy information.
27. The wireless battery display of claim 23, further comprising a
display adjustment module configured to adjust a color of the
display or a brightness of the wireless battery display based on
selected criteria.
28. The wireless battery display of claim 27, wherein the selected
criteria includes: a time of day, a location of the wireless
battery pack; and an ambient light level.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and hereby
incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 62/010,921, filed Jun. 11, 2014, with an attorney docket number
3712-049.PROV.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With an increase of portable equipment, transportation, and
communication markets, the battery industry is continually
expanding to meet the increasing energy need. Typically, batteries
can be broadly classified into two categories: primary batteries
and secondary batteries. A primary battery, also known as a
disposable battery, can be used once until the battery is depleted,
after which the disposable battery can be replaced with a new
battery. A secondary battery, also known as a rechargeable battery,
can be capable of repeated recharging and reuse. One advantage of
rechargeable batteries can be a cost advantage, an environmentally
friendly alternative, and an ease-of-use compared to disposable
batteries.
[0003] As popularity of rechargeable batteries increases, a range
of uses of a rechargeable battery pack also increases. To
accommodate an increased number of usages per rechargeable battery
and the range of uses of the rechargeable battery, battery packs
with sensor circuits within the battery pack (e.g. smart battery
packs) can be used to determine selected information. To aid a user
in utilizing information from the smart battery pack, the smart
battery pack can include a display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent
from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way
of example, features of the disclosure; and, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a wireless transfer station in accordance
with an example;
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts transferring energy or data between a
plurality of wireless transfer coils in accordance with an
example;
[0007] FIG. 3a depicts a wireless transfer station in accordance
with an example;
[0008] FIG. 3b depicts another wireless transfer station in
accordance with an example;
[0009] FIG. 3c depicts a cross-sectional view of a battery in
accordance with an example;
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a wireless transfer station in accordance
with an example;
[0011] FIG. 5a depicts a wireless transfer station that includes
one or more resonant wireless transfer coils and/or one or more
induction wireless transfer coils in accordance with an
example;
[0012] FIG. 5b depicts a wireless transfer station in accordance
with an example;
[0013] FIG. 5c depicts a wireless transfer station integrated into
an object in accordance with an example;
[0014] FIG. 5d depicts a plurality of wireless transfer stations
integrated into an object in accordance with an example;
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a wireless transfer station that can provide
energy to one or more non-wire powered electronic devices and/or
one or more recharge batteries coupled to a device in accordance
with an example;
[0016] FIG. 7a depicts a device with a wireless transfer station
coupled to a device or integrated into the device in accordance
with an example;
[0017] FIG. 7b depicts a wireless transfer station with a plurality
of wireless transfer coils configured to transfer energy and/or
data to an electronic device in accordance with an example;
[0018] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a wireless transfer station
in accordance with an example;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the wireless
transfer station case in accordance with an example;
[0020] FIG. 10 shows another exploded view of a wireless transfer
station in accordance with an example;
[0021] FIG. 11a shows a bottom perspective view of the wireless
transfer station with a molded seal in a seam of a wireless
transfer station case in accordance with an example;
[0022] FIG. 11b shows a seam with a gasket integrated into one of
the pieces of a wireless transfer station in accordance with an
example;
[0023] FIG. 12a shows a top perspective view of a wireless transfer
station with a display in accordance with an example;
[0024] FIG. 12b shows an exploded view of the wireless transfer
station with a display 1220 and an optically viewable portion in
accordance with an example;
[0025] FIG. 13 shows a top perspective view of a wireless transfer
station with a plurality of displays in accordance with an
example;
[0026] FIG. 14a shows a perspective view of the wireless transfer
station with display in accordance with an example;
[0027] FIG. 14b shows a front view of the wireless transfer station
with display in accordance with an example;
[0028] FIG. 14c shows a side view of the wireless transfer station
with display in accordance with an example;
[0029] FIG. 15 shows a top perspective view of the wireless
transfer station with display in accordance with an example;
[0030] FIG. 16 shows a wireless transfer station configured to
communicate with other wireless transfer stations in accordance
with an example;
[0031] FIG. 17 shows a wireless transfer station transferring
energy and/or data with one or more wireless transfer stations
and/or devices within a selected range in accordance with an
example;
[0032] FIG. 18 depicts a wireless transfer station in accordance
with an example;
[0033] FIG. 19 depicts a foreign object entering a magnetic field
between wireless transfer coils in accordance with an example;
[0034] FIG. 20 depicts another foreign object entering a magnetic
field between wireless transfer coils in accordance with an
example;
[0035] FIG. 21 depicts another wireless transfer station operable
to display information in accordance with an example;
[0036] FIG. 22 depicts a wireless battery pack operable to display
information in accordance with an example;
[0037] FIG. 23 depicts a wireless battery display operable to
display information in accordance with an example; and
[0038] FIG. 24 illustrates a diagram of a device in accordance with
an example.
[0039] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe
the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of
the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it
is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the
particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed
herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be
recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It
should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used
for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not
intended to be limiting. The same reference numerals in different
drawings represent the same element. Numbers provided in flow
charts and processes are provided for clarity in illustrating steps
and operations and do not necessarily indicate a particular order
or sequence.
[0041] The terms battery, cell, and/or battery cell as used herein
can be used interchangeably and can refer to any of a variety of
different cell chemistries and configurations. In one embodiment
the cell chemistries and configurations can include, but are not
limited to, lithium ion (e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium
cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.), lithium ion
polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen,
nickel zinc, silver zinc, or other battery type/configurations.
[0042] The term battery pack as used herein can refer to one or
more individual batteries contained within a single piece housing,
or a multiple piece housing. The one or more individual batteries
can be electrically interconnected in parallel and/or in series to
achieve a selected energy level (such as a voltage level or a
current level) and capacity level.
[0043] An increasing number and variety of electronic devices are
powered using non-wired energy sources, such as batteries or
wireless energy sources that provide power directly to the device
or to energy storage systems. The electronic devices can range from
mobile phones, portable music players, laptop computers, and tablet
computers to medical devices such as hearing aids, pace makers,
wheeled medical carts, medical measurement equipment, medical test
equipment, and other types of medical equipment.
[0044] Traditionally, battery chargers operate to charge one or
more batteries by either simultaneously charging one or more
batteries of the same type using a single charging port or by
charging each of the batteries of the same type simultaneously
using multiple charging ports. Traditional battery chargers can
only recharge one type of battery and do not account for individual
characteristics of different types of batteries. The battery
chargers are often limited in the type of battery they can
recharge. In one example, a traditional battery charger can only
provide a fixed voltage output and a fixed current output to a
selected battery or type of battery with a selected energy level.
Energy levels in batteries are typically measured in watt-hours or
amp-hours.
[0045] Often, rechargeable batteries are used as a replenishable
energy source for electronic devices. In one embodiment, a battery
pack can include one or more rechargeable batteries. In one
example, the one or more rechargeable batteries can be a lead-based
battery, a lithium-based battery, a nickel based battery, or
another type of chemical storage battery. Traditionally, a
rechargeable battery pack provides energy to an electronic device
using physical electrically conductive connections between the
rechargeable battery pack and the electronic device. When the
traditional rechargeable batteries of the rechargeable battery pack
are depleted, the rechargeable batteries can be replenished by
connecting physical electrically conductive contacts between the
rechargeable battery pack and a battery charger.
[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless
transfer station can receive energy and/or send energy to another
device, such as another wireless transfer station, using a wireless
energy transfer scheme (e.g. transfer energy without wires). A
wireless energy transfer scheme can be any form of wireless energy
transfer associated with the use of electric fields, magnetic
fields, electromagnetic fields, and so forth that allows electrical
energy to be transmitted between two or more wireless transfer
elements without using physical electrical contacts. In one
example, a wireless energy transfer of wireless energy can be a
transfer of electrical energy from an energy source to an
electrical load without the use of interconnecting wires or
physical electrical contacts.
[0047] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station can include
one or more wireless transfer coils to transfer energy and/or data
with other wireless transfer stations. The wireless transfer coil
can include one or more power management modules to control the
energy transfers and/or data transfers with the other wireless
transfer stations.
[0048] Examples of a wireless transfer station includes a wireless
energy rechargeable battery pack, a wireless energy transfer
platform and/or data transceiver integrated into a medical cart, a
wireless energy transfer platform and/or data transceiver
integrated into an electronic device, a wireless energy transfer
platform and/or data transceiver integrated into a piece of
furniture, a wireless energy transfer platform and/or data
transceiver integrated into a plate mounted to a wall, a wireless
energy transfer platform and/or data transceiver integrated into a
device (such as a medical device or medical equipment), and so
forth.
[0049] In one example, the wireless transfer station can be a
wireless energy battery pack that can be attached to a device, such
as a medical cart or medical equipment. The wireless transfer
station that transfers energy and/or data with the device can also
relay the energy and/or data with other devices and/or wireless
transfer stations. These examples are not intended to be limiting.
The wireless transfer station can be implemented in a variety of
electronic devices and mounting locations.
[0050] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station can receive
data from and/or send data or information to another device, such
as another wireless transfer station, using a wireless data
transfer scheme. In another embodiment, the wireless data transfer
scheme can be any form of data transfer associated with a
communications network. In another embodiment, the communications
network can be a cellular network. The cellular network can be
configured to operate based on a cellular standard, such as the
third generation partnership projection (3GPP) long term evolution
(LTE) Rel. 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 standard, or the institute of
electronic and electrical engineers (IEEE) 802.16p, 802.16n,
802.16m-2011, 802.16h-2010, 802.16j-2009, or 802.16-2009
standard.
[0051] In another embodiment, the communications network can be a
wireless local area network (such as a wireless fidelity network
(Wi-Fi)) that can be configured to operate using a standard such as
the IEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE 802.11ac, or IEEE 802.11ad standard. In
another embodiment, the communications network can be configured to
operate using a Bluetooth standard such as Bluetooth v1.0,
Bluetooth v2.0, Bluetooth v3.0, or Bluetooth v4.0. In another
embodiment, the communications network can be configured to operate
using a ZigBee standard, such as the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 (ZigBee
2003), IEEE 802.15.4-2006 (ZigBee 2006), or IEEE 802.15.4-2007
(ZigBee Pro) standard. In another embodiment, the wireless data
transfer scheme can be any form of data transfer associated with
electric fields, magnetic fields, or electromagnetic fields that is
transmitted between two or more wireless transfer elements without
using physical electrical contacts.
[0052] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station can include
one or more wireless transfer elements. In one example, a wireless
transfer element can be a wireless transfer coil. In one
embodiment, the wireless transfer coil can be a coil used for
transmitting and/or receiving energy and/or data using magnetic
inductance and/or magnetic resonance.
[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless transfer station 110. FIG. 1
further illustrates that the wireless transfer station 110 can
include a wireless transfer coil 120 and a power management module
130. In one example, the power management module 130 can convert
energy received from an energy source, such as another wireless
transfer station or an alternating current (AC) energy outlet, a
selected current level, a selected voltage level, and/or a selected
wattage level. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station
110 can include one or more batteries, such as rechargeable
batteries. In one embodiment, the wireless transfer coil 120 can
comprise a transmitting coil and/or a receiving coil.
[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of transferring energy or data
between a plurality of wireless transfer coils 210 and 220. FIG. 2
further illustrates that one of the plurality of wireless transfer
coils 210 can be a transmitting coil 210 and another one of the
plurality of wireless transfer coils 220 can be a receiving coil
220. In one embodiment, energy and/or data can be transferred from
the transmitting coil 210 to the receiving coil 220 by coupling the
transmitting coil 210 with the receiving coil 220 to enable the
energy or data to be transferred over a gap or distance. In one
example, wireless energy can be transferred by generating a
magnetic field 230 (such as an electromagnetic field) at the
transmitting coil 210 and positioning the receiving coil 220 within
the magnetic field 230 to induce a current at the receiving coil
220. The process of inducing a current at the receiving coil is
referred to as coupling the receiving coil 220 to the transmitting
coil 210. In one embodiment, the wireless transfer coil coupling
for wireless energy or data transfer can be a magnetic induction
coupling. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer coil
coupling for wireless energy transfer can be a magnetic resonant
coupling.
[0055] In one embodiment, the transmitting coil 210 can be a
transmitting induction coil and the receiving coil 220 can be a
receiving induction coil. The wireless transfer station can use a
magnetic field to transfer energy between the transmitting coil 210
coupled to a first object (such as a wireless transfer station) and
a receiving coil 220 of a second object (such as another wireless
transfer station) without any direct contact between the
transmitting coil 210 and the receiving coil 220, e.g. inductive
coupling.
[0056] In one embodiment, inductive coupling can occur when the
transmitting coil 210 creates a magnetic field 230 (such as an
alternating electromagnetic field) using an energy source, such as
an alternating current (AC) energy outlet or a direct current (DC)
battery. A current can be induced at the receiving coil 220 using
the magnetic field when the receiving coil 220 is located within
the magnetic field 230.
[0057] In one example, when the transmitting coil 210 and the
receiving coil 220 are within a threshold proximity distance, the
transmitting coil 210 and the receiving coil 220 can couple to form
an electric transformer. In one embodiment, current from the
receiving coil 220 can be transferred to a battery or an electronic
device. In another embodiment, the current can be stored in one or
more energy sources of the wireless transfer station, such as a
battery. In another embodiment, the current can be transferred to a
device coupled to the wireless transfer station. In one embodiment,
an impedance of one or more transmitting coils 210 can be
substantially matched with an impedance of one or more receiving
coils 220.
[0058] In one embodiment, the transmitting coil 210 can be a
transmitting resonant coil and the receiving coil 220 can be a
receiving resonant coil. A wireless resonant transfer can be a
resonant transmission of energy or data between at least one
transmitting coil 210 and at least one receiving coil 220. In
another embodiment, at least one transmitting coil 210 and at least
one receiving coil 220 can be tuned to resonate at a same frequency
or a substantially same frequency.
[0059] In one example, resonant transmission of wireless energy can
occur when the transmitting coil and the receiving coil are
constructed to resonate at the same frequency or approximately the
same frequency. The transmitting coil 210 can be configured to
oscillate current at the resonant frequency of the coils to
transfer energy and/or data. The oscillating current of the
transmitting coil 210 can generate an oscillating magnetic field at
the selected resonant frequency of the receiving coil. When the
receiving coil 220 is positioned adjacent to the oscillating
magnetic field and constructed to operate at the same frequency or
substantially the same frequency as the transmitting coil 210, the
receiving coil 220 can receive energy and/or data from the
oscillating magnetic field.
[0060] In another embodiment, an impedance of one or more
transmitting coils 210 can be substantially matched with an
impedance of one or more receiving coils 220 for energy and/or data
transfer. In another embodiment, the transmitting coil and the
receiving coil can be positioned such that the receiving coil is
within the near field of the magnetic field of the transmitting
coil. The near field can be based within the Fraunhofer region,
which can be approximately within 1/2.pi. times the wavelength of
the electromagnetic field.
[0061] One advantage of placing the receiving coil within the near
field for wireless energy transfer is to reduce an amount of energy
that may be radiated or leaked from the wireless transfer coils 210
and 220, e.g. energy not received at the receiving coil 220. In one
embodiment, energy in a magnetic field falls off as the inverse
squared of a distance (1/d.sup.2) between the transmitting coil 210
and the receiving coil 220 within the near field. In one example,
magnetic resonant coupling can be used to transfer energy at
relatively high energy levels between the transmitting coil 210 and
the receiving coil 220 and to minimize or reduce energy leaking
away from the wireless transfer coils 210 and 220.
[0062] Another advantage of using a near field or a non-radiating
field for wireless energy transfer can be that the near field or
the non-radiating field can be used in areas adjacent to biological
material, such as humans or other biological entities, with minimal
or no effects to the biological material from the wireless energy
transfer. In another embodiment, a wireless transfer station, such
as in FIG. 1, can use a radio frequency (RF) signal, ultrasound,
and/or laser beams to wirelessly transfer energy and/or data
between a transmitting device and a receiving device.
[0063] FIG. 3a shows a wireless transfer station 310 that can
include: a wireless transfer coil 320, a power management module
330, and a conversion module 340. In one embodiment, the wireless
transfer coil 320 can be used for resonance coupling and/or
induction coupling. In one example, the conversion module 340 can
be coupled to the wireless transfer coil 320 and used to switch the
wireless transfer coil 320 from a resonance mode (i.e. transferring
wireless energy and/or data using magnetic resonance coupling) to
an induction mode (i.e. transferring wireless energy and/or data
using magnetic induction coupling), or vice versa.
[0064] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer coil 320 of the
wireless transfer station 310 can be used for transmitting wireless
energy and/or receiving wireless energy. In one example, the
conversion module 340 can be coupled to the wireless transfer coil
320 and used to switch the wireless transfer coil 320 from a
receiving mode (i.e. receiving wireless energy and/or data) to a
transmitting mode (i.e. transmitting wireless energy and/or data),
or vice versa.
[0065] In one embodiment, when the conversion module 340 of the
wireless transfer station 310 is in the transmitting mode, the
conversion module 340 or the power management module 330 can
convert energy received from an energy source (such as a power
outlet or a battery) at a selected voltage into a high frequency
alternating current and transmit the high frequency alternating
current to a wireless transfer coil of another wireless transfer
station. The high frequency alternating current can flow through
one or more loops of the wireless transfer coil 320 and create a
varying magnetic field that can induce a current in the other
wireless transfer coil. In another embodiment, when the conversion
module 340 is switched to the receiving mode, a varying magnetic
field from another wireless transfer station can induce an
alternating current flowing through the one or more loops of the
wireless transfer coil 320. The current flowing through the one or
more loops can be converted into a direct current (DC) by the
conversion module 340 or the power management module 330 and
directed to a battery coupled to the wireless transfer station 310
or a device that is electrically coupled to the wireless transfer
station 310.
[0066] In one embodiment, each wireless transfer coil 320 of a
wireless transfer station 310 can be coupled to a separate
conversion module 340. In another embodiment, one or more
conversion modules 340 can be coupled to one or more selected
groups of wireless transfer coils 320. One advantage of using a
conversion module 340 for switching a wireless transfer coil 320
between transmitting mode and receiving mode can be to reduce a
complexity of design and/or size of a wireless transfer station 310
by reducing a number of wireless transfer coils 320 used to
transmit and/or receive wireless energy. Another advantage of using
a conversion module 340 for switching a wireless transfer coil
between a transmitting mode and receiving mode is to provide a dual
functionality to a wireless transfer station of both transmitting
and receiving wireless energy.
[0067] FIG. 3b illustrates a wireless transfer station 350. FIG. 3b
further illustrates that the wireless transfer station 350 can
include: a wireless transfer coil 360; a power management module
370; and a battery 380. The battery 380 can comprise a plurality of
batteries, such as rechargeable batteries. In one example, the
power management module 370 can convert energy received using the
wireless transfer coil 360 from an energy source, such as another
wireless transfer station or an alternating current (AC) energy
outlet, to a selected current level at a selected voltage level to
provide a selected wattage level. In one embodiment, the power
management module can transfer the converted energy to the battery
380 to store the energy.
[0068] FIG. 3c shows a cross-sectional view of a battery 380, for
example a lithium ion battery utilizing an 18650 battery
form-factor. The battery 380 can include: a case 386, such as a
cylindrical case; one or more electrodes 388, and a cap 384. In one
embodiment, the case 386 can be made of a metal, such as
nickel-plated steel, that can be non-reactive with battery
materials, such as an electrolyte or the one or more electrodes
388. In one embodiment, a bottom surface 390 of the case 386 can be
seamlessly integrated with the remainder of the case 386. In one
embodiment, a top end 382 of the case 386 can be open ended. In
another embodiment, the cap 384 can be located at the top end 382
of the case 386. In another embodiment, the top end 382 can be a
positive electrical terminal of the battery 380 and the bottom end
390 can be a negative electrical terminal. In one example, the
positive electrical terminal and the negative electrical terminal
of the battery 380 can be connected to a wireless transfer station
to provide energy to the wireless transfer station. In another
embodiment, a plurality of batteries can be connected in series
and/or in parallel. In one embodiment, the battery 380 can be
connected to a power management module, such as the power
management modules in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows a wireless transfer station 410 that can
include: a wireless transfer coil 420, a power management module
430, a communications module 440, and/or a coordination module 450.
In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 410 can
communicate with one or more other wireless transfer stations or
one or more devices using the communication module 440.
[0070] In one embodiment, the communication module 440 of the
wireless transfer station 410 can use a communications network to
communicate the data to a device and/or another wireless transfer
station. In another embodiment, the communications network can be a
cellular network that may be a 3GPP LTE Rel. 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 or
IEEE 802.16p, 802.16n, 802.16m-2011, 802.16h-2010, 802.16j-2009,
802.16-2009. In another embodiment, communications network can be a
wireless network (such as a wireless fidelity network (Wi-Fi)) that
may follow a standard such as the Institute of Electronics and
Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11-2012, IEEE 802.11ac, or IEEE
802.11ad standard. In another embodiment, the communications
network can be a Bluetooth connection such as Bluetooth v1.0,
Bluetooth v2.0, Bluetooth v3.0, or Bluetooth v4.0. In another
embodiment, the communications network can be a ZigBee connection
such as IEEE 802.15.4-2003 (ZigBee 2003), IEEE 802.15.4-2006
(ZigBee 2006), IEEE 802.15.4-2007 (ZigBee Pro).
[0071] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 410 can
transfer energy to one or more other wireless transfer stations,
receive energy from one or more other wireless transfer stations,
and/or communicate data or information with one or more other
wireless transfer stations. In another embodiment, the coordination
module 450 of the wireless transfer station 410 can coordinate when
energy is transferred between wireless transfer stations and/or
when data is communicated between wireless transfer stations. In
another embodiment, the coordination module 450 can use the
communications module 440 to communicate with one or more other
wireless transfer stations to coordinate energy and/or data
transfer between the wireless transfer station 410 and the one or
more other wireless transfer stations.
[0072] One advantage of transferring energy and/or data using a
wireless transfer station 410 is to provide a single connection
point between the wireless transfer station 410 and other wireless
transfer stations and/or other devices. Another advantage of
transferring energy and/or data using the wireless transfer station
410 can be to enable a single step for both transferring energy
between the wireless transfer station 410 and other wireless
transfer stations and communicating or synchronizing data
communicated between the wireless transfer station 410 and other
wireless transfer stations. In one example, when a first wireless
transfer station (such as a wireless transfer station integrated
into a medical cart) is located adjacent to a second wireless
transfer station (such as a wireless transfer station integrated
into a plate mounted to a wall or a floor mat), the first wireless
transfer station can both receive energy from the second wireless
transfer station and synchronize information with the second
wireless transfer station.
[0073] In one embodiment, the coordination module 450 can
communicate with a conversion module, as in FIG. 3a, to coordinate
when one or more wireless transfer coils 420 of the wireless
transfer station 410 can transmit and/or receive wireless energy
and/or data. In one example, the coordination module 450
communicates with a conversion module, as in FIG. 3a, to coordinate
transmitting and/or receiving wireless energy and/or data by
coordinating when one or more wireless transfer coils 420 are in a
transmitting mode or a receiving mode, as discussed in the
preceding paragraphs.
[0074] FIG. 5a shows a wireless transfer station 510 that includes
one or more resonant wireless transfer coils 520 and/or one or more
induction wireless transfer coils 530. In one example, the wireless
transfer station 510 can have a resonant wireless transfer coil 520
and can transfer energy to a resonant wireless transfer coil of a
first wireless transfer station and can have an induction wireless
transfer coil 530 and can transfer energy to an induction wireless
transfer coil of a second wireless transfer station. One advantage
of the wireless transfer station having both resonant wireless
transfer coils 520 and induction wireless transfer coils 530 can be
to provide energy and/or data to wireless transfer stations and/or
devices with only one of the resonant wireless transfer coils or
the induction wireless transfer coils, thereby enabling more
devices to transfer energy to the wireless transfer station.
[0075] In one embodiment, a device or another wireless transfer
station can include one or more resonant wireless transfer coils
and/or one or more induction wireless transfer coils. In one
embodiment, the device or the other wireless transfer station
receiving energy from the wireless transfer station 510 can select
whether to receive wireless energy from the one or more resonant
wireless transfer coils 520 or the one or more induction wireless
transfer coils 530 of the wireless transfer station 510. In another
embodiment, the wireless transfer station 510 can be configured to
select whether to transmit wireless energy using the one or more
resonant wireless transfer coils 520 or the one or more induction
wireless transfer coils 530. In one example, a resonant
transmitting coil and a resonant receiving coil pair can have a
higher energy transfer efficiency than an induction transmitting
coil and an induction receiving coil pair. In this example, when
the device or the other wireless transfer station includes a
resonant receiving coil, the other wireless transfer station and/or
the device or the wireless transfer station 510 can be configured
to use one or more resonant wireless transfer coils to perform an
energy transfer.
[0076] In one embodiment, the one or more resonant wireless
transfer coils 520 and/or the one or more induction wireless
transfer coils 530 can be transmitting coils and/or receiving
coils. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station 510 can
include one or more repeater coils 540. In one example, the
repeater coil 540 can enhance wirelessly transmitted energy of a
transmitting coil, e.g. providing additional transmission energy.
In another example, the repeater coil 540 can receive the wireless
energy from a transmitting coil and relay or retransmit the
received energy to another repeater coil 540 or to a receiving
coil. The repeater coils can be configured as inductive repeater
coils or resonant repeater coils, and associated with transmit
coils and receive coils of the same kind.
[0077] In one embodiment, the one or more resonant wireless
transfer coils 520, the one or more induction wireless transfer
coils 530, and/or the repeater coil 540 can include a power
management module 550 configured to covert energy from an energy
source to a varying magnetic field. In another embodiment, the one
or more resonant wireless transfer coils 520, the one or more
induction wireless transfer coils 530, and/or the repeater coil 540
can be coupled to a power management module 550 configured to
convert a magnetic field into energy, such as energy at a selected
current level, a voltage level, a wattage level, and/or an amperage
level, and transfer the energy to a battery of the wireless
transfer station 510 or a device coupled to the wireless transfer
station 510.
[0078] FIG. 5b illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the wireless
transfer station 510. In one embodiment, the wireless transfer
station 510 can be a stand-alone device used to transfer wireless
energy to other devices. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 510 can include a wireless transfer coil 520 and a
power management module 530. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 510 can direct energy received at the wireless
transfer coil 520 using the power management module 530 to a device
coupled to the wireless transfer station 510.
[0079] In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station 510 can
transfer the energy received at the wireless transfer coil 520 to
the coupled device using physical electrical contacts. In another
embodiment, the wireless transfer station 510 can transfer the
energy to the coupled device using the wireless transfer coil 520.
In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 510 can store
received energy at a battery 540.
[0080] FIG. 5c illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the wireless
transfer station 510 integrated into an object 520. In one
embodiment, the object 520 that the wireless transfer station 510
can be integrated into can be an electronic device, such as a
medical device or a wireless energy battery pack. In one example,
the wireless transfer station 510 can be integrated into a medical
infusion pump and provide energy to the medical infusion pump. In
another embodiment, the object 520 can be integrated into a medical
cart (such as a work surface of the medical cart), a floor mat, a
floor surface, a plate mounted to a wall, a wall surface, chair
railing, a room railing, a ceiling tile, a ceiling surface, and so
forth. FIG. 5d illustrates that a plurality of wireless transfer
stations 510 can be integrated into an object 520. FIG. 5d is the
same as FIG. 5c in all other aspects.
[0081] FIG. 6 shows a wireless transfer station 610 that can
provide energy to one or more non-wire powered electronic devices
620 and/or one or more rechargeable batteries 640 coupled to a
device 630. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station
610 can provide energy to different types of non-wire powered
electronic devices, such as a monitoring device, a computing
device, a medical device, and so forth. In one example, the
wireless transfer station 610 can provide a unified energy source
for the devices 620 and 630 and/or the one or more rechargeable
batteries 640 coupled to the device 630. In one embodiment, a
unified energy source can be a power source that can provide power
to a device, a wireless transfer station, and/or a battery without
using different power connectors to provide the power to the
device, the wireless transfer station, and/or the battery. In one
embodiment, the wireless transfer stations can include an
integrated wireless energy coil and a physical electrical energy
connection terminal. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer
station 610 can transfer energy via an electrical energy connection
terminal and/or an integrated wireless transfer coil.
[0082] FIG. 7a shows a device 710 with a wireless transfer station
720 coupled to the device 710 or integrated into the device 710. In
one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 720 can be configured
to provide energy to batteries 730 of the device 710 and the
batteries 730 can provide energy to the device 710. In another
embodiment, the wireless transfer station 720 can be configured to
provide energy directly to the device 710, e.g. without using
batteries. In one example, a power management module 740 can
provide energy directly to the device 710 by receiving energy at a
wireless transfer coil 750 of the wireless transfer station 710
from a wireless transfer coil of another wireless transfer station
and direct the energy via the power management module 740 to the
device 710 and/or the batteries 730.
[0083] FIG. 7b illustrates a wireless transfer station 710 with a
plurality of wireless transfer coils 730 configured to transfer
energy and/or data to an electronic device 720, such as a medical
device. The medical device can include one or more integrated
wireless transfer stations 740. In one embodiment, the electronic
device 720 can be located adjacent to the wireless transfer station
710. For example, a bottom surface of the electronic device 720 can
abut a top surface of the wireless transfer station 710.
[0084] Electronic devices can receive energy from a wireless
transfer station, such as a battery pack, coupled to the electronic
device. In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station can
comprise a housing. In another embodiment, the housing can comprise
an outer surface and an inner cavity. In another embodiment, the
inner cavity can be divided into a plurality of sections or
compartments.
[0085] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a wireless transfer station
810. The wireless transfer station can comprise a housing 830. In
one embodiment, the housing 830 can comprise an outer surface 840
and an inner cavity 850. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 810 can include: one or more battery cells 860; a
shielding receptacle 820, such as for shielding the wireless
transfer station from a thermal runaway of the one or more battery
cells 860; an energy management module 870; and one or more
wireless transfer coils 880. In another embodiment, the inner
cavity 850 can be divided into a plurality of sections or
compartments. In another embodiment, the sections or compartments
can include: a battery bay 890, an energy management compartment
892, and/or a wireless transfer coil compartment 894. In one
embodiment, the shielding receptacle 820 and one or more battery
cells 860 can be located in the battery bay 890. In one embodiment,
one or more of the plurality of sections or compartments can be
separated by heat resistant material or heat reflective material to
reduce heat transfer between one or more of the sections or
compartments. In one embodiment, the energy management module 870
can be located within the energy management compartment 892. One
advantage of separating the wireless transfer station 810 into
different sections or compartments can be to disperse heat
generated by components located in each compartment. In one
example, one or more batteries or battery cells 860 can be baked or
prematurely aged when exposed to exterior heat from a wireless
transfer station component such as an energy management module
870.
[0086] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station can be
located in the wireless transfer coil compartment 894 of the
wireless transfer station 810. In one example, the wireless
transfer station can include one or more wireless transfer coils
880 (as discussed in the proceeding paragraphs), such as
transmitting coils and/or receiving coils, that can be coupled to
wireless transfer station 810 or integrated into the wireless
transfer station 810 and fully sealed or enclosed. In one
embodiment, when the wireless transfer coils 880 are integrated
into the wireless transfer station 810, the wireless transfer coils
880 can be fully sealed or enclosed within the inner cavity 850 of
the housing 830. In one example, the wireless transfer station 810
with the integrated wireless transfer coils 880 can have no
physical electrical contact points or physical electrical
connection points for: charging the wireless transfer station;
communicating information; transferring data; and/or energy
management control.
[0087] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station 810 can be
completely sealed or hermetically sealed. In another embodiment, a
wireless transfer station 810 can be sealed against water,
solvents, cleaning supplies, dust, and other particulates by
hermetically sealing the wireless transfer station 810. In one
example, a hermetically sealed wireless transfer station 810 can be
airtight, e.g. impervious to air and/or gas.
[0088] FIG. 9 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the wireless
transfer station case 910. FIG. 9 further illustrates that the
wireless transfer station case 910 can include a flat surface 920
along part of an exterior surface of a housing 930 of the wireless
transfer station case 910. In one embodiment, one or more wireless
transfer coils 940 can be integrated into the flat surface 920 of
the wireless transfer station case 910 beneath the exterior
surface. One advantage of a wireless transfer station case 910 with
flat surface 920 along part of the exterior surface is that the one
or more wireless transfer coils 940 of the wireless transfer
station case 910 can abut next to a wireless transfer station with
one or more wireless transfer coils to minimize the distance
between the one or more wireless transfer coils 940 of the wireless
transfer station case 910 and the one or more wireless transfer
coils of the wireless transfer station.
[0089] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station case 910
can include an injection hole 950 extending from the exterior
surface of the wireless transfer station case 910 to an inner
cavity of the wireless transfer station case 910. In one
embodiment, the wireless transfer station case 910 can be
hermetically sealed by placing the battery energy cells, energy
management circuitry, and/or the wireless transfer station (as
shown in FIG. 1) in the wireless transfer station case 910 and
welding (such as ultrasonic welding) the wireless transfer station
case 910 closed. When the wireless transfer station case 910 is
welded closed, the wireless transfer station case 910 can be
injected with a material, such as a liquid or foam, into the
injection hole 950 of the wireless transfer station case 910 to
encapsulate the battery energy cells, energy management circuitry,
and/or the wireless transfer station in a waterproof material.
[0090] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a wireless transfer
station 1010. In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1010
can be a waterproof housing enclosure. In another embodiment, the
wireless transfer station 1010 can be hermetically sealed. In one
example, the wireless transfer station 1010 can be hermetically
sealed by placing wireless transfer station components, such as
battery energy cells, an energy management module, and/or a
wireless transfer coil in the wireless transfer station 1010 and
sealing a top piece 1020 and a bottom piece 1030 together. In
another embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1010 can include
more than two pieces that can be sealed together.
[0091] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1010 can be
a waterproof housing enclosure. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 1010 can be hermetically sealed by placing the
battery energy cells, energy management circuitry, and/or the
wireless transfer station in the wireless transfer station 1010 and
using an O-ring to seal two or more pieces, such as top piece 1020
and bottom piece 1030, of the wireless transfer station 1010
together.
[0092] FIG. 11a shows a bottom perspective view of the wireless
transfer station 1110 with a molded seal in a seam of a wireless
transfer station case 1120. In one embodiment, the wireless
transfer station case 1120 can include two or more pieces that can
be sealed together, as discussed in the preceding paragraphs and
shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 1110 can be sealed using a gasket, such as a
silicon over mold gasket, around one or more seams 1130 of the
wireless transfer station 1110, such as exterior seams of the
wireless transfer station 1110.
[0093] FIG. 11b shows a seam 1130 with a gasket 1140 molded or
integrated into one of the pieces of a wireless transfer station
1120 (as shown in FIG. 11a). In one embodiment, the gasket 1140 can
be used to seal the wireless transfer station 1120 when a plurality
of pieces of the wireless transfer station 1120 are put together.
In one embodiment, the gasket 1140 can run along a channel 1150 of
the seam 1130.
[0094] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station is
non-sealed or non-hermetically sealed. In another embodiment, as
discussed in the preceding paragraphs, the wireless transfer
station can be sealed to minimize or eliminate the adhesion and/or
growth of potential pathogens or hazard materials. In another
embodiment, when a wireless transfer coil is incorporated into the
wireless transfer station, a need for exposed electrical
connectors, exposed wires, or other unsealed portions of the
battery pack can be reduced or eliminated.
[0095] One advantage of using a sealed wireless transfer station,
such as a sealed battery pack, can be to reduce or eliminate the
retransmission or spreading of pathogens, such as bacterium,
viruses, prion, or fungus, in a medical environment by minimizing
or eliminating crevasses or seams where pathogens can adhere and/or
grow. In one example, when a traditional battery pack and/or a
device with an attached traditional battery pack is located in an
area of a medical facility, such as a patient's room, and the
traditional battery pack is moved to another area of the medical
facility, such as another patient's room, pathogens adhere to
surfaces of the traditional battery packs, such as at the seams or
crevices and/or physical electrical contacts of the traditional
battery pack. In one embodiment, the sealed wireless transfer
station can reduce or eliminate the retransmission of pathogens by
reducing or eliminating crevices, seams, and physical electrical
contacts of the wireless transfer station. In one embodiment, the
wireless transfer station can be sealed with an anti-bacterial
material to reduce or eliminate the adherence of pathogens on the
surface of the battery pack. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station can be sealed or encased with waterproof and/or
dustproof material.
[0096] Additionally, a traditional battery pack with electrical
contacts for receiving and/or transferring energy cannot be fully
cleaned because an antibacterial cleaning solution can erode the
electrical contacts and/or leak into the unsealed parts of the
traditional battery pack. One advantage of a sealed wireless
transfer station with wireless transfer coils for transferring
energy and/or data can be to enable a user to wash and/or clean the
sealed wireless transfer station with antibacterial materials, such
as an antibacterial cleaning solution.
[0097] In one embodiment, a case of the wireless transfer station
can include, at least in part, of one or more antibacterial
materials. In one example, the antibacterial material can be a
plastic, such as a polycarbonate plastic, with a silver additive
integrated into the plastic material. In another embodiment, the
silver additive can kill bacteria that may adhere to the exterior
surface of the wireless transfer station case. In another
embodiment, the wireless transfer station case can comprise, at
least in part, of ultraviolet (UV) light resilient material (such
as a polycarbonate plastic or fiberglass) to enable the repeated
use of UV light to kill bacteria adhering to the exterior surface
of the battery pack case.
[0098] Traditional battery packs also have a risk of electrical
short circuiting. In one example, a traditional battery pack has a
negative energy terminal and a positive energy terminal. A
conductive object that contacts both the negative energy terminal
and the positive energy terminal of the traditional battery pack
can cause an electrical short. Another advantage of the wireless
transfer station with integrated wireless transfer coils for
transferring energy is a reduction or an elimination of the risk of
electrical shorting by eliminating physical electrical contacts of
the wireless transfer station. In one example, the wireless
transfer station with integrated wireless transfer coils can
transfer energy and/or data without using physical terminal
contacts and thereby eliminate traditional physical terminal
contacts that cause electrical shorts.
[0099] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station, such as a
battery pack, can include one or more displays to display selected
information. FIG. 12a shows a top perspective view of a wireless
transfer station 1210 with a display 1220. In another embodiment,
the display 1220 can include one or more lighting sources, such as
a liquid crystal display (LCD), that can be integrated into an
outer surface 1230 of a wireless transfer station housing 1240 to
indicate selected information (as discussed in the proceeding
paragraphs) of the wireless transfer station 1210. In another
embodiment, the display 1220 can indicate energy level information
of the wireless transfer station 1210. In one example, the display
1220 and/or the display 1260 can indicate a remaining energy level
of the wireless transfer station 1210 in selected increments, such
as 12 percent energy level increments. In one embodiment, the
display 1220 can be substantially flush with the outer surface 1230
and form a hermetic seal with the outer surface 1230.
[0100] FIG. 12a further illustrates that the exterior surface or
outer surface 1230 of the case or housing 1240 of the wireless
transfer station 1210 can include an optically viewable portion
1250 integrated into the outer surface 1230 of the wireless
transfer station housing 1240. In one embodiment, the optically
viewable portion 1250 can be a translucent, transparent, or
see-through portion of the wireless transfer station housing 1240.
In one embodiment, the optically viewable portion 1250 and the
remaining portion of the wireless transfer station housing 1240 can
be comprised of the same material. In one example, the material can
be a translucent, transparent, or see-through material, such as
polyurethane, glass, acrylic, fiber glass, vinyl, film, and so
forth.
[0101] In one embodiment, the display 1220 can be integrated into
the wireless transfer station housing 1240 and located beneath the
optically viewable portion 1250 of the outer surface 1230 of the
wireless transfer station housing 1240. In another embodiment, the
display 1220 can be viewable to a user through the optically
viewable portion 1250. In another embodiment, the optically
viewable portion 1250 can be a thinner area of the wireless
transfer station housing 1240 relative to the remaining portion of
the wireless transfer station housing 1240. In one example, the
thinner area can enable light to pass through the optically
viewable portion 1250 of the wireless transfer station housing 1240
to enable the viewing of the display 1220 located beneath the outer
surface 1230 of the wireless transfer station housing 1240 while
maintaining a sealed wireless transfer station 1210. In another
embodiment, the display 1220 can be flush or level with the outer
surface 1230 of the wireless transfer station housing 1240. In
another embodiment, the flush display 1220 and the wireless
transfer station housing 1240 can be integrated together to form a
waterproof seal, a water-resistant seal, a dust-proof seal, a
hermetic seal, and so forth.
[0102] In one embodiment, the optically viewable portion 1250 can
be a different type of material from the remaining portion of the
wireless transfer station housing 1240. In one example, the
optically viewable portion 1250 can be an acrylic material and the
remainder of the wireless transfer station housing 1240 can be
polyurethane. In another embodiment, the optically viewable portion
1220 and the remainder of the wireless transfer station housing
1220 can be sealed together or seamlessly integrated to form a
waterproof seal, a water-resistant seal, a dust-proof seal, a
hermetic seal, and so forth.
[0103] FIG. 12b shows an exploded view of the wireless transfer
station 1210 with a display 1220 and an optically viewable portion
1250. In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station housing 1240
can be a waterproof housing enclosure. In another embodiment, the
wireless transfer station housing 1240 can be hermetically sealed.
In one example, the wireless transfer station 1210 can be
hermetically sealed by placing wireless transfer station
components, such as battery energy cells, an energy management
module, and/or a wireless transfer coil in the wireless transfer
station housing 1240 and sealing a top piece 1230 and a bottom
piece 1240 together. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer
station 1210 can include more than two pieces that can be sealed
together.
[0104] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1210 can
include an information module 1270 located within the wireless
transfer station housing 1240. In another embodiment, the
information module 1270 can be configured to provide selected
information for the display 1220. In another embodiment, the
display 1220 can be configured to display the information from the
information module 1270.
[0105] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station can include a
plurality of displays. FIG. 13 shows a top perspective view of a
wireless transfer station 1310 with a plurality of displays 1320
and 1360. In another embodiment, the displays 1320 and 1360 can
include one or more lighting sources, such as a liquid crystal
display (LCD), that can be integrated into an outer surface 1330 of
a wireless transfer station housing 1340 to indicate selected
information (as discussed in the proceeding paragraphs) of the
wireless transfer station 1310. In another embodiment, the display
1320 and/or the display 1360 can indicate energy level information
of the wireless transfer station 1310. In one example, the display
1320 and/or the display 1360 can indicate a remaining energy level
of the wireless transfer station 1310 in selected increments, such
as 5 percent energy level increments. In one embodiment, the
display 1320 and/or the display 1360 can be substantially flush
with the outer surface 1330 and form a hermetic seal with the outer
surface 1330.
[0106] FIG. 13 further illustrates that the exterior surface or
outer surface 1330 of the case or housing 1340 of the wireless
transfer station 1310 can include a first optically viewable
portion 1350 and a second optically viewable portion 1370
integrated into the outer surface 1330 of the wireless transfer
station housing 1340. In one embodiment, the optically viewable
portions 1350 and 1370 can be a translucent, transparent, or
see-through portion of the wireless transfer station housing 1340.
In one embodiment, the optically viewable portions 1350 and 1370
and the remaining portion of the wireless transfer station housing
1340 can be comprised of the same material. In one example, the
material can be a translucent, transparent, or see-through
material, such as polyurethane, glass, acrylic, fiber glass, vinyl,
film, and so forth.
[0107] In one embodiment, the displays 1320 and 1360 can be
integrated into the wireless transfer station housing 1340 and
located beneath the optically viewable portion 1350 and 1370,
respectively, of the outer surface 1330 of the wireless transfer
station housing 1340. In another embodiment, the displays 1320 and
1360 can be viewable to a user through the optically viewable
portions 1350 and 1370, respectively. In another embodiment, the
optically viewable portions 1350 and 1370 can be a thinner area of
the wireless transfer station housing 1340 relative to the
remaining portion of the wireless transfer station housing 1340. In
one example, the thinner area can enable light to pass through the
optically viewable portions 1350 and 1370 of the wireless transfer
station housing 1340 to enable the viewing of the displays 1320 and
1360 located beneath the outer surface 1330 of the wireless
transfer station housing 1340 while maintaining a sealed wireless
transfer station 1310. In another embodiment, the displays 1320 and
1360 can be flush or level with the outer surface 1330 of the
wireless transfer station housing 1340. In another embodiment, the
flush displays 1320 and 1360 and the wireless transfer station
housing 1340 can be integrated together to form a waterproof seal,
a water-resistant seal, a dust-proof seal, a hermetic seal, and so
forth.
[0108] In one embodiment, the optically viewable portions 1350 and
1370 can be a different type of material from the remaining portion
of the wireless transfer station housing 1340. In one example, the
optically viewable portions 1350 and 1370 can be an acrylic
material and the remainder of the wireless transfer station housing
1340 can be polyurethane. In another embodiment, the optically
viewable portion 1350 and 1370 and the remainder of the wireless
transfer station housing 1340 can be sealed together or seamlessly
integrated to form a waterproof seal, a water-resistant seal, a
dust-proof seal, a hermetic seal, and so forth.
[0109] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of displays, such
as the displays 1320 and 1360, can display the same information or
different information. In one example, when a plurality of wireless
transfer stations are available to provide energy to a computing
device, one or more of the wireless transfer stations can display
which wireless transfer stations for an individual to use with the
computing device based on selection criteria. The selection
criteria can include: an energy output capability of each of the
one or more available wireless transfer stations, a location of
each of the one or more available wireless transfer stations, a
distance from the computing device to each of the one or more
available wireless transfer stations, a number of computing devices
requesting energy from one of the plurality of wireless transfer
stations, a number of usage cycles of one or more of the wireless
transfer stations, a number of uses of one or more of the wireless
transfer stations relative to one or more other wireless transfer
stations, warranty restrictions of one or more of the wireless
transfer stations, and so forth.
[0110] FIGS. 14a, 14b, and 14c show a wireless transfer station
1410 with a display 1420. FIG. 14a shows a perspective view of the
wireless transfer station 1410 with display 1420. FIG. 14b shows a
front view of the wireless transfer station 1410 with display 1420.
FIG. 14c shows a side view of the wireless transfer station 1410
with display 1420. FIGS. 14a, 14b, and 14c provide different views
of the wireless transfer station 1410 with the display 1420 and the
wireless transfer station 1410 and the display 1420 shown in FIGS.
14a, 14b, and 14c are the same in all other regards. In one
embodiment, FIGS. 14a, 14b, and 14c show a display 1420 that can
include one or more lighting sources 1430, such as light emitting
diodes (LEDs), that can be integrated into the battery pack handle
1440 to indicate an energy level of the wireless transfer station
1410. In one embodiment, the display 1420 can indicate the energy
level information of the wireless transfer station 1410 in selected
increments, such as 5 percent energy level increments. In one
example, the display 1420 can have 20 LEDs 1430 integrated into the
wireless transfer station 1410 handle that can provide 5 percent
energy level increment indications. In this example, when the
wireless transfer station 1410 is at a full energy level, the 20
LEDs 1430 integrated into the handle 1440 of the wireless transfer
station 1410 can each be illuminated. As the energy level of the
wireless transfer station 1410 decreases, the 20 LEDs 1430
integrated into the handle 1440 can sequentially stop illuminating
as the wireless transfer station 1410 decreases in energy at 5
percent increments.
[0111] In one embodiment, a brightness level, an illumination
level, and/or the color of the one or more lighting sources
integrated into the handle 1440 can be adjusted by the wireless
transfer station 1410 based on selected illumination criteria. In
one example, the selected illumination criteria can include a time
of day, a location of the wireless transfer station 1410, a type of
device that the wireless transfer station 1410 is attached to, a
current energy level of the wireless transfer station 1410, when
the wireless transfer station 1410 is receiving a charge, when the
wireless transfer station 1410 is transferring energy, and so
forth. In another example, the display 1420 can be a night light to
indicate the location of the wireless transfer station 1410 during
low light conditions and/or provide illuminating light to a
surrounding environment during low light conditions.
[0112] In one embodiment, an optically viewable portion (as
discussed in the preceding paragraphs) of the wireless transfer
station 1410 can be located at a selected location on the handle
1440 with the display 1420 located beneath the optically viewable
portion. In another embodiment, the display 1420 can be flush with
an exterior surface of the wireless transfer station 1410 and can
be located at a selected location on the handle 1440.
[0113] In one embodiment, one or more of the displays of a wireless
transfer station can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a resistive
LCD display, a capacitive LCD display, a light emitting diode (LED)
display, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, an organic LED
(OLED) display, an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, a touch
screen display, a haptic display, and/or a tactile display. In
another embodiment, the one or more displays can be configured to
display one or more colors, such as different colors based on the
selected energy information.
[0114] FIG. 15 shows a top perspective view of the wireless
transfer station 1510 with display 1520. In one embodiment, the
display 1520 that can include one or more lighting sources, such as
a liquid crystal display (LCD), that can be integrated into an
outer surface 1530 of the wireless transfer station 1510 to
indicate selected information of the wireless transfer station
1510. In another embodiment, the display 1520 can run along a
portion of a vertical axis 1540 of the wireless transfer station
1510. In another embodiment, the display 1520 can be substantially
flush with the outer surface 1530 and form a hermetic seal with the
outer surface 1530.
[0115] In one embodiment, each wireless transfer station can have a
unique station ID associated with the wireless transfer station. In
another embodiment, each station ID can be used to associate
selected information with each wireless transfer station. In
another embodiment, each wireless transfer station and/or each type
of wireless transfer station can be configured to have a plurality
of different characteristics, such as different form factors,
different voltage inputs and/or outputs, different current inputs
and/or outputs, and so forth.
[0116] In one embodiment, each rechargeable battery or battery cell
in a wireless transfer station can have a different battery ID. In
another embodiment, one or more types of rechargeable batteries or
battery cells in a wireless transfer station can each have
different battery IDs. In another embodiment, a wireless transfer
station can be coupled to a plurality of different types of devices
and/or other wireless transfer stations. In one example, the
different types of devices and/or other wireless transfer stations
can include: devices and/or other wireless transfer stations used
for selected applications, devices and/or other wireless transfer
stations with different voltage inputs or outputs, devices and/or
other wireless transfer stations with different current inputs or
outputs, and so forth. In another embodiment, the different types
of devices can use different types of wireless transfer stations.
In another embodiment, different station IDs for different wireless
transfer stations can be associated with selected types of devices.
In one example, each device and/or wireless transfer station can
determine when a wireless transfer station coupled to the device is
a wireless transfer station that is compatible with the device
using the station ID of the wireless transfer station and/or the
device ID of the device. In one embodiment, a device ID, a station
ID, and/or a battery ID can include: serial number information of
the device, the station, or the battery; a manufacturing date of
the device, the station, or the battery; a manufacturing location
of the device, the station, or the battery; and/or a version number
of the device, battery, or wireless transfer station,
respectively.
[0117] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station can operate
in different modes, such as a sleep mode, a charging mode, a fully
charged mode, a ready for use mode, an error mode, a shut off mode,
and so forth. In one example, when the wireless transfer station is
fully charged or charged above a selected threshold the wireless
transfer station can enter a fully charged mode or a ready for use
mode. In another example, when the wireless transfer station has
not been in use for a selected period of time, the wireless
transfer station can stop transferring energy to one or more
devices and enter a sleep mode. One advantage of shutting off or
entering a sleep mode after a selected period of time can be to
prevent the wireless transfer station from leaking energy when a
device has been fully charged by the wireless transfer station
and/or the device is no longer in use. In another embodiment, when
the wireless transfer station has been coupled with a device or
other wireless transfer station, the wireless transfer station can
enter an active mode, e.g. a mode to transfer energy to one or more
devices or other wireless transfer stations in the coverage area of
the battery pack. In another embodiment, a wireless transfer
station display can display a mode that the wireless transfer
station is operating in.
[0118] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station can monitor
energy information, such as: an amount of energy transferred from
the wireless transfer station to a device or other wireless
transfer station, an amount of energy received from the other
wireless transfer station or the device to the wireless transfer
station, voltage level information, current draw level information,
internal temperature information, ambient temperature information,
a battery capacity level of a device coupled to the wireless
transfer station, battery capacity level or a battery pack capacity
level of the wireless transfer station, priority level of the
device or the wireless transfer station to transfer data and/or
energy, an energy consumption rate of a device coupled to the
wireless transfer station, an energy consumption rate of the
wireless transfer station, a number of times a device coupled to
the wireless transfer station has been charged, an estimation of a
number of charges remaining for a device coupled to the wireless
transfer station or the wireless transfer station, an operational
temperature of a device coupled to the wireless transfer station,
an internal temperature of a device coupled to the wireless
transfer station, a device ID of a device coupled to the wireless
transfer station, a battery ID of one or more batteries of the
wireless transfer station, a station ID of the wireless transfer
station, an estimated total battery life remaining of a device
coupled to the wireless transfer, and so forth.
[0119] In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station can
display the energy information using the display of the wireless
transfer station. In one example, the wireless transfer station can
monitor an amount of energy being transferred from a wireless
transfer coil of the wireless transfer station to another wireless
transfer station or a device and display the amount of energy being
transferred. In another example, the wireless transfer station can
monitor an amount of energy received by a wireless transfer coil of
the wireless transfer station and display the amount of energy
being received by another wireless transfer station.
[0120] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station can include
a graphical user interface, such as a touch screen display, to
receive input information from a user. In one example, the received
input information can be selecting information or data for the
graphical user interface to display. In one embodiment, the
graphical user interface can receive input information indicating
to display selected energy information and the graphical user
interface can display the selected energy information.
[0121] FIG. 16 shows a wireless transfer station 1610 configured to
communicate with other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630,
and/or 1640 and determine which of the one or more other wireless
transfer stations 1620, 1630, and/or 1640 is capable and/or
available to provide energy to a selected device and/or a selected
wireless transfer station. In one example, the selected device or
the selected wireless transfer station can send a wireless transfer
request to the wireless transfer station. When the wireless
transfer station 1610 is not compatible with the selected device or
the wireless transfer station 1610 is not available to provide
energy to the selected device, the wireless transfer station 1610
can communicate with the one or more other wireless transfer
stations 1620, 1630, and/or 1640 to locate an available wireless
transfer station of the one or more other wireless transfer
stations 1620, 1630, and/or 1640 for the selected device or the
selected wireless transfer station to receive wireless energy. When
the wireless transfer station 1610 determines that available
wireless transfer station can provide energy to the selected device
or the selected wireless transfer station, the wireless transfer
station 1610 can provide the selected device or the selected
wireless transfer station with transfer station information for the
available wireless transfer station.
[0122] In one embodiment, the transfer station information can
include: directions to one of the other wireless transfer stations
1620, 1630, or 1640; authentication information to receive energy
from the other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630, or 1640; a
number of available wireless transfer coils at the other wireless
transfer stations 1620, 1630, or 1640; a type of wireless transfer
coils available at the other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630,
or 1640; an energy capabilities of the other wireless transfer
stations 1620, 1630, or 1640; and so forth. In one embodiment, when
more than one of the other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630,
or 1640 are available to provide energy to the selected wireless
transfer station or the selected device, the selected wireless
transfer station or the selected device can select which one of the
one or more other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630, or 1640 to
receive energy from based on charging criteria. The charging
criteria can include: an energy output capability of each of the
one or more available other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630,
or 1640; a location of each of the one or more available other
wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630, or 1640; a distance from the
selected device or the selected wireless transfer station to each
of the one or more available other wireless transfer stations 1620,
1630, or 1640; a number of other devices or other wireless transfer
stations receiving energy from each of the one or more available
other wireless transfer stations 1620, 1630, or 1640, and so
forth.
[0123] In one example, the wireless transfer station 1610 is not
compatible with the selected device or the selected wireless
transfer station when a wireless transfer coil of the selected
device or wireless transfer coils of the selected wireless transfer
station are a different shape or size than a wireless transfer coil
of the wireless transfer station 1610. In another example, the
wireless transfer station 1610 is not compatible with the selected
device or the selected wireless transfer station when a wireless
transfer coil of the selected device or a wireless transfer coil of
the selected wireless transfer station receives data and/or
wireless energy at a different resonant frequency range than a
resonant frequency range of a wireless transfer coil of the
wireless transfer station 1610.
[0124] FIG. 17 shows a wireless transfer station 1710 transferring
energy and/or data with one or more wireless transfer stations
and/or devices 1720, 1730, and 1740 within a selected range 1750.
In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1710 can adjust
the selected range 1750 based on selected criteria, such as a
number of wireless transfer stations and/or devices within a
threshold range of the wireless transfer station 1710, a number of
devices or other wireless transfer stations the wireless transfer
station 1710 can support transferring energy and/or data to, and so
forth. In one example, the wireless transfer station 1710 can
transfer energy and/or data with wireless transfer stations and/or
devices 1720, 1730, and 1740 that are within the selected range
1750 and not transfer energy and/or data with wireless transfer
station and/or device 1760.
[0125] FIG. 18 illustrates a wireless transfer station 1810 that
includes a wireless transfer coil 1820 and a management module
1830. In one example, the management module 1830 can analyze energy
information or state information about the wireless transfer
station 1810 to determine a status of the wireless transfer station
1810, such as when the wireless transfer station 1810 is
malfunctioning. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer
station 1810 can display the status of the wireless transfer
station 1810 using a wireless transfer station display. In one
example, when the wireless transfer station 1810 is malfunctioning,
the wireless transfer station 1810 can determine a cause of the
malfunction and display the cause of the malfunction. In one
embodiment, when the wireless transfer station 1810 determines a
cause of the malfunction, the wireless transfer station 1810 can
determine one or more actions to take because of the malfunction
and indicate the one or more actions to a user using the display
screen. In one example, the wireless transfer station 1810 can be
overheating and the display screen can indicate to a user or third
party to shut down the wireless transfer station 1810 or cool down
the wireless transfer station 1810. In another example, the
wireless transfer station 1810 may be experiencing a thermal
runaway event and can indicate to a user or third party a safety
procedure to safely deal with the battery pack.
[0126] In one embodiment, a management module 1830 can store
information from one or more devices and/or the wireless transfer
station 1810. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station
1810 can display selected stored information and/or communicate the
stored information to another device using the communication module
(as discussed in the preceding paragraphs).
[0127] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1810 can be
an information hub device and receive information from other
wireless transfer stations and/or devices. In one embodiment, the
wireless transfer station 1810 can display information from the
other wireless transfer stations 1810 and/or devices. In another
embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1810 can use the
communications module to communicate the information to a
communication hub device, such as a stationary communication hub
device. In one example, the stationary communication hub device can
be a communication hub device coupled to a computing device or
integrated into a computing device, such as a server. In one
embodiment, the server can be a third party server, e.g. external
to an information technology infrastructure of a facility, such as
a medical facility, where the wireless transfer station 1810 is
being used.
[0128] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1810 and/or
the communication hub device can associate a device ID of a device
to information for the device and/or a battery pack coupled to the
device. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1810
and/or the communication hub device can associate a battery ID of
one or more batteries to the wireless transfer station 1810 to
information of one or more batteries. In another embodiment, the
wireless transfer station 1810 can display a reminder to the user
to recharge the wireless transfer station 1810 when an energy level
of the battery pack decreases below a selected threshold.
[0129] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 1810 or the
management module 1830 can determine state information of the
wireless transfer station 1810 and/or a device coupled to the
wireless transfer station 1810. In another embodiment, the state
information can include information of a health of the wireless
transfer station 1810 or an operational level of the wireless
transfer station 1810 (such as when a device and/or wireless
transfer station may be malfunctioning or not working properly). In
another embodiment, a display of the wireless transfer station 1810
can display the state information of the wireless transfer station
1810 and/or the coupled device.
[0130] In one embodiment, when the wireless transfer station 1810
or the management module 1830 determines that the wireless transfer
station 1810 and/or the coupled device may be malfunctioning or not
working properly, the wireless transfer station 1810 can use the
display to indicate to a user of the wireless transfer station 1810
and/or a third party that the wireless transfer station 1810 may be
malfunctioning or not working properly. In another embodiment, the
wireless transfer station can monitor an energy usage of a device
coupled to the wireless transfer station 1810 and determine state
information of the device, such as when the device may be
malfunctioning or not working properly. In one example, when the
coupled device consumes energy outside of a selected range, e.g. an
excessive amount of energy or an insufficient amount of energy, the
wireless transfer station 1810 can determine that the state of the
device is that the device may be malfunctioning or not working
properly and can use the display of the wireless transfer station
1810 to indicate the state information to a user or a third
party.
[0131] In wireless energy and/or data transfer, foreign objects
(such as metal objects or other electrically conductive objects)
that are adjacent to a wireless transfer coil of a wireless
transfer station can couple to a portion of a magnetic field, such
as an electromagnetic field, of the wireless transfer coil. In one
embodiment, a foreign object can be any object that intrudes into a
magnetic coupling field between a first wireless transfer coil and
a second wireless transfer coil. In one example, the foreign object
can be: a cord, such as an electrical cord; keys; a biological
object, such as a human hand; a metal plate or disc; and so forth.
In another example, a foreign object can include biological and/or
non-biological material.
[0132] In one embodiment, when a foreign object with conductive
material couples with the magnetic field, the foreign object may
heat up. In another embodiment, the foreign object can also
interfere with a magnetic field emitted from the wireless transfer
coil of the wireless transfer station. In one example, a coupling
of the foreign object with the magnetic field of the wireless
transfer coil and/or interference caused by the foreign object can
result in: an energy wastage; safety issues; an inefficient
transfer of energy; an incomplete data transfer; decreased energy
and/or data transfer rates; and so forth. In another example, when
the foreign object is in the vicinity or adjacent to a coupling
link between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil, the
transmitting coil and/or the receiving coil can experience a change
of frequencies and/or impedances because of the adjacent foreign
object.
[0133] In one embodiment, a wireless transfer station can determine
a location of a foreign object by comparing an expected amount of
energy or data transferred with another wireless transfer station
with an actual amount of energy or data transferred with another
wireless transfer station. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station can determine a location of a foreign object by
monitoring an increase or decrease in an amount of energy and/or
data transferred or an increase or decrease in a rate that the
energy and/or data is transferred as a wireless transfer coil of
the wireless transfer station is moved to different locations
relative to the foreign object.
[0134] In one embodiment, variations in an alignment of a first
wireless transfer coil relative to a second wireless transfer coil
and/or a distance between the first wireless transfer coil and the
second wireless transfer coil can increase or decrease an
efficiency of a coupling between the first wireless transfer coil
and the second wireless transfer coil. In one example, the increase
or decrease in efficiency in coupling can affect an accuracy of a
wireless transfer station detecting a foreign object. In one
embodiment a first wireless transfer station with a first wireless
transfer coil and a second wireless transfer station with a second
wireless transfer coil can communicate alignment and/or distance
information of the first wireless transfer coil and the second
wireless transfer station to determine an alignment of the first
wireless transfer coil relative to the second wireless transfer
coil and/or the distance between the first wireless transfer coil
and the second wireless transfer coil.
[0135] In one embodiment, the first wireless transfer station
and/or the second wireless transfer station can filter out an
effect of the alignment of the first wireless transfer coil
relative to the second wireless transfer station and/or an effect
of the distance between the first wireless transfer coil and the
second wireless transfer coil when determining the presence of a
foreign object in a magnetic field of the transmitting coil. In
another embodiment, the first wireless transfer station and/or the
second wireless transfer station can monitor an energy draw, e.g. a
current draw and/or a voltage draw, between the first wireless
transfer coil and the second wireless transfer coil. In one
example, the first wireless transfer station and/or the second
wireless transfer station can detect variations or imbalances in
the energy draw and determine that a foreign object is interfering
with a wireless energy and/or data transfer. One advantage of a
wireless transfer station detecting the presence of a foreign
object in a magnetic field of a wireless transfer coil is to
prevent energy wastage and minimize safety issues.
[0136] In one embodiment, an amount of energy and/or data
transferred by a wireless transfer station can be adjusted based on
a proximity of a biological entity (such as a human) to the
wireless transfer station. In one example, an amount of energy
transferred by the wireless transfer station can be decreased when
a human is within a selected distance of the wireless transfer
station.
[0137] In another embodiment, a wireless transfer coil of a
wireless transfer station can be shielded from interfering foreign
objects. In one embodiment, a Ferrite object (such as a Ferrite
plate) can be located adjacent the wireless transfer coil and used
to limit a magnetic field within a selected area. In another
embodiment, the Ferrite object can be located adjacent to the
wireless transfer coil of the wireless transfer station to shield
the wireless transfer coil from the foreign object. In one example,
a wireless transfer coil can be integrated into a wall or floor of
a building or can be located adjacent to a wall or floor. In this
example, the wall or floor can contain foreign objects, such as
electrically conductive metal support beams. In one embodiment, the
Ferrite object can be placed between the wireless transfer coil and
the foreign object to shield the magnetic field of the wireless
transfer coil from interference caused by the foreign object. In
another embodiment, the Ferrite object can be placed between the
wireless transfer coil and the foreign objects to redirect the
magnetic field of the wireless transfer coil to avoid interference
from the foreign objects. In another embodiment, the Ferrite object
can be used to direct the magnetic field to radiate away from the
foreign object. In another embodiment, a thin conductive plate can
be placed behind a Ferrite plate to suppress interference and
provide additional shielding to the magnetic field of the wireless
transfer coil.
[0138] FIG. 19 illustrates a foreign object 1930 entering a
magnetic field 1940 between wireless transfer coil 1910 and
wireless transfer coil 1920. In one embodiment, the foreign object
1930 is an electrically conductive foreign object, such as a metal
plate or electrical cord. FIG. 20 illustrates a foreign object 2030
entering a magnetic field 2040 between wireless transfer coil 2010
and wireless transfer coil 2020. In one embodiment, the foreign
object 2030 is a biological object, such as a human hand or human
body part. In FIGS. 19 and 20, foreign objects 1930 and 2030 can
interfere with the magnetic field 1940 or 2040, respectively. In
one example foreign objects 1930 and 2030 can absorb the magnetic
field 1940 or 2040, respectively.
[0139] FIG. 21 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wireless transfer
station 2110 operable to display information. In another
embodiment, the wireless transfer station 2110 can include a
wireless transfer station housing 2140 with an outer surface 2130,
wherein the outer surface 2130 includes an optically viewable
portion 2150 integrated into the outer surface 2130 of the wireless
transfer station housing 2130. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 2110 can include an energy information module 2160
located within the wireless transfer station housing 2130. In
another embodiment, the energy information module 2160 can be
configured to provide selected energy information for display. In
another embodiment, the wireless transfer station 2110 can include
a display 2120. In another embodiment, the display 2120 can be
integrated into the wireless transfer station housing 2140 and
located beneath the optically viewable portion 2150 of the outer
surface 2130. In another embodiment, the display 2120 is viewable
to a user through the optically viewable portion 2150. In another
embodiment, the display 2120 can be configured to display the
energy information from the energy information module 2160.
[0140] In one embodiment, the optically viewable portion 2150 can
be seamlessly integrated into the outer surface 2130 of the
wireless transfer station housing 2140. In another embodiment, the
wireless transfer station housing 2140 can further include: an
inner cavity; a battery bay located within the inner cavity
containing one or more rechargeable batteries; and a wireless
transfer module 2166 configured to receive wireless energy from a
battery pack and provide at least a portion of the received
wireless energy to the one or more rechargeable batteries (as shown
in FIG. 8). In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station
2110 can further comprise a coil alignment module 2162 configured
to determine an alignment of a wireless transfer coil of the
wireless transfer module 2166 with a wireless transfer coil of the
wireless transfer station 2110 or with a wireless transfer coil of
a device. In another embodiment, the display 2120 can be configured
to display alignment information received from the coil alignment
module 2162. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station
2110 can further comprise a coil distance module 2164 configured to
determine a distance between a wireless transfer coil of the
wireless transfer module 2166 with a wireless transfer coil of the
wireless transfer station 2110 or with a wireless transfer coil of
a device and the display 2120 is configured to display alignment
information received from the coil distance module 2164.
[0141] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station 2110 can
further include a second optically viewable portion 2190 integrated
into the outer surface 2130 of the wireless transfer station
housing 2140 and a second display 2180. In another embodiment, the
second display 2180 can be integrated into the wireless transfer
station housing 2140. In another embodiment, the second display
2180 can be located beneath the second optically viewable portion
2190 of the outer surface 2130, wherein the second display 2180 can
be viewable to a user through the second optically viewable portion
2190. In another embodiment, the second display 2180 can be
configured to display the energy information from the energy
information module 2160.
[0142] In one embodiment, the second display 2180 can be configured
to determine when the display 2120 cannot properly display energy
information and display energy information when the display 2120
cannot properly display energy information. In another embodiment,
the wireless transfer station 2110 can further comprise a
communications module 2168 configured to receive selection
information from a device or another wireless transfer station,
wherein the selection information is used to select a wireless
transfer station and the display 2120 or the second display 2180
can be configured to display an indicator that indicates when the
wireless transfer station is next to be used in a wireless transfer
station use order based on the received selection information.
[0143] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer station housing
2130 can be hermetically sealed to be liquid proof and dust proof.
In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station housing 2130
can be comprised of a plurality of housing pieces that are welded
together to form a hermetically sealed wireless transfer station
housing 2130. In another embodiment, the wireless transfer station
can further comprise a seal monitor 2170 configured to monitor when
the hermetic seal is broken. In one embodiment, the energy
information can include error information, safety information,
wireless transfer station usage information, charge cycle
information, voltage usage, current usage, state of health
information, energy remaining information, an operating system (OS)
version, a software version, a firmware version, and/or
communication information. In another embodiment, the wireless
transfer station 2110 can further comprise an energy transfer
module 2172 configured to determine an estimated energy transfer
level from a device to the wireless transfer station 2110 and the
display 2120 can be configured to display energy transfer
information received from the energy transfer module 2172.
[0144] FIG. 22 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wireless battery
pack 2210 operable to display information. In another embodiment,
the wireless battery pack 2210 can comprise a wireless battery pack
housing 2240 with an outer surface 2230 and a display 2220. In one
embodiment, the wireless battery pack housing 2240 can be
configured to be sealed. In another embodiment, the display 2220
can be viewable in at least a portion of the outer surface 2230 of
the wireless battery pack housing 2240 and configured to display
energy information associated with the wireless battery pack 2210.
In another embodiment, the wireless battery pack 2210 can further
comprise a communication module 2250 configured to communicate
information between the wireless battery pack 2210 and a wireless
transfer station or communicate information between the wireless
battery pack 2210 and a device. In another embodiment, the wireless
battery pack housing 2240 can include a hole configured to receive
injection material to seal components within the wireless battery
pack housing 2240 or the wireless battery pack 2210.
[0145] In one embodiment, the wireless battery pack 2210 can
further comprise a charge module 2252 configured to estimate a
remaining charge time of the wireless battery pack 2210 and the
display 2220 configured to display information from the charge
module 2252. In another embodiment, the wireless battery pack 2210
can further comprise a warranty alert module 2254 configured to
determine a warranty status of the wireless battery pack 2210 or a
state of health of the wireless battery pack 2210 and the display
2220 can be configured to display information from the warranty
alert module 2254. In another embodiment, the wireless battery pack
2210 can further comprise a safety alert module 2256 configured to
determine a safety status of the wireless battery pack 2210,
wherein the safety status can be based on one or more of: a
temperature of the wireless battery pack; a temperature of one or
more rechargeable batteries in the wireless battery pack; a voltage
level of one or more of the rechargeable batteries; a current level
of one or more of the rechargeable batteries; or an internal
pressure level of the wireless battery pack. In another embodiment,
the display 2220 can be configured to display information from the
safety alert module 2256.
[0146] In one embodiment, the wireless battery pack 2210 can
further comprise an error module 2258 configured to detect an error
status of the wireless battery pack 2210, wherein the error status
includes: alignment information between the wireless battery pack
and a battery pack or a device; distance information between the
wireless battery pack and the battery pack or the device;
overvoltage information; under voltage information; overcurrent
information; under current information; or communication
information. In another embodiment, the display 2220 can be
configured to indicate the error status of the wireless battery
pack 2210 based on error status information received from the error
module 2258. In another embodiment, the wireless battery pack 2210
can further comprise a battery abuse module 2260 configured to
determine when the one or more rechargeable batteries has been used
outside of warranted uses and the display 2220 can be configured to
display information from the battery abuse module 2260. In another
embodiment, the wireless battery pack 2210 can further comprise a
sensory alert module 2262 configured to provide information using a
sensory device integrated into the wireless battery pack 2210 or in
communication with the wireless battery pack 2210.
[0147] FIG. 23 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wireless battery
display 2330 operable to display information. In one embodiment,
the wireless battery display 2330 can further comprise an energy
information module 2340. In another embodiment, the wireless
battery display 2330 can be located within a wireless battery pack
housing 2320 of a wireless battery pack 2310. In another
embodiment, the wireless battery display 2330 can be configured to
provide selected energy information to the wireless battery display
2330 in communication with the energy information module 2340. In
another embodiment, the wireless battery display 2330 can be sized
and shaped to be integrated beneath an optically viewable portion
2350 in the wireless battery pack housing 2320. In another
embodiment, the wireless battery display 2330 can be configured to
be viewable to a user through the optically viewable portion 2350
of the wireless battery pack housing 2320. In another embodiment,
the wireless battery display 2330 can be configured to display
energy information from the energy information module 2340.
[0148] In one embodiment, the optically viewable portion 2350 can
be a substantially transparent material or a translucent material.
In another embodiment, the wireless battery pack housing 2320 can
comprise of a substantially clear polycarbonate material. In
another embodiment, the wireless battery display 2330 can be one or
more of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a resistive LCD display, a
capacitive LCD display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, a
liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, an organic LED (OLED)
display, an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, a touch screen
display, a haptic display, or a tactile display. In another
embodiment, the wireless battery display 2330 can be configured to
display one or more colors 2330 can further comprise a display
adjustment module 2342 configured to adjust a color of the display
or a brightness of the wireless battery display 2330 based on
selected criteria. In another embodiment, the selected criteria can
include: a time of day, a location of the wireless battery pack;
and an ambient light level.
[0149] FIG. 24 provides an example illustration of the device, such
as a user equipment (UE), a mobile wireless device, a mobile
communication device, a tablet, a handset, or other type of
wireless device. The wireless device can include one or more
antennas configured to communicate with a battery pack. The device
can be configured to communicate using at least one wireless
communication standard including 3GPP LTE, WiMAX, High Speed Packet
Access (HSPA), Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The device can communicate
using separate antennas for each wireless communication standard or
shared antennas for multiple wireless communication standards. The
device can communicate in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a
wireless personal area network (WPAN), and/or a wireless wide area
network (WWAN).
[0150] FIG. 24 also provides an illustration of a microphone and
one or more speakers that can be used for audio input and output
from the device. The display screen can be a liquid crystal display
(LCD) screen, or other type of display screen such as an organic
light emitting diode (OLED) display. The display screen can be
configured as a touch screen. The touch screen can use capacitive,
resistive, or another type of touch screen technology. An
application processor and a graphics processor can be coupled to
internal memory to provide processing and display capabilities. A
non-volatile memory port can also be used to provide data
input/output options to a user. The non-volatile memory port can
also be used to expand the memory capabilities of the device. A
keyboard can be integrated with the device or wirelessly connected
to the wireless device to provide additional user input. A virtual
keyboard can also be provided using the touch screen.
[0151] Various techniques, or certain aspects or portions thereof,
can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in
tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives,
non-transitory computer readable storage medium, or any other
machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is
loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the
machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the various techniques.
In the case of program code execution on programmable computers,
the computing device can include a processor, a storage medium
readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile
memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at
least one output device. The volatile and non-volatile memory
and/or storage elements can be a RAM, EPROM, flash drive, optical
drive, magnetic hard drive, or other medium for storing electronic
data. The base station and mobile station can also include a
transceiver module, a counter module, a processing module, and/or a
clock module or timer module. One or more programs that can
implement or utilize the various techniques described herein can
use an application programming interface (API), reusable controls,
and the like. Such programs can be implemented in a high level
procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate
with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented
in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the
language can be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined
with hardware implementations.
[0152] It should be understood that many of the functional units
described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in
order to more particularly emphasize their implementation
independence. For example, a module can be implemented as a
hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,
off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or
other discrete components. A module can also be implemented in
programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate
arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the
like.
[0153] Modules can also be implemented in software for execution by
various types of processors. An identified module of executable
code can, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical
blocks of computer instructions, which can, for instance, be
organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the
executables of an identified module need not be physically located
together, but can comprise disparate instructions stored in
different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise
the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.
[0154] Indeed, a module of executable code can be a single
instruction, or many instructions, and can even be distributed over
several different code segments, among different programs, and
across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data can be
identified and illustrated herein within modules, and can be
embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable
type of data structure. The operational data can be collected as a
single data set, or can be distributed over different locations
including over different storage devices, and can exist, at least
partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. The
modules can be passive or active, including agents operable to
perform desired functions.
[0155] Reference throughout this specification to "an example"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the example is included in at least
one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "in an example" in various places throughout this
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
[0156] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements,
compositional elements, and/or materials can be presented in a
common list for convenience. However, these lists should be
construed as though each member of the list is individually
identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual
member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of
any other member of the same list solely based on their
presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.
In addition, various embodiments and example of the present
invention can be referred to herein along with alternatives for the
various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments,
examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as defacto
equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate
and autonomous representations of the present invention.
[0157] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided, such as examples of layouts, distances,
network examples, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one
or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components,
layouts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials,
or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid
obscuring aspects of the invention.
[0158] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the
principles of the present invention in one or more particular
applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of
implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive
faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of
the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention
be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
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