Patents by Inventor Kathyrn J. Smith

Kathyrn J. Smith 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 employing common broadcast command channel
    Patent number: 6684245
    Abstract: An automated meter reading system is provided. The system includes a host server interfaced to a plurality of nodes where each node communicates with a number of utility meters. The system selects a group of noninterfering nodes and uses an RF broadcast from the host server to initiate the reading of meters and the uploading of meter data provided by those meters to the nodes and, ultimately, to the host server. The system also has a number of gateways that communicate with a plurality of nodes, grouped to form sets of noninterfering gateways. In this embodiment, the system selects a set of noninterfering gateways and uses an RF broadcast from the host server to initiate the reading of meters and the uploading of meter data provided by those meters to the nodes and, ultimately, through the gateways to the host server. A method for using an outbound RF channel to automatically read meters is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Elster Electricity, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Shuey, Kathyrn J. Smith, David C. Lawrence, Arnold W. Bragg