Abstract: The technology is generally directed towards wireless power charging of one or more receiver devices within a container that is electromagnetically shielded with respect to the frequency or frequencies used for the wireless charging. A controller determines, via signaling from one or more sensors, that the container is in the electromagnetically shielded state with respect to emitting external radiation at the charging frequency or frequencies. When electromagnetically shielded, the controller controls the output power state of a wireless power transmitter device to charge the one or more receiver devices. The controller can determine when to stop the charging of a receiver device, such as when sufficiently charged. The controller and wireless power transmitter device can charge the one or more receiver devices selectively, e.g., based on which one needs more charge or other criterion. The controller can obtain and externally communicate the state of charge of the receiver device(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless power delivery that can provide wireless power to a wireless power receiver (WPR). A wireless power transmission system (WPTS) can include a transceiver. The WPTS can include a controller operably coupled to the transceiver. The controller can direct the transceiver to transmit a discovery signal. The controller can direct the transceiver to listen for a backscatter signal transmitted by a WPR responsive to the discovery signal being transmitted. The controller can determine a location of the WPR based on the backscatter signal and in response to the backscatter signal being received by the transceiver. The controller can direct the transceiver to transmit a wireless power signal to the location of the WPR.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to polarization adaptive wireless power transmission systems. In an implementation, a wireless power transmission system is described. The wireless power transmission system includes an antenna array and control circuitry operatively coupled to the antenna array. The control circuitry is configured to determine polarization information of a beacon signal received from a client device at multiple antennas of the antenna array. The beacon signal is transmitted by a client device in a wireless power delivery environment. The control circuitry is further configured to configure polarization information associated with each of the multiple antennas to match the polarization information determined at respective antennas of the multiple antennas. The present technology enables different wireless power receiver clients to have different polarizations. The wireless power transmission system can efficiently send power to the client devices by matching their polarization.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless power delivery that can provide wireless power, via a retrodirective wireless power transfer (WPT) channel, to a wireless power recipient in response to a modulated backscatter signal from a wireless power receiver. A wireless power receiver can produce a modulated backscatter signal and transmit such to a power delivery system to initiate a wireless power transfer linkage. In some examples, a dual-band technique can be implemented where a first band can be used as a dedicated retrodirective WPT channel while a data communication node can utilize a second band for a low energy compatible data communication type. Both a beacon signal (the backscattered signal) for retrodirective linkage at the first band and the communication signals at the second band can be produced via backscattering at the wireless power receiver. A backscattered beacon signal and a communication signal may be modulated and frequency multiplexed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media according to the present technology enable wireless power transmitters (WPTs) to detect and characterize background signals and/or interfering noise to establish a blocker/interferer signal signature, or background signature, for a multi-signal wireless power delivery environment. The processes and methods according to present technology can be implemented as a continuous process. Alternatively, where a WPT and associated receiver device operate for signaling and wireless power transmission according to an expected or predetermined schedule, the processes described herein need not run at all times, but rather can be scheduled for only such times and durations sufficient to achieve the advantageous technical effects. In either case, the present technology provides a power-, memory-, and computation-efficient technique for both the WPT and the wireless power receiver devices (e.g., WPRs).

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to polarization adaptive wireless power transmission systems. In an implementation, a wireless power transmission system is described. The wireless power transmission system includes an antenna array and control circuitry operatively coupled to the antenna array. The control circuitry is configured to determine polarization information of a beacon signal received from a client device at multiple antennas of the antenna array. The beacon signal is transmitted by a client device in a wireless power delivery environment. The control circuitry is further configured to configure polarization information associated with each of the multiple antennas to match the polarization information determined at respective antennas of the multiple antennas. The present technology enables different wireless power receiver clients to have different polarizations. The wireless power transmission system can efficiently send power to the client devices by matching their polarization.

Abstract: A method for operating an Internet of Things (IoT) device may be implemented in a wireless power receiver (WPR) and may include the steps of: transmitting a beacon signal (BS) to a wireless power transmitter (WPT), responsively receiving a wireless power signal (WPS) from the WPT, transducing the WPS to an electric current for charging an energy storage device, receiving data representative of IoT information from the IoT device, and transmitting the data representative of IoT information to the WPT. The method may be further implemented in the WPT and may include the steps-performed by the WPT-of: receiving the BS from the WPR, responsively transmitting the WPS to the WPR, receiving the data representative of IoT information, and at least one of: causing the IoT information to be stored in a memory storage device, and relaying the IoT information to a subsystem in communication with the WPT.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for receiving wireless power and providing wired power. In some embodiments, a predictive phase estimation apparatus comprises a transceiver module configured to receive a plurality of beaconing signals from a wireless client during a beacon cycle. The predictive phase estimation apparatus also comprises a phase compensation module configured to store the received plurality of beaconing signals, a phase predictor module is coupled to the transceiver module and configured to calculate predictive phases based on the received plurality of beaconing signals and based on beaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle, and a signal converter coupled to the transceiver module. The signal converter is configured to form transmission signals based on the predictive phases and supply the transmission signals to the transceiver module. The transceiver module also transmits the transmission signals for delivery of wireless power to the wireless client.

Abstract: Circuits, systems and computer readable media transmission of wireless signals in response to incoming signals in a wireless signaling environment. Such a system may include at least one transceiver for receiving an incoming signal via an antenna array from a device in the wireless signaling environment. The system may also include a controller operably coupled to the transceiver. The controller may measure a phase of the incoming signal, and determine, based on the phase, a transmit phase configuration for one or more antennas of the antenna array. The system may include at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) operably coupled to the transceiver(s). The PLL(s) may feed signals to the antenna(s) of the antenna array based on the transmit phase configuration for transmission of a responsive signal to the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing over-the-air power to charging pads. A system may include means for transducing over-the-air energy into electric power, at least one rechargeable battery coupled to the means for transducing, and at least one charging pad coupled to the at least one battery. The system may be positioned at least in part in at least one cavity positioned underneath a user-accessible surface of an apparatus. A method may include the steps of transducing over-the-air energy into electric power, inducing a first direct current from the electric power, transmitting the first direct current to at least one rechargeable battery, and transmitting a second direct current from the at least one rechargeable battery to at least one charging pad. Improvement of spaces used by people in need of charging various electronic devices may be achieved without such facility spaces having to undergo costly structural modifications.

Abstract: Transceivers, computer readable media, and methods for encoding wireless signals in a wireless signaling environment. A method includes the step of receiving, from a wireless system via at least one antenna, a wireless signal encoding data representative of a transmission code. In response to receiving the wireless signal, the method includes the step of processing the data representative of the transmission code. The method includes the step of generating a responsive wireless signal according to the transmission code, also in response to receiving the wireless signal. Further in response to receiving the wireless signal, the method includes the step of transmitting, via the at least one antenna, the responsive wireless signal to the wireless system to identify the transceiver to the wireless system in a wireless signaling environment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer readable media and vehicles that leverage multipath wireless transmissions operations within multipath signaling environment. A transceiver according to the present technology includes at least one antenna. The transceiver also includes a controller coupled to the at least one antenna. The controller identifies one or more least lossy paths over which a wireless signal was received via the at least one antenna. The controller also determines a time offset or a phase offset for the at least one antenna for transmission of a responsive wireless signal to the wireless device over the one or more least lossy paths using the at least one antenna.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to apparatus, methods and computer readable media for operating wireless power receivers with reconfigurable (or adaptive) antenna configurations for improved wireless power transfer in wireless power delivery environments. A method according to the technology includes the step of determining that power received, via a means for receiving wireless power, from a wireless power source in the wireless power delivery environment is below a threshold level. The method also includes the step of cycling through two or more configuration settings for the means for receiving wireless power. The method further includes the step of identifying one of the two or more configuration settings that provides for power received via the means for receiving wireless power meeting or exceeding the threshold level.

Abstract: Dual-mode active/passive wireless power receiver clients, and associated systems, methods and computer readable media. A system includes means for determining whether or not a radio frequency (RF) field at an antenna meets an ambient threshold in a wireless power delivery environment. The system also includes means for receiving wireless power from a wireless power source in the wireless power delivery environment when the RF field meets or exceeds the ambient threshold. The system further includes means for harvesting ambient energy from the wireless power delivery environment when the RF field is below the ambient threshold.

Abstract: Wireless transceivers, and associated methods and computer-readable media, for enabling wireless power signals to be used for operating and/or charging a battery of existing or newly designed rechargeable electronic devices. A method making use of the wireless transceivers according to the present technology may include the step determining, by a circuit, whether or not an output power associated with a voltage induced in response to the circuit receiving a wireless power signal meets a power requirement of another circuit coupled to the circuit. When the output power meets the power requirement, a first current may be transmitted from the circuit to the another circuit and the battery coupled to the circuit. Alternatively, when the output power does not meet the power requirement, a second current may be transmitted from the circuit to the another circuit, and a third current may be transmitted from the battery to the another circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting and receiving wireless power. In some embodiments, a wireless power transmission system comprises an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas and a transceiver module configured to receive a plurality of beaconing signals via the antenna array from a wireless client during a beacon cycle. The system also comprises a controller configured to measure a phase of each of the plurality of beaconing signals and determine a transmit phase configuration for each of the antennas, and a transceiver module configured to send signals to the antenna array based on the transmit phase configuration for delivery of wireless power to the wireless client.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for encoding beacon signals in wireless power delivery environments. More specifically, techniques are disclosed for encoding beacon signals to isolate client devices for wireless power delivery in wireless power delivery environments. The beacon signals can be encoded or modulated with a transmission code that is provided to selected clients in the wireless power delivery environment. In this manner, beacon signals from the select clients can be identified and the corresponding client devices isolated for wireless power delivery.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to wireless power receivers with reconfigurable (or adaptive) antenna configurations for improved wireless power transfer in multipath wireless power delivery environments. In an implementation, a wireless power receiver is described. The wireless power receiver includes one or more radio frequency (RF) antennas, power metering circuitry and control circuitry. The power metering circuitry is adapted to measure at least one characteristic of wireless power received from a wireless power transmission system in a multipath environment. The control circuitry is adapted to monitor the power metering circuitry to determine when the measure of the at least one characteristic of the wireless power fails to meet a preset threshold, and dynamically reconfigure an antenna configuration of the wireless power receiver when the at least one characteristic of the wireless power fails to meet the preset threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and apparatuses for reviving a wireless power receiver client over-the-air. More specifically, dual-mode active/passive wireless power receiver clients are described that can passively harvest RF energy in order to obtain enough energy to rejoin a wireless power network where the client can actively harvest RF energy (the client receives directed or isolated wireless power from a wireless power transmission system). For example, a wireless power receiver client can harvest RF energy while idle or off, e.g., when no beacon or other communications are being sent or received, or, in some instances, asynchronously in order to compliment and/or protect one or more elements of the system such as, for example a radio transceiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for leveraging multipath wireless transmissions for charging devices within multipath signaling environment. Techniques according to the present technology include determining a received signal strength of a radio frequency signal received via a plurality of paths at two or more antennas of a plurality of antennas of an antenna array. The techniques also include configuring parameters for transmission of a wireless power signal over one or more paths of the plurality of paths for which the received signal strength exceeds a threshold value. The techniques further include directing at least a portion of the plurality of antennas to transmit the wireless power signal over the one or more paths according to the parameters. Resulting signal transmissions may thus be directionally biased toward least lossy pathways between a wireless power transmitter and a device in need of receiving wireless power.