# US 2019/0356176 A1 · Electronic device and foreign object detection method for electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0356176 A1 - Document ID: US20190356176A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/473,921 - Filed: 2017-12-21 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-26 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Jong-Won LEE; Na-Hyang KIM; Yong-Youn KIM; Soon PARK; Eun-Hee CHOI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190356176A1 ## CPC - H02J 50/12: of the resonant type - 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 - H04B 5/79: for data transfer in combination with power transfer - H04M 1/02: Constructional features of telephone sets - H04M 1/725: Cordless telephones (user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724) - H04W 4/20: Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W 52/0254: {detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device} - H04W 52/0296: {switching to a backup power supply} - H02J 7/47: Arrangements for checking compatibility or authentication between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract According to various embodiments, an electronic device comprises: a near-field communication unit; and a control unit electrically connected to the near-field communication unit, wherein the control unit can be configured to detect whether a foreign object is located between the electronic device and a first electronic device by using the near-field communication unit before performing wireless charging with the first electronic device which provides power wirelessly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device comprising: a short-range communication unit; and a controller electrically coupled to the short-range communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to identify whether a foreign object is located between the electronic device and a first electronic device supplying wireless power by means of the short-range communication unit, before performing wireless charging with the first electronic device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: active the short-range communication unit, before transmitting communication information of the electronic device corresponding to wireless charging initiation to the first electronic device, and detect the foreign object through a connection between the activated short-range communication unit and a short-range communication unit included in the foreign object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to: detect a transmission interval for the communication information based on a type of a wireless charging chip of the electronic device, detect the foreign object by activating the short-range communication unit during the transmission interval of the communication information, transmit the communication information to the first electronic device, if the foreign object is not detected until expiration of the transmission interval of the communication information, and perform wireless charging with the first electronic device, and wherein the communication information of the electronic device is a communication packet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store transmission intervals for communication information of the electronic device according to types of wireless charging chips. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein if the controller identifies that an accessory cover mounted on the electronic device is opened before wireless charging is performed with the first electronic device, the controller is configured to identify whether the foreign object is located between the electronic device and the first electronic device by means of the short-range communication unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a first mode for performing low-power wireless charging and a second mode for performing mid-power wireless charging, the controller is configured to identify whether the foreign object is located between the electronic device and the first electronic device by means of the short-range communication unit, while awaiting charging in the second mode, before wireless charging is performed with the first electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to, upon detection of the foreign object, display information indicating the detection of the foreign object and transmit a signal requesting discontinuation of the charging to the first electronic device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to, upon detection of the foreign object, transmit a signal requesting charge current drop to the first electronic device. ### Claim 9 A method of detecting a foreign object in an electronic device, the method comprising: activating a short-range communication unit before wireless charging is performed with a first electronic device supplying wireless power; and identifying whether a foreign object is located between the electronic device and the first electronic device by means of the short-range communication unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the activation comprises: detecting a transmission interval for communication information corresponding to wireless charging initiation based on a type of a wireless charging chip of the electronic device, before transmitting the communication information of the electronic device is transmitted to the first electronic device; and detecting the foreign object by activating the short-range communication unit during the transmission interval of the communication information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the detection of the foreign object comprises: detecting the foreign object by a connection between the activated short-range communication unit and a short-range communication unit included in the foreign object; transmitting the communication information to the first electronic device, if the foreign object is not detected until expiration of the transmission interval of the communication information; and performing wireless charging with the first electronic device, and wherein the communication information of the electronic device is a communication packet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the detection of a transmission interval for communication information comprises: detecting the transmission interval of the communication information based on the type of the wireless charging chip of the electronic device from a memory storing transmission intervals for communication information of the electronic device according to types of wireless charging chips. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: if it is identified that an accessory cover mounted on the electronic device is opened before wireless charging is performed with the first electronic device, identifying whether the foreign object is located between the electronic device and the first electronic device by means of the short-range communication unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: if the electronic device includes a first mode for performing low-power wireless charging and a second mode for performing mid-power wireless charging, identifying whether the foreign object is located between the electronic device and the first electronic device by means of the short-range communication unit, while awaiting charging in the second mode, before wireless charging is performed with the first electronic device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: upon detection of the foreign object, displaying information indicating the detection of the foreign object and transmitting a signal requesting discontinuation of the charging or a signal requesting charge current drop to the first electronic device.