Energous Corporation
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING ONE OR MORE SENSORS TO DETECT AND CLASSIFY OBJECTS IN A KEEP-OUT ZONE OF A WIRELESS-POWER TRANSMISSION FIELD, AND ANTENNAS WITH INTEGRATED SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS

Abstract:

A wireless-power transmission system (WPTS) includes sensors, antennas, a power amplifier (PA), and integrated circuits (ICs). The antennas, upon receiving an amplified signal for the PA, are configured to radiate energy within a transmission field (TF) of the WPTS. The ICs are configured to receive sensor data indicating presence of an object within a keep-out zone (KOZ). The ICs are configured to classify using the sensor data the object as a sensitive object. While detecting presence of the sensitive object, the ICs are configured to forgo providing an instruction to the PA to amplify the signal. In accordance with a determination that the sensitive object is no longer detected the ICs are configured to determine whether an electronic device is within the TF and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is within the TF the ICs are configured to instruct the PA to amplify the signal.