Inductive power transmission system and method for concurrently transmitting digital messages

Abstract

A wireless power transmitter and method for providing power to a remote secondary coil of a power receiver include a primary coil, a driver, and a signal receiving circuit wherein the power transmitter is configured to switch between a standby mode and a transmission mode. In the standby mode, the power transmitter is configured to wait for an activation signal from the power receiver. In the transmission mode, the driver is operable to provide an oscillating voltage across the primary coil such that the primary coil transmits power to the remote secondary coil; and the signal receiving circuit receives feedback signals from the power receiver concurrently with uninterrupted power transfer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wireless power transmitter for providing power to a remote secondary coil of a power receiver, said power transmitter comprising a primary coil, a driver and a signal receiving circuit wherein said power transmitter is configured to switch between a standby mode and a transmission mode wherein:
 in said standby mode said power transmitter is configured to wait for an activation signal from said power receiver; and   in said transmission mode, said driver is operable to provide an oscillating voltage across said primary coil such that said primary coil transmits power to said remote secondary coil; and said signal receiving circuit receives feedback signals from said power receiver concurrently with uninterrupted power transfer.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  configured to switch from said standby mode to said transmission mode when said activation signal is detected. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  configured to wait for an identification signal when said activation signal is detected. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 3  configured to switch to said transmission mode when said identification signal is detected. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  configured to switch from said transmission mode to said standby mode when a termination signal is detected. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  configured to switch from said transmission mode to said standby mode when an over-current condition is detected. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  configured to switch from said transmission mode to said standby mode when an over-voltage condition is detected. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  configured to switch from said transmission mode to said standby mode when a monitored temperature reaches a maximum value. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  wherein said feedback signals are transmitted by at least one of the group consisting of: radio signals, Bluetooth signals, WiFi signals, ultrasonic signals, optical signals and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said feedback signals and said activation signal comprises a message constructed from a string of bits. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  wherein said feedback signals are transmitted by at least one of the group consisting of: radio signals, Bluetooth signals, WiFi signals, ultrasonic signals, optical signals and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless power transmitter of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said feedback signals and said activation signal comprises a message constructed from a string of bits. 
     
     
         13 . A method for providing power from a wireless power transmitter, comprising a primary coil and a driver, to a remote power receiver comprising a secondary coil, said power transmitter configured to switch between a standby mode and a transmission mode, the method comprising:
 providing a communication channel between said power transmitter and said power receiver;   in said standby mode, said power transmitter waiting for an activation signal from said power receiver via said communication channel; and   in said transmission mode, said driver of said power transmitter providing an oscillating voltage across said primary coil such that said primary coil transmits power to said secondary coil of said remote power receiver and said communication channel communicates feedback signals from said power receiver to said power transmitter concurrently with uninterrupted power transfer.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising said power transmitter switching from said standby mode to said transmission mode when said activation signal is detected. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising said power transmitter waiting for an identification signal when said activation signal is detected. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising said power transmitter switching to said transmission mode when said identification signal is detected. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising said power transmitter switching from said transmission mode to said standby mode when a termination signal is detected. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising said power transmitter switching from said transmission mode to said standby mode when an over-current condition is detected. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising said power transmitter switching from said transmission mode to said standby mode when an over-voltage condition is detected. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising said power transmitter switching from said transmission mode to said standby mode when a monitored temperature reaches a maximum value.