Patents by Inventor Clinton A. Branch
Clinton A. Branch 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).
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Patent number: 10382840Abstract: A wireless environmental sensor or monitoring device includes a sensor configured to detect an environmental parameter. A radio module is configured to wirelessly communicate data corresponding to the detected environmental parameter to a remote system. The device also includes logic executable by a processor unit to switch the radio module between a wireless access point (AP) operating mode and a wireless client operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Byron P. Smith
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Patent number: 10147025Abstract: A system and technique for visual indicator status recognition includes an imaging system configured to capture a first optical data of an indicator, the imaging system configured to verify indicator code indicia is derivable from the first optical data. Responsive to verifying that the indicator code indicia is derivable from the first optical data, the imaging system is configured to capture a second optical data of the indicator. The system and technique also includes a detection module executable by a processing unit to analyze the second optical data and derive status information of the indicator.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Angela K. Kerr, Kevin M. Kohleriter
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Publication number: 20180160201Abstract: A wireless environmental sensor or monitoring device includes a sensor configured to detect an environmental parameter. A radio module is configured to wirelessly communicate data corresponding to the detected environmental parameter to a remote system. The device also includes logic executable by a processor unit to switch the radio module between a wireless access point (AP) operating mode and a wireless client operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Byron P. Smith
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Patent number: 9877089Abstract: A wireless environmental sensor or monitoring device includes a processor unit, a monitor module for monitoring and collecting data corresponding to an environmental parameter, a radio module configured to enable wireless communication of the data to a remote system, and logic executable by the processor unit to: monitor wireless communication connectivity between the radio module and the remote system; and responsive to detecting a loss of wireless communication connectivity with the remote system, automatically enable a wireless access point (AP) mode of the radio module to initiate a broadcast of a local wireless network identifier to enable a client device to wirelessly locate and connect to the sensor device.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Byron P. Smith
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Publication number: 20170332155Abstract: A wireless environmental sensor or monitoring device includes a processor unit, a monitor module for monitoring and collecting data corresponding to an environmental parameter, a radio module configured to enable wireless communication of the data to a remote system, and logic executable by the processor unit to: monitor wireless communication connectivity between the radio module and the remote system; and responsive to detecting a loss of wireless communication connectivity with the remote system, automatically enable a wireless access point (AP) mode of the radio module to initiate a broadcast of a local wireless network identifier to enable a client device to wirelessly locate and connect to the sensor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Phillip J. Wooldridge, Byron P. Smith
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Publication number: 20170245575Abstract: A visual shock indicator apparatus includes a helmet, a facemask secured to the helmet, and a mounting element secured to the helmet. The mounting element has a mounting region disposed between a pair of attachment points used to secure the facemask to the helmet. A retainer assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting element within the mounting region. The retainer assembly includes a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9587998Abstract: An impact indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid; a second member couplable to the first member; and a third member disposed between an opening of the reservoir and the second member. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, at least a portion of the indicator fluid exits the reservoir, and wherein the third member causes the portion of the indicator fluid to be distributed across a surface of the first member adjacent the opening and facing the third member, the portion of the indicator fluid located on the surface of the first member providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9502196Abstract: An impact switch includes a first member having a reservoir for holding a conductive fluid and a second member having a first conductive portion disconnected from a second conductive portion. The second member is coupled to the first member over the reservoir. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the conductive fluid moves from the reservoir to an interface between the first and second members to conductively connect the first conductive portion with the second conductive portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9423312Abstract: An impact indicator for impact detection and indication includes: a housing; and a detection assembly configured to detect receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The detection assembly comprises first and second indicias displayable thereby, wherein the first indicia is displayed in an unactivated state of the impact indicator, and wherein in response to detecting the acceleration event, the second indicia is displayed, the second indicia further comprising an indication of a direction of the acceleration event.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Jeffrey W. Kilpatrick, Daniel B. Hafen
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Patent number: 9354055Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area. A blocking element located within a buffering area located between the reservoir and the indicating area is configured to impede travel of the indicating media from the reservoir toward the indicating area when the tilt indicator is in an activated state.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Publication number: 20160079018Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for an impact switch is disclosed. The impact switch includes a first member having a reservoir for holding a conductive fluid and a second member having a first conductive portion disconnected from a second conductive portion. The second member is coupled to the first member over the reservoir. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the conductive fluid moves from the reservoir to an interface between the first and second members to conductively connect the first conductive portion with the second conductive portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9217683Abstract: A device and technique for impact detection and indication includes a housing; a mass member located within the housing, the housing configured to enable movement of the mass member from a first position to a second position within the housing in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event; and first and second biasing members disposed within the housing and biased toward each other to retain the mass member in the first position. In response to receipt by the housing of the acceleration event, the mass member is configured to overcome the biasing force of the first biasing member and move from the first position to the second position, and wherein the first and second biasing members each comprises a leaf spring member having a length greater than a width of the mass member and disposed transversely to a direction of movement of the mass member.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Publication number: 20150355041Abstract: An impact indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid; a second member couplable to the first member; and a third member disposed between an opening of the reservoir and the second member. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, at least a portion of the indicator fluid exits the reservoir, and wherein the third member causes the portion of the indicator fluid to be distributed across a surface of the first member adjacent the opening and facing the third member, the portion of the indicator fluid located on the surface of the first member providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9190229Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for an impact switch is disclosed. The impact switch includes a first member having a reservoir for holding a conductive fluid and a second member having a first conductive portion disconnected from a second conductive portion. The second member is coupled to the first member over the reservoir. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the conductive fluid moves from the reservoir to an interface between the first and second members to conductively connect the first conductive portion with the second conductive portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9116058Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection is disclosed. The impact indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid; and a second member couplable to the first member over the reservoir and configured to form a capillary gap between at least a portion of an interface between the first and second members. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the indicator fluid moves from the reservoir to the interface between the first and second members and wicks into the capillary gap via capillary action, the indicator fluid disposed within the capillary gap providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9103734Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection is disclosed. The impact indicator includes a housing and a mass member located within the housing. The housing is configured to enable movement of the mass member from a first position to a second position within the housing in response to receipt of an acceleration event by the housing. The impact indicator also includes a spring member disposed within the housing and configured to bias the mass member to the first position, and wherein in response to receipt by the housing of the acceleration event, the mass member is configured to overcome the bias and move from the first position to the second position. The mass member is configured to rotate within the housing in the second position to enable retention of the mass member in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 9103849Abstract: A device and technique for impact detection includes a tube having a first fluid and a second fluid disposed therein, wherein a viscosity of the second fluid is greater than a viscosity of the first fluid, and wherein, responsive to a predetermined level of impact received by the impact indicator, at least a portion of the first fluid mixes into the second fluid to create a change in color of the second fluid to provide a visual indication of the received impact.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Publication number: 20150034003Abstract: An impact indicator for impact detection and indication includes: a housing; and a detection assembly configured to detect receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The detection assembly comprises first and second indicias displayable thereby, wherein the first indicia is displayed in an unactivated state of the impact indicator, and wherein in response to detecting the acceleration event, the second indicia is displayed, the second indicia further comprising an indication of a direction of the acceleration event.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Jeffrey W. Kilpatrick, Daniel B. Hafen
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Patent number: 8870453Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for monitoring temperature of an environment of a sensitive object is disclosed. The device includes a housing configured to be disposed within or affixed to a transport container for the object, a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to obtain a plurality of temperature readings, and monitor logic configured to compare the plurality of temperature readings to a temperature threshold. The device also includes counter logic configured to generate an excursion count indicating a quantity of time periods the temperature readings exceeded the temperature threshold, generate a consecutive count indicating a quantity of consecutive temperature readings exceeding the temperature threshold, and generate a cumulative count indicating a cumulative quantity of temperature readings exceeding the temperature threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
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Patent number: 8863683Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection and indication is disclosed. The device includes a housing and a detection assembly configured to detect receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. In response to detecting the acceleration event, the detection assembly causes a display element coupled to the housing to provide an encoded indication of impact status.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Jeffrey W. Kilpatrick, Daniel B. Hafen