Wireless communication apparatus for rf charging enclosures

Abstract

A RF wireless charging enclosure configured to enable efficient wireless charging of a CE device in the enclosure while also allowing wireless communication of the CE device to devices outside the enclosure. In one example, time multiplexing is used such that the CE device is enabled to either be charged, or to communicate with a device outside the enclosure. In another example, frequency division is used such that the CE device is charged at a first frequency, and simultaneously communicates through the enclosure at a second different frequency.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A charger, comprising:
 an enclosure at least partially encompassing a cavity;   a RF transmitter configured to generate an RF charge signal within the cavity, the RF charge signal configured to wirelessly charge a device within the cavity; and   a switchable antenna coupled to the enclosure and configured to selectively pass an RF communication signal through the enclosure.   
     
     
         22 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the switchable antenna is configured to selectively pass the RF communication signal through the enclosure as a function of a transmission state of the RF transmitter. 
     
     
         23 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the RF transmitter is configured to generate the RF charge signal and control the switchable antenna to prevent communication of the RF communication signal through the switchable antenna in a first mode, and wherein the RF transmitter is configured to not generate the RF charge signal and control the switchable antenna to permit communication of the RF communication signal through the switchable antenna in a second mode. 
     
     
         24 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the RF charge signal has a first frequency and the RF communication signal has a different second frequency. 
     
     
         25 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the switchable antenna extends through a wall of the enclosure. 
     
     
         26 . The charger of  claim 25 , wherein the switchable antenna comprises a first antenna and a second antenna. 
     
     
         27 . The charger of  claim 26 , wherein the first antenna is exposed to the cavity and the second antenna is exposed to outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         28 . The charger of  claim 26 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are impedance matched and configured to be selectively coupled to each other. 
     
     
         29 . The charger of  claim 26 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are passive. 
     
     
         30 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the enclosure includes a lid and a switch configured to detect when the lid is closed, wherein the RF transmitter is configured to generate the RF charge signal when the lid is closed. 
     
     
         31 . A system, comprising:
 a device configured to generate an RF communication signal;   an enclosure at least partially encompassing a cavity receiving the device;   a RF transmitter configured to generate an RF charge signal within the cavity, the RF charge signal configured to wirelessly charge the device within the cavity; and   a switchable antenna coupled to the enclosure and configured to selectively pass the RF communication signal from the device through the enclosure.   
     
     
         32 . A method of RF charging a device in a charger, comprising an enclosure at least partially encompassing a cavity, a RF transmitter configured to generate an RF charge signal within the cavity, the RF charge signal configured to wirelessly charge a device within the cavity, and a switchable antenna coupled to the enclosure and configured to selectively pass an RF communication signal through the enclosure, comprising the steps of:
 selectively allowing communication of the RF communication signal through the switchable antenna during a first time period; and   RF charging the device in the enclosure during a second time period that is different than the first time period.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the switchable antenna selectively passes the RF communication signal through the enclosure as a function of a transmission state of the RF transmitter. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the RF transmitter generates the RF charge signal and controls the switchable antenna to prevent communication of the RF communication signal through the switchable antenna in a first mode, and wherein the RF transmitter does not generate the RF charge signal and controls the switchable antenna to permit communication of the RF communication signal through the switchable antenna in a second mode. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the RF charge signal has a first frequency and the RF communication signal has a different second frequency 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the switchable antenna extends through a wall of the enclosure. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the switchable antenna comprises a first antenna and a second antenna selectively coupled to each other. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first antenna is exposed to the cavity and the second antenna is exposed to outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the enclosure includes a lid and a switch detecting when the lid is closed, further comprising:
 detecting when the lid is closed;   determining if the device is in the cavity when the lid is closed; and   RF charging the device when the device is detected in the cavity.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the device is determined to be in the cavity by the RF transmitter sending the charge signal for a predetermined time period and receiving a response signal within another predetermined time period.