Patents by Inventor John F. Duff

John F. Duff 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).

  • Patent number: 9825669
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward the use of broadcast transmissions to multiple endpoint devices. These broadcast transmissions can be particularly useful for reducing the communication bandwidth used during transmission of configuration data to the endpoint devices. In order to implement the broadcast communications, the present disclosure describes a mechanism for configuring targeted endpoint devices to be responsive to the broadcast communications. For instance, a configuration command can be sent to each of the targeted endpoint devices. The configuration command can include a virtual ID. The targeted endpoint devices can configure themselves to listen for subsequent broadcast messages addressed to the virtual ID. Configuration data can then be sent using the virtual ID and associated broadcast messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Rolf Flen, Scott H. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9590698
    Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards a method for communicating time-based data in a power line communication system. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, firmware is downloaded to a multitude of endpoints over power distribution lines carrying alternating current (AC) power. Endpoint devices targeted for changes to stored firmware are grouped and the firmware is delivered in chunks to each group. As devices receive a particular chunk of firmware, the device advances to a next stage and provides information indicative of this stage, based upon which subsequent chunks of firmware are communicated. This occurs (e.g., on a daily cycle) until the endpoint has received all firmware for an update, after which the endpoint(s) are re-started using the firmware. Accordingly, such updates can be carried out in a cyclic and verifiable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Rolf Flen, Scott H. Christiansen, Roland Johnson
  • Patent number: 9276634
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward the use of broadcast transmissions to multiple endpoint devices. These broadcast transmissions can be particularly useful for reducing the communication bandwidth used during transmission of configuration data to the endpoint devices. In order to implement the broadcast communications, the present disclosure describes a mechanism for configuring targeted endpoint devices to be responsive to the broadcast communications. For instance, a configuration command can be sent to each of the targeted endpoint devices. The configuration command can include a virtual ID. The targeted endpoint devices can configure themselves to listen for subsequent broadcast messages addressed to the virtual ID. Configuration data can then be sent using the virtual ID and associated broadcast messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Rolf Flen, Scott H. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9019121
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward the use of broadcast transmissions to multiple endpoint devices. These broadcast transmissions can be particularly useful for reducing the communication bandwidth used during transmission of configuration data to the endpoint devices. In order to implement the broadcast communications, the present disclosure describes a mechanism for configuring targeted endpoint devices to be responsive to the broadcast communications. For instance, a configuration command can be sent to each of the targeted endpoint devices. The configuration command can include a virtual ID. The targeted endpoint devices can configure themselves to listen for subsequent broadcast messages addressed to the virtual ID. Configuration data can then be sent using the virtual ID and associated broadcast messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Scott H. Christiansen, Rolf Flen
  • Patent number: 8989693
    Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards a method for communicating time-based data in a power line communication system. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, firmware is downloaded to a multitude of endpoints over power distribution lines carrying alternating current (AC) power. Endpoint devices targeted for changes to stored firmware are grouped and the firmware is delivered in chunks to each group. As devices receive a particular chunk of firmware, the device advances to a next stage and provides information indicative of this stage, based upon which subsequent chunks of firmware are communicated. This occurs (e.g., on a daily cycle) until the endpoint has received all firmware for an update, after which the endpoint(s) are re-started using the firmware. Accordingly, such updates can be carried out in a cyclic and verifiable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Rolf Flen, Scott H. Christiansen, Roland Johnson
  • Patent number: 8848521
    Abstract: One or more embodiments provide a method for assigning communication channels to endpoint devices. Transmission quality data is collected at one or more collectors for a plurality of sub-channels. The transmission quality data is transmitted from the collectors to a command center. At the command center, unused ones of the plurality of sub-channels are organized into communication channels based on the transmission quality data. Each communication channel has the same number of contiguous sub-channels that includes at least two sub-channels. One or more endpoint devices are assigned a respective one of the communications channels. A channel reconfiguration command is transmitted to at least one of the one or more collectors. In response to the reconfiguration command, collector(s) transmit data over the power distribution lines to configure at least one of the one or more endpoint devices to use the respective assigned communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John F. Duff
  • Patent number: 8842563
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a data retrieving engine that is designed to retrieve interval data from the endpoint devices that is communicated for indicating utility usage readings. The interval data is provided at least once for each interval period (used by each of the endpoint devices). The data retrieving engine is additionally designed for retrieving, from the endpoint devices, other different type of data, which is transmitted over a time period that overlaps multiple interval periods. In certain implementations, the system allows a dynamic adjustment to a ratio of the respective amounts for each type of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Landis + Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Scott H. Christiansen, Rolf Flen, Verne Olson
  • Publication number: 20040045038
    Abstract: A device that is external to a television set or other viewing appliance receives data encoded in a television program broadcast signal. The device includes visual or audible indicia that are activated depending upon the data that is received by the device. As a result, the indicia may be activated in synchronization with events that occur during the television program. The device may be a standalone unit or may include a base station that receives the encoded signal and transmits data to a remote unit that features the indicia so that the indicia is activated in a remote fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: John F. Duff, Kristi J. Duff