18062143. FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION DURING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)

FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION DURING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION

Organization Name

Apple Inc.

Inventor(s)

Nan Liu of Sunnyvale CA (US)

Aijun Qin of Auckland (NZ)

Ge Wang of San Jose CA (US)

Jinqian Yu of Campbell CA (US)

Kunal Bhargava of Auckland (NZ)

Patrin K. Illenberger of Auckland (NZ)

Rex P. Huang of Auckland (NZ)

FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION DURING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18062143 titled 'FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION DURING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a wireless power transmitter system that includes a wireless power transfer coil, a power converter, and control and communications circuitry. The system is designed to transfer power wirelessly to a receiver while also detecting foreign objects, such as wireless transponders, and adjusting power transfer accordingly.

• Wireless power transmitter system components:

   - Wireless power transfer coil
   - Power converter
   - Control and communications circuitry

• Operation:

   - Drives the wireless power transfer coil to transfer power to the receiver
   - Sends a polling signal to detect foreign objects
   - Adjusts power transfer based on response from foreign objects

• Potential applications of this technology:

   - Wireless charging systems for electronic devices
   - Industrial automation for powering sensors and devices wirelessly

• Problems solved by this technology:

   - Efficient wireless power transfer
   - Detection and mitigation of interference from foreign objects

• Benefits of this technology:

   - Convenience of wireless power transfer
   - Enhanced safety by detecting foreign objects

• Potential commercial applications of this technology:

   - Consumer electronics industry
   - Automotive industry for wireless charging of electric vehicles

• Possible prior art:

   - Existing wireless power transfer systems
   - Technologies for detecting foreign objects in wireless systems

1. 1. 1. Unanswered Questions:
         1. How does the system differentiate between different types of foreign objects?

The system may use unique identifiers or signal characteristics to distinguish between different types of foreign objects.

1. 1. 1. 1. What is the range of the wireless power transfer system?

The range of the system may vary depending on factors such as coil design, power levels, and environmental conditions.

Original Abstract Submitted

A wireless power transmitter can include a wireless power transfer coil designed to magnetically couple with a corresponding coil in a wireless power receiver to facilitate wireless power transfer from the wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver, a power converter configured to drive the wireless power transfer coil, and control and communications circuitry coupled to the wireless power transfer coil and the power converter. The control and communications circuitry can be configured to operate the power converter to drive the wireless power transfer coil so as to transfer power to the wireless power receiver in accordance with a negotiated power transfer. Simultaneously during power transfer, the control and communications circuitry can send a polling signal to detect a foreign object including a wireless transponder and reduce or stop wireless power transfer upon receiving a response to the polling signal from a foreign object including a wireless transponder.