Patent Publication Number: US-10770926-B2

Title: Vehicle having a remote device powered by an energy beam

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a mobile platform having an integrated power beaming system. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a high power, energy efficient motor vehicle with an integrated power beaming transmitter arranged to remotely power a device such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Laser or microwave power beaming delivers electromagnetic energy from a transmitter to a receiver through the atmosphere over large distances (e.g., one or more meters to many hundreds or thousands of kilometers). At the receiver, the electromagnetic energy is converted to heat or electric power and used by an unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e., UAV or drone), ground vehicle, robot, tool, construction equipment, or other like machine. 
     Power beaming provides a source of heat or power without a physical conduit (e.g., wiring) attached to the receiving device. The efficiency of power beaming systems is limited, and power beaming systems typically require substantial electric power and, in many cases, cooling, at the transmitter. 
     In contrast, other power systems (e.g., direct power systems) provide a source of power with a physical conduit (e.g., wiring) attached to the receiving device. The efficiency of direct power systems may be limited in different ways based on the distance between a power-consuming device and a power source. Generally, the power source is fixed in one location. 
     All of the subject matter discussed in the Background section is not necessarily prior art and should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its discussion in the Background section. Along these lines, any recognition of problems in the prior art discussed in the Background section or associated with such subject matter should not be treated as prior art unless expressly stated to be prior art. Instead, the discussion of any subject matter in the Background section should be treated as part of the inventor&#39;s approach to the particular problem, which in and of itself may also be inventive. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In accordance with some embodiments described herein, an energy efficient vehicle, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle, is configured with a laser or microwave beamed-power transmitter. The transmitter is powered by the electric or hybrid vehicle&#39;s electric supply (e.g., battery or fuel cell or generator). In some embodiments, the transmitter is cooled by a vehicle cooling subsystem such as a passenger air conditioner or battery cooling system. The transmitter in some embodiments may further share other subsystems with the vehicle, including power converters and controllers, location services (e.g., global position system (GPS)), security mechanisms, proximity detection, computer processing and displays, and communications. 
     An embodiment described in the present disclosure is a system that includes a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame, and a drive system coupled to the frame. The drive system is arranged to propel the vehicle. The system also includes a beamed-power transmission system coupled to the frame, which is arranged to deliver beamed power to a remote device. A cooling system is provided to cool portions of the beamed-power transmission system, an aiming system is operable to aim a power beam produced by the beamed-power transmission system toward the remote device, and a stability system is coupled to the frame and coupled to the beamed-power transmission system. The stability system is arranged to maintain substantial three-dimensional constancy of the power beam despite transience in the frame. An energy efficient power source is coupled to the vehicle and arranged to power the drive system, the beamed-power transmission system, the cooling system, the aiming system, and the stability system. 
     Another embodiment described in the present disclosure is a system that includes a remote device arranged to survey a geographical area and a vehicle. The vehicle has a frame, a drive system coupled to the frame and arranged to propel the vehicle, and a beamed-power transmission system coupled to the frame and arranged to deliver beamed power to the remote device. The vehicle also has an energy efficient power source coupled to the frame and arranged to power the drive system and the beamed-power transmission system. A local power interface is integrated with the vehicle and arranged to pass local power to the remote device when the remote device is proximate the vehicle, and a local docking interface is integrated with the vehicle and arranged to receive the remote device. 
     Yet one more embodiment described in the present disclosure is a method to power a remote device. The method includes operating a vehicle having a frame and a drive system coupled to the frame to propel the vehicle, operating an electrically powered remote device, and delivering beamed power to the electrically powered remote device via a beamed-power transmission system coupled to the frame. 
     Within the vehicle and power-beaming systems and methods discussed in the present disclosure, the innovation described in the present disclosure is new and useful, and the innovation is not well-known, routine, or conventional in the industry. The innovation described herein includes known building blocks combined in new and useful ways along with other structures and limitations to create something more than has heretofore been conventionally known. The embodiments improve on computing systems which, when un-programmed or differently programmed, cannot perform or provide the specific power-beaming features claimed herein. 
     To the extent that the present application describes computerized acts, the computerized acts described in the embodiments herein are not purely conventional and are not well understood. Instead, the acts are new to the industry. Furthermore, the combination of acts as described in conjunction with the present embodiments provides new information, motivation, and business results that are not already present when the acts are considered separately. 
     There is no prevailing, accepted definition for what constitutes an abstract idea. To the extent the concepts discussed in the present disclosure may be considered abstract, the claims present tangible, practical, and concrete applications of said allegedly abstract concepts. 
     The embodiments described herein apply computerized technology and other technologies to improve the technology of mobile power-beaming, but other techniques and tools remain available to wirelessly beam power. Therefore, the claimed subject matter does not foreclose the whole or even substantial portions of the power-beaming technological area. 
     These features with other objects and advantages, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully described hereafter and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like labels refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve drawing legibility. The particular shapes of the elements as drawn have been selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. One or more embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a commercially available, energy efficient vehicle embodiment modified with a beamed-power transmission system; 
         FIG. 2  is another commercially available, energy efficient vehicle embodiment modified with a beamed-power transmission system; 
         FIG. 3  is another commercially available, energy efficient vehicle embodiment modified with a beamed-power transmission system; 
         FIG. 4  is a vehicle network embodiment of multiple vehicles and multiple remote devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with computing systems including client and server computing systems, as well as networks have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
     Commercially available energy efficient motor vehicles include electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Typically, a hybrid vehicle includes various combinations of batteries, a combustion engine, and one or more fuel cells. An electric vehicle also includes one or more batteries, fuel cells, other chemical reaction-based power sources, but such vehicle is absent a combustion engine. A drive system is coupled to the frame of an energy efficient vehicle, and the drive system propels the vehicle. The drive system receives power from the battery, fuel cell, or other power source that is onboard the energy efficient vehicle. In the case of a hybrid vehicle, the onboard combustion engine typically provides less power to propel the vehicle than the combustion engine of a non-hybrid vehicle. 
     One distinguishing characteristic of energy efficient vehicles is that they have electrical power systems capable of sourcing multiple kilowatts (i.e., 5 kW, 10 kW, 50 kW, or more) of power using, for example, an electric generator. The sourced power is often delivered as stable, direct current (DC), and the power can last for multiple hours. In alternative embodiments, the sourced power may be delivered as alternating current (AC) or the sourced power may include both AC and DC power. In contrast to an energy efficient vehicle, a conventional vehicle with a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine generally has a much lower-power electrical system. The electrical system of a conventional vehicle will typically provide a few kilowatts of peak power to start the internal combustion engine, and later provide less than one kilowatt of sustained power for auxiliary functions (i.e., headlights, audio systems, and the like). 
     The power produced by a commercially available energy efficient vehicle is available to power other electrically-powered equipment when the vehicle is not in motion. Alternatively, when the vehicle is in motion and operating at less-than-maximum load, substantial power may also be available. 
     In some embodiments discussed herein, power from an electric or other energy efficient vehicle is used to drive a power-beaming transmission system coupled to the vehicle (e.g., frame of the vehicle). The power-beaming transmission system includes a transmitter that generates a power beam, which is directed to a remote device. The power beam may be formed with a laser-based system or a microwave-based system. The power-beaming transmission system is configured to transmit electrical power to one or more remote devices within a line-of-sight vicinity of the vehicle. 
     In the present disclosure, a line-of-sight may be a direct point-to-point straight line path, or a line-of-sight may be an indirect path that includes reflections, refractions, or other paths and path segments that a power beam follows. Accordingly, a line of sight vicinity may include one or more intervening structures such as lenses that shape, aim, focus, or otherwise configure the power beam; mirrors that re-direct the power beam; splitters that create multiple beams; or combiners that create a singular beam, and the like. 
     Various portions of the power-beaming transmission system are integrated with the energy efficient vehicle. For example, in one embodiment, some or all of the power-beaming transmission system is cooled by a vehicle cooling system. The cooling system may be an integral part of the energy efficient vehicle otherwise arranged to cool the occupants of the vehicle (i.e., the air conditioning system). In addition, or as an alternative, the cooling system may be integrally formed with the vehicle such that one or more portions of the cooling system are dedicated or otherwise arranged to cool the vehicle battery pack, power electronics, an electric motor, or some other system of the vehicle. In some energy efficient vehicles, a low-temperature cooling system, beyond that generally needed for cabin air conditioning, is used to facilitate rapid battery charging. In some embodiments, the vehicle cooling system is configured to provide air, gas, liquid, or some other coolant to the power-beaming transmission system at temperatures of approximately 30 degrees Celsius (° C.) or below. In this way, the temperature of the power-beaming transmission system can be maintained at about room temperature or below. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the energy efficient vehicle is modified to mount some or all of the power-beaming transmission system. A transmitter aperture may be mounted on the vehicle roof, mounted in a truck bed, or otherwise coupled to the frame of the vehicle. In some cases, a transmitter aperture is elevated such as via a boom. Elevating the point of power beam transmission is desirable in most power beaming applications for safety and for improved operation. The elevation allows the high-energy power beam to originate above the heads of nearby personnel and over nearby obstacles. 
     In many cases, a parked vehicle provides a sufficiently stable mounting platform with a comparatively wide base. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be equipped with jacks or other stabilizing mechanisms to remove the flexibility of the normal vehicle suspension. Such mechanisms also provide a wider base and reduce vibrations and other motion passed into the power-beaming transmission system due to wind or other external stresses. 
     In some embodiments, a power-beaming transmission system may be coupled to a conventional internal combustion engine powered vehicle. In order to provide sufficient power for the power-beaming transmission system, the conventional vehicle may be equipped with a large generator. The large generator is typically driven by the internal combustion engine. It is recognized that one advantage provided by an energy efficient vehicle over a conventional combustion engine-powered vehicle with the large generator is that the energy efficient vehicle does not vibrate in the same way that an internal combustion engine vibrates. Thus, the energy efficient vehicle can operate a power-beaming transmission system mounted on the vehicle without having engine-induced vibration to disturb internal optics, beam pointing (i.e., aiming), or other aspects of the power-beaming transmission system. 
     In other embodiments, the power-beaming transmission system may use vehicle power electronics to provide controlled power in a desired format (i.e., voltage, current, frequency, phase, and the like). Typically, energy efficient vehicle power electronics are optimized to drive the electric motor of the vehicle. In addition, the power electronics may also be configured to convert a battery or other power source output into a regulated power supply at any desirable voltage, current, frequency, phase, or other parameter. 
     A power-beaming transmission system in some cases makes use of a vehicle navigation system to determine its own position and orientation. While navigation systems are not limited to energy efficient vehicles, many such vehicles have high quality navigation systems using GPS or other satellite positioning systems. In some cases, these navigation systems or other systems that facilitate operation of the power-beaming transmission system are calibrated by or extended by other vehicle-based means such as cameras, wheel sensors, or with other mechanisms. 
     The power-beaming transmission system may make use of other systems integrated into the energy efficient vehicle such as embedded computing systems, display systems, and communication systems. For example, the power-beaming transmission system may use the vehicle&#39;s computer and display for system control. The power-beaming transmission system may use the vehicle&#39;s communications devices (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, AM/FM antennas, and the like) or components thereof to communicate with a transceiver of the remote device. 
     In yet one more embodiment, the power-beaming transmission system may use one or more sensors integrated with the energy efficient vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is equipped with proximity sensors, such as ultrasonic sensors, the power-beaming transmission system may use the sensors as part of a wireless power link safety system. In this way, when a person, a vehicle, or some other object encroaches on or crosses into a defined hazard zone around the power-beaming transmission system, appropriate warnings may be enabled and appropriate action may be taken to improve safety and reliability of the system. 
     In addition to these shared systems and subsystems, the energy efficient vehicle may be further configured to provide dedicated storage and protection for power-beaming transmission system components when they are not in use. A transmitter beam projector, for example, may be enclosed by a hard shell. Alternatively, or in addition, the transmitter beam projector may be removable from the vehicle roof or other location for storage in a suitable compartment inside the vehicle. Storage for receivers and associated equipment such as UAVs, power converters, and other devices may also be provided. Other features associated with the beam-powered equipment may also be integrated with the vehicle, such as launchers, landing zones, or other mechanisms that facilitate beam-powered remote devices such as UAVs. 
       FIG. 1  is a commercially available, energy efficient vehicle embodiment modified with a beamed-power transmission system  100 . In the embodiment, the vehicle  102  is a commercially available energy efficient vehicle. The vehicle  102  may be an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel-cell powered vehicle, or a vehicle powered by another energy efficient technology. 
     The vehicle  102  is built around a frame  104  and propelled with a drive system  106 . A beamed-power transmission system  108  is coupled to the frame  104 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the beamed-power transmission system  108  is located in the bed of a pickup truck, but other embodiments are contemplated. For example, instead of a pickup truck, the vehicle  102  may be another type of automobile or utility vehicle. The vehicle  102  may include four wheels, as shown, or the vehicle  102  may include a different number of wheels, tracks, or some other apparatus to propel the vehicle. In addition, the beamed-power transmission system  108  may be coupled directly to the frame  104  or otherwise coupled to the frame via the roof of the vehicle  102 , the hood of the vehicle  102 , or via some other portion. 
     The beamed-power transmission system  108  includes a stability system  110 , a control system  112 , and a transmitter system  114 . 
     The stability system  110  may include a concentric gimbal system, a flexible rubber standoff system, or some other system. The stability system is configured to maintain substantial three-dimensional constancy of a power beam despite transience, motor or propulsion system vibration, or some other type of motion in the frame. In one example, motion may come from wind or other natural and man-made forces. In other examples, such as when the vehicle  102  is being driven, motion may come from the lateral movement of the vehicle  102  as well as inclines, bumps, holes, and the like. 
     The control system  112  of the beamed-power transmission system  108  operates to direct the generation of the power beam. The control system  112  may be dedicated to the beamed-power transmission system  108  in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the control system is shared with the vehicle  102 . A cooling system may be integrated with the control system  112 . The cooling system is arranged to cool portions of the beamed-power transmission system  108 . In some cases, the cooling system is implemented or otherwise integrated with a cooling system of the vehicle  102 . 
     The transmitter system  114  optionally includes some or all of beam generation structures, beam forming structures, beam control structures, and beam aiming structures. A power beam produced by the transmitter may be a laser beam, a microwave beam, or a beam formed of another electromagnetic energy. The transmitter may include a tracking system that cooperates with a remote device when the power beam is directed toward the remote device. In this way, the remote device may provide feedback to the beamed-power transmission system  108  to better aim the power beam. The aiming system may include an electronic waveguide, a mechanical waveguide, an electromechanical waveguide or some other system to direct the power beam in a desired direction. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a remote device  116  is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may also be referred to interchangeably as a drone, a remote controlled vehicle, or by another like name. The remote device  116  in some cases is not a drone at all. Instead, the remote device may be a robot, a tool, a piece of industrial equipment, a sign, a communications structure, a building, or any other device configured to receive power via a power beam  118 . The remote device  116  may be arranged to survey a geographic area, the remote device  116  may be arranged to provide central power in a dangerous environment or an area that is difficult to access, or the remote device  116  may be arranged in another location for another purpose, 
       FIG. 2  is another embodiment of the commercially available, energy efficient vehicle modified with a beamed-power transmission system  100 . Like features of  FIG. 1  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  as having the same reference numbers. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the beamed-power transmission system  108  is illustrated as formed with several components including the control system  112 , the cooling system  112   a , a processor  120 , a memory  122 , a tracking system  124   a , and other control or data functions  126 . The processor  120  is configured to control the operations of the beamed-power transmission system  108  via executable instructions and data stored in memory  122 . The tracking function  124   a  in the vehicle  102  cooperates with a tracking function  124   b  of the remote device  116 . 
     The vehicle  102  includes an energy efficient power source  128 . The energy efficient power source  128  is coupled to the vehicle and arranged to power the drive system  106 , the beamed-power transmission system  108 , the cooling system  112   a , the aiming system  112 , the stability system  110 , and other systems of embodiment. The energy efficient power source  128  energy efficient power source includes at least one of a battery, a fuel cell, a generator, or some other power source. 
     The remote device  116  includes a receiver  130 , a tracking function  124   b , and a plurality of other functions  132 . The receiver  130 , which may include a photovoltaic device, for example, is arranged to receive the power beam  118  and convert the received energy into a source of power for the remote device  116 . Cooperatively, the tracking function  124   b  of the remote device  116  provides feedback to the beamed-power transmission system  108 . The feedback is used by the beamed-power transmission system  108  to ensure or otherwise improve the chance that the power beam maintains a direct or indirect line-of-sight between the vehicle  102  and the remote device  116 . In some cases, ensuring the line of sight includes circumstances where the power beam  118  loses “contact” with the receiver  130  and re-gains “contact” with the receiver  130 . In these cases, “contact” is recognized as those points in time when transmission of the power beam  118  is received by the receiver  130  and the receiver is able to generate power from the received power beam  118 . 
     In one embodiment, a civil enforcement agency such as a municipal police department is responsible to maintain civil order in a city. Recent events in society have inspired people to protest in the city. The police department wishes to monitor the protestors from a distance without interfering with the protest activities. At the same time, the police department recognizes a need to act quickly if certain ones of the protestors turn violent or otherwise break the law. 
     In these circumstances, the police department would like to remotely pilot an unmanned aircraft (i.e., a drone) over the site of the protest to remotely survey a particular geographic area. Since a conventional drone is only equipped to stay aloft for short periods of time, the police department configures a remote device drone  116  with a receiver  130 . A vehicle  102  is equipped with a beamed-power transmission system  108  to transmit a power beam  118  to the drone  116 . The power beam  118  enables the drone  116  to stay aloft for a long period of time which may be hours, days, weeks, or longer. In addition to the receiver  130 , the drone  116  is equipped with other functions  132  including a guidance system, a camera, communication transmission devices, and other features. These functions cooperate with the beamed-power transmission system  108  and other control and data functions  126  of the vehicle  102  to permit the police personnel to monitor the protest. 
       FIG. 3  is another embodiment of the commercially available, energy efficient vehicle modified with a beamed-power transmission system  100 . Like features of  FIGS. 1 and 2  are illustrated in  FIG. 3  as having the same reference numbers. In  FIG. 3 , multiple methods and systems to recharge a remote device  116  are represented. In a first method, power is beamed over a long distance to the remote device via transmitter system  114 . In a second method, power is transferred to the remote device over a short distance via a secondary power system  134 . The secondary power system  134  may be formed as a local power interface used to recharge or power the remote device  116  during operation when remote device  116  is onboard or in close proximity to the vehicle  102 . 
     In one embodiment, in association with the remote device  116  receiving power from the power beam  118 , the remote device  116  is configured to track the vehicle  102  via the power beam  118 , a laser beam, a radio signal, an optical feature, or by some other mechanism. In this way, the remote device  116  has information representing the position of the vehicle  102  when the remote device  116  is being powered by the power beam  118 . In an alternative embodiment, the remote device  116  may track the position of the vehicle by a global positioning system (GPS), a Bluetooth signal, a WiFi signal, a cellular signal, or by some other radio frequency or non-radio frequency tracking technique altogether. 
     The remote device  102  may in some cases be configured with a recall function. The recall function directs a remote device (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone, a copter, a rover, a robot, and the like) to return to a power source. The recall function may be initiated at the remote device  116  (e.g., when a drone detects interference, unauthorized access, a current or impending malfunction, or for some other reason). The recall function may also be initiated by an operator of the remote device  116 , an operator of the vehicle  102 , the transmitter system  114 , or by some other control mechanism. 
     After a recall function is activated, the remote device  116  may be arranged to track and use the power beam  118  or some other tracking mechanism to return to the source of the power beam  118 . Upon returning to the power source, the remote device  116  may be taken out of service and, for example, placed on the vehicle  102  or in some other location (e.g., a fixed terminal, a crate, a storage locker, another vehicle, or in some other storage facility) for transport, recharging, and the like. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a local docking interface integrated with the vehicle  102  is arranged to receive the remote device  116 , and secure the remote device  116  to the vehicle  102  for transportation, storage, and recharging when the remote device  116  is not in use. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the remote device  116  is coupled to the roof of the vehicle  102  in a local docking interface, but other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the remote device  116  may instead be coupled to the side of the vehicle  102 , the back of the vehicle  102 , the front of the vehicle  102 , underneath the vehicle  102 , or some other location of the vehicle  102 . The remote device  116  may be stored in some other manner, such as on the ground, or in or on something else altogether. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the remote device  116  is directly or indirectly coupled to a secondary power source  134  through a particular local power interface. The local power interface may be integrated with the vehicle  102  and arranged to pass local power to the remote device  116  when the remote device  116  is proximate the vehicle  102 . In some embodiments, the local power interface and the local docking interface are integrated into a single unit. For example, in some cases, the secondary power source  134  may be arranged as a local power interface combined into a single unit with the local docking interface, In these and in other cases, local power may be delivered to a remote device  116  when the local device is physically coupled to the vehicle  102  or in proximity to the vehicle  102 . 
     The secondary power source  134  is illustrated as being onboard the vehicle  102 , however, the secondary power source  134  may be in another location. The secondary power source  134  may be an electrically efficient power source such as energy efficient power source  128 , or the secondary power source  134  may be some other power source altogether. For example, the onboard secondary power source  134  may be a battery, a fuel cell, a generator, or some other power source altogether. In some embodiments, the secondary power source  134  and the energy efficient power source  128  are the same power source. When the remote device  116  has returned to the vehicle  102  as in  FIG. 3 , the secondary power source  134  can recharge the remote device  116 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the remote device  116  is optionally coupled to the secondary power source  134  by a physical conduit  136 . The physical conduit  136  may include electrically conductive wire, an electrical receiver, an electrical plug, or some other physical conduit altogether. After the remote device  116  is coupled to the secondary power source  134  through the physical conduit  136 , the physical conduit  136  passes an electric charging signal from the secondary power source  134  to recharge the remote device  116 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the remote device  116  may be charged by the transmitter system  114  or some other indirect charging device. For example, in optional embodiments of  FIG. 3 , a remote device  116  is charged while the remote device  116  is not physically wired to the vehicle  102 . The break line  140  in  FIG. 3  represents a non-physical electrical coupling between the remote device  116  and the vehicle  102  along with the secondary power source  134 . For example, the break line  140  in  FIG. 3  may represent a local docking interface, a wireless charging domain, or another close proximity power transfer mechanism. Recharging the remote device  116  can be accomplished through near-field wireless power technologies such as induction, resonance, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the remote device  116  is charged by an induction-based charging technique. The remote device  116  may, for example, land on or otherwise be placed on an electrical wireless recharging device that is integrated with or otherwise coupled to the vehicle  102 . For example, the electrical wireless recharging device may be a wireless charging pad, an inductive coupling, or some other induction charging technology. In such embodiments, the vehicle  102  could be moving while the remote device  116  is being charged, or the vehicle  102  could be stationary while the remote device  116  is being charged. In these and in other embodiments, the remote device  116  may also be stationary or moving while the remote device  116  is being charged, In other words, the vehicle  102  may pass sufficient power through an induction mechanism to recharge the remote device  116  while one or both of the remote device  116  and the vehicle  102  are either moving or stationary. 
     In other embodiments, the remote device  116  may be charged by a resonance-based charging technique. The remote device  116  may, for example, fly or be otherwise positioned in the vicinity of the vehicle  102 . The vicinity may be within five (5) feet, within ten (10) feet, within fifteen (15) feet, or the vicinity may be some other distance. The resonance-based charging device is arranged to generate a resonance field. When the remote device  116  is placed in proximity to the vehicle  102 , energy from the resonance field is transferred to charge the remote device  116 . In these and in other cases, one or both of the remote device  116  and the vehicle  102  may be either moving or stationary when the remote device  116  is being charged. 
     In some cases, a plurality of remote devices  116  may be within the electrical influence of the resonance field. The resonance based charging device may be magnetic resonance or some other resonance-based charging technique. In these embodiments, resonance-based charging could be used to charge a remote device  116  instead of the transmitter system  114  when the remote device  116  is the vicinity of the vehicle  102 . 
     In some cases where a remote device  116  is not physically wired to the vehicle  102  during a recharging event, the remote device  116  may not be in any physical contact with the vehicle  102 . For example, when a vehicle  102  is arranged to perform secondary powering (e.g., recharging) of a remote device  116  via a near-field wireless power technique, the remote device  116  may be a drone that hovers over or near the vehicle  102 , or the remote device  116  may be a robot or ground-traveling device that is alongside the vehicle  102 . Other configurations are also contemplated. 
       FIG. 4  is a vehicle network embodiment of multiple vehicles to power multiple remote devices. Like features of  FIGS. 1-3  are illustrated in  FIG. 4  as having the same reference numbers. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a plurality of vehicles  102  are used in a vehicle network  138  to power a plurality of remote devices  116 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , five vehicles  102  are illustrated to beam power to four remote devices  116 , but other embodiments are contemplated. For example, instead of five vehicles  102 , the vehicle network  138  may include six vehicles, eight vehicles, ten vehicles, or some other number of vehicles. Additionally, for example, instead of four remote devices  116  receiving power via the vehicle network  138 , six, eight, and ten remote devices, or some other number of remote devices, which are powered by the vehicle network  138 , have been contemplated. Also in some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , one vehicle  102  may optionally provide power to a plurality of remote devices  116 . In other optional embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , two vehicles  102  may provide power to a same remote device  116 . For example, a selected plurality of vehicles  102  may be used to power a single remote device  116 , and a selected number of one or more vehicles  102  may transfer power to a selected number of one or more remote devices  116 . 
     Certain words and phrases used in the specification are set forth as follows. As used throughout this document, including the claims, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless indicated otherwise. For example, “a” battery includes one or more batteries. Any of the features and elements described herein may be singular, e.g., a sensor may refer to one sensor and a memory may refer to one memory. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. The term “controller” means any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. The functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Other definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     As used in the present disclosure, the term “module” refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor and a memory operative to execute one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuitry, or other suitable components (hardware, software, or hardware and software) that provide the functionality described with respect to the module. 
     A processor (i.e., a processing unit), as used in the present disclosure, refers to one or more processing units individually, shared, or in a group, having one or more processing cores (e.g., execution units), including central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, micro controllers, state machines, and the like that execute instructions. The processors interchangeably refer to any type of electronic control circuitry configured to execute programmed software instructions. The programmed instructions may be high-level software instructions, compiled software instructions, assembly-language software instructions, object code, binary code, micro-code, or the like. The programmed instructions may reside in internal or external memory or may be hard-coded as a state machine or set of control signals. According to methods and devices referenced herein, embodiments describe software executable by the processor and operable to execute certain ones of the method acts. 
     In the present disclosure, memory may be used in one configuration or another. As known by one skilled in the art, each memory comprises any combination of volatile and non-volatile, transitory and non-transitory computer-readable media for reading and writing. Volatile computer-readable media includes, for example, random access memory (RAM). Non-volatile computer-readable media includes, for example, read only memory (ROM), magnetic media such as a hard-disk, an optical disk drive, a flash memory device, a CD-ROM, and/or the like. In some cases, a particular memory is separated virtually or physically into separate areas, such as a first memory, a second memory, a third memory, and the like. In these cases, it is understood that the different divisions of memory may be in different devices or embodied in a single memory. The memory may be configured to store data. In the alternative or in addition, the memory may be a non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) wherein the CRM is configured to store instructions executable by a processor. The instructions may be stored individually or as groups of instructions in files. The files may include functions, services, libraries, and the like. The files may include one or more computer programs or may be part of a larger computer program. Alternatively or in addition, each file may include data or other computational support material useful to carry out the computing functions of the systems, methods, and apparatus described in the present disclosure. 
     As used herein, “cellular” is intended in a broad sense to include any of the variety of known modes of wireless or mobile voice communications, data communications, or voice and data communications. Exemplary cellular systems include, but are not limited to, time division multiple access (“TDMA”) systems, code division multiple access (“CDMA”) systems, and Global System for Mobile communications (“GSM”) systems. Other exemplary cellular systems include systems known in the art as “3G” systems, “4G” systems, “5G” systems, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (“EDGE”) systems, and other systems. 
     Beamed-power transmission system  108  may further include operative software found in a conventional embedded device such as an operating system, software drivers to direct operations through the I/O circuitry, networking circuitry, and other peripheral component circuitry. In addition, beamed-power transmission system  108  may include operative application software such as network software for communicating with other computing devices, database software for building and maintaining databases, and task management software for distributing the communication and/or operational workload amongst various CPU&#39;s. In some cases, beamed-power transmission system  108  is a single hardware device having the hardware and software listed herein, and in other cases, beamed-power transmission system  108  is a networked collection of discrete hardware and software devices working together to execute the functions of the dermal injector. The conventional hardware and software of intelligent lighting module control unit is not shown in the figures for simplicity. 
     Software stored in memory  122  may include a fully executable software program, a simple configuration data file, a link to additional directions, or any combination of known software types. When the beamed-power transmission system  108  updates software, the update may be small or large. For example, in some cases, beamed-power transmission system  108  downloads a small configuration data file, and in other cases, beamed-power transmission system  108  completely replaces all of the functional program instructions in memory  122  with a fresh version. In some cases, the software and data in memory  122  is encrypted, encoded, and/or otherwise compressed for reasons that include security, privacy, data transfer speed, data cost, or the like. 
     When so arranged as described herein, the beamed-power transmission system  108  is transformed from a generic and unspecific computing device to a combination device comprising hardware and software configured for a specific and particular purpose. 
     Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein. 
     Generally, unless otherwise indicated, the materials for making the invention and/or its components may be selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, semiconductors, ceramics, plastics, etc. 
     The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, application and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
     These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.