Patents Examined by Tessema Kebede
  • Patent number: 9660477
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for charging input devices. A charging unit includes a sleeve for receiving a stylus and a base. The charging unit receives electrical power from an external power source via an interface and transfers the power to the stylus via a connection between the base's charging contacts and conductive charging zones on a portion of the input device in the base. A method detects insertion of a stylus into a charging unit having an internal battery and an interface capable of receiving power from an external power source. The method determines if the unit is connected to a power source. If so, the stylus is charged by transferring the received energy via a connection between the unit's charging contacts and conductive charging zones of the stylus. If energy is not being received from the external power source, the method charges the stylus using the unit's internal battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Geoffrey Dowd, Sang Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 9651625
    Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus comprises a reception section to receive a radio signal and to output power and a demodulated signal according to the radio signal; a first power source circuit to perform power supply based on the power; a decode circuit to operate upon receiving the power supply from the first power source circuit and to output an activation signal and a command based on the demodulated signal; a second power source circuit to be activated according to the activation signal and to perform power supply; a battery monitoring circuit to operate upon receiving the power supply from the second power source circuit and to output a monitoring result of a state of the battery according to the command; and a transmission section to operate upon receiving the power supply from the second power source circuit and to wirelessly transmit the monitoring result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kikuchi, Akihiko Kudo, Tomonori Kanai, Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Emori
  • Patent number: 9653936
    Abstract: A method for managing charging of a rechargeable battery including at least one module including at least one electrochemical cell, the method including estimating a heat flow produced in the at least one module using an observer estimating overall internal resistance of the electrochemical cells of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Antoine Saint-Marcoux, Yves Le Vourch, Maxime Debert
  • Patent number: 9643498
    Abstract: A system supplying electrical power to a vehicle including: a network of electricity consuming units; a first electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, exhibiting a first maximum voltage when unloaded less than a maximum network voltage; a second electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, exhibiting a second maximum voltage when unloaded greater than the maximum voltage when unloaded of the first battery, and a minimum acceptable voltage when unloaded below the maximum network voltage; a drivable alternator connected to the network, configured to deliver to the second battery an electrical energy under a setpoint voltage drivable to various setpoint values; an electronic management facility, configured to impose at least two different setpoint voltages successively on the alternator when the vehicle is running, a low alternator voltage greater than the first maximum voltage, and a high alternator voltage greater both than the minimum voltage and than the low alternator voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Gerard Saint-Leger, Dino Bouillon
  • Patent number: 9647475
    Abstract: A charger for charging a terminal, includes: a power supply device configured to output a direct current (DC) charging current, the power supply device including a voltage output port and a feedback receiving port; a charging port configured to connect to the terminal, and to output the DC charging current from the power supply device to the terminal, the charging port including a power supply port and a data signal port, the power supply port being connected to the voltage output port and configured to output the DC charging current to the terminal; a charging control device; and a switch device provided between the feedback receiving port and the charging port, and configured to connect the feedback receiving port to the power supply port or the data signal port according to control of the charging control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Xiaomi Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Sun, Hongtu Cui, Guoquan Zhang, Ji Yu
  • Patent number: 9625895
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing power for a wireless communication device. The method includes receiving a loop current at an insertion voltage at an initial input, the loop current being generated by a power supply. The method further includes comparing a reference voltage to the insertion voltage and generating a feedback signal based at least upon the comparison of the reference voltage to the insertion voltage. The method still further includes regulating the insertion voltage based at least upon the feedback signal, delivering charging power to an electrical storage element, wherein the charging power is a function of the insertion voltage and the loop current, and storing the charging power in the electrical storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PEPPERL+FUCHS GMBH
    Inventor: Mark Sinreich
  • Patent number: 9620978
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device 700 for determining an expected usage of the device, determining a charge level of a battery 750 associated with the device, and tuning the charge level of the battery by at least one of charging the battery based on the determined expected usage of the device and the determined charge level of the battery, and discharging the battery by changing an operation of the device based on the determined charge level of the battery and the determined expected usage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventor: Breght Roderick Boschker
  • Patent number: 9620981
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for charging an energy storage device in a vehicle using a power supply, the method comprising: determining a first voltage output from the power supply; starting charging; determining a second voltage output from the power supply; determining a first voltage difference based on a difference between the second voltage and the first voltage; after a predetermined time, aborting charging; determining a third voltage output from the power supply; starting charging; determining a fourth voltage output from the power supply; determining a second voltage difference based on a difference between the fourth voltage and the third voltage; determining a deviation value based on a difference between the second difference and the first difference; and based on the deviation value, controlling a charging parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Magnusson, Mats Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9608467
    Abstract: A system for charging a capacitor used to power measurement-while-drilling equipment includes a power bus, which is electrically connected to the capacitor; a first pair of battery terminals; switching circuitry for electrically connecting the power bus to and disconnecting the power bus from the first pair of battery terminals; and a controller, for controlling the switching circuitry, which is configured to charge the capacitor by applying a first pulse width modulated control signal to control the switching circuitry. The first pulse width modulated control signal has a duty cycle selected such that the voltage of the first battery remains above a first minimum operating voltage while the capacitor is being charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: EVOLUTION ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Jili Liu, Xia Pan
  • Patent number: 9608530
    Abstract: A circuit configuration contains a resonant converter feeding energy into a primary winding of a transformer, a control circuit for controlling the resonant converter and a plurality of modules. The modules include a frequency generator controllable with variable frequency, a short circuit monitoring unit configured to protect components of the resonant converter, and an open circuit detection unit. The open circuit detection unit is configured to shut down the resonant converter if a secondary side interacting with the primary winding of the transformer is open circuit, without having information from the secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Glenn Mueller, Stephan Rupf
  • Patent number: 9577451
    Abstract: A holder includes a cover, a base, and a charging module. The cover includes a battery, and the base is foldably connected to the cover. The charging module includes a main charging coil and a power supply. The battery and the main charging coil are electrically connected to the power supply. A first proportion of a current from the power supply charges the battery, while a second proportion of the current from the power supply sends current to the main charging coil. The main charging coil charges a portable electronic device received in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Dong Han, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 9559544
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, wireless chargers combined with wireless interrogators. The wireless chargers can transmit power wirelessly, while also wirelessly interrogating a nearby transponder, such as an RFID tag. The wireless chargers with wireless interrogators can also be programmable to allow user-implemented rules operable in response to an interrogation. Such rules can impose restrictions upon whether wireless charging is allowed to take place. Such rules can also be used to select a power-transmitting protocol that is particularly suited for the electronic device being charged. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Jay Marketing Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel B. Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 9553463
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a homopolar generator charger with an integral rechargeable battery. A method is provided for converting rotational kinetic energy to electrical energy for charging one or more battery cells. The method can include rotating, by a shaft, a rotor in a magnetic flux field to generate current, wherein the rotor comprises an electrically conductive portion having an inner diameter conductive connection surface and an outer diameter conductive connection surface, and wherein a voltage potential is induced between the inner and outer diameter connection surfaces upon rotation in the magnetic flux field. The method can also include selectively coupling the generated current from the rotating rotor to terminals of the one or more battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MECHANICAL ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard Edward Botts
  • Patent number: 9537417
    Abstract: A power supply control circuit arranged to prevent a steady power loss from occurring in an input filter connected to an alternating current power source. In order to detect that an AC input has been turned off, diodes are connected to AC lines, thus detecting a full-wave rectified waveform. This detected voltage is compared with a reference voltage by a comparator. An output signal of the comparator is input into the reset terminal of a timer circuit having a time measurement period longer than the power source frequency of an alternating current power source. A switch element of a discharging circuit is turned on by an output signal of the timer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Shiroyama, Takato Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9515508
    Abstract: A battery management system includes detecting circuitry and control circuitry coupled to the detecting circuitry. The detecting circuitry detects cell voltages of battery cells of a battery pack. The control circuitry alternates between a normal state and a charging prohibition state. In the normal state, charging of the battery cells is enabled and the cell voltages increase, and if a voltage of a battery cell of the battery cells exceeds a predetermined overcharge threshold, then the control circuitry transitions to the charging prohibition state. In the charging prohibition state, charging of the battery cells is disabled, and the voltage of the battery cell decreases if at least one cell of the battery cells has a voltage less than a balance threshold. If the voltage of the battery cell falls to a predetermined overcharge-released threshold, then the control circuitry transitions to the normal state and enables charging of the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc
    Inventors: Weidong Xue, Anquan Xiao, Xiaohu Tang, Xiaofei Gong
  • Patent number: 9499058
    Abstract: An electric charging apparatus is provided. The electric charging apparatus includes a ground determination signal generating unit measuring a current signal or voltage signal that is generated from power applied from a power supply unit, the ground determination signal generating unit generating a signal for determining whether the power supply unit is normally grounded on the basis of the current or voltage signal, a power control unit generating a power control signal on the basis of a ground determination detecting signal generated from the ground determination signal generating unit, and a power cutoff unit cutting power supply to a target device to be charged on the basis of the power control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Jun Im
  • Patent number: 9496082
    Abstract: There are provided a coil substrate which includes a coil for wireless charging and an antenna and is capable of increasing charging efficiency, and an electronic device including the same. The coil substrate according to embodiments of the invention may include a coil pattern; a dummy part formed around the coil pattern; and at least one penetration part formed in the dummy part or in a central portion of the coil pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: No Il Park, Chang Ryul Jung, Hak Kwan Kim, Sung Yong An
  • Patent number: 9496724
    Abstract: A method and an active battery balancing circuit for balancing an electric charge in a plurality of cells of a battery that are electrically connected in series is disclosed. A first subset of the cells of the battery is electrically connected to an inductance for providing a current flow from the first subset through the inductance. The first subset of the cells is disconnected from the inductance, and a current is allowed to flow from the inductance into a second subset of the cells of the battery. At least one of the first and the second subset of the cells of the battery comprises two or more cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS APPLICATION GMBH
    Inventor: Reiner Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9484754
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods to fabricate the apparatus for balancing a string of N series-connected electrical energy units (such as battery cells or modules) comprising: a transformer with a magnetic core and N windings; N switch circuits; N driver circuits, each driver circuit operable to turn ON/OFF a respective switch circuit in a charging or discharging or idling configuration; and a controller circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Wenwei Wang
  • Patent number: 9461504
    Abstract: An energy-scavenging interface includes first and second switches connected in series between an input and reference, and third and fourth switches connected in series between the input and an output. A control circuit closes the first and second switches and opens the third switch for a first time interval to store charge in a storage element. A scaled copy of a peak value of the charging current is obtained. The control circuit then opens the first switch and closes the third and fourth switches to generate an output signal as long as the value in current of the output signal is higher than the value of said scaled copy of the peak value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alessandro Gasparini, Alberto Cattani