Method for wireless power transfer and electronic device thereof

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless power transfer (WPT). An electronic device comprises a battery, a charging circuit for controlling a charging state of the battery, a coil, a wireless power transfer circuit electrically connected to the coil, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit may be configured to: check a state related to charging of the battery; transfer a wireless charging parameter related to generation or modification of a power signal for transferring to an external electronic device via the coil, which is determined at least on the basis of the state related to charging of the battery; receive a response signal corresponding to the transfer of the wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; generate, on the basis of the response signal, a power signal corresponding to the amount of wireless transmission power determined at least on the basis of the response signal by using the wireless power transfer circuit; and transfer the power signal to the external electronic device through the coil. In addition, various embodiments are possible.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a wireless power transfer method and an electronic device therefor.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic devices, such as a smailphone, which are widely used, use a battery-type power source for portability. A battery may be fixedly or detachably installed in an electronic device and may be charged using an external power source. For convenience of charging, a wireless charging function using an electromagnetic field is supported in addition to charging using a wired connector, such as an adapter. Generally, wireless charging is a function provided by a dedicated charging deck. Recently, a wireless charging function has been implemented in an electronic device, such as a smartphone.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An electronic device having a unique function, such as a smailphone, may provide a wireless charging function for another device. In this case, a battery of the electronic device may be employed as a power source. However, since power is consumed for wireless charging of the other device, the battery of the electronic device cannot be charged or may be discharged, thereby reducing the usable time of the electronic device.

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for wireless power transfer (WPT) to another device and an electronic device therefor.

Solution to Problem

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include: a battery; a charging circuit configured to control a charging state of the battery; a coil; a wireless power transfer circuit configured to be electrically connected to the coil; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit may be configured to: identify a state related to charging of the battery; transmit a wireless charging parameter related to generation or modification of a power signal to be transmitted to an external electronic device through the coil, the wireless charging parameter being determined at least based on the state related to charging of the battery; receive a response signal corresponding to transmission of the wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; generate, based on the response signal, a power signal corresponding to an amount of wireless transmission power determined at least based on the response signal using the wireless power transfer circuit; and transmit the power signal to the external electronic device through the coil.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include: a connector configured to connect to external power; a battery; a charging circuit configured to control a charging state of the battery; a coil; a wireless power transfer circuit configured to be electrically connected to the coil; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit may be configured to: charge the battery with the external power input through the connector using the charging circuit and to transmit a first power signal, which is generated using the wireless power transfer circuit, to an external electronic device through the coil; identify a state related to charging of the battery; transmit a wireless charging parameter determined at least based on the state related to charging of the battery to the external electronic device through the coil; receive a response signal corresponding to transmission of the wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; transmit, based on the response signal, a second power signal to the external electronic device using the wireless power transfer circuit.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device may include: identifying a battery level or a charging state; transmitting a wireless charging parameter related to generation or modification of a power signal to be transmitted to an external electronic device through a coil when the battery level or the charging state satisfies a specified condition; receiving a response signal to the transmitted wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; and generating, based on the response signal, a power signal transmitted through the coil.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

A method and an electronic device therefor according to various embodiments may adjust the amount of power provided for charging in view of the states of the electronic device and another electronic device, thereby effectively performing the operation and charging of the electronic device and wireless charging of the other electronic device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.2illustrates a wireless charging environment200according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.2, an electronic device201(e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) (hereinafter, also referred to as a power transfer device) according to various embodiments may wirelessly supply power to an external electronic device202(e.g., the electronic device102ofFIG.1) (hereinafter, also referred to as a power reception device), and the external electronic device202may wirelessly receive the power. The electronic device201may be an electronic device operating in a power transfer mode.

According to various embodiments, the power transfer device201may include a power transfer circuit211, a control circuit212, a communication circuit213, or a sensing circuit214.

According to various embodiments, the power transfer circuit211may include a power adapter211ato receive power (or electricity) from the outside and to appropriately convert the voltage of the received power, a power generation circuit211bto generate power, or a matching circuit211cto maximize efficiency between a transfer coil211L and a reception coil221L.

According to various embodiments, the power transfer circuit211may include a plurality of pieces of at least some of the power adapter211a, the power generation circuit211b, the transfer coil211L, or the matching circuit211cin order to transfer power to a plurality of power reception devices (e.g., a first external electronic device and a second external electronic device).

According to various embodiments, the power transfer circuit211may generate a first signal of a first frequency for providing first power to the first external electronic device and a second signal of a second frequency for providing second power to the second external electronic device using the power generation circuit211b. The first signal of the first frequency and the second signal of the second frequency may be generated when the transfer coil211L has a multi-coil structure.

According to various embodiments, the control circuit212may perform overall control of the power transfer device201, may generate various messages required for wireless power transfer, and may transmit the messages to the communication circuit213. In an embodiment, the control circuit212may calculate power (or the amount of power) to be transmitted to the power reception device202based on information received from the communication circuit213. In an embodiment, the control circuit212may control the power transfer circuit211so that power generated by the transfer coil211L is transferred to the power reception device202.

According to various embodiments, when power is transferred to each of a plurality of power reception devices (e.g., a first external electronic device and a second external electronic device), the control circuit212may control the power generation circuit211bto generate a first signal of a first frequency for providing first power to the first external electronic device and a second signal of a second frequency for providing second power to the second external electronic device. To this end, the transfer coil211L may have a multi-coil structure.

According to various embodiments, the communication circuit213may include at least one of a first communication circuit213aor a second communication circuit213b. The first communication circuit213amay communicate with a first communication circuit223aof the power reception device202using, for example, a frequency equal to or adjacent to a frequency used by the transfer coil211L for power transfer.

The first communication circuit213amay communicate with the first communication circuit223ausing the transfer coil211L. Data (or communication signal) generated by the first communication circuit213amay be transmitted using the transfer coil211L. The first communication circuit213amay transmit the data to the power reception device202using a frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation scheme. According to various embodiments, the first communication circuit213amay communicate with the first communication circuit223aof the power reception device202by changing the frequency of a power signal transmitted through the transfer coil211L. Alternatively, the first communication circuit213amay communicate with the first communication circuit223aof the power reception device202by including the data or communication signal in a power signal generated by the power generation circuit211b. For example, the first communication circuit213amay express the data by increasing or decreasing the frequency of a power transfer signal.

The second communication circuit213bmay communicate with a second communication circuit223bof the power reception device202using, for example, a frequency different from the frequency used by the transfer coil211L for power transfer (e.g., an out-of-band method). For example, the second communication circuit213bmay obtain information related to a charging state (e.g., a post-rectifier voltage value, a rectified voltage value (e.g. Vrec), information, information about a current flowing in a coil or a rectifier circuit (e.g. Tout), various packets, various messages, or the like) from the second communication circuit223busing any one of various short-range communication methods, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, and near-field communication (NFC).

According to various embodiments, the sensing circuit214may include at least one sensor and may detect at least one state of the power transfer device202using the at least one sensor.

According to various embodiments, the sensing circuit214may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, or a current (or voltage) sensor, may detect a temperature state of the power transfer device201using the temperature sensor, may detect a movement state of the power transfer device201using the motion sensor, and may detect the state of an output signal from the power transfer device201, for example, a current level, a voltage level, or a power level, using the current (or voltage) sensor.

According to an embodiment, the current (or voltage) sensor may measure a signal in the power transfer circuit211. The current (or voltage) sensor may measure a signal in at least a portion of the coil211L, the matching circuit211c, or the power generation circuit211b. For example, the current (or voltage) sensor may include a circuit to measure a signal at a front end of the coil211L.

According to various embodiments, the sensing circuit214may be a circuit for foreign object detection (FOD).

According to various embodiments, the power reception device202(e.g.,101inFIG.1) may include a power reception circuit221(e.g., the power management module188), a control circuit222(e.g., the processor120), a communication circuit223(e.g., the communication module190), at least one sensor224(e.g., the sensor module176), a display225(e.g., the display device160), and a detection circuit226. A description of components of the power reception device202corresponding to those of the power transfer device201may be partially omitted.

According to various embodiments, the power reception circuit221may include the reception coil221L to wirelessly receive power from the power transfer device201, a matching circuit221a, and a rectifier circuit221bto rectify received AC power into a DC, an adjustment circuit221cto adjust a charging voltage, a switch circuit221d, or a battery221e(e.g., the battery189).

According to various embodiments, the control circuit222may perform overall control of the power reception device202, may generate various messages required for wireless power transfer, and may transmit the messages to the communication circuit223.

According to various embodiments, the communication circuit223may include at least one of the first communication circuit223aor the second communication circuit223b. The first communication circuit223amay communicate with the power transfer device201through the reception coil221L.

The first communication circuit223amay communicate with the first communication circuit213ausing the reception coil221L. Data (or communication signal) generated by the first communication circuit223amay be transmitted using the reception coil221L. The first communication circuit223amay transmit the data to the power transfer device201using an amplitude-shift keying (ASK) modulation scheme. The second communication circuit223bmay communicate with the power transfer device201using any one of various short-range communication methods, such as Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and NFC.

According to various embodiments, the at least one sensor224may include at least some of a current/voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, or a sound sensor.

According to various embodiments, the display225may display various types of display information required for wireless power transfer/reception.

According to various embodiments, the detection circuit226may detect the power transfer device201by detecting a search signal or received power from the power transfer device201. The detection circuit226may detect a signal change at input/output terminals of the coil221L, the matching circuit221a, or the rectifier circuit22lb due to a signal of the coil221L generated by a signal output from the power transfer device201. According to various embodiments, the detection circuit226may be included in the reception circuit221.

FIG.3is a block diagram300of an electronic device301having a power transfer function and a power reception function for wireless charging according to various embodiments. The electronic device301(e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) according to various embodiments may wirelessly supply power to a different device (e.g., the electronic device102ofFIG.1) or may wirelessly receive power from the different device.

Referring toFIG.3, the electronic device301may include a power circuit320, a coil340, a communication circuit360, or a control circuit380.

The power circuit320may be a circuit to generate a wireless charging signal using external power input from the outside or a battery or to perform a battery charging operation using a received wireless charging signal provided from the coil340. The control circuit380may control the power circuit320. The power circuit320may be part of a circuit used to generate wireless power. The power circuit320may include, for example, a power management circuit302(e.g., the power management module188ofFIG.1), a power generation circuit304, a switching circuit306, a rectifier circuit308, a regulator310, or a battery312(e.g., the battery189ofFIG.1). Here, at least one of the power generation circuit304, the switching circuit306, the rectifier circuit308, the regulator310, or the communication circuit360may be configured as one integrated circuit (IC).

The power management circuit302may manage external power input from the outside. The power management circuit302may provide power input from the outside to at least one of the battery312or the power generation circuit304. For example, the power management circuit302may provide some of the power input from the outside to the battery312and the rest to the power generation circuit304.

The power generation circuit304may generate a signal for wireless charging of a different electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) using power provided from the power management circuit302. For example, the signal may include a magnetic field signal or an RF signal. The power generation circuit304may generate a signal of a specific frequency for providing power to the different electronic device. For example, the power generation circuit304may generate at least one wireless power signal in a band of about 110 kHz to 205 kHz.

The switching circuit306may adjust a connection relationship between the coil340and another component (e.g., the power generation circuit304or the rectifier circuit308) depending on whether the electronic device301transmits or receives a charging signal. For example, when the electronic device301transmits a charging signal, the switching circuit306may activate a path between the coil340and the power generation circuit304. In another example, when the electronic device301receives a charging signal, the switching circuit306may activate a path between the coil340and the rectifier circuit308.

The rectifier circuit308may rectify a current corresponding to a charging signal generated by the coil340. For example, the rectifier circuit308may convert an AC signal into a DC signal. To this end, the rectifier circuit308may include at least one diode.

The regulator310may convert a DC signal generated by the rectifier circuit308into a signal having a specific level. For example, the regulator310may output a signal having a voltage level required for charging the battery312.

The battery312may supply power required for the operation of the electronic device302. The battery312may supply power required for the operation of the power generation circuit304. The battery312may be charged with external power provided from the power management circuit302or may be charged with a signal corresponding to a charging signal of the different electronic device provided from the regulator310.

The coil340may radiate a wireless power signal to the different electronic device, may receive a wireless power signal from the different electronic device, or may detect a ping signal. For example, the coil340may generate a magnetic field corresponding to a signal generated by the power generation circuit304. In another example, the coil340may generate a current corresponding to a wireless power signal from the different electronic device.

The communication circuit360may communicate with the different electronic device. For example, the communication circuit360may transmit or receive information related to a charging state. When the electronic device301operates in a wireless power reception mode, the information related to the charging state may include transmission signal (power, frequency, voltage, or current) change request information, information about a state (power, voltage, or current) by a received signal, or transmission mode (power, voltage, or current) information. When the electronic device301operates in a wireless power transfer mode, the information related to the charging state may include transmission mode (power, voltage, or current) information or signal output state information (frequency, power, voltage, or current). To this end, the communication circuit360may include a modem362to modulate or demodulate a signal. A signal modulated by the communication circuit360may be transmitted through the coil340. Alternatively, the signal modulated by the communication circuit360may be transmitted through a separate antenna.

The control circuit380may perform overall control of the electronic device301. For example, the control circuit380may generate or interpret a message required for wireless power transfer or wireless power reception. In another example, the control circuit380may monitor a state related to charging of the electronic device301. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may determine the amount of power to be provided to the different electronic device based on information received through the communication circuit360or the monitored state. The control circuit380may be understood as part of the processor120of the electronic device101ofFIG.1.

The control circuit380may determine whether the operation mode of the electronic device301is a power transfer mode or a power reception mode and may control the power circuit320. The control circuit380may identify the operation mode based on whether external power is input, a user input, or the state of the electronic device301. When the operation mode is the power transfer mode, the control circuit380may control the power management circuit302and the power generation circuit304to generate a wireless charging signal and may control the switching circuit306to transmit the wireless charging signal to the coil340. When the operation mode is the power reception mode, the control circuit380may control the switching circuit306to transmit a wireless charging signal received through the coil340to the rectifier circuit308and may control a rectifying operation of the rectifier circuit308.

FIG.4is a block diagram400of another electronic device301having a power transfer function and a power reception function for wireless charging according to various embodiments. The electronic device301(e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG.1) according to various embodiments may wirelessly supply power to a different device (e.g., the electronic device102ofFIG.1) or may wirelessly receive power from the different device.

Referring toFIG.4, the electronic device301may include a power circuit420, a coil340, a communication circuit360, or a control circuit380.

The power circuit420may include a power management circuit402, a battery312, and a power generation and rectification circuit414. The power management circuit402may be a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) including a regulator (e.g., the regulator310) for charging control of the battery312. The power generation and rectification circuit414may perform a function of the power generation circuit304, the switching circuit306, the rectifier circuit308, or the regulator310ofFIG.3. The power generation and rectification circuit414and the communication circuit360may be configured as one IC. According to various embodiments, for example, in the power transfer mode, the power circuit420may provide input power to the power generation and rectification circuit414through the power management unit402, and the power generation and rectification circuit414may generate a wireless charging signal. In another example, in the power reception mode, a wireless charging signal received through the coil340may be rectified by the power generation and rectification circuit414and may then be provided to the power management circuit402.

FIG.5is an example500of an equivalent circuit of a power generation and rectification circuit414in a power circuit420of an electronic device having a power transfer function and a power reception function for wireless charging according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.5, the power generation and rectification circuit414may include a first transistor512, a second transistor514, a third transistor516, a fourth transistor518, a transistor control circuit522, or a capacitor524.

A gate of each of the first transistor512, the second transistor514, the third transistor516, and the fourth transistor518may be connected to the transistor control circuit522. A drain of the first transistor512and a drain of the second transistor514may be connected at a first node532, a source of the second transistor514and a drain of the third transistor516may be connected at a second node534, a source of the third transistor516and a source of the fourth transistor518may be connected at a third node536, and a drain of the fourth transistor518and a source of the first transistor512may be connected at a fourth node538. Both ends of the capacitor524may be connected to the first node523and the third node536.

In the power transfer mode, the transistor control circuit522may generate an AC signal by performing control to operate as an inverter. In the power reception mode, the transistor control circuit522may perform control to operate as a rectifier circuit. Further, in the power transfer mode, the transistor control circuit522may shift the frequency of a generated current according to the impact of a communication circuit (e.g., the communication circuit360).

According to various embodiments, when the electronic device301operates in the wireless power transfer mode, the wireless power generation and rectification circuit414may apply external power or power from a battery to the first node532and the third node536and may alternately repeat an operation of turning on the first transistor512and the third transistor516and an operation of turning on the second transistor514and the fourth transistor518, thereby generating a wireless power signal. According to various embodiments, when the electronic device301operates in the wireless power transfer mode, the wireless power generation and rectification circuit414may apply a signal received through a coil340to the second node534and the fourth node538and may rectify the signal using diode characteristics of the transistors512,514,516, and518.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) may include: a battery (e.g., the battery189); a charging circuit (e.g., the power management module188) configured to control a charging state of the battery; a coil (e.g., the coil340); a wireless power transfer circuit configured to be electrically connected to the coil; and a control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380), wherein the control circuit may be configured to: identify a state related to charging of the battery; transmit a wireless charging parameter related to generation or modification of a power signal to be transmitted to an external electronic device through the coil, the wireless charging parameter being determined at least based on the state related to charging of the battery; receive a response signal corresponding to transmission of the wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; generate, based on the response signal, a power signal corresponding to an amount of wireless transmission power determined at least based on the response signal using the wireless power transfer circuit; and transmit the power signal to the external electronic device through the coil.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the wireless charging parameter may include at least one of an identifier (ID) of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101), a state related to charging of the electronic device, a providable charging mode, a transferrable power amount, or a transferrable voltage.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may further include a connector (e.g., the connection terminal178) configured to connect to an external power supply device. The control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to identify an amount of power flowing into the electronic device from the external power supply device connected using the connector, an amount of power consumed by the electronic device, or a power charging amount used to charge the battery and to determine the amount of wireless transmission power further based on the amount of power flowing, the amount of power consumed, or the power charging amount.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may further include a connector (e.g., the connection terminal178) configured to connect to an external power supply device. The control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to identify power supplied from an outside through the connector, to supply at least part of the power supplied from the connector to the wireless power transfer circuit based on the response signal, and to supply at least part of remaining power to the battery.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the amount of power consumed may include the amount of power consumed for an operation of the electronic device, and the power charging amount may include the amount of power used to charge the battery of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the amount of power consumed for the operation of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) may be determined based on information about at least one application being executed on the electronic device or information about at least one hardware module that is activated.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to determine the amount of wireless transmission power based on the wireless charging parameter.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the wireless charging parameter may include at least one of information indicating a change in the charging state, information indicating a charging mode to be changed, or information indicating that a charging mode transition is possible.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to identify whether the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) supports a fast charging mode based on a wireless charging parameter received from the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the response signal may include a signal for requesting a change of the amount of wireless transmission power from a first level to a second level from the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first level may be the amount of wireless transmission power supplied in a normal charging mode, and the second level may be the amount of wireless transmission power supplied in a fast charging mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the charging state may include at least one of a state related to external power, a state related to internal power consumption, or a heat generation degree due to a charging operation.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to transmit a ping signal to the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102), to receive a response signal to the ping signal from the external electronic device, and to control the charging circuit to reduce power, a current, or a voltage supplied to the battery before transmitting power to the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to identify power supplied from an outside through the connector, to supply at least part of the power supplied from the connector to the wireless power transfer circuit based on the response signal, and to supply at least part of remaining power to the battery.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the response signal may include a wireless charging parameter of the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102), and the wireless charging parameter of the external electronic device may include at least one of a charging-related capability of the external electronic device, a charging-related state of the external electronic device, or an amount of power that the external electronic device can receive.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may further include a communication circuit (e.g., the communication circuit360). The control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to transmit the power signal through an antenna, which is different from the coil for transmitting the power signal, using the communication circuit.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to transmit the wireless charging parameter using the coil.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to disable a wireless charging operation when a battery (e.g., the battery189) level or the charging state does not satisfy a specified condition.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to disable the wireless charging operation by stopping transmission of a ping signal.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380) may be configured to disable the wireless charging operation by including information indicating that provision of wireless charging is stopped in the wireless charging parameter.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) may include: a connector (e.g., the connection terminal178) configured to connect to external power; a battery (e.g., the battery189); a charging circuit (e.g., the power management module188) configured to control a charging state of the battery; a coil (e.g., the coil340); a wireless power transfer circuit configured to be electrically connected to the coil; and a control circuit (e.g., the processor120or the control circuit380), wherein the control circuit may be configured to: charge the battery with the external power input through the connector using the charging circuit and to transmit a first power signal, which is generated using the wireless power transfer circuit, to an external electronic device through the coil; identify a state related to charging of the battery; transmit a wireless charging parameter determined at least based on the state related to charging of the battery to the external electronic device through the coil; receive a response signal corresponding to transmission of the wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; transmit, based on the response signal, a second power signal to the external electronic device using the wireless power transfer circuit.

FIG.6is an example600of wireless charging using an electronic device according to various embodiments. Referring toFIG.6, an electronic device101may generate a signal for wireless charging, and an electronic device102may charge a battery (e.g., the battery189) using the signal generated by the electronic device101. With the electronic device101connected to an adapter610, external power may be supplied to the electronic device101. In this case, according to various embodiments, the electronic device101may charge a battery (e.g., battery189) of the electronic device101using the external power and may generate a charging signal for charging the electronic device102at the same time.

Referring toFIG.6, the charging signal may be radiated through a rear portion of the electronic device101. To this end, a coil (e.g., the coil340) may be disposed inside a rear cover of the electronic device101. Since a printed circuit board (PCB), an internal housing, or a liquid crystal display (LCD) disposed in front of the coil of the electronic device101may generate heat due to the impact of the charging signal, a shielding agent may be installed around the coil to reduce the impact on other circuits. Accordingly, during wireless charging, the rear portion of the electronic device101may be mainly used.

FIG.7is a flowchart700showing that an electronic device generates a charging signal according to various embodiments. The subject of operations in the flowchart700illustrated inFIG.7may be understood as the electronic device101or a component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101.

Referring toFIG.7, in operation701, the electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may identify a charging-related state. The charging-related state may be associated with pieces of information used to determine at least one parameter related to charging. For example, the charging-related state may include a state related to external power, a state related to internal power consumption, or various states depending on a battery charging operation.

In operation703, the electronic device101may transmit at least one charging-related parameter of the electronic device101to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). The at least one charging-related parameter may be determined based on at least one charging parameter among a charging-related state of the electronic device101, a charging-related capability of the electronic device101, or information about an external power source (e.g., whether the external power source is connected or the type of the external power source).

In operation705, the electronic device101may receive at least one charging-related parameter of the external electronic device. The at least one charging-related parameter may include a charging-related capability of the external electronic device (e.g., whether the external electronic device supports a fast charging mode), a charging mode change request (voltage change of a wireless power signal or power amount change), and a charging-related state of the external electronic device (e.g., the voltage, current, or power of a signal received by the reception circuit251or a battery charge amount), or at least one charging parameter of the electronic device101.

In operation707, the electronic device101may generate a charging signal with power determined based on the at least one charging-related parameter of the external electronic device. For example, the charging signal may have a frequency set according to the at least one charging-related parameter of the external electronic device. For example, the charging signal may have an amount of power determined based on the charging-related state of the electronic device101. Accordingly, the external electronic device may charge a battery using the charging signal generated by the electronic device101.

According to the embodiment described with reference toFIG.7, the electronic device101may determine transmission power, may generate a wireless charging signal, and may provide the wireless charging signal to the external electronic device. The electronic device101may receive a response signal from the external electronic device and may generate transmission power based on the response signal (e.g., a charging-related parameter). InFIG.7, after transmitting the charging-related parameter of the electronic device101, the electronic device101may receive the charging-related parameter of the external electronic device. According to another embodiment, the electronic device101may transmit the charging-related parameter of the electronic device101after receiving the charging-related parameter of the external electronic device.

FIG.8is a signal exchange diagram800for wireless charging between electronic devices according to various embodiments. The signal exchange diagram800ofFIG.8illustrates a signal exchange between an electronic device101corresponding to the operations of the electronic device101described with reference toFIG.7and an external electronic device102.

Referring toFIG.8, in operation801, the electronic device101may monitor a charging state. The electronic device101may identify a charging-related state. For example, the electronic device101may identify a battery voltage (e.g., a battery of the electronic device101), the state of a charging current, or a heat generation state due to a charging operation.

In operation803, the electronic device101may transmit a beacon signal to the external electronic device102. A beacon is transmitted as a ping signal and may be referred to as a digital ping or a power beacon. Due to the beacon signal, the external electronic device102may recognize that the electronic device101can transmit a charging signal for wireless charging. According to another embodiment, the electronic device101may output an analog ping signal having a specific voltage.

In operation805, the external electronic device102may transmit signal strength information to the electronic device101. The signal strength information may indicate the reception strength of the beacon signal received by the external electronic device102. The external electronic device102may transmit the signal strength information in response to the beacon signal. That is, the electronic device101may receive the signal strength information (signal strength power (SSP)) from the external electronic device102, thereby recognizing proximity of the external electronic device102. The electronic device101may recognize the external electronic device102to which wireless power is transferred.

In operation807, the external electronic device102may transmit a power receiving unit (PRU) parameter to the electronic device101. The PRU parameter may include identification information or configuration information about the external electronic device102. The PRU parameter may include charging-related information about the external electronic device102. For example, the PRU parameter may indicate at least one of an identifier (ID) of the external electronic device102, a property (e.g., charging-related capability or battery capacity) of the external electronic device102, a state value (e.g., battery charge amount) of the external electronic device102, the amount of power that the external electronic device102can receive, a voltage that the external electronic device102can transmit, a reception power mode of the external electronic device102, or data related to a power signal generated by the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the PRU parameter may be transmitted through the same frequency band as that for a charging signal or through a different frequency band. The PRU parameter may be transmitted through a radio access technology (RAT) (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, or NFC) different from that for transmitting the charging signal.

In operation809, the external electronic device102may transmit a received power packet (RPP) to the electronic device101. The RPP may be periodically transmitted during wireless charging. Through the RPP, the electronic device101may recognize that a wireless charging process is in progress. Alternatively, the electronic device101may recognize the charging state of the external electronic device102.

In operation811, the electronic device101may determine a power transmitting unit (PTU) parameter. The PTU parameter may include control information or configuration information about the electronic device101. The PTU parameter may include charging-related information about the electronic device101. For example, the PTU parameter may indicate at least one of an ID of the electronic device101, a property of the electronic device101, a state value (e.g., external power type or remaining battery level) of the electronic device101, a charging mode that the electronic device101can provide, or the amount of power that the electronic device101can transfer.

In operation813, the electronic device101may transmit the PTU parameter to the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the PTU parameter may be transmitted using a coil340. Alternatively, the PTU parameter may be transmitted through a RAT (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, or NFC) different from that for transmitting the charging signal.

In operation815, the external electronic device102may transmit a response signal to the electronic device101. Upon receiving the response signal, the electronic device101may generate a power signal transmitted through the coil based on the response signal. For example, the electronic device may identify power supplied from the outside through a connector (e.g., the adapter610), may supply at least part of the power supplied from the connector to a wireless power transfer circuit based on the response signal, and may supply at least part of the remaining power to a battery (e.g., the battery189).

As described in the embodiment with reference toFIG.8, the electronic device101may trigger a wireless charging process by transmitting a ping signal. However, according to another embodiment, when it is determined that power to be allocated to a charging signal for wireless charging is insufficient, the electronic device101may stop transmitting the ping signal, thereby disabling a wireless charging function. For example, when the charging capacity of the battery is less than a threshold value, the electronic device101may determine that the power to be allocated to the charging signal for wireless charging is insufficient. According to another embodiment, when it is determined that the power to be allocated to the charging signal for wireless charging is insufficient, the electronic device101may include information indicating a state in which wireless charging cannot be provided in the ping signal or a PTU parameter. According to another embodiment, when the amount of heat generated due to a charging operation exceeds a threshold value, the electronic device101may stop transmitting the ping signal, thereby disabling the wireless charging function.

In the embodiments described with reference toFIG.7andFIG.8, the electronic device101may determine the amount of power that can be transferred for wireless charging. The amount of power that can be transferred may be determined based on a wireless charging-related state of the electronic device101. An embodiment of determining the amount of power that can be transferred will be described below with reference toFIG.9.

FIG.9is a flowchart900showing that an electronic device determines the amount of power for wireless charging according to various embodiments. The subject of operations in the flowchart900illustrated inFIG.9may be understood as the electronic device101or a component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101.

Referring toFIG.9, in operation901, the electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may determine a power inflow amount. When the electronic device101is connected to an external power source through an adapter (e.g., the adapter410), external power may be supplied. Accordingly, the electronic device101may determine the amount of power supplied from the outside. The power inflow amount may be determined by measurement or may be determined according to the type of the external power source. For example, the power inflow amount may be determined by a power management circuit (e.g., the power management circuit302or the power management circuit402) measuring the amount of power supplied from the outside.

In operation903, the electronic device101may determine a power consumption amount or a battery charge amount. The power consumption amount may include the amount of power consumed for the operation of the electronic device101, and the battery charge amount may include the amount of power consumed to charge a battery of the electronic device101. The power consumption amount may be determined by measurement or may be determined based on a state. For example, the electronic device101may determine the power consumption amount or the battery charge amount based on a charging state of the battery, the type or number of applications being executed, the AP occupancy rate of an application, or the type or number of activated hardware modules.

In operation905, the electronic device101may determine the amount of transferrable power. The electronic device101may determine the amount of transferrable power by subtracting the power consumption amount or the battery charge amount from the power inflow amount. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine the amount of transferrable power in consideration of a margin. According to an embodiment, the amount of transferrable power may be determined based on not only a current state but also a predicted future state. The predicted state may be determined based on statistics on usage of the electronic device101.

As described in the embodiment with reference toFIG.9, an electronic device101may determine the amount of transferrable power for wireless charging. A PRU parameter or a PTU parameter may be exchanged to determine the amount of transferrable power. Before transmitting the PTU parameter, the electronic device101may detect the amount of power supplied from the external power source or the amount of power supplied to the battery and may determine the maximum amount of transferrable power based on the detected information. An electronic device102may adjust the amount of wirelessly charged power based on the PTU parameter.

According to various embodiments, before starting wireless charging, the electronic device101may supply power of a first level to the battery. The electronic device101may enter a wireless charging identification phase or configuration phase with the electronic device102, may identify a battery charging power state or a battery charge level, and may transmit a PTU parameter. When the battery capacity of the electronic device101is less than a specified capacity (e.g., about 20%), the electronic device101may maintain the power of the first level and may transmit data related to first wireless power that can be supplied when transmitting the PTU parameter. When the battery capacity of the electronic device101is high, the electronic device101may determine to supply power of a second level less than the first level to the battery, and may transmit information about second wireless power, which is greater than the first power, when transmitting the PTU parameter.

According to various embodiments, according to the situation of the electronic device101(e.g., screen on/off, an application being executed, or a battery charging state (e.g., a constant current (CC) period or a constant voltage (CV) period), information about power that can be supplied from the electronic device101may be changed and maximum power that can be transferred may be changed. The electronic device101may detect the state of power used for the system. For example, the electronic device101may determine power consumed by a main component, such as a display (e.g., the display device160), a processor (e.g., the processor120), a camera (e.g., the camera module180), or a communication module190, may determine a PTU parameter based on power consumption, and transmit the PTU parameter.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may transmit a charging signal after receiving SSP or a PRU parameter from the electronic device102. The electronic device101may transmit a PTU parameter to the electronic device102after transmitting the charging signal. The electronic device101and the electronic device102may then perform an operation for a power mode change. When the PTU parameter is changed in a power transfer period, the electronic device101may transmit the changed PTU parameter to the electronic device102. The amount of power transferred between the electronic device101and the electronic device102may be reset using the changed PTU parameter. An embodiment of resetting the amount of power will be described below with reference toFIG.10andFIG.11.

FIG.10is a signal exchange diagram1000for a charging mode transition during wireless charging between electronic devices according to various embodiments. The signal exchange diagram1000ofFIG.10illustrates a signal exchange between an electronic device101and an external electronic device102after wireless charging starts through a process illustrated inFIG.8.

Referring toFIG.10, in operation1001, the electronic device101may monitor a charging state (e.g., a charging state of the electronic device101). The electronic device101may identify a charging-related state. For example, the electronic device101may identify a battery voltage, the state of a charging current, or a heat generation state due to a charging operation.

In operation1003, the external electronic device102may transmit an RPP to the electronic device101. The RPP may be periodically transmitted during wireless charging. Through the RPP, the electronic device101may recognize that a wireless charging process is in progress. Operation1001and operation1003may be continuously performed. When a predefined condition is satisfied during the monitoring, operation1005may be performed below.

In operation1005, the electronic device101may determine a PTU parameter. The PTU parameter may include control information or configuration information about the electronic device101. The PTU parameter may include charging-related information about the electronic device101. For example, the PTU parameter may indicate at least one of an ID of the electronic device101, a property of the electronic device101, a state value of the electronic device101, or the amount of power/voltage that the electronic device101can transfer. When a specified condition is satisfied during monitoring the charging state, the electronic device101may determine the PTU parameter.

In operation1007, the electronic device101may transmit the PTU parameter to the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the PTU parameter may be transmitted through the same frequency band as that for a charging signal or through a different frequency band. The PTU parameter may be transmitted through a RAT (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, or NFC) different from that for transmitting the charging signal. As a result of monitoring in operation1001, when there is a change in the charging-related state, the electronic device101may include information indicating a change in the charging-related state, information indicating that a charging mode can be changed, or information indicating a changeable charging mode.

In operation1009, the external electronic device102may determine a charging mode. The external electronic device102may determine the charging mode based on the PTU parameter received from the electronic device101or a charging-related property or state of the external electronic device102. Accordingly, it may be determined to maintain a current charging mode or to change to a different charging mode.

In operation1011, the external electronic device102may transmit a charging mode transition request signal to the electronic device101. The charging mode transition request signal may include an indication of requesting a transition to a charging mode different from the currently operating charging mode or information indicating a different charging mode. According to an embodiment, the charging mode transition request signal may be transmitted through the same frequency band as that for the charging signal or through a different frequency band. The charging mode transition request signal may be transmitted through a RAT (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, or NFC) different from that for transmitting the charging signal.

FIG.11is a flowchart1100showing that an electronic device transitions to a mode for wireless charging according to various embodiments. The subject of operations in the flowchart1100illustrated inFIG.11may be understood as the electronic device101or a component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101. A flowchart1100illustrated inFIG.11shows a specific case of a charging mode transition, which illustrates a transition from a normal charging mode to a fast charging mode.

Referring toFIG.11, in operation1101, the electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may identify the amount of transferable power. The amount of transferable power may be determined based on a charging-related state of the electronic device101. For example, the electronic device101may identify a power inflow amount or a power consumption amount and may calculate the amount of transferrable power based on the determined power inflow amount or power consumption amount. Here, identifying the amount of transferrable power may include an operation of identifying the amount of transferrable power, an operation of identifying a variance (e.g., an increase or decrease) in the amount of transferrable power, or an operation of identifying whether the amount of transferrable power is changed.

In operation1103, the electronic device101may determine whether the amount of transferrable power has increased. When the amount of transferrable power has not increased, the electronic device101may return to operation1101. However, although not shown inFIG.11, according to another embodiment, when the amount of transferrable power has decreased, the electronic device101may perform an operation according to the decrease in the amount of transferrable power.

When the amount of transferrable power has increased, the electronic device101may determine whether a charging mode transition request from an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) is identified in operation1105. The electronic device101may determine whether the charging mode transition request is identified based on a PTU parameter received from the external electronic device. When the charging mode transition request is not identified, the electronic device101may terminate this process.

When the charging mode transition request is identified, the electronic device101may transition to the fast charging mode in operation1107. The electronic device101may increase the power of a charging signal to a value enabling fast charging. Accordingly, the amount of power provided to a battery or another component of the electronic device101may be reduced. According to an embodiment, to transition to the fast charging mode, the electronic device101may re-perform an initialization operation, a ping operation, an identification or configuration operation. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the electronic device101may re-perform the identification or configuration operation except for the ping operation.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) may identify the amount of transferrable power (1101), and may reconfigure a PTU parameter to be transmitted to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) when the amount of transferrable power has increased. The electronic device101may monitor a charging state and may determine the amount of transferable power of the amount of external power flowing into the electronic device101. The electronic device101may reconfigure the PTU parameter to be transmitted when recognizing the external electronic device102according to the amount of power that can be supplied to the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101) may include: identifying a battery level or a charging state; transmitting a wireless charging parameter related to generation or modification of a power signal to be transmitted to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) through a coil when the battery level or the charging state satisfies a specified condition; receiving a response signal to the transmitted wireless charging parameter from the external electronic device; or generating, based on the response signal, a power signal transmitted through the coil using the wireless power transfer circuit.

FIG.12is an example1200of a change in the battery charging current of an electronic device during wireless charging according to various embodiments. The example1200ofFIG.12illustrates a change in the internal power consumption amount (e.g., battery charging current) of the electronic device101over time during wireless charging.

Referring toFIG.12, the electronic device101may initially receive external power through a power connector. For example, when connected to a travel adapter (TA) having a rated capacity of about 15 W, the electronic device101may receive power of about 15 W. The electronic device101may use the received power to charge a battery.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may operate in a ping phase to identify a wireless charging request from an electronic device102. When receiving a response from the electronic device102, the electronic device101may enter an identification and configuration phase at a first time1201. Accordingly, a configuration for power charging and transfer between the electronic device101and the electronic device102may be performed. The electronic device101may reduce a battery charging current before supplying power to the electronic device102. For example, the battery charging current may be reduced at a second time1202in order to activate wireless charging of the electronic device102.

According to various embodiments, another example of a change in the amount of supplied power according to a charging state of the electronic device101is shown below in Table 1.

Referring to Table 1, at time t0, the electronic device101is in a state of not transmitting a charging signal and may charge the battery with first power (e.g., about 15 W). At time t1, the electronic device101may charge the battery with second power (e.g., about 10 W) less than the first power and may transfer first wireless power to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). At time t2, the electronic device101may charge the battery with third power (e.g., about 0 W) less than the second power and may transfer second wireless power (e.g., about 15W) to the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). That is, at time t2, the electronic device101may finish charging the battery and may transfer the second wireless power to the external electronic device. For example, the electronic device101may perform fast wireless charging. According to various embodiments, the third power less than the second power may be, for example, about 0.1 to 5 W, and the remaining power in addition to the received power (e.g., about 15 W) may be supplied as wireless power.

When the amount of power for wirelessly supplying power is changed, the electronic device101may perform a configuration operation for changing the amount of wireless charging power in a power transfer period. For example, at time t1or time t2, the electronic device101may perform an initial operation, a ping operation, and an identification or configuration operation. Accordingly, the electronic device101may transmit a changed PTU parameter to the external electronic device. That is, the electronic device101may re-perform the initial operation, the ping operation, and the identification or configuration phase through a renegotiation operation. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the electronic device101may perform the identification and configuration or renegotiation operation excluding the ping operation.

The electronic device101may determine the amount of power that can be received or whether normal/fast wireless charging is supported using a PRU parameter received from the external electronic device and may change a wireless charging power supply mode. For example, when the external electronic device does not support fast wireless charging, the electronic device101may not additionally perform an operation of changing the amount of wireless power.

FIG.13is a state transition diagram1300of an electronic device according to various embodiments. The state transition diagram1300ofFIG.13illustrates various states of the electronic device101related to wireless charging.

Referring toFIG.13, the electronic device101may operate in one of a selection state1310, a ping state1320, an identification and configuration state1330, a power transfer state1340, and a renegotiation state1350. The selection state1310may be a state in which enabling/disabling wireless charging is determined. When an object to be charged (e.g., the electronic device102) is detected in the selection state1310, the electronic device101may transition to the ping state1320. The ping state1320may be a state of transmitting a ping signal and waiting for a response. When no response is received, the electronic device101may transition back to the selection state1310. When the response is identified, the electronic device101may transition to the identification and configuration state1330. The identification and configuration state1330may be a state in which information about the object to be charged is obtained and a charging-related variable is set. When charging starts in the identification and configuration state1330, the electronic device101may transition to the power transfer state1340. The power transfer state1340may be a state in which a charging signal is generated or radiated. When a charging-related state of the electronic device101is changed in the power transfer state1340, the electronic device101may transition to the renegotiation state1350. The renegotiation state1350may be a state in which a charging-related parameter is exchanged or the charging-related variable is reset. When the charging-related variable is reset through the renegotiation state1350, the electronic device101may transition to the power transfer state1340.

The proximity of the electronic device101to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) is recognized, and necessary information may be exchange through in-band communication or out-of-band communication in the identification and configuration state1330in the ping state1320. When the electronic device101transmits a PTU parameter to the external electronic device, the parameter may be transmitted based on a charging-related state of the electronic device101. Subsequently, power may be transferred in the power transfer state1340. In the renegotiation state1350, power supplied from the electronic device101to the external electronic device may be changed according to the PTU parameter. That is, a charging mode may be changed according to a power charging state of the electronic device101.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may monitor a charging state and may determine the amount of transferable power of the amount of external power flowing into the electronic device101. The electronic device101may reconfigure a PTU parameter to be transmitted when recognizing the external electronic device102according to the amount of power that can be supplied to the external electronic device. The electronic device101may transition from the power transfer state1340to the renegotiation state1350, the identification and configuration state1330, or the ping state1320for an operation of detecting an object to be charged (e.g., the electronic device102) and may transmit the PTU parameter. The electronic device101may transmit transmission power (e.g., maximum power or guaranteed power), transmission signal voltage information, or the like.

An electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed herein may include various types of devices. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smailphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The electronic device according to the embodiments disclosed herein is not limited to the foregoing devices.