Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080227478 | MULTIPLE FREQUENCY TRANSMITTER, RECEIVER, AND SYSTEMS THEREOF - A method and a system include a converter configured to convert received radio frequency signals to a direct current (DC) signal to provide power to at least a portion of a receiver. A received radio frequency signal can be associated with a plurality of carrier frequencies within a specified frequency band and time period. The received radio signals can have a total power level above a threshold power level. In some embodiments, the total power level can be above a threshold power level and below a pre-determined power level. Multiple converters can be used. Each converter can correspond to a subset of the carrier frequencies and/or to the carrier frequencies of different specified frequency bands. A combiner can combine the DC output from the converters into a single DC signal. The receiver can communicate data via a data carrier frequency associated with the carrier frequencies used for wireless power transfer. | 09-18-2008 |
20080290738 | SMART RECEIVER AND METHOD - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment include a converter, a power storage module, and a processing module. The converter is configured to convert an energy associated with an electromagnetic wave into a DC power. The power storage module is configured to store the DC power. The processing module is configured to receive information associated with the received power to determine a parameter to operate a device, such as a light-emitting device, for example. The information can include voltage levels associated with the received power at one or more predetermined time instances. The power storage module is configured to send the stored DC power to the device to operate the device in accordance with the parameter determined by the processing module. The processing module is configured to determine the parameter to operate the device, such as periods of activity or inactivity, when a predetermined event is detected. | 11-27-2008 |
20080290822 | ITEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESSLY POWERING THE ITEM - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment include a member, a first elongate member, and a second elongate member. Each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member are coupled to the member. A receiver configured to convert an electromagnetic wave to a DC power is disposed on the member. A first light-emitting device and a second light-emitting device are disposed on the first elongate member and on the second elongate member, respectively. Each of the light-emitting devices is configured to operate based on the DC power from the receiver. In another embodiment, a second receiver configured to convert an electromagnetic wave to a DC power can be disposed on one of the elongate members. In such embodiment, the light-emitting devices are configured to operate based on the DC power from the first and second receivers. | 11-27-2008 |
20090067208 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING POWER - An apparatus includes a first converter module, a second converter module, and a sensor module. The first converter module converts a wireless power associated with an electromagnetic wave to a first DC voltage. The first converter module can include, for example, a Villiard cascade voltage multiplier, a precision rectifier, or a full-wave bridge rectifier. The sensor module monitors the first DC voltage. The second converter module converts the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage that is larger than the first DC voltage. The second converter module is enabled by the sensor module when the first DC voltage is above a first threshold voltage. The second converter module is disabled by the sensor module when the first DC voltage is below a second threshold voltage that is lower than the first threshold voltage. The second converter module provides power to a load based on the second DC voltage. | 03-12-2009 |
20090102296 | Powering cell phones and similar devices using RF energy harvesting - A device for receiving wireless power includes a point of reception, wherein the point of reception is positionable in at least a first position and a second position. A method for receiving wireless power. The method includes the steps of positioning a point of reception in contact with a housing to a first position. There is the step of receiving wireless power at the point of reception and providing it to a power harvester in the housing. There is the step of converting the wireless power to usable DC with the power harvester. There is the step of providing the usable DC to core components in the housing. There is the step of using the DC by the core components. There is the step of repositioning the point of reception to a second position. There is the step of receiving wireless power at the point of reception at the second position and providing it to the power harvester. There is the step of converting the wireless power received by the point of reception in the second position to usable DC with the power harvester. There is the step of providing the usable DC to the core components in the housing. There is the step of using the DC by the core components. | 04-23-2009 |
20110148347 | RF POWERED SPECIALTY LIGHTING, MOTION, SOUND - Disclosed is a system for wirelessly powering an item. A source is configured to send wireless power. A target is configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power. A component is connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target. When the component receives the usable power, the component activates. Also disclosed is an assembly including a system for wirelessly powering a component and a structure for supporting the system and an item. | 06-23-2011 |
20120316414 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR POWERING DEVICES USING RF ENERGY FROM A MOBILE TRANSMITTER - In some embodiments, a personal area network (PAN) includes a mobile transmitter (e.g., a mobile or cellular phone) and one or more devices (e.g., sensors) that require power to operate (e.g., collect data). The mobile transmitter can be configured to transmit a sufficient amount of power (e.g., RF energy) to the one or more devices to power the one or more local devices. In addition to transmitting power, the mobile transmitter can be configured to communicate over a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network) as its primary function. | 12-13-2012 |
20130250845 | WIRELESS SENSOR SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH SWITCH AND OUTLET CONTROL - In some embodiments an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configured to be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configured to receive one of a first data packet or a second packet from the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the first data packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packet including a payload associated with a value of a measurement that was measured by the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency, the second data packet includes a payload associated with the value. | 09-26-2013 |
20130289334 | TRANSCUTANEOUS POWER TRANSMISSION AND COMMUNICATION FOR IMPLANTED HEART ASSIST AND OTHER DEVICES - A system includes an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient including at least one movable valve. The movable valve is in a normally open state when the moveable valve is not being powered and a drive system in operative connection with the moveable valve to move the moveable valve under power. The system further includes an energy transfer system to provide energy to the drive system. The energy transfer system includes an external system including a power source and an external coil and an internal system including an internal coil adapted to receive transcutaneous energy transmitted from the external coil. The internal system has at least a first state wherein energy transmission from the external coil is required to provide operational power to the drive system. | 10-31-2013 |
20140378742 | TRANSCUTANEOUS POWER TRANSMISSION AND COMMUNICATION FOR IMPLANTED HEART ASSIST AND OTHER DEVICES - A system includes an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient including at least one movable valve. The movable valve is in a normally open state when the moveable valve is not being powered and a drive system in operative connection with the moveable valve to move the moveable valve under power. The system further includes an energy transfer system to provide energy to the drive system. The energy transfer system includes an external system including a power source and an external coil and an internal system including an internal coil adapted to receive transcutaneous energy transmitted from the external coil. The internal system has at least a first state wherein energy transmission from the external coil is required to provide operational power to the drive system. | 12-25-2014 |