Patents by Inventor Brent Cain

Brent Cain 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: 6219656
    Abstract: An improved process ensures to the extent possible that the usage memory of an electronically-based electricity meter is always in a state that most recent data may be retrieved. Two separate areas or pages of memory are maintained and updated as to quantitative consumptions, e.g., kiloWatt-hour. Preferably a non-volatile form of memory is used. The older of the two data memories is updated, based on a data validation check. The approach ensures that a previous value is always retained, to prevent full data loss in the event that the power goes down. If one area of memory becomes corrupted, the other value can be retrieved and verified so as to prevent loss of both memory areas, before a subsequent data reading (such as kWh or a unit of time for a kW reading). Use of a relatively smaller unit of measure prevents any significant adverse affects to the accuracy of the value stored. In other words, the maximum data lost is limited to the chosen unit of measure since the most recent previous update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Resource Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Cain, Brad Smith, Gary Morand