Patents Assigned to Powercast Corporation
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Patent number: 10763687Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. Greene, Eric J. Biel, Jason A. Gill, James C. Losi, Mark Brasili
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Publication number: 20200260356Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
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Publication number: 20200214113Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
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Publication number: 20200195232Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
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Publication number: 20200162128Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventor: Charles E. GREENE
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Patent number: 10638399Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
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Publication number: 20200083968Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL
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Publication number: 20200053855Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
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Patent number: 10524337Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
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Patent number: 10484111Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. Greene, Eric J. Biel
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Patent number: 10455663Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
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Patent number: 10454452Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
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Publication number: 20190267846Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: John G. SHEARER, Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
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Patent number: 10396858Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventor: Charles E. Greene
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Publication number: 20190254146Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
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Publication number: 20190181674Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL, Jason A. GILL, James C. LOSI, Mark Brasili
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Patent number: 10284019Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: John G. Shearer, Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
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Publication number: 20190074915Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL
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Patent number: 10149370Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventors: Charles Greene, Daniel Harrist
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Patent number: 9706924Abstract: In some embodiments, a personal area network (PAN) includes a mobile transmitter (e.g., a mobile or cellular phone) and one or more devices (e.g., sensors) that require power to operate (e.g., collect data). The mobile transmitter can be configured to transmit a sufficient amount of power (e.g., RF energy) to the one or more devices to power the one or more local devices. In addition to transmitting power, the mobile transmitter can be configured to communicate over a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network) as its primary function.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Powercast CorporationInventor: Charles E. Greene