Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Wachs

Dennis L. Wachs 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).

  • Automatic meter reading system
    Patent number: 4866761
    Abstract: Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Thornborough, Walter L. Probert, Dennis L. Wachs, Donald H. Strobel, William L. Kidder
  • Automatic meter reading system
    Patent number: 4817131
    Abstract: Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Thornborough, Walter L. Probert, Dennis L. Wachs, Donald H. Strobel, William L. Kidder