Electronic device for wirelessly charging battery

The electronic device addresses unstable wireless charging by switching charging modes based on coil alignment and connection stability, ensuring continuous power delivery and improved efficiency.

WO2025146894A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-07-10SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2024/012773
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-27
Filing Date
2024-08-27
Publication Date
2025-07-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wireless charging systems experience disconnections and inefficiencies when coil alignment is not optimal, leading to unstable battery charging and user frustration.

Method used

An electronic device with a wireless charging circuit and processor that dynamically switches between first and second charging modes based on coil alignment and connection stability, using a control circuit to manage power transfer and adjust charging protocols.

Benefits of technology

Stabilizes battery charging by preventing disconnections and ensuring continuous power delivery even with misalignment, enhancing user experience and charging efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This electronic device includes: a battery; a coil; a wireless charging circuit configured to rectify power received from a power supply device through the coil and provide the rectified power to charge the battery; and a processor configured to output a signal related to a charging mode of the wireless charging circuit. The wireless charging circuit performs configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from the power supply device. The wireless charging circuit operates in the first charging mode for receiving the first power when the configuration operations of the first charging mode are completed. The wireless charging circuit initiates wireless charging when the configuration operations of the first charging mode fails, performs configuration operations of a second charging mode for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device on the basis of a signal received from the processor, and operates in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.
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Description

Electronic device for wirelessly charging batteries

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device for wirelessly charging a battery.

[0002] The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) is an organization established to develop and promote the Qi wireless charging standard. According to the Qi standard, the baseline power profile (BPP) supports wireless charging of up to 5W, while the extended power profile (EPP) supports fast wireless charging of up to 15W.

[0003] According to BPP, an operation for wirelessly charging a battery of a power receiving device (e.g., a smartphone) and a power supply device (e.g., a wireless charging pad) between a power receiving device and a power supply device may include a signal strength (SS) identification (ID) step, a configuration step, and a power transfer step. In the SS ID step, the power supply device can identify the power receiving device based on a response of the power receiving device to a ping signal (or wakeup signal) transmitted by the power supply device. In the configuration step, the power supply device can set a power value to be transmitted to the power receiving device through data communication with the power receiving device. In the power transfer step, the power supply device can transmit power having the set power value to the power receiving device through a coil.

[0004] According to EPP, the wireless charging operation may further include a negotiation step and a calibration step performed after the setup step. After the calibration step is completed, a power transfer step may be performed. In the negotiation step, the power supply device may check the quality of the electrical coupling between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil and negotiate with the power receiving device the maximum power that can be supplied to the power receiving device. In the calibration step, the power supply device may measure power loss (e.g., friendly metal loss) and, based on the measured power loss, calibrate the value of the power to be supplied to the power receiving device, thereby improving the accuracy of foreign object detection (e.g., foreign object detection (FOD)).

[0005] The above information is provided as background information to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0006] The power receiver device can be awakened by a power signal (e.g., a digital ping) received from the power supply device and initiate wireless charging of the battery in EPP mode. Even if the two devices are in close proximity, if the transmitter and receiver coils are not aligned, the electrical connection between the two devices may be lost and wireless charging may restart from the beginning (e.g., at the SS ID stage).

[0007] If the coils remain misaligned, the battery may not actually charge, and the two devices may repeatedly disconnect and reconnect. This can lead to the user mistaking the device for a charging device.

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an electronic device (power receiving device) that stably charges a battery without disconnection after battery charging begins. The technical challenges addressed by the present disclosure are not limited to the technical challenges mentioned above, and other technical challenges not mentioned will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the description below.

[0009] According to one embodiment, an electronic device may include a battery; a coil; a wireless charging circuit configured to rectify power received from a power supply device through the coil and provide the rectified power to charge the battery; and a processor configured to output a signal related to a charging mode of the wireless charging circuit. The wireless charging circuit may be configured to perform configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from the power supply device. The wireless charging circuit may be configured to operate in the first charging mode for receiving the first power when the configuration operation of the first charging mode is completed. The wireless charging circuit may be configured to initiate wireless charging when the configuration operation of the first charging mode fails, and to perform a configuration operation of a second charging mode for receiving a second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal received from the processor, and to operate in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include performing configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from a power supply device through a coil of the electronic device in a wireless charging circuit of the electronic device. The method may include operating the wireless charging circuit in the first charging mode for receiving the first power when the configuration operation of the first charging mode is completed. The method may include initiating wireless charging in the wireless charging circuit when the configuration operation of the first charging mode fails, performing a configuration operation of a second charging mode for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal output from a processor of the electronic device to the wireless charging circuit, and operating in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory recording medium may store instructions readable by an electronic device. The instructions, when executed, may cause the electronic device to perform an operation of configuring a first charging mode for receiving a first power from a power supply device through a coil of the electronic device in a wireless charging circuit of the electronic device. The instructions, when executed, may cause the electronic device to perform an operation of operating in the first charging mode for receiving the first power from the wireless charging circuit when the operation of configuring the first charging mode is completed. The instructions, when executed, may cause the electronic device to initiate wireless charging in the wireless charging circuit if the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, perform a setting operation of a second charging mode for receiving a second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal output from the processor of the electronic device to the wireless charging circuit, and perform an operation of operating in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

[0012] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device can reliably charge a battery without disconnection after battery charging begins. In addition, various other benefits, directly or indirectly identified through this document, may be provided.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates a wireless charging system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B illustrates a charging profile feasible in the wireless charging system of FIG. 2A.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining operations for wireless charging in a power receiving device when the transmitting and receiving coils are aligned, according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining operations for wireless charging in a power receiving device when the transmitting and receiving coils are not aligned, according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operations for wireless charging in a power receiving device when the transmitting and receiving coils are realigned after separation according to the user's intention, according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining operations for wireless charging in a power receiving device when the transmitting and receiving coils are aligned, according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations for charging a battery in a power receiving device according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations for charging a battery in a power receiving device according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a processor for supporting wireless charging in a power receiving device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a processor for supporting wireless charging in a power receiving device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations for charging a battery in a power receiving device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Furthermore, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, in the network environment (100), the electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0026] The processor (120) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (140)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or a secondary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor)) that can operate independently or together therewith. For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and a secondary processor (123), the secondary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a specified function. The secondary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0027] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0028] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0029] The program (140) may be stored as software in the memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0030] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0031] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. In one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0032] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. In one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0033] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0034] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0035] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0036] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0037] A haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. In one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0038] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0039] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented, for example, as at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0040] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0041] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0042] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0043] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0044] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0045] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0046] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0047] FIG. 2A illustrates a wireless charging system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B illustrates a charging profile feasible in the wireless charging system of FIG. 2A.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2A, a power supply device (201) (e.g., an electronic device (102) of FIG. 1) can transmit power wirelessly. A power reception device (202) (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) can receive power wirelessly. The wireless charging system can perform wireless charging based on a designated charging protocol. Referring to FIG. 2B, the wireless charging system can perform general wireless charging (in other words, low-speed wireless charging) using BPP. According to BPP, the power supply device (201) can perform an operation (231) of identifying the power reception device (202). For example, the power supply device (201) can identify the power reception device (202) based on a response of the power reception device (202) to a ping signal (or wakeup signal) transmitted by the power supply device (201). The power supply device (201) can perform an operation (232) of configuring a power value (e.g., 5 W) to be transmitted to the identified power receiving device (202) through data communication with the power receiving device (202). The power supply device (201) can perform an operation (233) of transferring power having the set power value to the power receiving device (202) through a coil. According to EPP, the power supply device (201) can perform an identification operation (231). The power supply device (201) can perform a configuration operation (242) of configuring a power value (e.g., 15 W) to be transmitted to the identified power receiving device (202) through data communication with the power receiving device (202). For example, an EPP configuration operation (242) for high-speed wireless charging can be performed based on the fact that the power supply device (201) can supply power of, for example, 15 W or more to the power receiving device (202).After the EPP configuration operation (242) is performed, the power supply device (201) can check the quality of the electrical coupling between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil and can perform a negotiation operation (243) with the power receiving device (202) on the maximum power that can be supplied to the power receiving device (202). After the negotiation operation (243) is completed, the power supply device (201) can measure power loss (e.g., friendly metal loss) and, based on the measured power loss, perform an operation (244) of calibrating the power value to be supplied to the power receiving device (202). The power supply device (201) can perform an operation (245) of transferring power having the calibrated power value to the power receiving device (202) through the coil. The wireless charging system may also switch the charging mode from EPP to BPP to prevent repeated disconnection and reconnection when the connection between two devices (201, 202) is disconnected before a power transfer operation (245) for high-speed wireless charging is performed.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the power receiving device (202) may include a coil (210), a wireless charging circuit (220), a power management circuit (230), a battery (240), a memory (288), and a processor (299). The wireless charging circuit (220) (e.g., a circuit configured in the power management module (188) of FIG. 1) may be woken up by a power signal (e.g., a digital ping) received from the power supply device (201) through the coil (210). The wireless charging circuit (220) may be configured to perform a given function (e.g., charging the battery (240) and power delivery (PD) communication with the power supply device (201) for the same) using the power supplied from the power supply device (201). According to one embodiment, the wireless charging circuit (200) may include a rectifier (e.g., an AC-DC converter) (250), a DC-DC converter (255), a communication circuit (260), and a control circuit (270). In one embodiment, the rectifier (250), the DC-DC converter (255), the communication circuit (260), and the control circuit (270) may be configured as a single integrated circuit (IC). For example, it may be included in a magnetic field connectivity (MFC) IC, a wireless charging IC, or an Rx (receive) IC. For example, one IC may be configured to perform operations for rectification, DC-DC converting, communication, and control of the wireless charging circuit (200). In one embodiment, the control circuit (270) may be configured in a separate IC from at least one of the communication circuit (260), the rectifier (250), and the DC-DC converter (255). In one embodiment, at least one of the rectifier (250), the DC-DC converter (255), the communication circuit (260), and the control circuit (270) may be configured in a single IC (e.g., an interface-integrated (IF) PMIC) together with the power management circuit (230).The memory (288) (e.g., the memory (130) of FIG. 1) and the processor (299) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) are a load circuit (or system) that is driven by power supplied from the wireless charging circuit (220) and / or power supplied from the battery (240) via the power management circuit (230). In addition, the load circuit may include a display (e.g., the display module (160) of FIG. 1) and / or a communication circuit (e.g., the communication module (190) of FIG. 1).

[0050] The coil (210) may be a spiral type coil wound multiple times in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the power receiving device (202) is placed on the charging pad of the power supply device (201), the coil (210) may be aligned parallel to the coil of the power supply device (201). The power receiving device (202) may receive power from the power supply device (201) through electrical coupling between a transmitting coil (e.g., a coil of the power supply device (201)) and a receiving coil (e.g., a coil (210)). The coil (210) may resonate at the same frequency as the coil of the power supply device (201) resonates. The power receiving device (202) may further include a resonance circuit to cause the coil (210) to resonate at a specific frequency (e.g., a frequency specified in the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) standard). The coil (210) can be used as an antenna for data communication (e.g., in-band communication) in addition to power reception.

[0051] The rectifier (250) may be configured to rectify (i.e., convert current from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)) power received from the power supply device (201) through the coil (210) and output the rectified power to the DC-DC converter (255). The DC-DC converter (e.g., low dropout (LDO)) (255) may convert the voltage value (or voltage level) of the power rectified by the rectifier (250) and received from the rectifier (250) into a designated voltage value and output the converted power to the power management circuit (230). The power management circuit (230) (e.g., a circuit configured in the power management module (188) of FIG. 1) may adjust the voltage value and / or current value (or current level) of the power received from the wireless charging circuit (220) and supply the power to the battery (240) and the load circuit. For example, the power management circuit (230) may include a buck converter that outputs the voltage of the power supplied from the wireless charging circuit (220) by stepping down the voltage and / or a boost converter that outputs the voltage of the received power by stepping up the voltage.

[0052] The communication circuit (260) may be configured to perform data communication (e.g., in-band communication) with the power supply device (201) through the coil (210) using power supplied from the power supply device (201) through the rectifier (250). For example, the communication circuit (260) may receive data from the control circuit (270), and transmit the received data to the power supply device (201) by loading the power signal received from the power supply device (201). A technique for modulating the amplitude and / or frequency of the power signal may be used as a method for loading the data onto the power signal. For example, the communication circuit (260) may change the amplitude of the power signal by controlling switching to open and close a switch located on an electrical path connecting the coil (210) and the ground of the power receiving device (202). The communication circuit (260) can demodulate a power signal transmitted from the power supply device (201) to the coil (210) and obtain data transmitted from the power supply device (201) to the power receiving device (202). The communication circuit (260) can transmit the obtained data to the control circuit (270).

[0053] The control circuit (270) can be woken up by a power signal (e.g., digital ping) supplied from the power supply device (201) through the rectifier (250). The control circuit (270) can be configured to use the power supplied from the power supply device (201) through the rectifier (250) to communicate data with the processor (299) through a communication interface provided in the power receiving device (201) and to perform PD communication for charging the power supply device and the battery (240) through the communication circuit (260). For example, the control circuit (270) can obtain information on a charging state from the power supply device (201) through the communication circuit (260) and provide the obtained information to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211) (e.g., I2C (inter integrated circuit)).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (270) may set the charging mode of the wireless charging circuit (220) to a first charging mode (e.g., EPP mode) for fast charging of the battery (240) or a second charging mode (e.g., BPP mode) for relatively slow charging compared to the first charging mode, based on a signal received from a processor (299) (e.g., a general-purpose input / output (GPIO)) via a second communication interface (222).

[0055] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (270) can determine a signal received from the processor (299) through the second communication interface (222) based on being woken up by a wake-up signal received from the power supply device (201) through the coil (210). The control circuit (270) can set the wireless charging circuit (220) to the first charging mode based on a first signal having a first voltage level received from the processor (299) through the second communication interface (222). For example, the control circuit (270) can perform an identification operation (231), an EPP configuration operation (242), a negotiation operation (243), a calibration operation (244), and a power transfer operation (245) in sequence to fast-charge the battery (240). The control circuit (270) may set the wireless charging circuit (220) to a second charging mode based on a second signal having a second voltage level different (e.g., lower) from the first voltage level being received from the processor (299) via the second communication interface (222). For example, the control circuit (270) may sequentially perform an identification operation (231), a BPP configuration operation (232), and a power transfer operation (233) to slowly charge the battery (240).

[0056] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining operations for wireless charging performed by a control circuit (270) and a processor (299) when the transmitting and receiving coils are aligned (e.g., when the distance between the center point of the transmitting coil and the center point of the receiving coil is within a threshold that ensures performance of the EPP mode), according to one embodiment.

[0057] At time t30, a power signal (e.g., a wake-up signal) may be received by the power receiving device (202) through the coil (210), and the power signal may be rectified by the rectifier (250) and output to the control circuit (270). The control circuit (270) may be woken up by the power rectified by the rectifier (250). For example, the rectified voltage (Vrect) may be V1, which is higher than the minimum voltage Vmin (e.g., UVLO (under voltage lock out) voltage) for waking up the control circuit (270), and thus the control circuit (270) may be woken up. When woken up by the rectified power, the control circuit (270) may perform an identification (“ID”) operation (310) for wireless charging (e.g., the identification operation (231) of FIG. 2b). First, the control circuit (270) can control the communication circuit (260) to transmit an SS ID packet (e.g., a response packet to a digital ping transmitted by the power supply device (201)) to the power supply device (201) through the coil (210). Meanwhile, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the voltage value VGPIO of the second communication interface (222) is set to a voltage level corresponding to the first charging mode as a default value. For example, as illustrated, the default value may be a high level (Vhigh). The control circuit (270) can check the voltage level of the VGPIO. For example, when woken up by the rectified power, the control circuit (270) can immediately check the voltage level of the VGPIO. As another example, the control circuit (270) can check the voltage level of the VGPIO based on the completion of transmission of the SS ID packet. Based on the voltage level of VGPIO being a high level (Vhigh), the control circuit (270) can perform a configuration operation (320) for EPP (“EPP CFG” in FIG. 3) (e.g., a configuration operation (242) in FIG. 2b).For example, the control circuit (270) can control the communication circuit (260) to transmit a packet for EPP configuration to the power supply device (201). For example, if the 'Neg' bit is set to 1 in the packet, the power supply device (201) can recognize that the packet is an EPP configuration packet. The control circuit (270) can transmit a notification message indicating that the EPP configuration packet has been transmitted to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211). Based on the notification message being received, the processor (299) can change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode at time t31.

[0058] Based on the EPP configuration packet being transmitted to the power supply device (201), at time t32, the rectified voltage (Vrect) may increase from V1 to V2. Thereafter, the control circuit (270) may perform a negotiation (“NEGO” in FIG. 3) operation (330) (e.g., negotiation operation (243) in FIG. 2b) with the power supply device (201) through PD communication. When the negotiation is completed, the control circuit (270) may perform a calibration (“CAL” in FIG. 3) operation (340) (e.g., calibration operation (244) in FIG. 2b) with the power supply device (201) through PD communication. The control circuit (270) may transmit a notification message indicating that the calibration is completed to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211). The control circuit (270) can perform a power transfer operation (350) based on the completion of calibration. The processor (299) can change the voltage level of VGPIO to a high level (Vhigh) (or first level) corresponding to the first charging mode at time t33 based on the reception of the notification message.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the voltage level of the VGPIO may change from a high level (Vhigh) to a low level (Vlow) (or a second level) while the negotiation operation (330) or the calibration operation (340) is being performed. For example, the control circuit (270) may transmit a notification message indicating that the negotiation operation (330) or the calibration operation (340) is being performed to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211). Based on the reception of the notification message, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode at time t32.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the configuration operation (320), the negotiation operation (330), and the calibration operation (340) may be collectively referred to as an EQC (EPP quality check) operation (301). After the EPP configuration packet is transmitted to the power supply device (201), the control circuit (270) may perform the EQC operation (301). The control circuit (270) may transmit a notification message indicating that the EQC operation (301) is being performed to the processor (299) via the first communication interface (211). Based on the reception of the notification message, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining operations for wireless charging performed by a control circuit (270) and a processor (299) when the transmitting and receiving coils are not aligned (when the distance between the center point of the transmitting coil and the center point of the receiving coil exceeds a threshold that ensures performance of the EPP mode), according to one embodiment. Contents overlapping with FIG. 3 are briefly explained or omitted.

[0062] At time t40, the control circuit (270) may be woken up by the rectified voltage (Vrect) becoming V1 which exceeds the minimum voltage (Vmin). When woken up by the rectified power, the control circuit (270) may perform an identification (ID) operation (410) (e.g., an identification (ID) operation (310) of FIG. 3). For example, the control circuit (270) may control the communication circuit (260) to transmit an SS ID packet to the power supply (201) through the coil (210). When woken up by the rectified power or based on the transmission of the SS ID packet, the control circuit (270) may check the voltage level of the VGPIO. Based on the voltage level of the VGPIO being a high level (Vhigh), the control circuit (270) may perform an EQC operation (420) for fast charging (e.g., an EQC operation (301) of FIG. 3). For example, the control circuit (270) may sequentially perform a configuration operation, a negotiation operation, and a calibration operation. The control circuit (270) may transmit a notification message indicating that the EQC operation (420) is being performed to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211) at a time point t41 (e.g., a time point at which an EPP configuration packet is transmitted). Based on the reception of the notification message, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode.

[0063] Based on the EPP configuration packet transmitted to the power supply device (201), the rectified voltage (Vrect) may increase from V1 to V2 at time t42. Thereafter, the control circuit (270) may perform a negotiation operation and then a calibration operation through PD communication with the power supply device (201) using the communication circuit (260). While the negotiation operation or the calibration operation is being performed, the connection between the power supply device (201) and the power receiving device (202) may be released. For example, the power supply device (201) may stop transmitting power at time t43, thereby causing the rectified voltage (Vrect) to fall below the minimum voltage (Vmin), and thus the control circuit (270) may be deactivated. For example, when the FOD parameter (e.g., Q-factor or Reference Frequency) measured by the power supply device (201) is different from the value received from the power reception device (202), the power supply device (201) may stop power transmission. As another example, when performing the negotiation step, when packets that should come from the power reception device (202) are frequently missed due to a poor channel environment, the power supply device (201) may stop power transmission. As another example, when performing the compensation step, the power value supplied to the power reception device (202) from the power supply device (201) may not converge to the designated target power due to misalignment. Accordingly, the power reception device (202) may continue to transmit a CEP (control error packet) containing a value other than '0' as a request to increase the power value to the power supply device (201). The power supply device (201) can stop power transmission if the CEP received from the power receiving device (202) does not converge to 0.

[0064] After the control circuit (270) is deactivated, at time t44, the control circuit (270) may be woken up again when the rectified voltage (Vrect) exceeds the minimum voltage (Vmin). After being woken up, the control circuit (270) may switch the charging mode to the second charging mode. For example, the control circuit (270) may control the communication circuit (260) to transmit an SS ID packet to the power supply (201) through the coil (210). The control circuit (270) may check the voltage level of the VGPIO based at least on being woken up by the rectified power. Based on the fact that the voltage level of the VGPIO is a low level (Vlow), the communication circuit (260) may be controlled to transmit a packet for BPP configuration to the power supply (201). For example, if the 'Neg' bit in the packet is set to 0, the power supply device (201) can recognize that the packet is a BPP configuration packet.

[0065] Based on the BPP configuration packet transmitted to the power supply device (201), the rectified voltage (Vrect) may be maintained at V1 and power may be transmitted from the power supply device (201) to the battery (240) through the wireless charging circuit (220). Thereafter, charging may be stopped at a time point t45. For example, when a user disconnects the power receiving device (202) from the charging pad of the power supply device (201), the power supply device (201) may stop transmitting power and the rectified voltage (Vrect) may become lower than the minimum voltage (Vmin), thereby deactivating the control circuit (270). The processor (299) may recognize that charging has been stopped through the power management circuit (230). As another example, when the battery (240) is 100% charged, the processor (299) may request the power supply device (201) to stop transmitting power through the control circuit (270), thereby stopping charging. At a time point t46, after a predetermined time (e.g., about 1 second) has elapsed from the time point t45 when charging is stopped, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a high level (Vhigh) corresponding to the first charging mode. Accordingly, when the wireless charging circuit (220) is woken up by a power signal received from the outside, the wireless charging circuit (220) may start charging in the first charging mode.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operations for wireless charging performed by a control circuit (270) and a processor (299) when the transmitting and receiving coils are realigned after separation according to a user's intention, according to one embodiment. Contents overlapping with FIGS. 3 and 4 are briefly described or omitted.

[0067] At time t50, the control circuit (270) may be woken up by the rectified voltage (Vrect) becoming V1, which exceeds the minimum voltage (Vmin). When woken up by the rectified power, the control circuit (270) may perform an ID (identification) operation (510). For example, the control circuit (270) may control the communication circuit (260) to transmit an SS ID packet to the power supply (201) through the coil (210). When woken up by the rectified power or based on the transmission of the SS ID packet, the control circuit (270) may check the voltage level of the VGPIO. Based on the voltage level of the VGPIO being a high level (Vhigh), the control circuit (270) may perform an EQC operation (520) for fast charging. For example, the control circuit (270) may sequentially perform a configuration operation, a negotiation operation, and a calibration operation. The control circuit (270) may transmit a notification message indicating that the EQC operation (520) is being performed to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211) at a time point t51 (e.g., a time point when an EPP configuration packet is transmitted). Based on the reception of the notification message, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode.

[0068] Based on the EPP configuration packet being transmitted to the power supply device (201), at time t52, the rectified voltage (Vrect) may increase from V1 to V2. Thereafter, the control circuit (270) may perform a negotiation operation and then a calibration operation through PD communication with the power supply device (201) using the communication circuit (260). While the EQC operation (520) (e.g., the negotiation operation or the calibration operation) is being performed, the connection between the devices (201, 202) may be disconnected at time t53 due to a user-intentioned disconnection (i.e., release of the electrical coupling between the transmitting and receiving coils). The processor (299) may recognize the disconnection through the power management circuit (230) at time t54. At time t55, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 1 second) has elapsed since time t54 when charging is stopped, the processor (299) can change the voltage level of VGPIO to a high level (Vhigh) corresponding to the first charging mode.

[0069] The control circuit (270) may be woken up at time t56 by the alignment between the transmitting and receiving coils according to the user's intention (e.g., re-charging) when the rectified voltage (Vrect) becomes V1, which exceeds the minimum voltage (Vmin). When woken up by the rectified power, the control circuit (270) may perform an ID (identification) operation (530). For example, the control circuit (270) may control the communication circuit (260) to transmit an SS ID packet to the power supply (201) through the coil (210). When woken up by the rectified power or based on the transmission of the SS ID packet, the control circuit (270) may check the voltage level of the VGPIO. Based on the voltage level of the VGPIO being a high level (Vhigh), the control circuit (270) may perform an EQC operation (540) for fast charging. The control circuit (270) can transmit a notification message indicating that the EQC operation (540) is being performed to the processor (299) via the first communication interface (211) at time t57 (e.g., at the time when the EPP configuration packet is transmitted). Based on the notification message being received, the processor (299) can change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode.

[0070] Based on the EPP configuration packet transmitted to the power supply device (201), the rectified voltage (Vrect) may increase from V1 to V2. Thereafter, the control circuit (270) may complete a negotiation operation and then a calibration operation through PD communication with the power supply device (201) and perform a power transfer operation (550). The control circuit (270) may transmit a notification message indicating that the calibration is completed to the processor (299) through the first communication interface (211). Based on the reception of the notification message, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a high level (Vhigh) corresponding to the first charging mode at time t58.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining operations for wireless charging performed by a control circuit (270) and a processor (299) when the transmitting and receiving coils are aligned, according to one embodiment. Contents overlapping with FIG. 3 are briefly explained or omitted.

[0072] At time t60, the control circuit (270) may be woken up by the rectified voltage (Vrect) becoming V1, which exceeds the minimum voltage (Vmin). When woken up by the rectified power, the control circuit (270) may perform an ID (identification) operation (610). For example, the control circuit (270) may control the communication circuit (260) to transmit an SS ID packet to the power supply (201) through the coil (210). When woken up by the rectified power or based on the transmission of the SS ID packet, the control circuit (270) may check the voltage level of the VGPIO. Based on the fact that the voltage level of the VGPIO is a high level (Vhigh), the control circuit (270) may perform an EQC operation (620) for fast charging. The control circuit (270) can transmit a notification message indicating that the EQC operation (620) is being performed to the processor (299) via the first communication interface (211) at time t61 (e.g., at the time when the EPP configuration packet is transmitted). Based on the notification message being received, the processor (299) can change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a low level (Vlow) corresponding to the second charging mode.

[0073] Based on the EPP configuration packet transmitted to the power supply device (201), the rectified voltage (Vrect) may increase from V1 to V2. Thereafter, the control circuit (270) may perform a negotiation operation and then a calibration operation through PD communication with the power supply device (201) via the communication circuit (260). Thereafter, at time t63 when the calibration is completed, the control circuit (270) may perform a power transfer operation (630) from the power supply device (201) to the battery (240) via the wireless charging circuit (220).

[0074] Afterwards, charging may be stopped at time t64. For example, when the user disconnects the power receiving device (202) from the charging pad of the power supply device (201), the power supply device (201) stops transmitting power, causing the rectified voltage (Vrect) to become lower than the minimum voltage (Vmin), and thus the control circuit (270) may be deactivated. The processor (299) may recognize that charging has been stopped through the power management circuit (230). In another example, when the battery (240) is 100% charged, the processor (299) may request the power supply device (201) to stop transmitting power through the control circuit (270), and thus charging may be stopped. At time t65, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 1 second) has elapsed since time t64 when charging has been stopped, the processor (299) may change the voltage level of the VGPIO to a high level (Vhigh) corresponding to the first charging mode.

[0075] According to one embodiment, an internal source supplying power (e.g., a battery (240) or a power management circuit (230)) may be connected to the control circuit (270). Accordingly, even if the rectified voltage falls below a minimum value, the wireless charging circuit (220) may be prevented from being reset. For example, if the alignment between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil is not smooth and the rectified voltage falls below the minimum value (Vmin) repeatedly (e.g., twice), the wireless charging circuit (220) may change the charging mode from a first charging mode (e.g., EPP mode) to a second charging mode (e.g., BPP mode) to charge the battery (240) at a low speed.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (270) can record the progress of the charging mode in a nonvolatile memory (e.g., the nonvolatile memory (134) of FIG. 1), and based on information about the recorded progress, change the charging mode from EPP mode to BPP mode to slowly charge the battery (240). For example, the control circuit (270) can record information indicating that an EPP configuration packet is transmitted in the memory. After this information is recorded, the control circuit (270) wakes up again and can determine from the information recorded in the memory that a negotiation operation has not been performed as the next step after the EPP configuration packet is transmitted. Accordingly, the wireless charging circuit (220) can change the charging mode from EPP mode to BPP mode to slowly charge the battery (240).

[0077] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations for charging a battery (e.g., battery 189 of FIG. 1 or battery 240 of FIG. 2A) in a power receiving device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or power receiving device (202) of FIG. 2A) according to one embodiment. The operations of FIG. 7 may be performed when a wireless charging circuit (e.g., a charging circuit configured in a power management module (188) of FIG. 1 or wireless charging circuit (220) of FIG. 2A) is woken up by a power signal (e.g., a digital ping) received from a power supply device (e.g., electronic device (102) of FIG. 1 or power supply device (201) of FIG. 2A) via a coil (e.g., coil (210) of FIG. 2A).

[0078] At operation 710, the power receiving device may transmit a packet for identification (e.g., an SS ID packet) to the power supply device. At operation 715, the power receiving device may transmit a packet for EPP configuration to the power supply device.

[0079] After the SS ID packet and the EPP configuration packet are transmitted, the power receiving device can determine whether the connection with the power supply device for wireless charging is broken at operation 720. For example, the power receiving device can check the voltage value of the power rectified and output from the rectifier (e.g., the rectifier (250) of FIG. 2A) and determine that the connection between the devices is broken if the rectified voltage is less than a minimum value (e.g., the UVLO voltage).

[0080] If it is determined in operation 720 that the connection is maintained, in operation 725, the power receiving device may perform negotiation with the power supply device through data communication according to EPP. In operation 730, the power receiving device may determine whether the connection with the power supply device is lost before the negotiation is completed.

[0081] If negotiation is completed and the connection is determined to be maintained in operation 730, the power receiving device may perform calibration according to EPP through data communication with the power supply device in operation 735. In operation 740, the power receiving device may determine whether the connection with the power supply device is lost before the calibration is completed.

[0082] If it is determined in operation 740 that calibration is completed and the connection is maintained, the power supply device can perform power transfer in operation 745. That is, in operation 745, the power receiving device can perform an operation of fast-charging the battery using the power supplied from the power supply device. In operation 750, the power receiving device can determine whether the connection with the power supply device is lost during the fast-charging of the battery. If it is determined in operation 750 that the connection is maintained, the power receiving device can continue performing the fast-charging operation 745.

[0083] If it is determined that the connection is disconnected in operation 750, the power receiving device may determine whether to reconnect with the power supply device in operation 755. For example, the power receiving device may check the voltage value of the power rectified and output from the rectifier, and if the rectified voltage is greater than or equal to a minimum value (e.g., UVLO voltage), it may determine that the devices are reconnected. If it is determined that the connection is reconnected in operation 755, the power receiving device may restart from operation 710, which transmits a packet for identification for wireless charging.

[0084] If it is determined that the power supply has been disconnected in operation 720, operation 730, or operation 740, the power receiving device may determine whether to reconnect with the power supply in operation 760.

[0085] If it is determined that reconnection has occurred in operation 760, the power receiving device may transmit a packet for identification to the power supply device in operation 765. The power receiving device may transmit a packet for BPP configuration to the power supply device in operation 770. The power supply device may perform power transfer in operation 775. That is, in operation 775, the power receiving device may perform an operation of slowly charging the battery using the power supplied from the power supply device.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations for charging a battery (e.g., battery 189 of FIG. 1 or battery 240 of FIG. 2A) in a power receiving device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or power receiving device (202) of FIG. 2A) according to one embodiment. The operations of FIG. 8 may be performed when a wireless charging circuit (e.g., a charging circuit configured in a power management module (188) of FIG. 1 or wireless charging circuit (220) of FIG. 2A) is woken up by a power signal (e.g., a digital ping) received from a power supply device (e.g., electronic device (102) of FIG. 1 or power supply device (201) of FIG. 2A) via a coil (e.g., coil (210) of FIG. 2A).

[0087] In operation 810, the wireless charging circuit may perform configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from a power supply device. For example, a processor (e.g., processor (299)) may be configured to output a signal related to a charging mode of the wireless charging circuit. The wireless charging circuit may check the status of a signal received from the processor via a communication interface (e.g., second communication interface (222) of FIG. 2A), and if the checked status is the first status, perform configuration operations of the first charging mode. Referring to FIG. 2B, the configuration operations of the first charging mode may include an EPP configuration operation (242), a negotiation operation (243), and a calibration operation (244). In one embodiment, while the wireless charging circuit performs configuration operations of the first charging mode, the processor can change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from a first state indicating the first charging mode to a second state indicating the second charging mode. For example, the processor can change the voltage level of the VGPIO output to the wireless charging circuit from high (first state) to low (second state) based on confirming through the wireless charging circuit that an EPP configuration operation (242) has started. As another example, the processor can confirm through the wireless charging circuit that a negotiation operation (243) or a calibration operation (244) is being performed, and based on this confirmation, change the voltage level of the VGPIO output to the wireless charging circuit from high (first state) to low (second state).

[0088] At operation 820, the wireless charging circuit can determine whether configuration operations of the first charging mode have been completed.

[0089] When the configuration operations of the first charging mode are completed (operation 820 - Yes), in operation 830, the wireless charging circuit may operate in the first charging mode for receiving the first power. For example, referring to FIG. 2B, the wireless charging circuit may perform a power transfer operation (245) based on the completion of the calibration operation (244). In one embodiment, the processor may change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state based on the completion of the configuration operations of the first charging mode. For example, the processor may confirm through the wireless charging circuit that the power transfer operation (245) has started when the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed, and at the time when the start of the power transfer operation (245) is confirmed (e.g., t33 (see FIG. 3)), the voltage level of VGPIO output to the wireless charging circuit may be changed from low (second state) to high (first state). According to one embodiment, the power supply device may stop power transfer when a user disconnects the power receiving device from the charging pad of the power supply device or when the battery is 100% charged. When the power transfer is stopped, the rectified voltage (Vrect) becomes lower than the minimum voltage (Vmin), and thus the wireless charging circuit may be deactivated. The processor may recognize that charging has stopped through a power management circuit (e.g., the power management circuit (230) of FIG. 2A). The processor may change the signal output to the wireless charging circuit to the first state after a specified time has elapsed from the time at which charging interruption is recognized (e.g., t54 (see FIG. 5) or t64 (see FIG. 6)).

[0090] If the configuration operations of the first charging mode fail (operation 820-No), then in operation 840, the wireless charging circuit initiates wireless charging (e.g., the wireless charging circuit wakes up by a wake-up signal and performs an identification operation (231; see FIG. 2B)), and based on a signal received from a processor (e.g., processor 299 of FIG. 2A) (e.g., a signal of a second state indicating the second charging mode), performs configuration operations of the second charging mode (e.g., BPP configuration operation 232; see FIG. 2B)) to receive a second power lower than the first power from the power supply, and operates in the second charging mode to receive the second power. In one embodiment, based on the failure of the configuration operations of the first charging mode, the processor can maintain the state of the signal output to the wireless charging circuit in the second state. In the second charging mode, based on the termination of power reception, the processor can change the state of the signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state. For example, when a user disconnects the power receiving device from the charging pad of the power supply device, or when the battery is 100% charged, the power supply device may stop transmitting power. As the power transmission is interrupted, the rectified voltage (Vrect) becomes lower than the minimum voltage (Vmin), and thus the wireless charging circuit may be disabled. The processor can recognize that charging is interrupted through the power management circuit (e.g., the power management circuit (230) of FIG. 2A). After a specified time has elapsed from the time at which the charging interruption is recognized (e.g., t45 (see FIG. 4)), the processor can change the signal output to the wireless charging circuit to the first state.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a processor (processor (299) of FIG. 2A) for supporting wireless charging in a power receiving device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or power receiving device (202) of FIG. 2A) according to one embodiment. Contents overlapping with FIG. 8 are briefly described or omitted.

[0092] At operation 910, the processor may change the state of a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from a first state (e.g., high) to a second state (e.g., low) while the wireless charging circuit performs configuration operations of the first charging mode. For example, the processor may confirm through the wireless charging circuit that an EPP configuration operation (242) has started, and at the time when the start of the EPP configuration operation (242) is confirmed (e.g., t31 (see FIG. 3)), the processor may change the voltage level of the VGPIO output to the wireless charging circuit from the first state to the second state. As another example, the processor may confirm through the wireless charging circuit that a negotiation operation (243) or a calibration operation (244) is being performed, and based on this confirmation, change the voltage level of the VGPIO output to the wireless charging circuit from the first state to the second state.

[0093] In operation 920, after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed, the processor may change the state of the signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state. For example, the processor may confirm through the wireless charging circuit that the power transfer operation (245; see FIG. 2B) has started as the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed, and at the time when the start of the power transfer operation (245) is confirmed (e.g., t33 (see FIG. 3)), the voltage level of the VGPIO output to the wireless charging circuit may be changed from the second state to the first state. As another example, when a user disconnects the power receiving device from the charging pad of the power supply device or when the battery is 100% charged, the power supply device may stop transmitting power. As the power transfer is stopped, the rectified voltage (Vrect) may become lower than the minimum voltage (Vmin), and thus the wireless charging circuit may be deactivated. The processor can recognize that charging has stopped through a power management circuit (e.g., the power management circuit (230) of FIG. 2A). After a specified time has elapsed from the time at which charging has stopped (e.g., t54 (see FIG. 5) or t64 (see FIG. 6)), the processor can change the signal output to the wireless charging circuit to the first state.

[0094] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a processor (processor (299) of FIG. 2A) for supporting wireless charging in a power receiving device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or power receiving device (202) of FIG. 2A) according to one embodiment. Contents overlapping with FIG. 8 are briefly described or omitted.

[0095] In operation 1010, the processor can maintain the state of a signal output to the wireless charging circuit in the second state while the wireless charging circuit operates in the second charging mode as the setting operation of the first charging mode fails.

[0096] In operation 1020, the processor may change the state of a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state based on the termination of power reception in the second charging mode. For example, the power supply may stop transmitting power when a user disconnects the power receiving device from the charging pad of the power supply device or when the battery is 100% charged. As the power transmission is stopped, the rectified voltage (Vrect) may become lower than the minimum voltage (Vmin), and thus the wireless charging circuit may be disabled. The processor may recognize that charging is stopped through a power management circuit (e.g., the power management circuit (230) of FIG. 2A). After a specified time has elapsed from the time when the charging stop is recognized (e.g., t45 (see FIG. 4)), the processor may change the signal output to the wireless charging circuit to the first state.

[0097] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations for charging a battery (e.g., battery 189 of FIG. 1 or battery 240 of FIG. 2A) in a power receiving device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or power receiving device (202) of FIG. 2A) according to one embodiment. The operations of FIG. 11 may be performed when a wireless charging circuit (e.g., a charging circuit configured in a power management module (188) of FIG. 1 or wireless charging circuit (220) of FIG. 2) is woken up by a power signal (e.g., a digital ping) received from a power supply device (e.g., electronic device (102) of FIG. 1 or power supply device (201) of FIG. 2A) via a coil (e.g., coil (210) of FIG. 2A).

[0098] In operation 1110, the power receiving device may receive a wake-up signal (e.g., a digital ping) from the power supply device via the coil to wake up the wireless charging circuit.

[0099] In operation 1120, the power receiving device can set the wireless charging circuit to operate in a first charging mode (e.g., EPP mode) for receiving first power from the power supply device or a second charging mode (e.g., BPP mode) for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a voltage level of the wake-up signal. For example, the power receiving device can set the wireless charging circuit to operate in the second charging mode when the voltage level of the wake-up signal is higher than a minimum value (e.g., UVLO voltage) and lower than a threshold (e.g., about 2.6 V). The power receiving device can set the wireless charging circuit to operate in the first charging mode when the voltage level of the wake-up signal is higher than the threshold.

[0100] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., a power receiving device (202)) may include: a battery; a coil; a wireless charging circuit configured to rectify power received from a power supply device through the coil and provide the rectified power to charge the battery; and a processor configured to output a signal related to a charging mode of the wireless charging circuit. The wireless charging circuit may be configured to perform configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from the power supply device. The wireless charging circuit may be configured to operate in the first charging mode for receiving the first power when the configuration operation of the first charging mode is completed. The wireless charging circuit may be configured to initiate wireless charging when the configuration operation of the first charging mode fails, and to perform a configuration operation of a second charging mode for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal received from the processor, and to operate in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

[0101] The processor may be configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from a first state indicating the first charging mode to a second state indicating the second charging mode while the wireless charging circuit performs a setting operation of the first charging mode.

[0102] The setting operation of the first charging mode may include a power value setting operation for setting a power value to be supplied from the power supply device to the electronic device, a negotiation operation for negotiating a maximum power value that can be supplied from the power supply device to the electronic device, and a correction operation for correcting a power value to be supplied from the power supply device to the electronic device.

[0103] The processor may be configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the first state to the second state while the power value setting operation, the negotiation operation, or the correction operation is performed.

[0104] The processor may be configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed.

[0105] If the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, the processor may be configured to maintain a signal output to the wireless charging circuit in a second state indicating the second charging mode while receiving power in the second charging mode. The processor may be configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to a first state indicating the first charging mode after receiving power in the second charging mode is terminated.

[0106] The processor may be configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state after a specified time has elapsed since the reception of power in the second charging mode has ended.

[0107] The processor may be configured to recognize that charging of the battery is terminated when the voltage value of the power rectified in the wireless charging circuit is below a specified minimum value.

[0108] The processor and the wireless charging circuit may be connected via a designated communication interface. The processor may be configured to change a voltage level of a signal output to the charging circuit via the communication interface from a first level corresponding to the first charging mode to a second level corresponding to the second charging mode while the wireless charging circuit performs a setting operation of the first charging mode. The processor may be configured to change a voltage level of a signal output to the charging circuit via the communication interface from the second level to the first level based on completion of the setting operation of the first charging mode.

[0109] The above communication interface may include general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pins.

[0110] The setting operation of the first charging mode may include a calibration operation for calibrating a power value in the wireless charging circuit. The processor may be configured to change the voltage level from the second level to the first level based on completion of the calibration operation.

[0111] The processor may be configured to change the voltage level from the second level to the first level based on the termination of charging of the battery after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed.

[0112] The processor may be configured to change the voltage level from the second level to the first level after a specified time has elapsed since charging of the battery is terminated.

[0113] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device (e.g., a power receiving device (202)) may include performing configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from a power supply device through a coil of the electronic device in a wireless charging circuit of the electronic device. The method may include operating the wireless charging circuit in the first charging mode for receiving the first power when the configuration operation of the first charging mode is completed. The method may include initiating wireless charging in the wireless charging circuit when the configuration operation of the first charging mode fails, performing a configuration operation of a second charging mode for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal output from a processor of the electronic device to the wireless charging circuit, and operating in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

[0114] The method may further include an operation in which, while the wireless charging circuit performs a setting operation of the first charging mode, the processor changes a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from a first state indicating the first charging mode to a second state indicating the second charging mode.

[0115] The method may further include an operation in which, after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed, the processor changes a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state.

[0116] The method may further include an operation in which, when the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, the processor maintains a signal output to the wireless charging circuit in a second state indicating the second charging mode while receiving power in the second charging mode. The method may further include an operation in which, after receiving power in the second charging mode is terminated, the processor changes a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to a first state indicating the first charging mode.

[0117] The operation of changing from the second state to the first state may include an operation of changing a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state after a specified time has elapsed since the reception of power in the second charging mode is terminated.

[0118] The processor and the wireless charging circuit may be connected via a designated communication interface. The method may further include an operation in which, while the wireless charging circuit performs a setting operation of the first charging mode, the processor changes a voltage level of a signal output to the charging circuit via the communication interface from a first level corresponding to the first charging mode to a second level corresponding to the second charging mode. The method may further include an operation in which, based on completion of the setting operation of the first charging mode, the processor changes a voltage level of a signal output to the charging circuit via the communication interface from the second level to the first level.

[0119] The setting operation of the first charging mode may include a calibration operation for calibrating a power value in the wireless charging circuit. The method may further include an operation in which the processor changes the voltage level from the second level to the first level based on completion of the calibration operation.

[0120] The method may further include an operation in which the processor changes the voltage level from the second level to the first level based on the termination of charging of the battery after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed.

[0121] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory recording medium may store instructions readable by an electronic device (e.g., a power receiving device (202)). The instructions, when executed, may cause the electronic device to perform an operation of configuring a first charging mode for receiving a first power from a power supply device via a coil of the electronic device in a wireless charging circuit of the electronic device. The instructions, when executed, may cause the electronic device to perform an operation of operating in the first charging mode for receiving the first power from the wireless charging circuit when the operation of configuring the first charging mode is completed. The instructions, when executed, may cause the electronic device to initiate wireless charging in the wireless charging circuit if the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, perform a setting operation of a second charging mode for receiving a second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal output from the processor of the electronic device to the wireless charging circuit, and perform an operation of operating in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

[0122] In the above explanation, the prefixes “first,” “second,” and “third” are only used to distinguish between the same names and do not have any special meaning in themselves, such as importance or order.

[0123] Electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0124] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0125] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. In one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0126] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or may be provided through an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), online distribution (e.g., downloading or uploading). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0128] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. In electronic devices, battery; coil; A wireless charging circuit configured to rectify power received from a power supply device through the coil and provide the rectified power to charge the battery; and A processor configured to output a signal related to a charging mode of the wireless charging circuit, The above wireless charging circuit, Performing configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from a power supply device; When the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed, it operates in the first charging mode for receiving the first power, An electronic device configured to initiate wireless charging if the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, perform a setting operation of a second charging mode for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal received from the processor, and operate in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from a first state indicating the first charging mode to a second state indicating the second charging mode while the wireless charging circuit performs a setting operation of the first charging mode.

3. In the second paragraph, the setting operation of the first charging mode includes a power value setting operation for setting a power value to be supplied from the power supply device to the electronic device, a negotiation operation for negotiating a maximum power value that can be supplied from the power supply device to the electronic device, and a correction operation for correcting the power value to be supplied from the power supply device to the electronic device. An electronic device wherein the processor is configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the first state to the second state while the power value setting operation, the negotiation operation, or the correction operation is performed.

4. In the second paragraph, the processor is an electronic device configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed.

5. In the first paragraph, if the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, the processor, While receiving power in the second charging mode, the signal output to the wireless charging circuit is maintained in a second state indicating the second charging mode, An electronic device configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to a first state indicating the first charging mode after power reception in the second charging mode is terminated.

6. In the fifth paragraph, the processor, An electronic device configured to change a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to the first state after a specified time has elapsed since the reception of power in the second charging mode has ended.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the processor, An electronic device configured to recognize that charging of the battery is terminated when the voltage value of the power rectified in the wireless charging circuit is below a specified minimum value.

8. In the first paragraph, the processor and the wireless charging circuit are connected through a designated communication interface, The above processor, While the wireless charging circuit performs the setting operation of the first charging mode, the voltage level of the signal output to the charging circuit through the communication interface is changed from a first level corresponding to the first charging mode to a second level corresponding to the second charging mode, An electronic device configured to change a voltage level of a signal output to the charging circuit through the communication interface from the second level to the first level based on completion of the setting operation of the first charging mode.

9. In the 8th paragraph, the communication interface is an electronic device including a GPIO (general-purpose input / output) pin.

10. In the 8th paragraph, the setting operation of the first charging mode includes a correction operation for calibration of the power value in the wireless charging circuit, An electronic device wherein the processor is configured to change the voltage level from the second level to the first level based on completion of the compensation operation.

11. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, An electronic device configured to change the voltage level from the second level to the first level based on the termination of charging of the battery after the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed.

12. In the 11th paragraph, the processor, An electronic device configured to change the voltage level from the second level to the first level after a specified time has elapsed since charging of the battery is terminated.

13. A method of operating an electronic device, An operation of performing configuration operations of a first charging mode for receiving first power from a power supply device through a coil of the electronic device in a wireless charging circuit of the electronic device; When the setting operation of the first charging mode is completed, an operation of operating in the first charging mode for receiving the first power from the wireless charging circuit; and A method comprising: if the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, initiating wireless charging in the wireless charging circuit; performing a setting operation of a second charging mode for receiving second power lower than the first power from the power supply device based on a signal output from the processor of the electronic device to the wireless charging circuit; and operating in the second charging mode for receiving the second power.

14. In paragraph 13, A method further comprising: in the processor, while the wireless charging circuit performs a setting operation of the first charging mode, an operation of changing a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from a first state indicating the first charging mode to a second state indicating the second charging mode.

15. In the 13th paragraph, if the setting operation of the first charging mode fails, in the processor, An operation of maintaining a signal output to the wireless charging circuit in a second state indicating the second charging mode while receiving power in the second charging mode; and A method further comprising an operation of changing a signal output to the wireless charging circuit from the second state to a first state indicating the first charging mode after the reception of power in the second charging mode is terminated.

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