Patents by Inventor Mark K. Cornwall

Mark K. Cornwall 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).

  • Publication number: 20250119998
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting light direction and light intensity from streetlights in an environment. For example, a streetlight may include an adjustable light source that can be configured to cast light based on its specific installation environment, taking into account height (e.g., a height of a pole coupled with the streetlight relative to a surface of the environment), an angle in which the streetlight is coupled to the pole, a type of surface being lit (e.g., blacktop, concrete, grass, etc.), an amount of light present from surrounding fixtures (e.g., streetlights), and/or an intended area to illuminate (light only streets and sidewalks, light only parking lot, light only walking paths, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Publication number: 20250119999
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting light direction and light intensity from streetlights in an environment. For example, a streetlight may include an adjustable light source that can be configured to cast light based on its specific installation environment, taking into account height (e.g., a height of a pole coupled with the streetlight relative to a surface of the environment), an angle in which the streetlight is coupled to the pole, a type of surface being lit (e.g., blacktop, concrete, grass, etc.), an amount of light present from surrounding fixtures (e.g., streetlights), and/or an intended area to illuminate (light only streets and sidewalks, light only parking lot, light only walking paths, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 12272237
    Abstract: Techniques for managing pedestrian and vehicular congestion are described herein. In an example, a congestion event at a location is identified. The congestion event may be a sporting event, entertainment event, road construction event, etc. A primary route to or from the congestion event is identified. In examples, a primary route conveys traffic to the location, and may be associated with commencement of the event. Alternatively or subsequently, a primary route conveys traffic away from the location, and may be associated with a conclusion of the event. A secondary route that could lessen traffic of the primary route is identified. In a first example, durations of vehicle traffic lights and pedestrian walk/don't walk signs are adjusted to encourage and to increase usage of the secondary route. In a second example, the secondary route is promoted by updating digital signage to send traffic on the secondary route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 12061101
    Abstract: Techniques determine if a gas service (e.g., piping and/or meter) is under-sized for the customer's needs. In one example, flowrate information corresponding to gas usage at a service site over a first period of time is obtained. The flowrate information is disaggregated to determine an expected flowrate associated with each of two or more appliances having generally fixed-rates of gas consumption. Flowrate information is again obtained, corresponding to a second period of time. The second flowrate information is compared to one or more combinations (i.e., summations) of the expected flowrates associated with each of the two or more appliances. Based on the comparison, it may be determined that the service site is not appropriately sized. In an example, failure to detect two fixed-rate of gas-consumption appliances operating at their respective fixed-rates at the same time may indicate that the service cannot provide gas at a sufficient flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20240212492
    Abstract: Techniques for managing pedestrian and vehicular congestion are described herein. In an example, a congestion event at a location is identified. The congestion event may be a sporting event, entertainment event, road construction event, etc. A primary route to or from the congestion event is identified. In examples, a primary route conveys traffic to the location, and may be associated with commencement of the event. Alternatively or subsequently, a primary route conveys traffic away from the location, and may be associated with a conclusion of the event. A secondary route that could lessen traffic of the primary route is identified. In a first example, durations of vehicle traffic lights and pedestrian walk/don't walk signs are adjusted to encourage and to increase usage of the secondary route. In a second example, the secondary route is promoted by updating digital signage to send traffic on the secondary route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 11982373
    Abstract: Device(s) and techniques determine if a gas regulator supplying gas at a regulated pressure to a gas meter (e.g., the gas meter of a house or business) within a gas distribution system has one or more lock-up failure events or venting events, wherein gas is vented to the atmosphere. In an example, a sensor obtains information indicating a relative position of a stop stem of a gas regulator and a diaphragm pin of the gas regulator. As pressure increases within the regulator, the diaphragm pin moves toward and/or touches the stop stem. The gas pressure increase may result from debris in the regulator that prevents a valve from fully closing. A signal may be sent from the regulator and/or associated gas meter. The signal may contain information based at least in part on data from the sensor, and which may indicate a lock-up failure event or a venting event by the gas regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: ITRON, INC.
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 11973831
    Abstract: Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11971291
    Abstract: Techniques for using data indicating if a gas regulator supplying gas at a regulated pressure to a gas meter (e.g., the gas meter of a house or business) within a gas distribution system has one or more lock-up failure events or venting events, wherein gas is vented to the atmosphere. The data may identify the identity of gas regulators at which the lock-up failure events or venting events occurred. Based at least in part on the identified gas regulators, a number of gas regulators having at least one of lock-up failure events or venting events that are connected to a same gas supply line may be identified. If the number of gas regulators having at least one of lock-up failure events or venting events on the identified gas supply line exceeds a threshold number this may indicate the presence of debris in the gas supply. Remedial steps may be taken, and the situation may be monitored and reassessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11971285
    Abstract: Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11899068
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to conserve battery of an endpoint device. Example techniques include adjusting the size of messages transmitted by an endpoint device and/or adjusting the transmission rate of an endpoint device. In some configurations, the one or more criteria are used by an endpoint device to determine what data fields to include within a message and/or adjust a transmission rate associated with the transmission of messages by the endpoint device. For instance, the one or more criteria may include the battery level of the device, the time of year, whether the data has already been transmitted by the endpoint device, whether the data has been acknowledged as received by another device, whether the endpoint device has been instructed by another device to reduce the message size and/or adjust the transmission rate, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K Cornwall, James Lee Kann
  • Patent number: 11867542
    Abstract: Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20230273053
    Abstract: Techniques determine if a gas service (e.g., piping and/or meter) is under-sized for the customer's needs. In one example, flowrate information corresponding to gas usage at a service site over a first period of time is obtained. The flowrate information is disaggregated to determine an expected flowrate associated with each of two or more appliances having generally fixed-rates of gas consumption. Flowrate information is again obtained, corresponding to a second period of time. The second flowrate information is compared to one or more combinations (i.e., summations) of the expected flowrates associated with each of the two or more appliances. Based on the comparison, it may be determined that the service site is not appropriately sized. In an example, failure to detect two fixed-rate of gas-consumption appliances operating at their respective fixed-rates at the same time may indicate that the service cannot provide gas at a sufficient flowrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11733075
    Abstract: Techniques determine if a gas service (e.g., piping and/or meter) is undersized for the customer's needs. In one example, flowrate information corresponding to gas usage at a service site over a first period of time is obtained. The flowrate information is disaggregated to determine an expected flowrate associated with each of two or more appliances having generally fixed-rates of gas consumption. Flowrate information is again obtained, corresponding to a second period of time. The second flowrate information is compared to one or more combinations (i.e., summations) of the expected flowrates associated with each of the two or more appliances. Based on the comparison, it may be determined that the service site is not appropriately sized. In an example, failure to detect two fixed-rate of gas-consumption appliances operating at their respective fixed-rates at the same time may indicate that the service cannot provide gas at a sufficient flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20230224367
    Abstract: Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11601506
    Abstract: Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20230003803
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to conserve battery of an endpoint device. Example techniques include adjusting the size of messages transmitted by an endpoint device and/or adjusting the transmission rate of an endpoint device. In some configurations, the one or more criteria are used by an endpoint device to determine what data fields to include within a message and/or adjust a transmission rate associated with the transmission of messages by the endpoint device. For instance, the one or more criteria may include the battery level of the device, the time of year, whether the data has already been transmitted by the endpoint device, whether the data has been acknowledged as received by another device, whether the endpoint device has been instructed by another device to reduce the message size and/or adjust the transmission rate, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann
  • Patent number: 11454672
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to conserve battery of an endpoint device. Example techniques include adjusting the size of messages transmitted by an endpoint device and/or adjusting the transmission rate of an endpoint device. In some configurations, the one or more criteria are used by an endpoint device to determine what data fields to include within a message and/or adjust a transmission rate associated with the transmission of messages by the endpoint device. For instance, the one or more criteria may include the battery level of the device, the time of year, whether the data has already been transmitted by the endpoint device, whether the data has been acknowledged as received by another device, whether the endpoint device has been instructed by another device to reduce the message size and/or adjust the transmission rate, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann
  • Publication number: 20220196451
    Abstract: Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20220196183
    Abstract: Device(s) and techniques determine if a gas regulator supplying gas at a regulated pressure to a gas meter (e.g., the gas meter of a house or business) within a gas distribution system has one or more lock-up failure events or venting events, wherein gas is vented to the atmosphere. In an example, a sensor obtains information indicating a relative position of a stop stem of a gas regulator and a diaphragm pin of the gas regulator. As pressure increases within the regulator, the diaphragm pin moves toward and/or touches the stop stem. The gas pressure increase may result from debris in the regulator that prevents a valve from fully closing. A signal may be sent from the regulator and/or associated gas meter. The signal may contain information based at least in part on data from the sensor, and which may indicate a lock-up failure event or a venting event by the gas regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Publication number: 20220196454
    Abstract: Techniques for using data indicating if a gas regulator supplying gas at a regulated pressure to a gas meter (e.g., the gas meter of a house or business) within a gas distribution system has one or more lock-up failure events or venting events, wherein gas is vented to the atmosphere. The data may identify the identity of gas regulators at which the lock-up failure events or venting events occurred. Based at least in part on the identified gas regulators, a number of gas regulators having at least one of lock-up failure events or venting events that are connected to a same gas supply line may be identified. If the number of gas regulators having at least one of lock-up failure events or venting events on the identified gas supply line exceeds a threshold number this may indicate the presence of debris in the gas supply. Remedial steps may be taken, and the situation may be monitored and reassessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger