Method and system for powering an electronic device via a wireless link

Abstract

A method and system for providing power to a chargeable device via radio frequency link are provided. In one aspect, a method of providing power to a chargeable device via radio frequency link comprises generating a substantially unmodulated signal. The method further comprises radiating a substantially unmodulated radio frequency (RF) signal to the chargeable device via a transmit antenna based on the substantially unmodulated signal. The method further comprises powering or charging the chargeable device with power delivered by the substantially unmodulated RF signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A chargeable device, comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive a first signal from a first transmitter and a second signal from a second transmitter; and   the receiver further configured to combine the first and second signals to collectively form operating power for the chargeable device.   
     
     
         2 . The chargeable device of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver is further configured to determine a phase difference between the first and second signals. 
     
     
         3 . The chargeable device of  claim 2 , wherein the phase difference is determined based on one of an amplitude and power determination of the combined first and second signals. 
     
     
         4 . The chargeable device of  claim 2 , further comprising a transmitter configured to send a feedback signal indicative of the phase difference to at least one of the first and second transmitters. 
     
     
         5 . The chargeable device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second signals comprises a substantially unmodulated signal. 
     
     
         6 . A method for charging a chargeable device, comprising:
 receiving a first signal from a first transmitter and receiving a second signal from a second transmitter; and   combining the first and second signals to collectively form operating power for the chargeable device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising determining a phase difference between the first and second signals. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the phase difference is determined based on one of an amplitude and power determination of the combined first and second signals. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising sending a feedback signal indicative of the phase difference to at least one of the first and second transmitters. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second signals comprises a substantially unmodulated signal. 
     
     
         11 . A chargeable device, comprising:
 means for receiving a first signal from a first transmitter and receiving a second signal from a second transmitter; and   means for combining the first and second signals to collectively form operating power for the chargeable device.   
     
     
         12 . The chargeable device of  claim 11 , further comprising means for determining a phase difference between the first and second signals. 
     
     
         13 . The chargeable device of  claim 11 , further comprising determining a phase difference based on one of an amplitude and power determination of the combined first and second signals. 
     
     
         14 . The chargeable device of  claim 11 , further comprising means for sending a feedback signal indicative of the phase difference to at least one of the first and second transmitters. 
     
     
         15 . A method of receiving power via a wireless link, the method comprising:
 receiving a substantially unmodulated magnetic signal with a polarization aligned with a power consuming device; and   based on said receiving, producing a signal to power or charge the power consuming device via a transmit antenna based on the substantially unmodulated signal.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially unmodulated signal comprises a sinusoidal wave. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially unmodulated signal consists of a substantially single frequency signal. 
     
     
         18 . A system configured to provide power to a power consuming device, the system comprising:
 a transmitter configured to generate a substantially single frequency magnetic signal adapted for providing power to the power consuming device; and   a transmit antenna configured to receive the signal from the transmitter and radiate a magnetic signal with a polarization aligned with the power consuming device.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the transmit antenna comprises a unidirectional antenna configured to radiate the magnetic signal to the power consuming device via a directional path. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the beamwidth of the directional antenna is between 0.05 and 20 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the single frequency signal comprises a substantially pure sinusoidal wave. 
     
     
         22 . A method of providing power via a wireless link, the method comprising:
 generating a substantially unmodulated signal; and   based on the generating, radiating a substantially unmodulated magnetic signal to power or charge a power consuming device via a transmit antenna based on the substantially unmodulated signal with a polarization aligned with the power consuming device.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the transmit antenna comprises a directional antenna configured to radiate the substantially unmodulated signal to the power consuming device via a directional path. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising powering or charging the power consuming device with power delivered by the substantially unmodulated signal. 
     
     
         25 . A system for providing power via a wireless link, comprising:
 means for generating a substantially unmodulated signal; and   based on the generating, means for radiating a substantially unmodulated magnetic signal to power or charge a power consuming device via a transmit antenna based on the substantially unmodulated signal with a polarization aligned with the power consuming device.