Methodology for multiple pocket-forming

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth® technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks and other electronic devices have become an everyday need in the way we communicate and interact with others. The frequent use of these devices may require a significant amount of power, which may easily deplete the batteries attached to these devices. Therefore, a user is frequently needed to plug in the device to a power source, and recharge such device. This may require having to charge electronic equipment at least once a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day.

Such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. For example, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronic equipment is lacking power. In addition, users have to find available power sources to connect to. Lastly, users must plugin to a wall or other power supply to be able to charge his or her electronic device. However, such an activity may render electronic devices inoperable during charging.

Current solutions to this problem may include devices having rechargeable batteries. However, the aforementioned approach requires a user to carry around extra batteries, and also make sure that the extra set of batteries is charged. Solar-powered battery chargers are also known, however, solar cells are expensive, and a large array of solar cells may be required to charge a battery of any significant capacity. Other approaches involve a mat or pad that allows charging of a device without physically connecting a plug of the device to an electrical outlet, by using electromagnetic signals. In this case, the device still requires to be placed in a certain location for a period of time in order to be charged. Assuming a single source power transmission of electro-magnetic (EM) signal, an EM signal power gets reduced by a factor proportional to 1/r2over a distance r, in other words, it is attenuated proportional to the square of the distance. Thus, the received power at a large distance from the EM transmitter is a small fraction of the power transmitted. To increase the power of the received signal, the transmission power would have to be boosted. Assuming that the transmitted signal has an efficient reception at three centimeters from the EM transmitter, receiving the same signal power over a useful distance of three meters would entail boosting the transmitted power by 10,000 times. Such power transmission is wasteful, as most of the energy would be transmitted and not received by the intended devices, it could be hazardous to living tissue, it would most likely interfere with most electronic devices in the immediate vicinity, and it may be dissipated as heat.

In yet another approach such as directional power transmission, it would generally require knowing the location of the device to be able to point the signal in the right direction to enhance the power transmission efficiency. However, even when the device is located, efficient transmission is not guaranteed due to reflections and interference of objects in the path or vicinity of the receiving device. In addition, in many use cases the device is not stationary, which is an added difficulty.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a wireless power transmission system where electronic devices may be powered without requiring extra chargers or plugs, and where the mobility and portability of electronic devices may not be compromised. Therefore, a wireless power transmission method solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

In one embodiment, a method for multiple pocket-forming in wireless power transmission, the method comprises establishing, by a transmitter, a first communication connection associating the transmitter with a first receiver in response to the transmitter receiving a first communication signal from the first receiver; transmitting, by the transmitter, one or more power transmission waves in a direction of the first receiver based on the first communication signal received from the first receiver; adjusting, by the transmitter, a phase of the power transmission waves and a gain of the one or more power transmission waves to converge at a location with respect to the receiver in accordance with the first communication signal received from the first receiver, thereby forming a pocket of energy at the location that the one or more power transmission waves converge; responsive to the transmitter receiving a second communication signal from a second receiver: establishing, by the transmitter, a second communication connection associating the transmitter with the second receiver; and identifying, by the transmitter, a second subset of one or more antennas from an array of antennas of the transmitter, wherein the second subset is associated with the second receiver, and wherein a first subset of one or more antennas is associated with the first receiver; and transmitting, by the transmitter, one or more power transmission waves in the direction of the second receiver based on the second signal received from the second receiver, wherein the second subset of antennas transmits the one or more power transmission waves to the second receiver.

In another embodiment, a system for multiple pocket-forming in wireless power transmission, the system comprises a transmitter comprising: a first communication component configured to establish one or more communication connections with one or more receivers respectively in response to receiving an advertisement signal from a respective receiver, the first communication component further configured to transmit and receive at a given interval one or more communications signals with each respective receiver over each respective communication connection; an integrated circuit configured to generate power transmission waves based on data derived from each respective communication signal, and to modify the power transmission waves in accordance with each respective communication signal to form a pocket of energy at a location associated with the respective receiver; and a plurality of antennas configured to transmit the one or more power transmission waves to a respective receiver, wherein a first subset of the plurality of antennas transmits to a first receiver of one or more receivers, and wherein one or more subsets of antennas are respectively assigned to transmit to each of the one or more receivers; and a receiver comprising: a communication component configured to transmit the advertisement signal identifying the receiver, and to transmit and receive communications signals with the transmitter over the communication channel, wherein the communication signal of the receiver indicates the amount of power derived from the pocket of energy; a plurality of antennas configured to receive the one or more power transmission waves from the transmitter, wherein the power transmission waves are derived from the pocket of energy formed at the location associated with the receiver; power circuitry, in response to the antennas deriving the power transmission waves from the pocket of energy, configured to convert the power transmission waves of the pocket of energy into a electrical energy and providing the electrical energy to a electronic device associated with the receiver; and a processor configured to determine the amount of energy derived from the pocket of energy and instruct the communication component to transmit the communication signal indicating the amount of energy to the transmitter.

In another embodiment, a system for multiple pocket-forming in wireless power transmission, the system comprises a transmitter comprising: at least two antennas configured to transmit power transmission waves converging in constructive interference patterns to form one or more pockets of energy; communication circuitry configured to generate the power transmission waves and one or more communications signals containing data associated with the power transmission waves; and a first micro-controller configured to control the constructive interference patterns of the power transmission waves to form the one or more pockets of energy at one or more locations associated with one or more receivers, and to control the communication circuitry, wherein an integrated chip associated with the micro-controller is configured to adjust a phase and a magnitude of the power transmission waves to form the pockets of energy at each respective location; and an electronic device comprising a receiver integrated in the electronic device comprising: at least one antenna configured to derive energy from a pocket of energy at a location of the receiver; and a micro-controller configured to generate one or more communication signals indicating the energy requirements of the electronic device to the transmitter.

In another embodiment, a method of forming pockets of energy, the method comprises capturing, by a transmitter, a first signal of one or more communications signals from a first receiver device; establishing, by the transmitter, a first communication connection hosting communication signals between the transmitter and the first receiver; assigning, by the transmitter, a first subset of one or more antennas of the transmitter to transmit one or more power transmission waves to the first receiver device; at a predetermined interval: ceasing, by the transmitter, processing of the communications signals arriving over the first communication connection at a predetermined interval; capturing, by the transmitter, a second signal of one or more communications signals from a second receiver; establishing, by the transmitter, a second communication connection hosting communication signals between the transmitter and the second receiver; and assigning, by the transmitter, a second subset of antennas of the transmitter to transmit one or more power transmission waves to the second receiver device.

Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. Furthermore, the various components and embodiments described herein may be combined to form additional embodiments not expressly described, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I. Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

A. Components System Embodiment

FIG. 1shows a system100for wireless power transmission by forming pockets of energy104. The system100may comprise transmitters101, receivers103, client devices105, and pocket detectors107. Transmitters101may transmit power transmission signals comprising power transmission waves, which may be captured by receivers103. The receivers103may comprise antennas, antenna elements, and other circuitry (detailed later), which may convert the captured waves into a useable source of electrical energy on behalf of client devices105associated with the receivers103. In some embodiments, transmitters101may transmit power transmission signals, made up of power transmission waves, in one or more trajectories by manipulating the phase, gain, and/or other waveform features of the power transmission waves, and/or by selecting different transmit antennas. In such embodiments, the transmitters101may manipulate the trajectories of the power transmission signals so that the underlying power transmission waves converge at a location in space, resulting in certain forms of interference. One type of interference generated at the convergence of the power transmission waves, “constructive interference,” may be a field of energy caused by the convergence of the power transmission waves such that they add together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location—in contrast to adding together in a way to subtract from each other and diminish the energy concentrated at that location, which is called “destructive interference”. The accumulation of sufficient energy at the constructive interference may establish a field of energy, or “pocket of energy”104, which may be harvested by the antennas of a receiver103, provided the antennas are configured to operate on the frequency of the power transmission signals. Accordingly, the power transmission waves establish pockets of energy104at the location in space where the receivers103may receive, harvest, and convert the power transmission waves into useable electrical energy, which may power or charge associated electrical client devices105. Detectors107may be devices comprising a receiver103that are capable of producing a notification or alert in response to receiving power transmission signals. As an example, a user searching for the optimal placement of a receiver103to charge the user's client device105may use a detector107that comprises an LED light108, which may brighten when the detector107captures the power transmission signals from a single beam or a pocket of energy104.

The transmitter101may transmit or broadcast power transmission signals to a receiver103associated with a device105. Although several of the embodiments mentioned below describe the power transmission signals as radio frequency (RF) waves, it should be appreciated that the power transmission may be physical media that is capable of being propagated through space, and that is capable of being converted into a source of electrical energy103. The transmitter101may transmit the power transmission signals as a single beam directed at the receivers103. In some cases, one or more transmitters101may transmit a plurality of power transmission signals that are propagated in a multiple directions and may deflect off of physical obstructions (e.g., walls). The plurality of power transmission signals may converge at a location in a three-dimensional space, forming a pocket of energy104. Receivers103within the boundaries of an energy pocket104may capture and covert the power transmission signals into a useable source of energy. The transmitter101may control pocket-forming based on phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments of power transmission signals, to form constructive interference patterns.

Although the exemplary embodiment recites the use of RF wave transmission techniques, the wireless charging techniques should not be limited to RF wave transmission techniques. Rather, it should be appreciated that possible wireless charging techniques may include any number of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power. Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can be converted by a receiving device into electrical power may include: ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be disposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasound waves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductive magnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil and converted by a receiver coil into electrical power. In addition, although the exemplary transmitter101is shown as a single unit comprising potentially multiple transmitters (transmit array), both for RF transmission of power and for other power transmission methods mentioned in this paragraph, the transmit arrays can comprise multiple transmitters that are physically spread around a room rather than being in a compact regular structure.

The transmitter includes an antenna array where the antennas are used for sending the power transmission signal. Each antenna sends power transmission waves where the transmitter applies a different phase and amplitude to the signal transmitted from different antennas. Similar to the formation of pockets of energy, the transmitter can form a phased array of delayed versions of the signal to be transmitted, then applies different amplitudes to the delayed versions of the signal, and then sends the signals from appropriate antennas. For a sinusoidal waveform, such as an RF signal, ultrasound, microwave, or others, delaying the signal is similar to applying a phase shift to the signal.

2. Pockets of Energy

A pocket of energy104may be formed at locations of constructive interference patterns of power transmission signals transmitted by the transmitter101. The pockets of energy104may manifest as a three-dimensional field where energy may be harvested by receivers103located within the pocket of energy104. The pocket of energy104produced by transmitters101during pocket-forming may be harvested by a receiver103, converted to an electrical charge, and then provided to electronic client device105associated with the receiver103(e.g., laptop computer, smartphone, rechargeable battery). In some embodiments, there may be multiple transmitters101and/or multiple receivers103powering various client devices105. In some embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may adjust transmission of the power transmission signals in order to regulate power levels and/or identify movement of the devices105.

A receiver103may be used for powering or charging an associated client device105, which may be an electrical device coupled to or integrated with the receiver103. The receiver103may receive power transmission waves from one or more power transmission signals originating from one or more transmitters101. The receiver103may receive the power transmission signals as a single beam produced by the transmitter101, or the receiver103may harvest power transmission waves from a pocket of energy104, which may be a three-dimensional field in space resulting from the convergence of a plurality of power transmission waves produced by one or more transmitters101. The receiver103may comprise an array of antennas112configured to receive power transmission waves from a power transmission signal and harvest the energy from the power transmission signals of the single beam or pocket of energy104. The receiver103may comprise circuitry that then converts the energy of the power transmission signals (e.g., the radio frequency electromagnetic radiation) to electrical energy. A rectifier of the receiver103may translate the electrical energy from AC to DC. Other types of conditioning may be applied, as well. For example, a voltage conditioning circuit may increase or decrease the voltage of the electrical energy as required by the client device105. An electrical relay may then convey the electrical energy from the receiver103to the client device105.

In some embodiments, the receiver103may comprise a communications component that transmits control signals to the transmitter101in order to exchange data in real-time or near real-time. The control signals may contain status information about the client device105, the receiver103, or the power transmission signals. Status information may include, for example, present location information of the device105, amount of charge received, amount of charged used, and user account information, among other types of information. Further, in some applications, the receiver103including the rectifier that it contains may be integrated into the client device105. For practical purposes, the receiver103, wire111, and client device105may be a single unit contained in a single packaging.

4. Control Signals

In some embodiments, control signals may serve as data inputs used by the various antenna elements responsible for controlling production of power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming. Control signals may be produced by the receiver103or the transmitter101using an external power supply (not shown) and a local oscillator chip (not shown), which in some cases may include using a piezoelectric material. Control signals may be RF waves or any other communication medium or protocol capable of communicating data between processors, such as Bluetooth®, RFID, infrared, near-field communication (NFC). As detailed later, control signals may be used to convey information between the transmitter101and the receiver103used to adjust the power transmission signals, as well as contain information related to status, efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geo-location, and other types of information.

A detector107may comprise hardware similar to receivers103, which may allow the detector107to receive power transmission signals originating from one or more transmitters101. The detector107may be used by users to identify the location of pockets of energy104, so that users may determine the preferable placement of a receiver103. In some embodiments, the detector107may comprise an indicator light108that indicates when the detector is placed within the pocket of energy104. As an example, inFIG. 1, detectors107a,107bare located within the pocket of energy104generated by the transmitter101, which may trigger the detectors107a,107bto turn on their respective indicator lights108a,108b, because the detectors107a,107bare receiving power transmission signals of the pocket of energy104; whereas, the indicator light108cof a third detector107clocated outside of the pockets of energy104, is turned off, because the third detector107cis not receiving the power transmission signals from the transmitter101. It should be appreciated that the functions of a detector, such as the indicator light, may be integrated into a receiver or into a client device in alternative embodiments as well.

6. Client Device

A client device105may be any electrical device that requires continuous electrical energy or that requires power from a battery. Non-limiting examples of client devices105may include laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys, batteries, flashlights, lamps, electronic watches, cameras, gaming consoles, appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called “wearables” (e.g., fitness bracelets, pedometers, smartwatch), among other types of electrical devices.

In some embodiments, the client device105amay be a physical device distinct from the receiver103aassociated with the client device105a. In such embodiments, the client device105amay be connected to the receiver over a wire111that conveys converted electrical energy from the receiver103ato the client device105a. In some cases, other types of data may be transported over the wire111, such as power consumption status, power usage metrics, device identifiers, and other types of data.

In some embodiments, the client device105bmay be permanently integrated or detachably coupled to the receiver103b, thereby forming a single integrated product or unit. As an example, the client device105bmay be placed into a sleeve that has embedded receivers103band that may detachably couple to the device's105bpower supply input, which may be typically used to charge the device's105bbattery. In this example, the device105bmay be decoupled from the receiver, but may remain in the sleeve regardless of whether or not the device105brequires an electrical charge or is being used. In another example, in lieu of having a battery that holds a charge for the device105b, the device105bmay comprise an integrated receiver105b, which may be permanently integrated into the device105bso as to form an indistinct product, device, or unit. In this example, the device105bmay rely almost entirely on the integrated receiver103bto produce electrical energy by harvesting pockets of energy104. It should be clear to someone skilled in the art that the connection between the receiver103and the client device105may be a wire111or may be an electrical connection on a circuit board or an integrated circuit, or even a wireless connection, such as inductive or magnetic.

B. Method of Wireless Power Transmission

FIG. 2shows steps of wireless power transmission, according to an exemplary method200embodiment.

In a first step201, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection or otherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments, transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using a wireless communication protocol capable of transmitting information between two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, in embodiments implementing Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, the transmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signals or a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter. The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to the transmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter and the receiver. As described herein, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal may communicate information that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers, other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures. Information contained within the advertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energy received, client device power consumption, and other types of data related to power transmission. The transmitter may use the advertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in a three-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter may establish the connection associated in the transmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate control signals over a second channel.

In a next step203, the transmitter may use the advertisement signal to determine a set of power transmission signal features for transmitting the power transmission signals, to then establish the pockets of energy. Non-limiting examples of features of power transmission signals may include phase, gain, amplitude, magnitude, and direction among others. The transmitter may use information contained in the receiver's advertisement signal, or in subsequent control signals received from the receiver, to determine how to produce and transmit the power transmission signals so that the receiver may receive the power transmission signals. In some cases, the transmitter may transmit power transmission signals in a way that establishes a pocket of energy, from which the receiver may harvest electrical energy. In some embodiments, the transmitter may comprise a processor executing software modules capable of automatically identifying the power transmission signal features needed to establish a pocket of energy based on information received from the receiver, such as the voltage of the electrical energy harvested by the receiver from the power transmission signals. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the functions of the processor and/or the software modules may be implemented in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal or subsequent signal transmitted by the receiver over a second communications channel may indicate one or more power transmission signals features, which the transmitter may then use to produce and transmit power transmission signals to establish a pocket of energy. For example, in some cases the transmitter may automatically identify the phase and gain necessary for transmitting the power transmission signals based on the location of the device and the type of device or receiver; and, in some cases, the receiver may inform the transmitter the phase and gain for effectively transmitting the power transmission signals.

In a next step205, after the transmitter determines the appropriate features to use when transmitting the power transmission signals, the transmitter may begin transmitting power transmission signals, over a separate channel from the control signals. Power transmission signals may be transmitted to establish a pocket of energy. The transmitter's antenna elements may transmit the power transmission signals such that the power transmission signals converge in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space around the receiver. The resulting field around the receiver forms a pocket of energy from which the receiver may harvest electrical energy. One antenna element may be used to transmit power transmission signals to establish two-dimensional energy transmissions; and in some cases, a second or additional antenna element may be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establish a three-dimensional pocket of energy. In some cases, a plurality of antenna elements may be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establish the pocket of energy. Moreover, in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include all of the antennas in the transmitter; and, in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include a number of the antennas in the transmitter, but fewer than all of the antennas of the transmitter.

As previously mentioned, the transmitter may produce and transmit power transmission signals, according to a determined set of power transmission signal features, which may be produced and transmitted using an external power source and a local oscillator chip comprising a piezoelectric material. The transmitter may comprise an RFIC that controls production and transmission of the power transmission signals based on information related to power transmission and pocket-forming received from the receiver. This control data may be communicated over a different channel from the power transmission signals, using wireless communications protocols, such as BLE, NFC, or ZigBee®. The RFIC of the transmitter may automatically adjust the phase and/or relative magnitudes of the power transmission signals as needed. Pocket-forming is accomplished by the transmitter transmitting the power transmission signals in a manner that forms constructive interference patterns.

Antenna elements of the transmitter may use concepts of wave interference to determine certain power transmission signals features (e.g., direction of transmission, phase of power transmission signal wave), when transmitting the power transmission signals during pocket-forming. The antenna elements may also use concepts of constructive interference to generate a pocket of energy, but may also utilize concepts of deconstructive interference to generate a transmission null in a particular physical location.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may provide power to a plurality of receivers using pocket-forming, which may require the transmitter to execute a procedure for multiple pocket-forming. A transmitter comprising a plurality of antenna elements may accomplish multiple pocket-forming by automatically computing the phase and gain of power transmission signal waves, for each antenna element of the transmitter tasked with transmitting power transmission signals the respective receivers. The transmitter may compute the phase and gains independently, because multiple wave paths for each power transmission signal may be generated by the transmitter's antenna elements to transmit the power transmission signals to the respective antenna elements of the receiver.

As an example of the computation of phase/gain adjustments for two antenna elements of the transmitter transmitting two signals, say X and Y where Y is 180 degree phase shifted version of X (Y=−X). At a physical location where the cumulative received waveform is X−Y, a receiver receives X−Y=X+X=2X, whereas at a physical location where the cumulative received waveform is X+Y, a receiver receives X+Y=X−X=0.

In a next step207, the receiver may harvest or otherwise receive electrical energy from power transmission signals of a single beam or a pocket of energy. The receiver may comprise a rectifier and AC/DC converter, which may convert the electrical energy from AC current to DC current, and a rectifier of the receiver may then rectify the electrical energy, resulting in useable electrical energy for a client device associated with the receiver, such as a laptop computer, smartphone, battery, toy, or other electrical device. The receiver may utilize the pocket of energy produced by the transmitter during pocket-forming to charge or otherwise power the electronic device.

In next step209, the receiver may generate control data containing information indicating the effectiveness of the single beam or energy pockets providing the receiver power transmission signals. The receiver may then transmit control signals containing the control data, to the transmitter. The control signals may be transmitted intermittently, depending on whether the transmitter and receiver are communicating synchronously (i.e., the transmitter is expecting to receive control data from the receiver). Additionally, the transmitter may continuously transmit the power transmission signals to the receiver, irrespective of whether the transmitter and receiver are communicating control signals. The control data may contain information related to transmitting power transmission signals and/or establishing effective pockets of energy. Some of the information in the control data may inform the transmitter how to effectively produce and transmit, and in some cases adjust, the features of the power transmission signals. Control signals may be transmitted and received over a second channel, independent from the power transmission signals, using a wireless protocol capable of transmitting control data related to power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming, such as BLE, NFC, Wi-Fi, or the like.

As mentioned, the control data may contain information indicating the effectiveness of the power transmission signals of the single beam or establishing the pocket of energy. The control data may be generated by a processor of the receiver monitoring various aspects of receiver and/or the client device associated with the receiver. The control data may be based on various types of information, such as the voltage of electrical energy received from the power transmission signals, the quality of the power transmission signals reception, the quality of the battery charge or quality of the power reception, and location or motion of the receiver, among other types of information useful for adjusting the power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming.

In some embodiments, a receiver may determine the amount of power being received from power transmission signals transmitted from the transmitter and may then indicate that the transmitter should “split” or segment the power transmission signals into less-powerful power transmission signals. The less-powerful power transmission signals may be bounced off objects or walls nearby the device, thereby reducing the amount of power being transmitted directly from the transmitter to the receiver.

In a next step211, the transmitter may calibrate the antennas transmitting the power transmission signals, so that the antennas transmit power transmission signals having a more effective set of feature (e.g., direction, phase, gain, amplitude). In some embodiments, a processor of the transmitter may automatically determine more effective features for producing and transmitting the power transmission signals based on a control signal received from the receiver. The control signal may contain control data, and may be transmitted by the receiver using any number of wireless communication protocols (e.g., BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee®). The control data may contain information expressly indicating the more effective features for the power transmission waves; or the transmitter may automatically determine the more effective features based on the waveform features of the control signal (e.g., shape, frequency, amplitude). The transmitter may then automatically reconfigure the antennas to transmit recalibrated power transmission signals according to the newly determined more-effective features. For example, the processor of the transmitter may adjust gain and/or phase of the power transmission signals, among other features of power transmission feature, to adjust for a change in location of the receiver, after a user moved the receiver outside of the three-dimensional space where the pocket of energy is established.

C. System Architecture of Power Transmission System

FIG. 3illustrates an architecture300for wireless power transmission using pocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment. “Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more power transmission waves342that converge at a location in three-dimensional space, resulting in constructive interference patterns at that location. A transmitter302may transmit and/or broadcast controlled power transmission waves342(e.g., microwaves, radio waves, ultrasound waves) that may converge in three-dimensional space. These power transmission waves342may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive interference patterns (pocket-forming) in locations where a pocket of energy is intended. It should be understood also that the transmitter can use the same principles to create destructive interference in a location thereby creating a transmission null—a location where transmitted power transmission waves cancel each other out substantially and no significant energy can be collected by a receiver. In typical use cases the aiming of a power transmission signal at the location of the receiver is the objective; and in other cases it may be desirable to specifically avoid power transmission to a particular location; and in other cases it may be desirable to aim power transmission signal at a location while specifically avoiding transmission to a second location at the same time. The transmitter takes the use case into account when calibrating antennas for power transmission.

Antenna elements306of the transmitter302may operate in single array, pair array, quad array, or any other suitable arrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desired application. Pockets of energy may be formed at constructive interference patterns where the power transmission waves342accumulate to form a three-dimensional field of energy, around which one or more corresponding transmission null in a particular physical location may be generated by destructive interference patterns. Transmission null in a particular physical location-may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of power transmission waves342.

A receiver320may then utilize power transmission waves342emitted by the transmitter302to establish a pocket of energy, for charging or powering an electronic device313, thus effectively providing wireless power transmission. Pockets of energy may refer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive interference patterns of power transmission waves342. In other situations there can be multiple transmitters302and/or multiple receivers320for powering various electronic equipment for example smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices. Adaptive pocket-forming may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers.

Receiver320may communicate with transmitter302by generating a short signal through antenna elements324in order to indicate its position with respect to the transmitter302. In some embodiments, receiver320may additionally utilize a network interface card (not shown) or similar computer networking component to communicate through a network340with other devices or components of the system300, such as a cloud computing service that manages several collections of transmitters302. The receiver320may comprise circuitry308for converting the power transmission signals342captured by the antenna elements324, into electrical energy that may be provided to and electric device313and/or a battery of the device315. In some embodiments, the circuitry may provide electrical energy to a battery of receiver335, which may store energy without the electrical device313being communicatively coupled to the receiver320.

Communications components324may enable receiver320to communicate with the transmitter302by transmitting control signals345over a wireless protocol. The wireless protocol can be a proprietary protocol or use a conventional wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee, and the like. Communications component324may then be used to transfer information, such as an identifier for the electronic device313, as well as battery level information, geographic location data, or other information that may be of use for transmitter302in determining when to send power to receiver320, as well as the location to deliver power transmission waves342creating pockets of energy. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power provided to electronic devices313. In such embodiments, the communications components324of the receiver may transmit voltage data indicating the amount of power received at the receiver320, and/or the amount of voltage provided to an electronic device313bor battery315.

Once transmitter302identifies and locates receiver320, a channel or path for the control signals345can be established, through which the transmitter302may know the gain and phases of the control signals345coming from receiver320. Antenna elements306of the transmitter302may start to transmit or broadcast controlled power transmission waves342(e.g., radio frequency waves, ultrasound waves), which may converge in three-dimensional space by using at least two antenna elements306to manipulate the power transmission waves342emitted from the respective antenna element306. These power transmission waves342may be produced by using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. The power transmission waves342may be controlled by transmitter circuitry301, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of power transmission waves342. The phase, gain, amplitude, and other waveform features of the power transmission waves342may serve as inputs for antenna element306to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). In some implementations, a micro-controller310or other circuit of the transmitter302may produce a power transmission signal, which comprises power transmission waves342, and that may be may split into multiple outputs by transmitter circuitry301, depending on the number of antenna elements306connected to the transmitter circuitry301. For example, if four antenna elements306a-dare connected to one transmitter circuit301a, the power transmission signal will be split into four different outputs each output going to an antenna element306to be transmitted as power transmission waves342originating from the respective antenna elements306.

Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the antenna element306where constructive interference generates a pocket of energy and destructive interference generates a transmission null. Receiver320may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device and therefore effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket-forming may be achieved by computing the phase and gain from each antenna306of transmitter302to each receiver320.

D. Components of Systems Forming Pockets of Energy

FIG. 4shows components of an exemplary system400of wireless power transmission using pocket-forming procedures. The system400may comprise one or more transmitters402, one or more receivers420, and one or more client devices446.

Transmitters402may be any device capable of broadcasting wireless power transmission signals, which may be RF waves442, for wireless power transmission, as described herein. Transmitters402may be responsible for performing tasks related to transmitting power transmission signals, which may include pocket-forming, adaptive pocket-forming, and multiple pocket-forming. In some implementations, transmitters402may transmit wireless power transmissions to receivers420in the form of RF waves, which may include any radio signal having any frequency or wavelength. A transmitter402may include one or more antenna elements406, one or more RFICs408, one or more microcontrollers410, one or more communication components412, a power source414, and a housing that may allocate all the requested components for the transmitter402. The various components of transmitters402may comprise, and/or may be manufactured using, meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and the like.

In the exemplary system400, the transmitter402may transmit or otherwise broadcast controlled RF waves442that converge at a location in three-dimensional space, thereby forming a pocket of energy444. These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive or destructive interference patterns (i.e., pocket-forming). Pockets of energy444may be fields formed at constructive interference patterns and may be three-dimensional in shape; whereas transmission null in a particular physical location may be generated at destructive interference patterns. Receivers420may harvest electrical energy from the pockets of energy444produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic client device446(e.g., a laptop computer, a cell phone). In some embodiments, the system400may comprise multiple transmitters402and/or multiple receivers420, for powering various electronic equipment. Non-limiting examples of client devices446may include: smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time. In some embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.

Receivers420may include a housing where at least one antenna element424, one rectifier426, one power converter428, and a communications component430may be included.

Housing of the receiver420can be made of any material capable of facilitating signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.

3. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements424of the receiver420may comprise any type of antenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals in frequency bands used by the transmitter402A. Antenna elements424may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as well as any number of polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. For devices having a well-defined expected orientation (e.g., a two-handed video game controller), there might be a preferred polarization for antennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Types of antennas in antenna elements424of the receiver420, may include patch antennas, which may have heights from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may preferably have polarization that depends upon connectivity, i.e., the polarization may vary depending on from which side the patch is fed. In some embodiments, the type of antenna may be any type of antenna, such as patch antennas, capable of dynamically varying the antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission.

Rectifiers426of the receiver420may include diodes, resistors, inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna elements424to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifiers426may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna elements A24B to minimize losses in electrical energy gathered from power transmission signals. After rectifying AC voltage, the resulting DC voltage may be regulated using power converters428. Power converters428can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this exemplary system400, to a battery. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter may include electronic switched mode DC-DC converters, which can provide high efficiency. In such embodiments, the receiver420may comprise a capacitor (not shown) that is situated to receive the electrical energy before power converters428. The capacitor may ensure sufficient current is provided to an electronic switching device (e.g., switch mode DC-DC converter), so it may operate effectively. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone or laptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimum voltage needed to activate operation of an electronic switched mode DC-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor (not shown) may be added at the output of receivers420to provide the extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided. For example, 1/80 of the total initial power that may be used while having the phone or laptop still build-up charge.

5. Communications Component

A communications component430of a receiver420may communicate with one or more other devices of the system400, such as other receivers420, client devices, and/or transmitters402. Different antenna, rectifier or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver as will be explained in following embodiments.

E. Methods of Pocket Forming for a Plurality of Devices

FIG. 5shows steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In a first step501, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection or otherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments, transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using a wireless communication protocol capable of transmitting information between two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, in embodiments implement Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, the transmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signals or a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter. The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to the transmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter and the receiver. As described later, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal may communicate information that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers, other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures. Information contained within the advertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energy received, client device power consumption, and other types of data related to power transmission waves. The transmitter may use the advertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in a three-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter may establish the connection associated in the transmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate control signals over a second channel.

As an example, when a receiver comprising a Bluetooth® processor is powered-up or is brought within a detection range of the transmitter, the Bluetooth processor may begin advertising the receiver according to Bluetooth® standards. The transmitter may recognize the advertisement and begin establishing connection for communicating control signals and power transmission signals. In some embodiments, the advertisement signal may contain unique identifiers so that the transmitter may distinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all the other Bluetooth® devices nearby within range.

In a next step503, when the transmitter detects the advertisement signal, the transmitter may automatically form a communication connection with that receiver, which may allow the transmitter and receiver to communicate control signals and power transmission signals. The transmitter may then command that receiver to begin transmitting real-time sample data or control data. The transmitter may also begin transmitting power transmission signals from antennas of the transmitter's antenna array.

In a next step505, the receiver may then measure the voltage, among other metrics related to effectiveness of the power transmission signals, based on the electrical energy received by the receiver's antennas. The receiver may generate control data containing the measured information, and then transmit control signals containing the control data to the transmitter. For example, the receiver may sample the voltage measurements of received electrical energy, for example, at a rate of 100 times per second. The receiver may transmit the voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter, 100 times a second, in the form of control signals.

In a next step507, the transmitter may execute one or more software modules monitoring the metrics, such as voltage measurements, received from the receiver. Algorithms may vary production and transmission of power transmission signals by the transmitter's antennas, to maximize the effectiveness of the pockets of energy around the receiver. For example, the transmitter may adjust the phase at which the transmitter's antenna transmit the power transmission signals, until that power received by the receiver indicates an effectively established pocket energy around the receiver. When an optimal configuration for the antennas is identified, memory of the transmitter may store the configurations to keep the transmitter broadcasting at that highest level.

In a next step509, algorithms of the transmitter may determine when it is necessary to adjust the power transmission signals and may also vary the configuration of the transmit antennas, in response to determining such adjustments are necessary. For example, the transmitter may determine the power received at a receiver is less than maximal, based on the data received from the receiver. The transmitter may then automatically adjust the phase of the power transmission signals, but may also simultaneously continues to receive and monitor the voltage being reported back from receiver.

In a next step511, after a determined period of time for communicating with a particular receiver, the transmitter may scan and/or automatically detect advertisements from other receivers that may be in range of the transmitter. The transmitters may establish a connection to the second receiver responsive to Bluetooth® advertisements from a second receiver.

In a next step513, after establishing a second communication connection with the second receiver, the transmitter may proceed to adjust one or more antennas in the transmitter's antenna array. In some embodiments, the transmitter may identify a subset of antennas to service the second receiver, thereby parsing the array into subsets of arrays that are associated with a receiver. In some embodiments, the entire antenna array may service a first receiver for a given period of time, and then the entire array may service the second receiver for that period of time.

Manual or automated processes performed by the transmitter may select a subset of arrays to service the second receiver. In this example, the transmitter's array may be split in half, forming two subsets. As a result, half of the antennas may be configured to transmit power transmission signals to the first receiver, and half of the antennas may be configured for the second receiver. In the current step513, the transmitter may apply similar techniques discussed above to configure or optimize the subset of antennas for the second receiver. While selecting a subset of an array for transmitting power transmission signals, the transmitter and second receiver may be communicating control data. As a result, by the time that the transmitter alternates back to communicating with the first receiver and/or scan for new receivers, the transmitter has already received a sufficient amount of sample data to adjust the phases of the waves transmitted by second subset of the transmitter's antenna array, to transmit power transmission waves to the second receiver effectively.

In a next step515, after adjusting the second subset to transmit power transmission signals to the second receiver, the transmitter may alternate back to communicating control data with the first receiver, or scanning for additional receivers. The transmitter may reconfigure the antennas of the first subset, and then alternate between the first and second receivers at a predetermined interval.

In a next step517, the transmitter may continue to alternate between receivers and scanning for new receivers, at a predetermined interval. As each new receiver is detected, the transmitter may establish a connection and begin transmitting power transmission signals, accordingly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver may be electrically connected to a device like a smart phone. The transmitter's processor would scan for any Bluetooth devices. The receiver may begin advertising that it's a Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth chip. Inside the advertisement, there may be unique identifiers so that the transmitter, when it scanned that advertisement, could distinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all the other Bluetooth devices nearby within range. When the transmitter detects that advertisement and notices it is a receiver, then the transmitter may immediately form a communication connection with that receiver and command that receiver to begin sending real time sample data.

The receiver would then measure the voltage at its receiving antennas, send that voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter (e.g., 100 times a second). The transmitter may start to vary the configuration of the transmit antennas by adjusting the phase. As the transmitter adjusts the phase, the transmitter monitors the voltage being sent back from the receiver. In some implementations, the higher the voltage, the more energy may be in the pocket. The antenna phases may be altered until the voltage is at the highest level and there is a maximum pocket of energy around the receiver. The transmitter may keep the antennas at the particular phase so the voltage is at the highest level.

The transmitter may vary each individual antenna, one at a time. For example, if there are 32 antennas in the transmitter, and each antenna has 8 phases, the transmitter may begin with the first antenna and would step the first antenna through all 8 phases. The receiver may then send back the power level for each of the 8 phases of the first antenna. The transmitter may then store the highest phase for the first antenna. The transmitter may repeat this process for the second antenna, and step it through 8 phases. The receiver may again send back the power levels from each phase, and the transmitter may store the highest level. Next the transmitter may repeat the process for the third antenna and continue to repeat the process until all 32 antennas have stepped through the 8 phases. At the end of the process, the transmitter may transmit the maximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect a second receiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with the second receiver. When the transmitter forms the communication with the second receiver, the transmitter may aim the original 32 antennas towards the second receiver and repeat the phase process for each of the 32 antennas aimed at the second receiver. Once the process is completed, the second receiver may getting as much power as possible from the transmitter. The transmitter may communicate with the second receiver for a second, and then alternate back to the first receiver for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a second), and the transmitter may continue to alternate back and forth between the first receiver and the second receiver at the predetermined time intervals.

In yet another implementation, the transmitter may detect a second receiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with the second receiver. First, the transmitter may communicate with the first receiver and re-assign half of the exemplary32the antennas aimed at the first receiver, dedicating only 16 towards the first receiver. The transmitter may then assign the second half of the antennas to the second receiver, dedicating 16 antennas to the second receiver. The transmitter may adjust the phases for the second half of the antennas. Once the 16 antennas have gone through each of the 8 phases, the second receiver may be obtaining the maximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.

F. Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range

FIG. 6AandFIG. 6Bshow an exemplary system600implementing wireless power transmission principles that may be implemented during exemplary pocket-forming processes. A transmitter601comprising a plurality of antennas in an antenna array, may adjust the phase and amplitude, among other possible attributes, of power transmission waves607, being transmitted from antennas of the transmitter601. As shown inFIG. 6A, in the absence of any phase or amplitude adjustment, power transmission waves607amay be transmitted from each of the antennas will arrive at different locations and have different phases. These differences are often due to the different distances from each antenna element of the transmitter601ato a receiver605aor receivers605a, located at the respective locations.

Continuing withFIG. 6A, a receiver605amay receive multiple power transmission signals, each comprising power transmission waves607a, from multiple antenna elements of a transmitter601a; the composite of these power transmission signals may be essentially zero, because in this example, the power transmission waves add together destructively. That is, antenna elements of the transmitter601amay transmit the exact same power transmission signal (i.e., comprising power transmission waves607ahaving the same features, such as phase and amplitude), and as such, when the power transmission waves607aof the respective power transmission signals arrive at the receiver605a, they are offset from each other by 180 degrees. Consequently, the power transmission waves607aof these power transmission signals “cancel” one another. Generally, signals offsetting one another in this way may be referred to as “destructive,” and thus result in “destructive interference.”

In contrast, as shown inFIG. 6B, for so-called “constructive interference,” signals comprising power transmission waves607bthat arrive at the receiver exactly “in phase” with one another, combine to increase the amplitude of the each signal, resulting in a composite that is stronger than each of the constituent signals. In the illustrative example inFIG. 6A, note that the phase of the power transmission waves607ain the transmit signals are the same at the location of transmission, and then eventually add up destructively at the location of the receiver605a. In contrast, inFIG. 6B, the phase of the power transmission waves607bof the transmit signals are adjusted at the location of transmission, such that they arrive at the receiver605bin phase alignment, and consequently they add constructively. In this illustrative example, there will be a resulting pocket of energy located around the receiver605binFIG. 6B; and there will be a transmission null located around receiver inFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7depicts wireless power transmission with selective range700, where a transmitter702may produce pocket-forming for a plurality of receivers associated with electrical devices701. Transmitter702may generate pocket-forming through wireless power transmission with selective range700, which may include one or more wireless charging radii704and one or more radii of a transmission null at a particular physical location706. A plurality of electronic devices701may be charged or powered in wireless charging radii704. Thus, several spots of energy may be created, such spots may be employed for enabling restrictions for powering and charging electronic devices701. As an example, the restrictions may include operating specific electronics in a specific or limited spot, contained within wireless charging radii704. Furthermore, safety restrictions may be implemented by the use of wireless power transmission with selective range700, such safety restrictions may avoid pockets of energy over areas or zones where energy needs to be avoided, such areas may include areas including sensitive equipment to pockets of energy and/or people which do not want pockets of energy over and/or near them. In embodiments such as the one shown inFIG. 7, the transmitter702may comprise antenna elements found on a different plane than the receivers associated with electrical devices701in the served area. For example the receivers of electrical devices701may be in a room where a transmitter702may be mounted on the ceiling. Selective ranges for establishing pockets of energy using power transmission waves, which may be represented as concentric circles by placing an antenna array of the transmitter702on the ceiling or other elevated location, and the transmitter702may emit power transmission waves that will generate ‘cones’ of energy pockets. In some embodiments, the transmitter701may control the radius of each charging radii704, thereby establishing intervals for service area to create pockets of energy that are pointed down to an area at a lower plane, which may adjust the width of the cone through appropriate selection of antenna phase and amplitudes.

FIG. 8depicts wireless power transmission with selective range800, where a transmitter802may produce pocket-forming for a plurality of receivers806. Transmitter802may generate pocket-forming through wireless power transmission with selective range800, which may include one or more wireless charging spots804. A plurality of electronic devices may be charged or powered in wireless charging spots804. Pockets of energy may be generated over a plurality of receivers806regardless the obstacles804surrounding them. Pockets of energy may be generated by creating constructive interference, according to the principles described herein, in wireless charging spots804. Location of pockets of energy may be performed by tacking receivers806and by enabling a plurality of communication protocols by a variety of communication systems such as, Bluetooth® technology, infrared communication, Wi-Fi, FM radio, among others.

G. Exemplary System Embodiment Using Heat Maps

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate a diagram of architecture900A,900B for a wirelessly charging client computing platform, according to an exemplary embodiment. In some implementations, a user may be inside a room and may hold on his hands an electronic device (e.g. a smartphone, tablet). In some implementations, electronic device may be on furniture inside the room. The electronic device may include a receiver920A,920B either embedded to the electronic device or as a separate adapter connected to electronic device. Receivers920A,920B may include all the components described inFIG. 11. A transmitter902A,902B may be hanging on one of the walls of the room right behind user. Transmitters902A,902B may also include all the components described inFIG. 11.

As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receivers920A,920B and transmitters902A,902B, RF waves may not be easily aimed to the receivers920A,920B in a linear direction. However, since the short signals generated from receivers920A,920B may be omni-directional for the type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce over the walls944A,944B until they reach transmitters902A,902B. A hot spot944A,944B may be any item in the room which will reflect the RF waves. For example, a large metal clock on the wall may be used to reflect the RF waves to a user's cell phone.

A micro controller in the transmitter adjusts the transmitted signal from each antenna based on the signal received from the receiver. Adjustment may include forming conjugates of the signal phases received from the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phases taking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. The antenna element may be controlled simultaneously to steer energy in a given direction. The transmitter902A,902B may scan the room, and look for hot spots944A,944B. Once calibration is performed, transmitters902A,902B may focus RF waves in a channel following a path that may be the most efficient paths. Subsequently, RF signals942A,942B may form a pocket of energy on a first electronic device and another pocket of energy in a second electronic device while avoiding obstacles such as user and furniture.

When scanning the service area, the room inFIGS. 9A and 9B, the transmitter902A,902B may employ different methods. As an illustrative example, but without limiting the possible methods that can be used, the transmitter902A,902B may detect the phases and magnitudes of the signal coming from the receiver and use those to form the set of transmit phases and magnitudes, for example by calculating conjugates of them and applying them at transmit. As another illustrative example, the transmitter may apply all possible phases of transmit antennas in subsequent transmissions, one at a time, and detect the strength of the pocket of energy formed by each combination by observing information related to the signal from the receiver920A,920B. Then the transmitter902A,902B repeats this calibration periodically. In some implementations, the transmitter902A,902B does not have to search through all possible phases, and can search through a set of phases that are more likely to result in strong pockets of energy based on prior calibration values. In yet another illustrative example, the transmitter902A,902B may use preset values of transmit phases for the antennas to form pockets of energy directed to different locations in the room. The transmitter may for example scan the physical space in the room from top to bottom and left to right by using preset phase values for antennas in subsequent transmissions. The transmitter902A,902B then detects the phase values that result in the strongest pocket of energy around the receiver920a,920bby observing the signal from the receiver920a,920b. It should be appreciated that there are other possible methods for scanning a service area for heat mapping that may be employed, without deviating from the scope or spirit of the embodiments described herein. The result of a scan, whichever method is used, is a heat-map of the service area (e.g., room, store) from which the transmitter902A,902B may identify the hot spots that indicate the best phase and magnitude values to use for transmit antennas in order to maximize the pocket of energy around the receiver.

The transmitters902A,902B, may use the Bluetooth connection to determine the location of the receivers920A,920B, and may use different non-overlapping parts of the RF band to channel the RF waves to different receivers920A,920B. In some implementations, the transmitters902A,902B, may conduct a scan of the room to determine the location of the receivers920A,920B and forms pockets of energy that are orthogonal to each other, by virtue of non-overlapping RF transmission bands. Using multiple pockets of energy to direct energy to receivers may inherently be safer than some alternative power transmission methods since no single transmission is very strong, while the aggregate power transmission signal received at the receiver is strong.

H. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10Aillustrates wireless power transmission using multiple pocket-forming1000A that may include one transmitter1002A and at least two or more receivers1020A. Receivers1020A may communicate with transmitters1002A, which is further described inFIG. 11. Once transmitter1002A identifies and locates receivers1020A, a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming from receivers1020A. Transmitter1002A may start to transmit controlled RF waves1042A which may converge in three-dimensional space by using a minimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves1042A may be produced using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. RF waves1042A may be controlled by RFIC, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals that may serve as inputs for antenna elements to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the antenna elements where constructive interference generates a pocket of energy1060A and deconstructive interference generates a transmission null. Receivers1020A may then utilize pocket of energy1060A produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example, a laptop computer1062A and a smartphone1052A and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket forming1000A may be achieved by computing the phase and gain from each antenna of transmitter1002A to each receiver1020A. The computation may be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generated by antenna element from transmitter1002A to antenna element from receivers1020A.

I. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10Bis an exemplary illustration of multiple adaptive pocket-forming1000B. In this embodiment, a user may be inside a room and may hold on his hands an electronic device, which in this case may be a tablet1064B. In addition, smartphone1052B may be on furniture inside the room. Tablet1064B and smartphone1052B may each include a receiver either embedded to each electronic device or as a separate adapter connected to tablet1064B and smartphone1052B. Receiver may include all the components described inFIG. 11. A transmitter1002B may be hanging on one of the walls of the room right behind user. Transmitter1002B may also include all the components described inFIG. 11. As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receiver and transmitter1002B, RF waves1042B may not be easily aimed to each receiver in a line of sight fashion. However, since the short signals generated from receivers may be omni-directional for the type of antenna elements used, these signals may bounce over the walls until they find transmitter1002B. Almost instantly, a micro-controller which may reside in transmitter1002B, may recalibrate the transmitted signals, based on the received signals sent by each receiver, by adjusting gain and phases and forming a convergence of the power transmission waves such that they add together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location—in contrast to adding together in a way to subtract from each other and diminish the energy concentrated at that location, which is called “destructive interference” and conjugates of the signal phases received from the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phases taking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. Once calibration is performed, transmitter1002B may focus RF waves following the most efficient paths. Subsequently, a pocket of energy1060B may form on tablet1064B and another pocket of energy1060B in smartphone1052B while taking into account obstacles such as user and furniture. The foregoing property may be beneficial in that wireless power transmission using multiple pocket-forming1000B may inherently be safe as transmission along each pocket of energy is not very strong, and that RF transmissions generally reflect from living tissue and do not penetrate.

Once transmitter1002B identities and locates receiver, a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming from receiver. Transmitter1002B may start to transmit controlled RF waves1042B that may converge in three-dimensional space by using a minimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves1042B may be produced using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. RF waves1042B may be controlled by RFIC that may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals, which may serve as inputs for antenna elements to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the antenna elements where constructive interference generates a pocket of energy and deconstructive interference generates a null in a particular physical location. Receiver may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptop computer and a smartphone and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket-forming1000B may be achieved by computing the phase and gain from each antenna of transmitter to each receiver. The computation may be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generated by antenna elements from transmitter to antenna elements from receiver.

An example of the computation for at least two antenna elements may include determining the phase of the signal from the receiver and applying the conjugate of the receive parameters to the antenna elements for transmission.

In some embodiments, two or more receivers may operate at different frequencies to avoid power losses during wireless power transmission. This may be achieved by including an array of multiple embedded antenna elements in transmitter1002B. In one embodiment, a single frequency may be transmitted by each antenna in the array. In other embodiments some of the antennas in the array may be used to transmit at a different frequency. For example, ½ of the antennas in the array may operate at 2.4 GHz while the other ½ may operate at 5.8 GHz. In another example, ⅓ of the antennas in the array may operate at 900 MHz, another ⅓ may operate at 2.4 GHz, and the remaining antennas in the array may operate at 5.8 GHz.

In another embodiment, each array of antenna elements may be virtually divided into one or more antenna elements during wireless power transmission, where each set of antenna elements in the array can transmit at a different frequency. For example, an antenna element of the transmitter may transmit power transmission signals at 2.4 GHz, but a corresponding antenna element of a receiver may be configured to receive power transmission signals at 5.8 GHz. In this example, a processor of the transmitter may adjust the antenna element of the transmitter to virtually or logically divide the antenna elements in the array into a plurality patches that may be fed independently. As a result, ¼ of the array of antenna elements may be able to transmit the 5.8 GHz needed for the receiver, while another set of antenna elements may transmit at 2.4 GHz. Therefore, by virtually dividing an array of antenna elements, electronic devices coupled to receivers can continue to receive wireless power transmission. The foregoing may be beneficial because, for example, one set of antenna elements may transmit at about 2.4 GHz and other antenna elements may transmit at 5.8 GHz, and thus, adjusting a number of antenna elements in a given array when working with receivers operating at different frequencies. In this example, the array is divided into equal sets of antenna elements (e.g., four antenna elements), but the array may be divided into sets of different amounts of antenna elements. In an alternative embodiment, each antenna element may alternate between select frequencies.

The efficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount of power that can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function of the total number of antenna elements1006used in a given receivers and transmitters system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about 15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while a transmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identical wireless power transmission system (about 1 watt at about 15 feet) may include a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitter with about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antenna elements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antenna elements in a transmitter. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to put a greater number of antenna elements in transmitters than in a receivers because of cost, because there will be much fewer transmitters than receivers in a system-wide deployment. However, the opposite can be achieved, e.g., by placing more antenna elements on a receiver than on a transmitter as long as there are at least two antenna elements in a transmitter1002B.

II. Transmitters—Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

Transmitters may be responsible for the pocket-forming, adaptive pocket-forming and multiple pocket-forming using the components described below. Transmitters may transmit wireless power transmission signals to receivers in the form of any physical media capable of propagating through space and being converted into useable electrical energy; examples may include RF waves, infrared, acoustics, electromagnetic fields, and ultrasound. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that power transmission signals may be most any radio signal, having any frequency or wavelength. Transmitters are described within with reference to RF transmissions, only as an example, and not to limit the scope to RF transmission only.

Transmitters may be located in number of locations, surfaces, mountings, or embedded structures, such as, desks, tables, floors, walls, and the like. In some cases, transmitters may be located in a client computing platforms, which may be any computing device comprising processors and software modules capable of executing the processes and tasks described herein. Non-limiting examples of client computing platforms may include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computing platform, a netbook, a smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms. In other embodiments, the client computing platforms may be a variety of electronic computing devices. In such embodiments, each of the client computing platforms may have distinct operating systems, and/or physical components. The client computing platforms may be executing the same operating system and/or the client computing platforms may be executing different operating systems. The client computing platforms and or devices may be capable of executing multiple operating systems. In addition, box transmitters may contain several arrangements of printed circuit board (PCB) layers, which may be oriented in X, Y, or Z axis, or in any combination of these.

It should be appreciated that wireless charging techniques are not limited to RF wave transmission techniques, but may include alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power. Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can be converted by a receiving device into electrical power may include: ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be disposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasound waves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductive magnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil and converted by a receiver coil into electrical power.

A. Components of Transmitter Devices

FIG. 11illustrates a diagram of a system1100architecture for wirelessly charging client devices, according to an exemplary embodiment. The system1100may comprise a transmitter1101and a receiver1120that may each comprise an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The transmitter1101ASIC may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCB)1104, one or more antenna elements1106, one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC)1108, one or more microcontrollers (MCs)1110, a communication component1112, a power source1114. The transmitter1101may be encased in a housing, which may allocate all the requested components for transmitter1101. Components in transmitter1101may be manufactured using meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials. It should be obvious to someone skilled in the art that the entire transmitter or the entire receiver can be implemented on a single circuit board, as well as having one or more of the functional blocks implemented in separate circuit boards.

1. Printed Circuit Boards

In some implementations, the transmitter1101may include a plurality of PCB1104layers, which may include antenna element1106and/or RFIC1108for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. The PCB1104may mechanically support and electrically connect the electronic component described herein using conductive tracks, pads and/or other features etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs may be single sided (one copper layer), double sided (two copper layers), and/or multi-layer. Multiple PCB1104layers may increase the range and the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter1101. PCB1104layers may be connected to a single MC1110and/or to dedicated MCs1110. Similarly, RFIC1108may be connected to antenna element1106as depicted in the foregoing embodiments.

In some implementations, a box transmitter, including a plurality of PCB1104layers inside it may include antenna element1108for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase the response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased by the box transmitter. Multiple PCB1104layers may increase the range and the amount of power waves (e.g., RF power waves, ultrasound waves) that could be transferred and/or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter1101due the higher density of antenna element1106. The PCB1104layers may be connected to a single microcontroller1110and/or to dedicated microcontroller1110for each antenna element1106. Similarly, RFIC1108may control antenna element1101as depicted in the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter1101may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission.

2. Antenna Elements

Antenna element1106may be directional and/or omni-directional and include flat antenna elements, patch antenna elements, dipole antenna elements, and any other suitable antenna for wireless power transmission. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. The shape and orientation of antenna element1106may vary in dependency of the desired features of transmitter1101; orientation may be flat in X, Y, and Z axis, as well as various orientation types and combinations in three dimensional arrangements. Antenna element1106materials may include any suitable material that may allow RF signal transmission with high efficiency, good heat dissipation and the like. The amount of antenna elements1106may vary in relation with the desired range and power transmission capability on transmitter1101; the more antenna elements1106, the wider range and higher power transmission capability.

Antenna element1106may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment). Antenna element1106may operate in independent frequencies, allowing a multichannel operation of pocket-forming.

In addition, antenna element1106may have at least one polarization or a selection of polarizations. Such polarization may include vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, circularly polarized, left hand polarized, right hand polarized, or a combination of polarizations. The selection of polarizations may vary in dependency of transmitter1101characteristics. In addition, antenna element1106may be located in various surfaces of transmitter1101. Antenna element1106may operate in single array, pair array, quad array and any other suitable arrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desired application.

In some implementations, the entire side of the printed circuit board PCB1104may be closely packed with antenna element1106. The RFIC1108may connect to multiple antenna elements1106. Multiple antenna elements1106may surround a single RFIC1108.

3. Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits

The RFIC1108may receive an RF signal from the MC1110, and split the RF signal into multiple outputs, each output linked to an antenna element1106. For example, each RFIC1108may be connected to four antenna elements1106. In some implementations, each RFIC1108may be connected to eight, sixteen, and/or multiple antenna elements1106.

The RFIC1104may include a plurality of RF circuits that may include digital and/or analog components, such as, amplifiers, capacitors, oscillators, piezoelectric crystals and the like. RFIC1104may control features of antenna element1106, such as gain and/or phase for pocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and the like. The phase and the amplitude of pocket-forming in each antenna element1106may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC1108in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. In addition, RFIC1108may be connected to MC1110, which may utilize digital signal processing (DSP), ARM, PIC-Class microprocessor, central processing unit, computer, and the like. The lower number of RFICs1108present in the transmitter1101may correspond to desired features such as lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity, and a less expensive embodiment. In some implementations, RFIC1108may be coupled to one or more MCs1110, and MC1110may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1101.

In some implementations of transmitter1101, the phase and the amplitude of each pocket-forming in each antenna element1106may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC1108in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC1108singled coupled to each antenna element1106may reduce processing requirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over MC1110, and a higher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers.

RFIC1108and antenna element1106may operate in any suitable arrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desired application. For example, transmitter1101may include antenna element1106and RFIC1108in a flat arrangement. A subset of 4, 8, 16, and/or any number of antenna elements1106may be connected to a single RFIC1108. RFIC1108may be directly embedded behind each antenna element1106; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distance between components. In some implementations, a row or column of antenna elements1106may be connected to a single MC1110. RFIC1108connected to each row or column may allow a less expensive transmitter1101that may produce pocket-forming by changing phase and gain between rows or columns. In some implementations, the RFIC1108may output between 2-8 volts of power for the receiver1120to obtain.

In some implementations, a cascade arrangement of RFICs1108may be implemented. A flat transmitter1101using a cascade arrangement of RFICs1108may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers1106, as well as a higher reliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy of RFICs1108.

The MC1110may comprise a processor running ARM and/or DSP. ARM is a family of general purpose microprocessors based on a reduced instruction set computing (RISC). A DSP is a general purpose signal processing chip may provide a mathematical manipulation of an information signal to modify or improve it in some way, and can be characterized by the representation of discrete time, discrete frequency, and/or other discrete domain signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. DSP may measure, filter, and/or compress continuous real-world analog signals. The first step may be conversion of the signal from an analog to a digital form, by sampling and then digitizing it using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which may convert the analog signal into a stream of discrete digital values. The MC1110may also run Linux and/or any other operating system. The MC1110may also be connected to Wi-Fi in order to provide information through a network1140.

MC1110may control a variety of features of RFIC1108such as, time emission of pocket-forming, direction of the pocket-forming, bounce angle, power intensity and the like. Furthermore, MC1110may control multiple pocket-forming over multiple receivers or over a single receiver. Transmitter1101may allow distance discrimination of wireless power transmission. In addition, MC1110may manage and control communication protocols and signals by controlling communication component1112. MC1110may process information received by communication component1112that may send and receive signals to and from a receiver in order to track it and concentrate radio frequency signals1142(i.e., pockets of energy) on it. Other information may be transmitted from and to receiver1120; such information may include authentication protocols among others through a network1140.

The MC1110may communicate with the communication component1112through serial peripheral interface (SPI) and/or inter-integrated circuit (I2C) protocol. SPI communication may be used for short distance, single master communication, for example in embedded systems, sensors, and SD cards. Devices communicate in master/slave mode where the master device initiates the data frame. Multiple slave devices are allowed with individual slave select lines. I2C is a multi-master, multi-slave, single-ended, serial computer bus used for attaching low-speed peripherals to computer motherboards and embedded systems

5. Communications Component

Communication component1112may include and combine Bluetooth technology, infrared communication, Wi-Fi, FM radio among others. MC1110may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming, including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming in order to reduce losses because obstacles. Such trajectory may include direct pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination of pocket-forming. In some implementations, the communication component1112may communicate with a plurality of devices, which may include receivers1120, client devices, or other transmitters1101.

6. Power Source

Transmitters1101may be fed by a power source1114that may include AC or DC power supply. Voltage, power, and current intensity provided by power source1114may vary in dependency with the required power to be transmitted. Conversion of power to radio signal may be managed by MC1110and carried out by RFIC1108that may utilize a plurality of methods and components to produce radio signals in a wide variety of frequencies, wavelength, intensities, and other features. As an exemplary use of a variety of methods and components for radio signal generation, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used to create and change radio frequencies in different antenna elements1106. In addition, a variety of filters may be used for smoothing signals as well as amplifiers for increasing power to be transmitted.

Transmitter1101may emit RF power waves that are pocket-forming with a power capability from few watts to a predetermined number of watts required by a particular chargeable electronic device. Each antenna may manage a certain power capacity. Such power capacity may be related with the application

In addition to a housing, an independent base station may include MC1110and power source1114, thus, several transmitters1101may be managed by a single base station and a single MC1110. Such capability may allow the location of transmitters1101in a variety of strategic positions, such as ceiling, decorations, walls, and the like. Antenna elements1106, RFIC1108, MC1110, communication component1112, and power source1114may be connected in a plurality of arrangements and combinations, which may depend on the desired characteristics of transmitter1101.

B. Exemplary Method of Transmitting Power

FIG. 12is a method for determining receiver location1200using antenna element. Method for determining receiver location1200may be a set of programmed rules or logic managed by MC. The process may begin step1201by capturing first signal with a first subset of antennas from the antenna array. The process may follow immediately by switching to a different subset of antenna element and capturing, at a next step1203, a second signal with a second subset of antennas. For example, a first signal may be captured with a row of antennas and the second capturing may be done with a column of antennas. A row of antennas may provide a horizontal degree orientation such an azimuth in a spherical coordinate system. A column of antennas may provide a vertical degree orientation such as elevation. Antenna elements used for capturing first signal and capturing second signal may be aligned in straight, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation. The first subset and second subset of antennas may be aligned in a cross like structure in order to cover degrees around transmitter.

Once both vertical and horizontal values have been measured, the MC may, in a next step1205, determine the appropriate values of phase and gain for the vertical and horizontal antenna elements used to capture the signal. Appropriate values for phase and gain may be determined by the relationship of the position of the receiver to the antenna. The values may be used by MC in order to adjust antenna elements to form pockets of energy that may be used by a receiver in order to charge an electronic device.

Data pertaining to initial values of all antenna elements in transmitter may be calculated and stored previously for use by MC in order to assist in the calculation of appropriate values for antenna elements. In a next step,1207, after the appropriate values for the vertical and horizontal antennas used for capturing the signal have been determined, the process may continue by using the stored data to determine appropriate values for all the antennas in the array. Stored data may contain initial test values of phase and gain for all antenna elements in the array at different frequencies. Different sets of data may be stored for different frequencies and MC may select the appropriate data set accordingly. In a next step1209, MC may then adjust all antennas through RFIC in order to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations.

C. Array Subset Configuration

FIG. 13Aillustrates an example embodiment of an array subset configuration1300A that may be used in method for determining receiver location. Transmitter may include an array of antennas1306A. A row of antennas1368A may be used first for capturing a signal sent by a receiver. Row of antennas1368A may then transfer the signal to the RFIC, where the signal may be converted from a radio signal to a digital signal and passed on to MC for processing. MC may then determine appropriate adjustments for phase and gain in row of antennas1368A in order to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations based on the receiver locations. A second signal may be captured by a column of antennas1370A. Column of antennas1370A may then transfer the signal to the RFIC, where the signal may be converted from a radio signal to a digital signal and passed on to MC for processing. MC may then determine appropriate adjustments for phase and gain in column of antennas1370A in order to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations based on the receiver locations. Once the appropriate adjustments have been determined for row of antennas1368A and column of antennas1370A MC may determine the appropriate values for the rest of antenna elements1306A in array of antennas1368A by using previously stored data about the antennas and adjusting accordingly with the results from row of antennas1368A and column of antennas1370A.

D. Configurations for Transmitters, Transmitter Components, Antenna Tiles, and Systems Related to Transmitters

1. Exemplary System

FIG. 13Billustrates another example embodiment of an array subset configuration1300B. In array subset configuration1300B, both initial signals are captured by two diagonal subsets of antennas. The process follows the same path, such that each subset is adjusted accordingly. Based on adjustments made and the previously stored data, the rest of antenna elements1306B in array of antennas are adjusted.

FIG. 14depicts a flat transmitter1402in a front view and a several embodiments of rear views. Transmitter1402may include antenna element1406and RFIC1408in a flat arrangement. RFIC1408may be directly embedded behind each antenna element1406; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distance between components.

In one embodiment (i.e., View 1) in transmitter1402, the phase and the amplitude of the pocket-forming for each antenna element1406may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC1408in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC1408singled coupled to each antenna element1406may reduce processing requirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over MC1410; thus, a higher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers. As described in the embodiment ofFIG. 11, RFIC1408may be coupled to one or more MCs1410, and microcontroller1410may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1402.

In another embodiment (i.e., View 2), a subset of 4 antenna elements1406may be connected to a single RFIC1408. The lower number of RFICs1408present in the transmitter1402may correspond to desired features such as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a. less expensive embodiment. As described in the embodiment ofFIG. 11, RFIC1408may be coupled to one or more MCs1410, and microcontroller1410may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1402.

In yet another embodiment (i.e., View 3), transmitter1402may include antenna element1406and RFIC1408in a flat arrangement. A row or column of antenna elements1406may be connected to a single MC1410. The lower number of RFICs1408present in the transmitter1402may correspond to desired features such as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a less expensive embodiment. RFIC1408connected to each row or column may allow a less expensive transmitter1402, which may produce pocket-forming by changing phase and gain between rows or columns. As described in the embodiment ofFIG. 11, RFIC1408may be coupled to one or more MCs1410, and microcontroller1410may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1402.

In some embodiments (i.e., View 4), transmitter1402may include antenna element1406and RFIC1408in a flat arrangement. A cascade arrangement is depicted in this exemplary embodiment. Two antenna elements1406may be connected to a single RFIC1408and this in turn to a single RFIC1408, which may be connected to a final RFIC1408and this in turn to one or more MCs1410. Flat transmitter1402using a cascade arrangement of RFICs1408may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, a higher reliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy of RFICs1408. As described in the embodiment ofFIG. 11, RFIC1408may be coupled to one or more MCs1410, and microcontroller1410may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1402.

3. Multiple Printed Circuit Board Layers

FIG. 15Adepicts a transmitter1502A, which may include a plurality of PCB layers1204A that may include antenna element1506A for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers1504A may increase the range and the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter1502A. PCB layers1504A may he connected to a single MC or to dedicated MC. Similarly, RFIC may be connected antenna element1506A as depicted in the foregoing embodiments. RFIC may be coupled to one or more MCs. Furthermore, MCs may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1502A.

4. Box Transmitter

FIG. 15Bdepicts a box transmitter1502B, which may include a plurality of PCB layers1504B inside it, which may include antenna element1506B for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased by the box transmitter1502B. Multiple PCB layers1504B may increase the range and the amount of RF power waves that could be transferred or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter1502B due the higher density of antenna element1506B. PCB layers1504B may be connected to a single MC or to dedicated MC for each antenna element1506B. Similarly, RFIC may control antenna element1506B as depicted in the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter800may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission; thus, box transmitter1502B may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as, desks, tables, floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter1502B may comprise several arrangements of PCB layers1504B, which may be oriented in X, Y, and Z axis, or any combination these. The RFIC may, be coupled to one or more MCs. Furthermore, MCs may be included into an independent base station or into the transmitter1502B.

5. Irregular Arrays for Various Types of Products

FIG. 16depicts a diagram of architecture1600for incorporating transmitter1602into different devices. For example, the flat transmitter1602may be applied to the frame of a television1646or across the frame of a sound bar1648. Transmitter1602may include multiple tiles1650with antenna elements and RFICs in a flat arrangement. The RFIC may be directly embedded behind each antenna elements; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distance between components.

For example, a television1646may have a bezel around a television1646, comprising multiple tiles1650, each tile comprising of a certain number of antenna elements. For example, if there are 20 tiles1650around the bezel of the television1646, each tile1650may have 24 antenna elements and/or any number of antenna elements.

In tile1650, the phase and the amplitude of each pocket-forming in each antenna element may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC in order to generate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC singled coupled to each antenna element may reduce processing requirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over microcontroller, thus, a higher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers.

RFIC may be coupled to one or more microcontrollers, and the microcontrollers may be included into an independent base station or into the tiles1650in the transmitter1602. A row or column of antenna elements may be connected to a single microcontroller. In some implementations, the lower number of RFICs present in the transmitters1602may correspond to desired features such as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a less expensive embodiment. RFICs connected to each row or column may allow reduce costs by having fewer components because fewer RFICs are required to control each of the transmitters1602. The RFICs may produce pocket-forming power transmission waves by changing phase and gain, between rows or columns.

In some implementations, the transmitter1602may use a cascade arrangement of tiles1650comprising RFICs that may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, a higher reliability and accuracy may be achieved from multiple redundancies of RFICs.

In one embodiment, a plurality of PCB layers, including antenna elements, may provide greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range and the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter1602. PCB layers may be connected to a single microcontroller or to dedicated microcontrollers. Similarly, RFIC may be connected to antenna elements.

A box transmitter1602may include a plurality of PCB layers inside it, which may include antenna elements for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased by the box transmitter1602. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range and the amount of RF power waves that could be transferred or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter1602due the higher density of antenna elements. PCB layers may be connected to a single microcontroller or to dedicated microcontrollers for each antenna element. Similarly, RFIC may control antenna elements. The box shape of transmitter1602may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission. Thus, box transmitter1602may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as, desks, tables, floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter may comprise several arrangements of PCB layers, which may be oriented in X, Y, and Z axis, or any combination these.

6. Plurality of Antenna Elements

FIG. 17is an example of a transmitter configuration1700that includes a plurality of antenna elements1706. Antenna element1706may form an array by arranging rows of antennas1768and columns of antennas1770. Transmitter configuration may include at least one RFIC1708to control features of antenna element1706, such as gain and/or phase for pocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and the like. The array of antenna elements1706may be connected to a MC1710, which may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming, including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming in order to reduce losses because of obstacles. Such trajectory may include direct pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination of pocket-forming.

A transmitter device may utilize antenna element1706to determine the location of a receiver in order to determine how to adjust antenna element1706to form pockets of energy in the appropriate location. A receiver may send a train signal to transmitter in order to provide information. The train signal may be any conventional know signals that may be detected by antenna element1706. The signal sent by receiver may contain information such as phase and gain.

III. Receivers—Systems and Methods for Receiving and Utilizing Wireless Power Transmissions

A. Components of Receiver Devices

Returning toFIG. 11, which illustrates a diagram of a system1100architecture for wirelessly charging client devices, according to an exemplary embodiment, the system1100may comprise transmitter1101and receivers1120that may each comprise an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC of the receivers1120may include a printed circuit board1122, an antenna element1124, a rectifier1126, a power converter1129, a communications component1130, and/or a power management integrated circuit (PMIC)1132. Receivers1120may also comprise a housing that may allocate all the requested components. The various components of receivers1120may comprise, or may be manufactured using, meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and the like.

1. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements1124may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for antenna elements1106of a transmitter1101. Antenna element1124may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed video game controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about 118 inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may have the advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e., depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as receiver1120, may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission. Different antenna, rectifier, or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver, as is described in the embodiments herein.

A rectifier1126may convert alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which takes non-negative values. Because of the alternating nature of the input AC sine wave, the process of rectification alone produces a DC current that, though non-negative, consists of pulses of current. The output of the rectifier may be smoothed by an electronic filter to produce a steady current. The rectifier1126may include diodes and/or resistors, inductors and/or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element1124to direct current (DC) voltage.

In some implementations, the rectifier1126may be a full-wave rectifier. A full-wave rectifier may convert the whole of the input waveform to one of constant polarity (positive or negative) at its output. Full-wave rectification may convert both polarities of the input waveform to pulsating DC (direct current), and yield a higher average output voltage. Two diodes and a center tapped transformer and/or four diodes in a bridge configuration and any AC source (including a transformer without center tap) may be utilized for a full-wave rectifier. For single-phase AC, if the transformer is center-tapped, then two diodes back-to-back (cathode-to-cathode or anode-to-anode, depending upon output polarity required) may be utilized to form a full-wave rectifier. Twice as many turns may be required on the transformer secondary to obtain the same output voltage than for a bridge rectifier, but the power rating is unchanged. Rectifier1126may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element1124to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter1129.

3. Power Converters

Power converter1129can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide a constant voltage output and/or to help boost the voltage to the receiver1120. In some implementations, the DC-to-DC converter may be a maximum power point tracker (MPPT). A MPPT is an electronic DC-to-DC converter that converts a higher voltage DC output down to the lower voltage needed to charge batteries. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter1129may include electronic switched mode DC-to-DC converters, which can provide high efficiency. In such a case, a capacitor may be included before power converter1129to ensure sufficient current is provided for the switching device to operate. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone or laptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimum level of power needed to activate the operation of an electronic switched mode DC-to-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor may be added at the output of receiver1120to provide the extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided, as required to provide the appropriate amount electric current; for example, 1/80 of the total initial power used while having the phone or laptop still building-up charge.

In one embodiment, multiple rectifiers1126can be connected in parallel to antenna element1124. For example, four rectifiers1126may be connected in parallel to antenna element1124. However, several more rectifiers1126can be used. This arrangement may be advantageous because each rectifier1126may only need to handle ¼ of the total power. If one watt is to be delivered to an electronic device, then each rectifier1126may only need to handle a quarter of a watt. The arrangement may greatly diminish cost because using a plurality of low-power rectifiers1126can be cheaper than utilizing one high-power rectifier1126while handling the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total power handled by rectifier1126can be combined into a power converter1129. In other embodiments, there may a power converter1129per each rectifier1126.

In other embodiments, multiple antenna elements1124may be connected in parallel to a rectifier1126, after which DC voltage may be regulated through a power converter1129. In this example, four antenna elements1124may be connected in parallel to a single rectifier1126. This arrangement may be advantageous because each antenna element1124may only handle ¼ of the total power. In addition, the arrangement may enable usage of antenna element1124of different polarizations with a single rectifier1126because signals may not cancel each other. Because of the foregoing property, the arrangement may be suitable for electronic client devices with an orientation that is not well-defined or otherwise varies over time. Lastly, the arrangement may be beneficial when using antenna element1124of equal polarization and configured for phases that do not differ greatly. In some embodiments, however, there can be a rectifier1126per antenna element1124and/or multiple rectifiers1126per antenna element1124.

In an exemplary implementation, an arrangement where multiple antenna elements1124outputs can be combined and connected to parallel rectifiers1126whose output may further be combined in one power converter1129may be implemented. There may be 16 antenna elements1124whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers1126. In other embodiments, antenna elements1124may be subdivided into groups (of four for example) and may connect to independent rectifiers1126.

In yet another embodiment, an arrangement where groups of antenna elements1124may be connected to different rectifiers1126which may in turn also be connected to different power converters1129may be implemented. In this embodiment, four groups of antenna elements1124(each containing four antenna elements1124in parallel) may each connect independently to four rectifiers1126. In this embodiment, the output of each rectifier1126may connect directly to a power converter1129(four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all four rectifiers1126can be combined before each power converter1129to handle the total power in parallel. In some embodiments, the combined outputs of each rectifier1126may connect to a single power converter1129. This arrangement may be beneficial in that it allows great proximity between rectifier1126and antenna element1124. This property may be desirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.

4. Communications Component

A communications component1130, similar to that of transmitter1101, may be included in receiver1120to communicate with a transmitter or to other electronic equipment. In some implementations, receiver1120can use a built-in communications component of the device (for example, Bluetooth) for communicating to a given transmitter1120based on requirements provided by processor such as battery level, user predefined charging profile or others transmitters1101may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCB)1104, one or more antenna elements1106, one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC)1108, one or more microcontrollers (MCs)1110, a communication component1112, and a power source1114. The transmitter1101may be encased in a housing, which may allocate all the requested components for transmitter1101. Components in transmitter1101may be manufactured using meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials. The types of information communicated by the communications components between the receiver and the transmitter include but not limited to the present power levels in the batteries, signal strength and power level being received at the receiver, timing information, phase and gain information, user identification, client device privileges, security related signaling, emergency signaling, and authentication exchanges, among other things.

A power management integrated circuit (PMIC)1132is an integrated circuit and/or a system block in a system-on-a-chip device for managing power requirements of the host system. The PMIC1132may include battery management, voltage regulation, and charging functions. It may include a DC-to-DC converter to allow dynamic voltage scaling. In some implementations, the PMIC1132may provide up to a 95% power conversion efficiency. In some implementations, the PMIC1132may integrate with dynamic frequency scaling in a combination. The PMIC1132may be implemented in a battery-operated device such as mobile phones and/or portable media players. In some implementations, the battery may be replaced with an input capacitor and an output capacitor. The PMIC1132may be directly connected to the battery and/or capacitors. When the battery is being charged directly, a capacitor may not be implemented. In some implementations, the PMIC1132may be coiled around the battery. The PMIC1132may comprise a power management chip (PMC) that acts as a battery charger, and is connected to the battery. The PMIC1132can use pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) and pulse-width modulation (PWM). It can use switching amplifier (Class-D electronic amplifier). In some implementations, an output converter, a rectifier, and/or a BLE may also be included in the PMIC1132.

Housing can be made of any suitable material that may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.

The network1140may comprise any common communication architecture that facilitates communication between transmitter1101and the receiver1120. One having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the network1140may be the Internet, a private intranet, or some hybrid of the two. It should also be obvious to one skilled in the art that the network components may be implemented in dedicated processing equipment, or alternatively in a cloud processing network.

B. Configurations for Receivers, Receiver Components, and Systems Related to Receivers

1. Multiple Rectifiers Connected in Parallel to an Antenna Element

FIG. 18Aillustrates an arrangement1800A where multiple rectifiers1826A can be connected in parallel to an antenna element1824A. In this example, four rectifiers1826A may be connected in parallel to an antenna elements1824A. However, several more rectifiers1826A may be used. Arrangement1800A may be advantageous because each rectifier1826A may only need to handle ¼ of the total power. If one watt is to be delivered to an electronic device, then each rectifier1826F may only need to handle a quarter of a watt. Arrangement1800A may greatly diminish cost because using a plurality of low-power rectifiers1826A can be cheaper than utilizing one high-power rectifier1826A while handling the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total power handled by rectifier1826A can be combined into one DC-DC converter1828A. In other embodiments, there may a DC-DC converter1828A per rectifier1826A.

2. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to a Rectifier

FIG. 18Billustrates an arrangement1800B where multiple antenna elements1824B may be connected in parallel to a rectifier1826B, after which DC voltage may be regulated through a DC-DC converter1828B. In this example, four antenna elements1824B may be connected in parallel to a single rectifier1826B. Arrangement1800B may be advantageous because each antenna element1824B may only handle ¼ of the total power. In addition, arrangement1800B may enable usage of antenna element1824B of different polarizations with a single rectifier1826B because signals may not cancel each other. Because of the foregoing property, arrangement1800B may be suitable for electronic devices with an orientation that is not well-defined or otherwise varies over time. Lastly, arrangement1800B may be beneficial when using antenna element1824B of equal polarization and configured for phases that do not differ greatly. In some embodiments, however, there can be a rectifier1826B per antenna element1824B or multiple rectifiers1826B (as described inFIG. 18A) per antenna element1824B.

3. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to Multiple Rectifiers

FIG. 19Aillustrates an arrangement1900A where multiple antenna elements1924A outputs can be combined and connected to parallel rectifier1926A whose output may further be combined in one DC converter1928A. Arrangement1900A shows, by way of exemplification, 16 antenna elements1924A whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers1926A. In other embodiments, antenna elements1924A may be subdivided in groups (e.g., four groups) and may connect to independent rectifiers as shown inFIG. 19Bbelow.

4. Permutations of Groupings

FIG. 19Billustrates an arrangement1900B where groups of antenna elements1624B may be connected to different rectifiers1926B, which may in turn also be connected to different DC converters1928B. In arrangement1900B, four groups of antenna elements1924B (each containing four antenna elements1924B in parallel) may each connect independently to four rectifiers1926B. In this embodiment, the output of each rectifiers1926B may connect directly to a DC converter1928B (four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all four rectifiers1926B can be combined, before each DC converter1928B, to handle the total power in parallel. In other embodiments, the combined outputs of each rectifier1926B may connect to a single DC converter1928B. Arrangement1900B may be beneficial in that it allows great proximity between rectifier1926B and antenna element1924B. This property may be desirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.

A receiver may be implemented on, connected to or embedded in electronic devices or equipment that may rely on power for performing its intended functions, for example a phone, laptop computer, a television remote, a children's toys or any other such devices. A receiver utilizing pocket-forming can be used to fully charge a device's battery while being “On” or “Off,” or while being used or not. In addition, battery lifetime can be greatly enhanced. For example, a device operating on two watts utilizing a receiver that may deliver one watt may increase its battery duration up to about 50%. Lastly, some devices currently running on batteries can fully be powered using a receiver after which a battery may no longer be required. This last property may be beneficial for devices where replacing batteries can be tedious or hard to accomplish such as in wall-clocks. Embodiments below provide some examples of how integration of receivers may be carried out on electronic devices.

FIG. 20Aillustrates an implementation scheme where a device2000A that may represent a typical phone, computer or other electronic device may include an embedded receiver2020A. Device2000A may also include a power source, a communications component2030A, and a processor. Receiver2020A way utilize pocket-forming for providing power to power source from device2000A. In addition, receiver2020A can use built-in communications component2030A of device2000A (for example, Bluetooth) for communicating to a given transmitter based on requirements provided by processor such as battery level, user predefined charging profile or others.

6. Battery with an Embedded Receiver

FIG. 20Billustrates another implementation scheme where a device2000B may include a battery with an embedded receiver2020B. Battery may receive power wirelessly through pocket-forming and may charge through its embedded receiver2020B. Battery may function as a supply for power source, or may function as back-up supply. This configuration may be advantageous in that battery may not need to be removed for charging. This may particularly be helpful in gaming controllers, or gaming devices where batteries, typically AA or AAA may be continuously replaced.

7. External Communication Component

FIG. 20Cillustrates an alternate implementation scheme2000C where receiver2020C and a communications component2030C may be included in an external hardware that may be attached to a device. Hardware can take appropriate forms such as cases that may be placed on phones, computers, remote controllers and others, which may connect thorough suitable interfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In other embodiments, hardware may be printed on flexible films, which may then be pasted or otherwise attached to electronic equipment. This option may be advantageous as it may be produced at low cost and can easily be integrated into various devices. As in previous embodiments, a communications component2030C may be included in hardware that may provide communication to a transmitter or to electronic equipment in general.

8. Casing or Housing of Receiver Connecting to USB

FIG. 21Aillustrates hardware in the form of case including a receiver2102A that may connect through flex cables or USB to a smartphone and/or any other electronic device. In other embodiments, the housing or case can be a computer case, phone case, and/or camera case among other such options.

9. PCB on Printed Film

FIG. 21Billustrates hardware in the form of a printed film or flexible printed circuit board (PCB) which may include a plurality of printed receivers2102B. Printed film can be pasted or otherwise attached to electronic devices and can connect trough suitable interfaces such as USB. Printed film may he advantageous in that sections can be cut from it to meet specific electronic device sizes and/or requirements. The efficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount of power that can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function of the total number of antenna elements used in a given receiver and transmitter system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about 15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while a transmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identical wireless power transmission system (about 1 watt, at about 15 feet) may include a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitter with about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antenna elements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antenna elements in a transmitter. In some cases, it may be cost-effective to put a greater number of antenna elements in a transmitter than in a receiver. However, the opposite can be achieved by placing more antenna elements on a receiver than on a transmitter, as long as there are at least two antenna elements in a transmitter.

IV. Antenna Hardware and Functionality

FIG. 22illustrates internal hardware, where receiver2220may be used for receiving wireless power transmission in an electronic device2252(e.g., smartphone). In some implementations, the electronic device2252may include receiver2220, which may be embedded around the internal edge of the case2254(e.g., smartphone case) of the electronic device2252. In other embodiments, the receiver2220may be implemented covering the back side of the case2254. The case2254may be one or more of: a smartphone cover, a laptop cover, camera cover, GPS cover, a game controller cover and/or tablet cover, among other such options. The case2254may be made out of plastic, rubber and/or any other suitable material.

Receiver2220may include an array of antenna elements2224strategically distributed on the grid area shown inFIG. 22. The case2254may include an array of antenna elements2224located around the edges and/or along the backside of case2254for optimal reception. The number, spacing, and type of antenna elements2224may be calculated according to the design, size, and/or type of electronic device2252. In some embodiments, there may be a spacing (e.g., 1 mm-4 mm) and/or a meta-material between the case2254containing the antenna element2224and the electronic device2252. The spacing and/or meta-material may provide additional gain for RF signals. In some implementations, the meta-materials may be used in creating a multi-layer PCB to implement into the case2254.

The internal hardware may be in the form of a printed film2256and/or flexible PCB may include different components, such as a plurality of printed antenna elements2224(connected with each other in serial, parallel, or combined), rectifier, and power converter elements. Printed film2256may be pasted or otherwise attached to any suitable electronic devices, such as electronic device2252and/or tablets. Printed film2256may be connected through any suitable interfaces such as flexible cables2258. Printed film2256may exhibit some benefits; one of those benefits may be that sections can be cut from it to meet specific smart mobile device sizes and/or requirements. According to one embodiment, the spacing between antenna elements2224for receiver2220may range from about 2 nm to about 12 nm, being most suitable about 7 nm.

Additionally, in some implementations, the optimal amount of antenna elements2224that may be used in receiver2220for an electronic device2252such as a smartphone may range from about 20 to about 30. However, the amount of antenna elements2224within receiver2220may vary according to electronic device2252design and size. Antenna element2224may be made of different conductive materials such as cooper, gold, and silver, among others. Furthermore, antenna element2224may be printed, etched, or laminated onto any suitable non-conductive flexible substrate, such as flexible PCB, among others. The disclosed configuration and orientation of antenna element2224may exhibit a better reception, efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.