Patents by Inventor Raj B. Apte

Raj B. Apte 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: 10317963
    Abstract: A computer system includes at least one power transmitter that includes a first resonator to generate an oscillating field at a resonant frequency in response to receiving power from a power source. The at least one power transmitter provides a wireless power delivery system within a spatial bound. The computer system also includes a plurality of modular computer components. Each modular computer component includes a power receiver that includes a second resonator to be wirelessly coupled to the at least one power transmitter. The second resonator resonates at the resonant frequency in response to the oscillating field generated by the first resonator. Each modular component also includes a wireless communication interface. The respective wireless communication interfaces of the plurality of modular computer components provide a wireless data communication network that allows each modular computer component to communicate data with at least another of the plurality of modular computer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wayne DeVaul, Brian John Adolf, Raj B. Apte
  • Publication number: 20190036349
    Abstract: A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX), a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Wayne DeVaul, Brian John Adolf, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 10186179
    Abstract: A backplane test system is provided that uses a pressed or deposited resistive film and infra-red (IR) imaging to visualize and quantify the current drive of pixels. In one form, the system is used for measuring organic light-emitting-diode (OLED) backplanes or other current-actuated-display (CAD) backplanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Jeng Ping Lu, Jackson H. Ho
  • Patent number: 10181729
    Abstract: A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX), a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wayne DeVaul, Brian John Adolf, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 10165654
    Abstract: A method of generating a representation of a structure includes providing an ad hoc mesh network having at least two nodes associated with the structure, obtaining time of flight data for each node in the network, and using the time of flight data to generate the representation of the structure. A method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a structure includes providing an ad hoc mesh network having at least three nodes associated with the structure, wherein at least one node is a mobile node that moves around the structure, obtaining time of flight data for each pair of nodes in the network, and using the time of flight data to generate the three-dimensional representation of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Erik John Hasenoehrl, Christopher Paulson
  • Patent number: 10128660
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to a solar panel system including solar cells and an inverter configured to receive electrical energy generated by solar cells and to convert the electrical energy to an electrical signal having an oscillation frequency. The system also include a transmit resonator coupled to the inverter and configured to resonate at the oscillation frequency. Moreover, the transmit resonator may be coupled via a wireless resonant coupling link to a receive resonator that is also configured to resonate at the oscillation frequency. Further, the system may also include a controller configured to determine for the system a mode of operation from among the following modes: (i) a common mode, (ii) a differential mode, and (iii) an inductive mode. And the controller is then configured to instruct the transmit resonator to provide via the wireless resonant coupling link electrical power according to the determined mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Brian John Adolf, Kathleen Evelyn Cooper
  • Patent number: 10115654
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus for heat extraction and shielding in multi-block semiconductor devices. A plurality of blocks stacked on each other is interconnected by vertical vias filled with thermally conducting material and separated by buried thermally conductive layers. A thermally conductive layer is bonded to bottom or top of the plurality of blocks as a ground plane or a heat extraction layer. The thermally conductive layer has a high thermal conductivity. An embodiment is a method and apparatus for heat extraction and shielding in single-block semiconductor devices. A thermally insulative layer is deposited on a substrate. The thermally insulative layer is capable of supporting a thermal gradient to reduce heating of the substrate. A buried thermally conductive layer is formed inside the thermally insulative layer and has a vertical via to connect through the substrate to an external heat extracting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David K. Biegelsen, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 10082104
    Abstract: A heat engine system with pressure-regulating load-locks disposed between thermal medium storage containers and heat exchangers is disclosed. A load-lock connects one or more storage containers at atmospheric pressure to one or more heat exchangers at greater than or less than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Raj B. Apte
  • Publication number: 20180187628
    Abstract: A heat engine system with pressure-regulating load-locks disposed between thermal medium storage containers and heat exchangers is disclosed. A load-lock connects one or more storage containers at atmospheric pressure to one or more heat exchangers at greater than or less than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventor: Raj B. Apte
  • Publication number: 20170353323
    Abstract: Connected consumer device systems are described. The consumer products associated with the systems can be powered or non-powered. The systems include one or more sensors to detect the state of the consumer product. An exemplary consumer product is designed to collect material and then be replaced once a desired amount of material is collected. The sensor is capable of detecting the existence and/or volume of material collected by the consumer product and is capable thereafter to communicate data to a hub and/or computing device. The communicated data can alert a consumer of a suggested action based on the data; for example, replace the consumer product as it has collected material. The communicated data can also trigger access to an e-commerce gateway to order more consumer products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Erik John Hasenoehrl, Christopher Paulson
  • Patent number: 9762437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enrolling nodes into an ad hoc network associated with a multi-roomed structure. Nodes within the ad hoc network comprise a communication module configured to communicate with the ad hoc network using at least one of room-limited communications and room-transparent communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Christopher Paulson, Erik John Hasenoehrl
  • Publication number: 20170230193
    Abstract: A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a purpose to the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Erik John Hasenoehrl, Christopher Paulson
  • Patent number: 9704473
    Abstract: An embodiment is a variable acoustic grating. Each of the local grating structures in an array of local grating structures has a variable impedance such that the impedance is modified, steering an ultrasonic signal impinging on the array in a reflection or transmission mode through a medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Serena Han Ying Wong, Jeng Ping Lu, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 9667502
    Abstract: A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a purpose to the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Erik John Hasenoehrl, Christopher Paulson
  • Publication number: 20160065412
    Abstract: A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a purpose to the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Raj B. APTE, Erik John HASENOEHRL, Christopher PAULSON
  • Patent number: 9259961
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus for ultrasonic contact imaging. A thin-film transistor (TFT) array is deposited on a substrate. A receiver having a plurality of receiver elements is deposited on the TFT array to receive a received signal. A transmitter adjacent to the receiver generates a transmit signal at an ultrasonic frequency. The transmit signal is reflected from a surface to produce a reflected signal. The received signal is a superposition of the transmit signal and the reflected signal as result of interference. The received signal is representative of differences in acoustic impedances across the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Serena Han Ying Wong, Jeng Ping Lu, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 9246767
    Abstract: A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a purpose to the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Erik John Hasenoehrl, Christopher Paulson
  • Publication number: 20150081040
    Abstract: A method of generating an action in an ad hoc wireless network includes providing an ad hoc mesh network of nodes having at least one node associated with a consumer product and at least one node capable generating node data about a consumer product, sending node data to a computing device, using the computing device to retrieve data from a database and associate the data with the node data, and determining, at the computing device, an action based upon the association, and executing an action using the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Raj B. APTE, Erik John HASENOEHRL, Christopher PAULSON
  • Publication number: 20150026329
    Abstract: A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a purpose to the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Raj B. APTE, Erik John HASENOEHRL, Christopher PAULSON
  • Patent number: 8886785
    Abstract: A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a function to the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Erik John Hasenoehrl, Christopher Paulson