Patents Assigned to Powercast Corporation
  • Publication number: 20190267846
    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: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. SHEARER, Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
  • Patent number: 10396858
    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: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Greene
  • Publication number: 20190254146
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
  • Publication number: 20190181674
    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: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL, Jason A. GILL, James C. LOSI, Mark Brasili
  • Patent number: 10284019
    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: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Shearer, Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Publication number: 20190074915
    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: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Eric J. BIEL
  • Patent number: 10149370
    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: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Greene, Daniel Harrist
  • Patent number: 9706924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Greene
  • Publication number: 20160198388
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
  • Publication number: 20160039364
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to electronic vehicle plates are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a display plate and an electronic display. The display plate is configured to be disposed between a license plate and an exterior of a vehicle when the license plate is mounted to the exterior of the vehicle. The electronic display is coupled to the display plate such that at least a portion of the electronic display is visible through an aperture in the license plate when the license plate is mounted to the exterior of the vehicle. The electronic display is configured to display a status indicator of the vehicle through the aperture in the license plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: William David FINDLAY, Brian Mayer BANNISTER, Richard Raymond BUTCHER, Charles Edward GREENE
  • Patent number: 9251699
    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: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 9107579
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Greene
  • Publication number: 20150214927
    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: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. GREENE, Daniel W. HARRIST
  • Patent number: 9021277
    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: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Shearer, Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 9000616
    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: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 8621245
    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: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Shearer, Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Publication number: 20130250845
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 8461817
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first converter module, a second converter module, and a sensor module. The first converter module converts a wireless power associated with an electromagnetic wave to a first DC voltage. The first converter module can include, for example, a Villiard cascade voltage multiplier, a precision rectifier, or a full-wave bridge rectifier. The sensor module monitors the first DC voltage. The second converter module converts the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage that is larger than the first DC voltage. The second converter module is enabled by the sensor module when the first DC voltage is above a first threshold voltage. The second converter module is disabled by the sensor module when the first DC voltage is below a second threshold voltage that is lower than the first threshold voltage. The second converter module provides power to a load based on the second DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Corey Martin, Charles E. Greene, Philip Victor Pesavento
  • Patent number: 8432062
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for wirelessly powering an item. A source is configured to send wireless power. A target is configured to receive the wireless power and convert the wireless power to a useable power. A component is connected to and configured to receive the useable power from the target. When the component receives the usable power, the component activates. Also disclosed is an assembly including a system for wirelessly powering a component and a structure for supporting the system and an item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist, Michael Thomas McElhinny, David Jeffrey Graham
  • Patent number: 8380255
    Abstract: A network for power transmission to a receiver that converts the power into current includes a first node for transmitting power wirelessly in a first area. The first area has a minimum electric or magnetic field strength. The network includes a second node for transmitting power wirelessly in a second area. The second area has a minimum electric or magnetic field strength and overlaps the first area to define an overlap area. In another embodiment, the network includes a source in communication with the first and second nodes which provides power to them. Also disclosed are methods for power transmission to a receiver that converts the power into current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Shearer, Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist