Wireless Charging With Multiple Power Receiving Facilities On A Wireless Device

Abstract

The disclosed system utilizes multiple wireless power receivers (antennas and or paths) for receiving power. The disclosed system includes a chip, such as an application specific chip (ASICs) connectable to multiple antennas and units to convert radio frequency (RF) power into direct current (DC) power. The disclosed system can also include antennas that are used to receiving power, communicate, and send a beacon signal. The disclosed system also comprises a mobile electronic device to receive wireless power using multiple antennas connected or coupled to multiple wireless power receivers.

1 . At least one integrated circuit configured to receive wireless power from multiple antennas over radio-frequency transmissions, wherein the multiple antennas are coupled to a transmitter, the integrated circuit comprising:
 multiple antennas ports configured to receive wireless power from two or more antennas, and configured to transmit a beacon signal to the transmitter;   a detection unit for each of the multiple antenna ports and configured to detect received wireless power;   a rectifying unit for each of the multiple antenna ports and configured to convert received wireless power in radio frequency (RF) to direct current (DC) power, and to output the DC power to an external device;   a communication unit configured to filter data from the received wireless power;   a beacon signal unit configured to transmit the beacon signal to the transmitter to thereby permit the transmitter to determine an identity and location of the integrated circuit; and   a control unit configured to switch the integrated circuit between filtering data, rectifying RF power, and transmitting a beacon signal.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 additional multiple antenna ports coupled to additional multiple antennas, wherein the two or more antennas are spaced apart from the additional multiple antennas, all of which are configured to receive wireless power; and   an additional detection unit for each of the additional multiple antennas and configured to detect received wireless power; and   an additional rectifying unit for each of the additional multiple antennas and configured to convert received wireless power in radio frequency (RF) to direct current (DC).   
     
     
         3 . The integrated circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is coupled to a central processing unit and wherein the central processing unit receives detected power level information from the detection unit and analyzes the information to determine which of the two or more antennas are receiving power. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a ZigBee, IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth communications chip coupled to the communication unit. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a smart phone, laptop computer, tablet computer, display device or game controller into which the integrated circuit is incorporated. 
     
     
         6 . A system for receiving wireless power comprising:
 at least two receiving units spaced apart from each other and carried by a portable device, wherein each of the receiving units comprises:
 at least one antenna, wherein the at least one antenna receives an RF power signal; 
 at least one RF-DC converter, coupled to the at least one antenna, and configured to receive the RF power signals and convert the RF power signals to DC power; 
 a power management circuit for regulating the DC power; and 
 a battery for receiving and storing the DC power. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system for receiving wireless power of  claim 6 , wherein the component for regulation the DC power is maximum power point tracking (MMPT). 
     
     
         8 . The system for receiving wireless power of  claim 6 , wherein the RF-DC converter includes at least one rectifier. 
     
     
         9 . The system for receiving wireless power of  claim 6 , wherein each of the receiving units further comprises at least one maximum power tracking loop unit coupled to the power management unit and configured to regulate power received by the at least one antenna. 
     
     
         10 . A system for providing wireless power to a device, the system comprising:
 at least two inputs respectively coupled to at least two antennas, wherein the at least two antennas receive, and provide to the at least two inputs, radio frequency (RF) power;   means, coupled to the at least two inputs, for converting the received RF signals into DC power; and   means for storing the DC power for use by the device.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , the system further comprising: means for controlling or managing the DC power. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , the system further comprising: means for transmitting a beacon signal to a wireless power transmitter.