Abstract:
The present disclosure provides various methods, apparatus, and systems for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle. The apparatus includes a receiver coupled to the receptacle, which receives pockets of energy generated in response to radio frequency waves. These radio frequency waves can be emitted by a pocket-forming transmitter in response to communication from the receptacle. The receiver coupled to the receptacle then provides electrical energy to a temperature regulating component associated with it. This temperature regulating component is configured to alter temperature of contents of the receptacle to desired temperature. Also disclosed is a cup containing liquids, such as beverages, which may be controllably heated to, or maintained at, a desired temperature using wireless power transmission.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/978,031, filed Apr. 10, 2014, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRANSFER IN RECEIVERS”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/960,560, filed on Aug. 6, 2013, entitled “WIRELESS ELECTRICAL TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGES”, which is herein fully incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     This application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/925,469, filed on Jun. 24, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming;” U.S. patent Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/946,082, filed on Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,625, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,630, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,634, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,640, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,641, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range,” and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,643, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming,” all of which are herein fully incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an accessory for managing desired temperatures for consumable goods, such as beverages and food, and more particularly to an electric accessory using wireless power transmission to manage temperature in beverages and food. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some foods or beverages when consumed are generally preferred hot. These foods and beverages may not be desirable once they have cooled off. The use of devices for heating and maintaining food and beverages at a desired temperature is known in the art. These devices typically include insulating elements to limit the rate of heat loss from heated food or liquids. However, some of these devices are generally not able to keep food or beverages hot for an extended period of time. Other devices may be able to keep food or beverages hot by applying a heat source; however, these devices may require a constant electric power source or a controlled flame in order to keep consumables at a desired temperature. Such devices may be tedious and may represent a burden to consumers. For example, a consumer may need to find available power sources, such as a power outlet in a wall to connect the device and provide a source of power. In another example, a flame may be used to heat food or beverages, but may be inconvenient, uncomfortable or hard to manage. Therefore, a need exists for a convenient and easy to implement device for maintaining food or beverages at desirable temperatures. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein is a cup system whereby liquids, such as beverages, may be controllably heated to, or maintained at, a desired temperature using wireless power transmission. The system includes a cup coupled with a heating component that may induce heat into beverages. The heating component may receive electrical energy from a transmitter through a wireless receiver. 
     In another embodiment, a plate system is disclosed whereby foods may be controllably heated to or maintained at a desired temperature using wireless power transmission. The system includes a plate coupled with a heating component that may induce heat into food. The heating component may receive electrical energy from a transmitter through a wireless receiver. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method for wireless temperature regulation, comprising the steps of: emitting power RF waves from a transmitter generating pockets of energy through pocket-forming to converge in 3-d space; coupling receivers to a food or beverage receptacle; capturing the pockets of energy at the receivers; and powering or charging a heating or cooling regulating component connected to the receiver within the receptacle. 
     Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present disclosure may be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing prior art, the figures represent aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates wireless power transmission using pocket-forming, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary component of a temperature control cup adapted to a wireless power source receiver, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary component of a temperature control plate adapted to a wireless power source receiver, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     “Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more RF waves which converge in 3-d space, forming controlled constructive and destructive interference patterns. 
     “Pockets of energy” may refer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive interference patterns of RF waves. 
     “Null-space” may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of RF waves. 
     “Transmitter” may refer to a device, including a chip which may generate two or more RF signals, at least one RF signal being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other RF signals, substantially all of which pass through one or more RF antenna such that focused RF signals are directed to a target. 
     “Receiver” may refer to a device which may include at least one antenna, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power converter for powering or charging an electronic device using RF waves. 
     “Adaptive pocket-forming” may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers. 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, which may not be to scale or to proportion, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims, are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used and/or and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates wireless power transmission  100  using pocket-forming. A transmitter  102  may transmit controlled Radio Frequency (RF) waves  104  which may converge in 3-d space. These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy  106  may form at constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional in shape whereas null-spaces may be generated at destructive interference patterns. A receiver  108  may then utilize pockets of energy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example, a laptop computer  110  and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission  100 . In some embodiments, there can be multiple transmitters  102  and/or multiple receivers  108  for powering various electronic devices, for example, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter  200  which may be utilized to provide wireless power transmission  100  as described in  FIG. 1 . Transmitter  200  may include a housing  202  where at least two or more antenna elements  204 , at least one RF Integrated Circuit (RFIC)  206 , at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller  208 , and one optional communications component  210  may be included. Housing  202  can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example, plastic or hard rubber. Antenna elements  204  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part  18  (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment). Antenna elements  204  may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Other antenna elements  204  types can be used, for example meta-materials, dipole antennas among others. RFIC  206  may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals which may serve as inputs for antenna elements  204  for controlling pocket-forming. These RF signals may be produced using an external power supply  212  and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using a suitable piezoelectric material. Micro-controller  208  may then process information sent by a receiver through its own antenna elements for determining optimum times and locations for pocket-forming. In some embodiments, the foregoing may be achieved through communications component  210 . Communications component  210  may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component  210  may be used to transfer other information such as an identifier for the device or user, battery level, location or other such information. Other communications component  210  may be possible which may include radar, infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation for determining the device&#39;s position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver  300  which can be used for powering or charging an electronic device as exemplified in wireless power transmission  100 . Receiver  300  may include a housing  302  where at least one antenna element  304 , one rectifier  306 , one power converter  308  and an optional communications component  310  may be included. Housing  302  can he made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing  302  may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well. Antenna element  304  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for transmitter  200  from  FIG. 2 . Antenna element  304  may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example, a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example, a two-handed video game controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Patch antennas may have the advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e., depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as receiver  300 , may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission. Rectifier  306  may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element  304  to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier  306  may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element  304  to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter  308 . Power converter  308  can be a DC-DC converter which may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this embodiment to a battery  312 . Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. Lastly, communications component  310 , similar to that of transmitter  200  from  FIG. 2 , may be included in receiver  300  to communicate with a transmitter or to other electronic equipment. 
       FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of a receiver  300  coupled with a cup  400 . Cup  400  may include a temperature regulating component  402 . For a cup  400  intended to keep a hot beverage warm, temperature regulating component  402  may include an electrical resistance which may dissipate electrical energy as heat which can then be induced into a hot beverage in order to maintain the beverage at a desired temperature. For a cup  400  intended to keep a beverage cold, temperature regulating component  402  may be a thermoelectric cooler which may operate by the Peltier effect. Other methods, such as gas expansion or magnetic cooling may be used as well. A receiver  300  may be used to provide electrical energy to temperature regulating component  402 . Cup  400  may include an external layer  404  which may serve as a thermal insulator. Cup  400  may also contain additional control components such as an electrical switch for turning heat on and off or for regulating temperature. Cup  400  may include at least one or more receiver  300  components. 
     Cup  400  may also include a sensor that may determine the temperature of a beverage. Sensor information may then be sent by communications component  310  from receiver  300  to a transmitter  200 . The information may then be analyzed by micro-controller  208  in order to adjust accordingly and transmit the appropriate amount of energy to the electrical resistor and subsequently transfer the energy as heat to temperature regulating component  402 . 
       FIG. 5  is another example embodiment of a receiver  300  coupled with a plate  500 . Plate  500  may include a temperature regulating component  402 . For a plate  500  intended to keep food warm, temperature regulating component  402  may include an electrical resistance which may dissipate electrical energy as heat which can then be induced into a food in order to maintain the food at a desired temperature. For a plate  500  intended to keep food cold, temperature regulating component  402  may be a thermoelectric cooler which may operate by the Peltier effect. Other methods, such as gas expansion or magnetic cooling may be used as well. A receiver  300  may be used to provide electrical energy to an electrical resistor (not shown in  FIG. 5 ), which may in turn transfer it as heat to temperature regulating component  402 . Plate  500  may include an external layer  404  which may serve as a thermal insulator. Plate  500  may also contain additional control components such as an electrical switch for turning heat on and off or for regulating temperature. Plate  500  may include at least one or more receiver  300  components. 
     Plate  500  may also include sensors that may determine the temperature of food. Sensor information may then be sent by communications component  210  to a transmitter  200 . The information may then be analyzed by micro-controller  208  in order to adjust accordingly and transmit the appropriate amount of energy to the electrical resistor and subsequently transferred as heat to temperature regulating component  402 . 
     In another embodiment, small rechargeable batteries such as those used in small watches may be included in electrical heaters as those described in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . Batteries may be charged from pockets of energy  106  and may serve to power temperature regulating component  402  when out of range from a transmitter  200 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example #1 is a coffee shop in which hot beverages are served using cups  400  described in  FIG. 4 . The cups  400  may be made of cheap materials, such as cardboard, for discardable purposes or made of more sophisticated materials like plastic or metal for reusable purposes. The coffee shop may have a wireless transmitter  200 . Pockets of energy  106  may be formed by transmitter  200  and sent to receivers  300  in cups  400  that are within the scope of the wireless power transmission. Cups  400  may then apply heat to the beverages in order to keep them hot depending on the customers&#39; preferences. 
     Example #2 is a restaurant in which food is served using plates  500  described in  FIG. 5 . Plates  500  may be made of cheap materials, such as cardboard, for discardable purposes or made of more sophisticated materials like plastic or metal for reusable purposes. The restaurant may have a wireless transmitter  200 . Pockets of energy  106  may be formed by transmitter  200  and sent to receivers  300  in plates  500  that are within the scope of the wireless power transmission. Plates  500  may then apply heat in order to keep the food hot depending on the customers&#39; preferences. 
     Example #3 is a Bar in which cold drinks are served using cups  400  described in  FIG. 4 . Cups  400  may be made of cheap materials, such as cardboard, for discardable purposes or made of more sophisticated materials like plastic, glass or metal for reusable purposes. The bar may have a wireless transmitter  200 . Pockets of energy  106  may be formed by transmitter  200  and sent to receivers  300  in cups  400  that are within the scope of the wireless power transmission. Cups  400  may then cool drinks depending on the customers&#39; preferences.