Removably attachable portable device apparatus with integrated wireless power receiving facilities
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe removably attachable portable device apparatuses with integrated wireless power receiving facilities (also referred to as wireless power reception apparatuses herein). In some embodiments, a wireless power reception apparatus for a portable electronic device is described. The wireless power reception apparatus can include a housing, one or more antennas, and a wireless power receiver. The housing is configured to be removably attachable to the portable electronic device. The one or more antennas are situated on or within the housing and are configured to receive wireless power from a wireless charging (or wireless power transmission) system. The wireless power receiver is disposed within the housing and is configured to process the wireless power received via the one or more antennas and provide the received power to the portable electronic device via a power interface port.
1. A wireless power reception apparatus for a portable electronic device, the wireless power reception apparatus comprising:
a housing configured to be removably attachable to the portable electronic device;
one or more antennas situated with the housing, the one or more antennas configured to transmit a beacon signal to a wireless charging system via a plurality of paths and responsively receive a coherent radio frequency (RF) wireless power signal from the wireless charging system via multiple of the plurality of paths; and
a wireless power receiver disposed within the housing, the wireless power receiver configured to:
convert the coherent RF wireless power signal received at the one or more antennas via the multiple paths to direct current (DC) power and provide the DC power to the portable electronic device via a power interface port;
cycle through each of multiple antenna polarity configurations while measuring the DC power received using each of the multiple antenna polarity configurations;
select an antenna polarity configuration of the multiple antenna polarity configurations that yields the most DC power or a strongest RF wireless power signal; and
dynamically configure a polarity of at least one antenna of the one or more antennas using the selected antenna polarity configuration.
2. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein antenna feeds are activated or deactivated to configure the polarity of the at least one antenna.
3. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more battery modules configured to store the DC power; and
an input interface disposed on the housing, wherein the power interface port is configured to provide the DC power to one or more batteries of the portable electronic device responsive to activation of the input interface.
4. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is removably attachable to the portable electronic device via one or more of magnets, adhesives, or clips.
5. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more antennas are situated within an inner portion of the housing.
6. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more antennas situated within an outer portion of the housing.
7. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wireless power receiver includes:
one or more electronic circuit boards situated within the housing.
8. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the one or more electronic circuit boards include radio frequency (RF) circuitry, control circuitry, and charging electronics.
9. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is constructed of a radio frequency (RF) transparent material.
10. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one of the one or more antennas.
11. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises one or more reflector or director planes.
12. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more reflector or director planes is situated on an inner surface or an outer surface of the housing.
13. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more reflector or director planes is constructed using thin film, copper tape or printed metal.
14. A wireless power reception sleeve for a portable electronic device, the wireless power reception sleeve comprising:
a housing configured to be removably attachable to the portable electronic device;
one or more antennas situated on or within the housing, the one or more antennas configured to transmit a beacon signal to a wireless charging system via a plurality of paths and responsively receive wireless radio frequency (RF) power from the wireless charging system via multiple of the plurality of paths;
one or more electronic circuit boards situated within the housing, the one or more electronic circuit boards configured to:
convert the wireless radio frequency (RF) power to direct current (DC) power,
cycle through each of multiple antenna polarity configurations while measuring the DC power received using each of the multiple antenna polarity configurations;
select an antenna polarity configuration of the multiple antenna polarity configurations that yields the most DC power or a strongest RF wireless power signal; and
dynamically configure a polarity of at least one antenna of the one or more antennas using the selected antenna polarity configuration by activating or deactivating antenna feeds;
one or more battery modules configured to store the DC power; and
a power interface port disposed on the housing, the power interface port configured to provide the stored DC power to one or more batteries of the portable electronic device.
15. The wireless power reception sleeve of claim 14 , further comprising:
a button disposed on the housing, wherein the power interface port is configured to provide the DC power to the one or more batteries of the portable electronic device responsive to activation of the button.
16. The wireless power reception sleeve of claim 14 , wherein the one or more antennas are situated within an inner portion of the housing and, wherein the housing is constructed of a radio frequency (RF) transparent material.
17. The wireless power reception sleeve of claim 14 , further comprising:
a charging status indicator, a connection status indicator or a charger detection status indicator disposed on the housing.
18. A wireless power reception case for a portable electronic device, the wireless power reception case comprising:
a housing configured to be removably attachable to the portable electronic device;
one or more antennas disposed on or within the housing, the one or more antennas configured to receive wireless alternating current (AC) power from a wireless charging system;
one or more electronic circuit boards situated within the housing, the one or more electronic circuit boards configured to:
convert the wireless radio frequency (RF) power to direct current (DC) power;
cycle through each of multiple antenna polarity configurations while measuring the DC power received using each of the multiple antenna polarity configurations;
select an antenna polarity configuration of the multiple antenna polarity configurations that yields the most DC power or a strongest RF wireless power signal; and
dynamically configure a polarity of at least one antenna of the one or more antennas using the selected antenna polarity configuration; and
an inductive charging interface disposed on the housing, the interface configured to inductively charge the portable electronic device using the DC power.
19. The wireless power reception case of claim 18 , wherein the antenna feeds are activated or deactivated to configure the polarity of the at least one antenna.
20. The wireless power reception case of claim 18 , further comprising:
a charging status indicator, a connection status indicator or a charger detection status indicator disposed on the housing.