Patents Examined by David Shiao
  • Patent number: 11824372
    Abstract: An antenna configured for wireless power transmission has a puzzled configuration and has a first antenna molecule and a second antenna molecule. The first and second antenna molecules are formed to define a first and second pluralities of coil atoms. The pluralities of coil atoms include a first coil atom and a second coil atom, wherein the second coil atom is positioned substantially diagonally opposite with respect to the first coil atom. The first antenna molecule and the second molecule are overlain to form a first atom row and a second atom row and to form a first atom column and a second atom column. The first and second antenna molecules are substantially inverted versions of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Yoon, Alberto Peralta, Md. Nazmul Alam
  • Patent number: 11804714
    Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring electrical energy loads includes a current transducer configured to monitor values of electrical current in the system, wherein neutral and ground lines are monitored via separate current transducers. Additionally, the system includes a centralized programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to receive measured values from the current transducer in real time and a local PLC configured to receive the measured values from the centralized PLC. Further, the local PLC periodically compares the measured values of the electrical energy with predetermined thresholds and automatically redistributes the electrical energy to electrical energy loads among three phases based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Adel F. Abu-Rejailah, Anas A. AlHamad
  • Patent number: 11799328
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a wireless power receiver comprises a wireless-power-receiving antenna configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals, and convert energy from the received RF signals into an alternating current. The power receiver also comprises a primary rectifier configured to: (i) receive a first portion of the alternating current, and (ii) rectify the first portion of the alternating current into primary direct current having a first power level, the primary direct current used to provide power or charge to an electronic device; and a secondary rectifier configured to: (i) receive a second portion of the alternating current, and (ii) rectify the second portion of the alternating current into a secondary direct current having a second power level. The second power level of the secondary direct current is less than the first power level of the primary direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Eumchan Woo
  • Patent number: 11770004
    Abstract: A battery inverter system includes a plurality of battery inverter units, wherein each of the battery inverter units includes a multiphase inverter and a battery unit connected to the inverter on the DC side. The battery unit includes a plurality of individual units connected in parallel to one another and protected against overcurrent by means of rack fuses, and the battery inverter units are connected in parallel on the AC side and are configured to operate with a common drive pulse pattern. The battery inverter units are interconnected on the DC side via compensation fuses, wherein the compensation fuses are provided such that in the event of a short circuit in one of the inverters, the compensation fuses are triggered faster than the rack fuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hermeling, Tim Roesinger, Mohamed Mostafa
  • Patent number: 11764579
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing an AC backup power source utilizing energy stored in an electric or hybrid vehicle and one or more AC loads powered thereby. The method and apparatus is preferred to be used as a home backup power system comprising a battery contained within an electric or hybrid vehicle providing DC power which is converted to AC backup power, charging the battery, monitoring the amount of power supplied to one or more loads and controlling AC power provided thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
  • Patent number: 11757309
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for detecting foreign objects in a wireless power transmission system. This specification provides a wireless power reception apparatus for detecting foreign objects, including a power measurement unit for generating required power information indicative of required power for the wireless power reception apparatus, sending the required power information to a wireless power transmission apparatus, and measuring power induced from the wireless power transmission apparatus and a secondary coil for receiving the power induced from the wireless power transmission apparatus. In accordance with the present invention, foreign objects intervened between the wireless power transmission apparatus and the wireless power reception apparatus are recognized, and a user removes the foreign objects. Accordingly, damage to a device attributable to foreign objects can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chun-Kil Jung, Sug Ky Hong
  • Patent number: 11745030
    Abstract: A motion-enable device includes a mechanical switch and a capacitive sensor with a sensing region that is located adjacent to the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch enables a first signal when closed or actuated that indicates that the mechanical switch is in an active state. The capacitive sensor enables a second signal when a conductive object is disposed in the sensing region, where the second signal indicates that the capacitive sensor is in an active state. Enablement of operation of an apparatus depends on receipt of both the first signal and the second signal. The mechanical switch and the capacitive sensor act as the two separate switches required by functional safety requirements for a motion enable device. Because the sensing region of the capacitive sensor is adjacent to the mechanical switch, the first and second signals are generated when an operator actuates the mechanical switch with a single digit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Hannibal, Wade Curtiss
  • Patent number: 11682904
    Abstract: A method comprises, at a power balancing circuit for three-phase AC power: feeding three power phases to respective loads; measuring power drain on the three power phases by the respective loads; based on measuring, detecting an unbalanced power drain across the three power phases due to a relatively light power drain on one or more lightly loaded power phases and a relatively high power drain on one or more heavily loaded power phases; computing an amount of power to be drained from the one or more lightly loaded power phases and to be fed to the one or more heavily loaded power phases to balance the power drain across the three power phases; and transferring the amount of power from the one or more lightly loaded power phases to the one or more heavily loaded power phases to balance the power drain across the three power phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Sung Kee Baek, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11682922
    Abstract: A method and system for contraband detection is provided that allows for the determining whether devices are authorized to receive power from an outlet. A power adapter and/or an outlet authenticate a device when it is connected to the outlet through the power adapter. On the basis of this authentication, a determination is made whether the devices are to receive power from the outlet. If the device is authorized, the outlet is activated, transitioning from inactive state (where no power is relayed through the outlet) to an active state (where power is relayed through the outlet).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Global Tel* Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 11675403
    Abstract: Based on a first signal, a first voltage output circuit outputs a first output voltage which is based on a first voltage or does not output the first output voltage. Based on a second signal, a second voltage output circuit outputs a second output voltage which is based on a second voltage or does not output the second output voltage. When a level of the first voltage is lower than a reference level, a voltage detector circuit outputs the first signal such that the first voltage output circuit does not output the first output voltage and outputs the second signal such that the second voltage output circuit outputs the second output voltage. The second voltage output circuit outputs the second output voltage such that the second output voltage has a level of the first output voltage when the level of the first voltage is the reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heeseok Han
  • Patent number: 11667311
    Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method that includes detecting a loss of power to a motor of the gate crossing mechanism. The motor is operably coupled to a gate of the gate crossing mechanism. The method further includes, responsive to detecting the loss of the power, providing, by at least one supercapacitor, power to the motor to initiate the gate moving from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Leah Chowenhill, Quinton Reed, Daniel Spencer
  • Patent number: 11664686
    Abstract: A wireless power system includes a wireless power transmitting device such as a wireless charging mat for charging devices such as a cellular telephone and an earbuds battery case. The earbuds battery case receives earbuds and charges the earbuds from a battery. The wireless charging mat supports bidirectional in-band communications between the cellular telephone and the earbuds battery case. The earbuds battery case provides the cellular telephone with information on the battery charge level associated with the battery in the earbuds battery case and a battery charge level associated with each earbud in the earbuds battery case. The cellular telephone receives battery charge level information through the wireless charging mat and displays corresponding indicators. The earbuds battery case has a visual output device such as a light-emitting diode that is illuminated to indicate that the earbuds battery case is being charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian E. Sun, Gregory H. Nayman, Cortland S. Tolva, Joseph W. Colosimo, Antonio R. De Lima Fernandes, Brandon R. Garbus, Alexei E. Kosut
  • Patent number: 11658520
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter, a wireless power receiver and methods associated therewith are discussed. The wireless power transmitter includes a power converter configured to transfer wireless power to an external receiver; and at least one processor configured to communicate with the receiver to control transmission of the wireless power and to perform transmission or reception of data, wherein the processor is configured to receive, from the receiver, a received power packet (RPP) which informs a value of received power; transmit, to the wireless power receiver, a bit pattern for requesting communication in response to the RPP; and receive a polling packet from the receiver in response to the bit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Yongcheol Park
  • Patent number: 11646604
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wireless device capable of being self-powered and an operating method thereof. The wireless device includes an energy harvesting module that generates electrical energy based on energy supplied from an outside, a power management module that generates a voltage based on the electrical energy provided from the energy harvesting module, a user input interface that includes at least one input device sensing an input of a user, and a communication module that transfers a command corresponding to the at least one input device to the outside based on the voltage provided from the power management module, in response to that the at least one input device is accessed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jong Pil Im, Jeong Hun Kim, Seungeon Moon
  • Patent number: 11637455
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission apparatus according to various embodiments may comprise a plurality of patch antennas, a communication circuit, and a processor. The processor may be configured to perform a control to form an RF wave of a first beam width via the plurality of patch antennas, receive, from an electronic apparatus, via the communication circuit, sensing data for at least one of a movement of the electronic apparatus or an orientation of the electronic apparatus, and adjust a beam width of the RF wave formed by the plurality of patch antennas from the first beam width to a second beam width at least on the basis of the received sensing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Ku Yeo, Sung Bum Park, Young Ho Ryu, Chong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11626789
    Abstract: A utility meter includes: a rectifier configured to rectify AC voltage from a power grid to generate a primary DC voltage supply; and a primary holdup circuitry, including: first capacitors coupled to a primary DC voltage rail and configured to store energy from the primary voltage supply; a switch coupled to the first capacitors; and a control circuit configured to control the primary holdup circuitry, wherein the control circuit is configured to: determine that a secondary DC voltage of a secondary voltage supply is approximately equal to a first specified threshold voltage; and generate a control signal to causes the switch to turn on and cause the one or more first capacitors to release a portion of the energy stored in the one or more first capacitors to the primary DC voltage rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Anibal Ramirez
  • Patent number: 11616403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leveraging multipath wireless transmissions for charging devices within multipath signaling environment. Techniques according to the present technology include determining a received signal strength of a radio frequency signal received via a plurality of paths at two or more antennas of a plurality of antennas of an antenna array. The techniques also include configuring parameters for transmission of a wireless power signal over one or more paths of the plurality of paths for which the received signal strength exceeds a threshold value. The techniques further include directing at least a portion of the plurality of antennas to transmit the wireless power signal over the one or more paths according to the parameters. Resulting signal transmissions may thus be directionally biased toward least lossy pathways between a wireless power transmitter and a device in need of receiving wireless power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Ibrahim Zeine, Siamak Ebadi
  • Patent number: 11610749
    Abstract: A switched power receptacle that can be programmed to provide power for a user-selected duration in a user-selected cycle. The invention can be plugged into a conventional receptacle, extension cord, or other source of power. One or more user inputs and displays are provided so that the user can program the cycle for switching on the power (once every 2 days, once every 7 days, etc.). One or more user inputs are provided so that the user can select the duration of activation for each cycle (1 hour, 3 hours, etc.). Status indicators are preferably provided so that the user can easily monitor the operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel H. Yang
  • Patent number: 11606849
    Abstract: In described examples, a system (e.g., a light-emitting diode dimmer system) includes a switching device coupled to a switching controller. The switching controller generates a control signal, which includes a low frequency signal (e.g., for controlling a dimming function) and a switching signal. An active electromagnetic interference filter (AEF) is coupled to the DC source. An active shunt is coupled to a power input node of the switching device and is configured to selectively couple a shunt current to the power input node of the switching device in synchronization with the low frequency signal (e.g., which can reduce, if not also eliminate, a saturation time of the AEF and improve the performance of the AEF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yongbin Chu, Yogesh Kumar Ramadass, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni
  • Patent number: 11581730
    Abstract: The power supply device with multiple outputs includes two output ports, a power converting module with two power output ends, and two switching modules connected among the two power output ends and the two output ports. The output power from the two power output ends can be independently allocated to either one or two of the two second output ports. When one of the output ports requests for a demand power, the power supply device is able to determine which one or both of the power output ends to output power to the output port, reaching a better power allocation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ACBEL POLYTECH INC.
    Inventor: Chia-An Yeh