Abstract: In some embodiments, a transmitter has a first mode and a second mode. The transmitter is configured to repeatedly send discrete first wireless signals carrying transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter in the first mode and to send a second wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information in the second mode. A receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal of the first wireless signals such that the receiver is activated by the wireless signal of the first wireless signal and, in response to receiving the wireless signal of the first wireless signals, to send a third wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information to the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving the third wireless signal and determining that the third wireless signal includes the transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna; a radio-frequency (RF) tuning network configured to receive an input signal via the antenna; an RF energy harvester operatively coupled to the RF tuning network and configured to produce a direct current (DC) output based on the received output of the RF tuning network; and a load manipulator configured to be transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration to manipulate one or more properties associated with the RF energy harvester such that an input impedance of the RF energy harvester changes from a first input impedance to a second input impedance. The first input impedance is associated with a first distribution of RF energy associated with the input signal relative to the RF energy harvester and the second input impedance is associated with a second distribution of RF energy associated with the input signal relative to the RF energy harvester.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna and a rectifier operatively coupled to the antenna and configured to receive an input power via the antenna. The rectifier can include a plurality of stages, each stage of the plurality of stages including a tuning network including one or more lumped elements. An initial stage can be configured to receive the input power and produce a power based on the input power. Each stage of the plurality of stages coupled to the antenna via at least one previous stage can be configured to receive a power from the previous stage and to produce a subsequent power associated with (e.g., based on) the power received from the previous stage. The rectifier can be configured to output a power associated with a direct current (DC) voltage having a voltage level based on a voltage level associated with the input power.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a transmitter has a first mode and a second mode. The transmitter is configured to repeatedly send discrete first wireless signals carrying transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter in the first mode and to send a second wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information in the second mode. A receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal of the first wireless signals such that the receiver is activated by the wireless signal of the first wireless signal and, in response to receiving the wireless signal of the first wireless signals, to send a third wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information to the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving the third wireless signal and determining that the third wireless signal includes the transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna, an energy storage device, a receiver, and an indicator assembly. The receiver may be coupled to the antenna and the energy storage device. The receiver may be configured to receive wireless energy via the antenna such that an energy storage level of the energy storage device is increased. The indicator assembly may be coupled to the receiver and may be configured, in response to the receiver receiving the wireless energy, to provide an indication based, at least in part, on a characteristic of the wireless energy.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a transmitter has a first mode and a second mode. The transmitter is configured to repeatedly send discrete first wireless signals carrying transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter in the first mode and to send a second wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information in the second mode. A receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal of the first wireless signals such that the receiver is activated by the wireless signal of the first wireless signal and, in response to receiving the wireless signal of the first wireless signals, to send a third wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information to the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving the third wireless signal and determining that the third wireless signal includes the transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting power includes at least one impedance matching network which receives an electrical signal. The apparatus includes at least one AC to DC converter in communication with the impedance matching network. Also disclosed is a method for powering a load and an apparatus for converting power and additional embodiments of an apparatus for converting power.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna, an energy storage device, a receiver, and an indicator assembly. The receiver may be coupled to the antenna and the energy storage device. The receiver may be configured to receive wireless energy via the antenna such that an energy storage level of the energy storage device is increased. The indicator assembly may be coupled to the receiver and may be configured, in response to the receiver receiving the wireless energy, to provide an indication based, at least in part, on a characteristic of the wireless energy.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a transmitter has a first mode and a second mode. The transmitter is configured to repeatedly send discrete first wireless signals carrying transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter in the first mode and to send a second wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information in the second mode. A receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal of the first wireless signals such that the receiver is activated by the wireless signal of the first wireless signal and, in response to receiving the wireless signal of the first wireless signals, to send a third wireless signal carrying the transmitter identification information to the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving the third wireless signal and determining that the third wireless signal includes the transmitter identification information uniquely associated with the transmitter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first wireless device of a plurality of wireless devices, a data packet including an indication of a source of the data packet. In response to the first wireless device being associated with the source of the data packet, whether the first wireless device is a local repeater can be determined based on at least one of a random number or a number of wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices. In response to the first wireless device being determined to be a local repeater, the first wireless device can be caused to be configured as a local repeater such that the first wireless device sends the data packet to at least one remaining wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna, an energy storage device, a receiver, and an indicator assembly. The receiver may be coupled to the antenna and the energy storage device. The receiver may be configured to receive wireless energy via the antenna such that an energy storage level of the energy storage device is increased. The indicator assembly may be coupled to the receiver and may be configured, in response to the receiver receiving the wireless energy, to provide an indication based, at least in part, on a characteristic of the wireless energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for an application including a core device for the application. The apparatus includes a power (preferably RF energy) harvester connected to the core device to power the core device. Also disclosed is a method for an application. The method includes the steps of converting RF energy into usable energy. There is the step of powering the core device with the usable energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting power includes at least one impedance matching network which receives an electrical signal. The apparatus includes at least one AC to DC converter in communication with the impedance matching network. Also disclosed is a method for powering a load and an apparatus for converting power and additional embodiments of an apparatus for converting power.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In some embodiments an apparatus includes a display module and a bi-stable display. The bi-stable display is operatively coupled to the display module and is configured to display a first image at a first time. The display module is configured to be operatively coupled to a wireless module and configured to be wirelessly powered by an external wireless power supply. The display module is configured to receive, at a second time after the first time and in response to a wireless interaction with a wireless device, (1) power from the external wireless power supply and (2) a signal from the wireless module indicative of a second image different from the first image. The bi-stable display is configured to display, in response to a signal indicative of an instruction from the display module, the second image at a third time after the second time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for an application including a core device for the application. The apparatus includes a power (preferably RF energy) harvester connected to the core device to power the core device. Also disclosed is a method for an application. The method includes the steps of converting RF energy into usable energy. There is the step of powering the core device with the usable energy.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an antenna, an energy storage device, a receiver, and an indicator assembly. The receiver may be coupled to the antenna and the energy storage device. The receiver may be configured to receive wireless energy via the antenna such that an energy storage level of the energy storage device is increased. The indicator assembly may be coupled to the receiver and may be configured, in response to the receiver receiving the wireless energy, to provide an indication based, at least in part, on a characteristic of the wireless energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting power includes at least one impedance matching network which receives an electrical signal. The apparatus includes at least one AC to DC converter in communication with the impedance matching network. Also disclosed is a method for powering a load and an apparatus for converting power and additional embodiments of an apparatus for converting power.