Patents by Inventor Michael Leabman

Michael Leabman 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).

  • Patent number: 10439442
    Abstract: A microstrip antenna for use in a wireless power transmission system and a method for forming the microstrip antenna are described. The antenna includes a first multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB include a first electrically conductive material. The antenna includes a second multi-layer PCB that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCT include a second electrically conductive material. A first plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB. A second plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCB. The antenna further comprises a dielectric slab that is configured to receive the first multi-layer PCB and the second multi-layer PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Saman Kabiri, Evangelos Kornaros, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10291066
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to various arrangements of hardware for incorporating receiver functions into wearable portable devices. The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., RF signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium. The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals into electricity for powering an electronic device. The embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leabman, Douglas Bell
  • Patent number: 10224758
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a methodology for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This methodology may include one transmitter and at least one or more receivers, being the transmitter the sender of energy and the receiver the device that is desired to charge or power. In the present disclosures, transmitters may power devices within a predefined range out of which devices may not be operable. This configuration may be beneficial in retail store settings where improved interactivity between users and devices is required. In addition, the configuration provides a safety feature to avoid unauthorized usage of electronic devices. A variation of this configuration is given in an academic setting where electronic devices utilized for learning are required to stay within school premises. Finally, an example of how such devices may improve their own form factors by using the disclosed wireless power transmission may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 10223717
    Abstract: An example method of wirelessly providing power to a receiver by a transmitter includes: (i) receiving, by a transmitter management device, information defining charging criteria, (ii) detecting a client device connected to the receiver, and (iii) in response to the detecting, determining whether the charging criteria are satisfied. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the charging criteria are satisfied, transmitting RF waves to form three-dimensional pockets of energy for providing power to the client device. The method also includes sending, to the transmitter management device that is remote from the transmitter, information (i) about an amount of power delievered to the client device, (ii) about a wireless utilization level of the transmitter, and (iii) about the location of the client device, wherein the transmitter management device generates a bill that is based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10218227
    Abstract: Various planar inverted-F antenna configurations may include an antenna element formed on the top of a PCB and a ground element formed on the bottom of the PCB. Two or more slots may be included in the antenna element for reducing the antenna area while maintaining a suitable impedance bandwidth. A slot may be included in the ground element for reducing the ground area while increasing radiation efficiency. A folded ground may be formed on the top of the PCB for reducing system area while maintaining suitable performance. By moving the folded ground closer to the antenna element and increasing the PCB thickness, significant reductions in system area may be achieved, while maintaining or improving performance in terms of radiation pattern, radiation efficiency and impedance bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leabman, Harry Contopanagos
  • Patent number: 10211682
    Abstract: An example method for managing a wireless power network includes: transmitting, via an antenna array of a transmitter, radio frequency waves that constructively interfere to produce energy pockets for receipt by a receiver, and the receiver is not in contact with the transmitter and is coupled with an authenticated computing device distinct from the receiver. The method also includes: executing a power transmitter manager application, the power transmitter manager application causing the transmitter to perform operations including: sending for display at the authenticated computing device a plurality of configuration options that are used to control operation of the transmitter; receiving an updated value for at least one of the plurality of configuration options; and, in response to receiving the updated value, controlling transmission of radio frequency waves via the antenna array to the receiver using the updated value for the at least one of the plurality of configuration options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10199849
    Abstract: An example wireless power receiver includes antenna elements that receive power from a constructive interference by convergence of radio frequency power waves transmitted by a wireless power transmitter. The receiver also includes a rectifier, and a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus monitors operational metrics associated with the receiver, and runs at least a first test that analyzes a first operational metric and a second test that analyzes a second operational metric. The second test is performed in accordance with a determination that the first operational metric satisfies a first reference metric in a set of reference metrics. Based on analyses of the first and second tests, the processing apparatus performs a restart action at the receiver after determining that either the first operational metric does not satisfy the first reference metric, or the second operational metric does not satisfy a second reference metric in the set of reference metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10199850
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may generate and transmit power waves that, as result of their physical waveform characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude, phase, gain, direction), converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pockets of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pockets of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10170917
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10158259
    Abstract: An example method includes: before receiving any communications from any device within a transmission field of a far-field transmitter, transmitting, by the transmitter, exploratory power waves towards different segments of the transmission field. The method also includes: receiving, by the transmitter and from a receiver, a communication signal including one or more parameters: (i) identifying a first location of the receiver within a segment of the different segments at which an exploratory power wave was received and (ii) providing feedback regarding the exploratory power wave. The method further includes, upon receiving the parameters: storing, by the transmitter, the one or more parameters into a mapping memory; and determining, based on the first location and the feedback, a set of characteristics for a plurality of power waves. The method additionally includes: transmitting, by the transmitter, the plurality of power waves with the determined set of characteristics to the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10153653
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10141791
    Abstract: An example system includes: a wireless power transmitter with (i) a processor running a power transmitter manager application; (ii) a wireless communication hardware having a transmitter application programming interface (API), the transmitter API operatively coupled with the power transmitter manager application and controlling the wireless communication hardware; and (iii) a transmitter antenna array that creates pockets of energy near a wireless power receiver, and the transmitter antenna array is partially responsive to instructions from the power transmitter manager application. The transmitter API calls the power transmitter manager application through a transmitter callback function, and the transmitter callback function sends a callback when a communication connection begins, a communication connection ends, a communication connection is attempted, or a message is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10128693
    Abstract: Embodiments directed to providing health safety in a wireless power transmission systems are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes a processing apparatus with a processor; a data storage; and one or more wireless power transmitters each including at least two antennas. The one or more wireless power transmitters receive instructions from the processing apparatus that cause the transmitters to transmit RF waves that constructively interfere to provide wirelessly delivered power to one or more receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10090886
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits power transmission signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. Example methods for controlling the transmission are also disclosed, one such method including: (i) storing, in a storage, respective user-defined charging schedule data that is associated with a respective receiver of one or more receivers, (ii) determining, based on the user-defined charging schedule data, respective time periods at which to transmit power transmission waves to each receiver of the one or more receivers, including a first time period during which to transmit power transmission waves to a first receiver of the one or more receivers, and (iii) based upon determining a location of the first receiver during the first time period, causing the two or more antenna elements to transmit power transmission waves that constructively interfere to provide pocket-forming energy at the first receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10075008
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10063064
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10063106
    Abstract: A system and method for a self-system analysis in a wireless power transmission network is disclosed. According to some aspects of this disclosure a wireless power transmission network may include one or more wireless power transmitter managers, one or more wireless power receivers, servers, and clouds within a local network to provide wireless power transfer to electronic devices. Wireless power devices in the network may establish, but is not limited to a WiFi connection to share information among all the wireless power devices in the system. Wireless power transmitter managers may monitor everything that happens in the network. If a problem is detected by the wireless power transmitter manager, an analysis of the issue may be done by any device in the network with a copy of the device database. Then a recommendation may be generated for enhancing the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 10050462
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for wirelessly sharing power among multiple mobile devices connected to a power sharing community network using a mobile device application. This method may provide an easy and effective way to wirelessly share power from a group of mobile devices to one or more mobile devices in need of charge, located within the same area, such as a train station, bus station, food courts, airport terminals, etc. The method may include wireless power transmission through suitable techniques such as pocket-forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: D851120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: D937203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Leabman