Patent Publication Number: US-9847669-B2

Title: Laptop computer as a transmitter for wireless charging

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/104,503, filed on Dec. 12, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     This application relates to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,430 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Methodology For Pocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/925,469 filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/946,082 filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,399 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission;” and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,445 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission;, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates in general to wireless power transmission, and more specifically to configurations and methods of wireless power transmission using a laptop or tablet computer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Laptop or tablet computers are often used in synchronization with several peripheral devices such as computer mice, keyboards, smartphones, headsets, and the like. These peripheral devices may include batteries for allowing wireless operation with the laptop or tablet computer. However, when charge is depleted, the batteries in these peripheral devices may have to be replaced, or said peripheral devices may need to connect to the laptop computer for charging. This may produce tedious continuous connecting/disconnecting of peripheral devices for charging, and may also require the use of all available USB ports in the laptop computer. 
     What is needed are methods and systems for allowing continuous wireless charging and operation of peripheral devices that may operate in conjunction with a laptop or tablet computer. 
     SUMMARY 
     Configurations and methods of wireless power transmission using a laptop or tablet computer are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a transmitter may be embedded in the laptop computer screen for transmitting RF waves towards one or more peripheral devices, where these RF waves may generate pockets of energy that may allow the wireless charging of one or more peripheral devices. These peripheral devices may include a receiver for collecting and using the transmitted RF waves. Examples of peripheral devices may include headsets, computer keyboards and mice, smartphones, and the like. 
     A method for wireless power transmission to an electronic device from a computer system, comprising the steps of: embedding a pocket-forming transmitter in a screen display of the computer system; transmitting power RF waves/from the pocket-forming transmitter having a radio frequency integrated circuit, antenna elements, a microprocessor and communication circuitry; generating pockets of energy from the transmitter to converge in 3-d space at predetermined locations; integrating a receiver having antenna elements and communication circuitry within the electronic device; converting the pockets of energy from the transmitter to the integrated receiver to power the electronic device. 
     An apparatus for wireless power transmission to an electronic device from a computer system, comprising: a pocket-forming transmitter embedded in a screen display of the computer system having antenna elements, a RF circuit, a digital signal processor for controlling the RF circuit of the transmitter and communication circuitry connected to a power source of the computer system; power RF waves generated from the RF circuit in the transmitter to form pockets of energy; a receiver embedded in the electronic device with communication circuitry and antenna elements arranged in a predetermined array for capturing the pockets of energy converging in 3-D space at the receiver; a battery connected to the receiver for wirelessly charging the battery from the pockets of energy. 
     According to another embodiment, the laptop computer may include both, a transmitter and a receiver, for simultaneously transmitting and receiving RF waves. In this case, laptop computer may be wirelessly charged by a separate transmitter in proximity, while the laptop computer may also wirelessly charge one or more peripheral devices within range. Yet in another embodiment, the laptop computer may include a single transmitter that can also be used as a receiver. In this case, a software algorithm may be used to control the switching using same antenna elements for transmitting or receiving RF waves. 
     Laptop computer&#39;s screen may exhibit different configurations for integrating a transmitter or a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter may be integrated between the LED/LCD back-light layer and the frame, while the receiver may be integrated along the edges of the screen. Transmitter or receiver may be integrated in the front or back of the laptop screen as required by the application, using stand-alone components or shared screen components. 
     A method for wireless power transmission using a laptop computer may include the steps of selecting the appropriate transmitter within range, verifying battery charge levels in laptop computer, identifying peripheral devices available and within range, pocket forming generation and wireless charging. 
     The disclosed systems and methods for wireless power transmission using a laptop computer may allow seamless operation and wireless charging between one or more peripheral devices and the laptop computer, without the need of using physical cables or connections. Additional features and advantages can become apparent from the detailed descriptions which follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a wireless power transmission for charging one or more peripheral devices using a laptop computer. 
         FIG. 2  shows a component level embodiment for a transmitter that may be embedded in laptop computer screen for the generation of wireless power transmission. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a component level embodiment of a receiver that may be embedded in peripheral devices or laptop computer for wireless powering or charging. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a laptop screen configuration that may be used in the wireless power transmission shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of another laptop screen configuration which may include both a transmitter and a receiver. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an example of wireless power transmission where a laptop computer may use the laptop screen configuration shown in  FIG. 5  for simultaneously receiving and transmitting RF waves. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a simplified flowchart, of a wireless power transmission process that may be implemented, for charging one or more peripheral devices using a laptop computer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. 
     Definitions 
     As used here, the following terms may have the following definitions: 
     “Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more RF 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 RF waves. 
     “Null-space” may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of RF waves. 
     “Transmitter” may refer to a device, including a chip which may generate two or more RF signals, at least one RF signal being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other RF signals, substantially all of which pass through one or more RF antenna such that focused RF signals are directed to a target. 
     “Receiver” may refer to a device including at least one antenna element, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power converter, which may utilize pockets of energy for powering, or charging an electronic device. 
     “Adaptive pocket-forming” may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers. 
     “Peripheral devices” may refer to electronics devices or accessories that can be used in conjunction with a laptop computer, where these electronics devices may include a receiver for collecting RF waves. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a wireless power transmission  100  for charging one or more peripheral devices using a laptop computer  102  or tablet computer. Peripheral devices may include a headset  104 , a keyboard  106 , a mouse  108 , and a smartphone  110 , among others. These peripheral devices may operate wirelessly with laptop computer  102  through Bluetooth communication, and may include rechargeable batteries (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     A transmitter (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be embedded in the laptop computer  102  screen to transmit controlled Radio Frequency (RF) waves  112  which may converge in 3-d space. These RF waves  112  may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy  114  may be formed at constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional in shape, while null-spaces may be generated at destructive interference patterns. A receiver (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) embedded in each of the peripheral devices may then utilize pockets of energy  114  produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering the batteries in peripheral devices. 
     According to some aspects of this embodiment, laptop computer  102  may be connected to a conventional AC plug for charge its battery to suitable levels, while providing wireless power transmission to one or more peripheral devices. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter  200  that may be embedded in laptop computer  102  screen for the generation of wireless power transmission  100 . Transmitter  200  may include a housing  202 , at least two or more antenna elements  204 , at least one RF integrated circuit (RFIC)  206 , at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller  208 , and one 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. Antenna elements  204  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency hands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part 18 (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment). Antenna elements  204  may include vertical or horizontal, polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights from about 1/8 inches to about 8 inch and widths from about 1/8 inches to about 6 inch. Other antenna elements  204  types can be used, for example meta-materials, dipole antennas among others. 
     RFIC  206  may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals which may serve as inputs for antenna elements  204  for controlling pocket-forming. These RF signals may be produced using a power source  212  and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using a suitable piezoelectric material. Power source  212  may include the battery of laptop computer  102  which can be recharge using a conventional AC plug. Using communications component  210 , micro-controller  208  may process information sent by the receivers embedded in peripheral devices through for determining optimum times and locations for pocket-forming. Communications component  210  may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component  210  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  210  may be possible, including radar, infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation of the device&#39;s position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver  300  that may be embedded in peripheral devices or laptop computer  102  for wireless powering or charging. Receiver  300  may be integrated in peripheral devices and may include a housing  302  where at least one antenna element  304 , one rectifier  306 , one power converter  308  and a communications component  310  may be included. Housing  302  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  302  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. Antenna element  304  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for transmitter  200  from  FIG. 2 . Antenna element  304  may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in peripheral devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example smartphone  110 . On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example keyboard  106 , there might be a preferred polarization for antennas which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about 1/8 inches to about 6 inch, and widths from about 1/8 inches to about 6 inch. Patch antennas may have the advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e. depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further prove advantageous as receiver  300  may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission  100 . 
     Rectifier  306  may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna clement  304  to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier  306  may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element  304  to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter  308 . Power converter  308  can be a DC-DC converter which may help provide a constant voltage output to charge the batteries  312  of peripheral devices. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter  308  may include electronic switched mode DC-DC converters which can provide high efficiency. In such a case, a capacitor (not shown) may be included before power converter  308  to ensure sufficient current is provided. Lastly, a communications component  310 , similar to that of transmitter  200  from  FIG. 2 , may be included in receiver  300  to communicate with a transmitter  200  or to other electronic equipment. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a laptop screen configuration  400  used in wireless power transmission  100 . In this particular laptop screen configuration  400 , transmitter  200  may be embedded in laptop computer  102  for the transmission of RF waves  112  towards one or more peripheral devices, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Laptop computer  102  screen may be formed of different layers, including a front transparent screen layer  402 , a polarized film layer  404 , a LED/LCD back-light layer  406 , and a frame  408 . According to some aspects of this embodiment, transmitter  200  may be integrated in laptop computer  102  screen, specifically between LED/LCD back-light layer  406  and frame  408 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , transmitter  200  may include a plurality of antenna elements  204  facing out of laptop computer  102  screen. This configuration of antenna elements  204  may allow suitable transmission of RP waves  112  towards peripheral devices that may be located in front of laptop computer  102  screen. In other embodiments, transmitter  200  may be embedded in the circuitry elements or metal mesh (touchscreen versions) of laptop computer  102  screen. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of another laptop screen configuration  500  where laptop computer  102  screen may include both, transmitter  200  and receiver  300 , for providing and receiving wireless charging. 
     Similarly as in  FIG. 4 , laptop computer  102  screen may be formed of different layers, including front transparent screen layer  402 , polarized film layer  404 , LED/LCD back-light layer  406 , and frame  408 . According to some aspects of this embodiment, transmitter  200  may be integrated between LED/LCD back-light layer  406  and frame  408 , while receiver  300  may be integrated along frame  408 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , antenna elements  204  of transmitter  200  may be pointing out of the screen, while antenna elements  304  of receiver  300  may be embedded around the edges of frame  408  for allowing the reception of RF waves  112  from RF waves  112  sources or transmitters at different locations. 
     The location and configuration of transmitter  200  and receiver  300  in laptop computer  102  screen may vary according to the application. For example, in one embodiment, receiver  300  may be configured In the middle of the back of frame  408  and may include high directional antenna elements  304  that can be oriented towards a transmitter in proximity to laptop computer  102  for receiving suitable wireless charging. In another embodiment, laptop computer  102  screen may include a single transmitter  200  that may also operate as a receiver  300 , in which case, transmitter  200  may use same antenna elements  204  for transmitting and receiving RF waves  112 . That is, transmitter embedded in laptop computer  102  screen may switch between those antenna elements  204  receiving RF waves  112  for charging the battery of laptop computer  102  or transmitting RF waves  112  for charging the batteries in peripheral devices. An algorithm processed at micro-controller  208  may be used to control the switching between transmitting and receiving RF waves  112  using same antenna elements  204 . 
       FIG. 6  shows another example of wireless power transmission  600  where laptop computer  102  may use laptop screen configuration  500  for simultaneously receiving and transmitting RF waves  112 . 
     According to some aspects of this embodiment, one or more separate transmitters  602  may direct RF waves  112  towards the edges of laptop computer  102  screen where antenna elements  304  of receiver  300  may be integrated (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). Consequently, pockets of energy  114  may be captured by antenna elements  304  and utilized by the receiver  300  to charge the battery of laptop computer  102 . Simultaneously, transmitter  200  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ), also embedded in laptop computer  102 , may direct RF waves  112  towards one or more peripheral devices. 
     Transmitter  602  may exhibit similar configuration as transmitter  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . However, transmitter  602  may exhibit a larger footprint as it may not be limited by the size of a computer screen, and it may also include a higher amperage power source  212  such as a standard 120/220 volts AC house connection compared to transmitter  200  which may obtain power from the battery of laptop computer  102 . This may allow transmitter  602  to have a wider wireless charging range compared to transmitter  200 . 
     Peripheral devices such as headset  104 , keyboard  106 , mouse  108 , and smartphone  110  may be wirelessly charged by RF waves  112  emitted from transmitter  200  in laptop computer  102 . In addition, these peripheral devices may also be wirelessly charged directly by RF waves  112  emitted from one or more transmitters  602  in proximity to laptop computer  102 . In this case, an algorithm processed at micro-controller  208  may coordinate the operation between transmitter  200  embedded in laptop computer  102  screen and transmitter  602  positioned on the room walls. For example, this algorithm may decide which transmitter, transmitter  200  or transmitter  602 , should be sending RF waves  112  to wirelessly charge peripheral devices, depending on the proximity and/or energy levels of the battery in laptop computer  102 . In one embodiment, both, transmitter  200  and transmitter  602 , may simultaneously direct RF waves  112  towards peripheral devices for increasing power transfer, if required by the application. 
       FIG. 7  shows a simplified flowchart of a wireless power transmission process  700  that may be implemented for charging one or more peripheral devices using laptop computer  102 . This process may be applicable to the embodiments of wireless power transmission  100 ,  600  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 . 
     Wireless power transmission process  700  may begin by selecting one or more transmitters in range, at block  702 . One or more peripheral devices may require wireless charging, in which case, one or more transmitters  602  in the room, or transmitter  200  embedded in laptop computer  102  may be selected if they are within a suitable range. For example, if smartphone  110  is not within a suitable charging distance from laptop computer  102  (e.g. not in the table), then the higher power transmitter  602  may be selected for providing wireless charging. According to some embodiments, wireless charging distance for transmitter  200  in laptop computer  102  may be optimized within a range of about 1 to 3 meters; if peripheral devices are outside this range, then they can be wirelessly charge by transmitter  602 . 
     Laptop computer  102  may also include a software application that may provide information about the distance, charging levels, efficiency, location, and optimum positioning of laptop computer  102  with respect to peripheral devices and transmitter  602 . 
     After selecting the transmitter within the optimal charging range, wireless power transmission process  700  may continue by checking the charge levels of the battery in laptop computer  102 , at block  704 . This check may be performed by a control module included in laptop computer  102  (not shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 ) or by micro-controller  208  in transmitter  200 . Different charging levels for the battery in laptop computer  102  may be established for maintaining suitable wireless charging. For example, minimum and maximum charging thresholds may be established at about 25% and 99% of total charge respectively. That is, if battery charge is below the minimum threshold or 25%, then laptop computer  102  can be connected to a standard 120/220 AC volts outlet or it may receive wireless charging from transmitter  602 . When battery charge is at 99% or at least above 25%, laptop computer  102  may transmit RF waves  112  for charging one or more peripheral devices in range. 
     Wireless power transmission process  700  may continue at block  706 , where communications component  210  in transmitter  200  or transmitter  602  may identify one or more peripheral, devices that may require wireless charging. Charging or powering priorities and other parameters such as power intensity and pocket-forming focus/timing may be established using a control module included, in laptop computer  102  (not shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ) or micro-controller  208  in transmitters  200 ,  602 . For example, based on charging or powering priorities, transmitter  200  or transmitter  602  may be configured to first provide wireless charging to mouse  108 , followed by keyboard  106 , and lastly to headsets  104 . 
     After peripheral are identified and charging priorities/parameters in transmitter  200  or transmitter  602  are set, transmission of RF waves  112  towards the designated peripheral devices can begin, at block  708 , where these RF waves  112  may generate pockets of energy  114  at receivers  300  for powering or charging one or more peripheral devices, sequentially or simultaneously. 
     Using communications component  210 , transmitter  200  embedded in laptop computer  102  or transmitter  602  on the wall may continuously check if there are other peripheral devices that may require wireless charging or powering, at block  710 . If new or additional peripheral devices are identified, then transmitter  200  or transmitter  602  may wirelessly charge the identified peripheral devices according to the established charging priorities, optimum ranges, battery levels and/or other parameters, if no further peripheral devices are recognized or need wireless charging, then wireless power transmission process  700  may end. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.