Deployable Antennas for Wireless Power
A deployable antenna used in a mobile device. The antenna can be folded into a stowed position in which it is coplanar with the housing. It can also be unfolded, preferably to an oblique angle, and used to receive wireless power from at least 6 inches away.
1 . A system comprising:
an electronic device that operates based on battery power;
wireless receive circuitry, coupled within said electronic device, that allows receiving wireless power that powers said electronic device from a distance of at least 6 inches away;
a housing, holding at least part of said electronic device; and
a foldable flap, foldably attached to said housing, said foldable flap including a wireless receive antenna therein, and said foldable flap coupled to said wireless receive circuitry via an electrical connection that can be folded.
2 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein said foldable flap is foldable to form an oblique angle with the main housing when in its fully unfolded position.
3 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein said foldable flap includes a loop antenna therein, said loop antenna being coupled in series with a capacitor.
4 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein said electronic device is a portable telephone.
5 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein said electronic device is a portable laptop computer.
6 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein said electronic device is a PDA, and said foldable flap is a portion of a cover of said PDA.
7 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein said wireless receive circuitry receives magnetic energy via an resonant connection.
8 . A method, comprising:
operating an electronic device based on battery power;
unfolding a flap that is associated with the electronic device, to place that the flap relative to the electronic device in separate at least a portion of the flap from the electronic device by at least a millimeter;
using an antenna within said flap to receive wireless power from at least 6 inches away; and
using said wireless power in said electronic device.
9 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein said unfolding comprises unfolding said foldable flap to form an oblique angle with the main housing.
10 . A method as in claim 8 , further comprising maintaining an antenna within said foldable flap a resonant with a remote transmitting antenna.
11 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein said electronic device is a portable telephone.
12 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein said electronic device is a portable laptop computer.
13 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein said electronic device is a PDA, and said foldable flap is a portion of a cover of said PDA.
14 . A method as in claim 8 , further comprising folding said flap to a position where said flap is pressed against said housing, and coplanar therewith.