Energous Corporation

Other

Douglas W Bell

Michael A Leabman

Michael Nelson

Gregory Scott Brewer

Fay Yew

Systems and methods for wireless power transmission based on object identification are provided. A radio frequency wireless power transmitter is in communication with a video camera for capturing image data (e.g., a visual pattern) of at least a portion of a transmission field of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter. A processor of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter is configured to identify an object when the visual pattern matches a pre-stored visual pattern representing the object, and control transmission of one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to a receiving electronic device based on a location of the identified object, wherein the receiving electronic device uses the one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to power or to charge the receiving electronic device.

Systems and methods of object detection in wireless power charging systems

A magnetic swimmer restraint device including a magnetic cone assembly, a strap assembly, a bracelet remote assembly, and a pool assembly is disclosed. These assemblies in conjunction with one another provide a user with a portable restraining system for increased resistance swimming. A wearable strap assembly interacts with magnetic cone assembly that can be located on the lateral sides of a pool or in the pool itself. As a user swims past the magnetic cone assembly the wearable strap assembly becomes magnetically attracted to the magnetic cone assembly. The magnetic attraction of the strap assembly worn by the user to the magnetic cone assembly pulls the user towards the magnetic cone assembly. Thereby increasing swimming resistance. The magnet of the magnetic cone assembly may be an electromagnetic system to be turned on and off via a bracelet remote assembly.

Magnetic swimmer restraint device

Systems and methods for wireless power transmission based on object identification are provided. A radio frequency wireless power transmitter is in communication with a video camera for capturing image data (e.g., a series of image frames) of at least a portion of a transmission field of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter. One or more processors of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter are configured to (i) detect motion of an object towards the transmission field by applying motion tracking analysis on the series of image frames; and (ii) cause adjustments to transmission of one or more radio frequency power transmission waves by the radio frequency wireless power transmitter to a receiving electronic device based on the motion of the object. The receiving electronic device uses the one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to power or to charge a power source used by the receiving electronic device.

Systems and methods for configuring delivery systems are disclosed herein. An example method includes (i) receiving a user-configured operational parameter that includes information identifying a plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals from a wireless power transmitter and (ii) detecting an electronic device within wireless power transmission range of the transmitter. In response to detecting the electronic device within the wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, the method further includes determining whether the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals, and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is one of the plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals: transmitting, by two or more antennas of the wireless power transmitter, power transmission signals that constructively interfere proximate to a wireless power receiver coupled to the electronic device.

User-configured operational parameters for wireless power transmission control

Wireless power transmitters and methods of management thereof are disclosed herein. An example wireless power transmitter includes an antenna array and a communication radio configured to: establish a communication connection with a respective wireless power receiver; and receive device data from the respective wireless power receiver, the device data used to determine a location of the respective wireless power receiver. The example wireless power transmitter also includes a controller in communication with the antenna array and the communication radio, the controller configured to: determine whether the respective wireless power receiver is authorized to receive power from the wireless power transmitter; if so, determine a particular time at which RF power waves should be transmitted to the respective receiver, the particular time based at least in part on a charging schedule for the transmitter; and instruct the antenna array to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves at the particular time.

Systems and methods for determining when to transmit power waves to a wireless power receiver

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to wireless charging systems and method of transmitting power waves. An exemplary method includes receiving, from one or more first sensors, first data of a transmission field. After receiving the first data, the method includes determining whether a path between a wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and a first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed based, at least in part, on the first data. In accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed, the method includes transmitting, by the first wireless power transmitter, electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver uses energy from at least some of the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to power or charge an electronic device coupled to the wireless power receiver.

Systems and methods of object detection using one or more sensors in wireless power charging systems

A method includes, at a transmitter, performing a test of communications with a receiver, the test comprising: (i) sending, by a communications component of the transmitter, a first message to the receiver, (ii) receiving, by the communications component, a second message from the receiver in response to the first message, and (iii) comparing operational metric(s) associated with the first and second messages with respective expected values for each of the operational metric(s) to determine an outcome for the test. The method further includes sending a report to a remote server that includes the determined outcome for the test, and after sending the report, stopping performance of the test and starting normal operation of the transmitter in which the transmitter transmits, by at least some of the transmitter's antennas, power waves to a location of the receiver. The receiver uses energy from the power waves to charge/power an electronic device.

Systems and methods for automatically testing the communication between wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting wireless power. One example method includes: receiving, by at least one of a plurality of antennas of a wireless power transmitter, a first communication signal from a wireless power receiver coupled with an electronic device, the first communication signal including information identifying a location of the electronic device and device parameters associated therewith. The method also includes: splitting, by the transmitter, the plurality of antennas into at least one communication antenna and a first group of power-transmission antennas; assigning, by the transmitter, the first group of power-transmission antennas to the receiver based on the device parameters; and transmitting, by the transmitter, two or more power transmission waves from the first group of power-transmission antennas such that the two or more power transmission waves converge as constructive interference patterns to form a pocket of energy at the location associated with the electronic device.

Systems and methods for operating a plurality of antennas of a wireless power transmitter

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to various arrangements of hardware for incorporating receiver functions into wearable portable devices. The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., RF signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium. The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals into electricity for powering an electronic device. The embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

Power transmission control systems and methods

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

Systems and methods for controlling far-field wireless power transmission based on battery power levels of a receiving device

Embodiments disclosed herein discloses a wireless charging system configured to generate and transmit power waves that, due to physical waveform characteristics converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pocket of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pocket of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy. Video sensors capture actual video images of fields of view within the transmission field, and a processor identifies selected objects, selected events, and/or selected locations within the captured video images.

Systems and methods of controlling transmission of wireless power based on object indentification using a video camera

A method includes: receiving, by a transmitter, an advertisement signal from a wearable device, the advertisement signal containing: (i) binary data indicating a direction of the wearable device, and (ii) one or more identifiers associated with the wearable device. The method also includes: in response to authenticating the wearable device based on the identifiers: establishing, by the transmitter, a communication channel with the wearable device; and transmitting, by the transmitter, one or more power transmission waves in the direction of the wearable device. The method further includes: receiving, by the transmitter, from the wearable device at least one control signal that indicates an adjustment for transmitting the one or more power transmission waves by the antennas of the transmitter. The method additionally includes: transmitting, by the transmitter, the one or more power transmission waves based on the adjustment and ceasing, by the transmitter, the communication channel with the wearable device.

Wearable device with wireless power and payload receiver

An example method of wirelessly providing power to a receiver by a transmitter includes: (i) receiving, by a transmitter management device, information defining charging criteria, (ii) detecting a client device connected to the receiver, and (iii) in response to the detecting, determining whether the charging criteria are satisfied. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the charging criteria are satisfied, transmitting RF waves to form three-dimensional pockets of energy for providing power to the client device. The method also includes sending, to the transmitter management device that is remote from the transmitter, information (i) about an amount of power delievered to the client device, (ii) about a wireless utilization level of the transmitter, and (iii) about the location of the client device, wherein the transmitter management device generates a bill that is based on the information.

Growing community of inventors

Sacramento, CA, United States of America

Douglas W Bell