Abstract: A task performance system and method including multiple transmitters and multiple task devices distributed in a local area. Each task device includes communication circuitry, a memory, a controller, and output circuitry. The communication circuitry receives timing information and position information from the transmitters. The transmitters may also transmit task information including task location parameters that define the task area. The task area is divided into subblocks each having a corresponding task value. The controller uses the received information to determine its location and accesses the memory when located within the task area to retrieve a corresponding task value based on subblock location. The task information includes task values which may define a different task for each subblock. The controller activates output circuitry in accordance with the task value to perform a corresponding task. The output circuitry may include one or more light sources, a speaker, a vibration device, etc.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for facilitating localizing an external object, the system comprising: a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) communication nodes; a controller operatively coupled to said plurality of UWB communication nodes, wherein the controller is configured to: cause at least one of the UWB communication nodes to transmit one or more UWB messages to other UWB communication nodes of said plurality of UWB communication nodes; receive a channel impulse response (CIR) estimate and/or one or more parameters relating to said CIR output by the UWB communication nodes in response to receiving said UWB messages; analyze said CIR estimate and/or said parameters relating to the CIR; select a localization process in dependence on a result of analyzing said CIR estimate and/or said parameters relating to the CIR.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing at least one battery comprises a wireless receiver apparatus that receives and processes an electromagnetic signal that includes at least one predefined power level of a packet transmitted to the wireless receiver apparatus; a power detector that determines an actual power level or a change in the actual power level of the transmitted packet received at the wireless receiver apparatus relative to the pre-defined power level; and a manual gain control processor that configures a gain of the wireless receiver apparatus according to the actual power level or the change in the actual power level.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises an enclosure; a plurality of network nodes that communicate with each other inside the enclosure and that generate a unique radio frequency (RF) signature; and a special-purpose computer processor that compares an incoming channel impulse response (CIR) of the unique radio frequency (RF) signature corresponding to an incoming packet to a plurality of stored valid RF CIR signatures and executes a resemblance metric to accept or reject the incoming packet.

Abstract: One example discloses a charging system, including: a charging device configured to be coupled to a device to be charged; wherein the charging device includes a set of hardware defined charging attributes; wherein the charging device is configured to reconfigure the hardware defined charging attributes based on a specific charging protocol received from the device to be charged; and wherein the charging device is configured to output charging power to the device to be charged as defined by the specific charging protocol.

Abstract: A method for completing a transaction at a terminal between a terminal and a mobile device including: initiating a transaction at the terminal; initiating communication with the mobile device; determining that the mobile device is without power; transmitting a wireless power signal to power the mobile device; sending a transaction authentication request message to the mobile device after transmitting the wireless power signal; receiving an authentication message from the mobile device; and completing the transaction after receiving the authentication message from the mobile device.

Abstract: Wireless power is provided to a WPP-compliant wireless device by generating a first radio frequency (RF) signal at a first frequency. The transmitter circuit is inductively coupled to the compliant wireless device using the first RF signal. A second RF signal is generated at a second frequency. The presence of a WPP-noncompliant wireless device is detected by detecting a third RF signal at a third frequency that is a harmonic of the second frequency. The non-compliant wireless device is protected by reducing, in response to detecting the third RF signal, a signal strength for the first RF signal.

Abstract: One example discloses a charging system, including: a charging device configured to be coupled to a device to be charged; wherein the charging device includes a set of hardware defined charging attributes; wherein the charging device is configured to reconfigure the hardware defined charging attributes based on a specific charging protocol received from the device to be charged; and wherein the charging device is configured to output charging power to the device to be charged as defined by the specific charging protocol.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for monitoring the state of health of an electronic data carrier involves using a reader device to determine the state of health of the electronic data carrier by reading a parameter value indicative of a state of health from the electronic data carrier. In an embodiment, a system for monitoring a state of health of an electronic data carrier comprising a reader device operable to read data from the electronic data carrier. The reader device is arranged to determine the state of health of the electronic data carrier by reading a parameter value indicative of the state of health from the electronic data carrier.

Abstract: A power supply circuit can be configured to generate a supply voltage that provides power to the apparatus. A signal generation circuit can be configured to generate a radio frequency (RF) charging signal. An amplification circuit can be configured to amplify the RF charging signal using the supply voltage and to present the amplified charging signal to a power transmitting coil for transmission of wireless power to a remote device. A communication circuit can be configured to detect amplitude variations in the RF charging signal; detect variations in a voltage level of the supply voltage; adjust the detected amplitude variations in the RF charging signal to compensate for detected variations in a voltage level; and decode data represented by the amplitude variations in the RF charging signal based upon the adjusted amplitude variations.

Abstract: Wireless power is provided to a WPP-compliant wireless device by generating a first radio frequency (RF) signal at a first frequency. The transmitter circuit is inductively coupled to the compliant wireless device using the first RF signal. A second RF signal is generated at a second frequency. The presence of a WPP-noncompliant wireless device is detected by detecting a third RF signal at a third frequency that is a harmonic of the second frequency. The non-compliant wireless device is protected by reducing, in response to detecting the third RF signal, a signal strength for the first RF signal.

Abstract: A power supply circuit can be configured to generate a supply voltage that provides power to the apparatus. A signal generation circuit can be configured to generate a radio frequency (RF) charging signal. An amplification circuit can be configured to amplify the RF charging signal using the supply voltage and to present the amplified charging signal to a power transmitting coil for transmission of wireless power to a remote device. A communication circuit can be configured to detect amplitude variations in the RF charging signal; detect variations in a voltage level of the supply voltage; adjust the detected amplitude variations in the RF charging signal to compensate for detected variations in a voltage level; and decode data represented by the amplitude variations in the RF charging signal based upon the adjusted amplitude variations.

Abstract: A method for performing foreign object detection in an inductive wireless power transfer system is disclosed. In the embodiment, the method involves obtaining measurements from a base station of a wireless power transfer system during charging and determining transmitter energy loss in a power transmitter, Ptxloss, using the obtained measurements, wherein the transmitter energy loss, Ptxloss, is a function of at least Vcap and PTx, wherein Vcap is proportional to the voltage amplitude across the capacitor of an LC tank circuit in a power transmitter and PTx is the total power supplied to the power transmitter. The method also involves detecting the presence of a foreign object in response to the estimated transmitter energy loss.

Abstract: A method for performing foreign object detection in an inductive wireless power transfer system is disclosed. In the embodiment, the method involves obtaining measurements from a base station of a wireless power transfer system during charging and determining transmitter energy loss in a power transmitter, Ptxloss, using the obtained measurements, wherein the transmitter energy loss, Ptxloss, is a function of at least Vcap and PTx, wherein Vcap is proportional to the voltage amplitude across the capacitor of an LC tank circuit in a power transmitter and PTx is the total power supplied to the power transmitter. The method also involves detecting the presence of a foreign object in response to the estimated transmitter energy loss.

Abstract: A wireless charger is disclosed. The charger contains a coil with a plurality of taps, thereby facilitating charging according to different frequencies and standards. Detection of the standard appropriate to a particular receiver may be accomplished by modulation of the power carrier or via low power modalities, including NFC or Bluetooth.

Abstract: A charging pad capable of charging a receiver according to a predetermined procedure is disclosed. The charging pad may have a plurality of charging coils and a controller for selecting an appropriate coil for charging the receiver. The receiver communicates with the charging pad via NFC, thereby indicating to the charging pad the appropriate procedure for charging the receiver. The controller then selects the appropriate coil and directs charging according to the appropriate procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus (pad) and method for wirelessly charging a receiver are disclosed. The pad includes one or more NFC antennas which can receive an NFC signal from the receiver. The pad also contains one or more charging coils. Measurement of the signal strength at each charging NFC antenna helps determine which charging coil(s) should be utilized to effect the most efficient charging of the receiver.

Abstract: A wireless charging apparatus and method utilizing a secure element is disclosed. Illustratively, a receiver containing a secure element securely communicates with a charging pad also equipped with a secure element. The communication can be used to establish the identity of the receiver and facilitate billing for the wireless charging. The charging pad may further communicate in a secure manner with a server to authenticate the identity and other information about the receiver before providing wireless charging. Direct communication between the receiver and server is also contemplated.

Abstract: A processor for a radio circuit is disclosed. The processor includes a full spectrum receiver and a white space classifier. The full spectrum receiver is configured to receive an analogue radio signal comprising multiple channels within a frequency band and transform the analogue radio signal to a digital radio signal. The full spectrum receiver is also configured to transform the digital radio signal from a time domain signal to a frequency domain signal. The white space classifier is configured to identify an unused channel within the frequency band using the frequency domain signal derived from the analogue radio signal.

Abstract: A wireless charging apparatus and method utilizing a secure element is disclosed. Illustratively, a receiver containing a secure element securely communicates with a charging pad also equipped with a secure element. The communication can be used to establish the identity of the receiver and facilitate billing for the wireless charging. The charging pad may further communicate in a secure manner with a server to authenticate the identity and other information about the receiver before providing wireless charging. Direct communication between the receiver and server is also contemplated.