Abstract: An inductive power outlet for wirelessly powering a power receiver is presented that comprises a voltage peak detector that is configured to detect voltage changes that are indicative of increase in a system resonant frequency. The inductive power outlet is configured to respond to detected voltage changes by shutting down or issuing a warning, and the voltage peak detector is further used to detect communication signals initiated by the power receiver to the power outlet.

Abstract: A locator for locating power outlets and power receivers. A sensor is provided in a power receiver for detecting a detection signal emitted by a remote power outlet. A processor uses the detected signal to compute location coordinates of the power outlet.

Abstract: A pinless power coupling arrangement comprises at least one pin-less power jack, the power jack comprising a primary coil shielded behind an insulating layer for inductive coupling to a pin-less power plug. The power plug comprises a secondary coil wherein said insulating layer is substantially flat and the power plug and the power jack may be aligned by an alignment means. Various such alignment means are discussed as are enabled surfaces for supporting inductive power jacks and inductive plugs coupled to various appliances.

Abstract: A modular interactive visual display platform including interconnecting modules including tile modules forming a visual display sensing surface which generates graphical images and senses object proximate to the surface. Tile connector interfaces use tricoupling mechanisms including a mechanical connector, a power connector and a communication connector to connect modules together. The visual display sensing surface may include integrated addressable LEDs, proximity sensors and pressure sensors.

Abstract: An inductive power outlet for wirelessly powering a power receiver is presented that comprises a voltage peak detector that is configured to detect voltage changes that are indicative of increase in a system resonant frequency. The inductive power outlet is configured to respond to detected voltage changes by shutting down or issuing a warning, and the voltage peak detector is further used to detect communication signals initiated by the power receiver to the power outlet.

Abstract: A triggerable power transmitter for power transmission from a primary coil to an inductively coupled secondary coil in a power receiver has a primary coil; a driver for electrically driving the primary coil; a probing coil receives analog signals indicative of resonance properties of the primary coil; analog filters may be used to filter frequencies, and a processor capable of generating digital information in response to the analog signal and determining if said primary coil is coupled to a secondary coil based on the digital information, and triggering power from the primary coil to said secondary coil when said primary coil is inductively coupled to said secondary coil. A resistor may be selectably connected in series with the primary coil and shorted out when power is transmitted.

Abstract: A robotic platform configured to identify obstacles and follow a user and/or a user device. In one implementation, a processing device receives one or more sensor inputs, processes the one or more sensor inputs to identify an obstacle within a navigation path, the navigation path corresponding to a robotic platform following a user device, computes an alternate route in view of the navigation path and the identification of the obstacle, and configures the robotic platform to follow the user device based on the alternate route.

Abstract: An inductive power outlet for wirelessly powering a power receiver is presented that comprises a voltage peak detector that is configured to detect voltage changes that are indicative of increase in a system resonant frequency. The inductive power outlet is configured to respond to detected voltage changes by shutting down or issuing a warning, and the voltage peak detector is further used to detect communication signals initiated by the power receiver to the power outlet.

Abstract: A hybrid power load balancing system configured to manage the amount of power transfer via a plurality of inductive coils is provided. The system comprises one or more power supplies, a plurality of inductive outlets associated with and configured to be supplied power by each of the power supplies for providing power to loads connected thereto, and a load balancer associated with each of the outlets. A power supply and its associated outlets and load balancers constitute a cluster. The load balancers are configured to grant power classes to the outlets to supply at least a minimum required power class to each of the attached loads.

Abstract: An inductive power transmitter for inductive power transmission to an inductive power receiver is provided, comprising a primary coil, capable of being inductively coupled to a secondary coil in the inductive power receiver, a power supply and an associate driver configured to provide a varying electrical potential from the power supply to the primary coil, a monitoring system configured to measure electrical flow parameters of the primary coil, and a controller configured to detect, based on the electrical flow parameters measured by the monitoring system, an error condition indicative of a foreign object introduced between the primary coil and the secondary coil, and to facilitate, when the error condition is detected, interrupting the electrical potential to the primary coil.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for integrating inductive power outlet functionality to provide power transfer to electrical devices, as an in-surface wireless charging system, embedded into a host such as a furniture item. An inductive power outlet may include a body casing for containing a primary inductor a driving unit and a fastening mechanism. The body casing may have dimensions suitable for introduction into a passageway through a plate of the item of furniture. The fastening mechanism may be utilized to secure the body casing to the plate of the item of furniture.

Abstract: An inductive power transmitter comprises a first primary inductor configured to inductively couple a first secondary inductor and configured to hold a first variable electrical potential. The transmitter also comprises a second primary inductor configured to inductively couple a second secondary inductor that is configured to hold a second variable electrical potential. The primary inductors are arranged in an overlapping fashion on a substrate forming a charging surface. The first primary inductor is connected to a first driver capable of providing the first variable electrical potential, and the second primary inductor is connected to a second driver capable of providing the second variable electrical potential in a first embodiment while a second possibility is that the first primary inductor is connected to a first driver capable of providing the first variable electrical potential, and the second primary inductor comprises capacitor and is not connected to a driver.

Abstract: An inductive power outlet operable to transfer power to an inductive power receiver includes a driver wired to a primary inductive coil and operable to provide a driving voltage across the primary inductive coil. The primary inductive coil is configured to form an inductive couple having a characteristic resonant frequency with at least one secondary inductive coil wired to an electric load, the secondary inductive coil being associated with the inductive power receiver. The driving voltage oscillates at a transmission frequency substantially different from the characteristic resonant frequency of the inductive couple.

Abstract: A pinless power coupling arrangement comprises at least one pin-less power jack, the power jack comprising a primary coil shielded behind an insulating layer for inductive coupling to a pin-less power plug. The power plug comprises a secondary coil wherein said insulating layer is substantially flat and the power plug and the power jack may be aligned by an alignment means. Various such alignment means are discussed as are enabled surfaces for supporting inductive power jacks and inductive plugs coupled to various appliances.

Abstract: A computer system for identifying a posture adopted by a subject is disclosed. The computer system includes a computer processor that is configured to execute the following functions: obtain a set of reference pressure images, each of the reference pressure images associated with a known posture; obtain a recorded pressure image of the subject; compare the recorded pressure image of the subject with a candidate pressure image from the set of reference pressure images; and repeat the comparing function until the recorded pressure image with the candidate pressure image.

Abstract: Wireless power transfer between a power transmitter and a power receiver may include a power transfer established by a detector of the wireless power transmitter detecting a magnetic field from a wireless power receiver in proximity to the wireless power transmitter and activating the wireless power transmitter to transfer power to the wireless power receiver.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a pressure sensing mat comprising the steps of: (a) preparing two conductive layers, each conductive layer comprising an array of conducting strips mounted upon a substrate arranged in a parallel fashion, wherein the conducting strips of the first conductive layer are oriented perpendicularly in relation to the conducting strips of the second conductive layer; (b) for each conductive layer, connecting each of the conducting strips to a communication line; (c) sandwiching a compressible layer between the two conductive layers; and (d) performing a pressure reading standardization test to the mat.

Abstract: A pin-less power coupling arrangement comprising at least one pin-less power jack; the power jack comprising a primary coil shielded behind an insulating layer for inductive coupling to a pin-less power plug; said power plug comprising a secondary coil wherein said insulating layer is substantially flat and said power plug and said power jack may be aligned by an alignment means. Various such alignment means are discussed as are enabled surfaces for supporting inductive power jacks and inductive plugs coupled to various appliances.

Abstract: A system and method for the management of data collection from a pressure sensing apparatus. The system allows rapid measurement of pressure exerted upon a surface and may be useful in preventing bed sore development in a bed bound subject.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system operable in a plurality of modes comprising an inductive power transmitter capable of providing power to the inductive power receiver over an extended region. The system may be switchable between the various modes by means of a mode selector operable to activate various features as required, such as: an alignment mechanism a resonance tuner, an auxiliary coil arrangement or a resonance seeking arrangement. Associated methods are taught.