Laptop computer as a transmitter for wireless sound charging

[0001] The present disclosure is related to U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,430, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Pocket-forming”; Ser. No. 13/925,469 filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming”; Ser. No. 13/946,082, filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-forming”; Ser. No. 13/891,399, filed Jul. 22, 2013, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission”; and Ser. No. 13/891,445, filed Jul. 22, 2013, entitled “Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission”.

[0002] The present disclosure relates in general to wireless power transmission, and more specifically to configurations and methods of wireless sound power transmission using a laptop or tablet computer.

[0003] Laptop or tablet computers are often used in synchronization with several peripheral devices such as computer mice, keyboards, smartphones, headsets, and the like. These peripheral devices may include batteries for allowing wireless operation with the laptop or tablet computer. However, when charge is depleted, the batteries in these peripheral devices may have to be replaced, or said peripheral devices may need to connect to the laptop computer for charging. This may produce tedious continuous connecting/disconnecting of peripheral devices for charging, and may also require the use of all available USB ports in the laptop computer.

[0004] What is needed are methods and systems for allowing continuous wireless charging and operation of peripheral devices that may operate in conjunction with a laptop or tablet computer.

[0005] Configurations and methods of wireless sound power transmission using a laptop or tablet computer are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a transmitter may be embedded in the laptop computer screen for transmitting sound waves (SW) towards one or more peripheral devices, where these SW waves may generate pockets of energy that may allow the wireless charging of one or more peripheral devices. These peripheral devices may include a receiver for collecting and using the transmitted SW waves. Examples of peripheral devices may include headsets, computer keyboards and mice, smartphones, and the like.

[0006] A method for wireless power transmission to an electronic device from a computer system, comprising the steps of: embedding a pocket-forming transmitter in a screen display of the computer system; transmitting power SW waves from the pocket-forming transmitter having an integrated circuit, transducer elements, a microprocessor and communication circuitry; generating pockets of energy from the transmitter to converge in 3-d space at predetermined locations; integrating a receiver having sensor elements and communication circuitry within the electronic device; converting the pockets of energy from the transmitter to the integrated receiver to power the electronic device.

[0007] An apparatus for wireless power transmission to an electronic device from a computer system, comprising: a pocket-forming transmitter embedded in a screen display of the computer system having transducer elements, a SW circuit, a digital signal processor for controlling the SW circuit of the transmitter and communication circuitry connected to a power source of the computer system; power SW waves generated from the SW circuit in the transmitter to form pockets of energy; a receiver embedded in the electronic device with communication circuitry and transducer elements arranged in a predetermined array for capturing the pockets of energy converging in 3-D space at the receiver; a battery connected to the receiver for wirelessly charging the battery from the pockets of energy.

[0008] According to another embodiment, the laptop computer may include both, a transmitter and a receiver, for simultaneously transmitting and receiving SW waves. In this case, laptop computer may be wirelessly charged by a separate transmitter in proximity, while the laptop computer may also wirelessly charge one or more peripheral devices within range. Yet in another embodiment, the laptop computer may include a single transmitter that can also be used as a receiver. In this case, a software algorithm may be used to control the switching using same transducer elements for transmitting or receiving SW waves.

[0009] Laptop computer's screen may exhibit different configurations for integrating a transmitter or a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter may be integrated between the LED/LCD back-light layer and the frame, while the receiver may be integrated along the edges of the screen. Transmitter or receiver may be integrated in the front or back of the laptop screen as required by the application, using stand-alone components or shared screen components.

[0010] A method for wireless power transmission using a laptop computer may include the steps of selecting the appropriate transmitter within range, verifying battery charge levels in laptop computer, identifying peripheral devices available and within range, pocket forming generation and wireless charging.

[0011] The disclosed systems and methods for wireless power transmission using a laptop computer may allow seamless operation and wireless charging between one or more peripheral devices and the laptop computer, without the need of using physical cables or connections. Additional features and advantages can become apparent from the detailed descriptions which follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here.

[0021] Definitions

[0022] As used here, the following terms may have the following definitions:

[0023] “Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more SW waves which converge in 3-d space, forming controlled constructive and destructive interference patterns.

[0024] “Pockets of energy” may refer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive interference patterns of SW waves.

[0025] “Null-space” may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of SW waves.

[0026] “Transmitter” may refer to a device, including a chip which may generate two or more SW signals, at least one SW signal being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other SW signals, substantially all of which pass through one or more SW transducer such that focused SW signals are directed to a target.

[0027] “Receiver” may refer to a device including at least one sensor element, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power converter, which may utilize pockets of energy for powering, or charging an electronic device.

[0028] “Adaptive pocket-forming” may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers.

[0029] “Peripheral devices” may refer to electronics devices or accessories that can be used in conjunction with a laptop computer, where these electronics devices may include a receiver for collecting SW waves.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless power transmission 100 for charging one or more peripheral devices using a laptop computer 102 or tablet computer. Peripheral devices may include a headset 104, a keyboard 106, a mouse 108, and a smartphone 110, among others. These peripheral devices may operate wirelessly with laptop computer 102 through Bluetooth communication, and may include rechargeable batteries (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0031] A transmitter (not shown in FIG. 1) may be embedded in the laptop computer 102 screen to transmit controlled sound waves 112 which may converge in 3-d space. These SW waves 112 may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 114 may be formed at constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional in shape, while null-spaces may be generated at destructive interference patterns. A receiver (not shown in FIG. 1) embedded in each of the peripheral devices may then utilize pockets of energy 114 produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering the batteries in peripheral devices.

[0032] According to some aspects of this embodiment, laptop computer 102 may be connected to a conventional AC plug for charge its battery to suitable levels, while providing wireless power transmission to one or more peripheral devices.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter 200 that may be embedded in laptop computer 102 screen for the generation of wireless power transmission 100. Transmitter 200 may include a housing 202, at least two or more transducer elements 204, at least one SW integrated circuit (SWIC) 206, at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller 208, and one communications component 210. Housing 202 can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Transducer elements 204 may include suitable transducer types for operating in frequency bands such as 10 KHz to 50 KHz as these frequency bands conform to typical (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment). Transducer elements 204 may include certain predetermined configurations and combinations. Suitable transducer types may include, for example, piezo electric transducer to transmit the sound. Other transducer elements 204 of various types can be used, for example meta-materials, nano circuits among others.

[0034] SWIC 206 may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of SW signals which may serve as inputs for transducer elements 204 for controlling pocket-forming. These SW signals may be produced using a power source 212 and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using a suitable piezoelectric material. Power source 212 may include the battery of laptop computer 102 which can be recharge using a conventional AC plug. Using communications component 210, micro-controller 208 may process information sent by the receivers embedded in peripheral devices through for determining optimum times and locations for pocket-forming. Communications component 210 may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component 210 may be used to transfer other information such as an identifier for the device or user, battery level, location or other such information. Other communications component 210 may be possible, including radar, infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation of the device's position.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver 300 that may be embedded in peripheral devices or laptop computer 102 for wireless powering or charging. Receiver 300 may be integrated in peripheral devices and may include a housing 302 where at least one sensor element 304, one rectifier 306, one power converter 308 and a communications component 310 may be included. Housing 302 can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing 302 may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well. Sensor element 304 may include suitable sensor types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for transmitter 200 from FIG. 2. Sensor element 304 may include several such sensor elements 304 configured in various array combinations. Using multiple sensors can be beneficial in peripheral devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example smartphone 110. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example keyboard 106, there might be a preferred sensor arrangement which may dictate a ratio for the number of sensors for a given configuration. This may further prove advantageous as receiver 300 may dynamically modify its sensor reception to optimize wireless power transmission 100.

[0036] Rectifier 306 may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by sensor element 304 to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier 306 may be placed as close as is technically possible to sensor element 304 to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter 308. Power converter 308 can be a DC-DC converter which may help provide a constant voltage output to charge the batteries 312 of peripheral devices. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter 308 may include electronic switched mode DC-DC converters which can provide high efficiency. In such a case, a capacitor (not shown) may be included before power converter 308 to ensure sufficient current is provided. Lastly, a communications component 310, similar to that of transmitter 200 from FIG. 2, may be included in receiver 300 to communicate with a transmitter 200 or to other electronic equipment.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a laptop screen configuration 400 used in wireless power transmission 100. In this particular laptop screen configuration 400, transmitter 200 may be embedded in laptop computer 102 for the transmission of SW waves 112 towards one or more peripheral devices, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] Laptop computer 102 screen may be formed of different layers, including a front transparent screen layer 402, a polarized film layer 404, a LED/LCD back-light layer 406, and a frame 408. According to some aspects of this embodiment, transmitter 200 may be integrated in laptop computer 102 screen, specifically between LED/LCD back-light layer 406 and frame 408. As shown in FIG. 4, transmitter 200 may include a plurality of transducer elements 204 facing out of laptop computer 102 screen. This configuration of transducer elements 204 may allow suitable transmission of SW waves 112 towards peripheral devices that may be located in front of laptop computer 102 screen. In other embodiments, transmitter 200 may be embedded in the circuitry elements or metal mesh (touchscreen versions) of laptop computer 102 screen.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of another laptop screen configuration 500 where laptop computer 102 screen may include both, transmitter 200 and receiver 300, for providing and receiving wireless charging.

[0040] Similarly as in FIG. 4, laptop computer 102 screen may be formed of different layers, including front transparent screen layer 402, polarized film layer 404, LED/LCD back-light layer 406, and frame 408. According to some aspects of this embodiment, transmitter 200 may be integrated between LED/LCD back-light layer 406 and frame 408, while receiver 300 may be integrated along frame 408. As shown in FIG. 5, transducer elements 204 of transmitter 200 may be pointing out of the screen, while sensor elements 304 of receiver 300 may be embedded around the edges of frame 408 for allowing the reception of SW waves 112 from SW waves 112 sources or transmitters at different locations.

[0041] The location and configuration of transmitter 200 and receiver 300 in laptop computer 102 screen may vary according to the application. For example, in one embodiment, receiver 300 may be configured in the middle of the back of frame 408 and may include high directional sensor elements 304 that can be oriented towards a transmitter in proximity to laptop computer 102 for receiving suitable wireless charging. In another embodiment, laptop computer 102 screen may include a single transmitter 200 that may also operate as a receiver 300, in which case, transmitter 200 may use same transducer elements 204 for transmitting and receiving SW waves 112. That is, transmitter embedded in laptop computer 102 screen may switch between those transducer elements 204 receiving SW waves 112 for charging the battery of laptop computer 102 or transmitting SW waves 112 for charging the batteries in peripheral devices. An algorithm processed at micro-controller 208 may be used to control the switching between transmitting and receiving SW waves 112 using same transducer elements 204.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows another example of wireless power transmission 600 where laptop computer 102 may use laptop screen configuration 500 for simultaneously receiving and transmitting SW waves 112.

[0043] According to some aspects of this embodiment, one or more separate transmitters 602 may direct SW waves 112 towards the edges of laptop computer 102 screen where sensor elements 304 of receiver 300 may be integrated (not shown in FIG. 6). Consequently, pockets of energy 114 may be captured by sensor elements 304 and utilized by the receiver 300 to charge the battery of laptop computer 102. Simultaneously, transmitter 200 (not shown in FIG. 6), also embedded in laptop computer 102, may direct RF waves 112 towards one or more peripheral devices.

[0044] Transmitter 602 may exhibit similar configuration as transmitter 200 shown in FIG. 2. However, transmitter 602 may exhibit a larger footprint as it may not be limited by the size of a computer screen, and it may also include a higher amperage power source 212 such as a standard 120/220 volts AC house connection compared to transmitter 200 which may obtain power from the battery of laptop computer 102. This may allow transmitter 602 to have a wider wireless charging range compared to transmitter 200.

[0045] Peripheral devices such as headset 104, keyboard 106, mouse 108, and smartphone 110 may be wirelessly charged by SW waves 112 emitted from transmitter 200 in laptop computer 102. In addition, these peripheral devices may also be wirelessly charged directly by SW waves 112 emitted from one or more transmitters 602 in proximity to laptop computer 102. In this case, an algorithm processed at micro-controller 208 may coordinate the operation between transmitter 200 embedded in laptop computer 102 screen and transmitter 602 positioned on the room walls. For example, this algorithm may decide which transmitter, transmitter 200 or transmitter 602, should be sending SW waves 112 to wirelessly charge peripheral devices, depending on the proximity and/or energy levels of the battery in laptop computer 102. In one embodiment, both, transmitter 200 and transmitter 602, may simultaneously direct RF waves 112 towards peripheral devices for increasing power transfer, if required by the application.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a simplified flowchart of a wireless power transmission process 700 that may be implemented for charging one or more peripheral devices using laptop computer 102. This process may be applicable to the embodiments of wireless power transmission 100, 600 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6.

[0047] Wireless power transmission process 700 may begin by selecting one or more transmitters in range, at block 702. One or more peripheral devices may require wireless charging, in which case, one or more transmitters 602 in the room, or transmitter 200 embedded in laptop computer 102 may be selected if they are within a suitable range. For example, if smartphone 110 is not within a suitable charging distance from laptop computer 102 (e.g. not in the table), then the higher power transmitter 602 may be selected for providing wireless charging. According to some embodiments, wireless charging distance for transmitter 200 in laptop computer 102 may be optimized within a range of about 1 to 3 meters; if peripheral devices are outside this range, then they can be wirelessly charge by transmitter 602.

[0048] Laptop computer 102 may also include a software application that may provide information about the distance, charging levels, efficiency, location, and optimum positioning of laptop computer 102 with respect to peripheral devices and transmitter 602.

[0049] After selecting the transmitter within the optimal charging range, wireless power transmission process 700 may continue by checking the charge levels of the battery in laptop computer 102, at block 704. This check may be performed by a control module included in laptop computer 102 (not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6) or by micro-controller 208 in transmitter 200. Different charging levels for the battery in laptop computer 102 may be established for maintaining suitable wireless charging. For example, minimum and maximum charging thresholds may be established at about 25% and 99% of total charge respectively. That is, if battery charge is below the minimum threshold or 25%, then laptop computer 102 can be connected to a standard 120/220 AC volts outlet or it may receive wireless charging from transmitter 602. When battery charge is at 99% or at least above 25%, laptop computer 102 may transmit SW waves 112 for charging one or more peripheral devices in range.

[0050] Wireless power transmission process 700 may continue at block 706, where communications component 210 in transmitter 200 or transmitter 602 may identify one or more peripheral devices that may require wireless charging. Charging or powering priorities and other parameters such as power intensity and pocket-forming focus/timing may be established using a control module included in laptop computer 102 (not shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) or micro-controller 208 in transmitters 200, 602. For example, based on charging or powering priorities, transmitter 200 or transmitter 602 may be configured to first provide wireless charging to mouse 108, followed by keyboard 106, and lastly to headsets 104.

[0051] After peripheral are identified and charging priorities/parameters in transmitter 200 or transmitter 602 are set, transmission of SW waves 112 towards the designated peripheral devices can begin, at block 708, where these SW waves 112 may generate pockets of energy 114 at receivers 300 for powering or charging one or more peripheral devices, sequentially or simultaneously.

[0052] Using communications component 210, transmitter 200 embedded in laptop computer 102 or transmitter 602 on the wall may continuously check if there are other peripheral devices that may require wireless charging or powering, at block 710. If new or additional peripheral devices are identified, then transmitter 200 or transmitter 602 may wirelessly charge the identified peripheral devices according to the established charging priorities, optimum ranges, battery levels and/or other parameters. If no further peripheral devices are recognized or need wireless charging, then wireless power transmission process 700 may end.

[0053] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.