Charging of Battery-Operated Devices Over Wireless Connections

[0001] The technology relates to wireless charging of battery-operated devices.

[0002] Mobile radio devices are ubiquitous and more powerful than ever before. People can readily program and install new applications to their smart-phones according to their preferences. But many features like a larger display screen, larger memory, and more powerful processing consume considerable battery power. As a result, more frequent charging may be required.

[0003] Charging must be performed at stationary, dedicated charging locations, e.g., an AC power outlet, where users must bring a charge cable with them. Such outlets may not be available in many places. Users often can not keep track of or predict when and where power charging is needed for their mobile devices.

[0004] In light of these and other factors, the inventors envision wireless charging as an increasing desirable option for battery-operated electronic devices, especially battery-operated mobile devices. What is needed is a wireless charging system based on one or more wireless charging technologies that is flexible, convenient, and allows easy access/discovery, registration, authorization, monitoring, and/or compensation for charging services.

[0005] The technology described herein provides wireless charging for battery-operated electronic devices including both mobile and fixed battery-operated devices. A wireless charging system, based on any suitable wireless charging technology(ies) allows easy access/discovery, registration, authorization, monitoring, and/or compensation for charging services. The technology uses donor mobile radio nodes that register as potential charging stations for requesting radio nodes. The donor and requesting nodes negotiate the charging event, and in a preferred example embodiment, payment by the requester for the charging service to donor is arranged.

[0006] One aspect of a wireless charging method and system includes a radio node receiving a request from a requesting battery-operated radio equipment for wireless charging. After the request is authorized, the radio node arranges wireless charging for the requesting battery-operated radio equipment by one or more donor mobile radio nodes. In one example embodiment, the authorizing includes reserving payment from or on behalf of the requesting battery-operated radio equipment for the wireless charging. After the wireless charging is provided by the one or more donor mobile radio nodes, payment is initiated to or for the benefit of the one or more donor mobile radio nodes for the provided wireless charging.

[0007] In an example embodiment, requests from multiple donor mobile radio nodes are received indicating an ability to provide wireless charging for battery-operated radio equipment. The multiple donor mobile radio nodes are preferably registered in some fashion, and one of multiple candidate donor mobile radio nodes is selected to provide the requested wireless charging, and the requesting battery-operated radio equipment is informed of the selected donor mobile radio node.

[0008] In one example implementation, a radio node is a base station. In another example implementation, the radio node is a mobile station.

[0009] Another aspect of a wireless charging method and system includes a donor mobile radio (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) indicating availability to provide a battery charging service. A charging request associated with a requesting battery-operated radio equipment is detected, and in response to the charging request, the donor mobile radio provides wireless charging to the requesting battery-operated radio equipment. Any suitable wireless charging technology may be used such as but not limited to induction-based wireless charging technology, magnetic resonance-based wireless charging technology, radio wave-based wireless charging technology, etc. After providing the wireless charging to the requesting battery-operated radio equipment, the radio node may determine a remaining amount of power available for a future charging request.

[0010] In an example implementation, a registration message is sent to a base station to indicate availability to provide the battery charging service. The registration message includes a charging amount or volume that the donor mobile radio can supply for the battery charging service. In this situation, the donor mobile radio detects the charging request from a base station. Thereafter, the donor mobile radio may be sent charging requests from a base station.

[0011] In an alternative example implementation, the donor mobile radio detects the charging request directly from the requesting battery-operated radio equipment. The donor mobile radio may reserve payment from or on behalf of the requesting battery-operated radio equipment for the wireless charging.

[0012] Another aspect of a wireless charging method and system includes a battery-operated radio equipment transmitting a radio message requesting wireless charging of its battery. In one non-limiting example, the battery-operated radio equipment broadcasts the radio message requesting wireless charging of its battery for receipt by one or more donor mobile radio nodes. In another example, the battery-operated radio equipment transmits the radio message requesting wireless charging of its battery to one or more base stations for subsequent transmission to one or more donor mobile radio nodes. Preferably, the radio equipment receives a response to its request with an authorization associated with provision of the wireless charging. Ultimately, a wireless charging signal is received from a donor mobile radio node which is used to charge the battery. The authorization may include providing for payment for the requested wireless charging on behalf of the donor mobile radio.

[0020] The following description sets forth specific details, such as particular embodiments for purposes of explanation and not limitation. But it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other embodiments may be employed apart from these specific details. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well known methods, interfaces, circuits, and devices are omitted so as not obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Individual blocks are shown in the figures corresponding to various nodes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functions of those blocks may be implemented using individual hardware circuits, using software programs and data in conjunction with a suitably programmed digital microprocessor or general purpose computer, and/or using applications specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and/or using one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). Nodes that communicate using the air interface also have suitable radio communications circuitry. Software program instructions and data may be stored on a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, and when the instructions are executed by a computer or other suitable processor control, the computer or processor performs the functions associated with those instructions.

[0021] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that diagrams herein can represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry or other functional units. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0022] The functions of the various illustrated elements may be provided through the use of hardware such as circuit hardware and/or hardware capable of executing software in the form of coded instructions stored on computer-readable medium. Thus, such functions and illustrated functional blocks are to be understood as being either hardware-implemented and/or computer-implemented, and thus machine-implemented.

[0023] In terms of hardware implementation, the functional blocks may include or encompass, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, reduced instruction set processor, hardware (e.g., digital or analog) circuitry including but not limited to application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC) and/or field programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), and (where appropriate) state machines capable of performing such functions.

[0024] In terms of computer implementation, a computer is generally understood to comprise one or more processors or one or more controllers, and the terms computer, processor, and controller may be employed interchangeably. When provided by a computer, processor, or controller, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated computer or processor or controller, by a single shared computer or processor or controller, or by a plurality of individual computers or processors or controllers, some of which may be shared or distributed. Moreover, the term “processor” or “controller” also refers to other hardware capable of performing such functions and/or executing software, such as the example hardware recited above.

[0025] A wireless charging service is provided by one or more “donor” mobile radio devices to one or more “requesting” battery-operated devices whose battery needs charging. In an example embodiment where both the donor and requesting devices are user equipments (UEs) such as smartphones, PDAs, laptops, cell phones, etc., each device may function as both the wireless power charger/donor as well as the power receiver. Any suitable payment model may be used where the UE/subscriber receiving the wireless charging service makes payments directly or indirectly to the donor UE/subscriber. Various methods are described for registering as a potential wireless charging donor, discovering potential wireless charging donors, and negotiation for the wireless charging service.

[0026] FIG. 1 is function block diagram illustrating a first non-limiting example embodiment for wireless charging. A radio base station 10 communicates with multiple radio user equipments (UEs) over the radio interface, some of which are potential donor wireless charging UEs 12 referred to in the oval as charger candidates. These UEs preferably register with the base station 10 as a potential charger using any suitable method such as dedicated or broadcast signaling that may be separate from or included in existing signaling that the UEs already transmit. The base station 10 also communicates with a requesting radio 14 over the radio interface. The requesting radio can be a mobile device or a stationary device. Both the UEs and the requesting radio 14 are battery-operated devices and include some sort of wireless charging circuitry. The donor UEs 12 include wireless charging circuitry that allows them to charge the battery of a requesting radio 14, and the requesting radio 14 includes wireless charging circuitry that allows a wireless charging signal from a donor UE to be used to charge the battery of the requesting radio 14.

[0027] Any suitable wireless charging technology may be used. Two non-limiting examples include induction-based wireless charging (see, e.g., USPA 2011/0115433 incorporated herein by reference) and resonance-based wireless charging (see, e.g., USPA 2011/0115433 incorporated herein by reference). Other further examples include radio-based near-field or far field wireless charging, optically-based wireless charging, solar-based wireless charging, etc. The wireless charging power is transmitted between a donor and receiver without the use of physical conductors.

[0028] The registration signaling between the base station and a UE charger candidate may include one or more charging-capability parameters. One example parameter is simply a charger option parameter to indicate whether the UE is a donor charger or not. Another example parameter may be a charging volume or capacity, i.e., an amount of energy (mAh) that can be provided to charge other devices.

[0029] In a preferred example embodiment, after the requesting radio 14 makes a charging request but before charging starts, the eNB reserves payment from the requesting radio 14 either directly or after contacting a subscriber database, e.g., an HLR, to determine whether the requesting radio may receive the wireless charging service. After the charging is complete, the payment is given to the donor UE 12 which supplies the power to the requesting radio 14.

[0030] Consider this likely example charging situation illustrated in FIG. 1. Assume a requesting radio 14 is running low on battery power. The requesting radio 14 applies for a wireless charging service using the following example procedure. First, the requesting radio 14 sends a charging request to the eNB, which may include a list of possible donor UEs power whose presence the requesting radio is aware of either by detecting them directly or being notified of them by the eNB. The possible donor UEs may be ranked in the order of the signal strength by UE through short range communication technology, for example, Bluetooth, or WiFi, etc. Another option is to identify and choose possible donor UEs from historic statistics. Ideally, the proposed donor UEs are physically proximate to the requesting radio. Second, upon receiving the charging request from the requesting radio, the eNB negotiates with one or more registered donor UEs, and selects an available one. Third, the eNB provides the identity of the selected donor UE to the requesting radio, and wireless charging is performed between the selected donor UE and the requesting radio.

[0031] FIG. 2 is function block diagram illustrating a second non-limiting example embodiment for wireless charging. Charging capability signaling is indicated with thicker black lines, and wireless charging power delivery is indicated with a thinner black line. Three donor UEs 12 are illustrated which can work as charging UEs. They are shown communicating with each other information regarding their availability to perform wireless charging service. No base station node needs to be involved in the substantive communication, although the UEs 12 may communicate their availability either directly over the radio interface to the other UEs 12, e.g., via a wireless technology like WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, etc., or via a base station, repeater, or relay node. UEs 12 may broadcast charging-capability information as described in the first embodiment that includes one or more parameters like a charger option parameter and/or a charging volume, i.e., amount of energy (mAh) that can be provided to a requesting radio device. The requesting radio 14 detects the presence of two of the donor UEs 12 by reading broadcast information. The possible donor UEs 12 may be ranked in the order of received signal strength and the one with the strongest received signal strength may be selected by the requesting radio 14. The requesting radio 14 makes a wireless charging request to one of them, after which a negotiation process begins. The requested donor UE 12 acknowledges the wireless charging request. Before charging starts, payment from the requesting radio is preferably reserved at a billing center (via a radio access network not shown). This payment reservation may require contact of an HLR 18 for accessing a subscriber database to determine whether the requesting radio may receive the wireless charging service. After authorization (if desired) and payment reservation, the donor UE 12 performs wireless charging of the requesting radio 14. When the charging is complete, payment (labeled a bonus in FIG. 2) for the charging service is provided by the billing center 16 to the donor UE 12 directly or to an account associated with the donor 12. After providing the wireless charging to the requesting battery-operated radio equipment, the donor radio node may also determine a remaining amount of power available for a future charging request.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating non-limiting example procedures for a base station involved in setting up wireless charging service in accordance with the first embodiment. A base station node receives a request from a requesting battery-operated radio equipment for wireless charging (step S1). The base station performs or initiates authorization of the request (step S2). The base station arranges wireless charging for the requesting battery-operated radio equipment by one or more donor mobile radio nodes (step S3).

[0033] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating non-limiting example procedures for a donor UE providing wireless charging service. A donor mobile radio indicates availability to provide a battery charging service (step S10). The donor UE detects a charging request associated with a requesting battery-operated radio equipment (step S11). The donor UE then provides wireless charging to the requesting battery-operated radio equipment in response to the charging request (step S12).

[0034] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating non-limiting example procedures for a requesting radio desiring wireless charging service. A battery-operated radio equipment transmits a radio message requesting wireless charging of its battery (step S20). The requesting radio receives a response to request and provides an authorization associated with provision of the wireless charging (step S21), and receives a wireless charging signal from a donor mobile radio node (step S22). The requesting radio uses the received wireless charging signal to charge the battery (step S23).

[0035] FIG. 6 is a function block diagram for a non-limiting example radio node such as a mobile wireless power donor 12 and/or a radio receiver 14. A battery 22 provides power to the device and is coupled to charging circuitry 24 that permits wireless battery charging. Charging circuitry 24 may also include conventional wire-based/plug-in type charging if desired. The charging circuitry 24 is coupled to a controller 28 which controls the operation of the radio node and various elements therein including the charging circuitry 24, radio circuitry 26, and user interface 30. The controller 28 also generates and/or processes the signaling messages needed for initiating, registering, negotiating, and/or performing wireless charging as described above depending on the type of node.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a function block diagram for a non-limiting example base station 10 in accordance with the first example embodiment. The base station includes radio circuitry 32 coupled to a controller 34 that controls the overall operation of the base station 10. The controller is coupled to one or more interfaces 36 for communicating with other network nodes like an HLR and/or other subscriber and service databases, a billing server, etc. The messages shown in FIG. 1 between the base station 10 and the radio nodes 12 and 14 are generated or processed by the controller 34.

[0037] The wireless charging technology may or may not direct the charging energy to a specific battery-operated device. For undirected wireless charging, if payment is not reserved for the requesting radio, then the donor UE will not be activated to perform wireless charging, even if the requesting radio is physically very close to the donor UE. If more than one requesting radio requests wireless charging from the same donor UE, then wireless charging may be provided by that donor UE to those multiple radio assuming payment has been reserved and the donor UE has sufficient charging capacity to meet the requests. With directed charging, the donor UE's energy is channeled to one or more specific devices rather than broadcast.

[0038] Another concern relates to a “silent” battery-operated radio that detects a wireless charging signal, transmitted in response to another authorized radio's request, and uses it without authorization or payment for charging. One approach to handling this concern is to measure sent power by the donor UE and received power by the authorized and paying receiving radio. These measurements are then associated in some suitable way to the reserved payment. If there is a significant discrepancy between the measurements of donated power and received power, the wireless charging service may be terminated since there is a possibility that some other radio is using the charging power. This approach requires some accommodation for losses inherent in the transfer of power. Another approach might be for the donor UE to send a probe to the requesting radio using the wireless power transfer technology. The requesting radio acknowledges receipt of the probe, and thereafter, the actual wireless charging begins. Such a probe may be used together with the first approach if desired.

[0039] There are many advantages with this technology. For example, battery charging may be performed virtually anywhere and at any time—conveniently and quickly. From an operator perspective, this wireless charging service will serve as a platform for other new services. The operator can act as a trusted party for the UEs, facilitating the exchange of resources, e.g., power versus money or the like.

[0040] Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail, the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or example. None of the above description should be read as implying that any particular element, step, range, or function is essential such that it must be included in the claims scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the claims. The extent of legal protection is defined by the words recited in the allowed claims and their equivalents. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the technology described, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. No claim is intended to invoke paragraph 6 of 35 USC §112 unless the words “means for” or “step for” are used. Furthermore, no embodiment, feature, component, or step in this specification is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the embodiment, feature, component, or step is recited in the claims.