Patents by Inventor Steven Lee Bietz
Steven Lee Bietz 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: 10319247Abstract: A method for navigating an aerial vehicle from a first location to a second location, wherein the aerial vehicle having a localization system, the method including guiding the aerial vehicle according to a ground navigation map from the first location to the second location.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Clinton Courier
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Patent number: 10241194Abstract: A method for determining the location of a frequency receiver device with respect to at least two frequency originator devices, each of a current location, the method including synchronizing a clock of the frequency receiver device with a clock of one of the at least two frequency originator devices; receiving by the frequency receiver device, a message including an identification code configured for identifying one of the at least two frequency originator devices and obtaining a broadcast time and a current location of the one of the at least two frequency originator devices by looking up a table correlating the at least two frequency originator devices and their respective broadcast times and current locations; calculating a time of flight of the message by calculating the difference between a receive time at which the message is received by the frequency receiver device and the broadcast time.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Clinton Courier
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Patent number: 10149634Abstract: A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
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Publication number: 20180231634Abstract: A method for determining the location of a frequency receiver device with respect to at least two frequency originator devices, each of a current location, the method including synchronizing a clock of the frequency receiver device with a clock of one of the at least two frequency originator devices; receiving by the frequency receiver device, a message including an identification code configured for identifying one of the at least two frequency originator devices and obtaining a broadcast time and a current location of the one of the at least two frequency originator devices by looking up a table correlating the at least two frequency originator devices and their respective broadcast times and current locations; calculating a time of flight of the message by calculating the difference between a receive time at which the message is received by the frequency receiver device and the broadcast time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Clinton Courier
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Patent number: 9887051Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a remote disconnect switch assembly. In one embodiment, the remote disconnect switch assembly comprises: an actuator; a shuttle that is operably moved by the actuator; one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle; one or more sensors; a communication interface; and a processor, wherein the processor is operably connected with the actuator, the one or more sensors and the communication interface, and wherein the processor is configured to: communicate with one or more other computing devices over a network using the communication interface; receive signals from the one or more sensors; and cause the actuator to operate in accordance with the signals received from the one or more sensors or the communications with the one or more other computing devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Aclara Meters LLCInventors: Ryan Marc LaFrance, Scott Michael Shill, Steven Lee Bietz, Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti
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Patent number: 9838525Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, the code includes instructions to receive an indication to communicatively couple a utility meter to an auxiliary device via a mobile electronic device, and capture a visual representation of a unique identifier of the utility meter via the mobile electronic device. The unique identifier includes an authentication mechanism configured to establish a first authentication and a second authentication of a user of the mobile electronic device. The code includes instructions to receive an acknowledgement to communicatively couple the mobile electronic device to the utility meter when the first authentication and the second authentication are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon, Christopher Hett
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Publication number: 20170287343Abstract: A method for navigating an aerial vehicle from a first location to a second location, wherein the aerial vehicle having a localization system, the method including guiding the aerial vehicle according to a ground navigation map from the first location to the second location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Clinton Courier
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Publication number: 20170202481Abstract: A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
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Patent number: 9671434Abstract: A sensor device for use in detecting current in a conductor is provided. The sensor includes a non-magnetic substrate defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about at least a portion of the substrate, and a housing for enclosing the substrate and coil. The housing includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant and positioned adjacent to the coil and at least partially within the aperture such that the dielectric material is disposed between the coil and the conductor when the conductor is received through the aperture and at least one spacer coupled to the aperture to facilitate maintaining a position of the coil relative to the conductor, wherein each of the spacers is positioned offset from the dielectric material such that each of the spacers does not radially extend between the coil and the conductor.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Aclara Meters LLCInventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti
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Patent number: 9651651Abstract: A method for calibrating a frequency receiver device (FRD) includes obtaining an image of a visually unique object having a visually unique pattern, the visually unique object disposed at a known location; detecting a match by comparing the pattern to a list of pre-determined patterns; upon detecting a match, determining a relative location of the FRD from the pattern based on the pattern and a new broadcast frequency of a frequency originator device (FOD) from a lookup table correlating a plurality of patterns, their corresponding known locations and a broadcast frequency of at least one corresponding FOD for each of the plurality of patterns and determining the location of the FRD from the FOD based on the relative location of the FRD from the known location of the pattern; and synchronizing a clock of a FRD and a clock of a FOD based on said new frequency of the FOD.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Clinton Courier
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Patent number: 9429595Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a substrate comprising a plurality of bobbins, the plurality of bobbins define an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil comprising a plurality of coil turns wound about each of the plurality of bobbins, a first shield extending between each of the plurality of bobbins and the plurality of coil turns; and a second shield positioned proximate to the plurality of coil turns, opposite the first shield such that the plurality of coil turns is between the first shield and the second shield.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Aclara Meters LLCInventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz, Loc Van Nguyen
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Publication number: 20160135013Abstract: A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
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Patent number: 9332390Abstract: A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
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Patent number: 9270319Abstract: A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
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Publication number: 20160041204Abstract: A sensor device for use in detecting current in a conductor is provided. The sensor includes a non-magnetic substrate defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about at least a portion of the substrate, and a housing for enclosing the substrate and coil. The housing includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant and positioned adjacent to the coil and at least partially within the aperture such that the dielectric material is disposed between the coil and the conductor when the conductor is received through the aperture and at least one spacer coupled to the aperture to facilitate maintaining a position of the coil relative to the conductor, wherein each of the spacers is positioned offset from the dielectric material such that each of the spacers does not radially extend between the coil and the conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti
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Publication number: 20160012986Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a remote disconnect switch assembly. In one embodiment, the remote disconnect switch assembly comprises: an actuator; a shuttle that is operably moved by the actuator; one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle; one or more sensors; a communication interface; and a processor, wherein the processor is operably connected with the actuator, the one or more sensors and the communication interface, and wherein the processor is configured to: communicate with one or more other computing devices over a network using the communication interface; receive signals from the one or more sensors; and cause the actuator to operate in accordance with the signals received from the one or more sensors or the communications with the one or more other computing devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ryan Marc LaFrance, Scott Michael Shill, Steven Lee Bietz, Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti
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Patent number: 9220078Abstract: A method for synchronizing a clock of a frequency originator device (FOD) and a clock of a frequency receiver device (FRD), the method including disposing an information storage device at a known distance from the FOD, wherein a broadcast frequency of the FOD and the known distance are configured to be stored in the information storage device; obtaining by the FRD, the known distance between the FOD and the FRD and the broadcast frequency of the FOD; receiving a broadcast of the FOD by said FRD at the broadcast frequency according to the FRD's clock time at T2, wherein the broadcast was made at time t1 according to the FOD's clock time; calculating a time of flight (TOF) based on the known distance and the broadcast speed; and incorporating a time correction=T2?(t1+TOF) in calculations of TOF between the FOD and the FRD.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Voll, Inc.Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
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Patent number: 9081040Abstract: A utility meter and related methods are disclosed. The utility meter includes a sensor device positioned around a conductor to sense current flowing through the conductor. The sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about the substrate, and a dielectric material having a dielectric constant and positioned between the coil and the conductor. The utility meter also includes a meter control board in communication with the sensor device to determine an amount of electricity transmitted through the conductor from the power source to the user over time. The dielectric constant of the dielectric material is selected to reduce a capacitive coupling between the coil and the conductor and to reduce a sensitivity of the sensor device such that the meter control board comprises only one calibration coefficient for calibrating the sensor device over a current range.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
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Publication number: 20150195394Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, the code includes instructions to receive an indication to communicatively couple a utility meter to an auxiliary device via a mobile electronic device, and capture a visual representation of a unique identifier of the utility meter via the mobile electronic device. The unique identifier includes an authentication mechanism configured to establish a first authentication and a second authentication of a user of the mobile electronic device. The code includes instructions to receive an acknowledgement to communicatively couple the mobile electronic device to the utility meter when the first authentication and the second authentication are satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon, Christopher Hett
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Patent number: 9075091Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil including a plurality of coil turns wound about at least a portion of the substrate, a first shield between the substrate and the plurality of coil turns, a second shield disposed proximate to the plurality of coil turns, opposite the first shield, such that the plurality of coil turns is disposed between the first shield and the second shield, and a filter element coupled to at least one of the first and second shields.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz