Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using detection coils to detect metallic or conductive foreign objects that can interfere with the wireless transfer of power from a power transmitter to a power receiver. In particular, the detection coils are targeted to foreign objects that are smaller than a power transmitter coil in the power transmitter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using detection coils to detect metallic or conductive foreign objects that can interfere with the wireless transfer of power from a power transmitter to a power receiver. In particular, the detection coils are targeted to foreign objects that are smaller than a power transmitter coil in the power transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; and a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Also provided is a transmitter apparatus including a power transmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in a mobile device to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, wherein, upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, data is transferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and a function of the mobile device automatically initiates. The mobile device and transmitter apparatus together form a system for operating the mobile device. Methods and computer-readable media storing executable application programs associated with the system are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using detection coils to detect metallic or conductive foreign objects that can interfere with the wireless transfer of power from a power transmitter to a power receiver. In particular, the detection coils are targeted to foreign objects that are smaller than a power transmitter coil in the power transmitter.

Abstract: A wireless power adapter includes a receiver coil system, a transmitter coil system and a conversion stage. The receiver coil system is compatible with a specification and can efficiently receive wireless power transmitted by a transmitter compliant with that specification. The transmitter coil system is compatible with a different specification and can produce wireless power to be efficiently transmitted to a receiver compliant with that specification. The conversion stage converts between the two specifications.

Abstract: A wireless power charging system includes an intermediate relay coil. In one aspect, a wireless power charging system is designed to charge a separate device having a receiver that includes a receiver coil. The separate device conforms to a specification for the wireless power charging system, which may be a public standard for wireless power charging systems. The wireless power charging system includes a transmitter and a relay coil resonator. The transmitter includes a driver coil that is driven by a power source. The relay coil resonator includes a relay coil that is used to inductively couple power from the driver coil to the receiver coil. The wireless power charging system is designed so that it satisfies Eqn. (11) above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; and a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Also provided is a transmitter apparatus including a power transmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in a mobile device to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, wherein, upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, data is transferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and a function of the mobile device automatically initiates. The mobile device and transmitter apparatus together form a system for operating the mobile device. Methods and computer-readable media storing executable application programs associated with the system arc also provided.

Abstract: A full-bridge rectifier is configured to provide synchronous rectification with either a current-source or a voltage-source. The rectifier has an upper branch and a lower branch and two current loops, with each of the branches including voltage- or current-controlled active switches, diodes or combinations thereof that are selected such that each loop includes one active switch or diode from the upper branch and one active switch or diode from the lower branch, and each current loop comprises at least one diode or current-controlled active switch, and at least one voltage- or current-controlled active switch is included in one of the upper or lower branches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modulation circuit and a method for modulating a wireless power transfer circuit. The modulation circuit has a switching circuit having a first state and a second state. The modulation circuit also has a modulation mode in which the first state defines a normal state and the second state defines an operative state. In the operative state, the modulation circuit modulates an electrical parameter of the wireless power transfer circuit in a modulation direction. The modulation circuit is configured to apply a trial modulation to the electrical parameter to determine whether the modulation direction is in a desired modulation direction. The modulation circuit is also configured to apply a modulation translation if the modulation direction is not in the desired modulation direction, with the modulation translation changing the modulation mode such that the modulation direction is in the desired modulation direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; and a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Also provided is a transmitter apparatus including a power transmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in a mobile device to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, wherein, upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, data is transferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and a function of the mobile device automatically initiates. The mobile device and transmitter apparatus together form a system for operating the mobile device. Methods and computer-readable media storing executable application programs associated with the system are also provided.

Abstract: Various circuit configurations and topologies are provided for single and multi-phase, single-level or multi-level, full and half-bridge rectifiers in which diodes are replaced by combinations of voltage-controlled self-driven active switches, current-controlled self-driven active switches and inductors in order to reduce the effects of conduction loss in the diodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using detection coils to detect metallic or conductive foreign objects that can interfere with the wireless transfer of power from a power transmitter to a power receiver. In particular, the detection coils are targeted to foreign objects that are smaller than a power transmitter coil in the power transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable electronic device including an antenna having a major planar cross-section, and a power transfer coil having windings parallel to a coil plane, the coil plane extending to the perimeter of the power transfer coil. The antenna and the power transfer coil are arranged such that the major planar cross-section is substantially perpendicular to the coil plane if a line directed perpendicularly from the coil plane intersects the major planar cross-section. An associated method of assembling a portable electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal demodulation circuit, a load modulation circuit and associated method, and an associated power transfer system, all suitable for use in wireless power transfer. A power receiver with signal strength detection is also provided. Modulation of the impedance of the demodulation circuit is determinable by detecting the amplitudes of a first and a second electrical parameter, thereby demodulating data communicated by modulation of the impedance of the demodulation circuit. The modulation circuit has a communication modulator to modulate the impedance of the modulation circuit, to a predetermined minimum modulation depth, thereby to communicate data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modulation circuit and a method for modulating a wireless power transfer circuit. The modulation circuit has a switching circuit having a first state and a second state. The modulation circuit also has a modulation mode in which the first state defines a normal state and the second state defines an operative state. In the operative state, the modulation circuit modulates an electrical parameter of the wireless power transfer circuit in a modulation direction. The modulation circuit is configured to apply a trial modulation to the electrical parameter to determine whether the modulation direction is in a desired modulation direction. The modulation circuit is also configured to apply a modulation translation if the modulation direction is not in the desired modulation direction, with the modulation translation changing the modulation mode such that the modulation direction is in the desired modulation direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal demodulation circuit, a load modulation circuit and associated method, and an associated power transfer system, all suitable for use in wireless power transfer. A power receiver with signal strength detection is also provided. Modulation of the impedance of the demodulation circuit is determinable by detecting the amplitudes of a first and a second electrical parameter, thereby demodulating data communicated by modulation of the impedance of the demodulation circuit. The modulation circuit has a communication modulator to modulate the impedance of the modulation circuit, to a predetermined minimum modulation depth, thereby to communicate data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an AC-DC converter and AC-DC conversion method for converting an AC input provided by a power transfer winding. The AC-DC converter includes a rectifying means for rectifying the AC input into a rectified output, and a control means for controlling the rectifying means based on a comparison between a reference signal and a voltage feedback signal, the voltage feedback signal being based on the rectified output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal demodulation circuit, a load modulation circuit and associated method, and an associated power transfer system, all suitable for use in wireless power transfer. A power receiver with signal strength detection is also provided. Modulation of the impedance of the demodulation circuit is determinable by detecting the amplitudes of a first and a second electrical parameter, thereby demodulating data communicated by modulation of the impedance of the demodulation circuit. The modulation circuit has a communication modulator to modulate the impedance of the modulation circuit, to a predetermined minimum modulation depth, thereby to communicate data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transfer device that wirelessly transfers AC power for charging at least one load, and an associated method of wirelessly transferring power. The device and method of the invention use phase-shift control to control the wireless transfer of the AC power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transfer device for charging a wireless communication device having a communication bandwidth, and an associated method of transferring power. The device and method of the invention use a spread-spectrum technique to reduce or minimize interference signals within the communication bandwidth and within the power transfer device.