Variable wireless transfer

Inventors

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

Assignees

Enovate Medical LLC

Abstract

A technology for a wireless transfer station that is operable to wirelessly transfer data or energy. Energy or data can be wirelessly transferred to another wireless transfer station using one or more wireless transfer coils. An amount of energy or data transferred to the other wireless transfer station can be dynamically adjusted by adjusting the one or more wireless transfer coils. Data can be communicated to the other wireless transfer station using a communication module.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a wireless transfer station operable to wirelessly transfer data or energy using one or more wireless transfer coils. A power management module wirelessly transfers energy or data to another wireless transfer station and adjusts the one or more wireless transfer coils to dynamically adjust an amount of energy or data transferred to the other wireless transfer station. A communications module communicates data with the other wireless transfer station.

The communications module transmits coil information to the other wireless transfer station, and a power management module of the other wireless transfer station uses the coil information to adjust wireless transfer coil settings. The coil information comprises alignment information of the one or more wireless transfer coils and transmission timing information indicating when the wireless transfer station transfers energy or data.

The document further describes dynamically adjusting the amount of energy or data by changing one or more coil settings, including coil size and resonant frequency. It also discusses a resonant transmitting coil with a variable capacitor to support varying a resonant frequency by adjusting the capacitor capacitance, as well as coordinating transmissions using communications and transfer information including coil information with alignment and transmission timing.

The document also addresses selectively providing energy using coil arrays and subsets, coordinating transmissions among stations and devices using transfer information and station/device identifiers, and security by detecting and mitigating unauthorized energy reception and communicating security and authorization information. Example applications include integration with a medical cart, floor mat or flooring, and a wall plate mounting.

Claims Coverage

The partial claims provided include two independent claims. Each independent claim centers on a wireless transfer station that dynamically changes the amount of transferred or received energy or data by adjusting wireless transfer coil settings, with communications that provide coil information to a cooperating wireless transfer station.

Across both independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the combination of dynamically adjusting an amount of transferred or received energy or data by adjusting wireless transfer coil settings and communicating coil information, including alignment information and transmission timing information, so the other station adjusts its wireless transfer coil settings accordingly.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications