Patents Assigned to Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
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Patent number: 8719938Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting intrusion into a data network are disclosed. Such intrusion can be detected, for example, by providing at least two network devices in a data network. Each of the network devices has a decoy cryptographic key that is used to detect unauthorized data and an authentic cryptographic key that is used to encrypt authorized data. The first network device receives data from the second network device that is encrypted using the decoy cryptographic key. The first network device determines that the data is encrypted using the decoy cryptographic key. The first network device deletes or otherwise discards the data encrypted using the decoy cryptographic key. The first network device can generate an alert message instructing other network devices that the second network device is generating the unauthorized data. The alert message also instructs the other network devices to ignore data originating from the second network device.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Chasko, Michael Demeter
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Publication number: 20140118151Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting that a removable antenna is electrically connected to a communication device are disclosed. An exemplary detection device includes a visual indicator component and a data indicator component. The visual indicator component electrically connects to an RF antenna connector of the communication device. The visual indicator component generates a visual indicator in response to the RF antenna connector being connected to the removable antenna. The RF antenna connector being connected to the removable antenna provides electrical paths through the visual indicator component and through the data indicator component from at least one voltage source to ground. The data indicator component electrically connects to the RF antenna connector. The data indicator component generates a data indicator in response to the RF antenna connector being connected to the removable antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Anthony DePoy
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Patent number: 8710982Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending messages regarding an emergency at a facility. The messages can be sent to an emergency response service or directly to another facility through a wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network can comprise one or more nodes that route measurement data, such as utility meter reading data. The emergency messages can be assigned a higher priority so that they travel through the wireless mesh network more quickly. A device receiving an emergency message may identify the address of the associated facility, for example, by identifying an address associated with utility service also provided at the same facility. The address can be forwarded to an emergency response service and a confirmation or other message may be sent back to the facility. A device at a facility may receive various messages from a control center, such as a weather center, over the wireless mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Emmanuel Monnerie, Jeffrey B. Shudark, Stephen J. Chasko
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Patent number: 8711900Abstract: Methods and systems for sending a broadcast message in frequency hopping and other systems. Instead of sending a complete message separately to each device, a relatively small packet or “chirp” is sent. These chirps are either targeted at known devices or sent in a manner to sweep the Radio Frequency (RF) band. Devices that hear the chirps get information about the channel and/or time that the broadcast data will be sent. These devices then listen for the broadcast data as instructed, e.g., at the specified time on the specified channel. A system may alternatively, or in addition, use a scheduled hopping sequence break as a broadcast moment. Such a broadcast moment can be scheduled to periodically interrupt the node hopping sequences so that, at such times, many or all nodes are scheduled to be on the same channel for potential broadcasts.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John Bettendorff, Chris Calvert
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Patent number: 8670946Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing utility device operations. In one aspect, a utility apparatus includes a processing apparatus that manages data processing tasks for the utility apparatus. The utility apparatus also includes a communications apparatus, coupled to the processing apparatus, that is configured to transmit and receive data over a network. A metrology apparatus is coupled to the processing apparatus, the metrology apparatus being configured to measure and provide meter data that includes at least a measure of utilized utility services. A network apparatus is also coupled to the processing apparatus, the network apparatus being configured to coordinate communication between devices that belong to a home area network. A utility identification module interface is coupled to the processing apparatus, the utility identification module having an interface that removably receives a utility identification module.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Ruben Salazar, Jeffrey B. Shudark, Emmanuel Monnerie, Stephen J. Chasko
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Patent number: 8656789Abstract: An adapter assembly that works with a standard utility meter to wirelessly transmit data about consumption. The adapter assembly generates information about consumption by cooperating with a pointer of an index of a utility meter. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes an upper portion and a clip that interface together. The upper portion and the clip are configured to maintain alignment with the pointer and not create stress on the index.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Davis, Nathan Edward Woody
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Patent number: 8634406Abstract: Systems and methods for routing packets using node virtual locations are disclosed. Such a virtual location may be determined, for example, by determining a geographic location that is central to other nodes with which the node can communicate. In certain embodiments, a node's virtual location may more accurately represent an approximate center point of a node's communication range. In one exemplary embodiment, a node's virtual location is an average of the geographic locations of radio nodes with which the node is in communication.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Brian Keith Seal
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Patent number: 8624730Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and providing warnings of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other environmental occurrences. Temperature, pressure, seismic activities and other environmental conditions are measured with improved granularity using sensors at multiple locations. More extensive distribution of sensors is enabled using existing networks, such as utility (e.g., gas and electricity) meter networks. Network traffic is improved by screening information locally so that only limited information is sent for central processing. A given location, for example, may compare its own and its neighbors measurements against a profile to identify the probable existence of a tornado before sending a message to a central processing device. Upon receiving such a message and possibly other information (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Chasko
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Publication number: 20130343430Abstract: Methods and systems for sending a broadcast message in frequency hopping and other systems. Instead of sending a complete message separately to each device, a relatively small packet or “chirp” is sent. These chirps are either targeted at known devices or sent in a manner to sweep the RF band. Devices that hear the chirps get information about the channel and/or time that the broadcast data will be sent. These devices then listen for the broadcast data as instructed, e.g., at the specified time on the specified channel. A system may alternatively, or in addition, use a scheduled hopping sequence break as a broadcast moment. Such a broadcast moment can be scheduled to periodically interrupt the node hopping sequences so that, at such times, many or all nodes are scheduled to be on the same channel for potential broadcasts.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John Bettendorff, Chris Calvert
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Publication number: 20130285833Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting tampering with a pulse-producing component of an electrical device are disclosed. An example electrical device includes a pulse-producing circuit and a tamper detection circuit. The pulse-producing circuit is configured for generating at least one pulse. The pulse-producing circuit includes a pulse interface via which the at least one pulse is communicated from the pulse-producing circuit. The tamper detection circuit is electrically connected to the pulse interface. The tamper detection circuit can be connected between a pulse-counting device and the pulse interface. The tamper detection circuit is configured for communicating the pulse to the pulse-counting device via at least one electrical path in the absence of a tampering condition. The tamper detection circuit is also configured for simulating damage to the pulse interface by modifying the at least one electrical path in response to the presence of the tampering condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Chris Oswalt
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Patent number: 8548025Abstract: Methods and systems for sending a broadcast message in frequency hopping and other systems. Instead of sending a complete message separately to each device, a relatively small packet or “chirp” is sent. These chirps are either targeted at known devices or sent in a manner to sweep the RF band. Devices that hear the chirps get information about the channel and/or time that the broadcast data will be sent. These devices then listen for the broadcast data as instructed, e.g., at the specified time on the specified channel. A system may alternatively, or in addition, use a scheduled hopping sequence break as a broadcast moment. Such a broadcast moment can be scheduled to periodically interrupt the node hopping sequences so that, at such times, many or all nodes are scheduled to be on the same channel for potential broadcasts.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: John Bettendorff, Chris Calvert
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Patent number: 8525520Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a voltage pump to determine the status of a battery connected to the voltage pump are provided. The operation of the voltage pump is monitored during at least one monitoring period which corresponds to a period of relatively heavy consistent load. The operation of the voltage pump can be monitored by sampling a control signal that corresponds to the operation of the voltage pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Edwards, Eric Norrod
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Patent number: 8451001Abstract: An adapter assembly that works with a standard utility meter to wirelessly transmit data about consumption. The adapter assembly generates information about consumption by cooperating with a pointer or shaft of an index (or index bracket) of a utility meter. In some versions, the adapter assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion that interface together. The upper portion and the lower portion are configured to maintain alignment with the pointer/shaft and not create stress on the index.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Louay Ibrahim Abdul-Hadi, Nathan Edward Woody
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Patent number: 8402455Abstract: Systems and methods for over-the-air firmware distribution to battery-powered devices are disclosed. Such over-the-air distribution is accomplished, for example, using a non-battery-powered device as a buffer, for example, to reduce or eliminate the delay time of the over-the-air network. The firmware can be sent to and stored on a nearby, non-battery-powered device and then sent from there to the battery-powered endpoint device. The distribution of firmware to battery-powered devices may be implemented in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, a mesh network, a multi-channel radio network, or any other environment in which firmware distribution is desirable.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, John Bettendorff
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Patent number: 8336407Abstract: An adapter assembly that works with a standard utility meter to wirelessly transmit data about consumption. The adapter assembly generates information about consumption by cooperating with a pointer of an index of a utility meter. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes an upper portion and a clip that interface together. The upper portion and the clip are configured to maintain alignment with the pointer and not create stress on the index.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Louay Ibrahim Abdul-Hadi, Nathan Edward Woody
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Patent number: D683612Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Louay Ibrahim Abdul-Hadi, Nathan Edward Woody
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Patent number: D683613Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Louay Ibrahim Abdul-Hadi, Nathan Edward Woody