US 12,113,375 B2 · Wireless power mode switching

Abstract

A wireless power system may include power transmitting devices, power receiving devices, and power transmitting and receiving devices. Control circuitry in the power transmitting and receiving device may determine whether to operate in a power receiving mode or a power transmitting mode. The preferred mode for the power transmitting and receiving device may depend on the types of devices within the system, the state of charge of the batteries of the devices in the system, whether or not one or more devices in the system are connected to a wired power source, etc. Each power transmitting and receiving device may have a default mode. Upon detection of an adjacent device, the wireless power transmitting and receiving device enters a configuration phase in its default mode. Before or during a power transfer phase, the power transmitting and receiving device may swap roles from its default mode to another mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Control circuitry for an electronic device having a wireless power coil, wherein the electronic device is operable in a wireless charging system with an additional electronic device and wherein the control circuitry is configured to:

detect a presence of the additional electronic device using the wireless power coil;
in accordance with detecting the presence of the additional electronic device, place the wireless power coil in a first mode in which the wireless power coil receives wireless power signals from the additional electronic device;
and
in accordance with receiving an instruction representing a mode change:
transmit a mode change request packet to the additional electronic device, via the wireless power coil, using in-band communication;
and
change the wireless power coil from the first mode to a second mode in which the wireless power coil transmits wireless power signals to an additional wireless power coil of the additional electronic device.

4 more elements

detect a presence of the additional electronic device using the wireless power coil;
in accordance with detecting the presence of the additional electronic device, place the wireless power coil in a first mode in which the wireless charging coil is configured to receive wireless power signals;
and
while the wireless power coil is in the first mode:
monitor the wireless power coil for a power signal from the additional electronic device;
and
in accordance with not receiving the power signal from the additional electronic device within a threshold period of time, generate an instruction representing a mode change.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless power mode switching

Life of this patent

Wireless power mode switching

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20