U.S. patent application number 17/230350 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-29 for wireless power system.
The applicant listed for this patent is KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.. Invention is credited to JEYHAN KARAOGUZ, AHMADREZA (REZA) ROFOUGARAN, NAMBIRAJAN SESHADRI, REINIER VAN DER LEE, JOHN WALLEY.
Application Number | 20210234412 17/230350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005512398 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210234412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WALLEY; JOHN ; et
al. |
July 29, 2021 |
WIRELESS POWER SYSTEM
Abstract
A wireless power system includes a primary device and a
secondary device. The primary device includes a power conversion
unit, a function module, and a transceiver. The peripheral device
includes a wireless power receiver circuit, a peripheral
transceiver, and a peripheral unit. The power conversion unit
converts a power source into an electromagnetic signal. The
functional module executes a function regarding peripheral
information. The transceiver communicates information regarding the
electromagnetic signal and the peripheral information. The wireless
power receiver circuit converts the electromagnetic signal into a
voltage. The peripheral transceiver communicates the information
regarding the electromagnetic signal and the peripheral
information. The peripheral unit processes the peripheral
information.
Inventors: |
WALLEY; JOHN; (LADERA RANCH,
CA) ; KARAOGUZ; JEYHAN; (IRVINE, CA) ;
ROFOUGARAN; AHMADREZA (REZA); (NEWPORT COAST, CA) ;
SESHADRI; NAMBIRAJAN; (IRVINE, CA) ; VAN DER LEE;
REINIER; (LAKE FOREST, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. |
EINDHOVEN |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005512398 |
Appl. No.: |
17/230350 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16445752 |
Jun 19, 2019 |
10985619 |
|
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17230350 |
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12772210 |
May 1, 2010 |
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16445752 |
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61264925 |
Nov 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/025 20130101;
H04L 69/18 20130101; G06K 19/0701 20130101; G06K 19/0715 20130101;
H04B 5/0037 20130101; H04L 29/06163 20130101; G06K 19/0723
20130101; G06K 7/10207 20130101; H02J 50/12 20160201; H02J 50/40
20160201; G06K 7/10346 20130101; H02J 50/80 20160201; H02J 5/005
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 50/80 20060101
H02J050/80; H02J 50/12 20060101 H02J050/12; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; G06K 19/07 20060101 G06K019/07; H04B 5/00 20060101
H04B005/00 |
Claims
1. A wireless power device comprising: a wireless power transmitter
circuit, wherein the wireless power transmitter circuit is
configured to generate a wireless power field, wherein the wireless
power field is configured to conduct wireless power and data
transmissions to a wireless power receiver; and a processing
circuit, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to
transmit, via the wireless power transmitter circuit, a message to
the wireless power receiver using a control channel of the
generated wireless power field, wherein the message indicates a
control channel protocol, and wherein the processing circuit is
configured to demodulate inbound data received on the control
channel based on the control channel protocol.
2. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the wireless
power transmitter circuit comprises an inductive coil coupled to a
power regulator.
3. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the inbound
data is received as an amplitude modulation of the wireless power
field.
4. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
processing circuit is configured to transmit the message utilizing
frequency shift modulation of the wireless power field.
5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
processing circuit is configured to communicate with the wireless
power receiver utilizing a plurality of different control channel
protocols, and wherein the processing circuit is configured to
select one of the plurality of different control channel protocols
based on negotiation information received from the wireless power
receiver.
6. The wireless power transmitter of claim 5, wherein the
negotiation information includes information indicative of one or
more of a control channel supported by the wireless power receiver,
a desired data rate of the wireless power receiver, or an available
bandwidth of the wireless power receiver.
7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a
battery, wherein the battery is configured to store power for
wireless power transmission.
8. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the wireless
power transmitter circuit comprises a wireless power transceiver,
wherein the wireless power transceiver is configured to receive
power from a wireless power field and receive data transmissions
from one or more wireless power devices.
9. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the control
channel corresponds to a first frequency band for communication of
control information, and wherein the wireless power transmitter is
configured to communicate with the wireless power receiver on a
data channel, wherein the data channel has a second frequency band
for communication of data with the wireless power receiver.
10. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a
data channel transceiver, wherein the data channel transceiver is
configured to communicate with a corresponding data channel
transceiver of the wireless power receiver based on a data channel
protocol.
11. The wireless power transmitter of claim 10, wherein the
processing circuit is configured to communicate the data channel
protocol to the wireless power receiver utilizing the control
channel.
12. A wireless power device comprising: a wireless power receiver
circuit, wherein the wireless power receiver circuit is configured
to receive power and data transmissions from a wireless power
field; and a processing circuit coupled to the wireless power
receiver circuit, wherein the processing circuit is configured to
receive a message indicating a selected control channel protocol
from a wireless power transmitter, wherein the message is received
by the wireless power receiver circuit on a control channel of the
wireless power field, and wherein the processing circuit is
configured to communicate with the wireless power transmitter on
the control channel, wherein the processing circuit utilizes the
selected control channel protocol.
13. The wireless power device of claim 12, wherein the wireless
power receiver circuit comprises an inductive coil coupled to a
power regulator.
14. The wireless power device of claim 12, wherein the processing
circuit is configured to transmit data to the wireless power
transmitter as an amplitude modulation of the wireless power
field.
15. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
processing circuit is configured to communicate with the wireless
power transmitter utilizing a plurality of different control
channel protocols, and wherein the selected control channel
protocol is selected based on negotiation information transmitted
to the wireless power transmitter by the wireless power
receiver.
16. The wireless power transmitter of claim 15, wherein the
negotiation information includes information indicative of one or
more of a control channel supported by the wireless power receiver,
a desired data rate of the wireless power receiver, or an available
bandwidth of the wireless power receiver.
17. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the
wireless power receiver circuit comprises a wireless power
transceiver configured to receive power from a wireless power field
and receive data transmissions from one or more wireless power
devices.
18. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the
selected control channel corresponds to a first frequency band for
communication of control information, and wherein the wireless
power receiver is configured to communicate with the wireless power
receiver on a data channel having a second frequency band for
communication of data with the wireless power transmitter.
19. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a
data channel transceiver configured to communicate with a
corresponding data channel transceiver of the wireless power
transmitter based on a data channel protocol.
20. The wireless power transmitter of claim 19, wherein the
processing circuit is configured to receive the data channel
protocol from the wireless power transmitter utilizing the control
channel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/445,752 filed on Jun. 19, 2019 which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/772,210, filed on May 1,
2010, which claims the benefit of US Patent Application No.
61/264,925 filed on Nov. 30, 2009. These applications are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to power conversion and more
particularly to wireless power conversion and supporting
communications thereof.
Description of Related Art
[0003] The concept of wireless power (i.e., powering a device
without an electrical power cord) has been around for a while and
has recently been commercialized. In addition, there are a couple
of on-going standards discussions (WPC-- wireless communication
alliance and CEA--consumer electronics association) to standardize
wireless power systems.
[0004] Current commercially available wireless power products
include a transmit unit, a receive unit, and a bidirectional
control channel. In these products, the primary method of energy
transfer is inductive coupling, but some lower power applications
may include solar energy transfer, thermo-electronic energy
transfer, and/or capacitive energy transfer. To use these products,
the receive unit is a separate unit that must be coupled to a
device that is to be wirelessly powered. Thus, the device itself
cannot be wirelessly powered without the receive unit coupled to
it.
[0005] To develop these products, effort has been spent on
inductive power transfer, closed loop systems, and multiple load
support. In the area of inductive power transfer, effort has been
spent on optimizing the tuning the transmit and receive circuits
(each of which includes a single inductor) for resonance,
efficiency, and/or thermal issues, detecting loads, turning off the
inductive power transfer, coil alignment, magnetic alignment, lower
phantom power, Class D, E power transmitters with load
compensation, antenna design, and coil switching. In the area of
multiple load support, effort has been spent on power sharing and
tuning, control channel multi-access, and collision avoidance.
[0006] In the area of closed loop systems, effort has been spent on
regulating the transmit power, the transmit resonance, alignment to
maximize safety and/or power transfer using a particular control
channel protocol (e.g., backscatter, IrDA, or Bluetooth). As such,
as long as the receive unit and transmit unit are from the same
vendor using the same communication protocol for the control
channel, wireless power transfer can occur. While the above
referenced standards organization are attempting to establish
standards regarding the control channel protocol, currently,
vendors are free to use whatever protocol they chose, making
compatibility issues between different vendors' wireless power
products.
[0007] While effort has been spent to commercialize wireless power
systems, there is still significant effort needed to make
cost-effective and/or feature rich wireless power systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods
of operation that are further described in the following Brief
Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the
Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention made with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wireless power system in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wirelessly powered device in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
portion of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a portion of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wirelessly powered device in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an example state diagram of a processing module
of a wirelessly powered device in accordance with the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a charge set up state in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for a charge set up state in accordance with the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a charge state m accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of a graph of charge need
versus charge efficiency in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a wirelessly powered power management state in accordance with the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a battery powered power management state in accordance with the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a diagram of an example of frequency planning
within a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 23 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 24 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 25 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 26 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0035] FIG. 27 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 28 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
managing a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 29 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 30 is a diagram of an example of managing a wireless
power system in accordance with the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 31 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 32 is a diagram of an example of power transmit
frequency spectrum for a wireless power system in accordance with
the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 33 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of
power modules within a wireless power computer system in accordance
with the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 37 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
computer power module in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 38 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a computer power module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 39 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
peripheral device power module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 40 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a peripheral device power module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 41 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 42 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of power modules within a wireless power computer system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 43 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
managing a wireless power computer system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0052] FIG. 44 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power computer system in accordance with
the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 46 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power computer system in accordance with
the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 48 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of power modules within a wireless power computer system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 49 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a computer power module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0058] FIG. 50 is a diagram of an example of a coil grid of a
computer in accordance with the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 51 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
coil grid of a computer in accordance with the present
invention;
[0060] FIG. 52 is a logic diagram of a method for utilizing a coil
grid in accordance with the present invention;
[0061] FIG. 53 is a diagram of another example of a coil grid of a
computer in accordance with the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 54 is a diagram of another example of a coil grid of an
inductive touch screen in accordance with the present
invention;
[0063] FIG. 55 is a diagram of an example of a wireless power (WP)
transmit coil and a wireless power receive coil in accordance with
the present invention;
[0064] FIG. 56 is a diagram of an example of a computer peripheral
devices that includes one or more wireless power (WP) transmit
coils and/or one more wireless power receive coils in accordance
with the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 57 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0066] FIG. 58 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0067] FIG. 59 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0068] FIG. 60 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wireless power transmit unit of a wireless power computer system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0069] FIG. 61 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of power modules within a wireless power computer system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 62 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power transmit unit in accordance with the present
invention;
[0071] FIG. 63 is a diagram of an example of a coil grid of a
wireless power transmit unit in accordance with the present
invention;
[0072] FIG. 64 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power transmit unit in accordance with the present
invention;
[0073] FIG. 65 is a diagram of an example of a coil grid of a
wireless charging basket in accordance with the present
invention;
[0074] FIG. 66 is a diagram of another example of a coil grid of a
wireless charging basket in accordance with the present
invention;
[0075] FIG. 67 is a diagram of another example of a coil grid of a
wireless charging basket in accordance with the present
invention;
[0076] FIG. 68 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0077] FIG. 69 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
managing communication in a wireless power computer system in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0078] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wireless power system that includes a wireless power (WP) transmit
(TX) unit 10 and one or more devices 12-14. The WP TX unit 10
includes a processing module 18, a WP transceiver 20, and a power
TX circuit 16. Each device 12-14 includes a WP receive (RX) circuit
22, 28, a processing module 26, 32, and a WP transceiver 24, 30.
The device 12-14 will most likely include a plurality of other
components depending on its desired functionality. For example, the
device 12-14 may be a cell phone, a personal audio/video player, a
video game unit, a toy, etc. and includes the corresponding
circuitry.
[0079] The processing modules 18, 26, 32 of the WP TX unit 10 and
in each of the devices 12-14 may each be a single processing device
or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may
be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate
array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,
analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that
manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of
the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing
module 18, 26, 32 may have an associated memory and/or memory
element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory
devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module 18, 26,
32. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access
memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,
dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that
stores digital information. Note that if the processing module 18,
26, 32 includes more than one processing device, the processing
devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together
via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly
located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local
area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that when
the processing module 18, 26, 32 implements one or more of its
functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,
and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing
the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within,
or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog
circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further
note that, the memory element stores, and the processing module 18,
26, 32 executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions
corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions
illustrated in FIGS. 1-36.
[0080] The WP TX unit 10 communicates with the WP transceivers 24,
30 of the devices 12-14 via one or more control channels 34 that
use one or more frequencies in the ISM bands 36 and/or one or more
frequencies in another non-licensed frequency band(s) 38. The
communication via the control channel 34 may use one or more
standardized protocols 40, 44 and/or one or more proprietary
protocols 42, 46. For example, the standardized protocols 40, 44
may include Bluetooth (2400 MHz), HIPERLAN (5800 MHz), IEEE 802.11
(2400 MHz and 5800 MHz), and IEEE 802.15.4 (personal area networks
using 915 MHz or 2400 MHz).
[0081] The ISM bands 36 include:
TABLE-US-00001 Frequency range Centerfrequency 6.765-6.795 MHz
6.780 MHz 13.553-13.567 MHz 13.560 MHz 26.957-27.283 MHz 27.120 MHz
40.66-40.70 MHz 40.68 MHz 433.05-434.79 MHz 433.92 MHz 902-928 MHz
915 MHz 2.400-2.500 GHz 2.450 GHz 5.725-5.875 GHz 5.800 GHz
24-24.25 GHz 24.125 GHz 61-61.5 GHz 61.25 GHz 122-123 GHz 122.5 GHz
244-246 GHz 245 GHz
[0082] Each of the WP power transceivers 20, 24, 30 (e.g., in the
WP TX unit 10 and in each of the devices 12-14) includes baseband
processing (which may be done by the corresponding processing
module 18, 26, 32), a radio frequency (RF) and/or a millimeter wave
(MMW) transmitter section, and an RF and/or MMW receiver section.
In an example of operation, the baseband processing converts
outbound data into outbound symbol stream in accordance with one or
more wireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA,
HSDPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee,
universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term
evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO),
proprietary protocol, etc.). Such a conversion includes one or more
of: scrambling, puncturing, encoding, interleaving, constellation
mapping, modulation, frequency spreading, frequency hopping,
beamforming, space-time-block encoding, space-frequency-block
encoding, frequency to time domain conversion, and/or digital
baseband to intermediate frequency conversion.
[0083] The transmitter section converts the outbound symbol stream
into an outbound RF signal that has a carrier frequency within a
given frequency band (e.g., ISM bands 36). In an embodiment, this
may be done by mixing the outbound symbol stream with a local
oscillation to produce an up-converted signal. One or more power
amplifiers and/or power amplifier drivers amplifies the
up-converted signal, which may be RF bandpass filtered, to produce
the outbound RF signal. In another embodiment, the transmitter
section includes an oscillator that produces an oscillation. The
outbound symbol stream provides phase information (e.g., +/-8
[phase shift] and/or 8(t) [phase modulation]) that adjusts the
phase of the oscillation to produce a phase adjusted RF signal,
which is transmitted as the outbound RF signal. In another
embodiment, the outbound symbol stream includes amplitude
information (e.g., A(t) [amplitude modulation]), which is used to
adjust the amplitude of the phase adjusted RF signal to produce the
outbound RF signal.
[0084] In yet another embodiment, the transmitter section includes
an oscillator that produces an oscillation. The outbound symbol
provides frequency information (e.g., +/-f [frequency shift] and/or
f(t) [frequency modulation]) that adjusts the frequency of the
oscillation to produce a frequency adjusted RF signal, which is
transmitted as the outbound RF signal. In another embodiment, the
outbound symbol stream includes amplitude information, which is
used to adjust the amplitude of the frequency adjusted RF signal to
produce the outbound RF signal. In a further embodiment, the
transmitter section includes an oscillator that produces an
oscillation.
[0085] The outbound symbol provides amplitude information (e.g.,
+/-A [amplitude shift] and/or A(t) [amplitude modulation) that
adjusts the amplitude of the oscillation to produce the outbound RF
signal.
[0086] The receiver section receives and amplifies an inbound RF
signal to produce an amplified inbound RF signal. The receiver
section may then mix in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of
the amplified inbound RF signal with in-phase and quadrature
components of a local oscillation to produce a mixed I signal and a
mixed Q signal. The mixed I and Q signals are combined to produce
an inbound symbol stream. In this embodiment, the inbound symbol
may include phase information (e.g., +/-8 [phase shift] and/or 8(t)
[phase modulation]) and/or frequency information (e.g., +/-f
[frequency shift] and/or f(t) [frequency modulation]). In another
embodiment and/or in furtherance of the preceding embodiment, the
inbound RF signal includes amplitude information (e.g., +/-A
[amplitude shift] and/or A(t) [amplitude modulation]). To recover
the amplitude information, the receiver section includes an
amplitude detector such as an envelope detector, a low pass filter,
etc.
[0087] The baseband processing converts the inbound symbol stream
into inbound data (e.g. control channel data) in accordance with
one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA,
WCDMA, HSDPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth,
ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long
term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized
(EV-DO), proprietary protocol, etc.). Such a conversion may include
one or more of: digital intermediate frequency to baseband
conversion, time to frequency domain conversion, space-time-block
decoding, space-frequency-block decoding, demodulation, frequency
spread decoding, frequency hopping decoding, beamforming decoding,
constellation demapping, deinterleaving, decoding, depuncturing,
and/or descrambling.
[0088] The WP TX unit 10 communicates with the devices 12-14 via
the control channel to facilitate efficient wireless power transfer
from the WP TX unit 10 to the power RX circuit 22, 28 of the
devices 12-14. For example, the communication may be to determine
which frequency to use, to reposition the device 12-14 to improve
magnetic coupling, to tune the components of the power TX circuit
16 and/or the power RX circuit 22, 28, to indicate desired power
levels, to adjust power levels, etc. As such, during the wireless
transfer of energy from the power TX circuit 16 to the power RX
circuit 22, 28 of one or more devices 12-14, the WP TX unit 10 and
the devices 12-14 communicate to provide a desired performance
level of wireless energy transfer.
[0089] In another example of operation, the receive unit processing
module 26, 32 functions to identify the control channel protocol
used by the wireless power transmit unit 10 for control channel
communications. Note that the control channel includes one of a
plurality of control channel protocols that includes at least one
or more standard control channel protocols and/or one or more
proprietary control channel protocols. Further note that the
transmit unit transceiver 20 uses one of the control channel
protocols and is capable of using a subset of the plurality of
control channel protocols. For instance, one transmit unit
transceiver 20 may use a Bluetooth protocol or a proprietary
protocol for its control channel protocol, while another transmit
unit transceiver 20 of another wireless power transmit unit 10 may
use a different control channel protocol. As such, the receive unit
needs to identify the control channel protocol.
[0090] The receive unit processing module 26, 32 may identify the
control channel protocol by interpreting a beacon signal
transmitted by the transmit unit transceiver to determine the
control channel protocol. Alternatively, or in addition to the
preceding example, the receive unit processing module 26, 32 may
identify the control channel protocol by receiving a set-up
communication from the transmit unit transceiver 20 using a default
control channel protocol. As another alternative, or in addition to
one or more of the preceding examples, the receive unit processing
module 26, 32 may identify the control channel protocol by scanning
a frequency spectrum for control channel activity to produce
scanned frequency spectrum and identify the control channel
protocol from the scanned frequency spectrum. As yet another
alternative, or in addition to one or more of the preceding
examples, the receive unit processing module 26, 32 may identify
the control channel protocol by evoking a trial and error system
using known control channel protocols.
[0091] When the receive unit processing module 26, 32 identifies
the control channel protocol, it determines whether the receive
unit transceiver is capable of communication using the control
channel protocol. For example, the processing module is determining
whether the receive unit transceiver 24, 30 be configured to
support the control channel protocol. When the receive unit
transceiver 24, 30 is capable of communication using the control
channel protocol, the processing module coordinates configuration
of the receive unit transceiver to transceive the communication
regarding the wireless power magnetic field via the control
channel. Configuring of the receive unit transceiver 24, 30 is
discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6.
[0092] As yet another alternative to identifying the control
channel protocol, the transmit unit transceiver 20 and the receive
unit transceiver 24, 30 may negotiate which control channel
protocol to use. For example, the transmit unit transceiver may
transceive negotiation information (e.g., what protocols they each
support, desired data rate, available bandwidth, etc.) with the
receive unit transceiver to mutually select the control channel
protocol.
[0093] If the processing module 26, 32 cannot identify the control
channel or the receive unit transceiver 24, 30 is not capable of
being configured to use the control channel protocol, the
processing module determines whether the receive unit transceiver
is lacking hardware or lacking software to support the control
channel protocol. When the receive unit transceiver is lacking
software, the processing module generates a network message to
download the software to support the control channel protocol. Once
the software is downloaded, the receive unit transceiver 24, 30 is
configured to support the control channel protocol.
[0094] With the control channel established between the wireless
power transmit unit 10 and the device 12, 14, the wireless power
transmit circuit 16 generates a wireless power magnetic field in
accordance with the control channel data (e.g., power level,
frequency, tuning, etc.). The wireless power receive circuit 22, 28
converts the wireless power magnetic field into a voltage, which
may be used to charge a battery of the device and/or to power at
least a portion of the device 12, 14. FIG. 2 is a schematic block
diagram of another embodiment of a wireless power system that
includes a wireless power (WP) transmit (TX) unit 10 and one or
more devices. The WP TX unit 10 includes a processing module 18, a
WP transceiver 20, an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag
and/or reader 48, and a power TX circuit 16. Each device 12-14
includes a WP receive (RX) circuit 24, 28, a processing module 26,
32, an RFID tag and/or reader 50, 52, and a WP transceiver 24, 30.
The device 12-14 will most likely include a plurality of other
components depending on its desired functionality. For example, the
device may be a cell phone, a personal audio/video player, a video
game unit, a toy, etc. and it includes the corresponding
circuitry.
[0095] In this embodiment, the RFID tags 48, 50, 52 include
information regarding the wireless power requirements and
capabilities of the devices 12-14 and of the WP TX unit 10. For
instance, the information may include the communication protocol to
use (e.g., one or more of the standardized protocols 40, 44 or one
or more of the proprietary protocols 42, 46), the wireless power
frequency spectrum, impedance matching information, battery
charging requirements, etc. The RFID readers and tags 48, 50, 52
may be active or passive devices and may use backscattering to
communicate. As such, the devices 12-14 initially communicate with
the WP TX unit 10 to exchange set up information and, once set up,
the devices 12-14 communicate with the WP TX unit 10 via the WP
transceivers 20, 24, 30.
[0096] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system that includes a wireless power (WP)
transmit (TX) unit 10 and one or more devices 12-14. The WP TX unit
10 includes a processing module 18, an RFID (radio frequency
identification) tag and/or reader 48, and a power TX circuit 16.
Each device 12-14 includes a WP receive (RX) circuit 22, 28, a
processing module 26, 32, and an RFID tag and/or reader 50, 52. The
device 12-14 will most likely include a plurality of other
components depending on its desired functionality. For example, the
device may be a cell phone, a personal audio/video player, a video
game unit, a toy, etc. and it includes the corresponding
circuitry.
[0097] In this embodiment, the RFID tags 48, 50, 52 include
information regarding the wireless power requirements and
capabilities of the devices 12-14 and of the WP TX unit 10. For
instance, the information may include the communication protocol to
use (e.g., one or more of the standardized protocols 54 or one or
more of the proprietary protocols 56), the wireless power frequency
spectrum, impedance matching information, battery charging
requirements, etc. In addition to exchanging set up information,
the WP TX unit 10 and the devices 12-14 use the RFID tags and
readers 48, 50, 52 as the primary communication means between them.
Note that the RFID readers and tags 48, 50, 52 may be active or
passive devices and may use backscattering to communicate.
[0098] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system that includes the WP TX unit 10 and a
device 58. The device 58 includes the power receiver circuit 62, a
battery charger 64, a battery 66, a DC-to-DC converter 68, the
processing module 70, memory 72, a plurality of input/output (I/O)
modules 74, a plurality of circuit modules 76-78, a clock
generation unit 80, and a power management unit 82. Note that the
device 58 may be one of the devices 12-14 of FIGS. 1-3.
[0099] In an example of operation, after the WP TX unit 10 and the
device 58 have established communication, the WP TX unit 10
generates a magnetic field that is received by the power receiver
circuit 62, which is integrated into device 58. This will be
discussed in greater detail with reference to one or more of the
subsequent figures. The power receiver circuit 62 generates an AC
voltage from the magnetic field, rectifies the AC voltage to
produce a rectified voltage, and filters to the rectified voltage
to produce a DC voltage rail (e.g., V+ and V-). The power receiver
circuit 62 may be tuned based on control signals provided by the
processing module 70. The tuning includes adjusting one or more
electromagnetic properties, such as the quality factor of the
circuit, adjusting impedance, current limiting, etc., of the
magnetic field and/or the wireless power receiver circuit 62.
[0100] The battery charger 64 converts the DC voltage rail into a
battery charge voltage, which it provides to the battery 66. The
battery charger 64 monitors the charging to insure proper charging
in accordance with the type of battery and, once the battery 66 is
charged, may implement a trickle charge. Note that the processing
module 70 may provide control signals to the battery charger 64 to
regulate the charging in accordance with the type of battery.
[0101] The DC-to-DC converter 68 converts the battery voltage
(e.g., 1.5 volts, 4.2 volts, etc.) into one or more supply voltages
(e.g., 1 volt, 2.2 volts, 3.3 volts, 5 volts, 12 volts, etc.). The
DC-to-DC converter 68 provides the supply voltages to one or more
of the other modules 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 under the direction of
the power management module 82. In general, the power management
module 82 functions to control power consumption by the device 58
to an optimal level (e.g., balancing of performance and battery
life). In this regard, the power management module 82 may treat
each module 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 as a separate power island that
can be individually controlled. For example, when a circuit module
76-78 is inactive, the power management module 82 may remove power
from the circuit module 76-78. As another example, the power
management module 82 may reduce the voltage provided to a circuit
module 76-78 when the circuit module 76-78 does not need to operate
at its maximum potential.
[0102] In addition to controlling the supply voltage to each power
island, the power management module 82 may control the clock
signals provided to each circuit module 76-78 that uses a clock
signal. For example, when a circuit is idle, the power management
module 82 may provide a reduced supply voltage to the circuit
module 76-78, but disable the clock signal provided to the circuit
module 76-78. In this way, minimal power is consumed, but the
circuit module 76-78 may be quickly activated when it is needed. As
another example, the power management module 82 may reduce the
frequency of a clock signal for a circuit module 76-78 when the
circuit module 76-78 does not need to operate at its maximum
potential.
[0103] The plurality of circuit modules 76-78 provides at least
some of the functionality for the device 58. For example, if the
device is a cell phone, the circuit modules 76-78 may provide a
digital image capture function, a digital image display function,
an audio file playback function, a data messaging function, a voice
call function, etc. The plurality of input/output (I/O) modules 74
provides the interface to the user input/output components (e.g.,
speaker, microphone, display, buttons, etc.) of the device 58. For
example, a circuit module may generate outbound data (e.g., a
captured digital image). The processing module processes the
outbound data to produce processed data (e.g., generates a digital
image file) and provides the processed outbound data to an
input/output module for display on a peripheral output component
(e.g., an LCD display).
[0104] As another example, an input/output module may receive
inbound data (e.g., a place call command) from a peripheral input
component (e.g., keypad of the device) and provide it to the
processing module. The processing module processes the inbound data
to produce processed inbound data (e.g., retrieve the phone number
of the target identified in the call command). The processing
module provides the processed inbound data to a circuit module,
which performs a function on the processed inbound data (e.g.,
places the call to the target).
[0105] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
portion of a wireless power system that includes the power
transmitter circuit 84 and the power receiver circuit 86. The power
transmitter circuit 84 includes a coil (i.e., an inductor), a
rectify and regulate circuit 88, an impedance matching and
excitation circuit 90, a processing module 92, and an RF and/or MMW
transceiver 94. The power receiver circuit 86 includes a coil, an
impedance matching and rectify circuit 96, a regulate circuit 98,
and an RF and/or MMW transceiver 100. The power receiver circuit 86
is coupled to the battery charger 104 and the processing module
102. In this regard, the power receiver circuit 84 is readily
integrated into the device and uses components of the device (e.g.,
the processing module 102). As such, the power receiver circuit 86
is not a standalone component coupled to the device, but an
integral part of the device. Note that the device 12, 14, 58 will
typically include a housing, which houses the power receiver
circuit 86, the battery charger 104, the battery 106, and the
RF/MMW transceiver 100, the processing module 102, and the
components as shown in FIG. 4.
[0106] In an example of operation, the rectify and regulate circuit
of the power transceiver circuit 84 converts an AC voltage (e.g.,
110 VAC, 220 VAC, etc.) into a DC voltage (e.g., 160 VDC, 320 VDC,
etc.). The impedance matching and excitation circuit 90 couple the
TX power coil to the DC voltage in an alternating pattern (e.g., a
full bridge inverter, a half bridge inverter) at a given frequency
(e.g., 10 MHz, etc.). The impedance matching allows the LC circuit
of the capacitor and coil to be tuned to a desired resonant
frequency and to have a desired quality factor. For example, the LC
circuit may be tuned to resonant at the excitation rate.
[0107] The coil of the power RX 86 unit is proximal to the coil of
the TX unit 84 to receive the magnetic field created by the TX coil
and to create an AC voltage therefrom. The LC circuit of the RX
coil and capacitor may be tuned to have a desired resonance and/or
a desired quality factor. The impedance matching and rectify
circuit 96 rectifies the AC voltage of the RX coil to produce a DC
rail voltage that is regulated via the regulation circuit. The
remainder of the diagram functions as previously discussed and/or
as will be subsequently discussed.
[0108] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wirelessly powered device 108 that includes the power RX circuit
110, an RF and/or MMW data processing module 112 (which may be
implemented within the processing module) and the RF and/or MMW
transceiver 114. The RF and/or MMW data processing module 112
includes an outbound symbol conversion module 116, a baseband
control module 118, a transceiver control module 120, and an
inbound symbol conversion module 122. The RF and/or MMW transceiver
114 includes a transmitter 124 and a receiver 126. The transmitter
124 includes a low IF (e.g., 0 to a few MHz) bandpass filter 128, a
mixing module 130, a power amplifier (PA) 132, and an RF bandpass
filter 134. The receiver 126 includes an RF bandpass filter 136, a
low noise amplifier (LNA) 138, a mixing module 140, and a low IF
bandpass filter 142. If the transmitter 124 and receiver 126 share
an antenna, the transceiver 114 further includes a TX/RX isolation
circuit 144 (e.g., a circulator, a transformer balun, a TX/RX
switch, etc.).
[0109] In an example of operation, the data processing module 112
configures itself based on the communication protocol being
implemented and the corresponding data modulation. In addition, the
transceiver control module provides control signals to the
transceiver 114 to adjust one or more of the components thereof
based on the protocol being implemented. In this regard, the data
processing module 112 and the transceiver 114 may be configured to
implement one or more of the standard communication protocols
and/or one or more of the proprietary communication protocols. Note
that the device 108 may include one or more configurable RF/MMW
data processing modules 112 and/or one or more configurable RF/MMW
transceivers 114.
[0110] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
portion of a wireless power system that includes the power
transmitter circuit 144 and the power receiver circuit 146. The
power transmitter circuit 144 includes a rectify and regulate
circuit 148, an impedance matching and excitation circuit 150, a
processing module 152, an NFC modulator/demodulator 154, and an NFC
coil 156. The power receiver circuit 146 includes an impedance
matching and rectify circuit 158, a regulate circuit 160, an NFC
modulator/demodulator 162, and an NFC coil 164. The power receiver
circuit 146 is coupled to the battery charger (not shown in figure)
and the processing module 166.
[0111] In an example of operation, the rectify and regulate circuit
148 of the power transmitter circuit 144 converts an AC voltage
(e.g., 110 VAC, 220 VAC, etc.) into a DC voltage (e.g., 160 VDC,
320 VDC, etc.). The impedance matching and excitation circuit 150
couple the TX power coil to the DC voltage in an alternating
pattern (e.g., a full bridge inverter, a half bridge inverter) at a
given frequency (e.g., 10 MHz, etc.). The impedance matching allows
the LC circuit of the capacitor and coil to be tuned to a desired
resonant frequency and to have a desired quality factor. For
example, the LC circuit may be tuned to resonant at the excitation
rate.
[0112] The coil of the power receiver circuit 146 is proximal to
the coil of the transmitter circuit 144 to receive the magnetic
field created by the TX coil and to create an AC voltage therefrom.
The LC circuit of the RX coil and capacitor may be tuned to have a
desired resonance and/or a desired quality factor. The impedance
matching and rectify circuit 158 rectifies the AC voltage of the RX
coil to produce a DC rail voltage that is regulated via the
regulation circuit 160.
[0113] The device communicates to the power transmitter circuit 144
via NFC (near field communication) 170. For example, when the
device has data to convey to the power transmitter circuit 144, the
processing module 166 generates the data, which it provides to the
NFC modulator/demodulator 162. The NFC mod/demodulator 162
modulates the data at a given frequency (e.g., 13 MHz, 900 MHz,
etc.) that drives the NFC coil 164. The NFC coil 164 creates a
magnetic field that is received by the NFC coil 156 of the power
transmitter circuit 144. The NFC mod/demod unit 154 demodulates the
signal produced by the NFC coil 156 to recover the transmitted
data, which is provided to the processing module 152. Data from the
power transmitter circuit 144 to the device is processed in a
similar manner.
[0114] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a portion of a wireless power system that includes the power
transmitter circuit 172 and the power receiver circuit 174. The
power transmitter circuit 172 includes a rectify and regulate
circuit 176, an impedance matching and excitation circuit 178, a
processing module 190, an NFC modulator/demodulator 188, 200, and a
share WP & NFC coil 202. The power receiver circuit 174
includes an impedance matching and rectify circuit 204, a regulate
circuit 206, an NFC modulator/demodulator 216, 220, and an NFC coil
222. The power receiver circuit 174 is coupled to the battery
charger (not shown in figure) and the processing module 218.
[0115] In an example of operation, the rectify and regulate circuit
176 of the power transmitter circuit 172 converts an AC voltage
(e.g., 110 VAC, 220 VAC, etc.) into a DC voltage (e.g., 160 VDC,
320 VDC, etc.). The impedance matching and excitation circuit 178
couple the TX power coil 202 to the DC voltage in an alternating
pattern (e.g., a full bridge inverter, a half bridge inverter) at a
given frequency (e.g., 10 MHz, etc.). The impedance matching allows
the LC circuit of the capacitor and coil to be tuned to a desired
resonant frequency and to have a desired quality factor. For
example, the LC circuit may be tuned to resonant at the excitation
rate.
[0116] The coil 202 of the power receiver circuit 174 is proximal
to the coil 222 of the power transmitter circuit 172 to receive the
magnetic field created by the TX coil 202 and to create an AC
voltage therefrom. The LC circuit of the RX coil 222 and capacitor
may be tuned to have a desired resonance and/or a desired quality
factor. The impedance matching and rectify circuit 204 rectifies
the AC voltage of the RX coil 222 to produce a DC rail voltage that
is regulated via the regulation circuit.
[0117] The device communicates with the WP TX unit via NFC (near
field communication) using the shared WP & NFC coils 202, 222.
For example, when the device has data to convey to the WP TX unit,
the processing module 218 generates the data, which it provides the
NFC data modulator 216. The NFC modulator 216 modulates the data at
a given frequency (e.g., 13 MHz, 900 MHz, etc.) to produce an
amplitude component (A(t)) 212 and a phase component (<1>(t))
214. The phase component 214 adjusts the phase of an oscillation
(cos co(t)) to produce a phase adjusted oscillation
(cos(co(t)+<1>(t))) 210. The power amplifier 208 amplifies
the phase adjusted oscillation 210 by the amplitude component 212
to produce an amplitude modulated and phase adjusted signal (A(t)
cos(co(t)+<1>(t))). The signal is AC coupled to the shared WP
& NFC coil 222 for conveyance to the WP TX unit.
[0118] The shared coil 202 of the WP TX unit receives the signal
(e.g., Ao cos(COo(t))*A(t) cos(co(t)+<1>(t)), where Ao is the
amplitude of the WP signal and coo corresponds to the frequency of
the WP signal). The NFC signal component is AC coupled to the data
demodulator 200 and the WP component is provided to the impedance
matching circuit 178. The data demodulator 200 recovers the data
from the amplitude component 186 and the phase component 184 and
provides the data to the processing module 190.
[0119] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
a wireless power system that includes the WP TX unit 226 and a
device 228. The device 228 includes the WP coil 230, the power RX
circuit 232, the battery charger 234, the battery 236, a
multiplexer 238 or the like, the DC-to-DC converter 240, the
processing module 242, the IO interface modules 244, the memory
246, the power management unit 248, an NFC power recovery module
252, and/or an RF/MMW power recovery module 250.
[0120] In an example of operation, when the battery 236 is dead or
near dead and as insufficient power to power minimal circuitry to
facilitate battery charging, the NFC power recovery module 252
and/or RF/MMW power recovery module 250 generate an emergency
voltage to provide the energy to initiate battery charging. Once
energy is being received from the WP TX unit 226, the emergency
supply generators may be disabled and the supply voltage V1 may be
used to power the device 228 during charging and/or after charging
is complete (i.e., in a trickle charge mode). Note that as long as
WP energy is being received, the device 228 may be powered by V1 or
another voltage derived from the WP energy.
[0121] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wirelessly powered device 254 that includes the processing
module 256, the rectify and impedance matching circuit (e.g.,
capacitors and diodes) 258, the RX coil 260, a buck &/or boost
converter 262, a trickle charge circuit 264, a battery 266, and a
battery current sensor 268. The processing module 256 implements a
battery charger controller 270, a boost controller 272, a buck
controller 274, an impedance matching control 280, and an RF/MMW
and/or NFC data processing module 276. The processing module 256
may further implement the power management unit 282. Note that the
processing module 256 may be fabricated on a single integrated
circuit or on a multiple integrated circuit with one or more of the
components of the converter 262, the rectifier circuit 258, the
trickle charge circuit 264, and/or the battery current sense
268.
[0122] In an example of operation, the RX coil 260 (which may
include one or more adjustable inductors) receives a magnetic field
from the WP TX unit and creates an AC voltage therefrom. The
adjustable capacitor is tuned (alone in conjunction with the RX
coil 260) to a desired resonance, impedance, and/or quality factor
to facilitate the creation of the AC voltage. The full bridge
rectifier (e.g., the diodes) rectify the AC voltage to produce a
rectified voltage that is filtered by the capacitor to produce a DC
rail voltage (e.g., 3-20 volts).
[0123] The buck and/or boost converter 262 is enabled in a buck
converter mode when the DC voltage rail is to be stepped down to
produce battery charge voltage (and the supply voltage Vdd for the
device) and is enabled in boost converter mode when the DC rail
voltage is to be stepped up to produce the battery charge voltage
(and the supply voltage Vdd). Note that when the buck and/or boost
converter 262 is in the boost mode, the buck transistor is enabled.
Further note that the buck and/or boost converter 262 may include
multiple inductors, transistors, diodes, and capacitors to produce
multiple supply voltages.
[0124] When the battery 266 is charging, the battery charge control
module 270 monitors the battery current and voltage to insure
charging is in accordance with the charging requirements of the
battery 266. When the battery 266 is charged, the battery 266 is
disconnected from the converter 262 (which may be disabled or
enabled to provide Vdd) and the battery 266 may be trickle charged.
Note that when the WP is lost, the battery 266 is coupled to
provide the power for the device 254.
[0125] FIG. 11 is an example state diagram of a processing module
of a wirelessly powered device 12-14, 58 that includes six states
286: idle 284, charge set up 288, charge 290, trickle charge 292,
WP operated-power management 294, and battery operated-power
management 296. The device starts in the idle state 284 and waits
to detect the WP TX unit, WP operation enablement, or battery
operation enablement. The device may be in one of the charge states
286 and the WP operated-power management state 294
concurrently.
[0126] When the device detects the WP TX unit (e.g., via RFID
communication, via control channel communication, via sensing a
magnetic field, etc.), the device transitions from the idle state
284 to the charge set up state 288. When in the charge set up state
288, the device functions as referenced in FIGS. 12 and/or 13,
which will be subsequently discussed. The device transitions back
to the idle state 284 if the set up failed, which may result from
failing to establish a control channel communication, the WP TX
unit not being able to currently service the device, circuit
damage, a bad battery, or loss of connection.
[0127] The device transitions to the charge state 290 when the
charge set up is complete. While in the charge state 290, the
device functions as referenced in FIGS. 14 and/or 15, which will be
subsequently discussed. The device transitions to the idle state
284 if the charging failed or the charging is complete and the
battery does not require a trickle charge. If the charging is
complete and the battery will be trickled charge, the device
transitions to the trickle charge state 292. The device stays in
this state until a failure occurs (e.g., loss of connection with
the WP TX unit) or until the trickle charge is complete. In either
event, the device transitions back to the idle state 284.
[0128] When the device is enabled for operation, the device
transitions to the WP operated-power manage state 294 when the
device is enabled and is connected to the WP TX unit. While in this
state, the device functions as referenced in FIG. 16, which will be
subsequently discussed. The device transitions back to the idle
state 284 when the device is disabled (e.g., turned off, placed in
a sleep mode, etc.). Note that while the device is in this state,
it may also be in one of the charge states.
[0129] The device transitions from the WP operated state 294 to the
battery operated-power manage state 296 when the device is
disconnected from the WP TX unit. The device may also enter the
battery-operated state 296 from the idle state 284 when the device
is enabled and not connected to the WP TX unit. While in this
state, the device functions as referenced in FIG. 17, which will be
subsequently discussed. The device transitions back to the WP
operated state 294 when the device is again connected to the WP TX
unit. The device transitions back to the idle state 284 when the
device is disabled (e.g., turned off, sleep mode, low battery,
etc.).
[0130] In an embodiment, the device may include an integrated
circuit (IC) that includes at least a portion of a wireless power
receiver circuit 86 (e.g., an on-chip coil, an on-chip variable
capacitor, components of the impedance matching & rectify
circuit 96 (diodes of the rectify circuit may be off-chip), and
components of the regulation circuit 98), a transceiver, and a
processing module. The wireless power receiver circuit converts the
electromagnetic signal into a voltage and the transceiver, when
operable, transceives a control channel communication.
[0131] The processing module is operable to transition the device
from an idle state to a charge state when a wireless power
transmitter unit is detected. The processing module is further
operable to transition the device from the idle state to a wireless
power operated state when a wireless power transmit circuit is
detected and the device is enabled. The processing module is still
further operable to transition the device from the idle state to a
battery operated state when the device is enabled and the wireless
power transmit circuit is not detected.
[0132] Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the processing
module may be operable to detect availability of the wireless power
transmitter unit via the control channel communication. The
processing module may then, when the wireless power transmitter
unit is available, determine battery charging needs and whether the
device is active. The processing module may then, when the battery
charging needs compares unfavorable to a threshold, initiate
battery charging using the voltage. The processing may, when the
device is active, enable wireless power operation and, when the
wireless power transmitter is not available, enable battery
operated mode for the device.
[0133] FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a charge set up state 298 that begins with the device working with
the WP TX unit to select a standardized communication protocol 300.
Examples of the communication protocols were presented with
reference to FIGS. 1-3. Note this step may begin by assuming a
default communication protocol (e.g., RFID, Bluetooth, etc.) to
initiate communication and then, once communication is established,
selecting another communication protocol. The method continues with
the device determining whether the device is synchronized via a
control channel with the WP TX unit 302. In other words, is a
useable control channel established between the device and the WP
TX unit? If yes, the method continues with the device establishing
a control channel communication with the WP TX unit 304 and exiting
the state 306.
[0134] If a control channel is not established, the method
continues with the device determining whether it has exhausted its
standardized communication protocols 308 (e.g., the ones it is
capable of executing). If not, the process repeats with the device
selecting another standardized protocol 300. If the standardized
protocols are exhausted, the method continues with the device
selecting a proprietary communication protocol 310. Note that the
method may begin with proprietary protocols and if they are
exhausted, then try standardized protocols. Further note that there
may be no distinction between a standard protocol and a proprietary
protocol such that the method attempts to find a useable protocol
regardless of whether it is a standard or proprietary protocol.
[0135] The method continues with the device determining whether the
device is synchronized via a control channel with the WP TX unit
using the proprietary protocol 312. If yes, the method continues
with the device establishing a control channel communication with
the WP TX unit 314 using the proprietary protocol and exiting the
state 318.
[0136] If a control channel is not established using a proprietary
protocol, the method continues with the device determining whether
it has exhausted its proprietary communication protocols 316 (e.g.,
the ones it is capable of executing). If not, the process repeats
with the device selecting another proprietary protocol 310. If the
proprietary protocols are exhausted, the method continues with the
device exiting this state due to a failure 318.
[0137] FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for a charge set up state 320 that begins with the device reading
an RFID tag of the WP TX unit 322 to determine a desired control
channel protocol. The method continues with the device determining
whether it is capable of executing the desired control channel
protocol 324. If yes, the method continues with the device
establishing a control channel communication with the WP TX unit
326 and exiting the state 328.
[0138] If the device does not have the desired control channel
protocol, the method continues with the device determining whether
it includes the hardware to support the desired control channel
protocol 330. For example, does it include the NFC circuitry, the
RF circuitry, and/or the MMW circuitry to support the operating
frequency, power requirements, transmission range, etc. of the
desired control channel protocol. If yes, then the device is
lacking the desired control channel protocol software and the
method continues with the device downloading the software for the
desired control channel protocol 332. After the device has the
software, the method continues with the device establishing a
control channel communication with the WP TX unit 326.
[0139] If the device does not have the hardware to support the
desired control channel protocol, the method continues with the
device determining whether it can use RFID as the control channel
protocol with the WP TX unit 334. In an embodiment, the device
requests that they use RFID, if the WP TX unit agrees, then the
method continues with the device using RFID for the control channel
with the WP TX unit 336. If the device cannot use RFID for the
control channel, then the device exits the state due to a failure
338.
[0140] FIG. 14 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a charge state 340 that begins with the device determining the
level of its battery 342 (e.g., the battery life left based on the
battery type, the power demands of the device, etc.). The method
continues with the device determining if the battery needs charging
344-346. For example, has the power capacity of the battery been
drained below a threshold, which may be based on battery life, not
being fully charged, and/or some other criteria.
[0141] The method branches back to the beginning if the battery
does not need charging and branches to the next step if it does. At
the next step, the device communicates with the WP TX unit to
determine one or more of: impedance matching settings, operating
frequency, power level, number of coils, etc 348. The method
continues with the device determining whether it needs to adjust
one or more of the impedance of its power RX circuit, the operating
frequency of the power RX circuit, the power level, etc. and making
the appropriate adjustments as needed 350.
[0142] The method continues with the device setting charging
parameters 352 (e.g., Vdd, current limits, trickle level, charge
time intervals, etc.). The method continues with the device
charging the battery and monitoring the charging 354 (e.g., the
charging current and/or the charging voltage). The device also
determines whether it is still in range of the WP TX unit 356. If
so, the method continues with the device determining whether the
charging is complete 358. If not, the process continues by setting
(i.e., adjusting if needed in subsequent repetitions of the loop)
the charging parameters 348. If the device is out of range, the
method continues with the device exiting this state due to a
failure 360. The device also exits this state 360 if the battery is
charged.
[0143] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of a graph of charge need
versus charge efficiency that may be used by the device to
determine whether charging is needed as mentioned in the logic
diagram of FIG. 14. As can be inferred by the diagram of FIG. 15,
the determination of whether charging is needed is a sliding scale
that varies based on battery life and charging efficiency. As such,
when the battery life is high, don't charge the battery unless it
can be done efficiently. As the battery life diminishes, the need
to charge it is greater, which, at some point, outweighs the
desired for the charging to be done efficiently.
[0144] FIG. 16 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a wirelessly powered power management state 362 that begins with
the device determining whether the battery needs charging 364. If
not, the method continues with the device disconnecting the battery
from the charger 366. The device may engage a trickle charge if
desired or required per the battery charging requirements. The
method continues with the device determining the activation status
of the circuit modules 368 (e.g., disabled, active, idle, etc.).
The method continues with the device determining clock signals for
the active circuit modules 370 (e.g., select clock rate to just
meet operational needs, which will typically be less than a maximum
clock rate).
[0145] The method continues with the device determining supply
voltages for the active and idle circuit modules 372. For example,
the device may set the power levels for idle circuit modules at a
level to provide just enough energy to determine whether the
circuit module is to remain in the idle state or transition into an
active state. As another example, the device may set the power
level for active circuits modules to a level just sufficient enough
for the circuit module to perform its task, which will typically be
less than a maximum power level.
[0146] The method continues with the device enabling the clock
signals for the active circuits and providing the selected power
levels to the active and idle circuit modules 374. The method
continues with the device determining whether it is still connected
to the WP TX unit 376. If yes, the method repeats from the
beginning. If not, the method continues with the device exiting the
state 378. Note that in this state, power management of the device
is a less critical task than when the device is battery operated.
As such, the setting of the clock signal rates and power levels may
be set near maximum values to enhance performance.
[0147] FIG. 17 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
a battery powered power management state 380 that begins with the
device disconnecting the battery from the charger and connecting it
as the primary power source 382. The method continues with the
device determining activation status of the circuit modules 384
(e.g., disabled, active, idle, etc.). The method continues with the
device determining, for each active circuit module, a minimum
acceptable clock signal and a minimum acceptable supply voltage 386
(e.g., Vdd).
[0148] The method continues with the device enabling generation of
the minimum acceptable clock signals by the clock generator and the
minimum acceptable supply voltages by the converter 388. The method
continues with the device determining, for each idle circuit
module, a minimum acceptable idle supply voltage and no clock
signal 390. The method continues with the device enabling
generation of the idle supply voltage by the converter 392. The
method continues with the device determining whether it is still in
the battery mode 394. If yes, the method repeats. If not, the
device exits this state 396.
[0149] FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system that includes the WP TX unit 398 and a
plurality of RX power circuits 400-402. In this embodiment, the WP
TX unit 398 includes a plurality of coils 404-406 and impedance
matching & excitation circuits, 408-410 where a TX coil 404-406
may be allocated to a RX power circuit 400-402 of a device. Each
matching of a TX coil 404-406 to an RX power circuit 400-402 may
operate at a unique frequency to minimize interference. Further,
the power provided by each TX coil 404-406 may be limited due to a
power allocation function of the WP TX unit 398. For example, if
the WP TX unit 398 has a maximum output power of 100 Watts and it
is coupled to six RX units 400-402, each wanting 20 Watts, the WP
TX unit allocates power to the six RX units 400-402 based an
allocation scheme (e.g., equal sharing, prioritized sharing, need
based, etc.).
[0150] The WP TX unit 398 further includes a processing module 412
and a data channel transceiver 414 (RF, MMW, and/or NFC) to
communicate with the corresponding transceivers 418-422 of the RX
power circuits 400-402. In this manner, the communication protocol
includes provisions to support multiple communications.
[0151] In this embodiment, the transmit unit processing module 412
(which may be the same as previously discussed processing modules)
functions to determine a number of transmit unit coils. The
processing module then determines a number of proximal wireless
power receive units of the plurality of wireless power receive
units. The processing module continues by determining whether the
number of transmit unit coils is equal to or greater than the
number of proximal wireless power receive units. When the number of
transmit unit coils is equal to or greater than the number of
proximal wireless power receive units, the processing module
continues by determining pairings of a transmit unit coil of the
transmit unit coils to a wireless power receive unit of the
proximal wireless power receive units. The processing module
continues by determining, for each of the pairings, at least one of
frequency allocation and power allocation.
[0152] When the number of transmit unit coils is less than the
number of proximal wireless power receive units, the processing
module continues by determining an affiliation of one of the
transmit unit coils and at least two of the proximal wireless power
receive units. The processing module continues by determining
sharing parameters of the one of the transmit unit coils by the at
least two of the proximal wireless power receive units. Sharing the
transmit coil(s) will be discussed in greater detail with reference
to FIG. 19.
[0153] FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system that includes the WP TX unit 422 and a
plurality of RX power circuits 424-426. In this embodiment, the WP
TX unit 422 includes a TX coil 428 and an impedance matching &
excitation circuit 430, where the RX power circuits 424-426 share
the TX coil 428. The sharing of the TX coil 428 may be concurrent
and/or sequential. For example, if the RX coil 436, 440 of multiple
RX power circuits 424-426 is in range of the magnetic field
generated by the TX coil 428, then multiple RX power circuits
424-426 may be concurrently enabled. In this instance, power
limiting may be required based on the power capabilities of the WP
TX unit 422 and the power requirements of the RX power circuits
424-426.
[0154] When the TX coil 428 is shared in a sequential manner, each
RX power circuit 424-426 needing wireless power is provided time
divisional multiple access (TDMA) access to the TX coil 428. The
time slots of the TDMA allocation scheme may be the same size or of
different sizes. Also an RX power circuit 424-426 may be allocated
more than one time slot per TDMA frame.
[0155] When the TX coil 428 is shared in a concurrent and
sequential manner, the RX power circuit 424-426 may be grouped,
where, from group to group, there is TDMA access to the TX coil
428. Within a group, however, the access to the TX coil 428 is
concurrent. In this manner, a single TX coil 428 may support
multiple RX power circuits 424-426.
[0156] The WP TX unit 422 further includes a processing module 432
and a data channel transceiver 434 (RF, MMW, and/or NFC) to
communicate with the corresponding transceivers 438, 442 of the RX
power circuits 424-426. In this manner, the communication protocol
includes provisions to support multiple communications.
[0157] FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system that includes a plurality of WP TX units
444-446 and a plurality of RX power circuits 448-450. In this
embodiment, each WP TX unit 444-446 includes a TX coil 454, 460 and
an impedance matching & excitation circuit 452, 462 and may be
allocated to one of the RX power circuits 448-450. Each matching of
a WP TX unit 444-446 to an RX power circuit 448-450 may operate at
a unique frequency to minimize interference.
[0158] The WP TX unit 444-446 further includes a processing module
456, 464 and a data channel transceiver 458, 466 (RF, MMW, and/or
NFC) to communicate with the corresponding transceivers 470, 474 of
the RX power circuits 448, 450. In this manner, the communication
protocol includes provisions to support multiple
communications.
[0159] For a given geographic area (e.g., an office, a home, a
public internet cafe, etc.) may include one or more the WP system
of FIGS. 18-20, which would require communication between to the
system to minimize interference there between. In any of the
systems, an RX power circuit may be paired with a TX coil that
provides an efficient WP transfer. In this regard, allocation of RX
coil to an RX power circuit may change to make the overall system
more efficient.
[0160] FIG. 21 is a diagram of an example of frequency planning
within a wireless power system that includes one or more frequency
bands for wireless power (WP) transmissions (5-50 MHz), one or more
frequency bands for WP control channel communications (e.g., 2400
MHz, 5800 MHz, 60 GHz, etc.), and one or more frequency bands used
by the device based on the device function (e.g., 900 MHz, 1800
MHz, 60 GHz, etc.). Also shown are harmonics of the WP frequency
bands and that the device frequency bands may overlap or fully
coincide with the WP control channel frequency bands. Without some
frequency planning, unnecessary interference with the operation of
the device and/or the control channel communications may
result.
[0161] FIG. 22 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system to avoid harmonics of the
WP frequency bands interfering with the channels being use by the
device. In this example, the WP frequencies that produce harmonics
that coincide with the channels being used by the device are
avoided, thus avoiding the generation of interfering harmonics. The
WP TX unit may determine the channels being used by the device via
reading the RFID of the device, by control channel communication,
by frequency sweeping, and/or any other detection mechanism.
[0162] In this example, the channels being used by the device do
not overlap with the WP control channel frequency bands. Thus, any
channel within the WP control channel frequency band may be used
for WP control channel communications.
[0163] FIG. 23 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system to avoid harmonics of the
WP frequency bands interfering with the channels being use by the
device. In this example, the WP frequencies that produce harmonics
that coincide with the channels being used by the device are
avoided, thus avoiding the generation of interfering harmonics. The
WP TX unit may determine the channels being used by the device via
reading the RFID of the device, by control channel communication,
by frequency sweeping, and/or any other detection mechanism.
[0164] In this example, the channels being used by the device
overlap with the WP control channel frequency bands. Thus, the
overlapping WP control channels are avoided and a non-overlapping
channel of the WP control channel frequency band is used for WP
control channel communications.
[0165] FIG. 24 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system to avoid harmonics of the
WP frequency bands interfering with the channels being use by the
device. In this example, the device uses its entire frequency
spectrum (e.g., CDMA, spread spectrum, etc.) and overlap of WP
frequency harmonics with the channels being used by the device
cannot be avoided. In this instance, the power level of the TX
signals is lowered to reduce the harmonic interference.
[0166] In this example, the channels being used by the device
overlap with the WP control channel frequency bands. Thus, the
overlapping WP control channels are avoided and a non-overlapping
channel of the WP control channel frequency band is used for WP
control channel communications.
[0167] FIG. 25 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system that is supporting multiple
RX power circuits by multiple TX coils (e.g., one unit with
multiple coils and/or multiple WP TX units). As shown, each device
uses some, but not all, of the channels in the device frequency
band spectrum. This provides frequencies within the WP frequency
band to avoid. From the available frequencies, one or more channels
are selected for the first device and one or more channels are
selected for the second device.
[0168] In this example, the channels being used by the devices do
not overlap with the WP control channel frequency bands. Thus, any
channel within the WP control channel frequency band may be used
for WP control channel communications.
[0169] FIG. 26 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system that supports multiple
devices with a single TX coil. In this example, the above
interference issues apply with the further processing of TDMA
allocation of the TX coil to first and second devices. Note that,
from the device to device, the interference avoidance techniques
may vary from device to device. As such, what frequencies work to
avoid interference for one device may not be the same frequencies
that avoid interference for another device. Further note that
multiple coils may be used, where each coil supports multiple RX
units in this manner.
[0170] FIG. 27 is a diagram of another example of frequency
planning within a wireless power system that supports multiple
devices with a single TX coil. In this example, the above
interference issues apply with the further processing of TDMA and
FDMA (frequency division multiple access) allocation of the TX coil
to first and second devices. Note that, from the device to device,
the interference avoidance techniques may vary from device to
device. As such, what frequencies work to avoid interference for
one device may not be the same frequencies that avoid interference
for another device. Further note that multiple coils may be used,
where each coil supports multiple RX units in this manner.
[0171] FIG. 28 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
managing a wireless power system that begins with the WP TX unit
determining whether more than 1 device is being charged or is to be
charged 476. If not, method continues with the WP TX unit matching
the device with a WP TX unit in a multiple WP TX unit system or
with one of a plurality of TX coils of a WP TX unit 478. The
matching may be determined based on proximal location, efficiency
of magnetic coupling, power requirements, etc. The method repeats
from the beginning.
[0172] If there is more than 1 device to charge, the method
continues with the WP TX unit determining whether there is more
than 1 WP TX unit within the system 480. If not, the method
continues with the WP TX unit determining whether it has more than
1 TX coil 482. If not, the method continues with the WP TX unit
allocating the TX coil to one or more of the devices in a TDMA
manner, a TDMA-FDMA manner, based on priority need, based on power
limits, etc 484. The method continues with the WP TX unit
determining whether a device has been added or dropped from the
wireless power system 486 (e.g., is off, the battery is fully
charged, the device has moved out of range, etc.). The method
remains in this loop until a device is added or deleted from the
system.
[0173] If the WP TX unit determines that it includes more than 1 TX
coil, the method continues with the WP TX unit determining whether
there are more devices requesting wireless power service than the
number of TX coils it has 488. If not, the method continues with
the WP TX unit matching devices to coils based on one or more of
frequency, power, proximity, control channel communications,
availability, interference avoidance, etc 490. The method then
repeats at the step of adding or deleting a device from the system
486.
[0174] If the WP TX unit determines that there are more devices
requesting wireless power access than it has coils, the method
continues with the WP TX unit grouping the devices to share one or
more of its TX coils 492. The method then repeats at the step of
adding or deleting a device from the system 486.
[0175] If the WP TX unit determines that the system includes more
than one WP TX unit, the method continues with the WP TX units
coordinating to match the devices with one or more of the WP TX
units 494. The method continues with the WP TX unit(s) determining
whether, per WP TX unit, there are more devices allocated to it
than it has coils 496. If not, the method continues with the WP TX
unit(s) matching devices to TX coils 498. If there are more devices
than coil, the method continues with the WP TX unit grouping the
devices to share one or more of its TX coils 500. The method then
repeats at the step of adding or deleting a device from the system
486.
[0176] FIG. 29 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power system that begins with the WP TX
unit determining whether it is practical to avoid interference 502
(e.g., can apply one or more of the techniques previously
described). If yes, the method continues with the WP TX unit
applying one or more of the interference avoidance techniques 504
and the method repeats from the beginning.
[0177] If, however, it is not practical to avoid interference, the
method continues with the WP TX unit determining whether there are
one or more devices that are less sensitive to interference than
the other devices 506. If not, the method continues with the WP TX
unit balancing the impracticality of interference avoidance with
the interference mitigation techniques 508. For example, the power
may be reduced, charging rates may be changed to reduce power,
prioritization schemes may be adjusted, etc. The method continues
with the WP TX unit determining whether a device has been added to
or deleted from the system 510. If not, the loop repeats until a
device is added or deleted. When a device is added or deleted, the
method repeats at the beginning.
[0178] If the WP TX unit determines that there is at least one less
sensitive device 506, the method continues with the WP TX unit
grouping the devices based on their sensitivity 512. For example,
less sensitive devices are grouped together as are more sensitive
devices. The method continues with the WP TX unit applying
interference avoidance schemes for the more sensitive devices 514
and applying efficient charging schemes for the less sensitive
devices 516.
[0179] FIG. 30 is a diagram of an example of managing a wireless
power system where less interference sensitive devices are grouped
together as are more interference sensitive devices.
[0180] FIG. 31 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power system that begins with the WP TX
unit determining whether there is at least one device to charge
and/or requesting wireless power 518. If not, the method continues
with the WP TX unit entering a power savings mode 520. In this
mode, the WP TX unit does not provide power to its TX coils to
reduce power consumption. Also in this mode, the WP TX unit
provides sufficient power to the WP transceiver such that the
control channel remains active.
[0181] If there is at least one device to charge or requesting
wireless power, the method continues with the WP TX unit
determining whether there is more than one device to charge or
requesting wireless power 522. If not, the method continues with
the WP TX unit determining whether the charging and/or wireless
power needs of the device exceeds the power capabilities of the WP
TX unit 524. If not, the method continues with the WP TX unit
providing wireless power to the device to meet its charging needs
and/or wireless power needs 526.
[0182] The method continues with the WP TX unit determining whether
the device is charged and/or whether the device's wireless power
needs have been met 528. If yes, the method continues by
determining whether the device requires a trickle charge 530. If
yes, the method continues with the WP TX unit providing enough
wireless power to support a trickle charge 532. The method then
repeats at the power saving mode step 520. If, however, the device
does not require a trickle charge, the method repeats from the
beginning. If the device is not charged and/or the device's
wireless power needs have not been met, the method continues with
the WP TX unit determining whether a device is added or dropped
from the system 534. If not, the method repeats at the charge
device based on need step 526. If, however, a device is added or
dropped (e.g., the present device loses connection to the WP TX
unit) from the system, the method repeats from the beginning.
[0183] If the WP TX unit determines that the charging or wireless
power needs of the device exceeds its power capabilities, the
method continues with the WP TX unit adjusting the charging and/or
wireless power needs of the device to conform with the WP TX unit
capabilities 536. The method continues with the WP TX unit
providing wireless power to the device to charge its battery and/or
to meet is wireless power needs 538. The method continues with the
WP TX unit determining whether the device is charged and/or whether
the device's wireless power needs have been met based on the
adjusted wireless power needs 540. If yes, the method continues by
determining whether the device requires a trickle charge 530. If
yes, the method continues with the WP TX unit providing enough
wireless power to support a trickle charge 532. The method then
repeats at the power saving mode step 520. If, however, the device
does not require a trickle charge, the method repeats from the
beginning. If the device is not charged and/or the device's
wireless power needs have not been met in accordance with the
adjusted wireless power needs, the method continues with the WP TX
unit determining whether a device is added or dropped from the
system 542. If not, the method repeats at the charge device based
on need step 538. If, however, a device is added or dropped (e.g.,
the present device loses connection to the WP TX unit) from the
system, the method repeats from the beginning.
[0184] If the WP TX unit determines that there is more than one
device to charge and/or requesting wireless power, the method
continues with the WP TX unit determining cumulative wireless power
needs of the more than one devices and whether the needs exceeds
the capabilities of the WP TX unit 544. If not, the method
continues with the WP TX unit providing wireless power to the
devices for charging and/or for their wireless power requests based
on their respective needs 546. The method continues with the WP TX
unit determining whether one of the devices has been charged and/or
its wireless power needs have been met 548. If so, the method
continues with the WP TX unit providing wireless power to the
device to support a trickle charge mode 552 and the process repeats
at the determining more than 1 device step 522.
[0185] If the devices are not charged and/or the devices' wireless
power needs have not been met, the method continues with the WP TX
unit determining whether a device is added or dropped from the
system 550. If not, the method repeats at the charge devices based
on wireless power needs step 546. If, however, a device is added or
dropped (e.g., a device loses connection to the WP TX unit) from
the system, the method repeats from the beginning.
[0186] If the WP TX unit determines that the cumulative wireless
power needs exceeds its wireless power capabilities, the method
continues with the WP TX unit adjusting charging and/or wireless
power needs of the devices 554. This may be done unilaterally or
based on communication with the devices. The method continues with
the WP TX unit providing wireless power to the devices based on the
adjusted wireless power needs 556. The method continues with the WP
TX unit determining whether one of the devices has been charged
and/or its wireless power needs have been met 558. If so, the
method continues with the WP TX unit providing wireless power to
the device to support a trickle charge mode 552 and the process
repeats at the determining more than 1 device step 522.
[0187] If the devices are not charged and/or the devices' wireless
power needs have not been met, the method continues with the WP TX
unit determining whether a device is added or dropped from the
system 560. If not, the method repeats at the charge devices based
on wireless power needs step 556. If, however, a device is added or
dropped (e.g., a device loses connection to the WP TX unit) from
the system, the method repeats from the beginning.
[0188] FIG. 32 is a diagram of an example of power transmit
frequency spectrum for a wireless power system. In this example,
the WP TX unit frequency spectrum includes a plurality of
frequencies equally spaced. The frequencies may represent a single
carrier frequency or a channel (e.g., a range of frequencies). The
WP TX unit may include one coil circuit that is tunable to at least
some of the frequencies in its frequency spectrum or includes a
plurality of TX coil circuits that are tunable to at least two
frequencies in the frequency spectrum. In an embodiment, the WP TX
unit may transmit its frequency spectrum pattern on the control
channel and/or via an RFID message.
[0189] FIG. 33 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power system that begins with the device
determining the TX WP frequencies within the WP TX frequency
spectrum that the WP TX unit is capable of using 560. For example,
the device may receive the control channel and/or RFID message that
indicates the WP TX frequencies and/or may perform a frequency scan
to identify the TX WP frequencies. The method continues with the
device identifying potential frequencies that it may use to meet
its wireless power needs 562. The devices flag such frequencies as
candidate frequencies.
[0190] The method continues with the device entering a loop 564.
The loop begins with the device selecting one of the candidate
frequencies from the list of candidate frequencies previously
created 566. The method continues with the device determining
whether there are loss issues for this candidate frequency 568.
Loss issues include poor magnetic coupling, magnetic field
interference, interference with operation of the device,
interference with control channel communication, and/or any other
factor that would result in a less than optimal magnetic coupling
with the WP TX unit and/or less than optimal performance of the
device.
[0191] If the device determines that the current candidate
frequency does not have a loss issue, the device determines the
efficiency of using the candidate frequency 570, which may include
determining magnetic coupling efficiency, with tunable range of
devices RX coil and impedance matching circuitry, etc. The device
records this information. If, however, the device determines that
there is a loss issue, the device removes this candidate frequency
from the list 572. In either event, the method continues with the
device determining whether it has analyzed all or a desired number
of the candidate frequencies 574. If not, the loop is repeated for
another candidate frequency 566. If yes, the method continues with
the device exiting the loop 576.
[0192] After exiting the loop, the device selects one of the
remaining candidate frequencies to use to meet its wireless power
needs 578. The method continues with the device communicating its
selection of a frequency to the WP TX unit 580. The method
continues with the device determining whether the WP TX unit has
acknowledged the use of the selected frequency 582. If not, the
device determines whether a time out period has expired 584. If
not, the device waits in a loop for an ACK 582 or for the time out
to expire. If the time out expires, the device selects another
frequency 578 and repeats the process. If the WP TX unit
acknowledges the selected frequency, the method continues with the
device tuning is RX power circuit to the selected frequency
586.
[0193] FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system that includes the WP TX unit 588 and the
device 590. In this diagram, a magnetic object 592 (e.g., keys,
magnetic, etc.) is proximal to the WP TX unit 588 and the device
590 such that it may interfere with the magnetic coupling between
the TX coil 594 and the RX coil 596. When this is the situation,
the WP TX unit 588 and the device 590 attempt to mitigate the
adverse affects of the magnetic object 592. For example, the WP TX
unit 588 and the device 590 may change the operating frequency,
change the orientation of the magnetic field, issue a message
indicating repositioning of the device 590, use a different TX
coil, use a different RX coil, and/or increase the magnetic field
to saturate the object. If no viable solution exists, issue a
message on the device 590 to move the magnetic object 592 and do
not enable wireless power until the interferer is moved.
[0194] The WP TX unit 588 and/or the device 590 may determine the
presence of an interferer by determining that the actual magnetic
coupling is noticeably less than the expected magnetic coupling. In
addition or as an alternative, the device 590 includes an RF radar
circuit 598 that performs an RF radar sweep of the device's 590
proximal area. The RF radar response can be used to determine the
type of material of the object 592 (e.g., metal, organic, etc.) and
the relative position of the object 592. For these reference
points, the device 590 can calculate whether the object 592 will
adversely affect the magnetic coupling between the WP TX unit 588
and the device 590.
[0195] FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
wireless keyboard 602, a wireless mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a
personal audio/video (A/V) player 608, an external hard drive 610,
and potentially other peripheral computer devices (e.g., joy stick,
touch pad, track ball, speakers, etc.). The computer 600 may be a
laptop, a panel display computer (e.g., a tablet), a conventional
computer, etc. and includes a wireless power module.
[0196] In this embodiment, the computer 600 is powered wirelessly
via the power transmitter circuit 612 (i.e., a WP TX unit) and
provides wireless power to the peripheral components (e.g.,
keyboard 602, mouse 604, cell phone 606, personal AV player 608,
hard drive 610, etc.). The peripheral devices 602-610 may be
wirelessly powered concurrently from the computer 600 and/or
sequentially. Each of the peripheral devices 602-610 wirelessly
communicates with the computer 600 using conventional wireless
communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) and/or uses the WP
control channel.
[0197] While FIG. 35 illustrates a computer system, the concepts
apply to a more generic system. For example, a wireless power
system may include a primary device (e.g., computer, television,
monitor, cable set-top box, satellite set-top box, home electronic
appliance, etc.) and at least one peripheral device (e.g., the
peripheral devices of FIG. 35, audio and/or video entertainment
components, remote controllers, etc.). The primary device includes
a power conversion unit, a functional module, and a transceiver.
The peripheral device includes a wireless power receiver, a
peripheral unit, and a transceiver.
[0198] Within the primary device, the power conversion unit
converts a power source into an electromagnetic signal. For
example, the power conversion unit may include a power supply and a
wireless power transmitter circuit. The power supply converts the
power source (e.g., an AC voltage) into an output DC voltage. The
wireless power transmitter circuit converts the output DC voltage
into the electromagnetic signal. As another example, the power
conversion unit includes a wireless power receiver circuit and a
power conversion transmit circuit. The wireless power receiver
circuit converts the power source (e.g., an input electromagnetic
signal) into a supply voltage. The power conversion transmit
circuit converts the supply voltage into the electromagnetic
signal. In the latter example, the input electromagnetic signal may
have a first frequency and the electromagnetic signal may have a
second frequency to minimize interference therebetween.
[0199] The functional module of the primary device executes a
function regarding peripheral information (e.g., communication
protocol for the conveyance of the peripheral information, input
data from the peripheral device, an input command from the
peripheral device, output data for the peripheral device, and/or an
output command for the peripheral device). For example, if the
functional module is a central processing unit and the peripheral
device is a user input device (e.g., touch screen, keypad, mouse,
keyboard, etc.), the user input device may generate data and/or a
command for execution by the central processing unit. As another
example, if the functional module is memory and the peripheral
device is a user output device, the memory provides data to the
user output device for display (e.g., audible and/or visual).
[0200] The transceiver of the primary device communicates
information regarding the electromagnetic signal with the
transceiver of the peripheral device. The information regarding the
electromagnetic signal includes control channel protocol, frequency
of the electromagnetic signal, impedance matching parameters,
resonant frequency tuning parameters, and/or other electromagnetic
properties discussed herein.
[0201] The transceiver of the primary device also communicates the
peripheral information with the transceiver of the peripheral
device. In this regard, the transceivers are used for wireless
power control channel communication and for peripheral device
functional (e.g., data and/or commands) communication.
[0202] In addition to including a power conversion unit, a
functional module, and a transceiver, the primary device may
further include a battery, a battery charger, and a processing
module. The battery charger utilizes the supply voltage to charge
the primary battery as discussed with reference to one or more of
the figures. The processing module coordinates the charging of the
battery, the communicating the information regarding the
electromagnetic signal, and the communicating the peripheral
information.
[0203] The wireless power receiver circuit of the peripheral device
converts the electromagnetic signal into a voltage as discussed
with reference to one or more of the figures. The peripheral unit
of the peripheral device processes the peripheral information. For
example, the peripheral unit may generate input data for the
primary device, wherein the peripheral information includes the
input data. As another example, the peripheral unit may generate an
input command for the primary device, wherein the peripheral
information includes the input command. As another example, the
peripheral unit may perform a function on output data from the
primary device, wherein the peripheral information includes the
output data. As another example, the peripheral unit may perform a
function in accordance with an output command from the primary
device, wherein the peripheral information includes the output
command.
[0204] In addition to including a wireless power receiver, a
peripheral unit, and a transceiver, the peripheral device may
further include a battery, a battery charger, and a processing
module. The battery charger utilizes the supply voltage to charge
the peripheral battery. The processing module coordinates the
charging of the battery, the communicating the information
regarding the electromagnetic signal, and the communicating the
peripheral information.
[0205] The primary device and/or the peripheral device may include
an integrated circuit (IC) to support the above-described
functions. For example, an IC may include at least a portion of the
wireless power receiver circuit (e.g., one or more of the coil,
capacitor, and diodes of the rectifying circuit may be off-chip),
at least a portion of the battery charger (e.g., one or more of the
switching transistors, the output filter capacitor, the inductor
may be off-chip), the transceiver, and the processing module.
[0206] FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of
power modules (e.g., computer power module 616 and peripheral
device power module 614) within a wireless power computer system.
The computer power module 616 includes a wireless transceiver 620,
a power receiver circuit 622, a battery charger 624, a battery 626,
a power conversion transmit (TX) circuit 628, a processing module
630, and memory 632. The peripheral device power module 614
includes a wireless transceiver 634 a power receive circuit (RX
ckt) 636, a battery charger 638, and a battery 640.
[0207] In an example of operation, the power transmit circuit 618
generates a magnetic field that is received by the power receiver
circuit 622 of the computer power module 616 to facilitate a
wireless power transference. The power receiver circuit 622
generates a DC rail voltage in accordance with control signals
provided by the processing module 630. The battery charger 624
converts the DC rail voltage into a battery charge voltage, which
is supplied to the battery 626. The power conversion TX circuit 628
generates a magnetic field that is magnetically coupled to the
power RX circuit 636 of the peripheral device power module 614. The
power conversion TX circuit 628 may be sourced by the DC rail
voltage when the computer power module 616 is proximal to the power
transmitter circuit 618 or the battery 626 when the computer power
module 616 is not proximal to the power transmitter circuit
618.
[0208] The power RX circuit of the peripheral device power module
636 generates a DC rail voltage from the magnetic field of the
power conversion TX circuit 628. The battery charger 624 converts
the DC rail voltage into a battery charger voltage, which is
provided to the battery 626. The computer power module 616
communicates with the peripheral device power module 614 via the
wireless transceivers 620, 634 (e.g., RF, MMW, and/or NFC)
regarding wireless power matters (e.g., frequency selection,
operating frequency, impedance matching settings, power levels,
etc.). In addition, the wireless transceivers 620, 634 may be used
to convey data between the peripheral device and the computer. For
example, if the peripheral device is the wireless keyboard, the
keyboard signaling may be conveyed to the computer via the wireless
transceivers. Note that with multiple peripheral devices, each
including a wireless transceiver, a local area network is created,
which requires a network level coordinate of communications
therein.
[0209] A power module (e.g., computer power module 616 and
peripheral device power module 614) may include an integrated
circuit (IC) to support its function. For example, the IC may
include at least a portion of a wireless power receiver circuit
(e.g., one or more of the coil, capacitor, and diodes of the
rectifying circuit may be off-chip), at least a portion of a
wireless power transmit circuit (e.g., one or more of the coil,
capacitor, and the switching transistors of the DC-to-AC circuit
may be off-chip), and the transceiver. The wireless power receiver
circuit is operable to convert an electromagnetic signal into a
voltage, wherein a wireless power transmitter unit generates the
electromagnetic signal. The wireless power transmit circuit is
operable to convert the voltage into a second electromagnetic
signal. The transceiver communicates first information regarding
the first electromagnetic signal, communicates second information
regarding a second electromagnetic signal, and communicates
peripheral information regarding execution of a function.
[0210] FIG. 37 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
computer power module 642 that includes the power receiver circuit
644, the battery charger 648, the battery 650, the power conversion
TX circuit 646, the wireless transceiver 652, and the processing
module 654. The power receiver circuit 644 includes the RX coil
656, an adjustable capacitor 658, the impedance matching &
rectify circuit 660, the regulation circuit 662, and the control
channel transceiver 664. The power conversion TX circuit 646
includes a multiplexer 666, a DC-to-AC converter 668, an impedance
matching circuit 670, an adjustable capacitor 672, and a coil
674.
[0211] In an example of operation, the RX coil 656 of the power
receiver circuit 644 generates an AC voltage from the magnetic
field it receives from the TX coil of the WP TX unit. The impedance
matching and rectify circuit 660 converts the AC voltage into a DC
rail voltage that is regulated via the regulation circuit 662. The
battery charger 648 uses the DC rail voltage to charge the battery
650.
[0212] The power conversion TX circuit 646 is powered by the DC
rail voltage when the computer is receiving wireless power from the
WP TX unit 646 and is powered by the battery 650 when the computer
is in a battery operated mode (assuming the battery 650 has
sufficient energy to charge peripheral devices). When in the WP
mode, the DC-to-AC converter 668 converts the DC rail voltage into
an AC voltage that is provided to the coil 674 via the impedance
matching circuit 670. The coil 674 generates a magnetic field that
is received by the RX coil of a peripheral device power module. In
an embodiment, the AC voltage of the RX coil 656 of the power
receiver circuit 644 of the computer power module 642 may have the
same or a different frequency than the AC voltage of the TX coil
674 of the power conversion TX module 646.
[0213] When the computer is in the battery operated mode, the power
conversion TX circuit 646 generates the magnetic field as described
above if the battery 650 has sufficient power (e.g., a desired
battery life level) to charge one or more peripheral devices. If
the battery 650 does not have sufficient power, the power
conversion TX circuit 646 is disabled.
[0214] FIG. 38 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a computer power module 676 that includes the RX coil 678, an
adjustable capacitor 680, rectifying diodes 682, a storage
capacitor 684, a buck and/or boost converter 686, the battery 688,
a battery current sense 690, a trickle charge circuit 692, the
DC-to-AC converter 694, another adjustable capacitor 696, and the
processing module 698. The processing module 698 is configured to
implement an RX impedance matching control module 700, the control
channel processing module 702, a boost control module 706, a buck
control module 708, a battery charger control module 710, a
DC-to-AC control module 712, and a TX impedance matching control
module 714. In addition, the processing module 698 may implement
the baseband processing 716 for the wireless transceiver. Note that
the processing module 698 and one or more other components may be
implemented on one or more integrated circuits.
[0215] In an example of operation of the back half of the circuit,
the DC-to-AC module 694 receives the DC rail voltage produced by
the buck and/or boost converter 686. The DC-to-AC module 694
includes a full bridge inverter topology to excite the coil 697.
The DC-to-AC control module 712 generates the switching signals to
drive the DC-to-AC module 694 at a desired frequency. The impedance
matching control circuit 714 adjusts the impedance of the capacitor
696 and/or coil 697 to a desired resonance and/or quality factor.
As an example, the impedance matching control circuit 714 may tune
the capacitor 696 and coil 697 to resonate at the switching
frequency of the DC-to-AC converter 694, to be an under-damped
circuit, or an over-damped circuit. In an alternate embodiment, the
DC-to-AC converter 694 may include a half bridge inverter topology.
Note that the front half of the circuit operates in a similar
manner as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0216] FIG. 39 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
peripheral device power module 722 that includes the RX coil 724,
an adjustable capacitor 726, the impedance matching and rectifying
circuit 728, the regulation circuit 730, the battery charger 732,
the battery 734, the processing module 736, and the wireless
transceiver 738.
[0217] In an example of operation, the RX coil 724 generates an AC
voltage from the magnetic field it receives from the TX coil of the
computer power module. The impedance matching and rectify circuit
728 converts the AC voltage into a DC rail voltage that is
regulated via the regulation circuit 730. The battery charger 732
uses the DC rail voltage to charge the battery 734.
[0218] FIG. 40 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a peripheral device power module 740 that includes the
processing module 742, the rectify and impedance matching circuit
744 (e.g., capacitors and diodes), the RX coil 746, a buck &/or
boost converter 750, a trickle charge circuit 748, a battery 752,
and a battery current sensor 754. The processing module 742
implements a battery charger controller 756, a boost controller
758, a buck controller 760, an impedance matching circuit 762, and
an RF/MMW and/or NFC baseband processing module 764. Note that the
processing module 742 may be fabricated on a single integrated
circuit or on a multiple integrated circuit with one or more of the
components of the converter 750, the rectifier circuit 744, the
trickle charge circuit 748, and/or the battery current sense
754.
[0219] In an example of operation, the RX coil 746 (which may
include one or more adjustable inductors) receives a magnetic field
from the computer power module and creates an AC voltage therefrom.
The adjustable capacitor 744 is tuned (alone or in conjunction with
the RX coil 746) to a desired resonance, impedance, and/or quality
factor to facilitate the creation of the AC voltage. The full
bridge rectifier 744 (e.g., the diodes) rectifies the AC voltage to
produce a rectified voltage that is filtered by the capacitor 744
to produce a DC rail voltage (e.g., 3-20 volts).
[0220] The buck and/or boost converter 750 is enabled in a buck
converter mode when the DC voltage rail is to be stepped down to
produce battery charge voltage (and the supply voltage Vdd for the
device) and is enabled in boost converter mode when the DC rail
voltage is to be stepped up to produce the battery charge voltage
(and the supply voltage Vdd). Note that when the buck and/or boost
converter 750 is in the boost mode, the buck transistor is enabled.
Further note that the buck and/or boost converter 750 may include
multiple inductors, transistors, diodes, and capacitors to produce
multiple supply voltages.
[0221] When the battery 752 is charging, the battery charge control
module 756 monitors the battery 752 current and voltage to insure
charging is in accordance with the charging requirements of the
battery 752. When the battery 752 is charged, the battery 752 is
disconnected from the converter 750 (which may be disable or
enabled to provide Vdd) and the battery 752 may be trickle charged
748. Note that when the WP is lost, the battery 752 is coupled to
provide the power for the device.
[0222] FIG. 41 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
wireless keyboard 602, a wireless mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a
personal audio/video (AN) player 608, an external hard drive 610,
and potentially other peripheral computer devices (e.g., joy stick,
touch pad, track ball, speakers, etc.). The computer 600 may be a
laptop, a panel display computer, a conventional computer, etc. and
includes a wireless power module.
[0223] In this embodiment, the computer 600 is powered wirelessly
via the power transmitter circuit (i.e., a WP TX unit) and provides
wireless power to some of the peripheral components 602-610 (e.g.,
keyboard, mouse, cell phone, personal AV player, hard drive, etc.).
The wireless keyboard 602 provides wireless power to one or more of
the remaining peripheral devices 604-610. The peripheral devices
604-610 may be wirelessly powered concurrently from the computer
600 and/or wireless keyboard 602 and/or sequentially. The
peripheral devices 602-610 wirelessly communicates with the
computer 600 using conventional wireless communication protocols
(e.g., Bluetooth) and/or uses the WP control channel.
[0224] While FIG. 41 illustrates a computer system, the concepts
apply to a more generic system. For example, a wireless power
system includes a primary device (e.g., computer, television,
monitor, cable set-top box, satellite set-top box, home electronic
appliance, etc.), a first peripheral device (e.g., the peripheral
devices of FIG. 41, audio and/or video entertainment components,
remote controllers, etc.), and a second peripheral device (e.g.,
the peripheral devices of FIG. 41, audio and/or video entertainment
components, remote controllers, etc.). The primary device includes
a power conversion unit, a functional module, and a transceiver.
The first peripheral device includes a wireless power receiver, a
power conversion transmit circuit, a peripheral unit, and a
transceiver. The second peripheral device includes a wireless power
receiver, a peripheral unit, and a transceiver.
[0225] Within the primary device, the power conversion unit
converts a power source into a first electromagnetic signal. For
example, the power conversion unit may include a power supply and a
wireless power transmitter circuit. The power supply converts the
power source (e.g., an AC voltage) into an output DC voltage. The
wireless power transmitter circuit converts the output DC voltage
into the first electromagnetic signal. As another example, the
power conversion unit includes a wireless power receiver circuit
and a power conversion transmit circuit. The wireless power
receiver circuit converts the power source (e.g., an input
electromagnetic signal) into a supply voltage. The power conversion
transmit circuit converts the supply voltage into the first
electromagnetic signal.
[0226] The functional module of the primary device executes a
function regarding first and/or second peripheral information
(e.g., communication protocol for the conveyance of the peripheral
information, input data from the first and/or second peripheral
device, an input command from the first and/or second peripheral
device, output data for the first and/or second peripheral device,
and/or an output command for the first and/or second peripheral
device). For example, if the functional module is a central
processing unit and the first peripheral device is a user input
device (e.g., touch screen, keyboard, etc.), the user input device
may generate data and/or a command for execution by the central
processing unit. As another example, if the functional module is
memory and the second peripheral device is a user output device,
the memory provides data to the user output device for display
(e.g., audible and/or visual).
[0227] The wireless power receiver circuit of the first peripheral
device converts the first electromagnetic signal into a first
voltage as discussed with reference to one or more of the figures.
The power conversion transmit circuit of the first peripheral
device converts the voltage into the second electromagnetic signal.
The wireless power receiver circuit of the second peripheral device
converts the second electromagnetic signal into a second voltage,
which it uses as a power source and/or to charge its battery. Note
that the input electromagnetic signal may have a first frequency,
the first electromagnetic signal may have a second frequency, and
the second electromagnetic signal may have a third frequency.
[0228] The transceiver of the primary device communicates
information regarding the first and second electromagnetic signal
with the transceiver of the first and second peripheral devices,
respectively. The information regarding the electromagnetic signal
includes control channel protocol, frequency of the electromagnetic
signal, impedance matching parameters, resonant frequency tuning
parameters, and/or other electromagnetic properties discussed
herein.
[0229] The transceiver of the primary device also communicates the
first and second peripheral information with the transceiver of the
first and second peripheral devices, respectively. In this regard,
the transceivers are used for wireless power control channel
communication and for peripheral device functional (e.g., data
and/or commands) communication.
[0230] FIG. 42 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of power modules within a wireless power computer system (e.g.,
computer power module 766, the keyboard power module 768, and
peripheral device power modules 770) within a wireless power
computer system. Both the computer power module 766 and the
keyboard power module 768 include a wireless transceiver 774, 786,
a power receive circuit 778, 790, a battery charger 780, 792, a
battery 782, 794, a power conversion transmit (TX) circuit 784,
796, a processing module 776, 788, and memory. The peripheral
device power module 770 includes a wireless transceiver 798, a
power receive circuit (RX ckt) 800, a battery charger 802, and a
battery 804.
[0231] In an example of operation, the power transmit circuit 772
generates a magnetic field that is received by the power receiver
circuit 778 of the computer power module 766 to facilitate a
wireless power transference. The power receiver circuit 778
generates a DC rail voltage in accordance with control signals
provided by the processing module 776. The battery charger 780
converts the DC rail voltage into a battery charge voltage, which
is supplied to the battery 782. The power conversion TX circuit 784
generates a magnetic field that is magnetically coupled to the
power RX circuit 790 of the keyboard power module 768. The power
conversion TX circuit 784 may be sourced by the DC rail voltage 783
when the computer power module 766 is proximal to the power
transmitter circuit 772 or the battery 782 when the computer power
module 766 is not proximal to the power transmitter circuit
772.
[0232] The power receiver circuit 790 of the keyboard power module
768 receives the magnetic field generated by the power conversion
TX circuit 784 of the computer power module 766. The power receiver
circuit 790 generates a DC rail voltage in accordance with control
signals provided by the processing module 788. The battery charger
792 converts the DC rail voltage into a battery charge voltage,
which is supplied to the battery 794. The power conversion TX
circuit 796 generates a magnetic field that is magnetically coupled
to the power RX circuit 800 of the peripheral device power module
770. The power conversion TX circuit 796 may be sourced by the DC
rail voltage 795 when the keyboard power module 768 is proximal to
the computer or the battery 794 when the keyboard power module 768
is not proximal to the computer.
[0233] The power RX circuit 800 of the peripheral device power
module 770 generates a DC rail voltage from the magnetic field of
the power conversion TX circuit 796 of the keyboard power module
768. The battery charger 802 converts the DC rail voltage into a
battery charger voltage, which is provided to the battery 804.
[0234] The computer power module 766 communicates with the
peripheral device power module 770 and the keyboard power module
768 via the wireless transceivers 774, 786, 798 (e.g., RF, MMW,
and/or NFC) regarding wireless power matters (e.g., frequency
selection, operating frequency, impedance matching settings, power
levels, etc.). In addition, the wireless transceivers 774, 786, 798
may be used to convey data between the peripheral device and the
computer. For example, if the peripheral device is the wireless
mouse, the mouse signaling may be conveyed to the computer via the
wireless transceivers 774, 786, 798. Note that with multiple
peripheral devices, each including a wireless transceiver, a local
area network is created, which requires network level coordinate of
communications therein.
[0235] FIG. 43 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
managing a wireless power computer system that begins with the
computer power module receiving battery level data from the
peripheral devices via one or more communication channel 806. The
battery level data includes one or more of full battery capacity,
charging history (e.g., times, durations, charge voltage, charge
current, trickle charge reached, etc.), current battery life,
current loading, loading history, etc. The method continues with
the computer power module monitors the battery levels of the
peripheral devices and determines when a peripheral device's
battery needs charging 808. Such a determination may be based on
one or more of the following--estimated remaining battery life,
whether the battery is at full charge, the type of battery, the
charging requirements of the battery, charging being currently
supported by the computer power module, etc. The method branches
depending on whether a peripheral device's battery needs charging
810. If not, the method repeats from the beginning.
[0236] If charging is needed, the method continues with the
computer power module determining whether the peripheral device is
in range for charging 812. Note that if the computer system uses an
RF and/or MMW communication protocol, the range of communication
can be up to 10 meters while the range for charging will typically
be less than a meter. If the peripheral device is in charging
range, the method continues with the computer power module
selecting charging parameters (e.g., coil selection, power levels,
frequency, impedance matching settings, etc.) for the peripheral
device 814.
[0237] The method continues with the computer power module
initiating charging and monitoring the charging 816. The method
continues with the computer power monitor determining whether the
peripheral device is still in range 818. If yes, the method
continues with the computer power module determining whether
charging is complete 820. If yes, the method repeats.
[0238] If the peripheral device is out of charging range 812, the
method continues with the computer power module determining whether
the peripheral device's battery can be charged via daisy chain
charging 822 (e.g., via the keyboard power module as shown in FIGS.
41 & 42). If yes, the method continues with the computer power
module coordinating the daisy chain charging 824, which will be
described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 44.
[0239] If daisy chain charging is not available, the method
continues with the computer power module determining the level of
need for charging 826 (e.g., how much battery life is left, the
loading requirements, the type of peripheral device, the type of
battery, etc.). The method continues with the computer power module
determining whether the need for charging is at a critical point
828. For example, the battery cannot support the current loading
(e.g., current power consumption) for much longer (e.g., less than
an hour, 10 minutes, 5 minutes). When the charging need is not
critical, the method continues with the computer power module
generating a reminder message and displaying on the computer and/or
the peripheral device indicating that the peripheral device needs
charging and should be placed near the computer for charging
830.
[0240] This message may be sent periodically during computer and/or
peripheral device use or at the end of use (e.g., end of the day,
detecting shutting down applications, placing the device in a sleep
mode, etc.).
[0241] When the charging need is critical, the method continues
with the computer power module generating a message and displaying
on the computer and/or the peripheral device indicating that the
peripheral device needs charging very soon and should be placed
near the computer for charging 832. This message may also indicate
the remaining battery life and other warnings if the battery was
fully drained.
[0242] FIG. 44 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing daisy chain charging in a wireless power computer
system. The method begins with the computer power module
determining whether the peripheral device is in charging range of
the keyboard 834. If not, the method continues with the computer
power module determining the level of need for charging 836. The
method continues with the computer power module determining whether
the need for charging is at a critical point 838. When the charging
need is not critical, the method continues with the computer power
module generating a reminder message and displaying on the computer
and/or the peripheral device indicating that the peripheral device
needs charging and should be placed near the computer for charging
840. When the charging need is critical, the method continues with
the computer power module generating a message and displaying on
the computer and/or the peripheral device indicating that the
peripheral device needs charging very soon and should be placed
near the computer for charging 842. This message may also indicate
the remaining battery life and other warnings if the battery was
fully drained.
[0243] When the peripheral device is in charging range of the
keyboard 834, the method continues with the computer power module
selecting charging parameters 844. Alternatively, this may be done
by the keyboard power module and communicated to the computer power
module. The method continues with the computer power module
initiating charging and monitoring the charging 846. The method
continues with the computer power monitor determining whether the
peripheral device is still in range of the keyboard 848. If yes,
the method continues with the computer power module determining
whether charging is complete 850. If yes, the method returns to the
method of FIG. 43 852. If the peripheral device is out of charging
range of the keyboard 848, the method continues at the determine
need of charging step 836.
[0244] FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
keyboard 602, a mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a personal audio/video
(A/V) player 608, an external hard drive 610, and potentially other
peripheral computer devices (e.g., joy stick, touch pad, track
ball, speakers, etc.). The computer 600 may be a laptop, a panel
display computer, a conventional computer, etc. and includes a
wireless power module.
[0245] In this embodiment, the computer 600 is powered wirelessly
via the power transmitter circuit (i.e., a WP TX unit) and provides
wireless power to the peripheral components 606-610 (e.g., cell
phone, personal AV player, hard drive, etc.) and provides power and
communication with the mouse 604 and keyboard 602 through a wired
connection. The peripheral devices 606-610 may be wirelessly
powered concurrently from the computer 600 and/or sequentially. The
peripheral devices 606-610 wirelessly communicate with the computer
600 using conventional wireless communication protocols (e.g.,
Bluetooth) and/or use the WP control channel.
[0246] In addition, the mouse 604 and keyboard 602 may each include
a WP TX unit to wirelessly charge one or more of the peripheral
devices 606-610. As such, some of the peripheral devices 606-610
may be wirelessly charged by the computer 600 and others by the
mouse 604 and/or keyboard 602.
[0247] FIG. 46 is a logic diagram of another embodiment of a method
for managing a wireless power computer system that begins with the
computer power module receiving battery level data from the
peripheral devices via one or more communication channel 854. The
battery level data includes one or more of full battery capacity,
charging history (e.g., times, durations, charge voltage, charge
current, trickle charge reached, etc.), current battery life,
current loading, loading history, etc. The method continues with
the computer power module monitoring the battery levels of the
peripheral devices and determining when a peripheral device's
battery needs charging 856. Such a determination may be based on
one or more of estimated remaining battery life, whether the
battery is at full charge, the type of battery, the charging
requirements of the battery, charging being currently supported by
the computer power module, etc. The method branches depending on
whether a peripheral device's battery needs charging 858. If not,
the method repeats from the beginning.
[0248] If charging is needed, the method continues with the
computer power module determining whether the peripheral device is
in range of the computer, of the mouse, or of the keyboard for
charging 860. If the peripheral device is in charging range of the
computer, the method continues with the computer power module
selecting charging parameters 862 (e.g., coil selection, power
levels, frequency, impedance matching settings, etc.) for the
peripheral device. If the peripheral device is in charging range of
the mouse, the method continues with the computer power module
selecting charging parameters for the mouse and the peripheral
device 862. If the peripheral device is in charging range of the
keyboard, the method continues with the computer power module
selecting charging parameters for the keyboard and the peripheral
device 862.
[0249] The method continues with the computer power module
initiating charging and monitoring the charging 864. Note that the
mouse or keyboard may perform the monitoring and report the
monitoring to the computer. The method continues with the computer
power monitor determining whether the peripheral device is still in
range 866. If yes, the method continues with the computer power
module determining whether charging is complete 868. If yes, the
method repeats.
[0250] If the peripheral device is out of charging range of the
computer 860, the method continues with the computer power module
determining whether the peripheral device is in charging range of
the mouse or the keyboard. If yes, the computer power monitor
hand-offs the wireless charging to the mouse or keyboard.
Similarly, if the peripheral device is out of charging range of the
mouse or keyboard, the computer power module determines whether the
wireless charging can be handed off to the computer or the other of
the mouse or keyboard.
[0251] When the hand off cannot be done, the method continues with
the compute power module determining the level of need for charging
870. The method continues with the computer power module
determining whether the need for charging is at a critical point
872.
[0252] When the charging need is not critical, the method continues
with the computer power module generating a reminder message and
displaying on the computer and/or the peripheral device indicating
that the peripheral device needs charging and should be placed near
the computer for charging 874. When the charging need is critical,
the method continues with the computer power module generating a
message and displaying on the computer and/or the peripheral device
indicating that the peripheral device needs charging very soon and
should be placed near the computer for charging 876. This message
may also indicate the remaining battery life and other warnings if
the battery was fully drained.
[0253] FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
wireless keyboard 602, a wireless mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a
personal audio/video (AN) player 608, an external hard drive 610,
and potentially other peripheral computer devices (e.g., joy stick,
touch pad, track ball, speakers, etc.). The computer 600 may be a
laptop, a panel display computer, a conventional computer, etc. and
includes a wireless power module.
[0254] In this embodiment, the computer is powered by a
conventional power supply 878, but provides wireless power to the
peripheral components 604-610 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, cell phone,
personal AV player, hard drive, etc.). The peripheral devices
604-610 may be wirelessly powered concurrently from the computer
600 and/or sequentially. The peripheral devices 604-610 wirelessly
communicate with the computer 600 using conventional wireless
communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) and/or uses the WP
control channel.
[0255] FIG. 48 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of power modules (e.g., computer power module 880 and peripheral
device power module 882) within a wireless power computer system.
The computer power module 880 includes a wireless transceiver 884,
a DC-DC converter 886, a battery charger 888, a battery 890, a
power conversion transmit (TX) circuit 896, a processing module
892, and memory 894. The peripheral device power module 882
includes a wireless transceiver 898 a power receive circuit (RX
ckt) 900, a battery charger 902, and a battery 904.
[0256] In an example of operation, the DC-DC converter 886
generates a DC voltage in accordance with control signals provided
by the processing module 892. The battery charger 888 uses the DC
voltage as a battery charge voltage to charge the battery 890. The
power conversion TX circuit 896 generates a magnetic field that is
magnetically coupled to the power RX circuit 900 of the peripheral
device power module 882. The power conversion TX circuit 896 may be
sourced by the DC voltage when the computer power module 880 is
proximal to the power transmitter circuit 906 or the battery 890
when the computer power module 880 is not proximal to the power
transmitter circuit 906.
[0257] The power RX circuit 900 of the peripheral device power
module 882 generates a DC rail voltage from the magnetic field of
the power conversion TX circuit 896. The battery charger 902
converts the DC rail voltage into a battery charger voltage, which
is provided to the battery 904. The computer power module 880
communicates with the peripheral device power module 882 via the
wireless transceivers 884, 898 (e.g., RF, MMW, and/or NFC)
regarding wireless power matters (e.g., frequency selection,
operating frequency, impedance matching settings, power levels,
etc.). In addition, the wireless transceivers 884, 989 may be used
to convey data between the peripheral device and the computer. For
example, if the peripheral device is the wireless keyboard, the
keyboard signaling may be conveyed to the computer via the wireless
transceivers 884, 898. Note that with multiple peripheral devices,
each including a wireless transceiver 898, a local area network is
created, which requires network level coordinate of communications
therein.
[0258] FIG. 49 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a computer power module 676 that includes a buck and/or boost
converter 686, the battery 688, a battery current sense 690, a
trickle charge circuit 692, the DC-to-AC converter 694, an
adjustable capacitor 696, and the processing module 698. The
processing module 698 implements a battery charger controller 710,
a boost controller 706, a buck controller 708, an impedance
matching circuit 714, and an RF/MMW and/or NFC data processing
module. The processing module 698 may further implement the power
management unit. Note that the processing module 698 may be
fabricated on a single integrated circuit or multiple integrated
circuit with one or more of the components of the converter 686,
the rectifier circuit, the trickle charge circuit 692, and/or the
battery current sense 690.
[0259] In an example of operation, the buck and/or boost converter
686 is enabled in a buck converter mode when the DC voltage from
the power supply is to be stepped down to produce battery charge
voltage (and the supply voltage Vdd for the device) and is enabled
in boost converter mode when the DC voltage from the power supply
is to be stepped up to produce the battery charge voltage (and the
supply voltage Vdd). Note that when the buck and/or boost converter
686 is in the boost mode, the buck transistor is enabled. Further
note that the buck and/or boost converter 686 may include multiple
inductors, transistors, diodes, and capacitors to produce multiple
supply voltages.
[0260] When the battery 688 is charging, the battery charge control
module 710 monitors the battery current 690 and voltage to insure
charging is in accordance with the charging requirements of the
battery 688. When the battery 688 is charged, the battery 688 is
disconnected from the converter 686 (which may be disable or
enabled to provide Vdd) and the battery 688 may be trickle charged.
Note that when the WP is lost, the battery 688 is coupled to
provide the power for the device.
[0261] In a further example of operation, the DC-to-AC module 694
receives the DC rail voltage produced by the buck and/or boost
converter 686. The DC-to-AC module 694 includes a full bridge
inverter topology to excite the coil 697. The DC-to-AC control
module 712 generates the switching signals to drive the DC-to-AC
module 694 at a desired frequency. The impedance matching control
circuit a 714 adjusts the impedance of the capacitor 696 and/or
coil 697 to a desired resonance and/or quality factor. As an
example, the impedance matching control circuit 714 may tune the
capacitor 696 and coil 697 to resonant at the switching frequency
of the DC-to-AC converter 694, to be an under-damped circuit, or an
over-damped circuit. In an alternate embodiment, the DC-to-AC
converter 694 may include a half bridge inverter topology.
[0262] FIG. 50 is a diagram of an example of a coil grid of a
computer. The coil grid is selectively enabled to charge one or
more peripheral devices that are proximal to the coil grid (e.g.,
in charging range). The grid of coil includes a plurality of coil
circuits and may be located in the case of the computer (e.g., the
top, bottom, and/or sides of the computer housing). Alternatively
or in addition to, the plurality of coil circuits may be in the
computer stand, may be in a monitor stand, or other flat, concaved,
or convex surface associated with a computer.
[0263] In this illustration, the coil circuits are planer and
parallel to the computer case, thus producing a magnetic field that
is perpendicular to the plane of the computer case surface. In
various embodiments of the coil grid, the coils of the coil
circuits may or may not be planer with the surface of the computer
case. When the coils are not planer, the magnetic field will not be
planer to the surface. As such, by having coils are various angles
to the plane of the surface, different angled magnetic fields can
be created to enable better magnetic couple to RX coils of
peripheral devices that are not parallel to the plane of the
surface.
[0264] FIG. 51 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
coil grid of a computer that includes a plurality of coil circuits
910-916, 920-926 and a control circuit 918. Each of the coil
circuits 910-916, 920-926 may have one of many different
topologies. For example, one or more of the coil circuits 910-916
may include a full bridge inverter configuration that includes two
pairs of transistors, two drive circuits, a tunable capacitor, and
a tunable inductor. The pairs of transistors are alternately driven
(based on control signals from the control circuit 918) to couple
the inductor to the DC rail voltage (e.g., V+ and V-) at a given
frequency. Note that the capacitor and inductor may be tuned to
resonate at the given frequency, may be tuned to be under-damped at
the given frequency, may be tuned to be over-damped at the given
frequency, may be tuned to a desired quality factor, may be tuned
to a desired impedance, etc.
[0265] In an alternate embodiment, the coil circuit 920-926 may
include a half bridge inverter configuration that includes two
transistors, two capacitors, two drive circuits, a tunable
capacitor, and a tunable inductor. The two transistors are
alternatively driven (based on control signals from the control
circuit 918) to couple one end of the inductor to the DC rail
voltage (e.g., V+ and V-) at a given frequency with the other end
of the inductor coupled to the center node of the two capacitors.
Note that the capacitor and inductor may be tuned to resonate at
the given frequency, may be tuned to be under-damped at the given
frequency, may be tuned to be over-damped at the given frequency,
may be tuned to a desired quality factor, may be tuned to a desired
impedance, etc. Further note that the two capacitors of the half
bridge inverter may be sized to provide a voltage divider at the
given frequency or may be sized to resonant with the tunable
inductor and tunable capacitor.
[0266] The control circuit 918 determines which coil circuits
910-916, 920-926 are to be enabled, which may be done based on data
provided by the processing module, by scanning through the coil
circuits 910-916, 920-926 to identify one or more circuits 910-916,
920-926 that has a desired level of magnetic coupling with the RX
coil of the peripheral device.
[0267] When more than one peripheral device is within wireless
power range of the coil grid, the control circuit 918 coordinates
the power distribution to the devices, the frequency planning,
interference avoidance, etc. as previously discussed.
[0268] In an example of use, when a peripheral device is place
proximal to the computer, the computer and device communicate to
determine the device's wireless power needs. For example, a cell
phone may be place proximal to the computer (e.g., set on or near
the stand for the computer, on or near the housing of the computer,
etc.). In addition to determining the devices wireless power needs
(e.g., charging and/or operating in a wireless power mode), the
computer and device communicate to exchange data. For example, the
computer and cell phone may synchronize files (e.g., audio, contact
lists, videos, email, book marked web pages, etc.), the computer
may inform the cell phone of software updates, etc.
[0269] FIG. 52 is a logic diagram of a method for utilizing a coil
grid that begins with the control circuit and/or processing module
searching for physically proximal wirelessly powered peripheral
devices 928. When the control circuit and/or processing module
detect one or more WP peripheral devices 930, the method continues
with the control circuit and/or processing module determining which
coils to active for a given device 932. For example and with
reference to FIG. 53, the control circuit and/or processing module
detects the presence of two peripheral devices. The control circuit
and/or processing module determines which coils provide an optimal
magnetic coupling with the peripheral devices. From the
illustration of FIG. 53, the peripheral device on the left,
overlays four coils. As such, the control circuit and/or processing
module may active one or more of the four coils to provide wireless
power to the peripheral device.
[0270] Returning to the logic diagram of FIG. 52, the method
continues with the control circuit and/or processing module
determining wireless power parameters, which include one or more of
impedance matching, frequency adjustment, operating frequency,
etc., all of which may require the coil or coils to be tuned 934.
The method continues with the control circuit and/or processing
module determining the desired power level for each of the
peripheral devices 936. The method continues with the control
circuit and/or processing module enabling powering of the coils to
provide the wireless power to the peripheral devices 938. The
enabling may be done concurrently or in an alternating fashion.
[0271] The method continues with the control circuit and/or
processing module determining whether the battery charging is done
and/or the need for wireless power is done 940. If so, the method
is complete 944 for a peripheral device and repeats for other
peripheral devices. If the charging and/or need for wireless power
is not done, the method continues with the control circuit and/or
processing module determining whether the peripheral device is out
of wireless power range 942. If yes, the method is complete for
this peripheral device 944. If the peripheral device is not out of
range, the method repeats at the powering the coils step 938.
[0272] FIG. 54 is a diagram of another example of a coil grid of an
inductive touch screen. The inductive touch screen may be
incorporated into a touch panel computer, laptop, or other type of
computer. In an embodiment, the coils of the coil circuits provide
multiple functions. For example, the coils are used for wireless
power as described herein. As another example, the coils are used
for the inductive touch screen of the computer. As another example,
the coils may be used as an antenna and/or antenna array to provide
wireless communications.
[0273] In an example of operation, when a user is using the
computer, it is m a normal operational mode where the coils are
used for the inductive touch screen and/or as an antenna(s) for
wireless communications. In this mode, the wireless power function
is disabled. When the computer is no longer in use, it is placed in
a wireless power module, where peripheral devices are placed
proximal to the inductive touch screen for charging. In another
embodiment, wireless power can be provided during use of the
computer.
[0274] FIG. 55 is a diagram of an example of a wireless power (WP)
transmit coil and a wireless power receive coil. In this example,
the WP TX coil and/or of the WP RX coil is incorporated in a
mechanism that is may be rotated in three-dimensional space to
achieve a better magnetic coupling between the coils. For example,
the WP TX coil may be incorporated in the housing of the computer
and the WP RX coil is implemented in the housing of a wireless
keyboard. The coil in the wireless keyboard may be incorporated in
a movable extension to better align the RX coil with the TX coil.
The alignment may be manual or automated.
[0275] As another example, the TX coil of the computer may be
incorporated in a movable extension structure that can be rotated
in three-dimensional space to achieve a better alignment with the
RX coil. The alignment may be manual or automated.
[0276] FIG. 56 is a diagram of an example of a computer peripheral
device (e.g., keyboard, cell phone, personal AV player, etc.) that
includes one or more wireless power (WP) transmit coils and/or one
more wireless power receive coils. As shown, coils may be on each
side, on the bottom, and/or on the top of the device. Depending on
the functionality of the device, each side may include only RX
coils, only TX coils, or a combination of RX and TX coils.
[0277] FIG. 57 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
wireless keyboard 602, a wireless mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a
personal audio/video (A/V) player 608, an external hard drive 610,
a wireless power TX unit 946, and potentially other peripheral
computer devices (e.g., joy stick, touch pad, track ball, speakers,
etc.). The computer 600 may be a laptop, a panel display computer,
a conventional computer, etc. and includes a wireless power
module.
[0278] In this embodiment, the computer 600 is powered wirelessly
via the power transmitter circuit or via a power supply. The
computer 600 may also provide wireless power to one or more of the
peripheral device 602-610 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, cell phone,
personal AV player, hard drive, etc.). The peripheral devices
602-610 may be wirelessly powered concurrently from the computer
600 and/or sequentially. The peripheral devices 602-610 wirelessly
communicate with the computer 600 using conventional wireless
communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) and/or uses the WP
control channel.
[0279] The WP TX unit 946 is powered via a USB connection to the
computer 600 and provides wireless power to one or more of the
peripheral devices 602-610. The peripheral devices 602-610
wirelessly powered via the WP TX unit 946 communicate with the
computer 600 directly using conventional wireless communication
protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) and/or uses the WP control channel.
Alternatively, the peripheral devices 602-610 are wirelessly
powered via the WP TX unit 946 may communicate with the computer
600 indirectly via the WP TX unit 946.
[0280] FIG. 58 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
wireless keyboard 602, a wireless mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a
personal audio/video (A/V) player 608, an external hard drive 610,
a wireless power TX unit 948, and potentially other peripheral
computer devices (e.g., joy stick, touch pad, track ball, speakers,
etc.). The computer 600 may be a laptop, a panel display computer,
a conventional computer, etc. and includes a wireless power
module.
[0281] In this embodiment, the WP TX unit 948 is powered via a USB
connection to the computer 600 and provides wireless power to one
or more of the peripheral devices 602-610. The peripheral devices
602-610 wirelessly powered via the WP TX unit 948 communicate with
the computer 600 indirectly via the WP TX unit 948.
[0282] FIG. 59 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power computer system that includes a computer 600, a
wireless keyboard 602, a wireless mouse 604, a cell phone 606, a
personal audio/video (A/V) player 608, an external hard drive 610,
a wireless power TX unit 948, and potentially other peripheral
computer devices (e.g., joy stick, touch pad, track ball, speakers,
etc.). The computer 600 may be a laptop, a panel display computer,
a conventional computer, etc. and includes a wireless power
module.
[0283] In this embodiment, the WP TX unit 948 is powered via a USB
connection to the computer 600 and provides wireless power to one
or more of the peripheral devices 602-610. The peripheral devices
602-610 wirelessly powered via the WP TX unit 948 communicate with
the computer 600 directly using conventional wireless communication
protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) and/or uses the WP control channel.
Note that the computer 600 systems of FIGS. 57-59 may each include
a plurality of WP TX units 948.
[0284] FIG. 60 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
wireless power transmit unit of a wireless power computer system
that may sit on a desk top or rest on a user's lap.
[0285] FIG. 61 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of power modules (e.g., computer power module 950, the WP TX unit
952, and peripheral device power module 954) within a wireless
power computer system. The computer power module 950 includes a
wireless transceiver 956, a battery 958, a DC-DC converter 960, a
multiplexer 962, and a USB power source 964. The WP TX unit 952
includes a DC-DC converter 966, a processing module 968, a wireless
transceiver 970, and a power conversion TX circuit 972. The WP TX
unit 952 may also include a battery charger 974 and a battery 976.
The peripheral device power module 954 includes a wireless
transceiver 978 a power receive circuit 980 (RX ckt), a battery
charger 982, and a battery 984.
[0286] In an example of operation, USB power source 964 of the
computer power module 950 generates a USB power supply voltage
(e.g., 5 Volts) from the computer battery 958 or from a computer
DC-DC converter 960. The DC-DC converter 966 of the WP TX unit 952
generates a DC rail voltage (e.g., 10-50 volts) from the USB power
supply voltage. The power conversion TX circuit 972 generates a
magnetic field that is magnetically coupled to the power RX circuit
980 of the peripheral device power module 954. The power conversion
TX circuit 972 may be sourced by the DC rail voltage when the WP TX
unit 952 is receiving the USB supply voltage or by the battery 976
when the WP TX unit 952 is disconnected from the USB supply
voltage.
[0287] The power RX circuit 980 of the peripheral device power
module 954 generates a DC rail voltage from the magnetic field of
the power conversion TX circuit 972. The battery charger 982
converts the DC rail voltage into a battery charger voltage, which
is provided to the battery 984. The computer power module 950
communicates with the peripheral device power module 954 and the WP
TX unit 952 via the wireless transceivers 956, 970, 978 (e.g., RF,
MMW, and/or NFC) regarding wireless power matters (e.g., frequency
selection, operating frequency, impedance matching settings, power
levels, etc.). In addition, the wireless transceivers 956, 970, 978
may be used to convey data between the peripheral device and the
computer. For example, if the peripheral device is the wireless
keyboard, the keyboard signaling may be conveyed to the computer
via the wireless transceivers 956, 970, 978. Note that with
multiple peripheral devices, each including a wireless transceiver,
a local area network is created, which requires network level
coordinate of communications therein. Further note that the
computer may communicate with the WP TX unit 952 via the USB
connection.
[0288] FIG. 62 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power transmit unit 986 that includes a buck and/or
boost converter 988, the DC-to-AC converter 990, an adjustable
capacitor 992, and the processing module 996 and may further
include an optional battery, an optional battery current sense, and
an optional trickle charge circuit). The processing module 996
implements a boost controller 998, a buck controller 1000, an
impedance matching circuit 1002, and an RF/MMW and/or NFC data
processing module. The processing module 996 may further implement
the power management unit and optionally a battery charger
controller. Note that the processing module 996 may be fabricated
on a single integrated circuit or multiple integrated circuit with
one or more of the components of the converter 988, the rectifier
circuit, the trickle charge circuit, and/or the battery current
sense.
[0289] In an example of operation, the buck and/or boost converter
988 is enabled in a buck converter mode when the USB power supply
voltage is to be stepped down to produce the supply voltage Vdd for
the device and is enabled in boost converter mode when the USB
power supply voltage is to be stepped up to produce the supply
voltage Vdd. Note that when the buck and/or boost converter 988 is
in the boost mode, the buck transistor is enabled. Further note
that the buck and/or boost converter 988 may include multiple
inductors, transistors, diodes, and capacitors to produce multiple
supply voltages.
[0290] In a further example of operation, the DC-to-AC module 990
receives the DC rail voltage (e.g., Vdd) produced by the buck
and/or boost converter 988. The DC-to-AC module 990 includes a full
bridge inverter topology to excite the coil 994. The DC-to-AC
control module 1004 generates the switching signals to drive the
DC-to-AC module 990 at a desired frequency. The impedance matching
control circuit 1002 adjusts the impedance of the capacitor 992
and/or coil 994 to a desired resonance and/or quality factor. As an
example, the impedance matching control circuit 1002 may tune the
capacitor 992 and coil 994 to resonant at the switching frequency
of the DC-to-AC converter 990, to be an under-damped circuit, or an
over-damped circuit. In an alternate embodiment, the DC-to-AC
converter 990 may include a half bridge inverter topology.
[0291] FIG. 63 is a diagram of an example of a coil grid of a
wireless power transmit unit. The coil grid is selectively enabled
to charge one or more peripheral devices that are proximal to the
coil grid (e.g., in charging range). The grid of coil includes a
plurality of coil circuits and may be located in the laptop desk
and/or a desk pad.
[0292] In this illustration, the coil circuits are planer and
parallel to the surface of the laptop desk and/or desk pad, thus
producing a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the plane of
the surface. In various embodiments of the coil grid, the coils of
the coil circuits may or may not be planer with the surface. When
the coils are not planer, the magnetic field will not be planer to
the surface. As such, by having coils are various angles to the
plane of the surface, different angled magnetic fields can be
created to enable better magnetic couple to RX coils of peripheral
devices that are not parallel to the plane of the surface.
[0293] FIG. 64 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power transmit unit 948 that includes a wireless
transceiver 1006, a processing module 1008, a power RX circuit
1010, a battery charger 1012 and/or DC-DC converter, a battery
1014, a multiplexer 1016 and a power conversion TX circuit
1018.
[0294] In an example of operation, the power transmit circuit (not
shown) generates a magnetic field that is received by the power
receiver circuit 1010 of the WP TX unit 948 to facilitate a
wireless power transfer. The power receiver circuit 1010 generates
a DC rail voltage in accordance with control signals provided by
the processing module 1008. The battery charger/DC-DC converter
1012 converts the DC rail voltage into a battery charge voltage,
which is supplied to the battery 1014. Alternatively, the power RX
circuit 1010 may be replaced with a power supply, which may also
replace the battery charger and DC-DC converter 1012.
[0295] The power conversion TX circuit 1018 generates a magnetic
field that is magnetically coupled to the power RX circuit of the
peripheral device power module via one or more of a plurality of
coils. The power conversion TX circuit 1018 may be sourced by the
DC rail voltage when the WP TX unit 948 is proximal to the power
transmitter circuit or the battery 1014 when the WP TX unit 948 is
not proximal to the power transmitter circuit.
[0296] The WP TX unit 948 communicates with the peripheral device
power module via the wireless transceivers 1006 (e.g., RF, MMW,
and/or NFC) regarding wireless power matters (e.g., frequency
selection, operating frequency, impedance matching settings, power
levels, etc.). In addition, the wireless transceivers 1006 may be
used to convey data between the peripheral device and the computer,
via the WP TX Unit 1018. For example, if the peripheral device is
the wireless keyboard 602, the keyboard 602 signaling may be
conveyed to the computer via the wireless transceivers 1006. Note
that with multiple peripheral devices 602-610, each including a
wireless transceiver, a local area network is created, which
requires network level coordinate of communications therein.
[0297] FIG. 65 is a diagram of an example of a wireless charging
basket that includes a plurality of coil circuits. In this
embodiment, each side and the bottom of the basket includes a
plurality of coils. The basket may be powered by an AC voltage,
which is converted into a DC voltage or powered by wireless power.
In such a configuration, one or more devices (e.g., cell phones,
personal AV players, etc.) may be placed in the basket and charged.
Examples are provided with reference to FIGS. 66 & 67.
[0298] FIG. 66 is a diagram of another example of a wireless
charging basket that has two devices placed therein. As shown,
device 1 is laying parallel to the bottom of the basket and the
second device is leaning against one of the walls. The RX coil of
each device is also shown. In this example, a few coils in the
bottom of the basket are enabled to wirelessly power the first
device.
[0299] Coils in the bottom and the side are enabled to provide
wireless power to the second device. The coils in the bottom and
side may be concurrently enabled or alternatively enabled (e.g.,
the coils in the side then the coils in the bottom). While the
second device is not parallel to a side or the bottom, enable
multiple coils in different planes enhances the magnetic coupling
to the coil. In this example, the coils enabled to wirelessly power
the second device may be enabled at a different frequency and the
coils enabled to power the first device.
[0300] FIG. 67 is a diagram of another example of a wireless
charging basket that has a device located in the center of the
basket and substantially parallel to the sides. In this example,
coils on both sides may be enabled to wirelessly power the device.
The coils on one side may be enabled uses the same frequency or a
different frequency than the coils on the other side.
[0301] FIG. 68 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a wireless power system that includes a WP TX unit 10 and a
plurality of devices 12-14 (e.g., cell phone, personal AV player,
laptop computer, touch panel computer, video game unit, etc.). The
WP TX unit 10 includes a processing module 18, the WP transceiver
20, an RFID tag and/or reader 48, a network transceiver 1020, and a
power TX circuit (not shown in figure). The network transceiver
1020 may provide a wired or a wireless network connection to a
network 1022 (e.g., LAN, WAN, internet, cell telephone network,
etc.). As such, the WP TX unit 10 may function as a router for
communications between a device 12-14 and the network 1022. The WP
TX unit 10 may be incorporated in a network device 12-14 such as a
computer, access point, router, modem, etc. The other aspects of
the devices 12-14 and the WP TX unit 10 function as previously
described.
[0302] FIG. 69 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for
managing communication in a wireless power computer system that
begins with the WP TX unit determining whether it has established a
communication link with one or more of the devices 1028. If yes,
the method continues with the WP TX unit determining whether the
device desires access to the network via the WP TX unit 1030. If
not, the method repeats from the beginning.
[0303] If the device desires network access via the WP TX unit, the
method continues with the WP TX unit determining whether it has the
bandwidth (BW) to support the device's network access request,
which includes a requested data rate 1032. In this instance, the WP
TX unit is determining whether it can accommodate the requested
data rate in light of its capabilities and the data rates of the
other devices it is currently supporting. When the WP TX unit has
sufficient bandwidth, the method continues with the WP TX unit
functioning as a wireless router for the device with respect to the
network 1034.
[0304] If the WP TX unit does not have sufficient bandwidth to
support the device's request, the method continues with the WP TX
unit executing one or more network access sharing protocols 1036.
Such protocols may include CSMA, CSMA with collision avoidance,
CSMA with collision detection, a token passing scheme, a ring
scheme, a priority scheme, etc. The method continues with the WP TX
unit functioning as a router for the device with respect to access
to the network 1034. The method continues with the WP TX unit
determining whether it has lost the communication link with the
device 1038. If not, the method repeats at the determine bandwidth
step 1032. If yes, the method is complete for this device, but
continues for other devices 1040.
[0305] If the WP TX unit does not have a communication link
established with the device, the method continues with the WP TX
unit determining whether it has received a communication from the
network for the device 1042. If not, the method repeats from the
beginning. If yes, the method continues with the WP TX unit
determining whether it can forward the information to the device or
provides forwarding information to the network 1044. If not, the
method continues with the WP TX unit indicating a communication
failure and the method repeats at the beginning 1046. If it does
have the forwarding information, the method continues with the WP
TX unit forwarding the communication or providing the forwarding
information to the network 1048.
[0306] As may be used herein, the terms "substantially" and
"approximately" provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its
corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an
industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to
fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component
values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature
variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such
relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent
to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s)
"operably coupled to", "coupled to", and/or "coupling" includes
direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between
items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not
limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module)
where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify
the information of a signal but may adjust its current level,
voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,
inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another
element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between
two items in the same manner as "coupled to". As may even further
be used herein, the term "operable to" or "operably coupled to"
indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,
input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more
its corresponding functions and may further include inferred
coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used
herein, the term "associated with", includes direct and/or indirect
coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within
another item. As may be used herein, the term "compares favorably",
indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals,
etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the
desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than
signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude
of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude
of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
[0307] While the transistors m the above described figure(s) is/are
shown as field effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate, the transistors may be implemented
using any type of transistor structure including, but not limited
to, bipolar, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors
(MOSFET), N-well transistors, P-well transistors, enhancement mode,
depletion mode, and zero voltage threshold (VT) transistors.
[0308] The present invention has also been described above with the
aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified
functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of
these functional building blocks and method steps have been
arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description.
Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the
specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed.
Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the
scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
[0309] The present invention has been described above with the aid
of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of
certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional
building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of
description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the
certain significant functions are appropriately performed.
Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily
defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To
the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence
could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain
significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both
functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences
are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One
of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional
building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and
components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete
components, application specific integrated circuits, processors
executing appropriate software and the like or any combination
thereof.
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