Patents by Inventor Brian Keith Seal
Brian Keith Seal 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: 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: 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: 7961554Abstract: Methods and systems for providing accurate time-keeping on battery-powered communication devices used in AMI systems, mesh networks, and multi-channel radio networks. One embodiment allows the use of low power (and low cost) crystals in battery-powered endpoints by periodically correcting the poor timing of these crystals using communications with a nearby, non-battery-powered device. Such communications allow the battery-powered devices to align their timing with that of their non-battery neighbors, among other things.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Cellnet Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, John Bettendorff
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Publication number: 20100002709Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: Cellnet Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Brian Keith Seal
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Publication number: 20090235246Abstract: 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 AMI system, a mesh network, a multi-channel radio network, or any other environment in which firmware distribution is desirable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: Cellnet Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, John Bettendorff
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Publication number: 20090179771Abstract: Methods and systems for providing accurate time-keeping on battery-powered communication devices used in AMI systems, mesh networks, and multi-channel radio networks. One embodiment allows the use of low power (and low cost) crystals in battery-powered endpoints by periodically correcting the poor timing of these crystals using communications with a nearby, non-battery-powered device. Such communications allow the battery-powered devices to align their timing with that of their non-battery neighbors, among other things.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: Cellnet Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, John Bettendorff
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Patent number: 7495555Abstract: The present technology involves a method and apparatus for detecting and reporting magnetic fields in the proximity of a utility meter as an approach to determining tampering of such meter. The sensitivity level of the magnetic field sensors may be adjustable allowing either remote or local sensitivity adjustments to a magnetic field sensor to compensate for variations in the electromagnetic environments of different meter installation sites. Alternatively, the output of each magnetic field sensor may be connected to the input of an adjustable threshold circuit. When the output voltage of the magnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a magnetic event signal is generated. Threshold adjustments to the adjustable threshold circuit may be performed locally at the meter site or remotely from a station. The output of each magnetic field sensor may be monitored by a locally or remotely programmable magnetic sensor output monitor.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, Brent Martin
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Patent number: 7218223Abstract: The present technology involves a method and apparatus for detecting and reporting magnetic fields in the proximity of a utility meter as an approach to determining tampering of such meter. The sensitivity level of the magnetic field sensors may be adjustable allowing either remote or local sensitivity adjustments to a magnetic field sensor to compensate for variations in the electromagnetic environments of different meter installation sites. Alternatively, the output of each magnetic field sensor may be connected to the input of an adjustable threshold circuit. When the output voltage of the magnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a magnetic event signal is generated. Threshold adjustments to the adjustable threshold circuit may be performed locally at the meter site or remotely from a station. The output of each magnetic field sensor may be monitored by a locally or remotely programmable magnetic sensor output monitor.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, Brent Martin
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Patent number: 6885302Abstract: The present technology involves a method and apparatus for detecting and reporting magnetic fields in the proximity of a utility meter as an approach to determining tampering of such meter. The sensitivity level of the magnetic field sensors may be adjustable allowing either remote or local sensitivity adjustments to a magnetic field sensor to compensate for variations in the electromagnetic environments of different meter installation sites. Alternatively, the output of each magnetic field sensor may be connected to the input of an adjustable threshold circuit. When the output voltage of the magnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a magnetic event signal is generated. Threshold adjustments to the adjustable threshold circuit may be performed locally at the meter site or remotely from a station. The output of each magnetic field sensor may be monitored by a locally or remotely programmable magnetic sensor output monitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Itron Electricity Metering, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, Brent Martin
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Publication number: 20040021568Abstract: The present technology involves a method and apparatus for detecting and reporting magnetic fields in the proximity of a utility meter as an approach to determining tampering of such meter. The sensitivity level of the magnetic field sensors may be adjustable allowing either remote or local sensitivity adjustments to a magnetic field sensor to compensate for variations in the electromagnetic environments of different meter installation sites. Alternatively, the output of each magnetic field sensor may be connected to the input of an adjustable threshold circuit. When the output voltage of the magnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a magnetic event signal is generated. Threshold adjustments to the adjustable threshold circuit may be performed locally at the meter site or remotely from a station. The output of each magnetic field sensor may be monitored by a locally or remotely programmable magnetic sensor output monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: SchlumbergerSema Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, Brent Martin