Abstract:
A wireless power transmission device and method are provided. An amount of power transmitted wirelessly by the wireless power transmission device may be controlled based on information to be transmitted by the wireless power transmission device, such that the information may be transmitted without using any additional device for information transmission. Additionally, an internal impedance of a terminal may be controlled based on information to be transmitted by the terminal, and a reflected wave of a transmission signal transmitted by the wireless power transmission device may be then controlled, such that the information may be transmitted without using any additional device for information transmission. Therefore, no further device may be desired, and thus a power consumption amount may be reduced, and there may be no need to match a communication part for information exchange with a transmission part for wireless power transmission.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0130852, filed on Dec. 24, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to a wireless power transmission device and method, and more particularly, to a wireless power transmission device and method for transmitting and receiving information without any additional information transmission device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Recently, a variety of portable electronic products have been released and have become widespread, along with development of information technologies (IT). When considering characteristics of portable electronic products, battery performance of these portable electronic products is emerging as an important issue. Portable electronic products, as well as household appliances, can function to wirelessly transmit data, but can only receive power provided through power lines. 
         [0006]    Additionally, wireless power transmission technologies for supplying power in a wireless manner have been studied in recent years. Wireless energy transfer or wireless power occurs where electrical energy is transmitted from a power source to an electrical load without interconnecting wires. However, when considering characteristics of wireless configuration, a distance between a wireless power transmission device and a terminal is highly likely to vary over time, and requirements to match a resonator of the wireless power transmission device with a resonator of the terminal may also be changed. 
         [0007]    To efficiently transmit power in a wireless manner, information for power transmission is required to be exchanged between the wireless power transmission device and the terminal. Therefore, there is a need for a new method to exchange information, to improve a wireless transmission efficiency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one general aspect, there is provided a wireless power transmission device, including: a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power to a terminal, and a controller configured to control an amount of power transmitted wirelessly by the transmitter, based on transmission information transmitted to the terminal. 
         [0009]    In the wireless power transmission device, the controller may include a switch, the switch configured to cut off or supply the power transmitted wirelessly to the terminal, depending on the transmission information. 
         [0010]    In the wireless power transmission device, the controller may be further configured to control a transmission frequency, based on the transmission information. 
         [0011]    In the wireless power transmission device, the controller may include a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit configured to control the transmission frequency. 
         [0012]    In the wireless power transmission device, the controller may be further configured to control an internal impedance, based on the transmission information. 
         [0013]    The wireless power transmission device may further include: a measuring unit configured to measure a reflected wave of a transmission signal transmitted to the terminal, and an analyzer configured to analyze, based on the measured reflected wave, terminal information received from the terminal. 
         [0014]    In the wireless power transmission device, the measuring unit may include a directional coupler configured to measure the reflected wave. 
         [0015]    In another general aspect, there is provided a terminal, including: a receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from a wireless power transmission device, and a controller configured to control an internal impedance based on terminal information transmitted to the wireless power transmission device. 
         [0016]    In the terminal, the controller may include: a first load, a second load, and a switch connected to one of: the first load and the second load, depending on the terminal information. 
         [0017]    The terminal may further include: a measuring unit configured to measure an amount of power received wirelessly from the wireless power transmission device, and an analyzer configured to analyze, based on the measured amount of power, transmission information received from the wireless power transmission device. 
         [0018]    In another general aspect, there is provided a wireless power transmission method, including: wirelessly transmitting power to a terminal, and controlling an amount of power transmitted wirelessly to the terminal, based on transmission information transmitted to the terminal. 
         [0019]    The wireless power transmission method may further include: measuring a reflected wave of a transmission signal transmitted to the terminal, and analyzing, based on the measured reflected wave, terminal information received from the terminal. 
         [0020]    The wireless power transmission method may further include measuring the reflected wave with a directional coupler. 
         [0021]    The wireless power transmission method may further include cutting off or supplying the power transmitted wirelessly to the terminal, depending on the transmission information. 
         [0022]    The wireless power transmission method may further include controlling a transmission frequency, based on the transmission information. 
         [0023]    The wireless power transmission method may further include controlling an internal impedance, based on the transmission information. 
         [0024]    In another general aspect, there is provided a wireless power transmission method, including: wirelessly receiving power from a wireless power transmission device, and controlling an internal impedance based on terminal information transmitted to the wireless power transmission device. 
         [0025]    The wireless power transmission method may further include connecting a switch to one of: a first load and a second load, depending on the terminal information. 
         [0026]    The wireless power transmission method may further include: measuring an amount of power received wirelessly from the wireless power transmission device, and analyzing, based on the measured amount of power, transmission information received from the wireless power transmission device. 
         [0027]    Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example wireless power transmission device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of another example wireless power transmission device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of still another example wireless power transmission device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example terminal. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of another example terminal. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of still another example terminal. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example wireless power transmission method. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses, and/or methods described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of processing steps and/or operations described is an example; however, the sequence of steps and/or operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of steps and/or operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. It should be appreciated that the use of binary “0” and “1” may be reversed, as appropriate. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of a wireless power transmission device  100 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the wireless power transmission device  100  may include a transmitter  101  and a controller  102 . The wireless power transmission device  100  may further include a power source  104 . 
         [0039]    The wireless power transmission device  100  may be any device capable of wirelessly transmitting power to a terminal  110 . Additionally, the wireless power transmission device  100  may be inserted as a module into the terminal  110 . 
         [0040]    The terminal  110  may be any device capable of being operated by power, e.g., a television (TV), a mobile phone, a game console, a refrigerator, or other devices. 
         [0041]    The transmitter  101  may wirelessly transmit power to the terminal  110 . 
         [0042]    The controller  102  may control an amount of the power transmitted wirelessly by the transmitter  101 , based on transmission information  103  transmitted to the terminal  110 . For example, the wireless power transmission device  100  may transmit the transmission information  103  to the terminal  110  by controlling the amount of the power, rather than by using an additional device for transmission of the transmission information  103 . For example, in response to the transmission information  103  being “0”, the controller  102  may control the amount of the power to be reduced, or in response to the transmission information being “1”, the controller  102  may control the amount of the power to be increased. It should be appreciated that the use of “0” and “1” is for example purposes only, and the specific numbers may be reversed or otherwise changed. 
         [0043]    The “transmission information  103 ” refers to information to be transmitted by the wireless power transmission device  100  to the terminal  110 . The transmission information  103  may include information regarding the wireless power transmission device  100 , for example, an identification (ID) and a type for the wireless power transmission device  100 , information regarding a transmission range which may enable the wireless power transmission device  100  to wirelessly transmit power, and information regarding whether the wireless power transmission device  100  is successfully matched with the terminal  110  when wirelessly transmitting the power. However, there may be no limitation to information required or desired for the wireless power transmission device  100  to transmit the power wirelessly to the terminal  110 ; accordingly, the transmission information  103  may include various types of information which the wireless power transmission device  100  desires to transmit to the terminal  110 , regardless of contents of the information to be transmitted. Depending on embodiments, the transmission information  103  may be binary scale data, although embodiments are not limited thereto. 
         [0044]    According to an aspect, the wireless power transmission device  100  may further include an input unit  105  to receive the transmission information  103 . 
         [0045]    The controller  102  may control a transmission frequency based on the transmission information  103 . The controller  102  may also control the amount of the power transmitted to the terminal  110 , by controlling the transmission frequency. Additionally, the controller  102  may include a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, to control the transmission frequency using the PLL circuit. 
         [0046]    In addition, the controller  102  may control an internal impedance of the wireless power transmission device  100  based on the transmission information  103 . The controller  102  may also control the amount of the power transmitted to the terminal  110 , by controlling the internal impedance. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  illustrates a configuration of a wireless power transmission device  200 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a controller  210  of the wireless power transmission device  200  may include a switch  220 . 
         [0049]    The switch  220  may cut off or supply power (e.g., from the power source  104  of  FIG. 1 ) which may be transmitted by the wireless power transmission device  200  wirelessly to a terminal, depending on transmission information  230 . Depending on embodiments, in response to the transmission information  230  being “0”, the switch  220  may be opened to cut off the wirelessly transmitted power, or alternatively in response to the transmission information  230  being “1”, the switch  220  may be closed to supply the wirelessly transmitted power. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration of a wireless power transmission device  300 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the wireless power transmission device  300  may include a measuring unit  301  and an analyzer  302 . The wireless power transmission device  300  may further include a power source (e.g., power source  104 ), a controller (e.g., controller  102  or  200 ), and a transmitter (e.g., transmitter  101 ). 
         [0052]    The wireless power transmission device  300  may send a transmission signal  320  to a terminal  310 , in order to wirelessly transmit power to the terminal  310 . In one example, a part of the transmission signal  320  may be reflected and returned, which is referred to as a “reflected wave  330 .” 
         [0053]    The measuring unit  301  may measure the reflected wave  330  of the transmission signal  320  transmitted to the terminal  310 . Depending on embodiments, the measuring unit  301  may include a directional coupler  304 , to measure the reflected wave  330  using the directional coupler. 
         [0054]    Based on the reflected wave  330  measured by the measuring unit  301 , the analyzer  302  may analyze terminal information  311  received from the terminal  310 . 
         [0055]    The terminal  310  may transmit the terminal information  311  to the wireless power transmission device  300 . An example of a terminal for transmitting terminal information will be further described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration of a terminal  400 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the terminal  400  may include a receiver  401  and a controller  402 . 
         [0058]    The receiver  401  may wirelessly receive power from a wireless power transmission device  410 . 
         [0059]    The controller  402  may control an internal impedance of the terminal  400 , based on terminal information  403  transmitted to the wireless power transmission device  410 . For example, the terminal  400  may send the terminal information  403  to the wireless power transmission device  410  by controlling the internal impedance and controlling a reflected wave  430  of a transmission signal  420  received from the wireless power transmission device  410 , rather than by using an additional device for transmission of the terminal information  403 . For example, in response to the terminal information  403  being “0”, the controller  402  may control the internal impedance such that a power of the reflected wave  430  may be reduced. Alternatively, in response to the terminal information  403  being “1”, the controller  402  may control the internal impedance such that the power of the reflected wave  430  may be increased. Additionally, the controller  402  may control the internal impedance such that an amplitude of the reflected wave  430  may increase or decrease, depending on the terminal information  403 . 
         [0060]    The “terminal information  403 ” refers to information to be transmitted by the terminal  400  to the wireless power transmission device  410 . The terminal information  403  may include information regarding whether the terminal  400  may currently require power, information regarding an amount of power that may be required by the terminal  400  in response to the terminal  400  may require the power, information regarding whether the terminal  400  is sufficiently matched with the wireless power transmission device  410  when wirelessly receiving the power, and information regarding a charging rate of the terminal  400 . However, there may be no limitation to information that may be desired for the terminal  400  to receive power wirelessly from the wireless power transmission device  410 ; accordingly, the terminal information  403  may include various types of information which the terminal  400  desires to transmit to the wireless power transmission device  410 , regardless of contents of the information to be transmitted by the terminal  400 . Depending on embodiments, the terminal information  403  may be binary scale data, although embodiments are not limited thereto. 
         [0061]    According to an aspect, the terminal  400  may further include an input unit (e.g., input unit  105  of  FIG. 1 ) to receive the terminal information  403 . 
         [0062]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the analyzer  302  may analyze the received terminal information  311 , based on information on at least one of a variation in power and amplitude of the reflected wave  330  measured by the measuring unit  301 . Depending on embodiments, the wireless power transmission device  300  may further include an output unit  305  to output the terminal information  303  analyzed by the analyzer  302 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  illustrates a configuration of a terminal  500 . 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a controller  510  of the terminal  500  may include a first load  520 , a second load  530 , and a switch  540 . 
         [0065]    The switch  540  may be connected to either the first load  520  or the second load  530 , depending on terminal information  550 . In one example, in response to the terminal information  550  being “0”, the switch  540  may be connected to the first load  520 , and in response to the terminal information  550  being “1”, the switch  540  may be connected to the second load  530 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  illustrates a configuration of a terminal  600 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the terminal  600  may include a measuring unit  601  and an analyzer  602 . 
         [0068]    The measuring unit  601  may measure an amount of power received wirelessly from a wireless power transmission device  610 . 
         [0069]    Based on the amount of power measured by the measuring unit  601 , the analyzer  602  may analyze transmission information  611  received from the wireless power transmission device  610 . For example, the analyzer  602  may analyze the transmission information  611  based on a variation in the measured amount of power. Depending on embodiments, the terminal  600  may further include an output unit (e.g., output unit  305  of  FIG. 3 ) to output transmission information  603  analyzed by the analyzer  602 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 7  illustrates a wireless power transmission method. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , power may be wirelessly transmitted to a terminal in operation  710 . 
         [0072]    An amount of power transmitted wirelessly to the terminal may be controlled based on transmission information transmitted to the terminal in operation  720 . For example, the amount of power may be controlled by controlling internal impedance and controlling a reflected wave of a transmission signal received from a wireless power transmission device, rather than an additional device for transmission of the transmission information being used, such that the transmission information may be transmitted to the terminal. For example, in response to the transmission information being “0”, the amount of power may be controlled to be reduced, or in response to the transmission information being “1”, the amount of power may be controlled to be increased. 
         [0073]    According to an aspect, the wireless power transmission method of  FIG. 7  may further include receiving the transmission information before operation  720 . 
         [0074]    According to the wireless power transmission method of  FIG. 7 , a transmission frequency may be controlled based on the transmission information; accordingly, the amount of power may also be controlled. Additionally, the transmission frequency may be controlled using a PLL circuit. 
         [0075]    According to the wireless power transmission method of  FIG. 7 , an internal impedance may be controlled based on the transmission information; accordingly, the amount of power may also be controlled. 
         [0076]    Additionally, according to the wireless power transmission method of  FIG. 7 , a reflected wave of a transmission signal transmitted to the terminal may be measured. Depending on embodiments, a directional coupler may be used to measure the reflected wave. 
         [0077]    Furthermore, according to the wireless power transmission method of  FIG. 7 , terminal information received from the terminal may be analyzed based on the reflected wave as measured. Depending on embodiments, the terminal information may be analyzed based on information on at least one of a variation in power and amplitude of the reflected wave. Depending on embodiments, the wireless power transmission method of  FIG. 7  may further include outputting the analyzed terminal information. The method of the example described in  FIG. 7  may use any of the above-described devices for its operation or any devices consistent with the operation described herein. 
         [0078]    As a non-exhaustive illustration only, the devices, e.g., the wireless power transmission device  100  or the terminal  110 , described herein may refer to mobile devices such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital camera, a portable game console, and an MP3 player, a portable/personal multimedia player (PMP), a handheld e-book, a portable tablet and/or laptop PC, a global positioning system (GPS) navigation, and devices such as a desktop PC, a high definition television (HDTV), an optical disc player, a setup and/or set top box, and the like consistent with that disclosed herein. 
         [0079]    A number of example embodiments have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.