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`
`USO 10250083B2
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 10,250,083 B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 2019
`(45)Date of Patent:
`
`
`Taylor et al.
`
`(54)SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`COMMUNICATION IN WIRELESS POWER
`SUPPLY SYSTEMS
`
`(51)Int. Cl.
`H0JJ 5100
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`H04B 5100
`(Continued)
`(71)Applicant: Philips IP Ventures B.V., Eindhoven
`
`
`(52)U.S. Cl.
`(NL)
`CPC .............. H02J 50/80 (2016.02); H02J 51005
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(2013.01); H02J 71025 (2013.01); H02J 50112
`(72)Inventors: Joshua B. Taylor, Rockford, MI (US);
`
`
`(2016.02);
`
`Matthew J. Norconk, Grand Rapids,
`(Continued)
`
`MI (US); Colin J. Moore, Grand
`
`(58)Field of Classification Search
`
`
`Rapids, MI (US); Benjamin C. Moes,
`
`
`
`CPC ..... H02J 5/005; H04B 5/0031; H04B 5/0037;
`
`Wyoming, MI (US); Merdad Veiseh,
`
`
`H04B 5/0087; Y02B 60/50; Yl0T
`
`Spring Lake, MI (US); Dale R. Liff,
`307/406
`
`Kent, OH (US); Mark A. Blaha,
`
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Twinsburg, OH (US); Jason L.
`
`
`Amistadi, Lyndhust, OH (US)
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(73)Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.,
`
`
`Eindhoven (NL)
`
`5,801,372 A 9/1998 Yamaguchi
`
`
`
`
`
`2005/0077356 Al* 4/2005 Takayama .......... G06K 7/10237
`( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`
`
`235/451
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`(Continued)
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 531 days.
`
`(21)Appl. No.:14/400,731
`
`(22)PCT Filed:Mar. 14, 2013
`
`
`
`(86) PCT No.:PCT /US2013/031126
`
`§371 (c)(l),
`(2)Date: Nov. 12, 2014
`
`
`
`(87)PCT Pub. No.: WO2013/l 76751
`
`
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Nov. 28, 2013
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`
`1 575 183
`9/2005
`
`H09-62816 3/1997
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion of the Interna­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tional Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/
`
`
`US2013/031126 dated Jul. 1, 2013.
`(Continued)
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`
`
`US 2015/0194814 Al Jul. 9, 2015
`
`
`- Rexford Barnie
`Primary Examiner
`- Elim Ortiz
`
`Assistant Examiner
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`
`
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`The present invention relates to wireless power supplies
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`adapted to supply power and communicate with one or more
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/649,341, filed on May
`
`
`
`
`
`
`remote devices. The systems and methods of the present
`
`20, 2012, provisional application No. 61/649,561,
`filed on May 21, 2012.
`(Continued)
`
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`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 1 of 22
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`

`

`
`US 10,250,083 B2
`Page 2
`
`2010/0181961 Al* 7/2010 Novak
`
`2011/0074552 Al* 3/2011 Norair .
`
`invention generally relate to a connnunication timing system
`
`
`
`
`
`2010/0142509 Al * 6/2010 Zhu. H04B 1/1607
`
`370/343
`
`
`that may ensure information being connnunicated does not
`H02J 7/025
`
`
`
`
`
`
`overlap with that of another device, preventing data colli­
`320/108
`
`
`sions and information from going undetected. With infor­
`G06K 7/0008
`
`
`mation being connnunicated in a way that addresses or
`340/10.1
`
`
`
`
`avoids potential connnunication issues in multiple device
`2011/0127951 Al* 6/2011 Walley. H02J 7/025
`
`
`
`
`
`
`systems, the wireless power supply may control operation to
`320/108
`2012/0025760 Al 2/2012 Uramoto et al.
`
`
`
`
`effectively supply wireless power.
`
`
`
`2012/0185708 Al* 7/2012 Rekimoto ............... G06F 1/266
`713/310
`H02J 5/005
`320/108
`
`
`
`25 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`2012/0242283 Al* 9/2012 Kim.
`
`
`
`2017 /0085135 Al 3/2017 Stevens et al.
`
`
`
`(2016.01)
`(2016.01)
`(2016.01)
`(2016.01)
`(2016.01)
`
`(51)
`Int. Cl.
`H02J 50/80
`
`H02J 50112
`
`H02J 7102
`
`H02J 50/60
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`H02J 5100
`JP
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`JP
`CPC ............ H02J 50/60 (2016.02); H04B 510031
`
`
`JP
`
`
`
`(2013.01); H04B 510037 (2013.01); H04B
`JP
`
`
`510087 (2013.01); YJOT 307/406 (2015.04)
`WO
`WO
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`2000-209121 7/2000
`
`2005-168069 6/2005
`
`2008-206327 9/2008
`
`2009-148108 7/2009
`
`2010-104203 5/2010
`
`2011-030422 2/2011
`
`2011-120361 6/2011
`
`2011-525097 9/2011
`
`2012-034454 2/2012
`
`2006/004990 1/2006
`
`2011/102641 8/2011
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`Office Action for co-pending Japanese Patent Application No.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2007 /0273486 Al * 11/2007 Shiotsu H04B 5/02
`
`2015-514008 dated Feb. 7, 2017.
`340/10.34
`
`
`Office Action for co-pending Chinese Patent Application
`2009/0284082 Al * 11/2009 Mohammadian . G06K 7/0008
`
`
`No.201310310721.8 dated May 24, 2016.
`307/104
`
`
`705/67
`
`
`
`2010/0036773 Al * 2/2010 Bennett . G06Q 20/3674
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 2 of 22
`
`

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`
`Apr. 2,
`U.S. Patent
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`2019 Sheet 1 of 8 US 10,250,083 B2
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`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 3 of 22
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`U.S. Patent Apr. 2,
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`2019 Sheet 2 of 8 US 10,250,083 B2
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`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 7 of 22
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`
`Apr. 2, 2019
`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 6 of 8 US 10,250,083 B2
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`U.S. Patent Apr. 2,
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`2019 Sheet 8 of 8 US 10,250,083 B2
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`
`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 10 of 22
`
`

`

`
`
`COMMUNICATION IN WIRELESS POWER
`
`
`
`SUPPLY SYSTEMS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 10,250,083 B2
`
`
`2
`1
`ciency. These and other benefits may result from the exis­
`
`
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`
`
`
`
`tence of a communication channel from the remote device to
`
`the wireless power supply.
`An efficient and effective method for providing commu-
`
`
`
`
`
`5 nication in a wireless power supply that transfers power
`
`
`
`
`using an inductive field is to overlay the communications on
`
`
`
`the inductive field. This allows communication without the
`
`
`The present invention relates to wireless power supply
`
`
`
`
`addition of a separate wireless communication link. One
`
`
`
`
`systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for
`
`
`
`common method for embedding communications in the
`
`
`communicating in a wireless power supply system.
`
`
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`10 inductive field is referred to as "backscatter modulation."
`
`
`Many conventional wireless power supply systems rely
`
`
`
`
`Backscatter modulation relies on the principle that the
`
`
`
`on inductive power transfer to convey electrical power
`
`
`
`
`impedance of the remote device is conveyed back to the
`
`
`
`
`without wires. A typical inductive power transfer system
`
`
`power supply through reflected impedance. With backscatter
`
`
`
`
`includes an inductive power supply that uses a primary coil
`
`
`modulation, the impedance of the remote device may be
`
`
`
`( or a transmitter) to wirelessly transfer energy in the form of
`15
`
`
`
`
`selectively varied to create a data stream (e.g., a bit stream)
`
`
`
`a vary ing electromagnetic field and a remote device that uses
`
`
`
`that is conveyed to the power supply by reflected impedance.
`
`
`the energy in the a secondary coil (or a receiver) to convert
`
`
`
`
`For example, the impedance may be modulated by selec­
`
`
`
`electromagnetic field into electrical power. Recognizing the
`
`
`
`The tively applying a load resistor to the secondary circuit.
`
`
`
`potential benefits, some developers have focused on pro­
`
`
`power supply monitors a characteristic of the power in the
`
`
`
`ducing wireless power supply systems with adaptive control
`20
`
`
`
`
`tank circuit that is impacted by the reflected impedance. For
`
`
`
`
`systems. Adaptive control systems may give the wireless
`
`
`
`example, the power supply may monitor the current in the
`
`
`power supply the ability to adapt operating parameters over
`
`
`
`tank circuit for fluctuations that represent a data stream.
`
`
`time to maximize efficiency and/or control the amount of
`
`
`As the industry grows to use wireless power supply
`
`
`
`power being transferred to the remote device.
`
`
`systems that supply power wirelessly to multiple remote
`
`
`
`Conventional adaptive control systems may vary operat-25
`
`
`devices, communication between the power supply and
`
`
`multiple remote devices has become more important.
`
`
`
`
`ing parameters, such as resonant frequency, operating fre­
`
`
`Devices may have specific power needs that affect perfor­
`
`
`
`quency, rail voltage or duty cycle, to supply the appropriate
`
`
`mance of the wireless power supply, and may desire to
`
`
`
`amount of power and to adjust various operating conditions.
`
`
`
`
`communication those needs. However, with multiple remote
`
`
`For example, it may be desirable to vary the operating
`
`parameters of the wireless power supply based on the 30
`
`
`
`devices attempting to communicate, there is a possibility of
`
`
`data collision and data loss. Loss of communication may
`
`
`
`number of electronic device(s), the general power require­
`
`
`
`prevent the devices from communicating power require­
`
`
`
`ments of the electronic device(s) and the instantaneous
`
`
`
`ments and possibly result in too much or too little power
`
`
`
`
`
`power needs of the electronic device(s ). As another example,
`
`
`
`
`being transferred, potentially damaging a device. There also
`
`
`
`
`the distance, location and orientation of the electronic device 35
`
`
`
`may be too much or too little power transferred if one or
`
`
`(s)with respect to the primary coil may affect the efficiency
`
`
`
`more of the remote devices is incapable of communicating
`
`
`
`
`of the power transfer, and variations in operating parameters
`
`
`information to the wireless power supply.
`
`
`
`may be used to optimize operation. In a further example, the
`
`
`
`Conventional wireless power transfer systems have
`
`presence of parasitic metal in range of the wireless power
`
`
`
`
`
`
`employed separate communication channels, such as Blu­
`supply may affect performance or present other undesirable
`
`
`40
`
`etooth or other RF communication systems, to manage
`issues. The adaptive control system may respond to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`communication with multiple devices. These systems, how­
`
`presence of parasitic metal by adjusting operating param­
`
`
`
`
`
`ever, add cost and complexity to the remote devices and the
`eters or shutting down the power supply. In addition to these
`
`
`
`
`
`
`wireless power supply. And, the long distance capabilities of
`examples, those skilled in the field will recognize additional
`
`
`
`
`
`RF communication systems may result in communication
`
`
`
`system. 45 with remote devices not present near the wireless power
`
`
`
`benefits from the use of an adaptive control
`
`
`
`
`To provide improved efficiency and other benefits, it is not
`
`
`
`
`supply. For example, if two wireless power supplies, each
`
`uncommon for conventional wireless power supply systems
`
`
`
`
`associated with a remote device to be charged, are in the
`
`to incorporate a communication system that allows the
`
`
`same room and use an RF communication system, there may
`remote device to communicate with the power supply. In
`
`
`
`
`be communication errors with the remote devices during
`
`some cases, the communication system allows one-way 50 power transfer.
`
`
`
`
`communication from the remote device to the power supply.
`
`
`
`
`In other cases, the system provides bi-directional commu­
`
`
`nications that allow communication to flow in both direc­
`
`
`
`tions. For example, the remote device may communicate its
`The present invention relates to wireless power supplies
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`general power requirements prior to initiation of wireless 55
`
`
`adapted to supply power and communicate with one or more
`
`
`
`power transfer and/or real-time information during wireless
`
`
`
`remote devices. The systems and methods of the present
`
`
`
`
`power transfer. The initial transfer of general power require­
`
`
`
`
`invention generally relate to a communication timing system
`
`ments may allow the wireless power supply to set its initial
`
`
`that may ensure information being communicated from one
`
`
`
`
`operating parameters. The transfer of information during
`
`
`
`device does not overlap with that of another device, pre­
`
`
`
`wireless power transfer may allow the wireless power sup-60
`
`
`
`venting data collisions and information from going unde­
`
`
`
`ply to adjust its operating parameters during operation. For
`tected.
`
`example, the remote device may send communications
`In one embodiment, a wireless power supply for trans­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`during operation that include information representative of
`ferring power to at least one remote device includes a
`
`
`the amount of power the remote device is receiving from the
`
`
`
`
`wireless power transmitter and a communication circuit. The
`
`
`
`wireless power supply. This information may allow the 65
`
`
`
`
`wireless power transmitter may transfer power to the at least
`
`
`
`
`wireless power supply to adjust its operating parameters to
`
`
`one remote device, and may be configured to form an
`
`supply the appropriate amount of power at optimum effi-
`
`
`
`
`
`inductive power link between the wireless power supply and
`
`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 11 of 22
`
`

`

`3
`
`US 10,250,083 B2
`
`
`4
`
`the at least one remote device. The communication circuit In one embodiment, the remote device may transmit a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may be coupled to the wireless power transmitter, and may message including information relating to a request to adjust
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be configured to transmit and receive information from the an amount of power being transmitted by the wireless power
`
`supply via the field.
`
`
`at least one remote device via the inductive power link. The
`
`
`information transmitted to the at least one remote device 5
`In one embodiment, the remote device may be configured
`
`
`
`
`
`to select a different time slot in response to information
`
`
`
`may provide timing information to the at least one remote
`
`
`received from the wireless power supply that indicates a
`
`device about time slots in which the communication circuit
`
`
`
`
`state of the selected time slot remains unchanged from an
`
`
`
`is configured to receive communication from the at least one
`
`
`open state despite the remote device transmitting a message
`remote device. As an example, the information may include
`
`
`
`
`
`10 in the selected time slot.
`
`
`
`state information about each of the time slots, indicating
`
`In one embodiment, the remote device may be configured
`
`
`
`whether each time slot is assigned or open. The communi­
`
`
`to regu late power being received by at least one of reducing
`
`
`cation circuit may change the state of one of the time slots
`
`
`
`
`power being received, reconfiguring an impedance of said
`
`
`
`in response to receiving communication from a remote
`
`
`
`wireless power receiver, reconfiguring rectification circuitry,
`device in that time slot.
`
`
`15 and varying a Q of said remote device.
`
`In one embodiment, the wireless power supply may be
`
`
`
`
`The present invention provides a simple and effective
`
`
`
`configured to transfer power to a plurality of remote devices,
`
`
`communication system that allows control of the timing of
`
`
`assign and the communication circuit may be configu red to
`
`
`
`
`communication of one or more remote devices over a
`
`
`
`each of the remote devices to one of the time slots.
`
`
`wireless power link. In this way, data collisions and data loss
`
`In one embodiment, the wireless power supply may adjust
`
`
`20 may be prevented or reduced because the system attempts to
`
`
`
`a characteristic of power in response to information received
`
`
`avoid communication from one device overlapping with that
`
`
`
`from the remote device during a time slot. For example, the
`
`
`
`
`
`of another device. With stable communication between the
`
`
`
`wireless power supply may increase or decrease power
`
`
`
`wireless power supply and one or more remote devices, the
`
`
`
`
`output based on a request to increase or decrease power from
`
`
`
`
`wireless power supply may, for example, control supply of
`the remote device.
`
`
`
`25 power to one or more remote devices according to the
`
`
`In one embodiment, a method of operating a wireless
`
`
`
`operating parameters of each remote device.
`power supply system to transfer power to at least one remote
`
`
`
`
`These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
`
`
`
`devices includes placing the remote device in sufficient
`
`
`
`
`invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by
`
`
`proximity to the wireless power supply to form an inductive
`
`
`
`reference to the description of the current embodiment and
`
`power link between the wireless power supply and the 30
`the drawings.
`
`
`remote device, and operating the wireless power supply to
`Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
`
`
`
`
`
`transfer power to the remote device via the inductive power
`
`
`
`
`detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
`
`
`
`link. The method further includes transmitting, from the
`
`
`
`to the details of operation or to the details of construction
`
`
`
`wireless power supply, a communication packet to the
`
`
`and the arrangement of the components set forth in the
`
`remote device via the inductive power link, where the 35
`
`
`
`
`
`following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
`
`
`
`communication packet includes timing information about
`
`
`
`invention may be implemented in various other embodi-
`
`
`time slots in which the wireless power supply is configured
`
`
`
`ments and of being practiced or being carried out in alter­
`
`
`to receive communication from the remote device and
`
`
`
`
`native ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be
`receiving, in the wireless power supply, a message from the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`understood that the phraseology and terminology used
`remote device.
`
`
`40 herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
`
`
`
`The method may further include associating the remote
`
`
`
`
`regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "compris­
`
`device with one of the time slots in which the remote device
`
`
`
`ing" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
`
`
`
`has communicated, and changing the state of the associated
`
`
`
`
`
`listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
`time slots from open to assigned.
`
`
`
`
`items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be
`
`
`In one embodiment, the method may further include
`
`
`
`
`45 used in the description of various embodiments. Unless
`
`
`
`receiving a second message from another remote device in
`
`
`
`
`otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should
`
`
`
`
`
`another of the time slots, and associating the another remote
`
`
`
`not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific
`
`device with the another time slot.
`
`order or number of components. Nor should the use of
`
`
`In one embodiment, a remote device for receiving power
`
`
`
`enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the
`
`
`
`from a wireless power supply includes a wireless power
`
`
`
`50 invention any additional steps or components that might be
`
`
`
`receiver, communication circuitry and a load. The wireless
`
`
`
`combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
`
`
`
`
`power receiver may generate electrical power in response to
`
`
`
`a field generated by the wireless power supply, and the
`
`
`
`
`communication circuitry may communicate to and from the
`
`
`
`wireless power supply. The load may be coupled to the
`FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a wireless power
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`wireless power receiver, and may receive electrical power
`
`supply and a remote device in accordance with an embodi­
`
`
`
`
`generated in the wireless power receiver in response to said
`
`
`ment of the present invention.
`
`
`
`
`field. The communication circuitry may be configured to
`FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the wireless power
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receive information relating to a plurality of time slots in
`
`
`supply and the remote device in accordance with an embodi­
`
`which the wireless power supply is configured to receive 60
`
`
`ment of the present invention.
`
`
`communication from said remote device, and may be con­
`FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the wireless power
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`figured to select one of the plurality of time slots to com­
`
`
`
`supply and multiple remote devices configured to receive
`
`
`
`municate in. The communication circuitry may also transmit
`
`
`
`power irrespective of coupling in accordance with an
`
`
`
`
`a message in the selected time slot. For example, the remote
`
`
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`device may also wait for the wireless power supply to 65
`
`
`
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the general steps of a
`
`
`
`indicate a start of the selected time slot before transmitting
`
`
`
`method in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`the message.
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 12 of 22
`
`

`

`5
`
`US 10,250,083 B2
`
`
`6
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT
`
`EMBODIMENT
`
`information control example, the steps of a FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the general system 14 may receive
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`an operating from the communication system 22, and adjust
`
`
`method in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`
`
`characteristic based on that received information.
`invention.
`B.System
`
`
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the general steps of a
`An embodiment of the present invention will now be
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`method in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`
`
`
`power described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The wireless
`invention.
`
`
`
`includes supply 10 of the FIGS. generally 1-3 embodiment
`
`
`FIG. 7 is a timing diagram showing the general sequence
`
`
`
`
`a power supply 18, sign al generating circuitry 20, a wireless
`
`of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the
`
`
`
`power transmitter 16, a communication system 22 and an
`
`present invention.
`
`
`
`
`the current embodiment, adaptive control system 14. In the
`10
`
`sequence FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing the general
`
`
`
`
`
`with the adaptive communication system 22 is integrated
`
`
`of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the
`
`
`as separate control system 14, but both may be implemented
`
`present invention.
`
`
`
`
`circuitry or components in alternative embodiments. The
`
`
`
`
`power wireless FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the
`
`power supply 18 of the current embodiment may be a
`
`supply and remote device in accordance with an alternative
`
`
`15 conventional power supply that transforms an AC input
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment of the present invention configured to use
`
`
`(e.g., wall power) into an appropriate DC output that is
`
`
`
`
`multiple modulation elements in different circumstances.
`
`
`
`
`suitable for driving the wireless power transmitter 16. As an
`
`
`of FIG. 10 is a representative graph of a phase inversion
`
`alternative, the power supply 18 may be a source of DC
`
`
`
`a transmitted power signal used to provide communication
`
`
`
`power that is appropriate for supplying power to the wireless
`
`
`
`to a remote device in accordance with an embodiment of the
`
`
`
`the power supply 20 power transmitter 16. In this embodiment,
`
`present invention.
`
`
`18 generally includes a rectifier 24 and a DC-DC converter
`
`
`
`the26.The rectifier 24 and DC-DC converter 26 provide
`
`
`appropriate DC power for the power supply signal. The
`
`
`any power supply 18 may alternatively include essentially
`
`
`
`
`25 circuitry capable of transforming input power to a form used
`A.Overview
`
`
`
`
`embodiment, by the signal generating circuitry 20. In this
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to wireless power supplies
`
`
`the adaptive control system 14 is configu red to adjust
`
`adapted to supply power and communicate with one or more
`
`
`
`operating parameters other than the rail voltage. Accord­
`
`
`remote devices. The systems and methods of the present
`
`
`
`fixed output. The ingly, the DC-DC converter 26 may have a
`
`
`
`
`invention generally relate to a communication timing system
`
`
`
`or alternatively 30 adaptive control system 14 may additionally
`
`
`that may ensure information being communicated from one
`
`
`
`
`have the ability to adjust rail voltage or switching circuit
`
`
`
`
`device does not overlap with that of another device, pre­
`
`
`
`phase (described in more detail below). In an alternative
`
`
`
`venting data collisions and information from going unde­
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment where it is desirable to adjust operating param­
`
`
`
`tected. With information being communicated in a way that
`
`
`eters by varying the rail voltage, the DC-DC converter
`
`
`
`
`addresses or avoids potential communication issues in mul­
`26
`
`
`
`
`35 may have a variable output. As shown in FIG. 1, the adaptive
`
`
`tiple device systems, the wireless power supply may control
`
`
`to the DC-DC converter control system 14 may be coupled
`
`
`
`operation to effectively supply wireless power. For example,
`
`
`
`control allow the adaptive 26 (represented by broken line) to
`
`
`
`
`the present invention may preserve the ability of the wireless
`
`
`
`
`converter system 14 to control the output of the DC-DC 26.
`
`
`
`
`power supply to receive control signals relating to operation
`
`
`In this embodiment, the signal generating circuitry
`
`
`
`
`
`of the wireless power transfer system, such as signals that
`20
`
`
`
`40 includes switching circuitry that is configured to generate
`
`
`
`
`identify the remote device, provide wireless power supply
`
`
`and apply an input sign al to the wireless power transmitter
`
`
`
`
`
`control parameters or provide information in real-time relat­
`
`
`
`that16.The switching circuitry may form an inverter
`
`
`
`
`
`ing to wireless power supply (e.g., current, voltage, tem­
`
`
`
`transforms the DC output from the power supply 18 into an
`
`
`
`
`perature, battery condition, charging status and remote
`
`AC output to drive the wireless power transmitter 30. The
`
`
`
`
`device status). As another example, the present invention
`
`
`to appli­45 switching circuitry application 28 may vary from
`
`
`
`
`
`may preserve the ability of the wireless power supply to
`
`
`
`
`
`cation. For example, the switching may include a plurality of
`
`
`
`
`receive communications relating to the transfer of data
`
`
`
`switches, such as MOSFETs, arranged in a half-bridge
`
`
`
`
`
`unrelated to the wireless power transfer system, such as
`
`
`topology or in a full-bridge topology.
`
`
`
`
`transferring information associated with features of the
`In this embodiment, the power transmitter a 16 includes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`remote device, including synchronizing calendars and to-do
`
`
`50 tank circuit 30 having a primary coil 32 and a ballast
`
`
`
`
`lists or transferring files (e.g., audio, video, image, spread­
`
`
`
`
`
`resonant tank to form a series capacitor arranged 34 that are
`
`
`
`
`sheet, database, word processing and application files-just
`
`
`
`
`re-resonator circuit and a re-resonator circuit 40 having a
`to name a few).
`
`
`
`inven­coil 42 and a re-resonator capacitor 41. The present
`
`A wireless power supply 10 and one or more remote
`
`
`
`
`
`tion is not limited to use with a re-resonator circuit 40 and
`
`
`
`of the present with an embodiment devices 12 in accordance
`
`
`55 may instead transfer power wirelessly using the tank circuit
`
`
`power invention are shown in FIGS. 1-3. The wireless
`
`
`
`
`invention is 30 without a re-resonator circuit 40. The present
`
`
`
`
`control supply 10 generally includes an adaptive system 14,
`
`
`
`also not limited to use with series resonant tank circuits and
`
`
`power transmitter communication system 22 and a wireless
`
`
`may instead be used with other types of resonant tank
`
`
`to commu­30.The communication system 22 is configured
`
`
`
`circuits and even with non-resonant tank circuits, such as a
`
`
`nicate to one or more remote devices 12 by modulating
`
`
`
`
`60 simple inductor without matching capacitance. And,
`
`
`
`power being applied to the wireless power transmitter
`30.
`
`
`
`
`
`although the illustrated embodiment includes coils, the
`
`
`
`a series of timeThe communication system 22 may indicate
`
`
`
`inductors wireless power supply 10 may include alternative
`
`
`
`slots available for responding back to the wireless power
`
`
`
`
`or transmitters capable of generating a suitable electromag­
`
`supply 10 in order to avoid remote devices 12 trying to
`
`
`
`
`
`netic field. Further, the present invention is not limited to use
`
`
`
`communicate at the same time. The control system 14 may
`
`
`
`re­65 with a re-resonator circuit 40 and may not include a
`
`
`
`
`be configured to adjust operating characteristics to, among
`
`
`
`resonator circuit 40. And, the tank circuit 30 may transmit
`
`
`
`other things, improve transfer efficiency and control the
`
`
`power without the re-resonator circuit
`
`amount of power supplied to the remote device 12. For
`40.
`
`Ex.1011
`APPLE INC. / Page 13 of 22
`
`

`

`US 10,250,083 B2
`
`
`8
`
`7
`In this embodiment, the communication system 22 is
`
`
`
`28 to produce the desired power supply signal to the wireless
`
`
`
`
`
`capable of (a) modulating the supply of power from the
`
`
`
`power transmitter 16. The adaptive control system 14 may
`
`
`
`wireless power transmitter 16 to communicate information
`
`
`
`control the switching circuitry 28 based on communications
`
`
`and (b) sensing modulations in the wireless power transmit­
`
`
`
`
`received from the remote device 12 via the communication
`
`
`ter 16 that are fed back through the electromagnetic field
`
`5 system 22. The adaptive control system 14 of this embodi­
`
`
`from one or more remote devices 12 in order to receive
`
`
`func­ment includes control circuitry that performs various
`
`
`
`communication. The communication system 22 described
`
`
`
`
`tions, such as controlling the timing of the switching circuit
`

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