Remote power recharge for electronic equipment

A wireless recharge system comprising:

• an energy source;
• a plurality of power transmission units operably connected to the energy source comprising:
• a power transmitter configured to transmit energy as a directional wireless power beam when activated;
• a communication receiver configured to detect a power request signal and provide a request indication;
• a power unit controller operably connected to the communication receiver and the power transmitter, the power unit controller responsive to said request indication to activate said power transmitter;
• and
• at least one appliance incorporating a first power receiver system comprising:
• an energy receptor configured to receive the wireless power beam;
• an energy storage unit;
• an energy beam converter that transforms energy from the received wireless power beam to an energy form compatible with said energy storage unit;
• a power usage monitor operatively connected to said energy storage unit to detect a quantity of power stored in said energy storage unit;
• and
• a power receiver system transmitter that produces the power request signal as a function of the quantity of power stored in said energy storage unit as detected by said power usage monitor,
• wherein said plurality of power transmission units are incorporated into a structure at least partially surrounding said at least one appliance and providing said directional power beam to said appliance when the first power receiver system produces the power request signal.

A wireless recharge and communication system comprising:

• an appliance equipped with a first power receiver system including a first information signal receiver and decoder;
• an energy source;
• a power transmission unit operably connected to the energy source and comprising:
• a combination power transmitter and communication unit for wirelessly transmitting a combined directional energy beam and first information signal to the first power receiver system,
• wherein said first information signal is received and decoded by said first power receiver system, said information signal permitting communication from said power transmission unit to said appliance.

A wireless power system comprising:

• an energy source;
• a power transmission unit operably connected to the energy source comprising:
• power unit transmitter for transmitting energy as a wireless power beam to the first power receiver system, and
• power unit controller operably connected to the power unit transmitter for controlling the power unit transmitter, and
• a power unit communication transceiver for transmission of a first information signal and receipt of a second information signal;
• and
• an appliance equipped with a first power receiver system comprising:
• a power receiver system transceiver for receiving the first information signal from the power unit transceiver and transmitting the second information signal to the power unit transceiver.

A method for wirelessly recharging an appliance incorporating a power receiver system having an energy receptor comprising:

• monitoring the condition of an energy storage unit arranged to provide power to said appliance to determine a quantity of energy stored in said energy storage unit;
• monitoring a quantity of energy consumed by the appliance;
• starting transmission of a power request signal from the appliance as a function of the condition of the energy storage unit and the quantity of energy consumed by the appliance;
• receiving the power request signal at a first power transmission unit;
• transmitting a wireless power beam from a first power transmission unit to the energy receptor in response to receiving the power request signal;
• stopping transmission of the power request signal from the appliance as a function of the condition of the energy storage unit and the quantity of energy consumed by the appliance;
• and
• ending transmission of the wireless power beam when said power request signal is stopped.