Patents Assigned to Virginia Tech
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Patent number: 10218540Abstract: One aspect is a circuit for tuning a resonance frequency of an electrically small antenna and directly exciting the electrically small antenna. The circuit includes a first source configured for providing a constant voltage. The circuit also includes an antenna and a switched capacitor configured for being alternatively alternately coupled to the first source to be charged thereby and to the antenna for exciting the antenna. Another aspect is a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal using an antenna without using a variable voltage source to excite the antenna. The transmitter includes a first source configured for providing a constant voltage. The transmitter further includes an antenna and a switched capacitor configured for being alternately coupled to the first source to be charged thereby and to the antenna for exciting the antenna and for tuning a resonance frequency of the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Mohsen Salehi, Majid Manteghi
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Patent number: 10217047Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training and deploying machine-learned communication over radio frequency (RF) channels. One of the methods includes: determining first information; using an encoder machine-learning network to process the first information and generate a first RF signal for transmission through a communication channel; determining a second RF signal that represents the first RF signal having been altered by transmission through the communication channel; using a decoder machine-learning network to process the second RF signal and generate second information as a reconstruction of the first information; calculating a measure of distance between the second information and the first information; and updating at least one of the encoder machine-learning network or the decoder machine-learning network based on the measure of distance between the second information and the first information.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventor: Timothy James O'Shea
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Publication number: 20190056212Abstract: Various methods, systems and apparatus are provided for imaging and sensing using interferometry. In one example, a system includes an interferometer; a light source that can provide light to the interferometer at multiple wavelengths (?i); and optical path delay (OPD) modifying optics that can enhance contrast in an interferometer output associated with a sample. The light can be directed to the sample by optics of the interferometer. The interferometer output can be captured by a detector (e.g., a camera) at each of the multiple wavelengths (?i). In another example, an apparatus includes an add-on unit containing OPD that can enhance contrast in an interferometer output associated with a sample illuminated by light at a defined wavelength (?i). A detector can be attached to the add-on unit to record the interferometer output at the defined wavelength (?i).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.Inventor: YIZHENG ZHU
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Publication number: 20190052470Abstract: Aspects of group signatures with probabilistic revocation are described. In one example employing these aspects, at least one computing device can map an alias token to an alias code comprising a plurality of alias code segments. Each of the alias code segments is based at least in part on a set of orthogonal codes. Also, each of the alias code segments corresponds to a segment of the alias token. A revocation code is based at least in part on a plurality of revoked alias codes. One of the alias code segments and a corresponding segment of the revocation code can be utilized to determine a revocation status of the alias token.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: Virginia Tech Intelectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Jung-Min PARK, Vireshwar KUMAR
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Patent number: 10200138Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for a processing multicarrier signal to create a spectral correlation across multiple antennas. The system includes at least one transmitter adapted to create a plurality of symbols, each symbol representing one or more bits from a plurality of bitstreams. The transmitter creates a plurality of repetition patterns, each pattern containing a copy of the symbols and each repetition pattern comprising a combination of symbols that varies in time, frequency and space. The repetition patterns are transmitted over and received by one or more separate antennas where a receiver demodulates the repetition patterns and linearly combines each repeated symbols across time, frequency and space to estimate said transmitted symbol.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Carrick, Jeffrey H. Reed, Vuk Marojevic
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Patent number: 10188992Abstract: Disclosed are polybenzimidazoles containing sulfonyl groups. The polymers can be synthesized in Eaton's reagent from 3,3?,4,4?-tetraaminodiphenylsulfone, which itself can be synthesized from 4,4?-dichlorodiphenylsulfone. Methods of synthesizing the polymers are disclosed. The disclosed polymers can be used for high temperature H2/CO2 separation membranes and other uses.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Judy S. Riffle, Benny D. Freeman
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Patent number: 10187050Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a power circuit that includes a first switch circuit in parallel with a second switch circuit. The first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are coupled to a first control node, a second control node, a first power node and a second power node via interconnections. The power circuit receives a control signal between the first control node and the second control node to control a current flowing from the first power node to the second power node through the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit. At least one of a first source terminal of the first switch circuit and a second source terminal of the second switch circuit is coupled to the second control node with a resistive element having a specific resistance.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Yincan Mao, Chi-Ming Wang, Khai Ngo
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Publication number: 20190002172Abstract: A water soluble container comprises a water soluble shell enclosing a volume. The water soluble shell comprises a set of voxels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual PropertiesInventors: Travis Kyle Hodgdon, Douglas Michael Graham, Michael Sean Farrell, Corey James Kenneally, Christopher B. Williams, Callie Zawaski
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Patent number: 10153712Abstract: In one example, a power converter includes a modular multilevel converter (MMC) electrically coupled between a first power system and a second power system. The MMC includes an arrangement of switching submodules, and the switching submodules include an arrangement of switching power transistors and capacitors. The MMC also includes a controller configured to inject a common mode frequency signal into a circulating current control loop. The circulating current control loop is relied upon to reduce at least one low frequency component in power used for charging the capacitors in the switching submodules. By injecting the common mode frequency signal into the circulating current control loop, the switching submodules can be switched at higher frequencies, the capacitances of the capacitors in the MMC can be reduced, and the power density of the MMC can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Jun Wang, Rolando Burgos, Dushan Boroyevich
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Patent number: 10135650Abstract: A circuit for tuning a resonance frequency of an electrically small antenna. The circuit includes a first source configured for providing a modulation signal, a second source configured for providing a periodic electrical signal, an antenna, and a tuning circuit configured for modulating a resonance frequency of the antenna in response to the modulation signal. The tuning circuit includes first and second capacitors that are alternately coupled to the antenna to change the resonance frequency of the antenna. The capacitor currently coupled to the antenna is decoupled from the antenna and the other capacitor is coupled to the antenna when the voltage across the capacitor currently coupled to the antenna is momentarily zero. In an exemplary embodiment, the tuning circuit comprises first and second inductors rather than capacitors. The inductors are switched into and out of the circuit when the current through the currently coupled inductor is momentarily zero.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Majid Manteghi, Mohsen Salehi
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Patent number: 10117707Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modeling and for providing a graphical representation of tissue heating and electric field distributions for medical treatment devices that apply electrical treatment energy through one or a plurality of electrodes. In embodiments, methods comprise: providing one or more parameters of a treatment protocol for delivering one or more electrical pulses to tissue through a plurality of electrodes; modeling electric and heat distribution in the tissue based on the parameters; and displaying a graphical representation of the modeled electric and heat distribution. In another embodiment, a treatment planning module is adapted to generate an estimated target ablation zone based on a combination of one or more parameters for an irreversible electroporation protocol and one or more tissue-specific conductivity parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Paulo A. Garcia, Christopher B. Arena, Michael B. Sano, Rafael V. Davalos
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Patent number: 10116303Abstract: A power circuit includes a power source for providing electrical power and two driving transistors being disposed in parallel and receiving electrical power from the power source. Each of the two driving transistors includes a gate terminal, a source connection, and a kelvin source connection. The power circuit also includes a control voltage source having a first terminal and a second terminal. The control voltage source provides a control signal to the two driving transistors for determining driving currents through the two driving transistors. The first terminal is connected to the gate terminals of the two driving transistors, and the second terminal is connected to the kelvin source connections of the two driving transistors. The kelvin source connections of the two driving transistors are inductively coupled.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Yincan Mao, Chi-Ming Wang, Zichen Miao, Khai Ngo
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Patent number: 10110122Abstract: Response of a variable frequency switching constant on-time or adaptive on-time controlled power converter to a large step-up or step-down change in load is improved with a simple circuit that detects magnitude and polarity of a change in output voltage and initiates, extends or terminates conduction of power pulses from an input source through said power converter. Both the amplitude and duration of undershoot or overshoot of the transient response are reduced or, alternatively, the capacitance of an output filter may be significantly reduced and still provide comparable transient performance. The fast adaptive on-time control is applicable to multi-phase power converters using phase managers or one or more phase-locked loops for interleaving of power pulses.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Syed Bari, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li, Pei-Hsin Liu
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Patent number: 10109404Abstract: A low profile inductor structure suitable for use in a high power density power converter has one or more windings formed by vias through a thin, generally planar body of magnetic material forming the inductor core and conductive cladding on the body of magnetic material or material covering the magnetic material body. Variation of inductance with load current and other operational or environmental parameters is reduced to any desired degree by forming a slot that removes all or a portion of the magnetic material between the locations of the vias.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Yipeng Su, Dongbin Hou, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li
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Publication number: 20180302081Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a power circuit that includes a first switch circuit in parallel with a second switch circuit. The first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are coupled to a first control node, a second control node, a first power node and a second power node via interconnections. The power circuit receives a control signal between the first control node and the second control node to control a current flowing from the first power node to the second power node through the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit. At least one of a first source terminal of the first switch circuit and a second source terminal of the second switch circuit is coupled to the second control node with a resistive element having a specific resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Yincan MAO, Chi-Ming WANG, Khai NGO
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Patent number: 10100022Abstract: Sphingosine kinases are enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of sphingosine-1-phosphate. The invention provides compounds that are effective for inhibition of sphingosine kinase type 1, sphingosine kinase type 2, or both. Certain compounds are selective for sphingosine kinase type 2 relative to sphingosine kinase type 1. Compounds of the invention can be used in treatment of a range of diseases wherein increasing the level of sphingosine-1-phosphate in blood is medically indicated. Diseases that can be treated by administration of an effective dose of a compound of the invention include a neoplastic disease that involves excess vascular growth; macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy; an allergic disease such as asthma, an inflammatory disease of the eye such as uveitis, scleritis, or vitritis; an inflammatory disease of the kidney; a fibrotic disease; atherosclerosis; or pulmonary arterial hypertension.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignees: University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Lynch, Webster L. Santos
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Patent number: 10097217Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices to radiate wideband signals. The devices may include a tunable high Q narrowband antenna having a plurality of ports including a feed port and a tuning port as well as a tuning element coupled to the tuning port of the antenna. One or more voltage sources supply energy for radiating a radio frequency signal. A modulating signal generator may also be provided for generating a high data rate signal coupled at the tuning element for modulating the tuning element.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventor: Majid Manteghi
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Patent number: 10078066Abstract: Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Hadi Shafiee, Michael Benjamin Sano, John L. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20180259614Abstract: A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicants: Polaris Wireless, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Scot Douglas Gordon, Sayed Reza Monir Vaghefi, R. Michael Buehrer
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Patent number: 10075083Abstract: A resonant power converter is disclosed with a driving circuit generating a switching signal connecting power to a resonant tank circuit, with a voltage monitoring circuit measuring a voltage output and a load current. A micro-controller is operable with a control circuit for multiple step sampling with the switching signal at a switching frequency to settle the resonant circuit determined from the voltage output and load current. A fast load transient response at a high frequency with the resonant circuit provides the multiple step sampling to ensure enough time for micro-controller to calculate. Optimal trajectory control facilitates a burst mode of high frequency with the resonant circuit using adaptive multiple step sampling for an on-time to extend the burst operation range. A soft start-up process uses the micro-controller processing in multiple stages.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Chao Fei, Fred C. Lee, Weiyi Feng, Qiang Li