Enhanced wireless power transfer
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsMehmet K. Nalbant, Alireza Safaee, Jukka-pekka J. Sjoeroos, Zaid A. AbuKhalaf, Juan Carlos Pastrana, Alexei E. Kosut
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wireless power transfer devices may be configured to negotiate with each other to operate. For example, a wireless power standard may provide for various levels of power delivery, various frequencies for power transfer, various operating voltages, and so forth. There may be instances in which it is desirable to provide wireless power transfer devices (both PTx and PRx) that are capable of enhanced performance when paired with a compatible device. For example, devices can be configured to operate at higher or more granular power levels, different frequencies, and so forth.
Claims20
A wireless power receiver comprising:
- a receiver coil configured to receive power from a wireless power transmitter;
- a rectifier coupled to the receiver coil configured to convert an AC voltage appearing across the receiver coil to a DC voltage delivered to a load;
- and
- a control and communications module coupled to the receiver coil and the rectifier, wherein the control and communications module is configured to:
- receive in-band communication signals from the wireless power transmitter via the receiver coil;
- and
- operate the rectifier to generate in-band communication signals delivered to the power transmitter via the receiver coil;
- wherein the in-band communication signals delivered to the power transmitter via the receiver coil include communications in compliance with a standard communication protocol negotiating a transition to an enhanced or extended operating mode including an indication that the receiver is capable of operating at a frequency different than prescribed by the standard communication protocol.
A wireless power transmitter comprising:
- a transmitter coil configured to deliver power to a wireless power receiver;
- an inverter coupled to the transmitter coil configured to convert an input voltage into an AC voltage delivered to the transmitter coil;
- and
- a control and communications module coupled to the transmitter coil and the inverter, wherein the control and communications module is further configured to:
- receive in-band communication signals from the wireless power receiver via the transmitter coil;
- operate the inverter to generate in-band communication signals delivered to the power receiver via the transmitter coil;
- wherein the in-band communication signals received from the wireless power receiver include communications in compliance with a standard communication protocol indicating that the receiver is capable of operating at a frequency different than prescribed by the standard communication protocol and the in-band communication signals delivered to the power receiver include an acknowledgement that the receiver is capable of operating at a frequency different than prescribed by the standard communication protocol and negotiating a transition to an enhanced or extended operating mode that includes operating at a frequency different than prescribed by the standard communication protocol.
A method of negotiating wireless power transfer between a device that is a wireless power transmitter or a wireless power receiver and a counterpart device, the method comprising:
- initiating communication with the counterpart device using a standard communication protocol;
- communicating one or more enhanced capabilities of the device to the counterpart device using the standard communication protocol, the one or more enhanced capabilities including a capability to operate at a frequency different than prescribed by the standard communication protocol;
- determining whether the counterpart device is also capable of operating in accordance with each of the one or more enhanced capabilities;
- and
- if the counterpart device is not capable of operating in accordance with one or more of the enhanced capabilities, operating in a standard mode;
- or
- if the counterpart device is capable of operating in accordance with one or more of the enhanced capabilities, negotiating a transition to an agreed enhanced mode including one or more of the enhanced capabilities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.