Patents by Inventor Stephen John Hunter
Stephen John Hunter 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: 10491972Abstract: Devices and meters comprising: a housing configured to mount to a pole supporting an existing meter, the housing defining an interior; a sensor within the interior of the housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio within the interior of the housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; a power unit within the interior of the housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter, Chad P. Randall
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Publication number: 20190304203Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: David William KING, Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER
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Publication number: 20190236940Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER
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Patent number: 10366546Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Publication number: 20190230421Abstract: Devices and meters comprising: a housing configured to mount to a pole supporting an existing meter, the housing defining an interior; a sensor within the interior of the housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio within the interior of the housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; a power unit within the interior of the housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: David William KING, Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER, Chad P. RANDALL
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Patent number: 10297150Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Patent number: 10299018Abstract: Devices and meters comprising: a housing configured to mount to a pole supporting an existing meter, the housing defining an interior; a sensor within the interior of the housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio within the interior of the housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; a power unit within the interior of the housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter, Chad P. Randall
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Publication number: 20180025629Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER
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Publication number: 20180025549Abstract: Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: David William KING, Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER, Chad P. RANDALL
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Patent number: 9805518Abstract: Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter, Chad P. Randall
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Publication number: 20170256983Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Stephen John HUNTER, Andre Malan JOUBERT
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Patent number: 9728085Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Publication number: 20170206716Abstract: Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: David William KING, Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER, Chad P. RANDALL
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Patent number: 9692256Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Patent number: 9661403Abstract: Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: IPS Group Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter, Chad P. Randall
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Publication number: 20170034600Abstract: Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: David William KING, Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER, Chad P. RANDALL
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Patent number: 9508198Abstract: Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter, Chad P. Randall
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Publication number: 20160268838Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Stephen John HUNTER, Andre Malan JOUBERT
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Patent number: 9391474Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Patent number: D755650Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter