I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US008729734B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Cook et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,729,734 B2
`May 20, 2014
`
`(54) WIRELESS POWER BRIDGE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Nigel P. Cook, El Cajon, CA (US);
`Lukas Sieber, Olten (CH); Hanspeter
`Widmer, Wohlenschwil (CH)
`
`(73) Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated, San
`Diego, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 273 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/040,783
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 29, 2008
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2009/0127937 Al
`
`May 21, 2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/988,758, filed on Nov.
`16, 2007.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HOJF 27142
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC .......................................................... 307/104
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ........................................... 307/104; 320/108
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,133,494 A
`5,428,521 A
`6,430,064 Bl
`7,076,206 B2
`7,667,352 B2 *
`
`10/1938 Waters
`6/1995 Kigawa et al.
`8/2002 Tsuchimoto et al.
`7 /2006 Elferich et al.
`2/2010 Drechsler et al. ............. 307/104
`
`7,675,197 B2 *
`3/2010
`7,728,551 B2 *
`6/2010
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`7,741,734 B2
`11/2010
`7,825,543 B2
`6/2005
`2005/0127867 Al
`6/2005
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`6/2005
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`9/2007
`2007 /0222542 Al
`2008/0061778 Al*
`3/2008
`2008/0067874 Al *
`3/2008
`2008/0191897 Al
`8/2008
`2008/0245422 Al* 10/2008
`2009/0157145 Al*
`6/2009
`2010/0072825 Al *
`3/2010
`2010/0181841 Al
`7/2010
`
`Tetlow .......................... 307/104
`Reed et al. .................... 320/108
`Joannopoulos et al.
`Karalis et al.
`Calhoon et al. ............... 320/108
`Calhoon et al.
`Parrarnon et al. ............... 607/61
`Joannopoulos
`Takahashi et al . ............ 324/307
`Tseng ........................... 307/104
`McCollough ............ 340/625.22
`McTargett .
`137/487.5
`Cauller ........................... 607/60
`Azancot et al. . .............. 307/104
`Azancot et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`4/2007
`1950914 A
`9/1991
`3212134 A
`6/1994
`H06178464 A
`8/1998
`10208804 A
`7 /1999
`11188113 A
`12/1999
`11338983 A
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`J. Schutz et al., "Load Adaptive Medium Frequency Resonant Power
`Supply", IEEE, Feb. 2002 pp. 1-6.*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Rexford Barnie
`Assistant Examiner -
`Joseph Inge
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Knobbe Martens Olson &
`BearLLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`A wireless power bridge that allows magnetic transmission of
`energy across a solid barrier such as a wall. A circuit is
`described for controlling the operation.
`
`48 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`AC Mains Connection
`(e.g. 110 V)
`
`TX Antenna
`
`RX Antenna
`
`DC Power Supply
`Connection
`(e.g. 12 VDC)
`
`Receive Power Converter Unit
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0001
`
`

`

`US 8,729,734 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`KR
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`2000134830 A
`2001238372 A
`2001309579 A
`2002078247 A
`2002325457 A
`2004153879 A
`2004194444 A
`2006102055 A
`2006136045
`2006517778 A
`2007206776 A
`2007228794 A
`19980703719
`W02006101614
`W02007084716
`W02007095267
`
`5/2000
`8/2001
`11/2001
`3/2002
`11/2002
`5/2004
`7/2004
`4/2006
`5/2006
`7/2006
`8/2007
`9/2007
`12/1998
`9/2006
`7/2007
`8/2007
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion-PCT/US2008/
`083723 , International Search Authority-European Patent Office(cid:173)
`Jun. 22, 2009.
`Jonathan Fildes., "Physics promises wireless power", BBC News,
`http://users.erols.com/iri/EnewsDec9,2006.htm or http://news.bbc.
`co.uk/2/hi/technology/612946O.stm, Nov. 15, 2006.
`"Wireless Non-Radiative Energy Transfer", MIT paper, publication
`and date unknown, believed to be 2007.
`"Efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer",
`MITpaper, publication and date unknown, believed to be 2007.
`"Wireless Power Transfer via Strongly Coupled Magnetic Reso(cid:173)
`nances", Kurs et al, Science Express, Jun. 7, 2007.
`"Wireless Power Transfer via Strongly Coupled Magnetic Reso(cid:173)
`nances", Kurs et al, scimag.org, Jul. 6, 2007.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`100~
`
`Mains Connection
`(e.g. 110 VAC/60 Hz)
`
`Socket
`(e.g. 110 VACI
`60 Hz)
`130
`
`Receive Power
`Converter Unit
`With Standard
`AC Mains Outlet
`
`RX Antenna
`
`DC Power Supply
`Connection
`(e.g. 12 VDC)
`
`FIG. 1
`
`AC Mains Connection
`(e.g. 110 V)
`
`TX Antenna
`
`Receive Power Converter Unit
`
`FIG. 2
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`Through Window
`w=5-40mm
`
`RX Antenna
`
`TX Antenna
`
`RX Antenna
`
`TX Antenna
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`FIG. 38
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`DC/DC
`Conv.
`
`Half
`Bridge
`Inverter
`
`420
`
`Antenna
`Transmit Powerj
`Current Sense
`400 Converter Unit
`415
`101
`405
`,"'\ __ ---------- ------ ------ ----------------- ------,
`AC mains : ..........-1-~
`(50/60 Hz) :
`-~'--1Rectifier
`+ Filter
`99./-
`Mains
`Cord
`
`,........._-'--,.__ __ ~A E B
`
`410
`
`Frequency Generation & Control
`
`I-------------------------------------------- ---------J
`430
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Antenna Feeder
`Cable
`Transmit
`Antenna Unit
`(
`440
`:- ----- ---: 442
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`: Loop
`,
`L_ "{.._
`- - . . . . . . . I
`c ____ 'C----
`443
`441
`High
`Voltage
`425
`Capacitor
`
`Antenna Current Sense
`508
`Receive\
`
`5f;~~-~~~---L
`
`502
`
`:
`
`turn
`Loop
`
`I
`I
`
`:
`:
`
`I
`
`Capacjtorj \.: 504
`Antenna Feeder Cable
`520
`
`{
`
`,--- ---
`
`I
`
`.----+----I
`
`:
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`Receive Power
`Converter Unit
`DC Output (e.g. 12 V) or
`L 510
`AC Output (e.g. 11 OV/60 Hz)
`----------------------------------------,
`560 !
`530
`540
`550
`
`Rectifier
`
`or
`DC/AC
`Conv.
`
`Tuning
`&
`Matching
`Network
`
`C
`
`Voltage
`Sense
`Current
`Sense
`
`FIG. 5
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`\
`I
`\
`I
`rL - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - J - - - - - ~
`
`,,~:__--,\
`
`621 ";'/:-:Y-Suspension Handles
`620""""1-,~=, ==============================~
`
`I
`
`' ,
`
`\_e.g. Sucking Pots
`
`/600
`
`/ Multi-tum Loop
`
`610
`
`)-----yHigh Voltage Capacitor
`
`',
`
`I
`I
`I
`I~
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I - - - - - - I
`
`,'
`
`,,t_~--~---= ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ :::::; __ * __ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ = ___ g __ _
`
`:-::l,,----441
`
`I
`
`I
`
`! 1---Antenna Feeder Cable
`
`FIG. 6
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0006
`
`

`

`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`1
`WIRELESS POWER BRIDGE
`
`This application claims priority from provisional applica(cid:173)
`tion No. 60/988,758, filed Nov. 16, 2007, the disclosure of
`which is herewith incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`It is often desirable to provide electric power to an area that
`is separated from the main powered areas by a wall or win- 10
`dow. The wall or window makes the use of an extension cord
`less practical to provide this power. For example, an extension
`cord might require that a window or door be left open to allow
`the cord to pass therethrough.
`For example, it may be convenient to use a laptop PC on the
`balcony or terrace where there is no electrical socket. It may
`be useful to put sensors on the outside of a house, for example
`to power a burglar alarm or television monitor. It may be
`desirable to bring a television outdoors.
`One way to do this is to wire the new area; to drill a hole
`through a wall for example. However, this may not be
`allowed, for example in a rental apartment or condo. It may be
`cost prohibitive and/or inconvenient. Or, the user simply
`might not want to do it.
`
`15
`
`SUMMARY
`
`2
`power is coupled to a transmitting antenna 110, which is
`wirelessly sent via magnetic field coupling to a receiving
`antenna 120.
`The preferred embodiment of a wireless power bridge is
`5 based on coupled resonance. Thus transmit and receiving
`antennas are preferably resonant antennas, which are sub(cid:173)
`stantially resonant, e.g., resonance frequency within a frac(cid:173)
`tional bandwidth of 10%, 15%, or 20% of operating fre-
`quency. The operation and formation of the antennas may be
`as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/018,069,
`filed Jan. 22, 2008, entitled "Wireless Apparatus and Meth-
`ods", the disclosure of which is herewith incorporated by
`reference.
`The transmission is preferably a substantially non-modu(cid:173)
`lated carrier frequency greater than or equal to 50 Hz. For
`example, the preferred frequency may be between 20 kHz and
`135 kHz.
`Another embodiment may use a much lower frequency. For
`20 example the standard AC power frequency of 60 Hz may be
`usable for wireless transfer.
`An embodiment may create a near field in the area of the
`transmitter that stores energy magnetically in its near field,
`and the receiving antenna which removes energy from that
`25 near field.
`The embodiment in FIG. 1 allows power transfer through
`an essentially nonmetallic wall. The size of the antenna, in
`turn, sets the thickness of the wall through which the power
`can be transmitted. For example, the wall may be as thin as a
`30 few millimeters, or as thick as 40 cm (16 inches).
`The efficiency and amount of power transfer also depends
`on the size of the antenna. In a system based on coupled
`resonance, the antennas are resonant antennas and typically
`have a high Q factor, for example a Q factor greater than 200.
`35 With appropriately dimensioned elements, and using the
`techniques described herein, a power transfer through the
`output socket 130 or DC jack 232 of for example 100 W may
`be obtainable.
`The embodiment uses an AC cord 99 to connect to the
`standard AC power, for example 110 V AC/60 Hz or 220 V
`AC/50 Hz. The power is coupled to a transmit power con(cid:173)
`verter 101. Converter 101 converts the standard AC voltage
`and frequency into another voltage and another frequency;
`typically up converting frequency to a frequency value
`45 greater than 50 Hz. This higher frequency may be more
`appropriate to use for magnetically coupled wireless trans-
`m1ss10n.
`In an alternative embodiment, as discussed above, the stan(cid:173)
`dard AC power frequency of 50 or 60 Hz may also be used for
`50 wireless power transmission.
`The transmit antenna 110 is preferably a flat-panel antenna
`that is substantially resonant with the operating frequency
`produced by the converter unit 101. The receiving antenna
`120 is preferably also a flat-panel unit that uses an inductive
`55 loop, e.g. a single or multiple turn inductor, and a capacitor to
`achieve resonance at the set operating frequency. The energy
`is transferred between the resonant antennas.
`The power from the receiving antenna is coupled to a
`receive power converter unit that in a first embodiment (130)
`60 integrates anAC-to-AC frequency converter. This operates to
`create 50 Hz or 60 Hz AC power. This may also adjust and
`stabilize the voltage to the desired voltage, for example 110 or
`220VAC.
`An alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, uses a dif(cid:173)
`ferent style of receive power converter unit 230 which pro(cid:173)
`duces for example 12V DC at its output. This may simply use
`a rectifier and DC-to-DC converter.
`
`The present application describes a wireless power bridge
`that allows directing power wirelessly through a solid block(cid:173)
`ing element, e.g., a solid wall or a closed window.
`Power is applied to one side of the element that is near a
`source of AC power. That power is wirelessly transmitted
`through a first tuned antenna, to a second tuned antenna. The
`second antenna is capable of being separated from the first
`antenna by a solid object. The second antenna receives the
`power and provides a power outlet.
`The wireless power bridge may provide a power outlet for
`AC power, or DC power.
`In an embodiment, a transmitting subsystem produces a 40
`local power hotspot that extends across a solid object, and in
`which wireless power can be received. The wireless power is
`received by a receiver on the other side of that local power
`hotspot.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other aspects will now be described in detail
`with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 shows a possible arrangement of the system using a
`low voltage DC output;
`FIG. 2 shows a possible arrangement of a system using a
`standard AC voltage output (e.g. ll0VAC/60 Hz);
`FIG. 3 shows transmission through wall and windows;
`FIG. 4 shows a transmit subsystem;
`FIG. 5 shows a receive subsystem;
`FIG. 6 shows a close-up detail of the antenna.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless power
`bridge. In this embodiment, the power output is an AC power
`output, for example producing a standard 110 VAC/60 Hz
`power Another embodiment may produce different voltage
`output, for example, 208 V or any other standard AC voltage. 65
`The embodiment produces power on a transmit side 100 by
`attaching via a wire to the standard AC power source. The
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0007
`
`

`

`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement of using the antennas to
`transfer power through a wall. The wall in FIG. 3A may be for
`example between 5 and 40 cm (2 to 16 inches).
`The coupling factor between the transmitting antenna and
`receiving antenna may differ significantly for the different
`materials and thicknesses of the wall. Accordingly, a control
`system may be used to automatically adapt in order to meet
`the power requirements of the receive side and to maximize
`the overall transfer efficiency. FIG. 3B illustrates transmis(cid:173)
`sion through a window which is 5 to 40 mm (0.2 to 1.6 inch)
`in thickness, for example.
`Power transfer efficiency can be maximized when the
`transmit and receive antennas are coaxially positioned, or
`positioned parallel to one another. FIGS. 3A and 3B show 15
`cross-sections in which these antennas are coaxially aligned.
`In practice, however, this coaxial alignment may be reason(cid:173)
`ably easy for a transparent barrier such as a window, but may
`be more difficult for a solid barrier such as a wall. In another
`embodiment, it may be desirable to change the relative posi(cid:173)
`tioning of the antennas so that they are offset from one
`another, to avoid, for example, mismatching and detuning
`effects.
`An embodiment may use an indicator as part of the transmit
`power converter unit 101 and/or the receive power converter
`unit 130 or 230. In a preferred embodiment, that indicator
`may be part of receive power converter unit 130 or 230. The
`indicator is shown as 131 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. It is controlled
`by the system that continuously computes transfer efficiency
`from a set of measurement values provided by sensors inher(cid:173)
`ent to receive power converter unit 130 or 230 and from
`known system parameters. If the indicator is a light source,
`the indicator may glow brighter when the system operates
`more efficiently thus capable to transfer higher power, and
`less brightly when the transfer efficiency becomes lower thus
`providing less power transfer capability. This can help define
`the optimum position of the receive antenna by increasing the
`brightness of the indicator. A user of the system can move one
`or the otherofthe antennas and watch the indicator glow more
`or less brightly as the antennas move.
`Another embodiment can use a numerical display or an
`analogue indicator dial with an electronically displayed bar or
`with a mechanical needle and relative numbers. The baror the
`needle moves, for example, to show that the antennas are
`coaxially aligned.
`Another embodiment may use an audible tone, for
`example, that is turned on during a time of antenna alignment,
`and emits a sound that changes pitch and/or intensity to show
`alignment of the antennas.
`FIG. 4 illustrates the transmit subsystem including the
`transmit power converter unit 101. AC power 99 is input to a
`rectifier and filter 400 which generates a DC voltage to oper-
`ate the transmit power converter unit 10. A DC-to-DC con(cid:173)
`verter 405 provides power for energizing the power stage here
`the half bridge inverter 415 and other parts of transmit power
`converter unit 101. Converter 405 may be a step-down con(cid:173)
`verter that provides an output DC voltage that is lower than
`the input voltage and that can be controlled for the purpose of
`power and efficiency control. An auxiliary DC-to-DC con(cid:173)
`verter 410 may also be used to supply another fixed DC 60
`voltage for the control systems such as the frequency genera(cid:173)
`tion and control unit. A single fixed voltage ( e.g., 12 v) may be
`used for all systems, allowing only a single converter 405 to
`be used.
`Another embodiment may omit the DC-to-DC converter
`405. In this case the power stage here the half bridge inverter
`415 may be directly supplied from the rectifier and filter 400.
`
`4
`According to a preferred embodiment as disclosed herein,
`the entire system operates without transformers what princi(cid:173)
`pal power conversion concerns. Transformers may be used as
`part of AC current sensors, in order to reduce the amount of
`5 magnetic noise which is present and/or to reduce the weight
`and/or volume, and/or produce a continuously variable output
`voltage. As described herein, an embodiment allows all prin(cid:173)
`ciple power conversion to be carried out by electronic
`switched-mode power conversion, and it may also include for
`10 example charge pumping and the like.
`A tuning network 420 may be used to fine tune the reso(cid:173)
`nance frequency of the transmitting antenna system to match
`the operating frequency in order to maintain the highest pos(cid:173)
`sible transfer efficiency.
`The antenna current may also be measured by a current
`sensor 425 that produces an output at interface D. This output
`may represent both magnitude and phase of the antenna cur(cid:173)
`rent which may be needed for power and efficiency control.
`Frequency generation and control subunit 430 may syn-
`20 chronize and control the operations of the transmit power
`converter unit 101. In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG.
`4, some of a number of different functions are frequency(cid:173)
`controlled. The frequency generation and control subunit
`may generate one or multiple frequencies to control these
`25 functions of the transmit power converter unit 101. For
`example, one or several frequency outputs can be created to
`respectively control the frequency used by a rectifier/filter
`400; frequency used by DC-to-DC converter 405; and a fre(cid:173)
`quency used by an inverter 415. The antenna current mea-
`30 surement output (interface D) can be used by the frequency
`generation and control unit 430 to optimally adjust resonance
`frequency of the transmitting antenna.
`A transmit power converter unit 101 of a wireless power
`bridge dimensioned to transfer 100 W may have a rectangular
`35 form factor of3 inches by 6 inches by 1 inch, and look similar
`to external power supply for a laptop computer.
`The power stage that generates the power carrier as used for
`the wireless power transmission is preferably a half bridge
`inverter 415. This may use two electronic power switches, for
`40 example FE Ts or transistors in a push pull configuration. The
`frequency generation and control subunit 430 provides the
`driving switching waveform via interface B and thereby sets
`the operating frequency used for wireless power transfer as
`well as the antenna current. This switching waveform may be
`45 adjusted, for example, based on the sensed characteristics of
`the receive subsystem and its behavioral pattern.
`The frequency generation and control subunit 430 may
`modify parameters to change the DC supply voltage of the
`power stage, and the duty cycle/pulse width of the switching
`50 waveform for the inverter 415. In an embodiment where the
`DC-to-DC converter is not used, the duty cycle of the switch(cid:173)
`ing waveform may be used to change power and transfer
`efficiency. For example, in one embodiment where a standard
`AC power frequency is used for wireless power transmission,
`55 the power stage can be formed of a phase controlled modu(cid:173)
`lator controlled by the frequency generation and control sub(cid:173)
`unit 430.
`The tuning network 420 is used to maintain the resonance
`frequency of the transmitting antenna at the operating fre(cid:173)
`quency of the wireless power bridge. In a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment this operating frequency is fixed and derived from a
`crystal stabilized oscillator. This method is in contrast to
`solutions where the transmission frequency is adapted to the
`resonance frequency of the transmitting antenna. This
`65 method herein is considered advantageous to reduce risk of
`harmful interference to other systems, as well as to achieve
`regulatory compliance. The tuning network may also com-
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0008
`
`

`

`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`10
`
`30
`
`5
`pensate for detuning effects and component tolerances (in(cid:173)
`ductor, capacitor, antenna feeder cable, etc.). Detuning
`effects may be caused by a detuned receiving antenna as well
`as by extraneous objects in proximity to the transmitting
`antenna. A reactive component in the source impedance of the 5
`power stage may also cause detuning. The tolerances of the
`components may be attributed to aging of the components as
`well as fabrication tolerances. The tuning network is con(cid:173)
`trolled by frequency generation and control subunit via the
`interface C.
`The frequency generation and control subunit 430 also
`generates frequency and switching waveforms to drive the
`power stage here the half bridge inverter. It also may measure
`or monitor the transmit antenna current using the current
`sensed by the current sensing element 425. For example, the
`control unit 430 can be a processor or microcontroller execut(cid:173)
`ing an appropriate algorithm also using prestored data
`(lookup table). The lookup table may be created by using a
`defined calibration routine. This algorithm is designed in such
`a way to converge at maximum transfer efficiency for any
`coupling factor and-if possible-to meet the required volt(cid:173)
`age and power at the receive subsystems AC or DC output.
`If no receiver can be detected or the coupling to this
`receiver is too small, the transmit subsystem may automati(cid:173)
`cally enter a stand-by mode where it operates at a reduced
`power level or with intermittent transmission just sufficient to
`detect presence of a receiver. Presence detection of a receiver
`can be accomplished through stimulating and sensing the
`characteristics of a receiver and its behavioral pattern.
`A human interface as part of the transmit power converter
`unit 101 can also be provided to manually modify certain
`parameters, for example to manually activate/deactivate the
`transmit subsystem and to set limits on power transfer.
`The transmitting antenna unit 110 is a purely passive 35
`device fed over a feeder cable 102 from the transmit power
`converter unit 101. This feeder cable can be for example 1 m
`in length and sized to carry voltages and currents at values
`similar to those used in a standard 11 0V /220V AC power
`cord. The transmit antenna itself may include a single or 40
`multi-tum loop 442 in series with a high-voltage capacitor
`443. This forms an LC tank circuit which is a resonant system
`tuned to the operating frequency dictated by the transmit
`power converter unit 101.
`The antenna loop is preferably formed of insulated copper 45
`wire, having insulation that is sized to withstand the antenna
`voltage that could occur in a worst-case analysis. In some
`designs, the RMS voltage of this antenna may be above 1000
`V depending on the actual power rating and the maximum
`transmission distance. Assuming an operating frequency 50
`between 20 kHz and 135 kHz, stranded wire with insulated
`strands, also called "litz wire" may be used to reduce any
`losses caused by eddy currents such as skin and proximity
`effects. This may also maximize the unloaded Q factor of the
`transmitting antenna.
`In a similar way, the capacitor may need to withstand RMS
`voltages greater than 1000 V depending on the system's
`actual power rating and the maximum transmission distance.
`An antenna embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. A high-volt(cid:173)
`age capacitor 610 may be mounted in the interior of the loop
`in order to save space and allow the maximum loop size for a
`given outer contour form factor. A number of coaxial and
`insulated antenna loops shown as 600 are fed by the antenna
`feeder cable 102. A high-voltage capacitor 443 is integrated
`as part of the antenna unit in a way that allows the high(cid:173)
`voltages resulting from resonance with a high Q factor to be
`maintained on the interior of the antenna, and to appear nei-
`
`6
`ther on the feeder cable 102 nor in the transmit power con(cid:173)
`verter unit 101. This may simplify the design and relax certain
`requirements.
`The transmit and the receiving antenna unit may both pro(cid:173)
`vide special fixtures that simplify its mounting. Suction cups
`620 may be provided for temporary mounting. Suspension
`handles shown as 621 may be provided for more permanent
`mounting, or for temporary but recurrent mounting, e.g., on
`an item that may remain in place most of the time.
`The receive subsystem is shown in detail in FIG. 5. This
`includes analogous structure to the transmit subsystem of
`FIG. 4. A receiving antenna unit 120 is formed with a single
`or multi-turn loop 502 and high voltage capacitor 504. The
`output from the receiving antenna unit is coupled via an
`15 antenna feeder cable 121 that feeds to the receive power
`converter unit 510. In general, this converter unit may use
`similar structure as that in FIG. 4, including all or any of an
`antenna current sense device 510, a tuning and matching
`network 530, a rectifier 540, DC-to-DC or DC-to-AC con-
`20 verter 550, the auxiliary DC-to-DC converter 551, additional
`current sense and voltage sense structure 560, and a frequency
`generation and control subunit 570.
`The tuning and matching network 530 may be needed to
`ensure that receive antenna unit 120 is adjusted for resonance
`25 at the transmission frequency and that the rectifiers 540 input
`impedance is optimally matched to the receive antenna units
`source impedance 120. The tuning and matching network 530
`is controlled by the frequency generation and control subunit
`570 via interface C.
`The rectifier 540 rectifies and filters the AC voltage as
`received by receive antenna unit 120 providing the DC
`required by the following stages. The rectifier 540 may be
`based on synchronous rectification instead of standard diode
`circuits in order to minimize power loss in case of low input
`voltage. The rectifier 540 may be controlled by the frequency
`generation and control subunit via control interface A.
`The DC-to-DC or DC-to-AC converter 550 may be a step-
`down or step-up converter, respectively, providing an output
`voltage and current satisfying the requirements of the external
`load connected to the receive subsystem. In general, the out(cid:173)
`put voltage or current generated by the DC-to-DC or DC-to-
`AC converter 550 is variable and controlled by the frequency
`generation and control subunit 570 via control interface B. In
`another embodiment, this converter 550 may be omitted. That
`means the external load is directly fed by the rectifier 540. In
`case the standard AC frequency was directly used for wireless
`power transmission, the converter 550 may be replaced by a
`phase controlled modulator.
`The additional voltage and current sense 560 are used by
`the frequency generation and control subunit 570 to maintain
`the specified DC or AC output voltage and to monitor loading
`of the receive power converter unit 510.
`The frequency generation and control subunit 570 auto(cid:173)
`matically controls and monitors all relevant functions and
`55 parameters of the receive subsystem to satisfy voltage and
`current requirements of the external load and to maximize
`energy transfer efficiency, and generates all frequency signals
`and waveforms required to operate the receive power con(cid:173)
`verter unit 510. If needed, it generates the standard AC fre-
`60 quency as required by the external load and feeds this fre(cid:173)
`quency to the DC-to-AC converter 550 via control interface
`B. Additionally, it measures the antenna current by means of
`the antenna current sense 520, the DC or AC output voltage
`and current by means of the voltage and current sense 560,
`65 respectively. Based on these measurements, it computes and
`adjusts the relevant operational parameters and configura(cid:173)
`tions of receive power converter unit 510 in order to satisfy
`
`GOOGLE AND SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1005, 0009
`
`

`

`US 8,729,734 B2
`
`8
`
`25
`
`7
`voltage and power demand by the external load and to maxi(cid:173)
`mize energy transfer efficiency. The receive subsystems acts
`independently from the transmit subsystem, trying to satisfy
`power demand by the external load, whilst optimizing oper(cid:173)
`ating parameters at receive side in a manner to converge at 5
`maximum transfer efficiency.
`In an embodiment, the system is capable of adapting to
`different levels of coupling factors, between a coupling factor
`close to 100% or 90% and a minimum coupling factor as low
`as 1 %. This may adjust parts of the circuit automatically, 10
`based on these coupling factors.
`The receive power converter unit 510 may provide a human
`interface for activating/deactivating receive power converter
`unit 510, to manually modify parameters or configurations,
`and an indicator for optimum positioning of the receive 15
`antenna as already described above.
`Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in
`detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inven(cid:173)
`tors intend these to be encompassed within this specification.
`The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a 20
`more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.
`This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims
`are intended to cover any modification or alternative which
`might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the
`art.
`In one embodiment, the inverter may be omitted, and that
`half bridge inverter 420 will then be directly supplied by the
`rectifier and filter.
`For example, other antenna forms and selections can be
`used. The term "power" as used herein can refer to any kind of 30
`energy, power or force transfer of any type.
`The receiving source can be any device that operates from
`stored energy, including a computer or peripheral, communi(cid:173)
`cator, automobile, or any other device.
`Also, the inventors intend that only those claims which use
`the words "means for" are intended to be interpreted under 3 5
`USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the
`specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless
`those limitations are expressly included in the claims.
`The operations and/or flowcharts described herein may be
`carried out on a computer, or manually. If carried out on a
`computer, the computer may be any kind of computer, either
`general purpose, or some specific purpose computer such as a
`workstation. The computer may be an Intel (e.g., Pentium or
`Core 2 duo) or AMD based computer, running Windows XP
`or Linux, or may be a Macintosh computer. The computer
`may also be a handheld computer, such as a PDA, cellphone,
`or laptop. Moreover, the method steps and operations
`described herein can be carried out on a dedicated machine
`that does these functions.
`The programs may be written in C or Python, or Java, Brew
`or any other programming language. The programs may be
`resident on a storage medium, e.g., magnetic or optical, e.g.
`the computer hard drive, a removable disk or media such as a
`memory stick or SD media, wired or wireless network based 55
`or Bluetooth based Network Attached Storage (NAS), or
`other removable medium or other removable medium. The
`programs may also be run over a network, for example, with
`a server or other machine sending signals to the local
`machine, whi