Wireless Power Transfer Device Identification via Power Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems lack reliable methods to verify the identity of power receiving devices and secure communication links, as they are vulnerable to fraudulent identification and eavesdropping due to the lack of encryption in wireless connections.
Innovation Solution
The system employs power modulation for secure initial verification using a random number shared between the Power Transmitting Unit (PTU) and Power Receiving Unit (PRU), with the PTU generating and transmitting a random number, and the PRU generating an encoded response based on its ID, which is then verified by the PTU, and optionally uses a second, more efficient wireless connection like Bluetooth for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless connection is used for communication between PTU and PRU, then communication efficiency is improved, but security is worsened due to lack of encryption and susceptibility to eavesdropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing device identification and proximity verification through power modulation communication before establishing the wireless connection. This ensures that only authenticated devices can access the efficient but insecure wireless channel, preventing eavesdropping and fraudulent identification attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses power modulation communication as an intermediary mechanism that operates over the same inductive coupling channel as power transfer. This intermediary channel provides a secure out-of-band verification path that does not rely on encrypted wireless data channels, allowing authentication without exposing sensitive information to eavesdropping.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PRU identification number is transmitted over wireless connection for device identification, then identification capability is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to fraudulent identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary device identification using power modulation communication before relying on wireless transmission of identification numbers. The PTU verifies the PRU's identity through challenge-response authentication over the secure power channel, ensuring that subsequent wireless communication occurs only with authenticated devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through challenge-response authentication where the PTU sends a challenge to the PRU over the power modulation channel, and the PRU responds with a verification code. This feedback mechanism confirms the authenticity of the device before allowing it to use its identification number in wireless communications.
3Reliability
If power modulation is used for signaling, then security is improved through proximity verification, but communication efficiency is worsened compared to secondary wireless connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication into two distinct phases: a secure authentication phase using power modulation for proximity verification and device identification, and an efficient data transfer phase using wireless connection for bulk data exchange. Each phase uses the most appropriate communication method for its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses power modulation communication for preliminary authentication and verification before switching to the more efficient wireless connection for subsequent communication. This preliminary action ensures security is established first, then efficiency is optimized for the remaining communication needs.
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 method ensures secure and efficient communication by verifying the proximity and identity of the PRU, preventing fraudulent identification and eavesdropping, while using power modulation for secure initial communication and Bluetooth for efficient data exchange.
Implementation Method 1
The PTU provides power to the devices, wirelessly, through inductive coupling (including magnetic resonance, as is used, for example, in the Rezence® wireless power transfer technology) of an electromagnetic field between the devices.
Implementation Method 2
inductive coupling (including magnetic resonance, as is used, for example, in the Rezence® wireless power transfer technology)
Implementation Method 3
The power may be modulated to provide a signaling mechanism capability over the resonant coupling link
Data Source
AI summary
Generally, this disclosure provides systems, devices, methods and computer readable media for wireless power transfer with improved device identification and signaling security. A Power Receiving Unit (PRU) may include a receive resonator module to receive power from a Power Transmitting Unit (PTU) over an inductive resonant coupling link. The power may be modulated to provide signaling between the PRU and the PTU over the resonant coupling link. The PRU may also include a signaling link communication module to provide a second type of signaling between the PRU and the PTU over a wireless communication link. The PRU may further include a controller module to receive a random number, generated by the PTU, over the resonant coupling link; calculate an encoded response based on the random number and on an identifier of the PRU; and transmit the encoded response to the PTU over the wireless communication link, for verification by the PTU.