US20100201312A1 - Wireless power transfer for portable enclosures - Google Patents

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to portable wireless charging. A portable charging system may comprise at least one antenna positioned within a portable enclosure. The at least one antenna may be configured to receive power from a power source and wirelessly transmit power to a receive antenna coupled to a chargeable device positioned within a near-field of the at least one antenna.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119
• This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to:
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/163,381 entitled “WIRELESS CHARGING IN TRAVEL GEAR” filed on Mar. 25, 2009, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein;
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/152,208 entitled “WIRELESS POWER CHARGERS IN CARRYING CASES” filed on Feb. 12, 2009, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein;
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/164,263 entitled “PASSIVE ALIGNER FOR WIRELESS POWER” filed on Mar. 27, 2009, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein;
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/164,399 entitled “WIRELESS CHARGING” filed on Mar. 28, 2009, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein; and
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/151,290 entitled “MULTIDIMENSIONAL WIRELESS CHARGER” filed on Feb. 10, 2009, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• The present invention relates generally to wireless charging, and more specifically to devices, systems, and methods related to portable wireless charging systems.
• 2. Background
• Typically, each battery powered device such as a wireless communication device such as a cell-phone requires its own charger and power source, which is usually the AC power outlet. This becomes unwieldy when many devices need charging.
• Approaches are being developed that use over the air power transmission between a transmitter and the device to be charged. These generally fall into two categories. One is based on the coupling of plane wave radiation (also called far-field radiation) between a transmit antenna and receive antenna on the device to be charged which collects the radiated power and rectifies it for charging the battery. Antennas are generally of resonant length in order to improve the coupling efficiency. This approach suffers from the fact that the power coupling falls off quickly with distance between the antennas. So charging over reasonable distances (e.g., >1-2 m) becomes difficult. Additionally, since the system radiates plane waves, unintentional radiation can interfere with other systems if not properly controlled through filtering.
• Other approaches are based on inductive coupling between a transmit antenna embedded, for example, in a “charging” mat or surface and a receive antenna plus rectifying circuit embedded in the host device to be charged. This approach has the disadvantage that the spacing between transmit and receive antennas must be very close (e.g. mms). Though this approach does have the capability to simultaneously charge multiple devices in the same area, this area is typically small, hence the user must locate the devices to a specific area. Therefore, there is a need to provide a wireless charging arrangement that accommodates flexible placement and orientation of transmit and receive antennas. In addition, it is desirable to have wireless power platforms that are mobile platforms, to enable users to charge their device while on the go.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a wireless power transfer system.
• FIG. 2 depicts a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfer system.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a loop antenna for use in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B show layouts of loop antennas for transmit and receive antennas according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates various placement points for a receive antenna relative to a transmit antenna to illustrate coupling strengths in coplanar and coaxial placements.
• FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a receiver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 depicts a simplified schematic of a portion of transmit circuitry for carrying out messaging between a transmitter and a receiver.
• FIGS. 9A-9D are simplified block diagrams illustrating a beacon power mode for transmitting power between a transmitter and a receiver.
• FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter including a presence detector.
• FIG. 11 depicts a portable charging system having at least one transmit antenna, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a portable charging system having at least one repeater antenna, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 13A-13C each illustrate a portable charging system having a plurality of transmit antennas, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 14A and 14B each depict a portable charging system including transmit antennas oriented in differing planes, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 15 illustrates a portable charging system having transmit antenna positioned proximate a pocket of a portable device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 depicts a portable charging system having one or more receive antennas, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 depicts another portable charging system having one or more receive antennas, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 illustrates a portable charging system including at least one antenna integrated within an article of clothing, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of charging a chargeable device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another method of charging a chargeable device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a coil and associated coil transmit circuitry, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
• The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the novelty of the exemplary embodiments presented herein.
• The words “wireless power” is used herein to mean any form of energy associated with electric fields, magnetic fields, electromagnetic fields, or otherwise that is transmitted between from a transmitter to a receiver without the use of physical electromagnetic conductors.
• FIG. 1 illustrates wireless transmission orcharging system100, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Input power102 is provided to atransmitter104 for generating aradiated field106 for providing energy transfer. Areceiver108 couples to theradiated field106 and generates anoutput power110 for storing or consumption by a device (not shown) coupled to theoutput power110. Both thetransmitter104 and thereceiver108 are separated by adistance112. In one exemplary embodiment,transmitter104 andreceiver108 are configured according to a mutual resonant relationship and when the resonant frequency ofreceiver108 and the resonant frequency oftransmitter104 are exactly identical, transmission losses between thetransmitter104 and thereceiver108 are minimal when thereceiver108 is located in the “near-field” of the radiatedfield106.
• Transmitter104 further includes a transmitantenna114 for providing a means for energy transmission andreceiver108 further includes a receiveantenna118 for providing a means for energy reception. The transmit and receive antennas are sized according to applications and devices to be associated therewith. As stated, an efficient energy transfer occurs by coupling a large portion of the energy in the near-field of the transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna rather than propagating most of the energy in an electromagnetic wave to the far field. When in this near-field a coupling mode may be developed between the transmitantenna114 and the receiveantenna118. The area around theantennas114 and118 where this near-field coupling may occur is referred to herein as a coupling-mode region.
• FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfer system.
• Thetransmitter104 includes anoscillator122, apower amplifier124 and a filter and matchingcircuit126. The oscillator is configured to generate at a desired frequency, such as 13.5 MHz, which may be adjusted in response toadjustment signal123. The oscillator signal may be amplified by thepower amplifier124 with an amplification amount responsive to controlsignal125. The filter and matchingcircuit126 may be included to filter out harmonics or other unwanted frequencies and match the impedance of thetransmitter104 to the transmitantenna114.
• The receiver may include amatching circuit132 and a rectifier and switching circuit to generate a DC power output to charge abattery136 as shown inFIG. 2 or power a device coupled to the receiver (not shown). Thematching circuit132 may be included to match the impedance of thereceiver108 to the receiveantenna118.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, antennas used in exemplary embodiments may be configured as a “loop”antenna150, which may also be referred to herein as a “magnetic” antenna. Loop antennas may be configured to include an air core or a physical core such as a ferrite core. Air core loop antennas may be more tolerable to extraneous physical devices placed in the vicinity of the core. Furthermore, an air core loop antenna allows the placement of other components within the core area. In addition, an air core loop may more readily enable placement of the receive antenna118 (FIG. 2) within a plane of the transmit antenna114 (FIG. 2) where the coupled-mode region of the transmit antenna114 (FIG. 2) may be more powerful.
• As stated, efficient transfer of energy between thetransmitter104 andreceiver108 occurs during matched or nearly matched resonance between thetransmitter104 and thereceiver108. However, even when resonance between thetransmitter104 andreceiver108 are not matched, energy may be transferred at a lower efficiency. Transfer of energy occurs by coupling energy from the near-field of the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna residing in the neighborhood where this near-field is established rather than propagating the energy from the transmitting antenna into free space.
• The resonant frequency of the loop or magnetic antennas is based on the inductance and capacitance. Inductance in a loop antenna is generally simply the inductance created by the loop, whereas, capacitance is generally added to the loop antenna's inductance to create a resonant structure at a desired resonant frequency. As a non-limiting example,capacitor152 andcapacitor154 may be added to the antenna to create a resonant circuit that generatesresonant signal156. Accordingly, for larger diameter loop antennas, the size of capacitance needed to induce resonance decreases as the diameter or inductance of the loop increases. Furthermore, as the diameter of the loop or magnetic antenna increases, the efficient energy transfer area of the near-field increases. Of course, other resonant circuits are possible. As another non-limiting example, a capacitor may be placed in parallel between the two terminals of the loop antenna. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that for transmit antennas theresonant signal156 may be an input to theloop antenna150.
• Exemplary embodiments of the invention include coupling power between two antennas that are in the near-fields of each other. As stated, the near-field is an area around the antenna in which electromagnetic fields exist but may not propagate or radiate away from the antenna. They are typically confined to a volume that is near the physical volume of the antenna. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention, magnetic type antennas such as single and multi-turn loop antennas are used for both transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) antenna systems since magnetic near-field amplitudes tend to be higher for magnetic type antennas in comparison to the electric near-fields of an electric-type antenna (e.g., a small dipole). This allows for potentially higher coupling between the pair. Furthermore, “electric” antennas (e.g., dipoles and monopoles) or a combination of magnetic and electric antennas is also contemplated.
• The Tx antenna can be operated at a frequency that is low enough and with an antenna size that is large enough to achieve good coupling (e.g., >−4 dB) to a small Rx antenna at significantly larger distances than allowed by far field and inductive approaches mentioned earlier. If the Tx antenna is sized correctly, high coupling levels (e.g., −2 to −4 dB) can be achieved when the Rx antenna on a host device is placed within a coupling-mode region (i.e., in the near-field) of the driven Tx loop antenna.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B show layouts of loop antennas for transmit and receive antennas according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Loop antennas may be configured in a number of different ways, with single loops or multiple loops at wide variety of sizes. In addition, the loops may be a number of different shapes, such as, for example only, circular, elliptical, square, and rectangular.FIG. 4A illustrates a large square loop transmitantenna114S and a small square loop receiveantenna118 placed in the same plane as the transmitantenna114S and near the center of the transmitantenna114S.FIG. 4B illustrates a large circular loop transmitantenna114C and a small square loop receiveantenna118′ placed in the same plane as the transmitantenna114C and near the center of the transmitantenna114C.
• FIG. 5 shows various placement points for a receive antenna relative to a transmit antenna to illustrate coupling strengths in coplanar and coaxial placements. “Coplanar,” as used herein, means that the transmit antenna and receive antenna have planes that are substantially aligned (i.e., have surface normals pointing in substantially the same direction) and with no distance (or a small distance) between the planes of the transmit antenna and the receive antenna. “Coaxial,” as used herein, means that the transmit antenna and receive antenna have planes that are substantially aligned (i.e., have surface normals pointing in substantially the same direction) and the distance between the two planes is not trivial and furthermore, the surface normal of the transmit antenna and the receive antenna lie substantially along the same vector, or the two normals are in echelon.
• As examples, points p1, p2, p3, and p7 are all coplanar placement points for a receive antenna relative to a transmit antenna. As another example, point p5 and p6 are coaxial placement points for a receive antenna relative to a transmit antenna. The table below shows coupling strength (S21) and coupling efficiency (expressed as a percentage of power transmitted from the transmit antenna that reached the receive antenna) at the various placement points (p1-p7) illustrated inFIG. 5.

• TABLE 1
  			Efficiency (TX
  	Distance from	S21 efficiency	DC power in to
  Position	plane (cm)	(%)	RX DC power out)

  p1	0	46.8	28
  p2	0	55.0	36
  p3	0	57.5	35
  p4	2.5	49.0	30
  p5	17.5	24.5	15
  p6	17.5	0.3	0.2
  p7	0	5.9	3.4

• As can be seen, the coplanar placement points p1, p2, and p3, all show relatively high coupling efficiencies. Placement point p7 is also a coplanar placement point, but is outside of the transmit loop antenna. While placement point p7 does not have a high coupling efficiency, it is clear that there is some coupling and the coupling-mode region extends beyond the perimeter of the transmit loop antenna.
• Placement point p5 is coaxial with the transmit antenna and shows substantial coupling efficiency. The coupling efficiency for placement point p5 is not as high as the coupling efficiencies for the coplanar placement points. However, the coupling efficiency for placement point p5 is high enough that substantial power can be conveyed between the transmit antenna and a receive antenna in a coaxial placement.
• Placement point p4 is within the circumference of the transmit antenna but at a slight distance above the plane of the transmit antenna in a position that may be referred to as an offset coaxial placement (i.e., with surface normals in substantially the same direction but at different locations) or offset coplanar (i.e., with surface normals in substantially the same direction but with planes that are offset relative to each other). From the table it can be seen that with an offset distance of 2.5 cm, placement point p4 still has relatively good coupling efficiency.
• Placement point p6 illustrates a placement point outside the circumference of the transmit antenna and at a substantial distance above the plane of the transmit antenna. As can be seen from the table, placement point p7 shows little coupling efficiency between the transmit and receive antennas.
• FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Atransmitter200 includes transmitcircuitry202 and a transmitantenna204. Generally, transmitcircuitry202 provides RF power to the transmitantenna204 by providing an oscillating signal resulting in generation of near-field energy about the transmitantenna204. By way of example only,transmitter200 may operate at the 13.56 MHz ISM band.
• Transmitcircuitry202 may include a fixedimpedance matching circuit206 for matching the impedance of the transmit circuitry202 (e.g., 50 ohms) to the transmitantenna204 and a low pass filter (LPF)208 configured to reduce harmonic emissions to levels to prevent self-jamming of devices coupled to receivers108 (FIG. 1). Other exemplary embodiments may include different filter topologies, including but not limited to, notch filters that attenuate specific frequencies while passing others and may include an adaptive impedance match, that can be varied based on measurable transmit metrics, such as output power to the antenna or DC current draw by the power amplifier. Transmitcircuitry202 further includes apower amplifier210 configured to drive an RF signal as determined by anoscillator212. The transmit circuitry may be comprised of discrete devices or circuits, or alternately, may be comprised of an integrated assembly. An exemplary RF power output from transmitantenna204 may be on the order of 2.5 Watts.
• Transmitcircuitry202 further includes aprocessor214 for enabling theoscillator212 during transmit phases (or duty cycles) for specific receivers, for adjusting the frequency of the oscillator, and for adjusting the output power level for implementing a communication protocol for interacting with neighboring devices through their attached receivers.
• The transmitcircuitry202 may further include aload sensing circuit216 for detecting the presence or absence of active receivers in the vicinity of the near-field generated by transmitantenna204. By way of example, aload sensing circuit216 monitors the current flowing to thepower amplifier210, which is affected by the presence or absence of active receivers in the vicinity of the near-field generated by transmitantenna204. Detection of changes to the loading on thepower amplifier210 are monitored byprocessor214 for use in determining whether to enable theoscillator212 for transmitting energy to communicate with an active receiver. Transmitantenna204 may be implemented as an antenna strip with the thickness, width and metal type selected to keep resistive losses low.
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a receiver, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Areceiver300 includes receivecircuitry302 and a receiveantenna304.Receiver300 further couples todevice350 for providing received power thereto. It should be noted thatreceiver300 is illustrated as being external todevice350 but may be integrated intodevice350. Generally, energy is propagated wirelessly to receiveantenna304 and then coupled through receivecircuitry302 todevice350.
• Receiveantenna304 is tuned to resonate at the same frequency, or near the same frequency, as transmit antenna204 (FIG. 6). Receiveantenna304 may be similarly dimensioned with transmitantenna204 or may be differently sized based upon the dimensions of an associateddevice350. By way of example,device350 may be a portable electronic device having diametric or length dimension smaller that the diameter of length of transmitantenna204. In such an example, receiveantenna304 may be implemented as a multi-turn antenna in order to reduce the capacitance value of a tuning capacitor (not shown) and increase the receive antenna's impedance. By way of example, receiveantenna304 may be placed around the substantial circumference ofdevice350 in order to maximize the antenna diameter and reduce the number of loop turns (i.e., windings) of the receive antenna and the inter-winding capacitance.
• Receivecircuitry302 provides an impedance match to the receiveantenna304.
• Receivecircuitry302 includespower conversion circuitry306 for converting a received RF energy source into charging power for use bydevice350.Power conversion circuitry306 includes an RF-to-DC converter308 and may also in include a DC-to-DC converter310. RF-to-DC converter308 rectifies the RF energy signal received at receiveantenna304 into a non-alternating power while DC-to-DC converter310 converts the rectified RF energy signal into an energy potential (e.g., voltage) that is compatible withdevice350. Various RF-to-DC converters are contemplated including partial and full rectifiers, regulators, bridges, doublers, as well as linear and switching converters.
• Receivecircuitry302 may further include switchingcircuitry312 for connecting receiveantenna304 to thepower conversion circuitry306 or alternatively for disconnecting thepower conversion circuitry306. Disconnecting receiveantenna304 frompower conversion circuitry306 not only suspends charging ofdevice350, but also changes the “load” as “seen” by the transmitter200 (FIG. 2) as is explained more fully below. As disclosed above,transmitter200 includesload sensing circuit216 which detects fluctuations in the bias current provided totransmitter power amplifier210. Accordingly,transmitter200 has a mechanism for determining when receivers are present in the transmitter's near-field.
• Whenmultiple receivers300 are present in a transmitter's near-field, it may be desirable to time-multiplex the loading and unloading of one or more receivers to enable other receivers to more efficiently couple to the transmitter. A receiver may also be cloaked in order to eliminate coupling to other nearby receivers or to reduce loading on nearby transmitters. This “unloading” of a receiver is also known herein as a “cloaking” Furthermore, this switching between unloading and loading controlled byreceiver300 and detected bytransmitter200 provides a communication mechanism fromreceiver300 totransmitter200 as is explained more fully below. Additionally, a protocol can be associated with the switching which enables the sending of a message fromreceiver300 totransmitter200. By way of example, a switching speed may be on the order of 100 μsec.
• In an exemplary embodiment, communication between the transmitter and the receiver refers to a Device Sensing and Charging Control Mechanism, rather than conventional two-way communication. In other words, the transmitter uses on/off keying of the transmitted signal to adjust whether energy is available in the near-filed. The receivers interpret these changes in energy as a message from the transmitter. From the receiver side, the receiver uses tuning and de-tuning of the receive antenna to adjust how much power is being accepted from the near-field. The transmitter can detect this difference in power used from the near-field and interpret these changes as a message from the receiver.
• Receivecircuitry302 may further include signaling detector andbeacon circuitry314 used to identify received energy fluctuations, which may correspond to informational signaling from the transmitter to the receiver. Furthermore, signaling andbeacon circuitry314 may also be used to detect the transmission of a reduced RF signal energy (i.e., a beacon signal) and to rectify the reduced RF signal energy into a nominal power for awakening either un-powered or power-depleted circuits within receivecircuitry302 in order to configure receivecircuitry302 for wireless charging.
• Receivecircuitry302 further includesprocessor316 for coordinating the processes ofreceiver300 described herein including the control of switchingcircuitry312 described herein. Cloaking ofreceiver300 may also occur upon the occurrence of other events including detection of an external wired charging source (e.g., wall/USB power) providing charging power todevice350.Processor316, in addition to controlling the cloaking of the receiver, may also monitorbeacon circuitry314 to determine a beacon state and extract messages sent from the transmitter.Processor316 may also adjust DC-to-DC converter310 for improved performance.
• FIG. 8 shows a simplified schematic of a portion of transmit circuitry for carrying out messaging between a transmitter and a receiver. In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a means for communication may be enabled between the transmitter and the receiver. InFIG. 8, apower amplifier210 drives the transmitantenna204 to generate the radiated field. The power amplifier is driven by acarrier signal220 that is oscillating at a desired frequency for the transmitantenna204. A transmitmodulation signal224 is used to control the output of thepower amplifier210.
• The transmit circuitry can send signals to receivers by using an ON/OFF keying process on thepower amplifier210. In other words, when the transmitmodulation signal224 is asserted, thepower amplifier210 will drive the frequency of thecarrier signal220 out on the transmitantenna204. When the transmitmodulation signal224 is negated, the power amplifier will not drive out any frequency on the transmitantenna204.
• The transmit circuitry ofFIG. 8 also includes aload sensing circuit216 that supplies power to thepower amplifier210 and generates a receivesignal235 output. In the load sensing circuit216 a voltage drop across resistor Rs develops between the power in signal226 and thepower supply228 to thepower amplifier210. Any change in the power consumed by thepower amplifier210 will cause a change in the voltage drop that will be amplified bydifferential amplifier230. When the transmit antenna is in coupled mode with a receive antenna in a receiver (not shown inFIG. 7) the amount of current drawn by thepower amplifier210 will change. In other words, if no coupled mode resonance exist for the transmitantenna210, the power required to drive the radiated field will be first amount. If a coupled mode resonance exists, the amount of power consumed by thepower amplifier210 will go up because much of the power is being coupled into the receive antenna. Thus, the receivesignal235 can indicate the presence of a receive antenna coupled to the transmitantenna235 and can also detect signals sent from the receive antenna, as explained below. Additionally, a change in receiver current draw will be observable in the transmitter's power amplifier current draw, and this change can be used to detect signals from the receive antennas, as explained below.
• FIGS. 9A-9D are simplified block diagrams illustrating a beacon power mode for transmitting power between a transmitter and a one or more receivers.FIG. 9A illustrates atransmitter520 having a low power “beacon”signal525 when there are no receive devices in the beacon coupling-mode region510. Thebeacon signal525 may be, as a non-limiting example, such as in the range of ˜10 to ˜20 mW RF. This signal may be adequate to provide initial power to a device to be charged when it is placed in the coupling-mode region.
• FIG. 9B illustrates a receivedevice530 placed within the beacon coupling-mode region510 of thetransmitter520 transmitting thebeacon signal525. If the receivedevice530 is on and develops a coupling with the transmitter it will generate areverse link coupling535, which is really just the receiver accepting power from thebeacon signal525. This additional power, may be sensed by the load sensing circuit216 (FIG. 7) of the transmitter. As a result, the transmitter may go into a high power mode.
• FIG. 9C illustrates thetransmitter520 generating ahigh power signal525′ resulting in a high power coupling-mode region510′. As long as the receivedevice530 is accepting power and, as a result, generating thereverse link coupling535, the transmitter will remain in the high power state. While only one receivedevice530 is illustrated, multiple receivedevices530 may be present in the coupling-mode region510. If there are multiple receivedevice530 they will share the amount of power transmitted by the transmitter based on how well each receivedevice530 is coupled. For example, the coupling efficiency may be different for each receivedevice530 depending on where the device is placed within the coupling-mode region510.
• FIG. 9D illustrates thetransmitter520 generating thebeacon signal525 even when a receivedevice530 is in the beacon coupling-mode region510. This state may occur when receivedevice530 is shut off, or the device cloaks itself, perhaps because it does not need any more power.
• A receiver and a transmitter may communicate on a separate communication channel (e.g., Bluetooth, zigbee, etc). With a separate communication channel, the transmitter may determine when to switch between beacon mode and high power mode, or create multiple power levels, based on the number of receive devices in the coupling-mode region510 and their respective power requirements.
• Exemplary embodiments of the invention include enhancing the coupling between a relatively large transmit antenna and a small receive antenna in the near-field power transfer between two antennas through introduction of additional antennas into the system of coupled antennas that will act as repeaters and will enhance the flow of power from the transmitting antenna toward the receiving antenna.
• In an exemplary embodiment, one or more extra antennas (illustrated below) are used that couple to the transmit antenna and receive antenna in the system. These extra antennas comprise repeater antennas, such as active or passive antennas. A passive antenna may include simply the antenna loop and a capacitive element for tuning a resonant frequency of the antenna. An active element may include, in addition to the antenna loop and one or more tuning capacitors, an amplifier for increasing the strength of a repeated near-field radiation.
• The combination of the transmit antenna and the repeater antennas in the power transfer system may be optimized such that coupling of power to very small receive antennas is enhanced based on factors such as termination loads, tuning components, resonant frequencies, and placement of the repeater antennas relative to the transmit antenna.
• A single transmit antenna exhibits a finite near-field coupling-mode region. Accordingly, a user of a device charging through a receiver in the transmit antenna's near-field coupling-mode region may require a considerable user access space that would be prohibitive or at least inconvenient. Furthermore, the coupling-mode region may diminish quickly as a receive antenna moves away from the transmit antenna.
• A repeater antenna may refocus and reshape a coupling-mode region from a transmit antenna to create a second coupling-mode region around the repeater antenna, which may be better suited for coupling energy to a receive antenna.
• FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of atransmitter200 including apresence detector905. The transmitter is similar to that ofFIG. 6 and, therefore, does not need to be explained again. However, inFIG. 10, thetransmitter200 includes apresence detector905 connected to the processor214 (also referred to as a controller herein). Theprocessor214 can adjust an amount of power delivered by theamplifier210 in response to signals from thepresence detector905.
• As a non-limiting example, the presence detector may be a motion detector utilized to sense the initial presence of a device to be charged that is inserted into the coverage area of the transmitter. After detection, the transmitter is turned on and the RF power received by the device is used to toggle a switch on the Rx device in a pre-determined manner, which in turn results in changes to the driving point impedance of the transmitter.
• As another non-limiting example, the presence detector may be a detector capable of detecting a human, for example, by infrared detection, motion detection, or other suitable means. In some exemplary embodiments, there may be regulations limiting the amount of power that a transmit antenna may transmit at a specific frequency. In some cases, these regulations are meant to protect humans from electromagnetic radiation. However, there may be environments where transmit antennas are placed in areas not occupied by humans, or occupied infrequently by humans, such as, for example, garages, factory floors, shops, and the like. If these environments are free from humans, it may be permissible to increase the power output of the transmit antennas above the normal power restrictions regulations. In other words, thecontroller214 may adjust the power output of the transmitantenna204 to a regulatory level or lower in response to human presence and adjust the power output of the transmitantenna204 to a level above the regulatory level when a human is outside a regulatory distance from the electromagnetic field of the transmitantenna204.
• In many of the examples below, only one guest device is shown being charged. In practice, a multiplicity of the devices can be charged from a near-field generated by each host.
• In exemplary embodiments, a method by which the Tx circuit does not remain on indefinitely may be used. In such an exemplary embodiment, the Tx circuit may be programmed to shut off after a pre-determined amount of time, which may be user-defined or factory preset. This feature prevents the Tx circuit, notably the power amplifier, from running long after the wireless devices in its perimeter are fully charged. This event may be due to the failure of the circuit to detect the signal sent from either the repeater or the Rx coil that a device is fully charged. To prevent the Tx circuit from automatically shutting down if another device is placed in its perimeter, the Tx circuit automatic shut off feature may be activated only after a set period of lack of motion detected in its perimeter. The user may be able to determine the inactivity time interval, and change it as desired. As a non-limiting example, the time interval may be longer than that needed to fully charge a specific type of wireless device under the assumption of the device being initially fully discharged.
• Exemplary embodiments of the invention include using portable apparatuses as the charging stations or “hosts,” housing totally, or partially, the transmit antenna and other circuitry necessary for wireless transfer of power to other often smaller devices, equipment, or machines referred to as “guests.” As non-limiting examples, these charging stations or hosts could be backpacks, briefcases, purses, clothing, luggage, and so on. The charging system, which can be at least partially embedded in the aforementioned examples, may either be a retrofit to existing apparatus, or made as part of its initial design and manufacturing.
• In the exemplary embodiments described herein, multi-dimensional regions with multiple antennas may be performed by the techniques described herein. In addition, multi-dimensional wireless powering and charging may be employed, such as the means described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/567,339, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHOD RELATING TO MULTI-DIMENSIONAL WIRELESS CHARGING” filed on Sep. 25, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
• FIG. 11 depicts aportable charging system400 including a portable enclosure, container or other portable device illustrated as abag402 having a transmitantenna404 coupled thereto, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Bag402 may comprise any portable bag such as, for example only, a backpack, a purse, a piece of luggage, or a briefcase. It is noted that although various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are depicted in the drawings as being implemented with a specific bag type (e.g., a briefcase), exemplary embodiments described herein may be implemented in any known and suitable portable device such as a portable bag.Portable charging system400 may also include abattery406 integrated withinbag402.Battery406 may be operably coupled to transmitantenna404 via transmit circuitry202 (seeFIG. 6) and may be configured to supply power to transmitantenna404 via transmitcircuitry202.Battery406 may comprise any known and suitable chargeable battery, replaceable battery, or any combination thereof. Additionally, chargingsystem400 may include a receive antenna407 positionedproximate battery406 to enable for wireless charging ofbattery406 via an external transmit antenna (not shown).
• Furthermore, chargingsystem400 may include apower connector408 configured to couple an external power source (not shown), such as a power outlet, to transmitantenna404 via transmitcircuitry202, tobattery406, or any combination thereof. Accordingly,power connector408 may be configured to supply power to transmitantenna404 via transmitcircuitry202, supply power for chargingbattery406, or any combinationthereof. Power connector408 may comprise any known, suitable power source connector. As a non-limiting example,power connector408 may comprise a removable power cord configured to couple to an electrical connector (e.g., a USB port or an external power plug) onbag402. Furthermore,power connector408 may comprise, for example only, a retractable power cord configured to retract intobag402 and be pulled out frombag402.
• In one contemplated operation, transmitantenna404 may receive, via transmitcircuitry202, power from the external power source by means ofpower connector408,battery406, or any combination thereof and, upon receipt of power, may transmit power within a near-field of transmitantenna404. The power may then be received by a receive antenna within a coupling mode-region of the receive antenna and transmitantenna404. For example, power transmitted from transmitantenna404 may be received by a receiveantenna410 coupled to a battery (e.g.,battery136 ofFIG. 2) within chargeable device412. More specifically, power transmitted from transmitantenna404 may be received by receiveantenna410 and a receiver, such asreceiver108 ofFIG. 2, which is coupled to a battery of chargeable device412. As non-limiting examples, device412 may comprise a cellular telephone, a portable media player, a camera, a gaming device, a navigation device, a headset (e.g., a Bluetooth headset), a tool, a toy, or any combination thereof. It is noted that transmitantenna404 may be configured to simultaneously transmit power to one or more receive antennas within a near-field of transmitantenna404. It is further noted that, according to one exemplary embodiment, transmitantenna404 may be configured to transmit power within its near-field only if at least one device is within the near-field and the at least one device is in need of a charge.
• Additionally, chargingsystem400 may include acoil414 integrated withinbag402 and positioned proximate a storage area416 (e.g., a pocket) ofbag402. With reference toFIG. 11 andFIG. 21,coil414 may be configured to receive power, via coil transmitcircuitry417, from a power source415 (e.g., viapower connector408,battery406, or any combination thereof) and generate a field according to coil transmitcircuitry417. Furthermore,coil414 may be configured to transmit power, via inductive coupling, to a receiver positioned withinstorage area416 and adequately aligned withcoil414. For example only,coil414 may be configured to transmit power, via inductive coupling, to a battery (not shown) withindevice418, which is positioned withinstorage area416. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,coil414 may be configured to transmit power only if a device is proximate thereto and in need of a charge. It is noted that although chargingsystem400 only includes one coil and one transmit antenna, a charging system having one or more coils and/or one or more transmit antennas is within the scope of the present invention. As an example, each pocket withinbag402 may have an associated coil proximate thereto. Furthermore, as an example, alid420 and a base422 ofbag402 may each include an associated transmit antenna.
• Accordingly, whilebag402 is coupled to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet), one or more devices (e.g., device412) withinbag402 may wirelessly receive power from the external source viapower connector408 and transmitantenna404, and one or more devices (e.g., device418) withinbag402 may wirelessly receive power from the external source viapower connector408 andcoil414. Furthermore, whilebag402 is coupled to the external power source,battery406 may be charged with power received from the external source viapower connector408. In addition, whilebag402 is not coupled to the external power source, one or more devices (e.g., device412) withinbag402 may wirelessly receive power, via associated receive circuitry, frombattery406 via transmitantenna404 and transmitcircuitry202. Furthermore, one or more devices (e.g., device418) withinbag402 may wirelessly receive power frombattery406 via an associated coil. Moreover, it is noted thatbattery406 may be configured to wirelessly receive power from a transmit antenna external tobag402.
• FIG. 12 depicts anotherportable charging system450 including a portable device illustrated as abag452 having arepeater antenna454 integrated therein. Similarly tobag402,bag452 may comprise any known and suitable portable bag.Repeater antenna454 may be configured to refocus and reshape a coupling-mode region from a transmit antenna to create a second coupling-mode region aroundrepeater antenna454, which may be better suited for coupling energy to a receive antenna. In one contemplated operation,repeater antenna454 may receive power transmitted from a transmit antenna external tobag452. For example,repeater antenna454 may receive power transmitted from transmitantenna455, which may be, for example, integrated within a table (not shown). Upon receipt of power,repeater antenna454 may transmit power within a near-field ofrepeater antenna454 and the power may be received by a receiver within an associated coupling-mode region. For example, power wirelessly transmitted fromrepeater antenna454 may be received by receiveantenna458 coupled to a battery (e.g.,battery136 ofFIG. 2) withindevice460. More specifically, power wirelessly transmitted fromrepeater antenna454 may be received by receiveantenna458 and a receiver, such as receiver108 (seeFIG. 2), which may be coupled to a battery withindevice460. As described above, utilizing a repeater antenna may increase the charging rate of a device by refocusing a coupling-mode region, reshaping a coupling-mode region, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,repeater antenna454 may be configured to transmit power within its near-field only if at least one device is within the near-field and the at least one device is in need of a charge.
• FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate anotherportable charging system550 including a plurality of transmitantennas556,558 and abattery554 integrated within a portable device illustrated as abag552. For example only,battery554 may comprise a chargeable battery, a replaceable battery, or any combination thereof. As noted below,battery554 may be configured to receive power from an external transmit antenna via a receive antenna and receive circuitry302 (seeFIG. 7) coupled tobattery554.
• As depicted inFIG. 13A, a first transmitantenna556 and a second transmitantenna558 are each operably coupled tobattery554 via receivecircuitry302 and are each configured to receive power frombattery554 via receivecircuitry302. Moreover, first transmitantenna556 and a second transmitantenna558 may each be configured to transmit power within a respective near-field. More specifically, first transmitantenna556 may be configured to wirelessly transmit power that may be received by a one or more receive antennas positioned within a near-field of first transmitantenna556, and second transmitantenna558 may be configured to wirelessly transmit power that may be received by one or more receive antennas positioned within a near-field of second transmitantenna558. For example, power transmitted from first transmitantenna556 may be received by receiveantenna560 coupled via receivecircuitry302 to a battery (not shown) within adevice562. Furthermore, for example, power transmitted from second transmitantenna558 may be received by a first receiveantenna562 coupled via receivecircuitry302 to a battery (not shown) within adevice566 and a second receiveantenna564 coupled via receivecircuitry302 to a battery (not shown) within adevice568. Although only two transmit antenna are depicted within chargingsystem550, chargingsystem550 may include any number of transmit antennas integrated within a portable bag.
• As illustrated inFIG. 13B, chargingsystem550 may also include a transmitantenna570 external tobag552 and configured to receive power from an external source (not shown) and transmit power to, and thus charge,battery554. Furthermore, in this depicted exemplary embodiment, transmitantenna556 and transmitantenna558 may be configured as repeater antennas and, therefore, transmitantenna570 may also be configured to provide power via transmitcircuitry202 to each of first transmitantenna556 and second transmitantenna558. Furthermore, each of first transmitantenna556 and second transmitantenna558 may then transmit power to one or more receive antennas positioned within an associated near-field. In addition, chargingsystem550 may include a repeater antenna557 oriented at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis ofbag552. Repeater antenna557 may be configured to receive power from transmitantenna570 and convey power to one or more receive antennas positioned with an associated near-field.
• Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 13C, chargingsystem550 may include apower connector572 configured to couple an external power source (not shown), such as a power outlet, to first transmitantenna556, second transmitantenna558,battery554, or any combination thereof. Accordingly,power connector572 may be configured to supply power via transmitcircuitry202 to first transmitantenna556, second transmitantenna558, or any combination thereof. Furthermore,power connector572 may be configured to supply power tobattery554. Similarly topower connector408 described above with reference toFIG. 11,power connector572 may comprise any known, suitable power source connector. For example only,power connector572 may comprise a removable power cord configured to couple to an electrical connector (e.g., a USB port or an external power plug) onbag552. Furthermore,power connector572 may comprise, for example only, a retractable power cord configured to retract intobag552 and be pulled out frombag552. It is noted that transmitantenna556 and transmitantenna558 may each be configured to transmit power within a respective near-field only if at least one device is positioned within the near-field and at least one device is in need of a charge.
• Although chargingsystem550 depicts a plurality of transmit antennas wherein each transmit antenna is oriented in a substantially similar plane, other exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a plurality of transmit antennas integrated within a portably bag and having substantially differing orientations. For example,FIGS. 14A and 14B respectively illustrateportable charging systems580 and582, each including transmit antennas oriented in differing planes. More specifically, chargingsystem580 includes a first transmitantenna586 oriented in a lateral plane and a second transmitantenna584 oriented in a vertical plane perpendicular to the orientation of first transmitantenna586.
• Furthermore, another chargingsystem582 includes a first transmitantenna590 oriented in a first lateral plane and a second transmitantenna592 oriented in a second lateral plane parallel to the first lateral plane. Moreover, chargingsystem582 includes a third transmitantenna588 oriented in a vertical plane perpendicular to the orientations of each of first transmitantenna590 and second transmitantenna592. It is noted that, although transmit antennas within chargingsystems580 and582 are depicted as being oriented in either a substantially vertical orientation or a substantially lateral orientation, transmit antennas oriented at an angle from a horizontal plane or a vertical plane are within the scope of the present invention. Orienting transmit antennas in differing orientations may more effectively provide power to receive antennas positioned in various orientations.
• As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, concurrent operation of directly or nearly adjacent antennas may result in interfering effects between the concurrently activated and physically nearby or adjacent antennas. As such, a means may be used for selecting and multiplexing between directly or nearly adjacent antennas so as to minimize interfering effects. For example, independent activation of directly or nearly adjacent antennas may be controlled by a controller and may occur according to a time-domain based sequence. More specifically, a multiplexer may time-multiplex an output signal from an amplifier to each of the antennas. Furthermore, upon activation of one antenna, adjacent antennas may be “cloaked” to allow improved wireless charging efficiency of the activated antenna.
• Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 15, another chargingsystem620 may include a portable device illustrated as abag622 having a transmitantenna624 positioned proximate a storage area626 (e.g., a pocket) ofbag622. Transmitantenna624 may be configured to receive power from a battery (not shown) integrated withinbag622, an external power source (not shown), or any combination thereof. Furthermore, transmitantenna624 may be configured as a repeater antenna configured to wirelessly receive power from another transmit antenna (not shown) either external to or integrated withinbag622. Upon receipt of power, transmitantenna624 may wirelessly transmit power that may be received by a receiver within an associated coupling-mode region. For example, power transmitted from transmitantenna624 may be received by a receive antenna coupled to a battery (not shown) of a device positioned withinstorage area626. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, transmitantenna624 may be configured to transmit power within its near-field only if at least one device is within the near-field and at least one device is in need of a charge.
• Placing a transmit antenna proximate a storage area wherein the transmit antenna has a substantially similar shape of the storage area may enable for improved wireless charging efficiency of a device (e.g., a cellular telephone) placed in the storage area. More specifically, because a device (e.g. a cellular telephone) placed in a storage area (e.g., storage area626) may be passively aligned by the shape of the storage area, a device within the storage area may be substantially aligned with the transmit antenna and charging efficiency may be increased.
• FIG. 16 illustrates anothercharging system630 including one or more receiveantennas632 integrated within a portable device illustrated as abag633, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Each receiveantenna632 may be configured to receive power via receive circuitry302 (seeFIG. 7) from a charging source, such as an external transmitantenna634. By way of example only, each receiveantenna632 may be configured to receive power from transmitantenna634, which may be integrated within, attached to, and/or positioned on a table (not shown).Charging system630 may also include one ormore connection ports636 having one ormore connectors637. Eachconnection port636 may be positioned with an associated charging area and may be operably coupled to at least one receiveantenna632. Further, one ormore connectors637 may be configured to couple to a charging port of a device (e.g., a camera, cellular telephone, or a media player). As configured, eachconnection port636 may provide power received from a receive antenna to a device operably coupled thereto. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,connection ports636 may be configured to draw power from a charging source only if at least one device is coupled to one ormore connectors637 and the at least one device is in need of a charge.
• Anothercharging system650, according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated inFIG. 17.Charging system650 includes one or more wireless receiveantennas652 integrated within abag654, and an external wireless transmitantenna656.Charging system650 may also include one ormore connection ports658 having one ormore connectors657. Eachconnection port658 may be operably coupled to at least one receiveantenna652 and may further be configured to couple one ormore connectors657 to a charging port of a device (e.g., a camera, cellular telephone, or a media player). Additionally, eachconnection port658 may be positioned within an associated storage area and may be configured to provide power received from a receive antenna to a device operably coupled thereto. It is noted that, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,connection port658 may be configured to draw power from a charging source only if at least one device is coupled to one ormore connectors657 associated withconnection port658, and the at least one device is in need of a charge.
• The exemplary embodiments described above may enable a device (e.g., a camera, cellular telephone, or a media player) user to simultaneously charge one or more devices while transporting a portable apparatus having the one or more chargeable devices therein. Further, the above described exemplary embodiments may enable a device user to simultaneously charge one or more devices within a portable apparatus without any need to remove any device from the portable apparatus. It is noted that, although the portable charging systems described above include portable bags, a portable charging system having any known and suitable portable apparatus is within the scope of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 illustrates yet anotherportable charging system670 including a transmitantenna672 integrated within a portable device such as an article ofclothing674, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 18, article ofclothing674 may include transmitantenna672 positioned proximate a storage area678 (e.g., a pocket) within article ofclothing674 and configured to hold a device. Furthermore, chargingsystem670 may include abattery676 integrated within article ofclothing676. In one contemplated operation,battery676 may be charged prior to article ofclothing674 being worn by an individual. Although article ofclothing674 is illustrated inFIG. 18 as a shirt, any article of clothing may be within the scope of the invention. By way of example and not limitation, article ofclothing674 may include a shirt, a pair of pants, a coat, a shoe, or any wearable accessory.
• Transmitantenna672 may be configured to receive power fromenergy storage module676 in any known and suitable wireless or wired manner. Furthermore, transmitantenna672 may be configured to transmit power within a near-field of transmitantenna672. The transmitted power may then be received by a receive antenna (not shown) within a coupling-mode region of the receive antenna and transmitantenna672. For example, power transmitted from transmitantenna672 may be received by a receive antenna coupled to a battery of a device (not shown) positioned withinstorage area678. As an example, while an individual is wearing article ofclothing674, one or more devices positioned withinstorage area678 and proximate transmitantenna672 may wirelessly receive power, via receivecircuitry302, frombattery676 via transmitcircuitry202 and transmitantenna672.
• As described above with reference toFIG. 15, placing a transmit antenna proximate a storage area (e.g., a pocket) wherein the transmit antenna has a substantially similar shape of the storage area may enable for improved wireless charging efficiency of a device (e.g., a cellular telephone) placed in the storage area. More specifically, because a device (e.g. a cellular telephone) placed in a storage area (e.g., storage area678) may be passively aligned by the shape of the storage area, a device within the storage area may be substantially aligned with the transmit antenna and charging efficiency may be increased. It is noted that transmitantenna672 may be configured to transmit power within a respective near-field only if at least one device is within the near-field and the at least one device is in need of a charge.
• FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating amethod700 of charging a chargeable device, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.Method700 may include receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus (depicted by numeral702).Method700 may further include wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna positioned within a near-field of the at least one antenna and coupled to a chargeable device (depicted by numeral704).
• FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating anothermethod720 of charging a chargeable device, according to one or more exemplary embodiments.Method720 may include receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus (depicted by numeral722). Furthermore,method720 may include transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one connection port configured to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device (depicted by numeral724).
• It is further noted that a “portable device,” as described herein, may comprise a device that is configured to receive a chargeable device and at least partially surround the chargeable device. Stated another way, a “portable device” may comprise a device configured to encompass more than one surface of a chargeable device.
• Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.
• The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
• The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
• In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
• The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims (33)

1. A portable charging system, comprising at least one antenna configured for positioning within a portable apparatus and to receive power from a power source and wirelessly transmit power to at least one receive antenna coupled to a chargeable device.

2. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one antenna comprises one of a transmit antenna and a repeater antenna.

3. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, wherein the portable apparatus comprises one of a purse, a backpack, a piece of luggage, and a briefcase.

4. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery, a power outlet, and a wireless transmit antenna.

5. The portable charging system ofclaim 4, wherein the battery is integrated within the portable enclosure.

6. The portable charging system ofclaim 4, further comprising a power connector configured to couple the power outlet to at least one of the transmit antenna and the battery.

7. The portable charging system ofclaim 6, wherein the power connector comprises a removable cord configured to couple to an electrical connector on the portable enclosure.

8. The portable charging system ofclaim 6, wherein the power connector comprises a retractable cord configured to retract into the portable enclosure and extend out from the portable enclosure.

9. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one coil, wherein each coil is positioned proximate a storage area within the portable enclosure and configured to receive power from the power source and transmit power via inductive coupling to a receiver positioned within the storage area.

10. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of antennas positioned within the portable apparatus, wherein at least one antenna is oriented in a different plane than at least one other antenna.

11. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one antenna comprises two concurrently operable and spatially separated antennas.

12. The portable charging system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one wireless receive antenna, wherein each wireless receive antenna is configured to receive power from an associated transmit antenna and charge an electronic device operably coupled thereto.

13. The portable charging system ofclaim 12, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a camera, a media player, a gaming device, a tool, navigation device, a headset, and a toy.

14. The portable charging system ofclaim 12, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery and a power outlet.

15. The portable charging system ofclaim 14, wherein the battery comprises at least one of chargeable battery and a replaceable battery.

16. A portable charging system, comprising:

an antenna configured to receive power from a power source and transmit power within a near-field; and

a portable apparatus having at least one receive antenna coupled thereto and positioned within the near-field, wherein each receive antenna is operably coupled to at least one connection port positioned within the portable apparatus and each connection port is configured to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.

17. The portable charging system ofclaim 16, wherein each connection port comprises one or more connectors configured to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.

18. A method of charging a chargeable device within a portable apparatus, comprising:

receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus; and

wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna positioned within a near-field of the at least one antenna and coupled to a chargeable device.

19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving power in at least one transmit antenna integrated within the portable apparatus.

20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving power in at least one repeater antenna integrated within the portable apparatus.

21. The method ofclaim 18, wherein wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna comprises wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one receive antenna coupled to a chargeable device.

22. The method ofclaim 18, wherein wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna comprises wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one receive antenna coupled to a chargeable device if the chargeable device is in need of power.

23. The method ofclaim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving power from at least one of a battery, a power outlet, and a transmit antenna.

24. The method ofclaim 18, wherein receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving power in a first antenna and a second antenna oriented in a different plane than the first antenna.

25. A device that facilitates charging a chargeable device, the device comprising:

means for receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus; and

means for wirelessly transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one other antenna positioned within a near-field of the at least one antenna and coupled to a chargeable device.

26. A method of charging a chargeable device within a portable apparatus, comprising:

receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus; and

transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one connection port configured to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.

27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus comprises receiving power in at least one receive antenna integrated within a portable apparatus from at least one transmit antenna external to the portable apparatus.

28. The method ofclaim 26, wherein transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one connection port comprises transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one connection port having at least one connector configured to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.

29. A device that facilitates charging a chargeable device, the device comprising:

means for receiving power in at least one antenna integrated within a portable apparatus; and

means for transmitting power from the at least one antenna to at least one power connector configured to physically couple to a charging port of a chargeable device.

30. A wearable device, comprising:

an energy storage module; and

a transmit antenna positioned proximate a storage area of the wearable device and configured to receive power from the energy storage module and wirelessly transmit power to a receive antenna coupled to a chargeable device positioned in the storage area.

31. The wearable device ofclaim 30, wherein the wearable device comprises one of a shirt, a coat, a pair of pants, a shoe, and a wearable accessory.

32. The wearable device ofclaim 30, wherein the energy storage module comprises at least one of a chargeable battery and a replaceable battery.

33. The wearable device ofclaim 30, wherein the transmit antenna is configured to receive power from the energy storage module in one of a wired and a wireless manner.

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