Abstract: A removable smartphone case is disclosed. The removable smartphone case includes a case body configured to receive a smartphone, a radio frequency (RF) front-end connected to the case body and including a semiconductor substrate and an antenna array including at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit radio waves below the skin surface of a person and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes circuits configured to generate signals in response to the received radio waves, a communications interface connected to the case body and configured to transmit digital data that corresponds to the signals generated by the semiconductor substrate from the removable smartphone case, and an alignment feature integrated into the case body and configured to align the antenna array with an object.

Abstract: A method for operating a removable smartphone case is disclosed. The method involves transmitting radio waves below the skin surface of a person, receiving radio waves on a two-dimensional array of receive antennas, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves, generating digital data in response to the received radio waves, wherein the digital data is indicative of a health parameter of the person, and communicating the digital data generated in response to the received radio waves from the removable smartphone case to a smartphone that is connected to the removable smartphone case.

Abstract: An alignment element to be worn by a person is disclosed. The alignment element includes an attachment element configured to attach to the skin of a person and an alignment feature integrated into the attachment element and configured to align an antenna array of a health monitoring device with an object.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for reducing mutual coupling between antennas. In one aspect, a wireless charging system includes: (1) two antennas configured to direct electromagnetic waves toward a wireless power receiver such that the electromagnetic waves interfere constructively at the receiver; and (2) a housing structure configured to receive the antennas, including: (a) a metallic base, (b) a first set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a first region configured to receive a first antenna, and (c) a second set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a second region configured to receive a second antenna, the second set including at least some isolating components distinct from those in the first set. The first and second sets of isolating components configured to: (i) create a physical gap between the antennas, and (ii) reduce a mutual coupling between the antennas.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna for use in a wireless power transmission system and a method for forming the microstrip antenna are described. The antenna includes a first multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB include a first electrically conductive material. The antenna includes a second multi-layer PCB that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCT include a second electrically conductive material. A first plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB. A second plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCB. The antenna further comprises a dielectric slab that is configured to receive the first multi-layer PCB and the second multi-layer PCB.

Abstract: Wireless power transmitters and methods of management thereof are disclosed herein. An example wireless power transmitter includes an antenna array and a communication radio configured to: establish a communication connection with a respective wireless power receiver; and receive device data from the respective wireless power receiver, the device data used to determine a location of the respective wireless power receiver. The example wireless power transmitter also includes a controller in communication with the antenna array and the communication radio, the controller configured to: determine whether the respective wireless power receiver is authorized to receive power from the wireless power transmitter; if so, determine a particular time at which RF power waves should be transmitted to the respective receiver, the particular time based at least in part on a charging schedule for the transmitter; and instruct the antenna array to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves at the particular time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless power transmission based on object identification are provided. A radio frequency wireless power transmitter is in communication with a video camera for capturing image data (e.g., a visual pattern) of at least a portion of a transmission field of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter. A processor of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter is configured to identify an object when the visual pattern matches a pre-stored visual pattern representing the object, and control transmission of one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to a receiving electronic device based on a location of the identified object, wherein the receiving electronic device uses the one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to power or to charge the receiving electronic device.

Abstract: Wireless charging systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes: sending, by a receiver, a communication signal to a transmitter, the receiver being embedded in a radio frequency (RF) transparent housing that is adapted to electrically connect the game controller with the receiver, wherein: the receiver is separated from the transmitter by a non-zero distance, the RF transparent housing supports the game controller, and the communication signal includes information that allows the transmitter to determine the receiver's location. After the sending, the method includes: (A) receiving, by the receiver, RF signals from the transmitter, wherein: the transmitter determines parameters of the RF signals based on the communication signal, and at least one RF signal from the RF signals constructively interferences with at least one other RF signal from the RF signals at the receiver's location, and (B) converting, by the receiver, the received RF signals into electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of wireless charging transmitters and methods. As one example, a wireless charging transmitter includes a sensor to detect the presence of a receiver device and/or a living being and the sensor generates data according to the presence detected. The wireless charging transmitter also includes an array of antennas configured to transmit power waves to the receiver device and a surface layer that is adjacent to the array of antennas. The transmitted power waves converge to form a constructive interference pattern at a non-zero distance from the surface layer. The non-zero distance being based on the sensor data. Further, the phases and amplitudes of the transmitted power waves are determined based, at least in part, on the sensor data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may generate and transmit power waves that, as result of their physical waveform characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude, phase, gain, direction), converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pockets of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pockets of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy.

Abstract: An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a controller; one or more receiving circuits coupled to the controller, each receiving circuit configured to receive incoming RF signals from a receiver, the receiver transmitting a communication signal that identifies a location of the receiver; a plurality of transmitting circuits coupled to the controller, each transmitting circuit configured to generate outgoing RF signals based upon the incoming RF signals; and a plurality of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements including at least some dedicated antenna elements. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to: (i) select a first configuration of at least some of the dedicated antenna elements to be coupled to the receiving circuits, and (ii) select, based on the location, a second configuration of at least some of the plurality of antenna elements to be coupled to the plurality of transmitting circuits to transmit the outgoing RF signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless power transmitter for wirelessly delivering power to a receiver device, the wireless power transmitter including: a plurality of unit cells configured to radiate one or more radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves, each unit cell in the plurality of unit cells including: (i) a metal portion having an interior perimeter that surrounds an aperture defined by the metal portion; and (ii) an antenna that is aligned with the aperture in a first dimension, the antenna being configured to radiate one or more RF power transmission waves for wirelessly charging a receiver device. The one or more RF power transmission waves leak from the wireless power transmitter at least in part through the aperture when the receiver device is positioned within a threshold distance from the unit cell.

Abstract: Wireless charging systems, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed herein. As an example, a method includes: receiving, by a radio of a transmitter, a communication signal from a wireless-power-receiving device, the communication signal containing location data indicating a location of the wireless-power-receiving device. The method further includes, in response determining that the location of the wireless-power-receiving device is within a predetermined range from the transmitter: (i) generating sound waves from a sound wave integrated circuit of the transmitter and (ii) transmitting the sound waves through a plurality of transducer elements to the location of the wireless-power-receiving device, wherein the sound waves are transmitted so that they converge constructively to form a controlled constructive interference pattern in three-dimensional (3-D) space at the location of the wireless-power-receiving device.

Abstract: A wireless charging system comprises (i) a transmitter structure comprising a first metallic core disposed in an opening of the transmitter structure and (ii) a receiver structure comprising a second metallic core disposed in an opening of the receiver structure. The transmitter structure is configured to carry one or more radio frequency (RF) signals to the first metallic core when the receiver structure is within a threshold distance from the transmitter structure. In addition, the receiver structure is configured to be excited by the one or more RF signals from the transmitter structure, whereby the one or more RF signals are transferred from the first metallic core to the second metallic core when the transmitter structure and the receiver structure are within the threshold distance from each other.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits power transmission signals. An example method of transmitting power includes: (i) in response to an input being received at a button in communication with a transmitter and before receiving any signals from a receiving electronic device identifying a location of the receiving electronic device, transmitting, by the transmitter, a first plurality of power transmission waves within a first distance of the transmitter; (ii) ceasing to transmit the first plurality of power transmission waves, and (iii) transmitting, by the transmitter, a second plurality of power transmission waves within a second distance of the transmitter that differs from the first distance, the second distance corresponding to the location of the receiving electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to wireless charging systems and method of transmitting power waves. An exemplary method includes receiving, from one or more first sensors, first data of a transmission field. After receiving the first data, the method includes determining whether a path between a wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and a first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed based, at least in part, on the first data. In accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed, the method includes transmitting, by the first wireless power transmitter, electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver uses energy from at least some of the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to power or charge an electronic device coupled to the wireless power receiver.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna for use in a wireless power transmission system and a method for forming the microstrip antenna are described. The antenna includes a first multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB include a first electrically conductive material. The antenna includes a second multi-layer PCB that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCT include a second electrically conductive material. A first plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB. A second plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCB. The antenna further comprises a dielectric slab that is configured to receive the first multi-layer PCB and the second multi-layer PCB.

Abstract: A method includes, at a transmitter, performing a test of communications with a receiver, the test comprising: (i) sending, by a communications component of the transmitter, a first message to the receiver, (ii) receiving, by the communications component, a second message from the receiver in response to the first message, and (iii) comparing operational metric(s) associated with the first and second messages with respective expected values for each of the operational metric(s) to determine an outcome for the test. The method further includes sending a report to a remote server that includes the determined outcome for the test, and after sending the report, stopping performance of the test and starting normal operation of the transmitter in which the transmitter transmits, by at least some of the transmitter's antennas, power waves to a location of the receiver. The receiver uses energy from the power waves to charge/power an electronic device.

Abstract: An example wireless power transmitter includes: (i) a ground plate, (ii) a conductive wire offset from the ground plate, the conductive wire forming a loop antenna that is configured to radiate an RF signal for wirelessly powering a receiver device, (iii) a plurality of feed elements extending from the ground plate to the conductive wire, each feed element being connected to the conductive wire at a different position on the conductive wire, and (iv) a power amplifier connected to one or more feed elements of the plurality of feed elements. The power amplifier is configured to selectively feed the RF signal to a respective feed element of the one or more feed elements based on a location of the receiver device relative to the plurality of feed elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods for wireless power transmission. These devices and methods may extend the battery life of electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, smart-watches among others. An example method may include, when a receiver coupled to an electronic device is within a threshold distance from a transmitter: (i) receiving a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, (ii) converting the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into usable electricity, and (iii) providing the usable electricity to a backup battery of the receiver to at least partially charge the backup battery. Further, when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter, and after providing the usable electricity to the backup battery to at least partially charge the backup battery, draining the backup battery to provide power to the battery of the electronic device.