Patent Publication Number: US-2016241045-A1

Title: Protocols for wireless sound power transmission

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,399 filed on May 10, 2013, entitled “Receivers For Wireless Power Transmission”; Ser. No. 13/891,430 filed on May 10, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Pocket-forming” and Ser. No. 13/891,445 filed on May 10, 2013, entitled “Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission”; invented by Michael A. Leabman, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by these references. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to control protocols, and more particularly to control protocols for wireless sound power transmission. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The situation where electronic devices run out of power, because users fail to charge them, is an ever-present problem. The foregoing problem may be exacerbated by the burden imposed on users on carrying chargers, for powering their devices, which may need to be plugged into a wall outlet for example. This may result in devices being constrained to a given space, which may turn their operation unpleasant. In addition, if a wall outlet is not available, the device may run out of power and become virtually unusable. The foregoing problem has partially been solved by providing devices with replaceable batteries. However, such a solution creates the new problem of having to carry such batteries anywhere a user goes. Thus, wireless sound power transmission techniques such as resonating coils, sound wave (SW) harvesting or pocket-forming, to name a few, may be suitable solutions for the foregoing problems. However, given the flexibility of wireless sound power transmission, i.e. not requiring cables, extra batteries and the like, there may be a need for protocols for controlling such power transmission. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provides control protocols for wireless sound power transmission carried out through suitable techniques such as pocket-forming, resonating coils and the like. 
     In an embodiment, a pocket-forming methodology, where at least one transmitter and one receiver are utilized for wireless sound power transmission, may be provided. 
     In another embodiment, a routine which may be carried out by a micro-controller in a transmitter or the like for authenticating an electronic device including at least one receiver may be provided. 
     In a further embodiment, a routine which may be carried out by a micro-controller in a transmitter or the like for delivering power wirelessly to an electronic device including at least one receiver may be provided. 
     The protocols here disclosed can be used to control wireless sound power transmission in places like home, workplace or stores providing wireless sound power. Such protocols may be aimed at controlling which devices can be wirelessly sound power and the suitable conditions for wireless sound power transmission. In addition, a micro-controller may store power statistics in a processor which may then be retrieved by a user or the like. 
     The method of control protocols for a wireless sound power transmission system, comprising: generating two or more sound waves from a transmitter having a micro-controller for digital signal processing in response to receiving a signature signal from a receiver requesting a power delivery; forming controlled constructive and destructive interference patterns from the generated sound waves controlled by the micro-controller; accumulating energy or power in the form of constructive interference patterns from the sound waves to form pockets of energy; converging the pockets of energy in 3-d space to a targeted electronic device connected to the receiver sending the signature signal; evaluating the signature signal sent by the receiver to authenticate the identification of the targeted electronic device for reception of the pockets of energy to charge the electronic device; and determining the power delivery profile of the targeted and authenticated electronic device to meet the request for power delivery by the receiver for charging or operating the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and may not be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing prior art, the figures represent aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  shows a transmitter that can be used for pocket-forming, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a receiver that can be used for pocket-forming, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the methodology used for pocket-forming where at least one transmitter (as described in  FIG. 1  above) and one receiver (as described in  FIG. 2  above) may be included, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example routine that may be utilized by a micro-controller from transmitter (as described in  FIG. 1 ) to authenticate devices requiring wireless power transmission, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example routine that may be utilized by a micro-controller from transmitter (as described in  FIG. 1 ) to deliver power to devices previously authenticated in the routine described in  FIG. 4  above, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     “Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more sound waves which converge in 3-d space, forming controlled constructive and destructive interference patterns. 
     “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 sound waves. 
     “Null-space” may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of sound waves. 
     “Transmitter” may refer to a device, including a chip which may generate two or more SOUND signals, at least one SOUND signal being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other SOUND signals, substantially all of which pass through one or more SOUND antenna or piezo-electric device such that focused SOUND signals are directed to a target. 
     “Receiver” may refer to a device which may include at least one sound antenna or sensor, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power converter for powering or charging an electronic device using SOUND waves. 
     “Adaptive pocket-forming” may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, which may not be to scale or to proportion, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims, are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a transmitter  100  that can be used for pocket-forming. In this embodiment, transmitter  100  may be used to provide wireless power transmission. Transmitter  100  may include a housing  102  having at least two or more transducer sound elements  104 , at least one sound wave integrated circuit (SWIC  106 ), at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller  108 , and one communications component  110  and an external power source  112 . Housing  102  can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Sound elements  104  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands of 60 KHz or less. Transducer sound elements  104  may include piezo-electric speaker devices as well as other suitable combinations of piezo-electric devices. Micro-controller  108  may then process information sent by a receiver through communications component  110  for determining optimum times and locations for pocket-forming. Communications component  110  may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component  110  may be used to transfer other information such as an identifier for the device or user, battery level, location or other such information. Other communications component  110  may be possible which may include radar, infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation for determining the device&#39;s position. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a receiver  200  that can be used for pocket-forming. In this embodiment, receiver  200  may be used for powering or charging an electronic device. Receiver  200  may also include a housing  202  having at least one sensor element  204 , one rectifier  206 , one power converter  208  and one or more communications component  210 . Housing  202  can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing  202  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. Sound sensor elements  204  may include suitable piezo-electric types for operating in frequency bands such as those described for transmitter  100  from  FIG. 1 . Sensor element  204  may include combinations of various piezo-electric sensors. Using multiple sensors 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 sensors which may dictate a ratio for the number of sensors of a given type. 
     Suitable sensor types may include piezo-electric devices of various sizes. Sound sensors may have the advantage over other types of energy transmission via RF signals for example. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as receiver  200 , may dynamically modify its sensors to optimize wireless power transmission. Rectifier  206  may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by sensor element  204  to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier  206  may be placed as close as is technically possible to sensor element  204  to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter  208 . Power converter  208  can be a DC-DC converter which may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this embodiment to a battery  212 . Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. Lastly, a communications component  210  may be included in receiver  200  to communicate with a transmitter or to other electronic equipment. Such a communications component  210  may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, WI-Fi or ZigBee similar to communications component  110  from transmitter  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary illustration of the methodology used for pocket-forming  300 , which may include one transmitter  100  and at least one or more receivers  200 . Receiver  200  may communicate with transmitter  100  by generating a short signal (e.g., RF) through sensor elements  204  or an internal antenna in order to locate its position with respect to the transmitter  100 . In some embodiments, receiver  200  may additionally utilize at least one communications component  210  to communicate with other devices or components. Communications components  210  may enable receiver  200  to communicate using a wireless protocol. As described in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the wireless protocol can be a proprietary protocol or use a conventional wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, etc. Communications component  210  may then be used to transfer information such as an identifier for the device as well as battery level information, geographic location data, or other information that may be of use for transmitter  100  in determining when to send power to receiver  200 , as well as the location to deliver power. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices. 
     Once transmitter  100  identifies and locates receiver  200 , a channel or path can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming from receiver  200 . Transmitter  100  may start to transmit controlled sound wave frequency (SW) waves  302  which may converge in 3-d space by using a minimum of two antenna elements  104 . These sound waves  302  may be produced by transmitter  100  using an external power source  112  and a local oscillator chip using a suitable piezoelectric material. Sound waves  302  may be controlled by SWIC  106  which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of sound wave signals which may serve as inputs for transducer elements  104  to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pocket-forming  300  may take advantage of interference to change the directionality of the sound transducer elements  104  where constructive interference generates a pocket of energy  304  and deconstructive interference generates null space. Receiver  200  may then utilize pocket of energy  304  produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptop computer  306  and therefore effectively providing wireless power transmission. 
     As described above, wireless power transmission can be very flexible through pocket-forming. No extra cables, wires or batteries may be required. In addition, power transmission can be done through space, and at any time a user requires it. This may eliminate many of the burdens typically associated with charging or powering electronic devices. However, protocols may be useful for controlling such a power transmission. In addition, the following protocols can also be used for other suitable wireless power transmission techniques such as resonating coils, RF harvesting and even magnetic induction. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example routine  400  that may be utilized by micro-controller  108  from transmitter  100  to control wireless power transmission. Routine  400  may begin when transmitter  100  receives a power delivery request  402  from receiver  200 . At Power delivery request  402 , receiver  200  may send a signature signal which may be coded using suitable techniques such as delay encoding, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), code division multiplexing (CDM) or other suitable binary coding for identifying a given electronic device including receiver  200 . At this stage, micro-controller  108  may proceed to authenticate  404  where it may evaluate the signature signal sent by receiver  200 . Based on authenticate  404 , micro-controller  108  may proceed to a decision  406 . If receiver  200  is not authorized to receiver power, micro-controller  108  may decide, at decision  406 , to don&#39;t deliver power  408 , and thus end routine  400  at end  410 . On the other hand, if receiver  200  is authorized to receive power, micro-controller  108  may proceed to determine device type  412 . At this step, micro-controller  108  may obtain information from receiver  200  such as type of device, manufacturer, serial number, total power required, battery level among other such information. Afterwards, micro-controller  108  may proceed to run device module  414 , where it may run a routine suited to the authenticated device. In addition, if multiple receivers  200  are requiring power, micro-controller  108  may deliver power equally to all receivers  200  or may utilize a priority status for each receiver  200 . Such a priority status may be user defined. In some embodiments, the user may choose to deliver more power to its smartphone, than to its gaming device. In other cases, the user may decide to first power its smartphone and then its gaming device. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a routine  500  that may be utilized by micro-controller  108  at device module  414 . Routine  500  may start at determine power delivery profile  502  where it may decide to either run on a default power profile or a user custom profile. In the case of the former, micro-controller  108  may proceed to verify battery level  504  where it may determine power needs of the electronic device including receiver  200 . Afterwards, micro-controller  108  may proceed to a decision  506 . If the battery of the electronic device including receiver  200  is fully charged, at decision  506 , micro-controller  108  may proceed to don&#39;t deliver power  508 , and thus end routine  500  at end  510 . On the other hand, if the battery of the electronic device including receiver  200  is not fully charged, micro-controller  108  may proceed to verify if such electronic device meet specific powering criteria at decision  512 . The foregoing powering criteria may depend on the electronic device requiring power. For example, smartphones may only receive power if are not being used, or may be during usage but only if the user is not talking through it, or may be during usage as long as WI-Fi is not compromised among other such criteria. In the case of a user custom profile, the user may specify the minimum battery level its equipment can have before delivering power, or the user may specify the criteria for powering his or her device among other such options. 
     Alternatively, micro-controller  108  may also record data on a processor on transmitter  100 . Such data may include powering statistics related to how often does a device require power, at what times is the device requesting power, how long it takes to power the device, how much power was delivered to such device, the priority status of devices, where is the device mostly being powered (for example at home or in the workplace). In addition, such statistics could be uploaded to a cloud based server so that the user can look at all such statistics. In some embodiments, stores, coffee shops and the like providing wireless power as a secondary service may use the aforementioned statistics for charging a user the corresponding monetary amounts for the total power received. In some cases, users may buy powering time, for example, a user may pay for an hour of power. Thus, the aforementioned statistics can help micro-controller  108  decide when to stop delivering power to such a user. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.