Patents by Inventor Keith D. Richeson
Keith D. Richeson 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: 9277297Abstract: A metering device may be configured to communicate with other devices on a plurality of metering communication networks. To enable such communications across various networks, the metering communication device may use an active utility identifier corresponding to the metering network in which it is actively communicating. The active utility identifier may be changed to a valid utility identifier corresponding to another metering network and which may be associated with the metering communication device itself. The metering communication device may use the changed active utility identifier to communicate with other devices on the other metering network having the valid utility identifier. For example, the metering communication device may change the active utility identifier to enable communication a test network from a production network, a production network to a test network, or a first test network to a second test network.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Robert T. Mason, Jr., Andrew J. Borleske, Keith D. Richeson
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Patent number: 8972524Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing Internet Protocol (IP) messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, Andrew J. Borleske, Robert T. Mason, Jr., Phillip Fonville
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Patent number: 8660067Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing DNP (or other) protocol messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, Carl J. Laplace, Robert T. Mason
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Patent number: 8619609Abstract: A wireless mesh network, method, and processor-readable storage medium for using stand-alone repeaters that are designated as having priority over other communication nodes with respect to their service as repeaters are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, a control node or collector builds a wireless mesh network by first establishing communication paths with the designated priority communication nodes and then with communication nodes that are not designated priority communication nodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Kenneth C. Shuey, Robert T. Mason, Andrew J. Borleske, Keith D. Richeson
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Patent number: 8525692Abstract: An electricity meter capable of performing a method for limiting an electricity load in communication with the electricity meter is disclosed. The electricity meter includes at least one load control and the electricity meter has one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers. Each of the one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers has a corresponding time-of-use demand threshold. The method comprises determining a present time-of-use tier; determining a present time-of-use demand for the electricity load in the present time-of-use tier; comparing the present time-of-use demand to the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier; and setting the at least one load control to a de-energize mode when a de-energize condition is satisfied. The de-energize condition may include sub-conditions such as the present time-of-use demand exceeding the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Robert T. Mason, Jr., Keith D. Richeson, Charlie E. Minton, III
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Publication number: 20130021956Abstract: A wireless mesh network, method, and processor-readable storage medium for operating a network that has a control node that communicates with a plurality of communication nodes, at least one of which comprises a battery-powered communication node, are disclosed. The battery-powered communication node is associated with an electric meter and is configured to maintain time- and frequency synchronization with an electric meter or with the network, to transmit a message, and to listen for a response to the message during a polling period after the message is transmitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: ELSTER SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Kenneth C. Shuey, Robert T. Mason, JR., Andrew J. Borleske, Keith D. Richeson
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Publication number: 20130010692Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing DNP (or other) protocol messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: ELSTER SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, Carl J. Laplace, Robert T. Mason, JR.
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Patent number: 8320302Abstract: Techniques for over the air (OTA) microcontroller flash memory updates using a wireless network are disclosed herein. A control node first transmits the microcontroller flash memory update to all devices that can receive the message. Each packet of the message is relayed through multiple communication levels until all devices receive the packet. This starts with communications from the control node to each device node that has a direct communication path to the control node, which are referred to herein as “first level” device nodes. The first level device nodes then relay each communication to each other device node that has a direct communication path to the first level device nodes, which are referred to herein as “second level” device nodes. This process is repeated at each level of the wireless network until each of the plurality of device nodes has received the microcontroller flash memory update.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Elster Electricity, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, David Uy, Andrew J. Borleske, Brent R. Brian, Robert T. Mason, Jr., Rodney C. Hemminger, Russell G. Christopher, Raymond Kelley
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Patent number: 8300581Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing DNP (or other) protocol messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, Carl J. Laplace, Robert T. Mason, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120246268Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing Internet Protocol (IP) messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: ELSTER SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, Andrew J. Borleske, Robert T. Mason, JR., Phillip Fonville
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Publication number: 20120201146Abstract: A wireless mesh network, method, and processor-readable storage medium for using stand-alone repeaters that are designated as having priority over other communication nodes with respect to their service as repeaters are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, a control node or collector builds a wireless mesh network by first establishing communication paths with the designated priority communication nodes and then with communication nodes that are not designated priority communication nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: ELSTER SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Kenneth C. Shuey, Robert T. Mason, JR., Andrew J. Borleske, Keith D. Richeson
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Publication number: 20120188093Abstract: A metering device may be configured to communicate with other devices on a plurality of metering communication networks. To enable such communications across various networks, the metering communication device may use an active utility identifier corresponding to the metering network in which it is actively communicating. The active utility identifier may be changed to a valid utility identifier corresponding to another metering network and which may be associated with the metering communication device itself. The metering communication device may use the changed active utility identifier to communicate with other devices on the other metering network having the valid utility identifier. For example, the metering communication device may change the active utility identifier to enable communication a test network from a production network, a production network to a test network, or a first test network to a second test network.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: ELSTER SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Robert T. Mason, JR., Andrew J. Borleske, Keith D. Richeson
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Patent number: 7940521Abstract: A blade server assembly is disclosed that includes a blade server chassis, a blade server, and a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis. A method is also disclosed for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis that includes supporting the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis through a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James L. Carlisi, Keith D. Richeson, Steven R. Testa, John K. Whetzel
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Publication number: 20100195574Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing DNP (or other) protocol messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Elster Solutions, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, Carl J. Laplace, Robert T. Mason, JR.
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Publication number: 20090309756Abstract: An electricity meter capable of performing a method for limiting an electricity load in communication with the electricity meter is disclosed. The electricity meter includes at least one load control and the electricity meter has one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers. Each of the one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers has a corresponding time-of-use demand threshold. The method comprises determining a present time-of-use tier; determining a present time-of-use demand for the electricity load in the present time-of-use tier; comparing the present time-of-use demand to the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier; and setting the at least one load control to a de-energize mode when a de-energize condition is satisfied. The de-energize condition may include sub-conditions such as the present time-of-use demand exceeding the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Elster Electricity, LLCInventors: Robert T. Mason, JR., Keith D. Richeson, Charlie E. Minton, III
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Patent number: 7600055Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for updating firmware to a plurality of memory devices residing on disparate controllers wherein each controller includes an identical communication path address. A management module writes a firmware image to a memory device residing on a primary controller. The primary controller, in turn, copies the firmware image to another memory device residing on a secondary controller. In this manner, the apparatus, system, and method may update firmware on a plurality of memory devices. Because the primary controller is tasked with updating the secondary controller, the management module is only aware that the firmware of the primary controller has been updated. In this manner, updating of the firmware on the secondary controller is transparent to the management module.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Darren C. Douglas, Jason J. Graves, Lei Liu, Keith D. Richeson, Yoshihiko Terashita
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Publication number: 20080266813Abstract: A blade server assembly is disclosed that includes a blade server chassis, a blade server, and a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis. A method is also disclosed for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis that includes supporting the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis through a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James L. Carlisi, Keith D. Richeson, Steven R. Testa, John K. Whetzel
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Publication number: 20080259844Abstract: Techniques for over the air (OTA) microcontroller flash memory updates using a wireless network are disclosed herein. A control node first transmits the microcontroller flash memory update to all devices that can receive the message. Each packet of the message is relayed through multiple communication levels until all devices receive the packet. This starts with communications from the control node to each device node that has a direct communication path to the control node, which are referred to herein as “first level” device nodes. The first level device nodes then relay each communication to each other device node that has a direct communication path to the first level device nodes, which are referred to herein as “second level” device nodes. This process is repeated at each level of the wireless network until each of the plurality of device nodes has received the microcontroller flash memory update.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Elster Electricity, LLCInventors: Keith D. Richeson, David Uy, Andrew J. Borleske, Brent R. Brian, Robert T. Mason, Rodney C. Hemminger, Russell G. Christopher, Raymond Kelley
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Patent number: 7423870Abstract: A blade server assembly is disclosed that includes a blade server chassis, a blade server, and a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis. A method is also disclosed for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis that includes supporting the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis through a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James L. Carlisi, Keith D. Richeson, Steven R. Testa, John K. Whetzel