Power transmitting apparatus, power receiving apparatus, control methods therefor, program, and computer-readable storage medium

Power transmission equipment and power receiving equipment and their control methods, programs and computer readable storage mediaTechnical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power transmission device, a power receiving device, a control method thereof, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium used for wireless power transmission.

Background technique

[0002] Currently, various methods for wireless power transmission such as an electromagnetic induction method and a magnetic resonance method are known. There are multiple standards for ensuring mutual connectivity between power transmission equipment and power reception equipment in a wireless power transmission system. Website http: //ja. idt. com/about/press-room/idt-announces-industry% E2% 80% 99s-first-dual-mode-wireless-power-receiver-ic-co mpatible-both-wpc- and-pmastan describes an IC chip that supports multiple standards related to wireless power transmission.

[0003] In a system supporting a plurality of wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods), the efficiency of wireless power transmission may decrease according to the wireless power transmission method used for power transmission. For example, a case where the power transmission equipment supports the first WPT method (the upper limit of transmission power is 5W) and the second WPT method (the upper limit of transmission power is 10W) will be explained. In this case, if the power transmission device uses the first WPT method to transmit 5W of power to the power receiving device initially placed on the charging station (supporting the first WPT method and the second WPT method), it will be During power transmission, it may not be possible to charge a powered device that only supports the first WPT method.

Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and improve the efficiency of wireless power transmission in a system supporting multiple wireless power transmission methods.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power transmission device, including: a first power transmission component for transmitting power using a first wireless power transmission method; a second power transmission component for using a second wireless power transmission method Performing power transmission; a detecting component for detecting a wireless power transmission method supported by the power receiving device; and a determining component for detecting a wireless power transmission method supported by the first power receiving device detected by the detecting component and the The wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device detected by the detecting component determines whether the first power transmission component or the second power transmission component transmits power to the first power receiving device.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of power transmission equipment, including the following steps: a first power transmission step for transmitting power using the first wireless power transmission method; a second power transmission step for using the first wireless power transmission method 2. The wireless power transmission method performs power transmission; the detection step is used to detect the wireless power transmission method supported by the power receiving device; and the judgment step is used to detect the wireless power transmission method supported by the first power receiving device detected in the detection step. The wireless power transmission method and the wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device detected in the detecting step are used to determine whether to transmit power to all power in the first power transmission step or the second power transmission step. The first power receiving device performs power transmission.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the following processes: a first power transmission process for transmitting power using the first wireless power transmission method; a second power transmission process for using the first wireless power transmission method 2. The wireless power transmission method performs power transmission; the detection process is used to detect the wireless power transmission method supported by the powered device; and the judgment process,

It is used to determine based on the wireless power transmission method supported by the first power receiving device detected in the detection process and the wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device detected in the detection process. It is determined whether to transmit power to the first power receiving device in the first power transmission process or the second power transmission process.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first power receiving device for receiving power wirelessly supplied from a power transmission device. The first power receiving device includes a detection component for detecting a second power receiving device. A wireless power transmission method supported by an electric device; and an indicating component for use based on the wireless power transmission method supported by the first power receiving device and the wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device detected by the detecting component A wireless power transmission method to instruct the power transmission device to use a wireless power transmission method for power transmission to the first power receiving device.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a first power receiving device, the first power receiving device is configured to receive power wirelessly supplied from a power transmission device, and the control method includes the following steps: The detecting step is used for detecting the wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device; and the indicating step is used for detecting based on the wireless power transmission method supported by the first power receiving device and the detection step The wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device is used to indicate to the power transmission device the wireless power transmission method to be used for power transmission to the first power receiving device.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the following processes: a detection process for detecting a wireless power transmission method supported by a second powered device; and an instruction process for A wireless power transmission method supported by a first power receiving device for receiving power wirelessly supplied from a power transmission device, and a wireless power transmission method supported by the second power receiving device detected during the detection process, To instruct the power transmission device to use a wireless power transmission method to transmit power to the first power receiving device.

[0011] Through the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, other features of the present invention will become apparent.

Description of the drawings

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram according to a first embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 according to the first embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operations of the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 according to the first embodiment;

4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power transmission device 101 according to the first embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power receiving device 103 according to the first embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operations of the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 according to the second embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power transmission device 101 according to the second embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power receiving device 103 according to the second embodiment; and

[0020] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining whether to change the WPT method.

Detailed ways

[0021] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the structure shown in the following embodiment is only an example, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated structure.

[0022] The first embodiment

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a usage scenario of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, there are multiple power receiving devices 103 (power receiving devices 103-1 and 103-2) within the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101. Note that the power transmission device 101 can

Place it in electrical appliances such as notebook PCs, DVD recorders or video recorders, or furniture such as desks, desks, or TV cabinets. A case where the power receiving device 103 is a digital camera and a smart phone will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. However, the present invention can also be applied to various electrical appliances such as video cameras, notebook PCs, and feature phones. Each power receiving device 103 can receive power wirelessly transmitted from the power transmitting device 101. Each power receiving device 10 can use the received power to charge the battery or drive the device.

[0024] In this embodiment, a case where the power transmission device 101 supports the three wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods) shown in Table 1 will be explained. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the power transmission device 101 may support multiple WPT methods. In addition, in this embodiment, a case where the power transmission device 101 determines to use one of the three supported WPT methods to transmit power to each power receiving device 103 will be described.

[0025] Table 1

<td>method</td><td>Used for power transmission</td><td>Can it be connected to multiple</td><td>The amount of power that can be transmitted</td>

<td>Numbering</td><td>Control communication</td><td>Power transmission</td><td>(Total value)</td>

<td>1</td><td>Load modulation</td><td>No (up to 1 unit)</td><td>5 W</td>

<td>2</td><td>Bluetooth</td><td>Yes (up to 3 units)</td><td>2U W</td>

<td>3</td><td>ΙΕΕΕ802.11Π</td><td>Yes (up to 10 units)</td><td>50 W</td>

[0027] In Table 1, the control communication method used for power transmission as the first WPT method is load modulation, and the control communication method used for power transmission as the second wpt method is Bluetooth®, and it is used as the first The control communication method used for power transmission of the three-wpt method is IEEE802. lln_oThe communication distance of IEEE802.1 In and Bluetooth® is longer than that of load modulation.

[0028] Note that although FIG. 1 shows a case where there are two power receiving devices 103 in the power transmission range, three or more power receiving devices 103 may be configured in the power transmission range 102. The power transmission device 101 of this embodiment can perform wireless power transmission to multiple power receiving devices 103 existing within the power transmission range.

[0029] The structure of the power transmission device 101 and each power receiving device 103 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the power transmission equipment 101 and each power reception equipment 103. The power transmission device 101 is configured to include a power transmission control unit 201, a UI (User Interface) 202, a storage unit 203, a communication control unit 204, a plurality of power transmission units 205, a plurality of power transmission antennas 206, a communication unit 207, a communication antenna 208, and a detection unit 209. In this embodiment, there are different power transmission units 205 and power transmission antennas 206 for each WPT method. However, multiple WPT methods can share one power transmission unit 205 and one power transmission antenna 206.

[0030] The power transmission control unit 201 determines to use one of a plurality of wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods) supported by the power transmission device 101 to transmit power to the power receiving device 103 within the power transmission range. The summary of the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101 of this embodiment is shown in Table 1 above. The power transmission control unit 201 changes the WPT used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 according to the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-N newly detected by the detecting unit 209 after the power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 starts. method. That is, the power transmission control unit 201 can switch between the first wireless power transmission method and the second wireless power transmission method. The method of determining the WPT method and the method of changing the WPT method performed by the power transmission control unit 201 will be described later.

[0031] The UI 202 serves as an interface used by the user to perform various settings in the power transmission device 101. Storage unit 203, for example

The storage power transmission control unit 201 determines various information to be used for the WPT method or to change the WPT method. The information stored in the storage unit 203 will be described later. The communication control unit 204 controls the communication unit 207 to realize communication with the power receiving device 103. The communication unit 207 realizes communication with the power receiving device 103 via the communication antenna 208 under the control of the communication control unit 204. In this embodiment, communication associated with various control operations used for wireless power transmission can be performed by using the communication unit 207. Note that the communicable range (communication range) of the communication unit 207 is wider than the communicable range of the power transmission range 102.

[0032] The power transmission unit 205 controls various parameters such as a current value or a voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206 under the control of the power transmission control unit 201, and realizes wireless power transmission to the power receiving device 103. Note that the power transmission device 101 of the present embodiment includes power transmission units 205 and power transmission antennas 206 equal in number to the number of supported WPT methods. The detection unit 209 detects that the power receiving device 103 is present in the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101. The detection unit 209 can also detect the specific location where the specific power receiving device 103 exists within the power transmission range.

[0033] Each power receiving device 103 is configured to include a power receiving antenna 210, a power receiving unit 211, a communication antenna 212, a communication unit 213, a power receiving control unit 214, a UI (User Interface) 215, a storage unit 216, and a communication control unit 217 and detection unit 218. The power reception control unit 214 controls the power reception unit 211 to be able to receive power transmitted by the WPT method determined by the power transmission device 101. The power reception control unit 214 is connected to a rechargeable battery, and charges the battery with the power received by the power reception unit 211. Note that the power receiving control unit 214 may perform control instead of charging the battery, but directly use the power received from the power transmission device 101 as the power source of the processor.

[0034] The UI 215 serves as an interface used by the user to make various settings in the power receiving device 103. The storage unit 216 is used to store information related to settings input via the UI 215, for example. The communication control unit 217 controls the communication unit 213 to realize communication with the power transmission device 101. The communication unit 213 realizes communication with the power transmission device 101 via the communication antenna 212 under the control of the communication control unit 217. In this embodiment, communication associated with various control operations used for wireless power transmission can be performed by using the communication unit 213.

[0035] Note that the powered device 103 shown in FIG. 2 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method shown in Table 1. The power receiving device 103 shown in FIG. 2 includes two power receiving antennas 210 and two power receiving units 211. This embodiment assumes that there are multiple power receiving devices 103 such as a power receiving device 103 that supports only one WPT method and a power receiving device 103 that supports three WPT methods within the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101. If the first WPT method and the second WPT method can share the power receiving antenna 210 and the power receiving unit 211, one power receiving antenna 210 and one power receiving unit 211 can be used to implement the power receiving device 103.

[0036] The operation of the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operations of the power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 103 according to the present embodiment. In S301 of FIG. 3, the power transmission device 101 determines whether there is a power receiving device within the power transmission range 102 (predetermined range). If the power transmission device 101 determines that there is a power receiving device 103-KS301 within the power transmission range, it is "Yes"), then the power transmission device 101 communicates with the power receiving device 103 when the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1 is specified. -1 to negotiate (S302).

[0037] The specification method of the WPT method is not specifically limited, and the following method may be adopted. For example, the power transmission device 101 may transmit respective interrogation signals of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method to the power receiving device 103-1, and specify the power receiving device 103 based on the response from the power receiving device 103-1 -1 WPT method supported. If the power transmission device 101 receives the response to the first interrogation signal and the response to the second interrogation signal from the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission device 101 determines that the power receiving device 103-1 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method. Note that the interrogation signal of the first WPT method is a signal conforming to the communication method and format defined as the first WPT method. The interrogation signal of the second WPT method is a signal conforming to the communication method and format defined as the second WPT method. The interrogation signal of the third WPT method is defined as

The communication method and format signal of the third WPT method. As another method of specifying the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1, for example, a method of sending an inquiry message from the power transmitting device 101 is provided. Upon receiving the inquiry message, the powered device 103-1 sends identification information of the WPT method supported by itself as a response. In this way, the power transmitting device 101 can specify the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1.

[0038] If the power transmission device 101 determines that the power receiving device 103-1 supports a plurality of WPT methods among the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method, the power transmission device 101 determines to use one of these WPT methods. Conduct power transmission. There is no specific restriction on the determination method of the WPT method. For example, the power transmission device 101 may determine a WPT method that can be used to transmit power to a larger number of power receiving devices at the same time as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. According to the above determination method, in a case where the power receiving device 103-1 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method, the power transmission device 101 determines based on Table 1 to use the second WPT method to transmit power to the power receiving device 103-1. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the second WPT method has been used to transmit power to another power receiving device 103-X.

[0039] As another determination method, the power transmission device 101 may determine a WPT method that can be used to transmit a large amount of power as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. According to the above determination method, when the power receiving device 103-1 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method, the power transmission device 101 determines based on Table 1 to use the second WPT method to transmit power to the power receiving device 103-1. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the second WPT method has been used to transmit power to another power receiving device 103-X.

[0040] After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmitting device 101 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-1 according to the determined WPT method. In the negotiation according to the present embodiment, the power transmission device 101 obtains from the power receiving device 103-1, for example, the charging status (0% to 100%), the requested power amount (for example, 5W), and the current power consumption of the power receiving device 103-1. Control information such as quantity. Based on the acquired various information about the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission device 101 determines parameters such as the driving frequency and the current value or voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206. When the negotiation is completed, the power transmission device 101 transmits power to the power receiving device 103-1 (S303).

[0041] After the power transmission starts, the power transmission device 101 determines whether there is a new power receiving device 103-N within the power transmission range 102 (predetermined range) (S304)_oIf the power transmission device 101 determines that there is no power receiving device 103-N (NO in S304), the power transmission device 101 determines whether to end power transmission. If the power transmission device 101 determines that the power transmission is ended, the power transmission device 101 performs power transmission end processing. On the other hand, if the power transmission equipment 101 determines that the power transmission is not ended, the power transmission equipment 101 continues the power transmission to the power receiving equipment 103T. The power transmission end conditions include, for example, various errors of the power transmission device 101, the fully charged state of the power receiving device 103T, or a time error that occurs when the power receiving device 103-1 leaves the power transmission range 102.

[0042] If the transmission power device 101 determines the transmission range of 102 memory at the new power receiving apparatus 103-N (S304, "YES"), the transmission device 101 specifies other WPT methods for electrical apparatus 103-N are supported by (S305). There is no specific restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. For example, the same method as the method for specifying the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1 can be used. If the power transmission device 101 determines that the power receiving device 103-N supports a plurality of WPT methods among the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method, the power transmission device 101 determines to use one of these WPT methods for power transmission. After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N, the power transmitting device 101 acquires predetermined information such as the amount of requested power of the power receiving device 103-N from the power receiving device 103-N. This information is used to determine whether the power transmission device 101 changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. If the power transmission device 101 acquires predetermined information from the power receiving device 103-N, the process proceeds to S306_o

[0043] Based on the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N and the predetermined information acquired from the power receiving device 103-N in S305, the power transmission device 101 determines whether to change the power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 WPT method used

(S306). The method for determining whether to change the WPT method will be described in detail later. If the power transmission device 101 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is changed (Yes in S306), the power transmission device 101 determines the changed WPT method, and then communicates with the power receiving device 103-1 Negotiation (S307). If the power transmission equipment 101 determines that the WPT method is not to be changed (No in S306), the process of S307 is not performed. After that, the power transmission device 101 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-N (S308). When the negotiation between the power transmission device 101 and the power receiving device 103-N is completed, the power transmission device 101 starts to transmit power to the power receiving devices 103-1 and 103-N (S309).

[0044] The operation of the power transmission device 101 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power transmission device 101 according to the present embodiment. The power transmission device 101 of this embodiment realizes the operation shown in FIG. 4 when the CPU (not shown) reads out the required program from the ROM and executes the program. Note that the power transmission device 101 of this embodiment is a power transmission device that supports multiple wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods). That is, in the case of using the first WPT method to perform wireless power transmission to the power receiving device 103, the power transmitting device 101 may use the second WPT method to perform wireless power transmission to the power receiving device 103, and use the third WPT method The power transmission to the power receiving device 103 is performed. At the time of energization, the power transmission equipment 101 of the present embodiment starts the process of step S401.

[0045] In step S401 of FIG. 4, the detection unit 209 of the power transmission device 101 detects the power receiving device 103 (power receiving device 103-1) existing in the power transmission range 102 (predetermined range)_oIf the detection unit 209 determines that there is a new power receiving device 103-1 in the power transmission range 102 (YES in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, the power transmission control unit 201 specifies the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1 detected in step S401. There is no restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. For example, a method for transmitting WPT-related signals (the aforementioned first interrogation signal, second interrogation signal, and third interrogation signal) from the communication unit 207 of the power transmission device 101 to the power receiving device 103 is provided. Based on the presence or absence of the response to the WPT-related signal from the power receiving device 103 and/or the content of the response, the power transmission device 101 can specify the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103. Examples of WPT-related signals are connection requests or ping signals defined by each of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method. Another example of the WPT-related signal is a message used to inquire about the WPT method supported by the powered device 103 (the above-mentioned inquiry message). Upon receiving the message, the power receiving device 103-1 sends the identification information of the PWT method supported by itself as a response message to the power transmitting device 101.

[0046] When the specification of the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1 is completed, the process proceeds to step S403. In step S403, the power transmission control unit 201 and the power reception control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 conduct negotiations related to wireless power transmission. Note that if both the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103-1 support multiple WPT methods, the power transmission control unit 201 determines the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power reception device 103-1 before performing negotiation. There is no specific restriction on the determination method of the WPT method. As described above, for example, the power transmission device 101 can determine a WPT method that can simultaneously transmit power to a larger number of power receiving devices as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. As another determination method, the power transmission device 101 may determine a WPT method that can be used to transmit a large amount of power as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1.

[0047] After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmitting device 101 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-1 according to the determined WPT method. In the negotiation according to the present embodiment, the power transmission control unit 201 acquires, for example, the charging status (0%~100%) of the power receiving device 103-1, the requested power amount (for example, 5W), and the current power from the power receiving device 103-1. Control information such as consumption. Based on the acquired various information about the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission control unit 201 determines parameters such as the driving frequency and the current value or voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206. When the negotiation is completed, the power transmission unit 205 transmits power to the power receiving unit 211 (step S404: power transmission process).

[0048] After the power transmission starts, the detection unit 209 of the power transmission device 101 determines whether it is detected within the power transmission range 102

New power receiving device 103 (power receiving device 103-N). If the detection unit 209 detects the power receiving device 103-N within the power transmission range (predetermined range) ("Yes" in step S405), the process proceeds to step S407; otherwise ("No" in step S405), the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, the power transmission equipment 101 determines whether to end power transmission to the power reception equipment 103. If it is determined that the power transmission to all the power receiving devices 103 is ended (YES in step S406), the power transmission control unit 201 performs power transmission end processing in step S411, thereby terminating the processing shown in FIG. 4. If the power transmission device 101 determines that the power transmission to a part of the power reception devices 103 is ended (NO in step S406), the power transmission device 101 performs power transmission end processing for these power reception devices 103, and the process returns to step S404. The power transmission end condition includes, for example, various errors of the power transmission device 101, the fully charged state of the power receiving device 103, or a time error that occurs when the power receiving device 103 leaves the power transmission range 102.

[0049] In step S407, the power transmission control unit 201 specifies the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-N. There is no specific restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. For example, the same method as the method for specifying the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-1 can be used. If the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the power receiving device 103-N supports a plurality of WPT methods among the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method, the power transmission control unit 201 determines to use one of these WPT methods to perform Power transmission. After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N, the power transmission control unit 201 acquires predetermined information such as the amount of requested power of the power receiving device 103-N from the power receiving device 103-N. This information is used to determine whether the power transmission control unit 201 changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. If the power transmission control unit 201 acquires predetermined information from the power receiving device 103-N, the process proceeds to step S408.

[0050] Based on the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N and the predetermined information acquired from the power receiving device 103-N in step S407, the power transmission device 101 determines whether to change the power to the power receiving device 103-1. The WPT method used for power transmission (step S408). The method for determining whether to change the WPT method according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining whether to change the WPT method (step S408). As shown in Table 1, the power transmission device 101 can use the first WPT method to transmit power up to 5W, use the second WPT method to transmit power up to 20W, and use the third WPT method to transmit power up to 50W.

[0051] In step S901 of FIG. 9, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether it is possible to transmit power to the power receiving device 103-N newly detected in step S405. If the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103N can be performed without changing the WPT method ("Yes" in step S901), it is determined that the WPT method is not changed (step S906), and processing Proceed to step S409 in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is not changed, the power transmission to the new power receiving device 103-N cannot be performed ("No" in step S901 ), the process proceeds to step S902. The power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state indicates a power receiving device that was detected by the power transmitting device 101 before the power receiving device 103 -N was detected and that is receiving power wirelessly from the power transmitting device 101.

[0052] In step S902, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state supports a WPT method other than the currently used WPT method. For example, if the power transmission device 101 is transmitting power to the power receiving device 103-1 using the first WPT method, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether the power receiving device 103-1 supports the second WPT method and the third WPT method. If multiple power receiving devices are in the power receiving state, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether any power receiving device among all the power receiving devices 103 in the power receiving state supports the second WPT method and the third WPT method. If the power transmission control unit 201 determines that any of the power receiving devices 103 in the power receiving state does not support WPT methods other than the currently used WPT method ("No" in step S902), the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT is not changed Method (step S906), and the process proceeds to step S409 in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the power transmission control unit 201 determines that at least one of the power receiving devices 103 in the power receiving state supports a WPT method other than the current WPT method (Yes in step S902), it processes Advance

Go to step S903_o

[0053] In step S903, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the power receiving device 103 can be performed even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed. . For example, if the power transmission device 101 is performing 5W power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 using the first WPT method, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether even if the WPT method is changed from the first WPT method to the second WPT method or the third WPT method , It can also transmit 5W to the power receiving device 103-1. Based on the number of devices indicated by "Can power transmission to multiple power receiving devices" in Table 1 and the number of power receiving devices 103 currently set as power transmission targets by the power transmission device 101, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether the direction can be changed The WPT method used for power transmission of each power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state. For example, if the power transmission device 101 is using the first WPT method to transmit power to one power receiving device 103-1 (supporting the first WPT method and the second WPT method), and is using the second WPT method to transmit power to three power receiving devices 103 -2, 103-3, 103-4 perform power transmission, and the power transmission control unit 201 makes the following judgment. That is, the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is changed so that the power transmission to the power receiving device 103 is not possible. -1 power transmission corresponding to the requested amount of power. Note that if the WPT method can be changed to the third WPT method for at least one of the power receiving equipment 103-2, 103-3, and 103-4, the power transmission control unit 201 determines that even if the power transmission to the power receiving equipment 103-1 is used If the WPT method is changed, it is also possible to perform power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the power receiving device 103T.

[0054] If the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed so that the power transmission corresponding to the requested amount of power to the WPT method cannot be performed (No in step S903 "), the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method is not changed (step S906), and the process proceeds to step S409 in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the power transmission control unit 201 determines that even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed, the power transmission corresponding to the requested amount of power to the power receiving device 103 can be performed (step "Yes" in S903), the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether the WPT method used for changing the power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state enables power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N. For example, if the power transmission device 101 is performing 5W power transmission to the power receiving device 103T using the first WPT method, and the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N is 5W, the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method is changed to enable The power transmission to the new power receiving device 103-N is performed. On the other hand, if the requested power amount of the new powered device 103-N is 10 W, the power transmission control unit 201 determines that even if the WPT method is changed, the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N cannot be performed.

[0055] If the power transmission control unit 201 determines that even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed, the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N cannot be performed (No in step S904), the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method is not to be changed (step S906), and the process proceeds to step S409 in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed so that the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N ( "Yes" in step S904), the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the power transmission control unit 201 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed, and the process proceeds to step S403 in FIG. 4_o

[0056] According to the above determination method, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether the first WPT method (first wireless power transmission method) is used to transmit power to the new power receiving device 103-N, whether it exceeds the use of the first WPT method. The amount of power that can be transmitted. According to the result of the above-described judgment processing, the power transmission control unit 201 changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving apparatus 103-1 from the first WPT method to the second WPT method. Note that the above explains the case where the WPT method is changed from the first WPT method to the second WPT method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the WPT method can be changed from the second WPT method

It is the first WPT method or changed from the third WPT method to the second WPT method.

[0057] Referring back to FIG. 4, if the power transmission device 101 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is changed ("Yes" in step S408), the power transmission device 101 determines the changed WPT method, Then negotiate with the power receiving device 103-1 (step S403: control process). After the negotiation in step S403, if the power transmission device 101 restarts power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1, it is determined in step S405 that there are other power receiving devices 103-N, the processing skips step S407, and the step S408 is The judgment result is "No". Therefore, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-N (step S409). When the negotiation between the power transmission device 101 and the power receiving device 103-N is completed, the power transmission device 101 determines whether to end power transmission (step S410). For example, if the negotiation between the power transmission device 101 and the other power receiving device 103-N fails, the judgment result in step S410 is "Yes" and the power transmission end process is performed (step S411). If the power transmission control unit 201 determines in step S410 that the power transmission is not ended (NO in step S410), the power transmission to the power receiving apparatuses 103-1 and 103-N starts (step S404).

[0058] As described above, in order to change the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission device 101 of this embodiment starts to communicate with other power receiving devices 103 after the negotiation of the changed WPT method is completed- Ns negotiation. With this operation, if the change of the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 fails, the power transmission device 101 can return the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 to the WPT method before the change . Note that it is not always necessary to start the negotiation with the powered device 103-N after the negotiation of the changed WPT method is completed. For example, upon receiving a predetermined signal (for example, confirmation for the connection request) related to the control of the changed WPT method from the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 may start communicating with the power receiving device 103 -N negotiation. This can advance the start time of power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N.

[0059] For example, after the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is changed and before the power transmission device 101 receives a predetermined signal related to the control of the changed WPT method from the power receiving device 103-1 At this moment, power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N may start. This can further advance the start time of power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N.

[0060] It is assumed that the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 of this embodiment changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. In this case, when the charging of the power receiving device 103-N is completed, the power transmission control unit 201 returns the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 to the WPT method before the change. This makes it possible to perform power transmission using the WPT method initially selected as the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. Note that the power transmission control unit 201 does not have to return the WPT method to the WPT method before the change. If the power transmission control unit 201 does not return the WPT method to the WPT method before the change, the load of changing the WPT method can be reduced.

[0061] The operation of the power receiving device 103 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power receiving device 103 according to the present embodiment. The power receiving device 103 of this embodiment implements the operation shown in FIG. 5 when the CPU (not shown) reads the required program from the ROM and executes the program. Note that the power receiving device 103 of this embodiment supports at least one of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method (wireless power transmission method). That is, the power receiving device 103 can use at least one of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method to receive power from the power transmitting device 101. In the case where the user sets the power receiving mode, the power receiving device 103 of this embodiment starts the processing shown in FIG. 5. Note that when the power of the power receiving device 103 is turned on, the processing shown in FIG. 5 can be started. The operation of the power receiving device 103-1 in the case where the first power receiving device 103-1 enters the power transmission range 102 of the power transmitting device 101 will be mainly described below.

[0062] In step S501, the power receiving control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether the power receiving device 103-1 receives a WPT-related signal from the power transmitting device 101. The WPT-related signals are, for example, the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third

Connection request or ping request defined by each WPT method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a message to inquire about the WPT method supported by the powered device 103-1 can be used. The communication unit 213 of the power receiving device 103-1 transmits a response to the WPT-related signal to the power transmission device 101 according to the WPT method supported by itself.

[0063] For example, if the powered device 103-1 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method but does not support the third WPT method, the powered device 103-1 does not transmit WPT related signals for the third WPT method. The response is to send a response to the WPT-related signals of the first WPT method and the second WPT method. Optionally, the power receiving device 103-1 sends an error message to the power transmitting device 101 as a response to the WPT-related signal of the third WPT method. If the power receiving device 103-1 receives a message to inquire about the supported WPT method as a WPT-related signal, the power receiving device 103-1 sends a response message including the identification message of the WPT method it supports to the power transmission device 101 . If the power receiving device 103-1 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method, a response message including the identification information of the first WPT method and the second WPT method is sent to the power transmission device 101.

[0064] In step S502, the power reception control unit 214 negotiates with the power transmission device 101. In the negotiation according to the present embodiment, the power transmission device 101 obtains from the power receiving device 103-1, for example, the charging status (0%~100%), the requested amount of power (for example, 5W), and the current power consumption of the power receiving device 103-1. Control information such as quantity. Based on the acquired various information about the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 determines parameters such as the driving frequency and the current value or voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206. When the negotiation is completed, the power transmission device 101 starts power transmission, and the power reception device 103-1 starts power reception (step S503).

[0065] At the start of power reception, the power reception control unit 214 determines whether a change notification of the WPT method is received from the power transmission device 101 (step S504). The change notification includes identification information of the changed WPT method. The change notification may be the power transmission end signal defined by the WPT method before the change and the power transmission start signal defined by the WPT method after the change. If the communication unit 213 of the power receiving device 103 receives the change notification of the WPT method (YES in step S504), the process returns to step S502, and the power receiving control unit 214 negotiates with the power transmission device 101 to use the changed The WPT method for receiving power. On the other hand, if the communication unit 213 has not received the WPT method change notification (NO in step S504), the process proceeds to step S505_o

[0066] In step S505, the power reception control unit 214 determines whether to end power reception. The power reception end judgment conditions include, for example, various errors or a fully charged state on the power receiving device 103-1 side, or the reception of a power transmission end signal from the power transmission device 101. If the power reception control unit 214 determines in step S505 that the power reception is ended (YES in step S505), the process proceeds to step S506 to perform power reception end processing, thereby terminating the processing shown in FIG. 5. If the power reception control unit 214 determines in step S505 that the power reception is not ended (NO in step S505), the process returns to step S503 to continue the power reception.

[0067] As described above, the power transmission device 101 of the present embodiment changes to the power receiving device 103 according to the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-2 detected after the power receiving device 103-1 detected by the detecting unit 209. -1 WPT method used for power transmission. This can improve the efficiency of wireless power transmission in a system supporting multiple wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods).

[0068] Note that in the above-mentioned embodiments, the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is mainly explained so that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is different from that used for the power receiving device 103-1. The situation of the WPT method used for power transmission of the electrical equipment 103-N. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 can change the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 so that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is the same as the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. The WPT method used for 103-N power transmission is the same.

[0069] For example, there may be a situation in which the power transmission device 101 uses the first WPT method to report to the power receiving device 103-1.

In the case of power transmission, it is determined that there is a power receiving device 103-No that does not support the first WPT method but supports the second WPT method in the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101. In this case, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 The WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving apparatus 103-1 is changed from the first WPT method to the second WPT method. In this way, the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving devices 103-1 and 103-N can be unified into the second WPT method, thereby realizing high-efficiency wireless power transmission.

[0070] The second embodiment

[0071] The second embodiment of the present invention will be explained by focusing mainly on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state performs control to change the WPT method used for power receiving according to the WPT method (wireless power transmission method) supported by the newly detected power receiving device 103-N .

[0072] The operation of the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 according to the present embodiment. In S601 of FIG. 6, the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether or not it exists in the power transmission range 102 (predetermined range) of the power transmission device 101. If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that it is within the power transmission range of the power transmission device 101 ("Yes" in S601), the power receiving device 103-1 communicates with the power transmission device 101 when the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101 is specified. Negotiation is carried out (S602). There is no specific restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. For example, the power receiving device 103-1 may send an inquiry signal for each WPT method supported by the power receiving device 101 to the power transmission device 101. The power receiving device 103-1 can specify the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101 based on the response to the interrogation signal from the power transmission device 101. As another method for specifying the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101, for example, the power receiving device 103-1 transmits an inquiry message. Upon receiving the inquiry message, the power transmission device 101 transmits identification information of the WPT method supported by itself. Through this process, the power receiving device 103-1 can also specify the WPT method supported by the power transmitting device 101.

[0073] If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that the power transmission device 101 also supports multiple WPT methods among the WPT methods supported by the power receiving device 103-1 itself, the power receiving device 103-1 determines to use one of these WPT methods One comes for power transmission. There is no specific restriction on the determination method of the WPT method. For example, the power receiving device 103-1 may determine a WPT method that can be used to transmit power to a larger number of power receiving devices at the same time as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. According to the above determination method, in the case where both the power transmission device 101 and the power receiving device 103-1 support the first WPT method and the second WPT method, the power transmission device 101 uses the second WPT method to perform the processing to the power receiving device 103-1. Power transmission. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the second WPT method has been used to transmit power to another power receiving device 103-X.

[0074] As another determination method, the power receiving device 103-1 may determine a WPT method that can be used to transmit a large amount of power as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. According to the above determination method, in the case where both the power transmission device 101 and the power receiving device 103-1 support the first WPT method and the second WPT method, the power transmission device 101 uses the second WPT method to perform a report to the power receiving device 103-1. Power transmission. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the second WPT method has been used to transmit power to another power receiving device 103-X.

[0075] After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission from the power transmission device 101 to the power receiving device 103-1, the power receiving device 103-1 negotiates with the power transmission device 101 according to the determined WPT method. In the negotiation according to the present embodiment, the power transmission device 101 obtains from the power receiving device 103-1, for example, the charging status (0%~100%), the requested amount of power (for example, 5W), and the current power consumption of the power receiving device 103-1. Control information such as quantity. Based on the acquired various information about the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission device 101 determines parameters such as the driving frequency and the current value or voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206. When the negotiation is completed, the power transmission device 101 transmits power to the power receiving device 103-1 (S603).

[0076] After the power transmission starts, the power receiving device 103-1 determines that it is in the power transmission range 102 (predetermined range) of the power transmission device 101

Whether there is a power receiving device 103-N inside (S604)_oIf the power receiving device 103-1 determines that there is no other power receiving device 103-N (No in S604), the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether to end power receiving. If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that the power receiving is ended, the power receiving device 103-1 performs power receiving end processing. On the other hand, if the power receiving device 103-1 determines that the power receiving is not ended, the power receiving device 103-1 continues the power receiving from the power transmitting device 101. The power reception end judgment conditions include, for example, various errors of the power receiving device 103-1, the fully charged state of the power receiving device 103-1, or a time error that occurs when the power receiving device 103-1 leaves the power transmission range 102.

[0077] If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that there is another power receiving device 103-N within the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101 ("Yes" in S604), the power receiving device 103-1 designates the other power receiving device 103-N The WPT method supported by the device 103-N (S605). There is no specific restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. A method for transmitting an interrogation signal for a plurality of WPT methods and specifying the supported WPT method based on the response from the other power receiving device 103-N is provided. In addition, as a specification method of another WPT method, the power transmission device 101 transmits an inquiry message to inquire about the support status of the WPT method to the power receiving device 103-N, and specifies the supported device based on the response from the power receiving device 103-N. WPT method. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0078] If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that the power receiving device 103-N supports a plurality of WPT methods among the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101, the power receiving device 103-1 determines to use one of these WPT methods to transmit power to the power receiving device 103-N. After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N, the power receiving device 103-1 acquires predetermined information such as the requested power amount of the power receiving device 103-N from the power receiving device 103-N. This information is used to determine whether the power transmission device 101 changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. If the power receiving device 103-1 acquires the predetermined information from the power receiving device 103-N, the process proceeds to S606_o

[0079] Based on the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N and the predetermined information acquired from the power receiving device 103-N in S605, the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether to change to the power receiving device 103- 1 WPT method used for power transmission (S606). The method for determining whether to change the WPT method will be described in detail later. If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is changed ("Yes" in S606), the power receiving device 103-1 determines the changed WPT method, and then communicates with the power transmission device 103-1. The device 101 negotiates (S607). If the power receiving device 103-1 determines that the WPT method is not to be changed (No in S606), the process of S607 is not performed. After that, a negotiation between the power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 103 -N is performed (S608). When the negotiation between the power transmission device 101 and the power receiving device 103-N is completed, the power transmission device 101 starts power transmission to the power receiving devices 103-1 and 103-N (S609).

[0080] The operation of the power transmission device 101 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power transmission equipment 101 according to the present embodiment. The power transmission device 101 of this embodiment realizes the operation shown in FIG. 7 in a case where the CPU (not shown) reads out the required program from the ROM and executes the program. Note that the power transmission device 101 of this embodiment is a power transmission device that supports multiple wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods). That is, in the case of using the first WPT method to perform wireless power transmission to the power receiving device 103, the power transmitting device 101 may use the second WPT method to perform wireless power transmission to the power receiving device 103, and use the third WPT method The power transmission to the power receiving device 103 is performed. At the time of energization, the power transmission equipment 101 of this embodiment starts the process of step S701.

[0081] In step S701, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 determines whether a WPT related signal is received from the power receiving device 103. The WPT-related signal is, for example, a connection request or a ping signal defined by each of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method. Optionally, the WPT-related signal is a message used to inquire about the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101. The communication unit 207 of the power transmission device 101 sends a response to the WPT-related signal to the power receiving device 103-1 according to the WPT method it supports. For example, if the power receiving device 103-1 supports the first WPT method and the second WPT method , Then send

Send a connection request to the first WPT method and the second WPT method. The power transmission device 101 sends a response to the connection request to the first WPT method and the second WPT method to the power receiving device 103-1. If a message related to the support status of the WPT method is received as a WPT-related signal (step S701 If it is "Yes"), the power transmission device 101 sends a response including identification information of the WPT methods (the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method) supported by the power transmission device 101 to the power receiving device 103-1.

[0082] In step S702, the power transmission control unit 201 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-1. In the negotiation according to the present embodiment, the power transmission device 101 obtains from the power receiving device 103-1, such as the charging status (0% to 100%), the requested power amount (for example, 5W), and the current power of the power receiving device 103-1. Control information such as consumption. Based on the acquired various information about the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 determines parameters such as the driving frequency and the current value or voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206. When the negotiation is completed, the power transmission device 101 starts power transmission, and the power reception device 103-1 receives power (step S703).

[0083] After the power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is started, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether a WPT-related signal is received from the other power receiving device 103-N (step S704). As described in step S701, the WPT-related signal in this embodiment is a connection request or ping signal defined by each of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method. For example, the WPT-related signal is a message used to inquire about the WPT method supported by the power transmission equipment 101. If the power transmission control unit 201 determines in step S704 that the WPT-related signal has not been received from the power receiving device 103-N (NO in step S704), the process proceeds to step S705. Alternatively, if the power transmission control unit 201 determines that a WPT-related signal is received from the power receiving device 103-N (YES in step S704), the process returns to step S702. In step S702, as in the case of the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission control unit 201 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-N. If the negotiation is successful, the power transmission control unit 201 starts to transmit power to the power receiving device 103-N.

[0084] In step S705, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether a WPT method change notification is received from the power receiving apparatus 103-1. The change notification includes identification information of the changed WPT method. The change notification may be the power transmission end signal defined by the WPT method before the change and the power transmission start signal defined by the WPT method after the change. If the communication unit 207 of the power transmission device 101 receives the change notification of the WPT method (YES in step S705), the process returns to step S702, and the power transmission control unit 201 negotiates with the power receiving device 103-1 to use the changed The WPT method for power transmission. On the other hand, if the communication unit 207 has not received the change notification of the WPT method (NO in step S705), the processing proceeds to step S706_o

[0085] In step S706, the power transmission control unit 201 determines whether to end power transmission. The power transmission end judgment conditions include, for example, various errors on the power transmission device 101 side or the reception of a power reception end signal from the power receiving device 103. If the power transmission control unit 201 determines in step S706 that the power transmission is ended (YES in step S706), the process proceeds to step S707 to perform power transmission end processing, thereby terminating the processing shown in FIG. 7. If the power transmission control unit 201 determines in step S706 that the power transmission is not ended (NO in step S706), the process returns to step S703 to continue the power transmission.

[0086] The operation of the power receiving apparatus 103 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power receiving apparatus 103 according to the present embodiment. The power receiving device 103 of this embodiment implements the operation shown in FIG. 8 when the CPU (not shown) reads the required program from the ROM and executes the program. Note that the power receiving device 103 of this embodiment supports at least one of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method (wireless power transmission method). That is, the power receiving device 103 can use at least one of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method to receive power from the power transmitting device 101. In the case where the user sets the power receiving mode, the power receiving device 103 of this embodiment starts the processing shown in FIG. 8. Note that when the power receiving device 103 is powered on, the processing shown in FIG. 8 can start. The following will mainly explain in the first

The operation of the power receiving device 103-1 when a power receiving device 103-1 enters the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101.

[0087] In step S801 of FIG. 8, the detection unit 218 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether the power receiving device 103-1 exists within the power transmission range 102 (predetermined range) of the power transmission device 101. If the detection unit 218 determines that There is a power receiving device 103-1 in the power transmission range 102 (YES in step S801), and the process proceeds to step S802. In step S802, the power reception control unit 214 specifies the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101. There is no restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. For example, a method for transmitting WPT-related signals from the communication unit 213 of the power receiving device 103-1 to the power transmitting device 101 is provided. Based on the presence or absence of the response to the WPT-related signal from the power transmission device 101 and/or the response content, the power receiving device 103-1 can specify the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 101.

[0088] Examples of WPT-related signals are connection requests or ping signals defined by each of the first WPT method, the second WPT method, and the third WPT method. Another example of the WPT-related signal is a message used to inquire about the WPT method supported by the power transmission equipment 101. Upon receiving this message, the power transmission device 101 sends the identification information of the WPT method supported by itself as a response message to the power receiving device 103-L. When the specification of the WPT method supported by the power transmission device 101 is completed, the process proceeds to step S803_o

[0089] In step S803, the power reception control unit 214 and the power transmission control unit 201 of the power transmission device 101 conduct negotiations related to wireless power transmission. Note that if both the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103T support multiple WPT methods, the power reception control unit 214 determines the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power reception device 103-1 before performing the negotiation. There is no specific restriction on the determination method of the WPT method. As described above, for example, the power reception control unit 214 can determine the WPT method that can be used to transmit power to a larger number of power receiving devices at the same time as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. As another determination method, the power reception control unit 214 may determine a WPT method that can be used to transmit a large amount of power as the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1.

[0090] After determining the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1, the power receiving control unit 214 negotiates with the power transmitting device 101 according to the determined WPT method. In the negotiation according to the present embodiment, the power transmission control unit 201 acquires, for example, the charging status (0%~100%) of the power receiving device 103-1, the requested amount of power (for example, 5W), and the current power from the power receiving device 103-1. Control information such as consumption. Based on the acquired various information about the power receiving device 103-1, the power transmission control unit 201 determines parameters such as the driving frequency and the current value or voltage value to be applied to the power transmission antenna 206. When the negotiation is completed, the power transmission unit 205 starts power transmission, and the power reception unit 211 of the power receiving device 103-1 performs power reception (step S804: power reception process).

[0091] After the power reception starts, the detection unit 218 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether a new power receiving device (power receiving device 103-N) is detected in the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101 (step S805: detection process ). If the detection unit 218 detects a new power receiving device 103-N (YES in step S805), the process proceeds to step S807; otherwise (NO in step S805), the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, the power receiving control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether to end the power receiving from the power transmitting device 101. If the power reception control unit 214 determines that the power reception from the power transmission device 101 is ended (YES in step S806), the power reception control unit 214 performs the power reception end processing in step S810, thereby terminating the power reception shown in FIG. 8 deal with. The power receiving end conditions include, for example, various errors of the power receiving device 103-1, the fully charged state of the power receiving device 103-1, or the operation of the power receiving device 103-1 to leave the power transmission range 102.

[0092] In step S807, the power receiving control unit 214 specifies the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-N. There is no specific restriction on the method of specifying the WPT method. For example, a method for transmitting WPT-related signals from the communication unit 213 of the power receiving device 103-1 to the power receiving device 103-N is provided. Based on the presence or absence of the response to WPT-related signals from the powered device 103-N and/or the response content, the power receiving control unit 214 of the powered device 103-1 can specify the power receiving device 103-N supports

WPT method. If the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the power transmission device 101 supports multiple WPT methods among the WPT methods supported by the power receiving device 103-N, the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the power transmission device 101 uses one of these WPT methods to perform power transmission . After determining the WPT method to be used for power reception from the power transmission device 101, the power reception control unit 214 of the power reception device 103-1 obtains information such as the amount of requested power of the power reception device 103-N from the power reception device 103-N. Reservation information. This information is used to determine whether the power receiving control unit 214 changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. If the power receiving control unit 214 acquires the predetermined information from the power receiving device 103-N, the process proceeds to step S808_o

[0093] In step S808, based on the WPT method to be used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N and the predetermined information acquired from the power receiving device 103-N in step S807, the power receiving of the power receiving device 103-1 The control unit 214 determines whether to change the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. The method for determining whether to change the WPT method according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining whether to change the WPT method (step S808). As shown in Table 1, the power transmission device 101 can use the first WPT method to transmit power up to 5W, use the second WPT method to transmit power up to 20W, and use the third WPT method to transmit power up to 50W.

[0094] In step S901 of FIG. 9, the power receiving control unit 214 determines whether the power transmitting device 101 can transmit power to the power receiving device 103-N newly detected in step S805. If the power transmission device 101 can perform power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N without changing the WPT method ("Yes" in step S901), it is determined that the WPT method is not changed ( Step S906), and the process proceeds to step S809 in FIG. 8. On the other hand, if the power transmission device 101 cannot transmit power to the new power receiving device 103-N without changing the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state (in step S901, " No"), the process proceeds to step S902. This determination process is performed based on whether the number of power receiving devices that can perform power transmission using the first WPT method is exceeded in the case of power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N using the first WPT method. Optionally, the judgment processing may be performed based on whether the amount of power that can be transmitted using the first WPT method is exceeded when the power is transmitted to the power receiving device 103 -N using the first WPT method. Note that the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state indicates that the power transmission device 101 has detected and connected before the power receiving device 103-N is detected. And one or more power receiving devices that are receiving power wirelessly from the power transmission device 101. The power receiving device 103-1 is included in the power receiving device 103 in a power receiving state.

[0095] In step S902, the power reception control unit 214 determines whether the power transmission device 101 supports a WPT method other than the currently used WPT method. For example, if the power transmitting device 101 is transmitting power to the power receiving device 103-1 using the first WPT method, the power receiving control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether the power transmitting device 101 supports other WPT methods. If the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the power transmission device 101 does not support WPT methods other than the currently used WPT method (No in step S902), the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the WPT method is not changed (step S906), And the process proceeds to step S809 in FIG. 8. On the other hand, if the power reception control unit 214 determines that the power transmission device 101 supports other WPT methods (YES in step S902), the process proceeds to step S903_o

[0096] In step S903, the power reception control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether the power transmission device 101 can communicate with the power receiving device 101 even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed. Power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the electrical equipment 103. For example, if the power transmission device 101 is performing 5W power transmission to the power receiving device 103T using the first WPT method, the power reception control unit 214 determines whether even if the WPT method is changed from the first WPT method to the second WPT method or the third WPT method, It is also possible to perform 5W power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1.

[0097] Based on the number of devices indicated by "Can power transmission to multiple power receiving devices" in Table 1 and the number of power receiving devices 103 currently set as power transmission targets by the power transmission device 101, the power receiving control unit 214 determines Is it possible to change the WPT method used for power transmission to each power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state? For example, if the transmission equipment 101 is using the first

The WPT method transmits power to one power receiving device 103-1 (supporting the first WPT method and the second WPT method), and the second WPT method is being used to transmit power to three power receiving devices 103-2, 103-3, 103-4, The electric control unit 214 makes the judgment as described below. That is, the power reception control unit 214 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power reception device 103-1 is changed so that the power transmission corresponding to the requested amount of power to the power reception device 103T cannot be performed. Note that for at least one of the power receiving devices 1032, 103-3, and 103-4, the WPT method can be changed to the third WPT method. In this case, the power receiving control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines that even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is changed, it can be matched with the requested power amount of the power receiving device 103T. Corresponding power transmission.

[0098] If the power reception control unit 214 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power reception device 103 in the power reception state is changed so that the power transmission corresponding to the requested amount of power to the power reception device 103 cannot be performed (step S903 If it is "No"), the power reception control unit 214 determines that the WPT method is not to be changed (step S906), and the process proceeds to step S809 in FIG. 8. On the other hand, if the power reception control unit 214 determines that even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power reception device 103 in the power reception state is changed, the power transmission corresponding to the requested amount of power to the power reception device 103 can be performed ( "Yes" in step S903), the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the power receiving control unit 214 determines whether changing the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state enables the power transmission device 101 to be compatible with the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N. Corresponding power transmission. For example, if the power transmission device 101 is using the first WPT method to transmit 5W to the power receiving device 103-1, and the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N is 5W, the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the WPT is changed The method enables power transmission to the new power receiving device 103-N. On the other hand, if the new power If the requested power amount of the device 103-N is 10 W, the power receiving control unit 214 determines that even if the WPT method is changed, the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N cannot be performed.

[0099] If the power receiving control unit 214 determines that even if the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed, it cannot perform the power request corresponding to the new power receiving device 103-N. If power is transmitted (No in step S904), the power reception control unit 214 determines that the WPT method is not changed (step S906), and the process proceeds to step S809 in FIG. 8. On the other hand, if the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed so that the power transmission corresponding to the requested power amount of the new power receiving device 103-N is possible (YES in step S904), the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the power receiving control unit 214 determines that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103 in the power receiving state is changed, and the process proceeds to step S803 in FIG. 8_o

[0100] According to the above determination method, the power reception control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines whether the power transmission device 101 uses the first WPT method to transmit power to the new power receiving device 103-N, whether it exceeds the use of the first WPT method. The amount of power that can be transmitted by the WPT method. In addition, the power receiving control unit 214 determines whether the number of power receiving devices to which the power transmitting device 101 can transmit power using the first WPT method is exceeded when the power transmitting device 101 uses the first WPT method to transmit power to the power receiving device 103-N. According to the result of the above-described judgment processing, the power receiving control unit 214 changes the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 (first power receiving device) from the first WPT method to the second WPT method. Note that the above explains the case where the WPT method is changed from the first WPT method to the second WPT method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the WPT method can be changed from the second WPT method to the first WPT method or from the third WPT method to the second WPT method.

[0101] Referring back to FIG. 8, if the power receiving control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 determines in step S808 that the WPT method is not changed ("No" in step S808), the power receiving control unit 214 determines whether to end Power is received (step S809). If the power reception control unit 214 determines that the power reception is not ended (NO in step S809), the power reception control unit 214 continues the power reception process (step S804). On the other hand, if the power reception control unit 214 determines that the power reception is ended (YES in step S809), the process proceeds to step S810 to perform the power reception end processing, thereby terminating the processing shown in FIG. 8.

[0102] As described above, the power receiving device 103 of this embodiment changes the WPT method used for power transmission to itself according to the WPT method supported by the power receiving device 103-N detected after the power receiving device 103 itself. This can improve the efficiency of wireless power transmission in a system supporting multiple wireless power transmission methods (WPT methods).

[0103] Note that in the above-mentioned embodiments, the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is mainly explained so that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is different from that used for the power receiving device 103-1. The WPT method is used in the transmission station of the electrical equipment 103-N. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the power reception control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 can change the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 so that the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 is the same as that used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1. The WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-N is the same.

[0104] For example, there may be a situation in which the power receiving device 103-1 receives power from the power transmission device 101 using the first WPT method, and it is determined that the first WPT is not supported within the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101 Method but the power receiving device 103-No supporting the second WPT method. In this case, the power receiving control unit 214 of the power receiving device 103-1 will change the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving device 103-1 from the first The WPT method is changed to the second WPT method. In this way, the WPT method used for power transmission to the power receiving devices 103-1 and 103-N can be unified into the second WPT method, thereby realizing high-efficiency wireless power transmission.

[0105] Third Embodiment

[0106] In the first and second embodiments, the power transmission device 101 or the power reception device 103 uses the detection unit 209 of the power transmission device 101 or the detection unit 218 of the power reception device 103 to determine whether the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101 is Whether there is a power receiving device 103 inside. However, both the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 can determine whether the power reception device 103 exists within the power transmission range 102 of the power transmission device 101. That is, only when the determination results of the power transmission device 101 and the power receiving device 103 both indicate that the power receiving device 103 exists, it is finally determined that the power receiving device 103 exists. In this case, the accuracy and reliability of the detection of the power receiving device 103 by the power transmission device 101 and the detection of the power transmission device 101 by the power receiving device 103 can be improved.

[0107] By comparing the first embodiment and the second embodiment, it is found that the processing of the WPT method in which the power transmission device 101 specifies the power reception device 103 in the first embodiment starts. In the second embodiment, the processing of the WPT method in which the power receiving device 103 specifies the power receiving device 103 starts. In contrast, in this embodiment, the power transmission device 101 or the power reception device 103 may specify the WPT method. That is, the power transmission device 101 or the power reception device 103 may start the process of specifying the WPT method and performing negotiation between the power transmission device 101 and the power reception device 103 (S302 of FIG. 3 or S602 of FIG. 6).

[0108] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the power transmission device 101 specifies the WPT method of the other power reception device 103. In the second embodiment, the power receiving device 103 specifies the WPT method of other power receiving devices 103. On the contrary, in this embodiment, the power transmitting device 101 or the power receiving device 103 may specify the WPT method of the other power receiving device 103. That is, the power transmission device 101 or the power receiving device 103 can specify the WPT method between the power transmission device 101 and the other power receiving device 103 (S305 in FIG. 3), or specify the WPT method between the power receiving device 103 and the other power receiving device 103. WPT method (S605 in Figure 6).

[0109] Fourth Embodiment

[0110] In the first and second embodiments, regardless of the user's intention for the power receiving device 103 or other power receiving devices 103, a predetermined determination method is used to determine the WPT method used for power transmission. The user can directly set a desired WPT method using the UI (User Interface) 215 of the power receiving device 103 to notify the power transmission device 101 of the set WPT method. In this case, if the notified WPT method cannot be used for power transmission, it is only necessary to display the situation on the UI (User Interface) 215. Likewise, the user can directly set a desired WPT method using the UI (User Interface) 215 of the other power receiving device 103 to notify the power transmission device 101 or the power receiving device 103 of the set WPT method. In this case, if not

If the notified WPT method can be used for power transmission, the situation only needs to be displayed on the UI (User Interface) 215 of the other power receiving device 103.

[0111] Other embodiments

[0112] A system that can also perform the functions of one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention by reading out and executing computer-executable instructions recorded on a storage medium (for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) Or the computer of the device and implement the embodiments of the present invention by the following method, wherein the computer of the system or device reads and executes computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments. Function to perform the above method. The computer may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or other circuits, and may include a separate computer or a network of separate computer processors. For example, these computer-executable instructions can be provided to the computer from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), memory of a distributed computer system, optical disks (such as compact disks (CD), digital versatile disks (DVD) or Blu-ray disks ( BD) tm, etc.), flash storage device, memory card, etc. one or more.

[0113] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims accords with the broadest interpretation so as to include all such modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

[0114] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application 2013-205354 filed on September 30, 2013, and the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.