TECHNIQUES FOR COMMUNICATION OF SKILLS IN WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEMS

Abstract

An electronic device can transmit a self-identification message indicating its capabilities as a wireless power transmission device to nearby devices.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 501,852, filed November 3, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 584,799, filed September 22, 2023, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. AREA

[0002] This refers generally to power systems and more specifically to wireless power systems for charging electronic devices. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] In a wireless charging system, a wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device charges a battery and / or powers components using the wireless power. Under certain conditions, electromagnetic energy between a wireless power transmitting and receiving system can be received by nearby devices. SUMMARY

[0004] A wireless power transfer system is operable in proximity to a wireless communication device. The wireless power system includes a power transmitting device that transmits first wireless power signals to a power receiving device during a wireless power transfer session. If the wireless communication device is in proximity to the wireless power transfer system during the wireless power transfer session, it may attempt near-field data communication with the power transmitting device.

[0005] Control circuitry for the power transfer device may periodically transmit an identification message indicating that the power transfer device is operating as a wireless power transfer device and not as a near-field data communication device. Control circuitry for the wireless communication device may, based on the received identification message, refrain from performing near-field data communication with the power transfer device, thereby improving coexistence by avoiding unnecessary actions to prepare for performing near-field data communication, such as activating near-field communication circuitry and a user interface indicating performing near-field data communication for an application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative wireless power system according to some embodiments. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an illustrative wireless power system including a tablet computer for wireless power transmission and an associated computer pen for wireless power reception, according to some embodiments. Fig. 3 is a side view of an illustrative wireless power system operable in close proximity to a wireless communication device, according to some embodiments. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative wireless communication device according to some embodiments. Fig. 5 is a timing diagram showing how an illustrative wireless power transfer device may transmit a self-identification message during a wireless power transfer session, according to some embodiments. Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations for operating a wireless power transmission device according to some embodiments. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations for operating a wireless communication device in close proximity to a wireless power transfer system according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] An illustrative wireless power system (sometimes referred to as a wireless charging system) is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a wireless power system 8 may include one or more wireless power transmission devices, such as a wireless power transmission device 12, and one or more wireless power reception devices, such as a wireless power reception device 24. The wireless power system 8 may sometimes be referred to herein as a wireless power transfer (WPT) system 8 or wireless power system 8. The wireless power transmission device 12 may sometimes be referred to herein as a power transmission (PTX) device 12 or simply PTX 12. The wireless power reception device 24 may sometimes be referred to herein as a power receiver (PRX) device 24 or simply PRX 24.

[0007] The PTX device 12 includes control circuitry 16. The control circuitry 16 is mounted in a housing 30. The PRX device 24 includes control circuitry 38, which is mounted in a corresponding housing for the PRX device 24. The exemplary control circuitry 16 and control circuitry 38 are used to control the operation of the WPT system 8. This control circuitry may include processing circuitry that includes one or more processors, such as microprocessors, power management units, baseband processors, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors (APs), application-specific integrated circuits with processing circuitry, and / or other processing circuitry. The processing circuitry implements desired control and communication features in the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24.For example, the processing circuitry may be used to control power to one or more coils, determine and / or adjust power transfer levels, generate and / or process sensor data (e.g., to detect foreign objects and / or external electromagnetic signals or fields), process user inputs, handle negotiations between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24, send and receive in-band and out-of-band data, take measurements, and / or otherwise control the operation of the WPT system 8.

[0008] Control circuitry in the WPT system 8 (e.g., control circuitry 16 and / or 38) is configured to perform operations in the WPT system 8 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for performing operations in the WPT system 8 is stored on non-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g., tangible computer-readable storage media) within the control circuitry of the WPT system 8. The software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, program instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include non-volatile memory, such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid-state drives), one or more removable flash drives or other removable media, or the like.Software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be executed on the processing circuitry of the control circuitry 16 and / or 38.

[0009] The PTX device 12 may be a standalone power adapter (e.g., a wireless charging mat or wireless charging puck that includes power adapter circuitry), may be a wireless charging mat or wireless charging puck connected via a cable to a power adapter or other equipment, may be an electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a computer monitor with an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device), a smaller device such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone or earbud device, a device embedded in eyeglasses, goggles, or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other wearable or miniature device, a television, a computer display,that does not contain an embedded computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, a wireless internet-connected voice-activated speaker, a home entertainment device, a remote control device, a game controller, a peripheral user input device, a wireless base station or wireless access point, equipment that implements the functionality of two or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment), may be equipment that has been incorporated into furniture, a vehicle, or other system, may be a removable battery enclosure, or may be other wireless power transfer equipment. As an example, illustrative configurations are described herein in which the PTX device 12 is an electronic device, such as a tablet computer.

[0010] The PRX device 24 may be an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a computer monitor containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a smaller device, such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone or earbud device, a device embedded in eyeglasses, goggles, or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other wearable or miniature device, a wireless tracking tag, a television, a computer display that does not contain an embedded computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, a wireless internet-connected voice-activated speaker, a home entertainment device, a remote control device, a game controller,a peripheral user input device, a wireless base station or wireless access point, equipment implementing the functionality of two or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment. As an example, illustrative configurations are described herein in which the PRX device 24 is a peripheral user input device or, more generally, an accessory for the PTX device 12, such as a computer pen.

[0011] The PTX device 12 may be connected to a wall outlet (e.g., an AC power source), may be coupled to a wall outlet via an external power adapter, may include a battery for providing power, and / or may include another power source. In implementations where the PTX device 12 is coupled to a wall outlet via an external power adapter, the adapter may include an AC-to-DC (AC-DC) power converter that converts AC power from a wall outlet or other power source to DC power. If desired, the PTX device 12 may include a DC-to-DC power converter for converting the DC power between different DC voltages. Additionally or alternatively, the PTX device 12 may include an AC-to-DC power converter 14 that generates the DC power from the AC power provided by the wall outlet (e.g.,(In implementations where the PTX device 12 is connected to the wall outlet without an external power adapter, DC power may be used to power the control circuitry 16. During operation, a controller within the control circuitry 16 uses power transmitting circuitry 22 to wirelessly transmit power to power receiving circuitry 46 of the PRX device 24.

[0012] The power transfer circuitry 22 may include switching circuitry, such as transistorized inverter circuitry 26, that is turned on and off based on control signals provided by the control circuitry 16 to generate AC signals through one or more wireless power transfer coils, such as one or more wireless power transfer coils 32. These coil drive signals cause the coil(s) 32 to transfer wireless power. In implementations where the coil(s) 32 include multiple coils, the coils may be disposed on a ferromagnetic structure, arranged in a planar coil array, or arranged to form a coil cluster (e.g., two or more coils, 5-10 coils, at least 10 coils, 10-30 coils, fewer than 35 coils, fewer than 25 coils, or any other suitable number of coils).In some implementations, the PTX device 12 includes only a single coil 32.

[0013] When the alternating currents pass through one or more coils 32, alternating current electromagnetic (e.g., magnetic) fields (wireless power signals 44) are generated, which are received by one or more corresponding coils, such as the wireless power receiving coil(s) 48 in the PRX device 24. In other words, one or more of the coils 32 is / are inductively coupled to one or more of the coils 48. The PRX device 24 may include a single coil 48, at least two coils 48, at least three coils 48, at least four coils 48, or any other suitable number of coils 48. When the alternating current electromagnetic fields are received by the coil(s) 48, corresponding (alternating) currents are induced in the coil(s) 48.The AC signals 44 used for wireless power transmission may have any suitable frequency, such as 128 kHz, 326 kHz, 360 kHz, 105-210 kHz, 100-400 kHz, 1-100 MHz, 1-20 MHz, 13.56 MHz, etc. In some configurations, the power transmission frequency may be determined by communications between devices 12 and 24. In other configurations, the power transmission frequency may be fixed.

[0014] Rectifier circuitry, such as rectifier circuitry 50, including rectifier components such as transistors arranged in a bridge network for synchronous rectification, converts received AC signals (received AC signals associated with the wireless power signals 44) from one or more of the coils 48 into DC signals for powering the PRX device 24. The wireless power signals 44 are sometimes referred to herein as wireless power 44 or wireless charging signals 44. The coils 32 are sometimes referred to herein as wireless power transfer coils 32 or wireless power transmit coils 32. The coils 48 are sometimes referred to herein as wireless power transfer coils 48 or wireless power receive coils 48.

[0015] The DC voltage generated by rectifier circuitry 50 (sometimes referred to as rectifier output voltage Vrect) may be used in charging a battery, such as battery 34, and may be used in powering other components in PRX device 24, such as control circuitry 38, input / output (I / O) devices 36, etc. PTX device 12 may also include input / output devices, such as input / output devices 28. Input / output devices 36 and / or input / output devices 28 may include input devices for capturing user input and / or performing environmental measurements, and may include output devices for providing output to a user.

[0016] As examples, the input / output devices 28 and / or the input / output devices 36 may include a display (screen) for generating visual outputs, a speaker for presenting outputs as audio signals, LED status indicator lights and other light-emitting components for emitting light that provides status and / or other information to a user, haptic devices for generating vibrations and other haptic outputs, and / or other output devices. The input / output devices 28 and / or the input / output devices 36 may also include sensors for detecting inputs from a user and / or for taking measurements of the environment of the WPT system 8.In the example described herein where the PTX device 12 is a tablet computer and the PRX device 24 is a computer pen, the input / output devices 28 include a touch-sensitive and / or force-sensitive display that displays images and detects when the PRX device 24 contacts and / or presses on the display.

[0017] The example in Fig. 1 of the PRX device 24, including the battery 34, is for illustrative purposes only. If desired, an electronic device may include a supercapacitor instead of a battery to store charge. For example, the PRX device 24 may include a supercapacitor instead of the battery 34. The battery 34 may therefore sometimes be referred to as a power storage device 34 or supercapacitor 34.

[0018] The PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24 can communicate wirelessly using in-band or out-of-band communications. Implementations using in-band communication can, for example, utilize frequency shift keying (FSK) and / or amplitude shift keying (ASK) techniques to communicate in-band data between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. Using the coils 32 and 48, simultaneous wireless power and in-band data transmissions can be performed. Wireless transceiver (TX / RX) circuitry 20 can modulate the wireless charging signal 44 to transmit FSK or ASK communications, and wireless transceiver circuitry 40 can demodulate the wireless charging signal 44 to obtain the communicated data. Implementations that use in-band communication can also use load modulation for communication.For example, the NFC near-field communication standard specifies techniques for wireless power transfer and wireless data communication at 13.56 MHz. Implementations using out-of-band communication may, for example, utilize hardware antenna structures and communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, to communicate out-of-band data between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. During out-of-band data transfers, power may still be transferred wirelessly. An implementation using out-of-band communication may also employ the NFC standard protocol for data communication as defined by the NFC Forum. The wireless transceiver circuitry 20 may wirelessly transmit and / or receive out-of-band signals to and from the PRX device 24 using an antenna of the device 12 (e.g., separate from the coil 32).

[0019] The control circuitry 16 in the PTX device 12 includes measurement circuitry 18 that can be used to perform measurements of one or more properties external to the PTX device 12. For example, the measurement circuitry 18 can detect external objects on or adjacent to the charging surface of the housing of the PTX device 12. The charging surface can be formed by a planar outer surface of an upper housing wall of the device 12 or can have other shapes (e.g., concave or convex shapes, etc.). Although the measurement circuitry 18 in Fig. 1 is shown as separate from the power transfer circuitry 22 for the sake of clarity, it may, if desired, form part of the power transfer circuitry 22.

[0020] The sensing circuitry 18 may detect foreign objects such as coils, paper clips, and other metallic objects, may detect the presence of the PRX device 24 (e.g., the circuitry 18 may detect the presence of one or more coils 48 and / or magnetic core material associated with the coils 48), and / or may detect the presence of other power transfer devices in proximity to the PTX device 12 and / or the WPT system 8. The sensing circuitry 18 may also be used to take sensor measurements using a capacitive sensor, may be used to take temperature measurements, and / or may otherwise be used to collect information indicating whether a foreign object, a power transfer device, a power receive device, or other external object (e.g., the PRX device 24) is present on or near the coil(s) 32 of the PTX device 12.If desired, the PRX device 24 may include measurement circuitry 42. The measurement circuitry 42 may perform one or more of the measurements performed by the measurement circuitry 18 (e.g., for or using the coil(s) 48 on the PRX device 24).

[0021] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing how the PRX device 24 may interact with the PTX device 12 in an illustrative configuration where the PTX device 12 is a tablet computer or other device with a touchscreen, and the PRX device 24 is a computer pen or other type of accessory device for the PTX device 12. The computer pen may be paired with the tablet computer. A user may use the computer pen (e.g., the PRX device 24) to draw or write on the tablet computer (e.g., the PTX device 12) and to provide other inputs to the tablet computer.

[0022] As in Fig. 2, the PTX device 12 includes a housing, such as a casing 30. The PTX device 12 also includes a display 52 mounted to the casing 30. The display 52 may be a capacitive touchscreen display or a display incorporating other types of touch-sensing technology. The touch sensor of the display 52 may be configured to receive inputs from a computer stylus (e.g., the PRX device 24). If desired, the display 52 may also be force-sensitive (e.g., it may generate a force-sensing input indicating how hard the PRX device 24 is pressing against the display 52).

[0023] The display 52 may be a touchscreen display including a layer of conductive capacitive touch-sensor electrodes or other touch-sensor components (e.g., resistive touch-sensor components, acoustic touch-sensor components, force-based touch-sensor components, light-based touch-sensor components, etc.), or may be a non-touch-sensitive display. Capacitive touchscreen electrodes may be formed from an array of indium tin oxide segments or other transparent conductive structures.

[0024] The PRX device 24 may have a cylindrical shape or other elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis 68. The wireless transceiver circuitry 20 in the PTX device 12 and the wireless transceiver circuitry 40 in the PRX device 24 ( Fig. 1) may support wireless communications over a wireless communications connection 62 (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). As one example, the PRX device 24 may provide wireless input to the PTX device 12 over the connection 62 (e.g., information about settings of a drawing program or other software running on the PTX device 12, input to select a desired screen option, input to provide a touch gesture, such as a stylus gesture, to the PTX device 12, input to draw a line or other object on the display 52, input to pan or otherwise manipulate images displayed on the display 52, etc.).

[0025] The PRX device 24 may include a tip portion, such as tip 56. Tip 56 may include a conductive elastomer element that is detected by the capacitive touch sensor of the display 52. ​​If desired, the tip 56 may include active electronics (e.g., circuitry that transmits signals that are capacitively coupled to the touch sensor of the display 52 and detected as touch input at the touch sensor).

[0026] The shaft portion 58 of the PRX device 24 can couple the tip 56 of the PRX device 24 to the opposite end 60 of the PRX device 24.

[0027] The end 60 may include a conductive elastomer element, active electronics (e.g., circuitry that transmits signals that are capacitively coupled into the touch sensor of the display 52 and that are detected as touch input at the touch sensor), buttons, a metal connector that mates with an external plug, an antenna (e.g., to support the connection 62), and / or other input / output components.

[0028] The PRX device 24 may include a metal tube or other conductive components in the shaft portion 58. The body of the PRX device 24 may be formed from metal and / or plastic tubes and other elongated structures. The metal tube or other structures in the PRX device 24 may serve as an antenna ground for one or more antennas in the PRX device 24. An antenna resonating element for the antenna may be formed from metal traces on a printed circuit board or other dielectric support structure and / or from other conductive structures. An antenna resonating element may be located in the end region 60, along the shaft 58, in the tip region 56, or in other suitable portions of the PRX device 24. The antenna may be used to support the wireless link 62.One or more wireless power receiving coils, such as coil 48, may be disposed along shaft 58 and overlap a non-metallic region or other opening (e.g., through which coil 48 operates). Coil 48 may be surrounded by a dielectric outer tube or cover layer forming the housing or exterior of PRX device 24. If desired, PRX device 24 may include one or more attachment structures, such as magnets 66. Magnets 66 may help secure PRX device 24 to an appropriate portion of PTX device 12 during wireless power transfer (sometimes referred to herein as wireless charging).

[0029] The housing 30 of the PTX device 12, which may sometimes be referred to as an enclosure or shell, may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of two or more of these materials. The housing 30 may be formed using a single-body configuration in which part or all of the housing 30 is machined or formed as a single structure, or it may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an internal frame structure, one or more structures forming external housing surfaces, etc.). In the example of Fig. 2, the housing 30 includes peripheral conductive sidewalls 30W surrounding the lateral periphery of the PTX device 12 and the display 52. ​​The housing 30 may, if desired, include a conductive backplane 30R facing the display 52 (e.g., the conductive backplane 30R may form the rear outer surface, side, or face of the PTX device 12). If desired, the backplane 30R and the sidewalls 30W may be formed from a continuous metal structure (e.g., in a single-body configuration) or from separate metal structures. Openings may be formed in the housing 30 to form communication ports, holes for buttons, and other structures, if desired. In another suitable arrangement, the backplane 30R and / or the sidewalls 30W may be formed from dielectric materials, such as ceramic, plastic, or glass.

[0030] The display 52 may be protected using a display cover layer, such as a layer of transparent glass, transparent plastic, transparent ceramic, sapphire, or other transparent crystalline material, or other transparent layer(s). The display cover layer may have a planar shape, a convex curved profile, a shape with planar and curved sections, a layout including a planar major surface surrounded at one or more edges by a section bent out of the plane of the planar major surface, or other suitable shapes. The display cover layer may cover the entire front surface of the PTX device 12 (e.g., extending over an entirety of a length dimension of the PTX device 12 parallel to the X-axis and a width dimension of the PTX device 12 parallel to the Y-axis of Fig. 2). The side walls 30W may extend from a rear surface of the PTX device 12 formed by the back wall 30R to the display cover layer (e.g., extending across a height dimension of the PTX device 12 parallel to the Z-axis of Fig. 2). In another suitable arrangement, the display cover layer may cover substantially the entire front surface of the PTX device 12 or only a portion of the front surface of the PTX device 12. Openings may be formed in the display cover layer. For example, an opening may be formed in the display cover layer to accommodate a button, a speaker, a fingerprint sensor, etc. One or more antennas for supporting the wireless communication link 62 may be mounted in the housing 30.

[0031] The housing 30 may have four peripheral edges (e.g., the conductive side walls 30W). One or more wireless power transmission coils, such as coil 32, may be disposed within the housing 30 behind the display 52 and adjacent a housing side wall 30W, such as at a location defining the area 64 of Fig. 2 overlapped, mounted. In scenarios where the housing sidewalls 30W are formed of conductive material, a dielectric window may be formed within the sidewalls (e.g., region 64 may form a dielectric window in the sidewall 30W for the coil 32). The coil 32 is mounted behind the dielectric window to enable wireless power transfer to the PRX device 24 when the PRX device 24 is placed adjacent to the dielectric window. If desired, the PTX device 12 may include one or more attachment structures, such as magnets 54, arranged along, adjacent to, or overlapping with the region(s) 64. The magnets 54 and / or the magnets 66 may help secure the PRX device 24 in position to the region 64 of the sidewall 30W during wireless charging (e.g.,in a position / orientation where the coil 32 in the PTX device 12 is sufficiently aligned with the coil 48 in the PRX device 24 to maximize the efficiency of the wireless power transfer).

[0032] In this example, if the PRX device 24 is to be loaded, a user places the PRX device 24 on the side wall 30W (e.g., with the longitudinal axis 68 of the PRX device 24 parallel to the X-axis of Fig. 2). The magnets 54 and / or 66 can snap the PRX device 24 onto the sidewall 30W and hold the PRX device 24 in position (e.g., in an optimal position / orientation to maximize wireless power transfer efficiency). When the PRX device 24 is placed adjacent to or at the area 64, the coil 32 on the PTX device 12 is aligned with the coil 48 on the PRX device 24. The coil 32 then wirelessly transmits power (e.g., the wireless power signals 44 from Fig. 1) to coil 48 to power or charge PRX device 24.

[0033] This example is illustrative and not limiting. In general, the coil 32 can be disposed at any desired location within the PTX device 12. For example, the coil 32 can be disposed within the PTX device 12 at a location that overlaps the display 52 (e.g., for charging the PRX device 24 through an inactive region of the display 52 while the PRX device is positioned at the inactive region), at a location that overlaps other sidewalls 30W of the PTX device 12, and / or at a location that overlaps the backwall 30R (e.g., for charging the PRX device 24 through a dielectric portion or window of the backwall 30R while the PRX device is positioned at the backwall 30R). If desired, the PTX device 12 may include multiple coils 32 at various locations within the PTX device 12.If desired, two or more coils 32 in the PTX device 12 may at least partially overlap within the same region of the PTX device 12.

[0034] During operation, situations may arise in which a particular WPT system 8 comes into proximity with other external equipment, such as a wireless communication device. Fig. 3 is a side view (e.g. from the +X direction of Fig. 2), which shows such a situation. As in Fig. 3, an illustrative WPT system 8 may include a PTX device 12 (e.g., a tablet computer) and a PRX device 24 (e.g., a pen paired with the tablet computer). External equipment, such as a wireless communication device 70, may be located and operated in close proximity to the WPT system 8 (e.g., within 10 mm, within 75 mm, within 100 mm, etc., such as when the PTX device 12 is positioned at an underlying surface of a desk or table and the wireless communication device 70 has been placed on or is being moved over the PTX device 12). The wireless communication device 70, in some examples, is a smartphone or a watch device with NFC capabilities.

[0035] As in Fig. 3, a user (e.g., the user of the WPT system 8 and / or the wireless communication device 70) mounts the PRX device 24 on the side wall 30W of the PTX device 12 (e.g., overlapping the area 64 of Fig. 2). The magnets 54 and / or 66 or other alignment and / or attachment structures help to hold the PRX device 24 in position on the sidewall 30W of the PTX device 12. The PTX device 12 transmits the wireless power signals 44 to the PRX device 24 through the sidewall 30W while the PRX device 24 is mounted on the sidewall 30W. The power receiving circuitry 46 ( Fig. 1) on the PRX device 24 charges the battery 34 and / or powers the components of the PRX device 24 using the wireless power signals 44.

[0036] While the PTX device 12 is transmitting the wireless power signals 44 to the PRX device 24, a user (e.g., the same user of the WPT system 8 or a different user) may move the device 70 over or generally in close proximity to the WPT system 8 (e.g., within 100 mm of the WPT system 8). If the device 70 is in close proximity to the WPT system 8, the transmission of the wireless power signals 44 may result in undesirable interactions with the device 70. For example, as shown by arrow 72, at least a portion of the electromagnetic (field) energy associated with the wireless power signals 44 may be detected by the wireless communication device 70 (e.g., by a coil or other antenna in the wireless communication device 70).

[0037] In particular, the wireless power signals 44 may be transmitted at one or more frequencies that match one or more frequencies at which wireless communication circuitry on the device 70 operates. In some configurations described herein as an illustrative example, the wireless power signals 44 may be transmitted at a frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz (e.g., in a frequency band having a center frequency of 13.56 MHz and with a suitable bandwidth in accordance with the NFC standard established by the NFC Forum). The wireless communication circuitry of the device 70 may include near-field communication circuitry operating at or near the same frequency (band) as the wireless power signals 44.

[0038] As described herein, the terms “near-field data communication” and “near-field communication” generally refer to communication between wireless systems within a certain range, such as between antennas that transmit and receive electromagnetic signals within the near-field range, while NFC (Near-Field Communication) refers to an illustrative implementation of near-field (data) communication, such as when the near-field (data) communication is implemented in a manner compatible with or conforming to the NFC standard established by the NFC Forum.

[0039] Continuing with the illustrative example described above, upon detecting the electromagnetic (field) energy associated with the wireless power signals 44, the wireless communication device 70 may power the near-field communication circuitry (or generally enable the near-field communication circuitry) and / or perform other actions thereon to attempt to conduct near-field data communication with the PTX device 12. As an illustrative example, appropriate control circuitry on the device 70 may enable an application, or more specifically, a user interface for the application, to enable near-field data communication interaction with the PTX device 12.As an illustrative example, configurations are sometimes described herein where the application is a transit application or a mobile payment application, and the user interface is usable for enabling access and / or points of sale. If desired, other applications may be triggered by the presence of the detected electromagnetic field.

[0040] However, this interaction between the WPT system 8 and the wireless communication device 70 may not be desired because the PTX device 12 operates in its function as a wireless power transmission device and not as a near-field data communication device. In other words, while the above-mentioned interaction should normally occur based on a detection by the wireless communication device 70 of an electromagnetic field caused by a near-field data communication device, such as a door opener, an e-ticket terminal, a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, or another device with which the device 70 should preemptively prepare suitable interactions supported by near-field data communication (e.g.,present a user interface for the appropriate near-field data communication device), this interaction may be inappropriate when the electromagnetic field caused by the WPT system 8 is detected.

[0041] Accordingly, to promote coexistence between wireless communication device 70 and WPT system 8, it may be desirable for WPT system 8 to indicate to device 70 that PTX device 12 is not operating as a near-field data communication device and / or is not operating as a wireless power transmission device. Described herein are illustrative details of how PTX device 12 sends an indication of its identity as a wireless power transmission device to device 70 and / or how device 70 processes the received indication.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 shows an illustrative wireless communication device 78. In an illustrative situation described herein as an example, the wireless communication device 78 may be Fig. 4 be placed in the immediate vicinity of a WPT system or generally operated there (e.g., it may be an implementation of the device 70 in Fig. 3, which is operable in the vicinity of the WPT system 8). In other cases, the device 70 ( Fig. 3) be a device implemented in a different way (other than the device 78 in Fig. 4).

[0043] The wireless communication device 78 may include components located on or within a housing of an electronic device. The wireless communication device 78 may include control circuitry 80.

[0044] The control circuitry 80 may include memory circuitry 84, which includes non-volatile and volatile memory. The control circuitry 80 may include processing circuitry 82 used to control the operation of the device 78. The processing circuitry 82 may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, host processors, baseband processor integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, central processing units (CPUs), etc. The control circuitry 80 may be configured to perform operations in the device 78 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for performing operations in the device 78 may be stored on the memory circuitry 84 (e.g.,Storage circuitry 84 may include non-transitory (tangible) computer-readable storage media that stores the software code. The software code may sometimes be referred to as program instructions, software, data, instructions, or code. Software code stored on storage circuitry 84 may be executed by processing circuitry 82. Control circuitry 80 may be used to execute software on device 78, such as applications.

[0045] Device 78 may include input / output devices 86, such as a touchscreen (display) 88 and one or more buttons. Control circuitry 80 implements communication protocols such as NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, and the like. Wireless communication circuitry 90 may support wireless communications (e.g., based on one or more protocols implemented by control circuitry 80). Wireless communication circuitry 90 may include one or more antennas 94 (e.g., a conductive coil for near-field communication).The wireless communication circuitry 90 (sometimes referred to as wireless circuitry 90) may also include baseband processor circuitry or other processor circuitry, transceiver circuitry, amplifier circuitry, filter circuitry, switching circuitry, radio frequency transmission lines, and / or other circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals using the antenna(s) 94.

[0046] The wireless communication device 78 may be embodied as a computing device, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a computer monitor containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a wearable device, such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone or earbud device, a device embedded in eyeglasses or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other wearable or miniature device, a television, a gaming device, a navigation device, an embedded system, such as a system in which electronic equipment with a display is mounted in a kiosk or motor vehicle, a wireless Internet-connected voice-activated speaker, a home entertainment device,a remote control device, a game controller, a peripheral user input device, a wireless base station or wireless access point, equipment that implements the functionality of two or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment.

[0047] As an illustrative example, configurations are described herein where wireless communication circuitry 90 includes circuitry supporting near-field communication. Supporting near-field communication could include compliance with or compatibility with the NFC standard established by the NFC Forum. Other types of near-field communications are also possible. Near-field communication circuitry 92 may include baseband processor circuitry or other processor circuitry, transceiver circuitry, amplifier circuitry, filter circuitry, switching circuitry, radio frequency transmission lines, and / or any other circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals using a near-field coil (antenna) to support near-field communication.

[0048] Wireless communication circuitry 90 may transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals within respective radio frequency bands. For example, near-field communication circuitry 92 may communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) radio frequency signals within one or more frequency bands associated with near-field communication, such as a near-field communication frequency band with a center frequency of 13.56 MHz.

[0049] Additionally, the frequency bands handled by the wireless circuitry 90 (e.g., by non-near field communication circuitry included therein) may include frequency bands of wireless local area networks (e.g., Wi-Fi), GPS, cellular, and the like.

[0050] In connection with Fig. 3 described situation (e.g., if the device 78 is placed near the WPT system 8 like the device 70 in Fig. 3) Near-field communication circuitry 92 of device 78 may detect an electromagnetic field (sometimes referred to as electromagnetic energy coupled to a corresponding coil or antenna) associated with wireless power signals 44, as indicated by arrow 72, using antenna 94 (e.g., a coil). In particular, near-field communication circuitry 92 may detect the electromagnetic energy as part of a field detection process using a corresponding antenna 94. Based on the detected electromagnetic field, control circuitry 80 may activate additional circuitry, such as powering near-field communication circuitry 92 and / or otherwise activating near-field communication circuitry 92 to prepare it for near-field data communication with the source of the detected electromagnetic field.However, since the system 8 is a wireless power transfer system and in particular the PTX device 12 (. Fig. 3) When the system 8 is operating as a wireless power transmission device, no near-field data communication is provided between the wireless communication device 78 and the PTX device 12. Consequently, the device 78 may be activated and continuously power the near-field communication circuitry 92 (and perform other actions) to prepare for near-field data communication that is not actually occurring (e.g., that is not intended to occur because the PTX device 12 is operating as a wireless power transmission device). These actions may increase the power consumption of the device 78.Additionally, in situations where the device 78 displays an appropriate user interface or activates software applications related to near-field communications in response to the detected electromagnetic field, a user of the device 78 may be confused by the seemingly inappropriate execution of the application and / or user interface.

[0051] To ensure coexistence between the device 78 (or generally the device 70 in Fig. 3) and the WPT system 8, the WPT system 8 (e.g., the PTX device 12) may communicate an indication (e.g., in the form of a message 96) that the PTX device 12 is operating as a wireless power transfer device. The wireless communication circuitry 90 may receive the message 96 containing an operational identity and / or a wireless power transfer function of the PTX device 12 using the antenna 94 (e.g., the antenna 94 for the near-field communication circuitry 92 or another antenna for non-near-field communication circuitry, such as Bluetooth communication circuitry or Wi-Fi communication circuitry).

[0052] In response to receiving and processing message 96 with wireless communication circuitry 90, control circuitry 80 of device 78 may forgo one or more actions normally performed to prepare for near-field data communication (e.g., in response to detecting the electromagnetic field of wireless power signals 44). In this way, wireless communication device 78 does not need to power or otherwise activate near-field communication circuitry 92 and does not need to present irrelevant application and / or user interface information when operating in close proximity to WPT system 8. Accordingly, coexistence between wireless communication device 78 and WPT system 8 is enhanced.

[0053] Fig. 5 is an illustrative timing diagram showing one illustrative manner in which an identification message 96 may be transmitted by the PTX device 12 for a wireless power transfer session performed between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. The identification message 96 is sometimes referred to as a self-identification message when it contains identification information for the transmitting device.

[0054] The upper diagram of Fig. Figure 5 shows how a wireless performance session, such as session 100, may include signaling between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24 associated with various capabilities of the devices. The lower diagram of Fig. Figure 5 shows the timing of the transmission of the identification message 96 in relation to the different time periods illustrated in the upper diagram.

[0055] An example wireless charging session 100 includes a ping phase (period) 103 during which the PTX device 12 determines whether a potential PRX device 24 is nearby. If a potential PRX device 24 is nearby, the PTX device 12 performs a handshake 102 with the PRX device 24 to determine parameters for wireless power transfer. During the handshake 102, the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24 may signal capabilities, such as protocols and supported charging speeds. An example charging standard is the Wireless Charging Specification of the NFC standard.

[0056] After the handshake 102, the PTX device 12 may transmit the wireless power signals 44 to the PRX device 24 over a number of charging cycles (e.g., a first cycle, a second cycle, ..., an Nth cycle) during a charging period 104. During each charging cycle, the PTX device 12 and / or the PRX device 24 may perform closed-loop communication with each other to adjust various charging parameters. For example, the PRX device 24 may indicate the amount of power received, and the PTX device 12 may adjust its output accordingly.

[0057] During the above-described activities of the wireless power transfer session 100, the PTX device 12 may periodically transmit self-identification messages 96 (e.g., as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 5). Message 96 may be an identification message indicating that the PTX device 12 is operating as a wireless power transfer device and not as a near-field data communication device. Accordingly, if external equipment, such as a wireless communication device 70 (e.g., device 78 in Fig. 4) operating in close proximity to the PTX device 12 receives the message 96, the device 70 may perform actions to suppress attempts to conduct near-field data communication with the PTX device 12, even if the device 70 detects the electromagnetic energy of the wireless power signals 44. The message 96, which may be sent in the form of a data packet, may include information generally identifying a class of intended receiving devices (e.g., devices operating as near-field data communication devices, devices operating as wireless power transfer devices, etc.).), information specifically identifying the PTX device 12 as operating in a wireless power transmission mode from among other possible operating modes in which the PTX device 12 is operable (including a near-field data communication mode), and / or other information indicating the current operating identity or function of the PTX device 12.

[0058] In the example of Fig. 5, the PTX device 12 transmits a first instance 96-1 of the identification message 96 during the object detection ping period 103. It should be noted that the PTX device 12 may transmit self-identification messages during other periods in the session 100. For example, during the handshake period 102, the PTX device 12 may also transmit self-identification message(s) 96 in addition to digital ping signals. Conceptually, it may be advantageous to transmit self-identification messages during periods when the relevant near-field communication protocol allows custom (sometimes referred to as extended or vendor-specific) data packets. The transmission of message 96 alerts nearby external equipment to the presence of the PTX device 12 acting as a wireless power transmission device.

[0059] In the example of Fig. 5, the PTX device 12 may additionally transmit or broadcast additional instances 96-2, ..., 96-M of the message 96 during the wireless power transfer session 100, such as at the end of each of the wireless power transfer cycles that collectively comprise the closed-loop charging period 104. In particular, between the end of a first wireless power transfer cycle and the beginning of a subsequent second wireless power transfer cycle, the PTX device 12 may send a synchronization message to the PRX device 24 to synchronize wireless charging operations between cycles. Prior to sending the synchronization message (e.g., at the end of the first wireless power transfer cycle), the PTX device 12 may transmit instance 96-2 of the message 96 to further indicate its operation as a wireless power transfer device.Similarly, the PTX device 12 may continue to transmit instances 96-M of message 96, each at the end of a corresponding wireless power transfer cycle of the charging operation during the period 104. If desired, messages other than the synchronization message (e.g., a dummy read message or other user-defined message) may also be transmitted from the PTX device 12 to the PRX device 24 between adjacent wireless charging cycles, and instances 96-2, ..., 96-M of message 96 may similarly be transmitted before these other dummy or user-defined messages.If the PTX device 12 includes out-of-band data transmission circuitry in addition to the wireless charging circuitry, it may additionally or alternatively transmit the self-identification message(s) 96 using signals that are out-of-band relative to the wireless power transfer signals.

[0060] Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by a PTX device 12 ( Fig. 1) of a WPT system 8 to improve coexistence during wireless power transfer. In block 120, the control circuitry 16 ( Fig. 1) the wireless power transmission circuitry 22 ( Fig. 1) use to transmit data during a wireless power transfer session, such as the one in relation to Fig. 5 discussed session 100, with a corresponding PRX device 24 ( Fig. 1) to perform a wireless power transfer operation.

[0061] In block 122, the control circuitry 16 may use the wireless power transfer circuitry 22 (e.g., the coil 32 in an in-band communication implementation) or separate wireless communication circuitry (e.g., an antenna separate from the coil 32 in an out-of-band communication implementation) to send an identification message (e.g., message 96 in Fig. 5) that identifies the PTX device 12 as a wireless power transfer device. The control circuitry 16 may transmit the identification message at any suitable time related to the wireless power transfer session. In particular, the control circuitry 16 may transmit the message 96 regularly during the wireless power transfer session. As examples, at least some adjacent transmission pairs for the message 96 may be sent with a regular periodicity, such as a periodicity on the order of hours, such as 1 hour, 1 hour and 20 minutes, 2 hours, etc.; a periodicity on the order of minutes, such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.; a periodicity on the order of seconds, such as 1 second, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, etc., a periodicity on the order of (several tens or hundreds of) milliseconds, such as 75 milliseconds, 100 milliseconds, 250 milliseconds, etc., or any other suitable periodicity (e.g., any other periodicity between 10 milliseconds and 2 hours). If desired, some adjacent transmission pairs for message 96 may be sent with irregular periodicity. As an illustrative implementation, control circuitry 16 may transmit message 96 once at the beginning of the wireless power transfer session (e.g., as the first message transmitted for the wireless power transfer session, concurrently with the messages transmitted during the handshake period 102 in . Fig. 5 transmitted digital ping messages, etc.) and may periodically transmit message 96 during each wireless power transfer cycle during the closed-loop charging period.

[0062] The transmission of the identification message throughout the wireless power transfer session allows the PTX device 12 to indicate its current operational identity as a wireless power transfer device to neighboring devices (e.g., device 70) that may attempt to conduct near-field data communication with the PTX device 12. If desired, in other situations (e.g., when the PRX device 24 is decoupled from the PTX device 12, when a near-field data communication application is running on the PTX device 12, etc.), the device 12 may indicate its current operational identity as a near-field data communication device, for example, to encourage neighboring devices (e.g., device 70) to conduct near-field data communication with the device 12.

[0063] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by a wireless communication device 70 ( Fig. 3) which is operable in the immediate vicinity of a WPT system 8 in order to ensure coexistence with the WPT system 8 ( Fig. 3). As an example, an illustrative scenario is described below in which the device 78 ( Fig. 4) with the control logic 80 and the wireless communication logic 90, an instance of the device 70 in Fig. 3 and which in connection with Fig. 7. If desired, other types of device 70 may also perform the operations described in connection with Fig. Carry out the procedures described in section 7.

[0064] In block 130, the wireless communication circuitry 90 of the device 78 may transmit an identification message (e.g., message 96 in Fig. 5) that the PTX device 12 uses as a wireless power transmission device during a wireless power transfer session (e.g., the wireless power transfer session 100 in Fig. 5). In particular, the identification message may include information indicating that the PTX device 12 is operating as a wireless power transfer device and / or not as a near-field data communication device.

[0065] Based on the received identification message (e.g., processing of the received identification message by the wireless communication circuitry 90 and / or the control circuitry 80), the control circuitry 80 may determine in block 132 that a detected electromagnetic field (energy) associated with the wireless power signals for the wireless power transfer session is not caused by a near-field data communication device (e.g., is not caused by a device currently operating as a near-field data communication device), but is caused by a wireless power transfer device (e.g., is caused by a device currently operating as a wireless power transfer device).In other words, the control logic 80 may determine whether the received self-identification message indicates that the wireless power transmission device is operating as a wireless power transfer device or as a near-field data communication device.

[0066] At block 134, the control logic 80 of the device 78 may forego one or more actions that would otherwise have been triggered by the detected electromagnetic field (energy) (without receiving the identification message at block 130) to prepare for near-field data communication. More specifically, in one illustrative scenario, in accordance with a determination that the wireless power transmission device is operating as a near-field data communication device, the control logic 80 may conduct near-field data communication with the near-field data communication device based on the identification message.In another illustrative scenario, sometimes described herein by way of example, control circuitry 80 may refrain from performing near-field data communication with the wireless power transfer device (e.g., refrain from taking actions to prepare for near-field data communication) in accordance with a determination that the wireless power transmission device is operating as a wireless power transfer device. As examples, control circuitry 80 may refrain from activating near-field communication circuitry 92 (e.g., reduce the power supplied to near-field communication circuitry 92) and / or from presenting one or more user interfaces enabling near-field data communication for an application, such as a transit application, an e-ticket reader application, a mobile payment application, etc., on a display (e.g., the touchscreen display 88 in FIG. Fig. 4) specify.

[0067] At block 136, control circuitry 80 may monitor continued reception of the identification message by wireless communication circuitry 90 (e.g., antenna 94). Specifically, control circuitry 80 may expect to detect additional instances of the identification message as long as the wireless power transfer session remains active.

[0068] Accordingly, if an additional instance(s) of the identification message (as received and processed) is present, control logic 80 may return to block 132 via path 138. Based on an additional instance of the identification message, control logic 80 may further determine in block 132 that the electromagnetic field (energy) associated with the wireless power signals for the wireless power transfer session is not caused by a near-field data communication device and may further forgo the one or more near-field data communication actions in block 134.

[0069] If there are no further instances of the identification message (which are received and processed), the control circuitry 80 may transition to a normal operating state when handling the near-field data communication via path 140. Accordingly, in block 142, the control circuitry 80 may perform one or more near-field data communication actions (e.g., near-field data communication preparation actions) based on a detected electromagnetic field (energy), which, in the absence of the identification message, may be an indication that the detected electromagnetic field (energy) is caused by an external near-field data communication device, such as an e-ticket reader, a payment or point-of-sale terminal, etc.

[0070] The term "simultaneous" as used here means that there is at least partial temporal overlap. In other words, a first and a second event are referred to as "simultaneous" here if at least part of the first event occurs at the same time as at least part of the second event (e.g., if at least part of the first event occurs at the same time as, during, or when at least part of the second event occurs). The first and the second event can be simultaneous if the first and the second event occur simultaneously (e.g., if the entire duration of the first event overlaps with the entire duration of the second event), but they can also be simultaneous if the first and the second event do not occur simultaneously (e.g.(if the first event begins before or after the start of the second event, if the first event ends before or after the end of the second event, or if the first and second events do not partially overlap in time). The term "during" as used herein is synonymous with "simultaneous with".

[0071] The above description contemplates the use of self-identification messages to indicate, for example, whether an electronic device is acting as a wireless NFC power transmitting device or as an NFC data communication terminal. It is desirable for nearby NFC receivers to understand this information and initiate the most appropriate device functionality. It should be noted that the present technology does not need to involve the transmission of personal information to function. For example, when transmitting self-identification messages, the self-identification message does not need to specify the owner of the transmitting device.As a precaution, to the extent that implementations of this wireless charging technology involve the use of personal information, implementers should adhere to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or regulatory requirements for preserving user privacy.

[0072] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided that includes a wireless power transfer coil and control circuitry coupled to the wireless power transfer coil and configured to perform a wireless power transfer operation during a wireless power transfer session by transmitting a wireless power signal to a wireless power receiving device using the wireless power transfer coil and transmitting an identification message indicating the identity of the electronic device during the wireless power transfer session.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the identification message identifies the electronic device as a wireless power transmission device.

[0074] According to another embodiment, the electronic device is operable in a wireless power transmission mode and a near-field data communication mode, and the identification message identifies the electronic device as operating in the wireless power transmission mode.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message periodically during the wireless power transfer session.

[0076] According to another embodiment, the transmission of the wireless power signal occurs during a closed-loop charging period including a plurality of wireless power transfer cycles, and the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message during each of the wireless power transfer cycles.

[0077] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message during the wireless power transfer session at least once before the closed-loop charging period.

[0078] According to another embodiment, messages are exchanged with the wireless power receiving device during a handshake period prior to the closed-loop charging period, and the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message at the beginning of the handshake period.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the message exchange during the handshake period establishes the wireless power transfer session to conform to a Near-Field Communication (NFC) standard.

[0080] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an antenna separate from the wireless power transfer coil, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the antenna, the identification message periodically during the wireless power transfer session.

[0081] According to another embodiment, the transmission of the wireless power signal occurs during a closed-loop charging period including a plurality of wireless power transfer cycles, and the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the antenna, the identification message during each of the wireless power transfer cycles.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the antenna, the identification message during the wireless power transfer session at least once before the closed-loop charging period.

[0083] According to another embodiment, messages are exchanged with the wireless power receiving device during a handshake period prior to the closed-loop charging period, and the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message at the beginning of the handshake period.

[0084] According to another embodiment, the frequency of the wireless power signal is approximately 13.56 MHz.

[0085] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is operable in the vicinity of a wireless power transfer system, the wireless power transfer system including a wireless power receiving device and a wireless power transmitting device configured to transmit a self-identification message during a wireless power transfer operation with the wireless power receiving device, the electronic device being provided comprising an antenna, near-field communication circuitry coupled to the antenna, and control circuitry configured to receive the self-identification message, to determine whether the received self-identification message indicates whether the wireless power transmitting device is operating as a wireless power transfer device or as a near-field data communication device, according to a determination,that the wireless power transmission device is operated as the wireless power transfer device for performing the near-field data communication with the near-field data communication device, and according to a determination that the wireless power transmission device is operated as the wireless power transfer device, for refraining from performing the near-field data communication with the wireless power transfer device.

[0086] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to forego performing the near-field data communication by reducing the power supplied to the near-field communication circuitry.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a display, wherein the control circuitry is configured to forego performing the near-field data communication by disabling a user interface indicating the near-field data communication for an application.

[0088] According to another embodiment, the application includes a mobile payment application.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the wireless power receiving device includes a wireless power transmitting device accessory mountable to the wireless power transmitting device.

[0090] According to one embodiment, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a wireless power transmission device performing a wireless power transfer operation with a wireless power reception device, cause the one or more processors to transmit a wireless power signal to the wireless power reception device during the power transfer session using a wireless power transfer coil in the wireless power transmission device and to periodically transmit a self-identification message indicating a wireless power transfer function of the wireless power transmission device during the power transfer session.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the wireless power transmitting device includes a tablet computer, and the wireless power receiving device includes a computer pen.

[0092] The foregoing is for illustrative purposes only, and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 18 / 501,852

[0001] US 63 / 584,799

[0001]

Claims

[1] Electronic device comprising: a wireless power transfer coil and control circuitry coupled to the wireless power transfer coil and configured to: Performing a wireless power transfer operation during a wireless power transfer session by transmitting a wireless power signal to a wireless power receiving device using the wireless power transfer coil, and Transmitting an identification message indicating the identity of the electronic device during the wireless power transfer session. [2] The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the identification message identifies the electronic device as a wireless power transmission device. [3] The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is operable in a wireless power transmission mode of operation and in a near-field data communication mode of operation, and wherein the identification message identifies the electronic device as being operated in the wireless power transmission mode of operation. [4] The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message periodically during the wireless power transfer session. [5] The electronic device of claim 4, wherein transmitting the wireless power signal occurs during a closed-loop charging period including a plurality of wireless power transfer cycles, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message during each of the wireless power transfer cycles. [6] The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message during the wireless power transfer session at least once before the closed-loop charging period. [7] The electronic device of claim 6, wherein messages are exchanged with the wireless power receiving device during a handshake period prior to the closed-loop charging period, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message at the beginning of the handshake period. [8] The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising: an antenna separate from the wireless power transfer coil, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the antenna, the identification message periodically during the wireless power transfer session. [9] The electronic device of claim 8, wherein transmitting the wireless power signal occurs during a closed-loop charging period including a plurality of wireless power transfer cycles, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the antenna, the identification message during each of the wireless power transfer cycles. [10] The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the antenna, the identification message during the wireless power transfer session at least once before the closed-loop charging period, wherein messages are exchanged with the wireless power receiving device during a handshake period before the closed-loop charging period, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to transmit, using the wireless power transfer coil, the identification message at the beginning of the handshake period. [11] An electronic device operable in the vicinity of a wireless power transfer system, the wireless power transfer system including a wireless power receiving device and a wireless power transmitting device configured to transmit a self-identification message during a wireless power transfer operation with the wireless power receiving device, the electronic device comprising: an antenna; a near-field communication circuit coupled to the antenna and a control logic configured to: Receiving the self-identification message; Determining whether the received self-identification message indicates whether the wireless power transmission device is operating as a wireless power transfer device or as a near-field data communication device; according to a determination that the wireless power transmission device is operated as a near-field data communication device, performing the near-field data communication with the near-field data communication device and according to a determination that the wireless power transmission device is operated as a wireless power transfer device, refraining from performing near-field data communication with the wireless power transfer device. [12] The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is configured to forego performing the near-field data communication by reducing the power supplied to the near-field communication circuitry. [13] The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising: a display, wherein the control logic is configured to forego performing the near-field data communication by disabling a user interface indicating the near-field data communication for an application. [14] The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the wireless power receiving device comprises a wireless power transmitting device accessory mountable on the wireless power transmitting device. [15] One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a wireless power transmitting device performing a wireless power transfer operation with a wireless power receiving device, cause the one or more processors to: Transmitting, during the power transfer session, a wireless power signal to the wireless power receiving device using a wireless power transfer coil in the wireless power transmitting device and periodically transmitting, during the power transfer session, a self-identification message indicating a wireless power transfer function of the wireless power transfer device.

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