Beam power with receiver priority selection
A beam power source transmits a signal indicating power availability, receives a request for power in response, and beams power in response to the request.
1. A power source configured to beam power to a receiving unit, comprising:
a power beaming unit configured to beam power to a receiving unit;
a location unit configured to locate a receiving unit in need of power by:
receiving a first request for power from a first receiving unit including a first power specification request; and
receiving a second request for power from a second receiving unit including a second power specification request; and
a decision unit configured to determine a receiving unit to supply with power by:
determining a relative priority for the first and second requests according to a predetermined selection method, wherein determining a relative priority includes determining relative profitability for the first and second power specification requests; and
instructing the power beaming unit to beam power to the receiving unit having a higher determined priority.
2. The power source of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second power specification requests includes a datum selected from the group consisting of power type, wavelength, pulse characteristics, power amount, polarization, power-vs-time profile, time window, acceptable price, ability to pay, mode of payment, and identifying information for the receiving unit.
3. The power source of claim 1 , wherein determining a relative priority includes determining availability of power corresponding to the first and second power specification requests.
4. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the decision unit is further configured to instruct the power beaming unit to beam power to the receiving unit having a lower determined priority.
5. The power source of claim 1 , wherein instructing the power beaming unit to beam power includes sending a signal to the power beaming unit.
6. The power source of claim 1 , wherein instructing the power beaming unit to beam power includes sending a signal to a remote unit configured to instruct the power beaming unit.
7. A system for supplying beamed power to a plurality of receiving units, comprising:
a first power beaming unit configured to beam power;
a second power beaming unit configured to beam power;
a location unit configured to locate a receiving unit in need of power by:
receiving a first request for power from a first receiving unit including a first power specification request; and
receiving a second request for power from a second receiving unit including a second power specification request; and
a decision unit configured to determine a receiving unit to supply with power by:
determining a relative priority for the first and second requests according to a predetermined selection method, wherein determining a relative priority includes determining relative profitability for the first and second power specification requests;
using the determined relative priority to select a power beaming unit to beam power to the receiving unit having a higher determined relative priority; and
instructing the selected power beaming unit to beam power to the receiving unit having the higher determined relative priority.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the decision unit is further configured to select a power beaming unit to beam power to the receiving unit having a lower determined relative priority, and to instruct the selected power beaming unit to beam power to the receiving unit having the lower determined relative priority.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first and second power specification requests includes a datum selected from the group consisting of power type, wavelength, pulse characteristics, power amount, polarization, power-vs-time profile, time window, acceptable price, ability to pay, mode of payment, and identifying information for the receiving unit.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein determining a relative priority includes determining availability of power corresponding to the first and second power specification requests.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein instructing the selected power beaming unit to beam power includes sending a signal to the selected power beaming unit.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein instructing the selected power beaming unit to beam power includes sending a signal to a remote unit configured to instruct the selected power beaming unit.