Patents Examined by Richard V. Muralidar
  • Patent number: 11787295
    Abstract: A displacement of a foreign object is detected on the basis of a position of the foreign object at each of a starting time and a finishing time of a predetermined period. By delaying the timing for determining the displacement mode of the foreign object by the predetermined period (predetermined time), the timing for providing notification recommending the removal of the foreign object can be delayed. When after it is determined that displacement of the foreign object present around a power transmitting unit is present, the presence of the foreign object is not detected, that is, in a state where it is not necessary to provide the notification recommending that a user remove the foreign object, that notification is omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoya Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11791659
    Abstract: An inductive power transmitter comprising: a converter configured to generate at least two object detection signals at substantially different frequencies, at least one transmitting coil configured to generate a magnetic field based on the object detection signals, and a controller configured to determine or measure circuit parameter(s) in relation to the coil to determine the inductance of the coil at each of the frequencies, and determine whether and/or what kind of object is present depending on a change in inductance between each of the frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11790392
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for electric vehicle charging. The system may perform the method to: receive a request for charging station recommendation from a client terminal; determine at least one charging station within a preset distance range of the client terminal; determine an evaluation for each of the at least one charging station based on one or more evaluation parameters; and transmitting, by the first computing device, the evaluation of the each of the at least one charging station and an identifier of the each of the at least one charging station to the client terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING DIDI INFINITY TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Hu, Ren Ren, Junjun Zhang, Ziyan Sun, Ke En, Le Ding
  • Patent number: 11757289
    Abstract: An electronic power control circuit includes a power conditioner circuit (120, 130) having a charging input line (116), a battery-related line (133) of the power conditioner circuit (120, 130), and a power voltage output line (137); and an anti-crash loop mechanism (170) coupled to the battery-related line (133) and to the power voltage output line (137) of the power conditioner circuit (120, 130), the anti-crash loop mechanism (170) having a control output line (172, PWGOOD) to be selectively active and inactive in response to voltage levels over time on the battery-related line (133) and on the power voltage output line (137) of the power conditioner circuit (120, 130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Carré, Pasi Juha Matias Palojärvi
  • Patent number: 11745680
    Abstract: A vehicle body member includes a first cell portion including a first negative pole portion and a first positive pole portion disposed to be in contact with a surface of the first negative pole portion, a second cell portion including a second negative pole portion and a second positive pole portion disposed to be in contact with a surface of the second negative pole portion, an insulating layer disposed between the first cell portion and the second cell portion, a positive pole current collector connecting the first positive pole portion of the first cell portion and the second positive pole portion of the second cell portion in parallel, and a negative pole current collector connecting the first negative pole portion of the first cell portion and the second negative pole portion of the second cell portion in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Patent number: 11724603
    Abstract: A charging station of a moving robot includes connection terminals provided on two surfaces so as to allow a boundary wire, that defines a boundary of a travel area of the moving robot, to be connected thereto. The charging station has a charging unit to charge the moving robot and a docking base to dock the moving robot during charging. The charging unit includes the connection terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinwoo Han, Ilsoo Cho
  • Patent number: 11726517
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for optimizing loading of solar inverters. A system may include a first solar module group, a second solar module group, a first inverter, a second inverter, and a switching system. The switching system can be configured to connect the first and second solar module groups in (i) a first position in which the first solar module group outputs energy to the first inverter and the second solar module group outputs energy to the second inverter, and, when a combined output of the first solar module group and the second solar module group is below a threshold percentage of a maximum output of the first inverter or the second inverter, (ii) a second position in which the first solar module group and the second solar module group output energy to the first inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 8ME NOVA, LLC
    Inventors: Gautham Ramesh, Finbar Sheehy
  • Patent number: 11718197
    Abstract: In an aspect the current disclosure is an apparatus for authorizing an electric aircraft to charge at a charging structure. The apparatus may include a housing configured to mate with an electric vehicle port of an electric vehicle, at least a current conductor configured to conduct a current, a proximity sensor, and a computing device. The at least a current conductor comprises a direct current conductor configured to conduct a direct current and an alternating current conductor configured to conduct an alternating current. The computing device is configured to be communicatively connected to the aircraft charging structure and the proximity sensor. The computing device may further be configured to receive an aircraft credential from an aircraft controller, authorize the charging structure to charge an energy source of the aircraft as a function of the aircraft credential, and upload the aircraft credential to a remote data storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11721995
    Abstract: A method of discharging a battery assembly used to power at least part of an object includes detecting when power to the object is turned off, detecting, with aid of a timer, an amount of time elapsed since the power to the object is turned off, and initiating a controlled self-discharge of the battery assembly when the amount of time exceeds a threshold length of time. The controlled self-discharge of the battery assembly is performed by a self-discharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Juncheng Zhan, Yuancai Liu, Lei Wang, Wentao Wang
  • Patent number: 11708002
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electric vehicle system includes a power system for charging a battery installed in an electric vehicle and comprising a bi-directional power and data connector for receiving power and data from or transmitting the power and data to an electric vehicle charging device, a communications system comprising a server and configured for receiving power from the power system and receiving data from or transmitting the data to the power system for download or upload at the electric vehicle charging device, and an authentication module for authenticating the electric vehicle charging device. A method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Kameron Rose Hurst, Sean Ceballos-McGee, Anant Thakar, Robert Gregory Twiss, Ronald Lee Shaffer, II, Jared Pendleton, Chad M. Jones
  • Patent number: 11701979
    Abstract: A robotic work tool system, comprising a charging station and a robotic work tool, said robotic work tool comprising two charging connectors arranged on an upper side of the robotic work tool and said charging station comprising two charging connectors and a supporting structure arranged to carry said charging connectors and to extend over and above said robotic work tool as the robotic work tool enters the charging station for establishing electrical contact between the charging connectors of the robotic work tool and the charging connectors of the charging station from above, wherein said supporting structure is arranged to allow the robotic work tool exit the charging station by driving through the charging station without reversing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Mats Svensson, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund
  • Patent number: 11701969
    Abstract: A portable or handheld device or apparatus for jump starting a vehicle engine having a depleted or discharged starting battery. The portable or handheld device or apparatus for jump starting a vehicle engine includes a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack and a battery cell equalization circuit configured to prevent overcharging of one or more individual lithium-ion battery cells, which can cause fire, damage to the battery pack and device or apparatus for jump starting a vehicle, or personal injury to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Noco Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Lewis Nook, William Knight Nook, Sr., James Richard Stanfield, Derek Michael Underhill
  • Patent number: 11705732
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a storage device for electrical energy, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery; two terminals to connect the battery to at least one of: a supply network, an electrical load, and/or an electrical generator; a control unit to control charging and discharging of the battery; a communication interface configured to provide wireless data access; and a display of machine-readable code including authentication data enabling wireless data access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dominic Buchstaller, Michael Grillenberger, Andreas Kiepfer, Elias Kyrlies-Chrysoulidis, Friedemann Paulini
  • Patent number: 11691534
    Abstract: A charging system for quickly and securely performing charging operations of electric vehicles includes at least one electric vehicle, at least one power source, and at least one smart contract. The at least one electric vehicle includes at least one electrical energy store. The at least one power source is configured to charge the energy store. The charging parameters for a charging operation of the electrical energy store are negotiable between the electric vehicle and the power source. The negotiation of the charging parameters comprises determining a charging requirement of the electrical energy store by means of the electric vehicle. The charging operation of the electrical energy store is performable with the aid of a smart contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martina Huelz, Andreas Jochem, Isabel Povoa, Henning von See
  • Patent number: 11685286
    Abstract: A computer-implemented charging management method is provided for controlling the charging schedule of an electric vehicle charging device. The power consumption for the electric vehicle charging device and the power consumption for a facility are cumulatively added to a same power meter for calculating utility bill during a billing period. First, the power consumption for the facility is monitored to obtained facility power consumption data. Time-variant electricity pricing data, specifying electricity price periods and respective electricity rates, applied to the power meter is also obtained. The charging schedule of the electric vehicle charging device is then controlled, according to the power consumption for the facility and the time-variant electricity pricing data, to perform charging process to at least one electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NOODOE CORPORATION
    Inventor: John C. Wang
  • Patent number: 11670950
    Abstract: A system and method for charging electronic candles. Electronic candles are received in one or more charging bases. The electronic candles are secured in place in the one or more charging bases. The one or more charging bases are received on a charging rack. The one or more charging bases are electrically connected to a power system of the charging rack to charge the electronic candles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher McMurry
  • Patent number: 11670969
    Abstract: Various wireless power systems are described that are capable of changing a transmit frequency employed by antennae, or groups of antennae, of the wireless power system, e.g., adjusting a current transmit frequency to a new transmit frequency within an operable frequency range, or switching among different transmit frequencies to increase a transmission characteristic of the wireless power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Ibrahim Munir Zeine, Alireza Pourghorban Saghati
  • Patent number: 11660972
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery within an at least partially electric vehicle. The system includes a charging device wherein the charging device configured to electrically connect to the at least partially electric vehicle and charge at least one battery by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a network configured to determine the location of the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Richard K. Heinzmann, Jason M. Sachs
  • Patent number: 11658588
    Abstract: A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Webb, Leland J. Hanchett, Jr., Scott Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11654783
    Abstract: The invention includes a memory unit that stores electrical characteristics of a power receiving coil of an electric lawnmower and a power transfer coil of an external charger, wherein a battery side control circuit performs a test power transfer from a power transferring/receiving coil to the power receiving coil or the power transfer coil to obtain electrical characteristics of a power receiving side, compares the electrical characteristics to the electrical characteristics stored in the memory unit to determine whether the electrical characteristics are of a power transfer to the power receiving coil or of a power transfer to the power transfer coil, and performs control to switch to a power transfer mode with respect to the power receiving coil or to a power receiving mode with respect to the power transfer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroya Takahashi, Yoshiaki Kotani, Takumi Shiiyama