System and method for three mode wireless energy harvesting
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
InventorJaber Abu-Qahouq
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for a three mode wireless energy harvesting concept wherein a triceiver system with a single antenna can be configured to transmit wireless data, receive wireless data and exchange power with other devices. When not being used for exchanging power, the triceiver system with the single antenna can be operably connected to data transfer functions of a wireless device. When used for receiving power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting RF signals to electrical energy. When used for transmitting power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting electrical energy to RF signals.
Claims21
An energy harvesting and transmission management system comprised of:
- a triceiver system with a single antenna;
- an RF wireless energy to electrical energy converter operably connected to the triceiver antenna;
- and
- a power and wireless traffic controller operably connected to the triceiver antenna;
- wherein the power and wireless traffic controller is configured to:
- switch the triceiver antenna to transmit data;
- switch the triceiver antenna to receive data;
- and
- switch the triceiver antenna to power interface mode.
A method for harvesting RF wireless energy comprising:
- using a triceiver system with a single antenna for transmitting data;
- using the triceiver system with the single antenna for receiving data;
- using the triceiver system with the single antenna for receiving RF wireless transmissions;
- and
- converting the RF wireless transmissions into electrical energy.
A method for charging a wireless device comprising:
- using a triceiver system with a single antenna to transmit data;
- using the triceiver system with the single antenna to receive data;
- and
- using the triceiver system with the single antenna to transmit an RF wireless signal, wherein a wireless device receiving the RF wireless signal converts the RF wireless signal to electrical energy.
A method for charging wireless devices comprising:
- setting a first wireless device to receive power through a triceiver system;
- and
- setting a second wireless device to transmit power through a triceiver system, and
- transmitting an RF signal from the second wireless device to the first wireless device, wherein the first device converts the RF signal to electrical energy for use by the first device.
A method for controlling power and wireless traffic comprising:
- controlling a duration of time for harvesting wireless energy;
- controlling a duration of time for wireless traffic;
- adjusting the duration of time for wireless traffic and harvesting wireless energy based on wireless traffic volume;
- and
- adjusting the duration of time for wireless traffic and harvesting wireless energy based on the amount of power being harvested.
A computer program product comprised of computer-executable code sections stored on a computer-readable media, said computer executable code sections comprising:
- a first section for switching an antenna associated with a wireless device between a data transmit, data receive and power interface mode, wherein said power interface mode is comprised of an energy receive mode and an energy transmit mode;
- a second portion for receiving an RF signal via said antenna while in said energy receive mode of said power interface mode and converting said RF signal into electrical energy that can be used by said wireless device;
- and
- a third portion for converting electrical energy into an RF signal and transmitting the RF signal via said antenna while in said energy transmit mode of said power interface mode, wherein said RF signal can be converted into electrical energy by another device.
A computer program product comprised of computer-executable code stored on a computer-readable media, said computer executable code for controlling power and wireless traffic of a wireless communications device and comprising:
- a first section for controlling a duration of time for harvesting wireless energy;
- a second section for controlling a duration of time for wireless traffic;
- a third section for adjusting the duration of time for wireless traffic and the duration for time for harvesting wireless energy based on wireless traffic volume;
- and
- a fourth section for adjusting the duration of time for wireless traffic and harvesting wireless energy based on the amount of power being harvested.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.