Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit includes one or more broadband or narrow band antennas to detect WIFI (wireless fidelity) or other RF (radio frequency) signals. The signals are rectified and voltage multiplied, and the resultant DC voltage is provided to a power management circuit. The output of the power management circuit charges a lithium battery or other storage device within the energy harvesting circuit. The energy stored in the battery or storage device is provided through a DC/DC converter circuit to a USB output connector to power or recharge the batteries of an external electronic device connected to the USB output connector of the energy harvesting circuit.

Abstract: A variable power device in a form of a power strip includes a plurality of power outlets for powering electrical devices connected thereto. A current sensing circuit is electrically coupled to each power outlet and senses current flowing through the power outlet and drawn by an electrical device connected to the outlet. A power control circuit selectively provides one of a standby mode power signal and an active mode power signal to a respective power outlet in response to the feedback signal from the current sensing circuit associated with the power outlet.

Abstract: A home control protection system includes at least one surge protection strip having a plurality of power outlet receptacles, and a wall mountable central control unit that is in electrical communication with the at least one surge protection strip. The surge protection strip includes a replaceable surge protector module. The surge protection strip includes a circuit for detecting and counting the number of power surges which are shunted by the surge protector module, and compares the number of power surges with a predetermined threshold power surge number that corresponds to a predicted maximum number of power surges before failure of the surge protector module will occur.

Abstract: An antenna structure for receiving digital television broadcast signals includes a vase antenna housing having a generally hourglass shape with conically-shaped upper and lower segments joined together to define a narrower diameter middle portion. The antenna structure further includes a signal receiving antenna etched on the inner surface of the vase antenna housing. The signal receiving antenna conforms to the shape of the vase antenna housing and thereby exhibits an arcuate, partial hourglass shape. The signal receiving antenna may be a cloverleaf antenna or a spiral antenna.

Abstract: An omni-directional, multi-polarity, low profile planar antenna for receiving high definition television signals includes a dielectric substrate having a first side and a second side on which are respectively formed first and second conductive patterns. Each conductive pattern includes segments functioning as antenna elements which are arranged to form a first modified H-shaped pattern on the first side of the dielectric substrate, and a second modified H-shaped pattern on the second side of the dielectric substrate which is disposed substantially ninety degrees with respect to the first modified H-shaped pattern. Each of the H-shaped patterns includes an extended S-shaped segment.

Abstract: A home control protection system includes at least one surge protection strip having a plurality of power outlet receptacles, and a wall mountable central control unit that is in electrical communication with the at least one surge protection strip. The surge protection strip includes a replaceable surge protector module. The surge protection strip includes a circuit for detecting and counting the number of power surges which are shunted by the surge protector module, and compares the number of power surges with a predetermined threshold power surge number that corresponds to a predicted maximum number of power surges before failure of the surge protector module will occur.

Abstract: An antenna tuning apparatus for VHF/UHF antenna comprises an automatic gain control (AGC) arrangement, including an amplifier, the gain of which is controlled by the AGC arrangement, and a plurality of impedance matching networks which are coupled between an antenna input of the tuning apparatus and the AGC-controlled amplifier. A remote controller is provided to select both channels of a television apparatus, for which the tuning apparatus provides VHF/UHF signals, and proper matching networks suitable for respective ones of selected channels simultaneously. Each one of the plurality of matching networks exclusively provides the AGC arrangement with a respective group of RF signals which includes a plurality of receivable broadcast channels. The gain of the amplifier is controlled in response to the level of the group of RF signals.

Abstract: A wide-band self-tuning antenna system for the reception of VHF/UHF signals includes planar antenna elements located on both the surfaces of a printed circuit board and a tuner unit which includes a plurality of matching networks for the respective plurality of bands of frequencies. The planar elements on the respective surfaces of the printed circuit board are substantially identical in shape.