Wireless power transfer system, control method of wireless power transfer system, wireless power transmitting apparatus, control method of wireless power transmitting apparatus, and storage medium

A wireless power transfer system comprising a wireless power transmitting apparatus and a plurality of wireless power receiving apparatuses, the wireless power transmitting apparatus comprising: a power transmitting unit adapted to transmit power to the wireless power receiving apparatus; a recognition unit adapted to recognize the wireless power receiving apparatus; and a transmitting unit adapted to transmit predetermined charging delay information according to a recognition result of the recognition unit to the wireless power receiving apparatus recognized by the recognition unit, and the wireless power receiving apparatus comprising: a power receiving unit adapted to receive power transmitted from the power transmitting unit; a receiving unit adapted to receive the predetermined charging delay information transmitted from the transmitting unit; and a display unit adapted to make a display based on the predetermined charging delay information received by the receiving unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless power transfer system for a plurality of apparatuses, a control method of the wireless power transfer system, a wireless power transmitting apparatus, a control method of the wireless power transmitting apparatus, and a storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, apparatuses such as cellular phones which use rechargeable batteries are popularly used. A system for charging a rechargeable battery is configured by a primary-side apparatus which transmits power to the rechargeable battery, and a secondary-side apparatus which receives power.

In such a charging system, a technique for displaying a charging state of a rechargeable battery on the primary side is available (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-019189). Also, a technique for displaying a charging state of a rechargeable battery on a secondary-side apparatus is available (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-241045).

Furthermore, a technique for transferring power to a plurality of apparatuses using electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance is available (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-017592, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0140690). Moreover, a wireless power transfer technique, which communicates so as to supply power to a secondary-side apparatus that uses a different voltage or current, is available (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-133476).

However, in a wireless charging system which can wirelessly charge a plurality of secondary-side apparatuses, the power transmitting capability of a primary-side apparatus has an upper limit specified by that wireless charging system.

On the other hand, in the wireless charging system, a restriction about the position of the secondary-side apparatus during charge is relatively moderate because the primary-side apparatus and secondary-side apparatus need not be connected. For this reason, there is a case that a predetermined number or more of secondary-side apparatuses are located within a wirelessly chargeable region and not charged wirelessly over the power transmitting capability of the primary-side apparatus.

In this case, the following phenomena may occur. That is, the charging times of the respective secondary-side apparatuses may be prolonged, and a specific secondary-side apparatus may not be charged. However, with the conventional technique, since the user does not receive any information indicating that such phenomena have occurred, he or she cannot judge whether or not the phenomena have occurred due to a trouble of the primary-side apparatus or secondary-side apparatus.

When a secondary-side apparatus of a electromagnetic resonance system is set to be closer to a primary-side apparatus of an electromagnetic induction system, since their wireless power transfer systems are different, the primary-side apparatus never transmits power to the secondary-side apparatus. The user is not able to judge whether a specific secondary-side apparatus cannot receive power due to a different wireless power transfer system or it cannot receive power since the power transmitting capability of the primary-side apparatus does not wirelessly charge that apparatus.

The present invention provides, in consideration of the above problems, a technique which allows the user to recognize the reasons why a charging time delay phenomenon and a non-charging phenomenon have occurred at the time of wireless power transfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless power transfer system comprising a wireless power transmitting apparatus and a plurality of wireless power receiving apparatuses, the wireless power transmitting apparatus comprising: a power transmitting unit adapted to transmit power to the wireless power receiving apparatus; a recognition unit adapted to recognize the wireless power receiving apparatus; and a transmitting unit adapted to transmit predetermined charging delay information according to a recognition result of the recognition unit to the wireless power receiving apparatus recognized by the recognition unit, and the wireless power receiving apparatus comprising: a power receiving unit adapted to receive power transmitted from the power transmitting unit; a receiving unit adapted to receive the predetermined charging delay information transmitted from the transmitting unit; and a display unit adapted to make a display based on the predetermined charging delay information received by the receiving unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a wireless power transfer system comprising a wireless power transmitting apparatus and a wireless power receiving apparatus, the method comprising: in the wireless power transmitting apparatus, transmitting power to the wireless power receiving apparatus; recognizing the wireless power receiving apparatus; and transmitting predetermined charging delay information according to a recognition result in the recognizing to the wireless power receiving apparatus, and in the wireless power receiving apparatus, receiving power transmitted in the transmitting power; receiving the predetermined charging delay information transmitted in the transmitting; and making a display based on the predetermined charging delay information received in the receiving.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless power transmitting apparatus for transmitting power to a wireless power receiving apparatus, comprising: a power transmitting unit adapted to transmit power to the wireless power receiving apparatus; a recognition unit adapted to recognize the wireless power receiving apparatus; and a transmitting unit adapted to transmit predetermined charging delay information according to a recognition result of the recognition unit to the wireless power receiving apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a wireless power transmitting apparatus for transmitting power to a wireless power receiving apparatus, comprising: transmitting power to the wireless power receiving apparatus; recognizing the wireless power receiving apparatus; and transmitting predetermined charging delay information according to a recognition result in the recognizing to the wireless power receiving apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

The configuration of a wireless power transfer system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 1.

FIG. 1shows a primary-side apparatus10(wireless power transmitting apparatus10), a secondary-side apparatus20(wireless power receiving apparatus), and a secondary-side apparatus30(second wireless power receiving apparatus). The primary-side apparatus10supplies power to the secondary-side apparatuses20and30.

The arrangement of the primary-side apparatus10will be described below with reference toFIG. 2. The primary-side apparatus10includes a power plug101, power rectifying unit102, power transmitting unit103, primary-side coil104, primary-side communication unit105, primary-side antenna106, and primary-side control unit107. The power plug101is that which is connected to an outlet of an AC power supply. The power rectifying unit102rectifies electricity supplied from the power plug101. The power transmitting unit103transmits the electricity rectified by the power rectifying unit102. The primary-side coil104is that for the power transmitting unit103. The primary-side communication unit105makes a data communication. The primary-side antenna106is that for the primary-side communication unit105. The primary-side control unit107controls the power transmitting unit103and primary-side communication unit105.

The arrangement of the secondary-side apparatus20will be described below with reference toFIG. 3. The secondary-side apparatus20includes a secondary-side coil201, power receiving unit202, rechargeable battery203, charging processing unit204, secondary-side communication unit205, secondary-side antenna206, display unit207, and secondary-side control unit208. Note that the arrangement of the secondary-side apparatus30is the same as that of the secondary-side apparatus20.

The secondary-side coil201receives electricity transmitted from the primary-side coil104. The power receiving unit202receives the electricity from the secondary-side coil201. The rechargeable battery203is that to be charged. The charging processing unit204supplies the electricity received by the power receiving unit202to the rechargeable battery203. The secondary-side communication unit205makes a data communication. The secondary-side antenna206is that for the secondary-side communication unit205. The display unit207displays information. The secondary-side control unit208controls the power receiving unit202, secondary-side communication unit205, and display unit207.

The operation of the primary-side control unit107in association with charging by this charging system will be described below with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 4.

The primary-side control unit107determines in step S401whether or not a new secondary-side apparatus is recognized. If it is determined that a new secondary-side apparatus is recognized (step S401; YES), the process advances to step S402according to that recognition result. On the other hand, if it is determined that a new secondary-side apparatus is not recognized (step S401; NO), the process returns to step S401according to that recognition result.

The primary-side control unit107determines in step S402whether or not there is another secondary-side apparatus which is already being charged. If it is determined that there is the other secondary-side apparatus which is already being charged (step S402; YES), the process advances to step S403. On the other hand, if it is determined there is no secondary-side apparatus which is already being charged (step S402; NO), the process advances to step S404.

In step S403, the primary-side control unit107controls the primary-side communication unit105to transmit predetermined information to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side antenna106. In the secondary-side apparatus, the secondary-side control unit208controls the secondary-side communication unit205to receive, via the secondary-side antenna206, the predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10. Then, the secondary-side control unit208controls the display unit207according to the determination result in step S402to display power reception waiting information indicating that the apparatus is waiting until it starts power reception.

In step S404, the primary-side control unit107controls the primary-side communication unit105to transmit predetermined information to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side antenna106. The primary-side control unit107controls the power transmitting unit103to transmit power to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side coil104. Then, in the secondary-side apparatus, the secondary-side control unit208controls the secondary-side communication unit205to receive, via the secondary-side antenna206, the predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10. When power is transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10to the secondary-side apparatus, the power receiving unit202receives power via the secondary-side coil201. Then, the charging processing unit204accumulates the received electricity in the rechargeable battery203. The secondary-side control unit208controls the display unit207to display information indicating that charging is in progress.

In this way, the processing ends. As shown inFIG. 5, when the secondary-side apparatus20alone is placed on a chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, information indicating that charging is in progress is displayed on the secondary-side apparatus20, and the secondary-side apparatus20is charged. From this state, when the secondary-side apparatus30is placed on the chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, information indicating that the apparatus is waiting for charging is displayed on the secondary-side apparatus30, as shown inFIG. 6.

According to this embodiment, the user of the secondary-side apparatus30can know the reason why the apparatus30is not charged, thus improving the convenience.

Second Embodiment

The configuration of a charging system according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown inFIG. 1described in the first embodiment.

The arrangement of a primary-side apparatus10according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 7. The primary-side apparatus10includes a power plug701, power rectifying unit702, power transmitting communication unit703, primary-side coil/antenna704, and primary-side control unit705. The power plug701is that which is connected to an outlet of an AC power supply. The power rectifying unit702rectifies electricity supplied from the power plug701. The power transmitting communication unit703transmits the electricity rectified by the power rectifying unit702to a secondary-side apparatus, and also makes a data communication. The primary-side coil/antenna704is that for the power transmitting communication unit703. The primary-side control unit705controls the power transmitting communication unit703.

The arrangement of a secondary-side apparatus20will be described below with reference toFIG. 8. The secondary-side apparatus20includes a secondary-side coil/antenna801, power receiving communication unit802, rechargeable battery803, charging processing unit804, display unit805, and secondary-side control unit806. Note that the arrangement of a secondary-side apparatus30is the same as that of the secondary-side apparatus20.

The secondary-side coil/antenna801is that which receives the electricity and predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side coil/antenna704. The power receiving communication unit802receives the electricity transmitted from the secondary-side coil/antenna801, and also makes a data communication. The rechargeable battery803is that to be charged. The charging processing unit804supplies the electricity received by the power receiving communication unit802to the rechargeable battery803. The display unit805displays information. The secondary-side control unit806controls the power receiving communication unit802and display unit805. The operation of the primary-side control unit705in association with charging by this charging system will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 9.

The primary-side control unit705determines in step S901whether or not a new secondary-side apparatus is recognized. If it is determined that a new secondary-side apparatus is recognized (step S901; YES), the process advances to step S902. On the other hand, if it is determined that a new secondary-side apparatus is not recognized (step S901; NO), the process returns to step S901.

In step S902, the primary-side control unit705updates the number of charging secondary-side apparatuses.

In the example shown inFIG. 1, the number of charging apparatuses is 1.

Next, the primary-side control unit705determines in step S903whether or not the number of charging apparatuses is 2 or more. If it is determined that the number of charging apparatuses is 2 or more (step S903; YES), the process advances to step S904. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of charging apparatuses is less than 2 (step S903; NO), the process advances to step S905.

In step S904, the primary-side control unit705controls the power transmitting communication unit703to transmit predetermined information to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side coil/antenna704. Then, in the secondary-side apparatus, the secondary-side control unit806controls the power receiving communication unit802to receive the predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10via the secondary-side coil/antenna801.

Also, the primary-side control unit705controls the power transmitting communication unit703to transmit power to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side coil/antenna704. When power is transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10to the secondary-side apparatus, the power receiving communication unit802receives the power via the secondary-side coil/antenna801. Then, the charging processing unit804accumulates the received electricity in the rechargeable battery803. The secondary-side control unit806controls the display unit805to display information indicating the number of charging apparatuses, and information indicating that a charging time will be prolonged due to simultaneous charging.

In step S905, the primary-side control unit705controls the power transmitting communication unit703to transmit predetermined information to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side coil/antenna704. Also, the primary-side control unit705controls the power transmitting communication unit703to transmit power to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side coil/antenna704. Then, in the secondary-side apparatus, the secondary-side control unit806controls the power receiving communication unit802to receive, via the secondary-side coil/antenna801, the predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10. When power is transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10to the secondary-side apparatus, the power receiving communication unit802receives the power via the secondary-side coil/antenna801. Then, the secondary-side control unit806controls the display unit805to display information indicating that charging is in progress.

In this way, the processing ends. As shown inFIG. 5, when the secondary-side apparatus20alone is placed on a chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, information indicating that charging is in progress is displayed on the secondary-side apparatus20, and the secondary-side apparatus20is charged. From this state, when the secondary-side apparatus30is placed on the chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, information indicating that the charging time will be prolonged since two apparatuses are simultaneously being charged is displayed on the secondary-side apparatuses20and30, as shown inFIG. 10. Note that an estimated time required until completion of charging may be further displayed.

According to this embodiment, the users of the secondary-side apparatuses20and30can know the number of a plurality of secondary-side apparatuses which are being charged simultaneously and information indicating that the charging time will be prolonged, thus improving the convenience.

Third Embodiment

The configuration of a charging system according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown inFIG. 1described in the first embodiment. Also, the arrangement of a secondary-side apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown inFIG. 3described in the first embodiment.

The arrangement of a primary-side apparatus10according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 11. The primary-side apparatus10includes a power plug1101, power rectifying unit1102, power transmitting unit1103, primary-side coil1104, primary-side communication unit1105, primary-side antenna1106, output unit1107, and primary-side control unit1108.

The power plug1101is that which is connected to an outlet of an AC power supply. The power rectifying unit1102rectifies electricity supplied from the power plug1101. The power transmitting unit1103transmits the electricity rectified by the power rectifying unit1102. The primary-side coil1104is that for the power transmitting unit1103. The primary-side communication unit1105makes a data communication. The primary-side antenna1106is that for the primary-side communication unit1105. The output unit1107outputs information. The primary-side control unit1108controls the power transmitting unit1103, primary-side communication unit1105, and output unit1107.

The operation of the primary-side control unit1108in association with charging by this charging system will be described below with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 12. The primary-side control unit1108determines in step S1201whether or not a new secondary-side apparatus is recognized. If it is determined that a new secondary-side apparatus is recognized (step S1201; YES), the process advances to step S1202. On the other hand, if it is determined that a new secondary-side apparatus is not recognized (step S1201; NO), the process returns to step S1201.

The primary-side control unit1108determines in step S1202whether or not there is another secondary-side apparatus which is already being charged. If it is determined that there is the other secondary-side apparatus which is already being charged (step S1202; YES), the process advances to step S1204. On the other hand, if it is determined there is no secondary-side apparatus which is already being charged (step S1202; NO), the process advances to step S1203.

In step S1203, the primary-side control unit1108controls the primary-side communication unit1105to transmit predetermined information to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side antenna1106. The primary-side control unit1108controls the power transmitting unit1103to transmit power to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side coil1104. Then, in the secondary-side apparatus, a secondary-side control unit208controls a secondary-side communication unit205to receive, via a secondary-side antenna206, the predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10. When power is transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10to the secondary-side apparatus, a power receiving unit202receives power via a secondary-side coil201. Then, a charging processing unit204accumulates the received electricity in a rechargeable battery203. The secondary-side control unit208controls a display unit207to display information indicating that charging is in progress. Upon completion of the processing in step S1203, the process advances to step S1206.

In step S1204, the primary-side control unit1108updates the number of charging waiting apparatuses.

In step S1205, the primary-side control unit1108controls the primary-side communication unit1105to transmit predetermined information to the secondary-side apparatus via the primary-side antenna1106. In the secondary-side apparatus, the secondary-side control unit208controls the secondary-side communication unit205to receive, via the secondary-side antenna206, the predetermined information transmitted from the primary-side apparatus10. Then, the secondary-side control unit208controls the display unit207to display information indicating the number of charging waiting apparatuses.

In step S1206, the primary-side control unit1108controls the output unit1107to output pieces of information of the respective secondary-side apparatuses (second display processing).

In this way, the processing ends.

With the above processing, as shown inFIG. 13, when a secondary-side apparatus20alone is placed on a chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, information indicating that charging is in progress is displayed on the secondary-side apparatus20, and the secondary-side apparatus20is charged. Also, information indicating that charging of one apparatus is in progress is displayed on the primary-side apparatus10. From this state, when a secondary-side apparatus30is further placed on the chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, information indicating that the apparatus is waiting for charging and information indicating the number of waiting apparatuses is 1 are displayed on the secondary-side apparatus30, as shown inFIG. 14. Furthermore, from this state as shown inFIG. 15, when a secondary-side apparatus40having a different charging system is placed on the chargeable region of the primary-side apparatus10, no information is displayed on the secondary-side apparatus40, and the display contents of the primary-side apparatus remain unchanged.

According to this embodiment, the user of the charging system can recognize charging statuses, thus improving the convenience.

According to the present invention, the user can recognize reasons why a charging time delay phenomenon and a non-charging phenomenon have occurred at the time of wireless power transfer.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-247842 filed on Nov. 4, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.