Methodology for pocket-forming

Abstract

The present invention describes a methodology for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This methodology may include one transmitter and at least one or more receivers, being the transmitter the source of energy and the receiver the device that is desired to charge or power. Both devices, the transmitter and receiver, may communicate to each other via a wireless protocol. By communicating to each other, the transmitter may identify and locate the device to which the receiver is connected and thereafter aim pockets of energy to the device in order to power it.

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 
     
         1 . A method for transmitting wireless power, comprising:
 generating two or more RF power waves from a transmitter having at least two RF transmit antennas for transmitting two separate RF power waves;   forming controlled constructive interference patterns between the generated RF power waves to form pockets of energy;   converging the pockets of energy in 3-D space to a targeted electronic device; and   receiving the converged pockets of energy in a receiver having at least one antenna for charging or powering a targeted electronic device from the received pockets of energy.   
     
     
         2 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , wherein the forming controlled constructive interference patterns between the generated RF waves further comprising destructive interference patterns between the generated RF waves generating a null-space where pocket of energy do not form. 
     
     
         3 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , wherein converging the pockets of energy further comprises adjusting dynamically the pockets of energy to regulate the power to the targeted electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , wherein generating two or more RF power waves comprises generating two or more RF power waves from at least one RF integrated circuit with at least one RF power wave being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to the other RF power waves. 
     
     
         5 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 4 , wherein generating two or more RF power waves comprises operating antenna elements with polarization in frequency bands conforming to FCC regulations such as 900 MHz or 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz for transmitting the RF power waves. 
     
     
         6 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the pockets of energy in the receiver with at least one antenna further comprises communicating between the receiver and transmitter operating on standard wireless communication protocol signals such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee to transfer status information of the targeted electronic device regarding battery level and target location for directing desired pockets of energy to the targeted electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , further comprising embedding the receiver in the targeted electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching electrically the receiver to the targeted electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 1 , wherein converging the pockets of energy in 3-D space to a targeted electronic device further comprises recalibrating the pockets of energy by adjusting gain and phases to focus RF power waves in two channels to follow a path that forms pockets of energy on the targeted electronic device without obstacles in the path. 
     
     
         10 . The method for transmitting wireless power of  claim 6 , wherein converging the pockets of energy in 3-D space to a targeted electronic device comprises energy pocket-forming with generally a wireless power transmission level directed by communication signals to avoid humans or other obstacles. 
     
     
         11 . Wireless power transmission, comprising:
 a transmitter for generating two or more RF power waves having at least two RF transmit antennas;   a controller for forming constructive and destructive interference patterns from the generated RF power waves;   RF circuitry in the transmitter for generating energy in the form of constructive interference patterns between the RF power waves to form pockets of energy;   a targeted electronic device for converging the pockets of energy in 3-D space; and   a receiver with the RF circuitry and at least one antenna for receiving the pockets of energy for powering or charging the targeted electronic device.   
     
     
         12 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter and receiver include communication circuitry for adjusting dynamically the pockets of energy to regulate the power or charge to the targeted electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the two RF transmit antennas and one RF receiver antenna are patch antennas operating in a frequency band of 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz or other frequency bands conforming to FCC regulations. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter and receiver further include communication circuitry based on standard wireless communication protocols for transferring information regarding identifier of the targeted electronic device, battery level and location of the device to regulate power to one or more targeted electronic devices. 
     
     
         15 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the RF circuitry in transmitter and receiver communicate with each other and the RF circuitry generate two or more RF power waves, at least one RF power wave being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other RF power waves and the one RF power wave passes through one or more RF antenna to direct the focused RF power waves in the pockets of energy to the targeted electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the communication signals between the transmitter and receiver are standard wireless communication protocols of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. 
     
     
         17 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 13 , wherein the patch antennas are made from any suitable antenna material and further include a height from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches in height and include a width from about ⅛ inch to 6 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter RF circuitry comprises at least two antenna  104 , an RF integrated circuit  106  with at least one digital signal processor or micro-controller  108  and one communication circuit  110  and a power source  112 . 
     
     
         19 . The wireless power transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the receiver RF circuitry comprises a antenna  204 , a rectifier  206 , a converter  208 , a communication circuit  210  and a battery  212  that is charged. 
     
     
         20 . A method for wireless power transmission, comprising:
 generating a communication RF signal from a receiver with identifier information of a chargeable electronic device connected thereto;   broadcasting the identifier RF signal through an antenna of the receiver;   intercepting the identifier RF signal by an antenna of a power transmitter with a controller;   decoding the identifier RF signal by the controller to ascertain the gain and phase of the identifier RF signal sent by the power receiver including the direction or spatial location of the power receiver;   establishing a power channel or path between the transmitter and receiver from the identifier RF signal information;   transmitting controlled RF power waves from the transmitter to the receiver along the established channel or path;   controlling the phase and amplitude of the RF power waves by the controller to form constructive and destructive interference patterns generating pockets of energy in a 3-dimensional shape from the constructive patterns and generating null-spaces from the destructive patterns to aim the pockets of energy to the receiver in order to charge or power the electronic device;   converging the channels of 3-dimensional pockets of energy at the power receiver antenna for power input to the receiver; and   converting the received pockets of energy into DC voltages for charging or powering the electronic device.   
     
     
         21 . The method for wireless power transmission of  claim 20 , wherein converging 3-dimensional pockets of energy comprises pocket-forming for charging or powering electronic devices wirelessly with multiple transmitters and receivers for charging and powering smartphones, tablets, music players, laptop computers, toys, gaming controls and other similar electronic devices operating on battery power from generally 5 to 10 volts. 
     
     
         22 . The method for wireless power transmission of  claim 21 , further comprising dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate charging or power on one or more of the chargeable electronic devices.