Patents by Inventor Douglas Bell

Douglas Bell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10554052
    Abstract: Wireless power transmitters and methods of management thereof are disclosed herein. An example wireless power transmitter includes an antenna array and a communication radio configured to: establish a communication connection with a respective wireless power receiver; and receive device data from the respective wireless power receiver, the device data used to determine a location of the respective wireless power receiver. The example wireless power transmitter also includes a controller in communication with the antenna array and the communication radio, the controller configured to: determine whether the respective wireless power receiver is authorized to receive power from the wireless power transmitter; if so, determine a particular time at which RF power waves should be transmitted to the respective receiver, the particular time based at least in part on a charging schedule for the transmitter; and instruct the antenna array to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves at the particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Publication number: 20200021128
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless power transmission based on object identification are provided. A radio frequency wireless power transmitter is in communication with a video camera for capturing image data (e.g., a visual pattern) of at least a portion of a transmission field of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter. A processor of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter is configured to identify an object when the visual pattern matches a pre-stored visual pattern representing the object, and control transmission of one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to a receiving electronic device based on a location of the identified object, wherein the receiving electronic device uses the one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to power or to charge the receiving electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas BELL, Michael A. LEABMAN
  • Patent number: 10514707
    Abstract: A flight phase stability indicator system and method for generating and presenting stability indicator(s) are disclosed. A processor receives flight phase data representative of an identification of a current operational flight phase; receives navigation data comprised of aircraft position, a planned flight trajectory, and runway data if runway data is needed for the current operational flight phase; determines stability data representative of a stability of the current operational flight phase based upon at least the navigation data; generates presentation data responsive to the determination and representative of the flight phase stability indicator and/or presentation(s) of flight phase stability; and presents the indicator represented in the presentation data on or through a presentation unit comprised of a visual display, aural advisory unit, and/or tactile advisory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Carrico, Lori J. Sipper, Madhu S. Niraula, Kimm M. Epperson, Curtis W. Talbott, Douglas A. Bell
  • Patent number: 10483768
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to wireless charging systems and method of transmitting power waves. An exemplary method includes receiving, from one or more first sensors, first data of a transmission field. After receiving the first data, the method includes determining whether a path between a wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and a first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed based, at least in part, on the first data. In accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed, the method includes transmitting, by the first wireless power transmitter, electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver uses energy from at least some of the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to power or charge an electronic device coupled to the wireless power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10459085
    Abstract: A system and related method for validating satellite-based navigation data determines an estimated altitude or position solution based on GPS altitude or position data adjusted with inertial altitude or position data integrated with barometric altitude data corrected for air temperature and latitude. The system may include a vertical monitor for validating the GPS altitude data by comparing the weighted, limited, and integrated estimated altitude solution to the GPS altitude data. The integrated altitude solution may compensate for vertical speed offset. The system may provide secondary altitude monitoring by comparing radar altimeter data to local object data to verify obstacle clearance height. The system may include a lateral monitor for validating GPS lateral position data based on weighting and limiting of altitude sources controlled by a height above threshold estimate from the vertical monitor. Validity information may be presented to the pilot or autopilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Bell, James H. Doty
  • Patent number: 10439448
    Abstract: A method includes, at a transmitter, performing a test of communications with a receiver, the test comprising: (i) sending, by a communications component of the transmitter, a first message to the receiver, (ii) receiving, by the communications component, a second message from the receiver in response to the first message, and (iii) comparing operational metric(s) associated with the first and second messages with respective expected values for each of the operational metric(s) to determine an outcome for the test. The method further includes sending a report to a remote server that includes the determined outcome for the test, and after sending the report, stopping performance of the test and starting normal operation of the transmitter in which the transmitter transmits, by at least some of the transmitter's antennas, power waves to a location of the receiver. The receiver uses energy from the power waves to charge/power an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Publication number: 20190304021
    Abstract: A method and system for scanning claims data, the method comprising receiving, by a computing system, contract details associated with claims, receiving, by the computer system, prescription transactions data associated with the claims, parsing, by the computer system, the transactions data into column values, and executing, by the computer system, analytics on the parsed transactions. The analytics include comparing the parsed transactions against the contract details for accurate pricing, fees, and accepted treatment protocols concerning dose and quantity, comparing the parsed transactions with independent pricing data that is based on third-party pricing data and drug information, identifying material errors in the parsed transactions, determining withholdings from payment of the claims for a portion above a tolerance level based on the identified material errors. The method further comprising presenting, by the computer system, results of the execution of the analytics to a portal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Gary Rutherford, Michael Blevins, Jarrod Grossman, Douglas Bell, Detlef Sarbok, Jeff Rabe
  • Patent number: 10396604
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting wireless power. One example method includes: receiving, by at least one of a plurality of antennas of a wireless power transmitter, a first communication signal from a wireless power receiver coupled with an electronic device, the first communication signal including information identifying a location of the electronic device and device parameters associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10291066
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to various arrangements of hardware for incorporating receiver functions into wearable portable devices. The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., RF signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium. The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals into electricity for powering an electronic device. The embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leabman, Douglas Bell
  • Patent number: 10290216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for symbolically representing text-based obstacle data on an electronic map are disclosed. In embodiments, a system includes a receiver in communication with a remote server. The receiver is configured to receive one or more textual communications from the remote server. The system further includes an aircraft display system with a display and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display, the receiver, and a memory. The controller is configured to generate an electronic map at the display based on map data retrieved from the memory, wherein the map data includes geographic information and predetermined obstacle information. The controller is further configured to receive the one or more textual communications from the receiver and update the electronic map to include one or more symbolic representations based on obstacle data derived from the one or more textual communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. McCusker, Douglas A. Bell, Sarah Barber, Michael J. Schmitt, Brent J. Nelson, Travis S. Vanderkamp
  • Patent number: 10291055
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10291056
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein discloses a wireless charging system configured to generate and transmit power waves that, due to physical waveform characteristics converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pocket of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pocket of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy. Video sensors capture actual video images of fields of view within the transmission field, and a processor identifies selected objects, selected events, and/or selected locations within the captured video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10270261
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein discloses a wireless charging system configured to generate and transmit power waves that, due to physical waveform characteristics converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pocket of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pocket of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy. Video sensors capture actual video images of fields of view within the transmission field, and a processor identifies selected objects, selected events, and/or selected locations within the captured video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10247573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation of a vehicle use a processing system. The systems and methods can allow an aircraft to take-off in low visibility conditions. The processing system includes a cross tracker, an error processor and an error estimator. The cross tracker is configured to determine a cross track deviation using a hybrid positon and runway heading data. The error processor is configured to determine the hybrid positon from inertial reference system data and corrected error data, and the error estimator is configured to provide the corrected error data using estimates derived from delta range data from a global navigation satellite system receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Vladislav Gavrilets, Douglas A. Bell, Paul J. Ronan, Patrick Y. Hwang
  • Patent number: 10243414
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a transmitter, an advertisement signal from a wearable device, the advertisement signal containing: (i) binary data indicating a direction of the wearable device, and (ii) one or more identifiers associated with the wearable device. The method also includes: in response to authenticating the wearable device based on the identifiers: establishing, by the transmitter, a communication channel with the wearable device; and transmitting, by the transmitter, one or more power transmission waves in the direction of the wearable device. The method further includes: receiving, by the transmitter, from the wearable device at least one control signal that indicates an adjustment for transmitting the one or more power transmission waves by the antennas of the transmitter. The method additionally includes: transmitting, by the transmitter, the one or more power transmission waves based on the adjustment and ceasing, by the transmitter, the communication channel with the wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer, Douglas Bell, Fay Yew
  • Patent number: 10235890
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating an aircraft display with a mobile device are disclosed. In embodiments, a system includes an aircraft display and a controller in communication with the aircraft display and a mobile device. The controller is configured to generate a graphical user interface at the aircraft display and mirror the graphical user interface at the mobile device. The controller is further configured to receive a user input via the mobile device and configured to update the graphical user interface at the aircraft display and the mobile device based upon the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. McCusker, Douglas A. Bell, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Sarah Barber, Michael J. Schmitt, Brent J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10223717
    Abstract: An example method of wirelessly providing power to a receiver by a transmitter includes: (i) receiving, by a transmitter management device, information defining charging criteria, (ii) detecting a client device connected to the receiver, and (iii) in response to the detecting, determining whether the charging criteria are satisfied. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the charging criteria are satisfied, transmitting RF waves to form three-dimensional pockets of energy for providing power to the client device. The method also includes sending, to the transmitter management device that is remote from the transmitter, information (i) about an amount of power delievered to the client device, (ii) about a wireless utilization level of the transmitter, and (iii) about the location of the client device, wherein the transmitter management device generates a bill that is based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10211685
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices using an improved wireless communications component that allows for real time or near-real time data sampling reporting between devices using modified wireless communications protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi), and real time or near-real time behavior adjustments by a first device based on the data samples received from a second device. Embodiments disclosed herein comprise devices, such as receivers and transmitters, having communications components that may communicate data samples, such as power values, in real time or near-real time, thereby allowing a first device (e.g., transmitter) to adjust in real time or near-real time operational behavior of the first device's hardware or software (e.g., adjust power waves) based upon the data samples (e.g., power values) received from a second device (e.g., receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10211682
    Abstract: An example method for managing a wireless power network includes: transmitting, via an antenna array of a transmitter, radio frequency waves that constructively interfere to produce energy pockets for receipt by a receiver, and the receiver is not in contact with the transmitter and is coupled with an authenticated computing device distinct from the receiver. The method also includes: executing a power transmitter manager application, the power transmitter manager application causing the transmitter to perform operations including: sending for display at the authenticated computing device a plurality of configuration options that are used to control operation of the transmitter; receiving an updated value for at least one of the plurality of configuration options; and, in response to receiving the updated value, controlling transmission of radio frequency waves via the antenna array to the receiver using the updated value for the at least one of the plurality of configuration options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10199849
    Abstract: An example wireless power receiver includes antenna elements that receive power from a constructive interference by convergence of radio frequency power waves transmitted by a wireless power transmitter. The receiver also includes a rectifier, and a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus monitors operational metrics associated with the receiver, and runs at least a first test that analyzes a first operational metric and a second test that analyzes a second operational metric. The second test is performed in accordance with a determination that the first operational metric satisfies a first reference metric in a set of reference metrics. Based on analyses of the first and second tests, the processing apparatus performs a restart action at the receiver after determining that either the first operational metric does not satisfy the first reference metric, or the second operational metric does not satisfy a second reference metric in the set of reference metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman