Abstract:
A system and method to integrate a wireless charging apparatus and system into an existing or a standard wall electrical receptacle housing is disclosed. The system may utilize a transmitter that includes an antenna coupled with a controller that operates with a power converter for the wireless transmittal of an electrical signal to a receiver associated with an electrical device to be charged. An indicator may be illuminated or otherwise notify a user of the charging capability or status of the wireless charging apparatus of system. The wireless charging apparatus or system may also include a standard electrical socket for providing a wired electrical connection. A standard wall plate coupled with the wall electrical receptacle housing accommodates the transmitter and the electrical socket.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to improvements in wireless charging and more particularly pertains to a system and method to integrate a wireless charging apparatus into an existing power receptacle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The number of electrical devices relying on battery power has increased steadily in modern times. These devices can range among cellular phones, gaming devices, electric vehicles, portable computing devices, cameras, toys, robots and medical devices. As the functionality of these electrical devices increases and designers load more options into their products, the demand on the batteries powering their functionality is also increasing. Oftentimes, a user taking full advantage of the capabilities of their devices must frequently recharge their device or face the consequence of a dead or drained battery. In these situations, the user needs access to and/or must remember to bring the corresponding power charging cords or charging stations and have available an appropriate electrical socket. This is often undesirable and inconvenient. For example, in airports it is common to see travelers sitting uncomfortably on the floor or jockeying for prime locations near an available electrical receptacle in order to recharge their devices for use en route. Thus, a more efficient system and method of charging devices is desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The above needs are successfully met via the disclosed system and method. In view of the above described problem, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a wireless charging system. In various embodiments, a system including a wireless charge transmitter configured to be housed in a standard wall electrical receptacle housing in place of a standard electrical socket and in electrical communication with a power source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the wireless charge transmitter includes a socket for wired electricity delivery. A charge is configured to be received wirelessly from the transmitter by a receiver in electrical communication with an electronic device. The system may include at least one of a controller and a power converter, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the system and the power converter is configured to adjust the power from a power source to a form specified for use by the wireless charge transmitter. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, a standard wall plate of the standard wall electrical receptacle housing is configured to be mounted to the wall electrical receptacle housing with the wireless charge transmitter housed within the wall electrical receptacle housing. The wireless charge transmitter may be configured to transmit the charge using induction, resonant magnetic induction, electromagnetic radiation, and microwave and/or laser signals. The wireless charge transmitter may be configured to transmit a beacon. 
         [0007]    In various embodiments, the wall plate may include a logo indicating a capability of the receptacle and/or the system. The system may include an indicator, such as a light or other display, configured to communicate a state of readiness of the system. A resonance frequency of the wireless charge transmitter and/or the wireless charge receiver may be dynamically adjusted. One or both resonance frequencies of the wireless charge transmitter and/or the receiver may be adjusted so that the two resonance frequencies match. 
         [0008]    In various embodiments, transmission of the wireless charge is suspended in response to the system self-detecting a lack of the receiver to receive the charge. The system may include electrical and/or mechanical properties designed to orient the charge away from a wall coupled with the wall electrical receptacle housing. 
         [0009]    In various embodiments, the system may transmit the charge to the receiver in response to the receiver providing access data to the system. The system may allocate wireless charge signal transmission based on a factor, such as tenure in the system, status level, subscription level, need of charge, and timing of the request for charge. In various embodiments, a standard wall socket is removed from the wall electrical receptacle housing prior to installation of the wireless charge transmitter. The power source of the wireless charge transmitter is received via the power converter directly from a wire entering the wall electrical receptacle housing. Thus, there is no intervening plug and socket used in powering the wireless charge transmitter. 
         [0010]    The system may be configured to operate in response to signals from a timer and/or a controller. The controller may be configured to control operation of the system. The power converter may be configured to adjust the power from a power source to a form specified for use by the wireless charge transmitter. The system may conform to a wireless charge transmission standard. 
         [0011]    Also disclosed is a method of wireless charge transmission including receiving an electrical signal from a power source by a wireless charge transmitter via a power converter directly from a wire entering an electrical receptacle housing. The method may include converting the electrical signal to a power level specified for use by the wireless charge transmitter and transmitting a wireless charge signal via the wireless charge transmitter to a receiver. The receiver may be configured to convert the received wireless charge signal to a charge for a power storage device of an electrical device. 
         [0012]    Further disclosed is a method of wireless charge receiving including receiving, by a receiver coupled to an electrical device, a wireless electrical charging signal from a wireless charge transmitter. A power converter of the wireless charge transmitter may be configured to receive an electrical power signal directly from a wire entering an electrical receptacle housing. The method may include converting the wireless electrical charging signal to a charge for a power storage device of an electrical device power source. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the features of the present disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts an electronic device coupled to a receiver in signal communication with a charging module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of elements of a charging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a charging module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternative charging module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a system transmitting a wireless charging signal and providing a socket for wired power according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts an electrical power process flow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In general, wireless energy transfer or wireless power is the transmission of a signal from a power source to an electrical load without a conductive, physical connection. In various embodiments and as shown throughout the various figures, the charging system  100  is configured to wirelessly transmit power using direct induction, resonant magnetic induction, and/or electromagnetic radiation, such as by microwave or by laser. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment and as shown by  FIG. 1 , elements of the charging system  100  are configured to be housed in a standard receptacle housing  101 . This standard receptacle housing  101  may be embedded in a wall, ceiling and/or floor of a structure. The standard receptacle housing  101  may be any suitable receptacle housing, such as one configured for sockets/outlets as found in a typical building construction. A wireless charging module  102  is configured to be received by the standard receptacle housing  101 . The standard receptacle housing  101  may be configured to provide a place/port (e.g., an electric socket  125 ) in a wiring system where electrical current can be accessed to operate/charge electrical devices. The electric socket  125  may be an alternating current (AC) electric socket, such as a 15 A or 20 A socket. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the wireless charging module  102  may be configured to provide a wireless charging signal (e.g., via a transmitter  175  of the wireless charging module  102 ). As disclosed above, the wireless charging signal of the wireless charging module  102  may be of any suitable type, such as induction, resonant magnetic induction, and/or electromagnetic radiation, such as by microwave or by laser. The wireless charging module  102  is configured to fit in place of a standard electric socket in the standard receptacle housing  101 , such as to replace one of the electrical sockets  125 . For example, an existing electrical socket may be removed and the wireless charging module  102  may replace it seamlessly in the removed electrical socket&#39;s former location. Such replacement may occur without modification of an existing standard face plate  150 , and/or the existing standard receptacle housing  101 . In such an embodiment, the existing standard face plate  150  may be used in concert with the wireless charging module  102 . Although only one wired electrical socket  125  is depicted in the various Figures, the system  100  contemplates a plurality of electrical sockets  125  being provided with the wireless charging module  102 . In one embodiment, the wireless charging module  102  is configured to be placed adjacent to a standard electric socket in the standard receptacle housing  101 . Elements of the charging system  100  may be recessed in the standard receptacle housing  101 , as discussed in greater detail herein. 
         [0023]    The charging system  100  may include or be configured to operate with a wireless charging signal receiver  178 . For example, the wireless charging signal receiver  178  may be in electrical communication with a device  200  to be charged. The wireless charging signal receiver  178  may be housed on the device  200 , within the device  200 , or be coupled to the device  200  via an electrical or conductive pathway. In various embodiments, the wireless charging signal receiver  178  may be coupled to more than one device  200  substantially simultaneously. The wireless charging signal receiver  178  may include a number of components in electrical connection with one another, for example, an antenna and a microchip or other processor. The wireless charging signal receiver  178  may conform to a particular standard or to a number of wireless charging standards for communicating with the transmitter  175  of the charging system  100 . This standard may be any of a variety of wireless charging standards, such as those developed and/or adopted by Qi, WiPower, Underwriters Laboratories, CEA, etc. The transmitter  175  and/or the wireless charging module  102  may also be configured to conform to this wireless charging standard. 
         [0024]    The device  200  may be any electronic device, such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone), a wireless music player, a tablet computer, a notebook, an e-reader, a robot, a remote control, a watch, a light, a vacuum, a computer, a display, a camera, various push to talk devices, medical devices or implants, wearable electronics (e.g., clothing or jewelry), prosthetics, personal digital assistant (“PDAs”) devices and/or the like. The device  200  may send a signal, such as an interrogation signal, to the wireless charging module  102  (e.g., a controller of the wireless charging module  102 ) to locate the charging system  100  or a component of the charging system  100 . In various embodiments, the device  200  may be preprogramed to locate itself within a distance compatible with transfer of a charge, such as based on a signal from the charging system  100 . For example, a robot may include programing to locate and autonomously direct itself to a charging location based on a signal from the wireless charging module  102  and/or preprogramed instructions. The device  200  and/or the wireless charging signal receiver  178  connected with the device  200  may be configured to display an indication of wireless charging signal strength. The device  200  and/or the wireless charging signal receiver  178  may be configured to display a suggestion of which direction to travel to increase the wireless charging signal strength. 
         [0025]    Turning next to  FIG. 2  and with reference to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of elements of a wireless charging system  100  is shown. In various embodiments, a wireless controller  160 , such as a microprocessor, may control power from a power source  50  to a power level desired at the wireless charging module  102  for appropriate propagation of the wireless charging signal. The wireless controller  160  may be in electrical communication with a power converter  135 . The power converter  135  may convert power from the power source  50  to the power desired at the wireless charging module  102 . 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, the transmitter  175  includes an antenna  180  coupled to the power converter  135  and/or the wireless controller  160 . The transmitter  175  may be configured to transmit the charging signal to a receiver  178  (see  FIG. 1 ) in the proper format. The charging system  100  may be configured to direct the wireless charging signal in a desired direction. For instance, the charging system  100  may comprise an electrical and/or physical configuration to direct the wireless charging signal away from the standard receptacle housing  101  (see  FIG. 1 ), such as away from a wall containing the standard receptacle housing  101  and out into a room. The charging system  100  may also be configured to shield and/or reflect the wireless charging signal away from the standard receptacle housing  101 . 
         [0027]    In various embodiments, the wireless charging module  102  may include an indicator  130 . The indicator  130  is configured to communicate states of operation of the charging system  100  and/or its associated elements. For example, the indicator  130  may be configured to indicate states of ready, error, reset, charging, off, and/or the like. The indicator  130  may be housed on the wireless charging module  102  or be remote from the wireless charging module  102  and in electrical communication with the wireless charging module  102 . The indicator  130  may be one or more lights, such as an LED light, and/or a more complex display, such as an LCD display configured to display text or other indicia. 
         [0028]    As previously discussed for  FIG. 1 , the face plate  150  of the charging system  100  may be a standard face plate such that it has dimensions or measurements to appropriately fit with standard, common or typical receptacle housings. With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in various exemplary embodiments, the charging system  100  is configured to be used with and have a form factor for integration into a standard receptacle housing  101  location (with the previous socket removed) and used with the standard face plate  150 . Thus, the charging system  100  may utilize the electrical socket  125  and the transmitter  175  incorporating the wireless controller and the antenna according to a standardized configuration to allow for simple replacement of an existing charging outlet. 
         [0029]    Turning next to  FIG. 5 , the charging system  100  may utilize a face plate  153  that is configured to minimize interference of the wireless charging signal from the transmitter  175  and/or the antenna  180 . For instance, the face plate  153  may act as a radome. In various embodiments, the face plate  153  may be configured to indicate that the charging system  100  is configured and/or able to provide a wireless charging signal, such as with a logo, text or other indicator to a user. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the face plate  153  may be integral to the wireless charging module  102 . For example, the face plate  153  may include properties for transmitting a wireless charging signal and be in electrical communication with one or more components of the wireless charging module  102 . In one embodiment, the face plate  153  may include an antenna (such as the antenna  180 ) embedded in the face plate  153  or positioned on or in an external surface the face plate  153  for transmitting/receiving signals. In another embodiment, the face plate  153  may include an indicator (such as the indicator  130 ). 
         [0031]    In various embodiments, the wireless charging module  102  may be configured to self-detect (e.g., by detecting a low rate of frequency) that the device  200  is in the vicinity. It may propagate a wireless charging signal based on this self-detection. This self-detection does not utilize receiving active communications from the device  200 . 
         [0032]    The wireless charging module  102  may be configured to passively transmit a beacon. This beacon may be used to test and/or calibrate various antennas and/or receivers of the charging system  100 , such as the receiver  178  coupled to the device  200 . This beacon may be used as an interrogation signal and may include power and data communication. Such communication may further enable the wireless charging module  102  to dynamically operate, for example, by broadcasting a wireless charging signal in response to receiving a communication from the device  200  when the device  200  is capable of and/or is desirous of coupling to the system  100 . This on-demand wireless charging signal propagation reduces power source  50  electricity costs and electricity waste. Similarly, the device  200  may also transmit information regarding its power charging characteristics or needs (e.g., charging complete, charging at 95 percent, charging at 50 percent, charging at 5 percent, etc.). In this way, the wireless charging module  102  may stop transmitting the wireless charging signal when the device  200  is fully charged and/or near fully charged. 
         [0033]    In various embodiments, the controller  160  may allocate resources in response to signals received from a plurality of electrical devices  200  capable of receiving charge. In one embodiment, a particular device  200  may receive preferential allocation based on tenure in the system, status, subscription level, need of charge, and/or timing. This allocation of resources may be dynamic. For example, if a device  200  with a greater charging need enters a radius of the charging signal during the charge of one or more other devices  200 , the charging system  100  may alter the resonance frequency of the propagating signal to that of the receiver  178  coupled to the needy device  200 . Additional devices  200  may receive or be configured with this resonance frequency data bandwidth permitting. In an alternative embodiment, the system  100  may be operated in a first-in first-out (“FIFO”) manner with a counter configured to track timing of the devices  200  entering the radius of communication with the wireless charging module  102 . 
         [0034]    In various embodiments, the charging system  100  may be configured to operate on a timer, such as during business hours. In such an embodiment, the controller  160  may be programed to limit power delivery of the wireless transmitter  175  and/or the electric socket  125 . In other embodiments, the charging system  100  may be configured to operate in response to receipt of a security code. For instance, the device  200  and/or user of the device  200  may be required to be cleared prior to using the charging system  100 . A user may transmit information to a central hub (e.g., a database) via a user interface. The central hub may be capable of transmitting information to the controller  160 . A user may transmit information directly to the controller  160  via a receiver coupled to the controller  160 . The granting of this security code may be based on the user paying a fee and/or signing up for a subscription to the system or a partner provider&#39;s goods and/or services. The device  200  may be configured to provide data prior to the transmitter  175  or the receiver  178  dynamically adjusting a resonant frequency to wirelessly transfer a signal, for example, as described in greater detail below. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a system  300  may be configured such that the two-part transformer is utilized for coupling between the power source  50  and the device  200  for storing a charge. Certain aspects of the system  300  may be the same or similar to the charging system  100 . The first part of the two-part transformer may be the wireless charging module  102  in communication with the power source  50  and the second part of the two-part transformer may be the receiver  178  in communication with the device  200  capable of storing the charge. Thus, for example, in response to the first part of the transformer being electrically coupled to the second part of the transformer, a complete transformer is created and charge may wirelessly flow. 
         [0036]    More specifically, the system  300  may be configured to utilize an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects. Energy may be sent through an inductive coupling to the device  200 , which can use that energy to charge batteries and/or store the energy in a power storage device, such as a capacitor. Due to a gap between the first part of the transformer (e.g., the wireless charging module  102 ) and the second part of the transformer (e.g., the receiver  178 ), two smart coils may be employed in each of the sender and receiver of the energy within the respective devices. In one embodiment, an induction coil is configured to create an alternating electromagnetic field from a charging base station (such as the wireless charging module  102 ), and a second induction coil coupled to the receiving device receiver (such as the receiver  178 ) takes power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into electrical current to charge a battery of the device  200 . The two induction coils thus combine to form an electrical transformer. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an inductive coil of the system  300  may be located at or near the plane of the face plate  150 . The diameter of the inductive coil may be any suitable diameter, such as between about  1  and  35  mm. A PC board layer may house control logic elements and control logic circuitry and be in electrical communication with the inductive coil. In various embodiments, a shielding layer, such as comprised of a ferrous plate and a copper plate, may be located proximate the PC board layer. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, a system  400  may be configured to utilize resonant inductive coupling or electrodynamic induction. Certain aspects of the system  400  may be the same or similar to the charging systems  100  or  300 . Resonant inductive coupling is the near-field wireless transmission of electrical energy between two coils that are tuned to resonate at the same frequency, thus forming a resonant or resonance transformer. While many transformers employ resonance, resonant inductive couplings of the system  400  may be configured to have a high Q. Higher Q indicates a lower rate of energy loss relative to the stored energy of the oscillator (e.g., the oscillations die out more slowly). The resonant inductive couplings may be air cored to avoid iron losses. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , resonant transfer works by making a coil ring with an oscillating current for generating an oscillating magnetic field. As shown, the field may be propagated in all directions. However, in an alternative embodiment, the direction of the oscillating magnetic field may be targeted in a desired direction. Because the coil is highly resonant any energy placed in the coil may die away relatively slowly over a large number of cycles. If a second coil is brought near it, the second coil can pick up most of the energy before it is lost, even if it is some distance away (e.g., 3-5 meters). In various embodiments, the fields used are predominately non-radiative and near-field (sometimes called evanescent waves). In various embodiments, a receiving unit of the system  400  (such as the receiver  178 ) is located within the ¼ wavelength distance of the transmitter  175  to maximize the energy transfer of the resonant transfer. 
         [0040]    In various embodiments, the receiver  178  may be configured to dynamically adjust the resonant frequency of the receiver  178  in order to match the resonant frequency of the wireless charging module  102 . Similarly, in various embodiments, the wireless controller  160  may be configured to dynamically adjust the resonant frequency of the wireless charging module  102  in order to match the resonant frequency of the receiver  178 . In such embodiments, the wireless charging module  102  may be configured to communicate (e.g., receive information regarding the presence and resonant frequency of the receiver  178 ). Thus, the wireless charging module  102  may include a receiver, transmitter and/or transceiver. 
         [0041]    Turning next to  FIG. 6  and with reference to the various figures, a process flow of power from the power source  50  to the device  200  is depicted. At flow block  600 , power (e.g., AC power) is initially received by the system  100 . As previously stated, this may be in response to an on demand scenario. At flow block  610 , the device  200  with charging needs may enter into the radius of the wireless charging signal so that power may be connected for charging purposes. At flow block  620 , the power converter  135  and the controller  160  of the transmitter  175  or other wireless control chip may configure the AC power into the format desired by the wireless charging module  102  in order to charge the device  200 . At flow blocks  630  and  640 , the wireless charging signal may then be transmitted by the transmitter  175  to the receiver  178  coupled to the device  200 , respectively. At flow block  650 , in response to receiving the signal from the transmitter  175 , the receiver  178  converts the received signal into a form usable by the device  200  to recharge its power storage device. 
         [0042]    Systems, methods and computer program products for wireless charging have been provided. References to “various embodiments”, in “some embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments. In addition, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the embodiments disclosed above may be embodied as a customization of an existing system and/or as an add-on product. 
         [0043]    The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed above may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). 
         [0044]    The system and/or method may be described in terms of functional block components, screen shots, optional selections and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, the system and/or method may employ various integrated circuit components (e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like) which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the software elements of the system may be implemented with any programming or scripting language (e.g., VPL, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, VBScript, Macromedia Cold Fusion, COBOL, Microsoft Active Server Pages, assembly, PERL, PHP, awk, Python, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, PL/SQL, any UNIX shell script, and extensible markup language (XML)) with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Further, it should be noted that the system and/or method may employ any number of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like. 
         [0045]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.