Wireless Charger Ping Signals Standby Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless charging systems face inefficiencies in standby power consumption and user interface notifications, as the Receiver Integrated Circuit (RX IC) remains active after charging is complete, leading to unnecessary energy waste and incorrect user indications about maintenance charging needs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing analog and digital pinging signals by the wireless charger transmitter to detect the presence of the device and switch to standby mode, allowing the system to differentiate between initial and maintenance charging phases without notifying the user during maintenance charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the RX IC remains active after charging is complete to detect device presence, then the system can detect when the device is removed from the charger, but the standby power consumption increases significantly to approximately 1.5W

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice presence detectionVSAvoidstandby power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the presence detection function from the RX IC by introducing a separate ping signal mechanism. The TX pad sends periodic ping signals independently of the RX IC's charging function, allowing presence detection without requiring the RX IC to remain fully active during standby mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary presence detection using ping signals before initiating full charging operations. By continuously sending low-power ping signals from the TX pad, the system preliminarily determines device presence without committing to high-power RX IC operation, enabling early detection and appropriate power state management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the RX IC is switched to standby mode after charging is complete to reduce power consumption, then the standby power consumption decreases to acceptable levels, but the system cannot distinguish between maintenance charging phase and initial charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandby power consumptionVSAvoidcharging phase information
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ping signals as an intermediary communication mechanism between the TX pad and the handset. These signals serve as a mediator that conveys charging phase information without requiring the RX IC to remain active, allowing the system to distinguish between initial charging and maintenance charging phases while in low-power standby mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through periodic ping signals that provide continuous information about the charging state and device presence. This feedback mechanism allows the handset to understand whether it is in initial charging or maintenance charging phase without the RX IC consuming high power, resolving the information loss problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the system enters maintenance charging mode without user notification to avoid disturbing the user, then user experience is improved, but the user is not aware that the battery needs recharging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidbattery status information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the notification parameter based on the charging phase. During maintenance charging, the system modifies the user notification behavior by suppressing full battery notifications while still monitoring battery status through ping signals. This parameter change allows the system to maintain user-friendly operation while preserving essential battery status information through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach reduces standby power consumption and provides accurate user interface notifications, ensuring efficient energy use and user awareness of battery full status and maintenance charging needs.

Implementation Method 1

the wireless charger transmitter sends ping signals regularly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2792046B1Method and apparatus for optimizing standby power consumption and providing user indications in WPC based wireless charging system
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 PROVENANCE ASSET GROUP LLC
  • EP2792046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2792046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2792046B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method for reducing standby power consumption of a battery of a wireless charging device comprises: monitoring a presence of the wireless charging device nearby a wireless charger transmitter (460); initiating a wireless charging when the presence of the wireless charging device is detected on the wireless charger transmitter (460) and sending a charging notification to an end user; sending a battery full message for notifying the end user when the wireless charging is complete and terminating the wireless charging; setting the wireless charging device to a standby mode and monitoring a ping signal from the wireless charger transmitter (460); entering a maintenance charging mode when the battery is below a recharging threshold without notifying the end user; and continuing the maintenance charging mode of the wireless charging device until the battery is full or the wireless charging device is removed from the wireless charger transmitter (460).