Abstract: A heating and dispenser system including base unit and an applicator assembly. The applicator assembly may include an applicator tip, a dispensing module, and an applicator housing. The applicator assembly may be integral or separable, and may also house a heating module. Alternatively, the heating module may be separate from the applicator assembly. The system also includes a control system for heating and dispensing various products. The applicator assembly may be replaceable, interchangeable, or single-type for applying product to a surface. The applicator may also be constructed of materials that impact heat transfer or storage.

Abstract: An inductive charging system for recharging a battery. The system includes a charger circuit and a secondary circuit. The secondary circuit includes a feedback mechanism to provide feedback to the charger circuit through the inductive coupling of the primary coil and the secondary coil. The charger circuit includes a frequency control mechanism for controlling the frequency of the power applied to the primary coil at least partly in response to the feedback from the feedback mechanism.

Abstract: The specification discloses a simple and effective system for tracking position and rotation of an object or portable device located within an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be produced by a primary coil, which inductively couples with one or more secondary coils located within a portable device. The relative strength of this inductive coupling may be used to determine the position, rotation, or both of the portable device relative to the primary coil.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption. One method includes detecting the presence of an object, identifying whether the object is a valid device and restricting power if its not a valid device. Another method includes temporarily applying a low amount of power to the primary unit to detect a load, supplying more power to determine if its a valid secondary device, and restricting power if its not. An apparatus for reducing power consumption includes two power inputs, where the lower power input powers a sense circuit. A switch selectively decouples the higher power input from the primary subcircuit during detection mode and couples the higher power input to the primary subcircuit during power supply mode.

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: A wireless power supply and a portable heating device are provided. The wireless power supply includes an electromagnetic shield and the portable heating device includes a magnetic field source. Placement of the magnetic field source proximate the electromagnetic shield can create a local flux window in the electromagnetic shield. The transfer of electromagnetic flux through the local flux window energizes the portable heating device at various locations along the wireless power supply. The effectiveness of the electromagnetic shield is generally maintained away from the flux window, and the electromagnetic shield reduces stray flux that might otherwise damage nearby objects and/or reduce the efficiency of the wireless power supply.

Abstract: An inductive power supply system to wirelessly charge a remote device based on detected battery characteristics. The system includes an inductive power supply with a primary coil capable of inductively providing power to a secondary coil in a remote device. The inductive power supply and remote device include communication means for wirelessly communicating. The system further includes a remote device, having a battery with detectable battery characteristics. In operation, the remote device is capable of detecting the battery characteristics by applying a qualification charge to the battery. The inductive power supply system is capable of identifying the battery installed in the remote device by analyzing the detected battery characteristics. The inductive power supply system selects an appropriate charging algorithm based on the analyzed characteristics.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: A magnetic positioning system for use in inductive couplings. The magnetic positioning system having a magnet that provides sufficient magnetic force, but does not have enough electrical conductivity to overheat in the presence of the anticipated electromagnetic field. The magnet may be a bonded magnet or a shielded magnet. In another aspect a plurality of magnets are used to provide magnetic attraction forces and said magnetic repulsion forces that cooperate to align the inductive power supply and the remote device. In another aspect, a sensor allows differentiation between different positions of the remote device or inductive power supply. In another aspect, multiple magnets in the inductive power supply interact with multiple magnets in the remote device to position the remote device in different positions.

Abstract: A magnetic positioning system for use in inductive couplings. The magnetic positioning system having a magnet that provides sufficient magnetic force, but does not have enough electrical conductivity to overheat in the presence of the anticipated electromagnetic field. The magnet may be a bonded magnet or a shielded magnet. In another aspect a plurality of magnets are used to provide magnetic attraction forces and said magnetic repulsion forces that cooperate to align the inductive power supply and the remote device. In another aspect, a sensor allows differentiation between different positions of the remote device or inductive power supply. In another aspect, multiple magnets in the inductive power supply interact with multiple magnets in the remote device to position the remote device in different positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an individual's personal correlation factor and, using the personal correlation factor, determining the individual's caloric intake. A method for determining a personal correlation factor includes determining a body composition change over a calibration period, converting the body composition change to an equivalent energy value, and dividing the equivalent energy value by a net caloric value for the same calibration period, wherein the net caloric value includes a caloric expenditure less a caloric intake. A method for determining a subsequent caloric intake includes converting a body composition change to an equivalent energy value, dividing the equivalent energy value by the personal correlation value, and adding to this quotient the individual's caloric expenditure, wherein each step is performed using a processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for approximating caloric energy intake and/or macronutrient composition using thermogenesis. The system may include one or more sensors for tracking body temperature over a period of time, and may include a processor configured to determine caloric energy intake and/or macronutrient composition based on body temperature. The system may be configured to normalize body temperature readings to compensate for factors other than thermogenesis that might affect core body temperature. The system may include one or more sensors for measuring normalization factors, and a processor for normalizing raw body temperature readings based on the measured normalized factors. The method may include the steps of: (a) collecting body temperature data, (b) normalizing the raw body temperature data and (c) determining caloric energy intake and/or macronutrient composition from the normalized data. The system may be configured to account for user calibration data when characterizing macronutrient composition.

Abstract: A multiphase inductive power supply wirelessly transmits power in multiple phases. A primary circuit energizes multiple tank circuits in an out of phase relationship. A secondary circuit receives the power and recombines the power. The amount of energy in each phase is reduced compared to transferring the same amount of power using a single phase inductive power supply.

Abstract: An inductive power supply including multiple tank circuits and a controller for selecting at least one of the tank circuits in order to wirelessly transfer power based on received power demand information. In addition, a magnet may be used to align multiple remote devices with the inductive power supply. In one embodiment, different communication systems are employed depending on which coil is being used to transfer wireless power.

Abstract: A wireless power distribution and control system may be used to supply power wirelessly to various devices. The devices in the system may have control over the system and/or over certain features of other devices. For example, a smartphone charging in the wireless power distribution and control system may have access to and control over other devices in the system, such as the overhead lights, or a projector in a conference room. The identification of other devices, as well as commands for controlling these devices may be communicated over the wireless power link. The type and degree of control of each device in that system may vary based on access control levels for the power supplies and connected devices. The devices that receive power may be configured to automatically connect with the power distribution system and to monitor the other devices connected to the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides wireless power supply systems that wirelessly supply power to a remote device for rapidly charging a charge storage capacitor, which charges a battery with the power stored in the charge storage capacitor. This allows the remote device to be positioned near the inductive power supply for rapid charging of the charge storage capacitor and allows battery charging to continue even after the remote device is removed from the inductive power supply.

Abstract: A flux concentrator and method for manufacturing a flux concentrator is provided. The method can include combining powdered soft magnetic material, a binder, a solvent, a internal lubricant; mixing the materials to create a mixture, evaporating the solvent from the mixture, molding the mixture to form a flux concentrator, and curing the flux concentrator. The flux concentrator may be laminated and broken into multiple pieces, which makes the flux concentrator more flexible. Breaking the flux concentrator does not significantly affect the magnetic properties. Since the permeability of the binder is very similar to that of air, adding tiny air gaps between the fractions is not significantly different than adding more binder.

Abstract: A ballast circuit is disclosed for inductively providing power to a load. The ballast circuit includes an oscillator, a driver, a switching circuit, a resonant tank circuit and a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit provides a current feedback signal to the oscillator that is representative of the current in the resonant tank circuit. The current feedback signal drives the frequency of the ballast circuit causing the ballast circuit to seek resonance. The ballast circuit preferably includes a current limit circuit that is inductively coupled to the resonant tank circuit. The current limit circuit disables the ballast circuit when the current in the ballast circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold or falls outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system and a method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. The method of controlling inductive power transfer including measuring a characteristic of input power, a characteristic of power in the tank circuit, and receiving information from a secondary device. Estimating power consumption based on the measured characteristic of tank circuit power and received information and comparing the measured characteristic of input power, the information from the secondary device, and the estimated power consumption to determine there is an unacceptable power loss. The method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting including changing the distance between a primary side and a secondary side and changing a load of the secondary side.