Abstract: A selectively controllable electromagnetic shield having an electromagnetic shielding material and a mechanism for selectively generating an aperture in the shield. The mechanism for selectively generating an aperture may be a magnetic field source that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to substantially saturate all or a portion of the shielding material. For example, a permanent magnet or DC electromagnet may be used to selectively saturate the shield. In its un-saturated state, the magnetic shield has a high permeability and functions as a flux path for the magnetic field. Once saturated, the permeability of the shield is substantially reduced so that the magnetic field lines are no longer drawn into the shield to the same degree. As a result, once saturated, a substantially greater amount of the electromagnetic field may flow through or around the shield in the saturated region.

Abstract: A wireless power supply system that detects communications in the input power to the switching circuit. In this aspect of the invention, the wireless power supply includes a detector for generating a signal indicative of the current in the input to the switching circuitry, a band-pass filter for filtering the detected signal, an amplifier for amplifying the filtered signal, a filter for filtering the amplified signal and a comparator for converting the final signal into a stream of high and low signals that can be passed to a controller for processing as binary data stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides wireless power supply systems that wirelessly supply power to a remote device for rapidly charging a charge storage capacitor, which charges a battery with the power stored in the charge storage capacitor. This allows the remote device to be positioned near the inductive power supply for rapid charging of the charge storage capacitor and allows battery charging to continue even after the remote device is removed from the inductive power supply.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibition of triglyceride synthesis via synergistic combination of botanical extracts are described. Specifically, the present invention relates to treating or preventing weight gain or obesity, promoting weight loss, appetite suppression, or the like, as well as managing skin oil production through a synergistic inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase-I (DGAT-I) enzyme involved in the triglyceride synthesis and modulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein Ic (SREBP-Ic) and/or peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator I-alpha (PGCI?).

Abstract: Wireless power receiving apparatus 150 is retrofitted to a portable electrical device 100 to enable the device to receive power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power-receiving element 200 adapted to be attached to the device, e.g. by adhesive 201, and also being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximity with one another. One or more power connectors 203 are connected electrically to the power-receiving element and are adapted to be connected, when the apparatus is in use, to one or more corresponding power connectors 101 of the portable electrical device to deliver power received by the element to the device. The power-receiving element may be in the form of a sticker or may be carried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion for the portable electrical device.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system with a remote device having a communication transmitter configured to initiate communications with a framing pulse to prevent noise from being mistaken for legitimate data. The communication system may employ a bi-phase modulation scheme, and the framing pulse may be generated to present no transitions in the communication signal during a specified period of time. The communication transmitter may produce the framing pulse by applying a load in the remote device. The present invention also provides a method for transmitting communication signals in a wireless power supply system including the general steps of: (a) preceding each communication with a framing pulse configured to present a bit sequence that does not exist in legitimate data communications, (b) maintaining the framing pulse for a period of time sufficient to effectively “reset” the communications receiver and (c) transmitting communications following the framing pulse.

Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wireless power supplies adapted to supply power and communicate with one or more remote devices. The systems and methods of the present invention generally relate to a communication timing system that may ensure information being communicated does not overlap with that of another device, preventing data collisions and information from going undetected. With information being communicated in a way that addresses or avoids potential communication issues in multiple device systems, the wireless power supply may control operation to effectively supply wireless power.

Abstract: An inductive power supply system in which the receiving unit includes a secondary coil and a plurality of resonating circuits with different characteristics. Each of the resonating circuits may include a resonating coil and a resonating capacitor. The resonating coils may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil so that energy may be transferred from one or more of the resonating coils to said receiving unit. The plurality of resonating circuits are configured to provide improved power transfer efficiency or performance at different distances between the primary coil and secondary coil. The present invention may also provide a method for tuning the wireless power system including the general steps of measuring an operating characteristic in the primary unit, measuring an operating characteristic in the receiver unit and tuning one or more of the components in the primary unit and the secondary unit based on a comparison of the two measurements.

Abstract: A contactless power supply has a dynamically configurable tank circuit powered by an inverter. The contactless power supply is inductively coupled to one or more loads. The inverter is connected to a DC power source. When loads are added or removed from the system, the contactless power supply is capable of modifying the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the inverter frequency, the inverter duty cycle or the rail voltage of the DC power source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

Abstract: An imaging system captures images of a human submental profile in a dimension controlled environment and utilizes image analysis algorithms for detecting submental changes. Instead of implementing a strict posture control of a subject, the imaging system allows the subject to freely move his/her head in an up-and-down direction and a high speed camera captures this movement through a series of images at varying head-to-shoulder angles. The image analysis algorithms may accurately compare before and after images at similar head-to-shoulder angles to identify changes in a human submental profile using a series of measurements and checkpoints.

Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the duty cycle of the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled to communicate to the wireless power supply. This control is a form of adaptive resonance communication or Q control communication. Distortion can be reduced or eliminated by ramping between duty cycles with adjustment to intermediate duty cycle values.

Abstract: A contactless power supply has a dynamically configurable tank circuit powered by an inverter. The contactless power supply is inductively coupled to one or more loads. The inverter is connected to a DC power source. When loads are added or removed from the system, the contactless power supply is capable of modifying the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the inverter frequency, the inverter duty cycle or the rail voltage of the DC power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Skin Youthfulness Index and methods of determining the same. The present invention also relates to methods of determining an apparent age of a subject and to methods for measuring an improvement of facial skin characteristics following a treatment by comparing the Skin Youthfulness Index values before and after the treatment.

Abstract: A composition is described that includes at least about 10% of a dietary fiber component such that at least about 50% of the dietary fiber component is provided by insoluble fiber. A method for making such a composition is also described.

Abstract: A primary unit for transmitting power and/or data wirelessly by electromagnetic induction to a secondary unit separable from the primary unit, the primary unit comprising: a coil (L1, L2); and driving means (30) operable to drive a fluctuating current through the coil, wherein both ends of the coil are decoupled from the driving means so that in use a voltage level at each end of the coil fluctuates with time.