WIRELESS POWER TRANSMITTER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMITTER

A wireless power transmitter capable of selecting a master wireless power receiver to visually provide, to a user, states-of-charge of wireless power receivers being charged includes a coil, a short-range communication module for communicating with a plurality of the wireless power receivers receiving power from the coil, and a processor communicatively coupled to the short-range communication module. The processor detects a first wireless power receiver which has an inclination or a tilt or takes a preset motion from among the plurality of wireless power receivers, identifies the first wireless power receiver as a master wireless power receiver indicating states-of-charge of the plurality of wireless power receivers, and transmits, to the first wireless power receiver, a signal informing that the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a wireless power transmitter and method for controlling the wireless power transmitter, which is capable of supplying wireless power to a plurality of wireless receivers.

BACKGROUND ART

A technology to supply wireless power has recently been developed and applied to many electronic devices. Electronic devices employing the wireless power transmission technology do not require direct connection with a charging connector but may wirelessly receive power.

For the wireless power transmission technology, there are magnetic induction methods and magnetic resonance methods. Magnetic induction methods typically use magnetic induction between primary and secondary coils for wireless power transmission. Magnetic resonance methods typically use resonance for wireless power transmission by designing the primary and secondary coils to have the same resonant frequency.

In the case of the wireless power transmission technology based on the magnetic resonance methods, one resonant coil may be used to charge a plurality of electronic devices.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The disclosure provides a wireless power transmitter and method for controlling the wireless power transmitter, by which the wireless power transmitter that supplies power to a plurality of wireless power receivers may select one wireless power receiver to visually provide the user with states of charge of all or at least some of the wireless power receivers being charged.

The disclosure also provides a wireless power transmitter and method for controlling the wireless power transmitter by which the wireless power transmitter that supplies power to a plurality of wireless power receivers may select one wireless power receiver to receive a user input. This allows for an allocation of charging priorities to one or more of the wireless power receivers being charged.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment, a wireless power transmitter includes a plate, a resonant coil, a short-range communication module configured to communicate with a plurality of wireless power receivers which receive power from the resonant coil, and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled with the short-range communication module. The processor is configured to detect a first wireless power receiver having an inclination or a tilt to the plate or makes a preset motion above the plate among the plurality of wireless power receivers, identify the first wireless power receiver as a master wireless power receiver to indicate states of charge of other ones of the plurality of wireless power receivers, and send the first wireless power receiver a signal indicating that the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

The processor may receive information about amounts of received power of the plurality of wireless power receivers, and determine a coupling coefficient value between each of the plurality of wireless power receivers and the resonant coil based on the amounts of received power of the plurality of wireless power receivers and an amount of transmitted power of the resonant coil.

The processor may detect the first wireless power receiver in response to a coupling coefficient value between the first wireless power receiver and the resonant coil being within a preset range.

The processor may detect the first wireless power receiver in response to a coupling coefficient value between the first wireless power receiver and the resonant coil being maintained at a preset value or less for a preset period of time.

The processor may detect the first wireless power receiver in response to a coupling coefficient value between the first wireless power receiver and the resonant coil changing being in a preset pattern.

The processor may receive inclination information of the plurality of wireless power receivers, and detect the first wireless power receiver based on the inclination information of the plurality of wireless power receivers.

The processor may send information about a state of charge of each of the plurality of wireless power receivers to the master wireless power receiver.

The processor may receive information about priorities of the plurality of wireless power receivers from the master wireless power receiver, calculate required power for each of plurality of wireless power receivers based on the priority information, and send information about the calculated required power to each of the plurality of wireless power receivers.

The processor may obtain information about priorities of the plurality of wireless power receivers from the master wireless power receiver, and control transmission power of the resonant coil based on the priority information.

The processor may send information indicating that there is no other wireless power receiver being charged to the master wireless power receiver based on a fact that there is no wireless power receiver receiving power through the resonant coil except for the master wireless power receiver.

The processor may send information about an operational state of a controllable wireless power receiver among the plurality of wireless power receivers to the master wireless power receiver.

The processor may, when a second wireless power receiver has an inclination or a tilt to the plate or makes a preset motion above the plate is detected after the first wireless power receiver is detected, identify a wireless power receiver having a display of a larger size as the master wireless power receiver among the first wireless power receiver and the second wireless power receiver.

The processor may, when a second wireless power receiver has an inclination to the plate or makes a preset motion above the plate is detected after the first wireless power receiver is detected, receive location information of a user from the first wireless power receiver and the second wireless power receiver, and identify a wireless power receiver located closer to the user as the master wireless power receiver among the first wireless power receiver and the second wireless power receiver.

The processor may, when a second wireless power receiver has an inclination to the plate or makes a preset motion above the plate is detected after the first wireless power receiver is detected, identify the first wireless power receiver associated with a first user as a first master wireless power receiver for indicating a state of charge of a wireless power receiver associated with the first user among the plurality of wireless power receivers, and identify the second wireless power receiver associated with a second user as a second master wireless power receiver for indicating a state of charge of a wireless power receiver associated with the second user among the plurality of wireless power receivers.

The processor may send information about a state of charge of a wireless power receiver associated with the first user to the first master wireless power receiver, and send information about a state of charge of a wireless power receiver associated with the second user to the second master wireless power receiver.

The processor may send the first wireless power receiver a signal indicating that a position as the master wireless power receiver is finished in response to a second wireless power receiver identified as the master wireless power receiver after the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

The processor may identify the first wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver even based on the first wireless power receiver determined as not being inclined to the plate, after the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

The processor may transmit, to a second wireless power receiver, a command signal to provide an interface for designating the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver in response to establishment of communication connection with the second wireless power receiver through the short-range communication module, receive a first signal transmitted from the second wireless power receiver, and identify the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver in response to receiving the first signal, wherein the first signal is transmitted in response to the second wireless power receiver receiving a user input to designate the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver.

According to an embodiment, a method of controlling a wireless power transmitter includes detecting a first wireless power receiver being inclined to a plate or making a preset motion above the plate among a plurality of wireless power receivers receiving power from a resonant coil, identifying the first wireless power receiver as a master wireless power receiver to indicate states of charge of the plurality of wireless power receivers, and sending the first wireless power receiver a signal indicating that the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

The detecting of the wireless power receiver may include receiving information about amounts of received power of the plurality of wireless power receivers, determining coupling coefficient values between the plurality of wireless power receivers and the resonant coil based on the amounts of received power of the plurality of wireless power receivers and an amount of transmitted power of the resonant coil, and detecting the first wireless power receiver based on the coupling coefficient values.

According to an embodiment, a wireless power transmitter can include a coil, a communication module configured to communicate with wireless power receivers which receive power from the coil and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled with the communication module. The processor is configured to detect a first wireless power receiver being inclined or making a preset motion among the wireless power receivers, identify the first wireless power receiver as a master wireless power receiver to indicate states of charge of the wireless power receivers, and send the first wireless power receiver a signal indicating that the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

According to an embodiment a method of controlling a wireless power transmitter includes recognizing that wireless power receivers receive power from a coil, detecting that a portion of the wireless power receivers are inclined or are making a preset motion, identifying each wireless power receiver of the portion as a master wireless power receiver to indicate states of charge of the wireless power receivers, and sending each wireless power receiver of the portion a signal indicating that each wireless power receiver of the portion is identified as the master wireless power receiver.

Advantageous Effects

A wireless power transmitter may automatically select a wireless power receiver that is easy to provide visual indications for the user, allowing the user to easily check states of charge of wireless power receivers being charged.

The wireless power transmitter may set charging priorities of the wireless power receivers by reflecting the intention of the user.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

For example, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” as herein used are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, represent the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

The term including an ordinal number such as “first”, “second”, or the like is used to distinguish one component from another and does not restrict the former component.

Furthermore, the terms, such as “˜part”, “˜block”, “˜member”, “˜module”, etc., may refer to a unit of handling at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one process handled by hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)/application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., software stored in a memory, or at least one processor.

An embodiment of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals or symbols refer to like parts or components.

The working principle and embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective exterior view of a wireless power transmitter, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1, a wireless power transmitter100includes a main body101that defines an exterior of the wireless power transmitter100and has various components of the wireless power transmitter100installed therein.

Many different electronic devices201,202(collectively200) may be placed on the main body101. The electronic device200may refer to any wireless power receiver capable of wirelessly receiving power from the wireless power transmitter100. For example, the electronic device200according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be various types of devices. The electronic device200may include or be provided as, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The electronic device200according to embodiments of the disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

A plate102having a flat shape on which the electronic device200may be placed may be arranged on a top or a bottom or a major surface of the main body101.

The electronic devices capable of receiving wireless power will now be collectively called a wireless power receiver, for convenience of explanation.

FIG.2is a perspective interior view of a wireless power transmitter according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.2, a resonant coil120may be arranged under the plate102to provide wireless power to the wireless power receiver200.

The resonant coil120may receive a driving current to produce radio waves or vibrations at a particular frequency. For example, the resonant coil120may include electric wires wound helically or spirally. For example, the resonant coil120may be formed in a helical structure in which electric wires are almost equidistantly positioned around a center axis or in a spiral structure in which electric wires are positioned in the same plane around a center point.

In this case, the resonant coil120may be arranged on a plane parallel to the plate102.

The resonant coil120may transmit wireless power through magnetic coupling with a receive coil210that is included in the wireless power receiver200, and the wireless power receiver200may charge a battery270(seeFIG.4) with power received from the wireless power transmitter100.

FIG.3is a control block diagram of a wireless power transmitter according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.3, the wireless power transmitter100may include a driver130, a power detector140, a communication module150, a controller160and the resonant coil120.

The driver130may receive power from an external power source ES and apply a driving current to the resonant coil120according to a driving control signal that is received from the controller160. Specifically, the driver130may apply an alternating current (AC) voltage to the resonant coil120and output an AC current (i.e., a driving current) according to the driving control signal of the controller160.

For this, the driver130may include an inverter131. The inverter131may apply an AC voltage and apply an AC current to the resonant coil120. The inverter131may include at least one switch for allowing or blocking supply of the driving current to the resonant coil120and a resonant capacitor.

Although not shown, when the external power source ES supplies AC power, the driver130may include a rectifying circuit for converting AC power to direct current (DC) power and an amplifying circuit for amplifying the DC power output from the rectifying circuit. In this case, the rectifying circuit may switch the AC voltage output from the external power source ES to generate a DC voltage, and the amplifying circuit may amplify the DC voltage output from the rectifying circuit and provide the amplified DC voltage to the inverter131.

The power detector140may include any component that is able to measure transmission power supplied to the resonant circuit.

For example, the power detector140may include a current sensor141that is able to measure the magnitude and direction of the driving current applied to the resonant coil120. The current sensor141may measure a potential difference between both ends of a shunt resistor or measure a magnetic field according to the current.

The controller160may identify the magnitude of the driving current applied to the resonant coil120based on an output signal of the current sensor141, and further calculate an amount of power wirelessly transmitted (amount of transmitted power) to the wireless power receiver by the resonant coil120.

The communication module150may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) module152and a short-range communication module153.

The WLAN module152may wirelessly exchange data with an access point (AP), and further exchange data with the wireless power receiver200(seeFIG.4) through the AP. For example, the WLAN module152may connect to a local network such as an intranet and/or a wide network such as the Internet through the AP. In addition, the wireless power receiver200may also connect to the local network and/or the wide network, and the WLAN module152may exchange data with the wireless power receiver200over the local network and/or the wide network.

The WLAN module152may wirelessly exchange data with the AP by using e.g., a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication protocol. The wireless power receiver200may also use the WLAN module to wirelessly exchange data with the AP.

The short-range communication module153may exchange data directly with the wireless power receiver200. For example, the short-range communication module153may transmit a wireless signal directly to the wireless power receiver200and receive a wireless signal directly transmitted from the wireless power receiver200.

The short-range communication module153may wirelessly exchange data with the wireless power receiver200by using e.g., a Wi-Fi direct communication protocol, a Bluetooth™ communication protocol or a near-field (NF) communication protocol.

The WLAN module152and/or the short-range communication module153may each include a dedicated antenna arranged separately from the resonant coil120.

For example, the short-range communication module153may include an antenna formed in the shape of a concentric circle with the resonant coil120inside or outside of the resonant coil120.

The controller160may include a processor161and a memory162.

The controller160may be communicatively coupled with the communication module150to transmit or receive various data and/or information via signal.

For example, the processor161may be communicatively coupled with the short-range communication module153, and transmit or receive various data and/or information with an external device (e.g., the wireless power receiver200) through the short-range communication module153.

The memory162may store a program, instructions, and data for controlling the operation of the wireless power transmitter100. The processor161may generate control signals for controlling the operation of the wireless power transmitter100based on the program, instructions and data memorized and/or stored in the memory162.

The memory162may store a program, instructions, and data for controlling the operation of the wireless power receiver200. Accordingly, the processor161may generate a control signal to control the operation of the wireless power receiver200.

The controller160may be implemented with a control circuit having the processor161and the memory162mounted thereon. The controller160may include a plurality of processors161and a plurality of memories162.

The processor161may include logic circuits and operation circuits in hardware. The processor161may process the data according to the program and/or instructions provided from the memory162and generate a control signal based on the processing result. The memory162may include a volatile memory such as a static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc., for temporarily storing data, and a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable (ROM) (EEPROM), etc., for storing data for a long time.

The memory162may further store characteristic information of the wireless power receiver200. The characteristic information of the wireless power receiver200may include a type of the wireless power receiver200, a weight of the wireless power receiver200, power control information and required power information relating to operation settings of the wireless power receiver200. Various characteristic information of the wireless power receivers200may be stored in a list. The characteristic information of the wireless power receiver200may be transmitted from the wireless power receiver200or obtained from an external server (not shown).

Apart from this, the wireless power transmitter100may further include other components.

Both configurations of the wireless power transmitter100and the wireless power receiver will now be described together with reference toFIG.4.

FIG.4illustrates configurations of a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4, the wireless power receiver200may include a receive coil210, a rectifier220, a power manager230, a switch240, a communication module150, a controller160, a battery270, and a display280.

Depending on the type of the wireless power receiver200, one of the components shown inFIG.4may be omitted or another component may be added. For example, the wireless power receiver200may not include the display280.

The display280may visually provide information to the outside or exterior (e.g., a user) of the wireless power receiver200. In an embodiment, the display280may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch or a pressure sensor configured to measure intensity of force generated by the touch.

The receive coil210of the wireless power receiver200may receive power through magnetic coupling with the resonant coil120of the wireless power transmitter100. For this, the receive coil210and the resonant coil120may have the same resonant frequency.

In an embodiment, as the wireless power transmitter100supplies power to the wireless power receiver by using a wireless charging technology in a magnetic resonance method, the wireless power receiver200may receive wireless power as long as the wireless power receiver200is located within a preset distance to the wireless power transmitter100even without being placed on the plate102of the wireless power transmitter100.

The rectifier220may output a DC voltage by rectifying an AC voltage received through the receive coil210.

The controller260may detect a DC voltage value output from the rectifier220to calculate an amount of received power received by the receive coil210.

The power manager230may use the DC voltage output by the rectifier220to charge the battery270. In an embodiment, the power manager230may select a charging method (e.g., normal charging or fast charging) based on at least some of a type of an external power source (e.g., wireless charging), magnitude of power that may be supplied from the external power source (e.g., about 20 W or more), or an attribute of the battery270, and charge the battery270by using the selected charging method.

Furthermore, the power manager230may generate power having a different voltage or a different current level by controlling the voltage level or current level of the power output by the rectifier220under the control of the controller160. In this case, the power manager230may calculate a required amount of power of the battery270based on state-of-charge information (e.g., lifespan, overvoltage, low voltage, overcurrent, overcharge, over-discharge, overheat, short-circuit or expansion) relating to charging of the battery270, and control the charging of the battery270according to the required amount of power (e.g., reduce charging current or voltage or stop charging).

The switch240may be turned on or off under the control of the controller160. When the switch240is open and turned off, magnetic coupling between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210may be removed. In other words, when there is no need to receive power through the wireless power transmitter100, the controller160may eliminate magnetic coupling between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210by opening and thereby turning the switch240off. When the switch240is closed and turned on, magnetic coupling between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210is possible. In other words, when there is a need to receive power through the wireless power transmitter100, the controller160may provide for magnetic coupling between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210by closing and thereby turning the switch240on.

In an embodiment, the battery270may include a battery protection circuit (or a protection circuit module (PCM)). The battery protection circuit may perform one or more of various functions (e.g., a pre-blocking function) to prevent performance degradation or damage of the battery270. Additionally or alternatively, the battery protection circuit may be configured as part of a battery management system (BMS) that is able to perform various functions including cell balancing, capacity measurement of the battery270, measurement of the number of charging and discharging times, temperature measurement, or voltage measurement.

In an embodiment, at least part of the usage state information or the charging state information of the battery270may be measured using a corresponding sensor (e.g., temperature sensor) of the sensor module and the power manager230. In an embodiment, the corresponding sensor (e.g., temperature sensor) of the sensor module may be included as part of the battery protection circuit or as a separate device located near the battery.

The controller260may include a processor and a memory, and the memory may store a program, instructions, and data for controlling the operation of the wireless power receiver200and the processor may generate control signals for controlling the operation of the wireless power receiver200based on the program, instructions and data memorized and/or stored in the memory.

The program memorized and/or stored in the memory may include, for example, an application.

For example, the processor may execute software (e.g., an application) to control at least one other component (e.g., the display280) of the wireless power receiver200connected to the processor and perform various data processing or computation. In an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the communication module250) in the memory, process the command or data stored in the memory, and store the resultant data in the memory.

In an embodiment, the controller260may control the power manager230to charge the battery270according to the required amount of power.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the controller260may provide various user interfaces by controlling the display280. Moreover, the processor included in the controller260may execute an application stored in the memory based on a command signal received from the communication module250.

Similar to the communication module150of the wireless power transmitter100, the communication module250may include a WLAN module and/or a short-range communication module.

The short-range communication module included in the communication module250may establish communication with the short-range communication module153of the wireless power transmitter100to transmit various information and/or data.

For example, the wireless power transmitter100may send a wake-up message to the wireless power receiver200in response to the establishment of communication with the wireless power receiver200, and the wireless power receiver200may send the wireless power transmitter100information about a product type, manufacturer information, a model name, a battery type, a charging method, an impedance value of a load, characteristic information of the receive coil210, a required amount of power, a unique identifier, etc., of the wireless power receiver200in response to the reception of the wake-up message.

In an embodiment, the wireless power receiver200may include a gyro sensor and/or an angular velocity sensor for obtaining inclination information of the wireless power receiver200, and send the inclination information to the wireless power transmitter100. The inclination information may include information about a z-axis inclination.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the wireless power receiver200may send information about an amount of received power received by the receive coil210to the wireless power transmitter100.

Components of the wireless power transmitter100and the wireless power receiver200have thus far been described. Operations of the wireless power transmitter100will now be described based on the respective components.

FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a wireless power transmitter identifies a master wireless power receiver, according to an embodiment.

The master wireless power receiver may refer to the wireless power receiver200capable of providing a visual indication about states of charge of the plurality of wireless power receivers200receiving power through the wireless power transmitter100.

The master wireless power receiver will be described later in detail with reference toFIG.13.

In the disclosure, only the wireless power receiver200having the display280is assumed to be identified as the master wireless power receiver.

Referring toFIG.5, communication may be established between the wireless power transmitter100and the wireless power receiver200in1000.

Specifically, when the wireless power receiver200comes to a chargeable range of the wireless power transmitter100, communication may be established using the short-range communication module153.

For example, when the wireless power receiver200comes to the chargeable range, the receive coil210may receive power provided from the wireless power transmitter100, and the controller260may control the communication module250to establish communication with the wireless power transmitter100in response to the receive coil210receiving the power.

As described above, the wireless power transmitter100may receive various information from the wireless power receiver200through the short-range communication module153.

When the plurality of wireless power receivers200come to the chargeable range of the wireless power transmitter100, the wireless power transmitter100may receive various information from the plurality of wireless power receivers200.

The controller160of the wireless power transmitter100may detect a first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion above the plate102based on the information received from the at least one wireless power receiver200through the short-range communication module153in1100.

In other words, the controller160may detect the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making the preset motion above the plate102among the plurality of wireless power receivers200.

That the wireless power receiver200has an inclination to the plate102may imply that the receive coil210of the wireless power receiver200is not placed in parallel with the resonant coil120.

In an embodiment, the controller160may detect the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102based on a coupling coefficient value between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210, and detect the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102based on inclination information obtained from the wireless power receivers.

For example, the controller160may obtain information about an amount of received power from the wireless power receiver200, and determine a coupling coefficient value between the wireless power transmitter100and the wireless power receiver based on the amount of received power of the wireless power receiver200and an amount of transmitted power of the wireless power transmitter100.

More specifically, the controller160may determine the coupling coefficient value between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210based on the following equation 1:

where k denotes a coupling coefficient, L1denotes magnetic inductance of the resonant coil120, L2denotes magnetic inductance of the receive coil210, and M denotes mutual inductance of the resonant coil120and the receive coil210.

As the value of L1is stored in the memory162of the wireless power transmitter100and the value of L2may be received from the wireless power receiver200, the wireless power transmitter100needs to calculate the mutual inductance M of the resonant coil120and the receive coil210.

The value of the mutual inductance M may be easily derived in the existing method based on the amount of transmitted power of the resonant coil120and the amount of received power of the receive coil210.

As the leakage flux increases, the smaller the coupling coefficient value, and the controller160may estimate an angle and/or a distance between the wireless power receiver200and the wireless power transmitter100based on the coupling coefficient value.

For example, the angle and/or distance of the wireless power transmitter100matched with the coupling coefficient value may be stored in the memory162in the form of a lookup table.

Accordingly, the controller160may detect the first wireless power receiver among the wireless power receivers200with which communication is established, in response to the coupling coefficient value between the first wireless power receiver and the resonant coil120falling within a preset range.

In other words, when the coupling coefficient value between the wireless power transmitter100and the wireless power receiver200is in the preset range, the controller160may estimate that the resonant coil120and the receive coil210are not aligned and determine that the wireless power receiver200is inclined to the plate102.

In another example, the controller160may obtain the inclination information from the wireless power receiver200through the short-range communication module153and detect the first wireless power receiver based on the inclination information.

As the plate102is arranged to be parallel with the ground, the controller160may detect the first wireless power receiver in response to the inclination information received from the first wireless power receiver having a z-axis inclination.

This is because the user may easily check the display of the master wireless power receiver when the master wireless power receiver is inclined to the plate102.

When the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102is detected but the second wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion above the plate102is not detected among the plurality of wireless power receivers200in1200, the controller160may identify the first wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver in1300.

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating an occasion when there is a wireless power receiver having an inclination to a plate of the wireless power transmitter according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.6, among a plurality of wireless power receivers61,62,63,64and65which are receiving wireless power from the wireless power transmitter100(seeFIGS.2and4), a first wireless power receiver61having an inclination to the plate102may be identified.

In this case, the controller160may identify the detected first wireless power receiver61as the master wireless power receiver.

According to the embodiment, the user may designate the wireless power receiver61as the master wireless power receiver by using an accessory or holder to place the wireless power receiver61upright on the plate102. Furthermore, when the wireless power receiver61is a device, e.g., a foldable device, at least a portion of which may be rotated on a hinge, the user may designate the wireless power receiver61as the master wireless power receiver by rotating the at least a portion of the wireless power receiver61to be placed on the plate102.

That the wireless power receiver200making a preset motion may imply that the user may make a particular gesture while gripping the wireless power receiver200.

FIGS.7and8are perspective views illustrating an example in which the user makes a preset motion with a wireless power receiver on a plate of a wireless power transmitter, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, as an example of the preset motion, there may be a hovering motion to keep a wireless power receiver70motionless at a certain height over the plate102and/or a shake motion to shake a wireless power receiver80above the plate102.

The controller160may detect the first wireless power receiver70that is making the hovering motion, in response to the coupling coefficient value between the first wireless power receiver70and the resonant coil120being maintained at a preset value or less for a preset period of time.

This is because a fact that the user is intentionally making the hovering motion while gripping the wireless power receiver may be estimated when the coupling coefficient value between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210is maintained at the preset value or less for the preset period of time.

Furthermore, the controller160may detect the first wireless power receiver80that is making the shake motion, in response to the coupling coefficient value between the first wireless power receiver80and the resonant coil120changing in a preset pattern.

This is because a fact that the user is intentionally making the shake motion while gripping the wireless power receiver may be estimated when the coupling coefficient value between the resonant coil120and the receive coil210changes in the preset pattern.

In an embodiment, the controller160may obtain the inclination information from the first wireless power receiver80, and detect the first wireless power receiver80that is making the shaking motion in response to the inclination of the first wireless power receiver80changing in the preset pattern.

When the first wireless power receiver70or80making a preset motion above the plate102is detected but the second wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making the preset motion above the plate102is not detected among the plurality of wireless power receivers200in1200ofFIG.5, the controller160may identify the first wireless power receiver70or80as the master wireless power receiver in1300ofFIG.5.

According to the embodiment, the user may designate the wireless power receiver70or80as the master wireless power receiver by making a simple motion and/or gesture while gripping the wireless power receiver70or80.

Furthermore, even when the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion above the plate102is not detected in1100ofFIG.5, the controller160may detect the second wireless power receiver that has received a user input that designates it as the master wireless power receiver through the interface.

FIG.9illustrates an example in which the wireless power transmitter100transmits a command signal to provide an interface for designating a master wireless power receiver, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.9, in response to an establishment of a communication connection with the second wireless power receiver90through the short-range communication module153, the controller160may transmit, to the second wireless power receiver90, a command signal to provide an interface for designating the second wireless power receiver90as the master wireless power receiver.

In other words, when the user moves the second wireless power receiver90into a chargeable area, the display of the second wireless power receiver90may output a message asking for an intention of the user.

For example, the display of the second wireless power receiver90may display a sentence “would you designate this device as a master device?”, and the user may then touch a word “yes” to enter a command to designate the second wireless power receiver90as the master wireless power receiver.

The second wireless power receiver90may transmit a first signal to the wireless power transmitter100, in response to receiving the user input to designate the second wireless power receiver90as the master wireless power receiver.

The controller160may identify the second wireless power receiver90as the master wireless power receiver, in response to receiving the first signal from the second wireless power receiver90in1300ofFIG.5.

According to the embodiment, the user may designate a wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver by using an interface automatically output on the wireless power receiver.

In an embodiment, the wireless power transmitter100may identify the master wireless power receiver without regard to the order as shown inFIG.5.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the wireless power transmitter100may keep identifying the particular wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver even when the particular wireless power receiver fails to continue to meet a condition to be identified as the master wireless power receiver after being identified as the master wireless power receiver.

For example, after the first wireless power receiver inclined to the plate102is identified as the master wireless power receiver, even when the first wireless power receiver is determined as not being inclined to the plate102, the controller160may identify the first wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the wireless power transmitter100may identify the master wireless power receiver by prioritizing detection conditions.

For example, when the first wireless power receiver inclined to the plate102and the second wireless power receiver making a preset motion above the plate102are detected among the wireless power receivers200, the wireless power transmitter100may identify only one of the first wireless power receiver or the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver.

In another example, when the first wireless power receiver inclined to the plate102and the second wireless power receiver having received the user input to designate it as the master wireless power receiver are detected among the wireless power receivers200, the wireless power transmitter100may identify the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, when another wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver after a particular wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver, the wireless power transmitter100may no longer identify the particular wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver.

For example, when another wireless power receiver (e.g., the second wireless power receiver) is identified as the master wireless power receiver after the first wireless power receiver is identified as the master wireless power receiver, the controller160may send the first wireless power receiver a signal indicating that the first wireless power receiver is released from the position as the master wireless power receiver, through the short-range communication module153.

That is, the first wireless power receiver having served as the master wireless power receiver may finish the role when another master wireless power receiver is identified.

Specifically, the first wireless power receiver having executed an application to indicate states of charge of the plurality of wireless power receivers200to play the role of the master wireless power receiver may stop running the application in response to receiving a signal indicating that the position as the master wireless power receiver is released.

Turning back toFIG.5, in an embodiment, the wireless power transmitter100may identify one or both of the first wireless power receiver or the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver, when both the first and second wireless power receivers having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion above the plate102are detected among the plurality of wireless power receivers200in1200ofFIG.5.

For example, when the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion is detected in1100ofFIG.5and the second wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion is detected in1200ofFIG.5, the controller160may determine whether the user associated with the first wireless power receiver and the user associated with the second wireless power receiver are the same in1210ofFIG.5.

When it is determined that the user associated with the first wireless power receiver and the user associated with the second wireless power receiver are identical in1210ofFIG.5, the controller160may identify only one of the first wireless power receiver or the second wireless power receiver as the master wireless power receiver.

FIGS.10and11are perspective views illustrating an occasion when there are multiple wireless power receivers having inclinations to a plate of a wireless power transmitter, according to an embodiment.

When the first wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion is detected and the second wireless power receiver having an inclination to the plate102or making a preset motion is detected in1200ofFIG.5, the controller160may compare the sizes of the displays of the first wireless power receiver and the second wireless power receiver in1250ofFIG.5.

Referring toFIG.10, when the sizes of the displays of a first wireless power receiver A1and a second wireless power receiver A2are different from each other in1250ofFIG.5, the controller160may identify only the first wireless power receiver A1having the display of a bigger size as the master wireless power receiver among the first wireless power receiver A1and the second wireless power receiver A2in1270ofFIG.5.

This is because the bigger the size of the display, the more easily the user may check the screen displayed on the master wireless power receiver.

Referring toFIG.11, when the sizes of the displays of a first wireless power receiver B1and a second wireless power receiver B2are the same in1250ofFIG.5, the controller160may identify only the first wireless power receiver B1located closer to the user U as the master wireless power receiver among the first wireless power receiver B1and the second wireless power receiver B2in1290ofFIG.5.

This is because the closer the wireless power receiver is to the user, the more easily the user may check the screen displayed on the master wireless power receiver.

For this, the controller160may receive location information of the user U from the first wireless power receiver B1and the second wireless power receiver B2through the short-range communication module153.

The first wireless power receiver B1and the second wireless power receiver B2may each use an ultrawideband (UWB) sensor equipped therein to detect a UWB signal output by a UWB module of a wearable device worn by the user U, and obtain the location information of the user U based on the UWB signal. Alternatively, the first wireless power receiver B1and the second wireless power receiver B2may each obtain the location information of the user U based on image data obtained from a camera equipped therein.

Referring toFIG.12, when one (e.g., C1) of a first wireless power receiver C1and a second wireless power receiver C4is a device associated with a first user U1and the other is a device associated with a second user U2, the controller160may identify both the first and second wireless power receivers C1and C4as the master wireless power receiver.

In other words, when the user U1associated with the first wireless power receiver C1and the user U2associated with the second wireless power receiver C4are different in1210ofFIG.5, both the first and second wireless power receivers C1and C4may be identified as the master wireless power receiver in1230ofFIG.5.

The device associated with the first user may refer to a device connected to a certain server (e.g., a smart things server) by an account of the first user or a device connected with the account of the first user, and the device associated with the second user may refer to a device connected to the certain server by an account of the second user or a device connected with the account of the second user.

In this case, the master wireless power receiver may be classified as the first master wireless power receiver C1associated with the first user U1and the second master wireless power receiver C4associated with the second user U2.

The first master wireless power receiver C1may serve as a master for wireless power receivers C2and C3associated with the first user U1, and the second master wireless power receiver C4may serve as a master for wireless power receivers C5and C6associated with the second user U2.

Specifically, the controller160may transmit information about states of charge of the wireless power receivers C2and C3associated with the first user U1to the first master wireless power receiver C1and transmit information about states of charge of the wireless power receivers C5and C6associated with the second user U2to the second master wireless power receiver C4through the short-range communication module153.

In this case, the first master wireless power receiver C1may indicate states of charge of the wireless power receivers C2and C3associated with the first user U1, and the second master wireless power receiver C4may indicate states of charge of the wireless power receivers C5and C6associated with the second user U2.

A procedure in which the wireless power transmitter100identifies the master wireless power receiver has thus far been described according to the embodiments.

A role of the master wireless power receiver will now be described in detail.

In the embodiments ofFIGS.10,11and12, or in other cases in which multiple master wireless power receivers are identified, the master wireless power receivers can be identified with a priority sequence. In these or other cases, at an initial time, one particular master wireless power receiver may be identified as the master wireless power receiver with the highest priority and another master wireless power receiver may be identified with the second-highest priority. This can be achieved by sending each master wireless power receiver an additional signal that is indicative of the priorities. Here, once it is determined that the particular master wireless power receiver initially identified as the master wireless power receiver with the highest priority can no longer function in that capacity (i.e., because it has been shut down or moved out of the vicinity), the other master wireless power receiver identified as having the second-highest priority becomes the master wireless power receiver with the highest priority by default.

FIG.13is a sequence chart illustrating an example of operations of a wireless power transmitter and a master wireless power receiver according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.13, as described above, the controller160may identify a master wireless power receiver among the plurality of wireless power receivers200in2000.

For example, the controller160may identify a first wireless power receiver among the plurality of wireless power receivers200as a master wireless power receiver MA, and send the master wireless power receiver (e.g., the first wireless power receiver) a signal indicating that it is identified as the master wireless power receiver (hereinafter, a master signal) in2100.

The wireless power receiver having received the master signal may take preset action corresponding to the master signal.

Along with this, the controller160may send information about a type and a state of charge of each of the wireless power receivers200to the master wireless power receiver MA in2200. In other words, the wireless power transmitter100may receive the state-of-charge information from the wireless power receivers200and forward the state-of-charge information received from the wireless power receivers200to the master wireless power receiver MA.

Alternatively, the controller160may simply send only the master signal to the master wireless power receiver MA, and the master wireless power receiver MA may request state-of-charge information from the wireless power receivers200being charged in response to receiving the master signal in3000.

The wireless power receivers200being charged may send the respective state-of-charge information in response to the request from the master wireless power receiver MA in3100.

In other words, in an embodiment, the wireless power transmitter100may send the state-of-charge information of the wireless power receivers200being charged directly to the master wireless power receiver MA in2200or the master wireless power receiver MA may obtain the state-of-charge information directly from the wireless power receivers200being charged in3100.

After obtaining the state-of-charge information of the wireless power receivers200being charged, the master wireless power receiver MA may indicate or display the states of charge of the plurality of wireless power receivers200in3200.

FIG.14illustrates an example in which a master wireless power receiver identified by a wireless power transmitter provides a visual indication of states of charge of wireless power receivers being charged, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.14, the master wireless power receiver MA may use the display to provide visual indications of the respective states of charge of the wireless power receivers200.

Specifically, if it is assumed that the wireless power receivers200currently receiving power from the wireless power transmitter100are a smart phone, a smart watch, and wireless earpieces, the smart phone can be identified as the master wireless power receiver MA.

In this case, the wireless power transmitter100may send the master wireless power receiver MA information indicating that an amount of charge of the smart watch is 60% and that an amount of charge of the wireless earpieces is 35%. In another embodiment, the master wireless power receiver MA may directly request states-of-charge information from the smart watch and the wireless earpieces and obtain information indicating that an amount of charge of the smart watch is 60% and an amount of charge of the wireless earpieces is 35%.

The master wireless power receiver MA may execute an application for indicating states of charge of the plurality of wireless power receivers200according to the master signal sent from the wireless power transmitter100to display its amount of charge (e.g., 70%) along with a smart phone icon Ic1, an amount of charge (e.g., 60%) of the smart watch along with a smart watch icon Ic2, and an amount of charge (e.g., 35%) of the wireless earpieces along with a wireless earpieces icon Ic3.

How to provide visual indications about states of charge of the respective wireless power receivers200may be different depending on the version or type of the application.

For example, the order in which the icons of the wireless power receivers200are arranged may be changed depending on the application, in the order from the highest charging percentage, the highest charging rate, or the largest amount of power required.

In another example, product names may be displayed instead of the icons depending on the application. Battery guages may be displayed instead of the percentage to display a remaining amount of the battery depending on the application.

FIG.15illustrates an example in which a master wireless power receiver identified by a wireless power transmitter provides an interface for setting priorities, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.15, the master wireless power receiver MA may use the display to provide an interface for prioritizing the wireless power receivers200.

The user may use the interface of the master wireless power receiver MA to input a user command to set priorities of the plurality of wireless power receivers200, and the master wireless power receiver MA may receive the user input to set the priorities in3300ofFIG.13.

Specifically, the user may set the priorities by sequentially touching the icons Ic1, Ic2and Ic3displayed on the master wireless power receiver MA according to the priorities.

For example, the user may set the wireless earpieces to have the first charging priority and the smart phone to have the second charging priority by touching the wireless earpieces icon Ic3first and then the smart phone icon Ic1next.

Furthermore, the user may release the priority by retouching the icon already allocated a priority.

In another example, the user may touch and drag the respective icons Ic1, Ic2and Ic3displayed on the master wireless power receiver MA, and set priorities by sequentially arranging the icons Ic1, Ic2and Ic3according to the priorities.

For example, the user may set the wireless earpieces to have the first charging priority and the smart phone to have the second charging priority by touching and dragging the wireless earpieces icon Ic3to the leftmost and the smart phone icon Ic1to the right side of the wireless earpieces icon Ic3.

The interface provided for the user to allocate charging priorities of the wireless power receivers200may be different depending on the version or type of the application.

As such, the master wireless power receiver MA may obtain priority information of the wireless power receivers200, and send the priority information to the wireless power transmitter100in3400ofFIG.13.

For example, the master wireless power receiver MA may send the wireless power transmitter100information indicating that the wireless earpieces has the first charging priority, the smart phone has the second charging priority and the smart watch has the third charging priority.

When obtaining the priority information of the wireless power receivers200being charged, the controller160may calculate required power of the respective wireless power receivers200based on the priority information, in2300.

Furthermore, the controller160may control transmission power based on the priority information in2500.

FIG.16illustrates an example in which a master wireless power receiver identified by a wireless power transmitter calculates required power according to priorities, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.16, the controller160may suitably distribute the transmission power to the respective wireless power receives200(e.g., a smart phone, a smart watch, and wireless earpieces) based on currently required power and available power of the wireless power receivers200in2400.

For example, when the maximum transmission power of the resonant coil120is limited to 40 W, the controller160may send the wireless earpieces a command signal to change a required amount of power of the wireless earpieces from 10 W to 15 W, and send the smart watch a command signal to change a required amount of power of the smart watch from 10 W to 5 W.

In an embodiment, the controller160may send the master wireless power receiver MA a command signal to change the required amount of power of the wireless earpieces from 10 W to 15 W and a command signal to change the required amount of power of the smart watch from 10 W to 5 W, and the master wireless power receiver MA may send the wireless earpieces a command signal to change a required amount of power of the wireless earpieces from 10 W to 15 W and send the smart watch a command signal to change a required amount of power of the smart watch from 10 W to 5 W.

The wireless earpieces may change its required amount of power to 15 W in response to receiving the command signal to change the required amount of power to 15 W.

The smart watch may change its required amount of power to 5 W in response to receiving the command signal to change the required amount of power to 5 W.

Specifically, the wireless power receiver200may adjust the required amount of power by controlling the power manager230.

In another example, when the maximum transmission power of the resonant coil120is limited to 50 W, the controller160may adjust the transmission power of 40 W to 50 W by controlling the driver130.

In other words, the resonant coil120that has output 40 W of transmission power may output 50 W of transmission power under the control of the controller160.

Afterward, the controller160may send the wireless earpieces a command signal to change the required amount of power of the wireless earpieces from 10 W to 15 W, and send the smart watch a command signal to change the required amount of power of the smart phone from 20 W to 30 W.

An algorithm to calculate required amounts of power of the wireless power receivers200according to the priorities may be stored in the memory162.

Although not shown, when there is a controllable wireless power receiver (e.g., a small home appliance such as an electric kettle, a blender, a toaster, an electric oven, a coffee machine, etc.) among the wireless power receivers200, the master wireless power receiver MA may use the display to provide an interface for controlling the wireless power receiver.

For example, when the master wireless power receiver MA executes an application to provide an interface for controlling the wireless power receiver, the interface as shown inFIG.14may be provided.

The user may activate operation of a controllable wireless power receiver (e.g., an electric kettle) by touching an icon of the electric kettle twice in succession.

Furthermore, the user may activate the operation of the controllable wireless power receiver by touching a virtual power button displayed around the icon of the wireless power receiver.

Specifically, the master wireless power receiver MA may send a second signal to operate a controllable wireless power receiver to the wireless power transmitter100in response to touching the icon of the controllable wireless power receiver twice, and the wireless power transmitter100may transmit a command signal to operate the controllable wireless power receiver to the corresponding wireless power receiver in response to receiving the second signal.

In an embodiment, the master wireless power receiver MA may send the second signal to operate the controllable wireless power receiver directly to the corresponding wireless power receiver, in response to touching an icon of the controllable wireless power receiver twice.

Furthermore, when there is a controllable wireless power receiver among the wireless power receivers200being charged, the wireless power transmitter100may send operation state information of the controllable wireless power receiver to the master wireless power receiver MA. The operation state information may include information about an ON or OFF state of the wireless power receiver.

In an embodiment, the master wireless power receiver MA may request and obtain the operation state information directly from the controllable wireless power receiver.

The master wireless power receiver MA may use the display to display the operation state information of the controllable wireless power receiver.

Although not shown, when there is no wireless power receiver receiving power through the resonant coil120except for the master wireless power receiver MA, the controller160may send the master wireless power receiver MA information indicating that there is no other wireless power receiver being charged. This is because the master wireless power receiver for displaying states of charge of a plurality of wireless power receivers is of no use when there is no other wireless power receiver being charged through the resonant coil120.

On receiving the information indicating that there is no other wireless power receiver being charged, the master wireless power receiver MA may execute an application unrelated with the state of charge.

FIG.17illustrates an example of an application executed by a master wireless power receiver while there is no wireless power receiver that receives power through a wireless power transmitter except for the master wireless power receiver, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.17, an application unrelated with the state of charge may include an application for providing a visual indication of the current time (e.g., a clock application).

The clock application may provide a visual indication of the current time when the clock application is executed by the master wireless power receiver MA, and the user may use the master wireless power receiver MA as a clock.

In another example, the application unrelated with the state of charge may include an application for playing music (e.g., a music streaming application).

The music streaming application may play music when executed by the master wireless power receiver MA, and the user may use the master wireless power receiver MA as a speaker.

The user may listen to music just by placing the wireless power receiver200upright on the plate102.

Furthermore, the user may set a function and/or application that is automatically executed when the wireless power receiver200is operated as the master wireless power receiver MA through the user interface of the wireless power receiver200.

According to the setting by the user, the wireless power receiver200identified as the master wireless power receiver MA may provide a function or an application designated by the user.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, a wireless power transmitter may be a tool for managing states of charge of wireless power receivers being charged, allowing the user to manage the states of charge of the wireless power receivers more easily.

Furthermore, even when the wireless power transmitter is not equipped with a display, the user may use a master wireless power receiver to manage the states of charge of the wireless power receivers more easily.

Moreover, a wireless power receiver inclined to the plate of the wireless power transmitter may be used as the master wireless power receiver, so that the user may figure out states of charge of a plurality of wireless power receivers more easily.

In addition, the master wireless power receiver is designated according to the intention of the user, thereby increasing convenience for the user.

Meanwhile, the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in the form of a recording medium for storing instructions to be carried out by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform operations in the embodiments of the disclosure. The recording media may correspond to computer-readable recording media.

FIG.18is a flow diagram illustrating a method of controlling a wireless power transmitter according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.18, the method includes recognizing that wireless power receivers receive power from a coil1801, detecting that a portion of the wireless power receivers are inclined or are making a preset motion1802, identifying each wireless power receiver of the portion as a master wireless power receiver to indicate states of charge of the wireless power receivers1803and sending each wireless power receiver of the portion a signal indicating that each wireless power receiver of the portion is identified as the master wireless power receiver1804.

The computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording medium having data stored thereon that may be thereafter read by a computer. For example, it may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

The computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may mean a tangible device without including a signal, e.g., electromagnetic waves, and may not distinguish between storing data in the storage medium semi-permanently and temporarily. For example, the non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the aforementioned method according to the various embodiments of the disclosure may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be a commercial product that may be traded between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a recording medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded). In the case of online distribution, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be at least temporarily stored or arbitrarily created in a recording medium that may be readable to a device such as a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

It is understood that various embodiments of the disclosure and associated terms are not intended to limit technical features herein to particular embodiments, but encompass various changes, equivalents, or substitutions. Like reference numerals may be used for like or related elements throughout the drawings. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items unless the context states otherwise. Throughout the specification, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “A, B, or C” may each include any one or all the possible combinations of A, B and C. Terms like “first”, “second”, etc., may be simply used to distinguish an element from another, without limiting the elements in a certain sense (e.g., in terms of importance or order). When an element is mentioned as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element with or without an adverb “functionally” or “operatively”, it means that the element may be connected to the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or through a third element.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the term “module”, “device”, “member”, or “block” may refer to a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be interchangeably used with e.g., logic, logic block, part, or circuit. The module may be an integral part that performs one or more functions, or a minimum unit or a portion of the part. For example, in an embodiment, the module may be configured with an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In various embodiments, each of the aforementioned components (e.g., a module or a program) may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately arranged in another component. In various embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components or operations may be omitted, or one or more of other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of the respective components therein equally or similarly to what are performed by the plurality of components before integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

The embodiments of the disclosure have thus far been described with reference to accompanying drawings. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be practiced in other forms than the embodiments of the disclosure as described above without changing the technical idea or essential features of the disclosure. The above embodiments of the disclosure are only by way of example, and should not be construed in a limited sense.