Patents Examined by Joseph N Inge
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Patent number: 11967857Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the total load presented to an AC power source such as a generator or inverter used to provide backup or portable power. The frequency of the output AC power is controlled in response to the loading on the power source, thereby providing information about that loading of the power source which is carried by the AC power itself, thus reducing or eliminating the need for traditional wired and wireless communications. By controlling the frequency of AC power, controllable loads and load control devices can determine the amount of remaining power available from the power source in order to determine if a given load can be connected without creating an overload. The frequency may also be controlled at the power source to indicate an overload, with the loads being responsive to that overload frequency to reduce the load and thereby alleviate the overload.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
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Patent number: 11967832Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless power transfer systems are described. A controller of a device can communicate with a power device by a first modulation mode. The controller can detect a failure condition between the controller and the power device. The controller can, in response to the detection of the failure condition, communicate with the power device by a second modulation mode. The first modulation mode can include capacitive modulation and the second modulation mode can include resistive modulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC.Inventors: Jiangjian Huang, Hulong Zeng
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Patent number: 11967838Abstract: An auxiliary power receiving device includes a power receiving unit, a notification unit, and a notification controlling unit. The power receiving unit receives power from a power transfer signal, which is used to supply power from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device. The notification unit may be provided on a main surface of a plate-shaped member. The notification controlling unit controls a notification performed by the notification unit in accordance with a power reception condition of the power transfer signal at the power receiving unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomokazu Sakai, Shinichiro Fuki, Teppei Abe, Shigeo Takeda, Yuki Tokuyama
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Patent number: 11967829Abstract: The apparatus and the method for estimating a channel of a wireless power transmission system using an intelligent reflecting surface according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure check a strength of a received signal received by a terminal with respect to a measured signal transmitted from the transmitter, regardless of the number of reflective elements of the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) or the number of terminals and estimate a channel between the transmitter and the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) and the channel between the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) and the terminal so that the channel information can be efficiently acquired even in the wireless power transmission system including a low power terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: UIF (University Industry Foundation), Yonsei UniversityInventors: Chungyong Lee, Sangwon Jung, Chaehun Im
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Patent number: 11962166Abstract: The embodiments described herein comprise a distributed wireless power transmission system including a plurality of wireless power transmission systems (WPTSs) coordinating transmissions to create a virtual WPTS. The plurality of WPTS coordinate amongst each other to compensate for local phase shift differences between respective clock sources so that transmissions from the WPTSs constructively interfere at a wireless power receiver client (WPRC).Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: OSSIA INC.Inventors: Hatem I. Zeine, Philip L. Swan
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Patent number: 11955820Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a control and communications unit, an inverter circuit, a coil, and a shielding. The control and communications unit is configured to provide power control signals to control a power level of a power signal configured for transmission to a power receiver, provide a power request to an external power supply, determine if a power signal at the coil is compliant with the power request, and, if the power signal at the coil is compliant with the power request, continue to operate for wireless power transmission. The coil is configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver. The shielding comprises a ferrite core.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Kovacs, Jason Green
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Patent number: 11949252Abstract: A contactless device includes an impedance matching and filter circuit connected to an antenna and being on the one hand operable for contactlessly communicating with a second device via the antenna, and on the other hand operable for contactlessly charging a rechargeable power supply of a third device via the antenna. A method of control includes modifying the impedance matching and filter circuit of the contactless device depending on whether the contactless device carries out the contactless communication or carries out the contactless charging.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SASInventors: Anthony Tornambe, Nicolas Cordier
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Patent number: 11949249Abstract: A wireless power transmitter may receive a request from a wireless power receiver to perform recalibration for a first type of foreign object detection (FOD) in response to the wireless power receiver attempting to change an electromagnetic parameter supplied by the wireless power transmitter. In response to receiving the request, the wireless power transmitter may perform a second type of FOD to produce a FOD result. When the FOD result indicates a foreign object is present or likely present, the wireless power transmitter may discontinue or limit wireless power transfer, and/or communicate the FOD result to the wireless power receiver. When the FOD result indicates a foreign object is not present or likely not present, the wireless power transmitter may communicate the FOD result to the wireless power receiver, perform the recalibration and continue with wireless power transfer.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: MEDIATEK Singapore Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Vladimir Alexander Muratov
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Patent number: 11942791Abstract: A self-powered wireless keyboard by modifying the structure of a traditional membrane keyboard having a volcanic crater structure. Not damaging the original membrane keyboard structure, a micro magnet core is installed inside a cylindrical protrusion block under the key cap as a mover of the induction power generation device, and an induction coil is wound in a key slot of the keyboard base as the stator of the induction power generation device. In this way, when each key is pressed, it will produce induction current. A layer of flexible solar cell can be laid on the upper surface of the key, which can generate electricity by collecting the light energy in the surrounding environment during the time of daily illumination.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Beijing Institute of TechnologyInventors: Fang Deng, Yanxin Ji, Xinyu Fan, Yeyun Cai, Chengwei Mi, Feng Gao, Jie Chen, Lihua Dou
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Patent number: 11936203Abstract: A method is provided for operating a device for wireless transfer of energy in the direction of an electrical consumer via inductive coupling. The method involves sequentially carrying out a power transfer, a data exchange, a measurement of setup parameters, and a measurement of a resonance frequency, wherein during the power transfer, an electrical actual power emitted by an inverter is regulated to a predetermined electrical setpoint value, wherein during the data exchange, data are exchanged between the device and the electrical consumer via a communication unit, wherein during the measurement of the setup parameters, objects possibly arranged over a power coil are detected, wherein during the measurement of the resonance frequency, a resonance frequency of a resonant circuit having the power coil is ascertained, and wherein the measurement of the resonance frequency is executed immediately before or immediately after the measurement of the setup parameters or the data exchange.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERAETEBAU GMBHInventors: Mathias Bellm, Christian Egenter, Max-Felix Mueller, Ulrich Waechter
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Patent number: 11936213Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a verification load, a control and communications unit, an inverter circuit, a coil, and a shielding. The control and communications unit is configured to provide power control signals to control a power level of a power signal configured for transmission to a power receiver, provide a power request to an external power supply, determine if a power signal at the verification load is compliant with the power request, and, if the power signal at the verification load is compliant with the power request, continue to operate for wireless power transmission. The coil is configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver. The shielding comprises a ferrite core.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Kovacs, Jason Green
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Patent number: 11916404Abstract: A wireless power supply power supply including first tuning circuitry coupled directly to a transmitter, the first tuning circuitry including an LCC configuration. The wireless power supply may include second tuning circuitry coupled directly to switching circuitry (e.g., an inverter) of the power supply, where the second tuning circuitry may be operable to direct power from the switching circuitry to the first tuning circuitry for supply to the transmitter, and where the second tuning circuitry includes a reactance operable to establish inductive operation of the switching circuitry at the switching frequency of the switching circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Jason L. Pries, Omer C. Onar, Gui-Jia Su, Veda Galigekere, Mostak Mohammad
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Patent number: 11901764Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a charge system circuit and a discharge system circuit. The charge system circuit charges a battery based on power received by a power receiving unit. The discharge system circuit supplies power to a power supply target device based on a battery voltage from the battery. The discharge system circuit includes a power supply circuit and a power-off setting circuit. The power supply circuit supplies power to the power supply target device based on the battery voltage. The power-off setting circuit sets the power supply circuit to a power-off state when it is detected that a non-input state of the battery voltage to the discharge system circuit is changed to an input state of the battery voltage to the discharge system circuit, and releases the power-off state after the power receiving unit starts receiving power.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Inventor: Kinya Matsuda
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Patent number: 11894691Abstract: A contactless power feeding system includes: a power converter which converts DC power from a DC power supply, to AC power; a power transmission electrode to which AC power converted by the power converter is applied; a power reception device having a power reception electrode, receiving power through capacitive coupling between the power transmission and reception electrodes, and feeding power to a load; a voltage detection unit which detects voltage of the power transmission electrode; and a control unit which controls the DC power supply or the power converter using voltage detected by the voltage detection unit. The voltage detection unit has a voltage detection electrode and detects voltage of the power transmission electrode through capacitive coupling between the power transmission electrode and the voltage detection electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Shunji Hata
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Patent number: 11894203Abstract: A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: ECOLINK INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Morgan Scruggs
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Patent number: 11888383Abstract: A method for controlling an electric load is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the method includes collecting ambient energy using an energy harvesting circuit and using the collected ambient energy to charge a buffer capacitor. The method further includes alternatingly connecting and disconnecting an electrical load and the buffer capacitor, wherein a capacitor voltage provided by the buffer capacitor is applied to the electrical load in a discharging phase, in which the electrical load is connected to the buffer capacitor and the capacitor voltage decreases, and wherein the buffer capacitor is recharged in a charging phase, in which the electrical load is disconnected from the buffer capacitor in a charging phase in which the capacitor voltage again increases. The durations of the charging phase and the discharging phase are designed such that the capacitor voltage stays above a minimum supply voltage of the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Qi Zhu, Doris Keitel-Schulz, Natasha Novik, Helmut Sochor
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Patent number: 11888327Abstract: The present disclosure provides wireless power transfer systems and methods. One such system includes a transmitter comprising a transmitter coil coupled to a power source and a transmitter metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the transmitter coil that is configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards a receiver in a non-contact manner. In such a system, the receiver comprises a receiver coil coupled to a load and a receiver metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the receiver coil configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards the receiver coil in a non-contact manner. Other systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Yong Kyu Yoon, Woosol Lee
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Patent number: 11888328Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlling an active rectifier of a wireless power receiver. The exemplary methods can include determining a reference value of a current into the rectifier, the reference value being based on a load requirement; determining a required value change in a present input current into the rectifier based on the reference value; transmitting, to a wireless power transmitter, a signal representative of the required value change in the present input current; determining a new value of the present input current after transmitting the signal; and, when the new value is within a predetermined range of the required value change, driving at least one transistor in the rectifier with a PWM signal based on the new value.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Patent number: 11888324Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises: a plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24; a first energy storage element connection for connecting to an energy storage element 32; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 operates the switching circuit to transfer energy between the energy harvesting input channels 21-24 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each energy harvesting input channel 21-24 is allocated a plurality of the energy transfer cycles. The controller 30 determines operating parameters for operating the switching circuit 28 which transfer a maximum power from the electrical energy harvesting source connected to the energy harvesting input channel and a maximum power inductor utilisation factor. The controller 30 determines a set of adjusted operating parameters for sharing use of the inductor between the plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Trameto LimitedInventors: Mark Ross, Laurence Alan Strong, Robert Robertson
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Patent number: 11865926Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: NXP Aeronautics Research, LLCInventors: Steven J. Syracuse, Chad D. Tillman