In an inductive charging system energy is transferred via a magnetic field. An object detection apparatus for an inductive charging system comprises: a transmitter configured to transmit a signal; a receiver having a field of view including a substantial portion of the magnetic field, the receiver configured to receive within the field of view a reflected signal of the signal; and a signal processor configured to examine characteristics of the received, reflected signal to identify a hazard condition in relation to the magnetic field. By converting the received signal into a frequency domain signal, hazard conditions may be identified depending on the form of the frequency domain signal. The object detection apparatus is suitable for use in a charging apparatus for an electric vehicle.

In an inductive charging system energy is transferred via a magnetic field. An object detection apparatus for an inductive charging system comprises: a transmitter configured to transmit a signal; a receiver having a field of view including a substantial portion of the magnetic field, the receiver configured to receive within the field of view a reflected signal of the signal; and a signal processor configured to examine characteristics of the received, reflected signal to identify a hazard condition in relation to the magnetic field. By converting the received signal into a frequency domain signal, hazard conditions may be identified depending on the form of the frequency domain signal. The object detection apparatus is suitable for use in a charging apparatus for an electric vehicle.

Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms or apparatus providing far-field wireless charging of implanted medical devices, Internet of Things (IoT) and the like via a leader radio configured for receiving spread spectrum (SS) modulated radio waves from a plurality of slave radios within an area including the leader radio and a target device, for receiving from the target device backscatter radio energy associated with the (SS) modulated radio waves, and for generating slave radio control signals; the leader radio, in a charging mode of operation, being configured for determining changes in received power associated with backscatter radio energy received from the target device and responsively transmitting control signals toward the slave radios configured to cause the slave radios to modify respective radio wave transmission times such that slave radio wave transmissions are substantially phase aligned when received at the target device.

Described herein are techniques for providing authorization of vehicle charging requests in a manner that limits losses to unauthorized parties. Such techniques may comprise receiving, from a charging station, a request to access power resources, the request indicating a vehicle identifier, determining, based on the vehicle identifier, vehicle usage data for a vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier, determining expected usage data relevant to the request to access power resources, comparing the vehicle usage data to the expected usage data to identify a variance, and determining whether to authorize or decline the request to access power resources based on the identified variance.

Described herein are techniques for providing authorization of vehicle charging requests in a manner that limits losses to unauthorized parties. Such techniques may comprise receiving, from a charging station, a request to access power resources, the request indicating a vehicle identifier, determining, based on the vehicle identifier, vehicle usage data for a vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier, determining expected usage data relevant to the request to access power resources, comparing the vehicle usage data to the expected usage data to identify a variance, and determining whether to authorize or decline the request to access power resources based on the identified variance.

Methods and systems for a near-field communication. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a relay for a near-field communication system comprises the steps of providing a flexible substrate; and providing an electric circuit on the flexible substrate, wherein the electric circuit comprises a hub inductor pattern configured to receive and transmit via electro-magnetic induction; one or more terminal inductor patterns laterally spaced apart from the hub inductor pattern relative to a surface of the flexible substrate and configured to receive and transmit via electro-magnetic induction; and a connecting trace between the hub inductor and the one or more terminal inductors.

Methods and systems for a near-field communication. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a relay for a near-field communication system comprises the steps of providing a flexible substrate; and providing an electric circuit on the flexible substrate, wherein the electric circuit comprises a hub inductor pattern configured to receive and transmit via electro-magnetic induction; one or more terminal inductor patterns laterally spaced apart from the hub inductor pattern relative to a surface of the flexible substrate and configured to receive and transmit via electro-magnetic induction; and a connecting trace between the hub inductor and the one or more terminal inductors.

A variety of applications can include wireless power and voltage regulation for wireless power transfer systems. A receiver can receive power wirelessly from a transmitter to provide an output voltage. The receiver can regulate the output voltage with respect to a window defining an upper threshold and a lower threshold and can generate a first signal in response to the output voltage exceeding the upper threshold voltage and a second signal in response to the output voltage reducing below the lower threshold voltage. The receiver can change its input impedance and control reception of the power in response to the first and second signals. A transmitter can sense current in the power transistors or the coil of the transmitter in response to the change of input impedance of the receiver. The sensed current can be used to modify the current to the output of the transmitter to adjust the transmitted power.

A variety of applications can include wireless power and voltage regulation for wireless power transfer systems. A receiver can receive power wirelessly from a transmitter to provide an output voltage. The receiver can regulate the output voltage with respect to a window defining an upper threshold and a lower threshold and can generate a first signal in response to the output voltage exceeding the upper threshold voltage and a second signal in response to the output voltage reducing below the lower threshold voltage. The receiver can change its input impedance and control reception of the power in response to the first and second signals. A transmitter can sense current in the power transistors or the coil of the transmitter in response to the change of input impedance of the receiver. The sensed current can be used to modify the current to the output of the transmitter to adjust the transmitted power.

Systems, methods and apparatus for wireless charging are disclosed. A charging device has multiple transmitting coils, a driver circuit configured to provide a charging current to the resonant circuit, and a controller configured to provide a charging current to the transmitting coils. The apparatus includes a resonant circuit that includes one or more transmitting coils and a driver circuit configured to provide a charging current to the plurality of transmitting coils. The controller may be configured to provide a charging current to the resonant circuit when a receiving device is present on a surface of the wireless charging device, determine that an interrogation signal is being transmitted by a keyless entry system, suspend the charging current for a period of time, determine that the interrogation signal has ceased while the charging current is suspended, and restore the charging current to the resonant circuit after determining cessation of the interrogation signal.