Inductive data communication

Abstract

Data transmission systems and methods are disclosed in which a transmitter and a receiver, each having an inductor, are configured for wirelessly transferring data and power between them. Error detection is implemented for implementing error correction techniques by making corrections at the receiver, at the transmitter, or both. In preferred embodiments of the invention, error correction approaches include oversampling, power adjustments, and frequency adjustments. In preferred implementations, the systems and methods are used for transmitting both power and data using a single pair of inductors.

We claim: 
     
       1. A data transmission system comprising: a transmitter having a transmitter inductor configured for wirelessly coupling with; a receiver having a receiver inductor, wherein data transmitted from the transmitter inductor may be received as a data signal by the receiver inductor, wherein the transmitter inductor is adapted for transmitting both power and data to the receiver inductor, wherein the transmitted power is operable to power an electronic device associated with the receiver; and an error detector for identifying the presence of data error in the data signal, wherein the error detector is configured to perform one or more of, a receiver error correction algorithm, and a transmitter error correction algorithm. 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the receiver is configured to increase and decrease sample size in response to the receiver error correction algorithm. 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the receiver is configured to increase and decrease sample points in response to the receiver error correction algorithm. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the receiver is configured to shift sampling in response to the receiver error correction algorithm. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitter inductor is configured to increase and decrease a transmission power in response to the transmitter error correction algorithm. 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitter inductor is configured to increase and decrease a transmission frequency in response to the transmitter error correction algorithm. 
     
     
       7. The system according to  claim 1  adapted for bidirectional exchange of data. 
     
     
       8. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitter comprises one of a power converter, or an energy storage device charger. 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the electronic device associated with the receiver comprises one of a computer device, a communication device, an imaging device, a display device, an energy storage device, or a peripheral device. 
     
     
       10. A data transmission method comprising the steps of:
 wirelessly transmitting a data signal from a transmitting inductor to a receiving inductor; 
 wirelessly transmitting a power signal from the transmitting inductor to the receiving inductor, 
 wherein the transmitted power signal is operable to power an electronic device associated with the receiving inductor; 
 identifying the presence of data error in the data signal; and 
 performing one or more error correction algorithm for improving the data signal. 
 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10  further comprising using the data signal to transfer information about the power signal. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 10  further comprising alternating the transmission of a data signal with the transmission of the power signal. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the transmitting steps are bidirectional. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 10  wherein identifying the presence of data error in the data signal further comprises comparing the data signal to an inverted data signal. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal, and wherein the performing one or more error correction algorithm for improving the data signal comprises shifting a sampling window. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal, and wherein the performing one or more error correction algorithm for improving the data signal comprises changing a size of a sampling window. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal, and wherein the performing one or more error correction algorithm for improving the data signal comprises changing a number of sampling points. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal, and wherein the performing one or more error correction algorithm for improving the data signal comprises changing a transmission power. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal, and wherein the performing one or more error correction algorithm for improving the data signal comprises changing a transmission frequency. 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 10  further comprising the step of dynamically tuning at least one of the transmitter and receiver for optimizing the data signal. 
     
     
       22. A data transmission system comprising:
 a transmitter having a transmitter inductor configured for wirelessly coupling with; a receiver having a receiver inductor,   wherein data transmitted from the transmitter inductor may be received as a data signal by the receiver inductor,   wherein the transmitter inductor is adapted for transmitting both power and data to the receiver inductor,   wherein the transmitted power is operable to power an electronic device associated with the receiver; and   a signal strength detector for modifying a signal strength of the data signal, wherein the signal strength detector is configured to implement a signal strength adjustment algorithm.   
     
     
       23. A data transmission method comprising the steps of:
 wirelessly transmitting a data signal from a transmitting inductor to a receiving inductor;   wirelessly transmitting a power signal from the transmitting inductor to the receiving inductor,   wherein the transmitted power signal is operable to power an electronic device associated with the receiving inductor;   determining a signal strength of the data signal; and   performing one or more signal strength adjustment algorithms for improving the data signal.   
     
     
       24. The system according to claim 22 wherein the receiver is configured to increase and decrease sample size. 
     
     
       25. The system according to claim 22 wherein the receiver is configured to increase and decrease sample points. 
     
     
       26. The system according to claim 22 wherein the receiver is configured to shift sampling. 
     
     
       27. The system according to claim 22 wherein the transmitter inductor is configured to increase and decrease a transmission power. 
     
     
       28. The system according to claim 22 wherein the transmitter inductor is configured to increase and decrease a transmission frequency. 
     
     
       29. The system according to claim 22 adapted for bidirectional exchange of data. 
     
     
       30. The system according to claim 22 wherein the transmitter comprises one of a power converter, or an energy storage device charger. 
     
     
       31. The system according to claim 22 wherein the electronic device associated with the receiver comprises one of a computer device, a communication device, an imaging device, a display device, an energy storage device, or a peripheral device. 
     
     
       32. The method according to claim 23 further comprising using the data signal to transfer information about the power signal. 
     
     
       33. The method according to claim 23 further comprising alternating the transmission of a data signal with the transmission of the power signal. 
     
     
       34. The method according to claim 23 wherein the transmitting steps are bidirectional. 
     
     
       35. The method according to claim 23 further comprising comparing the data signal to an inverted data signal. 
     
     
       36. The method according to claim 23 wherein the receiving inductor oversamples the data signal. 
     
     
       37. The method according to claim 23 further comprising shifting a sampling window. 
     
     
       38. The method according to claim 23 further comprising changing a size of a sampling window. 
     
     
       39. The method according to claim 23 further comprising comprises changing a number of sampling points. 
     
     
       40. The method according to claim 23 further comprising changing a transmission power. 
     
     
       41. The method according to claim 23 further comprising changing a transmission freguency. 
     
     
       42. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of dynamically tuning at least one of the transmitter and receiver for optimizing the data signal.