Nucurrent, Inc.

Intel Corporation

Mark D Melone

Michael Katz

Alberto Peralta

Jason Luzinski

Md Nazmul Alam

Jason Green

Pavel Shostak

Andrew Kovacs

Jacob D Babcock

Matt Zamborsky

Oleg Los

Unnati Wadkar

Christine A Frysz

Vinit Singh

Glenn Riese

Robert Giometti

Michael Gotlieb

Rob Diebold

Saeed S Shojaie

Pratik Halyal

Christine M Frysz

Nazmul Alam

A wireless power transmitter is configured to (i) detect a presence of a wireless power receiver that is couplable with the wireless power transmitter, (ii) after detecting the presence of the wireless power receiver, initiate wireless power transfer with the wireless power receiver, (iii) detect that a given amount of time has elapsed since a prior reference point, (iv) in response to detecting that the given amount of time has elapsed since the prior reference point, (a) pause the wireless power transfer with the wireless power receiver for a temporary period of time and (b) after the wireless power transfer is paused, perform a foreign object detection (FOD) process during the temporary period of time, and (v) after the FOD process is completed, resume the wireless power transfer with the wireless power receiver.

Slotted foreign object detection during wireless power transfer

A wireless power transfer system is provided having a wireless transmission system with an input to receive input power from an input power source, a transmission antenna configured to couple with a receiver antenna associated with a wireless receiver system in a peripheral device, and a transmission controller configured to generate AC wireless signals including wireless power signals and wireless data signals. The transmission controller is further configured to derive a coupling factor based on coupling data sent from the wireless receiver system to the wireless transmission system, generate an update frequency based on the derived coupling factor, and transmit the update frequency to the wireless receiver system in the peripheral device, whereby the peripheral device provides coupling data to the wireless transmission system based on the update frequency.

Dynamic operation adjustment in wireless power transfer system

The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transfer system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system possesses heat dissipation features; these features allow it to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments, and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also might include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system can also comprise adaptations to reduce electromagnetic interference, and can comprise specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.

Wireless power transfer system with extended wireless charging range

A method for providing an electronic device includes manufacturing the electronic device at a manufacturing location, wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes connecting a wireless receiver system to the electronic device. The method further includes packaging the electronic device at a packaging location. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting data to the electronic device at a data transmission site, wherein wirelessly transmitting the data to the electronic device is performed by transferring data via near field magnetic induction utilizing a wireless transmission system, the wireless transmission system configured to magnetically connect with the wireless receiver system associated with the electronic device.

High speed data communications system for industrial use in packaged goods

A wireless power transfer system is provided having a wireless transmission system that includes an input to receive input power from an input power source, a transmission antenna, and a transmission controller configured to generate wireless signals based, at least in part, on the input power, the wireless signals including wireless power signals and wireless data signals, and to transmit such wireless signals. The wireless power transfer system further includes a wireless receiver system in a wireless peripheral device, the wireless receiver system having a receiver antenna configured to receive the wireless power signals and wireless data signals via inductive coupling with the transmission antenna, as well as a receiver controller configured to determine the acceleration of the wireless peripheral device, generate a prescribed update frequency based on the detected acceleration, and transmit operational updates to the wireless transmission system at the prescribed update frequency.

Various embodiments of a wireless connector system are described. The system has a transmitter module and a receiver module that are configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and/or data via near field magnetic coupling. The wireless connector system is designed to increase the amount of wirelessly transmitted electrical power over a greater separation distance. The system is configured with various sensing circuits that alert the system to the presence of the receiver module to begin transfer of electrical power as well as undesirable objects and increased temperature that could interfere with the operation of the system. The wireless connector system is a relatively small footprint that is designed to be surface mounted.

Wireless connector system

A testing device for testing electronic devices includes a test controller and a wireless power transmission system. The test controller is configured to generate testing signals for transmission to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices and receive testing data, in response to the testing signals. The wireless power transmission system is configured to receive the testing signal from the test controller, generate a power signal and a first asynchronous serial data signal in accordance with a wireless power and data transfer protocol, the first asynchronous serial data signal based on the testing signals, decode the power signal to extract a second data signal compliant with the wireless power and data transfer protocol, and decode the second data signal compliant with the wireless power and data transfer protocol to extract a second asynchronous serial data signal, the second asynchronous serial data signal based on the testing data.

Testing device for electronic devices with in-band virtualized wired communications

The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transmission system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly to multiple devices simultaneously, each at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system including heat dissipation features, allowing the system to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also may include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system may include features to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.

Wireless power transfer system for simultaneous transfer to multiple devices

A wireless power transmitter is configured to (i) send, to an external power supply, a request that the external power supply change a configurable voltage level of a supply voltage signal for the wireless power transmitter from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, (ii) after detecting that the external power supply has changed the configurable voltage level of the supply voltage signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, causing a configurable frequency of a drive signal for the wireless power transmitter to be changed from a first frequency to a second frequency, (iii) produce a wireless power signal for receipt by a wireless power receiver in accordance with an alternating current signal that (a) has the second frequency and the supply voltage signal having the second voltage level and (b) is produced by a power conditioning system of the wireless power transmitter.

Operating frequency based power level altering in extended range wireless power transmitters

A method for providing an electronic device includes manufacturing the electronic device at a manufacturing location, wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes connecting a wireless receiver system to the electronic device. The method further includes packaging the electronic device at a packaging location. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting data to the electronic device at a data transmission site, wherein wirelessly transmitting the data to the electronic device is performed by transferring data via near field magnetic induction utilizing a wireless transmission system and transmitting data via an out of band communications system, the wireless transmission system configured to magnetically connect with the wireless receiver system associated with the electronic device.

High speed data communications system for industrial use in packaged goods with out of band communications hand off

A method for operating a wireless power transfer system includes determining a driving signal for transfer of the AC wireless signals, the driving signals based on an operating frequency for the AC wireless signals, a power requirement for the wireless power signals, data contained in the wireless data signals, and one or more thermal mitigation features. Each of the one or more thermal mitigation features are configured to reduce temperature of at least one surface or volume of the wireless transmission system or the wireless receiver system. The method further includes providing the driving signal to an amplifier of the wireless power transmission system and driving a transmitter antenna of the wireless power transmission system, by the amplifier, based on the driving signal.

Software based thermal mitigation for wireless power and data transfer systems

A kitchen appliance is disclosed includes a first electrical component, a second electrical component, and a wireless power receiver system. The wireless power receiver system includes a first receiver antenna configured to couple with a first transmission antenna and receive virtual AC power signals from the first transmission antenna. A second receiver antenna is configured to couple with a second transmission antenna and receive virtual DC power signals from the second transmitter antenna. A first receiver power conditioning system is configured to receive the virtual AC power signals, convert the virtual AC power signals to AC received power signals, and provide the AC received power signals to power the first electrical component. The second receiver power conditioning system configured to receive the virtual DC power signals, convert the virtual DC power signals to DC received power signals, and provide the DC received power signals to power the second electrical component.

Wireless power transfer systems for kitchen appliances

A modular wireless power transfer system includes a first wireless transmission system and a wireless repeater system. The first wireless transmission system is configured to receive input power from an input power source, generate AC wireless signals, and couple with the wireless repeater system. A magnetic sensor system in the first wireless transmission system senses a magnet of specific strength in a specific location on the wireless repeater system. Based on the presence of absence of such a magnet, the first wireless transmission system allows or disallows, respectively, the transmission of the AC wireless signals to the wireless repeater system.

Repeater compatibility verifier for wireless power transmission system

Wireless power transfer systems, disclosed, include a wireless power transmission system and a wireless power receiver system. The wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna configured to couple with a receiver antenna to transmit alternating current (AC) wireless signals to the receiver antenna. Antenna coupling may be inductive and may operate in conformance to a wireless power and data transfer protocol. A transmission controller drives the transmitter antenna at an operating frequency, and either the wireless power transmission system or the wireless power receiver system may damp the wireless power transmission to create a data signal containing a serial asynchronous data signal.

Wireless power transfer with in-band virtualized wired communications

A rechargeable wearable electronic device includes a wireless power receiver system, a device portion, and a band portion. The wireless power receiver system includes a receiver antenna, a power conditioning system, and a controller. The device portion includes a device housing containing an electronic circuitry module, which includes the wireless power receiver system and a rechargeable power source, wherein the circuitry module generates heat during wireless charging of the rechargeable power source. The band portion is for attaching the wearable electronic device to a user appendage, the band portion having a heat spreading layer of a thermally conductive material, the heat spreading layer having an inner portion within the device housing in thermal contact with the electronic circuitry module, to absorb heat from the electronic circuitry module and spread the absorbed heat to the remainder of the heat spreading layer.

Growing community of inventors

Frankfort, IL, United States of America

Mark D Melone