# US 10,483,768 B2 · Systems and methods of object detection using one or more sensors in wireless power charging systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,483,768 B2 - Document ID: US10483768B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/872,920 - Filed: 2018-01-16 - Published: 2018-09-13 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-16 - Assignees: Energous Corporation - Applicants: Energous Corporation - Inventors: Douglas Bell; Michael A. Leabman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10483768B2 ## CPC - H04N 5/04: Synchronising (for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56) - G06F 18/22: Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures - G06F 18/251: {of input or preprocessed data} - G06V 10/143: Sensing or illuminating at different wavelengths - G06V 10/75: Organisation of the matching processes, e.g. simultaneous or sequential comparisons of image or video features; Coarse-fine approaches, e.g. multi-scale approaches; using context analysis; Selection of dictionaries - G06V 10/803: {of input or preprocessed data} - G06V 20/00: Scenes; Scene-specific elements (control of digital cameras H04N23/60) - G06V 40/103: {Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition} - H02J 50/15: using ultrasonic waves - H02J 50/20: using microwaves or radio frequency waves - H02J 50/60: responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings - H02J 50/80: involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices - H02J 50/90: involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment - H04B 5/77: for interrogation - H04B 5/79: for data transfer in combination with power transfer - H04B 7/0617: {for beam forming} - H04N 7/18: Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast - G06V 30/224: of printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks - H02J 7/42: with electronic devices having internal batteries, e.g. mobile phones - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of wirelessly delivering power to an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving, from one or more first sensors, first data of a transmission field, the first data identifying at least one object within the transmission field, wherein a first wireless power transmitter is configured to transmit electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to a wireless power receiver located in the transmission field; after receiving the first data, determining whether a path between the wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object based, at least in part, on the first data; and in accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object: instructing the first wireless power transmitter to transmit the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver using the path, wherein 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from one or more second sensors distinct from the one or more first sensors, second data of the transmission field, the second data identifying the at least one object within the transmission field, wherein the determining whether a path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object is further based, at least in part, on the second data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein: the one or more first sensors capture a first perspective of the transmission field, and the one or more second sensors capture a second perspective, distinct from the first perspective, of the transmission field. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: generating a model of the transmission field using the first data and the second data, the model including the at least one object, wherein the determining whether a path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object is determined using the model. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: before the determination that a path between the first wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver is unobstructed, determining that another path between the wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and a second wireless power transmitter, distinct from the first wireless power transmitter, is obstructed by the at least one object based, at least in part, on the first data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the second wireless power transmitter transmits the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves into the transmission field at a different angle relative to an angle at which the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves are transmitted into the transmission field by the first wireless power transmitter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the first wireless power transmitter and the second wireless power transmitter transmit respective electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver simultaneously. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising: receiving, from one or more second sensors distinct from the one or more first sensors, second data of the transmission field, wherein the determining that another path between the wireless power receiver and a second wireless power transmitter is obstructed is further based, at least in part, on the second data. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein: the one or more first sensors are part of the first wireless power transmitter, and the one or more second sensors are part of the second wireless power transmitter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more first sensors are selected from a group consisting of infrared cameras, thermal cameras, visible light cameras, and ultrasound sensors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first data is selected from a group consisting of image data, video data, thermal data, and ultrasound data. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first data identifies a plurality of objects in the transmission field. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless power transmitter is a first far-field wireless power transmitter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the receiving, the determining, and the instructing are performed by one or more processors of the first wireless power transmitter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving, the determining, and the instructing are performed by one or more processors that are separate from the first wireless power transmitter, and the one or more processors are in communication with the first wireless power transmitter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission field is shared by a plurality of wireless power transmitters, including the first wireless power transmitter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein each wireless power transmitter of the plurality of wireless power transmitters includes one or more sensors that monitor the shared transmission field. ### Claim 18 A wireless power transmission system comprising: a first wireless power transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to a wireless power receiver located in a transmission field; one or more first sensors configured to capture first data of the transmission field, the first data identifying at least one object within the transmission field; and a controller configured to: determine whether a path between the wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object based, at least in part, on the first data; and in accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object: instruct the first wireless power transmitter to transmit the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver using the path, wherein 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. ### Claim 19 An electronic device for managing a wireless power transmission system, the electronic device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: receiving, from one or more first sensors, first data of a transmission field, the first data identifying at least one object within the transmission field, wherein a first wireless power transmitter is configured to transmit electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to a wireless power receiver located in the transmission field; after receiving the first data, determining whether a path between the wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object based, at least in part, on the first data; and in accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed by the at least one object: instructing the first wireless power transmitter to transmit the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver using the path, wherein 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.