Patents by Inventor Flemming Hald

Flemming Hald 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: 11979346
    Abstract: A wireless communication link management method includes sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device (7) to the data collection unit (5) via a primary channel. After sending, the measuring device provides a time-limited primary access opportunity (AO) for receiving a link management downlink frame. A primary signal quality is evaluated. A secondary uplink frame is sent from the measuring device via a secondary channel. A time-limited secondary access opportunity for receiving a link management downlink frame is provided. Secondary signal qualities are evaluated. One among the primary access opportunity and the secondary access opportunities is selected for sending a link management downlink frame from the data collection unit to the measuring device depending on the signal qualities. The associated channel is used as the primary channel for sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device to the data collection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: KAMSTRUP A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Jeppe Hofni, Mathias Rønholt Kielgast, Torben Markussen
  • Publication number: 20230397036
    Abstract: A method provides link management for wireless communication between measuring devices (7), installed to measure or detect a value at a utility installation, and a collection unit (5), collecting data from the measuring devices. Uplink data frames are sent from a measuring device to the data collection unit. Some of the uplink data frames are provide a time-limited access opportunity (AO) for receiving downlink frames from the data collection unit. A counter value (FC) in the measuring device is updated by adjusting the counter value for each non-used or unsuccessfully used access opportunity. An urgency indicator is transmitted to the data collection unit by at least some of the uplink data frames that provide an access opportunity. The urgency indicator depends on the counter value. Downlink frames are sent from the data collection unit to the measuring device according to a prioritization scheme, based on the urgency indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Flemming HALD, Jeppe HOFNI, Mathias Rønholt KIELGAST, Torben MARKUSSEN
  • Patent number: 11448522
    Abstract: Method and devices for wirelessly transmitting data packets in a meter reading system, wherein the method comprises generating at the meter device, a first data packet including payload data and a first message authentication code computed based the payload data and associated meter data stored in a memory of the meter device, transmitting the first data packet from the meter device to the receiver, and performing a primary authentication check of the first data packet and verifying the associated meter data at the receiver by recalculating the first message authentication code using the received payload data and current associated meter data stored in a memory of the receiver, as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Flemming Hald
  • Publication number: 20220200749
    Abstract: A wireless communication link management method includes sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device (7) to the data collection unit (5) via a primary channel. After sending, the measuring device provides a time-limited primary access opportunity (AO) for receiving a link management downlink frame. A primary signal quality is evaluated. A secondary uplink frame is sent from the measuring device via a secondary channel. A time-limited secondary access opportunity for receiving a link management downlink frame is provided. Secondary signal qualities are evaluated. One among the primary access opportunity and the secondary access opportunities is selected for sending a link management downlink frame from the data collection unit to the measuring device depending on the signal qualities. The associated channel is used as the primary channel for sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device to the data collection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Flemming HALD, Jeppe HOFNI, Mathias Rønholt KIELGAST, Torben MARKUSSEN
  • Patent number: 11323783
    Abstract: A consumption meter (M1) arranged to determine a consumed quantity of a utility at the consumer site. The meter (M1) has a communication unit with a transmitter and a receiver arranged for communication via a network, preferably an RF network. The meter can autonomously transmit data frames (DF) in accordance with a set of transmission parameters, e.g. data frames with data indicative of a consumed quantity. The meter can receive, within a limited time window (TW) following transmission of said data frame (DF), an acknowledgement frame comprising link data indicative of receipt of said data frame by an associated collector which has received the data frame (DF). Finally, the meter can adjust the set of transmission parameters for transmission of a subsequent data frame (DF) in response to said link data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Flemming Hald
  • Patent number: 11209287
    Abstract: A smart metering device being part of an advanced metering infrastructure is provided. The smart metering device might comprise one or more sub devices such as: metering devices, actuator devices, sensor devices etc. The smart metering device includes a valve arranged to limit the delivery of a utility to the consumer. Moreover the smart metering devices includes a communication device including a transmitter and a receiver for wireless communication with a collector, utilizing a listen after talk mechanism to perform a two-way communication to the head end system through a collector. The presented invention is especially beneficial for battery supplied smart metering devices. The advanced metering infrastructure will provide a given service level for communication between the meter and the head end system. The service level will be changed dynamically in order to meet the adequate service level at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Karsten Kobæk Bidstrup
  • Publication number: 20210148729
    Abstract: A smart metering device being part of an advanced metering infrastructure is provided. The smart metering device might comprise one or more sub devices such as: metering devices, actuator devices, sensor devices etc. The smart metering device includes a valve arranged to limit the delivery of a utility to the consumer. Moreover the smart metering devices includes a communication device including a transmitter and a receiver for wireless communication with a collector, utilizing a listen after talk mechanism to perform a two-way communication to the head end system through a collector. The presented invention is especially beneficial for battery supplied smart metering devices. The advanced metering infrastructure will provide a given service level for communication between the meter and the head end system. The service level will be changed dynamically in order to meet the adequate service level at all times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Karsten Kobæk Bidstrup
  • Patent number: 10992417
    Abstract: Radio frequency communication method for wirelessly transmitting data packets between two communication nodes of a communication network, the method comprising the steps of generating a data packet including payload data and a first data check value a, transmitting the data packet from the first node to a second node; and determine whether the data packet is transmitted correctly by calculating a second data check value based on the received payload data and comparing the second data check value to the first data check value to; if the data packet is received correctly, transmitting from the second node to the first node an acknowledgement packet including a first acknowledgement check value wherein the first acknowledgement check value provides stronger assurances about data integrity of the received payload data than the first and second data check values; and at the first node, calculating a second acknowledgement check value based on the original payload data, and determining whether the data received at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen
  • Patent number: 10935394
    Abstract: The present invention describes a smart metering device being part of an advanced metering infrastructure. The smart metering device might comprise one or more sub devices such as: metering devices, actuator devices, sensor devices etc. The smart metering device includes a valve arranged to limit the delivery of a utility to the consumer. Moreover the smart metering devices includes a communication device including a transmitter and a receiver for wireless communication with a collector, utilizing a listen after talk mechanism to perform a two way communication to the head end system through a collector. The presented invention is especially beneficial for battery supplied smart metering devices. The advanced metering infrastructure will provide a given service level for communication between the meter and the head end system. The service level will be changed dynamically in order to meet the adequate service level at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Karsten Kobæk Bidstrup
  • Publication number: 20200313798
    Abstract: Radio frequency communication method for wirelessly transmitting data packets between two communication nodes of a communication network, the method comprising the steps of generating a data packet including payload data and a first data check value a, transmitting the data packet from the first node to a second node; and determine whether the data packet is transmitted correctly by calculating a second data check value based on the received payload data and comparing the second data check value to the first data check value to; if the data packet is received correctly, transmitting from the second node to the first node an acknowledgement packet including a first acknowledgement check value wherein the first acknowledgement check value provides stronger assurances about data integrity of the received payload data than the first and second data check values; and at the first node, calculating a second acknowledgement check value based on the original payload data, and determining whether the data received at
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20190387405
    Abstract: Method and devices for wirelessly transmitting data packets in a meter reading system, wherein the method comprises generating at the meter device, a first data packet including payload data and a first message authentication code computed based the payload data and associated meter data stored in a memory of the meter device, transmitting the first data packet from the meter device to the receiver, and performing a primary authentication check of the first data packet and verifying the associated meter data at the receiver by recalculating the first message authentication code using the received payload data and current associated meter data stored in a memory of the receiver, as input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Flemming Hald
  • Publication number: 20190342639
    Abstract: A consumption meter (M1) arranged to determine a consumed quantity of a utility at the consumer site. The meter (M1) has a communication unit with a transmitter and a receiver arranged for communication via a network, preferably an RF network. The meter can autonomously transmit data frames (DF) in accordance with a set of transmission parameters, e.g. data frames with data indicative of a consumed quantity. The meter can receive, within a limited time window (TW) following transmission of said data frame (DF), an acknowledgement frame comprising link data indicative of receipt of said data frame by an associated collector which has received the data frame (DF). Finally, the meter can adjust the set of transmission parameters for transmission of a subsequent data frame (DF) in response to said link data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Flemming Hald
  • Publication number: 20190025078
    Abstract: The present invention describes a smart metering device being part of an advanced metering infrastructure. The smart metering device might comprise one or more sub devices such as: metering devices, actuator devices, sensor devices etc. The smart metering device includes a valve arranged to limit the delivery of a utility to the consumer. Moreover the smart metering devices includes a communication device including a transmitter and a receiver for wireless communication with a collector, utilizing a listen after talk mechanism to perform a two way communication to the head end system through a collector. The presented invention is especially beneficial for battery supplied smart metering devices. The advanced metering infrastructure will provide a given service level for communication between the meter and the head end system. The service level will be changed dynamically in order to meet the adequate service level at all times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Karsten Kobæk Bidstrup
  • Patent number: 9912441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a system for transmitting data messages which can be received by different types of receivers. A device and system are disclosed where data transmissions are based on data messages (2) comprising two parts, a first part (20) being encoded in accordance with a communication protocol, such as the wireless MBus protocol, and a second part (21) which comprises error-correcting information for enabling a receiver device to correct errors in the data message (2), such as parity information related to turbo coding. The first part (20) forms an independent sub data message which can be received independently of the content of the second part (21). The sub data message can be received as is within a first communication range (6), and the entire data message can by virtue of the error correction information, and subsequent error correction, be received within a second longer communication range (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: KAMSTRUP A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Rene Rørbye Pedersen, Johnny Dørken Christiansen, Rasmus Melchior Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 9648400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of consumption meters (2) arranged in a communication network, where program data of the consumption meters can be updated via the communication network. A data collector (3) is arranged for updating the program data of a group of consumption meters over the network. This is performed by establishing a dedicated update session to each consumption meter of the group of consumption meters, and transmitting addressed update program segments to consumption meters in session. During the update session with a given consumption meter, any other consumption meter which is within communication range (8) will, if it receives the update segment, store it even though the segment is addressed to another meter. In an update session of a next meter, only segments not already stored from a previous session to another consumption meter are transmitted to the next meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20160285588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a system for transmitting data messages which can be received by different types of receivers. A device and system are disclosed where data transmissions are based on data messages (2) comprising two parts, a first part (20) being encoded in accordance with a communication protocol, such as the wireless MBus protocol, and a second part (21) which comprises error-correcting information for enabling a receiver device to correct errors in the data message (2), such as parity information related to turbo coding. The first part (20) forms an independent sub data message which can be received independently of the content of the second part (21). The sub data message can be received as is within a first communication range (6), and the entire data message can by virtue of the error correction information, and subsequent error correction, be received within a second longer communication range (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Flemming HALD, Rene Rørbye PEDERSEN, Johnny Dørken CHRISTIANSEN, Rasmus Melchior JACOBSEN
  • Publication number: 20150116128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of consumption meters (2) arranged in a communication network, where program data of the consumption meters can be updated via the communication network. A data collector (3) is arranged for updating the program data of a group of consumption meters over the network. This is performed by establishing a dedicated update session to each consumption meter of the group of consumption meters, and transmitting addressed update program segments to consumption meters in session. During the update session with a given consumption meter, any other consumption meter which is within communication range (8) will, if it receives the update segment, store it even though the segment is addressed to another meter. In an update session of a next meter, only segments not already stored from a previous session to another consumption meter are transmitted to the next meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Flemming Hald, Johnny Dørken Christiansen