Patents by Inventor Al-Thaddeus Avestruz

Al-Thaddeus Avestruz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200014247
    Abstract: A device configured for wireless power transfer includes a digital controller configured to generate a plurality of switch control signals, and a transceiver configured to generate a wireless signal for the wireless power transfer. The transceiver includes a plurality of switches, each switch of the plurality of switches being responsive to a respective switch control signal of the plurality of switch control signals such that the wireless signal has a waveform shaped in accordance with a code sequence for the wireless power transfer. The code sequence is one of a set of predetermined code sequences, each predetermined code sequence being orthogonal to each other predetermined code sequence of the set of predetermined code sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Akshay Sarin
  • Publication number: 20190013699
    Abstract: A receiver for wireless power transfer includes a plurality of passive elements including a coupling element configured to capture an incoming spread spectrum signal, an active switch coupled to the plurality of passive elements, and a controller to generate a control signal for the active switch. The control signal changes a state of the active switch to vary a resonance condition established by the plurality of passive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan, University of Michigan Office of Technology Transf
    Inventors: Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Akshay Sarin
  • Publication number: 20190011523
    Abstract: A system measures wireless power transfer between a transmitter and a receiver. The system includes a sensor circuit including a sensor. The sensor is configured and positioned to generate sensor data indicative of a field. The field is generated in connection with the wireless power transfer. The system further includes a processor coupled to the sensor circuit and configured to determine a power measurement based on the sensor data. The processor is further configured to determine misalignment of the transmitter or the receiver. The processor is also configured to correct an estimate of the power measurement based on the misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Univers ity of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer
    Inventors: Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Spencer Haney, Sung Yul Chu
  • Patent number: 9786423
    Abstract: A system for generating an asymmetric magnetic field. The system includes a drive circuit and a stacked winding structure coupled to the drive circuit. The stacked winding structure includes a plurality of winding layers. The plurality of winding layers includes a first winding layer including a first conductive winding having first turns and a second winding layer including a second conductive winding having second turns ion. The plurality of winding layers is arranged to produce a first magnetic field at a first side of the stacked winding structure and a second magnetic field at a second side of the stacked winding structure when the drive circuit electrically drives the plurality of winding layers. The first magnetic field is greater than the second magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Arijit Banerjee, Arthur Hsu Chen Chang, Shahriar R. Khushrushahi, Steven B. Leeb
  • Publication number: 20150116887
    Abstract: A system for generating an asymmetric magnetic field. The system includes a drive circuit and a stacked winding structure coupled to the drive circuit. The stacked winding structure includes a plurality of winding layers. The plurality of winding layers includes a first winding layer including a first conductive winding having first turns and a second winding layer including a second conductive winding having second turns ion. The plurality of winding layers is arranged to produce a first magnetic field at a first side of the stacked winding structure and a second magnetic field at a second side of the stacked winding structure when the drive circuit electrically drives the plurality of winding layers. The first magnetic field is greater than the second magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Arijit Banerjee, Arthur Hsu Chen Chang, Shahriar R. Khushrushahi, Steven B. Leeb
  • Patent number: 8907664
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-intrusive power monitoring and current measurement in a circuit breaker without modification of the breaker panel or the circuit breaker itself. In one example, an inductive pickup sensor senses current from the breaker face, an inductive link transmits power through a steel breaker panel door, and a passive balanced JFET modulator circuit modulates a carrier signal on the inductive link with information regarding the sensed current. A demodulated breaker current signal is available outside of the breaker panel door. The JFET modulator circuit does not require DC power to modulate the carrier signal with the information regarding the sensed current from the breaker. Such methods and apparatus may be interfaced with a spectral envelope load detection system that can monitor multiple loads from a central location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven B. Leeb, Zachary A. Clifford, John J. Cooley, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz
  • Patent number: 8892198
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices and methods for evaluating tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for measuring a characteristic of a tissue may include passing a current through the tissue, measuring a signal corresponding to the voltage resulting from passing the current through the tissue, analyzing current passed through the tissue and resulting voltage to determine the electrical characteristics of the tissue; and analyzing the electrical characteristics of the tissue to determine a status of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Skulpt, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Bohorquez, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Michael D. Rinehart, Seward Rutkove, Elmer C. Lupton
  • Patent number: 8886053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the dual-use of radiation, for example, but not limited to, visible or infrared light, for both a conventional application, e.g., illumination, combined with the additional or “dual-use” application of transmitting information without wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Elmer Lupton, Mes Peterson, John Rodriguez, Gary Livshin, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Roderick Hinman, Steven B. Leeb
  • Publication number: 20140039341
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices and methods for evaluating tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for measuring a characteristic of a tissue may include passing a current through the tissue, measuring a signal corresponding to the voltage resulting from passing the current through the tissue, analyzing current passed through the tissue and resulting voltage to determine the electrical characteristics of the tissue; and analyzing the electrical characteristics of the tissue to determine a status of the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jose L. Bohorquez, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Michael D. Rinehart, Seward Rutkove, Elmer C. Lupton
  • Patent number: 8344724
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-intrusive power monitoring and current measurement in a circuit breaker without modification of the breaker panel or the circuit breaker itself. In one example, an inductive pickup sensor senses current from the breaker face, an inductive link transmits power through a steel breaker panel door, and a passive balanced JFET modulator circuit modulates a carrier signal on the inductive link with information regarding the sensed current. A demodulated breaker current signal is available outside of the breaker panel door. The JFET modulator circuit does not require DC power to modulate the carrier signal with the information regarding the sensed current from the breaker. Such methods and apparatus may be interfaced with a spectral envelope load detection system that can monitor multiple loads from a central location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven B. Leeb, Zachary A. Clifford, John J. Cooley, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz
  • Publication number: 20120281986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the dual-use of radiation, for example, but not limited to, visible or infrared light, for both a conventional application, e.g., illumination, combined with the additional or “dual-use” application of transmitting information without wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Steven B. LEEB, Roderick HINMAN, Al-Thaddeus AVESTRUZ, Gary LIVSHIN, John RODRIGUEZ, Nels PETERSON, Elmer C. LUPTON
  • Patent number: 8150268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the dual-use of radiation, for example, but not limited to, visible or infrared light, for both a conventional application, e.g., illumination, combined with the additional or “dual-use” application of transmitting information without wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Steven B. Leeb, Roderick Hinman, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Gary Livshin, John Rodriguez, Nels Peterson, Elmer C. Lupton
  • Publication number: 20110109306
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-intrusive power monitoring and current measurement in a circuit breaker without modification of the breaker panel or the circuit breaker itself. In one example, an inductive pickup sensor senses current from the breaker face, an inductive link transmits power through a steel breaker panel door, and a passive balanced JFET modulator circuit modulates a carrier signal on the inductive link with information regarding the sensed current. A demodulated breaker current signal is available outside of the breaker panel door. The JFET modulator circuit does not require DC power to modulate the carrier signal with the information regarding the sensed current from the breaker. Such methods and apparatus may be interfaced with a spectral envelope load detection system that can monitor multiple loads from a central location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven B. Leeb, Zachary A. Clifford, John J. Cooley, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz
  • Patent number: 7923936
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp sensor system is provided. The fluorescent lamp sensor system includes a plurality of bulbs and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the bulbs. A balanced differential circuit measures changes in electric fields produced by the bulbs in front of the electrodes. The balanced differential circuit includes a symmetric current source associated with alternating the surface potential of the bulbs. A current mode detection circuit detects the current associated with the capacitive effects of the balanced differential circuit. A synchronous detection circuit isolates the capacitive effects of the symmetrical current source from stray signals that differ in either frequency or phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John J. Cooley, Steven B. Leeb, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Leslie K. Norford
  • Publication number: 20080309243
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp sensor system is provided. The fluorescent lamp sensor system includes a plurality of bulbs and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the bulbs. A balanced differential circuit measures changes in electric fields produced by the bulbs in front of the electrodes. The balanced differential circuit includes a symmetric current source associated with alternating the surface potential of the bulbs. A current mode detection circuit detects the current associated with the capacitive effects of the balanced differential circuit. A synchronous detection circuit isolates the capacitive effects of the symmetrical current source from stray signals that differ in either frequency or phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: John J. Cooley, Steven B. Leeb, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Leslie K. Norford
  • Patent number: 7016115
    Abstract: A system for and method of generating electromagnetic radiation in which the radiation has both a first and second utility. The electromagnetic radiation is modulated to produce electronically detectable variations to achieve the second utility, the variations not affecting the first utility. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation is visible light. In this embodiment, the first utility is illumination and the second utility is the transmission of data. In another embodiment, the invention provides a lamp for generating visible light capable of providing illumination and transmitting data to a receiver. Any variations in the visible light resulting from the data transmission are imperceptible by a human eye regardless of the nature of the data being transmitted. In yet another embodiment, a power line carrier modem or wireless network may be used with the present invention to transmit information to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Talking Lights, LLC
    Inventors: Steven B. Leeb, Gary Livshin, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Roderick T. Hinman, Elmer C. Lupton, Deron K. Jackson, George B. Hovorka