Patents Assigned to Current Technologies, LLC
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Patent number: 7468657Abstract: A method for detecting noise location information in a power line distribution system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving link quality data for a first power line communication link between a first and second power line communications device, determining an asymmetry in the link quality data of the link, and determining location information for the noise source based on the location of the first power line communications device or the location of the second power line communications device.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: David Stanley Yaney
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Patent number: 7466225Abstract: A system for operating a power line communications system is provided. One embodiment is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, bypass devices, backhaul devices, wireless backhaul devices, enhanced bypass device, communication interface devices and others. In one embodiment, two groups of network elements in the same electrical distribution system are isolated except selected communication link.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: Melvin Joseph White, II, James Douglas Mollenkopf
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Patent number: 7460467Abstract: The invention includes a device and a method for testing a communication network that includes an Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. The inventive device includes a user interface for communicating results of a test, a transceiver for allowing the test device to communicate with a telecommunications network, and a digital signal processor for reformatting a communication signal to be tested by the device. The inventive device may include a processor, random access memory, read only memory, a user interface, and a network interface. The inventive method for testing the VoIP network includes accessing a telecommunications network that includes the VoIP network, conducting tests on the VoIP network using a butt set device, and displaying results of the test on the user interface located on the test device.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: Kevin F. Corcoran
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Patent number: 7453352Abstract: Data signals are communicated between a power line and a computer, wherein the power line provides power to the computer via a distribution transformer and the computer is in communication with a wireless communication path. A first data signal is communicated with the power line. A conversion is made between the first data signal and a second data signal capable of being communicated wirelessly. The second data signal is wirelessly communicated with the wireless communication path.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: Paul A. Kline
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Patent number: 7450001Abstract: A power line communications system (PLCS) that provides communications to one or more user devices by repeating data packets on the power distribution network is provided. The PLCS may employ any or all of the MV power line conductors and/or the neutral conductor and be dynamically and remotely transitioned to one of a plurality of potential configurations.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: William H. Berkman
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Patent number: 7450000Abstract: A device and method for providing power line communications via an underground residential distribution power system is provided. One embodiment of the present invention includes a medium voltage interface device that may include a first port configured to communicate over the power line and a network interface. A first amplifier may form part of a first communication path between the first port and the network interface and be configured to amplify data signals transmitted via the first port. In addition, a second amplifier may form part of a second communication path between the first port and the network interface and be configured to amplify data signals received via the first port. In addition, the embodiment may include a diplexer forming part of the first communication path between the first amplifier and the first port and forming part of the second communication path between the second amplifier and the first port.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: Brett D. Gidge, William O. Radtke
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Patent number: 7449991Abstract: The present invention provides a device for providing communications over power lines that includes a backhaul modem, a power line modem, and a user port modem. The device may provide communications for one or more network elements via the power line modem and may provide communications for one or more user devices via the user port modem wirelessly or via low voltage power lines.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: James Douglas Mollenkopf
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Patent number: 7436321Abstract: A method of communicating utility usage data is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting real-time utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters, receiving the real-time utility usage data from the plurality of utility meters, storing the real-time utility usage data in a memory, storing address information of the plurality of utility meters in memory, receiving requests from a plurality of utility users for real-time utility usage information and wherein the requests traverse a communication path that includes the Internet, processing the utility usage data of the utility users to provide the real-time utility usage information for each utility user, and transmitting the real-time utility usage information to the utility users over a communication path that includes the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: Melvin Joseph White, II, James Douglas Mollenkopf
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Patent number: 7414518Abstract: A signal is received from a first portion of a power line via a connection to the power line and at least a portion of the signal is converted to a non-electrically conducting signal. The non-electrically conducting signal may be communicated to a non-electrically conductive communication path. In this manner, the non-electrically conducting signal may have properties that do not provide imminent danger from human contact.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: Paul A. Kline
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Patent number: 7382232Abstract: A device and method for providing power line communications via an underground residential distribution power system is provided. One embodiment of the present invention includes a power line bridge having though section and processing section. The through section may include a first and second amplifying circuit for amplifying data signals traveling in opposite directions. The processing section may include a first, a second modem, and a controller that may process commands and perform routing functions. The power line bridge may be co-located with a URD distribution transformer and provide communications to the user devices communicatively coupled to the LV power lines of the distribution transformer.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: Brett D. Gidge, William O. Radtke
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Patent number: 7358808Abstract: A device for bi-directional amplification of data signals over power lines is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a bandpass filter, a frequency converter and an amplifier. The bandpass filter filters out undesired frequencies and the frequency converter converts the frequency band of the data signals to a different frequency band. The output of the filter is provided to the amplifier for amplifying the frequency converted data signals for transmission over power line.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: William H. Berkman
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Patent number: 7321291Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for operating a power line communications system for communicating via an underground residential distribution power system. One embodiment of the present invention includes an aggregation point, which may be co-located with a point of presence, communicatively coupled to one or distribution points. The distribution points are communicatively coupled to one or more medium voltage interface devices. The medium voltage interface devices are communicatively coupled to one or more power line bridges via URD medium voltage power lines. The power line bridges may be co-located with a URD distribution transformer and provide communications to the user devices communicatively coupled to the LV power lines of the distribution transformer.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: Brett D. Gidge, William O. Radtke
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Patent number: 7307512Abstract: The coupler of the present invention couples data signals, such as broadband RF signals, to and from a power line. The coupler of one embodiment that is for use with overhead power lines includes a length of URD MV cable with the neutral conductor removed. Each end of the URD cable is communicatively coupled to the MV power line conductor a predetermined distance from other. The distance between the two connections points on the MV may be related to the wavelength of a carrier frequency used to communicate the data signals. The URD cable may also form part of a transformer to permit the passage of data signals while preventing the flow of the high voltage power signals through the coupler. The neutral semi-conductive jacket of the URD cable may be coupled to ground via a low frequency conductive path.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: David Stanley Yaney, William O. Radtke
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Patent number: 7307510Abstract: A passive bypass device for providing a data path around a power meter is provided. The device may be communicatively connected to two low voltage power line energized conductors on a first and a second side of a power meter. The energized power line conductors conduct both the data signals and the power. The bypass device includes a filter that causes the power to pass through the power meter while allowing the data signal to pass around the power meter thereby providing a substantially non-attenuated data signal path. The bypass device may include a first and second data path for the first and second energized conductors and with each path having a high pass filter and a fuse communicatively connected to its respective energized conductor on each side of the power meter.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: William H. Berkman
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Patent number: 7308103Abstract: The repeater of the present invention communicates data signals over power lines. The repeater of one embodiment includes at least one modem that receives a data packet and attempts to decrypt the data packet with a first and/or second encryption key. If the packet is successfully decrypted using the first encryption key, the packet is encrypted using the second encryption and transmitted over the power line. If the packet is successfully decrypted using the second encryption key, the packet is encrypted using the first encryption and transmitted over the power line.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin F. Corcoran, James Douglas Mollenkopf
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Patent number: 7307511Abstract: The last portion of the electrical distribution system is used to provide high-speed communications to residential homes. An aggregation point interfaces a medium voltage power line with a point-of-presence, and a power line bridge enables flow of communications signals between the medium voltage power line and a low voltage power line across a distribution transformer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: Paul A. Kline
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Patent number: 7301440Abstract: The present invention provides a device for providing communications through power lines comprised of multiple conductors by transmitting the data signals through a plurality of the conductors. One embodiment of the present invention may be comprised of a transmit circuit communicatively coupled to a first energized conductor for applying a first voltage signal representing the data to the first energized conductor; the transmit circuit being communicatively coupled to a second energized conductor for applying a second voltage signal representing the data to the second energized conductor; and wherein the second voltage signal is opposite in polarity to said first voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: James Douglas Mollenkopf
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Patent number: 7280033Abstract: The present invention provides a system for operating a power line communications system that employs surface wave communications and conducted communications. The system is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, communication interface devices, backhaul devices, medium voltage transducers, distribution points, aggregation points, and others. In one embodiment, surface waves are communicated over the medium voltage power lines and the conducted communications are communicated via the low voltage power lines to and from customer premises.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: William H. Berkman, David Stanley Yaney, James Douglas Mollenkopf
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Patent number: 7265664Abstract: A power line communications system (PLCS) that provides communications to one or more user devices by repeating data packets on the power distribution network is provided. The PLCS may employ any or all of the MV power line conductors and/or the neutral conductor and be dynamically and remotely transitioned to one of a plurality of potential configurations.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventor: William H. Berkman
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Patent number: 7259657Abstract: A system that includes low voltage power line subnet coupler that provides bi-directional communications between multiple power line subnets while substantially preventing the flow of power is provided. The system may include a power line communications device coupled to a first LV power line subnet, and a low voltage power line subnet coupler providing a data communications path between the first low voltage power line subnet and a second low voltage power line subnet. Additionally, some embodiments include a low voltage repeater communicatively coupled to the second LV power line subnet.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Current Technologies, LLCInventors: James Douglas Mollenkopf, David Stanley Yaney