Power transmission apparatus and power transmission method

A power transmitting unit is provided. The power transmitting unit includes a signal generator configured to generate a signal of a first frequency band for wireless charging, a power generation circuit configured to generate a modulation signal for modulating the signal of the first frequency band generated by the signal generator, and amplify a transmit power of the signal of the first frequency band based on voltage supplied from the outside of the power transmitting unit, a power transmission circuit configured to transmit the amplified transmit power to a power receiving unit via a first antenna, a second antenna configured to receive information about a charging state from the power receiving unit through a second frequency band, and a control circuit configured to control a duty and frequency of the modulation signal based on the charging state.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a National Phase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2017/009172, which was filed on Aug. 22, 2017 and claims a priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0112873, which was filed on Sep. 1, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to wireless charging technologies.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, wireless charging technologies using electromagnetic induction or magnetic resonance have come into wide use on the basis of electronic devices such as smartphones. When a power transmitting unit (PTU) (e.g., a wireless charging pad) and a power receiving unit (PRU) (e.g., a smartphone) are accessed within a distance, a battery of the power receiving unit may be charged by an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon between a transmit coil of the power transmitting unit and a receive coil of the power receiving unit.

The power transmitting unit should control an output power in a variable manner depending on a power level required by the power receiving unit. In general, the power transmitting unit may adjust a DC voltage supplied to a power amplifier to control an output power. For example, the power transmitting unit may adjust the DC voltage supplied to the power amplifier using a DC/DC converter or a switching mode power supply (SMPS). In addition, the power transmitting unit may control an output voltage using a signal modulation circuit such as pulse width modulation (PWM) rather than the DC/DC converter.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

However, an output power is controlled using a modulation circuit such as PWM, a charging voltage (e.g., Vrec) of a power receiving unit may fluctuate by a frequency and a duration or duty of a modulation signal generated by the PWM. For example, when the duty of the modulation signal is decreased (i.e., when an output voltage is increased), a ripple phenomenon of a charging voltage may occur.

An aspect of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for addressing the above-mentioned problems and/or purposes disclosed in the disclosure.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a power transmitting unit is provided. The power transmitting unit may include a signal generator configured to generate a signal of a first frequency band for wireless charging, a power generation circuit configured to generate a modulation signal for modulating the signal of the first frequency band generated by the signal generator, and amplify a transmit power of the signal of the first frequency band based on voltage supplied from the outside of the power transmitting unit, a power transmission circuit configured to transmit the amplified transmit power to a power receiving unit via a first antenna, a second antenna configured to receive information about a charging state from the power receiving unit through a second frequency band, and a control circuit configured to control a duty and frequency of the modulation signal based on the charging state.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a power transmitting method in a power transmitting unit is provided. The method may include generating a signal of a first frequency band for wireless charging, generating a modulation signal for modulating the signal of the first frequency band, amplifying a transmit power of the signal of the first frequency band based on a constant voltage supplied from the outside of the power transmitting unit, transmitting the amplified transmit power to a power receiving unit, receiving information about a charging state from the power receiving unit, and controlling a duty and frequency of the modulation signal based on the charging state.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a power transmitting unit is provided. The power transmitting unit may include a variable power generation unit configured to output a variable power by modulating a high-frequency signal having a constant amplitude on a time axis through repetition of the on/off of the high-frequency signal and a power amplifier configured to amplify the variable power to a power level required by a power receiving unit based on a constant voltage. The variable power generation unit may include a modulation circuit configured to generate a low-frequency modulation signal. The on/off of the high-frequency signal may be controlled by a duty of the modulation signal. A duty of the low-frequency modulation signal may be determined based on the required power of the power receiving unit. A frequency of the low-frequency modulation signal may be determined based on a charging state of the power receiving unit.

Advantageous Effects

According to various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, the efficiency of a wireless charging system may be increased. Furthermore, a power transmitting unit may be heated. Furthermore, a power receiving unit may minimize the occurrence of an unstable charging state (e.g., a ripple phenomenon of a charging voltage).

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, when wireless charging is started, a phenomenon which fails in initial charging may be prevented. Furthermore, according to another embodiment, it may be prevented that another system (e.g., NFC) influenced by the wireless charging system is broken.

In addition, various effects directly or indirectly ascertained through the present disclosure may be provided.

MODE FOR INVENTION

The terms, such as “first”, “second”, and the like used in this disclosure may be used to refer to various elements regardless of the order and/or the priority and to distinguish the relevant elements from other elements, but do not limit the elements. For example, “a first user device” and “a second user device” indicate different user devices regardless of the order or priority. For example, without departing the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of, for example, smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. According to various embodiments, the wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted-devices (HMDs), a fabric or garment-integrated type (e.g., an electronic apparel), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoos), or a bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

According to another embodiment, an electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices (e.g., a blood glucose monitoring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature measuring device, and the like), a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT), scanners, and ultrasonic devices), navigation devices, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic equipment for vessels (e.g., navigation systems and gyrocompasses), avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots, automatic teller's machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs) of stores, or internet of things (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, boilers, and the like).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring instruments (e.g., water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave meters, and the like). According to various embodiments, the electronic device may be one of the above-described devices or a combination thereof. An electronic device according to an embodiment may be a flexible electronic device. Furthermore, an electronic device according to an embodiment of this disclosure may not be limited to the above-described electronic devices and may include other electronic devices and new electronic devices according to the development of technologies.

Hereinafter, electronic devices according to various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this disclosure, the term “user” may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses the electronic device.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a wireless charging environment according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 1A, a wireless power transmitting unit10may supply power to a wireless power receiving unit50. In the disclosure, the wireless power transmitting unit10may be simply referred to as a power transmitting unit or a PTU. Furthermore, the wireless power receiving unit50may be simply referred to as a power receiving unit or a PRU. The power transmitting unit10may be connected with a TA10or a random power source to supply power to the power receiving unit50.

In an embodiment, the power receiving unit50may correspond to a user terminal such as a smartphone. However, in various embodiments, the power receiving unit50may be understood as an electronic device which supports wireless charging.

In an embodiment, the power transmitting unit10may correspond to a wireless charging pad for smartphone. However, in various embodiments, the power transmitting unit10may be understood as an electronic device capable of wirelessly supplying power to the power receiving unit50.

Referring toFIG. 1A, the power transmitting unit10may include a power generation circuit11, a control circuit12, a communication circuit13, and a sensing circuit14.

The power generation circuit11may include a power adaptor11afor receiving power from the outside and suitably converting a voltage of the input power, a power generation circuit11bfor generating power, and a matching circuit11cfor maximizing efficiency between a transmit coil11L and a receive coil51L.

The control circuit12may perform overall control of the power transmitting unit10and may generate various messages necessary for wireless power transmission to deliver the generated messages to the communication circuit13. Furthermore, the control circuit12may calculate an amount of power to be transmitted to the power receiving unit50, based on information received from the communication circuit13. Moreover, the control circuit12may control the power generation circuit13such that power calculated by the transmit coil11L is transmitted to the power receiving unit50.

The communication circuit13may include at least one of a first communication circuit13aand a second communication circuit13b. The first communication circuit13amay communicate with a first communication circuit53aof the power receiving unit50using the transmit coil11L used for power transmission (e.g., an inband manner). The second communication circuit13bmay communicate with, for example, a second communication circuit53bof the power receiving unit50using an antenna or coil different from the transmit coil11L used for power transmission (e.g., an outband manner). For example, the second communication circuit13bmay obtain information (e.g., Vrec information, Iout information, various packets, a message, or the like) associated with a charging state from the second communication circuit53busing any one of various short-range communication modes, such as Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and NFC.

In addition, the power transmitting unit may further include a sensing circuit14or the like for sensing a temperature, motion, or the like of the power transmitting unit.

The power receiving unit50may include a power receiving circuit51, a control circuit52, a communication circuit53, at least one sensor54, and a display55. In the power receiving unit50, the description of the configuration corresponding to the power transmitting unit10will be partially omitted.

The power receiving circuit51may include the receive coil51L for wirelessly receiving power from the power transmitting unit10, a matching circuit51a, a rectifier circuit51bfor rectifying the received AC power into DC, an adjustment circuit51cfor adjusting a charging voltage, a switch circuit51d, and a battery51e.

The control circuit52may perform overall control of the power receiving unit50and may generate various messages necessary for wireless power transmission to deliver the generated messages to the communication circuit53.

The communication circuit53may include at least one of the first communication circuit53aand the second communication circuit53b. The first communication circuit53amay communicate with the power transmitting unit10through the receive coil51L. The second communication circuit53bmay communicate with the power transmitting unit10using any one of various short-range communication modes, such as Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and NFC.

In addition, the power receiving unit50may further include the at least one sensor54, such as a current/voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, an illumination sensor, and a sound sensor, and the display55.

FIG. 1Billustrates a wireless charging environment according to another embodiment. For example,FIG. 1Bmay be understood as an example of a wireless charging environment ofFIG. 1A, conceptually illustrated for convenience of description. In the disclosure, a description will be given of a configuration ofFIG. 1B. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the description with reference toFIG. 1Bis applicable to the wireless charging environment ofFIG. 1A.

Referring toFIG. 1B, in an embodiment, a power transmitting unit100may include a signal generator110, a modulation circuit120, a power amplifier (PA)130, a power transmitting circuit140, a control circuit150(e.g., a micro processing unit (MCU)), and a switch160. The power transmitting unit100may include an additional component which is obvious to those skilled in the art other than the illustrated components. For example, the power transmitting unit100may further include a power supply interface (e.g., a connector) between a TA10and the power transmitting unit100and/or a display or LED indicating a charging state.

The signal generator110may generate a signal of a first frequency band for resonant wireless charging. For example, the signal generator110may generate a signal having a frequency of 6.78 MHz defined in AW4P. In the disclosure, a signal generated by the signal generator110may be referred to as a “power signal”.

The modulation circuit120may generate a modulation signal for modulating the signal generated by the signal generator110. In an embodiment, the modulation circuit120may correspond to a pulse width modulation (PWM) module which modulates an amplitude of a power signal generated by the signal generator110. The modulation signal may have a constant duty cycle and frequency. For example, when a duty of the modulation signal is 50%, one half of one period may correspond to a high state and the other may correspond to a low state. An amount of power supplied to the power amplifier130may be controlled according to the duty of the modulation signal.

The signal generator110, the modulation circuit120, and the switch160may be referred to as a “variable power generation unit”. The variable power generation unit may modulate a high-frequency signal of a constant amplitude, generated by the signal generator110, about a time axis. For example, the variable power generation unit may generate a variable power by modulating the high-frequency signal through repetition of the on/off of the switch160. In this case, an on/off duration of the switch160may be determined by a modulation signal generated by the modulation circuit120.

The power amplifier130may receive the power signal (modulated by the modulation signal) and may amplify the power signal to a constant power. The power amplifier130may receive voltage Vdd from the TA10connected with the power transmitting unit100. The constant voltage may correspond to a DC voltage into which an AC voltage supplied from the TA10is rectified. The power amplifier130may amplify a power signal input thereto to a power level required by a power receiving unit200, based on the voltage Vdd.

The power transmitting circuit140may include a matching circuit141and a transmit coil143. The matching circuit141may be configured with impedance matching elements for increasing resonance efficiency between the transmit coil143of the power transmitting unit100and a receive coil243of the power receiving unit200. The transmit coil143may be implemented with a conductive material for power transmission. Thus, the transmit coil143may be referred to as a first antenna or a first antenna radiator.

The control circuit150may control several components of the power transmitting unit100. In an embodiment, the control circuit150may correspond to at least a portion of a communication module for processing a communication function, which receives information about a charging state from the power receiving unit200. For example, the control circuit150may be a portion of a Bluetooth or Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module which receives information about a communication state from the power receiving unit200via a second antenna153.

In an embodiment, a plurality of control circuits may be included in the power transmitting unit100. For example, the control circuit150may process information about a charging state of the wireless power receiving unit200, received via the second antenna153, and another control circuit (not shown) may control the signal generator110, the modulation circuit120, or the like. In the disclosure, for convenience of description, the description assumes that the control circuit150controls an overall operation of the power transmitting unit100.

The switch160may be located between the signal generator110and the power amplifier130and may operate according to a modulation signal. For example, when the modulation signal is in a high state, the switch160may be short-circuited. In this case, a signal generated by the signal generator110is delivered to the power amplifier130without change. When the modulation signal is a low state, the switch160may be opened. In this case, a signal generated by the signal generator110is not delivered to the power amplifier130.

The switch160may be implemented as a switch circuit including a logic circuit (an AND gate or the like). Thus, the switch160may be short-circuited/opened to be the same as a frequency of the modulation signal. For example, when the modulation signal has a frequency of 100 kHz, the switch160may be short-circuited/opened at intervals of 10 μs. The short-circuiting of the switch160may be referred to as the switch on, and the opening of the switch160may be referred to as the switch off.

In an embodiment, the second antenna153may communicate with the power receiving unit200using a signal of a second frequency band distinguished from a first frequency band. For example, the second antenna153may transmit/receive a Bluetooth or BLE signal having a frequency of 2.4 GHz. In the disclosure, the signal of the second frequency band, exchanged between the power transmitting unit100and the power receiving unit200, may be referred to as a “communication signal”.

The power receiving unit200according to an embodiment may include a rectifier210, a DC/DC converter220, a battery230, a power receiving circuit240, and a control circuit250. The power receiving unit200shown inFIG. 1may include only the components necessary to describe a process of receiving power from the power transmitting unit100and charging the battery230, but may further include another module (e.g., a display, a touch sensor, a camera, a speaker, a microphone, or the like) for performing a common function of the power receiving unit200other than the shown components.

The power receiving unit240may supply power obtained through a receive coil243to the rectifier210. A matching circuit241may be implemented with impedance matching elements for optimizing resonance efficiency between the receive coil243and the transmit coil143.

The rectifier210may convert an AC power obtained by the power receiving circuit240into a DC power. The converted DC power may be supplied to the DC/DC converter220. The DC/DC converter220may convert voltage having a DC power into a suitable voltage and may supply the converted voltage to the battery230.

The power receiving unit200according to an embodiment may provide information about a charging state of the battery230to the power transmitting unit100. For example, the power receiving unit200may sense a voltage Vrec of a rectifier capacitor Crec of the rectifier210. The control circuit250may provide the sensed Vrec value to the power receiving unit100via a second antenna253. The power transmitting unit100may control a modulation signal to continue charging at optimal efficiency based on a charging state (e.g., a Vrec value or a change in the Vrec value) of the battery230of the power receiving unit200.

The power transmitting unit100and the power receiving unit200shown inFIG. 1Bmay be understood as an example of a charging system which supports resonant wireless charging. However, in the same another embodiment as that inFIG. 1A, the technical scope about the control of the modulation signal disclosed in the disclosure is applicable to another charging system such as inductive wireless charging (e.g., WPC) or electromagnetic wireless charging.

FIG. 1Cillustrates a configuration of a bridge circuit according to an embodiment. The bridge circuit ofFIG. 1Bmay be implemented as a portion of a power generation circuit11of a power transmitting unit10ofFIG. 1Aor may be implemented as a portion of a power generation circuit of a power transmitting unit100ofFIG. 1B.

Referring toFIGS. 1B and 1C, for example, a signal generated by a signal generator110may pass through the bridge circuit ofFIG. 1C. Herein, the bridge circuit may correspond to a PA130. The bridge circuit may control to the on/off Vdd through switching. For example, a gate input (A_H, A_L, B_H, or B_L) may be controlled to correspond to operations of the signal generator110, a modulation circuit120, and a switch160. For example, the gate input of the bridge circuit may be controlled such that a power signal is input and amplified based on a frequency and duty of a modulation signal generated by the modulation circuit120.

FIG. 2Aillustrates an example in which a charging signal is modulated by a modulation signal according to an embodiment.

A first example (case 1) may correspond to when a maximum power is requested from a power receiving unit200. For example, a signal generator110may continue generating a signal of a high frequency (e.g., a first frequency band) of a constant amplitude. In this example, because a modulation signal remains high, a high-frequency signal (a power signal) is not modulated at all and is provided to a power amplifier without change.

A second example (case 2) may correspond to when a power of a middle degree (50%) is requested from the power receiving unit200. A modulation circuit120may generate a modulation signal having a duty of 50%. In this example, a high-frequency signal generated by the signal generator110may be provided to the power amplifier130while the modulation signal remains high or while a switch160is in an on state.

A third example (case 3) may correspond to when a low power is requested from the power receiving unit200. The modulation circuit120may control (generate) a modulation signal to have a lower duty than that in the second example.

A fourth example (case 4) may correspond to when power is not requested from the power receiving unit200(e.g., when charging is completed). In this case, because a modulation signal remains low, a high-frequency signal generated by the signal generator110is not provided to the power amplifier130. Herein, in this case, the power transmitting unit100may stop the operation of the signal generator110or the like.

FIG. 2Bis a graph illustrating a relationship between a duty of a modulation signal and a charging power according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2B, a duty of a modulation signal generated by a modulation circuit120(e.g., a PWM module) and power output from a power amplifier130may be proportional to each other. Thus, a power transmitting unit100may control a rate at which the modulation signal remains high, during the duty of the modulation signal, that is, one period of the modulation signal to control an output power.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a change in a charging state of an RX stage according to a change in a duty of a modulation signal according to an embodiment. Herein, the RX stage may correspond to a power receiving unit200, and the charging state may correspond to a Vrec value.

Power supplied from a power transmitting unit100may be stored in a rectifier capacitor Crec in the form of a DC current by a rectifier210of the power receiving unit200. The power stored in the rectifier capacitor may be used to charge a battery230. Assuming that a frequency of a modulation signal remains constant, when a duration where a charging power is not supplied becomes long by the modulation signal, a voltage drop of the rectifier capacitor may occur. For example, as shown in the left graph ofFIG. 3A, when a duty of a modulation signal having a frequency of 100 kHz is 50%, a time when power is not supplied within one period corresponds to 5 μs. When the duty of the modulation decreases to 20% in the same frequency, as shown in the right graph ofFIG. 3A, a time when power is not supplied increases to 8 μs. When the time when power is not supplied becomes long, power stored in the rectifier capacitor does not maintain Vrec of a constant level, and the result is a decrease in Vrec. Vrec may repeat being recovered again at a time when power is supplied again (e.g., a next period of the modulation signal). Thus, there may occur the ripple phenomenon in which Vrec shows a cyclical reduction-recovery pattern. According to an embodiment, the power transmitting unit100may adjust a frequency of the modulation signal based on information about a charging state obtained through a second antenna153. When the ripple phenomenon of Vrec is detected, the power transmitting unit100may control a modulation circuit120such that a frequency of the modulation signal increases to stably maintain a charging state of the battery230(i.e., to remove the ripple phenomenon). A description will be given below of an example associated with this with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 3Billustrates a change in a charging state of an RX stage according to a change in a frequency of a modulation signal according to an embodiment.

According to the left graph ofFIG. 3B, when a modulation has a frequency of 100 kHz and a duty of 50%, the charging of a power receiving unit200may be stably performed. In this example, when a frequency of the modulation signal decreases to 50 kHz while the duty is kept identical, as shown in the right graph ofFIG. 3B, the ripple phenomenon may occur. That is, because a time when a charging power is not supplied increases from 5 μs (left graph) to 10 μs (right graph) due to the decrease in the frequency of the modulation signal, Vrec may fail to be kept constant and may be reduced.

The change in the charging state according to the frequency and duty of the modulation signal, described with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B, is inversely applicable. For example, inFIG. 3B, when the frequency increase from 50 kHz to 100 kHz while the duty remains 50%, the ripple phenomenon may be substantially removed. In the disclosure, that the ripple phenomenon is substantially removed may refer to decreasing a ripple to a level (e.g., less than 3%) permissible in an environment where a real terminal (e.g., the power receiving unit200) is used. In an embodiment, the power transmitting unit100may determine a frequency value in which a charging state of the power receiving unit200is stabilized while increasing a frequency of the modulation signal gradually or stage by stage. For example, when the charging state is stabilized when the frequency of the modulation is 80 kHz, the power transmitting unit100may not increase the frequency of the modulation signal any longer. In this regard, a description will be given with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B.

For reference,FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate a pattern where the Vrec value remains constant or decreases linearly. However, this is for convenience of description, and those skilled in the art may appreciate that the Vrec value substantially remains constant when a sufficient power is supplied to the capacitor (e.g., when the duty is on). Furthermore, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the Vrec value decreases in the form of an exponential function when power is not supplied to the capacitor (e.g., when the duty is off).

FIG. 4Aillustrates a waveform of a power signal input to a power amplifier130and a waveform of a power signal amplified by the power amplifier130according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4A, a power signal generated by a signal generator110may be modulated by a modulation signal generated by a modulation circuit120to be delivered to a power amplified130. The power signal delivered to the power amplifier130may have substantially the same constant amplitude while a switch160remains on.

Because the power amplifier130may include an element such as an inductor, a delay may occur until an output waveform has a form similar to an input waveform. For example, seeing an output waveform corresponding to an input waveform for the initial 5 μs inFIG. 4A, it may be seen that loss occurs at the first 2 μs. That is, whenever a power signal passes through the power amplifier130, an initial loss may occur. Because the power signal is input to the power amplifier130depending on the on/off of the switch160, the loss of the power signal may occur depending on an operating frequency of the switch160. Because the operating frequency of the switch160is identical to a frequency of the modulation signal, as a result, the higher the frequency of the modulation signal, the more the loss of the power signal may be increased. Furthermore, a change in the frequency of the modulation signal may be performed in consideration of the loss of the power signal.

FIG. 4Billustrates a power loss of an output waveform according to a change in a frequency of a modulation signal according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4B, the higher the frequency of a modulation signal, the more the power loss according to a change in frequency at the same duty (50%) may be increased. For example, a time taken to reach the output voltage intended when a power signal is input to a power amplifier130may have a low frequency dependence. In an example ofFIG. 4B, a time taken to reach the intended output voltage irrespective of frequency corresponds to about 2 μs. Thus, for a low frequency, for example, for a modulation signal having a frequency of 50 kHz, one period may be 20 μs, and an output waveform corresponding to about 8 μs of 10 μs corresponding to the switch on among 20 μs may have the intended output voltage.

However, for a modulation signal having a frequency of 100 kHz, a time indicated by an output waveform having the intended output voltage for a time of 20 μs (two periods) decreases to 6 μs. When a frequency of a modulation signal, such as 150 kHz or 200 kHz, is increased, a power loss is more increased.

In an embodiment, to minimize the power loss, a power transmitting unit100may generate a modulation signal such that ripple does not occur at the same duty or to have a suitable frequency or the lowest frequency in a permissible level. For example, when controlling an output power through the switching of a bridge circuit ofFIG. 1B, a power transmitting unit10or100may generate a modulation signal with a suitable frequency in consideration of whether a ripple of a power receiving unit100maintains a stabilization state when changing a frequency of the modulation signal and/or a leakage (power loss) degree or the like which occurs when increasing the frequency of the modulation signal to enter the stabilization state when the ripple occurs. In other words, the power transmitting unit100may operate to determine a frequency for minimizing the power loss while stably maintaining a charging state of a battery230, in a duty condition determined according to a power level required by the power receiving unit200.

FIG. 5illustrates a process of reducing a charging power according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 5, in operation501, a power transmitting unit100may decrease a duty of a modulation signal. For example, a modulation circuit120may decrease the duty of the modulation signal from 50% to 20%.

Operation501may be performed when the power transmitting unit100receives a signal for requesting to reduce a charging power from a power receiving unit200or recognizes that the power receiving unit200enters a slow or low-power charge mode. For example, the power transmitting unit100may receive a request to reduce a charging power from the power receiving unit200through an exchange of a communication signal of a second frequency band. In this case, the power transmitting unit100may control the modulation signal to have duty corresponding to the requested charging power.

Additionally or alternatively, the power transmitting unit100may determine to reduce a charging power based on a charging state received from the power receiving unit200. For example, the power transmitting unit100may determine a pattern in which a Vrec value received from the power receiving unit200continues increasing. Based on such a Vrec pattern, the power transmitting unit100may determine that a supplied power is greater than the requested power to reduce a supply power.

In such an embodiment, the power transmitting unit100may gradually decrease the duty of the modulation signal. That is, operation501may include an operation of decreasing the duty of each of a plurality of modulation signals. The power transmitting unit100may reduce the duty of the modulation signal until a pattern in which Vrec is kept constant without continuing increasing is identified.

While operation501is performed, a frequency of the modulation signal may remain constant. As the duty of the modulation signal is reduced, when the result is a decrease in charging power, in operation503, the power transmitting unit100may obtain information about a charging state via a second antenna153. Operation503of obtaining the information about the charging state via the second antenna153may continue being performed over a predetermined period.

In operation505, the power transmitting unit100may determine whether a charging state of a battery230of the power receiving unit200is stable. Operation505may be performed in response to the decrease in the duty of the modulation signal. For example, when a ripple phenomenon which departs from a permissible range occurs in a Vrec value, the control circuit150may determine that the charging state is unstable. When the ripple phenomenon is within the permissible range or when the ripple phenomenon does not occur, the control circuit150may determine that the charging state is stable.

That the charging state is unstable may mean that the ripple phenomenon occurs. In other words, that the charging state is unstable may mean that an interval where the charging power is not supplied increases due to the decrease in the duty of the modulation signal. In operation507, the power transmitting unit100may increase the frequency of the modulation signal. Operations,503,505, and507may be repeated until it is determined that the charging state is stable.

When it is determined that the charging state is stable, in operation509, the power transmitting unit100may maintain the frequency of the current modulation signal. It is possible to implement the optimization of charging efficiency according to control of the charging power and variance in the charging power using the modulation circuit110without using a DC/DC converter according to such a process.

FIG. 6illustrates a decrease in a charging power and control of a frequency of a modulation signal according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 6, to satisfy a charging current of 800 mA required by a power receiving unit200, a power transmitting unit100may use a modulation signal with a frequency of 100 kHz and a duty of 80%. This state may be understood as a kind of fast charge mode. An output waveform of a power amplifier130in the fast charge mode may be represented as graph601. This state may be a state where optimization is ended, and, as shown in graph602, a ripple phenomenon of an RX stage may substantially correspond to 0%.

In this state, the power receiving unit200may enter a slow charge module (or a normal charge mode). In the slow charge mode, the power receiving unit200may need power for supplying a current of 200 mA to a battery. However, because a charging power for supplying a current of 800 mA to the battery is currently supplied, a Vrec value may continue increasing. That is, operation501ofFIG. 5may be triggered, and a duty of a modulation may decrease to 20%.

Referring to graph603, because a time when a charging power is not supplied increases in contrast to graph601, a ripple phenomenon may occur at the RX stage. For example, when it is assumed that a charging reference voltage is 9.2 V and a voltage ripple of 3% is in a stabilization state, as shown in graph604, a ripple of the RX stage may occur to 5%. In this state, the power transmitting unit100may detect the ripple phenomenon of the RX stage. As shown in graph605, the duty of the modulation signal may increase frequency to two times in a state where it remains 20%. Because a time interval when power is supplied is shortened according to the increase in frequency, the ripple phenomenon of the RX stage may be removed.

FIG. 7illustrates a process of increasing a charging power according to an embodiment. In connection withFIG. 7, no description of details duplicated, corresponding, or similar to the above-mentioned description will be provided.

In operation701, a power transmitting unit100may increase a duty of a modulation signal. For example, a modulation circuit120may increase the duty of the modulation signal from 20% to 80%.

Operation701may be performed when the power transmitting unit100receives a signal for requesting to increase a charging power from a power receiving unit200or recognizes that the power receiving unit200enters a fast charge module (or a charging mode which is relatively faster than a current charging mode). Additionally or alternatively, the power transmitting unit100may determine to increase a charging power based on a charging state received from the power receiving unit200. For example, when a Vrec value received from the power receiving unit200continues decreasing, the power transmitting unit100may determine that a supplied power is less than the requested power and may increase a supplying power.

In an embodiment ofFIG. 7, the power transmitting unit100may distinguish a pattern where the Vrec value continues decreasing and a ripple phenomenon of Vrec. When the Vrec value is reduced over several periods of the modulation signal, the power transmitting unit100may determine that a charging mode of the power receiving unit200is adjusted upwardly. However, when the reduction and recovery of the Vrec value is repeated within each period of the modulation signal, the power transmitting unit100may determine that the ripple phenomenon of Vrec occurs. According to an embodiment, the power transmitting unit100or a control circuit150may distinguish a first pattern in which the Vrec value increases over a plurality of periods of the modulation signal, a second pattern in which the Vrec value decreases over the plurality of periods of the modulation signal, and a third pattern in which the Vrec value is repeatedly reduced and recovered for each period of the modulation signal. When the first pattern is detected, the control circuit150may decrease the duty of the modulation (seeFIG. 5). When the second pattern is detected, the control circuit150may increase the duty of the modulation signal. When the third pattern is detected, the control circuit150may increase a frequency of the modulation signal.

In operation703, the power transmitting unit100may obtain information about a charging state via a second antenna153. This process may correspond to operation503ofFIG. 5. When the charging state information is obtained, in operation705, the power transmitting unit100may determine whether a charging state of a battery230of the power receiving unit200is stable. This process may correspond to operation505ofFIG. 5.

Unlike an embodiment ofFIG. 5of decreasing the duty of the modulation signal, because duty increases in an embodiment ofFIG. 7, it may be determined that a charging state immediately after the duty increases is stable. In other words, when a ripple phenomenon of Vrec does not occur before the duty increases, the ripple phenomenon of Vrec does not occur after the duty increases in the same frequency condition. However, according to an embodiment, although the ripple does not occur, as described with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the frequency of the modulation may be adjusted to minimize a power loss.

In operation707, the power transmitting unit100may reduce the frequency of the modulation signal. For example, the modulation circuit120may reduce the frequency of the modulation signal by one state (e.g., at intervals of 10 kHz or 20 kHz). The width of the reduction of the modulation may be predefined. When the frequency of the modulation signal is reduced, because a period when a charging power is not supplied within one period becomes long, the power transmitting unit100may perform operations703and705again to determine whether the charging state is stable. When the charging state is unstable due to the reduction in frequency (e.g., when a ripple occurs), in operation709, the power transmitting unit100may set the frequency of the modulation signal as a frequency which is in the last stable state. For example, when reducing the frequency of the modulation signal having a frequency of 200 kHz at intervals of 20 kHz, the charging state is stable at 120 kHz. However, when the charging state is unstable at 100 kHz, the modulation circuit120may fix the frequency of the modulation signal to 120 kHz.

Operation709may correspond to one example of a method for minimizing a power loss while maintaining the charging state in a stable state and may be replaced with another method. For example, the power transmitting unit100may predefine a minimum/maximum frequency value the modulation signal may have depending on the duty of the modulation signal. When the duty of the modulation signal increases and when the frequency of the modulation signal decreases to a minimum frequency value the modulation signal may have at the increased duty (although it is determined that the charging state remains stable in operation705), the power transmitting unit100may not increase the frequency of the modulation signal any longer. In another example, when the duty of the modulation signal increases, the power transmitting unit100may immediately set a minimum frequency value the modulation signal may have at the increased duty. In this example, when a ripple does not occur, and the modulation circuit120may maintain the minimum frequency value. When the ripple occurs, the modulation circuit120may increase a frequency value until the ripple is removed (e.g., according to a process ofFIG. 5). In addition, the power transmitting unit100may repeat operation707a specified number of times. For example, when the stable state remains continuous when increasing the frequency of the modulation signal over 5 times, the modulation circuit120may not increase the frequency of the modulation any longer.

FIG. 8illustrates an increase in a charging power and control of a frequency of a modulation signal according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 8, to satisfy power required by a power receiving unit200(e.g., power for supplying a current of 200 mA to a battery), a power transmitting unit100may use a modulation signal with a frequency of 200 kHz and a duty of 20%. This state may be understood as a kind of slow charge mode. An output waveform of a power amplifier130in the slow charge mode may be represented as graph801. This state may be a state where optimization is ended, and, as shown in graph802, a ripple phenomenon of an RX stage may substantially correspond to 0%.

In this state, the power receiving unit200may enter a fast charge module (or a normal charge mode). In the fast charge mode, the power receiving unit200may need a charging power corresponding to a current of 800 mA. However, because a charging power corresponding to 200 mA is currently supplied, a Vrec value may continue decreasing. That is, operation701ofFIG. 1may be triggered, and a duty of the modulation signal may increase to 80%.

Unlike an embodiment ofFIG. 6, in an embodiment ofFIG. 8, referring to graph803, because a time when a charging power is not supplied is rather more decreased, as shown in graph804, the ripple phenomenon of the RX stage may still correspond to 0%. Contrary to performing charging with a low power, when the power transmitting unit110operates with a high power, it is relatively important to minimize a power loss. The heating of the power transmitting unit110when performing charging with the low power does not cause a problem almost to a user or for an internal component. However, heating may increase to a considerable level when the power transmitting unit100performs charging with a high power. Thus, it is very important to minimize heating by a power loss which may occur at a power amplifier130. Thus, in an embodiment, only when a duty of the modulation signal has a constant value (e.g., 50%) or more, the power transmitting unit110may perform frequency control (reduction) after duty control. In this case, although the duty of the modulation signal increases from 20% to 40%, a modulation circuit120may maintain a frequency of the modulation signal to be the same before the duty control. However, in another embodiment, when the duty of the modulation signal increases, the power transmitting unit110may always perform frequency control (reduction).

Thus, the power transmitting unit110may reduce the frequency of the modulation signal in a state where it maintains the duty of the modulation. In an embodiment, for example, as shown in graph805, the modulation circuit120may decrease the frequency of the modulation signal from 200 kHz to 100 kHz. The power transmitting unit110may perform a process (operations703to709) ofFIG. 7to set an optimal frequency for maintaining a stable charging state. Finally, the charging state of the power receiving unit200may remain stable, as shown in graph806.

FIG. 9illustrates the entire process of wireless charging according to an embodiment. In connection withFIG. 9, no description of details duplicated, corresponding, or similar to the above-mentioned description will be provided.

Referring toFIG. 9, in operation901, a power transmitting unit100may set an initial frequency of a modulation signal. For example, a modulation circuit120may generate a modulation signal with a frequency of 100 kHz or may set to generate the modulation signal.

In operation903, the power transmitting unit100may start power transmission to a power receiving unit200. Operation903may include a “soft start” operation described with reference toFIG. 9.

After the power transmission is started, when a constant time elapses (e.g., a PMIC of the power receiving unit200is enabled), in operation905, the power transmitting unit100may set a duty of the modulation signal depending on a power level required by the power receiving unit200. In an embodiment, the power transmitting unit100may adjust the duty of the modulation signal based on a charging stage obtained from the power receiving unit200.

In operation907, the power transmitting unit100may obtain Vrec information as information about the charging state. Operation907may be periodically performed. For example, the power transmitting unit100may obtain Vrec information at the same period as a period of the modulation signal or at a period corresponding to constant times of the period of the modulation signal, via a second antenna153.

In operation909, the power transmitting unit100may determine whether the charging state is stable. For example, when there occurs a ripple of greater than or equal to a constant level (e.g., 3%) in contrast to Vrec of the stabilization state, in operation911, the power transmitting unit100may increase a frequency of the modulation signal until the charging state is stabilized. In an embodiment, when a pre-defined upper frequency limit is reached, although the charging state is sufficiently stabilized, operation913may be performed after operation911.

Although it is determined that the charging state is stable in operation909, a ripple phenomenon may occur. For example, when a ripple of less than 3% occurs, an electronic device may regard this ripple as a permissible level and may determine that the charging state is stable. As such, when the ripple within the permissible range occurs, the power transmitting unit100may perform an operation of decreasing the frequency of the modulation signal before fixing the frequency of the modulation signal to increase the efficiency of the power transmitting unit100and reduce heating. For example, the power transmitting unit100may maximally reduce the frequency of the modulation signal within a limit in which the ripple is maintained within the permissible level. In an embodiment, when a pre-defined lower frequency limit is reached, although the ripple is still in the permissible level, the power transmitting unit100may not reduce the frequency any longer to perform operation913.

When it is determined that Vrec is stable, in operation913, the power transmitting unit100may fix the frequency of the modulation signal. In this state, when the duty of the modulation signal is changed according to a change in a charging module of the power receiving unit200or a change in a heating state of the power transmitting unit100, or the like, operations907to913may be performed again.

FIG. 10illustrates an initial operation of a wireless charging system according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 5 to 9may be understood as examples of controlling a modulation signal while the charging of a power receiving unit200is performed. Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 10, a description will be given of a method for controlling a modulation signal in an initial stage where wireless charging is started.

A power transmitting unit100may periodically emit a first beacon (e.g., a short beacon) to determine whether a power receiving unit200is located within a chargeable range of the power transmitting unit100. For example, the power transmitting unit100may emit the first beacon at 10% of a maximum power at time t1, t2, or t3. For example, the power transmitting unit100may set a duty of a modulation signal to 10% and may emit the first beacon.

In an embodiment, the power receiving unit200may be detected by the first beacon emitted at time t3. When the power receiving unit200is detected, the power transmitting unit100may emit a second bean (a long beacon) at time t4at 15% of the maximum power (e.g., set the duty of the modulation signal to 15%).

A power of the first beacon and the second beacon may be any power and may vary with settings of the power transmitting unit100. Herein, a transmit power of the first bean and the second beacon may also be controlled by the duty of the modulation signal.

The power receiving unit200may transmit a message (e.g., an advertisement message) for starting charging to the power transmitting unit100at time t5. When receiving this message, the power transmitting unit100may sequentially increase power supplied to the power receiving unit200. For example, a modulation circuit120may gradually increase the duty of the modulation signal from a low value (e.g., 10%) to a high value (e.g., 30%). When a power management circuit (e.g., a PMIC) of the power receiving unit200is enabled at t6, the power transmitting unit100may set the duty of the modulation signal such that power corresponding to a charging mode or power requested from the power receiving unit200is transmitted. In this state, when a relatively low power is requested, a process ofFIG. 5may be performed. When a relatively high power is requested, a process ofFIG. 7may be performed.

A process shown inFIG. 10, particularly, a “soft start” operation of gradually increasing the duty of the modulation between t5and t6may have the following advantage. A load current may substantially correspond to 0 before the PMIC of the power receiving unit200is enabled, and the load current may be rapidly increased after the PMIC is enabled. For example, for a typical smartphone, the load current may have 500 mA after the PMIC is enabled. Because a time when power is supplied is short when a duty ratio of the modulation signal is low, the range of a load-pull of a power amplifier130may be reduced. For example, when the duty is 10%, because power is supplied at only a first interval of 10% during one period of the modulation signal and power is not supplied at the rest interval of 90%, it fails to correspond to the load current which is rapidly increased after the PMIC is enabled. In this case, the initial charging may fail to be performed.

On the other hand, when the duty ratio of the modulation signal is high, because there is too much amount of power supplied before the PMIC is enabled, Vrec may become very high. When the PMIC is enabled in this state, a circuit (IC) of the power receiving unit200associated with charging may be broken.

Thus, as shown inFIG. 10, when the duty of the modulation signal is sequentially increased, the breakage of the circuit may be prevented while corresponding to the load current at a time when the PMIC is enabled.

The embodiment ofFIG. 10is applicable to magnetic induction wireless charging. For example, a power transmitting unit using a magnetic induction type may set a duty of a modulation to 10% and may emit an analog ping at t1to t3. When a power receiving unit is detected at, for example, t4by the analog ping, the duty of the modulation signal may be set to 15% and a digital ping may be transmitted to the power receiving unit. The power transmitting unit may control the modulation signal at t5to t6and at a time after t6in the above-mentioned manner and may supply a charging power to the power receiving unit.

FIG. 11illustrates a breakage prevent scenario of another system, which is capable of occurring by coupling upon wireless charging, according to an embodiment.

For resonant wireless charging, a frequency of 6.78 MHz for wireless charging may be used following the AW4P standard. Thus, a communication system which uses a similar frequency band or uses a frequency corresponding to a harmonic component (e.g., times of 6.78 MHz) may be influenced by a signal induced in a charging coil of a power transmitting unit100. For example, an NFC coil using a frequency of 13.56 MHz may be coupled with a transmit coil141of the power transmitting unit. When voltage occurs on the NFC coil by the power transmitting unit100and when the voltage becomes a constant voltage (e.g., 4 V) or more, an NFC chips may increase in temperature and an NFC card may be damaged.

A user of an electronic device, such as a smartphone, may put and use a credit card or the like loaded with an NFC chip in a case of the electronic device. When wireless charging is started, the electronic device (a power receiving unit200) may output a message for removing the NFC card by means of its display, speaker, or the like. However, the constant voltage or more may be induced in the NFC circuit with only power supplied by a second beacon (e.g., a long beacon) described with reference toFIG. 9. In this case, before the wireless charging is started, the NFC cad may be damaged. For example, as shown in graph1101, when the long beacon is emitted with a power of 100% from the currently commercialized power transmitting unit, a voltage of about 7 V may be loaded onto the NFC circuit and this may lead to the damage of the NFC circuit.

Thus, according to an embodiment, as shown in graph1102or1103, the power transmitting unit100may set a duty of a modulation signal to 25% or 10% to be low when emitting the long beacon. In other words, the modulation circuit120may generate the modulation signal such that the duty of the modulation signal applied when emitting the second beacon becomes a specified threshold or less. In this case, on average, a voltage of 3.5 V or 2.2 V may be loaded onto the NFC circuit. Although a voltage of 15 V is loaded onto the NFC circuit in a moment, because a time when power is not transmitted corresponds to 75% or 90% of one period of the modulation signal, this may fail to lead to an increase in temperature, which damages the NFC circuit. Thus, the power transmitting unit100may set the duty of the modulation signal to less than or equal to a specified value when emitting the long beacon (a second beacon). After receiving the long beacon, when entering a power transfer mode, the power receiving unit200may detect the NFC or may output an information message associated with the breakage of the NFC irrespective of whether the NFC is detected.

In an embodiment, the power transmitting unit10or100may control an output power for an electronic device having the NFC or another wireless communication and charging system. For example, the power transmitting unit10may receive Vrec of the NFC circuit via a communication circuit (e.g., a second communication circuit13bofFIG. 1A) and may set the duty of the modulation signal based on the received NFC Vrec information to be low such that the breakage of the NFC circuit does not occur.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate examples of hardware/software applicable to the power transmitting unit or the power receiving unit200according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12illustrates an electronic device in a network environment, according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 12, according to various embodiments, an electronic device1201, a first electronic device1202, a second electronic device1204, or a server1206may be connected with each other over a network1162or local wireless communication1264. The electronic device1201may include a bus1110, a processor1220, a memory1230, an input/output interface1250, a display1260, and a communication interface1270. According to an embodiment, the electronic device1201may not include at least one of the above-described elements or may further include other element(s).

For example, the bus1110may interconnect the above-described elements1210to1270and may include a circuit for conveying communications (e.g., a control message and/or data) among the above-described elements.

The processor1220may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP). For example, the processor1220may perform an arithmetic operation or data processing associated with control and/or communication of at least other elements of the electronic device1201.

The memory1230may include a volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. For example, the memory1230may store instructions or data associated with at least one other element(s) of the electronic device1201. According to an embodiment, the memory1230may store software and/or a program1240. The program1240may include, for example, a kernel1241, a middleware1243, an application programming interface (API)1245, and/or an application program (or “an application”)1247. At least a part of the kernel1241, the middleware1243, or the API1245may be referred to as an “operating system (OS)”.

For example, the kernel1241may control or manage system resources (e.g., the bus1110, the processor1220, the memory1230, and the like) that are used to execute operations or functions of other programs (e.g., the middleware1243, the API1245, and the application program1247). Furthermore, the kernel1241may provide an interface that allows the middleware1243, the API1245, or the application program1247to access discrete elements of the electronic device1201so as to control or manage system resources.

The middleware1243may perform, for example, a mediation role such that the API1245or the application program1247communicates with the kernel1241to exchange data.

Furthermore, the middleware1243may process one or more task requests received from the application program1247according to a priority. For example, the middleware1243may assign the priority, which makes it possible to use a system resource (e.g., the bus1110, the processor1220, the memory1230, or the like) of the electronic device1201, to at least one of the application program1247. For example, the middleware1243may process the one or more task requests according to the priority assigned to the at least one, which makes it possible to perform scheduling or load balancing on the one or more task requests.

The API1245may be, for example, an interface through which the application program1247controls a function provided by the kernel1241or the middleware1243, and may include, for example, at least one interface or function (e.g., an instruction) for a file control, a window control, image processing, a character control, or the like.

The input/output interface1250may play a role, for example, an interface which transmits an instruction or data input from a user or another external device, to other element(s) of the electronic device1201. Furthermore, the input/output interface1250may output an instruction or data, received from other element(s) of the electronic device1201, to a user or another external device.

The display1260may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display. The display1260may display, for example, various contents (e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, a symbol, and the like) to a user. The display1260may include a touch screen and may receive, for example, a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or a part of a user's body.

For example, the communication interface1270may establish communication between the electronic device1201and an external device (e.g., the first electronic device1202, the second electronic device1204, or the server1206). For example, the communication interface1270may be connected to the network1262over wireless communication or wired communication to communicate with the external device (e.g., the second electronic device1204or the server1206).

The wireless communication may use at least one of, for example, long-term evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), or the like, as cellular communication protocol. Furthermore, the wireless communication may include, for example, the local wireless communication1264. The local wireless communication1264may include at least one of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), light fidelity (Li-Fi), Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), magnetic stripe transmission (MST), a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), or the like.

The MST may generate a pulse in response to transmission data using an electromagnetic signal, and the pulse may generate a magnetic field signal. The electronic device1201may transfer the magnetic field signal to point of sale (POS), and the POS may detect the magnetic field signal using a MST reader. The POS may recover the data by converting the detected magnetic field signal to an electrical signal.

The GNSS may include at least one of, for example, a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (Glonass), a Beidou navigation satellite system (hereinafter referred to as “Beidou”), or an European global satellite-based navigation system (hereinafter referred to as “Galileo”) based on an available region, a bandwidth, or the like. Hereinafter, in this disclosure, “GPS” and “GNSS” may be interchangeably used. The wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a recommended standard-232 (RS-232), a plain old telephone service (POTS), or the like. The network1262may include at least one of telecommunications networks, for example, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN), an Internet, or a telephone network.

Each of the first and second electronic devices1202and1204may be a device of which the type is different from or the same as that of the electronic device1201. According to an embodiment, the server1206may include a group of one or more servers. According to various embodiments, all or a portion of operations that the electronic device1201will perform may be executed by another or plural electronic devices (e.g., the first electronic device1202, the second electronic device1204or the server1206). According to an embodiment, in the case where the electronic device1201executes any function or service automatically or in response to a request, the electronic device1201may not perform the function or the service internally, but, alternatively additionally, it may request at least a portion of a function associated with the electronic device1201at other electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1202or1204or the server1206). The other electronic device may execute the requested function or additional function and may transmit the execution result to the electronic device1201. The electronic device1201may provide the requested function or service using the received result or may additionally process the received result to provide the requested function or service. To this end, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing may be used.

FIG. 13illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device, according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 13, an electronic device1301may include, for example, all or a part of the electronic device1201illustrated inFIG. 12. The electronic device1301may include one or more processors (e.g., an application processor (AP))1310, a communication module1320, a subscriber identification module1329, a memory1330, a sensor module1340, an input device1350, a display1360, an interface1370, an audio module1380, a camera module1391, a power management module1395, a battery1396, an indicator1397, and a motor1398.

The processor1310may drive, for example, an operating system (OS) or an application to control a plurality of hardware or software elements connected to the processor1310and may process and compute a variety of data. For example, the processor1310may be implemented with a System on Chip (SoC). According to an embodiment, the processor1310may further include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor. The processor1310may include at least a part (e.g., a cellular module1321) of elements illustrated inFIG. 13. The processor1310may load an instruction or data, which is received from at least one of other elements (e.g., a nonvolatile memory), into a volatile memory and process the loaded instruction or data. The processor1310may store a variety of data in the nonvolatile memory.

The communication module1320may be configured the same as or similar to the communication interface1270ofFIG. 12. The communication module1320may include the cellular module1321, a Wi-Fi module1322, a Bluetooth (BT) module1323, a GNSS module1324(e.g., a GPS module, a Glonass module, a Beidou module, or a Galileo module), a near field communication (NFC) module1325, a MST module1326and a radio frequency (RF) module1327.

The cellular module1321may provide, for example, voice communication, video communication, a character service, an Internet service, or the like over a communication network. According to an embodiment, the cellular module1321may perform discrimination and authentication of the electronic device1301within a communication network by using the subscriber identification module (e.g., a SIM card)1329. According to an embodiment, the cellular module1321may perform at least a portion of functions that the processor1310provides. According to an embodiment, the cellular module1321may include a communication processor (CP).

For example, the RF module1327may transmit and receive a communication signal (e.g., an RF signal). For example, the RF module1327may include a transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), an antenna, or the like. According to another embodiment, at least one of the cellular module1321, the Wi-Fi module1322, the BT module1323, the GNSS module1324, the NFC module1325, or the MST module1326may transmit and receive an RF signal through a separate RF module.

The subscriber identification module1329may include, for example, a card and/or embedded SIM that includes a subscriber identification module and may include unique identify information (e.g., integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory1330(e.g., the memory1230) may include an internal memory1332or an external memory1334. For example, the internal memory1332may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), or the like), a nonvolatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND flash memory or a NOR flash memory), or the like), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD).

The external memory1334may further include a flash drive such as compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), a multimedia card (MMC), a memory stick, or the like. The external memory1334may be operatively and/or physically connected to the electronic device1301through various interfaces.

A security module1336may be a module that includes a storage space of which a security level is higher than that of the memory1330and may be a circuit that guarantees safe data storage and a protected execution environment. The security module1336may be implemented with a separate circuit and may include a separate processor. For example, the security module1336may be in a smart chip or a secure digital (SD) card, which is removable, or may include an embedded secure element (eSE) embedded in a fixed chip of the electronic device1301. Furthermore, the security module1336may operate based on an operating system (OS) that is different from the OS of the electronic device1301. For example, the security module1336may operate based on java card open platform (JCOP) OS.

The sensor module1340may measure, for example, a physical quantity or may detect an operation state of the electronic device1301. The sensor module1340may convert the measured or detected information to an electric signal. For example, the sensor module1340may include at least one of a gesture sensor1340A, a gyro sensor1340B, a barometric pressure sensor1340C, a magnetic sensor1340D, an acceleration sensor1340E, a grip sensor1340F, the proximity sensor1340G, a color sensor1340H (e.g., red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric sensor1340I, a temperature/humidity sensor1340J, an illuminance sensor1340K, or an UV sensor1340M. Although not illustrated, additionally or generally, the sensor module1340may further include, for example, an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor. The sensor module1340may further include a control circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors included therein. According to an embodiment, the electronic device1301may further include a processor that is a part of the processor1310or independent of the processor1310and is configured to control the sensor module1340. The processor may control the sensor module1340while the processor1310remains at a sleep state.

The input device1350may include, for example, a touch panel1352, a (digital) pen sensor1354, a key1356, or an ultrasonic input unit1358. For example, the touch panel1352may use at least one of capacitive, resistive, infrared and ultrasonic detecting methods. Also, the touch panel1352may further include a control circuit. The touch panel1352may further include a tactile layer to provide a tactile reaction to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor1354may be, for example, a part of a touch panel or may include an additional sheet for recognition. The key1356may include, for example, a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device1358may detect (or sense) an ultrasonic signal, which is generated from an input device, through a microphone (e.g., a microphone1388) and may check data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic signal.

The display1360(e.g., the display1260) may include a panel1362, a hologram device1364, or a projector1366. The panel1362may be the same as or similar to the display1260illustrated inFIG. 12. The panel1362may be implemented, for example, to be flexible, transparent or wearable. The panel1362and the touch panel1352may be integrated into a single module. The hologram device1364may display a stereoscopic image in a space using a light interference phenomenon. The projector1366may project light onto a screen so as to display an image. For example, the screen may be arranged in the inside or the outside of the electronic device1301. According to an embodiment, the display1360may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel1362, the hologram device1364, or the projector1366.

The interface1370may include, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)1372, a universal serial bus (USB)1374, an optical interface1376, or a D-subminiature (D-sub)1378. The interface1370may be included, for example, in the communication interface1270illustrated inFIG. 12. Additionally or generally, the interface1370may include, for example, a mobile high definition link (MHL) interface, a SD card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module1380may convert a sound and an electric signal in dual directions. At least a part of the audio module1380may be included, for example, in the input/output interface1250illustrated inFIG. 12. The audio module1380may process, for example, sound information that is input or output through a speaker1382, a receiver1384, an earphone1386, or the microphone1388.

For example, the camera module1391may shoot a still image or a video. According to an embodiment, the camera module1391may include at least one or more image sensors (e.g., a front sensor or a rear sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP), or a flash (e.g., an LED or a xenon lamp).

The power management module1395may manage, for example, power of the electronic device1301. According to an embodiment, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery or fuel gauge may be included in the power management module1395. The PMIC may have a wired charging method and/or a wireless charging method. The wireless charging method may include, for example, a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method or an electromagnetic method and may further include an additional circuit, for example, a coil loop, a resonant circuit, a rectifier, or the like. The battery gauge may measure, for example, a remaining capacity of the battery1396and a voltage, current or temperature thereof while the battery is charged. The battery1396may include, for example, a rechargeable battery and/or a solar battery.

The indicator1397may display a specific state of the electronic device1301or a part thereof (e.g., the processor1310), such as a booting state, a message state, a charging state, and the like. The motor1398may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration and may generate the following effects: vibration, haptic, and the like. Although not illustrated, a processing device (e.g., a GPU) for supporting a mobile TV may be included in the electronic device1301. The processing device for supporting the mobile TV may process media data according to the standards of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), MediaFLO™, or the like.

Each of the above-mentioned elements of the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured with one or more components, and the names of the elements may be changed according to the type of the electronic device. In various embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of the above-mentioned elements, and some elements may be omitted or other additional elements may be added. Furthermore, some of the elements of the electronic device according to various embodiments may be combined with each other so as to form one entity, so that the functions of the elements may be performed in the same manner as before the combination.

FIG. 14illustrates a block diagram of a program module, according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a program module1410(e.g., the program1240) may include an operating system (OS) to control resources associated with an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1201), and/or diverse applications (e.g., the application program1247) driven on the OS. The OS may be, for example, Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian, or Tizen.

The program module1410may include a kernel1420, a middleware1430, an application programming interface (API)1460, and/or an application1470. At least a portion of the program module1410may be preloaded on an electronic device or may be downloadable from an external electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device1202, the second electronic device1204, the server1206, or the like).

The kernel1420(e.g., the kernel1241) may include, for example, a system resource manager1421or a device driver1423. The system resource manager1421may control, allocate, or retrieve system resources. According to an embodiment, the system resource manager1421may include a process managing unit, a memory managing unit, a file system managing unit, or the like. The device driver1423may include, for example, a display driver, a camera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or an inter-process communication (IPC) driver.

The middleware1430may provide, for example, a function that the application1470needs in common, or may provide diverse functions to the application1470through the API1460to allow the application1470to efficiently use limited system resources of the electronic device. According to an embodiment, the middleware1430(e.g., the middleware1243) may include at least one of a runtime library1435, an application manager1441, a window manager1442, a multimedia manager1443, a resource manager1444, a power manager1445, a database manager1446, a package manager1447, a connectivity manager1448, a notification manager1449, a location manager1450, a graphic manager1451, a security manager1452, or a payment manager1454.

The runtime library1435may include, for example, a library module that is used by a compiler to add a new function through a programming language while the application1470is being executed. The runtime library1435may perform input/output management, memory management, or capacities about arithmetic functions.

The application manager1441may manage, for example, a life cycle of at least one application of the application1470. The window manager1442may manage a graphic user interface (GUI) resource that is used in a screen. The multimedia manager1443may identify a format necessary for playing diverse media files, and may perform encoding or decoding of media files by using a codec suitable for the format. The resource manager1444may manage resources such as a storage space, memory, or source code of at least one application of the application1470.

The power manager1445may operate, for example, with a basic input/output system (BIOS) to manage capacity of a battery, temperature, or power, and may determine or provide power information for an operation of an electronic device by using the corresponding information from among the pieces of information. The database manager1446may generate, search for, or modify database that is to be used in at least one application of the application1470. The package manager1447may install or update an application that is distributed in the form of package file.

The connectivity manager1448may manage, for example, wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The notification manager1449may display or notify an event such as arrival message, appointment, or proximity notification in a mode that does not disturb a user. The location manager1450may manage location information about an electronic device. The graphic manager1451may manage a graphic effect that is provided to a user, or manage a user interface relevant thereto. The security manager1452may provide a general security function necessary for system security, user authentication, or the like. According to an embodiment, in the case where an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1201) includes a telephony function, the middleware1430may further include a telephony manager for managing a voice or video call function of the electronic device.

The middleware1430may include a middleware module that combines diverse functions of the above-described elements. The middleware1430may provide a module specialized to each OS kind to provide differentiated functions. Additionally, the middleware1430may dynamically remove a part of the preexisting elements or may add new elements thereto.

The API1460(e.g., the API1245) may be, for example, a set of programming functions and may be provided with a configuration that is variable depending on an OS. For example, in the case where an OS is the android or the iOS, it may provide one API set per platform. In the case where an OS is the tizen, it may provide two or more API sets per platform.

The application1470(e.g., the application program1247) may include, for example, one or more applications capable of providing functions for a home1471, a dialer1472, an SMS/MMS1473, an instant message (IM)1474, a browser1475, a camera1476, an alarm1477, a contact1478, a voice dial1479, an e-mail1480, a calendar1481, a media player1482, an album1483, a timepiece1484, a payment1485, health care (e.g., measuring an exercise quantity, blood sugar, or the like) or offering of environment information (e.g., information of barometric pressure, humidity, temperature, or the like).

According to an embodiment, the application1470may include an application (hereinafter referred to as “information exchanging application” for descriptive convenience) to support information exchange between an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1201) and an external electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device1202or the second electronic device1204). The information exchanging application may include, for example, a notification relay application for transmitting specific information to an external electronic device, or a device management application for managing the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function of transmitting notification information, which arise from other applications (e.g., applications for SMS/MMS, e-mail, health care, or environmental information), to an external electronic device. Additionally, the notification relay application may receive, for example, notification information from an external electronic device and provide the notification information to a user.

The device management application may manage (e.g., install, delete, or update), for example, at least one function (e.g., turn-on/turn-off of an external electronic device itself (or a part of components) or adjustment of brightness (or resolution) of a display) of the external electronic device which communicates with the electronic device, an application running in the external electronic device, or a service (e.g., a call service, a message service, or the like) provided from the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the application1470may include an application (e.g., a health care application of a mobile medical device) that is assigned in accordance with an attribute of an external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the application1470may include an application that is received from an external electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device1202, the second electronic device1204, or the server1206).

According to an embodiment, the application1470may include a preloaded application or a third party application that is downloadable from a server. The names of elements of the program module1410according to the embodiment may be modifiable depending on kinds of operating systems.

According to various embodiments, at least a portion of the program module1410may be implemented by software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of two or more thereof. At least a portion of the program module1410may be implemented (e.g., executed), for example, by the processor (e.g., the processor1310). At least a portion of the program module1410may include, for example, modules, programs, routines, sets of instructions, processes, or the like for performing one or more functions.

At least a part of an apparatus (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or a method (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments may be, for example, implemented by instructions stored in computer-readable storage media in the form of a program module. The instruction, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor1220), may cause the one or more processors to perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storage media, for example, may be the memory1230.

A computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical media (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk)), and hardware devices (e.g., a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory). Also, a program instruction may include not only a mechanical code such as things generated by a compiler but also a high-level language code executable on a computer using an interpreter. The above hardware unit may be configured to operate via one or more software modules for performing an operation of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

A module or a program module according to various embodiments may include at least one of the above elements, or a part of the above elements may be omitted, or additional other elements may be further included. Operations performed by a module, a program module, or other elements according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic method. In addition, some operations may be executed in different sequences or may be omitted. Alternatively, other operations may be added.