US 11,453,302 B2 · Harvesting electrical energy from an RF signal in a vehicle

Abstract

This disclosure is generally directed to harvesting electrical energy from RF signals that may be present in a vehicle. The RF signals may include cellular signals and Wi-Fi signals, for example. In an example system, an RF signal strength evaluator may be used to evaluate the RF signals in order to identify a strongest RF signal or a strongest band of RF signals that can be harvested to obtain electrical energy. An RF-to-electrical energy converter converts the RF signals(s) to electrical energy, which can be stored in an energy storage element. The energy storage element can be coupled to a device charger for charging various types of devices in the vehicle. In some instances, the system can be used to generate an ambient RF energy map that may be used by one or more vehicles to identify an optimal spot to park for harvesting RF signals.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving, in a vehicle, a radio-frequency (RF) signal;
obtaining electrical energy from at least a portion of the RF signal;
storing the electrical energy in an energy storage element;
and
providing, based on the stored electrical energy, power to a device from the energy storage element,
wherein receiving the RF signal comprises:
determining a first signal strength of the RF signal at a first location where the vehicle is parked;
determining a second signal strength of the RF signal at a second location where the vehicle is parked;
comparing the first signal strength to the second signal strength to determine a greater signal strength;
and
parking the vehicle in one of the first location or the second location based on the greater signal strength.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Harvesting electrical energy from an RF signal in a vehicle

Life of this patent

Harvesting electrical energy from an RF signal in a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15