Interference detection for a wireless transfer station

Inventors

Miller, David R. • Metelko, Mary • Kilbourne, Allen • Moody, Joseph

Assignees

Enovate Medical LLC

Abstract

A technology for a wireless transfer station that is operable to detect interference during a wireless transfer of energy or data between wireless transfer stations. A transfer load on a wireless transfer coil of a wireless transfer station can be monitored during a wireless transfer of energy or data from the wireless transfer station to another wireless transfer station. A change in the transfer load that exceeds a threshold value can be detected. The wireless transfer of energy or data by the wireless transfer station can be adjusted using the wireless transfer coil based on the detected change in the transfer load.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a wireless transfer station for transferring wireless energy and/or data with another wireless transfer station. The station includes a transfer platform having at least one surface, a wireless transfer coil located within the transfer platform, and a management module for controlling the wireless transfer coil.

The wireless transfer station further includes a wireless interference detection module for detecting interference in an electromagnetic field used to wirelessly transfer the energy or data. In particular, the interference is a radio transmission from a device, and the station detects interference based on wireless transfer coil transfer load changes monitored during wireless transfer operation.

In response to detected interference, the station adjusts the frequency of the wireless transfer coil. The adjustment is carried out while attributing the interference or foreign object to being within the electromagnetic field and/or to radio transmission from another device, and the station may additionally adjust wireless transfer parameters such as transmission power or energy transmission level, coverage scope, redirecting a transfer path, switching among transfer coils, and switching and resonantly tuning a transmission frequency.

Claims Coverage

The claims cover a wireless transfer station with interference detection and interference-responsive wireless transfer control. Across the independent claim set, the main inventive features include interference detection in an electromagnetic field from a radio transmission and adjusting a wireless transfer coil frequency in response, with further refinements that add communication of interference, determining impact on cellular or wireless communications, and redirecting or switching wireless transfer resources upon interference detection.

Overall, the claim coverage centers on detecting interference in the electromagnetic field, including radio transmission from a device, and adjusting the frequency of the wireless transfer coil in response, with further refinements for alerts, assessing impact on communications, switching among coils, and redirecting the transfer path.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications