Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote display module (RDM) for display a resource consumption value synchronized with a resource consumption value indicated by a meter metering resource consumption. The RDM is configured with one or more inputs that are electrically associated with the pulse output for a utility meter. The RDM tracks continuous values and associated customer-values. Customers-values may be reset by a customer allowing the customer to easily track resource consumption.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 24, 2012
Assignee:
F.C. Patents
Inventors:
Floyd Stanley Salser, Jr., Joseph Frank Preta, William Monty Simmons
Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by and fixed network mode. The system configured to provide functionally-self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 23, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 9, 2011
Assignee:
F.C. Patents
Inventors:
Floyd Stanley Salser, Jr., Ian Phillip Harvey, Roger Allcorn
Abstract: Disclosed is a smart monitor for monitoring fire hydrants and comprising an electronic module associated with an operating nut and nut shaft. The electronic module is configured to monitor the fire hydrant operating nut to determine when the fire hydrant has been activated. When a hydrant is activated, the electronic module performs at least one of the following functions: stores activation time data, records sound data, records image data, turns on a signaling device, determines possible flow rate by counting the number of turns the operating nut has been turned, records elapsed time since hydrant activation, estimates consumption based on time data and possible flow rate data, transmits activation data to a remove receiver. Embodiments of the smart monitor also include a receiver configured for receiving a signal from remote transmitter for activating the signaling device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 19, 2011
Assignee:
F.C. Patents
Inventors:
Joseph Frank Preta, William Monty Simmons, Floyd Stanley Salser, Jr.
Abstract: The reader (1) for a utility meter is disclosed. The reader (1) is capable of receiving data, in a variety of different protocols, by either inductive coupling or by radio frequency transmission. The reader (1) is a hand-held device which comprises an inductive read nozzle (2), a RF module, a display (4), a keypad (5) a trigger switch (6), a handle (7) a communication port (8), a battery charging interface (9), a memory and a microprocessor. The reader (1) is capable of storing utility usage data in memory and/or downloading utility usage data to a computer through the communication port (8).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 4, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
F.C. Patents, LLC
Inventors:
Ian Phillip Harvey, Neil Furmidge, Richard Hall, Tim Baker
Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure for housing transmitter components of an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system electrically associated with a utility meter disposed in a substantially non-RF transparent location. The enclosure comprises a first section mechanically associated with a second section where the first section is disposed outside the non-RF transparent location, and said second section extends from said first section to a point within said non-RF transparent location. The first section may house an antenna and a transmitter while the second section may house a power source electrically associated with said transmitter.