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: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. Parasitic metal in proximity to the primary unit can be more accurately detected by accounting for changes in known power losses during operation. The amount of power loss during inductive power supply transfer in an inductive power supply system can vary depending on the alignment of the primary unit and the secondary device. The amount of power loss during inductive power supply transfer can also vary as a function of changes in the operating frequency of the switching circuit in the primary unit or as a function of changes in the secondary device load.

Abstract: A modular flow monitoring package (MFMP) is provided for use in an additive delivery system. The MFMP may be manufactured as an add-on to be added to an existing additive delivery system, or may be incorporated into a cartridge or container structure. The MFMP includes a flow sensor for sensing flow of a base fluid and user actuator position sensors for sensing the position of one or more user actuated additive flow adjustment levers. A visual display, which may comprise an array of multi-color LED's may convey information to a user that is relevant to a user's use of the additive delivery system or the user's nutritional needs. Such information may include a current dosage of additive, being delivered, whether a recommended dosage of additive has been consumed, remaining life of a cartridge or supply of additive, and other data relative to health or performance monitoring.

Abstract: An inventory transport monitoring system for gathering usage information in a retail store includes a network of sensors and data collection hubs located within the retail store. A plurality of inventory stocking carts are outfitted with nodes for tracking the cart location within the store. The tracking node may track location data and patterns and uses a unique ID that broadcasts monitored data to understand when and where the node has been moved. The usage information is transmitted to the hub for collection and analyzing. The system can use the usage information collected from the individual stores to measure and compare successful stores to failing stores.

Abstract: A system provides an elongated display that has a touchscreen with a multi-user interactive display area that is accessible simultaneously by at least two users. A sensor may monitor users at or near the interactive display area of the touchscreen, such as to transmit a sensor signal that identifies the presence of a user, which may be used to determine a location of the user relative to the elongated display. A characteristic of the user may also be identified with a sensor, where the characteristic may correspond with a user profile. The elongated display may display an image at a section of the interactive display area near the location of the user, where the image corresponds with a preselected setting of the user profile.

Abstract: A system provides an elongated display that has a touchscreen with a multi-user interactive display area that is accessible simultaneously by at least two users. A sensor may monitor users at or near the interactive display area of the touchscreen, such as to transmit a sensor signal that identifies the presence of a user, which may be used to determine a location of the user relative to the elongated display. A characteristic of the user may also be identified with a sensor, where the characteristic may correspond with a user profile. The elongated display may display an image at a section of the interactive display area near the location of the user, where the image corresponds with a preselected setting of the user profile.

Abstract: A system that converts between electromagnetic configurations for power transfer including an inductive power supply defining a driver, a primary resonator coil, a secondary resonator coil, a secondary inductive coil and an electromagnetic shield. The primary resonator coil is powered by the driver. The secondary resonator coil is electromagnetically coupled to the primary resonator coil. The secondary inductive coil transfers power to a wirelessly powered device, and the secondary inductive coil is electrically connected to the secondary resonator coil. The electromagnetic shield is positioned to provide electromagnetic shielding of the secondary inductive coil from the secondary resonator coil.

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 smart inductive heating appliance includes an interface for interacting with a package intelligence and communication module on a smart package. The smart heating appliance may also detect and charge chargeable devices inductively. A number of data sets may be utilized to enhance control of heating/cooking and to enhance safety. A thermodynamic load profile of the package may include detailed data correlations established in a package testing step and utilized to control heating of the package as well as to validate and authenticate the package.

Abstract: Various smart package configurations may include a package intelligence and communication module (PICM) intelligently interacting with smart heating appliances and users. A thermodynamic load profile may correlate thermodynamic response characteristics of the package and be stored in or associated with a unique identifier in the PICM. The TLP enables efficient and safe heating of packages on a smart appliance as well as package validation and authentication. Package configurations also include structural elements for efficient heating of food, beverage, cosmetic and personal care products.

Abstract: A smart inductive heating appliance includes an interface for interacting with a package intelligence and communication module on a smart package. The smart heating appliance may also detect and charge chargeable devices inductively. A number of data sets may be utilized to enhance control of heating/cooking and to enhance safety. A thermodynamic load profile of the package may include detailed data correlations established in a package testing step and utilized to control heating of the package as well as to validate and authenticate the package.

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 contactless power supply has a dynamically configurable tank circuit powered by an inverter. The contactless power supply is inductively coupled to one or more loads. The inverter is connected to a DC power source. When loads are added or removed from the system, the contactless power supply is capable of modifying the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the inverter frequency, the inverter duty cycle or the rail voltage of the DC power source.

Abstract: A method for detecting status information about a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment includes disposing a track pin sensor within a void of the track pin; sensing with the track pin sensor a temperature characteristic of the track pin; determining status information based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device. A method for detecting status information about a mechanical system that generates heat energy includes generating electrical energy based on the heat energy; providing the electrical energy to a control unit; sensing with the control unit a temperature characteristic of the mechanical system based on a voltage of the electrical energy; determining status information of the mechanical system based on the temperature characteristic; and wirelessly communicating the status information to a remote device.

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: Various smart package configurations may include a package intelligence and communication module (PICM) intelligently interacting with smart heating appliances and users. A thermodynamic load profile may correlate thermodynamic response characteristics of the package and be stored in or associated with a unique identifier in the PICM. The TLP enables efficient and safe heating of packages on a smart appliance as well as package validation and authentication. Package configurations also include structural elements for efficient heating of food, beverage, cosmetic and personal care products.

Abstract: A system to assist in monitoring and improving services in hotels, motels and other lodging facilities. The system includes a plurality of fixed-location wireless devices that are situated throughout the facility and each service provider or asset to be monitored or tracked is provided with a cooperating mobile wireless device. The mobile devices may periodically transmit beacons that are received by the fixed location devices. The system may determine location based on evaluation of signal strength across a plurality of fixed devices. The system may include premapped calibration data on signal strength to assist in determining location. The location information may help to assess employee performance, to assist in improving performance and to provide improved services. The system may also interact with an application running on a hotel guest's electronic device to allow the system to track guest location. Guest location information can be used to provide improved guest services.

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: An inductive power supply system to identify remote devices using unique identification frequencies. The system includes an AIPS and a tank circuit capable of inductively providing power to a remote device at different frequencies, and a sensor for sensing the reflected impedance of the remote device at tank circuit. The system further includes a plurality of different remote devices, each having a unique resonance frequency. In operation, the AIPS is capable of identifying the type of remote device present in the inductive field by applying power to a remote device at a plurality of unique identification frequencies until the remote device establishes resonance in response to one of the identification frequencies. The AIPS includes a controller that recognizes when resonance has been established by evaluating sensor data, which is representative of the reflected impedance of the remote device.

Abstract: A track pin sensor for monitoring an operational status of a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment. The track pin sensor may be incorporated into a communication system for monitoring a plurality of track pins of the track chain. A method of monitoring operational status of a track pin is also disclosed.