Wireless charging interference mitigation

Abstract

To provide, generally, vehicle systems, and particularly, interactions between vehicle remote keyless systems and wireless power systems.SOLUTION: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device has wireless power receiving circuitry. A vehicle has a vehicle remote keyless system that transmits beacons. A key receives the beacons and responds with key codes to unlock doors and enable vehicle ignition in the vehicle. In the presence of wireless power transfer operations, there is a risk that wireless power signals will interfere with the reception of the beacons by the key. To ensure that the beacons are satisfactorily received, conditions in which there is a risk of interference are detected, and corresponding interference mitigation operations are performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 16 / 868,120, filed May 6, 2020, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 16 / 868,077, filed May 6, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 931,469, filed November 6, 2019, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0002] This relates generally to vehicle systems, and more particularly to the interaction between a vehicle remote keyless system and a wireless power system. [Background technology]

[0003] Vehicles may be equipped with remote keyless systems that allow a user with an electronic key operating on wireless communication frequencies to wirelessly control vehicle door locks and vehicle ignition functions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Challenges can arise when using a remote keyless system in the presence of other wireless devices. For example, a wireless power system operating in the vicinity of the remote keyless system can degrade the performance of the remote keyless system if care is not taken.

[0005] An electronic device, such as a portable electronic device, has a wireless power receiving circuit. During a wireless power transmission operation, a wireless power signal is transmitted from a wireless power transmitter circuit to the wireless power receiving circuit to charge a battery in the electronic device. A vehicle has a vehicle remote keyless system that transmits a vehicle remote keyless system beacon. A key receives the beacon and responds with a key code to unlock the doors and enable the vehicle ignition in the vehicle. The wireless power transmitter circuit may be located in the vicinity of the vehicle. During a wireless power transmission operation, there is a risk that the wireless power signal from the wireless power transmitter circuit may interfere with the reception of the vehicle keyless system beacon by the key.

[0006] To ensure that the beacons are adequately received, conditions at risk of interference are detected and corresponding interference mitigation actions are performed.

[0007] Interference risk detection includes detecting a vehicle remote keyless system beacon, detecting a key code transmitted by the key in response to a received beacon, monitoring the vehicle location and comparing the measured device location with stored vehicle location information, monitoring whether the electronic device is wirelessly paired with the vehicle, using an inertial measurement unit or other input / output device to determine whether the electronic device is experiencing motion indicative of vehicle movement, and / or other operations to determine when a risk of interference exists.

[0008] Interference mitigation operations are used to ensure that the vehicle remote keyless system can be used to operate the vehicle. Interference mitigation operations include prompting the user to disable or automatically prevent wireless power transmission operation, adjusting the waveform of the transmitted wireless power signal, adjusting the frequency of the transmitted wireless power signal (e.g., to a frequency that is at least not the same as the wireless beacon frequency), and other operations that may allow the key to receive the transmitted beacon and allow wireless power operation to occur simultaneously with vehicle remote keyless system operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system having a vehicle and a key, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary system having wireless power transmission capabilities and vehicle remote keyless system capabilities, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of exemplary actions involved in the operation of a system of the type shown in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A vehicle is provided with a remote key system that allows a user to wirelessly activate operations such as vehicle unlock and ignition. The vehicle system has one or more beacon transmitters for transmitting wireless vehicle remote keyless system beacons. The user has a key that detects the beacons. The key may be a key fob, a key card, or a key system integrated into another device such as a watch or cellular phone.

[0011] An exemplary vehicle remote keyless system beacon is a radio signal, typically at a frequency in the range of 125-134 kHz, more commonly 100-145 kHz. In response to detecting a signal from the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitter (hereinafter the beacon or beacons), the key transmits a key signal using a radio frequency signal. An exemplary key transmits a radio signal at a frequency of 300-1000 MHz. The key signal, in some examples, represents a key code that causes the remote key system to unlock the vehicle doors and enable the vehicle ignition of the vehicle. The user can then enter the vehicle through the unlocked vehicle door and start the vehicle's engine by pressing a start button in the vehicle.

[0012] An electronic device in or near the vehicle (e.g., within 10 m or within 20 m) has a wireless power transmission circuit that transmits a wireless power signal to a compatible device. Examples of compatible devices include watches, cellular phones, removable battery cases, and other battery-powered electronic devices that have a wireless power receiving circuit. In one embodiment, the electronic device in or near the vehicle that transmits wireless power is an accessory that obtains power from a vehicle power outlet, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging device (e.g., a charging pad or other accessory coupled to a power source in the vehicle). A removable battery case in or near the vehicle can also function as a wireless power transmitter (e.g., the battery case circuit can function as a transmitter when the battery case is located in or near the vehicle while transmitting power to a cellular phone or other electronic device coupled to the battery case). The wireless power signal can be transmitted, for example, at a frequency of 110 kHz to 205 kHz. The wireless power signal is received by the wireless power receiving circuit and used to charge the battery in the portable electronic device.

[0013] The transmitted wireless power signal may have a frequency that is the same as or close to a frequency associated with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon. Thus, in some scenarios, the wireless power transmission poses a risk of the beacon interfering with the beacon being transmitted by the vehicle remote key system. This may affect the user's ability to open the vehicle door and use the key to activate the vehicle ignition. To prevent undesired interference between the wireless power operation and the vehicle remote key system operation, a detection operation may be used to detect the presence of a possible interference condition. If a risk of interference is detected, actions may be taken to mitigate the effect of the wireless power transmission on the operation of the vehicle remote key system. In this way, the user can fully operate the vehicle using the key. In some scenarios, the wireless power transmission operation may coexist with the vehicle remote keyless system operation, meaning that both the vehicle remove keyless system and the wireless charging system can function in the presence of each other.

[0014] Figure 1 is a system diagram of an exemplary system including a vehicle and an associated wireless key device. As shown in Figure 1, the system 10 includes a vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 includes a vehicle body, a motor, steering equipment, brakes, and other vehicle components. The vehicle 20 may be a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle.

[0015] As shown in FIGURE 1, vehicle 20 includes a wireless key system, such as vehicle remote keyless system 28. System 28 includes a radio frequency transmitter 22, a radio frequency receiver 24, and processing circuitry 26 (sometimes referred to as a control circuit). Radio frequency transmitter 22 transmits a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to key 44 using an antenna (see, e.g., antenna 30). The beacon may be transmitted at any suitable beacon frequency. By way of example, the beacon may be transmitted at a frequency in the range of 100-145 kHz.

[0016] Radio frequency receiver 24 uses an antenna (see, e.g., antenna 30) to receive a radio frequency key code from key 44 at frequencies between 315 MHz and 435 MHz, 300 MHz and 1000 MHz (1 GHz), or other suitable key code frequencies. Processing circuitry 26 controls the operation of system 28, as well as other systems within vehicle 20, such as vehicle systems 32. Vehicle systems 32 include door locks, ignition systems, and other devices controlled by processing circuitry 26. For example, key system 28 may open door locks and enable the vehicle ignition in response to receiving a key code from key 44.

[0017] The key circuit 40 of the key 44 includes an antenna circuit (see, e.g., antenna 42), a radio frequency receiver 34, and a radio frequency transmitter 36. The key circuit 40 also includes a processing circuit 38 (sometimes referred to as a control circuit) and other components (e.g., a battery, an optional display, buttons, etc.). The processing circuit 38 of the key circuit 40 uses a radio frequency receiver circuit, such as the receiver 34 and an associated antenna (see, e.g., antenna 42), to monitor for an incoming vehicle remote keyless system beacon. In response to detecting a beacon, the processing circuit 38 can automatically use a radio frequency transmitter circuit, such as the radio frequency transmitter 36, to transmit a corresponding key code to the system 28 at a frequency between 315 MHz and 435 MHz, 300 to 1000 MHz, or other suitable key code frequency. The system 28 adjusts the vehicle system 32 when the key code is received. For example, the system 28 can open door locks and enable an ignition system in the vehicle system 32 in response to receiving the key code.

[0018] Wireless power signals may be transmitted between a wireless power charger (e.g., a mat) and a battery-powered device (e.g., a phone) in the presence of the key 44 and vehicle 20. These wireless power signals may interfere with reception of beacons by the key 44, potentially preventing a user from opening and operating the vehicle 20. To help ensure sufficient operation of the vehicle remote keyless system functions, interference risk detection operations may be used to detect when conditions indicating a risk of interference exist, and appropriate interference mitigation actions may be taken in response.

[0019] Wireless power signals may be transmitted and / or received using equipment of the type shown in FIG. 2. Some or all of the circuitry of equipment 50 of FIG. 2 may be used in the formation of an electronic device for use in or near a vehicle. The electronic device may transmit wireless power and / or receive wireless power. For example, a battery case may transmit wireless power and optionally receive wireless power, a charging accessory such as a charging pad or pack may transmit wireless power, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, a watch, a laptop computer, and other electronic devices may wirelessly receive power and optionally transmit power, etc. Thus, in some embodiments, a device formed from the circuitry of exemplary equipment 50 includes wireless power transmission circuitry 62, in other embodiments includes wireless power reception circuitry 70, and in further embodiments includes both wireless power transmitter circuitry and wireless power receiver circuitry. In general, device 50 may be used in a cellular phone, a watch, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, an accessory such as a computer stylus or other input / output device, other portable electronic devices, a device that is part of an embedded system within vehicle 20, a removable case for an electronic device (e.g., a removable cover for a tablet computer, a removable battery case for a cellular phone or other portable device, etc.), a wireless charging pad or pack, a key (see, e.g., key 44 in FIG. 1), and / or other electronic devices.

[0020] The electronic device 50 of Figure 2 includes optional components. Any one or more of these optional components may be omitted to reduce the cost and complexity of the device 50. For example, when the device 50 is used in forming a portion of a vehicle 20, the device 50 includes different components, such as keys 44 (for example) or vehicle controls (see, for example, other circuitry 88), than when the device 50 is used in forming a user's cellular telephone. The schematic diagram of Figure 2 is presented as an example.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, device 50 includes control circuitry 52. ​​Control circuitry 52 is used to control the operation of device 50. This control circuitry may include a processing circuit associated with a microprocessor, a power management unit, a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and / or an application specific integrated circuit having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry implements desired control and communication functions within device 50. For example, the processing circuitry may be used in controlling wireless power operation, processing sensor data and other data, processing user input, handling negotiation between devices, sending and receiving wireless communications (e.g., commands, beacons, sensor measurements and other data, etc.), taking measurements, monitoring battery status, controlling battery charging, and otherwise controlling the operation of device 50.

[0022] The control circuitry 52 may be configured to execute operations in the device 50 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. Software code for executing system operations is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) in the control circuitry 52. ​​The software code may be referred to as software, data, program instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include non-volatile memory such as a 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, etc. The software stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be executed in a processing circuitry of the control circuitry 52. ​​The processing circuitry may include an application specific integrated circuit having processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a central processing unit (CPU), or other processing circuitry.

[0023] The device 50 includes input / output circuitry as illustrated by input / output device 76 in FIG. 2. The input / output device 76 can include output devices such as a display 78, a speaker for emitting sound, and other devices 84 (e.g., haptic output devices, etc.). Satellite navigation system circuitry within the device 76, such as a global positioning system receiver 82, can be used to gather information about the current location of the device 50 and the velocity of the device 50. The sensors 80 can include image sensors, optical proximity sensors, three-dimensional image sensors formed from light emitters that project a beam of light and corresponding image sensors that detect the point at which the projected beam strikes an object, camera flash components, and / or other circuitry for emitting and / or detecting light, radio frequency circuitry such as ambient light sensors, force sensors, radar circuitry, and / or other radio frequency circuitry for detecting the position and movement of objects, microphones for collecting sound, touch sensors, buttons, temperature sensors, gas sensors, and / or other circuitry for detecting user input and measuring environmental data. The sensor 80 may include an inertial measurement unit (e.g., an accelerometer, a compass, and / or a gyroscope) for measuring the position, orientation, and / or movement of the device 50. In some scenarios, the satellite navigation system receiver and / or the accelerometer or other inertial measurement unit circuitry may detect when the device 50 is moving within a range of speeds associated with motorized vehicles (e.g., when the vehicle 20 is moving between 20 and 80 miles per hour), when the device 50 is experiencing changes in acceleration that are within a predetermined acceleration range that are indicative of movement of the vehicle 20 along a roadway, when the device 50 is moving along a mapped roadway, and / or when the device 50 is otherwise characterized by physical activity (position, orientation, and / or movement) that suggests it is operating within a moving vehicle (e.g., when the device 50 is characterized by parameters indicative of vehicle movement). The inertial measurement unit may also monitor the movement of the device 50 when the user is walking away from the vehicle after parking.For example, measurements from an inertial measurement unit in equipment 50 (e.g., a device carried by a user) can be used to detect when the car is parked and the user has walked a certain distance away from the car, e.g., 10 m, such that interference mitigation is no longer required.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the device 50 includes a battery, such as battery 86, for providing power to the device 50 and for transmitting wireless power if desired. The communication circuitry 54 includes a high frequency transmitter circuitry 58 (e.g., a transmitter that may be tuned to a desired transmit frequency, sometimes referred to as a tunable transmitter) and / or a high frequency receiver circuitry 56 (e.g., a receiver that may be tuned to a desired receive frequency, sometimes referred to as a tunable receiver). The transmitter circuitry 58 uses an antenna (e.g., see antenna 60) to transmit wireless signals. The receiver circuitry 56 uses an antenna (e.g., see antenna 60) to receive wireless signals. In some configurations, the receiver circuitry 56 receives wireless signals and / or the transmitter circuitry 58 transmits wireless signals using wireless power transmitting coils and / or wireless power receiving coils (e.g., see coils 68 and 72) that are otherwise used to handle wireless power signals. Configurations in which the antenna(s) 60 are separate from the coil(s) 68 and the coil(s) 72 may also be used. A separate antenna and coil shared with the wireless power transmission circuitry may be used in conjunction with the receiver and transmitter circuits and may therefore be referred to as forming part of the wireless transmitter and receiver circuits of device 50. The wireless communications may be transmitted and / or received at any suitable frequencies (e.g., frequencies associated with vehicle remote keyless system operation when circuit 54 is used as part of a system such as system 28 of FIG. 1, such as frequencies between 100 and 145 kHz associated with keyless system beacons, frequencies between 300 and 1000 MHz associated with key code transmissions from the key, and / or other frequencies), frequencies associated with wireless local area networks (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, other WiFi® frequencies, etc.), millimeter wave frequencies (e.g., frequencies above 10 GHz), cellular telephone frequencies (e.g., 700 MHz to 2.7 GHz, and / or frequencies below 700 MHz and / or above 2.7 GHz), personal area network frequencies (e.g., 2.4 GHz for Bluetooth®), and / or other radio frequencies to support wireless communications between respective electronic devices.

[0025] The wireless power circuit 62 may be included in the electronic device 50. For example, the vehicle 20, the key 44, a cellular phone, a watch, a battery case, and / or other electronic devices may optionally include a wireless power transmitting circuit 64 and / or a wireless power receiving circuit 70. The wireless power transmitting circuit 64 has an inverter 66 that provides an AC drive signal (current) to a coil(s) 68 to generate a wireless power signal (AC electromagnetic field). The wireless power signal may be received using a wireless power receiving circuit in the receiving electronic device.

[0026] The receiving electronic device may have a wireless power receiving circuit, such as the wireless power receiving circuit 70 of the device 50. The circuit 70 of the example electronic device 50 of FIG. 2 includes coil(s) 72 and a rectifier 74. Using one or more coils 72, wireless power signals are received and a corresponding current flow is induced in the coil(s) 72. The current in the coil(s) 72 is rectified using the rectifier 74 to charge the battery 86 and / or otherwise power the circuitry within the device 50.

[0027] FIGURE 3 is a diagram of an exemplary system 8 including a vehicle remote keyless system and wireless power circuitry. System 8 of FIGURE 8 includes vehicle 10A, key 10B, electronic device 10C, and electronic device 10D. Other electronic systems may include the vehicle remote keyless system and wireless power circuitry, if desired. System 8 of FIGURE 3 is presented as an example.

[0028] The vehicle 10A in FIG. 3 may be a vehicle such as the vehicle 20 in FIG. 1 and may include the type of equipment shown in FIG. 2. The vehicle 10A includes vehicle equipment such as a vehicle remote keyless system 100 (see, for example, system 28 in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, a battery case, a wireless charging accessory (e.g., a charging pad or charging pack that receives wired power from the vehicle 10A), or other electronic device 10D may be located within the vehicle 10A. In some scenarios, the electronic device 10D is located outside the vehicle 10A but near the vehicle 10A (e.g., within 10 m of the vehicle 10A at a location such as location 10D'). The device 10D includes a wireless power transmission circuit 102 and, optionally, additional electrical equipment (see, for example, optional wireless power reception circuitry of the wireless power circuit 62 in FIG. 2 and other electronic equipment 50 in FIG. 2). During wireless power transfer operations, the wireless power transmitting circuit 102 may be used to transmit a wireless power signal that is received by the wireless power receiving circuit 106 in the electronic device 10C (e.g., to charge a battery in the device 10C). The key 10B includes a key circuit 104 (see, e.g., key circuit 40 in FIG. 1) and may include additional components (e.g., a display, a cellular telephone transceiver circuit, a wireless local area network circuit, a sensor, etc.). The key 10B may be a key fob, a key card, a watch, a cellular telephone, a key integrated into a tablet computer or other portable electronic device, or other suitable wireless vehicle key.

[0029] Electronic device 10C includes wireless power receiving circuitry 106 (see, e.g., wireless power receiving circuitry 70 of wireless power circuitry 62 of FIG. 2) and may include other circuitry (e.g., some or all of the circuitry of electronic device 50 of FIG. 2). Electronic device 10C may be a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone, a tablet computer, a watch, or other electronic device.

[0030] To receive wireless power from the wireless power transmission circuit 102, a user may place the device 10C such that the wireless power receiving circuit 106 is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmission circuit 102 to receive a wireless power signal (e.g., within less than 10 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 1 cm, or other suitable distance, or in direct contact such that the wireless power receiving device is abutting the wireless power transmitting device). As an example, if the circuit 102 is associated with a charging surface (e.g., the surface of a wireless power charging mat, a vehicle console surface, or other embedded vehicle surface that overlaps with a wireless power coil(s), etc.), the device 10C may be placed on the charging surface such that a wireless power receiving coil in the circuit 106 overlaps with one or more corresponding wireless power transmitting coils in the circuit 102. As another example, if the circuit 102 forms part of a removable battery case having wireless power transmission capability, a user can place the device 10C within the removable battery case such that a wireless power receiving coil of the circuit 106 is electromagnetically coupled to one or more associated wireless power transmitting coils in the circuit 102.

[0031] Wireless power may be transmitted when the circuit 106 and the wireless power transmission circuit 102 are disposed adjacent to one another or otherwise located close enough together to allow a wireless power signal to be transferred from the circuit 102 to the circuit 106. During wireless power transmission, an inverter in the circuit 102 drives an AC drive signal (e.g., a signal at a frequency in the range of 110 kHz to 205 kHz or other suitable frequency) through one or more wireless power transmission coils in the circuit 102 to transmit the wireless power signal to the circuit 106. The AC drive signal may be a square wave signal, a sinusoidal signal, a signal having an asymmetric waveform, a pulse with any suitable duty cycle, or other suitable AC signal. The circuit 106 uses a corresponding coil(s) and rectifier circuit to receive the wireless power signals and convert these signals into a power supply voltage for the device 10C (e.g., to charge a battery in the device 10C and / or to power other circuits in the device 10C).

[0032] Vehicle 10A uses remote keyless system 100 to wirelessly transmit vehicle remote keyless system beacons. These beacons may have frequencies in the range of 100-145 kHz (as an example). Key 10B uses key circuitry 104 to monitor for transmitted beacons, and if a beacon is received, key 10B uses key circuitry 104 to respond and transmit a corresponding key code to remote keyless system 100. If key 10B is far away from vehicle 10A or if interference is present, key 10B will not receive the beacon.

[0033] The presence of wireless power signals associated with the transfer of power from circuit 102 to circuit 106 has the potential to cause interference that may prevent key circuit 104 from adequately receiving wireless beacons from system 100. To mitigate the situation in which key 104 is unable to receive beacons from system 100, control circuitry of system 8 detects when interference is present or likely to be present and takes appropriate action to mitigate the undesirable effects of the interference.

[0034] A user may carry both device 10C and key 10B (in some scenarios, key 10B may be implemented in device 10C). Because key 10B and device 10C may be in close proximity (e.g., because both key 10B and device 10C are in the user's pocket and / or because key 10B and device 10C are carried in the user's bag), an interference risk may be detected by detecting a condition in which key 10B is close to device 10A (in which case device 10C may also be close to device 10A and circuit 102) and / or by detecting a condition in which device 10B is close to device 10A (in which case key 10B may also be close to device 10A and circuit 102). These interference scenarios may occur regardless of whether circuit 102 is embedded within or otherwise associated with vehicle 10A, or whether circuit 102 is in a battery case or other device separate from vehicle 10A and coupled to or otherwise associated with device 10C.

[0035] The control circuitry of system 8 that performs interference risk detection and mitigation operations includes control circuitry such as control circuitry 52 of Figure 2. This control circuitry includes control circuitry located in an electronic device that includes wireless power transmission circuitry 102 (e.g., a device such as device 10D that is separate from vehicle 10A and located in or near vehicle 10A), control circuitry located in key 10B, and / or control circuitry located in electronic device 10C. The control circuits in the different devices communicate wirelessly and / or using wired communication paths (when present).

[0036] Exemplary interference detection and mitigation operations that may be performed in the system 8 of FIG. 3 are illustrated in FIG.

[0037] During the operation of block 200, the control circuitry of system 8 (e.g., electronic devices such as device 10C, device 10D, and / or other circuitry of FIG. 3) performs detection operations. During these detection operations, the control circuitry monitors the operation of system 8 to detect conditions associated with the possibility that the wireless power signal from circuit 102 may interfere with the vehicle remote keyless system beacon being transmitted by system 100. If no possible interference is detected (e.g., the control circuitry determines that the wireless power signal from circuit 102 is not likely to cause interference that would prevent reception of the beacon by a key such as key 10B), no action need be taken (e.g., wireless power transmission may be allowed to continue uninterrupted). However, in response to detecting the possible interference, the control circuitry of system 8 (e.g., electronic devices such as device 10C, device 10D, and / or other circuitry of FIG. 3) may take action to mitigate the interference during the operation of block 202. In particular, during the operation of block 202, interference mitigation operations may be performed by the control circuitry. The mitigation operations remove the factors that cause interference, thereby helping to improve the key circuit's 104 reception of beacons and the transmission of those beacons in wireless key codes.

[0038] In an embodiment, one or more interference detection techniques are used by control circuitry of device 10C, device 10D, and / or other control circuitry of system 8.

[0039] In a first exemplary arrangement for the first embodiment, which may be referred to as a synchronous detection scheme, the control circuitry of device 10C, device 10D, or other circuitry within system 8 uses radio frequency receiver circuitry (see, e.g., circuit 54) to monitor for the presence of a radio beacon transmitted by remote keyless system 100. A coil that acts as an antenna for the beacon signal and may also be used to receive and / or transmit radio power signals, or a separate radio receiving structure (e.g., separate antenna(s), separate coil(s), one, two, or three orthogonal coils, such as a coil that acts as an antenna separate from the radio power receiving coil), and associated radio frequency receiver circuitry are included within device 10C, device 10D, or other equipment within system 8. The receiving structure and radio frequency receiver circuitry are configured to receive beacons at radio beacon frequencies (e.g., frequencies between 100 and 145 kHz) and are therefore used to automatically monitor for beacon transmissions. If desired, the radio frequency receiver used to monitor for the beacon signal can receive and analyze the digital data within the beacon signal to help verify that the beacon signal is associated with a remote keyless system.

[0040] A wirelessly transmitted beacon has a limited range (e.g., less than 20 meters). If a beacon is detected during operation of block 200, the detection circuitry (e.g., an antenna and associated radio frequency receiver circuitry of device 10C, device 10D, or other circuitry in system 8) that detected the beacon may conclude that it is near (e.g., within 20 meters, as an example) system 100. In response to detecting a beacon from system 100 using an antenna and radio frequency receiver circuitry in device 10C or device 10D that is sensitive to radio signals in the range of, e.g., 100-145 kHz), device 10C or device 10D may conclude that device 10C and / or device 10D is within the radio beacon range of vehicle 10A and system 100. The radio frequency receiver may be a homodyne circuit, a heterodyne circuit, or other tuned demodulator. Circuit 102 and device 10D are within or near vehicle 10A, and thus, by detecting that device 10C or device 10D is within wireless range of the beacon of system 10, device 10C or device 10D may conclude that device 10C and / or device 10D is sufficiently close to circuit 100 and circuit 102 of vehicle 10A that there is a risk that any transmission of wireless power from circuit 102 to circuit 106 would cause a wireless power signal to interfere with the wireless beacon signal being transmitted by system 100, thereby affecting reception of the wireless beacon signal by key 10B.

[0041] In a second exemplary arrangement for the first embodiment, device 10C or device 10D uses a wireless receiver circuit (see, e.g., radio frequency receiver circuit 56 of communication circuit 54 in FIG. 2) to monitor for the presence of a wireless key code. When key 10B receives a wireless beacon from system 100, key circuit 104 responds by transmitting a key code (e.g., a key code at a frequency of 315 MHz to 435 MHz, 300 to 1000 MHz, or other suitable key code frequency). The wireless receiver circuit of device 10C or device 10D includes an antenna and a radio frequency receiver configured to detect the transmission of the key code by key 10B. When the key code is detected, device 10C or device 10D may conclude that key 10B is within range of system 100 (because key 10B may transmit the key code in response to receiving the beacon) and that device 10C or device 10D is near key 10B and system 100 (because device 10C or device 10D receives the transmitted code). By detecting that key 10B may have been triggered by a nearby vehicle, device 10C or device 10D may determine that there is a risk that a wireless power transmission operation (e.g., reception of wireless power by wireless power receiving circuit 106 from wireless power transmitting circuit 102) may cause undesirable interference by affecting reception of a beacon signal by, for example, key 10B.

[0042] In a second embodiment, which may be referred to as an asynchronous detection technique, an envelope detection technique, or a peak detection technique, the control circuitry of device 10C, device 10D, or other circuitry in system 8 (e.g., circuit 54 in FIG. 2) includes a radio frequency signal peak detector circuit to monitor for the presence of a wireless beacon transmitted by remote keyless system 100. The communication circuitry of device 10C or device 10D may include, for example, a receiver circuit 56 having analog and / or digital circuitry configured to implement a peak detector. The peak detector is configured to measure peaks in the transmitted or received wireless power signal that exceed a baseline level without the presence of a beacon signal. For example, in an arrangement in which the peak detector is coupled to a wireless power receiving coil otherwise used to receive wireless power signals, the peak detector may detect a signal peak corresponding to a beacon from system 100 that appears above the wireless power signal at the coil. One, two, or three separate quadrature coils may also be used in receiving the signal. If the measured signal magnitude (e.g., the measured maximum peak-to-peak voltage of a sample of the received signal at the beacon frequency) exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., a predetermined amount above the wireless power signal level or other baseline amount), the control circuit may conclude that a beacon signal is present.

[0043] In a second embodiment, the radio frequency receiver circuit of device 10C or device 10D uses a receiving structure (e.g., shared antenna(s), separate antenna(s), shared wireless power receiving coil(s), coil(s) shared between wireless power transmitting and wireless signal receiving operations, or separate coil(s)) and associated radio frequency signal peak detector to monitor for signals at the beacon frequency characterized by a magnitude exceeding a predetermined threshold (e.g., a predetermined peak voltage). If desired, a band pass filter may be coupled in series between the antenna and the peak detector. The band pass filter may be configured to block all signals except those within a possible range of the beacon signal frequency. For example, signals in the range of 100-145 kHz may pass through the band pass filter, which may have a first pass band at 125 kHz (to correspond to a 125 kHz beacon) and a second pass band at 134 kHz (to correspond to a 134 kHz beacon), and / or may be otherwise configured to reject signals other than those at the beacon frequency. When a beacon is transmitted, the peak detector detects a radio signal exceeding a predetermined threshold and in response to detecting that the peak signal strength at the beacon frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold (a predetermined peak voltage), it can be concluded that a beacon signal is being transmitted.

[0044] In a second embodiment, if a beacon is detected, peak detection circuitry (e.g., an antenna and associated peak detector of device 10C, device 10D, or other circuitry within system 8) may conclude that it is near system 100. For example, in response to detecting a beacon from system 100 using an antenna and high frequency peak detector in device 10C or device 10D that is sensitive to radio signals in the 100-145 kHz range, device 10C or device 10D may conclude that device 10C or device 10D is within radio beacon range of vehicle 10A and system 100. Because circuit 102 is within or near vehicle 10A, device 10C and / or device 10D may conclude based on detection of the beacon that device 10C and / or device 10D is sufficiently close to circuit 100 and circuit 102 of vehicle 10A that there is a risk that the transmission of wireless power from circuit 102 to circuit 106 will interfere with the wireless beacon signal (thereby preventing adequate reception of the wireless beacon signal by key 10B).

[0045] In embodiment 3, which may be referred to as an indirect detection technique, information about whether there is an interference risk is gathered by monitoring for conditions that suggest that device 10C is near vehicle 10A. When device 10C is near vehicle 10A, circuit 102 may be within range of circuit 106. As a result, wireless power transmissions may generate high frequency wireless power signals that interfere with reception of beacons from system 100 by key 10B.

[0046] In a first exemplary arrangement for the third embodiment, the position of vehicle 10A may be monitored (e.g., using satellite navigation system circuitry such as global positioning system receiver 82 of FIG. 2 in device 10C). Whenever a user parks vehicle 10A, the speed of the vehicle is reduced from a speed associated with vehicle movement to zero, indicating that the vehicle is parked. By monitoring the speed of receiver 82, control circuitry (e.g., control circuitry in system 8, such as control circuitry in device 10C and / or in other parts of system 8) can determine when vehicle 10A is parked and, from the position collected by receiver 82, can determine the location at which vehicle 10A is parked. Control circuitry of system 8 (e.g., control circuitry in device 10C) can maintain vehicle parked position information indicating the location at which vehicle 10A is parked. During subsequent operation of device 10C, satellite navigation system circuitry such as global positioning system receiver 82 of FIG. 2 monitors the position of device 10C (e.g., when a user leaves vehicle 10A and travels on foot). The control circuitry of the device 10C and / or other control circuitry of the system 8 may periodically compare the known location of the user's parked vehicle (vehicle 10A) with the known location of the user (known location of device 10C). If it is determined that the device 10C is far away from the vehicle 10A, it may be concluded that there is no risk of wireless power reception by the device 10C interfering with a beacon being transmitted by the vehicle 10A to the key 10B. However, in response to determining that the device 10C has returned to the vicinity of the vehicle 10A, it may be concluded that there is a risk of wireless power reception by the device 10C interfering with a beacon being transmitted by the vehicle 10A to the key 10B.

[0047] In a second exemplary arrangement for the third embodiment, control circuitry in system 8, such as control circuitry in device 10C, can monitor the communication link that device 10C has established with vehicle 10A (e.g., by monitoring communications circuitry in device 10C, such as communications circuitry 54 in FIG. 2, to determine whether device 10C has paired with vehicle 10A). If any short-range wireless communication link (e.g., a short-range personal area network link such as a Bluetooth® link, a wireless local area network link such as an IEEE 802.11 link, or other wireless communication link to support wireless operation in which the capabilities of device 10C are shared with vehicle 10A, such as Apple CarPlay® operation, a short-range communication link at a frequency of 13.56 MHz or other suitable short-range communication frequency, or other short-range wireless link that wirelessly pairs device 10C with vehicle 10A) is established between device 10C and vehicle 10A, and / or if device 10C is paired with vehicle 10A by establishing a wired communication link (e.g., to support wired operation in which the capabilities of device 10C are shared with vehicle 10A, such as wired Apple CarPlay® function), it may be concluded that device 10C is in the vicinity of vehicle 10A (e.g., device 10C is within 20 m or other given short distance from vehicle 10A, and therefore an interference risk exists).

[0048] In a third exemplary arrangement for the third embodiment, control circuitry in system 8, such as control circuitry in device 10C, uses input / output devices (e.g., input / output devices such as sensor 80 and / or satellite navigation system circuitry such as global positioning system receiver 82) to determine when device 10C is located in or near a vehicle. In this scenario, the control circuitry can, by way of example, determine when device 10C is characterized by acceleration values, velocity values, and other parameters (e.g., parameters associated with automobile capabilities) that are within ranges of these parameters associated with vehicular movement. Consider speed as an example. A user typically walks or runs at speeds less than 10 miles per hour. Thus, the user may be in a moving vehicle when the user is experiencing speeds greater than 10 miles per hour. Similarly, acceleration values ​​having predetermined characteristics are associated with acceleration values ​​characterized by vehicular movement (e.g., greater than a predetermined minimum acceleration value and less than a predetermined maximum acceleration value, and changes in acceleration values ​​over time within a predetermined range (due to vehicular movement along the roadway). If desired, the control circuitry can determine whether the user is located on and / or moving along the roadway (e.g., using map data and satellite navigation system position and / or speed information). Thus, using input / output devices within device 10 (e.g., accelerometers, other inertial measurement unit circuitry, satellite navigation system circuitry, and / or other circuitry), the movement, orientation, and / or position of device 10C can be analyzed to determine whether device 10C is experiencing characteristics indicative of vehicular movement and therefore may be within vehicle 10A. Techniques such as these techniques can also be used to determine when a user has parked their car and is still within 20 meters or other short distance of the car (e.g., by measuring how many steps the user has taken after parking).

[0049] Any one or more of these example interference risk detection techniques and / or other suitable interference risk detection techniques may be used to detect interference risk and may be used in conjunction with any one or more suitable interference mitigation techniques.

[0050] An exemplary interference mitigation technique that may be used in system 8 includes modifying the transmission of wireless power signals between circuit 102 and circuit 106 to help prevent the wireless power signals from blocking reception by key 10B of a beacon being transmitted by system 100.

[0051] In a first exemplary embodiment, control circuitry in device 10C, control circuitry in device 10A, and / or other control circuitry in system 8 can automatically cease wireless power transmission operations to prevent wireless power signals from interfering with beacons from system 100. For example, wireless power transmission circuitry 102 can be turned off in response to detecting an interference risk, such that wireless power signals are not transmitted by circuitry 102 (e.g., until the risk is no longer detected). Vehicle 10A and / or device 10C can turn off circuitry 102 in this manner. For example, device 10C can transmit a power adjustment command to circuitry 102 instructing circuitry 102 to reduce the magnitude of transmitted power to zero. Circuitry 102 can be turned off completely in this manner, or, if desired, circuitry 102 can be instructed to reduce the amount of transmitted power to a small, non-interfering level (e.g., less than 10% or less than 3% of the maximum wireless power transmission capacity of system 8, as an example). If desired, the user may be provided with an opportunity to manually turn off (or reduce) the power transmission. For example, the user may be provided with an on-screen option on the touch screen display of the device 10C, or the user may otherwise be prompted to input to confirm that the wireless power transmission should be stopped (or at least the amount of power transmitted should be reduced to a level that avoids interference or other adjustments made to avoid interference). The on-screen option may include a message such as "Wireless key operation may be affected by wireless power activity, press here to pause wireless power operation." Voice prompts, button options, and other input / output devices may be used to collect user input suggesting that the wireless power transmission should be turned off or otherwise reduced. A scenario in which the wireless power transmission is turned off to prevent interference allows the key 10B to be used to interrupt the wireless power transmission since it is used to operate the vehicle 10A but no wireless power signal is being transmitted.

[0052] In a second exemplary embodiment, the circuit 102 is instructed by the control circuitry of the system 8 to transmit the wireless power signal intermittently. As an example, the circuit 102 may be configured to alternate between a first operation mode and a second operation mode according to a given duty cycle (e.g., a duty cycle of 50%, at least 30%, less than 70%, etc.) when it is desired to perform interference mitigation. In the first operation mode, wireless power is transmitted (e.g., the wireless power transmission circuitry 102 is active and the wireless power reception circuitry 106 can receive the transmitted wireless power signal). During operation in the first operation mode, interference may be present. However, in the second operation mode, the wireless power transmission circuitry 102 reduces or completely stops wireless power transmission to prevent interference. By selecting an appropriate duty cycle, the beacon may be received by the key 10B during the second period. For example, a suitable duty cycle provides that the second period is sufficiently long relative to the alternating first period such that sufficient interference-free time is available for the remote keyless system to operate unhindered by the transmission of wireless power. The first and second periods may be, for example, 2.5 seconds long (or other suitable lengths, such as at least 2 seconds, at least 3 seconds, periods less than 5 seconds, etc.). This length of time (e.g., 2.5 seconds) for the second period is sufficient for the vehicle remote keyless system to complete handshaking operations (typically taking about 30-200 ms) and accommodate the polling interval (e.g., which may be 500 ms for some vehicles, 2000 ms for other vehicles, etc.) used by the vehicle in transmitting the beacon. In an exemplary configuration, the duty cycle may be variable, i.e., the off-time may vary between 250 ms and 2500 ms. An arrangement in which the duty cycle is fixed (e.g., the off-time has a fixed value between 250 ms and 2500 ms) may also be used.A suitable duty cycle provides that the second period is not so long (e.g., no circulating current drain) that wireless power operation must be fully resumed, so that as the wireless power transmitter and receiver continue to operate on-board the vehicle, a significant amount of wireless power is transmitted between circuitry 102 and circuitry 106 to support operation of the receiving device over the course of the duty cycle. Thus, this second exemplary embodiment allows remote keyless system operation and wireless power transmission operation to coexist.

[0053] In a third exemplary embodiment, the interference mitigation operation includes adjusting a parameter associated with the AC drive signal used by the inverter 66 to drive a signal to the coil(s) 68 (FIG. 2). The AC drive signal may be, for example, an AC waveform having a frequency f. A first example of a parameter that may be adjusted to reduce interference is the shape of the waveform used for the AC drive signal and the resulting wireless power signal (e.g., a pulse train having pulses of a particular duty cycle, whether the waveform is a square wave, a sinusoidal signal, a symmetrical or asymmetrical waveform having another shape, and / or other modification of the shape of the current signal flowing through the coil(s) 68 and the resulting wireless power signal transmitted by the circuit 102). A second example of a parameter that may be adjusted to reduce interference is the frequency f of the AC drive signal and the corresponding wireless power signal. The frequency f is in the frequency range of 110 kHz to 205 kHz (as an example). To prevent interference, frequency f may be shifted to a particular extreme of this range (e.g., 110 kHz or 205 kHz), may alternate between a first and second frequency within this range, may be repeatedly swept between a first and second frequency, may hop in a predetermined or random pattern between two or more different frequencies, and / or may be otherwise adjusted (e.g., to a frequency that is at least different than the beacon frequency and does not interfere with the beacon frequency). Although the wireless power transmission efficiency of system 8 may be reduced as a result of modifying the coil drive signal and the corresponding transmitted wireless power signal, due to the change in the waveform and / or frequency of the wireless power signal, interference problems may be reduced sufficiently to allow wireless power transmission to coexist with the remote keyless system beacon.

[0054] Any one or more of the example interference risk detection techniques described above may be used to detect an interference risk and may be used in conjunction with any one or more of the example interference mitigation techniques.

[0055] In a first implementation, interference is detected using synchronous detection and mitigated by automatically ceasing wireless power transmission operations.

[0056] In a second implementation, interference is detected using synchronous detection and mitigated by intermittently transmitting a wireless power signal.

[0057] In a third implementation, interference is detected using synchronous detection and mitigated by adjusting the waveform of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0058] In a fourth implementation, interference is detected using synchronous detection and mitigated by adjusting the frequency of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0059] In a fifth implementation, interference is detected using asynchronous detection and mitigated by automatically ceasing wireless power transmission operations.

[0060] In a sixth implementation, interference is detected using asynchronous detection and mitigated by intermittently transmitting the wireless power signal.

[0061] In a seventh implementation, interference is detected using asynchronous detection and mitigated by adjusting the waveform of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0062] In an eighth implementation, interference is detected using asynchronous detection and mitigated by adjusting the frequency of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0063] In a ninth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a wireless receiver detects a key code and is mitigated by automatically ceasing wireless power transmission operations.

[0064] In a tenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a wireless receiver detects a key code, and is mitigated by intermittently transmitting a wireless power signal.

[0065] In an eleventh implementation, the interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a radio receiver detects a key code, and is mitigated by adjusting the waveform of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0066] In a twelfth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a radio receiver detects a key code, and is mitigated by adjusting the frequency of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0067] In a thirteenth implementation, interference is detected using indirect detection techniques based on location monitoring and mitigated by automatically ceasing wireless power transmission operations.

[0068] In a fourteenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique based on location monitoring and mitigated by intermittently transmitting wireless power signals.

[0069] In a fifteenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique based on position monitoring and mitigated by adjusting the waveform of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0070] In a sixteenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique based on position monitoring and mitigated by adjusting the frequency of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0071] In a seventeenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a control circuit monitors a communication link established by the device with the vehicle and is mitigated by automatically ceasing wireless power transmission operations.

[0072] In an eighteenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a control circuit monitors a communication link established by the device with the vehicle and is mitigated by intermittently transmitting a wireless power signal.

[0073] In a nineteenth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a control circuit monitors a communication link established with the vehicle by the device, and is mitigated by adjusting the waveform of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0074] In a twentieth implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which a control circuit monitors a communication link established with the vehicle by the device, and is mitigated by adjusting the frequency of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0075] In a 21st implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which input / output circuitry is used to determine when a device is located within a vehicle and is mitigated by automatically ceasing wireless power transmission operations.

[0076] In a 22nd implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which input / output circuitry is used to determine when the device is located within the vehicle and is mitigated by intermittently transmitting a wireless power signal.

[0077] In a 23rd implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which input / output circuitry is used to determine when the device is located within the vehicle and is mitigated by adjusting the waveform of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0078] In a 24th implementation, interference is detected using an indirect detection technique in which input / output circuitry is used to determine when the device is located within the vehicle and is mitigated by adjusting the frequency of the AC drive signal used by the inverter.

[0079] In a 25th implementation, interference is detected using synchronous detection and mitigated by prompting the user for input and coordinating ceasing wireless power transmission operations in response to the user input.

[0080] In a 26th implementation, interference is detected using asynchronous detection and mitigated by prompting the user for input and coordinating ceasing wireless power transmission operations in response to the user input.

[0081] In a 27th implementation, interference is detected using indirect detection and mitigated by prompting the user for input and coordinating ceasing wireless power transmission operations in response to the user input.

[0082] The foregoing describes techniques that use data communication in the context of power transfer operations. It is contemplated in this disclosure that it may be desirable for the power transmitter and receiver circuits to communicate information such as state of charge, charging rate, power transfer level, and other wireless power transmission settings to control power transfer. The above techniques do not need to include the use of personally identifiable information to function. To the extent that implementations of this charging technology include the use of personally identifiable information, implementers should follow generally recognized privacy policies and practices that meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled to minimize the risk of unintended or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to the user.

[0083] According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device configured to transmit wireless power to a wireless power receiving circuit in a wireless power receiving device in or near a vehicle having a vehicle remote keyless system configured to transmit a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to a key and receive a wireless key signal from the key, the electronic device including: the wireless power transmitting circuit configured to transmit a wireless power signal to the wireless power receiving circuit to charge a battery in the wireless power receiving device; and control circuitry configured to detect a condition indicating that transmission of the wireless power signal will cause interference with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and to mitigate the interference in response to detecting the condition.

[0084] According to another embodiment, the wireless power transmission circuit includes a wireless power transmission coil, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition using the wireless power transmission coil.

[0085] According to another embodiment, an electronic device includes a radio circuit including a peak detector configured to use a wireless power transmit coil to measure a peak wireless signal magnitude at a beacon frequency associated with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and a control circuit configured to detect a condition based on the measured peak wireless signal magnitude at the beacon frequency.

[0086] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a frequency-tuned receiver, and the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition by using the frequency-tuned receiver to receive a signal with the wireless power transmitting coil.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and the control circuit is configured to detect a condition based on the received vehicle remote keyless system beacon.

[0088] According to another embodiment, the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 100 and 145 kHz.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a wireless key signal transmitted by the key, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition based on the received wireless key signal.

[0090] According to another embodiment, the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the wireless power transmission circuit includes a wireless power transmission coil, the circuit further includes an antenna separate from the wireless power transmission coil, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition using the antenna.

[0092] According to another embodiment, an electronic device includes a radio circuit including a peak detector configured to use an antenna to measure a peak radio signal magnitude at a beacon frequency associated with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and a control circuit configured to detect a condition based on the measured peak radio signal magnitude at the beacon frequency.

[0093] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a frequency-tuned receiver, and the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition by using the frequency-tuned receiver to receive a signal with an antenna.

[0094] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and the control circuit is configured to detect a condition based on the received vehicle remote keyless system beacon.

[0095] According to another embodiment, the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 100 and 145 kHz.

[0096] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a wireless key signal transmitted by the key, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition based on the received wireless key signal.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by causing the wireless power transmission circuit to alternately adjust the wireless power transmission between a first mode and a second mode according to a duty cycle, where a given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the first mode and less than the given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the second mode.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the wireless power signal has a first frequency and the vehicle remote keyless system signal has a second frequency, and the control circuitry is configured to mitigate interference by causing the wireless power transmission circuitry to adjust the first frequency to be different than the second frequency in response to detecting the condition.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by causing the wireless power transmitting circuitry to cease transmitting a wireless power signal to the wireless power receiving circuitry.

[0101] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to mitigate interference by adjusting the wireless power transmission by prompting user input and ceasing transmission of the wireless power signal in response to the user input.

[0102] According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device configured to transmit wireless power to a wireless power receiving circuit in a wireless power receiving device in or near a vehicle having a vehicle remote keyless system configured to transmit a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to a key and receive a wireless key signal from the key, the electronic device including: the wireless power transmitting circuit configured to transmit a wireless power signal to the wireless power receiving circuit to charge a battery in the wireless power receiving device; and control circuitry configured to detect a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system indicating that transmission of the wireless power signal will cause interference with the vehicle remote keyless system beacon, and mitigating the interference in response to detecting the condition.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by alternating between a first mode and a second mode according to a duty cycle, where a given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the first mode and less than the given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the second mode.

[0104] According to another embodiment, the wireless power signal has a first frequency and the vehicle remote keyless system signal has a second frequency, and the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by adjusting the first frequency to be different than the second frequency in response to detecting the condition.

[0105] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by ceasing transmission of a wireless power signal between the wireless power transmitting circuit and the wireless power receiving circuit.

[0106] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to mitigate interference by adjusting transmission of the wireless power signal by prompting user input and ceasing transmission of the wireless power signal in response to the user input.

[0107] According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device configured to receive wireless power from a wireless power transmission circuit in or near a vehicle having a vehicle remote keyless system configured to transmit a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to a key and receive a wireless key signal from the key, the electronic device including: a wireless power receiving circuit configured to receive the wireless power signal from the wireless power transmission circuit; and a control circuit configured to detect a condition indicating that transmission of the wireless power signal will cause interference with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and to mitigate the interference in response to detecting the condition.

[0108] According to another embodiment, the wireless power receiving circuit includes a wireless power receiving coil, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition using the wireless power receiving coil.

[0109] According to another embodiment, an electronic device includes a radio circuit including a peak detector configured to use a wireless power receiving coil to measure a peak wireless signal magnitude at a beacon frequency associated with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and a control circuit configured to detect a condition based on the measured peak wireless signal magnitude at the beacon frequency.

[0110] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a frequency-tuned receiver, and the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition by using the frequency-tuned receiver to receive a signal with a wireless power receiving coil.

[0111] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, the control circuit is configured to detect a condition based on the received vehicle remote keyless system beacon, and the receiver is tuned to a frequency of 100 to 145 kHz.

[0112] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a wireless key signal transmitted by the key, and the control circuit is configured to detect a state based on the received wireless key signal, and the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 300 and 1000 MHz.

[0113] According to another embodiment, the wireless power receiving circuit includes a wireless power receiving coil, the circuit further includes an antenna separate from the wireless power receiving coil, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition using the antenna.

[0114] According to another embodiment, an electronic device includes a radio circuit including a peak detector configured to use an antenna to measure a peak radio signal magnitude at a beacon frequency associated with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and a control circuit configured to detect a condition based on the measured peak radio signal magnitude at the beacon frequency.

[0115] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a frequency-tuned receiver and a control circuit configured to detect a condition by using the frequency-tuned receiver to receive a signal with an antenna, the receiver configured to receive a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, and the control circuit configured to detect a condition based on the received vehicle remote keyless system beacon, and the receiver is tuned to a frequency of 100 to 145 kHz.

[0116] According to another embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a wireless key signal transmitted by the key, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition based on the received wireless key signal.

[0117] According to another embodiment, the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz.

[0118] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition that causes the wireless power transmission circuit to adjust transmission of the wireless power signal alternately between a first mode and a second mode according to a duty cycle, wherein a given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the first mode and less than the given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the second mode.

[0119] According to another embodiment, the wireless power signal has a first frequency and the vehicle remote keyless system signal has a second frequency, and the control circuitry is configured to mitigate interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuitry in response to detecting the condition to cause the wireless power transmission circuitry to tune the first frequency different than the second frequency.

[0120] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition, causing the wireless power transmission circuit to stop transmitting a wireless power signal between the wireless power transmission circuit and the wireless power receiving circuit.

[0121] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate the interference by prompting a user input in response to detecting the condition, and by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to the user input causing the wireless power transmission circuit to cease transmitting the wireless power signal.

[0122] According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device configured to receive wireless power from a wireless power transmission circuit in or near a vehicle having a vehicle remote keyless system configured to transmit a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to a key and receive a wireless key signal from the key, the electronic device including: a battery; a wireless power receiving circuit configured to receive a wireless power signal from the wireless power transmission circuit to charge the battery; and control circuitry configured to detect a condition indicating that transmission of the wireless power signal will cause interference with a vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system and to mitigate the interference in response to detecting the condition.

[0123] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes satellite navigation system circuitry configured to collect location information, and the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition using the location information.

[0124] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to store a vehicle parked position collected by the satellite navigation system circuitry in response to parking the vehicle, and detect the condition by comparing a current position collected by the satellite navigation system circuitry to the vehicle parked position.

[0125] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a radio transceiver circuit configured to wirelessly pair with a radio circuit in the vehicle, and the control circuit is configured to detect the condition by determining when the radio transceiver circuit is wirelessly paired with the radio circuit in the vehicle.

[0126] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an inertial measurement unit, and the control circuit includes the inertial measurement unit configured to detect the state by using the inertial measurement unit to detect motion representative of vehicle movement.

[0127] According to another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to mitigate interference by adjusting transmission of the wireless power signal by prompting user input and adjusting the transmission of the wireless power signal in response to the user input.

[0128] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition that causes the wireless power transmission circuit to adjust transmission of the wireless power signal alternately between a first mode and a second mode according to a duty cycle, wherein a given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the first mode and less than the given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the second mode.

[0129] According to another embodiment, the wireless power signal has a first frequency and the vehicle remote keyless system signal has a second frequency, and the control circuitry is configured to mitigate interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuitry in response to detecting the condition to cause the wireless power transmission circuitry to tune the first frequency different than the second frequency.

[0130] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition, causing the wireless power transmission circuit to stop transmitting a wireless power signal between the wireless power transmission circuit and the wireless power receiving circuit.

[0131] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to mitigate the interference by prompting a user input in response to detecting the condition, and by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to the user input causing the wireless power transmission circuit to cease transmitting the wireless power signal.

[0132] The foregoing is merely exemplary and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. 1. An electronic device configured to receive wireless power from a wireless power transmission circuit in or near a vehicle having a vehicle remote keyless system configured to transmit a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to a key and to receive a wireless key signal from the key, the electronic device comprising: a wireless power receiving circuit configured to receive a wireless power signal from the wireless power transmitting circuit; detecting a condition indicating that transmission of the wireless power signal will cause interference with the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system; mitigating the interference in response to detecting the condition. A control circuit configured as above; An electronic device comprising:

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless power receiving circuitry includes a wireless power receiving coil, and the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition using the wireless power receiving coil.

3. The electronic device comprises:

3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising: a radio circuit including a peak detector configured to use the wireless power receiving coil to measure a peak radio signal magnitude at a beacon frequency associated with the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, the control circuit configured to detect the condition based on the measured peak radio signal magnitude at the beacon frequency.

4. The electronic device comprises:

3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising a receiver tuned to a frequency, the control circuitry configured to detect the condition by using the receiver tuned to the frequency to receive a signal at the wireless power receiving coil.

5. 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, the control circuit is configured to detect the condition based on the received vehicle remote keyless system beacon, and the receiver is tuned to a frequency of 100 to 145 kHz.

6. 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the wireless key signal transmitted by the key, the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition based on the received wireless key signal, and the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz.

7. 10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power receiving circuitry includes a wireless power receiving coil, the circuitry further comprising an antenna separate from the wireless power receiving coil, and the control circuitry configured to detect the condition using the antenna.

8. The electronic device comprises:

8. The electronic device of claim 7, further comprising: a radio circuit including a peak detector configured to use the antenna to measure a peak radio signal magnitude at a beacon frequency associated with the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, the control circuit configured to detect the condition based on the measured peak radio signal magnitude at the beacon frequency.

9. The electronic device comprises:

8. The electronic device of claim 7, further comprising a receiver tuned to a frequency, the control circuitry configured to detect the condition by using the receiver tuned to the frequency to receive a signal at the antenna, the receiver configured to receive the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system, the control circuitry configured to detect the condition based on the received vehicle remote keyless system beacon, and the receiver is tuned to a frequency of 100 to 145 kHz.

10. 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the wireless key signal transmitted by the key, and the control circuitry is configured to detect the condition based on the received wireless key signal.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the receiver is tuned to a frequency between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz.

12. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition that causes the wireless power transmission circuit to adjust the transmission of the wireless power signal alternately between a first mode and a second mode according to a duty cycle, wherein a given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the first mode and less than the given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the second mode.

13. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal has a first frequency and the vehicle remote keyless system signal has a second frequency, and the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuitry in response to detecting the condition to cause the wireless power transmission circuitry to tune the first frequency different than the second frequency.

14. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition, causing the wireless power transmission circuit to stop transmitting the wireless power signal between the wireless power transmission circuit and the wireless power receiving circuit.

15. 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by prompting a user input in response to detecting the condition, and by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuitry in response to the user input to cause the wireless power transmission circuitry to cease transmitting the wireless power signal.

16. 1. An electronic device configured to receive wireless power from a wireless power transmission circuit in or near a vehicle having a vehicle remote keyless system configured to transmit a vehicle remote keyless system beacon to a key and to receive a wireless key signal from the key, the electronic device comprising: A battery; a wireless power receiving circuit configured to receive a wireless power signal from the wireless power transmitting circuit to charge the battery; detecting a condition indicating that transmission of the wireless power signal will cause interference with the vehicle remote keyless system beacon transmitted by the vehicle remote keyless system; mitigating the interference in response to detecting the condition. A control circuit configured as above; An electronic device comprising:

17. The electronic device comprises:

17. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising satellite navigation system circuitry configured to collect location information, the control circuitry configured to detect the condition using the location information.

18. The control circuit, storing a vehicle parked location collected by said satellite navigation system circuitry in response to parking said vehicle; detecting said condition by comparing a current location collected by said satellite navigation system circuitry with said vehicle parked location; 20. The electronic device of claim 17, configured as follows:

19. The electronic device comprises:

17. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising a wireless transceiver circuit configured to wirelessly pair with a wireless circuit in the vehicle, and wherein the control circuit is configured to detect the condition by determining when the wireless transceiver circuit is wirelessly paired with the wireless circuit in the vehicle.

20. The electronic device comprises:

17. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising an inertial measurement unit, the control circuitry configured to detect the condition by using the inertial measurement unit to detect motion representative of vehicle movement.

21. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by adjusting transmission of the wireless power signal by prompting for user input and adjusting the transmission of the wireless power signal in response to the user input.

22. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition that causes the wireless power transmission circuit to adjust the transmission of the wireless power signal alternately between a first mode and a second mode according to a duty cycle, wherein a given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the first mode and less than the given amount of power is transmitted by the wireless power transmission circuit in the second mode.

23. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the wireless power signal has a first frequency and the vehicle remote keyless system signal has a second frequency, and the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuitry in response to detecting the condition to cause the wireless power transmission circuitry to tune the first frequency different than the second frequency.

24. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuit in response to detecting the condition, causing the wireless power transmission circuit to stop transmitting the wireless power signal between the wireless power transmission circuit and the wireless power receiving circuit.

25. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry is configured to mitigate the interference by prompting a user input in response to detecting the condition, and by sending a command to the wireless power transmission circuitry in response to the user input causing the wireless power transmission circuitry to cease transmitting the wireless power signal.

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