Patents by Inventor Rolf J. Flen

Rolf J. Flen 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: 9998173
    Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Chad K. Wolter, Rolf J. Flen
  • Publication number: 20150358049
    Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Chad K. Wolter, Rolf J. Flen
  • Publication number: 20110121952
    Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Chad K. Wolter, Rolf J. Flen
  • Patent number: 7791468
    Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Rolf J. Flen, David F. Olson
  • Patent number: 7742393
    Abstract: A system for bi-directional communication within a power distribution system. The system is configured to find an endpoint, the endpoint having an endpoint transceiver in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The power distribution line is within the power distribution system, and the endpoint is identified by a unique identifier (I.D.). The system comprises a substation transceiver electrically coupled to a power distribution line within the power distribution system. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is programmed to map the unique I.D. endpoint to a base frequency within a bandwidth and to control the endpoint to transmit a find endpoint data packet onto the power distribution network. The find endpoint data packet includes the unique I.D. and the base frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Chad K. Wolter, Rolf J. Flen, David F. Olson
  • Publication number: 20090140880
    Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf J. Flen, Stuart L. Haug, Matthew David Ruohoniemi
  • Patent number: 7432824
    Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf J. Flen, Stuart L. Haug, Matthew David Ruohoniemi
  • Patent number: 7236765
    Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Chad K. Wolter, Rolf J. Flen
  • Patent number: 7180412
    Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian G. Bonicatto, Verne J. Olson, Rolf J. Flen, David F. Olson
  • Patent number: 7145438
    Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf J. Flen, Stuart L. Haug, Matthew David Ruohoniemi
  • Patent number: 7102490
    Abstract: An endpoint in a power distribution system includes a transmitter. The transmitter includes a transformer, a half-bridge driver, a first and second driver, and a resonant circuit. A primary winding from the transformer is coupled to a power distribution line, while the secondary winding is coupled to the transmitter. The half-bridge drive circuit selectively asserts drive signals. The resonant circuit has a natural resonant frequency in an audio frequency range. The half-bridge driver is arranged to selectively activate the first and second drivers such that the power-line is modulated with a square-wave signal at a frequency that is associated with encoded data. The half-bridge driver circuit can also be arranged to provide power to the transmitter, and to the endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf J. Flen, Stuart L. Haug, Matthew David Ruohoniemi
  • Patent number: 6998963
    Abstract: An endpoint is configured for communication with a distribution substation. The endpoint includes a receiver conditioning block and a receiver processing block. The receiver conditioning block is positioned downstream from the distribution substation, and arranged to provide an analog signal that is responsive to the power signal from the distribution line. The receiver processing block is configured to extract encoded data from the power signal by under-sampling the analog signal, and processing the under-sampled analog signal such that fundamental and harmonic frequencies associated with the power signal are suppressed. Command signals from the distribution substation are extracted from the power-line. Each endpoint is addressable by an ID code, and is configurable via downstream command signals that are associated with the ID code. The endpoint collects data at demand based and schedule based intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hunt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf J. Flen, Stuart L. Haug, Matthew David Ruohoniemi