IP Library Granted Patent US 10,476,315
Granted Patent B2
US 10,476,315 · App. 16/292,792 · Granted Nov 12, 2019

Wireless charging transmitter with foreign object and living object detection systems

Inventors: Bernward Dimke (Munich, DE); Milenko Stamenic (Neubiberg, DE)
Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
H02J50/60B60L53/12B60L53/30H02J7/025H02J50/12
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,476,315
App. No.
16/292,792
Granted
Nov 12, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques for detecting foreign objects in a charging path of a wireless power transfer system are disclosed. An example apparatus for detecting a presence of a foreign object includes a foreign object detection (FOD) system, a living object protection (LOP) system, a control circuit operably coupled to the FOD system and the LOP system and configured to detect a change in one or more power transfer parameters, perform a calibration procedure on the FOD system based on the change in the one or more power transfer parameters, operate the LOP system in a high sensitivity mode concurrently with the calibration procedure, and operate the LOP system in a standard detection mode upon completing the calibration procedure.

Claims (35)

1. An apparatus for halting a wireless charging operation, the apparatus comprising:

a foreign object detection (FOD) system;

a living object protection (LOP) system;

a control circuit operably coupled to the FOD system and the LOP system, and configured to:

operate the FOD system and the LOP system standard detection modes;

operate the LOP system in a high sensitivity mode;

execute a sensitivity calibration of the FOD system; and

halt the wireless charging operation upon a detection of an object with the LOP system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the FOD system comprises a plurality of FOD loops.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is configured to continue the wireless charging operation and to resume operating the FOD system and the LOP system in the standard detection modes upon not detecting an object with LOP system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the LOP system in the high sensitivity mode and to execute the sensitivity calibration of the FOD system concurrently.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the LOP system in the high sensitivity mode prior to executing the sensitivity calibration of the FOD system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein operating the FOD system in the standard detection mode includes operating the FOD system at a frequency of 2.5-3.5 MHz.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LOP system is configured to operate at a first noise threshold during the standard detection mode and at a second noise threshold during the high sensitivity mode, such that the second noise threshold is lower than the first noise threshold.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LOP system is configured to operate at frequency of 6.68 GHz.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is configured to notify a user of a potential FOD or LOP object upon the detection of the object with the LOP system.

10. A method for halting a wireless charging operation, comprising:

operating a foreign object detection (FOD) system and a living object protection (LOP) system in respective standard detection modes;

operating the LOP system in a high sensitivity mode;

executing a sensitivity calibration of the FOD system; and

halting the wireless charging operation upon a detection of an object with the LOP system.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the FOD system comprises a plurality of FOD loops.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising continuing the wireless charging operation and to resume operating the FOD system and the LOP system in the respective standard detection modes upon not detecting an object with LOP system.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein operating the LOP system in the high sensitivity mode and executing the sensitivity calibration of the FOD system occur concurrently.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein operating the LOP system in the high sensitivity mode occurs prior to executing the sensitivity calibration of the FOD system.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein operating the FOD system in the standard detection mode includes operating the FOD system at a frequency of 2.5-3.5 MHz.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising operating the LOP system at a first noise threshold during the standard detection mode and at a second noise threshold during the high sensitivity mode, such that the second noise threshold is lower than the first noise threshold.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the LOP system is configured to operate at frequency of 6.68 GHz.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising notifying a user of a potential FOD or LOP object upon the detection of the object with the LOP system.

19. An apparatus for halting a wireless charging operation, comprising:

means for operating a foreign object detection (FOD) system and a living object protection (LOP) system in respective standard detection modes;

means for operating the LOP system in a high sensitivity mode;

means for executing a sensitivity calibration of the FOD system; and

means for halting the wireless charging operation upon a detection of an object with the LOP system.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising means for continuing the wireless charging operation and to resume operating the FOD system and the LOP system in the respective standard detection modes upon not detecting an object with LOP system.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2025
From: AIR WAVES WIRELESS ELECTRICITY IV, LLC
To: WITRICITY AI TECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 074004/0929 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: WITRICITY CORPORATION
To: WITRICITY AI TECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 073982/0106 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2025
From: WITRICITY CORPORATION; WITRICITY HOLDINGS, INC.
To: AIR WAVES WIRELESS ELECTRICITY IV, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR LENDERS
Reel/Frame 073860/0204 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2019
From: DIMKE, BERNWARD; STAMENIC, MILENKO
To: WITRICITY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048990/0015 →