Abstract: Disclosed are advances in the arts with novel and useful current mode regulators. Circuits, systems, and methods for current mode regulation include a primary side for receiving an input signal and a secondary for outputting an output signal. A regulator spans the primary and secondary sides in a configuration by which the input signal may be rectified and thereafter provided to the output node as an output signal. A current monitor is provided at the output node for comparing the output signal to a reference. A communication link is included for providing feedback to the primary side of the regulator for use in regulating the signal.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy storage system having storage elements linked for collective charging and discharging. Monitoring circuitry is provided for monitoring each of the storage elements independently. Preferably, the system includes control circuitry configured for controlling the linking of individual storage elements in order to enhance system performance. In preferred embodiments, the system also includes storage elements in an arrangement whereby they may be selectably linked and delinked, in series, parallel, or in one or more series/parallel combination.

Abstract: Disclosed are advances in the arts with novel line interface apparatus for monitoring and controlling connections in an electrical system. Exemplary preferred embodiments include smart load ASICs and power control ASICs for monitoring signals at one or more device loads and controlling the monitored signals at the device loads and/or at the main transmission lines. The invention preferably provides the capability to test and monitor electrical interconnections without fully activating the host system.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides examples of preferred embodiments including systems for harvesting energy from variable output energy harvesting apparatus. The systems include energy harvesting apparatus for providing energy input to a switched mode power supply and a control loop for dynamically adjusting energy harvesting apparatus input to the switched mode power supply, whereby system output power is substantially optimized to the practical. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include systems for harvesting energy using solar cells in boost, buck, and buck-boost configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel methods and systems for providing illumination in association with image capture. Disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention include illumination apparatus adjustable in angle with respect to the image capturing apparatus and target locus. Preferred embodiments also include variability of the illumination intensity by means of controlling the power to the illuminations apparatus. Additional preferred embodiments also include techniques for selecting from or combining a plurality of images based on their illumination characteristics for providing and improved image output.

Abstract: Systems, circuits, and methods are described for providing efficient, monitoring capabilities for providing output reactive to monitored conditions. According to the disclosed methods, steps are included for providing a floating gate monitoring circuit in association with a monitored circuit and programming the floating gate to a selected charge level. The programmed floating gate charge level is then compared with a signal level in a monitored circuit. In an additional step, selected comparison criteria are used for selectably activating output. Exemplary embodiments of methods and associated circuits and systems employing the methods are also disclosed, in which protection for a monitored circuit is provided in the event of undervoltage, undercurrent, overvoltage, or undervoltage.

Abstract: Wireless power transmittal apparatus and systems are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in configurations for wirelessly transferring power and/or data among them. In preferred implementations, a plurality of non-coplanar primary side coils are provided in power transmittal apparatus for transmitting power, or power and data.

Abstract: Coupled inductor signal transfer systems are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver coils are inductively coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring power and/or data signals. In preferred implementations, the systems may be used for transmitting both power and data. Preferred embodiments of the invention have at least one multi-tap coil on the primary side and/or secondary side of the system. The selection of taps enables the effective size and/or number of coils to be dynamically changed according to operational needs.

Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel driver methods. The invention provides circuit driver and control methods for relatively high-current drivers, usable with relatively low-voltage battery power sources. Preferred embodiments include one or more high series resistance capacitors electrically connected with a power source. A low resistance driver circuit regulates power supplied from the capacitors to the load.

Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel methods for assembling multi-layer semiconductor structures having one or more internal conductive layers. The disclosed structures provide advantages in terms of resistance to Single Event Effects (SEE) particularly useful in electronics designed for radiation hardness. Disclosed methods include steps for providing two semiconductor layers, each having a conductive surface, and bonding them together with their conductive surfaces adjoining in order to form an internal conductive layer within a completed multi-layer structure. The conductive surfaces may include metals selected for their superior conductivity, refractory metals, selected primarily for their heat-resistance, or conductive dopants. In alternative embodiments, vertical interconnects are also included.

Abstract: Disclosed are advances in the arts with novel methods and apparatus for detecting faulty connections in an electrical system. Exemplary preferred embodiments include monitoring techniques and systems for monitoring signals at one or more device loads and analyzing the monitored signals for determining fault conditions at the device loads and/or at the main transmission lines. The invention preferably provides the capability to test and monitor electrical interconnections without fully activating the host system.

Abstract: Coupled coil systems and methods are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring power among them. In preferred implementations, power may be transmitted and received using temporarily paired coupled coils. One preferred aspect of the invention is that the coils are not permanently affixed in physical proximity to one another, but can be moved and/or interchanged, and that the coils may be used to transmit or receive power based on their real-time relationships to other coils.

Abstract: Multiple coil systems and methods are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring data and/or power among them. In preferred implementations, the systems and methods are used for transmitting data using pairs of coupled coils. One preferred aspect of the invention is that the coils are not permanently affixed in physical proximity to one another, but can be moved and/or interchanged.

Abstract: Coupled inductor systems are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring power and/or data among them. In preferred implementations, the systems are used for transmitting both power and data in pairs of coupled coils. Primary side circuits in preferred embodiments of the systems of the invention employ Class D or Class G amplifiers.

Abstract: Multiple coil systems and methods are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring data and/or power among them. In preferred implementations, the systems and methods are used for transmitting both power and data using pairs of coupled coils. One preferred aspect of the invention is that the coils are not permanently affixed in physical proximity to one another, but can be moved and/or interchanged.

Abstract: The invention provides integrated power supplies, circuit drivers, and control methods for relatively high-current drivers, usable with common battery power sources. Preferred embodiments include one or more high series resistance super-capacitors electrically connected with a power. A low resistance driver circuit regulates power supplied from the super-capacitors to the load.

Abstract: A marking system and related methods are disclosed in which a micromark having optically readable characteristics and electronically readable characteristics is made on a selected object. The optically and electronically readable characteristics of the micromark contain corresponding data. Preferred embodiments of the invention include non-volatile memory for storing duplicate data.

Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel integrated packaging having inductor elements and adjacent magnetic material enhancing the inductance characteristics of the packaged inductor. Preferably the integrated packages also contain one or more ICs operable coupled to the inductor(s).

Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel battery charger circuits and methods providing improved energy conservation, harvesting, and utilization efficiencies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for programming a floating gate. A floating gate tunneling device is used with an analog comparing device in a circuit having a floating reference node and an offset-mitigating feedback loop for iteratively programming a floating gate, or multiple floating gates.