Spatial power transfer system

Abstract

The present disclosure is a controller connected to a wireless communication device that communicates with a power reception device and supplies power to the power reception device, and connected to a power transmission device that spatially transfers power to the power reception device. When radio waves from the wireless communication device are used for communication, the controller uses a frequency having little interference with the radio waves used for communication as a frequency used for the supply of power by the wireless communication device and the power transmission device.

Description

Space-type power transmission system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for supplying power to a large number of sensors using natural energy or the like in combination with wireless power supply without replacing batteries or connecting power cables.

[0002] In recent years, Society 5.0 has been proposed, aiming to realize a smart society by installing a huge number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in various places in everyday spaces and using a wide variety of sensing data. Realizing Society 5.0 requires a huge number of IoT devices, and one of the problems is power supply to IoT devices. When using chemical batteries as a power source, it is difficult to utilize a large number of them due to various reasons, such as the cost of battery inspection and replacement, the environmental impact of battery production and disposal, and the shortage of rare resources such as rare metals used in batteries. Energy harvesting technology (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "EH"), which harvests energy from the surrounding environment and uses it as power, has attracted attention as a technology to solve this problem. Using EH technology eliminates the need for chemical batteries and enables semi-permanent use of IoT devices over their lifetime. Among EH technologies, wireless power transfer, which can provide stable power supply in various locations, and a hybrid system using EH as a power source for IoT devices are being investigated [see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1]. ].

[0003] C. Fu et al. , “Throughput Maximization in Wireless Communication Systems Powered by Hybrid Energy Harvesting,” IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS, VOL. 41, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2022.

[0004] A power supply system using a dedicated power transmitter that is not bound by wireless communication standards has been proposed. The power transmitter has a high transmission output power, so it can supply power to a power receiving device such as an IoT terminal in a short time, reaching the reference power.

[0005] The radio waves used in wireless power supply are used not only for wireless power transmission but also for communication. If the radio waves or light used in the power transmission device affect the radio waves used for communication, communication will not be performed normally.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to apply power feeding using a power transmitter without impeding communication in a spatial power transfer system using wireless power feeding.

[0007] A spatial power transmission system according to the present disclosure includes a wireless communication device that communicates with a power receiving device and supplies power to the power receiving device, a power transmitting device that transmits power to the power receiving device through space, and a controller according to the present disclosure, wherein a power supply area of ​​the power transmitting device overlaps with at least a portion of a communication area of ​​the wireless communication device.

[0008] The controller of the present disclosure is connected to the wireless communication device and the power transmission device, and executes the power supply method of the present disclosure. In the power supply method of the present disclosure, when radio waves from the wireless communication device are used for communication, the controller uses a frequency that has less interference with the radio waves used for communication as the frequency used for power supply in the wireless communication device and the power transmission device.

[0009] The spatial power transmission system of the present disclosure may include a frequency information collection function unit that detects frequencies used by communication terminals other than the wireless communication device. In this embodiment, the controller may use frequencies that have less interference with the frequencies detected by the frequency information collection function unit as frequencies used for power supply by the wireless communication device and the power transmission device.

[0010] The power receiving device may include a power receiver that receives power from the power transmitting device, a receiver that converts a wireless signal from the wireless communication device into power, an energy source that generates power, a capacitor that stores power from the power receiver, the receiver, and the energy source, and a communication module that transmits data using the power stored in the capacitor.

[0011] The controller may group the power receiving devices according to the amount of power shortage. In this embodiment, the controller may stop activation of the power receiver provided in the power receiving device that does not require power supply from the power transmitting device, and adjust the transmission frequency of the power transmitting device so as to approach the resonant frequency of the power receiver provided in the power receiving device that requires power supply from the power transmitting device.

[0012] The power transmitting device may supply power to the power receiving device using radio waves having at least one of a frequency and intensity different from those of the wireless communication device, or light having a frequency different from those of the wireless communication device.

[0013] The above disclosures can be combined as much as possible.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, in a spatial power transfer system using wireless power supply, it is possible to apply power supply using a power transmitter without interfering with communication, thereby enabling highly efficient power supply and communication to be achieved simultaneously.

[0015] 1 shows an example of a system configuration of the present disclosure. 2 shows an example of a configuration of a power receiving device. 3 shows an example of a configuration of a controller. 4 shows an example of a power supply method executed by a controller. 5 shows an example of a power supply method executed by a controller. 6 shows an example of a power supply method executed by a controller. 7 shows an example of an intermittent operation. 8 shows an example of a system configuration of the present disclosure. 9 shows an example of a position determination method executed by a controller.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below. These implementation examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Note that components with the same reference numerals in this specification and drawings indicate the same components.

[0017] 1 shows an example of a system configuration according to the present disclosure. The spatial power transfer system of this embodiment includes a wireless communication device 91, a power transmission device 92, a controller 93, and a terminal 94. The controller 93 is connected to the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92.

[0018] The wireless communication device 91 is a device capable of wireless communication with the terminal 94, and may be, for example, a Wi-Fi access point or base station. In the present disclosure, the wireless communication device 91 also supplies power to the terminal 94.

[0019] The power transmitting device 92 is a device that transmits power over the air to the terminal 94. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two power transmitting devices 92#1 and 92#2 are provided. The power transmitting devices 92#1 and 92#2 each transmit power over the air to an area A defined for the device itself. ９２ #1 and Area A ９２ Supply power to #2. Area A ９２ #1 and Area A ９２ #2 indicates a power supply area to which the power transmitters 92#1 and 92#2 can supply power.

[0020] Area A, which is the power supply area of ​​the power transmitter 92 ９２ is the communication area of ​​the wireless communication device 91, ９１ In this embodiment, the area A to which the power transmission device 92 can supply power overlaps at least a part of the area A. ９２ indicates area A in which the wireless communication device 91 can communicate. ９１ In this embodiment, the area A ９１ Area A inside ９２ are placed multiple times.

[0021] Some power transmission devices, such as the power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2, cannot be used in an environment where people are present. This prohibited area can be set to any range that is equal to or greater than the range of the beams from the power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2. In this embodiment, Area A ９２ This shows an example in which the area is set as a prohibited area where people are prohibited from entering.

[0022] The spatial power transmission system of the present disclosure is ９１ and A ９２ For example, the controller 93 is provided with a means for notifying an intrusion into Area A. ９１ a first sensor 81 for detecting an intrusion into area A; ９２ The second sensor 82 detects an intrusion into area A. ９２ #1 and A９２ The second sensor 82 may be mounted on the power transmission device 92. The first sensor 81 and the second sensor may notify periodically or only when information is updated.

[0023] The first sensor 81 and the second sensor 82 may be any means capable of detecting a person, such as a human presence sensor. ９１ When the area A is large, a plurality of first sensors 81 are used to measure the area A ９１ Regarding the second sensor 82, a plurality of second sensors 82 may be used to detect an intrusion into area A. ９２ Intrusion into Area A #1 may be detected. ９１ and A ９２ The means for notifying an intrusion into the room may be entry / exit management information such as a card key.

[0024] The terminal 94 is a power receiving device that stores power and transmits data such as sensing data when the stored power reaches a reference power, and is, for example, an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal. The terminal 94 is an EH hybrid wireless terminal that operates using power supplied by the wireless communication device 91, power supplied by the power transmission device 92, and power supplied from other power sources.

[0025] 2 shows an example configuration of the terminal 94. The terminal 94 includes a receiver 11, a power receiver 12, and an energy source 17. The receiver 11 has a function of converting a wireless signal from a wireless communication device 91 into electric power. The power receiver 12 has a function of receiving electric power from a power transmission device 92. The energy source 17 has a function of generating electric power, such as solar power generation. The capacitor 13 has a function of storing electric power from the receiver 11, the power receiver 12, and the energy source 17.

[0026] The terminal 94 includes a microcomputer 14, a sensor 15, and a communication module 16. The sensor 15 is any sensor, such as a camera or a microphone, that is defined for each terminal 94. The communication module 16 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from any device, such as a server. The microcomputer 14 has a function of controlling the sensor 15 and the communication module 16. The microcomputer 14 may also have a function of controlling the receiver 11, the power receiver 12, and the energy source 17.

[0027] The sensor 15 may include a sensor capable of detecting a position, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System), and the sensing data may include position information of the terminal 94. Furthermore, the communication module 16 may transmit and receive data other than the sensing data.

[0028] The microcomputer 14, the sensor 15, and the communication module 16 operate using the power stored in the capacitor 13. When power is stored in the capacitor 13, the sensor 15 acquires sensing data, and the communication module 16 transmits the sensing data. The transmitted sensing data is collected in a predetermined server (not shown) via an external access point 83. The sensing data may include wireless information such as CSI (Channel State Information).

[0029] The external access point 83 is an access point that transfers sensing data, and can be an access point with low power consumption such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0030] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the controller 93. The controller 93 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, and a communication module 33. The memory 32 stores location information of each terminal 94, area A, ９１ and A ９２ The processor 31 has a function of controlling the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 based on the information stored in the memory 32.

[0031] The memory 32 stores any information used by the controller 93. For example, the following can be exemplified: (i) location information of each terminal 94; (ii) area A; ９１ and A ９２ (iii) Information about human intrusion into the terminal; (iv) Communication frequency and power supply frequency of the wireless communication device 91; and (v) Transmission frequency of the power transmission device 92.

[0032] The terminal internal information stores information on sensing data of each terminal 94 linked to the identification information of each terminal 94. Examples of sensing data information include the following: - Time when the sensing data was set to be transmitted - Time when the sensing data was updated - Time when power was stored when power was supplied by the power transmission device 92 - Frequencies at which the receiver 11 can receive - Frequencies at which the power receiver 12 can receive - Frequencies at which the communication module 16 can transmit and receive

[0033] The method for acquiring the location information of each terminal 94 is arbitrary, and examples include the following: Each terminal 94 transmits its own location information to the controller 93. The location information included in the sensing data is acquired. The tag provided on the terminal 94 is read. The methods described in the third and fourth embodiments are used.

[0034] 1 can be used not only for wireless power transmission but also for communication, and realizes both communication and wireless power transmission simultaneously. Therefore, if the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 use the same frequency, interference will occur, hindering wireless communication by the wireless communication device 91. For this reason, it is desirable that the frequencies used by the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 be different frequencies or have a certain frequency difference.

[0035] In the power feeding method of this embodiment, when radio waves from the wireless communication device 91 are used for communication, the controller 93 uses a frequency that causes less interference with the radio waves used for communication as the frequency used for power feeding in the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92. In this embodiment, a combination of frequencies that does not cause interference problems is used. As a result, this embodiment simultaneously achieves highly efficient communication and wireless power transmission through wireless power transmission that takes into account the frequency characteristics of the terminal.

[0036] The frequencies available to the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2 are determined in advance. For example, the wireless communication device 91 uses a frequency f １ , f ２ and f ３ The power transmitters 92#1 and 92#2 can select from the frequency f ０ and f ４ On the other hand, in each terminal 94, the resonant frequency at which the receiver 11 has good reception efficiency and the resonant frequency at which the power receiver 12 has good power reception efficiency are determined in advance.

[0037] The spatial power transmission system of this embodiment includes a frequency information collection function unit 95. The frequency information collection function unit 95 is a device that collects frequency information, and may be, for example, a spectrum analyzer. The frequency information collection function unit 95 may collect frequencies used by unmanaged communication terminals other than the wireless communication device 91. The frequency information collection function unit 95 may also collect the power supply frequency of the power transmission device 92. The controller 93 can detect the frequency used by each device based on the information collected by the frequency information collection function unit 95.

[0038] Although the power transmission device 92 is legally required to be managed by an administrator to prevent interference with surrounding communication standards, interference is not an issue when used alone. Also, with the wireless communication device 91, there are methods for using frequencies not used for communication for wireless power transmission, or for using leakage communication radio waves between another terminal 94 and an access point as power, so interference is generally not an issue when used alone.

[0039] On the other hand, when the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 can use the same frequency band, interference from three parties, namely, the communication use of the wireless communication device 91, the power transmission device 92, and completely unrelated external communication, must be taken into consideration. Since completely unrelated external communication radio waves must also be taken into consideration in terms of interference, the controller 93 collects surrounding wireless radio waves and manages the frequencies in use as frequency usage information, thereby performing wireless power transmission without causing interference to the surrounding area.

[0040] In this embodiment, the controller 93 divides the devices into groups according to the amount of power shortage. For example, the controller 93 divides the devices into a first group in which the power stored in the capacitor 13 does not reach the reference power when power is supplied only from the energy source 17 and the receiver 11, and a second group in which the reference power can be stored in the capacitor 13 when power is supplied only from the energy source 17 and the receiver 11. The controller 93 may further divide the first group according to the difference from the reference power.

[0041] In this embodiment, the controller 93 enables the power transmitter 92 to supply power to the first group. For example, the controller 93 tunes the transmission frequency of the power transmitter 92 to the resonant frequency of the power receiver 12. For the second group, the controller 93 prevents the power receiver 12 from receiving power from the power transmitter 92. For example, the controller 93 causes the terminal 94 to stop activation of the power receiver 12. This allows power to be supplied with high efficiency to different terminals 94 located in the same place. In this embodiment, the controller 93 may group the terminals 94 according to the resonant frequency of the power receiver 12. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. 4.

[0042] S111: The controller 93 collects frequency information from the frequency information collection function unit 95. S112: The controller 93 determines whether or not the wireless communication device 91 is to be used for communication as well as power supply. S113: The controller 93 determines whether or not the terminal 94 is in area A. ９２ S114: The controller 93 determines whether power supply from the power transmission device 92 is necessary. For example, it determines which group the terminal 94 belongs to. S115: The terminal 94 is in area A. ９２ If the terminal 94 is outside area A (No in step S113) or if power is not being supplied by the power transmission device 92 (No in step S114), the controller 93 selects a frequency to be used by the wireless communication device 91 so that the frequency used for communication by the wireless communication device 91 and the frequency used for power supply by the wireless communication device 91 do not interfere with each other. ９２When the wireless communication device 91 is located inside the power transmission device 92 (Yes in step S113) and power is being supplied by the power transmission device 92 (Yes in step S114), the controller 93 selects frequencies to be used by the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 so that the frequencies used for communication by the wireless communication device 91 and the frequencies used for power supply by the power transmission device 92 do not interfere with each other.

[0043] Steps S115 and S116 when the wireless communication device 91 is used for communication as well as power supply will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 1. (i) When the terminal 94#3 belongs to the second group, the controller 93 determines that power supply from the power transmitting device 92 is unnecessary (No in S114). At this time, the controller 93 selects a frequency for the wireless communication device 91 so that the frequency for power supply does not interfere with the frequency for communication. For example, if the frequency for power supply of the wireless communication device 91 is set to f １ and set the communication frequency of the wireless communication device 91 to f ３ (ii) The terminal 94#1 belongs to the first group and is in area A. ９２ The resonant frequency of the power receiver 12 provided in the terminal 94#1 is f ０ At this time, the controller 93 adjusts the transmission frequency of the power transmitter 92#1 to the resonance frequency f ０ On the other hand, the activation of the power receivers 12 of the terminals 92#2 and 92#3 is stopped. This allows power to be supplied to the terminal 94#1 efficiently.

[0044] In steps S115 and S116, the controller 93 determines whether the resonant frequency of the power receiver 12 included in the terminal 94#1 is f ０ At this time, the controller 93 selects a frequency f that does not interfere with external communication terminals other than the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92. ３ The communication frequency of the wireless communication device 91 may be set to the above.

[0045] Second Embodiment In a power supply method of this embodiment, a controller 93 determines a terminal 94 that needs power supply, and determines whether the terminal 94 that needs power supply is in area A. ９２When the terminal 94 is located within area A, the power transmitting device 92 uses a frequency close to the resonant frequency of the terminal 94 that needs to be powered. ９２ Outside and Area A ９１ When the frequency is within the resonant frequency range, a frequency close to the resonant frequency of the terminal 94 that requires power supply is used by the wireless communication device 91. A detailed description will be given below with reference to FIGS.

[0046] S11: The controller 93 determines whether each terminal 94 is a terminal that requires power supply. For example, the controller 93 compares the set transmission time of the sensing data stored in the memory 32 with the time when the sensing data was updated, and extracts terminals 94 that have not transmitted sensing data according to the set transmission time. This extracts terminals 94 that require power supply. The extracted terminals 94 are referred to as the relevant terminals 94. S12: The controller 93 determines whether the required amount of power for each relevant terminal 94 is equal to or greater than a threshold. The threshold is determined by the amount of power that the wireless communication device 91 can supply. If the amount of power is within the range that the wireless communication device 91 can supply, the answer is "No." If the amount of power is within the range that the wireless communication device 91 cannot supply, the answer is "Yes." S13: For terminals 94 that can be supplied with power by the wireless communication device 91 (No in S12), the controller 93 uses the resonant frequency of the terminal 94 in the wireless communication device 91. S14: For the terminal 94 with an amount of power that cannot be supplied by the wireless communication device 91 (Yes in S12), the controller 93 executes steps S31 and subsequent steps, which will be described later.

[0047] S31: The controller 93 divides the relevant terminals 94 into groups according to the amount of power required. This divides the terminals into a group of terminals that require a large amount of power and a group of terminals that do not. The method of grouping is arbitrary, and for example, it may be divided into three groups: large, medium, and small. S32: The controller 93 divides the terminals 94 in the group into Area A and Area B. ９１ Within and Area A ９２ Determine whether there is anything outside of

[0048] S33: The controller 93 ９１ Within and Area A９２ For a group in which there is a terminal 94 located outside the range, it is determined whether there are multiple terminals 94. S34: When there is a single terminal 94 in this group, the controller 93 uses a frequency close to the resonant frequency of the terminal 94 in this group as the frequency for feeding power to the wireless communication device 91. S35: When there is a multiple terminal 94 in this group, the controller 93 counts the number of terminals 94 corresponding to each resonant frequency. S36: The controller 93 uses a frequency close to the resonant frequency with the largest number as the frequency for feeding power to the wireless communication device 91. If there is the same number of terminals, the controller 93 selects a frequency from the frequency group to which the terminal 94 that is closest to the wireless communication device 91 belongs.

[0049] S37: All terminals 94 are in Area A ９１ and A ９２ For a group located inside, the controller 93 determines whether there are multiple terminals 94. S38: When there is a single terminal 94 in this group, the controller 93 uses, in the power transmitting device 92, a frequency that is close to the resonant frequency of the terminal 94 in this group. S39: When there is a multiple terminal 94 in this group, the controller 93 selects, from among the terminals 94 in this group, the terminal 94 that is farthest from the wireless communication device 91. S40: The controller 93 uses, in the power transmitting device 92, a frequency that is close to the resonant frequency of the terminal 94 selected in step S39. At this time, the beam direction of the power transmitting device 92 may be aligned with the terminal 94 selected in step S39.

[0050] Note that the method for selecting the terminals 94 and setting the frequency of the power transmission device 92 in steps S39 and S40 is not limited to this. For example, the number of terminals 94 corresponding to each resonance frequency may be counted, and the frequency close to the resonance frequency with the largest number may be used by the power transmission device 92.

[0051] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to supply power with maximum efficiency to a group of terminals 94 that request power by setting a highly efficient frequency in the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 for the group of terminals 94 that request power based on the location information of the terminals 94. Therefore, this embodiment can minimize the number of terminals that do not have enough power.

[0052] In addition, the controller 93 may perform grouping and prioritization using information such as the distance from the transmission source of the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 and the resonant frequency of the terminals 94, and control the number of terminals that are short of power to be minimized.

[0053] Third Embodiment A terminal 94 that cannot operate until power is stored in the capacitor 13 performs intermittent operation that alternates between a power storage period and a power consumption period, as shown in Fig. 7. During the power storage period, power is stored in the capacitor 13 from the receiver 11, the power receiver 12, and the energy source 17. During the power consumption period, the sensor 15 acquires sensing data, and the communication module 16 transmits the sensing data.

[0054] The power supplied by the power transmission device 92 is greater than the power supplied by the wireless communication device 91. Therefore, the power storage period of the terminal 94 supplied with power by the power transmission device 92 is shorter than that of the terminal 94 supplied with power by the wireless communication device 91. This difference in the power storage period is reflected in the transmission interval of the sensing data. In this embodiment, the controller 93 determines the position of the terminal 94 based on the transmission interval of the sensing data.

[0055] 8 shows an example of a system configuration according to the present disclosure. The spatial power transmission system of this embodiment includes a power transmission device 92 and a controller 93. The power transmission device 92 is a device that transmits power through space to a terminal 94. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2 are provided. The power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2 each transmit power through space to an area A defined for itself. ９２ #1 and Area A ９２ Power #2.

[0056] 9 shows an example of a position determination method executed by the controller 93. S21: Area A９１ and A ９２ Select an area with no people in it. For example, Area A ９２ When there is no one in area #1, the controller 93 ９２ S22: The controller 93 selects the selected area A. ９２ Power is supplied from the power transmitter 92#1 in area A. At this time, power is not supplied from the power transmitter 92#2. ９２ Since the terminal 94 located in area #1 immediately stores power, the sensing data is transmitted at the shortest interval determined for each terminal 94. S23: The controller 93 determines whether the sensing data transmitted from the terminal 94 has been updated. S24: If the sensing data has been updated, the controller 93 compares it with the transmission time of the sensing data set for the terminal 94 whose sensing data has been updated. If it corresponds to the storage period when power was supplied by the power transmission device 92 #1, the position of the terminal 94 is determined to be in area A. ９２ The controller 93 determines that the location of the terminal 94 is within area A #1. ９２ #1 may be written to the memory 32. If the storage period when power was supplied by the power transmission device 92 #1 has elapsed, the process returns to step S21. S25: If the sensing data has not been updated in step S23, the controller 93 determines whether or not the storage time for the sensing data set for each terminal 94 has elapsed. If the storage time has elapsed (Yes in step S25), the controller 93 waits until the time to transmit the sensing data (S26).

[0057] In step S25, if the accumulation time has elapsed (No in step S25), ９２ Since there is no terminal 94 in #1, the process returns to step S21. ９２ Change to #2.

[0058] In this embodiment, an example in which there are two power transmitters 92 is shown, but there may be three or more power transmitters 92.

[0059] As described above, the controller 93 of this embodiment can grasp the location of the terminal 94 that does not have a function for measuring its own location. In particular, since the sensing data includes identification information such as the MAC address of the terminal 94, information on the location of each terminal 94 can be managed in the memory 32.

[0060] 8, the power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2 are capable of controlling the beam direction. ９２ #1 and A ９２ Based on the beam direction in #2, Area A ９２ #1 and A ９２ The location of terminal 94 within #2 is determined.

[0061] Specifically, in step S21 shown in FIG. 9, the controller 93 ９２ Area A in a specific beam direction of #1 ９２ Select #11.

[0062] In step S22, the controller 93 selects the area A. ９２ The beam of the power transmitter 92#1 is controlled so that power is supplied to area A#11. At this time, power is not supplied from the power transmitter 92#2. ９２ Power is supplied from the power transmitter 92#1 only to the terminal 94 present in #11.

[0063] Area A ９２ The terminal 94 located in area #11 immediately stores power and transmits sensing data at the shortest interval determined for each terminal 94. ９２ The transmission interval of the sensing data from the terminal 94 located in area #11 is ９２ Area A of #1 ９２ The interval for transmitting sensing data from the terminal 94 located in the area other than #11 is shorter than the interval for transmitting sensing data from the terminal 94 located in the area other than #11. Therefore, by executing steps S23 to S25, the controller 93 determines whether the terminal 94 is located in area A. ９２ It can be determined that it is located at #11.

[0064] These steps S21 to S25 are performed in area A. ９２ This is performed sequentially for each area of ​​#1 determined by the beam direction. Area A ９２ When area #1 is divided into eight, steps S21 to S25 are performed eight times. ９２ It is possible to determine in which area of ​​#1 the terminal 94 is located.

[0065] In step S25, the terminal 94 is in area A. ９２ When the power transmitting device 92 is located in area A #11, the controller 93 reduces the beam diameter of the power transmitting device 92 #1. ９２ It may be determined in which area of ​​#11 the terminal 94 is located.

[0066] In this embodiment, the controller 93 switches the area defined by the beam direction from the power transmitting device 92#1, and ９２ The sensing data includes identification information such as the MAC address of the terminal 94, so that information on where each terminal 94 is located can be managed in the memory 32.

[0067] By using this mechanism, the controller 93 can grasp the position of the terminal 94 that does not have a function for measuring its own position while supplying power to the terminal 94. As a result, this embodiment can efficiently supply power to the terminal 94 that needs power while tracking it.

[0068] The present embodiment is not limited to two or more power transmission devices 92#1 and 92#2, and may be limited to only one power transmission device. Furthermore, the present embodiment is not limited to one wireless communication device 91, and may be limited to two or more wireless communication devices 91.

[0069] Other Embodiments The controller 93 of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium or provided via a network.

[0070] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to a hybrid of the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92. For example, the power transmission device 92 may use radio waves that are different in at least one of frequency and intensity from those of the wireless communication device 91. Furthermore, the power transmission device 92 may use other power transmission methods such as optical wireless power transmission. By employing optical wireless power transmission, power can be supplied even in environments where there are restrictions on the use of radio waves.

[0071] As described above, the spatial power transmission system of the present disclosure performs control so as to prevent interference in the power supply between the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92, thereby realizing power transmission by simultaneous use of the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92 without impairing the quality of wireless communication by the wireless communication device 91.

[0072] Even when there is an external wireless communication that is completely unrelated, interference control is performed so as not to affect the communication, thereby realizing wireless power transmission by simultaneously using a wireless communication device 91 and a power transmission device 92 without affecting the communication of other companies.

[0073] If overlapping frequencies are used in the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92, interference will occur and the wireless communication by the wireless communication device 91 will be impaired, so different frequencies or a certain degree of frequency difference is used in the wireless communication device 91 and the power transmission device 92. Therefore, the present disclosure can simultaneously achieve highly efficient communication and wireless power transmission by using a combination of frequencies that does not cause interference problems and wireless power transmission that takes into account the frequency characteristics of the terminal.

[0074] The spatial power transmission system of the present disclosure can also achieve efficient wireless power transmission even during times when people are working or in large spaces (factories or warehouses). Furthermore, the present disclosure can seamlessly switch to power supply from the wireless communication device 91 during human intervention or when the user moves out of the beam range of the power transmission device 92, thereby continuously executing wireless power transmission and enabling stable power supply to the IoT terminal for a long period of time.

[0075] 11: Receiver 12: Power receiver 13: Capacitor 14: Microcomputer 15: Sensor 16: Communication module 81: First sensor 82: Second sensor 83: External access point 91: Wireless communication device 92: Power transmission device 93: Controller 94: Terminal 95: Frequency information collection function unit

Claims

1. A controller connected to a wireless communication device that communicates with a power receiving device and supplies power to the power receiving device, and a power transmitting device that transmits power over space to the power receiving device, wherein when radio waves from the wireless communication device are used for communication, the controller uses a frequency that has less interference with the radio waves used for communication as the frequency used for power supply by the wireless communication device and the power transmitting device.

2. A spatial power transmission system comprising: a wireless communication device that communicates with a power receiving device and supplies power to the power receiving device; a power transmitting device that transmits power to the power receiving device through space; and the controller according to claim 1.

3. A spatial power transmission system as described in claim 2, further comprising a frequency information collection function unit that detects frequencies used by unmanaged communication terminals other than the wireless communication device, and the controller uses frequencies that have less interference with the frequencies detected by the frequency information collection function unit as the frequencies used for power supply by the wireless communication device and the power transmission device.

4. The spatial power transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the power receiving device comprises: a power receiver that receives power from the power transmitting device; a receiver that converts a wireless signal from the wireless communication device into power; an energy source that generates power; a capacitor that stores power from the power receiver, the receiver, and the energy source; and a communication module that transmits data using the power stored in the capacitor.

5. The spatial power transmission system according to claim 4, wherein the controller divides the power receiving devices into groups according to the amount of power shortage, stops activation of the power receiver provided in the power receiving device that does not require power supply from the power transmitting device, and adjusts the transmission frequency of the power transmitting device so as to approach the resonant frequency of the power receiver provided in the power receiving device that requires power supply from the power transmitting device.

6. The spatial power transfer system according to claim 2, wherein the power transmitting device supplies power to the power receiving device using radio waves having at least one of a frequency and intensity different from that of the wireless communication device, or light having a frequency different from that of the wireless communication device.

7. A power supply method executed by a controller connected to a wireless communication device that communicates with a power receiving device and supplies power to the power receiving device, and a power transmitting device that transmits power over space to the power receiving device, wherein when radio waves from the wireless communication device are used for communication, the controller uses a frequency that has less interference with the radio waves used for communication as the frequency used for power supply in the wireless communication device and the power transmitting device.

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