Wireless Charging Using Sound Waves
An ultrasound power transmitter comprising a transmit ultrasonic transducer array has a plurality of transmit ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound power transmitter activates a set of transmit ultrasonic transducers in close proximity of an electronic device to be arranged to beam ultrasound energy to the electronic device. Alignment magnets of the ultrasound power transmitter are aligned with corresponding alignment magnets of the electronic device to manage the ultrasound beaming. The ultrasound energy may be converted into electric power to charge the battery of the electronic device. Feedbacks may be provided by the electronic device to the ultrasound power transmitter to increase power transmission efficiency. The ultrasound power transmitter may pair the electronic device with other different electronic devices utilizing ultrasonic signals. A spacer with good ultrasound power transmission properties may be located between the ultrasound power transmitter and an ultrasound power receiver of an intended electronic device to enhance power transmission.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A wirelessly charging method comprising:
selecting a first plurality of transducers of a transducer array;
activating the first plurality of transducers for wirelessly charging a first electronic device;
selecting a second plurality of transducers of the transducer array;
activating the second plurality of transducers for wirelessly charging a second electronic device;
obtaining electrical signals;
transforming the electrical signals to first sound beams using the first plurality of transducers; and
transforming the electrical signals to second sound beams using the second plurality of transducers;
wherein the first plurality of transducers produce first interference patterns to focus the first sound beams onto the first electronic device to charge the first electronic device, and wherein the second plurality of transducers produce second interference patterns to focus the second sound beams onto the second electronic device to charge the second electronic device.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the selecting of the first plurality of transducers is in response to sensing a first location of the first electronic device, and wherein the selecting of the second plurality of transducers is in response to sensing a second location of the second electronic device.
23 . The method of claim 21 further comprising:
receiving third sound beams from a third electronic device; and
transforming the third sound beams to the electrical signals for charging the first electronic device and the second electronic device.
24 . The method of claim 21 further comprising:
controlling the first plurality of transducer array and the second plurality of using a circuitry while charging the first electronic device and the second electronic device, respectively.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is a beamformer circuitry.
26 . The method of claim 21 , where the activating of the first plurality of transducers uses a high voltage pulse.
27 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the transducer array comprises piezoelectric crystals.
28 . The method of claim 21 further comprising:
causing a changed configuration in the transducer array using a circuitry, wherein each of the first plurality of transducers is operable to transmit based on the changed configuration.
29 . A wireless charger comprising:
a transducer array including a first plurality of transducers and a second plurality of transducers; and
a processor configured to:
select the plurality of transducers of the transducer array;
activate the first plurality of transducers for wirelessly charging a first electronic device;
select the second plurality of transducers of the transducer array;
activate the second plurality of transducers for wirelessly charging a second electronic device;
obtain electrical signals;
transform the electrical signals to first sound beams using the first plurality of transducers; and
transform the electrical signals to second sound beams using the second plurality of transducers;
wherein the first plurality of transducers are configured to produce first interference patterns to focus the first sound beams onto the first electronic device to charge the first electronic device, and wherein the second plurality of transducers are configured to produce second interference patterns to focus the second sound beams onto the second electronic device to charge the second electronic device.
30 . The wireless charger of claim 29 , wherein the selecting of the first plurality of transducers is in response to sensing a first location of the first electronic device, and wherein the selecting of the second plurality of transducers is in response to sensing a second location of the second electronic device.
31 . The wireless charger of claim 29 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive third sound beams from a third electronic device; and
transform the third sound beams to the electrical signals for charging the first electronic device and the second electronic device.
32 . The wireless charger of claim 29 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
control the first plurality of transducer array and the second plurality of using a circuitry while charging the first electronic device and the second electronic device, respectively.
33 . The wireless charger of claim 32 , wherein the circuitry is a beamformer circuitry.
34 . The wireless charger of claim 29 , where the activating of the first plurality of transducers uses a high voltage pulse.
35 . The wireless charger of claim 29 , wherein the transducer array comprises piezoelectric crystals.
36 . The wireless charger of claim 29 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
cause a changed configuration in the transducer array using a circuitry, wherein each of the first plurality of transducers is operable to transmit based on the changed configuration.