Systems and methods for providing wireless power to a power-receiving device, and related power-receiving devices

1. A power-receiving device, comprising:

a routing module configured to determine a route on which the power-receiving device can travel to receive wireless power from a wireless power distribution system while the power-receiving device is moving along the route, the routing module also being configured to output one or more routing signals encoding the route;

a transmitter configured to send one or more signals encoding information about one or more characteristics of the power-receiving device to the routing module;

a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless power from the wireless power distribution system while the power-receiving device is moving along the route; and

a power converter coupled to the wireless receiver and configured to convert the wireless power to electrical energy.

2. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , further comprising a display coupled to the wireless receiver and configured to display information about the route.

3. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter and the wireless receiver form a wireless transceiver.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more characteristics associated with the power-receiving device include at least one of type of power receiver of the power-receiving device, amount of power requested by the power-receiving device, maximum power reception capability of the power-receiving device, cumulative energy requested by the power-receiving device, location of the power-receiving device, speed at which the power-receiving device is traveling, operating mode of the power-receiving device, or energy storage capacity of the power-receiving device.

5. A wireless power distribution system, comprising:

a power-receiving device configured to wirelessly receive power as the power-receiving device is moving along a route, the route including one or more paths along which the power-receiving device can travel to receive wireless power while the power-receiving device is moving; and

a routing module including at least one processor configured to determine the route responsive to receiving input about one or more characteristics associated with the power-receiving device or one or more wireless power transmitters for delivering power to the power-receiving device while the power-receiving device is moving along the route.

6. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , further comprising the one or more wireless power transmitters configured to wirelessly deliver power to the power-receiving device, wherein the one or more wireless power transmitters are operably coupled to the routing module, and the one or more wireless power transmitters are configured to wirelessly transmit the power to the power-receiving device from one or more locations along the route.

7. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , further comprising one or more wireless power transmitters configured to wirelessly deliver power to the power-receiving device, wherein the one or more wireless power transmitters include a plurality of wireless power transmitters configured to selectively transmit wireless power to the power-receiving device responsive to a request for wireless power delivery from one or more locations along the route.

8. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , further comprising one or more wireless power transmitters configured to wirelessly deliver power to the power-receiving device, wherein the one or more wireless power transmitters are configured to selectively transmit power to the power-receiving device as the power-receiving device moves along the route.

9. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive routing signals indicating an altered route based at least partially on the one or more characteristics of the power-receiving device.

10. The wireless power distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more characteristics associated with the power-receiving device include at least one of a type of power receiver of the power-receiving device, an amount of power requested by the power-receiving device, a maximum power reception capability of the power-receiving device, a cumulative energy requested by the power-receiving device, a location of the power-receiving device, a speed at which the power-receiving device is traveling, an operating mode of the power-receiving device, or an energy storage capacity of the power-receiving device.

11. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , wherein the power-receiving device is integrated in a vehicle.

12. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , wherein the power-receiving device is integrated in a portable electronic device.

13. The wireless power distribution system of claim 12 , wherein portable electronic device includes one or more of a cell phone, a laptop computer, or a personal data assistant.

14. The wireless power distribution system of claim 5 , wherein the power-receiving device includes at least one of an optical-electrical converter, an antenna, a magnetic-electrical converter, or a radio-frequency-electrical converter.

15. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the routing module is configured to output routing signals indicating an altered route based at least partially on the one or more characteristics.

16. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive wireless power from a plurality of wireless power transmitters of the wireless power delivery system while the power-receiving device is moving along the route.

17. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless receiver and power converter are integrated in a vehicle.

18. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless receiver and power converter are integrated in a portable electronic device.

19. The power-receiving device of claim 18 , wherein portable electronic device includes one or more of a cell phone, a laptop computer, or a personal data assistant.

20. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the power converter includes at least one of an optical-electrical converter, an antenna, a magnetic-electrical converter, or a radio-frequency-electrical converter.

21. The power-receiving device of claim 1 , wherein the power converter is configured to convert at least a portion of the wireless power transmitted into electricity and provide some of the electricity to power the power-receiving device.

22. A wireless power distribution system, comprising:

a power-receiving device integrated into a vehicle and configured to wirelessly receive power while the power-receiving device is moving along a route;

one or more wireless power transmitters configured to wirelessly deliver power to the power-receiving device; and

a routing module including at least one processor configured to determine the route for the power-receiving device to travel along to wirelessly receive power while the vehicles is moving responsive to receiving input about one or more characteristics associated with the power-receiving device or one or more wireless power transmitters.

23. The wireless power distribution system 22 , wherein the one or more wireless power transmitters are configured to selectively transmit power to the power-receiving device as the power-receiving device is moving along the route.