Patents by Inventor H. Britton Sanderford
H. Britton Sanderford 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: 7513683Abstract: A system for detecting, at a remote location, a deterioration in an electrical connection, such as an electrical meter socket connection, includes at least one deterioration sensing device that includes an apparatus for detecting, at a remote location, a deterioration in an electrical connection; at least one fixed or portable receiving communication device, each configured to receive temperature information from the at least one deterioration sensing device and to transmit the temperature information via a communication network; and a back end connected to the communication network and configured to receive temperature information from the at least one fixed or portable sensing communication device. Upon exceeding a predetermined condition, the back-end may forward an alarm warning to a utility.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: M & FC Holding, LLCInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Marc L. Reed, Arlin Rummel
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Patent number: 7511470Abstract: An electronic meter tamper detection system and method for sensing the removal of an electricity meter from a meter socket and generating a tamper signal when such removal is detected. The tamper detection circuit includes a control unit having an energy storage device that is charged during normal operation of the electricity meter. When power is interrupted to the electricity meter, the control unit applies a charging voltage to a voltage regulating device within the electricity meter. The voltage regulating device can be charged only when the electricity meter is installed within the meter socket. After applying the charging voltage to the voltage regulating device, the control unit senses whether the voltage regulating device has been charged. If the voltage regulating device has not been charged, the control unit indicates that the meter has been removed from the meter socket.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLCInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Jr., Stephen Schamber
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Patent number: 7477694Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLCInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Jr., Robert E. Rouquette, Gary A. Naden, Marc L. Reed, Gordon J. Boudreaux, Michael R. Brown
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Publication number: 20080180088Abstract: An electronic meter tamper detection system and method for sensing the removal of an electricity meter from a meter socket and generating a tamper signal when such removal is detected. The tamper detection circuit includes a control unit having an energy storage device that is charged during normal operation of the electricity meter. When power is interrupted to the electricity meter, the control unit applies a charging voltage to a voltage regulating device within the electricity meter. The voltage regulating device can be charged only when the electricity meter is installed within the meter socket. After applying the charging voltage to the voltage regulating device, the control unit senses whether the voltage regulating device has been charged. If the voltage regulating device has not been charged, the control unit indicates that the meter has been removed from the meter socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Stephen Schamber
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Publication number: 20080084216Abstract: A system for detecting, at a remote location, a deterioration in an electrical connection, such as an electrical meter socket connection, includes at least one deterioration sensing device that includes an apparatus for detecting, at a remote location, a deterioration in an electrical connection; at least one fixed or portable receiving communication device, each configured to receive temperature information from the at least one deterioration sensing device and to transmit the temperature information via a communication network; and a back end connected to the communication network and configured to receive temperature information from the at least one fixed or portable sensing communication device. Upon exceeding a predetermined condition, the back-end may forward an alarm warning to a utility.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2007Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventors: H. Britton SANDERFORD, Marc L. Reed, Arlin Rummel
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Publication number: 20070071114Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: ADVANCED METERING DATA COMM. SYSTEMS, L.L.C.Inventors: H. BRITTON SANDERFORD, Robert Rouquette, Gary Naden, Marc Reed, Gordon Boudreaux, Michael Brown
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Publication number: 20040131125Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: ADVANCED METERING DATA COMM. SYSTEMS, L.L.C.Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Robert E. Rouquette, Gary A. Naden, Marc L. Reed, Gordon J. Boudreaux, Michael R. Brown
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Patent number: 6335953Abstract: A method utilizing intentionally generated in-band frequency harmonics to compensate for frequency error and frequency drift in a voltage controlled oscillator of a receiver, thereby eliminating the frequency synthesizer and RF divider required in conventional designs. The method includes modulating the intentionally generated frequency in a predetermined manner so that a receiver can identify the intentionally generated frequency and includes the use of plural frequency harmonics for use in a curve fitting technique to correct frequency error in the voltage controlled oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Axonn, L.L.C.Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Jr., Robert J. Davis, Robert E. Rouquette
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Patent number: 6111911Abstract: A system and method for receiving direct sequence spread spectrum transmissions with both chip code and frequency uncertainty including a parallel frequency acquisition technique for increasing receiver sensitivity and increasing process gain while reducing a preamble duration required for spread spectrum acquisition. The system and method include techniques for reducing effects of jamming and impulse noise on receiver performance via enhanced antenna diversity by constructively combining received signals. Further, techniques are provided which compensate for chip code alignment drift, providing an associated transmitter maintains carrier and chip code coherence, by comparing received signal energies at varying chip code alignments. These techniques enable the use of lower cost frequency setting crystals in both the receiver and transmitter as well as provide for system operation over a wider temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Sanconix, IncInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Jr., Robert E. Rouquette, Robert J. Davis
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Patent number: 6084547Abstract: The invention discloses several computation and control techniques which use historic information as well as other cues in order to enhance the accuracy of a radio position fix. These computational techniques include neural networks, mapped grid coefficients as input to a set of simultaneous or differential equations,and table lookup of correction coefficients for known low accuracy positions. The invention further discloses techniques for receiver array synchronization so that all system elements in a particular coverage area obtain a time reference appropriate for time of flight radio location measurements. The invention further teaches techniques to enhance the accuracy of a position fix by use of both fixed references, which are located in a coverage area, as well as a mobile reference carried by a search team. The invention also discloses techniques to provide information appropriate to guide a search team to an unknown positioned transmitter that is located within a building or structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Sanconix Inc.Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Martin C. Poppe
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Patent number: 6031883Abstract: A method utilizing intentionally generated in-band frequency harmonics to compensate for frequency error and frequency drift in a voltage controlled oscillator of a receiver, thereby eliminating the frequency synthesizer and RF divider required in conventional designs. The method includes modulating the intentionally generated frequency in a predetermined manner so that a receiver can identify the intentionally generated frequency and includes the use of plural frequency harmonics for use in a curve fitting technique to correct frequency error in the voltage controlled oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Sanconix, Inc.Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Jr., Robert J. Davis, Robert E. Rouquette
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Patent number: 5999561Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer-based product and system employs a digital receiver (or transceiver) to receive, digitize and process a direct sequence spread spectrum signal using efficient, low-cost digital signal processing components. A radio front end portion of the receiver receives and digitizes the signal, and a digital signal processing portion downconverts and despreads the signal by applying a pseudorandom noise (PN) code, used at a transmitter to spread a data signal contained in the direct sequence spread spectrum signal, to the received signal. In order to initially align, and maintain alignment of, the PN code with the direct sequence spread spectrum signal, a timing and state control mechanism is included that provides time reference correction information to the signal processing components of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Sanconix, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Naden, Robert E. Rouquette, H. Britton Sanderford, Jr., Dale E. Reiser, Charles A. Hwang, Marc L. Reed
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Patent number: 5987058Abstract: A wireless alarm system using spread spectrum transmitters, fast frequency shift keying, spread spectrum receivers and computer with a display. The spread spectrum transmitter includes an oscillator coupled to a microprocessor with chip code generation means, preamble register, address register and data register. The spread spectrum receiver acquires synchronization of the spread spectrum signal using a microprocessor coupled to the quieting, signal strength or baseband output of the receiver, with a two step algorithm. The steps comprise achieving a coarse lock and a fine lock to the spread spectrum signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Axonn CorporationInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Robert E. Rouquette, James D. Arthur
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Patent number: 5953368Abstract: A remote power meter monitoring system using spread spectrum transmitters, fast frequency shift keying, spread spectrum receivers and a computer. The spread spectrum transmitter uses a chip code generator, preamble register, address register data register and oscillator coupled to a microprocessor to transmit information in a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. The spread spectrum receiver acquires synchronization of the spread spectrum signal using a microprocessor to despread and detect the transmitted information, which relates to data from a power meter.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Axonn CorporationInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Robert E. Rouquette
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Patent number: 5920589Abstract: A direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) DSP implementation technique utilizing a unique combination of multiple filters, transforms, despreading algorithm and spectral compression, all in a single coefficient set, providing a highly efficient system requiring relatively nominal computational hardware and software requirements. Reallocatable computational resources allow for frequency uncertainty in the transmitter, without the typical excessive noise bandwidth penalties. The present system further contemplates a unique energy detection algorithm for discerning spread spectrum while in the search mode, utilizing several discrete sampling data sets to increase signal strength, reducing noise, while changing the relative phase of the received chipping code with respect to the received signal. The spectral compression of the spreading sequence is achieved by representing the PRC as an array of two, complimenting fractional coefficients.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Sanconix Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Rouquette, Gary A. Naden, H. Britton Sanderford
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Patent number: 5917449Abstract: The invention discloses several computation and control techniques which use historic information as well as other cues in order to enhance the accuracy of a radio position fix. These computational techniques include neural networks, mapped grid coefficients as input to a set of simultaneous or differential equations,and table lookup of correction coefficients for known low accuracy positions. The invention further discloses techniques for receiver array synchronization so that all system elements in a particular coverage area obtain a time reference appropriate for time of flight radio location measurements. The invention further teaches techniques to enhance the accuracy of a position fix by use of both fixed references, which are located in a coverage area, as well as a mobile reference carried by a search team. The invention also discloses techniques to provide information appropriate to guide a search team to an unknown positioned transmitter that is located within a building or structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Sanconix Inc.Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Martin C. Poppe
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Patent number: 5859869Abstract: An improvement in spread spectrum modulator systems, and more particularly further improvements in spread spectrum BPSK, or Binary Phase Shift Keying, Modulation systems, the present invention contemplating the utilization of an exclusive OR logic gate to replace an RF mixer stage in the SS transmitter, thereby providing enhanced gain at a lower energy consumption, with lesser cost and suppressed carrier output when compared to prior systems, as well as compatibility with CMOS low power logic modulation drive circuitry. The present system teaches a new, superior, and less costly BPSK transmitter than contemplated by the prior art, providing a less complicated system while outputting increased gain over prior art modulators.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Sanconix, Inc.Inventor: H. Britton Sanderford
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Patent number: 5764686Abstract: A method for improving a radio location system based on time-of-arrival. Time-of-arrival radio location systems are limited in ultimate accuracy by signal-to-noise ratio and by the time varying multipath environment in which they must operate. The present invention teaches techniques which maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio while identifying a feature of the received signal which is least affected by multipath. The technique uses correlation peak/envelope information to estimate the leading edge of the correlation function, then enhances discrete samples at the leading edge of the correlation function to yield high signal-to-noise ratio readings. The present invention can reduce required transmitted bandwidth, increase system resolution and accuracy by twenty to one, and maintain high message traffic throughput.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Sanconix, Inc.Inventors: H. Britton Sanderford, John R. Souvestre
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Patent number: 5742635Abstract: A method for improving a radio location system based on time-of-arrival. Time-of-arrival radio location systems are limited in ultimate accuracy by signal-to-noise ratio and by the time varying multipath environment in which they must operate. These systems time stamp some feature of an arriving signal, from a transmitter, in order to calculate a range or a hyperbolic line-of-position. Some feature of the received signal must be identified which can provide repeatable readings, in order for a time-of-arrival system to be reliable. The present invention teaches techniques which maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio while identifying a feature of the received signal which is least affected by multipath. The technique uses correlation peak/envelope information to estimate the leading edge of the correlation function, then enhances discrete samples at the leading edge of the correlation function to yield high signal-to-noise ratio readings.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1994Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Sanconix, Inc.Inventor: H. Britton Sanderford, Jr.
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Patent number: RE40111Abstract: A remote power meter monitoring system using spread spectrum transmitters, fast frequency shift keying, spread spectrum receivers and a computer. The spread spectrum transmitter uses a chip code generator, preamble register, address register data register and oscillator coupled to a microprocessor to transmit information in a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. The spread spectrum receiver acquires synchronization of the spread spectrum signal using a microprocessor to despread and detect the transmitted information, which relates to data from a power meter.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: M & FC Holding, LLCInventors: H. Britton Sanderford, Robert E. Rouquette