Having Plural Transmitters Patents (Class 340/870.03)
  • Patent number: 11955606
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication method in a battery pack and a master BMS for providing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventor: Ho Byung Yoon
  • Patent number: 11791615
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for a power control system device housed in a subpanel, that allows for multiple alternative energy inputs as well as providing an islanding feature, which allows a homeowner to receive alternative energy power when the utility power is lost. For example, in a system that includes an electrical service panel main with a main circuit breaker that is connected directly to a utility electrical source, which may have one or more secondary circuit breakers that back-feeds current from an alternative energy source, there is provided an apparatus that: monitors current from both circuit breakers and prevents excess power from overheating the service panel and/or the wiring to the main circuit breaker; may have multiple spaces for circuit breakers that may be connected to multiple alternative energy sources; and may continue to feed specific loads to the home when utility power is lost and one or more alternative energy sources are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Paul M. Cruz
  • Patent number: 11480444
    Abstract: A method of capturing usage data of a usage area, which includes an automatic meter reading (AMR) device that broadcasts the usage data over a sequence of radio-frequency (RF) channels via a frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) signal. The method includes the steps of providing an RF receiver for the usage area, determining the sequence of RF channels, and receiving the usage data by tuning the RF receiver to an RF channel based on the sequence of RF channels. The sequence of RF channels includes an array of RF channels assigned to and ordered based on a channel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Insight Energy Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Malagon, Matthew P. Tilchen
  • Patent number: 11385074
    Abstract: A method for programming global positioning system (GPS) coordinates for a smart meter includes receiving, by a server remote from the smart meter, an image file of a photograph of the smart meter; recognizing identification information of the smart meter from the image file; extracting GPS coordinates from metadata of the received image file; transmitting the GPS coordinates and instructions to store the GPS coordinates to the smart meter identified by the identification information; and storing, by a processor of the smart meter, the GPS coordinates in a memory of the smart meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: David Schamber
  • Patent number: 11378416
    Abstract: A method for wireless transmission of time-critical data, in particular alarm data, from a battery-operated meter, preferably a consumption meter, to a preferably likewise battery-operated wireless communication module uses a short-range wireless standard, in which meter and wireless communication module act as master or slave, or vice versa, meter and wireless communication module have been coupled in advance, meter data are sent from the meter to the wireless communication module over a wireless communication link and the meter data differ from the time-critical data. An active link is established between meter and wireless communication module to send the meter data and/or time-critical data from the meter to the wireless communication module. First advertising events are sent to initiate establishing communication for transmitting the meter data, and second advertising events are sent to initiate establishing communication for transmitting the time-critical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Diehl Metering Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Kvesic, Petra Joppich-Dohlus, Christoph Schmidt, Stefan Schmitz, Christian Jambor
  • Patent number: 11293780
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas data transmission method based on a compound Internet of Things (IoT) and an IoT system. The method includes: sending, by a main sensor network sub-platform in a plurality of sensor network sub-platforms, gas data to a management platform; storing, by auxiliary sensor network sub-platforms, the gas data; when the management platform cannot receive the gas data sent by the main sensor network sub-platform, sending, by the management platform, interactive data to the main sensor network sub-platform; and when the main sensor network sub-platform does not respond to the interactive data, disconnecting, by the management platform, from the main sensor network sub-platform and establishing a connection with one auxiliary sensor network sub-platform to receive the gas data stored by the auxiliary sensor network sub-platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zehua Shao
  • Patent number: 11259247
    Abstract: Techniques for managing battery powered devices in a cellular network are described herein. In some instances, a receiving device, such as a data collector, may receive transmissions from a network endpoint, such as a utility meter. The messages may contain an indication of a power level used in the transmission. The receiving device may estimate a battery end-of-life date of the network endpoint, based at least in part on a known reporting schedule of the endpoint and the power level used in transmissions. The receiving device or the endpoint may revise the reporting schedule to modify the battery end-of-life date. In addition to modification of the reporting schedule, the endpoint power of transmission can be modified, based on RSSI and/or a transmission retry count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, Scott L. Cumeralto
  • Patent number: 11234288
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to spectrum sharing between different radio access technologies. In some embodiments, a broadcast base station is configured to wirelessly broadcast audio and video data to a plurality of broadcast receiver devices using a particular frequency band. In these embodiments, the broadcast base station is configured to discontinue broadcasting in the particular frequency band during a scheduled time interval, to enable one or more cellular base stations to perform cellular packet-switched wireless data communications using the particular frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Coherent Logix, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin A. Shelby, Durga P. Prasad, Sandeep Mavuduru Kannappa, Mark Earnshaw
  • Patent number: 11165465
    Abstract: A method for transporting LoRa frames over a first network of a system for the automated management of meterings from a plurality of electricity meters, referred to as meters, said meters in the plurality being attached to at least one data concentrator via the first network, each data concentrator being connected to a server via a second network. The method is executed by a meter in the plurality and comprises: receiving a frame, each frame received corresponding to the same frame sent by an endpoint; relaying a received frame, referred to as the first frame, corresponding to said sent frame, in the direction of the server, the first frame being selected in accordance with a predetermined criterion; when a plurality of frames corresponding to said sent frame are received, rejecting at least a subset of frames in the plurality of frames different from the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
    Inventors: Henri Teboulle, Marc Le Gourrierec
  • Patent number: 11006366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for effectuating communication in a low power wide area network using a mobile data-handling device are disclosed. A method may comprise moving a mobile data-handling device to a first position that is within communication range of an end node of a low power wide area network. The mobile data-handling device may receive a data packet from the end node and may move to a second position at which the mobile data-handling device connects to a data-receiving device. The mobile data-handling device may transmit, via the data-receiving device, the data packet to a computing system for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, William Carroll Versteeg
  • Patent number: 10863441
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing battery life in Bluetooth low power nodes without appreciably affecting latency is disclosed. The low power node may vary its PollTimeout value based on certain criteria, including time of day, ambient conditions or input from other devices. In this way, power consumption is minimized during those times when latency is not anticipated to be problematic, while latency is reduced during other times. In another embodiment, the low power node may save preconstructed messages before going into a low power or sleep mode to minimize the time required to transmit those messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Hannu Martti Olavi Mallat
  • Patent number: 10809092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas data transmission method based on a compound Internet of Things (IoT) and an IoT system. The method includes: sending, by a main sensor network sub-platform in a plurality of sensor network sub-platforms, gas data to a management platform; storing, by auxiliary sensor network sub-platforms, the gas data; when the management platform cannot receive the gas data sent by the main sensor network sub-platform, sending, by the management platform, interactive data to the main sensor network sub-platform; and when the main sensor network sub-platform does not respond to the interactive data, disconnecting, by the management platform, from the main sensor network sub-platform and establishing a connection with one auxiliary sensor network sub-platform to receive the gas data stored by the auxiliary sensor network sub-platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zehua Shao
  • Patent number: 10748418
    Abstract: A vehicle management system for managing vehicles used by users has a usage managing unit that accepts a user's request for using the vehicle and to set a return space among parking spaces as a planned return space when the user's request is accepted, the return space being a space to which the vehicle is to be returned by the user after the vehicle is used by the user, a return determining unit that determines whether or not the vehicle is returned to the planned return space set by the usage managing unit when the vehicle is actually used and returned by the user, a return permitting unit that permits a return of the vehicle in a case where the return determining unit determines that the vehicle is returned to the planned return space, and a notification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Chinomi, Kayoko Hara
  • Patent number: 10691847
    Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for monitoring a physical asset in real-time based on simulated data being transformed and applied to a virtual asset corresponding to the physical asset. In one example, the method includes receiving a data stream acquired from a structure of an asset being monitored, determining an accumulated damage amount to the asset based on the received information, the determining including performing an incremental rainflow counting algorithm on the received data stream from the asset being monitored, stress transfer function evaluations, and damage calculations with S-N curves, and outputting information concerning the accumulated damage amount of the asset for display on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Asle Heide Vaskinn, Tomas Manik, Runar Heggelien Refsnaes
  • Patent number: 10639237
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aseptic connectors with integrated wireless connectivity. For example, an example system may include a removable clamp configured to secure a first portion of an aseptic connector to a second portion of the aseptic connector. The removable clamp may include a housing, a controller disposed within the housing, a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing, a wireless radio disposed within the housing, and a sensor plug receptacle configured to receive a sensor plug coupled to a sensor of the aseptic connector. The controller may be configured to determine a sensor output of the sensor and to transmit the output using the wireless radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP.
    Inventors: Vincent Francis Pizzi, Christopher Dakin McCoy
  • Patent number: 10541724
    Abstract: A system and methods for managing a transformer area in an electrical distribution grid having at least one substation transformer and one service transformer are presented. At least one Remote Hub governed by a policy may be provided, which collects data about the transformer area. The Remote Hub may also execute a discovery procedure to inventory Remotes in the transformer area. The Remote Hub may use the collected data to detect events, such as exceptional conditions, configuration changes, or derived results, within the transformer area. Based on the collected data, the Remote Hub is able to transmit data about the transformer area via a Substation-to-Edge channel. A method and system for forming and establishing boundaries of Transformer Area Networks is also presented. Discovery procedures may be used to form Transformer Area Networks out of Remote Hubs and Remotes powered by the same phase of the service transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignees: Astrolink International LLC, Dominion Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Reid Martin, Henrik F. Bernheim, Jerritt Hansell, Michael Alan Lucas
  • Patent number: 10498394
    Abstract: A system and methods for managing a transformer area in an electrical distribution grid having at least one substation transformer and one service transformer are presented. At least one Remote Hub governed by a policy may be provided, which collects data about the transformer area. The Remote Hub may also execute a discovery procedure to inventory Remotes in the transformer area. The Remote Hub may use the collected data to detect events, such as exceptional conditions, configuration changes, or derived results, within the transformer area. Based on the collected data, the Remote Hub is able to transmit data about the transformer area via a Substation-to-Edge channel. A method and system for forming and establishing boundaries of Transformer Area Networks is also presented. Discovery procedures may be used to form Transformer Area Networks out of Remote Hubs and Remotes powered by the same phase of the service transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: Astrolink International LLC, Dominion Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Reid Martin, Henrik F. Bernheim, Jerritt Hansell, Michael Alan Lucas
  • Patent number: 10311261
    Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively attach and control antennas via diodes. In one embodiment, a system includes: a reader having a plurality of reader antennas of different polarizations to transmit radio frequency signals; and at least one radio frequency device. The radio frequency device includes: a plurality of tag antennas of different polarizations; a plurality of diodes coupled to the plurality of tag antennas respectively; a receiver coupled to the plurality of diodes to receive the radio frequency signals from the tag antennas when the diodes are forward biased; and a set of one or more current controllers coupled to the plurality of diodes. In a receiving mode the controllers selectively forward bias the diodes to receive the signals from the reader. In a transmitting mode the controllers selectively change the state of the tag antennas to transmit data via backscattering the radio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 10254127
    Abstract: A method of remotely reading electricity consumption data in a system that includes isolated electricity meters and a server for processing consumption data. Each isolated electricity meter being provided with communications means for transmitting the consumption data specific thereto over a communications network of the wired or mobile telephone network type. The consumption data from a plurality of isolated meters is initially transmitted over the wired or mobile telephone type communications network to a unit that collects and stores temporarily the consumption data from a plurality of isolated meters, and the consumption data stored temporarily by the unit is subsequently sent in grouped manner to the server. The invention relates to energy distribution networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Endle, Rodolphe Gissat
  • Patent number: 10048706
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed for allocating the cost of operating an HVAC system of a multiunit structure. The HVAC system comprises at least a first component that consumes energy based on thermostatic settings in a particular unit of the multiunit structure. In addition, associated with the multiunit structure, is a second component such as a central heating and air conditioning unit. The run time associated with the first component as reported by the thermostatic controller is used as a determinant of the cost of operation of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Douglas Hublou, John Douglas Steinberg
  • Patent number: 10018370
    Abstract: An economizer controller with sensor calibration. A controller sensor may be used to measure a parameter. At the same time at the same location of the measurement with the controller sensor, a measurement of the same parameter may be made with a precision sensor. The difference between the two measurements may be saved to a controller memory as an offset. The offset may be used to compensate future measurements of the same parameter by the controller sensor. Additional offsets at various magnitudes may be obtained between the precision and the controller sensors for compensating subsequent measurements by the controller sensor. Measurements with the compensated sensor may be used for calibrating sensors in other economizer controllers, for example, at remote locations in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Cory Grabinger, Adrienne Thomle, Miroslav Mikulica
  • Patent number: 9853498
    Abstract: A computer system at a substation of an electrical grid examines on-grid communication channels and for very channel, the system compares and correlates a GLA signal provided by a downstream transmitter on that channel to a reference GLA signal. The channel that provided the signal with the best correlation is mostly likely the channel with the transmitter. Thus, the feeder and phase of the signal can be determined from the correlation of signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Astrolink International LLC, Dominion Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerritt Harold Hansell, Alan Drew Barnett, Joseph Robert Reed, Henrik Fernand Bernheim
  • Patent number: 9652645
    Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively attach and control antennas via diodes. In one embodiment, a system includes: a reader having a plurality of reader antennas of different polarizations to transmit radio frequency signals; and at least one radio frequency device. The radio frequency device includes: a plurality of tag antennas of different polarizations; a plurality of diodes coupled to the plurality of tag antennas respectively; a receiver coupled to the plurality of diodes to receive the radio frequency signals from the tag antennas when the diodes are forward biased; and a set of one or more current controllers coupled to the plurality of diodes. In a receiving mode the controllers selectively forward bias the diodes to receive the signals from the reader. In a transmitting mode the controllers selectively change the state of the tag antennas to transmit data via backscattering the radio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 9648400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of consumption meters (2) arranged in a communication network, where program data of the consumption meters can be updated via the communication network. A data collector (3) is arranged for updating the program data of a group of consumption meters over the network. This is performed by establishing a dedicated update session to each consumption meter of the group of consumption meters, and transmitting addressed update program segments to consumption meters in session. During the update session with a given consumption meter, any other consumption meter which is within communication range (8) will, if it receives the update segment, store it even though the segment is addressed to another meter. In an update session of a next meter, only segments not already stored from a previous session to another consumption meter are transmitted to the next meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9635441
    Abstract: Information in a data store may be efficiently accessed by querying the data store for batches of information. In one example, configuration data associated with service point channels of processing trees may be retrieved from the data store with a single query to the data store. Readings for the processing trees may also be retrieved from the data store with a single query to the data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D Heller
  • Patent number: 9628365
    Abstract: The Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment. The WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security. The WINS NG nodes combine microsensor technology, low power distributed signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless and/or wired networking capability in a compact system. The WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, remote reconfigurability, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BENHOV GMBH, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Gelvin, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, Fredric Newberg, Gregory J. Pottie, Anton I. Sipos, Sandeep Vardhan, William M. Merrill
  • Patent number: 9571907
    Abstract: A discrete electrode telemetry device includes a single female snap receptor in a leadless body. The single female snap receptor attaches to a single male snap post of a single discrete standard circular disposable electrode patch, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of plug-in interface ports for multiple use reference electrodes on the leadless body thereof. A multiplexor circuit is engineered to multiplex and combine a plurality of signal data collected from the interface ports as an output thereof. A wireless transmitter module is disposed in connection with the single female snap receptor, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit the piecewise multiplexed and combined signal data to a smart phone based on a connection and a disconnection of the single female snap receptor thereto. Furthermore, a spooled memory stores and relays the plurality of signal data for a multiplexed and a composite transmission from the wireless transmitter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Darin Slack
  • Patent number: 9544120
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating to connected devices in a local environment are disclosed. The method may comprise receiving, at a head-end controller service, a command intent, the command intent indicating that a control signal should be send to a connected device. Then, the method may include sending the control signal to a virtual-gateway-enabled personal communication device that is within a local communication protocol transmission distance of the connected device. The method may further comprise relaying the control signal from the virtual-gateway-enabled personal communication device to the connected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Unifythings, Inc.
    Inventors: Joss Scholten, Kent Dickson, Garett Madole
  • Patent number: 9523587
    Abstract: The method and devices for remote metering the consumption, of utilities according to the present invention provide the possibility to retrieve a specific amount of data, i.e. consumption data and/or additional data, from remote meters of a remote metering system. The retrieved data provide a data profile in a given time interval than the entire buffer, for example indicative of the consumption characteristics over time at the location of a remote meter or, in the case of a distribution network for electric energy, indicative of a ratio of active and reactive energy consumption at the location of a remote meter over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ENEL DISTRIBUZIONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Diego Labate, Paolo Giubbini
  • Patent number: 9491172
    Abstract: A method for communicating energy consumption-specific measurement data elements recorded by a smart meter between a smart meter device and a first computer system of a utility company and/or operator of a measuring system, the device having a security module, said security module serving as the sole communication interface between of the device with the first computer system, the device having configuration data required for its operation, and the device being associated with an indication of those measurement data elements and/or configuration data for which the first computer system has a read access authorization, the method comprising: establishing a first communication channel between the first computer system and the security module, mutually authenticating the computer system and the security module, authentication being carried out with the aid of a first certificate of the security module and a second certificate of the first computer system; once mutual authentication has been completed, transmitti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Dietrich, Manfred Paeschke
  • Patent number: 9472093
    Abstract: Techniques for utilizing near field communications (NFC) with utility meters are described herein. In one example, a meter is configured for operation, either in a stand-alone or utility network capacity. The example meter may include a processor in communication with a memory device and a tag device configured for near field communication (NFC). In operation, the processor operates the tag device to read from the memory device to obtain data for transmission via NFC and/or write data obtained via NFC to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Popa, Dhia Saleem, Vladimir Borisov
  • Patent number: 9472978
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a power storage control methods and apparatus including, for example, a power storage control unit configured to determine a connection state of a consumption apparatus with a power supply, determine an expected amount of power usage by the consumption apparatus in a connected state, and adjusting a target value of power storage for a power storage apparatus based on a change in connection state and the expected amount of power usage by the consumption apparatus. The present disclosure may be also be embodied a consumption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayasu Kon, Tomoyuki Ono, Kei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9366541
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for sequencing a meter route. The method may include a step for adding routes or premises to a map. This step may be implemented as a user initiated action with the operator creating a new route based on preexisting routes as a starting point. The premises or existing routes may correspond to a particular zip code. In one embodiment, every premise may be tied to a route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
    Inventors: Adrian Jesus Rego, Juan Morales, Mark Mason, Alma R. Emerson, Amit Grover
  • Patent number: 9329579
    Abstract: A wireless sensor device includes a processor connected to a wireless transmitter and at least one sensor, and a power source connected to power the processor and the wireless transmitter. The processor has two or more states. An internal control element senses at least one predetermined condition. The internal control element switches the processor between states based on the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition. A molded body encloses at least the processor, the wireless transmitter, and the internal control sensor. The internal control sensor is physically isolated within the molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Scanimetrics Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Slupsky, Christopher V. Sellathamby, Brian Moore
  • Patent number: 9246691
    Abstract: A secure communications and location authorization system using a power line or a potion thereof as a side-channel that mitigates man-in-the-middle attacks on communications networks and devices connected to those networks. The system includes a power grid server associated with a substation, or curb-side distribution structure such as a transformer, an electric meter associated with a structure having electric service and able to communicate with the power grid server, a human authorization detector input device connected to the electric meter and the power grid server. The human authorization detector is able to receive an input from a user physically located at the structure and capable of communicating with the power grid server via the electric meter. The user's physical input into the device causing a request to be sent to the power grid server that then generates a location certificate for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Dhananjay S. Phatak
  • Patent number: 9157766
    Abstract: Techniques for reconfiguring utility meters from a mobile mode to a network mode are discussed. A utility meter may be configured for operation in a mobile mode environment, wherein it transmits data using radio frequency (RF) transmissions, such as by “bubbling-up” a “standard consumption message” at intervals. However, a switchover from mobile mode to network mode may be scheduled. The switchover may involve a plurality of endpoints (i.e., metering devices together with associated mobile mode and network mode functionality) transitioning from mobile mode functionality to network mode functionality. In one example, processors on an endpoint using a first “image” including executable software providing mobile mode functions may reboot to use a second image providing fixed network mode functions (e.g., mesh or star network operability). Following the transition, the endpoints may discover adjacent or nearby endpoints, and a fixed network having network mode functionality may be configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Gregory Holmdahl, Eric Lambert
  • Patent number: 9129453
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of DNA sample data as part of a biometric security system in a transponder transaction. The biometric security system also includes a DNA sensor that detects biometric samples, and a device for verifying biometric samples. In one embodiment, the biometric security system includes a transponder configured with a DNA sensor. In another embodiment, the system includes a reader configured with a DNA sensor. In yet another embodiment, the present invention discloses methods for proffering and processing DNA samples and DNA sample data to facilitate authorization of transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: XATRA FUND MX, LLC
    Inventors: Blayn W Beenau, David S Bonalle, Seth W Fields, William J Gray, Carl Larkin, Joshua L Montgomery, Peter D Saunders
  • Patent number: 9053628
    Abstract: A first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, a signal including information on first time-periods each associated with an occupancy rate, using a wireless channel. The first time-periods each indicate a time-period during which data are scheduled to be collected by the second apparatus, and the occupancy rate indicates a ratio of a duration-time during which data are actually collected by the second apparatus using the wireless channel, to the each first time-period. The first apparatus, based on the occupancy rate and the received power of the first signal, calculates interference values each indicating a degree of interference caused by a radio wave from the second apparatus during the each first time-period, and acquires, based on the calculated interference values, second time-periods during which data are scheduled to be collected by the first apparatus, and collects data from a node apparatus during the third time-periods using the wireless channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Atsushi Honda
  • Patent number: 9047756
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device. An exemplary method includes: listening, by the collector node, during a first listening period, for a hailing signal from a plurality of RF devices on a hailing channel, the hailing signal including identification of a specified data channel; in response to receiving the hailing signal from one of the plurality of RF devices, switching to the specified data channel and receiving data, by the collector node, on the specified data channel; collecting, by the collector node, during a collecting period, data from the plurality of RF devices; receiving, by the collector node, the data from at least one of the plurality of RF devices; and listening, during a second listening period, for an alert notification, wherein the first listening period and the collecting period occur at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Hassan Ali, Timothy J. Brown, Robert Henry Grady, David Edwin Splitz, Brent Dukes
  • Patent number: 9041551
    Abstract: A disclosed telemetry system comprises an Nth number of telemetry devices and an equal number of standard disposable circular electrode patches. A body of each telemetry device in the system includes a female snap receptor configured to attach to a single male snap post of an electrode patch. A wireless transmitter module is disposed immediately around and in direct connection with each female snap receptor. Each wireless transmitter module transmits a signal from the respective female snap receptor to a receiver. A wireless receiver module is configured to receive and to process an Nth number of transmitted signals from the Nth number of telemetry devices into an Nth?1 number of signals where the number of signals is greater than zero. There are Nth?1 number of signals because at least one of the Nth telemetry devices is configured as a ground reference for the rest of the Nth telemetry devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Darin Slack
  • Publication number: 20150137990
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing the electricity consumption of a site provided with a plurality of electrical devices of different types, wherein the method comprises: periodically measuring the current and the voltage over at least one of the electrical phases upstream from the power supply network of the site; and processing a combination of digitized signals in order to determine the distribution of the consumption on the basis of at least some of the devices in accordance with a signature of each of the devices. The processing involves comparing the waveform of the measured current with a library of pre-saved signatures for each of the electrical devices. The signatures comprising at least one parameter based on the waveform of the supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SMART IMPULSE
    Inventors: Didier Riche, Nadim El Rami, Dorian Tourin-Lebret
  • Patent number: 9030334
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for locating utility metering devices. Utility metering devices that are lost or stolen and that are facilitating unauthorized utility service access. Many AMI and/or AMR deployments lack the ability to remotely deactivate a meter. Accordingly, embodiments of this disclosure can generate a zone of interest in which an unauthorized utility metering device is located, and the unauthorized utility metering device can be subsequently located within the zone of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Cory Solomon
  • Patent number: 9030329
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of methane gas including a low-cost low-power infrared methane sensor integrated with a smart energy network endpoint node, a volume corrector, or an electronic data recorder for transmission of alarm conditions and detector data between the instrument and a remote gas utility company. An independent gas calibration/verification cell may be included in the methane detector for periodically testing the functioning and calibration of the infrared sensor. An infrared carbon monoxide sensor and associated calibration/verification cell may also be installed with the methane sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Heath Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: James Rutherford, Paul Wehnert, Steve Chancey
  • Publication number: 20150123814
    Abstract: A delivery server includes: a reception unit of receiving meter indication data of an existing gas meter and meter indication data of a new gas meter from a mobile terminal; a modification unit causing the new gas meter to be managed as a gas meter to be managed that is installed in a supply facility; and a meter reading processing unit performing a gas meter reading processing for the supply facility, when meter indication data of the new gas meter on a current meter indication date from the mobile terminal after gas meter replacement, on the basis of the received meter indication data, respective meter indication data of the new gas meter and the existing gas meter in the gas meter replacement, and meter indication data of the existing gas meter in the supply facility on a previous meter indication date of earlier than the gas meter replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Shinji Wada, Shingo Dekamo
  • Patent number: 9024780
    Abstract: Techniques for limited data messaging with standards compliance are described herein. A network may be configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automatic meter reading (AMR). A plurality of endpoints (EP) may each be associated with a meter configured to measure consumption of a resource, such as electricity or natural gas. The plurality of EPs may communicate consumption data to a data collector (DC), which transfers the data to a central office. In one example, network traffic and battery power consumption of the EPs may be reduced if each endpoint packages data as a compact array, having minimal data formatting and tagging. A class object associated with each EP and stored at the DC allows the DC to interpret the compact array. Based on this interpretation, the DC is able to reformulate the data as a COSEM (or other standards-based object) for transmission to the central office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lloyd Osterloh, James Patrick Ogle, Bret Gregory Holmdahl
  • Publication number: 20150116129
    Abstract: An information analysis unit of a management apparatus searches for a device existing within a predetermined distance from a portable terminal, namely a device positioned near the portable terminal, based on terminal position information received from the portable terminal by a radio communication unit and device position information stored in an information storage unit. The information analysis unit reads, from the information storage unit, energy usage information of the searched device existing near the portable terminal, and transmits it from the radio communication unit to an information acquisition unit of the portable terminal. Thus, the information acquisition unit acquires only the energy usage information of the device positioned near the portable terminal, so that a display unit displays only the energy usage information of the device positioned near the portable terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoya Sogo, Misayo Kobayashi, Akio Nakano, Yoshifumi Murakami, Toru Shimotsuma
  • Patent number: 9019123
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring the health of modules in a web-based collaboration environment are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having one or more host servers configured to receive client requests, process the client requests to determine one or more data items, select one or more modules having the one or more data items stored thereon, and responsively transfer one or more queries requesting availability of the one or more modules. The system also includes one or more health monitoring servers configured to receive the one or more queries, identify the availability of the one or more modules, and send one or more responses to the one or more queries indicating the availability of the one or more modules. The one or more health monitoring servers are configured to periodically determine the availability status of the one or more modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Antoine Boulanger, Tomas Barreto, Vignesh Sukumar, Sam Ghods
  • Patent number: 9019122
    Abstract: Information in a data store may be efficiently accessed to perform boundary reading processing. In one example, register readings of one or more register channels that are linked to one or more interval channels may be retrieved from the data store to determine whether or not a boundary reading of a time span is missing. If a boundary reading is missing, but a proximate register reading exists, the boundary reading may be estimated from the proximate register reading and at least one interval reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D Heller
  • Publication number: 20150097700
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of individuals engaged in a sporting activity includes a base station; a plurality of individual participant monitors, affixed to each individual and wirelessly communicating with said base station; a plurality of sensors in each said monitor or on each individual, in communication with each monitor and configured to sense a physiological or activity parameter of the individual; each monitor transmitting data relating to parameters sensed by said sensors to the base station; one or more group monitoring devices communicating wirelessly with said base station to receive said sensed parameter data. The system displays, during said activity, data relating to one or more sports parameters of one or more individuals as well as displaying the operational status of one or more of each monitor, each sensor, and the base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Catapult Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Shaun HOLTHOUSE
  • Patent number: 9000945
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for communicating with a meter at a remote premise through power transmission lines. The system comprises a head end for collecting and analyzing data from the meter; a power transmission network connected to the meter and to the head end; and a gateway. The network provides both power to the remote location and data communications; the network includes a first network providing a first voltage and a second network connected to the first network and the remote location. The gateway is a bridge between the first and second networks; the gateway provides an interface communication point. The communications are carried over the network following Internet protocol (IP) communication standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Corinex Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Sobotka, Xiao Ming Shi, Yan Long