Wireless Power Distribution System

Abstract

A system for transmitting power into a space is provided. The transmission system includes one or more transmitters and several portable receivers capable of receiving the transmitted power. The receivers transmit data back to the transmitter regarding their power needs based on their battery charge state. A transmission protocol exists for each transmitter to detect legitimate receivers within its field of view and transmit a first amount of energy to one of the receivers. The receiver reports receipt of the energy to the transmitter along with data related to its power needs. The transmitters can deny power transmission to some of the receivers based on data received from the reporting receivers. The transmitted first amount of energy is used to wake up sleeping receivers before transmitting a useful amount of power, if allowed by the protocol.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wireless power beaming, with particular application to use in laser-based transmission systems for beaming optical power to portable electronic devices in domestic environments. [Background technology]

[0002] There has long been a need for transmitting power to remote locations without the need for a physical wired connection. This need has become important over the past few decades with the popularity of portable electronic devices that operate from batteries that require periodic recharging. Such portable applications include mobile phones, laptop computers, vehicles, toys, wearable devices, and hearing aids. Currently, the capacity of modern batteries and the typical battery usage of an intensively used smartphone can require more than one charge per day, making the need for remote wireless battery recharging important.

[0003] Battery technology has a long history and is still evolving. In 1748, Benjamin Franklin described the first battery, made from a Leyden jar. This was the first power source and resembled a cannon battery (hence the name). Later, in 1800, Volta invented the remarkably portable copper-zinc battery. The first rechargeable battery, the lead-acid battery, was invented by Gaston Plante in 1859. Since then, the energy density of secondary batteries has increased approximately eightfold and continues to increase. Figure 1 in U.S. Pat. No. 9,312,701 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), which shares a common inventor with this application, shows the energy densities, in both gravimetric and volumetric terms, of various rechargeable battery chemistries, from the original lead-acid chemistry to today's lithium-based and zinc-air chemistries. At the same time, the power consumed by portable electronic and electrical devices has reached a point where several full battery charges are required daily for recharging.

[0004] Nearly a century after the invention of the battery, between 1870 and 1910, Tesla attempted to transmit power over long distances using electromagnetic waves. Since then, many attempts have been made to safely transmit power to remote locations, which can advantageously be characterized by distances significantly greater than the size of the transmitting or receiving device. This ranges from NASA, with its SHARP (Stationary High Altitude Relay Platform) project in the 1980s, to Marin Soljačić, who experimented with a Tesla-like system in 2007.

[0005] However, to date, there are only three commercially available technologies that can wirelessly and safely transmit power to portable devices: 1. Magnetic induction: typically limited to a range of just a few mm. 2. Solar cells: When illuminated by sunlight or by artificial lighting at levels available in a normally safely lit room, they cannot produce more than 0.1 watts of power for a battery sized appropriately for a mobile phone. 3. Energy harvesting techniques: These convert RF waves into usable energy, but currently cannot operate at powers above 0.01W due to health safety and FCC regulations that limit the transmission of RF signals.

[0006] At the same time, typical batteries in portable electronic devices have capacities of 1 to 100 watt-hours and typically require daily charging, resulting in the need for fairly high levels of power transfer over fairly long ranges.

[0007] Some attempts have been made to transmit power in residential environments using collimated or substantially collimated electromagnetic waves, however, mass-market commercial viability of such products is currently limited, primarily due to the problems outlined in the following paragraphs.

[0008] One of the problems hindering the adoption of such wireless power solutions is their inability to support a large number of clients. Such wireless power solutions typically cover a certain volume (sometimes known as a field of view or FOV) around a transmitter that can charge a receiver. As the range of such wireless power supply systems increases, the potential number of clients within the field of view increases, and there may be different types of clients. In an environment where many clients are powered by a single transmitter, there is a need to optimize the transmission of power to ensure maximum performance, improve efficiency, and prevent the delivery of too much or too little power to a client. In addition, there is also the goal of economic benefit from such power transmission.

[0009] Prior art typically ignores this problem or provides limited solutions that do not encompass the full scope of the problem and are not suitable for commercial systems that support different types of clients with different and changing needs.

[0010] Another problem with the prior art can arise in environments where the fields of view of multiple transmitters spatially overlap: a receiver placed within such overlapping fields of view can receive power from more than one transmitter, potentially providing more power than it can handle.

[0011] The prior art also does not provide a method for verifying the authenticity of a receiver. A fraudulent receiver may pose a safety hazard because it may not be equipped to safely handle the light or power being supplied. What is needed is a method for a transmitter to verify the authenticity and security of the receiver to which it is transmitting.

[0012] Many prior art receivers also do not allow for a zero energy shutoff mode, and this deficiency can result in unnecessary drain on the battery when a transmitter is absent. This occurs because in such prior art systems the receiver must periodically query for the presence of accessible transmitters, and if none are available in the vicinity, this continuous and periodic query represents a continuous drain on power from the receiver.

[0013] One example of this can be found in U.S. Patent No. 8,525,097, a "Wireless Laser Power Transmitter" with a co-inventor, where the receiver must apply heat to create a thermal lens on the element to initiate charging. Other examples can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,159,364, 8,446,248, and 8,410,953, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0207604, all of which contain relevant references in which the algorithm for establishing a link between a receiver and a transmitter begins with the sentence, "An example algorithm for the control logic 310 for the system 100a might be as follows: (1) The power receiver 330 can use the communication channel 110a to announce its presence to any nearby transmitters 330a."

[0014] Thus, there exists an unmet need for portable electronic devices, which are typically equipped with rechargeable batteries, to safely transfer power over ranges of several meters or more. The system also needs to enable a true zero-energy shutdown mode without draining the battery, while maintaining the ability to detect legitimate receivers.

[0015] The disclosures of each publication mentioned in this section and other sections of the specification are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Summary of the Invention

[0016] One exemplary embodiment of the system described in this disclosure includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, where the at least one transmitter is capable of transmitting power to a subset of the receivers and detecting multiple receivers in a scanning function, and the at least one receiver is capable of receiving power and / or transmitting a minimum identification (ID) transmitter using energy less than a first minimum level of energy provided by the transmitter when the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver are within mutual line of sight of each other. The "first minimum level of energy provided by the transmitter" is understood to mean that the receiver's battery does not suffer a constant loss of charge while searching for a transmitter that may not be present, as occurs in prior art systems. This is because the receiver will always receive more energy from a transmitter requesting its ID transmission than is spent on the ID transmission, and does not need to expend energy before the first minimum level of energy is received. This initial energy consumption typically provides an energy budget for purposes of waking up the receiver, detecting that an actual trigger has been received, performing a quick system analysis, and transmitting an initial message.

[0017] The minimum ID transmitter should contain two parts: one part defines the receiver's identifier, and the other part defines both the energy requirements that need to be received from the transmitter and the receiver's capabilities to accept and process the energy that can be received from the transmitter. Further details are provided later in this disclosure. The transmitter may be able to determine some values ​​from knowledge of the receiver's characteristics, where the identifier or model number is known. For example, the transmitter may be programmed to interpret a given model as having a given aperture and power handling capability, even if these values ​​are not specifically detailed in the minimum ID transmitter.

[0018] Such a "handshaking" process has several additional advantages. For example, each transmitter can provide power up to a certain maximum power capability that depends on the transmitter's design and configuration, and each receiver can provide power, within certain limits, to its associated device, which may also have limitations in its ability to receive that power. One objective of the disclosed method is to establish a safe and efficient charging scheme that meets all the different requirements, both for the handshake procedure and for initiating power transmission, in a manner that is easy to implement.

[0019] The method described in this disclosure consists of several processes that can be performed sequentially or in parallel, where data is input and output from the transmitter to the receiver and from the receiver to the transmitter.

[0020] The first process is the scanning process. The scanning process is typically performed by the transmitter, and its purpose is to determine a list of receivers located within the field of view of each transmitter. Scanning can be performed by using a scanning beam or by using a predetermined communication process with the receiver, such as RF, ultrasonic, IR, manual input, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, Wifi® or TCP / IP, Z-wave®, Ant®, or any other suitable communication means. The scanner in the transmitter can operate continuously or intermittently and should be configured to detect and report the presence of in-range receivers.

[0021] The receiver may also be completely shut down so as not to consume energy when no power is being transmitted. When a receiver is detected, the transmitter may provide at least a first minimum energy to the receiver. The first minimum energy is predetermined to be sufficient to wake up the receiver and enable it to report its minimum ID (described later in this disclosure) to the transmitter via the aforementioned communication means or via a proxy server.

[0022] Although the method and system configurations described in this disclosure can be used with any form of wireless power transmission, such as RF, magnetic (where such ranges are practical), electromagnetic, or optical, this disclosure uses the use of optical power transmission as an example to illustrate various different aspects and implementations of the proposed method and system. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not meant to be limited to optically implemented power transmission, but rather is meant to cover any suitable power transmission system.

[0023] The transmitter can qualify the receiver as a "potentially legitimate receiver," i.e., a receiver that is likely to be guaranteed to be able to safely receive power by optical methods.

[0024] There are several such optical methods, some of which are listed below. 1. The receiver may be equipped with an identification pattern, such as a bar code or a unique structure, which can be verified by the transmitter either by scanning with a scanning beam or by using a camera and signal processing. 2. The receiver may include a special filter or set of filters that can transmit / block certain wavelengths that provide such identification data. 3. The receiver may comprise a hologram of a barcode or other unique pattern, or of several such barcodes or unique patterns, visible using different wavelengths that can be used to verify the receiver. 4. The receiver may possess other unique optical characteristics, such as identifiable reflectors that may include optical power levels, spatial patterns, patterns containing particular wavelengths, gloss patterns or haze, or other forms of identifiers, whether reflective, diffuse, or spectrally shifted patterns that allow the transmitter to identify them. 5. The receiver may be equipped with a retroreflector to reflect the illumination received from the transmitter back to the transmitter, and the reflection may be used as an identification pattern as in option 1 above.

[0025] After a receiver is detected, which may not be immediately, the transmitter may provide the detected receiver with at least the first minimum energy allocation described above, which is predetermined to be sufficient to allow the receiver to transmit a minimum ID back to the transmitter.

[0026] This may be in the form of a reflection of a particular optical pattern from the receiver, or in the form of a communication containing an identifier. Receiver After receiving the minimum ID from the transmitter, the transmitter determines the Initial Charging Requirement (ICR) for the receiver. The Initial Charging Requirement (ICR) may be based either on an internal database of the transmitter, an internal algorithm known to the transmitter, or data received from the receiver itself or from an external server.

[0027] The ICR may depend on one or more of, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Receiver ID 2. Receiver manufacturer ID 3. Receiver Model Identifier 4. Maximum average power that the receiver can handle 5. Minimum average power that the receiver can handle 6. Power channels available to the receiver, which may include data such as wavelengths to which the receiver is sensitive, power technologies to which the receiver is sensitive (e.g., RF, magnetic field, electric field, ultrasonic), transmission protocols, frequencies, duty cycles, payment methods, or combinations thereof. 7. Maximum instantaneous power that the receiver can handle 8. Minimum instantaneous power that the receiver can handle 9. Total energy received by the receiver and / or by the client device (the device the receiver powers, typically a mobile phone or other electronic circuitry that is not part of the receiver) 10. Maximum average optical power that the receiver can handle 11.Minimum average optical power that the receiver can handle 12. Maximum instantaneous optical power that the receiver can handle 13.Minimum instantaneous optical power that the receiver can handle 14. Receiver power conversion efficiency 15. Receiver status, which may include: a. Electricity demand b. Battery charging data (charging capacity, temperature) c. Energy used by the device d. Urgency indicator e.Available power source 16. Receiver classes, e.g., high priority, medium priority, low priority 17. Receiver clear aperture 18. Receiver field of view 19. For example, receivers intended for residential use may be limited to reduced power levels compared to industrial use, so the safety class required for the receiver 20. Receiver public key 21. Receiver address on the network 22. Data transmitted from a client of a receiver, the client being a unit capable of receiving the data. 23. Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) or other checksum data or error correcting code 24. Digital signature of the entire message.

[0028] The receiver can calculate a digital signature based on data received by the receiver from an external source and a private key that is preloaded on the receiver but not transmitted to it, which can be used to verify the device ID, manufacturer ID, and other data transmitted in the message.

[0029] The transmitter determines a transmission profile for each receiver based on data received from some or all of the multiple receivers. This can be done using one or more of the following methods: 1. Equal power supply to all clients, such that each client is scheduled to receive the same amount of transmit power, although the received power may differ due to different structures and operating conditions of different receivers. Such power is calculated based on the total amount of power that the transmitter can transmit (taking into account errors / scanning / movement between receivers) divided by the total number of receivers. 2. A first receiver requesting power may receive power according to the lesser of its power request and the maximum power transmission of the transmitter. 3. At the same time as random power transmission, remove clients whose power demands are met from the receiver candidate list. 4. Based on a profile received either internally, at the receiver, or from an external server.

[0030] The calculation of the power transmission profile may be based on at least one of the following: 1. The needs of each receiver 2. Power transmission capability between each transmitter and each receiver 3. Availability of different transmitters and different receivers 4. Power requirements of each receiver 5. The status of each receiver, including but not limited to battery capacity, charging capacity power needs, and subscriber payment information. 6. Pre-determined List 7. Identifier of each receiver 8.Safety of transmission to each receiver

[0031] In general, transmissions from a transmitter to a receiver are limited to the following minimum values: 1. Transmitter power transmission capability 2. Power receiving capacity of the receiver 3. Client power receiving capability 4.Safe Power Limit

[0032] A feedback loop may be provided between the receiver and the transmitter to continually update the receiver's status and revise the transmission schedule based on that status.

[0033] The transmission schedule may also be revised based on the addition of new receivers to the list, the removal of receivers from the list, the addition of new transmitters to the list, the removal of transmitters from the list, and changes in other parameters such as time, environmental conditions, receiver locations, and safety requirements.

[0034] Thus, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the devices described in this disclosure, a system for transmitting power into a remote volume is provided, the system comprising: (i) at least one transmitter having a field of view, the at least one transmitter being capable of receiving data transmitted from the field of view to the at least one transmitter; (ii) at least one receiver capable of receiving energy from the at least one transmitter and transmitting data back to the at least one transmitter; Including, the at least one transmitter is configured to detect a plurality of receivers within its field of view and securely transmit a first amount of energy to at least one of the plurality of receivers; the at least one receiver configured to receive a first amount of energy from the at least one transmitter and to respond to the at least one transmitter with a data transmission; The at least one transmitter is configured to deny transmitting power to some of the plurality of receivers based on data received from the at least one receiver.

[0035] In such systems, at least one receiver may have an identification pattern that the transmitter can detect to verify the receiver as a potentially legitimate receiver. In such cases, the identification pattern may be optical. In either of these situations, the identification pattern results from retroreflection from at least one receiver.

[0036] Additionally, in any of the above-described systems, at least one of the plurality of receivers may include at least one filter that enables the receiver to receive power from a transmitter that matches the characteristics of the at least one filter.

[0037] According to another implementation of the above-described system, at least one transmitter may be adapted to transmit a level of power to at least one of the plurality of receivers that is lower than the power reception capability of the receiver, lower than the power reception capability of a power client of the receiver, and lower than the maximum safe power transmission limit of the transmitter.

[0038] Additionally, the transmitter may be adapted to determine a transmission profile of the power to be transmitted based on data received from at least one of the plurality of receivers, where the transmission profile may be generated from an algorithm processed in the at least one transmitter or in a device in communication with the transmitter.

[0039] In further implementations of the systems of the present disclosure, the at least one transmitter may be at least two transmitters, and at least one of the receivers is adapted to report its power needs to both, i.e., all, of the at least two transmitters, so that the sum of all requested power needs does not exceed the maximum power handling capability of the receiver. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0041] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary power transmission system including a number of transmitters and a number of receivers. [Figure 2]1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for configuring interaction between two transmitters and a single receiver according to a 1x1 pairing method that includes automatic selection of the transmitter by the receiver. [Figure 3] 10 is a flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for configuring interaction between two transmitters and a single receiver according to different communication and operation protocols that result in automatic selection of the transmitter by the receiver. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for configuring interactions between a single receiver and multiple senders, where decisions are made by one of the senders or by an external server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Reference is now made to Figure 1, which shows one exemplary configuration of a system incorporating a pair of transmitters 1 and 2 and a number of receivers 3 to 8. Some of these receivers are Transmitter One or the other of Transmitter Some of these receivers can receive power from both Transmitter It can receive power from Transmitter 1 includes a controller 13 , a scanner 10 , a power beam source 11 and a communication unit 12 , and transmitter 2 includes a controller 23 , a scanner 20 , a power beam source 21 and a communication unit 22 .

[0043] In the first stage of operation, transmitter 1 scans its field of view and detects receivers 3, 4, 5 and 6. In this example scenario, receivers 7 and 8, which are outside the field of view, are not detected because they are blocked by receiver 4.

[0044] When transmitter 1 detects receivers 3, 4, 5, and 6, it provides each with a first minimum energy allocation. Providing each receiver with a first minimum energy allocation wakes them up and transmits an ID transmitter using the communications modules 17-3, 17-4, 17-5, and 17-6 embedded within each receiver. The ID transmitter typically consists of the following partial set of data, generally divided into two parts: one part relating to the receiver's own identifier and the other part relating to the receiver's ability to receive and use the energy beamed from the transmitter. Obviously, the receiver ID itself also includes some energy performance data related to the characteristics of that type of receiver. Other data not listed here may also be included: 1. Receiver ID 2. Receiver manufacturer ID 3. Receiver Model Identifier 4. Maximum average power that the receiver can handle 5. Minimum average power that the receiver can handle 6. Power channels available to the receiver 7. Maximum instantaneous power that the receiver can handle 8. Minimum instantaneous power that the receiver can handle 9. Total receivable energy 10. Maximum average optical power that the receiver can handle 11.Minimum average optical power that the receiver can handle 12. Maximum instantaneous optical power that the receiver can handle 13.Minimum instantaneous optical power that the receiver can handle 14. Receiver power conversion efficiency 15. Receiver status, which may include: a. Electricity demand b. Battery charging data (charging capacity, temperature) c. Energy used by the device d. Urgency indicator e.Available power source 16. Receiver class (e.g., high priority, medium priority, low priority) 17. Receiver clear aperture 18. Receiver field of view 19. Required safety class of receiver (residential receivers may be limited to reduced power levels compared to industrial receivers) 20. Receiver public key 21. Receiver address on the network 22. Data sent from the receiving client (the unit receiving the data) 23. CRC or other checksum data 24. Digital signature of the entire message.

[0045] The transmitter 1 determines whether it can transmit power to each receiver, which may be based on any received data, but in particular on at least one of the following: device ID, manufacturer ID, power capability, power demand, safety class, clear aperture, data from the client, receiver class, receiver model, alternate power source for the receiver, and digital signature.

[0046] According to one exemplary implementation of the methods and systems of the present disclosure, some receivers, such as receivers 4 and 5, may report to a different transmitter, such as transmitter 2, as an alternate power source. Transmitter 2 may initiate a negotiation process between transmitters 1 and 2, or between transmitters 1 and 2 and receivers 4 and / or 5, or any other proxy, to determine which transmitter should provide power to which receiver. Exemplary criteria for the procedure for making these decisions may include determining that a transmitter cannot transmit power if the beam parameters the transmitter can generate do not match the receiver's reception parameters. For example, a transmitter capable of emitting a 15 mm beam should not attempt to provide power to a receiver capable of receiving only a 5 mm beam. Similarly, a transmitter should not attempt to beam power to a receiver greater than the power level the receiver can safely receive.

[0047] A specific negotiation may unfold as follows, although it should be understood that these only describe typical scenarios and that alternative procedures may also be used.

[0048] First, the transmitter scans the field of view to detect the receiver.

[0049] A first transmitter transmits a minimum amount of energy to a receiver.

[0050] The receiver responds with a Minimum ID message, which typically includes its physical ID, manufacturer, beam and safety parameters, and an indication of whether the receiver is currently powered by a second transmitter, and if so, the ID of the second transmitter.

[0051] The first transmitter determines whether or not it can transmit power to the receiver based on the minimum ID message.

[0052] The first transmitter communicates such capabilities to the receiver.

[0053] The receiver calculates whether it can safely receive a certain amount of additional power from the first transmitter.

[0054] The receiver requests this amount of additional power from the first transmitter.

[0055] The receiver may notify the second transmitter of its ability to receive power from the first transmitter.

[0056] The receiver may reduce the amount of power it requests from the second transmitter.

[0057] In different implementations of the current system, receivers 4 and 5 may report their maximum power handling capabilities, for example, taking into account the power received from transmitter 2, if any.

[0058] The scanner, communication and power beam for each transmitter may be accomplished by the same device, such as a scanning laser beam, but may also be accomplished using a receiver detection camera or other electronic or optical means.

[0059] After transmitter 1 determines the power needs of each of receivers 3, 4, 5 and 6, it may create an electronic record of each receiver which may include the receiver's ID, location, power needs, safety class, and other data.

[0060] Based on this data, the transmitter 1 may determine a transmission schedule, i.e., what power to transmit to which receiver and at what time, and execute its scheduled transmission program. During execution, the transmitter may request status updates, either by scanning operations or by special requests to the receiver, and may modify its transmission schedule in response.

[0061] There are a number of possible ways to determine the presence of two transmitters covering the same receiver and how the system handles this situation, each of which is prefaced below with a brief overview of its functionality.

[0062] Method A (user responsibility with minimal technical input): The transmitter instruction manual advises that the two transmitters should not be placed so that their fields of view overlap.

[0063] Method B (Active User Responsibility): Each receiver pairs with only one specific transmitter. Pairing is initiated by the user.

[0064] Method C (Receiver Responsibility 1x1): A receiver is configured to pair with only one transmitter. This receiver can select the best transmitter, i.e., the first transmitter. The best transmitter may be determined by power level, safety, cost, user interface, or any other parameter.

[0065] Method D (Receiver Responsibility 1×n): The receiver reports its power needs to all transmitters and ensures that it does not receive more power than it can handle. For example, the receiver may report its power needs to the transmitters in a manner that ensures that the sum of all power needs reported to different transmitters does not exceed its own power handling capability. Typically, the receiver may order transmitters from most suitable to least suitable based on some criteria, such as cost, range, load, or capability, and request a first amount of power from the most preferred transmitter. The first amount of power may typically be the smaller of all the power needed or up to the transmitter's capability. If power is still needed after this step, the receiver may request the second transmitter on the list to provide the missing amount of power.

[0066] Method E (Sender Responsibility 1x1): Information from a second transmitter. This transmitter attempts to communicate with other transmitters, either directly or via a proxy, to share data about which receivers are powered. These transmitters are configured to not together power the same receiver.

[0067] Method F (Transmitter Responsibility 1x1): Information from the receiver. The receiver updates the transmitter from which it is receiving power regarding the availability of a second transmitter. These transmitters communicate and coordinate with each other to determine which transmitter will power the receiver. These transmitters are configured so that they do not together power the same receiver.

[0068] Method G (Transmitter Responsibility 1×n): Information from the receiver. The receiver updates the transmitters from which it is receiving power regarding the availability of a second transmitter. These transmitters communicate and coordinate with each other to determine how much power is provided by each transmitter and when.

[0069] Method H (Transmitter Responsibility 1×n): Information from the receiver. The receiver updates the transmitters from which it is receiving power regarding the availability of secondary transmitters. These transmitters communicate with an external server. The external server determines how much power each transmitter should transmit and when.

[0070] Each of these alternative methods, except for Methods A and B, which involve user activation, is described in detail on a case-by-case basis below.

[0071] Method C (Receiver Responsibility 1x1): A receiver is configured to pair with only one transmitter. This receiver can select the best transmitter, i.e., the first transmitter. The best transmitter may be determined by power level, safety, cost, user interface, or any other parameter.

[0072] Reference is now made to Figure 2, which shows a schematic flow chart of the interaction of two transmitters 701, 703 and a single receiver 702 according to Method C (1x1 pairing, automatic selection by receiver).

[0073] In step 7011, the transmitter 701 scans a portion of its field of view to locate the receiver.

[0074] In step 7012, the transmitter 701 locates the receiver 702. This may be done using a retro-reflected signal from the receiver, or by using a camera that identifies a bar code or some other visual indicia on the receiver, or by a signal such as an RF signal generated by the receiver when the scanning beam strikes its photodetector.

[0075] In step 7013 , the transmitter 701 transmits a minimum energy level packet to the receiver 702 .

[0076] In step 7020, the receiver 702 receives the first minimum energy level and recognizes it by distinguishing it from ambient lighting because the conveyed minimum energy packet beam may have a much higher intensity level, or may have a particular wavelength that the input filter can detect, or may have a particular profile or particular pulse scheme, and in step 7021 responds to receiving the minimum energy level packet by sending its ID and minimum capability message back to the transmitter 701.

[0077] The Capability ID message may contain, among other things, the following data: 1. Receiver ID 2. Receiver manufacturer ID 3. Receiver Model Identifier 4. Maximum average power that the receiver can handle 5. Minimum average power that the receiver can handle 6. Power channels available to the receiver 7. Maximum instantaneous power that the receiver can handle 8. Minimum instantaneous power that the receiver can handle 9. Total receivable energy 10. Maximum average optical power that the receiver can handle 11.Minimum average optical power that the receiver can handle 12. Maximum instantaneous optical power that the receiver can handle 13.Minimum instantaneous optical power that the receiver can handle 14. Receiver power conversion efficiency 15. Receiver status, which may include: a) Electricity demand b) Battery charging data (charging capacity, temperature) c) Energy used by the device d) Urgency Indicator e) Available power sources 16. Receiver class (e.g., high priority, medium priority, low priority) 17. Receiver clear aperture 18. Receiver field of view 19. Required safety class of receiver (residential receivers may be limited to reduced power levels compared to industrial receivers) 20. Receiver public key 21. Receiver address on the network 22. Data sent from the receiving client (the unit receiving the data) 23. CRC or other checksum data 24. Digital signature of the entire message.

[0078] In step 7014, the transmitter 701 receives the ID and minimum capabilities message and responds to the receiver by suggesting a set of power transmission parameters that it can transmit in step 7015. The set of power transmission parameters may be based on an internal database of the transmitter, an internal algorithm known to the transmitter, or based on data received from the receiver itself or from an external server, and may include data such as: a. Available power channels, which may include data such as wavelength, power technology, transmission protocol, frequency, duty cycle, payment method, or combinations thereof b. Total energy receivable by the receiver and / or client device c. Maximum average optical power d. Minimum average optical power e. Maximum instantaneous optical power f. Minimum instantaneous optical power g. Beam diameter (min, average, max) h. Sender's public key i. Transmitter address on the network j. CRC or other checksum data or error correction code k. Digital signature of the entire message.

[0079] Typically, the first capability message is pre-programmed into the receiver, or the receiver selects the message from a list of pre-programmed messages depending on the scanning beam parameters such as wavelength and time pattern.

[0080] In step 7022, the receiver receives suggested power transmission settings, which typically include parameters such as power level, beam diameter, wavelength, duty cycle, communication channel, safety features, reporting protocols, etc., and determines whether it can accept and process the proposed settings.

[0081] If not, in step 7023 the receiver modifies its requirements, typically by reducing them towards the transmitter's suggested power transmit setting, and sends those reduced requirements back to the transmitter. The transmitter prepares a modified proposed power transmit setting in step 7014 and sends the proposal back to the receiver, which again considers it in step 7022. This iterative procedure continues until an acceptable power transmit setting is received that is agreed upon by both the transmitter 701 and the receiver 702. Once this agreed set of transmit parameters is sent back to the transmitter, in step 7016 the transmitter 701 begins transmitting power to the receiver 702, which accepts it in step 7025.

[0082] Such transmission typically continues until transmitter 701 stops transmitting, which can be, for example, by being turned off by a user or setting, or by transmitter 701 redirecting its power to another receiver with a higher priority than receiver 702, or by there being a physical interruption in the power transmission.

[0083] At some point, another transmitter 703, while scanning the room (step 7031), discovers receiver 702 (step 7032) and transmits to receiver 702 the minimum energy level that receiver 702 accepts in step 7026 (step 7033).

[0084] The receiver 702 responds by sending its ID and minimum energy capability back to the transmitter 703 in step 7027. Step 2027 may also include a response action on the part of the receiver 702 by notifying the transmitter 701 of either a discovered error or an additional transmitter, although some receivers may not be able to distinguish between minimum energy levels from different transmitters or may not be configured to notify the transmitter upon such an event.

[0085] In steps 7017 and 7034, transmitter 701 and transmitter 703 compare the minimum ID message received from receiver 702 with their own power capabilities, and in steps 7018 and 7035 send their own power setting suggestions to the receiver.

[0086] Steps 7027, 7017, 7034, 7018, and 7035 can be repeated until an agreement is reached; such agreement typically includes agreement on optical power levels and beam parameters such as beam diameter and wavelength, although some of these parameters may be preprogrammed into the system (wavelength) and detailed negotiation of them is not performed. This iterative process is similar to that shown in steps 7015, 7022, 7023, and 7014 for transmitter 701 only, and is not shown at this time to avoid complicating the flowchart. Receiver 702 compares the suggested parameters with its ability to receive and absorb power, and typically accepts conditions under which a safe power supply can be received, but rejects optical power that exceeds its safety limits, or rejects beams that are too large or too small for efficient or safe processing by a receiver of that size.

[0087] In step 7028, receiver 702 selects a preferred setting for either transmitter 701 or transmitter 703 based on the best match to its preprogrammed setting, or based on price, user selection, or arbitrary selection. In step 7029, receiver 702 accepts the power transmission setting of either transmitter 701 or transmitter 703, depending on which transmitter was selected in the initial procedure if only one transmitter was in communication with the receiver.

[0088] Once this process is complete, one transmitter transmits power to the receiver 702, which then accepts the power. This is accomplished by the protocol of Method C.

[0089] Method D (Receiver Responsibility 1×n): The receiver reports its power needs to all transmitters and ensures that it does not receive more power than it can handle.

[0090] Reference is now made to Figure 3, which shows a schematic flow chart of the interaction between two transmitters and a single receiver according to this method D (1xn pairing, automatic selection by receiver).

[0091] This protocol is used when a receiver can receive power from multiple receivers simultaneously, even in an environment where the transmitters cannot communicate with each other. This protocol does not involve any interaction between the transmitters. The receiver is "smarter" and can send separate reports to both transmitters. Such a receiver can still receive increased or optimized power from more than one transmitter. In such a scenario, steps 7018 and 7035 of FIG. 2 are repeated in a similar manner, but the receiver's response is different.

[0092] As an alternative to steps 7028 and 7029 of method C shown in Figure 2, steps 7028A and 7029A are performed in method D shown in Figure 3. In step 7028, receiver 702 calculates power transmission parameters for all transmitters with which it has contact in its vicinity, and then in step 7029A transmits separate power requests to all transmitters that may be identified by different addresses, coding, frequencies, or other means. Upon receiving such a request (steps 70191 and 70391), transmitters 701 and 703 suggest power transmission settings and transmit them to receiver 702. Receiver 702, in step 7038, considers the settings appropriate for its needs. This decision is based on internal optimization parameters, which may be configured to achieve a predetermined power level within a set of safety limits preprogrammed into the receiver or to optimize cost. Upon accepting the set of power transmission settings, transmitter 701 (and / or 703) transmits power in step 70193 (and / or 70393), and receiver 702 accepts this power in step 7039. That is, receiver 702 can receive power from 701, 703, or both (although receiving power from only one is already covered in Method C above). That is, receiver 702 receives multiple power beams from transmitters adapted to the receiver's requirements to supply its power requirements within the capabilities and suitability of the transmitters.

[0093] On the other hand, if the receiver 702 rejects both suggested power transmit settings, control returns to step 7028A to try an alternative suggested scheme of modified power considerations from all transmitters in the vicinity.

[0094] Method E (Transmitter Responsibility 1x1): Information from a second transmitter. This transmitter attempts to communicate with other transmitters, either directly or via a proxy, to share data about which receivers are powered. These transmitters are configured to not together power the same receiver.

[0095] Reference is now made to Figure 4, which shows a flow chart of the interaction between a single receiver and multiple senders, with decisions being made by one of the senders or by an external server. Figure 4 also relates to methods F, G and H.

[0096] In step 17011, the transmitter 701 scans the room, finds the receiver 702 in step 17012, and transmits the minimum energy to the receiver in step 17013. The receiver 702 receives the minimum energy in 17021 and transmits its ID and requirements in step 17022.

[0097] Upon receiving the ID and requirements, the transmitter 701, in step 17014, communicates with other transmitters in the vicinity to determine a single transmitter (or multiple transmitters, according to methods G and H) that will transmit power to the receiver 702. Such transmitters that have a relationship with the receiver 702 are shown in step 17031. Such a determination may be made by an optimization algorithm, random selection, or other algorithm that takes into account line of sight, power capability, power demand, load, range, safety, cost, and compatibility of the transmitter with the receiver 702.

[0098] The decision can be made based on quality criteria (such as line of sight, weight, or other criteria), or based on a first-to-detect mechanism, or in other ways (random, communication to a server, preferred sender).

[0099] Once the best selected transmitter is determined in step 17015 (transmitter 701 in the example shown in Figure 4), the selected transmitter locates the receiver and powers it on in step 17035, after exchanging as much information as possible with the non-selected transmitters 703.

[0100] Method E differs from Method F in that in Method E, information about the presence of the second transmitter is obtained by communication between the transmitters or by user input to the transmitter.

[0101] In method F, information regarding the presence of the second transmitter is indicated by a receiver in communication with the transmitter. Both of these methods may coexist.

[0102] In Methods G and H, multiple transmitters simultaneously power the receivers and the power demand is divided among them.

[0103] Method G differs from Method H in that in Method H, the transmitter communicates with an external server to determine operating parameters.

[0104] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described above, but rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described above, together with variations and modifications that are not present in the prior art and that would occur to one skilled in the art upon reading the above description.

Claims

1. 1. A system for transmitting power to at least one receiver located in a remote volume, comprising: at least one transmitter having a single beam emitter; the single beam emitter is configured to transmit a single beam to the at least one receiver after detecting the at least one receiver in the remote volume; the single beam initially includes a first safe minimum amount of energy capable of powering on the at least one receiver to cause the at least one receiver to report an identifier to the at least one transmitter; the at least one transmitter is further configured, upon receiving the identifier from the at least one receiver, to either (a) not transmit power to the at least one receiver, or (b) cause the single beam emitter to direct the single beam, now carrying a second amount of energy, toward the at least one receiver, based on (i) a receiver identifier and (ii) a power requirement included in the identifier received by the at least one transmitter from the at least one receiver; the at least one receiver has an identification pattern; The identification pattern is detectable by the at least one transmitter to qualify the at least one receiver as a potentially suitable receiver.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the identification pattern is optical.

3. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification pattern results from retroreflection from the at least one receiver.

4. the at least one receiver includes at least one filter; The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter enables reception of power from a transmitter that matches the characteristics of the at least one filter.

5. the at least one transmitter is adapted to transmit power to the at least one receiver; 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the power is at a level less than the power receiving capability of the at least one receiver, less than the power receiving capability of a power client of the at least one receiver, and less than a maximum safe power transmission limit of the at least one transmitter.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one transmitter is adapted to determine a transmission profile of power to be transmitted based on data received from the at least one receiver.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the transmission profile is generated from an algorithm processed in the at least one transmitter or in a device in communication with the at least one transmitter.

8. the at least one transmitter is at least two transmitters; 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver is adapted to report its power demand to all of the at least two transmitters such that the sum of all power demands requested by the at least one receiver does not exceed a maximum power handling capability of the at least one receiver.

9. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the identifier further comprises at least the energy required by the at least one receiver from the at least one transmitter and the capability of the at least one receiver to process the energy received from the at least one transmitter.

10. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter is further configured to scan a portion of a field of view of the at least one transmitter using the single beam to detect the at least one receiver.

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