Energous Corporation

Erik Heinke

Cesar A Johnston

Deepak Jain

Sean Nicolson

Daniel P Lawless

Alister Hosseini

Mehdi Khanpour

Howard Chan

Aras Pirbadian

Alister Hoss

Yunhong Liu

Noorul Ameen Thufile Ahamed

Fay Yew

William M Wiese, Jr

Weimin Peng

A wireless-power transmission system (WPTS) includes sensors, antennas, a power amplifier (PA), and integrated circuits (ICs). The antennas, upon receiving an amplified signal for the PA, are configured to radiate energy within a transmission field (TF) of the WPTS. The ICs are configured to receive sensor data indicating presence of an object within a keep-out zone (KOZ). The ICs are configured to classify using the sensor data the object as a sensitive object. While detecting presence of the sensitive object, the ICs are configured to forgo providing an instruction to the PA to amplify the signal. In accordance with a determination that the sensitive object is no longer detected the ICs are configured to determine whether an electronic device is within the TF and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is within the TF the ICs are configured to instruct the PA to amplify the signal.

Systems and methods for using one or more sensors to detect and classify objects in a keep-out zone of a wireless-power transmission field, and antennas with integrated sensor arrangements

Methods and devices for surveying for active and inactive power receivers within a wireless-power coverage area are described. A method includes causing performance of a survey looking for active power receivers within a wireless-power coverage area using communication radio(s). Information is received from an active power receiver and transmission of RF signals is caused to energize inactive power receivers using a power-transmission antenna. A first RF signal is transmitted using a first value for a transmission characteristic, and a second RF signal is transmitted using a second value for the transmission characteristic. Additional information is received from a first energized power receiver and further information from a second energized power receiver. Two or more frequency bands are identified for radio-frequency wireless-power transmissions by a wireless-power transmitting device within the wireless-power coverage area based on the information, the additional information, and the further information.

Integrated wireless-power-transmission platform designed to operate in multiple bands, and multi-band antennas for use therewith

An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad with a processor, a power-transferring element, a signature-signal-receiving circuit, and the processor of the near-field charging pad is in communication with a data source that includes predefined signature signals that each identify one of (i) a wireless power receiver, (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver, and (iii) a combination of a wireless power receiver and an object other than a wireless power receiver. The method includes: after sending a plurality of test radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals, detecting, using the signature-signal-receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power; generating, based on variations in the respective amounts of reflected power, a signature signal; and determining whether (i) an authorized wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad and/or (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad.

Systems and methods for detecting wireless power receivers and other objects at a near-field charging pad

A method includes selecting a power level from among available power levels at which to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal using a power amplifier. The method includes providing the amplified RF signal to antennas. The antennas are caused to, upon receiving the amplified RF signal, radiate RF energy within a transmission field. The method includes determining predicted specific absorption rate (SAR) values of the transmission field and determining, based on the predicted SAR values, a keep out zone within the transmission field. The keep out zone is an area at which the predicted SAR values are greater than or equal to a predetermined SAR threshold of the transmission field. The method includes receiving, from sensors, an indication that an object is within the keep out zone. The method includes in response to receiving the indication, causing the antennas to cease radiating the RF energy.

Systems and methods for determining a keep-out zone of a wireless power transmitter

A wireless power transmitting system includes a power amplifier comprising a plurality of measurement points and a power amplifier controller integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC performs synchronization of the various components of the power amplifier, conducts impedance and temperature measurements at the measurements points, determines if a foreign object is within the transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, and decides if a shutdown of the power amplifier is needed. In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC determines through a transmitter controller IC, the presence of a foreign object within the transmission range and adjusts the power transmission to one or more receivers.

Classifying and detecting foreign objects using a power amplifier controller integrated circuit in wireless power transmission systems

Systems and methods for controlling and managing operation of one or more power amplifiers to optimize the performance of one or more antennas are disclosed. An example wireless-power transmission system includes a power amplifier, one or more antennas, and one or more integrated circuits. The one or more integrated circuits are configured to adjust power provided to the one or more antennas from a power amplifier and adjust a power distribution for the transmission field based, in part, on the adjusted power provided to the one or more antennas from the power amplifier such that the adjusted power provided is evenly distributed across the power distribution for the transmission field of the antenna. The even distribution of the adjusted power results in a reduced power loss at an edge of the power distribution for the transmission field of the antenna from 30% to 10%.

Systems and methods for controlling and managing operation of one or more power amplifiers to optimize the performance of one or more antennas

A method includes receiving an indication that a wireless-power receiver is located within one meter of a wireless-power transmission system and is authorized to receive wirelessly-delivered power from a wireless-power transmission system. The method includes, in response to receiving the indication, selecting a power level at which to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal using a power amplifier (PA). In accordance with a determination that transmitting the RF signal to the wireless-power receiver would satisfy safety thresholds, the method includes instructing the PA to amplify the RF signal using the power level to create an amplified RF signal, and providing the amplified RF signal to the one or more antennas. The one or more antennas are caused to, upon receiving the amplified RF signal, radiate RF energy that is focused within an operating area that includes the wireless-power receiver while forgoing any active beamforming control.

System for wirelessly transmitting energy without using beam-forming control

System for wirelessly transmitting energy at a near-field distance without using beam-forming control

An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad that includes a wireless communication component, and a plurality of power-transfer zones that each respectively include at least one power-transferring element and a signature-signal receiving circuit. The method includes: sending, by a respective power-transferring element included in a first power-transfer zone of the plurality of power-transfer zones, test power transmission signals with first values for a set of transmission characteristics. The method also includes: in conjunction with sending each of the power transmission signals: detecting, using the signature-signal receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power at the first power-transfer zone. The method further includes: based on the respective amounts of reflected power, determining whether (i) an authorized wireless power receiver and/or (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver is present on a surface of the charging pad that is adjacent the first power-transfer zone.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Erik Heinke