With Meter Reading Patents (Class 340/870.02)
  • Patent number: 11410507
    Abstract: A localized sound projection system can coordinate the sounds of speakers to simulate the placement of an auditory cue in a 3D space. The system can include a plurality of speakers configured to output auditory signals and a sound localization controller configured to control the plurality of speakers to coordinate the auditory signals to simulate an origination location of a patient alarm. The sound localization controller can determine adjusted auditory signals and control a plurality of speakers to output the plurality of adjusted auditory signals. A method for dynamically controlling speaker settings in a medical environment can include determining volume settings corresponding to a speaker, monitoring a level of ambient noise corresponding to a room of a patient, controlling the volume settings of the speaker to reduce or increase a sound level output of a speaker. A patient monitoring system can be configured to physically manipulate medical devices in response to audible commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Bilal Muhsin, Ammar Al-Ali
  • Patent number: 11410776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for formal threat analysis of smart healthcare systems (SHSs) are provided. The system can formally analyze supervised and unsupervised machine learning models for black-box-style SHS threat analysis. The system can analyze the underlying decision-making model of SHSs by investigating the possible attacks that can be deployed by minimal alteration of sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, Nur Imtiazul Haque
  • Patent number: 11405700
    Abstract: A system for resource monitoring includes: resource monitors, each disposed within radio range of corresponding resource meters that transmit corresponding radio signals indicative of corresponding meter identifiers and current readings, where the each of the resource monitors receive and decode one or more of the corresponding radio signals to obtain one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings, and where the each of the resource monitors transmit the one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings over the internet cloud; and a resource server, operatively coupled to the resource monitors via the internet cloud, configured to receive the one or more of the corresponding meter identifiers and current readings from the each of the resource monitors, and configured to employ the corresponding current readings to detect unusual patterns of resource consumption, and configured to send alerts corresponding to the unusual patterns of resource consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Copper Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Mathews, Daniel J. Forman, Christopher P. Meyer, Michael L. Russo
  • Patent number: 11402416
    Abstract: Techniques described herein detect a meter orientation based on a temperature gradient measured for a utility meter. A method for detecting a meter orientation includes determining a set of temperature measurements including a respective temperature measurement at two or more temperature sensors of a utility meter. The method further includes comparing the set of temperature measurements to a thermal fingerprint of the utility meter. The thermal fingerprint represents a baseline set of one or more temperature gradients based on the two or more temperature sensors over time. The method further includes detecting a meter orientation based on comparing the set of temperature measurements to the thermal fingerprint of the utility meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kraus, Frank J. Boudreau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11402423
    Abstract: An operating component has a sensor device for recording measurement values and a communication device for transmitting a status report. A data storage device stores the recorded measurement values and a status estimation device determines an operating status with the aid of the recorded measurement values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roberto Bianchi
  • Patent number: 11404168
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for immunity data creation and immunity monitoring (e.g., management, maintenance, etc.). A user may upload immunity and redaction data. A community of other users may verify the uploaded data. A venue may comprise a target immunity level and an actual immunity level. Combining the verified uploaded data with the actual immunity level may yield a new actual immunity level. The user may be allowed to enter the venue if the new actual immunity level is at or above the target immunity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: VAXLEY, INC.
    Inventor: John Anthony Zebala
  • Patent number: 11405701
    Abstract: A system for resource monitoring includes: a resource server that monitors use of a resource, the server including: a meter reading processor, that communicates with resource monitors disposed within radio range of resource meters, where the resource meters transmit radio signals indicative of meter identifiers and current readings, and where the each of the resource monitors receives and decodes one or more of the radio signals to obtain one or more of the meter identifiers and current readings, and where the each of the resource monitors transmits the one or more of the meter identifiers and current readings over the internet cloud, and where the meter reading processor updates corresponding records in a resource database that indicate resource consumption of corresponding facilities; and an engagement processor, that causes alerts to be transmitted to client devices based on analyses of resource consumption that notify users of the unusual patterns of consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Copper Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Mathews, Daniel J. Forman, Christopher P. Meyer, Michael L. Russo
  • Patent number: 11399223
    Abstract: A method for collecting data delivered by sensors each containing a measurement element, which sensors are equipped for radio communication and include a device for storing and preparing measurement signals recorded by the respective measurement elements for the transmission of the signals, and an autonomous power source. The method includes the following steps: recording successive raw measurement data corresponding to time-stamped, elementary measurement units of at least one physical or physical-chemical variable or parameter delivered by the measurement element of a particular sensor; in each sensor concerned, storing the raw measurement data in the memory device of the sensor; transmitting the unprocessed raw measurement data in compressed form via a radio link; and collecting, storing and evaluating the raw measurement data transmitted from a multiplicity of sensors in a remote central processing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Diehl Metering S.A.S.
    Inventor: Guy Bach
  • Patent number: 11399222
    Abstract: A method for collecting data, preferably in connection with a consumption, a physical or physico-chemical parameter and/or an operating state in a supply network for consumables. A measuring element of a local sensor supplies raw measurement data in the form of elementary measurement units that correspond to a physical or physico-chemical variable or parameter. In order to define the measurement resolution of the sensor, the conditions for generating time stamps are defined in advance using a correlation model, time stamps of successive items of raw measurement data are generated in the sensor on the basis of the correlation model, the time stamps are transmitted so that the raw measurement data acquired by the measuring element is reconstructed on the basis of the time stamps using the correlation model, and analyzed. The transmission is performed with a dynamically adaptable redundancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: Diehl Metering Systems GmbH, Diehl Metering S.A.S.
    Inventors: Stefan Schmitz, Thomas Kauppert, Petra Joppich-Dohlus, Achim Schmidt, Christoph Sosna, Klaus Gottschalk, Guy Bach, Aster Breton
  • Patent number: 11382511
    Abstract: A system for issuing a notification responsive to the occurrence of an event affecting a monitored person. The system has a monitoring device that determines occurrence of an event related to the health or safety of the person and produces a first signal when the event occurs. A first communications device issues a second signal upon receiving the first signal and a second communications device issues a notification signal upon receiving the second signal. The notification signal is issued to one or more entities and advises that an event has occurred. The first communications device has a shorter communications range than the second communications device. Also, the second communications device operating at a higher power level or a greater signal bandwidth than the first communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: LOGICMARK, INC.
    Inventors: Hannah Tunnell, David Tunnell
  • Patent number: 11385268
    Abstract: Bypass detection modules associated with a device are provided. The bypass detection module is configured to determine if one of more switches have been opened to remove service from a customer; monitor electrical characteristic associated with both a line side of the device and a load side of the device responsive to determining that one of more of the one or more switches have been opened to remove service from the customer; and determine a state of the device based on the monitored electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC
    Inventors: James Edward Curry, Michael Ray Brown, Matthew James Savarda
  • Patent number: 11378415
    Abstract: A method of detecting conditions indicative of energy meter tampering, meter faults or energy loss (e.g. due to energy theft) is disclosed. The method includes receiving energy consumption data from an energy meter indicating consumption of energy at a location served by the energy meter. Event data is also received from the meter comprising one or more events generated by the energy meter. The consumption data is analysed to detect a predetermined consumption condition. The event data is analysed to detect a predetermined event or event pattern in the event data. An alert condition is generated in response to detecting both the consumption condition and the event or event pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: GB GAS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jane Chang, Laura Shemilt, Timothy Wong, Andrew Woods
  • Patent number: 11360132
    Abstract: A utility cover assembly includes a base unit made at least partially from a first material, a cover made at least partially from a second material capable of acting as a tuning plate for electromagnetic energy and an insert ring made at least partially from a third material and arranged between the base unit and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Angela Michelle Gizelar
  • Patent number: 11356753
    Abstract: A utility meter includes a metrology core, a short-range radio configured to communicate wirelessly over a local area mesh network, a long-range radio configured to communicate wirelessly over a wide area network and a controller that checks a performance of the local area mesh network against one or more predetermined performance criteria. When the performance of the local area mesh network meets a set of one or more predetermined performance criteria, the utility meter communicates a first set of the information to the head-end system using the short-range radio. When the performance of the local area mesh network does not meet the set of one or more predetermined performance criteria, the utility meter communicates a second set of information to the head-end system using the long-range radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Murali Krishna Bezawada, Prasad Samudrala
  • Patent number: 11350186
    Abstract: A monitoring circuit for a photovoltaic module includes a measurement conditioning circuit, a microcontroller circuit, and a transmitter circuit. The measurement conditioning circuit includes a voltage sense terminal, a voltage reference terminal, and a digital measurement data output. The microcontroller circuit includes a digital measurement data input coupled with the digital measurement data output, a modulation clock input, a measurement data stream output, and a transmit select output. The transmitter circuit includes a measurement data stream input coupled with the measurement data stream output, a modulation clock output coupled with the modulation clock input, a transmit select input coupled with the transmit select output, and positive and negative output communication terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Pauletti, Suheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11326330
    Abstract: A toilet management system includes a toilet bowl device installed in a toilet room, a management device configured to manage a use situation of the toilet bowl device, and a communication device configured to transmit use situation information related to the use situation of the toilet bowl device to the management device. The management device includes an acquirer configured to acquire the use situation information from the communication device, and an abnormality detector configured to detect an abnormality of the toilet bowl device or a facility or equipment installed inside or around the toilet room when the use situation information acquired by the acquirer matches a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Saruta, Shoji Ogawa, Hiroki Shigetomo, Hideyuki Ida, Rina Nagai, Keita Matsudate, Misaki Nagata, Sadaaki Shichino, Toshiki Hashida
  • Patent number: 11315683
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media that facilitate monitoring the integrity of telemetry connectivity between an implantable device and an external device are provided. In one embodiment, an implantable device includes a monitoring component that monitors advertisement signal information identifying an amount of advertisement signals transmitted to the external device within a defined time period, and telemetry session information identifying an amount of the telemetry sessions that are established between the external device and the implantable device within the defined time period. A connectivity assessment component of the implantable device further determines whether a telemetry connectivity problem exists between the external device and the implantable device based on a degree of miscorrelation between the advertisement signal information and the telemetry session information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Yoder, Bo Zhang, Gary P. Kivi, Richard A. Sanden
  • Patent number: 11313173
    Abstract: Smart electric shades system, and its method of operation. A smart electric shades (SES) device includes a window blind, and a motor able to open and close the window blind. The SES device includes a Wi-Fi transceiver able to receive an incoming Wi-Fi signal indicating a remote command to control another SES unit that is external to and separate from that SES device. The SES device also includes a non-Wi-Fi reduced-power wireless transceiver, to send to that other SES unit a non-Wi-Fi wireless communication signal, based on the incoming Wi-Fi command, indicating the remote command to control that other SES unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: OLIBRA LLC
    Inventors: Zohar Shinar, Christopher Andrew Merck
  • Patent number: 11310076
    Abstract: A system for high-availability secure communication between a mobile terminal and an application server. The terminal is connected to a communication box having at least three physical communication interfaces, a first interface used for communicating with the terminal. The communication box connected to an access server by first and second links through corresponding first and second physical remote communication interfaces. The application server connected to the access server. The terminal and the application server communicating through the communication box and the access server using one of two previously established links. The communication box is the network gateway of the terminal. The communication box: maintains a local routing table based on the routing performance of at least one physical remote communication interface; maintains a remote routing table on the access server so that the communication box and the access server use the same link at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: BULL SAS
    Inventor: Denis Olier
  • Patent number: 11300424
    Abstract: A metering assembly, switchboard case, adapter cradle and method of use are provided. A metering assembly of the present disclosure includes an intelligent electronic device (IED) disposed in a switchboard case. The switchboard case includes an enclosure which is connected to an electrical distribution system and a cover. The IED is mounted in a cradle which is removable from the enclosure. The cradle, or adaptor, interconnects electronics of the IED with an electrical circuit of the electrical distribution system. The cover includes a sealing mechanism which prevents removal of the cover and indicates when the cover has been tampered with. The cover further includes a sealed input/output interface which interconnects with input/output means of the IED disposed with the switchboard case. The enclosure and/or the cover have a gasket to seal the cover to the enclosure to making the switchboard case water-tight and enabled for used in outdoor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Electro Industries/GaugeTech
    Inventors: Tibor Banhegyesi, Edward Martinez
  • Patent number: 11302203
    Abstract: Provided is a technique for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight according to a battery level. A drone control device controls a drone according to a battery level, including: a flight distance calculation unit, calculating a flight distance according to an airframe position at any time point and a landing place of the drone; a battery status acquisition unit, acquiring the battery level of the drone; an estimated battery consumption calculation unit, calculating an estimated battery consumption when the drone flies over the flight distance calculated by the flight distance calculation unit; and a return decision unit, deciding, on the basis of the battery level of the drone and the estimated battery consumption, whether the drone is capable of flying over the flight distance and return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventor: You Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11280634
    Abstract: An activity tracking device, such as a step-counting device includes an interface configured to receive one or more acceleration signals and signal processing circuitry. The signal processing circuitry generates an indication of condition of an accelerometer, such as a body position of the accelerometer, based on one or more accelerometer signals, generates an event signal, such as an event flag, based on one or more accelerometer signals and the indication of the condition of the accelerometer, and generates an activity signal, such as step flag based on the event signal, the indication of the condition of the accelerometer and one or more acceleration signals. The signal processing circuitry may generate a noise signal based on one or more acceleration signals and generate the activity signal based on the noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Andrea Labombarda, Alberto Zancanato
  • Patent number: 11281169
    Abstract: A building management system includes a meter configured to provide data samples of a real point. The real point corresponds to a first physical parameter measured by the meter. The building management system also includes an analytics circuit configured to store a real point object representing the real point and store a meter object representing the meter. The meter object includes a points attribute that lists one or more point objects associated with the meter object including at least the real point object. The analytics circuit is also configured to store a virtual point object representing a virtual point. The virtual point corresponds to a second physical parameter not measured by the meter. The analytics circuit is also configured to update the points attribute in the meter object to list the virtual point object as one of the point objects associated with the meter object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Abhigyan Chatterjee, Rajesh C. Nayak, Barkha Shah
  • Patent number: 11275123
    Abstract: A method identifies a duration of power interruptions in an electrical monitoring system. The method includes receiving, with an external monitoring system, a load profile from an electric meter that includes at least one of an accumulated frequency measurement and an accumulated number of zero crossing events that the electric meter records in an AC power signal during a predetermined monitoring period, and identifying a total duration of at least one power interruption during the predetermined monitoring period based on at least one of a deviation of the accumulated frequency measurement in the load profile from a predetermined accumulated frequency value or a deviation of the accumulated number of zero crossing events in the load profile from a predetermined number of zero crossing events during the predetermined monitoring period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr LLC
    Inventors: David Stenberg, Robert Monroe
  • Patent number: 11271657
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for signaling and transmitting data through an optical link is described. The apparatus may include a connector including a first plurality of contacts compatible with an enhanced SFP (SFP+) connector. The connector further includes an additional contact formed at a space adjacent to the first plurality of contacts. A tone generator couples to the additional contact to receive a first signal and to generate a first distinct tone indicative of the first signal for transmission via the additional contact. The method may include generating a first distinct tone indicative of a first signal providing control or status of an apparatus and transmitting or receiving a differential data signal over a portion of a first plurality of contacts compatible with an enhanced SFP (SFP+) connector. The first distinct tone is transmitted over the additional contact formed in a space adjacent to the first plurality of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Giuliano Coli, Stephen Nelson, Henry Meyer Daghighian
  • Patent number: 11262410
    Abstract: A system and method to determine battery lifetime of a remote meter transmission unit. Disclosed methods may comprise sampling a meter transmission unit's voltage and temperature while the unit is not transmitting any data; selecting a temperature curve based on the sampled temperature of the unit from a plurality of predetermined temperature curves, wherein each predetermined temperature curve representing the battery lifetime based on the unit's sampled voltage at the unit's sampled temperature; locating a position from the selected curve based on the voltage sampled of the unit; determining the battery's electrical power consumed and remained based on the position of the curve; and determining the battery's lifetime based on the power consumed and remained. The disclosed method may be used to estimate the battery's remaining lifetime. Disclosed products may utilize the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Randy John Williams
  • Patent number: 11256512
    Abstract: A utility meter has a multiprocessor architecture including (i) a microprocessing unit (MPU) for executing multiple software applications and (ii) another processing unit for performing core metrology functions in real time. For instance, the utility meter includes a metrology engine, an MPU, and one or more metrology applications. The metrology engine measures consumption of a resource and generates consumption data based on the consumption of the resource. The metrology engine includes a metrology processor, a dedicated memory, and a real-time operating system run by the metrology processor to enable the metrology engine to run time-critical metrology functions in real time. The MPU is coupled to the metrology processor and includes one or more processor cores. The MPU runs the one or more metrology applications over a primary operating system of the MPU, and the one or more metrology applications utilize the consumption data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Torpy, Matt Karlgaard, David Decker, James Randall Turner
  • Patent number: 11249120
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for detecting electricity theft, and a computer readable medium, smart meter data of each user and aggregated electricity consumption data are obtained during the detection period in the target area, a load profile set and non-technical loss data are obtained, and a correlation between each load profile in the load profile set and the non-technical loss data is obtained through a maximum information coefficient method and based on the smart meter data and the aggregated electricity consumption data, so as to obtain a correlation indicator for measuring the correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qixin Chen, Kedi Zheng, Yi Wang, Chongqing Kang, Qing Xia
  • Patent number: 11244286
    Abstract: A volunteer reporting system is provided. The system includes a computer server having a memory storing organization data and user data and a user computing device coupled to the computer server. The computer server may be programmed to automatically determine an accumulated amount of time the user computing device has been within the proximity zone during a designated period of time less the time the user computing device is outside of the proximity zone until within the proximity zone and sensed and the server receives another signal during the designated period of time. Additionally, the system may generate a report of the location, time and accumulated amount of time the user computing device was within the proximity zone in response to receiving a request for the report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Isgar
  • Patent number: 11245969
    Abstract: A method for collecting data of a consumption, a physical or physico-chemical parameter and/or an operating state in a supply network for consumables. A measuring element of a local sensor provides elementary measuring units, which correspond to at least one physical or physico-chemical variable or at least one physical or physico-chemical parameter, as raw measurement data. In order to determine the measurement resolution of the sensor, the conditions for generating time stamps are determined in advance using a correlation model, time stamps of successive raw measurement data are generated in the sensor on the basis of the correlation model, and the time stamps are transmitted via a wired connection and/or via a radio path. The raw measurement data are reconstructed and evaluated based on the time stamps with the correlation model. The conditions for generating time stamps can be changed dynamically within the framework of the correlation model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: Diehl Metering Systems GmbH, Diehl Metering S.A.S.
    Inventors: Stefan Schmitz, Thomas Kauppert, Petra Joppich-Dohlus, Achim Schmidt, Christoph Sosna, Klaus Gottschalk, Guy Bach, Aster Breton
  • Patent number: 11237018
    Abstract: A system for advanced metering includes a data concentration device and a data acquiring device. The data concentration device, configured to be physically attached to a first meter to obtain first data, includes a data interface capable of being electrically coupled to the first meter and a data concentration module capable of wireless communication using a first communication standard and wireless communication with a communication network using a second communication standard. The data acquiring device is configured to be physically attached to a second meter to obtain second data and capable of wireless communication using the first communication standard. The data concentration module transmits a first message including the first data to the communication network, selectively allows wireless communication using the first communication standard for the data acquiring device to enable transmission of the second data, and transmits a second message including the second data to the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: UBIIK INC.
    Inventors: Fabien Petitgrand, Tien-Haw Peng, Chun-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 11234137
    Abstract: Nodes included in a hybrid network establish cellular links infrequently and at staggered intervals. When a node establishes a cellular link, other nodes can transmit and receive data to a back office using that cellular link. In addition, the node can receive a request from the back office across the cellular link indicating that another node should respond to an on-demand read request. The node can then signal the other node via a wireless mesh network to establish a cellular link in order to respond to the on-demand read request. An advantage of the disclosed approach is that a battery powered node can communicate as often as needed with the back office without frequently establishing a cellular link and without maintaining a continuously active cellular link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Barry Cahill-O'Brien, Bruce Edwards
  • Patent number: 11221247
    Abstract: A method of communicating with two or more hosts is provided. The method includes transmitting a first communication between a first host and a meter electronics and transmitting a second communication between a second host and the meter electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Kai Shen
  • Patent number: 11204299
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for predicting water leakage events in district metered area of water distribution network. The method comprises receiving historic data of water flow and water pressure associated with DMA for predicting flow data and pressure data of water in the DMA for predefined future time period. Thereafter, method comprises retrieving plurality of cluster points corresponding to the predicted flow data, the pressure data, and an anomaly score identified for each of the plurality of cluster points from machine learning model. The method detects one or more cluster points as anomaly points by comparing anomaly scores with lower bound value and upper bound value and thereafter predicts leakage events corresponding to each of the detected anomaly points. In this manner, present disclosure predicts water leakage events in DMA for future time intervals and hence necessary leakage maintenance actions may be taken to avoid such events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventor: Nagaraj Kanniganti
  • Patent number: 11201815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for selecting a least-loaded route based on a naive Bayes classifier, so that the performance of a method for selecting a least-loaded route is improved. A network snapshot records historical network status information, and a naive Bayes classifier is used to predict the potential future network blocking probability if a service connection is established along a candidate route between each node pair. A network snapshot corresponds to each service request that arrives, and records the number of busy capacity units on each link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gangxiang Shen, Longfei Li, Ya Zhang
  • Patent number: 11196157
    Abstract: A communication optimization system/method for mobile networks uses a server that generates waypoints based on a first communication network within a route to be travelled by an aerial vehicle, the aerial vehicle comprising a communication hub configured to communicate with at least one communication node, a communication hub controller configured control movement of a steerable antenna, and an aerial vehicle controller configured control movement of the aerial vehicle. The server then transmits the waypoints to the aerial vehicle controller; periodically monitors networks not connected to the communication hub; when a second communication network not connected to the communication hub satisfies a threshold, transmits causes the communication controller to steer the steerable antenna in a direction of the second communication network, further causing the communication hub to communicate and connect with the second communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jordan Bonney, Barry Trent
  • Patent number: 11190017
    Abstract: A smart local power distribution (SLPD) system is provided for improving the efficiency of local power generation and consumption. The SLPD system includes a local distribution grid connected to a regional power grid by a local power manager including a local power storage unit and further connected to a plurality of power meters. The local power storage unit is configured to store excess locally-generated power and to provide supplemental power to prosumers for minimized usage of regionally-supplied power and minimized peak-time usage of regionally-supplied power. The local power manager analyzes data provided by the power meters, generates power load and generation profiles, and makes various data-based power flow decisions corresponding to optimizing efficiency of the SLPD system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Rothschild, Ron Lev, Steve Malenfant
  • Patent number: 11181392
    Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a plurality of metering endpoints, each endpoint being configured to wirelessly transmit meter data in compliance with a data transmission schedule. A handheld unit, transported by a vehicle in proximity to the endpoints, is adapted to receive the meter data. To reduce the risk of communication collision, each endpoint is configured with techniques for modifying its transmission schedule. As one technique, each endpoint transmits meter data at a fixed time interval between successive transmissions, each transmission being applied with a random time offset to yield a non-periodic transmission cycle. As another technique, each metering endpoint is configured to transmit meter data within a designated time slot within the fixed time interval. Further, each endpoint monitors the distribution of data within the various time slots and modifies the time slot to which it is assigned to optimally balance the distribution of meter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SPIRE METERING TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Chang Shen
  • Patent number: 11182985
    Abstract: Provided is a data registration system capable of efficiently registering highly effective data related to a vehicle or the like. The data registration system includes an integration processing server and an integrated database server. The integration processing server creates a data mart having an FCD, weather data, vehicle condition data, fuel economy data, navigation data, a vehicle ID, and a user ID which are linked to one another and creates an encrypted data mart by compressing the data mart by the Lzo algorithm and encrypting the compressed data mart. The integrated database server stores the encrypted data mart in a storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD, JAPAN SYSTEM TECHNIQUES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sengoku, Shunsuke Kawasaki, Kosuke Arima, Hisao Shukuya, Tomoya Morita
  • Patent number: 11171402
    Abstract: A wireless telecommunication system for an equipment in an underground structure is disclosed. The system comprises a metal cover fitting in an opening of the underground structure while being supported by a shoulder. A porthole is formed in the cover. The porthole has a lens in plastic material letting radio waves pass. A cradle hangs across the opening. An antenna arrangement is mounted on the cradle and extends near and in alignment with the lens. A radio transceiver connects to the antenna arrangement and to the equipment in the underground structure to establish a wireless telecommunication with the equipment via the antenna arrangement and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Sylvain Riendeau, Pierre Gingras, François Bélanger
  • Patent number: 11162813
    Abstract: A method collects data, a physical or physico-chemical parameter and/or an operating state, during operation of a sensor. The sensor contains a measuring element which provides elementary measuring units, which correspond to a physical or physico-chemical variable or the physical or physico-chemical parameter, as raw measurement data, and the sensor has a communication device and a memory. To determine the measurement resolution of the sensor, the conditions for generating time stamps are first determined using a correlation model. Time stamps of successive raw measurement data are generated in the sensor on the basis of the correlation model. The time stamps are transmitted with the result that the raw measurement data acquired by the measuring element are reconstructed and evaluated based on the time stamps using the correlation model. Wherein operating state monitoring of the sensor is carried out by comparing current time stamps with historical and/or empirical time stamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: Diehl Metering Systems GmbH, Diehl Metering S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christoph Sosna, Petra Joppich-Dohlus, Achim Schmidt, Thomas Kauppert, Stefan Schmitz, Klaus Gottschalk, Guy Bach, Aster Breton
  • Patent number: 11153735
    Abstract: A data transmission method includes receiving, by a first terminal, a first notification message, where the first notification message notifies the first terminal that a target bicycle is in an available state. The method further includes sending, by the first terminal, a mode setting instruction to a second terminal after receiving the first notification message, where the mode setting instruction instructs the second terminal to enter a riding model. The method further includes receiving, by the second terminal, the mode setting instruction from the first terminal, and entering the riding mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Yue Ouyang
  • Patent number: 11146641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of internet of things transmission. Disclosed is an internet of things information system. The internet of things information system of the present invention comprises an object platform, a sensing network platform, and an operator management platform; the object platform establishes a communication protocol with the operator management platform through the sensing network platform; the object platform comprises a perception information system and a control information system; the perception information system acquires perception information of the object platform; the control information system controls objects by control information; the sensing network platform comprises a perception information communication system and a control information communication system; and the operator management platform comprises a perception information management system and a control information management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Chengdu Qinchuan IoT Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zehua Shao
  • Patent number: 11137273
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a gas detector system. The gas detector system comprises a gas detector mounting flange, where the gas detector mounting flange comprises an explosion-proof cylindrical body that is configured to couple the gas detector mounting flange to a gas detector and a plurality of bolt receiving slots configured to couple the gas detector mounting flange to a mounting system by securing bolts, where each bolt receiving slot is at least three times as long as a diameter of securing bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Weimin Zhou, Zhao Xia Jin, Rocky Qu, Mark Li
  • Patent number: 11137265
    Abstract: An AMI management method, and an AMI management server and a recording medium applying the same are provided. According to the AMI management method, the AMI management server managing an AMI stores customer information including a customer ID and information regarding a meter corresponding to a corresponding customer, requests an AMI platform to generate a service, maps AMI platform information received from the AMI platform as a response to the request onto the customer information, and transmits mapping information including the mapped information to the AMI platform. Accordingly, remote metering can be performed by using IoT communications of various telecommunications operators by using the AMI platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Young Min Kwon, Seung Woo Lee, Hyoung Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 11134843
    Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of an electrocardiogram signal using wireless communications includes a submodule measuring a first signal by a heartbeat signal provided via a first electrode when a flag signal is wirelessly received, and a main module wirelessly transmitting the flag signal according to a predetermined sampling period, and measuring a second signal by a heartbeat signal provided through a second electrode. The main module is configured to synchronize a measurement time of the second signal with a measurement time of the first signal by measuring the second signal in consideration of a wireless transmission time of the flag signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Chosun University
    Inventors: Youn Tae Kim, Jae Hyo Jung, Ji Hoon Lee, Si Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 11118942
    Abstract: Mechanical gauges remain a common means to present values of a system or system component to a user. Connecting mechanical gauges to allow for notification messages to be generated, when the value indicated by a needle of the gauge is of particular interest, provides for greater usability. Illuminating a narrow portion of a gauge and utilizing a light detector to determine if the needle is, or is not, reflecting the light emitted, allows for systems to be alerted when the gauge has a particular value. Additionally, the area of interest may be further divided and illuminated by differentiated light to allow the notification to further include the direction from which the needle has entered the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Flex Ltd.
    Inventor: Marco De Angeli
  • Patent number: 11112289
    Abstract: Gas meter and center device are provided. Gas meter includes flow rate measurer that measures a flow rate of gas in time series. Center device receives and analyzes flow rate data from gas meter, and monitors states of use of gas appliances. Gas meter detects the start of operation of gas appliances, and transmits flow rate data during predetermined periods before and after the start of operation in accordance with a request from center device. Center device monitors the states of use of gas appliances based on the received flow rate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Murabayashi, Yoshikuni Tamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuki Shiota
  • Patent number: 11112262
    Abstract: A second data processor determines candidate passes of the second vehicle in alignment with the defined plant rows to provide area coverage of the work area or field within the defined boundary based on an implement width or swath of the second vehicle and row spacing of the second vehicle, wherein the one or more candidate passes are associated with the defined plant rows consistent with a planned guidance path. From the present position and heading of the second vehicle, a user interface or display displays the determined candidate passes to minimize overlap of adjacent candidate passes of the second vehicle and to minimize any yield loss associated with unharvested/untreated passes or zones within the work area or field. The user interface or display supports selection of one of the displayed or presented candidate passes as the planned guidance path of the second vehicle consistent with the provision of area coverage of the work area or field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11108691
    Abstract: A method operates a data recording system which has a central station, an intermediate station, and a terminal station. The central station and the intermediate station define a tertiary, two-way communication path and the central station and the intermediate station define a primary, two-way communication path via a radio link. A plurality of messages or message parts which have different validity time limits are generated in the central station on the basis of a command, the plurality of message parts which are valid for a limited time are transmitted from the central station to the intermediate station. The validity of the message parts is checked in the intermediate station, and, if a message part is still valid for transmission from the intermediate station to the terminal station, the message part concerned is transmitted within a message from the intermediate station to the terminal station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Diehl Metering Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Joppich-Dohlus, Thomas Blank, Stefan Schmitz, Achim Schmidt