Patents by Inventor Rex A. Johnson

Rex A. Johnson 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).

  • Patent number: 7446672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a meter register to a communication device such that output data signals from the meter register can be transmitted to a remote location. The coupling arrangement includes a data transfer wire that is connected to the meter register and is inductively coupled to the communication device such that the data transfer wire does not need to be conductively connected to the communication device. During installation of the communication device, the inductive coupling between the data transfer wire and the communication device eliminates the requirement of a conductive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Rex A. Johnson, Derek B. Laverdiere
  • Patent number: 7221286
    Abstract: A system for providing the ability to obtain consumption data from a communication device used to transmit accumulated data from the meter register. The system includes a programming port formed as part of the communication device. The programming port includes the programming coil that allows the accumulation data received from the meter register to be read by an interrogation device. Further, the programming coil allows programming information to be transferred to the communication device from the interrogation device. The system can also include a reading module coupled to the programming port of the communication device through an inductive coupling. The reading module can extend through a pit lid such that the reading module can be accessed without removing the pit lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Gould, Rex A. Johnson, Terry L. Van Olst
  • Patent number: 6657552
    Abstract: A meter for collecting and communicating flow data for a commodity including a liquid, a gas, or electricity transported via a metered system, using wireless data transfer, the meter including a housing, a sensor for sensing a resource flow rate, and a register for registering data input thereto, the register including a processor for processing data input thereto. A wireless transmitter is also provided for outputting the sensed data from the meter or receiving instruction information through an antenna. A TouchRead interface may also be provided for outputting the sensed data from the meter or receiving instruction information from a device external to the meter, which receives data output from the meter and/or outputs instruction information to the meter. The sensor, the processor, and the wireless transmitter are disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Invensys Metering Systems-North America Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Belski, Rex A. Johnson, Bruce E. Gray
  • Publication number: 20020193144
    Abstract: A meter for collecting and communicating flow data for a commodity including a liquid, a gas, or electricity transported via a metered system, using wireless data transfer, the meter including a housing, a sensor for sensing a resource flow rate, and a register for registering data input thereto, the register including a processor for processing data input thereto. A wireless transmitter is also provided for outputting the sensed data from the meter or receiving instruction information through an antenna. A TouchRead interface may also be provided for outputting the sensed data from the meter or receiving instruction information from a device external to the meter, which receives data output from the meter and/or outputs instruction information to the meter. The sensor, the processor, and the wireless transmitter are disposed within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Invensys Metering Systems-North America Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Belski, Rex A. Johnson, Bruce E. Gray