Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: A shield for redirecting magnetic field generated from a plurality of transmitter coils includes a ferromagnetic structure divided into segments by a plurality of boundary regions, each segment comprises a first material having a first magnetic permeability and each boundary region comprises a second material having a second magnetic permeability lower than the first magnetic permeability, where the plurality of boundary regions are configured to resist a propagation of magnetic field from a first area of the ferromagnetic structure to a second area of the ferromagnetic structure, where the first area intercepts the magnetic field generated from at least one active transmitter coil of the plurality of transmitter coils.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: Wireless power transmitting devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a contact surface configured to support one or more wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting devices may include a plurality of coils. The wireless power transmitting devices may also include a shield positioned between the plurality of coils and the contact surface. The shield may include one or more shield members, each shield member axially aligned with a separate coil of the plurality of coils, and may include a multilayer structure exhibiting various conductivities.

Abstract: A wireless power system uses a wireless power transmitting device to transmit wireless power to wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting device has wireless power transmitting coils that extend under a wireless charging surface. Non-power-transmitting coils and magnetic sensors may be included in the wireless power transmitting device. During wireless power transfer operations, control circuitry in the wireless power transmitting device adjusts drive signals applied to the coils to reduce ambient magnetic fields. The drive signal adjustments are made based on device type information and other information on the wireless power receiving devices and/or magnetic sensor readings from the magnetic sensors. In-phase or out-of-phase drive signals are applied to minimize ambient fields depending on device type.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: A shield for redirecting magnetic field generated from a plurality of transmitter coils includes a ferromagnetic structure divided into segments by a plurality of boundary regions, each segment comprises a first material having a first magnetic permeability and each boundary region comprises a second material having a second magnetic permeability lower than the first magnetic permeability, where the plurality of boundary regions are configured to resist a propagation of magnetic field from a first area of the ferromagnetic structure to a second area of the ferromagnetic structure, where the first area intercepts the magnetic field generated from at least one active transmitter coil of the plurality of transmitter coils.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: Wireless power transmitting devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a contact surface configured to support one or more wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting devices may include a plurality of coils. The wireless power transmitting devices may also include a shield positioned between the plurality of coils and the contact surface. The shield may include one or more shield members, each shield member axially aligned with a separate coil of the plurality of coils, and may include a multilayer structure exhibiting various conductivities.

Abstract: A shield for redirecting magnetic field generated from a plurality of transmitter coils includes a ferromagnetic structure divided into segments by a plurality of boundary regions, each segment comprises a first material having a first magnetic permeability and each boundary region comprises a second material having a second magnetic permeability lower than the first magnetic permeability, where the plurality of boundary regions are configured to resist a propagation of magnetic field from a first area of the ferromagnetic structure to a second area of the ferromagnetic structure, where the first area intercepts the magnetic field generated from at least one active transmitter coil of the plurality of transmitter coils.

Abstract: Wireless power transmitting devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a contact surface configured to support one or more wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting devices may include a plurality of coils. The wireless power transmitting devices may also include a shield positioned between the plurality of coils and the contact surface. The shield may include one or more shield members, each shield member axially aligned with a separate coil of the plurality of coils, and may include a multilayer structure exhibiting various conductivities.

Abstract: A wireless power system uses a wireless power transmitting device to transmit wireless power to wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting device has wireless power transmitting coils that extend under a wireless charging surface. Non-power-transmitting coils and magnetic sensors may be included in the wireless power transmitting device. During wireless power transfer operations, control circuitry in the wireless power transmitting device adjusts drive signals applied to the coils to reduce ambient magnetic fields. The drive signal adjustments are made based on device type information and other information on the wireless power receiving devices and/or magnetic sensor readings from the magnetic sensors. In-phase or out-of-phase drive signals are applied to minimize ambient fields depending on device type.

Abstract: Methods and devices related to fabrication and utilization of multilayer capacitors presenting coaxially arranged electrode layers. The capacitors may be self-shielded against electromagnetic interference with neighboring components. The capacitors may have reduced losses from fringing effects when compared to conventional capacitors. The coaxial capacitors may be two-terminal multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The design of the capacitors may facilitate an improved relationship between the electric and magnetic fields generated by the capacitor within the dielectric in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the placement of the terminals may lead to a cancelation of mutual inductances between the electrodes. Terminations that facilitate the coupling of the capacitor to a circuit board, as well as methods for fabrication of the capacitors are also discussed.

Abstract: A shield for redirecting magnetic field generated from a plurality of transmitter coils includes a ferromagnetic structure divided into segments by a plurality of boundary regions, each segment comprises a first material having a first magnetic permeability and each boundary region comprises a second material having a second magnetic permeability lower than the first magnetic permeability, where the plurality of boundary regions are configured to resist a propagation of magnetic field from a first area of the ferromagnetic structure to a second area of the ferromagnetic structure, where the first area intercepts the magnetic field generated from at least one active transmitter coil of the plurality of transmitter coils.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: Methods and devices related to fabrication and utilization of multilayer capacitors presenting coaxially arranged electrode layers. The capacitors may be self-shielded against electromagnetic interference with neighboring components. The capacitors may have reduced losses from fringing effects when compared to conventional capacitors. The coaxial capacitors may be two-terminal multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The design of the capacitors may facilitate an improved relationship between the electric and magnetic fields generated by the capacitor within the dielectric in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the placement of the terminals may lead to a cancelation of mutual inductances between the electrodes. Terminations that facilitate the coupling of the capacitor to a circuit board, as well as methods for fabrication of the capacitors are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring erosion. Systems of various embodiments include a sensor adapted to be placed where earthen material is expected to move and to sense a condition related to that movement (for instance, the position of the sensor). The sensor includes a receiver for receiving a wireless signal (be it acoustic, magneto-inductive, etc.) from another sensor which conveys an identifier for the second sensor. The first sensor also includes a signal generator that generates a second (possibly wireless) signal conveying that identifier and its own identifier. Systems of some embodiments include a second receiver placed outside of the region. If desired, the sensor can determine the signal strengths of the signals that they receive from the other sensor and can convey an indication of the received signal strengths. Furthermore, some sensors include accelerometers, roll sensors, tilt sensors, yaw sensors, magnetometers, etc.