Patents by Inventor Jack D. Mitchell

Jack D. Mitchell 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).

  • System and method of locating missing nodes in networks
    Patent number: 8552910
    Abstract: Systems and methods of locating missing endpoints in a utility meter network include periodically receiving electronic GPS data including coordinates identifying the physical location of a mobile meter reading device and collecting radio frequency (RF) data transmissions sent by one or more missing endpoints in proximity to the mobile meter reading device. Energy levels associated with the RF data transmissions can be used to determine a signal strength indicator for each transmission. The transmissions are collected while the mobile meter reading device is positioned in at least first and second different locations relative to each missing endpoint. A triangulation procedure is electronically implemented using the GPS coordinates and the signal strength indicator for a given missing endpoint as determined in the at least first and second different locations in order to identify an estimated location for the given missing endpoint, which is provided as electronic output to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, Nathan Cutler, Jack D. Mitchell
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD OF LOCATING MISSING NODES IN NETWORKS
    Publication number: 20130099976
    Abstract: Systems and methods of locating missing endpoints in a utility meter network include periodically receiving electronic GPS data including coordinates identifying the physical location of a mobile meter reading device and collecting radio frequency (RF) data transmissions sent by one or more missing endpoints in proximity to the mobile meter reading device. Energy levels associated with the RF data transmissions can be used to determine a signal strength indicator for each transmission. The transmissions are collected while the mobile meter reading device is positioned in at least first and second different locations relative to each missing endpoint. A triangulation procedure is electronically implemented using the GPS coordinates and the signal strength indicator for a given missing endpoint as determined in the at least first and second different locations in order to identify an estimated location for the given missing endpoint, which is provided as electronic output to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: ITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, Nathan Cutler, Jack D. Mitchell