IP Verse

Operating Frequency Based Power Level Altering In Extended Range Wireless Power Transmitters

Patent No. US12272970 (titled "Operating Frequency Based Power Level Altering In Extended Range Wireless Power Transmitters") was filed by Nucurrent Inc on Nov 20, 2024.

What is this patent about?

’970 is related to the field of wireless power transfer, specifically addressing the need for granular power level control in transmitters operating at extended separation distances. Traditional wireless power transfer systems, especially those adhering to the Qi standard, are limited by small coil-to-coil separation gaps (around 3-5 mm). However, many modern applications require larger gaps to accommodate furniture thickness, device cases, and other obstructions. This patent addresses the challenge of maintaining satisfactory performance (thermal, charging speed, efficiency) while increasing the separation gap.

The underlying idea behind ’970 is to achieve granular power control in a wireless power transmitter by coordinating adjustments to both the supply voltage from an external power source and the operating frequency of the transmitter's drive signal. Instead of relying solely on internal voltage regulation, the transmitter communicates with an external power supply to request changes in the supply voltage. After confirming the voltage change, the transmitter then adjusts the drive signal's frequency to fine-tune the power output.

The claims of ’970 focus on a wireless power transmitter comprising a power-supply interface, a power conditioning system with an inverter, a capacitor circuit, a transmission antenna, and a controller. The controller sends requests to an external power supply to change the supply voltage level. Upon detecting the voltage change, the controller adjusts the drive signal's frequency. The power conditioning system then generates an AC signal based on the adjusted voltage and frequency, which is tuned by the capacitor circuit and transmitted by the antenna.

In practice, the transmitter's controller sends a request to the external power supply to switch between preset voltage levels (e.g., 5V, 9V, 15V, or 20V). Once the voltage change is confirmed, the controller uses a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator to adjust the drive signal's frequency within a specific range (87 kHz to 205 kHz). This frequency adjustment allows for fine-grained control over the output power, compensating for variations in the power transfer characteristics at different frequencies.

This approach differs from prior solutions by shifting the complexity of voltage regulation to the external power supply, potentially reducing the bill of materials (BOM) cost for the transmitter. By using an external power supply with preset voltage levels and dynamically adjusting the drive signal's frequency, the transmitter can achieve granular power control without requiring expensive internal voltage regulation mechanisms. This also allows for greater compatibility with off-the-shelf power supplies like USB power adapters.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2020s when ’970 was filed, wireless power transfer systems were gaining traction, at a time when increasing the separation gap between transmitter and receiver coils while maintaining satisfactory performance was non-trivial. Systems commonly relied on inductive wireless power transfer, where magnetic fields induce current in a receiving element, and the operating frequency was selected based on factors such as power transfer characteristics and adherence to standards.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art does not teach or fairly suggest the specific combination of features recited in claims 1, 19, and 27. These features include a controller with a processor, non-transitory machine-readable medium, and executable code that enables the controller to request voltage changes from an external power supply, detect those changes, and then adjust the drive signal frequency accordingly. Claim 27 further includes the power conditioning system receiving the drive signal and supply voltage signal to produce an AC signal with a configurable power level.

Claims

This patent contains 30 claims, with independent claims 1, 19, and 27. The independent claims are directed to a wireless power transmitter and a method of operating a wireless power transmitter, focusing on dynamically adjusting voltage levels and drive signal frequencies. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the specifics of the wireless power transmitter and method as defined in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Capacitor circuit
(Claim 1, Claim 19, Claim 27)		“In an embodiment, the overall structure of the transmitter is configured in a way that allows the transmitter to transfer power at an operating frequency of about 87 kilohertz (kHz) to about 205 kHz and achieve the same and/or enhanced relative characteristics (e.g., rate of power transfer, speed of power transfer, power level, power level management, among other things) of power transfer as legacy transmitters that operated in that frequency range. As a result, the separation gap may be increased from about 3-5 mm to around 15 mm or greater using the overall structure of the transmitter. In an embodiment, a transmitter may be configured with a ferrite core that substantially surrounds the transmitter antenna on three sides. The only place that the ferrite core does not surround the transmitter antenna is on the top (e.g., in the direction of power transfer) and where the power lines connect to the transmitter antenna. This overall structure of the transmitter allows for the combination of power transfer characteristics, power level characteristics, self-resonant frequency restraints, design requirements, adherence to standards bodies' required characteristics, bill of materials (BOM) and/or form factor constraints, among other things, that allow for power transfer over larger separation gaps.”A circuit that receives the AC signal from the power conditioning system and tunes the AC signal.
Configurable frequency
(Claim 1, Claim 19, Claim 27)		“In some examples disclosed herein, data either determined by a method or process or stored in a database, may be utilized to relate power output levels, via an operating point, with specific operating frequencies, within an operating frequency range of operation for the power transmitter. To that end, due to the differing power characteristics at different operating points, granular control of power, voltage, and/or current levels may be achieved by dynamically altering the operating frequency, within the operating frequency range, to achieve a desired power level for output to the power receiver.”A frequency of a drive signal that can be changed or adjusted, typically by a controller or driver, to control the power level of the AC signal produced by the power conditioning system.
Configurable voltage level
(Claim 1, Claim 19, Claim 27)		“In some examples, power profiles, such as those defined by the Qi Standard, may require more sophisticated and/or granular controls, compared to legacy wireless power transmitters. Such examples may involve higher power input to the wireless power transmitter and, thus, more expensive and/or complicated voltage regulation mechanisms may be required in the power conditioning system and/or amplifier design. To that end, utilizing the systems and methods disclosed herein, such voltage regulation mechanisms may be removed from the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power transmitter may utilize control schemes, disclosed herein, to control the input power to the wireless power transmitter, via communications with an external input power source.”A voltage level of the supply voltage signal that can be changed or adjusted, typically by an external power supply, in response to a request from the wireless power transmitter.
Power conditioning system
(Claim 1, Claim 19, Claim 27)		“In some examples, power profiles, such as those defined by the Qi Standard, may require more sophisticated and/or granular controls, compared to legacy wireless power transmitters. Such examples may involve higher power input to the wireless power transmitter and, thus, more expensive and/or complicated voltage regulation mechanisms may be required in the power conditioning system and/or amplifier design. To that end, utilizing the systems and methods disclosed herein, such voltage regulation mechanisms may be removed from the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power transmitter may utilize control schemes, disclosed herein, to control the input power to the wireless power transmitter, via communications with an external input power source.”A system that receives a supply voltage signal and a drive signal, and produces an alternating current (AC) signal based on these inputs. It includes an inverter.
Supply voltage signal
(Claim 1, Claim 19, Claim 27)		“By utilizing communications with the external power source, bill of materials (BOM) may be decreased, for such power transmitters, resulting in lower cost power transmitters. Additionally or alternatively, by utilizing such control schemes, the power transmitters utilizing said schemes, disclosed herein, may have greater compatibility and/or performance when utilized with off-the-shelf power supplies (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) power supplies, Lightning power supplies, Qualcomm Quick Charge devices, USB-C power supplies, USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) power supplies, Mini-USB power supplies, proprietary power supplies, input/outputs on electronic devices (e.g., a computer, a multi device charger, an automobile console, a mobile device, a portable power supply, a battery, a generator, among other things).”A signal received by the wireless power transmitter from an external power supply, where the voltage level of the signal can be adjusted or configured.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
2:25-cv-00779Aug 11, 2025Nucurrent, Inc. V. Hong Kong Ugreen Limited
3:25-cv-00912Apr 17, 2025Nucurrent, Inc. V. Sariana Llc

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US12272970

NUCURRENT INC
Application Number
US18953887
Filing Date
Nov 20, 2024
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Apr 30, 2040
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents