Patents by Inventor William Charles Shoesmith

William Charles Shoesmith 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: 10039018
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device are disclosed herein. In particular, a method of recovering an out-of-service node comprises sending a hailing message on a plurality of hailing channels from a second node to the out-of-service node, the second node being in direct wireless communication with the out-of-service node, and sending a synchronization request message from the second node to the out-of-service node on a first data channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: David Edwin Splitz, William Charles Shoesmith, Robert Henry Grady
  • Patent number: 9165456
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing a firmware upgrade within a mesh network are provided. In one implementation, a firmware upgrade distributing system comprises a utility provider, which is configured to provide utility services to a plurality of customers, a plurality of meters, and a plurality of nodes. Each meter is configured to measure utility usage data of a respective customer. The nodes are configured to transmit the utility usage data from the plurality of meters to the utility provider. When at least one of the meters is scheduled to receive a firmware upgrade, the utility provider is configured to forward the firmware upgrade to at least one of the plurality of nodes. The at least one node is configured to receive and store the firmware upgrade and, after storing the firmware upgrade, is further configured to forward the firmware upgrade to at least one of the plurality of meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Henry Grady, Dale McLeod Magley, William Charles Shoesmith
  • Publication number: 20150003227
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device are disclosed herein. In particular, a method of recovering an out-of-service node comprises sending a hailing message on a plurality of hailing channels from a second node to the out-of-service node, the second node being in direct wireless communication with the out-of-service node, and sending a synchronization request message from the second node to the out-of-service node on a first data channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: David Edwin Splitz, William Charles Shoesmith, Robert Henry Grady
  • Patent number: 8855569
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device are disclosed herein. In particular, a method of the present disclosure includes: listening for a first hailing signal to be received on at least one hailing channel selected from a plurality of hailing channels, selecting at least one hailing channel based upon a system time and a node identification; determining a noise floor for the at least one hailing channel; and upon receiving a noise signal on the at least one hailing channel, adjusting the noise floor in response to the noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: David Edwin Splitz, William Charles Shoesmith, Robert Henry Grady
  • Patent number: 8660134
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device. An exemplary method includes: sending to the RF device a hailing signal based on a system time; and sending to the RF device a data message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: David Edwin Splitz, William Charles Shoesmith, Robert Henry Grady
  • Publication number: 20140028468
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing a firmware upgrade within a mesh network are provided. In one implementation, a firmware upgrade distributing system comprises a utility provider, which is configured to provide utility services to a plurality of customers, a plurality of meters, and a plurality of nodes. Each meter is configured to measure utility usage data of a respective customer. The nodes are configured to transmit the utility usage data from the plurality of meters to the utility provider. When at least one of the meters is scheduled to receive a firmware upgrade, the utility provider is configured to forward the firmware upgrade to at least one of the plurality of nodes. The at least one node is configured to receive and store the firmware upgrade and, after storing the firmware upgrade, is further configured to forward the firmware upgrade to at least one of the plurality of meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Henry Grady, Dale McLeod Magley, William Charles Shoesmith
  • Publication number: 20130107772
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device. An exemplary method includes: sending to the RF device a hailing signal based on a system time; and sending to the RF device a data message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: David Edwin Splitz, William Charles Shoesmith, Robert Henry Grady
  • Publication number: 20130109319
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with a radio frequency (RF) device are disclosed herein. In particular, a method of the present disclosure includes: listening for a first hailing signal to be received on at least one hailing channel selected from a plurality of hailing channels, selecting at least one hailing channel based upon a system time and a node identification; determining a noise floor for the at least one hailing channel; and upon receiving a noise signal on the at least one hailing channel, adjusting the noise floor in response to the noise signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: David Edwin Splitz, William Charles Shoesmith, Robert Henry Grady