Acoustic Wireless Power Pockets for 3D Device Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless charging systems are limited in transmitting energy over meaningful distances and lack the capability to dynamically track and manage power transmission in three-dimensional spaces, failing to adapt to the movement of electronic devices and ensuring safe exposure limits for humans and sensitive objects.
Innovation Solution
The system generates and transmits power waves that converge to form a pocket of energy at a predetermined location, using sensors and cameras to identify objects and adjust power levels, ensuring safe and efficient energy transmission while avoiding sensitive objects and adhering to regulatory exposure limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnetic resonance is used to wirelessly transmit energy, then power can be transmitted without wired connection, but the electronic device must be proximately located within a magnetic field which limits user mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar charging surfaces to three-dimensional volumetric power transmission using acoustic waves. The acoustic field creates power pockets throughout a 3D space, allowing devices to be charged at any position within the volume, thereby enabling user mobility while maintaining wireless power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically tracks and follows electronic devices as they move through the transmission field. The acoustic power pockets are continuously adjusted and repositioned to maintain optimal charging positions, adapting to device movement in real-time to preserve both wireless operation and user mobility.
2Productivity
If conventional wireless charging systems transmit power waves, then energy can be delivered to devices, but they cannot identify or avoid sensitive objects such as medical equipment or living beings exposed to EMF
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and cameras that continuously monitor the transmission field for sensitive objects. When such objects are detected, the system provides feedback to adjust or redirect power wave transmission, thereby maintaining power transmission efficiency while preventing harmful EMF exposure to sensitive objects or living beings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium for power transmission instead of direct electromagnetic radiation. This intermediary approach allows for more controlled and localized energy delivery through acoustic power pockets, reducing unnecessary EMF exposure while maintaining effective power transfer to devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power waves are transmitted over a wide area to enable device movement, then user mobility is improved, but the system cannot accurately track or map device locations in three-dimensional space
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs acoustic waves propagating through three-dimensional space to create volumetric power transmission fields. Acoustic sensors and cameras detect device positions along multiple spatial dimensions, enabling accurate 3D location tracking across wide areas, which supports both extended device movement range and precise position mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic wave field serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits power to devices, enables sensing of device positions in 3D space, and provides feedback for system control. This multi-functionality allows wide-area coverage for device mobility while maintaining accurate location tracking through the same acoustic medium used for power transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and safe wireless power transmission in dynamic environments by forming energy pockets at specific locations, effectively managing power distribution and ensuring compliance with exposure limits, thus enhancing user mobility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, by a transmitter, power waves that converge to form constructive interference at a location associated with a receiver
Implementation Method 2
generating, by at least one thermal imaging camera in communication with the transmitter, a thermal image of at least a portion of a transmission field of the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein discloses a wireless charging system configured to generate and transmit power waves that, due to physical waveform characteristics converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pocket of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pocket of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy. Video sensors capture actual video images of fields of view within the transmission field, and a processor identifies selected objects, selected events, and/or selected locations within the captured video images.