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: 10186893
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices using an improved wireless communications component that allows for real time or near-real time data sampling reporting between devices using modified wireless communications protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi), and real time or near-real time behavior adjustments by a first device based on the data samples received from a second device. Embodiments disclosed herein comprise devices, such as receivers and transmitters, having communications components that may communicate data samples, such as power values, in real time or near-real time, thereby allowing a first device (e.g., transmitter) to adjust in real time or near-real time operational behavior of the first device's hardware or software (e.g., adjust power waves) based upon the data samples (e.g., power values) received from a second device (e.g., receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10186913
    Abstract: An example method for transmitting wireless power is provided, the method including: transmitting a first plurality of power transmission waves such that each of the transmission waves interferes constructively with other power transmission waves in the first plurality of power transmission waves to form controlled constructive interference at a first location having a receiver. The method also includes transmitting a second plurality of power transmission waves such that each of the second plurality of power tranmission waves interferes destructively with other power transmission waves in the second plurality of power transmission waves to form controlled destructive interference at a second location without any receiver. The method further includes receiving a communication signal from the receiver, and adjusting a phase or a gain and phase of at least one power transmission wave in each of the first plurality and the second plurality of power transmission waves based upon the communication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 10186892
    Abstract: A receiver device including a housing that defines (i) a first gap within a first half of the housing and (ii) a second gap within a second half of the housing, where the housing includes a radio-frequency-reflective material, and the gaps are filled with a radio-frequency-transparent material. The receiver device further includes two antennas housed in the housing, each of the two antennas being configured to receive radio frequency (RF) wireless charging signals transmitted by a transmitter that enter the housing via the gaps. A first of the two antennas is positioned adjacent to and substantially within the first gap, and a second of the two antennas is positioned adjacent to and substantially within the second gap. The receiver device further includes circuitry housed in the housing and electrically coupled with the two antennas, the circuitry being configured to rectify the received RF wireless signals to produce a rectified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10186911
    Abstract: An exemplary method of receiving wireless power from a wireless power transmitter includes, at a wireless power receiver having a controller, an antenna, a rectifier coupled with the antenna, and a boost converter coupled with the rectifier: (i) rectifying, by the rectifier, energy from wireless power transmission waves received by the antenna into a first voltage, (ii) increasing, by the boost converter, the first voltage to a second voltage based on instructions from the controller, and (iii) controlling, by the controller, an amount of increase in voltage from the first voltage to the second voltage based on a comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. 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
  • Publication number: 20180375368
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless power transmitter for wirelessly delivering power to a receiver device, the wireless power transmitter including: a plurality of unit cells configured to radiate one or more radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves, each unit cell in the plurality of unit cells including: (i) a metal portion having an interior perimeter that surrounds an aperture defined by the metal portion; and (ii) an antenna that is aligned with the aperture in a first dimension, the antenna being configured to radiate one or more RF power transmission waves for wirelessly charging a receiver device. The one or more RF power transmission waves leak from the wireless power transmitter at least in part through the aperture when the receiver device is positioned within a threshold distance from the unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. LEABMAN, Alister HOSSEINI
  • Publication number: 20180375340
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuration web services used in wireless power delivery systems are disclosed herein. An example method includes: providing information used to present a system configuration interface that allows an operator of the wireless power transmission system to configure operational conditions for wireless power transmitters. The method also includes: receiving, based on instructions provided at the system configuration interface, user-configured conditions used to control transmission of wireless power; and sending the user-configured conditions to at least two wireless power transmitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas BELL, Michael A. LEABMAN
  • Publication number: 20180376235
    Abstract: The wireless power receiver includes at least one wire of a sound-producing device. The at least one wire configured for both conveying sound signals or securing at least part of the sound-producing device to a user, and receiving power waves. The wireless power receiver also includes power harvesting circuitry coupled with the at least one wire and a power source of an electronic device, like a battery. The power harvesting circuitry is configured to isolate the received power waves from the conveyed sound signals, convert the received power waves to usable energy, and provide the usable energy to the power source of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Alister Hosseini
  • Patent number: 10164478
    Abstract: An antenna board for wirelessly delivering power, including a connector configured to: (i) connect with any one of a plurality of electrical ports of a transmitter board, including a first electrical port of the plurality of electrical ports, and (ii) receive an electrical signal from the first electrical port when the connector is connected with the first electrical port. The antenna board further includes antenna element(s) configured to, when the connector is connected with the first electrical port, transmit radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves using the electrical signal received from the first port. Each of the RF power transmission waves constructively interferes with at least one other RF power transmission wave of the RF power transmission waves at a receiver within a transmission field of the antenna board and energy from the RF power transmission waves is used by the receiver to power and/or charge the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10158257
    Abstract: Wireless charging systems, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed herein. As an example, a method includes: receiving, at a computer system, information identifying a location of a receiver device that requires charging, the location is within a predetermined range of the computer system; transmitting a first set of sound waves, via one or more transducer elements of a first pocket-forming transmitter that is coupled with the computer system, that converge in 3-D space proximate to the predetermined location of the receiver device to form a pocket of energy; while transmitting the first set of sound waves: (i) receiving a second set of sound waves from a second pocket-forming transmitter, distinct from the first pocket-forming transmitter; and (ii) charging the computer system by converting energy from the second set of sound waves into usable power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. 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: 10153660
    Abstract: An example method disclosed herein includes: determining, by a transmitter, whether to transmit one or more power waves to a receiver location along a transmission path by comparing a receiver location and a path of the one or more power waves with a stored location of an entity to be excluded from receipt of power waves. The method also includes: measuring, by one or more sensors of the transmitter, power levels in a transmission field of the transmitter, the transmission field including the receiver location and the entity; and upon determining that (i) the entity to be excluded is not at the receiver location and not in the path and (ii) a measured power level at the receiver location does not exceed one or more permissible power levels for safe wireless power transmission, transmitting, by the transmitter, the power waves along the path to converge at the receiver location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Hans Mellberg
  • 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: 10153645
    Abstract: An example method is performed at a first transmitter in communication with other power transmitters, the method including: receiving, from a respective transmitter of the other transmitters, information indicating at least (1) a network address, and (2) status information regarding whether the respective transmitter is in master or non-master mode. The method also includes, if none of the other power transmitters is in the master mode, determining whether a first network address of the first transmitter is lower than respective network addresses of the other transmitters. The method further includes: if the first network address is lower than the respective network addresses: operating the first transmitter in the master mode; and sending an indication that the first transmitter is in the master mode. While the first transmitter is in the master mode, the first transmitter assigns each of the other transmitters to transmit power waves to one or more receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10148097
    Abstract: An example method disclosed herein includes: detecting, by a wireless communication component supporting a predetermined number of communication channels, receivers within a communication range of a transmitter. The method also includes: in accordance with a determination that a number of receivers is less than or equal to the predetermined number, dedicating communication channels to each respective receiver. Each dedicated communication channel is used to send information identifying a location of the respective receiver to the transmitter. The method further includes: detecting, by the wireless communication component, an additional receiver within the communication range; and in response to the detecting, determining that an updated number of receivers is greater than the predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 10148133
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a methodology for wireless power transmission This methodology may be performed at a wireless power transmitter that includes at least two wireless-power-transmitting antennas and at least one data-receiving antenna, and the methodology includes defining a wireless charging area at a range of distance away from the transmitter; obtaining, via the at least one data-receiving antenna, data included in a signal received from a wireless power receiver; and determining a location of the wireless power receiver based upon the data included in the signal received from the wireless power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 10141768
    Abstract: An example method includes: receiving, by an antenna of a receiver, RF power transmission waves from a transmitter, the RF waves forming controlled constructive interference patterns and destructive interference patterns in proximity to the receiver. The method also includes: transmitting, by the receiver to the transmitter, information used to determine a power level and efficiency of power received by the receiver device. The information that is used to determine the power level and efficiency indicates to the transmitter that the receiver device is receiving power at less than a maximum available efficiency. The method further includes: instructing a user of the receiver to change the receiver's position based on a comparison of respective voltage level or power received in each respective position or orientation of the receiver until a level of efficiency that is no less than the maximum available efficiency is achieved for the efficiency of power received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • 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: 10141771
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system including RF circuitry configured to generate an RF signal; a plurality of unit cells configured to receive the RF signal and to cause an RF energy signal having a center frequency to be present within the unit cells; and receiver circuitry configured to charge an electronic device in response to an antenna of the electronic device receiving the RF energy signal when the antenna is tuned to the center frequency and positioned in a near-field distance from one or more of the unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Michael A. Leabman
  • Publication number: 20180337534
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting wireless power. One example method includes: receiving, by at least one of a plurality of antennas of a wireless power transmitter, a first communication signal from a wireless power receiver coupled with an electronic device, the first communication signal including information identifying a location of the electronic device and device parameters associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas BELL, Michael A. LEABMAN