Patents by Inventor Kimbel A. Nap
Kimbel A. Nap 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: 8537028Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The meter includes a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system, bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20110285543Abstract: A commodity meter. The meter includes a power/meter circuit board, a communication circuit board, and an antenna. The power/meter circuit board is configured to electrically sense a plurality of parameters of electricity flowing through terminals of the meter. The communication circuit board is configured to transmit one or more commodity parameters received from the power/meter circuit board. The antenna is coupled to the communications circuit board and positioned within the meter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 7868782Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The meter includes a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system, bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 7772989Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20100141474Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20080238714Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The meter includes a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system, bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20080238716Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The meter includes a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system, bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20080224891Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The meter includes a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system, bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20080204272Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The meter includes a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system, bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20080024320Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter's backplane or bus system bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Lance Ehrke, Kimbel Nap, Donn Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20080018492Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Lance Ehrke, Kimbel Nap, Donn Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 7277027Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 7064679Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20040070517Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20040066310Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, IncInventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20040061625Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Publication number: 20030122686Abstract: An electronic electric meter including a transducer for measuring commodity utilization; a microcontroller coupled to the transducer for interpreting the commodity utilization data; and a two-way wireless transceiver coupled to the microcontroller for transmitting commodity utilization data from the meter to a remote gateway node, and for receiving data requests from the remove gateway mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 6538577Abstract: An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The meter utilizes an all electronic design including a meter microcontroller, a measurement microcontroller, a communication microcontroller and spread spectrum processor, and a plurality of other communication interface modules for communicating commodity utilization and power quality data to a utility. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located gateway node.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Silver Springs Networks, Inc.Inventors: Lance A. Ehrke, Kimbel A. Nap, Donn R. Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 6369769Abstract: An antenna enclosure and mounting arrangement for transmitting meter-related information from a remotely readable commodity meter positioned within a subterraneous pit to a remote reading station. The antenna arrangement includes an antenna housing having an outwardly tapered support portion that contacts an inwardly tapered support surface formed in the pit lid. When the antenna housing is mounted within the pit lid, the top surface of the antenna enclosure is flush with the top surface of the pit lid, while the antenna contained within the antenna housing is positioned slightly below the top surface of the pit lid.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Innovatec Communications, LLCInventors: Kimbel A. Nap, Eric P. Dresselhuys
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Patent number: 6246677Abstract: An automatic meter reading data communication system having an integrated digital encoder and two-way wireless transceiver that is attachable to a wide variety of utility meters for meter data collection and information management. The integrated encoder and transceiver communicates commodity usage information over a two-way 900 MHz spread spectrum local area network (LAN) to a remotely located communication node. The communication node transmits this data to a utility service provider over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The utility service provider may also request data from the communication node over the same fixed wide area network.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Innovatec Communications, LLCInventors: Kimbel A. Nap, Lance A. Ehrke, Donn R. Dresselhuys