Abstract: A wireless power transmitter may receive a request from a wireless power receiver to perform recalibration for a first type of foreign object detection (FOD) in response to the wireless power receiver attempting to change an electromagnetic parameter supplied by the wireless power transmitter. In response to receiving the request, the wireless power transmitter may perform a second type of FOD to produce a FOD result. When the FOD result indicates a foreign object is present or likely present, the wireless power transmitter may discontinue or limit wireless power transfer, and/or communicate the FOD result to the wireless power receiver. When the FOD result indicates a foreign object is not present or likely not present, the wireless power transmitter may communicate the FOD result to the wireless power receiver, perform the recalibration and continue with wireless power transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for performing wireless power transfer and foreign object detection with authentication at different power levels. The impact of time required for an authentication process to execute between transitions to different power levels is reduced.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing a foreign object detection (FOD) capability of a wireless power transmitter. The test apparatus includes a wireless power test receiver and at least one temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a foreign object between the wireless power test receiver and the wireless power transmitter during wireless power transfer between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power test receiver. The test apparatus also includes a memory configured to store temperatures sensed by the at least one temperature sensor over a test period in which the wireless power transfer occurs and temporal information regarding times the temperatures are sensed, and a processor configured to calculate, based on the temperatures and the temporal information, a predicted temperature of the foreign object at a future point in time after the test period, and to determine a test result based on the predicted temperature.

Abstract: Circuits for controlling magnetic-based tracking systems are described. These systems may be used in virtual reality applications, for example to track in real-time the location of one or more body parts. The systems use a beacon emitting mutually orthogonal magnetic fields. On the receiver side, one or more sensors disposed on different parts of a body receive the magnetic fields. The beacon includes switching amplifiers for driving the magnetic field emitters. Being binary, these amplifiers may be controlled by binary signals. The circuits may exhibit a resonant frequency response, and may be operated off-resonance, thus providing for a better control of the magnetic fields amplitude. As a result, however, fluctuations in the envelop of the magnetic fields due to the presence of a beating tone may arise. These fluctuations may be shortened by gradually activating the drivers for the magnetic field emitters.

Abstract: At least one component for a wireless power transmitter or a wireless power receiver. The at least one component includes a mechanical structure and/or circuitry configured to maintain and/or adjust a coupling coefficient K between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver, a loaded quality factor Q of the wireless power receiver, or both, such that K times Q is less than a constant.

Abstract: A mobile device can be used to control a computing device different from the mobile device. The mobile device includes a processor configured to receive user input through a graphical user interface (GUI) of the mobile device. The processor can be configured to generate the GUI after detecting a magnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter. The GUI includes a simulated button and/or an interface configured to receive tactile input indicative of spatial information. The processor is configured to provide information indicative of user input to the computing device to control the computing device.

Abstract: Foreign object detection for a wireless power transmitter can be performed using a reference Q-factor and measured Q-factor. The reference and measured Q-factors are compared to determine where a foreign object is present. The comparison is adjusted based on one or more additional parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing foreign object detection for a wireless power transmitter. A matching network and transmit coil are energized, and a resonance is excited. The resonance is allowed to decay. A temporal characteristic of the decay is measured. The temporal characteristic is analyzed to determine whether a foreign object is coupled to an electromagnetic field generated by the transmit coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for performing wireless power transfer and foreign object detection with authentication at different power levels. The impact of time required for an authentication process to execute between transitions to different power levels is reduced.

Abstract: At least one component for a wireless power transmitter or a wireless power receiver. The at least one component includes a mechanical structure and/or circuitry configured to maintain and/or adjust a coupling coefficient K between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver, a loaded quality factor Q of the wireless power receiver, or both, such that K times Q is less than a constant.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing a foreign object detection (FOD) capability of a wireless power transmitter. The test apparatus includes a wireless power test receiver and at least one temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a foreign object between the wireless power test receiver and the wireless power transmitter during wireless power transfer between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power test receiver. The test apparatus also includes a memory configured to store temperatures sensed by the at least one temperature sensor over a test period in which the wireless power transfer occurs and temporal information regarding times the temperatures are sensed, and a processor configured to calculate, based on the temperatures and the temporal information, a predicted temperature of the foreign object at a future point in time after the test period, and to determine a test result based on the predicted temperature.

Abstract: Circuits for controlling magnetic-based tracking systems are described. These systems may be used in virtual reality applications, for example to track in real-time the location of one or more body parts. The systems use a beacon emitting mutually orthogonal magnetic fields. On the receiver side, one or more sensors disposed on different parts of a body receive the magnetic fields. The beacon includes switching amplifiers for driving the magnetic field emitters. Being binary, these amplifiers may be controlled by binary signals. The circuits may exhibit a resonant frequency response, and may be operated off-resonance, thus providing for a better control of the magnetic fields amplitude. As a result, however, fluctuations in the envelop of the magnetic fields due to the presence of a beating tone may arise. These fluctuations may be shortened by gradually activating the drivers for the magnetic field emitters.

Abstract: A mobile device can be used to control a computing device different from the mobile device. The mobile device includes a processor configured to receive user input through a graphical user interface (GUI) of the mobile device. The processor can be configured to generate the GUI after detecting a magnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter. The GUI includes a simulated button and/or an interface configured to receive tactile input indicative of spatial information. The processor is configured to provide information indicative of user input to the computing device to control the computing device.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter may receive a request from a wireless power receiver to perform recalibration for a first type of foreign object detection (FOD) in response to the wireless power receiver attempting to change an electromagnetic parameter supplied by the wireless power transmitter. In response to receiving the request, the wireless power transmitter may perform a second type of FOD to produce a FOD result. When the FOD result indicates a foreign object is present or likely present, the wireless power transmitter may discontinue or limit wireless power transfer, and/or communicate the FOD result to the wireless power receiver. When the FOD result indicates a foreign object is not present or likely not present, the wireless power transmitter may communicate the FOD result to the wireless power receiver, perform the recalibration and continue with wireless power transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing foreign object detection for a wireless power transmitter. A matching network and transmit coil are energized, and a resonance is excited. The resonance is allowed to decay. A temporal characteristic of the decay is measured. The temporal characteristic is analyzed to determine whether a foreign object is coupled to an electromagnetic field generated by the transmit coil.

Abstract: Foreign object detection for a wireless power transmitter can be performed using a reference Q-factor and measured Q-factor. The reference and measured Q-factors are compared to determine where a foreign object is present. The comparison is adjusted based on one or more additional parameters.

Abstract: Foreign object detection for a wireless power transmitter can be performed using a reference Q-factor and reference frequency for a wireless power receiver. A figure of merit may be calculated using the reference Q-factor and reference frequency. A Q-factor and resonant frequency may be measured, and a measurement figure of merit can be calculated. The figures of merit can be compared to determine where a foreign object is present.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to combined wireless charging and position tracking are described. A method may involve a processor of an apparatus operating in a first mode to effect wireless charging via at least a first coil of a plurality of coils of the apparatus. The method may also involve the processor operating in a second mode to effect position tracking via at least a second coil of the plurality of coils of the apparatus.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to combined wireless charging and position tracking are described. A method may involve a processor of an apparatus operating in a first mode to effect wireless charging via at least a first coil of a plurality of coils of the apparatus. The method may also involve the processor operating in a second mode to effect position tracking via at least a second coil of the plurality of coils of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for wireless power transfer is provided. The system includes a monitoring function to monitor control parameters and an input source that supplies power to a wireless power transmitter, wherein the wireless power transmitter operates with a wireless power receiver to supply a charging current to a load. A controller can be configured to receive the control parameters from the monitoring function and to control an adjustable operating point for the wireless power transmitter which controls the charging current delivered to the load via the wireless power receiver, wherein the controller commands a maximum power operating point for the wireless power transmitter when the input source is detected at or above a predetermined threshold and commands a reduced power operating point for the wireless power transmitter when the input source to the wireless power transmitter is detected below the predetermined threshold.