Wireless Power Utilization in a Local Computing Environment

Abstract

Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. The wireless powered local computing environment includes at least a near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to wirelessly provide power to any of a number of suitably configured devices. In the described embodiments, the devices arranged to receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power supply must be located in a region known as the near field that extends no further than a distance D of a few times a characteristic size of the NFMR power supply transmission device. Typically, the distance D can be on the order of 1 meter or so.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/476,840, filed on Mar. 31, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/070,188, filed Nov. 1, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/989,047, filed May 22, 2013, which is a national phase filing under 37 USC 371 of PCT/US2011/061384, filed Nov. 18, 2011, which claims benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/416,701, filed Nov. 23, 2010, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to wireless charging, and more specifically to devices, systems, and methods related to allocating power to receiver devices that may be located in wireless power systems.

BACKGROUND

It has been discovered (see “Efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer” by Karalis et al., Annals of Physics 323 (2008) pgs. 34-38) that useable power can be transferred wirelessly from a power source to located within a distance referred to as a near field. What is desired are methods, systems, and apparatus for efficient and user friendly interaction between peripheral devices in a wirelessly powered local computing environment.

SUMMARY

This paper describes various embodiments that relate to a system, method, and apparatus for wirelessly providing power from a wireless power supply to any of a plurality peripheral devices.

A near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to use a resonance channel to transfer energy to resonance circuits within a near field distance D, the distance D defining an outermost range of the NFMR power supply is described. The NFMR power supply includes at least a high frequency (HF) power source for providing a high frequency, orthogonal in-band power, a base plate that provides high frequency (HF) power coupled to the HF power source, and at least two “D” shaped resonators arranged to receive HF power from the base plate. The at least two “D” shaped resonators are driven 180° out of phase with each other such that the magnetic fields produced by the at least two “D” shaped resonators provide a symmetric magnetic field at a resonant frequency.

In one aspect of the described embodiments, the symmetric magnetic field is circularly polarized. The circularly polarized magnetic field being spatially symmetric about at least two axes provides a symmetric power reception at a peripheral device independent of the spatial relationship between the peripheral device and the NFMR power supply.

In yet another aspect, the resonant frequency of the NFMR power supply is dynamically tunable to any frequency by at least changing a shape of at least one resonator of the NFRM using, for example, a piezoelectric shaping technique.

In another embodiment, a method of determining a resonant frequency of a wirelessly powered local computing environment is disclosed. In the described embodiment, the wirelessly powered local computing environment includes at least a dynamically tunable near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to wirelessly provide power to at least one receiving unit located within an effective range D of the NFMR power supply by way of a resonance channel, and a communication mechanism for providing a communication channel separate from the resonance channel between the NFMR power supply and the at least one receiving unit.

The method can be carried out by performing at least the following operations: providing a magnetic field at a first frequency by the NFMR power supply, receiving over the communication channel an indication of an amount of wireless power received at the receiving unit over the resonance channel from the NFMR power supply, updating the first frequency of the NFMR power supply to a second frequency by dynamically tuning the NFMR power supply if the received indication is less than a maximum power, otherwise setting the resonant frequency as the first frequency.

In yet another embodiment, a wirelessly powered local computing environment is disclosed. The wirelessly powered local computing environment includes at least a near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply comprising a first symmetric magnetic resonator structure and at least one peripheral device. The peripheral device, in turn, includes a second symmetric magnetic resonance structure having a shape in accordance with the first symmetric resonator structure. The NFMR power supply uses the first symmetric magnetic resonance structure to create a symmetric magnetic field and a resonance channel coupling the NFMR power supply and the at least one peripheral device used to transfer useable energy from the first symmetric magnetic resonator structure and the second magnetic resonator structure. The wirelessly powered local computing environment also includes at least a central processing unit in communication with the NFMR power supply, the central processing unit providing processing resources to the NFMR power supply.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power delivery system that includes a power transmitting unit and a target electronic device where power is delivered wirelessly employing magnetic waves.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfer system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an antenna used in exemplary embodiments may be configured as a “loop” antenna.

FIG. 5 shows wireless power source arranged to transfer power utilizing a circularly polarized magnetic field in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate a basic configuration of a wireless system in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment whereby peripheral device takes on the form of keyboard within effective range D of a wireless power supply.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a magnetic ground comb in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart detailing process in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a representative wireless local computing environment in accordance with the described embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary applications of apparatuses and methods according to the present invention are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the invention. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting.

The following relates to techniques and apparatus for providing useful amounts of power wirelessly to devices within a wireless charging environment. In one embodiment, the wireless charging environment can include various computing devices along the lines of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, net book computer, tablet computer, etc. In some cases, a wireless power supply can be used to provide power wirelessly to various electronic devices such as a smart phone (such as an iPhone™ manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) that include a portable power supply for mobile operation. The power provided by the wireless power supply can be used for operation of the electronic device, charging of a portable power supply within the electronic device, or any combination thereof.

In accordance with one embodiment, the magnetic coupling between a magnetic field generated by a power transmitting unit and a target device enables the power transfer. For example, the system of the present embodiment may use one or more coils disposed in a computing device. The computing device can take the form of a desktop computer along the lines of an iMac™ desktop computer or a portable computer such as a MacBook Pro™ each manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. It should be noted that in addition to a discreet coil arrangement, metallic components, such as a housing used to support internal components can also be configured to act as a resonator(s).

For example, at least a portion of the aluminum housing of the iMac™ desktop computer can be used as a resonator. In some cases, a small form factor electronic device, such as an iPhone™ can include a housing at least a portion of which is formed of metal. For example, a metallic band used to provide structural support for the iPhone4™ can be used as a single loop resonator. In this way the metal band can receive power wirelessly for both operating the electronic device and charging the battery, whichever is necessary. In another example, a metallic housing of a peripheral device, such as a mouse, can be used as resonator to provide power for operation of the mouse and/or charging the batteries used to store power for the operation of the mouse. Magnetic signals/fields created by the power source can be received by an antenna/coil of the target device. The received signals/fields charge capacitors through diodes at the target device. An array of such capacitors may be connected in series using a plurality of diodes. This array of capacitors and plurality of diodes helps in rectification of AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) and may amplify the DC voltage to a value that is sufficient to charge a battery in the target device.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment, the resonant power wireless transmission supports communications at least from the power transmitting unit and the target device. These communications may include information relating to the power charging or other information. Because of the strong wireless coupling between the power transmitting unit and the target device, high data rate communications may be supported by using this technique. For communications from the target device to the power transmitting unit, the same principle may be employed. However, in some embodiments, communications from the target device to the power transmitting unit may be supported by other wireless techniques such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) operations, e.g., IEEE 802,11x, Wireless Personal Area Network operations (WPAN) operations, e.g., Bluetooth, infrared communications, cellular communications and/or other techniques.

In one embodiment, wireless power can be provided by at least one wireless power source having a circularly polarized source resonator. The at least one wireless power source can include a high frequency, orthogonal in-band power transmitter. The at least one wireless power source can include a base plate that provides high frequency (HF) power and at least two “D” shaped resonators. The at least two “D” shaped resonators can be driven about 180° out of phase with each other. Hence, the magnetic fields produced by the at least two “D” shaped resonators can provide a circularly polarized magnetic field. The circularly polarized magnetic field can interact with a peripheral device, such as a mouse, having a corresponding shaped base and resonator antenna. In one embodiment, the peripheral base includes electronic components that can receive power delivered wirelessly from the wireless power source. The electronic components can include a battery that can receive a charging current from the wireless power supply. Due to the circular nature of the polarization of the magnetic field, the resonant coupling between the mouse and the wireless power supply can be substantially unaffected when the mouse is moved upon a surface on which the base plate is supported. It should be noted that the circularly polarized magnetic field can be “steered” by modifying the orientation of the at least two “D” shaped magnetic fields or by modifying the orientation of the axis of the elliptical shaped magnetic field. In one implementation, a target device can take the form of a single orientation receiver.

In one embodiment, a peripheral device can be shaped in such a way to form a resonator having a shape appropriate for interacting with the circularly polarized magnetic field emanating from the wireless power source. For example, a keyboard can have a metal stand used to support the keyboard at an ergonomically friendly angle with respect to a supporting surface. The metal stand can have a shape in accordance with the circularly polarized magnetic field formed by the at least two “D” shaped resonators. In this way, the metal stand can interact with the circularly polarized magnetic field to support wirelessly receiving power from the wireless power source.

In another embodiment, the resonant frequency of the wireless power supply can be tuned and de-tuned to any frequency. The tuning of the resonant frequency can be done dynamically by changing a shape of at least one resonator. In one embodiment, the changing of the shape of the at least one resonator can be carried out using, for example, a piezoelectric shaping techniques. In some embodiments, parasitic capacitance can be used to tune/detune a resonator. In some cases, the wireless power transmitter can vary a center resonance frequency in order to compensate for parasitic capacitance. The dynamic tuning can be used to provide identification of the resonator. For example, when a resonator is detuned (or tuned), resonant impedance associated with the resonator will be removed (or added) to a magnetic circuit between a primary resonator in a power supply and the resonator. The change in resonant impedance can be detected by the power supply and thus that resonator associated with the change in impedance can be deduced and stored for later use.

The dynamic tuning can also be used to arbitrate power amongst a plurality of receiving devices. For example, one or more modes can be tuned in succession followed by a query requesting a confirmation of how much power was received by those devices receiving power at a particular frequency. In this way, resonant modes not equal to the original center frequency can be determined. Hence, maximum power can be transferred at one of the determined resonant frequency. in this way, the most efficient power transfer can occur at the original center frequency but, however, the most amount of power can be transferred at one of the resonant mode frequencies. Resonant modes can be determined by nulling out a particular receiving device, using for example, a backchannel. In this way, the wireless power transmitter can look for a change in impedance when the wireless power transmitter is broadcasting on a resonant mode. In this way, by sweeping through a particular frequency band, a number of resonant modes can be determined. In some cases, resonators can be coupled together to form chained re-resonators.

In another embodiment, conductive material can be used as a waveguide and/or magnetic flux concentrator. In particular, metallic surfaces and structures can be used to guide/concentrate high frequency resonances by, for example, boosting coupling coefficient κ. Conductive surfaces (such as table tops, computer housing, etc.) can be used a flux concentrators as well as metal housings.

In yet another embodiment, a ground comb can be used to preferentially block magnetic flux and preferentially allow other magnetic flux to pass. The ground comb can be formed of magnetically active material in the form of fingers spaced apart to allow at least some magnetic flux to pass through the interstitial spacing. However, at least a second set of fingers can be applied across the first set of fingers for form apertures. The apertures allowing only selected portions and amounts of an incident magnetic field from passing, the remaining portions of the magnetic fields being blocked.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-10. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not he construed as limiting.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power delivery system 100 that includes a power transmitting unit 103 and a target electronic device 115, wherein power is delivered wirelessly by way of a magnetic resonance channel. The power delivery system 100 is used to deliver electric power to one or more target devices, and the target devices use the delivered power for operation or for recharging a battery or both. The power delivery system 100 includes the power transmitting unit 103, the target electronic device 115, and other target devices capable of receiving power being transmitted. The power transmitting unit 103 includes a power source 105 capable of generating power for power transmission and sending transmitter 131 capable of power transmission using magnetic resonance channel 111, such as non-radiated. magnetic field of a specified target resonant frequency. It also includes a source power manager 107 that manages power transmission. The power transmitting unit 103 is capable of dynamically tuning the power transmission to the target resonant frequency associated with the target electronic device 115, wherein the target resonant frequency is specified dynamically. The power transmitting unit 103 also includes a communication module 110 operable to send a communication signal 113 to the target electronic device 115 in the form of, for example, Radio Frequency (RF) communications and as such, communication signal 113 can include Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communications such as IEEE 802.11x communications, Bluetooth communications, cellular communications, or other RF communication techniques. The communication module 110 can also include a wired communication link, e.g. Local Area Network (LAN) such as Ethernet, Cable Modem, Wide Area Network (WAN) and/or other wired communication means. For example, the wired communication link could provide a high speed uplink to the Internet.

The target electronic device 115 includes a resonant power charging module 117, a source resonant frequency selector 123, a communication module 125, and a target device power manager 127. The resonant power charging module 117 includes a power receiving component 141, a power charging controller 119, and a rechargeable battery 129. The power receiving component 141, is used to receive the power transmissions provided by the power transmitting unit 103 using the target resonant frequency. The target electronic device 115 uses the received power for operation of the target electronic device 115 as well as for charging the rechargeable battery 129 in the target electronic device 115. The power delivery system 100 uses the power transmitting unit 103 to generate magnetic fields that are used to transmit power to the target devices, such as the target electronic device 115. The power transmitting unit 103 includes a resonant circuit that generates a non-radiated magnetic field at the target resonant frequency that is received by the target electronic device 115 using the power receiving component 141. The target electronic device 115 also includes a communication module 125 operable to communicate with the communication module 110 of the power transmitting unit 103 using communication signal 113.

The power transmitting unit 103 that includes the power source 105 and the target electronic device 115 are communicatively coupled with each other during the resonant power delivery from the power source 105 to the target electronic device 115. The resonant coupling is achieved wirelessly using magnetic resonance channel 111 The magnetic resonance channel 111 is the power delivery channel and communication signal 113 is the control and communication signal channel. The power transmitting unit 103 can be implemented in, for example, the base station of a mobile phone, where communication with the mobile phone (from the base station), resonant power transmission, and the control signal transmission are all conducted between the mobile phone (as a target electronic device) and the base station using different channels.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment 200 of wireless power transfer system 100 described with respect to FIG. 1. Wireless power system 200 can include at least transmitter 204 that, in turn, includes, an oscillator 222, a power amplifier 224. and a filter and matching circuit 226. The oscillator 224 is configured to generate a desired frequency, which may be adjusted in response to adjustment signal 223. The oscillator signal may be amplified by the power amplifier 224 with an amplification in accordance with control signal 225. The filter and matching circuit 226 can be included to filter out harmonics or other unwanted frequencies and match the impedance of the transmitter 204 to the transmit antenna 214. The receiver 208 can include a matching circuit 232 and a rectifier and switching circuit 234 to generate a DC power output to charge a battery 236 or power a device coupled to the receiver (not shown). The matching circuit 232 can be included to match the impedance of the receiver 208 to the receive antenna 218. The receiver 208 and transmitter 204 can communicate using communication signal 113 (e.g. Bluetooth, cellular, WiFi etc).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an antenna used in the described embodiments can be configured as antenna 350 shaped as a loop or other appropriate closed configuration. Efficient transfer of energy between the transmitter 204 and receiver 208 occurs during matched or nearly matched resonance between the transmitter 204 and the receiver 208 or lower efficiency when not matched. Transfer of energy occurs by coupling energy from the near-field of the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna residing in the neighborhood where this near-field. is established rather than propagating the energy from the transmitting antenna into free space.

The resonant frequency of the loop or magnetic antennas is based on the inductance and capacitance, Inductance in a loop antenna is generally simply the inductance created by the loop, whereas, capacitance is generally added to the loop antenna's inductance to create a resonant structure at a desired resonant frequency. As an example, capacitor 352 and capacitor 354 can be added to the antenna 350 to create a resonant circuit that generates resonant signal 356. Accordingly, for larger diameter loop antennas, the size of capacitance needed to induce resonance decreases as the diameter or inductance of the loop increases. Furthermore, as the diameter of the loop or magnetic antenna increases, the efficient energy transfers increases. In addition, resonant signal 356 can be an input to the loop antenna 350.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of transmit circuitry 402. and associated transmit antenna 404. Generally, transmit circuitry 402 provides RF power to the transmit antenna 404 by providing an oscillating signal resulting in generation of near-field energy about the transmit antenna 404. Transmit circuitry 402 includes a fixed impedance matching circuit 406 for matching the impedance of the transmit circuitry 402 (e.g. 50 ohms) to the transmit antenna 404 and a low pass filter (LPF) 408 reduces harmonic emissions. Other embodiments can include different filter topologies, for example, notch filters that attenuate specific frequencies while passing others. Transmit circuitry 402 further includes a power amplifier 410 configured to drive an RF signal as determined by an oscillator 412. The transmit circuitry can include discrete devices or circuits, or alternately, an integrated circuit.

Transmit circuitry 402 further includes a controller 414 for enabling the oscillator 412 during transmit phases (or duty cycles) for specific receivers, for adjusting the frequency of the oscillator, and for adjusting the output power level for implementing a communication protocol for interacting with neighboring devices through their attached receivers. The transmit circuitry 402 may further include a load sensing circuit 416 for detecting the presence or absence of active receivers in the vicinity of the near-field generated by transmit antenna 404.

An implementation of a transmit antenna 404 can be a fraction of the wavelength and tuned to resonate at lower usable frequencies by using capacitors to define the resonant frequency. Transmit circuitry 402 may gather and track information about the whereabouts and status of receiver devices that may be associated with the transmit circuitry 402.

In one embodiment, wireless power can be provided by at least one wireless power source having a circularly polarized source resonator. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows wireless power source 500 arranged to transfer power utilizing a circularly polarized magnetic field in accordance with the described embodiments. Wireless power source 500 can include power supply 502. In the described embodiment, power supply 502 can take the form of high frequency, orthogonal in-band power transmitter that can supply high frequency (HF) power to base plate 504. Base plate 504, in turn, provides HF power to resonators 506 that can take the form of “D” shaped resonators. In this way, each of “D” shaped resonators 506 can act as a circular polarized magnetic field source resonator that can convert at least some of the HF power provided to base plate 504 to separate component magnetic fields B₁ and B₂ that can combine with each other to form resulting magnetic field 508. In a particularly useful configuration, the at least two “D” shaped resonators 506 can be driven by base plate 504 about 180° out of phase with each other such that the resulting component magnetic fields B₁ and B₂ are also 180° out of phase with each other. The combining of the two out of phase component magnetic fields B₁ and B₂ can result in a resulting magnetic field that is circularly polarized. It should be noted that with a circularly polarized magnetic field, the plane of polarization rotates in a corkscrew pattern, making one complete revolution during each wavelength. In this way, a circularly polarized wave radiates energy in both the horizontal and vertical planes and all planes in between. If the rotation is clockwise looking in the direction of propagation, the sense is called right-hand-circular (RHC). if the rotation is counterclockwise, the sense is called left-hand circular (LHC). In this way, resulting circularly polarized magnetic field 508 can be transmitted in all planes, making it more likely for a mobile device (such as a computer mouse) to be able to establish a reliable resonance link regardless of the relative antenna orientation of the mobile device and wireless power supply 500.

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrates a basic configuration of wireless system 600 that includes wireless power supply 500 arranged to radiate circularly polarized magnetic field 508 in accordance with the described embodiments. In particular, FIG. 6A shows that a resonant channel can be formed between wireless power supply 500 and peripheral device 602. Peripheral device 602 can be configured as a mobile device that can be moved to any position within effective distance d of wireless power supply 500. Effective distance d can represent a distance from wireless power supply 500 over which a useful amount of power can be received by peripheral device 602 from wireless power supply 500. Effective distance d can range from a few centimeters to a few meters. It should be noted that effective distance d can be affected by many factors in addition to the size and shape of resonators 504 and the size and shape of resonators 604 included in peripheral device 602. In any case, the presumption for the remainder of this discussion is that peripheral device 602 remains within maximum distance of wireless power supply 500 by maintaining a current distance from wireless power supply 500 that is less than distance d_max at all times. It should be noted that maximum distance represents that area around power supply 500 where a minimum pre-determined amount of power P_min can be wirelessly received at peripheral device 602 from power supply 500, For example power P_min can be set at 20 mW representing the least amount of power that can be transferred to peripheral device 602 in order for peripheral device 602 to operate in a fully operable manner. Of course, depending upon a current status of on-board power supplies (if any) power P_min can vary thereby altering effective range D of power supply 500.

Resulting magnetic field 508 can be formed by combining component magnetic fields B₁ and B₂ generated by resonators 504 in wireless power supply 500. In this embodiment, peripheral device 602 can take the form of computer mouse 602. Computer mouse 602 can include resonators 604 each having a shape factor associated with resonators 506 included in wireless power supply 500. In other words, resonators 604 can also be “D” shaped. In this way, the interaction of “D” shaped resonators 604 can be optimized for the most efficient wireless power transmission. In addition to providing an efficient wireless power transfer, the circular polarized nature of resulting magnetic field 508 allows computer mouse 602 to maintain any spatial orientation on a supporting surface or in free space and still maintain an essentially constant power transfer between wireless power supply 500 and computer mouse 602 (as shown below).

Accordingly, FIG. 6B shows cross section of peripheral device 602 along line AA illustrating housing 606 coupled to base portion 608. In particular, housing 606 can enclose resonators 604 electrically coupled to battery 610 and operational components 612 in base portion 608. In this way, battery 610 and operational components 612 can receive a relatively constant supply of power from wireless power supply 500 by way of resonators 604. It should be noted that in some embodiments, battery 610 is not necessary as power can be received wirelessly from wireless power supply 500 thereby obviating the need for any on-board power supply.

As seen in FIGS. 6C-6E, the symmetry of magnetic field 508 provides that power can be wirelessly received at peripheral device 602 at acceptable levels regardless of the orientation of peripheral device 602. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, peripheral device 602 in the form of mouse 602 can include resonators 604 that are substantially equal in size and at about right angles to each other. In this way, the geometry of resonators 604 can be tuned to the properties of circularly polarized magnetic field 508. Due to the matching symmetry between circularly polarized magnetic field 508 and resonators 604, power from power supply 500 can be received at or above an acceptable level regardless of the spatial orientation of computer mouse 602. with respect to power supply 500 (and more particularly resonators 504). As further illustrated in FIG. 6D, peripheral device 602 can be rotated about ninety degrees from the orientation shown in FIG. 6C and still maintain an advantageous orientation with respect to resonators 506 in power supply 500 and resonators 604 in computer mouse 602.

It should be noted that the magnetic field provided by power supply 500 can in fact take on an elliptical shape (a circle being a special case of an ellipse) as illustrated in FIG. 6E. Accordingly, resonators 604 in peripheral device 602 can also take on a corresponding elliptical shape thereby optimizing an amount of power transferred from power supply 500 to peripheral device 602 as well as optimizing the power transfer efficiency, It should be noted that circularly polarized magnetic field 508 can be “steered” by modifying the orientation of the at least two “D” shaped magnetic fields generated by “D” shaped resonators 506 for example, by modifying the orientation of the axes of the elliptical shaped magnetic field. It should be noted that in one implementation, the target device (which in this representation takes the form of a computer mouse) can include only a single orientation receiver that although reduces the rate of power transfer that can be achieved from using more than one resonator, but nonetheless may be a suitable solution when available space or size is a significant consideration.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment whereby peripheral device 602 takes on the form of keyboard 700 within maximum range D of wireless power supply 500. In particular, FIG. 7 shows a top view of keyboard 700 having wireless power receiver unit 702 incorporated as part of the structure of keyboard 700. For example, keyboard 700 can be formed of metal such as aluminum. Wireless power receiver unit 702 can include at least one resonator 704. In a particular embodiment, resonator 704 can take the form of a “D” shaped resonator matching resonator 504 in wireless power supply 500. in this way, keyboard 700 can wirelessly receive power by way of circularly polarized magnetic field 508 regardless of the orientation of keyboard 700 with respect to wireless power supply 500. It should be noted, however, that in some situations, wireless power supply 500 can be incorporated in another device, such as computing system 706. In this situation, the actual spatial orientation of keyboard 700 with respect to computing system 706 is quite limited (unlike that of a computer mouse). Therefore, resonator 704 can be limited to a single “D” shaped resonator that can be fabricated as part of keyboard 700 without significant adverse effect on the ability of keyboard 700 from receiving at least an amount of power sufficient for full operation of keyboard 700.

In yet another embodiment, ground comb 800 as shown in FIG. 8A can be used to selectively block some magnetic flux and preferentially allow other magnetic flux to pass. Ground comb 800 can be formed of magnetically active material in the form of first set of fingers 802 spaced apart to allow at least some magnetic flux B to pass through interstitial spacing. However, at least second set of fingers 804 can be applied across first set of fingers 802 for form apertures 806. Apertures 806 are configured to allow only selected portions and amounts of incident magnetic field B_inc to pass through as magnetic field B_out, the remaining portions of incident magnetic field B_inc being blocked as shown in FIG. 8B.

It should be noted that by varying the geometry of the resonators, the resonant frequency of the wireless power supply can be tuned and de-tuned to any frequency. In one embodiment, the tuning of the resonant frequency can be done dynamically by changing a shape of at least one resonator. In one embodiment, the changing of the shape of the at least one resonator can be carried out using, for example, a piezoelectric shaping techniques. In some embodiment, parasitic capacitance can be used to tune/detune a resonator. In some cases, the wireless power transmitter can vary a center resonance frequency in order to compensate for parasitic capacitance.

In particular, FIG. 9 shows a flowchart detailing process 900 for determining a resonant frequency of a magnetic power transfer system in accordance with the described embodiments. Process 900 can begin at 902 by providing a magnetic field at a frequency. In the described embodiment, the frequency of the magnetic field can be based at least in part upon the characteristic sizes of the constituents of the magnetic power transfer system. For example, the characteristic size of the power resonator as well as any of the receiving resonators can be used to determine the magnetic field frequency. In addition to the characteristic size, the amount of power to be transferred can also affect the frequency as more power may require a higher frequency. One the magnetic field has been provided at the frequency, an indication of an amount of power wirelessly received at a receiver is obtained at 904. The indication can be obtained using a communication channel (sometimes referred to as a back channel) using any suitable manner of communication such as WiFi™ Bluetooth, and so on. Once the indication of the amount of power received has been obtained, a determination is made at 906 if the amount of power received is indicative of a maximum power. The determination can be based upon a predetermined power amount that has been designated as a maximum power for the particular system or the determination can be based upon a comparison of previous indications of received power.

In any case, if it is determined that the received amount of power is not maximum, then the frequency is updated at 908 and control is passed back to 902. The updating of the frequency can be accomplished in many ways. For example, the frequency can be updated by varying the geometry of the resonators. In this way, the resonant frequency of the wireless power supply can be tuned and de-tuned to any frequency. In one embodiment, the tuning of the resonant frequency can be done dynamically by changing a shape of at least one resonator. In one embodiment, the changing of the shape of the at least one resonator can be carried out using, for example, a piezoelectric shaping techniques. In some embodiment, parasitic capacitance can be used to tune/detune a resonator. In some cases, the wireless power transmitter can vary a center resonance frequency in order to compensate for parasitic capacitance. On the other hand, if the power received is determined to be maximum, that at 910 the frequency is the resonant frequency and process 900 ends.

The dynamic tuning can also be used to arbitrate power amongst a plurality of receiving devices. For example, one or more nodes can be tuned in succession followed by a query requesting a confirmation of how much power was received by those devices receiving power at a particular frequency. In this way, resonant modes not equal to the original center frequency can be determined. Hence, maximum power can be transferred at one of the determined resonant frequency. In this way, the most efficient power transfer can occur at the original center frequency but, however, the most amount of power can be transferred at one of the other resonant mode frequencies. Resonant modes can be determined by nulling out a particular receiving device, using for example, a backchannel. In this way, the wireless power transmitter can look for a change in impedance when the wireless power transmitter is broadcasting on a resonant mode. In this way, by sweeping through a particular frequency band, a number of resonant modes can be determined. In some cases, resonators can be coupled together to form chained re-resonators.

FIG. 10 shows representative virtual charging area 1000 in accordance with the described embodiments. Virtual charging area 1000 provides region R of charging for suitably configured devices placed within the region R. NFMR power supply can be placed in central unit such as desktop computer. In this way, the desktop computer can provide the NFMR power supply with computing resources. It should be noted that the near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply can include high Q circuit that relies upon near field magnetic coupling by way of a resonance channel formed between resonances of the power source and sink to transfer power. The NFMR power supply can be a standalone unit such as, for example, included in a desk top computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, and so on. In other embodiments, the NFMR power supply can take the form of a portable type unit such as a dongle that can be connected to a legacy device such as a desktop computer thereby providing the ability to retrofit devices. In still other embodiments, housing or a portion of a housing used to enclose the NFMR power source can act to extend a useful range of the NFMR power supply.

In this way, suitably configured peripheral devices can be powered directly from the NFMR power supply. In so doing, the peripheral devices when tuned to the appropriate frequency can receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power supply. In so doing, the appropriately tuned peripheral device can be considered to be part of a resonance circuit that can include the NFMR power supply and any other peripheral devices so tuned. As part of such a circuit, each device has associated with it a corresponding load that can be sensed by the NFMR power supply. As such, the resonance circuit can have a characteristic load that can change by the addition or deletion of devices from the resonance circuit. For example, if a suitably configured device such as a portable media player is brought within range of the NFMR power supply, then the load associated with the portable media player can be sensed by the NFMR power supply when (and if) the portable media player is appropriately tuned. It should be noted that in some cases, the device being brought into the range of the NFMR power supply can communicate its initial presence using a standard communication protocol such as WiFi or Bluetooth. However, once incorporated into the resonance circuit, the device can use a communication back channel described in detail below. Accordingly, any change in the characteristic load factor of the resonance circuit can convey information that can be used by the NFMR power supply to control the various devices in the resonance circuit by, for example, distributing power, and so on.

In some embodiments, certain of the peripheral devices can be configured to include a re-resonator circuit that can receive power directly from the NFMR power supply. Such devices can also transfer a portion of the power received to other of the peripheral devices. Virtual charging area 1000 includes central unit 1002 (desktop computer) that can include the NFMR power supply, keyboard 1004, mouse 1006, and portable media player 1008. In one embodiment, keyboard 1004 can be configured to receive power directly from the NFMR power supply included in desktop computer 1002 as can mouse 1006 and portable media player 1008.

In some cases, the ability of desktop computer 1002 to provide power directly to mouse 1006, for example, can be reduced due to any number of factors. Such factors can include, for example, the addition of other devices into region R that require power from the NFMR power supply, obstacles interfering with the direct power channel formed between the NFMR and mouse 1006, and so on. In this case, keyboard 1004 can act as a re-resonator such that a portion of the power delivered to keyboard 1004 from the NFMR power supply can be passed on by way of a re-resonator transmission unit (not shown) in keyboard 1004. In this way, any power loss experienced by mouse 1006 can be ameliorated by the power received from keyboard 1004. This arrangement can be transitory or can last for as long as mouse 1006 is not able to receive adequate power directly from the NFMR power supply. In other cases, the locating of portable media player 1008 within region R can reduce the amount of power available to keyboard 1004 and mouse 1006. In this case, if a battery in keyboard 1006 is fully charged (or additional charge is not necessary) then keyboard 1006 can decouple a charging circuit while still maintaining a re-resonator circuit providing power to mouse 1006.

It should be noted that conductive material 1012 can be used as a waveguide and/or magnetic flux concentrator. in particular, metallic surfaces and structures can be used to guide/concentrate high frequency resonances by, for example, boosting coupling coefficient κ. Conductive surfaces (such as table tops, computer housing, etc.) can be used a flux concentrators as well as metal housings.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is defined as any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

The advantages of the embodiments described are numerous. Different aspects, embodiments or implementations can yield one or more of the following advantages. Many features and advantages of the present embodiments are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the embodiments should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents can be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device configured to supply wireless power to an external device, comprising:

a coil;

transmit circuitry coupled to the coil, wherein the transmit circuitry is configured to supply the wireless power to the external device using the coil via a wireless link;

load sensing circuitry coupled to the coil, wherein the load sensing circuitry is configured to detect a change in loading of the coil indicative of a presence of the external device adjacent to the coil; and

a controller coupled to the load sensing circuitry, wherein the controller is configured to receive wireless power information from the external device and wherein the controller is configured to adjust the transmit circuitry based on the detected change in loading of the coil and the received wireless power information.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive the wireless power information from the external device via the wireless link using the coil.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to adjust a frequency of the wireless power supplied by the transmit circuitry based on the wireless power information received from the external device.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to enable the transmit circuitry to supply the wireless power to the external device in response to detecting the change in loading of the coil.

5. The electronic device defined in claim 3, wherein the wireless power information comprises an amount of the wireless power supplied by the transmit circuitry that is received at the external device.

6. The electronic device defined in claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to:

compare the amount of wireless power that is received at the external device to a threshold value; and

in response to determining that the amount of wireless power that is received at the external device exceeds the threshold value, adjusting the frequency of the wireless power supplied by the transmit circuitry.

7. The electronic device defined in claim 3, wherein the load sensing circuitry comprises a current sensor that is configured to detect a current associated with the coil and the controller is configured to adjust the transmit circuitry based on the detected current.

8. The electronic device defined in claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to enable the transmit circuitry to supply the wireless power to the external device in response to detecting a change in the detected current.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna coupled to the controller, wherein controller is configured to control the transmit circuitry to supply the wireless power in a first frequency channel and wherein the controller is configured to receive the wireless power information from the external device in a second frequency channel that is different from the first frequency channel using the antenna.

10. The electronic device defined in claim 9, wherein the first frequency channel comprises lower frequencies than the second frequency channel.

11. An electronic device configured to supply wireless power to an external device via a wireless link, comprising:

a coil;

transmit circuitry coupled to the coil;

load sensing circuitry coupled to the coil, wherein the load sensing circuitry is configured to detect a change in loading of the coil indicative of a presence of the external device adjacent to the coil; and

a controller coupled to the load sensing circuitry, wherein the controller is configured to enable the transmit circuitry to transmit the wireless power to the external device using the coil via the wireless link in response to detecting the change in loading of the coil using the load sensing circuitry.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive wireless power information from the external device and wherein the controller is configured to adjust the transmit circuitry based on the received wireless power information.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to receive the wireless power information via the wireless link using the coil.

14. The electronic device defined in claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to adjust a frequency of the wireless power transmitted by the transmit circuitry based on the wireless power information received from the external device.

15. The electronic device defined in claim 11, wherein the load sensing circuitry comprises a current sensor configured to detect a change in current in the transmit circuitry and the controller is configured to enable the transmit circuitry to transmit the wireless power to the external device in response to detecting the change in current in the transmit circuitry.

16. An electronic device configured to supply wireless power to a wireless power receiving device, comprising:

a wireless power transmitting coil;

transmit circuitry coupled to the wireless power transmitting coil, wherein the transmit circuitry is configured to transmit the wireless power to the wireless power receiving device using the wireless power transmitting coil via a wireless link;

a current sensor coupled to the wireless power transmitting coil, wherein the current sensor is configured to detect a change in current in the transmit circuitry associated with a presence of the wireless power receiving device adjacent to the wireless power transmitting coil; and

a controller coupled to the current sensor, wherein the controller is configured to receive wireless power information from the wireless power receiving device and is configured to adjust a frequency of the wireless power transmitted by the transmit circuitry based on the received wireless power information.

17. The electronic device defined in claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to enable the transmit circuitry in response to detecting the change in current in the transmit circuitry.

18. The electronic device defined in claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to receive the wireless power information via the wireless link using the wireless power transmitting coil.

19. The electronic device defined in claim 18, further comprising:

an antenna coupled to the controller, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit radio-frequency signals to the wireless power receiving device over a radio-frequency link that is different from the wireless link.

20. The electronic device defined in claim 19, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer selected from the group consisting of: a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and a tablet computer.