Patent Description:
With the development of wireless power transmission technology, many electronic devices have recently used the wireless power transmission technology for wireless charging or non-contact charging. The wireless power transmission technology is a technology which converts electric energy into a form of electromagnetic waves having a frequency and wirelessly transfers the converted energy to a load (for example, an external electronic device) without a transmission line. The wireless power transmission technology may be a technology in which power is wirelessly transferred from a power transmission device to a power reception device without a connection between the power reception device and the power transmission device via a separate connector, so that a battery of the power reception device is charged. The wireless power transmission technology may include a magnetic induction scheme and a magnetic resonance scheme, and there may be various other types of wireless power transmission technologies.

A magnetic induction type wireless power transmission system uses a scheme of transferring power by using a magnetic field induced in a coil, and is a technology which, using a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through a transmission coil, generates an electromotive force in a reception coil to cause an induced current to flow therethrough, so as to provide energy to a load (for example, an external electronic device). Representative standards of the magnetic induction scheme include wireless power consortium (WPC), power matters alliance (PMA), or the like, and a designated frequency band such as <NUM> to <NUM> for WPC, and <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM> for PMA may be used as a frequency used for power transmission.

Electronic devices (for example, a wearable electronic device) capable of wireless power transmission may use different communication protocols and frequencies of signals for wireless power transmission according to manufacturers thereof. For a single power transmission device capable of supporting a plurality of power transmission schemes, the power transmission device may require increased design difficulty and complexity in order to identify a power transmission scheme suitable for a power reception device. Alternatively, for a single power transmission device capable of supporting multiple power transmission schemes, the time required to start charging may be increased because communication methods and configuration schemes of the multiple power transmission schemes are different.

In an electronic device (for example, a wearable electronic device) capable of wireless power transmission, magnets having different polarities may be inserted in a power transmission device and a power reception device, respectively, and the power transmission device and the power reception device may be fixedly positioned using the magnets, in order to achieve efficient power transmission and minimize the phenomenon of induction heating. In supporting a plurality of power transmission schemes by a single power transmission device, magnets having the same polarity are inserted in a power transmission device and a power reception device, mounting of the power reception device for wireless power transmission may be impossible.

Various embodiments provide a power transmission device and an operating method thereof, wherein the power transmission device includes a rotatable magnet. When a power reception device is mounted on the power transmission device using the magnet, the power reception device can identify the polarity of the magnet included in the power transmission device and determine a power transmission scheme suitable for the wireless power reception device among a plurality of power transmission schemes.

An electronic device according to various embodiments includes a sensor, a first magnetic element which can be rotated to have a polarity of one of a first pole and a second pole in a first direction, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to, identify, through the sensor, a polarity of a one of first magnetic element and a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching of the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device, determine a power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force, and wirelessly transmit power to the external electronic device, based on the power transmission scheme.

An operating method of an electronic device including a first magnetic element which can be rotated to have a polarity of one of a first pole and a second pole in a first direction according to various embodiments includes identifying a polarity of one of a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching of the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device, determining a power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force, and wirelessly transmitting power to the external electronic device, based on the power transmission scheme.

A computer-readable recording medium according to various embodiments stores instructions configured to, when executed, cause a processor to: identify a polarity of one of a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching of the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the first magnetic element being included in an electronic device and being rotatable in a first direction to have a polarity of one of a first pole and a second pole, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device; determine a power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force; and wirelessly transmit power to the external electronic device, based on the power transmission scheme.

A power transmission device according to various embodiments includes a rotatable magnet and, when a power reception device is mounted on the power transmission device using the magnet, the power transmission device is able to detect a change in magnetic flux by using a sensor, and determine a power transmission scheme suitable for the wireless power reception device among a plurality of power transmission schemes.

The power transmission device according to various embodiments is able to support a plurality of power transmission schemes, and efficiently determine a power transmission scheme suitable for the power reception device.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

The auxiliary processor <NUM> may control, for example, at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, or the communication module <NUM>) among the components of the electronic device <NUM>, instead of the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an active (e.g., executing an application) state.

According to an embodiment, the audio module <NUM> may obtain the sound via the input module <NUM>, or output the sound via the sound output module <NUM> or an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a speaker or a headphone)) directly or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device <NUM> to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) directly or wirelessly.

A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device <NUM> via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth (TM), wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a <NUM> network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify or authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module <NUM> may support a peak data rate (e.g., <NUM> Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., <NUM> dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., <NUM> or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of <NUM> or less) for implementing URLLC.

In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected, for example, by the communication module <NUM> from the plurality of antennas.

According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

Each of the external electronic devices <NUM> or <NUM> may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating the power management module <NUM> and the battery <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the power management module <NUM> may include charging circuitry <NUM>, a power adjuster <NUM>, or a power gauge <NUM>. The charging circuitry <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> by using power supplied from an external power source outside the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the charging circuitry <NUM> may select a charging scheme (e.g., normal charging or quick charging) based at least in part on a type of the external power source (e.g., a power outlet, a USB, or wireless charging), magnitude of power suppliable from the external power source (e.g., about <NUM> Watt or more), or an attribute of the battery <NUM>, and may charge the battery <NUM> using the selected charging scheme. The external power source may be connected with the electronic device <NUM>, for example, directly via the connecting terminal <NUM> or wirelessly via the antenna module <NUM>.

The power adjuster <NUM> may generate a plurality of powers having different voltage levels or different current levels by adjusting a voltage level or a current level of the power supplied from the external power source or the battery <NUM>. The power adjuster <NUM> may adjust the voltage level or the current level of the power supplied from the external power source or the battery <NUM> into a different voltage level or current level appropriate for each of some of the components included in the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the power adjuster <NUM> may be implemented in the form of a low drop out (LDO) regulator or a switching regulator. The power gauge <NUM> may measure use state information about the battery <NUM> (e.g., a capacity, a number of times of charging or discharging, a voltage, or a temperature of the battery <NUM>).

The power management module <NUM> may determine, using, for example, the charging circuitry <NUM>, the power adjuster <NUM>, or the power gauge <NUM>, charging state information (e.g., lifetime, over voltage, low voltage, over current, over charge, over discharge, overheat, short, or swelling) related to the charging of the battery <NUM> based at least in part on the measured use state information about the battery <NUM>. The power management module <NUM> may determine whether the state of the battery <NUM> is normal or abnormal based at least in part on the determined charging state information. If the state of the battery <NUM> is determined to abnormal, the power management module <NUM> may adjust the charging of the battery <NUM> (e.g., reduce the charging current or voltage, or stop the charging). According to an embodiment, at least some of the functions of the power management module <NUM> may be performed by an external control device (e.g., the processor <NUM>).

The battery <NUM>, according to an embodiment, may include a protection circuit module (PCM) <NUM>. The PCM <NUM> may perform one or more of various functions (e.g., a pre-cutoff function) to prevent a performance deterioration of, or a damage to, the battery <NUM>. The PCM <NUM>, additionally or alternatively, may be configured as at least part of a battery management system (BMS) capable of performing various functions including cell balancing, measurement of battery capacity, count of a number of charging or discharging, measurement of temperature, or measurement of voltage.

According to an embodiment, at least a part of the use state information or the charging state information of the battery <NUM> may be measured using a corresponding sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor) among the sensor modules <NUM>, the power gauge <NUM>, or the power management module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the corresponding sensor (e.g., the temperature sensor) among the sensor modules <NUM> may be included as a part of the battery protection circuit module <NUM>, or may be disposed in the vicinity of the battery <NUM> as a separate device.

According to an embodiment, the power management module <NUM> may further include a power transmission circuit (for example, a power transmission circuit <NUM> of <FIG>). The power transmission circuit <NUM> may include a power adapter configured to receive an input of a power source (or power) from the battery <NUM> and appropriately convert a voltage of the input power source, a power generation circuit configured to generate power, and/or a matching circuit configured to wirelessly transmit the generated power to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>). The power transmission circuit <NUM> may transmit the generated power to the external electronic device by maximizing the efficiency between a transmission coil and a reception coil of the external electronic device through the matching circuit.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be a part of a plate-type/bar-type electronic device, a rollable electronic device, or a foldable electronic device.

As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C", may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd", or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with", "coupled to", "connected with", or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, "logic", "logic block", "part", or "circuitry".

For example, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it.

According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. In such a case, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a wireless charging system according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (for example, <NUM> of <FIG>) (hereinafter also referred to as a "power transmission device") according to various embodiments is configured to wirelessly supply power to an external electronic device <NUM> (for example, <NUM> of <FIG>) (hereinafter also referred to as a "power reception device"), and the external electronic device <NUM> is configured to wirelessly receive power.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission device <NUM> may correspond to a wireless power receiver or a power reception device. For example, when the power transmission device <NUM> corresponds to the wireless power receiver or the power reception device, the power transmission device <NUM> may be applied to elements of the power reception device <NUM> required for power reception.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission device <NUM> may include the power transmission circuit <NUM>, a control circuit <NUM>, a communication circuit <NUM>, and/or a sensing circuit <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission circuit <NUM> may include a power adapter 311a configured to receive an input of a power source (or power) from the outside and appropriately convert a voltage of the input power source, a power generation circuit 311b configured to generate power, and/or a matching circuit 311c configured to maximize the efficiency between a transmission coil <NUM> and a reception coil <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission circuit <NUM> may include a plurality of at least a part of the power adapter 311a, the power generation circuit 311b, the transmission coil <NUM>, or the matching circuit 311c, so as to enable power transmission to a plurality of power reception devices (for example, a first external electronic device and a second external electronic device). The power generation circuit 311b may convert power received from the power adapter 311a into, for example, an alternating current waveform, and/or amplify and transfer the alternating current waveform to the transmission coil <NUM>. A frequency of the alternating current waveform may be configured to be about <NUM> to <NUM> or about <NUM> according to a standard, but is not limited thereto. The power generation circuit 311b may include an inverter. For example, the inverter may be a full-bridge inverter or a half-bridge inverter, but the type of the inverter is not limited to these types of inverters. When power is applied to the transmission coil <NUM>, an induced magnetic field having a size which changes according to time may be formed from the transmission coil <NUM>, and thus the power may be wirelessly transmitted. Although not shown, at least one capacitor configuring a resonance circuit together with the transmission coil <NUM> may be further included in the power transmission circuit <NUM>. The matching circuit 311c may change at least one of capacitance or reactance of a circuit connected to the transmission coil <NUM> under the control of the control circuit <NUM>, so as to control the power transmission circuit <NUM> and a power reception circuit <NUM> to be impedance-matched with each other. In the reception coil <NUM> of the power reception circuit <NUM>, an induced electromotive force may be generated by a magnetic field formed in the surroundings and having a size which changes according to time, and accordingly, the power reception circuit <NUM> may receive power wirelessly.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission circuit <NUM> may support a plurality of power transmission schemes by using the power generation circuit 311b. For example, the power transmission circuit <NUM> may transmit power by using a power transmission scheme suitable for an external electronic device among the plurality of power transmission schemes. For example, the plurality of power transmission schemes may include a scheme of wirelessly transmitting power by using a magnetic induction scheme and/or a resonance induction scheme.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission circuit <NUM> may use the power generation circuit 311b to generate signals of a first frequency band for providing a first power to a first external electronic device (for example, the power reception device <NUM>) and signals of a second frequency band for providing a second power to a second external electronic device (not shown). For example, the control circuit <NUM> may output a first signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "ping signal") for identifying approach of an external object in a ping phase (e.g., a standby power state) at each designated period through the transmission coil <NUM> in order to wirelessly transmit power, output a signal associated with authentication in an authentication state (identification & configuration phase), and output a second signal (power signal) for power transmission in a power transmission state (power transfer phase). That is, the control circuit <NUM> may output a first signal and a second signal of the first frequency band or the second frequency band according to each power transmission scheme. For example, the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be different from each other.

According to various embodiments, the control circuit <NUM> may perform the overall control of the power transmission device <NUM>, and generate various messages required for wireless power transmission to transfer the messages to the communication circuit <NUM>. For example, the control circuit <NUM> may be implemented to be identical or similar to the processor <NUM> of <FIG>. In an embodiment, the control circuit <NUM> may calculate power (or an amount of power) to be transmitted to the power reception device <NUM>, based on information received from the communication circuit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the control circuit <NUM> may control the power transmission circuit <NUM> so that the power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM> is transmitted to the power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when power is transmitted to one power reception device among a plurality of power reception devices (for example, a first external electronic device and a second external electronic device) each having a different power transmission scheme, the control circuit <NUM> may control the power generation circuit 311b so as to generate a first signal and a second signal in a frequency band corresponding to each power transmission scheme.

According to various embodiments, the communication circuit <NUM> may include at least one of a first communication circuit 313a and a second communication circuit 313b. The first communication circuit 313a may communicate with a first communication circuit 323a of the power reception device <NUM> by using, for example, a frequency which is the same as or adjacent to a frequency used for power transmission in the transmission coil <NUM> (e.g., an in-band scheme). In an embodiment, the second communication circuit 323a may communicate with a second communication circuit 323b of the power reception device <NUM> by using, for example, a frequency which is different from a frequency used for power transmission in the transmission coil <NUM> (e.g., an out-band scheme). For example, the second communication circuit 313b may use one of various short-range communication schemes, such as Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and NFC, to obtain information (e.g., Vrec information, Iout information, various packets, a message, etc.) related to a charging state from the second communication circuit 323b. According to an embodiment, the first communication circuit 313a may be included in the power transmission circuit <NUM>, and the first communication circuit 313a may communicate with the first communication circuit 323a of the power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the sensing circuit <NUM> may include at least one sensor, and may detect at least one state of the power transmission device <NUM> by using the at least one sensor.

According to various embodiments, the sensing circuit <NUM> may include at least one of a Hall sensor, a magnetic force sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, or a current (or voltage) sensor, and may identify a power transmission scheme of the power reception circuit <NUM> through the Hall sensor (or the magnetic force sensor), detect a temperature state of the power transmission device <NUM> by using the temperature sensor, detect a motion state of the power transmission device <NUM> by using the motion sensor, and detect a state of an output signal of the power transmission device <NUM>, such as a current magnitude, a voltage magnitude, or a power magnitude, by using the current (or voltage) sensor.

According to an embodiment, the current (or voltage) sensor may measure a signal in the power transmission circuit <NUM>. A signal may be measured in at least a partial area of the transmission coil <NUM>, the matching circuit 311c, or the power generation circuit 311b. For example, the current (or voltage) sensor may include a circuit configured to measure a signal at the front end of the transmission coil <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the sensing circuit <NUM> may be a circuit for foreign object detection (FOD). The power transmission device <NUM> may measure a current and a voltage of the power transmission circuit <NUM> through the sensing circuit <NUM> and obtain a magnitude of power transmitted by the power transmission device <NUM>, based on the measured current and voltage. When an external object exists between the power transmission device <NUM> and the power reception device <NUM>, a magnitude of lost power representing a difference between power transmitted by the power transmission device <NUM> and power received by the power reception device <NUM> may increase. The power transmission device <NUM> may stop power transmission when the lost power exceeds a designated threshold value. The power transmission device <NUM> may receive information related to power received from the power reception device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the sensing circuit <NUM> may measure a current and a voltage applied to the power transmission circuit <NUM> (e.g., the power generation circuit 311b or the transmission coil <NUM>) by a change of the power reception device <NUM>, so as to detect a change in the power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power reception device <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG>) may include the power reception circuit <NUM> (e.g., the power management module <NUM>), a control circuit <NUM> (e.g., the processor <NUM>), a communication circuit <NUM> (e.g., the communication module <NUM>), at least one sensor <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>), or a display <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM>). In relation to the power reception device <NUM>, the description of the configuration corresponding to the power transmission device <NUM> may be partially omitted.

According to various embodiments, the power reception device <NUM> may correspond to a wireless power transmitter or a power transmission device. When the power reception device <NUM> corresponds to the wireless power transmitter or the power transmission device, the power reception device <NUM> may include elements of the power transmission device <NUM> required for power transmission.

According to various embodiments, the power reception circuit <NUM> may include the reception coil <NUM> configured to wirelessly receive power from the power transmission device <NUM>, a matching circuit 321a, a rectifier circuit 321b configured to rectify a received AC power to a DC, a regulating circuit 321c configured to regulate a charging voltage, a switch circuit 321d, and/or a battery 321e (e.g., the battery <NUM>).

According to various embodiments, the control circuit <NUM> may perform the overall control of the power reception device <NUM>, and generate various messages required for wireless power reception to transfer the messages to the communication circuit <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the communication circuit <NUM> may include at least one of the first communication circuit 323a and the second communication circuit 323b. The first communication circuit 323a may communicate with the power transmission device <NUM> through the reception coil <NUM>. The second communication circuit 323b may communicate with the power transmission device <NUM> by using one of various short-range communication schemes such as Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, and NFC. According to an embodiment, the first communication circuit 323a may be included in the power reception circuit <NUM>, and the first communication circuit 323a may communicate with the first communication circuit 313a of the power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the display <NUM> may display various display information required for wireless power transmission/reception.

According to various embodiments, the at least one sensor <NUM> may include at least a part of a current/voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, or a sound sensor.

According to various embodiments, the at least one sensor <NUM> may detect the power transmission device <NUM> by detecting a discovery signal or received power from the power transmission device <NUM>. The at least one sensor <NUM> may detect a signal change of an input/output terminal of the rectifier circuit 321b, the matching circuit 321a, or the reception coil <NUM>, generated by a signal output from the power transmission device <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the at least one sensor <NUM> may be included in the power reception circuit <NUM>.

Referring to case (a) of <FIG>, a power transmission device <NUM> may include a first magnetic element <NUM> having a first polarity (or a first pole). The power transmission device <NUM> may be disposed to be aligned with a power reception device <NUM> in order to wirelessly transmit power to the power reception device <NUM>. For example, when power is wirelessly transmitted, the power transmission device <NUM> may use the first magnetic element <NUM> for placement for maximizing efficiency and/or minimizing the phenomenon of induction heating. That is, the first magnetic element <NUM> may be used so that the power transmission device <NUM> and the power reception device <NUM> are fixed at appropriate positions. For example, a wireless charging coil <NUM> included in the power transmission device <NUM> may be disposed in an annular shape without a central portion thereof like a donut, and the first magnetic element <NUM> may be positioned in the central portion where the wireless charging coil <NUM> does not exist. The first magnetic element <NUM> may include a shielding member <NUM> in the surroundings thereof so as not to affect a magnetic force of the wireless charging coil <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power reception device <NUM> may include a second magnetic element <NUM> having a second polarity (or a second pole). For example, a wireless charging coil <NUM> included in the power transmission device <NUM> may be disposed in an annular shape without a central portion thereof like a donut, and the second magnetic element <NUM> may be positioned in the central portion where the wireless charging coil <NUM> does not exist. The second magnetic element <NUM> may include a shielding member <NUM> in the surroundings thereof so as not to affect a magnetic force of the wireless charging coil <NUM>. For example, each of the power transmission device <NUM> and the power reception device <NUM> may include magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> having different polarities. For example, when the first polarity corresponds to an "N pole", the second polarity may correspond to an "S pole", and when the first polarity corresponds to an "S pole", the second polarity may correspond to an "N pole".

However, as shown in case (a) of <FIG>, when the first magnetic element <NUM> has the first polarity, the power transmission device <NUM> may be aligned at a position where power transmission efficiency is highest, due to an attractive force between the magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> and the power reception device <NUM> including a magnetic element having the second polarity opposite to the first polarity. According to another embodiment, the power transmission device <NUM> may not be aligned with the power reception device <NUM> due to a repulsive force between the magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> and the power reception device <NUM> including a magnetic element having the same polarity as the first polarity.

Referring to case (b) of <FIG>, a power transmission device <NUM> (for example, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the power transmission device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first magnetic element <NUM> which can be rotated to have a first polarity or a second polarity in a first direction. For example, a wireless charging coil <NUM> included in the power transmission device <NUM> may be disposed in an annular shape without a central portion thereof like a donut, and the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> may be positioned in the central portion where the wireless charging coil <NUM> does not exist. The rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> may include a shielding member <NUM> in the surroundings thereof so as not to affect a magnetic force of the wireless charging coil <NUM>. In this case, the shielding member <NUM> may include a hole so that the first magnetic element <NUM> may transfer a magnetic force to a Hall sensor <NUM> adjacent to the first magnetic element <NUM>. According to an embodiment, at least a part of the shielding member <NUM> may be positioned in a second direction of the first magnetic element <NUM> and/or the wireless charging coil <NUM>. The shielding member <NUM> may prevent at least a part of a magnetic force generated by a coil and/or a magnet from being affected in the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the Hall sensor <NUM> may be positioned between the first magnetic element <NUM> and the shielding member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the Hall sensor <NUM> may be positioned in the second direction of the shielding member <NUM>. The shielding member <NUM> may be positioned between the first magnetic element <NUM> and the Hall sensor <NUM>. The shielding member <NUM> may include a hole so that the first magnetic element <NUM> may transfer a magnetic force to the Hall sensor <NUM> adjacent to the first magnetic element <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the shielding member <NUM> may be implemented in a form which surrounds the first magnetic element <NUM>. Although, in case (b) of <FIG>, the shielding member <NUM> is shown to be extended up to an area between the wireless charging coil <NUM> and the Hall sensor <NUM> such that the Hall sensor <NUM> is not affected by the wireless charging coil <NUM>, the technical idea of the disclosure may not be limited thereto. For example, the shielding member <NUM> may be implemented in a form which surrounds only the first magnetic element <NUM>.

For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may be positioned in parallel with a power reception device <NUM> by using the first magnetic element <NUM> for alignment. For example, the first direction may refer to a direction facing the power reception device <NUM> when the power transmission device <NUM> wirelessly transmits power. That is, the first magnetic element <NUM> may rotate so as to have a polarity different from that of a second magnetic element <NUM> of the power reception device <NUM> in the first direction. For example, a wireless charging coil <NUM> included in the power reception device <NUM> may be disposed in an annular shape without a central portion thereof like a donut, and the second magnetic element <NUM> may be positioned in the central portion where the wireless charging coil <NUM> does not exist. The second magnetic element <NUM> may include a shielding member <NUM> in the surroundings thereof so as not to affect a magnetic force of the wireless charging coil <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the shielding member <NUM> may be positioned in the first direction of the wireless charging coil <NUM> and/or the second magnetic element <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when the power reception device <NUM> is in contact with the power transmission device <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may be disposed such that a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> of the power transmission device <NUM> is aligned according to a polarity of the second magnetic element <NUM> of the power reception device <NUM>. When the second magnetic element <NUM> has the first polarity, the first magnetic element <NUM> may rotate in the first direction to have the second polarity opposite to the first polarity. Alternatively, when the second magnetic element <NUM> has the second polarity, the first magnetic element <NUM> may rotate in the first direction to have the first polarity opposite to the second polarity.

Accordingly, the power transmission device <NUM> may be disposed to be aligned with the power reception device <NUM> even when the power reception device <NUM> includes a magnetic element having any polarity, and thus wirelessly transmit power. However, when power transmission schemes of the power transmission device <NUM> and the power reception device <NUM> are different, power transmission between the two devices may not be possible, or power transmission efficiency may decrease even when the power transmission device <NUM> transmits power to the power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power reception device <NUM> may include a magnetic element having a different polarity for each manufacturer. In addition, the power reception device <NUM> may use a different power transmission scheme for each manufacturer (for example, a frequency of a signal for power transmission and/or a wireless power transmission communication protocol). In this case, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify a power transmission scheme of the power reception device <NUM>, based on a polarity of the magnetic element <NUM> included in the power reception device <NUM>. In this regard, hereinafter, a method of identifying a power transmission scheme of the power reception device <NUM> by the power transmission device <NUM> will be described in detail.

The operations of the power transmission device <NUM> described below may be performed by a processor (the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) or a control circuit (for example, the control circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) included in the power transmission device <NUM>. However, for convenience of description, it will be assumed that a subject of the operations is the power transmission device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a power transmission device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> identifies a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> and/or the second magnetic element <NUM> due to approach of an external electronic device (e.g., the power reception device <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, a first polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> may be aligned in a first direction by a magnetic force generated when the second magnetic element <NUM> included in the external electronic device <NUM> approaches the first magnetic element <NUM>. The power transmission device <NUM> may identify a change in a magnetic force as the first polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is aligned in the first direction, and identify the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in response to the change in the magnetic force. For example, the first polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in the first direction may be opposite to a polarity of the second magnetic element <NUM>. On the other hand, a second polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in a second direction opposite to the first direction may be the same as the polarity of the second magnetic element <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify the second polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in the second direction in a state in which the first polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is aligned in the first direction, through a sensor (for example, a Hall sensor or a magnetic force sensor). The power transmission device <NUM> may identify the polarity of the second magnetic element <NUM>, based on the second polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in the second direction. For example, the sensor (for example, a Hall sensor or a magnetic force sensor) may be positioned in the second direction of the first magnetic element <NUM>, but may not be limited thereto.

According to various embodiments, the power transmission device <NUM> may detect a change in magnetic flux through the sensor (for example, a Hall sensor or a magnetic force sensor) when the external electronic device <NUM> approaches the power transmission device <NUM>, and identify the polarity of the second magnetic element <NUM> included in the external electronic device <NUM>, based on the detected state (or change) of the magnetic flux. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> and/or the second magnetic element <NUM>, based on a direction of the magnetic flux. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify a strength of a magnetic force, based on the density of magnetic flux (or the number of magnetic flux lines).

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> identifies a strength of a magnetic force. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may detect magnetic flux through the sensor (for example, a Hall sensor or a magnetic force sensor). The power transmission device <NUM> may identify the strength of the magnetic force, based on the magnetic flux detected through the sensor. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may compare the strength of the magnetic force with a threshold value. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may compare the strength of the magnetic force with the threshold value to identify whether the first magnetic element <NUM> is completely rotated to an "N pole" or an "S pole". The power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> malfunctions, through the operation of comparing the strength of the magnetic force with the threshold value.

According to an embodiment, the sensor of the power transmission device <NUM> may identify that the power reception device <NUM> is located in the vicinity of the power transmission device <NUM>, based on the detected strength of the magnetic force. For example, when the power reception device <NUM> is more than a predetermined distance away from the power transmission device <NUM>, the sensor may detect a first magnetic force strength, and when the power reception device <NUM> is located in the vicinity of the power transmission device <NUM>, the sensor may detect a second magnetic force strength. For example, the second magnetic force strength may be greater than the first magnetic force strength. The power transmission device <NUM> may be aware that the power reception device <NUM> is located in the vicinity of the power transmission device <NUM>, based on the magnetic force strength.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> determines one power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity of the magnetic element and the strength of the magnetic force. For example, each of the plurality of power transmission schemes may have a different frequency band of a signal for power transmission. In addition, each of the plurality of power transmission schemes may have a different resonant frequency of a signal for power transmission.

According to various embodiments, the configuration of operation <NUM> may be omitted. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may determine one power transmission scheme among the plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity of the magnetic element without measuring the strength of the magnetic force.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> wirelessly transmits power to the external electronic device <NUM>, based on the determined power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may output a ping signal and a signal for power transmission, based on a frequency band and a resonant frequency corresponding to the determined power transmission scheme.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a power transmission device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a power transmission device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an inverter <NUM>, a first magnetic element <NUM>, a Hall sensor <NUM>, a switch <NUM>, a first capacitor <NUM>, a second capacitor <NUM>, and a coil <NUM>. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may be implemented to be identical or similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the power transmission device <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, the first magnetic element <NUM> may rotate to have a polarity of an "N pole" or an "S pole" in a first direction. For example, the first magnetic element <NUM> may have an "N pole" on one surface thereof and have an "S pole" on the other surface thereof. For example, the first direction may be a direction toward a power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the power reception device <NUM> may include a second magnetic element <NUM>. The second magnetic element <NUM> may have the polarity of the "N pole" or the "S pole". For example, the second magnetic element <NUM> may have one polarity of the "N pole" and "S pole". In addition, the second magnetic element <NUM> may be disposed to be fixed at a specific position of the power reception device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the expression of having one polarity may mean a magnet which performs only a role corresponding to a single pole in the embodiment disclosed herein. A single-pole magnet may be implemented in the following form. For example, a magnet including the "N pole" and the "S pole" functions as a multi-pole magnet when placed along a surface of a housing (when placed parallel to the surface), but when the magnet including the "N pole" and the "S pole" is placed perpendicular to the surface of the housing, only a pole adjacent to the surface may function to generate a magnetic force (e.g., an attractive force) in relation to the power transmission device <NUM>. In this case, a magnet having a polarity disposed perpendicular to the housing may be referred to as a single-pole magnet for convenience of description/distinction.

For another example, a magnet having one polarity may be implemented as a magnet which physically includes two poles, but substantially has the one polarity which is overwhelmingly dominant. For example, a magnet composite such as a Halbach array may function as a single-pole magnet.

For another example, a magnet having one polarity may be implemented as a magnet with an appropriate shape/arrangement (e.g., a pot type and a ring type) manufactured in consideration of a situation in which only single-pole magnetism is required.

Although it is illustrated herein that the second magnetic element <NUM> may have one polarity of the "N pole" and the "S pole", this is merely exemplary, and the number of polarities is not limited. For example, each of the first magnetic element <NUM> and the second magnetic element <NUM> may include both the "N pole" and the "S pole". In this case, the "N poles" and the "S poles" of the first magnetic element <NUM> and the second magnetic element <NUM> may be arranged to cross each other. For another example, a plurality of first magnetic elements <NUM> and a plurality of second magnetic elements <NUM> may be disposed.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may control the overall operation of the power transmission device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may be implemented to be identical or similar to the processor <NUM> of <FIG> or the control circuit <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, when the first magnetic element <NUM> is aligned in a first direction by a magnetic force generated as the power reception device <NUM> approaches the power transmission device <NUM> (or the power transmission device <NUM> approaches the power reception device <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may identify a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> corresponding to the magnetic force through the Hall sensor <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in a second direction. For example, the second direction may be a direction opposite to the first direction.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify a strength of a magnetic force through the Hall sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may identify a magnetic flux state or change through the Hall sensor <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may compare a threshold value stored in the memory <NUM> with the strength of the magnetic force.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may determine one power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on a polarity and a strength of a magnetic force. For example, each of the plurality of power transmission schemes may be a wireless power transmission scheme supported by the power transmission device <NUM>. In each of the plurality of power transmission schemes, a ping signal, a data transfer scheme (for example, a packet format for charging configuration), and a power transmission signal have frequency bands and resonant frequencies.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may output a signal for controlling the switch <NUM> to the switch <NUM> in order to determine a frequency corresponding to a power transmission scheme. The processor <NUM> may control the switch <NUM> to determine resonant frequencies of a power transmission signal and a ping signal. For example, when the switch <NUM> is short-circuited, the resonant frequency may be determined based on capacitance C1+C2 of the first capacitor <NUM> and the second capacitor <NUM>. On the other hand, when the switch <NUM> is opened, the resonant frequency may be determined based on capacitance C2 of the second capacitor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, although it is illustrated in <FIG> that the switch <NUM> functions to determine capacitance as C2 or C1+C2, the technical idea of the disclosure may not be limited thereto. For example, the switch <NUM> may function to connect a path including the first capacitor or the second capacitor <NUM> to a branch point of the TX inverter <NUM>. In this case, the capacitance may be determined as C1 or C2 by the switch <NUM>. In addition, the resonant frequency may be determined based on capacitance C1 or C2.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may wirelessly transmit power to the power reception device <NUM>, based on the determined power transmission scheme. For example, the processor <NUM> may output a ping signal and a power transmission signal, based on the determined power transmission scheme. For example, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in the second direction corresponds to a first pole (for example, an N pole), the processor <NUM> may transmit power, based on a first power transmission scheme among the plurality of power transmission schemes. Alternatively, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> in the second direction corresponds to a second pole (for example, an S pole), the processor <NUM> may transmit power, based on a second power transmission scheme among the plurality of power transmission schemes. For example, the first power transmission scheme may be different from the second power transmission scheme. For example, a resonant frequency of the first power transmission scheme may be determined based on the capacitance C1+C2, and a resonant frequency of the second power transmission scheme may be determined based on the capacitance C2. For example, the resonant frequency of the second power transmission scheme may be greater than the resonant frequency of the first power transmission scheme. For example, a frequency band of the first power transmission scheme may be <NUM> to <NUM>, and a frequency band of the second power transmission scheme may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating a wireless charging system according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the power transmission device <NUM> may determine a power transmission scheme according to a polarity of a second magnetic element of the power reception device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, as shown in case (a) of <FIG>, when a polarity of a second magnetic element <NUM> is an "S pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit power, based on a first power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes. For example, a resonant frequency of the first power transmission scheme may be determined based on capacitance C1+C2 of a first capacitor <NUM> and a second capacitor <NUM> and an inductance L of a coil <NUM>. The power transmission device <NUM> may use a first communication protocol corresponding to the first power transmission scheme. Alternatively, as shown in case (b) of <FIG>, when a polarity of a second magnetic element <NUM> is an "N pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit power, based on a second power transmission scheme among the plurality of power transmission schemes. For example, a resonant frequency of the second power transmission scheme may be determined based on capacitance C2 of the second capacitor <NUM> and the inductance L of the coil <NUM>. The power transmission device <NUM> may use a second communication protocol corresponding to the second power transmission scheme.

According to various embodiments, as shown in case (a) of <FIG>, when a polarity of a second magnetic element <NUM> is an "N pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit power, based on a first power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes. For example, a resonant frequency of the first power transmission scheme may be determined based on the capacitance C1+C2 of the first capacitor <NUM> and the second capacitor <NUM> and the inductance L of the coil <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in case (b) of <FIG>, when a polarity of a second magnetic element <NUM> is an "S pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit power, based on a second power transmission scheme among the plurality of power transmission schemes. For example, a resonant frequency of the second power transmission scheme may be determined based on the capacitance C2 of the second capacitor <NUM> and the inductance L of the coil <NUM>.

Although only two capacitors are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> for convenience of description, the number of capacitors may not be limited thereto.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation of determining a power transmission scheme through a sensor by a power transmission device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> (for example, the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may identify a polarity of a first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element <NUM> of <FIG>) through a Hall sensor <NUM> (e.g., the Hall sensor <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the Hall sensor <NUM> (for example, the Hall sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first sensor module <NUM> and a second sensor module <NUM>. For example, the first sensor module <NUM> may be a sensor for detecting a first pole (for example, an N pole), and the second sensor module <NUM> may be a sensor for detecting a second pole (for example, an S pole).

Although <FIG> illustrates the first sensor module <NUM> and the second sensor module <NUM> separately, the first sensor module <NUM> and the second sensor module <NUM> may be implemented as one sensor.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify whether a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> toward the Hall sensor <NUM> corresponds to the first pole (for example, the N pole), through the first sensor module <NUM>. The first sensor module <NUM> may output a voltage value <NUM>, based on the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM>. For example, when the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> completely faces the first pole (for example, the N pole) with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>, the first sensor module <NUM> may output a voltage value "V1" corresponding to a high level. For example, the voltage value "V1" may be greater than "VR1" indicating a first threshold value. On the other hand, when the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> does not completely face the first pole (for example, the N pole) with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>, the first sensor module <NUM> may output a voltage value lower than "VR1".

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> toward the Hall sensor <NUM> corresponds to the second pole (for example, the S pole), through the second sensor module <NUM>. The second sensor module <NUM> may output a voltage value <NUM>, based on the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM>. When the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> completely faces the second pole (for example, the S pole) with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>, the second sensor module <NUM> may output a voltage value "V2" corresponding to a high level. For example, the voltage value "V2" may be greater than "VR2" indicating a second threshold value. On the other hand, when the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> does not completely face the second pole (for example, the S pole) with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>, the second sensor module <NUM> may output a voltage value lower than "VR2".

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may identify the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> and a strength of a magnetic force through the Hall sensor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> (for example, the power transmission device of <FIG>) may be in a sleep state. For example, the sleep state may refer to a state in which a ping signal and/or a signal for power transmission is not output to the power reception device <NUM> (for example, the power reception device of <FIG>).

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, when a change in a magnetic force (for example, a change in a magnetic force strength according to a polarity change or a change in a magnetic force strength without a polarity change) is identified, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element of <FIG>), through the Hall sensor <NUM> (for example, the Hall sensor of <FIG>). For example, when a change in a magnetic force is identified, the power transmission device <NUM> may switch from the sleep state to a wakeup state (or an active state). For example, the wakeup state (or active state) may be a state in which an operation for power transmission may be performed. In operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is an "N pole".

According to various embodiments, operation <NUM> may be omitted. For example, when the power transmission device <NUM> is not in the sleep state, operation <NUM> may be directly performed. In this case, the power transmission device <NUM> may omit the operation of switching into the wakeup state (active state). In addition, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> even when the change in the magnetic force is not identified.

According to various embodiments, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is the "N pole" (Yes in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether a magnetic force strength exceeds a first threshold value. For example, the first threshold value may refer to a magnetic force strength when the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> faces the "N pole" by a predetermined angle or more with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength does not exceed the first threshold value (No in operation <NUM>), the power transmission device <NUM> may enter the sleep state again without performing an operation for transmitting power.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength exceeds the first threshold value (Yes in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of detecting the power reception device <NUM>, based on a first power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may output a ping signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first power transmission scheme at a preconfigured period. For example, when a specific packet corresponding to the ping signal is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation for power transmission. On the other hand, when the specific packet corresponding to the ping signal is not received, the power transmission device <NUM> may enter the sleep state again without performing the operation for power transmission.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of transmitting power to the power reception device <NUM>, based on the first power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit, to the power reception device <NUM>, a power transmission signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first power transmission scheme. For example, when the specific packet is not received for a predetermined time, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and enter the sleep state again. Alternatively, when a packet indicating the completion of charging is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and enter the sleep state again.

According to various embodiments, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is not the "N pole" (No in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether a magnetic force strength exceeds a second threshold value. For example, the second threshold value may refer to a magnetic force strength when the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> faces an "S pole" by a predetermined angle or more with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>. In this case, the second threshold value may be the same as or different from the first threshold value.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength does not exceed the second threshold value (No in operation <NUM>), the power transmission device <NUM> may enter the sleep state again without performing an operation for transmitting power.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength exceeds the second threshold value (Yes in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of detecting the power reception device <NUM>, based on a second power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may output a ping signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second power transmission scheme at a preconfigured period. For example, when a specific packet corresponding to the ping signal is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation for power transmission. On the other hand, when the specific packet corresponding to the ping signal is not received, the power transmission device <NUM> may enter the sleep state again without performing the operation for power transmission.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of transmitting power to the power reception device <NUM>, based on the second power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit, to the power reception device <NUM>, a power transmission signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second power transmission scheme. For example, when the specific packet is not received for a predetermined time, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and enter the sleep state again. Alternatively, when a packet indicating the completion of charging is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and enter the sleep state again.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation of outputting a ping signal by a power transmission device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, as shown in case (a) of <FIG>, a power transmission device according to a comparative embodiment may output a ping signal <NUM> in order to detect a power reception device. For example, the power transmission device according to the comparative embodiment may output the ping signal <NUM> at a preconfigured period, based on a specific power transmission scheme. In this case, the power transmission device according to the comparative embodiment may output the ping signal <NUM> until the power reception device is detected.

According to various embodiments, as shown in case (b) of <FIG>, the power transmission device <NUM> (for example, the power transmission device of <FIG>) may not output the ping signal <NUM> in a sleep state. The power transmission device <NUM> may output the ping signal <NUM> at a preconfigured period, based on an operation (for example, a detection time point) of identifying a change in a magnetic force of the first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element of <FIG>). In this case, when the change in the magnetic force is identified, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM>, through the Hall sensor <NUM> (for example, the Hall sensor of <FIG>), and output the ping signal <NUM>, based on a power transmission scheme corresponding to the identified polarity. Accordingly, the power transmission device <NUM> can reduce power consumption when compared to case (a) of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> (for example, the power transmission device of <FIG>) may output a first ping signal, based on a first power transmission scheme, according to a preconfigured period, and output a second ping signal, based on a second power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may alternately output a first ping signal of a first resonant frequency and a second ping signal of a second resonant frequency according to a preconfigured period. The power transmission device <NUM> may sequentially output the first ping signal and the second ping signal while turning on/off the switch <NUM> (for example, the switch of <FIG>). According to an embodiment, the power transmission device <NUM> may output the first ping signal for a first designated time, and output the second ping signal for a second designated time. Alternatively, the power transmission device <NUM> may alternately output the first ping signal and the second ping signal within one time interval. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may detect a power reception device using the first power transmission scheme and/or a power reception device using the second power transmission scheme by alternately outputting the first ping signal and the second ping signal. That is, the power transmission device <NUM> may detect all the power reception devices using different power transmission schemes.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element of <FIG>) through the Hall sensor <NUM> (for example, the Hall sensor of <FIG>). For example, when a change in a magnetic force is identified, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element of <FIG>) through the Hall sensor <NUM>. Alternatively, the power transmission device <NUM> may also identify the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element of <FIG>), through the Hall sensor <NUM>, without identifying a change in a magnetic force. For example, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is an "N pole".

According to various embodiments, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is the "N pole" (Yes in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether a magnetic force strength exceeds a first threshold value. For example, the first threshold value may refer to a magnetic force strength in a state in which the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> is completely the "N pole" with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength does not exceed the first threshold value (No in operation <NUM>), the power transmission device <NUM> may continuously output the first ping signal and the second ping signal without performing an operation for transmitting power.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength exceeds the first threshold value (Yes in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of detecting the power reception device <NUM>, based on the first power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may output a first ping signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first power transmission scheme at a preconfigured period. That is, the power transmission device <NUM> may output only the first ping signal. For example, when a specific packet corresponding to the first ping signal is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation for power transmission. On the other hand, when the specific packet corresponding to the first ping signal is not received, the power transmission device <NUM> may output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again without performing the operation for power transmission.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of transmitting power to the power reception device <NUM>, based on the first power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit, to the power reception device <NUM>, a power transmission signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first power transmission scheme. For example, when the specific packet is not received for a predetermined time, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again. Alternatively, when a packet indicating the completion of charging is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again.

According to various embodiments, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is not the "N pole" (No in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify whether a magnetic force strength exceeds a second threshold value. For example, the second threshold value may refer to a magnetic force strength in a state in which the rotatable first magnetic element <NUM> is completely an "S pole" with reference to the Hall sensor <NUM>. In this case, the second threshold value may be the same as or different from the first threshold value.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength does not exceed the second threshold value (No in operation <NUM>), the power transmission device <NUM> may output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again without performing an operation for transmitting power.

According to various embodiments, when the magnetic force strength exceeds the second threshold value (Yes in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of detecting the power reception device <NUM>, based on the second power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may output a second ping signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second power transmission scheme at a preconfigured period. For example, when a specific packet corresponding to the second ping signal is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation for power transmission. On the other hand, when the specific packet corresponding to the second ping signal is not received, the power transmission device <NUM> may output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again without performing the operation for power transmission.

According to various embodiments, in operation <NUM>, the power transmission device <NUM> may perform an operation of transmitting power to the power reception device <NUM>, based on the second power transmission scheme. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may transmit, to the power reception device <NUM>, a power transmission signal having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second power transmission scheme. For example, when the specific packet is not received for a predetermined time, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again. Alternatively, when a packet indicating the completion of charging is received, the power transmission device <NUM> may stop transmission of the power transmission signal and output the first ping signal and the second ping signal again.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation of outputting ping signals by a power transmission device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, as shown in case (a) of <FIG>, a power transmission device (for example, the power transmission device of <FIG>) may output a first ping signal <NUM> of a first power transmission scheme and a second ping signal <NUM> of a second power transmission scheme in order to detect a power reception device. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may detect a power reception device using the first power transmission scheme and/or a power reception device using the second power transmission scheme by alternately outputting the first ping signal and the second ping signal. That is, the power transmission device <NUM> may alternately output the first ping signal and the second ping signal in order to detect all the power reception devices using different power transmission schemes.

According to various embodiments, as shown in cases (b) and (c) of <FIG>, while alternately outputting the first ping signal and the second ping signal, the power transmission device <NUM> may output one of the first ping signal <NUM> and the second ping signal <NUM> at a preconfigured period, based on an operation (for example, a detection time point) of identifying a change in a magnetic force of the first magnetic element <NUM> (for example, the first magnetic element of <FIG>). For example, when the change in the magnetic force is identified, the power transmission device <NUM> may identify a polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM>, through the Hall sensor <NUM> (for example, the Hall sensor of <FIG>), and output the first ping signal <NUM> or the second ping signal <NUM>, based on a power transmission scheme corresponding to the identified polarity.

According to various embodiments, as shown in case (b) of <FIG>, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is identified as an "N pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may output the first ping signal <NUM> according to a preconfigured period. For another example, as shown in case (c) of <FIG>, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is identified as an "S pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may output the second ping signal <NUM> according to a preconfigured period.

According to various embodiments, as shown in case (b) of <FIG>, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is identified as the "S pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may output the first ping signal <NUM> according to a preconfigured period. Alternatively, as shown in case (c) of <FIG>, when the polarity of the first magnetic element <NUM> is identified as the "N pole", the power transmission device <NUM> may output the second ping signal <NUM> according to a preconfigured period.

An electronic device according to various embodiments may include a sensor, a first magnetic element which can be rotated to have a polarity of a first pole or a second pole in a first direction, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to, identify, based at least in part on the sensor, a polarity of a first magnetic element or a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching of the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device, select a power transmission scheme from a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force, and wirelessly transmit power to the external electronic device, based at least in part on the power transmission scheme.

The processor may be configured to determine a frequency of a ping signal and a frequency of a power transmission signal, based on the power transmission scheme.

The processor may be configured to output a signal for controlling a switch included in the electronic device, in order to determine the frequency of the ping signal and the frequency of the power transmission signal.

Each of the plurality of power transmission schemes may have different resonant frequencies of a ping signal and a power transmission signal.

The processor may be configured to, based on identifying that a polarity of the magnetic force corresponds to the first pole, perform an operation of transmitting the power, based on a first power transmission scheme, and based on identifying that the polarity of the magnetic force corresponds to the second pole, perform an operation of transmitting the power, based on a second power transmission scheme different from the first power transmission scheme.

The processor may be configured to, based on identifying the magnetic force when the electronic device is in a sleep state, change the sleep state to an active state.

The processor may be configured to compare the strength of the magnetic force with a threshold value and start an operation detecting the external electronic device based on a determination that the strength of the magnetic force is greater than the threshold value.

The processor may be configured to output a ping signal having a frequency determined based on the power transmission scheme.

The processor may be configured to, based on detecting the external electronic device, transmit a power transmission signal having a frequency determined based on the power transmission scheme to the external electronic device.

The processor may be configured to compare the strength of the magnetic force with a threshold value, and based on a determination that the strength of the magnetic force is less than or equal to the threshold value, change the active state to the sleep state.

An operating method of an electronic device including a first magnetic element which can be rotated to have a polarity of a first pole or a second pole in a first direction according to various embodiments may include identifying a polarity of a first magnetic element or a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching of the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device, determining a power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force, and wirelessly transmitting power to the external electronic device, based on the power transmission scheme.

The determining of the power transmission scheme may include determining a frequency of a ping signal and a frequency of a power transmission signal, based on the power transmission scheme.

The determining of the power transmission scheme may include outputting a signal for controlling a switch included in the electronic device, in order to determine the frequency of the ping signal and the frequency of the power transmission signal.

The operating method of the electronic device may further include, based on identifying the magnetic force when the electronic device is in a sleep state, changing the sleep state to an active state.

The transmitting of the power may include comparing the strength of the magnetic force with a threshold value and detecting the external electronic device based on a determination that the strength of the magnetic force is greater than the threshold value.

The transmitting of the power may include outputting a ping signal having a frequency corresponding to the power transmission scheme.

The transmitting of the power may include, based on detecting the external electronic device, transmitting a power transmission signal having a frequency corresponding to the power transmission scheme to the external electronic device.

The operating method of the electronic device may further include comparing the strength of the magnetic force with a threshold value, and based on a determination that the strength of the magnetic force is less than or equal to the threshold value, changing the active state to the sleep state.

A computer-readable recording medium according to various embodiments may store instructions configured to, when executed, cause a processor to: identify a polarity of a first magnetic element or a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching of the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the first magnetic element being included in an electronic device and being rotatable in a first direction to have a polarity of a first pole or a second pole, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device; determine a power transmission scheme among a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force; and wirelessly transmit power to the external electronic device, based on the power transmission scheme.

Each of the above-described elements of the electronic device may be configured by one or more components, and the name of the corresponding element may be changed according to the type of the electronic device. In various embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one of the above-described elements, and some of the elements may be omitted from the electronic device, or other additional elements may be further included in the electronic device. In addition, some of the elements of the electronic device according to various embodiments may be combined with each other to configure one entity, thereby making it possible to perform the functions of the corresponding elements in the same manner as before the combination.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a sensor;
a first magnetic element which can be rotated to have one of a polarity of a first pole and a second pole in a first direction; and
a processor,
wherein the processor is configured to,
identify, based at least in part on the sensor, a polarity of one of the first magnetic element and a second magnetic element and a strength of a magnetic force generated by approaching the second magnetic element to the first magnetic element, the polarity being determined by the magnetic force, the second magnetic element being included in an external electronic device,
select a power transmission scheme from a plurality of power transmission schemes, based on at least in part on the polarity and the strength of the magnetic force, and
wirelessly transmit power to the external electronic device, based on the power transmission scheme.