Patents Represented by Attorney James Marc Lea
  • Patent number: 7880370
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a composite structure that includes a base spring and a first piezoelectric element. The first piezoelectric element is mounted on the base spring. The base spring has a base spring thickness, a base spring length, and a base spring width. The base spring is for vibrating around an axis parallel to the base spring width. The base spring thickness varies from position to position along a direction parallel to the base spring length. The base spring thickness varies to provide the first piezoelectric element with constant strain when the base spring vibrates around the axis parallel to the base spring width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7860680
    Abstract: A mobile system powers, charges, and communicates with separate devices, such as sensors and actuators. The mobile system includes an unmanned vehicle for approaching and wirelessly electromagnetically powering the separate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Michael John Hamel
  • Patent number: 7839058
    Abstract: In one embodiment a device comprises a composite structure that includes a piezoelectric flexure and a length-constraining element. The length-constraining element provides the piezoelectric flexure with a bowed shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowed position and a second stable bowed position. The length-constraining element is one from the group consisting of a planar sheet and a columnar rod. In another embodiment a device comprises a piezoelectric flexure having a bowl shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowl-shaped position and a second stable bowl-shaped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms, Michael J. Hamel, James Marc Leas
  • Patent number: 7786867
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a sensor and a radiation receiving device. Data from the sensor is conditioned to provide sensor data ratiometric with magnitude of excitation voltage provided by the radiation receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Hamel, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend
  • Patent number: 7781943
    Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit includes a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, a solid state voltage dependent switch, and an inductor. The piezoelectric device, the solid state voltage dependent switch, and the inductor are all connected in series. The solid state voltage dependent switch has a first threshold The solid state voltage dependent switch remains open until voltage applied across the solid state voltage dependent switch by the device reaches the first threshold. When the voltage applied across the solid state voltage dependent switch reaches the first threshold the solid state voltage dependent switch closes so charge from the device flows through the switch and through the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Strain, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Hamel, David L. Churchill
  • Patent number: 7780609
    Abstract: A method of detecting a change in hearing of a user includes providing a sound generating device for providing both a content audio signal and a hearing test audio signal. The sound generating device is used to provide hearing test audio sounds of different loudnesses around a threshold of hearing of the user. None of these sounds is calibrated to a pre-specified decibel level. A first threshold of hearing is determined at a first time and a second threshold of hearing is determined at a second time. The first threshold of hearing is compared with the second threshold of hearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Leslie David Blomberg
  • Patent number: 7764958
    Abstract: A network of wireless sensor nodes for wireless transmission to a base station is provided. The sensor nodes can provide real time streaming of data over separate frequency links that can all be received by the base station. The base station includes a receiver for receiving at multiple frequencies, error detection or correction, and analog outputs so sensor data can be provided to standard analysis systems that require analog signals as would be provided by wired sensors. The base station also provides an output indicating the presence of transmission error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P Townsend, Jacob H. Galbreath, Justin R. Bessette, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7759567
    Abstract: One aspect of the present patent application is a musical instrument comprising a body, a bridge, a plurality of strings, a plurality of separate cables, a single cable, and a saddle. The plurality of strings extends from a first side to a second side of the bridge. Each of the plurality of strings is connected to one of the plurality of separate cables on the second side of the bridge. All of the plurality of separate cables are joined into the single cable. The single cable extends over the instrument's saddle along one path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin C. Marvin
  • Patent number: 7747415
    Abstract: A system includes a structure and a circuit. The circuit is mounted to the structure. The circuit includes a sensor, a non-volatile memory, and a voltage sensitive switch. The memory and the voltage sensitive switch are connected for recording an event sensed by said sensor. The recording only uses power derived from the sensor. One embodiment of the circuit includes a processor connected for receiving a signal derived from the sensor. In this embodiment the non-volatile memory is connected to the processor for receiving and storing data derived from the signal. In one embodiment a first energy storage device is connected to receive energy from the sensor. The voltage sensitive switch is connected for releasing energy from the first energy storage device when energy stored in the first energy storage device exceeds a threshold. The processor and the non-volatile memory are connected for receiving power from the released energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Frederic P. Martin, Michael J. Hamel, Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7719416
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a structure includes providing a structure having a component subject to failure. A sensor, a memory and an energy harvesting device are mounted on the structure. The sensor is used and data derived from the sensor logged in the memory, wherein the memory is powered solely with energy derived from the energy harvesting device. The component is replaced if information in the memory shows that the component was subject to damaging usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Chris Pruyn Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill, Michael John Hamel
  • Patent number: 7698767
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present patent application is a device, comprising a first piece and a second piece. The first piece includes a stirring spoon, a bottle opener, and a corkscrew. The corkscrew has a corkscrew base. The second piece includes a removable cover that attaches to the corkscrew base to cover the corkscrew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Bayne Clark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7698830
    Abstract: A system for measuring a living subject having a spine comprises a flexible strip, a first sensor, a processor, and a data storage device. The flexible strip, the first sensor, the processor, and the data storage device are located along the spine of the living subject. The first sensor, the processor and the data storage device are connected for collecting data related to bending of the flexible strip for determining a curvature of the spine of the living subject. The data from the first sensor is processed in the processor and stored in the storage device. One embodiment includes a transmitter for transmitting the data. Other embodiments include feedback and provide information about time duration in a posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7696621
    Abstract: An electronic packaging system includes an electronic device. The electronic packaging system also includes a flexible material located adjacent a plurality of sides of the electronic device. The electronic device is located in a cavity in the flexible material. The flexible material has a first height and a first width. The electronic device has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height and the first width is greater than the first height so the flexible material protects the electronic device from loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Michael J. Hamel
  • Patent number: 7692365
    Abstract: One aspect of the present patent application is an energy harvesting device comprising a composite structure including a base spring and a piezoelectric structure. The base spring has a base spring surface having elevated portions separated by a recessed portion. The piezoelectric structure substantially crosses the recessed portion. In one aspect the piezoelectric structure includes a piezoelectric element that is bonded to the elevated portions. In another aspect, the base spring has a base spring stiffness. The piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric element stiffness. The base spring stiffness is less than the piezoelectric element stiffness. In another aspect, the composite structure has a natural frequency of vibration, and this natural frequency of vibration of the composite structure is automatically adjustable. In another aspect, the piezoelectric elements are stacked. In another aspect, the piezoelectric structure is located in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7683248
    Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes a key, a balance rail, and a key leveling tab. The key leveling tab is permanently mounted on the balance rail. The key leveling tab is non-resonating and has a varying thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Richard Rawson
  • Patent number: 7672781
    Abstract: A system includes a moveable body and a first device for mounting on the movable body. The first device includes an orientation sensor, an inertial position sensor, a first processor, a frequency agile RF transceiver, and a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Michael John Hamel, Chris Prvyn Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7668667
    Abstract: An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: John Chamberlain Robb, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, David L. Churchill, Michael J. Hamel
  • Patent number: 7646135
    Abstract: A module includes a first piezoelectric element and first electronic device. The first piezoelectric provides physical support for said first electronic device. One embodiment includes a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer is mounted on the first piezoelectric element. The first electronic device is mounted on the first insulating layer for providing an electronic support function to the first piezoelectric element. In one embodiment the first electronic device includes a rectifier. One embodiment includes multiple contacts to the piezoelectric element each with its own rectifier. Another embodiment includes a stack of piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms, James Marc Leas
  • Patent number: 7639135
    Abstract: Substantially related objects are identified by providing a first wireless sensing device having a first sensor and providing a second wireless sensing device having a second sensor. Next, comparing data derived from the second sensor with data derived from the first sensor to determine whether data from the first sensor is substantially related to data from the second sensor. The first wireless sensing device is identified as substantially related to the second wireless sensing device if data derived from the first sensor is substantially related to data derived from the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill
  • Patent number: D607220
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Linckia Development LLC
    Inventors: Scott Douglas Hardy, Nathan Ezra Ayer