Patents Assigned to ShockWatch, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11645489
    Abstract: An impact indicator includes a micro-sensor having a mass element configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to receipt by the mass element of an impact event. The micro-sensor includes detection circuitry configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to movement of the mass element from the first position to the second position. The detection circuitry is prevented from returning to the first state in response to changing to the second state. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) module is coupled to the detection circuitry and is configured to output a value indicating that the mass element is in the second position. An activator element is configured to maintain the mass element in the first position until removal of the activator element from the micro-sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Alissa M. Fitzgerald, Phillip W. Barth
  • Patent number: 11555826
    Abstract: An impact indicator includes a housing configured to enable movement of a mass member from a first position to a second position in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The indicator also includes switch circuitry having a compressible switch element positionable between spaced apart contacts where the switch element is configured to be in spaced apart relationship to the mass member. A passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) module is coupled to the switch circuitry and, responsive to movement of the mass member from the first position to the second position, the mass member causes a positional change of the switch element relative to the first and second contacts, and the positional change causes a state change in the switch circuitry. The RFID module outputs a value based on the state of the switch circuitry when energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
  • Patent number: 11263504
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for temperature detection includes a housing having a temperature detection assembly, switch circuitry, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) module coupled to the switch circuitry. Responsive to the indicator being subjected to a temperature exceeding a threshold, the temperature detection assembly causes a change in the switch circuitry, wherein the change in the switch circuitry causes a change in a value output by the RFID module when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
  • Patent number: 11249107
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes a housing enclosing a mass member where the housing is configured to enable movement of the mass member from a first position to a second position within the housing in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The impact indicator also includes switch circuitry and a passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) module coupled to the switch circuitry. Responsive to movement of the mass member from the first position to the second position, the mass member causes a change in the switch circuitry where the change in the switch circuitry causes a change in a value output by the RFID module when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
  • Patent number: 11112425
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes a housing and switch circuitry having an omega-shaped switch element. A passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) module is coupled to the switch circuitry and is configured to detect a state of a circuit condition of the switch circuitry. A mass member is movable within the housing from a first position to a second position in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. Movement of the mass member to the second position causes the mass member to move the switch element to change the state of the circuit condition of the switch circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Francisco Javier Vega Triste, Alvaro Tijerina Ahjuech
  • Patent number: 11046454
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) impact monitoring includes a UAV having a propulsion system configured to fly the UAV to a destination; a retention mechanism for retaining and releasing a package carried by the UAV; and an indicator reader module configured to determine a status of an impact indicator attached to the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony N. Fonk
  • Patent number: 11041770
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes an impact indicator having a housing enclosing a detection assembly configured to detect an acceleration event. The indicator also includes switch circuitry and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) module coupled to the switch circuitry. Responsive to detecting the acceleration event, the detection assembly causes a change in the switch circuitry, wherein the change in the switch circuitry causes a change in a value output by the RFID module when activated. The indicator also includes logic configured to blockchain data output by the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
  • Patent number: 10382840
    Abstract: A wireless environmental sensor or monitoring device includes a sensor configured to detect an environmental parameter. A radio module is configured to wirelessly communicate data corresponding to the detected environmental parameter to a remote system. The device also includes logic executable by a processor unit to switch the radio module between a wireless access point (AP) operating mode and a wireless client operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Byron P. Smith
  • Patent number: 10147025
    Abstract: A system and technique for visual indicator status recognition includes an imaging system configured to capture a first optical data of an indicator, the imaging system configured to verify indicator code indicia is derivable from the first optical data. Responsive to verifying that the indicator code indicia is derivable from the first optical data, the imaging system is configured to capture a second optical data of the indicator. The system and technique also includes a detection module executable by a processing unit to analyze the second optical data and derive status information of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Angela K. Kerr, Kevin M. Kohleriter
  • Patent number: 9877089
    Abstract: A wireless environmental sensor or monitoring device includes a processor unit, a monitor module for monitoring and collecting data corresponding to an environmental parameter, a radio module configured to enable wireless communication of the data to a remote system, and logic executable by the processor unit to: monitor wireless communication connectivity between the radio module and the remote system; and responsive to detecting a loss of wireless communication connectivity with the remote system, automatically enable a wireless access point (AP) mode of the radio module to initiate a broadcast of a local wireless network identifier to enable a client device to wirelessly locate and connect to the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Byron P. Smith
  • Patent number: 9587998
    Abstract: An impact indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid; a second member couplable to the first member; and a third member disposed between an opening of the reservoir and the second member. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, at least a portion of the indicator fluid exits the reservoir, and wherein the third member causes the portion of the indicator fluid to be distributed across a surface of the first member adjacent the opening and facing the third member, the portion of the indicator fluid located on the surface of the first member providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9502196
    Abstract: An impact switch includes a first member having a reservoir for holding a conductive fluid and a second member having a first conductive portion disconnected from a second conductive portion. The second member is coupled to the first member over the reservoir. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the conductive fluid moves from the reservoir to an interface between the first and second members to conductively connect the first conductive portion with the second conductive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9423312
    Abstract: An impact indicator for impact detection and indication includes: a housing; and a detection assembly configured to detect receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The detection assembly comprises first and second indicias displayable thereby, wherein the first indicia is displayed in an unactivated state of the impact indicator, and wherein in response to detecting the acceleration event, the second indicia is displayed, the second indicia further comprising an indication of a direction of the acceleration event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton A. Branch, Jeffrey W. Kilpatrick, Daniel B. Hafen
  • Patent number: 9354055
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area. A blocking element located within a buffering area located between the reservoir and the indicating area is configured to impede travel of the indicating media from the reservoir toward the indicating area when the tilt indicator is in an activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9217683
    Abstract: A device and technique for impact detection and indication includes a housing; a mass member located within the housing, the housing configured to enable movement of the mass member from a first position to a second position within the housing in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event; and first and second biasing members disposed within the housing and biased toward each other to retain the mass member in the first position. In response to receipt by the housing of the acceleration event, the mass member is configured to overcome the biasing force of the first biasing member and move from the first position to the second position, and wherein the first and second biasing members each comprises a leaf spring member having a length greater than a width of the mass member and disposed transversely to a direction of movement of the mass member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9190229
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for an impact switch is disclosed. The impact switch includes a first member having a reservoir for holding a conductive fluid and a second member having a first conductive portion disconnected from a second conductive portion. The second member is coupled to the first member over the reservoir. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the conductive fluid moves from the reservoir to an interface between the first and second members to conductively connect the first conductive portion with the second conductive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9116058
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection is disclosed. The impact indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid; and a second member couplable to the first member over the reservoir and configured to form a capillary gap between at least a portion of an interface between the first and second members. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the indicator fluid moves from the reservoir to the interface between the first and second members and wicks into the capillary gap via capillary action, the indicator fluid disposed within the capillary gap providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9103849
    Abstract: A device and technique for impact detection includes a tube having a first fluid and a second fluid disposed therein, wherein a viscosity of the second fluid is greater than a viscosity of the first fluid, and wherein, responsive to a predetermined level of impact received by the impact indicator, at least a portion of the first fluid mixes into the second fluid to create a change in color of the second fluid to provide a visual indication of the received impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 9103734
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection is disclosed. The impact indicator includes a housing and a mass member located within the housing. The housing is configured to enable movement of the mass member from a first position to a second position within the housing in response to receipt of an acceleration event by the housing. The impact indicator also includes a spring member disposed within the housing and configured to bias the mass member to the first position, and wherein in response to receipt by the housing of the acceleration event, the mass member is configured to overcome the bias and move from the first position to the second position. The mass member is configured to rotate within the housing in the second position to enable retention of the mass member in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch
  • Patent number: 8870453
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for monitoring temperature of an environment of a sensitive object is disclosed. The device includes a housing configured to be disposed within or affixed to a transport container for the object, a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to obtain a plurality of temperature readings, and monitor logic configured to compare the plurality of temperature readings to a temperature threshold. The device also includes counter logic configured to generate an excursion count indicating a quantity of time periods the temperature readings exceeded the temperature threshold, generate a consecutive count indicating a quantity of consecutive temperature readings exceeding the temperature threshold, and generate a cumulative count indicating a cumulative quantity of temperature readings exceeding the temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton A. Branch