Method and system for wireless battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming

An ultrasound power transmitter comprising a transmit ultrasonic transducer array has a plurality of transmit ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound power transmitter activates a set of transmit ultrasonic transducers in close proximity of an electronic device to be arranged to beam ultrasound energy to the electronic device. Alignment magnets of the ultrasound power transmitter are aligned with corresponding alignment magnets of the electronic device to manage the ultrasound beaming. The ultrasound energy may be converted into electric power to charge the battery of the electronic device. Feedbacks may be provided by the electronic device to the ultrasound power transmitter to increase power transmission efficiency. The ultrasound power transmitter may pair the electronic device with other different electronic devices utilizing ultrasonic signals. A spacer with good ultrasound power transmission properties may be located between the ultrasound power transmitter and an ultrasound power receiver of an intended electronic device to enhance power transmission.

This application makes reference to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/979,254 filed on Dec. 27, 2010, now published as United States Patent Publication 2011/0156640.

The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to signal processing for communication systems. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for wireless battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, tablets, and other communication devices often rely on electrical battery energy to conduct communications. Electrical batteries store chemical energy and deliver electrical energy through an electrochemical conversion process. An electrical battery consists of one or more cells, organized in an array. Each cell consists of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte that separates the two electrodes and allows the transfer of electrons as ions between them. Chemical material that originates chemical reactions within the cell is called active material. In practice, the energy that can be obtained from a cell is fundamentally limited by the quantity of active material contained in the cell. Electrical batteries may be non-rechargeable or rechargeable. Although some portable devices may use non-rechargeable batteries, the vast majority depend on rechargeable batteries. Portable devices run on batteries. Display, hard disk, logic, and memory are the device components with the greatest impact on power consumption; however, when a wireless interface is added to a portable system, power consumption increases significantly. For example, even when not making a call, mobile phones keep listening to the network over wireless interfaces to keep in touch with the network in case a call comes in. Batteries with features such as a long lifetime, a lightweight, and a small size are highly desirable in portable wireless devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and/or system for wireless battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for wireless battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the invention, an ultrasound power transmitter comprising a transmit (Tx) ultrasonic transducer array has a plurality of Tx ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound power transmitter may activate a set of Tx ultrasonic transducers in close proximity to an ultrasound power receiver of an electronic device. The activated set of Tx ultrasonic transducers may be arranged to beam ultrasound energy to the ultrasound power receiver of the electronic device. The ultrasound beaming may be managed by aligning alignment magnets of the ultrasound power transmitter with alignment magnets of the ultrasound power receiver. The ultrasound energy may be converted into electric power to charge the battery of the electronic device. A feedback regard to the ultrasound beaming may be provided by the electronic device to the ultrasound power transmitter to increase power transmission efficiency. The ultrasound power transmitter may activate a set of transmit ultrasonic transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array in close proximity of a specific geographic area with good ultrasound transmission, permeability, and/or magnetic property. The activated set of transmit ultrasonic transducers may be utilized to beam ultrasound energy to the specific geographic area. The electronic device may be moved or sent into the specific geographic area for ultrasound battery charging. The ultrasound power transmitter may pair the electronic device with other electronic devices utilizing ultrasonic signals. In this regard, device pairing information such as device identity identifiers and/or communication protocols may be embedded into the ultrasonic signals. The ultrasound power transmitter may emit the resulting ultrasonic signals to the electronic devices utilizing different sets of Tx ultrasonic transducers activated based on corresponding proximity of the electronic devices. A spacer with good ultrasound power transmission properties may be located or placed between the ultrasound power transmitter and an intended electronic device to enhance power transmission.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system that is operable to wirelessly charge electrical batteries utilizing ultrasound, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a communication system100. The communication system100comprises a battery charging station110, a battery adapter120and a plurality of electronic devices130, of which electronic devices130athrough130gare illustrated.

The battery charging station110may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to produce emissions in the ultrasonic range. In this regard, the battery charging station110may be operable to convert electric power from electrical sources such as an electrical wall outlet into inaudible ultrasound energy. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery charging station110may be operable to emit or transmit the ultrasound energy to intended objects such as the electronic devices130a-130gso as to wirelessly charge electrical batteries utilized by the electronic devices130a-130g.

The battery charging station110may be operable to select which electronic device to power up and communicate with. The electronic devices130a-130gmay be identified through various device identification information such as media access control address (MAC ID), network IP address, name, serial number, product name and manufacturer, and/or capabilities. The battery charging station110may acquire the device IDs from the electronic devices130a-130gso as to prioritize charging. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electronic device may function as a battery charging station. For example, in some instances, an electronic device may comprise power receivers and power transmitters. The battery charging station110may charge such an electronic device and the electronic device may then charge another electronic device that needs to be charged. The battery charging station110may comprise a credit card reader so that users of the electronic devices130a-130gmay not only charge their devices but also make payment transactions. For example, phones with near field communication (NFC) capabilities may not only be charged but they may also be used for contactless payment. In this regard, the users may place the phones near the battery charging station110in order to transmit payment information to a secured server on the Internet. Alternatively, the battery charging station110may receive credit card information through chips embedded in the credit cards, for example. The battery charging station110may be built-in to conference room tables, office tables or lightweight pads so that meeting participants may wirelessly charge their devices, connect to each other or to the Intranet/Internet, transmit/receive information, and/or make payment transactions.

The battery adapter120may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to sense or detect ultrasonic signals emitted from the battery charging station110. The battery adapter120may be operable to convert ultrasound energy corresponding to the received ultrasonic signals back into electrical power to charge electrical batteries of the electronic devices130a-130g.

The electronic devices130athrough130gmay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to utilize electrical battery energy to conduct communications for desired services. The electronic devices130a-130gmay be wirelessly charged without using cables or AC adapters. In this regard, batteries of the electronic devices130a-130gmay be wirelessly charged utilizing ultrasound energy emitted from the battery charging station110.

Although a single stand-alone battery adapter is illustrated inFIG. 1for wirelessly charge electrical batteries utilizing ultrasound, the invention may not be so limited. Accordingly, each electronic devices may have its own battery adapter, or the battery charging station may have multiple battery adapters utilized to wirelessly charge one or more electronic devices without departing from the spirit and scope of various embodiments of the invention.

In an exemplary operation, the battery charging station110may receive or capture electric power and convert the electric power into inaudible ultrasound energy. The battery charging station110may be operable to beam the ultrasound energy to the battery adapter120. The battery adapter120may sense or receive the ultrasound energy wirelessly emitted from the battery charging station110. The battery adapter120may convert the received ultrasound energy back into electric power. The battery adapter120may utilize the electric power to charge batteries of the electronic devices130a-130g.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an exemplary scenario for wireless ultrasound battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown an ultrasound power transmitter210and an electronic device220.

The ultrasound power transmitter210may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to convert electric power into inaudible ultrasound energy. The ultrasound power transmitter210comprises a plurality of sensors212, communicators214a, a networking unit214b, a power source214c, a processor216, a beam former circuitry217, a ultrasonic transducer array218, and a memory219.

The sensors212may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to sense power or signals. The sensors212may capture and receive sensed signals and communicate with the processor216so that the processor216may use that information for optimal charging or may transmit the sensed signals over the communicators214aand/or the networking unit214b, for example. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensors212may sense the location of the battery adapter120of an electronic device such as the electronic device130a. The sensors212may provide that location information to the processor216so that an optimal subset of transducer elements of the ultrasonic transducer array218, for example, those transducer elements that are close to the receive transducers222a, may be activated.

The communicators214amay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to communicate signals at appropriate frequency bands such as a radio frequency band. In this regard, the communicators214amay be operable to capture and receive electric power by communicating radio frequency (RF) signals, mm-wave (mmW) signals, and/or ultrasonic signals with appropriate networks.

The networking unit214bmay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to communicate ultrasound power with electronic devices to propagate the ultrasound power for wirelessly battery charging.

The power source214cmay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide power to the processor216for the ultrasonic transducer array218. For example, the power source214cmay supply or generate electrical impulses such that the ultrasonic transducer array218may rapidly create ultrasound beams for transmission.

The processor216may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to manage, coordinate and/or control operations of associated device component units such as, for example, the communicators214aand the networking unit214b, depending on usages. For example, the processor216may be operable to activate or deactivate the networking unit214bon an as needed basis in order to save power. Depending on device capabilities and user preferences, the processor216may be operable to determine or select which electronic devices such as the electronic devices130a-130bwithin a geographic area of interest are to be wirelessly charged. The processor216may coordinate with the beam former circuitry217such that the ultrasonic transducer elements218a-218nof the ultrasonic transducer array218in the proximity of the selected electronic devices may be activated to transmit ultrasound power. In this regard, the processor216may arrange the activated ultrasonic transducer elements of the ultrasonic transducer array218with appropriate time delays or phase delays so that the resulting ultrasounds may be combined to maximize ultrasound power transmission. For example, the processor216may be operable to activate the transducer element218kof the ultrasonic transducer array218first and then activate the transducer element218jafter a certain time delay or phase delay. The processor216may manage or control the ultrasonic transducer elements218a-218nto either transmit or receive. In this regard, the processor216may be operable to manage or control the beamformer circuitry217to operate in a transmit mode or a receive mode, accordingly. For example, the processor216may utilize a multiplexer to switch the beamformer circuitry217between the transmit mode and the receive mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the processor216may be operable to concentrate ultrasound beams to a geographic area identified with good ultrasound transmission, permeability, and/or magnetic property. In this regard, the processor216may signal an electronic device such as the electronic device130bthat needs to be charged to move to the identified geographic area for wireless battery charging. Furthermore, the ultrasound power transmitter210may comprise one or more alignment magnets211a-211dthat may be used to align the receive power transducers222aof the electronic device220with the transmit transducer array218of the ultrasound power transmitter210. For example, the ultrasound power receiver222may also comprise alignment magnets221a-221dthat may be used to align with the alignment magnets211a-211dof the ultrasound power transmitter210. The processor216may be operable to instruct the beam former circuitry217to adjust ultrasound beams accordingly for the wireless battery charging within the identified geographic area. In an embodiment of the invention, the processor216may be operable to utilize ultrasonic signals to enable various Near Field Communication (NFC) applications such as wireless device pairing. Device pairing is a promising technique to generate a common secret between two devices that shared no prior secrets with minimum or without additional hardware. In this regard, the processor216may insert or embed device pairing information corresponding to intended electronic devices such as the electronic devices130band130finto ultrasonic signals to be communicated or emitted. The device pairing information may comprise desired applications, device identity identifiers, supported communication protocols, and/or candidates of communication network. Device identity identifiers may comprise various device addresses such as Bluetooth address, MAC address, and/or link keys. The processor216may utilize the ultrasonic transducer array218to beam or emit the ultrasonic signals with the embedded device pairing information to wirelessly pair the electronic devices130band130f. In this regard, the ultrasound power transmitter210may operate as a network router to maintain and secure communication among associated electronic devices.

The beam former circuitry217may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to steer and focus ultrasound beams to objects of interest. In this regard, the beam former circuitry217may be operable to drive or activate a set of the ultrasonic transducers218a-218nutilizing properly time-delayed electrical impulses. The activated set of the ultrasonic transducers218a-218nmay be utilized to produce ultrasonic beams to be steered and focused on the objects. The process of steering and focusing sound beams in an ultrasound system is commonly referred to as phased array beamforming or beamforming.

The beamformer circuitry217may comprise various device components such as Digital to Analog Control (DAC), Analog to Digital Control (ADC) components, amplifiers, and/or gain control. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the ultrasonic transducer elements218a-218nof the ultrasonic transducer array218may be operable to transmit and receive depending on configuration. In such instances, the beamformer circuitry217may be arranged or configured by the processor216to operate in a transmit mode or a receive mode, accordingly. For example, a multiplexer may be utilized by the processor216to manage the switching of the beamformer circuitry217between the transmit mode and the receive mode. In another example, a high voltage pulsar coupled to the beamformer circuitry217may be utilized to provide a high energy voltage pulse so as to activate a ultrasonic transducer element such as the ultrasonic transducer elements218a. In this regard, the beamformer circuitry217may be operable to manage or control the transmit or receive operation of the ultrasonic transducer array218when each of the ultrasonic transducer elements218a-218nis activated via a high voltage pulse.

The ultrasonic transducer array218may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide or produce ultrasound waves. In this regard, the ultrasonic transducer array218may be operable to transform electrical signals to ultrasonic waves or signals. The ultrasonic transducer array218may be arranged to emit or focus the ultrasonic signals to an object. The ultrasonic transducer array218may comprise a plurality of ultrasonic transducer218a-218n. The ultrasonic transducers218a-218nmay be made of piezoelectric crystals, crystals with some unique properties which make them ideal for ultrasound applications. In this regard, the piezoelectric crystals may be excited by predetermined time-delayed signals to generate structural interference patterns. For example, the shape of the piezoelectric crystals may be deformed by an electrical charge. As the piezoelectric crystals change shape, they may emit sound waves. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic transducer elements218a-218nof the ultrasonic transducer array218may be operable to transmit and receive depending on configuration. For example, a high voltage pulsar coupled to the beamformer circuitry217may be utilized to provide a high energy voltage pulse in order to activate a ultrasonic transducer element such as the ultrasonic transducer elements218a. In this regard, the transmit or receive operation of the ultrasonic transducer array218may be managed or controlled through the beamformer circuitry217when each of the ultrasonic transducer elements218a-218nis activated via a high voltage pulse, for example.

The memory219may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to store information such as executable instructions and data that may be utilized by the processor216and/or other associated component units such as, for example, the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218and the beam former circuitry217. The memory219may comprise RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

The electronic device220may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to conduct communications utilizing battery energy. In this regard, the electronic device220may be wirelessly charged utilizing ultrasound energy emitted from the ultrasound power transmitter210. The electronic device220comprises an ultrasound power receiver222, a battery charger224, a battery226, electronic device circuitry228, and a plurality of data communicators229.

The ultrasound power receiver222may comprise a plurality of transducers222aand a power combiner222b. The ultrasound power receiver222may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive and decode ultrasound signals for use as sound. The ultrasound power receiver222may be fitted on the electronic device220, for example, in the shape of associated mating materials such as pad and back cover of the electronic device220. In an embodiment of the invention, a cavity may be created in the associated mating materials of the electronic device220. Highly conductive material may be added into the created cavity. In this regard, various liquids such as gel, or sensors may be placed in the mating materials of the electronic device220to enhance power transfer. The ultrasound power receiver222comprises a plurality of receiver (Rx) ultrasonic transducers222aand a power combiner222b.

The Rx ultrasonic transducers222amay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to detect or sense ultrasound waves. In this regard, the Rx ultrasonic transducers222amay be operable to receive ultrasonic signals emitted from the ultrasonic transducer array218. The ultrasonic transducers222amay communicate the received ultrasonic signals to the power combiner222b. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ultrasound power receiver222may comprise one or more alignment magnets221a-221dthat may be used to align with the alignment magnets211a-211dof the ultrasound power transmitter210to increase transmission efficiency from the ultrasound power transmitter210to the ultrasound power receiver222. The power combiner222bmay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to couple or combine ultrasonic signals received via the Rx ultrasonic transducers222a. The power combiner222bmay feed or provide the combined ultrasonic signals to the battery charger224.

The battery charger224may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to convert the ultrasound energy supplied from the power combiner222bback into electric power so as to charge the battery226for the electronic device220. For example, the battery charger224may take or capture ultrasonic signals and convert the captured ultrasonic signals to a stable dc voltage to charge the battery226.

The battery226may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to read or receive electric current flowing into the battery226. The ultrasound power transmitter210may wirelessly charge the battery226without using cables or plugging in the electronic device220.

The electronic device circuitry228may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to handle various applications supported by the electronic device220. For example, with the electronic device220operating as a cellular telephone, the electronic device circuitry228may be configured to handle or place cellular telephone calls through appropriate communicators such as a CDMA radio. In an embodiment of the invention, the device circuitry228may be operable to utilize ultrasonic signals emitted from the ultrasound power receiver222to support various NFC applications such as wireless device pairing. In this regard, the device circuitry228may enable the electronic device220to be wirelessly paired to other one or more electronic devices such as a Bluetooth headset utilizing ultrasound signals without utilizing coils.

The data communicators229may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to transmit and/or receive signals for data communication at appropriate frequency bands such as a cellular radio frequency band and a Bluetooth radio band. In this regard, the data communicators229may be incorporated with a RF communicator229a, a magnetic coupling communicator229b, a mmW RF communicator229c, and an ultrasound communicator229dto communicate RF signals, magnetic signals, mmW RF signals and/or ultrasonic signals, respectively.

In an exemplary operation, the ultrasound power transmitter210may capture or receive electric power via the communicators214afrom electrical power sources. The power source214cmay supply or generate electrical impulses so as to rapidly create ultrasound beams for ultrasound power transmission. In this regard, the beam former circuitry217may be operable to utilize the generated electrical impulses to activate one or more ultrasonic transducers218a-218n. The activated ultrasonic transducers218a-218nmay steer and focus ultrasound beams on the ultrasound power receiver222. The ultrasound power receiver222, which may be fitted in the mating material of the electronic device220, may utilize the Rx ultrasonic transducers222ato detect and receive ultrasound signals emitted from the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218. The received ultrasound signals may be combined and fed to the battery charger224. The battery charger224may convert the ultrasound energy supplied from the power combiner222bback into electric power to charge the battery226. The battery226may output electric power to the electronic device circuitry228and the data communicators229to support desired applications running on the electronic device220.

FIG. 3is a diagram that conceptually illustrates placement of an optional spacer with good ultrasound power transmission properties, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, a spacer310may be placed between the Tx ultrasonic transducer array322in the ultrasound power transmitter320, and the Rx ultrasonic transducer332in the electronic device330. In this regard, the spacer310with good ultrasound power transmission properties may be housed or placed inside the ultrasound power transmitter320, the electronic device330, or may be placed between the ultrasound power transmitter320and the electronic device330, as shown inFIGS. 3(a), (b), and (c), respectively. The spacer310may be a small-volume spacer that may be compact enough for anyone on the move. The spacer310may be composed of flexible low attenuation liquids such as sonolucent gel.

FIG. 4is a diagram that conceptually illustrates proximity based ultrasound transmit beamforming for wireless battery charging, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown the Tx ultrasonic transducer array412in the ultrasound power transmitter410may be utilized to emit or provide ultrasonic signals so as to wirelessly power or charge different electronic devices422,424and426. In an embodiment of the invention, different subsets of Tx ultrasonic transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array412may be activated based on corresponding proximity to Rx ultrasonic transducers of the different electronic devices that are being charged. For example, as shown, the electronic device422comprises a Rx transducer423and is placed in close vicinity of Tx transducers412aand412bof the Tx ultrasonic transducer array412. The electronic device424comprises Rx transducers425and is in the vicinity of Tx transducers412eand412fof the Tx ultrasonic transducer array412. The electronic device426comprises Rx transducers427and is in the vicinity of Tx transducers412i,412j, and412kof the Tx ultrasonic transducer array412. In this regard, the ultrasound power transmitter410may activate corresponding Tx transducers close to the electronic devices422through426, respectively. The ultrasound power transmitter410may arrange the activated transducers412aand412b, the activated transducers412eand412f, and the activated transducers412i,412j,412k, to transmit ultrasound power, accordingly. In another embodiment of the invention, the ultrasound power receiver222may be operable to provide feedback to the ultrasound power transmitter210in order to optimize power transmission from the ultrasound power transmitter210to the ultrasound power receiver222. In particular, the power combiner222bmay combine and sum the received power from the Rx transducers222a. The resulting sum may then be transmitted back to the ultrasound power transmitter210. The feedback may occur over the ultrasound channel between the ultrasonic transducer array218and the ultrasonic power receiver222. The feedback may also occur over other communication channels such as, for example, Bluetooth channels, WLAN channels, cellular channels, and/or WiMAX channels, between data communicators229and214a. The ultrasound power transmitter210may then change the set of activated transducer elements of the ultrasonic transducer array218to increase the power received at the power combiner222b.

FIG. 5is a diagram that conceptually illustrates ultrasonic transducer array geometries utilized for wireless battery charging, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, various ultrasonic transducer array geometries may be utilized by the ultrasound power transmitter410to emit or transmit ultrasonic signals wirelessly to power electronic devices422,424and426. A rectangular array, a ring array, and a circular array, which may be utilized for the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218, are presented inFIGS. 5(a), (b), (c), respectively.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by an ultrasound battery charging station to perform proximity based ultrasound battery charging, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 6, in step602, an ultrasound charging station such as the ultrasound power transmitter210comprises the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218. The exemplary steps start with step604, where the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may receive electric power from electronic power sources such as an electrical wall outlet. In step608, the processor216of the ultrasound power transmitter210may be operable to activate a set of transmit transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218in the proximity of receive transducers222afor the electronic device220. In step610, the beam former circuitry217may form beams to beam or emit the ultrasound energy corresponding to the received electric power utilizing the activated transmit transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218to the receive transducers222afor the electronic device220. In step612, the electronic device220may detect or sense ultrasonic signals emitted from the ultrasound power transmitter210through the receive transducers222a. In step614, the battery charger224of the electronic device220may convert ultrasound energy corresponding to the detected ultrasonic signals back into electric power. In step616, the battery charger224may charge the electrical battery226utilizing the electric power. The exemplary steps end in step618.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by an ultrasound charge station to wirelessly charge batteries for electronic devices within a selected geographic area, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7, in step702, an ultrasound charging station such as the ultrasound power transmitter210comprises the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218. The exemplary steps start with step704, where the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may receive or capture electric power from electronic power sources such as an electrical wall outlet. In step708, the processor216of the ultrasound power transmitter210may be configured to identify a geographic area with good ultrasound transmission, permeability, and/or magnetic property. In step710, the processor216may be operable to activate a set of transmit transducers, in the proximity of the identified area, of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218. In step712, the beam former circuitry217may form beams to beam or emit the ultrasound energy corresponding to the received electric power utilizing the set of activated transmit transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218to electronic devices such as the electronic device220within the identified geographic area. The exemplary steps end in step714.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by an ultrasound charge station to wirelessly pair electronic devices utilizing ultrasonic signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 8, in step802, an ultrasound charging station such as the ultrasound power transmitter210comprises the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218. The exemplary steps start with step804, where the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may receive electric power from electronic power sources such as an electrical wall outlet. In step808, the processor216of the ultrasound power transmitter210may be operable to activate a first set of transmit transducers such as the Tx transducers412aand412b, in the proximity of the first electronic device such as the electronic device130b, of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218. The processor216of the ultrasound power transmitter210may be operable to activate a second set of transmit transducers such as the Tx transducers412eand412f, in the proximity of the second electronic device such as the electronic device130f, of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218.

In step810, the processor216of the ultrasound power transmitter210may embed device pairing information corresponding to the electronic devices130band130finto the ultrasonic signals. Exemplary device pairing information may comprise desired applications, device identity identifiers, supported communication protocols, and/or candidates of communication network. In step812, the beam former circuitry217may form beams to beam or emit the ultrasonic signals corresponding to the received electric power to pair the electronic devices130band130f. In this regard, the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may be arranged such that the Tx transducers412aand412b, activated for the electronic device130b, may be utilized to beam or emit the ultrasonic signals corresponding to the received electric power to the Rx transducers222aof the electronic device130b. The Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may be arranged such that the Tx transducers412eand412f, activated for the electronic device130f, may be utilize to beam or emit the ultrasonic signals corresponding to the received electric power to the Rx transducers222aof the electronic device130f.

In step814, in instances where the first electronic device130band the second electronic device130fagree to pair each other, the ultrasound power transmitter210may maintain or manage secure communication between the first electronic device130band the second electronic device130f. For example, the ultrasound power transmitter210may operate as a network router to relay or communicate content for the desired applications between the two electronic devices130band130f. In another example, the ultrasound power transmitter210may transmit or emit, periodically or aperiodically, a code such as password or passkey shared by the two electronic devices130band130fto check and ensure that both users still agree to pair with each other.

Aspects of a method and system for wireless battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming are provided. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as described with respect toFIG. 1throughFIG. 8, an ultrasound power transmitter210comprising a transmit ultrasonic transducer array218, which has a plurality of transmit ultrasonic transducers218a-218n. The ultrasound power transmitter210may be operable to activate a set of transmit ultrasonic transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218in close proximity of the ultrasound power receiver222associated with the electronic device220. The activated set of transmit ultrasonic transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may be utilized to beam ultrasound energy to the ultrasound power receiver222. The battery charger224of the electronic device224may convert the ultrasound energy into electric power to charge the battery226of the electronic device220.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ultrasound power transmitter210may be operable to identify a specific geographic area with good ultrasound transmission, permeability, and/or magnetic property, for example. In this regard, the ultrasound power transmitter210may activate a set of transmit ultrasonic transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218in close proximity of the specific geographic area. The activated set of transmit ultrasonic transducers of the Tx ultrasonic transducer array218may be utilized to beam ultrasound energy to the specific geographic area. The electronic device220may be moved into the specific geographic area in order to be charged utilizing the ultrasound energy emitted from the ultrasound power transmitter210. In an embodiment of the invention, the ultrasound power transmitter210may be operable to device pair the electronic device220with one or more different electronic devices such as the electronic devices130a-130gutilizing ultrasonic signals. In this regard, the ultrasound power transmitter210may embed or insert device pairing information such as desired application, device identity identifiers, and/or communication protocols into the ultrasonic signals.

The ultrasound power transmitter210may emit the ultrasonic signals to the electronic device220and the electronic devices130a-130g. Different sets of transmit ultrasonic transducers of the transmit ultrasonic transducer array218may be activated based on corresponding proximity of the electronic devices220and130a-130gto beam the ultrasonic signals, accordingly. The transmit ultrasonic transducer array218may be realized in various array geometries such as a rectangular array, ring array, or circular array, as shown inFIGS. 5(a), (b), (c). As shown inFIG. 3, the spacer310may be located or placed between the ultrasound power transmitter320and the electronic device330to enhance power transmission. In this regard, the spacer310with good ultrasound power transmission properties may be housed or placed inside the ultrasound power transmitter320, the electronic device330, or between the ultrasound power transmitter320and the electronic device330.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device220may provide a feedback to the ultrasound power transmitter210in order to increase power transmission efficiency and optimize power transmission from the ultrasound power transmitter210to the ultrasound power receiver222. The feedback may occur over ultrasound channels between the ultrasonic transducer array218and the ultrasonic power receiver222. The feedbacks may also occur over other communication channels such as, for example, Bluetooth channels, WLAN channels, cellular channels, and/or WiMAX channels, between data communicators229and214a. The ultrasound beaming emitted from the ultrasound power transmitter210to the electronic device220may be managed by aligning one or more alignment magnets of the ultrasound power transmitter210with one or more alignment magnets of the electronic device220.