Abstract: Induction-heated vessels, and processes for manufacturing induction-heated vessels and vessel components, are provided. The vessels can include a ceramic outer layer and a conductive heating element, which can be provided as a conductive glaze or coating, a conductive inner layer, or a label comprising a conductive element and an RFID tag, to allow the thermal transfer or conduction of heat from the heated surface directly to the contents of the vessel, while the ceramic outer layer of the vessel insulates the contents of the vessel. Also, systems and methods for heating and controlling induction-heated vessels and for tracking loyalty, use, and/or sales using RFID-enabled induction-heated vessels are provided.

Abstract: An intelligent heating system and method for providing varied heating experiences to food product packages and their contents in connection with pick-up food service, delivery food service, or both. The intelligent heating system dynamically controls energy provided to food packages and their contents in order to provide different heating experiences. The system can use location information to heat the food just before pick-up or delivery to enhance the consumption experience. The system can also control temperature to reduce the amount of condensation that forms within the package.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating inductive heating into packaging and other product vessels that allows for controlled heat distribution. The system and method provides for multidimensional heating of a packaged item on multiple sides at the same time using electromagnetic energy emitted from a single source. The inductively heated package may include a heating element having a plurality of conductive elements configured to implement a desired heating profile. The conductive elements may be arranged in layers to allow heating on different surfaces of a packaged item. Each layer of the heating element may be configured to distribute the available energy as needed for an ultimate cooking experience. The present invention provides a method of design where the sum of the available energy is distributed in accordance with the desired heating profile.

Abstract: A smart package and/or a smart tag may be used for inductive heating. The inductive heating may comprise heating a food product, a beverage product, and/or any other substance. The smart package and/or tag may comprise at least one of: an antenna (e.g., for radio frequency communications), a communication module (e.g., for communicating information relating to inductive heating), and/or an inductive receptor (e.g., for transferring heat to a substance). The inductive receptor may be configured to avoid/minimize contact and/or to avoid/minimize interference with the communication module and/or with the antenna, which may provide various advantages as described herein.

Abstract: An acoustic module with a transducer and a solid waveguide. The transducer and waveguide may be curved to focus the acoustic energy along a focal line. The transducer, the top surface of the waveguide and the bottom surface of the waveguide may extend along coaxial curves. The waveguide may include a recess closely receiving the transducer. The waveguide may include an integral skirt that provides a thermal mass. The acoustic module may include a space to accommodate thermal management options. For example, the acoustic module may include a heatsink, an active ventilation system and/or a phase change material. The ultrasound device may include a controller configured to perform a uniformity scan sweep during supply of operating power to the transducer. The uniformity scan sweep can extend through a frequency range that includes the operating point of the acoustic module and does not exceed an acceptable efficiency loss.

Abstract: A dynamic container, package and vessel heating method with monitoring and safety system. The system includes identification detection and sensors to detect and authenticate the proper container, package or vessel. The system is capable of adjusting the driver for optimized induction heating of the target container, package or vessel. It is connected to a cloud based system that provides appliance specific and package specific drive and control details based on the identifier. The cloud based platform monitors point of consumption data and enables user marketing consumption of data while also enabling consumption driven feedback from the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless power supply system in which a remote device is provided with different control methodologies depending on one or more factors. One type of wireless power supply can selectively control one or more remote devices according to a first control methodology and another type of wireless power supply can control the remote device according to a second control methodology. In one embodiment, a wireless power supply system is provided for wirelessly powering a display circuit in a product located at a point of display differently than when charging at a point of use, or when the device is in use. In another embodiment, a wireless power supply is programmed to operate a remote device according to a primary control methodology and the remote device is programmed to operate the remote device according to a secondary control methodology where the remote device includes circuitry for enabling the primary control methodology instead of the secondary control methodology.

Abstract: An inductive wireless power system using an array of coils with the ability to dynamically select which coils are energized. The coil array can determine the position of and provide power to one or more portable electronic devices positioned on the charging surface. The coils in the array may be connected with series resonant capacitors so that regardless of the number of coils selected, the resonance point is generally maintained. The coil array can provide spatial freedom, decrease power delivered to parasitic loads, and increase power transfer efficiency to the portable electronic devices.

Abstract: Induction-heated vessels, and processes for manufacturing induction-heated vessels and vessel components, are provided. The vessels can include a ceramic outer layer and a conductive heating element, which can be provided as a conductive glaze or coating, a conductive inner layer, or a label comprising a conductive element and an RFID tag, to allow the thermal transfer or conduction of heat from the heated surface directly to the contents of the vessel, while the ceramic outer layer of the vessel insulates the contents of the vessel. Also, systems and methods for heating and controlling induction-heated vessels and for tracking loyalty, use, and/or sales using RFID-enabled induction-heated vessels are provided.

Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.

Abstract: A wireless remote sensor (110) that is powered by an inductive transmitter (112) and is configured to produce an oscillating wave that varies based on one or more sensed parameters. The oscillating wave is communicated to the inductive transmitter (112) by reflected impedance, where it can be detected to determine the sensed value(s). In another aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote sensor with a Wheatstone bridge arrangement having an internal resonant circuit to produce an electromagnetic field indicative of the sensed value. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote sensor with optical feedback from a reference circuit and a sensor circuit. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote temperature sensor having coils printed on a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion so that the size and/or shape of the coils varies as the temperature increases or decreases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wireless power supplies adapted to supply power and communicate with one or more remote devices. The systems and methods of the present invention generally relate to a communication timing system that may ensure information being communicated does not overlap with that of another device, preventing data collisions and information from going undetected. With information being communicated in a way that addresses or avoids potential communication issues in multiple device systems, the wireless power supply may control operation to effectively supply wireless power.

Abstract: A composite metal surface that looks metallic, but permits effective transmission of an electromagnetic field. The composite metal surface can be integrated into various electronic equipment, such as telephones, remote controls, battery doors, keyboards, mice, game controllers, cameras, laptops, inductive power supplies, and essentially any other electronic equipment. The composite metal surface can also be integrated into non-electrically conductive heat sinks, high permeability shielding, and polished metal non-electrically conductive surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless power supply system including a remote device capable of both transmitting and receiving power wirelessly. The remote device includes a self-driven synchronous rectifier. The wireless power supply system may also include a wireless power supply configured to enter an OFF state in which no power, or substantially no power, is drawn, and to wake from the OFF state in response to receiving power from a remote device.

Abstract: A power supply with a multi-bridge topology configured to provide multiple different bridge topologies during operation. The power supply includes a plurality of half-bridge circuits connected to a controller. The controller can selectively configure the power supply between a plurality of different bridge topologies during operation by controlling the half-bridge circuit.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer component with a selectively adjustable resonator circuit having a Q control subcircuit that varies the Q factor of the resonator circuit to control the amount of power relayed by the resonator circuit. The resonator circuit may be in the wireless power supply, the wireless power receiver, an intermediate resonator or any combination thereof. The resonator circuit may be actively configured based on a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may sense a characteristic in the secondary circuit or elsewhere and actively operate the control subcircuit based on the sensed characteristic. The feedback circuit may cause the Q control subcircuit to change (reduce or increase) the Q factor when the sensed characteristic crosses a threshold value. The Q control subcircuit may include a variable resistor having a value that can be varied to adjust the Q factor of the resonator circuit.

Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless power supply system in which a remote device is provided with different control methodologies depending on one or more factors. One type of wireless power supply can selectively control one or more remote devices according to a first control methodology and another type of wireless power supply can control the remote device according to a second control methodology. In one embodiment, a wireless power supply system is provided for wirelessly powering a display circuit in a product located at a point of display differently than when charging at a point of use, or when the device is in use. In another embodiment, a wireless power supply is programmed to operate a remote device according to a primary control methodology and the remote device is programmed to operate the remote device according to a secondary control methodology where the remote device includes circuitry for enabling the primary control methodology instead of the secondary control methodology.

Abstract: A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled. This control is a form of adaptive resonance control or Q control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless power supply system in which a remote device is provided with different control methodologies depending on one or more factors. One type of wireless power supply can selectively control one or more remote devices according to a first control methodology and another type of wireless power supply can control the remote device according to a second control methodology. In one embodiment, a wireless power supply system is provided for wirelessly powering a display circuit in a product located at a point of display differently than when charging at a point of use, or when the device is in use. In another embodiment, a wireless power supply is programmed to operate a remote device according to a primary control methodology and the remote device is programmed to operate the remote device according to a secondary control methodology where the remote device includes circuitry for enabling the primary control methodology instead of the secondary control methodology.