Patents by Inventor Dennis F. Johnson
Dennis F. Johnson 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: 6653945Abstract: A radio communications network for transmitting data from a plurality of remote stations to a central station is provided. This system is particularly proposed for automatic meter reading systems in which the remote stations are located at utility meters. The system includes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the messages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations providing a high level of duplication of messages. The remote stations transmit utility usage information obtained from a previous time period at a random time subsequent to the time period so that message collisions can occur. High level of duplication provided by the increased number of receiving stations reduces the message loss. A quiet period during which the remote stations are prevented from transmitting can be used for communication between the receiving stations and the central station.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murhpy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Publication number: 20030001754Abstract: A wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal. The wide area communicates network collects network generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network have a hierarchical communications topology. The central data terminal controls network operation. Intelligence exists at all layers of the network, thereby easing the workload of the central data terminal. The intelligence attributed to each module is a function of the application of that module.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murphy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Publication number: 20020158774Abstract: A radio communications network for transmitting data from a plurality of remote stations to a central station is provided. This system is particularly proposed for automatic meter reading systems in which the remote stations are located at utility meters. The system includes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the messages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations providing a high level of duplication of messages. The remote stations transmit utility usage information obtained from a previous time period at a random time subsequent to the time period so that message collisions can occur. High level of duplication provided by the increased number of receiving stations reduces the message loss. A quiet period during which the remote stations are prevented from transmitting can be used for communication between the receiving stations and the central station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Applicant: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murhpy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Patent number: 6373399Abstract: A radio communications network for transmitting data from a plurality of remote stations to a central station is provided. This system is particularly proposed for automatic meter reading systems in which the remote stations are located at utility meters. The system includes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the messages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations providing a high level of duplication of messages. The remote stations transmit utility usage information obtained from a previous time period at a random time subsequent to the time period so that message collisions can occur. High level of duplication provided by the increased number of receiving stations reduces the message loss. A quiet period during which the remote stations are prevented from transmitting can be used for communication between the receiving stations and the central station.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murphy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Patent number: 6172616Abstract: A wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal. The wide area communicates network collects network generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network have a hierarchical communications topology. The central data terminal controls network operation. Intelligence exists at all layers of the network, thereby easing the workload of the central data terminal. The intelligence attributed to each module is a function of the application of that module.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murphy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Patent number: 5963146Abstract: A wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal. The wide area communicates network collects network generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network have a hierarchical communications topology. The central data terminal controls network operation. Intelligence exists at all layers of the network, thereby easing the workload of the central data terminal. The intelligence attributed to each module is a function of the application of that module.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murhpy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Patent number: 5673252Abstract: A method for communicating data between a central data terminal, a plurality of intermediate data terminals, a plurality of remote cell nodes, and a plurality of network service modules, using a plurality of frames with each frame having a plurality of channels. The plurality of intermediate data terminals transmit IDT-synchronization signals to the plurality of remote cell nodes on a first channel of the frame. The plurality of remote cell nodes transmit RCN-synchronization signals to the plurality of network service modules on a second channel of the frame. The network service modules transmit data from a plurality of physical devices, using radio waves, as NSM-packet signals to the plurality of remote cell nodes using a fourth channel of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1995Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Don Marcynuk, Erwin Holowick
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Patent number: 5553094Abstract: A wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal. The wide area communications network collects network data generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network having a hierarchical communications topology. The central data terminal controls network operation. Intelligence exists at all layers of the network, thereby easing the workload of the central data terminal. The intelligence attributed to each module is a function of the application of that module.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Iris Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe, Erwin Holowick, Nathan R. Jacob, Michael F. Murphy, James J. Schellenberg, Michael S. Stasenski
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Patent number: 5086292Abstract: A system for detection of tampering with a utility meter provides not only an indication that tampering has occurred but also sufficient information to enable an estimation of actual consumption to be made as opposed to the tampered metered consumption. The device includes a plurality of tampering sensors sensing tilt, electric field, magnetic field, temperature, sound, reverse rotation of a moving element and excessive difference between metered consumption and an approximate actual consumption. The device also measures the movement of the moving element. These sensed signals are recorded in sequential time periods of for example eight hours so that an analysis can be made on a daily basis to provide an accurate pattern of consumption as opposed to the tampered meter consumption pattern.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1989Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Assignee: Iris Systems Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe
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Patent number: 5056107Abstract: A radio communications network for transmitting data from a plurality of remote stations to a central station is provided. This system is particularly proposed for automatic meter reading systems in which the remote stations are located at utility meters. The system includes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the mesages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations providing a high level of duplication of messages. The remote stations transmit utility usage information obtained from the previous time period at a random time subsequent to the time period so that message collisions can occur. High level of duplication provided by the increased number of receiving stations reduces the message loss. A quiet period during which the remote stations are prevented from transmitting can be used for communication between the receiving stations and the central station.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1990Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: Iris Systems Inc.Inventors: Dennis F. Johnson, Michael Wiebe