Energous Corporation

Wayne Eumchan Woo

An exemplary embodiment includes a method of communication between a wireless power receiver to a wireless power transmitter. The method includes receiving, by an antenna of the wireless power receiver, radio frequency (RF) signals from the wireless power transmitter, wherein the wireless power receiver substantially matches an impedance of the wireless power transmitter. The method further includes, while receiving the RF signals from the wireless power transmitter: (a) determining whether a communication criterion is satisfied, and (b) in accordance with a determination that the communication criterion is satisfied, introducing an impedance mismatch between the wireless power receiver and the wireless power transmitter that causes a portion of the RF signals to be reflected by the antenna as a modulated signal, wherein the wireless power transmitter is configured to receive and interpret the modulated signal without using a separate communication radio.

Systems and methods of establishing in-band communications using a communication criterion

An exemplary embodiment of a wireless power receiver comprises a wireless-power-receiving antenna configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals, and convert energy from the received RF signals into an alternating current. The power receiver also comprises a primary rectifier configured to: (i) receive a first portion of the alternating current, and (ii) rectify the first portion of the alternating current into primary direct current having a first power level, the primary direct current used to provide power or charge to an electronic device; and a secondary rectifier configured to: (i) receive a second portion of the alternating current, and (ii) rectify the second portion of the alternating current into a secondary direct current having a second power level. The second power level of the secondary direct current is less than the first power level of the primary direct current.

Systems and methods of protecting wireless power receivers using surge protection provided by a rectifier, a depletion mode switch, and a coupling mechanism having multiple coupling locations

A wireless-power receiver includes an antenna coupled to a rectifier, and a depletion-mode switch coupled to the rectifier. The depletion-mode switch can create an impedance mismatch or an impedance match between the rectifier and the antenna. While the depletion-mode switch is in a default-closed state, it creates an impedance mismatch between the rectifier and the antenna. A first amount of alternating current received by the antenna as radio frequency (RF) signals is reflected away from the rectifier's input due to the impedance mismatch. A second amount of the alternating current causes the depletion-mode switch to begin transitioning to an open state, creating an impedance match between the rectifier and the antenna. While the depletion-mode switch is in the open state, creating an impedance match between the rectifier and the antenna, alternating current received by the antenna flows through the rectifier's input to be converted into direct current.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Wayne Eumchan Woo