Patents Assigned to Powercast Corporation
  • Patent number: 11917519
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 11909205
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 11837880
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Eric J. Biel, Jason A. Gill, James C. Losi, Mark Brasili
  • Patent number: 11791912
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Eric J. Biel
  • Patent number: 11696211
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist, George Gensure
  • Publication number: 20230018919
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL, Jason A. GILL, James C. LOSI, Mark BRASILI
  • Publication number: 20230006469
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. SHEARER, Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
  • Publication number: 20220385062
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
  • Patent number: 11457395
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 11418234
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Greene
  • Patent number: 11394246
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Shearer, Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 11368053
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Eric J. Biel, Jason A. Gill, James C. Losi, Mark Brasili
  • Patent number: 11245257
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Publication number: 20210409130
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL
  • Publication number: 20210410042
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST, George GENSURE
  • Patent number: 11102869
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a signal indicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold. If a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a light source such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state. If (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller is controlled by the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 11039524
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a signal indicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has been has crossed a threshold in a space. If a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to a connector operatively coupled to a light source such that the connector reverts to a default state. If (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to the connector such that the connector is controlled by the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 10979961
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist, George Gensure
  • Patent number: 10979156
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Eric J. Biel
  • Publication number: 20200395788
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL, Jason A. GILL, James C. LOSI, Mark BRASILI