Patents by Inventor Anthony N. Fonk
Anthony N. Fonk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11867715Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes a housing, switch circuitry having an omega-shaped switch element, and a mass member 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 a state of a circuit condition of the switch circuitry, and the change of the state of the switch circuitry indicates receipt of the acceleration event.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Shock Watch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Francisco Javier Vega Triste, Alvaro Tijerina Ahjuech
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Patent number: 11645489Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Alissa M. Fitzgerald, Phillip W. Barth
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Publication number: 20230057546Abstract: A tilt indicator includes a housing having a face member and a back member. A movable mass member is disposed within the housing between the face member and the back member. A first encoded indicium is disposed on the mass member, and a second encoded indicium is located on the back member. In response to the tilt indicator being subjected to a tilt event exceeding a threshold, the mass member moves from a first position to a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Angela K. Kerr
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Patent number: 11555826Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Publication number: 20220180139Abstract: A temperature indicator includes a first element, a second element, and circuitry configured to detect whether the first element is in an open circuit condition or a closed circuit condition relative to a contact. Responsive to the indicator being subjected to a temperature exceeding a threshold, the second element changes in a size thereof to cause a change in engagement between the first element and the contact. The circuitry is configured to output a value based on whether the first element and the contact are in the open circuit condition or the closed circuit condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Publication number: 20220128592Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Patent number: 11263504Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Patent number: 11249107Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Publication number: 20220026283Abstract: A temperature indicator includes a micro-sensor having a sensing element with a first layer coupled to a second layer where the first and second layers have different coefficients of expansion. The sensing element is configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to exposure to a temperature event and has detection circuitry configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to movement of the sensing element to the second position. The detection circuitry is prevented from returning to the first state in response to changing to the second state. An RFID module is coupled to the detection circuitry and is configured to output a value indicating that the sensing element is in the second position. An activator element is configured to maintain the sensor element in the first position until removal of the activator element from the micro-sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Phillip W. Barth
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Publication number: 20210396782Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes a housing, switch circuitry having an omega-shaped switch element, and a mass member 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 a state of a circuit condition of the switch circuitry, and the change of the state of the switch circuitry indicates receipt of the acceleration event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Francisco Javier Vega Triste, Alvaro Tijerina Ahjuech
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Publication number: 20210365756Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Alissa M. Fitzgerald, Phillip W. Barth
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Publication number: 20210302247Abstract: 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 where the detection assembly is configured to detect an acceleration event. A module is configured to output data indicative of an activation state of the detection assembly. The indicator also includes logic configured to blockchain the data output by the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Patent number: 11112425Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Francisco Javier Vega Triste, Alvaro Tijerina Ahjuech
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Publication number: 20210215551Abstract: A temperature indicator 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 temperature detection assembly being subjected to a temperature exceeding a threshold, the switch circuitry causes a change in a value output by the RFID module when activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk
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Publication number: 20210215482Abstract: A tilt indicator includes a housing having a tilt detection assembly, switch circuitry, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) module coupled to the switch circuitry. Responsive to the tilt detection assembly being subjected to a tilt event exceeding a threshold, the switch circuitry causes a change in a value output by the RFID module when activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk
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Patent number: 11046454Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventor: Anthony N. Fonk
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Patent number: 11041770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: ShockWatch, Inc.Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Publication number: 20210096151Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Johannes A. van Niekerk, Francisco Javier Vega Triste, Alvaro Tijerina Ahjuech
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Publication number: 20190236425Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee
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Publication number: 20190128754Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Anthony N. Fonk, Aldric Lee