Patent Grant
10263432
The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission.
Portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks and other electronic devices have become an everyday need in the way we communicate and interact with others. The frequent use of these devices may require a significant amount of power, which may easily deplete the batteries attached to these devices. Therefore, a user is frequently needed to plug in the device to a power source, and recharge such device. This may require having to charge electronic equipment at least once a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day.
Such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. For example, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronic equipment is lacking power. In addition, users have to find available power sources to connect to. Lastly, users must plugin to a wall or other power supply to be able to charge his or her electronic device. However, such an activity may render electronic devices inoperable during charging.
Current solutions to this problem may include devices having rechargeable batteries. However, the aforementioned approach requires a user to carry around extra batteries, and also make sure that the extra set of batteries is charged. Solar-powered battery chargers are also known, however, solar cells are expensive, and a large array of solar cells may be required to charge a battery of any significant capacity. Other approaches involve a mat or pad that allows charging of a device without physically connecting a plug of the device to an electrical outlet, by using electromagnetic signals. In this case, the device still requires to be placed in a certain location for a period of time in order to be charged. Assuming a single source power transmission of electro-magnetic (EM) signal, an EM signal power gets reduced by a factor proportional to 1/r2 over a distance r, in other words, it is attenuated proportional to the square of the distance. Thus, the received power at a large distance from the EM transmitter is a small fraction of the power transmitted. To increase the power of the received signal, the transmission power would have to be boosted. Assuming that the transmitted signal has an efficient reception at three centimeters from the EM transmitter, receiving the same signal power over a useful distance of three meters would entail boosting the transmitted power by 10,000 times. Such power transmission is wasteful, as most of the energy would be transmitted and not received by the intended devices, it could be hazardous to living tissue, it would most likely interfere with most electronic devices in the immediate vicinity, and it may be dissipated as heat.
In yet another approach such as directional power transmission, it would generally require knowing the location of the device to be able to point the signal in the right direction to enhance the power transmission efficiency. However, even when the device is located, efficient transmission is not guaranteed due to reflections and interference of objects in the path or vicinity of the receiving device. In addition, in many use cases the device is not stationary, which is an added difficulty.
The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device and/or for charging a battery. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.
In one embodiment, a method for wireless power transmission is provided. The method comprises emitting, by a first antenna element of a transmitter, a first signal comprising a plurality of wireless power waves establishing a pocket of energy. The method further comprising emitting, by a second antenna element of the transmitter, a second signal different from the first signal. The second signal provides Wi-Fi access.
Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing the background art, the figures represent aspects of the disclosure.
The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. Furthermore, the various components and embodiments described herein may be combined to form additional embodiments not expressly described, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
I. Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions
A. Components System Embodiment
One type of interference generated at the convergence of the power transmission waves, “constructive interference,” may be a field of energy caused by the convergence of the power transmission waves such that they add together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location—in contrast to adding together in a way to subtract from each other and diminish the energy concentrated at that location, which is called “destructive interference”. The accumulation of sufficient energy at the constructive interference may establish a field of energy, or “pocket of energy” 104, which may be harvested by the antennas of a receiver 103, provided the antennas are configured to operate on the frequency of the power transmission signals. Accordingly, the power transmission waves establish pockets of energy 104 at the location in space where the receivers 103 may receive, harvest, and convert the power transmission waves into useable electrical energy, which may power or charge associated electrical client devices 105. Detectors 107 may be devices comprising a receiver 103 that are capable of producing a notification or alert in response to receiving power transmission signals. As an example, a user searching for the optimal placement of a receiver 103 to charge the user's client device 105 may use a detector 107 that comprises an LED light 108, which may brighten when the detector 107 captures the power transmission signals from a single beam or a pocket of energy 104.
1. Transmitters
The transmitter 101 may transmit or broadcast power transmission signals to a receiver 103 associated with a device 105. Although several of the embodiments mentioned below describe the power transmission signals as radio frequency (RF) waves, it should be appreciated that the power transmission may be physical media that is capable of being propagated through space, and that is capable of being converted into a source of electrical energy 103. The transmitter 101 may transmit the power transmission signals as a single beam directed at the receivers 103. In some cases, one or more transmitters 101 may transmit a plurality of power transmission signals that are propagated in a multiple directions and may deflect off of physical obstructions (e.g., walls). The plurality of power transmission signals may converge at a location in a three-dimensional space, forming a pocket of energy 104. Receivers 103 within the boundaries of an energy pocket 104 may capture and covert the power transmission signals into a useable source of energy. The transmitter 101 may control pocket-forming based on phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments of power transmission signals, to form constructive interference patterns.
Although the exemplary embodiment recites the use of RF wave transmission techniques, the wireless charging techniques should not be limited to RF wave transmission techniques. Rather, it should be appreciated that possible wireless charging techniques may include any number of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power. Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can be converted by a receiving device into electrical power may include: ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be disposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasound waves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductive magnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil and converted by a receiver coil into electrical power. In addition, although the exemplary transmitter 101 is shown as a single unit comprising potentially multiple transmitters (transmit array), both for RF transmission of power and for other power transmission methods mentioned in this paragraph, the transmit arrays can comprise multiple transmitters that are physically spread around a room rather than being in a compact regular structure. The transmitter includes an antenna array where the antennas are used for sending the power transmission signal. Each antenna sends power transmission waves where the transmitter applies a different phase and amplitude to the signal transmitted from different antennas. Similar to the formation of pockets of energy, the transmitter can form a phased array of delayed versions of the signal to be transmitted, then applies different amplitudes to the delayed versions of the signal, and then sends the signals from appropriate antennas. For a sinusoidal waveform, such as an RF signal, ultrasound, microwave, or others, delaying the signal is similar to applying a phase shift to the signal.
2. Pockets of Energy
A pocket of energy 104 may be formed at locations of constructive interference patterns of power transmission signals transmitted by the transmitter 101. The pockets of energy 104 may manifest as a three-dimensional field where energy may be harvested by receivers 103 located within the pocket of energy 104. The pocket of energy 104 produced by transmitters 101 during pocket-forming may be harvested by a receiver 103, converted to an electrical charge, and then provided to electronic client device 105 associated with the receiver 103 (e.g., laptop computer, smartphone, rechargeable battery). In some embodiments, there may be multiple transmitters 101 and/or multiple receivers 103 powering various client devices 105. In some embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may adjust transmission of the power transmission signals in order to regulate power levels and/or identify movement of the devices 105.
3. Receivers
A receiver 103 may be used for powering or charging an associated client device 105, which may be an electrical device coupled to or integrated with the receiver 103. The receiver 103 may receive power transmission waves from one or more power transmission signals originating from one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may receive the power transmission signals as a single beam produced by the transmitter 101, or the receiver 103 may harvest power transmission waves from a pocket of energy 104, which may be a three-dimensional field in space resulting from the convergence of a plurality of power transmission waves produced by one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may comprise an array of antennas 112 configured to receive power transmission waves from a power transmission signal and harvest the energy from the power transmission signals of the single beam or pocket of energy 104. The receiver 103 may comprise circuitry that then converts the energy of the power transmission signals (e.g., the radio frequency electromagnetic radiation) to electrical energy. A rectifier of the receiver 103 may translate the electrical energy from AC to DC. Other types of conditioning may be applied, as well. For example, a voltage conditioning circuit may increase or decrease the voltage of the electrical energy as required by the client device 105. An electrical relay may then convey the electrical energy from the receiver 103 to the client device 105.
In some embodiments, the receiver 103 may comprise a communications component that transmits control signals to the transmitter 101 in order to exchange data in real-time or near real-time. The control signals may contain status information about the client device 105, the receiver 103, or the power transmission signals. Status information may include, for example, present location information of the device 105, amount of charge received, amount of charged used, and user account information, among other types of information. Further, in some applications, the receiver 103 including the rectifier that it contains may be integrated into the client device 105. For practical purposes, the receiver 103, wire 111, and client device 105 may be a single unit contained in a single packaging.
4. Control Signals
In some embodiments, control signals may serve as data inputs used by the various antenna elements responsible for controlling production of power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming. Control signals may be produced by the receiver 103 or the transmitter 101 using an external power supply (not shown) and a local oscillator chip (not shown), which in some cases may include using a piezoelectric material. Control signals may be RF waves or any other communication medium or protocol capable of communicating data between processors, such as Bluetooth®, RFID, infrared, near-field communication (NFC). As detailed later, control signals may be used to convey information between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 103 used to adjust the power transmission signals, as well as contain information related to status, efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geo-location, and other types of information.
5. Detectors
A detector 107 may comprise hardware similar to receivers 103, which may allow the detector 107 to receive power transmission signals originating from one or more transmitters 101. The detector 107 may be used by users to identify the location of pockets of energy 104, so that users may determine the preferable placement of a receiver 103. In some embodiments, the detector 107 may comprise an indicator light 108 that indicates when the detector is placed within the pocket of energy 104. As an example, in
6. Client Device
A client device 105 may be any electrical device that requires continuous electrical energy or that requires power from a battery. Non-limiting examples of client devices 105 may include laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys, batteries, flashlights, lamps, electronic watches, cameras, gaming consoles, appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called “wearables” (e.g., fitness bracelets, pedometers, smartwatch), among other types of electrical devices.
In some embodiments, the client device 105a may be a physical device distinct from the receiver 103a associated with the client device 105a. In such embodiments, the client device 105a may be connected to the receiver over a wire 111 that conveys converted electrical energy from the receiver 103a to the client device 105a. In some cases, other types of data may be transported over the wire 111, such as power consumption status, power usage metrics, device identifiers, and other types of data.
In some embodiments, the client device 105b may be permanently integrated or detachably coupled to the receiver 103b, thereby forming a single integrated product or unit. As an example, the client device 105b may be placed into a sleeve that has embedded receivers 103b and that may detachably couple to the device's 105b power supply input, which may be typically used to charge the device's 105b battery. In this example, the device 105b may be decoupled from the receiver, but may remain in the sleeve regardless of whether or not the device 105b requires an electrical charge or is being used. In another example, in lieu of having a battery that holds a charge for the device 105b, the device 105b may comprise an integrated receiver 105b, which may be permanently integrated into the device 105b so as to form an indistinct product, device, or unit. In this example, the device 105b may rely almost entirely on the integrated receiver 103b to produce electrical energy by harvesting pockets of energy 104. It should be clear to someone skilled in the art that the connection between the receiver 103 and the client device 105 may be a wire 111 or may be an electrical connection on a circuit board or an integrated circuit, or even a wireless connection, such as inductive or magnetic.
B. Method of Wireless Power Transmission
In a first step 201, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection or otherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments, transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using a wireless communication protocol capable of transmitting information between two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, in embodiments implementing Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, the transmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signals or a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter. The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to the transmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter and the receiver. As described herein, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal may communicate information that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers, other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures. Information contained within the advertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energy received, client device power consumption, and other types of data related to power transmission. The transmitter may use the advertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in a three-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter may establish the connection associated in the transmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate control signals over a second channel.
In a next step 203, the transmitter may use the advertisement signal to determine a set of power transmission signal features for transmitting the power transmission signals, to then establish the pockets of energy. Non-limiting examples of features of power transmission signals may include phase, gain, amplitude, magnitude, and direction among others. The transmitter may use information contained in the receiver's advertisement signal, or in subsequent control signals received from the receiver, to determine how to produce and transmit the power transmission signals so that the receiver may receive the power transmission signals. In some cases, the transmitter may transmit power transmission signals in a way that establishes a pocket of energy, from which the receiver may harvest electrical energy. In some embodiments, the transmitter may comprise a processor executing software modules capable of automatically identifying the power transmission signal features needed to establish a pocket of energy based on information received from the receiver, such as the voltage of the electrical energy harvested by the receiver from the power transmission signals. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the functions of the processor and/or the software modules may be implemented in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).
Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal or subsequent signal transmitted by the receiver over a second communications channel may indicate one or more power transmission signals features, which the transmitter may then use to produce and transmit power transmission signals to establish a pocket of energy. For example, in some cases the transmitter may automatically identify the phase and gain necessary for transmitting the power transmission signals based on the location of the device and the type of device or receiver; and, in some cases, the receiver may inform the transmitter the phase and gain for effectively transmitting the power transmission signals.
In a next step 205, after the transmitter determines the appropriate features to use when transmitting the power transmission signals, the transmitter may begin transmitting power transmission signals, over a separate channel from the control signals. Power transmission signals may be transmitted to establish a pocket of energy. The transmitter's antenna elements may transmit the power transmission signals such that the power transmission signals converge in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space around the receiver. The resulting field around the receiver forms a pocket of energy from which the receiver may harvest electrical energy. One antenna element may be used to transmit power transmission signals to establish two-dimensional energy transmissions; and in some cases, a second or additional antenna element may be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establish a three-dimensional pocket of energy. In some cases, a plurality of antenna elements may be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establish the pocket of energy. Moreover, in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include all of the antennas in the transmitter; and, in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include a number of the antennas in the transmitter, but fewer than all of the antennas of the transmitter.
As previously mentioned, the transmitter may produce and transmit power transmission signals, according to a determined set of power transmission signal features, which may be produced and transmitted using an external power source and a local oscillator chip comprising a piezoelectric material. The transmitter may comprise an RFIC that controls production and transmission of the power transmission signals based on information related to power transmission and pocket-forming received from the receiver. This control data may be communicated over a different channel from the power transmission signals, using wireless communications protocols, such as BLE, NFC, or ZigBee®. The RFIC of the transmitter may automatically adjust the phase and/or relative magnitudes of the power transmission signals as needed. Pocket-forming is accomplished by the transmitter transmitting the power transmission signals in a manner that forms constructive interference patterns.
Antenna elements of the transmitter may use concepts of wave interference to determine certain power transmission signals features (e.g., direction of transmission, phase of power transmission signal wave), when transmitting the power transmission signals during pocket-forming. The antenna elements may also use concepts of constructive interference to generate a pocket of energy, but may also utilize concepts of deconstructive interference to generate a transmission null in a particular physical location.
In some embodiments, the transmitter may provide power to a plurality of receivers using pocket-forming, which may require the transmitter to execute a procedure for multiple pocket-forming. A transmitter comprising a plurality of antenna elements may accomplish multiple pocket-forming by automatically computing the phase and gain of power transmission signal waves, for each antenna element of the transmitter tasked with transmitting power transmission signals the respective receivers. The transmitter may compute the phase and gains independently, because multiple wave paths for each power transmission signal may be generated by the transmitter's antenna elements to transmit the power transmission signals to the respective antenna elements of the receiver.
As an example of the computation of phase/gain adjustments for two antenna elements of the transmitter transmitting two signals, say X and Y where Y is 180 degree phase shifted version of X (Y=−X). At a physical location where the cumulative received waveform is X−Y, a receiver receives X−Y=X+X=2X, whereas at a physical location where the cumulative received waveform is X+Y, a receiver receives X+Y=X−X=0.
In a next step 207, the receiver may harvest or otherwise receive electrical energy from power transmission signals of a single beam or a pocket of energy. The receiver may comprise a rectifier and AC/DC converter, which may convert the electrical energy from AC current to DC current, and a rectifier of the receiver may then rectify the electrical energy, resulting in useable electrical energy for a client device associated with the receiver, such as a laptop computer, smartphone, battery, toy, or other electrical device. The receiver may utilize the pocket of energy produced by the transmitter during pocket-forming to charge or otherwise power the electronic device.
In next step 209, the receiver may generate control data containing information indicating the effectiveness of the single beam or energy pockets providing the receiver power transmission signals. The receiver may then transmit control signals containing the control data, to the transmitter. The control signals may be transmitted intermittently, depending on whether the transmitter and receiver are communicating synchronously (i.e., the transmitter is expecting to receive control data from the receiver). Additionally, the transmitter may continuously transmit the power transmission signals to the receiver, irrespective of whether the transmitter and receiver are communicating control signals. The control data may contain information related to transmitting power transmission signals and/or establishing effective pockets of energy. Some of the information in the control data may inform the transmitter how to effectively produce and transmit, and in some cases adjust, the features of the power transmission signals. Control signals may be transmitted and received over a second channel, independent from the power transmission signals, using a wireless protocol capable of transmitting control data related to power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming, such as BLE, NFC, Wi-Fi, or the like.
As mentioned, the control data may contain information indicating the effectiveness of the power transmission signals of the single beam or establishing the pocket of energy. The control data may be generated by a processor of the receiver monitoring various aspects of receiver and/or the client device associated with the receiver. The control data may be based on various types of information, such as the voltage of electrical energy received from the power transmission signals, the quality of the power transmission signals reception, the quality of the battery charge or quality of the power reception, and location or motion of the receiver, among other types of information useful for adjusting the power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming.
In some embodiments, a receiver may determine the amount of power being received from power transmission signals transmitted from the transmitter and may then indicate that the transmitter should “split” or segment the power transmission signals into less-powerful power transmission signals. The less-powerful power transmission signals may be bounced off objects or walls nearby the device, thereby reducing the amount of power being transmitted directly from the transmitter to the receiver.
In a next step 211, the transmitter may calibrate the antennas transmitting the power transmission signals, so that the antennas transmit power transmission signals having a more effective set of feature (e.g., direction, phase, gain, amplitude). In some embodiments, a processor of the transmitter may automatically determine more effective features for producing and transmitting the power transmission signals based on a control signal received from the receiver. The control signal may contain control data, and may be transmitted by the receiver using any number of wireless communication protocols (e.g., BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee®). The control data may contain information expressly indicating the more effective features for the power transmission waves; or the transmitter may automatically determine the more effective features based on the waveform features of the control signal (e.g., shape, frequency, amplitude). The transmitter may then automatically reconfigure the antennas to transmit recalibrated power transmission signals according to the newly determined more-effective features. For example, the processor of the transmitter may adjust gain and/or phase of the power transmission signals, among other features of power transmission feature, to adjust for a change in location of the receiver, after a user moved the receiver outside of the three-dimensional space where the pocket of energy is established.
C. System Architecture of Power Transmission System
Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may operate in single array, pair array, quad array, or any other suitable arrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desired application. Pockets of energy may be formed at constructive interference patterns where the power transmission waves 342 accumulate to form a three-dimensional field of energy, around which one or more corresponding transmission null in a particular physical location may be generated by destructive interference patterns. Transmission null in a particular physical location—may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of power transmission waves 342.
A receiver 320 may then utilize power transmission waves 342 emitted by the transmitter 302 to establish a pocket of energy, for charging or powering an electronic device 313, thus effectively providing wireless power transmission. Pockets of energy may refer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive interference patterns of power transmission waves 342. In other situations there can be multiple transmitters 302 and/or multiple receivers 320 for powering various electronic equipment for example smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.
Adaptive pocket-forming may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers.
Receiver 320 may communicate with transmitter 302 by generating a short signal through antenna elements 324 in order to indicate its position with respect to the transmitter 302. In some embodiments, receiver 320 may additionally utilize a network interface card (not shown) or similar computer networking component to communicate through a network 340 with other devices or components of the system 300, such as a cloud computing service that manages several collections of transmitters 302. The receiver 320 may comprise circuitry 308 for converting the power transmission signals 342 captured by the antenna elements 324, into electrical energy that may be provided to and electric device 313 and/or a battery of the device 315. In some embodiments, the circuitry may provide electrical energy to a battery of receiver 335, which may store energy without the electrical device 313 being communicatively coupled to the receiver 320.
Communications components 324 may enable receiver 320 to communicate with the transmitter 302 by transmitting control signals 345 over a wireless protocol. The wireless protocol can be a proprietary protocol or use a conventional wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee, and the like. Communications component 324 may then be used to transfer information, such as an identifier for the electronic device 313, as well as battery level information, geographic location data, or other information that may be of use for transmitter 302 in determining when to send power to receiver 320, as well as the location to deliver power transmission waves 342 creating pockets of energy. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power provided to electronic devices 313. In such embodiments, the communications components 324 of the receiver may transmit voltage data indicating the amount of power received at the receiver 320, and/or the amount of voltage provided to an electronic device 313b or battery 315.
Once transmitter 302 identifies and locates receiver 320, a channel or path for the control signals 345 can be established, through which the transmitter 302 may know the gain and phases of the control signals 345 coming from receiver 320. Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may start to transmit or broadcast controlled power transmission waves 342 (e.g., radio frequency waves, ultrasound waves), which may converge in three-dimensional space by using at least two antenna elements 306 to manipulate the power transmission waves 342 emitted from the respective antenna element 306. These power transmission waves 342 may be produced by using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. The power transmission waves 342 may be controlled by transmitter circuitry 301, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of power transmission waves 342. The phase, gain, amplitude, and other waveform features of the power transmission waves 342 may serve as inputs for antenna element 306 to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). In some implementations, a micro-controller 310 or other circuit of the transmitter 302 may produce a power transmission signal, which comprises power transmission waves 342, and that may be may split into multiple outputs by transmitter circuitry 301, depending on the number of antenna elements 306 connected to the transmitter circuitry 301. For example, if four antenna elements 306a-d are connected to one transmitter circuit 301a, the power transmission signal will be split into four different outputs each output going to an antenna element 306 to be transmitted as power transmission waves 342 originating from the respective antenna elements 306.
Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the antenna element 306 where constructive interference generates a pocket of energy and destructive interference generates a transmission null. Receiver 320 may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device and therefore effectively providing wireless power transmission.
Multiple pocket-forming may be achieved by computing the phase and gain from each antenna 306 of transmitter 302 to each receiver 320.
D. Components of Systems Forming Pockets of Energy
1. Transmitters
Transmitters 402 may be any device capable of broadcasting wireless power transmission signals, which may be RF waves 442, for wireless power transmission, as described herein. Transmitters 402 may be responsible for performing tasks related to transmitting power transmission signals, which may include pocket-forming, adaptive pocket-forming, and multiple pocket-forming. In some implementations, transmitters 402 may transmit wireless power transmissions to receivers 420 in the form of RF waves, which may include any radio signal having any frequency or wavelength. A transmitter 402 may include one or more antenna elements 406, one or more RFICs 408, one or more microcontrollers 410, one or more communication components 412, a power source 414, and a housing that may allocate all the requested components for the transmitter 402. The various components of transmitters 402 may comprise, and/or may be manufactured using, meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and the like.
In the exemplary system 400, the transmitter 402 may transmit or otherwise broadcast controlled RF waves 442 that converge at a location in three-dimensional space, thereby forming a pocket of energy 444. These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive or destructive interference patterns (i.e., pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 444 may be fields formed at constructive interference patterns and may be three-dimensional in shape; whereas transmission null in a particular physical location may be generated at destructive interference patterns. Receivers 420 may harvest electrical energy from the pockets of energy 444 produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic client device 446 (e.g., a laptop computer, a cell phone). In some embodiments, the system 400 may comprise multiple transmitters 402 and/or multiple receivers 420, for powering various electronic equipment. Non-limiting examples of client devices 446 may include: smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time. In some embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.
2. Receivers
Receivers 420 may include a housing where at least one antenna element 424, one rectifier 426, one power converter 428, and a communications component 430 may be included.
Housing of the receiver 420 can be made of any material capable of facilitating signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.
3. Antenna Elements
Antenna elements 424 of the receiver 420 may comprise any type of antenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals in frequency bands used by the transmitter 402A. Antenna elements 424 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as well as any number of polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. For devices having a well-defined expected orientation (e.g., a two-handed video game controller), there might be a preferred polarization for antennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Types of antennas in antenna elements 424 of the receiver 420, may include patch antennas, which may have heights from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may preferably have polarization that depends upon connectivity, i.e., the polarization may vary depending on from which side the patch is fed. In some embodiments, the type of antenna may be any type of antenna, such as patch antennas, capable of dynamically varying the antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission.
4. Rectifier
Rectifiers 426 of the receiver 420 may include diodes, resistors, inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna elements 424 to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifiers 426 may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna elements A24B to minimize losses in electrical energy gathered from power transmission signals. After rectifying AC voltage, the resulting DC voltage may be regulated using power converters 428. Power converters 428 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this exemplary system 400, to a battery. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter may include electronic switched mode DC-DC converters, which can provide high efficiency. In such embodiments, the receiver 420 may comprise a capacitor (not shown) that is situated to receive the electrical energy before power converters 428. The capacitor may ensure sufficient current is provided to an electronic switching device (e.g., switch mode DC-DC converter), so it may operate effectively. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone or laptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimum voltage needed to activate operation of an electronic switched mode DC-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor (not shown) may be added at the output of receivers 420 to provide the extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided. For example, 1/80 of the total initial power that may be used while having the phone or laptop still build-up charge.
5. Communications Component
A communications component 430 of a receiver 420 may communicate with one or more other devices of the system 400, such as other receivers 420, client devices, and/or transmitters 402. Different antenna, rectifier or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver as will be explained in following embodiments.
E. Methods of Pocket Forming for a Plurality of Devices
In a first step 501, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection or otherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments, transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using a wireless communication protocol capable of transmitting information between two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, in embodiments implement Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, the transmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signals or a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter. The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to the transmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter and the receiver. As described later, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal may communicate information that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers, other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures. Information contained within the advertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energy received, client device power consumption, and other types of data related to power transmission waves. The transmitter may use the advertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in a three-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter may establish the connection associated in the transmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate control signals over a second channel.
As an example, when a receiver comprising a Bluetooth® processor is powered-up or is brought within a detection range of the transmitter, the Bluetooth processor may begin advertising the receiver according to Bluetooth® standards. The transmitter may recognize the advertisement and begin establishing connection for communicating control signals and power transmission signals. In some embodiments, the advertisement signal may contain unique identifiers so that the transmitter may distinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all the other Bluetooth® devices nearby within range.
In a next step 503, when the transmitter detects the advertisement signal, the transmitter may automatically form a communication connection with that receiver, which may allow the transmitter and receiver to communicate control signals and power transmission signals. The transmitter may then command that receiver to begin transmitting real-time sample data or control data. The transmitter may also begin transmitting power transmission signals from antennas of the transmitter's antenna array.
In a next step 505, the receiver may then measure the voltage, among other metrics related to effectiveness of the power transmission signals, based on the electrical energy received by the receiver's antennas. The receiver may generate control data containing the measured information, and then transmit control signals containing the control data to the transmitter. For example, the receiver may sample the voltage measurements of received electrical energy, for example, at a rate of 100 times per second. The receiver may transmit the voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter, 100 times a second, in the form of control signals.
In a next step 507, the transmitter may execute one or more software modules monitoring the metrics, such as voltage measurements, received from the receiver. Algorithms may vary production and transmission of power transmission signals by the transmitter's antennas, to maximize the effectiveness of the pockets of energy around the receiver. For example, the transmitter may adjust the phase at which the transmitter's antenna transmit the power transmission signals, until that power received by the receiver indicates an effectively established pocket energy around the receiver. When an optimal configuration for the antennas is identified, memory of the transmitter may store the configurations to keep the transmitter broadcasting at that highest level.
In a next step 509, algorithms of the transmitter may determine when it is necessary to adjust the power transmission signals and may also vary the configuration of the transmit antennas, in response to determining such adjustments are necessary. For example, the transmitter may determine the power received at a receiver is less than maximal, based on the data received from the receiver. The transmitter may then automatically adjust the phase of the power transmission signals, but may also simultaneously continues to receive and monitor the voltage being reported back from receiver.
In a next step 511, after a determined period of time for communicating with a particular receiver, the transmitter may scan and/or automatically detect advertisements from other receivers that may be in range of the transmitter. The transmitters may establish a connection to the second receiver responsive to Bluetooth® advertisements from a second receiver.
In a next step 513, after establishing a second communication connection with the second receiver, the transmitter may proceed to adjust one or more antennas in the transmitter's antenna array. In some embodiments, the transmitter may identify a subset of antennas to service the second receiver, thereby parsing the array into subsets of arrays that are associated with a receiver. In some embodiments, the entire antenna array may service a first receiver for a given period of time, and then the entire array may service the second receiver for that period of time.
Manual or automated processes performed by the transmitter may select a subset of arrays to service the second receiver. In this example, the transmitter's array may be split in half, forming two subsets. As a result, half of the antennas may be configured to transmit power transmission signals to the first receiver, and half of the antennas may be configured for the second receiver. In the current step 513, the transmitter may apply similar techniques discussed above to configure or optimize the subset of antennas for the second receiver. While selecting a subset of an array for transmitting power transmission signals, the transmitter and second receiver may be communicating control data. As a result, by the time that the transmitter alternates back to communicating with the first receiver and/or scan for new receivers, the transmitter has already received a sufficient amount of sample data to adjust the phases of the waves transmitted by second subset of the transmitter's antenna array, to transmit power transmission waves to the second receiver effectively.
In a next step 515, after adjusting the second subset to transmit power transmission signals to the second receiver, the transmitter may alternate back to communicating control data with the first receiver, or scanning for additional receivers. The transmitter may reconfigure the antennas of the first subset, and then alternate between the first and second receivers at a predetermined interval.
In a next step 517, the transmitter may continue to alternate between receivers and scanning for new receivers, at a predetermined interval. As each new receiver is detected, the transmitter may establish a connection and begin transmitting power transmission signals, accordingly.
In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver may be electrically connected to a device like a smart phone. The transmitter's processor would scan for any Bluetooth devices. The receiver may begin advertising that it's a Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth chip. Inside the advertisement, there may be unique identifiers so that the transmitter, when it scanned that advertisement, could distinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all the other Bluetooth devices nearby within range. When the transmitter detects that advertisement and notices it is a receiver, then the transmitter may immediately form a communication connection with that receiver and command that receiver to begin sending real time sample data.
The receiver would then measure the voltage at its receiving antennas, send that voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter (e.g., 100 times a second). The transmitter may start to vary the configuration of the transmit antennas by adjusting the phase. As the transmitter adjusts the phase, the transmitter monitors the voltage being sent back from the receiver. In some implementations, the higher the voltage, the more energy may be in the pocket. The antenna phases may be altered until the voltage is at the highest level and there is a maximum pocket of energy around the receiver. The transmitter may keep the antennas at the particular phase so the voltage is at the highest level.
The transmitter may vary each individual antenna, one at a time. For example, if there are 32 antennas in the transmitter, and each antenna has 8 phases, the transmitter may begin with the first antenna and would step the first antenna through all 8 phases. The receiver may then send back the power level for each of the 8 phases of the first antenna. The transmitter may then store the highest phase for the first antenna. The transmitter may repeat this process for the second antenna, and step it through 8 phases. The receiver may again send back the power levels from each phase, and the transmitter may store the highest level. Next the transmitter may repeat the process for the third antenna and continue to repeat the process until all 32 antennas have stepped through the 8 phases. At the end of the process, the transmitter may transmit the maximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.
In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect a second receiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with the second receiver. When the transmitter forms the communication with the second receiver, the transmitter may aim the original 32 antennas towards the second receiver and repeat the phase process for each of the 32 antennas aimed at the second receiver. Once the process is completed, the second receiver may getting as much power as possible from the transmitter. The transmitter may communicate with the second receiver for a second, and then alternate back to the first receiver for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a second), and the transmitter may continue to alternate back and forth between the first receiver and the second receiver at the predetermined time intervals.
In yet another implementation, the transmitter may detect a second receiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with the second receiver. First, the transmitter may communicate with the first receiver and re-assign half of the exemplary 32 the antennas aimed at the first receiver, dedicating only 16 towards the first receiver. The transmitter may then assign the second half of the antennas to the second receiver, dedicating 16 antennas to the second receiver. The transmitter may adjust the phases for the second half of the antennas. Once the 16 antennas have gone through each of the 8 phases, the second receiver may be obtaining the maximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.
F. Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range
1. Constructive Interference
Continuing with
In contrast, as shown in
G. Exemplary System Embodiment Using Heat Maps
As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receivers 920A, 920B and transmitters 902A, 902B, RF waves may not be easily aimed to the receivers 920A, 920B in a linear direction. However, since the short signals generated from receivers 920A, 920B may be omni-directional for the type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce over the walls 944A, 944B until they reach transmitters 902A, 902B. A hot spot 944A, 944B may be any item in the room which will reflect the RF waves. For example, a large metal clock on the wall may be used to reflect the RF waves to a user's cell phone.
A micro controller in the transmitter adjusts the transmitted signal from each antenna based on the signal received from the receiver. Adjustment may include forming conjugates of the signal phases received from the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phases taking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. The antenna element may be controlled simultaneously to steer energy in a given direction. The transmitter 902A, 902B may scan the room, and look for hot spots 944A, 944B. Once calibration is performed, transmitters 902A, 902B may focus RF waves in a channel following a path that may be the most efficient paths. Subsequently, RF signals 942A, 942B may form a pocket of energy on a first electronic device and another pocket of energy in a second electronic device while avoiding obstacles such as user and furniture.
When scanning the service area, the room in
The transmitters 902A, 902B, may use the Bluetooth connection to determine the location of the receivers 920A, 920B, and may use different non-overlapping parts of the RF band to channel the RF waves to different receivers 920A, 920B. In some implementations, the transmitters 902A, 902B, may conduct a scan of the room to determine the location of the receivers 920A, 920B and forms pockets of energy that are orthogonal to each other, by virtue of non-overlapping RF transmission bands. Using multiple pockets of energy to direct energy to receivers may inherently be safer than some alternative power transmission methods since no single transmission is very strong, while the aggregate power transmission signal received at the receiver is strong.
H. Exemplary System Embodiment
Multiple pocket forming 1000A may be achieved by computing the phase and gain from each antenna of transmitter 1002A to each receiver 1020A. The computation may be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generated by antenna element from transmitter 1002A to antenna element from receivers 1020A.
I. Exemplary System Embodiment
Once transmitter 1002B identities and locates receiver, a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming from receiver. Transmitter 1002B may start to transmit controlled RF waves 1042B that may converge in three-dimensional space by using a minimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves 1042B may be produced using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. RF waves 1042B may be controlled by RFIC that may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals, which may serve as inputs for antenna elements to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the antenna elements where constructive interference generates a pocket of energy and deconstructive interference generates a null in a particular physical location. Receiver may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptop computer and a smartphone and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission.
Multiple pocket-forming 1000B may be achieved by computing the phase and gain from each antenna of transmitter to each receiver. The computation may be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generated by antenna elements from transmitter to antenna elements from receiver.
An example of the computation for at least two antenna elements may include determining the phase of the signal from the receiver and applying the conjugate of the receive parameters to the antenna elements for transmission.
In some embodiments, two or more receivers may operate at different frequencies to avoid power losses during wireless power transmission. This may be achieved by including an array of multiple embedded antenna elements in transmitter 1002B. In one embodiment, a single frequency may be transmitted by each antenna in the array. In other embodiments some of the antennas in the array may be used to transmit at a different frequency. For example, ½ of the antennas in the array may operate at 2.4 GHz while the other ½ may operate at 5.8 GHz. In another example, ⅓ of the antennas in the array may operate at 900 MHz, another ⅓ may operate at 2.4 GHz, and the remaining antennas in the array may operate at 5.8 GHz.
In another embodiment, each array of antenna elements may be virtually divided into one or more antenna elements during wireless power transmission, where each set of antenna elements in the array can transmit at a different frequency. For example, an antenna element of the transmitter may transmit power transmission signals at 2.4 GHz, but a corresponding antenna element of a receiver may be configured to receive power transmission signals at 5.8 GHz. In this example, a processor of the transmitter may adjust the antenna element of the transmitter to virtually or logically divide the antenna elements in the array into a plurality patches that may be fed independently. As a result, ¼ of the array of antenna elements may be able to transmit the 5.8 GHz needed for the receiver, while another set of antenna elements may transmit at 2.4 GHz. Therefore, by virtually dividing an array of antenna elements, electronic devices coupled to receivers can continue to receive wireless power transmission. The foregoing may be beneficial because, for example, one set of antenna elements may transmit at about 2.4 GHz and other antenna elements may transmit at 5.8 GHz, and thus, adjusting a number of antenna elements in a given array when working with receivers operating at different frequencies. In this example, the array is divided into equal sets of antenna elements (e.g., four antenna elements), but the array may be divided into sets of different amounts of antenna elements. In an alternative embodiment, each antenna element may alternate between select frequencies.
The efficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount of power that can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function of the total number of antenna elements 1006 used in a given receivers and transmitters system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about 15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while a transmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identical wireless power transmission system (about 1 watt at about 15 feet) may include a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitter with about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antenna elements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antenna elements in a transmitter. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to put a greater number of antenna elements in transmitters than in a receivers because of cost, because there will be much fewer transmitters than receivers in a system-wide deployment. However, the opposite can be achieved, e.g., by placing more antenna elements on a receiver than on a transmitter as long as there are at least two antenna elements in a transmitter 1002B.
II. Transmitters—Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions
Transmitters may be responsible for the pocket-forming, adaptive pocket-forming and multiple pocket-forming using the components described below. Transmitters may transmit wireless power transmission signals to receivers in the form of any physical media capable of propagating through space and being converted into useable electrical energy; examples may include RF waves, infrared, acoustics, electromagnetic fields, and ultrasound. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that power transmission signals may be most any radio signal, having any frequency or wavelength. Transmitters are described within with reference to RF transmissions, only as an example, and not to limit the scope to RF transmission only.
Transmitters may be located in number of locations, surfaces, mountings, or embedded structures, such as, desks, tables, floors, walls, and the like. In some cases, transmitters may be located in a client computing platforms, which may be any computing device comprising processors and software modules capable of executing the processes and tasks described herein. Non-limiting examples of client computing platforms may include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computing platform, a netbook, a smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms. In other embodiments, the client computing platforms may be a variety of electronic computing devices. In such embodiments, each of the client computing platforms may have distinct operating systems, and/or physical components. The client computing platforms may be executing the same operating system and/or the client computing platforms may be executing different operating systems. The client computing platforms and or devices may be capable of executing multiple operating systems. In addition, box transmitters may contain several arrangements of printed circuit board (PCB) layers, which may be oriented in X, Y, or Z axis, or in any combination of these.
It should be appreciated that wireless charging techniques are not limited to RF wave transmission techniques, but may include alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power. Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can be converted by a receiving device into electrical power may include: ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be disposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasound waves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductive magnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil and converted by a receiver coil into electrical power.
A. Components of Transmitter Devices
1. Printed Circuit Boards
In some implementations, the transmitter 1101 may include a plurality of PCB 1104 layers, which may include antenna element 1106 and/or RFIC 1108 for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. The PCB 1104 may mechanically support and electrically connect the electronic component described herein using conductive tracks, pads and/or other features etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs may be single sided (one copper layer), double sided (two copper layers), and/or multi-layer. Multiple PCB 1104 layers may increase the range and the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter 1101. PCB 1104 layers may be connected to a single MC 1110 and/or to dedicated MCs 1110. Similarly, RFIC 1108 may be connected to antenna element 1106 as depicted in the foregoing embodiments.
In some implementations, a box transmitter, including a plurality of PCB 1104 layers inside it may include antenna element 1108 for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase the response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased by the box transmitter. Multiple PCB 1104 layers may increase the range and the amount of power waves (e.g., RF power waves, ultrasound waves) that could be transferred and/or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter 1101 due the higher density of antenna element 1106. The PCB 1104 layers may be connected to a single microcontroller 1110 and/or to dedicated microcontroller 1110 for each antenna element 1106. Similarly, RFIC 1108 may control antenna element 1101 as depicted in the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter 1101 may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission.
2. Antenna Elements
Antenna element 1106 may be directional and/or omni-directional and include flat antenna elements, patch antenna elements, dipole antenna elements, and any other suitable antenna for wireless power transmission. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. The shape and orientation of antenna element 1106 may vary in dependency of the desired features of transmitter 1101; orientation may be flat in X, Y, and Z axis, as well as various orientation types and combinations in three dimensional arrangements. Antenna element 1106 materials may include any suitable material that may allow RF signal transmission with high efficiency, good heat dissipation and the like. The amount of antenna elements 1106 may vary in relation with the desired range and power transmission capability on transmitter 1101; the more antenna elements 1106, the wider range and higher power transmission capability.
Antenna element 1106 may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment). Antenna element 1106 may operate in independent frequencies, allowing a multichannel operation of pocket-forming.
In addition, antenna element 1106 may have at least one polarization or a selection of polarizations. Such polarization may include vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, circularly polarized, left hand polarized, right hand polarized, or a combination of polarizations. The selection of polarizations may vary in dependency of transmitter 1101 characteristics. In addition, antenna element 1106 may be located in various surfaces of transmitter 1101. Antenna element 1106 may operate in single array, pair array, quad array and any other suitable arrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desired application.
In some implementations, the entire side of the printed circuit board PCB 1104 may be closely packed with antenna element 1106. The RFIC 1108 may connect to multiple antenna elements 1106. Multiple antenna elements 1106 may surround a single RFIC 1108.
3. Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits
The RFIC 1108 may receive an RF signal from the MC 1110, and split the RF signal into multiple outputs, each output linked to an antenna element 1106. For example, each RFIC 1108 may be connected to four antenna elements 1106. In some implementations, each RFIC 1108 may be connected to eight, sixteen, and/or multiple antenna elements 1106.
The RFIC 1104 may include a plurality of RF circuits that may include digital and/or analog components, such as, amplifiers, capacitors, oscillators, piezoelectric crystals and the like. RFIC 1104 may control features of antenna element 1106, such as gain and/or phase for pocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and the like. The phase and the amplitude of pocket-forming in each antenna element 1106 may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC 1108 in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. In addition, RFIC 1108 may be connected to MC 1110, which may utilize digital signal processing (DSP), ARM, PIC-Class microprocessor, central processing unit, computer, and the like. The lower number of RFICs 1108 present in the transmitter 1101 may correspond to desired features such as lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity, and a less expensive embodiment. In some implementations, RFIC 1108 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1110, and MC 1110 may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1101.
In some implementations of transmitter 1101, the phase and the amplitude of each pocket-forming in each antenna element 1106 may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC 1108 in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC 1108 singled coupled to each antenna element 1106 may reduce processing requirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over MC 1110, and a higher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers.
RFIC 1108 and antenna element 1106 may operate in any suitable arrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desired application. For example, transmitter 1101 may include antenna element 1106 and RFIC 1108 in a flat arrangement. A subset of 4, 8, 16, and/or any number of antenna elements 1106 may be connected to a single RFIC 1108. RFIC 1108 may be directly embedded behind each antenna element 1106; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distance between components. In some implementations, a row or column of antenna elements 1106 may be connected to a single MC 1110. RFIC 1108 connected to each row or column may allow a less expensive transmitter 1101 that may produce pocket-forming by changing phase and gain between rows or columns. In some implementations, the RFIC 1108 may output between 2-8 volts of power for the receiver 1120 to obtain.
In some implementations, a cascade arrangement of RFICs 1108 may be implemented. A flat transmitter 1101 using a cascade arrangement of RFICs 1108 may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers 1106, as well as a higher reliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy of RFICs 1108.
4. Microcontrollers
The MC 1110 may comprise a processor running ARM and/or DSP. ARM is a family of general purpose microprocessors based on a reduced instruction set computing (RISC). A DSP is a general purpose signal processing chip may provide a mathematical manipulation of an information signal to modify or improve it in some way, and can be characterized by the representation of discrete time, discrete frequency, and/or other discrete domain signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. DSP may measure, filter, and/or compress continuous real-world analog signals. The first step may be conversion of the signal from an analog to a digital form, by sampling and then digitizing it using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which may convert the analog signal into a stream of discrete digital values. The MC 1110 may also run Linux and/or any other operating system. The MC 1110 may also be connected to Wi-Fi in order to provide information through a network 1140.
MC 1110 may control a variety of features of RFIC 1108 such as, time emission of pocket-forming, direction of the pocket-forming, bounce angle, power intensity and the like. Furthermore, MC 1110 may control multiple pocket-forming over multiple receivers or over a single receiver. Transmitter 1101 may allow distance discrimination of wireless power transmission. In addition, MC 1110 may manage and control communication protocols and signals by controlling communication component 1112. MC 1110 may process information received by communication component 1112 that may send and receive signals to and from a receiver in order to track it and concentrate radio frequency signals 1142 (i.e., pockets of energy) on it. Other information may be transmitted from and to receiver 1120; such information may include authentication protocols among others through a network 1140.
The MC 1110 may communicate with the communication component 1112 through serial peripheral interface (SPI) and/or inter-integrated circuit (I2C) protocol. SPI communication may be used for short distance, single master communication, for example in embedded systems, sensors, and SD cards. Devices communicate in master/slave mode where the master device initiates the data frame. Multiple slave devices are allowed with individual slave select lines. I2C is a multi-master, multi-slave, single-ended, serial computer bus used for attaching low-speed peripherals to computer motherboards and embedded systems
5. Communications Component
Communication component 1112 may include and combine Bluetooth technology, infrared communication, Wi-Fi, FM radio among others. MC 1110 may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming, including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming in order to reduce losses because obstacles. Such trajectory may include direct pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination of pocket-forming. In some implementations, the communication component 1112 may communicate with a plurality of devices, which may include receivers 1120, client devices, or other transmitters 1101.
6. Power Source
Transmitters 1101 may be fed by a power source 1114 that may include AC or DC power supply. Voltage, power, and current intensity provided by power source 1114 may vary in dependency with the required power to be transmitted. Conversion of power to radio signal may be managed by MC 1110 and carried out by RFIC 1108 that may utilize a plurality of methods and components to produce radio signals in a wide variety of frequencies, wavelength, intensities, and other features. As an exemplary use of a variety of methods and components for radio signal generation, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used to create and change radio frequencies in different antenna elements 1106. In addition, a variety of filters may be used for smoothing signals as well as amplifiers for increasing power to be transmitted.
Transmitter 1101 may emit RF power waves that are pocket-forming with a power capability from few watts to a predetermined number of watts required by a particular chargeable electronic device. Each antenna may manage a certain power capacity. Such power capacity may be related with the application
7. Housing
In addition to a housing, an independent base station may include MC 1110 and power source 1114, thus, several transmitters 1101 may be managed by a single base station and a single MC 1110. Such capability may allow the location of transmitters 1101 in a variety of strategic positions, such as ceiling, decorations, walls, and the like. Antenna elements 1106, RFIC 1108, MC 1110, communication component 1112, and power source 1114 may be connected in a plurality of arrangements and combinations, which may depend on the desired characteristics of transmitter 1101.
B. Exemplary Method of Transmitting Power
Once both vertical and horizontal values have been measured, the MC may, in a next step 1205, determine the appropriate values of phase and gain for the vertical and horizontal antenna elements used to capture the signal. Appropriate values for phase and gain may be determined by the relationship of the position of the receiver to the antenna. The values may be used by MC in order to adjust antenna elements to form pockets of energy that may be used by a receiver in order to charge an electronic device.
Data pertaining to initial values of all antenna elements in transmitter may be calculated and stored previously for use by MC in order to assist in the calculation of appropriate values for antenna elements. In a next step, 1207, after the appropriate values for the vertical and horizontal antennas used for capturing the signal have been determined, the process may continue by using the stored data to determine appropriate values for all the antennas in the array. Stored data may contain initial test values of phase and gain for all antenna elements in the array at different frequencies. Different sets of data may be stored for different frequencies and MC may select the appropriate data set accordingly. In a next step 1209, MC may then adjust all antennas through RFIC in order to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations.
C. Array Subset Configuration
D. Configurations for Transmitters, Transmitter Components, Antenna Tiles, and Systems Related to Transmitters
1. Exemplary System
2. Flat Transmitter
In one embodiment (i.e., View 1) in transmitter 1402, the phase and the amplitude of the pocket-forming for each antenna element 1406 may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC 1408 in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC 1408 singled coupled to each antenna element 1406 may reduce processing requirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over MC 1410; thus, a higher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers. As described in the embodiment of
In another embodiment (i.e., View 2), a subset of 4 antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single RFIC 1408. The lower number of RFICs 1408 present in the transmitter 1402 may correspond to desired features such as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a. less expensive embodiment. As described in the embodiment of
In yet another embodiment (i.e., View 3), transmitter 1402 may include antenna element 1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A row or column of antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single MC 1410. The lower number of RFICs 1408 present in the transmitter 1402 may correspond to desired features such as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a less expensive embodiment. RFIC 1408 connected to each row or column may allow a less expensive transmitter 1402, which may produce pocket-forming by changing phase and gain between rows or columns. As described in the embodiment of
In some embodiments (i.e., View 4), transmitter 1402 may include antenna element 1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A cascade arrangement is depicted in this exemplary embodiment. Two antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single RFIC 1408 and this in turn to a single RFIC 1408, which may be connected to a final RFIC 1408 and this in turn to one or more MCs 1410. Flat transmitter 1402 using a cascade arrangement of RFICs 1408 may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, a higher reliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy of RFICs 1408. As described in the embodiment of
3. Multiple Printed Circuit Board Layers
4. Box Transmitter
5. Irregular Arrays for Various Types of Products
For example, a television 1646 may have a bezel around a television 1646, comprising multiple tiles 1650, each tile comprising of a certain number of antenna elements. For example, if there are 20 tiles 1650 around the bezel of the television 1646, each tile 1650 may have 24 antenna elements and/or any number of antenna elements.
In tile 1650, the phase and the amplitude of each pocket-forming in each antenna element may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC singled coupled to each antenna element may reduce processing requirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over microcontroller, thus, a higher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers.
RFIC may be coupled to one or more microcontrollers, and the microcontrollers may be included into an independent base station or into the tiles 1650 in the transmitter 1602. A row or column of antenna elements may be connected to a single microcontroller. In some implementations, the lower number of RFICs present in the transmitters 1602 may correspond to desired features such as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a less expensive embodiment. RFICs connected to each row or column may allow reduce costs by having fewer components because fewer RFICs are required to control each of the transmitters 1602. The RFICs may produce pocket-forming power transmission waves by changing phase and gain, between rows or columns.
In some implementations, the transmitter 1602 may use a cascade arrangement of tiles 1650 comprising RFICs that may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, a higher reliability and accuracy may be achieved from multiple redundancies of RFICs.
In one embodiment, a plurality of PCB layers, including antenna elements, may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range and the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter 1602. PCB layers may be connected to a single microcontroller or to dedicated microcontrollers. Similarly, RFIC may be connected to antenna elements.
A box transmitter 1602 may include a plurality of PCB layers inside it, which may include antenna elements for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased by the box transmitter 1602. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range and the amount of RF power waves that could be transferred or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter 1602 due the higher density of antenna elements. PCB layers may be connected to a single microcontroller or to dedicated microcontrollers for each antenna element. Similarly, RFIC may control antenna elements. The box shape of transmitter 1602 may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission. Thus, box transmitter 1602 may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as, desks, tables, floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter may comprise several arrangements of PCB layers, which may be oriented in X, Y, and Z axis, or any combination these.
6. Plurality of antenna elements
A transmitter device may utilize antenna element 1706 to determine the location of a receiver in order to determine how to adjust antenna element 1706 to form pockets of energy in the appropriate location. A receiver may send a train signal to transmitter in order to provide information. The train signal may be any conventional know signals that may be detected by antenna element 1706. The signal sent by receiver may contain information such as phase and gain.
III. Receivers—Systems and Methods for Receiving and Utilizing Wireless Power Transmissions
A. Components of Receiver Devices
Returning to
1. Antenna Elements
Antenna elements 1124 may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for antenna elements 1106 of a transmitter 1101. Antenna element 1124 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed video game controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about 118 inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may have the advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e., depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as receiver 1120, may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission. Different antenna, rectifier, or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver, as is described in the embodiments herein.
2. Rectifiers
A rectifier 1126 may convert alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which takes non-negative values. Because of the alternating nature of the input AC sine wave, the process of rectification alone produces a DC current that, though non-negative, consists of pulses of current. The output of the rectifier may be smoothed by an electronic filter to produce a steady current. The rectifier 1126 may include diodes and/or resistors, inductors and/or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element 1124 to direct current (DC) voltage.
In some implementations, the rectifier 1126 may be a full-wave rectifier. A full-wave rectifier may convert the whole of the input waveform to one of constant polarity (positive or negative) at its output. Full-wave rectification may convert both polarities of the input waveform to pulsating DC (direct current), and yield a higher average output voltage. Two diodes and a center tapped transformer and/or four diodes in a bridge configuration and any AC source (including a transformer without center tap) may be utilized for a full-wave rectifier. For single-phase AC, if the transformer is center-tapped, then two diodes back-to-back (cathode-to-cathode or anode-to-anode, depending upon output polarity required) may be utilized to form a full-wave rectifier. Twice as many turns may be required on the transformer secondary to obtain the same output voltage than for a bridge rectifier, but the power rating is unchanged. Rectifier 1126 may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element 1124 to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter 1129.
3. Power Converters
Power converter 1129 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide a constant voltage output and/or to help boost the voltage to the receiver 1120. In some implementations, the DC-to-DC converter may be a maximum power point tracker (MPPT). A MPPT is an electronic DC-to-DC converter that converts a higher voltage DC output down to the lower voltage needed to charge batteries. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter 1129 may include electronic switched mode DC-to-DC converters, which can provide high efficiency. In such a case, a capacitor may be included before power converter 1129 to ensure sufficient current is provided for the switching device to operate. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone or laptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimum level of power needed to activate the operation of an electronic switched mode DC-to-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor may be added at the output of receiver 1120 to provide the extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided, as required to provide the appropriate amount electric current; for example, 1/80 of the total initial power used while having the phone or laptop still building-up charge.
In one embodiment, multiple rectifiers 1126 can be connected in parallel to antenna element 1124. For example, four rectifiers 1126 may be connected in parallel to antenna element 1124. However, several more rectifiers 1126 can be used. This arrangement may be advantageous because each rectifier 1126 may only need to handle ¼ of the total power. If one watt is to be delivered to an electronic device, then each rectifier 1126 may only need to handle a quarter of a watt. The arrangement may greatly diminish cost because using a plurality of low-power rectifiers 1126 can be cheaper than utilizing one high-power rectifier 1126 while handling the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total power handled by rectifier 1126 can be combined into a power converter 1129. In other embodiments, there may a power converter 1129 per each rectifier 1126.
In other embodiments, multiple antenna elements 1124 may be connected in parallel to a rectifier 1126, after which DC voltage may be regulated through a power converter 1129. In this example, four antenna elements 1124 may be connected in parallel to a single rectifier 1126. This arrangement may be advantageous because each antenna element 1124 may only handle ¼ of the total power. In addition, the arrangement may enable usage of antenna element 1124 of different polarizations with a single rectifier 1126 because signals may not cancel each other. Because of the foregoing property, the arrangement may be suitable for electronic client devices with an orientation that is not well-defined or otherwise varies over time. Lastly, the arrangement may be beneficial when using antenna element 1124 of equal polarization and configured for phases that do not differ greatly. In some embodiments, however, there can be a rectifier 1126 per antenna element 1124 and/or multiple rectifiers 1126 per antenna element 1124.
In an exemplary implementation, an arrangement where multiple antenna elements 1124 outputs can be combined and connected to parallel rectifiers 1126 whose output may further be combined in one power converter 1129 may be implemented. There may be 16 antenna elements 1124 whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers 1126. In other embodiments, antenna elements 1124 may be subdivided in groups (of four for example) and may connect to independent rectifiers 1126.
In yet another embodiment, an arrangement where groups of antenna elements 1124 may be connected to different rectifiers 1126 which may in turn also be connected to different power converters 1129 may be implemented. In this embodiment, four groups of antenna elements 1124 (each containing four antenna elements 1124 in parallel) may each connect independently to four rectifiers 1126. In this embodiment, the output of each rectifier 1126 may connect directly to a power converter 1129 (four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all four rectifiers 1126 can be combined before each power converter 1129 to handle the total power in parallel. In some embodiments, the combined outputs of each rectifier 1126 may connect to a single power converter 1129. This arrangement may be beneficial in that it allows great proximity between rectifier 1126 and antenna element 1124. This property may be desirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.
4. Communications Component
A communications component 1130, similar to that of transmitter 1101, may be included in receiver 1120 to communicate with a transmitter or to other electronic equipment. In some implementations, receiver 1120 can use a built-in communications component of the device (for example, Bluetooth) for communicating to a given transmitter 1120 based on requirements provided by processor such as battery level, user predefined charging profile or others transmitters 1101 may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) 1104, one or more antenna elements 1106, one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) 1108, one or more microcontrollers (MCs) 1110, a communication component 1112, and a power source 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be encased in a housing, which may allocate all the requested components for transmitter 1101. Components in transmitter 1101 may be manufactured using meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials. The types of information communicated by the communications components between the receiver and the transmitter include but not limited to the present power levels in the batteries, signal strength and power level being received at the receiver, timing information, phase and gain information, user identification, client device privileges, security related signaling, emergency signaling, and authentication exchanges, among other things.
5. PMICs
A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 1132 is an integrated circuit and/or a system block in a system-on-a-chip device for managing power requirements of the host system. The PMIC 1132 may include battery management, voltage regulation, and charging functions. It may include a DC-to-DC converter to allow dynamic voltage scaling. In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may provide up to a 95% power conversion efficiency. In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may integrate with dynamic frequency scaling in a combination. The PMIC 1132 may be implemented in a battery-operated device such as mobile phones and/or portable media players. In some implementations, the battery may be replaced with an input capacitor and an output capacitor. The PMIC 1132 may be directly connected to the battery and/or capacitors. When the battery is being charged directly, a capacitor may not be implemented. In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may be coiled around the battery. The PMIC 1132 may comprise a power management chip (PMC) that acts as a battery charger, and is connected to the battery. The PMIC 1132 can use pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) and pulse-width modulation (PWM). It can use switching amplifier (Class-D electronic amplifier). In some implementations, an output converter, a rectifier, and/or a BLE may also be included in the PMIC 1132.
6. Housing
Housing can be made of any suitable material that may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.
7. Network
The network 1140 may comprise any common communication architecture that facilitates communication between transmitter 1101 and the receiver 1120. One having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the network 1140 may be the Internet, a private intranet, or some hybrid of the two. It should also be obvious to one skilled in the art that the network components may be implemented in dedicated processing equipment, or alternatively in a cloud processing network.
B. Configurations for Receivers, Receiver Components, and Systems Related to Receivers
1. Multiple Rectifiers Connected in Parallel to an Antenna Element
2. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to a Rectifier
3. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to Multiple Rectifiers
4. Permutations of Groupings
A receiver may be implemented on, connected to or embedded in electronic devices or equipment that may rely on power for performing its intended functions, for example a phone, laptop computer, a television remote, a children's toys or any other such devices. A receiver utilizing pocket-forming can be used to fully charge a device's battery while being “On” or “Off,” or while being used or not. In addition, battery lifetime can be greatly enhanced. For example, a device operating on two watts utilizing a receiver that may deliver one watt may increase its battery duration up to about 50%. Lastly, some devices currently running on batteries can fully be powered using a receiver after which a battery may no longer be required. This last property may be beneficial for devices where replacing batteries can be tedious or hard to accomplish such as in wall-clocks. Embodiments below provide some examples of how integration of receivers may be carried out on electronic devices.
5. Embedded Receiver
6. Battery with an Embedded Receiver
7. External Communication Component
8. Casing or Housing of Receiver Connecting to USB
9. PCB on Printed Film
IV. Antenna Hardware and Functionality
A. Spacing Configuration
Receiver 2220 may include an array of antenna elements 2224 strategically distributed on the grid area shown in
B. Metamaterial
The internal hardware may be in the form of a printed film 2256 and/or flexible PCB may include different components, such as a plurality of printed antenna elements 2224 (connected with each other in serial, parallel, or combined), rectifier, and power converter elements. Printed film 2256 may be pasted or otherwise attached to any suitable electronic devices, such as electronic device 2252 and/or tablets. Printed film 2256 may be connected through any suitable interfaces such as flexible cables 2258. Printed film 2256 may exhibit some benefits; one of those benefits may be that sections can be cut from it to meet specific smart mobile device sizes and/or requirements. According to one embodiment, the spacing between antenna elements 2224 for receiver 2220 may range from about 2 nm to about 12 nm, being most suitable about 7 nm.
Additionally, in some implementations, the optimal amount of antenna elements 2224 that may be used in receiver 2220 for an electronic device 2252 such as a smartphone may range from about 20 to about 30. However, the amount of antenna elements 2224 within receiver 2220 may vary according to electronic device 2252 design and size. Antenna element 2224 may be made of different conductive materials such as cooper, gold, and silver, among others. Furthermore, antenna element 2224 may be printed, etched, or laminated onto any suitable non-conductive flexible substrate, such as flexible PCB, among others. The disclosed configuration and orientation of antenna element 2224 may exhibit a better reception, efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.
C. Multimode Transmitter
A multimode transmitter 3000, such as transmitter 1101, as described herein, is configured to operate as or comprises a wireless power router and/or a communication network router, whether in a serial manner, such as one at a time, or a parallel manner, such as concurrently. More particularly, transmitter 3000 is configured to define a pocket of energy via a plurality of wireless power waves so that a first receiver is able to interface with the pocket of energy, as described herein. Transmitter 3000 is configured to emit the wireless power waves, as described herein. For example, at least one of the wireless power waves can be based on a radio frequency, as described herein.
Transmitter 3000 is also configured to provide a network communication signal to a second receiver so that the second receiver is able to interface with the network signal. Such provision can be performed in a wired manner, such as via a cable, a wire-line, or others. Such provision can also be performed in a wireless manner, such as optical, radio, laser, sound, infrared, or others. Such provision can based at least in part on the transmitter receiving a unique identifier from the second receiver, such as a media access control (MAC) address. For example, the network signal comprises at least one of an Ethernet signal, a Wi-Fi signal, an optic signal, a radio signal, an infrared signal, a laser signal, or another type of signal, whether via a short range communication protocol, such as Bluetooth®, or via a long range communication protocol, such as a satellite signal or a cellular signal, such as a cell site. The network signal is based at least in part on a network, wherein the network is or comprises at least one of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a storage area network (SAN), a backbone network, a metropolitan area network, a campus network, a virtual private network, a global area network, a personal area network (PAN), or others, whether for an intranet, an extranet, an internetwork, or darknet.
Transmitter 3000 includes a plurality of antenna elements 406, as described herein with reference to
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 comprises or is coupled to a plurality of arrays comprising antenna elements 406. Such coupling can be direct or indirect, wired or wireless, and/or local or remote. For example, such coupling can be via a wire spanning between transmitter 3000 and at least one of such arrays. Note that such arrays can be embodied as one unit or a plurality of inter-coupled units or intra-coupled units. Such coupling can be direct or indirect, wired or wireless, and/or local or remote. For example, such coupling can be via a wire spanning between at least two of such arrays. Also, note that at least two of such arrays can be identical to each other or different from each based on at least one of structure, function, shape, size, coupling characteristics, or material properties. A presence of such arrays may increase or decrease a number of antenna elements 406 operating for each application, such as either for a wireless power transmission or a communication network signal transmission. In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 lacks distinct array division, such as visual, such as into the first portion and the second portion. Resultantly, at least one of such arrays comprising antenna elements 406 operates for the communication network signal transmission only, and the switch, as described herein, changes an operational mode to enable the power router functionality. For example, transmitter 3000 is configured to operate such that a first portion of an array, as described herein, such as a half, transmits the network signal, such as a Wi-Fi signal, and a second portion of the array, such as the other half, defines the pocket of energy, such as described herein. Line 3002 represents a division in the array arrangement. Note that although the first portion and the second portion are symmetrical, the first portion and the second portion can be asymmetrical. Also, note that the first portion and the second portion can differ from each other or be identical to each other in at least one of a shape, a size, and a number of antenna elements 406.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 comprises an antenna, as described herein. Therefore, transmitter 3000 defines the pocket and provides the network signal via the antenna. Transmitter 3000 can define the pocket and provide the signal simultaneously. Alternatively or additionally, transmitter 3000 is configured to switch between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. Resultantly, transmitter 3000 comprises a switch configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode. The switch can be hardware based, such as an A/B switch, a knob, or a lever. The switch can also be software based, such as via a set of processor-executable instructions, for instance via machine code. Such switch can switch manually, such as via a user input, for instance, via a button. Such switch can also switch automatically, such as via a set of processor-executable instructions, for instance via machine code. In the first mode, transmitter 3000 defines the pocket only. In the second mode, transmitter 3000 provides the network signal only. For example, such switch can be an A/B switch, whether manually switchable or automatically switchable, based on at least one input criteria, which can be remotely updateable. Note that transmitter 3000 can be configured so that the communication network router functionality and the wireless power functionality are simultaneously operating, such as parallel operation, whether dependent or independent on each other, or only the communication network router functionality or the wireless power functionality operates at one time, such as serial operation, whether dependent or independent on each other.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 comprises a first antenna, as described herein, and a second antenna, as described herein. Therefore, transmitter 3000 defines the pocket via the first antenna and provides the network signal via the second antenna. The first antenna and the second antenna can be controlled via a controller, whether or not transmitter 3000 comprises such controller, whether or not such controller is local or remote to transmitter 3000, whether or not such controller is directly or indirectly coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna. Note that the first antenna and the second antenna can be part of a larger antenna, such as an array. Also, note that the first antenna and the second antenna can be coupled to each other. Further, the first antenna and the second antenna can be not coupled to each other. Transmitter 3000 is configured to that the first antenna defines the pocket of energy and the second antenna provides the network signal simultaneously. Alternatively or additionally, transmitter 3000 is configured to switch between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. Resultantly, transmitter 3000 comprises a switch configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode. The switch can be hardware based, such as an A/B switch, a knob, or a lever. The switch can also be software based, such as via a set of processor-executable instructions, for instance via machine code. Such switch can switch manually, such as via a user input, for instance, via a button. Such switch can also switch automatically, such as via a set of processor-executable instructions, for instance via machine code. In the first mode, transmitter 3000, via the first antenna defines the pocket only. In the second mode, transmitter 3000, via the second antenna, provides the network signal only. However, in some embodiments, the transmitter 3000 comprises a plurality of antennas, as described herein, such as at least two, defining the pocket of energy. In some embodiments, the plurality of antennas further provides the network signal. For example, such switch can be an A/B switch, whether manually switchable or automatically switchable, based on at least one input criteria, which can be remotely updateable. Note that transmitter 3000 can be configured so that the communication network router functionality and the wireless power functionality are simultaneously operating, such as parallel operation, whether dependent or independent on each other, or only the communication network router functionality or the wireless power functionality operates at one time, such as serial operation, whether dependent or independent on each other.
In some embodiments, a device comprises the first receiver and the second receiver. For example, an electronic device, such as a smartphone, comprises the first receiver, embodied as a first hardware unit, as described herein, and the second receiver, embodied as a second hardware unit, such as a Wi-Fi card. Note that the first receiver is physically distinct from the second receiver, whether or not the first receiver is operably coupled to the second receiver. However, in other embodiments, a first device, such as a smartphone, comprises the first receiver and a second device, such as a tablet computer, comprises a second receiver. Yet, in other embodiments, the first receiver and the second receiver are one receiver, such as described herein.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 comprises a network communication unit, which can comprise the communication network router or be coupled to the communication network router, such as via wiring. Such unit can facilitate transmitter 3000 in providing the network signal. Such unit can be implemented via hardware, such as a chip or an appliance, and/or software, such as a module or a software application, in any combination. Such unit can communicate in at least one of a wired manner and a wireless manner. Such unit comprises at least one of a router, a network bridge, a firewall, a modem, a network switch, a printer server, or a network repeater. At least two of such components can be structurally distinct from each other or embodied as one unit. At least two of such components can be functionally distinct from each other or function as one unit.
The network bridge enables a connection, whether direct or indirect, such as a link, a path, a network, or a channel, between a plurality of communication networks for inter-communication therebetween. For example, a first network can be a wired network and a second network can be a wireless network, where the network bridge bridges the first network and the second network so that members of each of the first network and the second network can communicate with each other through the network bridge. Note that the first network and the second network can be of one type, such as based on a common protocol, such as Ethernet, or of different types, such as where the bridge translates a plurality of protocols. Also, note that the plurality of networks can be local to each other or remote from each other in any manner.
The firewall enables control, whether direct or indirect, of at least one of an incoming network traffic and outgoing network traffic based on a set of rules applied thereon. For example, the firewall can operate as a barrier between a first network and a second network. The firewall can be network-layer based or a packet-filter based. The firewall can also be application-layer based. The firewall can also be proxy-server based. The firewall can also be network address translation based.
The modem enables signal modulation and signal demodulation. The modem can be a networking modem, such as a broadband modem, or a voice modem.
The network switch enables a connection, whether direct or indirect, of a plurality of devices together on a communication network via packet switching, such as based on a unique network address, for instance MAC address. The switch operates at least one level of an Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI) model, including at least one of a data link layer and a network layer. The network switch can be a multilayer switch. The network switch can be managed or unmanaged.
The print server enables a connection, whether direct or indirect, of a printer to a computer, such as a desktop computer or a laptop computer, over a network. The printer server can receive a print job from the computer, manage the job with other, if any, and send the job to the printer. In some embodiments, the print server is a networked computer. In some embodiments, the print server is a dedicated network device. In some embodiments, the print server is a software application.
The network repeater enables a regeneration or a retransmission of a signal at a higher level or a higher power than when received, such as due to a transmission loss. The network repeater can communicate such signal over an obstruction or extend a range of the signal. The network repeater can translate the signal from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol. In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 is configured for tethering, such as connecting one device to another. For example, transmitter 3000 allows sharing of a network connection with another device, such as a tablet or a smartphone. Such tethering can done over any type of network described herein. The tethering can be in a wired manner or a wireless manner.
In some embodiments, the network signal is encrypted, whether onboard or via another device. Such encryption can be performed via a symmetric key architecture, where an encryption key is identical to a decryption key. For example, the key can comprise alphanumeric or biometric information. However, the network communication signal is encrypted via a public key encryption architecture, such as comprising a public key and a private key, for instance a Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) method. The network signal can be encrypted automatically, such as via an algorithm, for instance a set of processor-executable instructions. However, the network signal can also be encrypted manually, such as via a user input. The network signal can be decrypted in a manner, as described herein. Also, transmitter 3000 can comprise at least one of an encryption chip and a decryption chip to facilitate the provision of the encryption signal. Note that the encryption chip and the decryption chip can be embodied as at least one of a functional unit and a structural unit.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 is configured to define the pocket via a signal path to the first receiver. The signal path is defined via transmitter 3000 based at least in part on at least one of a gain information obtained from the second receiver and a phase information obtained from the second receiver. At least one of the gain information and the phase information can be obtained based on transmitter 3000 providing the network signal, such as based at least in part on receiving a response from the second receiver.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 defines the pocket of energy adaptively, as described herein, based on providing the network signal. Such adaption can be based at least in part on at least partially avoiding at least a wireless power wave obstacle portion, such as chair, positioned between transmitter 3000 and the first receiver. For example, transmitter 3000 can define the pocket of energy via a signal path to the first receiver. The signal path is defined via transmitter 3000 based at least in part on at least one of a gain information obtained from the second receiver and a phase information obtained from the second receiver, such as based at least in part on receiving a response from the second receiver. The at least partially avoiding is based at least in part on the signal path, as previously established.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 defines the pocket of energy indoors, such as within a structure, for instance, a building, a tunnel, a vehicle, a hangar, a warehouse, a tent, an arena, or others. Such defining can based at least in part on bouncing at least one of the wireless power waves from at least one of a floor, a wall extending from the floor, and a ceiling extending from the wall. For example, transmitter 3000 can define the pocket of energy via a signal path to the first receiver. The signal path is defined via transmitter 3000 based at least in part on at least one of a gain information obtained from the second receiver and a phase information obtained from the second receiver, such as based at least in part on receiving a response from the second receiver. The bouncing is at least until the signal path is defined. However, in other embodiments, transmitter 3000 defines the pocket of energy outdoors, such as at a camp site, an air field, a vehicle, a stadium, a street, a yard, a park, a field, or others.
In some embodiments, transmitter 3000 is configured to determine a position of the first receiver based at least in part on a signal triangulation of the second receiver, such as a cellular signal. Transmitter 3000 defines the pocket of energy based at least in part on the position.
An example operation of transmitter 3000 is described with reference to
For example, once transmitter 3000 identifies and locates receiver 420, a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain or the phases coming from receiver 420, as described herein. Transmitter 3000 starts to transmit controlled waves 442, via antenna elements 406, which converge in 3-d space. Waves 442 are produced using power source 414 and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. Waves 442 are controlled by RFIC 408, which includes a chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals, which serve as inputs for antenna elements 406 to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the antenna elements 406 where constructive interference generates pocket of energy 444 and deconstructive interference generates a null space. Receiver 420 utilizes pocket of energy 444 produced by the pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example laptop computer 446 and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission using pocket-forming.
Transmitter 3000 also identifies and locates receiver 3004 from smartphone 1052A. Smartphone 1052A may request the network signal, such as a Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, transmitter 3000 may send the requested network signal in parallel with waves 442 for powering laptop computer 446.
In some embodiments, a network router, such as a Wi-Fi router, comprises a housing, which houses transmitter 3000 that outputs power waves 442 to define pocket of energy 444, as described herein, and a network signal, such as a Wi-Fi signal, as described herein. Such output can be concurrent or non-concurrent. The router can also be configured to provide a wired network connection, whether for a same network or a different network. The router can be used to wirelessly charge a first electronic device and to wirelessly provide network access to a second electronic device. Note that the first device and the second device can be one device or different devices. For example, the router can wirelessly charge a cellular phone, as described herein, and simultaneously provide an internet connection to the cellular phone, as described herein. Alternatively, transmitter 3000 comprises a Wi-Fi router or Wi-Fi circuitry which is configured to power a tablet computer and provide an internet connection to that tablet computer.
An example embodiment of transmitter 3000 is described with reference to
The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “then,” “next,” and the like, are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Although process flow diagrams may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.
Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented in software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. A code segment or machine-executable instructions may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these systems and methods is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods were described without reference to the specific software code being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the systems and methods based on the description herein.
When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module that may reside on a computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. A non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media includes both computer storage media and tangible storage media that facilitate transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory processor-readable storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory processor-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible storage medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.
The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/926,055, filed Jun. 25, 2013, which is herein fully incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This application relates to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,430, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Methodology For Pocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/925,469, filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/946,082, filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,399, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,445, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/272,039, filed May 7, 2014, entitled “Systems and Method For Wireless Transmission of Power,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/272,066, filed May 7, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods for Managing and Controlling a Wireless Power Network,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/272,124, filed May 7, 2014, entitled “System and Method for Controlling Communication Between Wireless Power Transmitter Managers,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/336,987, filed Jul. 21, 2014, entitled “System and Method for Smart Registration of Wireless Power Receivers in a Wireless Power Network,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/337,002, filed Jul. 21, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods for Communication with Remote Management Systems,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/286,129, filed May 23, 2014, entitled “System & Method for a Self-System Analysis in a Wireless Power Transmission Network,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/286,289, filed May 23, 2014, entitled “System and Method for Generating a Power Receiver Identified in a Wireless Power Network,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/286,232, filed May 23, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods For Power Payment Based on Proximity,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/330,931, filed Jul. 14, 2014, entitled “System and Method for Enabling Automatic Charging Schedules in a Wireless Power Network to One or More Devices,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/330,936, filed Jul. 14, 2014, entitled “System and Method for Manually Selecting and Deselecting Devices to Charge in a Wireless Power Network,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/465,487, filed Aug. 21, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods for Automatically Testing the Communication Between Power Transmitter and Wireless Receiver,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/465,508, filed Aug. 21, 2014, entitled “Method for Automatically Testing the Operational Status of a Wireless Power Receiver in a Wireless Power Transmission System,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/465,532, filed Aug. 21, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods for Tracking the Status and Usage Information of a Wireless Power Transmission System,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/465,545, filed Aug. 21, 2014, entitled “System and Method to Control a Wireless Power Transmission System by Configuration of Wireless Power Transmission Control Parameters,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/465,553, filed Aug. 21, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods for a Configuration Web Service to Provide Configuration of a Wireless Power Transmitter within a Wireless Power Transmission System,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/926,020, filed Jun. 25, 2013, entitled “Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,625, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,630, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,634, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,640, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,641, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,643, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming,” all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
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| 203826555 | Sep 2014 | CN |
| 104090265 | Oct 2014 | CN |
| 2000216655 | Feb 2002 | DE |
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| 20110132059 | Dec 2011 | KR |
| 20120009843 | Feb 2012 | KR |
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| 1020130026977 | Mar 2013 | KR |
| 9952173 | Oct 1999 | WO |
| WO 200111716 | Feb 2001 | WO |
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| 2008156571 | Dec 2008 | WO |
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| WO 2013042399 | Mar 2013 | WO |
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| WO 2013105920 | Jul 2013 | WO |
| WO 2014075103 | May 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014132258 | Sep 2014 | WO |
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| WO 2014182788 | Nov 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014197472 | Dec 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014209587 | Dec 2014 | WO |
| WO 2015038773 | Mar 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015097809 | Jul 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015161323 | Oct 2015 | WO |
| WO 2016048512 | Mar 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016187357 | Nov 2016 | WO |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13926055 | Jun 2013 | US |
| Child | 14585484 | US |
