Wireless interrogation and wireless charging of electronic devices

摘要

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, wireless chargers combined with wireless interrogators. The wireless chargers can transmit power wirelessly, while also wirelessly interrogating a nearby transponder, such as an RFID tag. The wireless chargers with wireless interrogators can also be programmable to allow user-implemented rules operable in response to an interrogation. Such rules can impose restrictions upon whether wireless charging is allowed to take place. Such rules can also be used to select a power-transmitting protocol that is particularly suited for the electronic device being charged. Other embodiments are disclosed.

主权项

1. A wireless charger, comprising:
a housing comprising:
a wireless power-receiving device comprising power receiving circuitry and a power receiving coil located within the housing, wherein the power receiving coil produces a source electrical power signal, responsive to exposure to a wireless power-charging source;a separate wireless power-transmitting device comprising power transmitting circuitry that produces a target electrical power signal and a power transmitting coil located within the housing, wherein the power transmitting coil, responsive to stimulation by the target electrical power signal, generates a wireless target power-charging signal according to a selectable power transmission protocol, that wirelessly charges a chargeable device outside of the housing according to the selectable power transmission protocol;a power-handling controller comprising electronic hardware coupled between the power receiving circuitry and the power transmitting circuitry, that generates the target electrical power signal according to the selectable power transmission protocol;a circuit node coupled between the power transmitting circuitry and the power transmitting coil; andinterrogation circuitry coupled to the power transmitting coil by way of the circuit node, comprising:
signal transmitting circuitry that provides a momentary interrogation signal that when applied to the power transmitting coil by way of the circuit node generates the momentary wireless interrogation signal; andsignal receiving circuitry to obtain information by way of the circuit node from a wireless interrogation response signal received at the power transmitting coil, in response to the power transmitting coil receiving the wireless interrogation response signal, wherein the power-handling controller generates the target electrical power signal based on the source electrical power signal and the wireless interrogation response signal, andwherein the wireless target power-charging signal is separated from the wireless interrogation response signal by one of time, frequency or both.