Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Estes
Christopher A. Estes 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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Publication number: 20180307808Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20180248402Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Solpad, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: 9973005Abstract: A power controller assembly is disclosed that transfers alternating current (AC) power generated by solar panels to devices coupled to the power controller assembly. The power controller assembly includes a power connector assembly that is coupled to an AC power outlet and transfers AC power generated by the solar panels from the AC power outlet to a power cord that is coupled to the power controller configuration. The power cord transfers the AC power to the device that consumes the AC power. The power controller assembly also includes an outlet power controller that controls the device that consumes the AC power based on instructions received from a communications device via wireless communication between the outlet power controller and the communications device.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: 9948139Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20180083452Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that detects conditions triggered by operational events and then selects behavioral actions for the solar panel to execute in response to the operational events. Condition detection devices detect conditions that the solar panel is exposed to where each condition is triggered by an operational event that the solar panel is encountering. The condition detection devices generate condition data that provides information as to each of the conditions that the solar panel is exposed to and each operational event that triggered each of the conditions that the solar panel is encountering. A personality engine analyzes the condition data provided by the condition detection devices to determine a behavioral action that the solar panel is to execute in response to each operational event that the solar panel is encountering and executes the determined behavioral action to respond to each operational event that the solar panel is encountering.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: 9898590Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20170323088Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20170214272Abstract: An auto-synchronous isolated inlet power converter is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other power converters and/or an alternating current (AC) power source. The power converter automatically generates output AC power that is in parallel with external input AC power coming into the power converter when the power converter senses the external input AC power so that the power converter operates as a slave in this state. The power converter automatically generates output AC power when the power converter fails to detect the external input AC power coming into the power converter where the power converter operates as a master in this state. The power converter generates the output AC power without any reliance on the external input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: 9715581Abstract: Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining whether a user of a media content item has a license to reproduce the media content item. In one embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to reproduce the media content item when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments determine whether a user may receive a license when the user wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is declined a license when not approved for the license.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Inventor: Christopher Estes
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Patent number: 9620993Abstract: An auto-synchronous isolated inlet power converter is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other power converters and/or an alternating current (AC) power source. The power converter automatically generates output AC power that is in parallel with external input AC power coming into the power converter when the power converter senses the external input AC power so that the power converter operates as a slave in this state. The power converter automatically generates output AC power when the power converter fails to detect the external input AC power coming into the power converter where the power converter operates as a master in this state. The power converter generates the output AC power without any reliance on the external input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Solpad, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20170012711Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods transmit and receive data encoded as optical signals that include a progression of symbols, with each symbol represented as a combination of light frequencies. Light is used as the carrier medium to limit reception to devices that are within visible range of the transmitting device. No mapping of data to symbols is required for generation of the symbol progression by the transmitter and no mapping of symbols to data for recognition of the symbols is required by the receiver. Disclosed embodiments allow arbitrary selection among a plurality of mappings between symbols sent and symbols received. Embodiments are robust to: ambient lighting conditions, differences in optical and temporal response of the first and second devices, and differences in relative orientation between the first and second devices. Embodiments enable a variety of functions including device discovery, feature discovery, beacon identification, status reporting, error readout, key exchange, and authentication.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Christopher A. Estes, Jeffrey Stuart Urban
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Publication number: 20170012581Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that detects conditions triggered by operational events and then selects behavioral actions for the solar panel to execute in response to the operational events. Condition detection devices detect conditions that the solar panel is exposed to where each condition is triggered by an operational event that the solar panel is encountering. The condition detection devices generate condition data that provides information as to each of the conditions that the solar panel is exposed to and each operational event that triggered each of the conditions that the solar panel is encountering. A personality engine analyzes the condition data provided by the condition detection devices to determine a behavioral action that the solar panel is to execute in response to each operational event that the solar panel is encountering and executes the determined behavioral action to respond to each operational event that the solar panel is encountering.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20170012578Abstract: A solar panel and associated method of removing heat from a solar panel are disclosed. The solar panel includes a housing, a heat shield, and a plurality of solar cells. The housing includes a front surface, a back surface disposed opposite the front surface, an air inlet configured to allow air to enter the housing, an air outlet configured to allow the air to exit the housing, and a first air channel fluidly communicating with the air inlet and the air outlet. The first air channel is disposed within the housing between the heat shield and the front surface. The heat shield is disposed within the housing and is configured to reduce heat transfer between the front and back surfaces of the housing. The plurality of solar cells are disposed adjacent the front surface of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20170012433Abstract: A power controller assembly is disclosed that transfers alternating current (AC) power generated by solar panels to devices coupled to the power controller assembly. The power controller assembly includes a power connector assembly that is coupled to an AC power outlet and transfers AC power generated by the solar panels from the AC power outlet to a power cord that is coupled to the power controller configuration. The power cord transfers the AC power to the device that consumes the AC power. The power controller assembly also includes an outlet power controller that controls the device that consumes the AC power based on instructions received from a communications device via wireless communication between the outlet power controller and the communications device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20160380435Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: 9444397Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: SunCulture Solar, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20160226305Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: 9312724Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: SunCulture Solar Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Publication number: 20150244306Abstract: A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventor: Christopher A. Estes
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Patent number: D793334Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Solpad, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Estes