A wireless power transmission method executed by a power transmitter comprising multi-coils, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: detecting a second power receiver while transmitting power to a first power receiver; determining at least one primary coil adequate for power transmission; by using the determined at least one primary coil, determining whether the second power receiver supports a shared mode protocol; and if the second power receiver supports the shared mode protocol, transmitting power to the first and second power receivers according to the shared mode protocol, wherein the shared mode protocol may be a protocol for simultaneously managing information exchanges between the power transmitter and multiple power receivers.

A wireless power transmission method executed by a power transmitter comprising multi-coils, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: detecting a second power receiver while transmitting power to a first power receiver; determining at least one primary coil adequate for power transmission; by using the determined at least one primary coil, determining whether the second power receiver supports a shared mode protocol; and if the second power receiver supports the shared mode protocol, transmitting power to the first and second power receivers according to the shared mode protocol, wherein the shared mode protocol may be a protocol for simultaneously managing information exchanges between the power transmitter and multiple power receivers.

A wireless power transmitting system includes a power amplifier comprising a plurality of measurement points and a power amplifier controller integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC performs synchronization of the various components of the power amplifier, conducts impedance and temperature measurements at the measurements points, determines if a foreign object is within the transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, and decides if a shutdown of the power amplifier is needed. In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC determines through a transmitter controller IC, the presence of a foreign object within the transmission range and adjusts the power transmission to one or more receivers.

A wireless power transmitting system includes a power amplifier comprising a plurality of measurement points and a power amplifier controller integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC performs synchronization of the various components of the power amplifier, conducts impedance and temperature measurements at the measurements points, determines if a foreign object is within the transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, and decides if a shutdown of the power amplifier is needed. In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC determines through a transmitter controller IC, the presence of a foreign object within the transmission range and adjusts the power transmission to one or more receivers.

In an inductive charging system energy is transferred via a magnetic field. An object detection apparatus for an inductive charging system comprises: a transmitter configured to transmit a signal; a receiver having a field of view including a substantial portion of the magnetic field, the receiver configured to receive within the field of view a reflected signal of the signal; and a signal processor configured to examine characteristics of the received, reflected signal to identify a hazard condition in relation to the magnetic field. By converting the received signal into a frequency domain signal, hazard conditions may be identified depending on the form of the frequency domain signal. The object detection apparatus is suitable for use in a charging apparatus for an electric vehicle.

In an inductive charging system energy is transferred via a magnetic field. An object detection apparatus for an inductive charging system comprises: a transmitter configured to transmit a signal; a receiver having a field of view including a substantial portion of the magnetic field, the receiver configured to receive within the field of view a reflected signal of the signal; and a signal processor configured to examine characteristics of the received, reflected signal to identify a hazard condition in relation to the magnetic field. By converting the received signal into a frequency domain signal, hazard conditions may be identified depending on the form of the frequency domain signal. The object detection apparatus is suitable for use in a charging apparatus for an electric vehicle.

The disclosure provides a method for supplying power to a power receiving device, comprising performing a wireless charging function comprising a first detection operation for transmitting a detection signal to detect the power receiving device; and a wireless communication function comprising a second detection operation for detecting a wireless communication tag; wherein the first detection operation comprises periodically transmitting a first group of detection signals and a second group of detection signals each comprising a plurality of detection signals, there is no other detection signal transmitted between transmission of the first group of detection signals and transmission of the second group of detection signals, and the second detection operation is performed between transmission of the first group of detection signals and transmission of the second group of detection signals. The disclosure further provides a wireless charging device for performing the wireless charging method.

The disclosure provides a method for supplying power to a power receiving device, comprising performing a wireless charging function comprising a first detection operation for transmitting a detection signal to detect the power receiving device; and a wireless communication function comprising a second detection operation for detecting a wireless communication tag; wherein the first detection operation comprises periodically transmitting a first group of detection signals and a second group of detection signals each comprising a plurality of detection signals, there is no other detection signal transmitted between transmission of the first group of detection signals and transmission of the second group of detection signals, and the second detection operation is performed between transmission of the first group of detection signals and transmission of the second group of detection signals. The disclosure further provides a wireless charging device for performing the wireless charging method.

Foreign object detection for wireless power transmission and related systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. A controller for a wireless power transmitter is to determine a transmit coil voltage potential at a transmit coil of the wireless power transmitter, determine an input power provided to the wireless power transmitter, determine a transmitter power loss, and determine a transmitted power of the wireless power transmitted to the wireless power receiver based, at least in part, on the input power and the transmitter power loss. The controller is also to compute a power loss responsive to the transmitted power and a received power indicated by the wireless power receiver, and determine that a foreign object is detected responsive to a determination that the power loss is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Foreign object detection for wireless power transmission and related systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. A controller for a wireless power transmitter is to determine a transmit coil voltage potential at a transmit coil of the wireless power transmitter, determine an input power provided to the wireless power transmitter, determine a transmitter power loss, and determine a transmitted power of the wireless power transmitted to the wireless power receiver based, at least in part, on the input power and the transmitter power loss. The controller is also to compute a power loss responsive to the transmitted power and a received power indicated by the wireless power receiver, and determine that a foreign object is detected responsive to a determination that the power loss is greater than a predetermined threshold.