Peer-to-Peer Wi-Fi Charging Frames for AP-Free Power Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi energy harvesting is limited by its dependence on AP infrastructure, preventing direct power exchange between Wi-Fi enabled devices, especially in environments without access points, hindering flexibility and adaptability in power transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing peer-to-peer (P2P) contactless wireless charging using RF energy to enable direct power transfer between Wi-Fi devices, allowing them to act as either charge providers or receivers without physical contact, with or without AP assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi energy harvesting uses AP infrastructure for power transmission, then power transfer can be achieved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced in environments without APs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission capability from the centralized AP infrastructure and enables direct peer-to-peer power transfer between Wi-Fi devices. Devices can now harvest energy directly from each other's Wi-Fi signals without requiring AP mediation, eliminating the infrastructure dependency while maintaining power transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of devices receiving power from APs (centralized approach), the patent enables devices to transmit power to each other (decentralized approach). This inversion of the power flow direction allows devices to act as both power sources and receivers, significantly improving adaptability in infrastructure-free environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If direct power exchange between Wi-Fi devices is enabled, then flexibility in mobile scenarios is improved, but existing Wi-Fi framework compatibility challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes Wi-Fi frames serve dual purposes: traditional data communication and energy transmission. By embedding energy information in existing Wi-Fi frame structures (such as data frames, management frames, or control frames), the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate communication and power transmission protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Wi-Fi frames as an intermediary carrier that simultaneously conveys both data and energy information. These frames act as mediators between the communication and power transmission functions, allowing devices to exchange both types of information through a single unified protocol layer.
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 flexible and adaptable power sharing in various environments, extending battery life of devices by allowing them to recharge each other wirelessly, reducing dependency on traditional charging methods and infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
transmit, based on the established charging session, one or more charging frames to the peer device
Data Source
AI summary
Wi-Fi energy harvesting typically relies on access points to transmit energy frames and lacks the capability of direct power sharing between wireless clients. To address this, devices, systems, methods, and processes for facilitating peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless charging are described herein. A client device in a network transmits a charging ability indication and receives, based on the charging ability indication, a charging association request from a peer device. The peer device may transmit the charging association request based on a current power level of the peer device. The client device establishes a charging session with the peer device based on the charging association request, and transmits, based on the established charging session, one or more charging frames to the peer device. The client device may establish the charging session with the peer device with or without an assistance from an AP.