Patents by Inventor Cesar A. Johnston

Cesar A. Johnston 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: 20210313841
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication that a wireless-power receiver is located within one meter of a wireless-power transmission system and is authorized to receive wirelessly-delivered power from a wireless-power transmission system. The method includes, in response to receiving the indication, selecting a power level at which to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal using a power amplifier (PA). In accordance with a determination that transmitting the RF signal to the wireless-power receiver would satisfy safety thresholds, the method includes instructing the PA to amplify the RF signal using the power level to create an amplified RF signal, and providing the amplified RF signal to the one or more antennas. The one or more antennas are caused to, upon receiving the amplified RF signal, radiate RF energy that is focused within an operating area that includes the wireless-power receiver while forgoing any active beamforming control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Cesar A. JOHNSTON, Erik HEINKE, Daniel P. LAWLESS
  • Patent number: 11139699
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting system includes a power amplifier comprising a plurality of measurement points and a power amplifier controller integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC performs synchronization of the various components of the power amplifier, conducts impedance and temperature measurements at the measurements points, determines if a foreign object is within the transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, and decides if a shutdown of the power amplifier is needed. In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC determines through a transmitter controller IC, the presence of a foreign object within the transmission range and adjusts the power transmission to one or more receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Sean Nicolson, Aras Pirbadian, Deepak Jain, Howard Chan, Erik Heinke, Mehdi Khanpour
  • Publication number: 20210175752
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Patent number: 10985617
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication that a wireless-power receiver is located within one meter of a wireless-power transmission system and is authorized to receive wirelessly-delivered power from a wireless-power transmission system. The method includes, in response to receiving the indication, selecting a power level at which to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal using a power amplifier (PA). In accordance with a determination that transmitting the RF signal to the wireless-power receiver would satisfy safety thresholds, the method includes instructing the PA to amplify the RF signal using the power level to create an amplified RF signal, and providing the amplified RF signal to the one or more antennas. The one or more antennas are caused to, upon receiving the amplified RF signal, radiate RF energy that is focused within an operating area that includes the wireless-power receiver while forgoing any active beamforming control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cesar A. Johnston, Erik Heinke, Daniel P. Lawless
  • Publication number: 20210091606
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting system includes a power amplifier comprising a plurality of measurement points and a power amplifier controller integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC performs synchronization of the various components of the power amplifier, conducts impedance and temperature measurements at the measurements points, determines if a foreign object is within the transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, and decides if a shutdown of the power amplifier is needed. In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC determines through a transmitter controller IC, the presence of a foreign object within the transmission range and adjusts the power transmission to one or more receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Sean Nicolson, Aras Pirbadran, Deepak Jain, Howard Chan, Erik Heinke, Mehdi Khanpour
  • Patent number: 10840743
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Publication number: 20200244111
    Abstract: An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad with a processor, a power-transferring element, a signature-signal-receiving circuit, and the processor of the near-field charging pad is in communication with a data source that includes predefined signature signals that each identify one of (i) a wireless power receiver, (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver, and (iii) a combination of a wireless power receiver and an object other than a wireless power receiver. The method includes: after sending a plurality of test radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals, detecting, using the signature-signal-receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power; generating, based on variations in the respective amounts of reflected power, a signature signal; and determining whether (i) an authorized wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad and/or (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Deepak Jain, Erik Heinke, Alister Hosseini, Sean Nicolson
  • Patent number: 10615647
    Abstract: An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad that includes a wireless communication component, and a plurality of power-transfer zones that each respectively include at least one power-transferring element and a signature-signal receiving circuit. The method includes: sending, by a respective power-transferring element included in a first power-transfer zone of the plurality of power-transfer zones, test power transmission signals with first values for a set of transmission characteristics. The method also includes: in conjunction with sending each of the power transmission signals: detecting, using the signature-signal receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power at the first power-transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Deepak Jain, Erik Heinke, Alister Hosseini, Sean Nicolson
  • Publication number: 20200044488
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Patent number: 10476312
    Abstract: An example method includes detecting, via a wireless communication component of a near-field charging pad (pad), that a receiver is within a threshold distance of the pad. In response to the detecting, the method includes: determining whether the receiver has been placed on the pad. In accordance with determining that the receiver has been placed on the pad, the method includes: selectively transmitting, by respective antenna elements included in a plurality of antenna zones of the pad, respective test power transmission signals with a first set of transmission characteristics until a determination is made that a particular power-delivery parameter associated with transmission of a respective test power transmission signal by at least one particular antenna zone satisfies power-delivery criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Deepak Jain, Brian Bosso
  • Publication number: 20190245389
    Abstract: An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad that includes a wireless communication component, and a plurality of power-transfer zones that each respectively include at least one power-transferring element and a signature-signal receiving circuit. The method includes: sending, by a respective power-transferring element included in a first power-transfer zone of the plurality of power-transfer zones, test power transmission signals with first values for a set of transmission characteristics. The method also includes: in conjunction with sending each of the power transmission signals: detecting, using the signature-signal receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power at the first power-transfer zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Deepak Jain, Erik Heinke, Alister Hosseini, Sean Nicolson
  • Patent number: 10355534
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Publication number: 20190131827
    Abstract: A method of wireless power transmission is performed at a wireless-power-transmitting device having one or more antennas configured to transmit wireless-power signals, one or more processors, and a wireless data transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Deepak Jain, Howard Chan
  • Publication number: 20180262060
    Abstract: An example method includes detecting, via a wireless communication component of a near-field charging pad (pad), that a receiver is within a threshold distance of the pad. In response to the detecting, the method includes: determining whether the receiver has been placed on the pad. In accordance with determining that the receiver has been placed on the pad, the method includes: selectively transmitting, by respective antenna elements included in a plurality of antenna zones of the pad, respective test power transmission signals with a first set of transmission characteristics until a determination is made that a particular power-delivery parameter associated with transmission of a respective test power transmission signal by at least one particular antenna zone satisfies power-delivery criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Deepak Jain, Brian Bosso
  • Publication number: 20180248409
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Patent number: 9178713
    Abstract: In a line termination unit integrated circuit in a point-to-multipoint network, a receiver receives an upstream transmission from a network termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, a transmitter transmits a downstream transmission to a network termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, and an internal processor operatively coupled to the receiver processes sub-fields within the overhead field of the upstream transmission. The internal processor is also operatively coupled to the transmitter to assemble the overhead field of the downstream transmission. The upstream transmission is an upstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field, and the downstream transmission is a downstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesar A. Johnston, John M. Chiang
  • Patent number: 9100910
    Abstract: Receivers, apparatuses, and methods associated with packet classification based power saving receiver are described. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an incoming frame at a receive unit. Expected power savings are calculated based, at least in part, on a switching time and frame duration of the incoming frame. The method further includes determining to enter an ignore frame state rather than a receive frame state based, at least in part, on the expected power savings. In the receive frame state the incoming frame is received by the receive unit. In the ignore frame state the incoming frame is either not received or not decoded. The method also includes selectively controlling the receive unit to enter the ignore frame state from the receive frame state. The receive unit is returned to the receive frame state in time to perform end of frame processing on the incoming frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell International LTD.
    Inventors: Shivappa Kukanur, Cesar A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8913895
    Abstract: In a method for controlling timing of a transmission signal from a network termination device having a receiver and a transmitter, a signal is received at the receiver of the network termination device, the signal having been transmitted in accordance with a predetermined bit rate. A core clock signal for the receiver is determined based on the predetermined bit rate at which the signal was transmitted, and the core clock signal is communicated to the transmitter of the network termination device. At the transmitter of the network termination device, a phase adjusted clock signal is generated, and the phase adjusted clock signal is set as the transmitter clock signal. The transmitter clock signal is offset from the core clock signal, and the transmission signal is transmitted from the transmitter of the network termination device based on the transmitter clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: John M. Chiang, Cesar A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8755315
    Abstract: Receivers, apparatuses, and methods associated with packet classification based power saving receiver are described. In one embodiment, an 802.11 receiver includes receive and control units. The receive unit has a higher power receive frame state and a lower power ignore frame state. The receive unit, when in the receive frame state, receives radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an incoming frame and provides decoded information concerning the incoming frame. The receive unit, when in the ignore frame state, does not receive RF signals associated with the incoming frame and/or does not decode RF signals associated with the incoming frame. The control unit controls the receive unit to enter the ignore frame state upon determining that the incoming frame is to be filtered and to return to the receive frame state in time to receive a subsequent incoming frame and perform end of frame processing consistent with the CSMA/CA protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd
    Inventors: Shivappa Kukanur, Cesar A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8718087
    Abstract: In a network termination device integrated circuit in a point-to-multipoint network, a receiver receives a downstream transmission from a line termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, a transmitter transmits an upstream transmission to the line termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, and an internal processor operatively coupled to the receiver processes sub-fields within the overhead field of the downstream transmission. The internal processor is also operatively coupled to the transmitter to assemble the overhead field of the upstream transmission. The downstream transmission is an downstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field, and the upstream transmission is an upstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesar A. Johnston, John M. Chiang