Patent Publication Number: US-9899861-B1

Title: Wireless charging methods and systems for game controllers, based on pocket-forming

Description:
This application is a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/978,031, filed Apr. 10, 2014, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRANSFER IN RECEIVERS”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/051,170, filed on Oct. 10, 2013, entitled “WIRELESS CHARGING METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GAME CONTROLLERS, BASED ON POCKET-FORMING”, which is herein fully incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     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,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,445 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,625, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,630, filed. Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,634, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,640, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,641, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,643, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wireless power transmission, and more particularly to wireless charging systems and methods for game controllers, based on pocket-forming. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wireless game controllers have been known in the art since a while ago. However, few methods for providing wireless charging to these devices have been disclosed. The current methods for providing wireless charging transmission may require a charging station where the game controller may be placed so as to make physical contact with the charging station; this method may be known as magnetic induction. There may be other similar methods but they may be inconvenient and troublesome since the gamer may not be able to use the game controller while charging it. Therefore, there is still a need for a method that allows gamers to use the wireless game controllers while charging them. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides wireless charging methods and systems for powering or charging game controllers. The method may include a type of transmitter which may be employed for sending radio frequency (RF) signals to electronic devices, such as game controllers. Game controllers may also include a type of receiver embedded or attached to it for converting RF signals into suitable electricity for powering and charging themselves. The technique employed may be known as pocket-forming and may be incorporated here by reference. 
     A first embodiment for providing wireless power to game controllers may be provided. In this embodiment, a transmitter may be located at the ceiling of a living room and provide wireless power to game controllers. 
     A second embodiment for providing wireless power to game controllers may be provided. In this embodiment, a transmitter may be found as part of a game console. The transmitter may be internally connected to the game console and provide wireless power to game controllers. 
     A third embodiment for providing wireless power to game controllers may be provided. In this embodiment, a transmitter may be found as a separate device which may be connected to a game console through suitable and well known in the art techniques such as universal serial bus (USB). The transmitter may provide wireless power to game controllers. 
     Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present invention may be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention 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 invention. The main features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the following descriptions, claims, and drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows two embodiments for including a receiver that can be used for pocket-forming, in a game controller in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a first embodiment for providing wireless power to game controllers, based on pocket-forming in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment for providing wireless power to game controllers, based on pocket-forming in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a third embodiment for providing wireless power to game controllers, based on pocket-forming in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     “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. 
     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 and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
       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 antenna elements  104 , at least one RF integrated circuit (RFIC  106 ), at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller  108 , and one communications component  110 . 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. Antenna elements  104  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part.  18  (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment). Antenna elements  104  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 ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Micro-controller  108  may then process information sent by a receiver through a 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 Blue-tooth, 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 components  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 antenna 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. Antenna element  204  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as those described for transmitter  100  from  FIG. 1 . Antenna element  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. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed video game controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. 
     Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ 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 a receiver, such as receiver  200 , may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission. Rectifier  206  may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element  204  to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier  206  may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna 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. 
     In some embodiments, power converter  208  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  208  to ensure sufficient current is provided for the switching device to operate. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone or laptop computer, initial high currents which can breakdown the operation of an electronic switched mode DC-DC converter may be required. In such a case, a capacitor (not shown) may be added at the output of receiver  200  to provide the extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided, for example 1/80 of the total initial power while having the phone or laptop still build-up charge. 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  illustrates two embodiments including a receiver  200  that can be used for pocket-forming in game controllers  300 .  FIG. 3A  then shows a first embodiment where game controller  302  may include a receiver  200 , as the one described in  FIG. 2 , embedded in its front side. Receiver  200  may include an array of antenna elements  204  strategically distributed on the grid area shown in  FIG. 3A . The number and type of antenna elements  204  may be calculated according to the game controller&#39;s design. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a second embodiment where game controller  304  may include receiver  200 , as the one described in  FIG. 2 . However, in this embodiment, game controller  304  may need an additional case  306  to provide wireless power to game controller  304 . Case  306  may be made out of plastic rubber or any other suitable material for cases, and it may include an array of antenna. elements  204  located on the back side of case  306  which number and type may be calculated according to the game controller design, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Case  306  may also be connected to game controller  304  through a cable  308 , or in other embodiments game controller  304  may just be hooked up to case  306  (not shown), to provide wireless power. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first embodiment for providing wireless power transmission  400  to game controllers  300 , using pocket-forming. Transmitter  100  may be located at the ceiling of a living room pointing downwards, and may transmit controlled Radio RF waves  402  which may converge in 3-d space. These radio frequency (RF) waves  402  may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy  404  may be formed at constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional shape whereas null-spaces may be generated at destructive interference patterns. A receiver  200 , embedded or attached to game controllers  300 , may then utilize pockets of energy  404  produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example a game controller  302  or game controller  304 , and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission  400 . 
     In an embodiment, transmitter  100  may include a housing  102  where at least two or more antenna elements  104 , at least one RF integrated circuit (VFW  106 ), at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller  108 , and one communications component  110  may be included. Transmitter  100  may also include a local oscillator chip for converting alternating current (AC) power to analog RF signals. Such RF signals may firstly be phase and gain adjusted through an RFIC  106  proprietary chip, and then converted to RF waves  402  via antenna elements  104 . On the other hand, receiver  200  may include a housing  202  where at least one antenna element  204 , at least one rectifier  206  and at least one power converter  208  may be included. Receiver  200  may communicate with transmitter  100  through short waves  402  or pilot signals sent through antenna elements  204 . In some embodiments, receiver  200  may include an optional communications device for communicating on standard wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee with transmitter  100 . In some embodiments, receiver  200  may be implemented externally to electronic devices in the form of cases, e.g. camera cases, phone cases and the like which may connect through suitable and well known in the art techniques such as universal serial bus (USB). In other embodiments, receiver  200  may be embedded within electronic devices. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment for providing wireless power transmission  500  to game controllers  300 , based on pocket-forming. In this embodiment, transmitter  100  may be included as part of the game console  502 , and may be positioned as an attachment of the cover of game console  502 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Transmitter  100  may be internally connected to game console  502  and. produce controlled RF waves  504 . Controlled RF waves  504  may then create pockets of energy  506  on receiver  200 , which may be embedded in game controller  302 . Game controller  302  may then utilize pockets of energy  506 , produced by pocket-forming, for charging or powering itself. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a third embodiment for providing wireless power transmission  600  to game controllers  300 , based on pocket-forming. In this embodiment, transmitter  100  may be included as a separate device and may be connected to game console  602  through suitable and well known in the art techniques such as a USB cable  604 . Transmitter  100  may then obtain from game console  602  the power necessary to produce controlled RF waves  606  and send them to game controllers  302  so as to produce pockets of energy  608  on receiver  200 , which may be embedded in game controller  302 . Game controller  302  may then utilize pockets of energy  608 , produced by pocket-forming, for charging or powering itself. 
     While the foregoing disclosure, system configuration, methods and 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, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.