Nokia Patents WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
Claims:
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1. An apparatus comprising:monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source;a receiving component; anda control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving component is adapted to receive energy Tirelessly from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of electrical components, and the apparatus is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of these electrical components.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to match the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is induced in the receiving component by a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and the control unit is configured to vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable electronic device.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile telephone.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a laptop computer.
12. An apparatus comprising:means for detecting a presence of a supply source;means for monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source; andmeans for varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
13. An apparatus comprising a receiving component having variable resonance characteristics for receiving energy wirelessly from a supply source, wherein the resonance characteristics of the receiving component may be varied to match resonance characteristics of the supply source to increase the efficiency at which energy is received from the supply source.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising monitoring circuitry for detecting and monitoring the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having variable resonance characteristics and the apparatus further comprises:a control unit configured to automatically vary the resonance characteristics of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more electrical components and the receiving component is coupled to power supply circuitry to supply power to at least one of these electrical components.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
18. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable electronic device.
19. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile telephone.
20. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
21. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a laptop computer.
22. A system comprising:a supply source; andan apparatus comprising:monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the supply source;a receiving component; anda control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
23. A method comprising:detecting a presence of a supply source;monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source; andvarying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:matching the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
25. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:receiving energy wirelessly at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
26. A method according to claim 23, wherein said receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency and the method further comprises:inducing a voltage in the adaptive receiving component using a magnetic field generated by the supply source; andvarying the resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
27. A method according to claim 23, further comprising supplying electrical energy to an electrical apparatus.
28. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:receiving energy at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling;supplying energy received by resonant inductive coupling to at least one component of an electrical device; andsupplying energy to at least one component of an electrical device from a battery when energy is not being received at the receiving component from the supply source.
29. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer-readable program code embodied in said medium, comprising:a computer-readable program code configured to detect a presence of a supply source;a computer-readable program code configured to monitor a resonant frequency of said supply source; anda computer-readable program code configured to vary a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
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Description
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]The present invention relates to wireless energy transfer, particularly, but not exclusively, to wireless energy transfer between a supply source and a receiving component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]It is common practice for a portable electronic device, for example a mobile telephone or a laptop computer, to be powered by a rechargeable chemical battery. Generally speaking, such a battery is releasably connected to the body of a portable device.
[0003]The use of a battery for supplying power to a portable electronic device is not ideal because the energy storage capacity of a chemical battery is limited. As such, it is necessary for the chemical battery to be recharged at regular intervals.
[0004]In order to provide a means for recharging the battery, the portable device is normally supplied with a charging means for allowing electrical energy to flow from a mains power supply to the rechargeable battery. The charging means is usually in the form of a charger unit, which conventionally comprises an electrical plug for connecting to a mains power supply socket and an electrical cable for connecting the electrical plug to the portable device.
[0005]This is disadvantageous because, if there is no convenient mains power supply socket, as is the case in most outdoor and public environments, the rechargeable battery will run out of power and the portable device will need to be switched off.
[0006]The use of such a charger unit is further disadvantageous in that it requires a physical connection between the portable device and a mains power supply socket. This severely restricts the movement of the portable device during charging, thereby negating the portability of the device.
[0007]Another type of charger unit makes use of the principle of conventional, short-range inductive coupling, which involves the transfer of energy from a primary inductor in a charger unit to a secondary inductor in the portable device. Such charger units are commonly used, for example, for charging rechargeable batteries in electric toothbrushes.
[0008]Chargers utilising this type of conventional inductive coupling are able to transfer power wirelessly and hence do not require a physical connection between the mains supply and the portable device. However, the maximum distance over which effective power transfer can be achieved is limited to distances of the same order of magnitude as the physical dimensions of the inductors. For portable electronic devices, the dimensions of the inductor are limited by the size of the portable electronic device. Accordingly, in general, at distances of anything greater than a few centimetres, the efficiency of energy transfer between primary and secondary inductors is too small for this type of power transfer to be viable.
[0009]Therefore, as with the electrical cable discussed above, power transfer using conventional inductive coupling requires the charger unit and the portable device to be in very close proximity, meaning that the movement of the portable device is severely restricted.
[0010]In addition to the above problems associated with recharging, the use of a chemical battery as a power supply presents a number of further disadvantages. For example, rechargeable chemical batteries have a limited lifespan and tend to experience a decrease in their maximum storage capacity as they get older. Furthermore, chemical batteries are relatively heavy, meaning that the inclusion of a chemical battery in a portable device generally adds a significant percentage to the device's overall weight. If the device's reliance on the chemical battery could be reduced, then it would be possible for portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones to become significantly lighter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011]According to a first example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source
[0012]The receiving component of the apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may be adapted to receive energy wirelessly from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
[0013]The receiving component of the apparatus described in either of the immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency.
[0014]The apparatus described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may be configured to match the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0015]A voltage may be induced in the receiving component of the apparatus described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs by a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and the control unit may be configured to vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
[0016]The apparatus described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise a plurality of electrical components, and the apparatus may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of these electrical components.
[0017]The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
[0018]The apparatus described in any of the preceding paragraphs may comprise a portable electronic device.
[0019]The apparatus described in any of the preceding paragraphs may comprise a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer.
[0020]According to a second example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for detecting a presence of a supply source, means for monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and means for varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0021]According to a third example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a receiving component having variable resonance characteristics for receiving energy wirelessly from a supply source, wherein the resonance characteristics of the receiving component may be varied to match resonance characteristics of the supply source to increase the efficiency at which energy is received from the supply source.
[0022]The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise monitoring circuitry for detecting and monitoring the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
[0023]The receiving component of the apparatus described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having variable resonance characteristics and the apparatus may further comprise a control unit configured to automatically vary the resonance characteristics of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
[0024]The apparatus described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise one or more electrical components and the receiving component may be coupled to power supply circuitry to supply power to at least one of these electrical components.
[0025]The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
[0026]The apparatus described in any of the five immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise a portable electronic device.
[0027]The apparatus described in any of the six immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer.
[0028]According to a fourth example of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a supply source, and an apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0029]According to a fifth example of the invention, there is provided a method comprising detecting a presence of a supply source, monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0030]The method described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise matching the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0031]The method described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise receiving energy wirelessly at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
[0032]The receiving component of the method described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency and the method may further comprise inducing a voltage in the adaptive receiving component using a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and varying the resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
[0033]The method described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise supplying electrical energy to an electrical apparatus.
[0034]The method of the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise supplying energy to at least one component of an electrical device from a battery when energy is not being received at the receiving component from the supply source.
[0035]The method of the paragraph six paragraphs above this one may further comprise receiving energy at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling, and supplying energy received by resonant inductive coupling to at least one component of an electrical device.
[0036]According to a sixth example of the invention, there is provided a computer program stored on a storage-medium which, when executed by a processor, is arranged to perform a method comprising detecting a presence of a supply source, monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
An apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
Claims:
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1. An apparatus comprising:monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source;a receiving component; anda control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving component is adapted to receive energy Tirelessly from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of electrical components, and the apparatus is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of these electrical components.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to match the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is induced in the receiving component by a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and the control unit is configured to vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable electronic device.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile telephone.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a laptop computer.
12. An apparatus comprising:means for detecting a presence of a supply source;means for monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source; andmeans for varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
13. An apparatus comprising a receiving component having variable resonance characteristics for receiving energy wirelessly from a supply source, wherein the resonance characteristics of the receiving component may be varied to match resonance characteristics of the supply source to increase the efficiency at which energy is received from the supply source.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising monitoring circuitry for detecting and monitoring the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having variable resonance characteristics and the apparatus further comprises:a control unit configured to automatically vary the resonance characteristics of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more electrical components and the receiving component is coupled to power supply circuitry to supply power to at least one of these electrical components.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
18. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable electronic device.
19. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile telephone.
20. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
21. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a laptop computer.
22. A system comprising:a supply source; andan apparatus comprising:monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the supply source;a receiving component; anda control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
23. A method comprising:detecting a presence of a supply source;monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source; andvarying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:matching the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
25. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:receiving energy wirelessly at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
26. A method according to claim 23, wherein said receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency and the method further comprises:inducing a voltage in the adaptive receiving component using a magnetic field generated by the supply source; andvarying the resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
27. A method according to claim 23, further comprising supplying electrical energy to an electrical apparatus.
28. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:receiving energy at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling;supplying energy received by resonant inductive coupling to at least one component of an electrical device; andsupplying energy to at least one component of an electrical device from a battery when energy is not being received at the receiving component from the supply source.
29. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer-readable program code embodied in said medium, comprising:a computer-readable program code configured to detect a presence of a supply source;a computer-readable program code configured to monitor a resonant frequency of said supply source; anda computer-readable program code configured to vary a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
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Description
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]The present invention relates to wireless energy transfer, particularly, but not exclusively, to wireless energy transfer between a supply source and a receiving component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]It is common practice for a portable electronic device, for example a mobile telephone or a laptop computer, to be powered by a rechargeable chemical battery. Generally speaking, such a battery is releasably connected to the body of a portable device.
[0003]The use of a battery for supplying power to a portable electronic device is not ideal because the energy storage capacity of a chemical battery is limited. As such, it is necessary for the chemical battery to be recharged at regular intervals.
[0004]In order to provide a means for recharging the battery, the portable device is normally supplied with a charging means for allowing electrical energy to flow from a mains power supply to the rechargeable battery. The charging means is usually in the form of a charger unit, which conventionally comprises an electrical plug for connecting to a mains power supply socket and an electrical cable for connecting the electrical plug to the portable device.
[0005]This is disadvantageous because, if there is no convenient mains power supply socket, as is the case in most outdoor and public environments, the rechargeable battery will run out of power and the portable device will need to be switched off.
[0006]The use of such a charger unit is further disadvantageous in that it requires a physical connection between the portable device and a mains power supply socket. This severely restricts the movement of the portable device during charging, thereby negating the portability of the device.
[0007]Another type of charger unit makes use of the principle of conventional, short-range inductive coupling, which involves the transfer of energy from a primary inductor in a charger unit to a secondary inductor in the portable device. Such charger units are commonly used, for example, for charging rechargeable batteries in electric toothbrushes.
[0008]Chargers utilising this type of conventional inductive coupling are able to transfer power wirelessly and hence do not require a physical connection between the mains supply and the portable device. However, the maximum distance over which effective power transfer can be achieved is limited to distances of the same order of magnitude as the physical dimensions of the inductors. For portable electronic devices, the dimensions of the inductor are limited by the size of the portable electronic device. Accordingly, in general, at distances of anything greater than a few centimetres, the efficiency of energy transfer between primary and secondary inductors is too small for this type of power transfer to be viable.
[0009]Therefore, as with the electrical cable discussed above, power transfer using conventional inductive coupling requires the charger unit and the portable device to be in very close proximity, meaning that the movement of the portable device is severely restricted.
[0010]In addition to the above problems associated with recharging, the use of a chemical battery as a power supply presents a number of further disadvantages. For example, rechargeable chemical batteries have a limited lifespan and tend to experience a decrease in their maximum storage capacity as they get older. Furthermore, chemical batteries are relatively heavy, meaning that the inclusion of a chemical battery in a portable device generally adds a significant percentage to the device's overall weight. If the device's reliance on the chemical battery could be reduced, then it would be possible for portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones to become significantly lighter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011]According to a first example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source
[0012]The receiving component of the apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may be adapted to receive energy wirelessly from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
[0013]The receiving component of the apparatus described in either of the immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency.
[0014]The apparatus described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may be configured to match the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0015]A voltage may be induced in the receiving component of the apparatus described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs by a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and the control unit may be configured to vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
[0016]The apparatus described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise a plurality of electrical components, and the apparatus may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of these electrical components.
[0017]The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
[0018]The apparatus described in any of the preceding paragraphs may comprise a portable electronic device.
[0019]The apparatus described in any of the preceding paragraphs may comprise a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer.
[0020]According to a second example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for detecting a presence of a supply source, means for monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and means for varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0021]According to a third example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a receiving component having variable resonance characteristics for receiving energy wirelessly from a supply source, wherein the resonance characteristics of the receiving component may be varied to match resonance characteristics of the supply source to increase the efficiency at which energy is received from the supply source.
[0022]The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise monitoring circuitry for detecting and monitoring the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
[0023]The receiving component of the apparatus described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having variable resonance characteristics and the apparatus may further comprise a control unit configured to automatically vary the resonance characteristics of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonance characteristics of the supply source.
[0024]The apparatus described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise one or more electrical components and the receiving component may be coupled to power supply circuitry to supply power to at least one of these electrical components.
[0025]The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.
[0026]The apparatus described in any of the five immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise a portable electronic device.
[0027]The apparatus described in any of the six immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer.
[0028]According to a fourth example of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a supply source, and an apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0029]According to a fifth example of the invention, there is provided a method comprising detecting a presence of a supply source, monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0030]The method described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise matching the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.
[0031]The method described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise receiving energy wirelessly at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.
[0032]The receiving component of the method described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency and the method may further comprise inducing a voltage in the adaptive receiving component using a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and varying the resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.
[0033]The method described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise supplying electrical energy to an electrical apparatus.
[0034]The method of the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise supplying energy to at least one component of an electrical device from a battery when energy is not being received at the receiving component from the supply source.
[0035]The method of the paragraph six paragraphs above this one may further comprise receiving energy at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling, and supplying energy received by resonant inductive coupling to at least one component of an electrical device.
[0036]According to a sixth example of the invention, there is provided a computer program stored on a storage-medium which, when executed by a processor, is arranged to perform a method comprising detecting a presence of a supply source, monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.
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