User-configured operational parameters for wireless power transmission control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10790674-B2
Application number	US-201815900727-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2018
Priority date	Aug 21, 2014
Publication date	Sep 29, 2020
Grant date	Sep 29, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods for configuring delivery systems are disclosed herein. An example method includes (i) receiving a user-configured operational parameter that includes information identifying a plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals from a wireless power transmitter and (ii) detecting an electronic device within wireless power transmission range of the transmitter. In response to detecting the electronic device within the wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, the method further includes determining whether the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals, and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals: transmitting, by two or more antennas of the wireless power transmitter, power transmission signals that constructively interfere proximate to a wireless power receiver coupled to the electronic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for configuring a wireless power transmission system, the method comprising:
providing, via a web service associated with the wireless power transmitter, configuration web pages to a device associated with an operator of a wireless power transmitter, wherein a user-configured operational parameter is received via the web service of the wireless power transmitter after the operator inputs the user-configured operational parameter at one of the configuration web pages;
receiving, by the wireless power transmitter, the user-configured operational parameter that includes information identifying a plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter, wherein at least some of the plurality of electronic devices identified by the user-configured operational parameter were authorized, via user input received at one of the configuration web pages, to receive wireless power from the wireless power transmitter during installation of the wireless power transmitter;
detecting, by the wireless power transmitter, an electronic device within wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter;
in response to detecting the electronic device within the wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, determining whether the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter; and
in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter: transmitting, by two or more antennas of the wireless power transmitter, wireless power transmission signals that constructively interfere proximate to a wireless power receiver coupled to the electronic device, wherein the wireless power receiver uses energy from the wireless power transmission signals to power or charge the electronic device;
detecting, by the wireless power transmitter, another electronic device within the wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter;
in response to detecting the other electronic device within the wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, determining whether the other electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter; and
in accordance with a determination that the other electronic device is not one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter:
storing, in a memory of the wireless power transmitter, identification information associated with the other electronic device; and
providing a notification to an operator that the other electronic device needs to be authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the user-configured operational parameter is a first user-configured operational parameter;
the method further comprises receiving, by the wireless power transmitter, a second user-configured operational parameter defining a charging schedule for transmitting wireless power transmission signals to one or more of the plurality of electronic devices; and
transmitting the wireless power transmission signals comprises transmitting the wireless power transmission signals to the electronic device in accordance with the charging schedule.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the user-configured operational parameter is a first user-configured operational parameter;
the method further comprises receiving, by the wireless power transmitter, a second user-configured operational parameter defining a prioritized order used by the wireless power transmitter to provide power to the plurality of electronic devices; and
transmitting the wireless power transmission signals comprises transmitting the wireless power transmission signals to the electronic device in accordance with the prioritized order.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
receiving the user-configured operational parameter occurs while the wireless power transmitter is operating in a setup mode of operation;
the detecting, determining, and transmitting occur while the wireless power transmitter is operating in a normal mode of operation; and
the wireless power transmitter operates in the normal mode of operation after successful completion of the setup mode of operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the electronic device within wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter is performed by a short-range communication radio of the wireless power transmitter.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
while transmitting the wireless power transmission signals, receiving an override signal; and
in response to receiving the override signal, ceasing transmission of the wireless power transmission signals.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
before receiving the user-configured operational parameter: providing, via the web service associated with the wireless power transmitter, configuration web pages to the device associated with the operator of the wireless power transmitter,
wherein the operator inputs the override signal at one of the configuration web pages.

8. A wireless power transmitter, comprising:
an antenna array configured to transmit wireless power transmission signals;
one or more processors; and
memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless power transmitter to:
provide, via a web service associated with the wireless power transmitter, configuration web pages to a device associated with an operator of the wireless power transmitter, wherein a user-configured operational parameter is received via the web service of the wireless power transmitter after the operator inputs the user-configured operational parameter at one of the configuration web pages;
receive the user-configured operational parameter that includes information identifying a plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter, wherein at least some of the plurality of electronic devices identified by the user-configured operational parameter were authorized, via user input received at one of the configuration web pages, to receive wireless power from the wireless power transmitter during installation of the wireless power transmitter;
detect an electronic device within wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter;
in response to detecting the electronic device within the wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, determine whether the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter; and
in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive wireless power transmission signals from the wireless power transmitter, transmit, by two or more antennas in the antenna array, wireless power transmission signals that constructively interfere proximate to a wireless power receiver coupled to the electronic device, wherein the wireless power receiver uses energy from the wireless power transmission signals to power or charge the electronic device;
detect, by the wireless power transmitter, another electronic device within the wireless power trans

Assignees

• Energous Corp

Inventors

• Bell Douglas
• Leabman Michael A

Classifications

• H02J7/42

  with electronic devices having internal batteries, e.g. mobile phones · CPC title

• H02J50/80

  involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices · CPC title

• H02J50/10

  using inductive coupling · CPC title

• H02J50/402 Primary

  the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas · CPC title

• H02J50/001

  Energy harvesting or scavenging · CPC title