Sanconix Inc.

Axonn, L.l.c.

M & Fc Holding, LLC

Sensus Spectrum, LLC

Sensus Usa, Inc.

Southern Focus Investments, LLC

H Britton Sanderford, Jr

Robert E Rouquette

Gary A Naden

Marc L Reed

James D Arthur

Michael Ray Brown

Robert J Davis

Gordon J Boudreaux

Martin C Poppe

John R Souvestre

Stephen Schamber

William H Laletin

Dale E Reiser

Gregg A Larson

Marc L Read

Charles A Hwang

A communication system that relays data messages from or to a plurality of remote endpoints via RF gateways to a data accumulation site over one of a series of communication channels. The communication system monitors the signal-to-noise ratio of communication from each individual endpoint, which can be utility meters and related control or monitoring points, to a gateway. Based upon a quality of service and/or the signal-to-noise ratio of the communication of the endpoints to the gateways, the system assigns a desired communication channel to the endpoint. Each of the desired communication channels have varying data transmission rate and required SNR and each channel is selected based upon the signal-to-noise ratio of the transmissions from the endpoint to the gateways. If the signal-to-noise ratio changes for an endpoint, the system dynamically reassigns a different channel to the meter based upon the updated signal-to-noise ratio.

Multi-band channel capacity for meter network

A phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer includes an L-state pulse width modulator configured to receive a reference frequency signal and at least one entry from a frequency table, and to output at least one N/N+1 modulus signals corresponding to the at least one entry from the frequency table. The synthesizer includes a divide by N/N+1 controllable modulus divider configured to receive the at least one N/N+1 modulus signals and to divide the output frequency signal by the at least one N/N+1 modulus signals to generate a second reference frequency signal. The synthesizer includes a phase frequency detector configured to receive the reference frequency signal and the second reference frequency signal and to generate an error signal. The synthesizer also includes a filter network configured to receive the error signal and to output a voltage; and a voltage controlled oscillator configured to receive the voltage and to generate the output frequency signal.

Geographic locating remote endpoint monitor device, system, and methodology thereof

A cellular network includes a node configured to transmit a data packet on a predetermined frequency, first and second base stations configured to receive signals transmitted on the predetermined frequency, and a data concentrator. The first base station and the second base station are arranged in a cellular configuration such that a first coverage area of the first base station at least partially overlaps a second coverage area of the second base station. The first base station and the second base station each receive the data packet transmitted by the node. The data concentrator is configured to collect the data packet received by the first base station and the data packet received by the second base station. The data packet includes latitude and longitude data received from a global positioning system receiver such that a location of the node may be determined from a remote location.

In one aspect, the present invention reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by a capacitive dropper power supply by synchronizing the openings and closings of a shunt switched used for regulation control of the DC output voltage generated by the power supply, to zero crossings of AC current from the current-limiting resistor disposed in series at the AC input of the power supply. In one or more other embodiments, the capacitive dropper power supply includes disconnect circuitry that senses a loss of the input AC voltage source and in response wholly or partly disconnects internal regulation control circuitry from the supply's output filter capacitor to reduce the current drawn from the filter capacitor, thereby reducing the decay rate of the DC output voltage from the filter capacitor. The contemplated power supply may also be implemented in a Bipolar, BiCMOS or CMOS process, for realization in a compact integrated circuit device.

Method and apparatus for AC-to-DC power conversion

A system and method for communicating energy or water consumption related information from a plurality of RF enabled peripheral devices in a home, such as utility meters, thermostats, appliances and load controllers. The system includes a home gateway that enables wireless RF peripheral devices in a home to communicate to a WAN network, such as the internet. The home gateway contains a RF multi-band software defined radio that is fully programmable and configurable so that it is capable of emulating, transmitting, and receiving any of a plurality of RF protocols over multiple RF channels. The home gateway supports commonly used interfaces for communicating to the public WAN network. The system also supports future peripherals that do not exist today due to the flexibility of the home gateway.

Universal software defined home gateway

A remote endpoint monitor device includes a remote endpoint device including a meter, a position locator, a frequency selector, and a communication unit. The meter is configured to measure a service parameter to provide a measured service parameter value. The position locator is configured to determine a position of the remote endpoint device. The frequency selector is configured to select a transmission frequency device based on the determined position. The transmitter is configured to transmit service information data including the service parameter value at the transmission frequency selected by the frequency selector. A method of a remote endpoint monitor device includes measuring a service parameter, determining a position of the remote endpoint device, selecting a transmission frequency of the remote end point device, and transmitting service information data at the transmission frequency. Thus, the remote endpoint monitor device is capable of handling an automatic frequency switchover without direction provided externally.

A method that determines a physical location of an unknown position device (UPD) in a communication network including a plurality of known position devices (KDPs), in which a message transmitted by the UPD is received by plural KDPs. The method includes measuring a signal quality of each received message received by the plural KDPs from the UPD, and computing the likely physical location of the UPD based on the physical location of the plural KPDs receiving the message from the UPD and the respective signal quality measured at each KPD.

Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for determining a physical location of a sensor

A cargo, containerized cargo, high value asset monitoring and tracking communication system including a local area network (LAN) transmitter that transmits a first message having a first frequency spectrum, and a wide area network (WAN) uplink device that receives the first message from the local area network radio transmitter, whereby both WAN and LAN share the same spectrum. Further, the WAN uplink device transmits a second message having a second frequency spectrum overlapping the first frequency spectrum to a WAN receiver using an orbital satellite. At least one of the LAN transmitter and the WAN uplink device transmits with a transmission characteristic different from a transmission characteristic of the other. A communication device and method include similar features.

Containerized cargo/high value asset tracking method, device and system

A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for relaying packet information from an Out of Range Device (ORD) to a communications tower. The method includes transmitting a message from the ORD. The message is recognizable by a transceiver device as a message to be repeated. The message is stored in the transceiver device which also measures a received signal quality of the message, and relays the message after delaying for a time interval inversely proportional to received signal quality.

Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for communications relay

A mobile multifrequency transmitter includes a self-locator, a frequency selector, and a communication unit. The self-locator is configured to determine a current self location without transmitting an outgoing signal, and to provide the self location to the multifrequency transmitter. The frequency selector is configured to select a usable frequency based on the current self location. The communication unit is configured to transmit on said selected usable frequency. A mobile communication method includes the steps of obtaining a current self location from a self-locator without transmitting an outgoing signal, looking up in a database an allowable frequency band corresponding to the current self location, and transmitting on the allowable frequency band. Thus, the mobile multi-frequency transmitter is capable of handling an automatic frequency switchover without the need for higher level cellular direction.

Mobile multifrequency transmitter transmitting on frequencies based on geographic locations and a method thereof

An electronic meter tamper detection system and method for sensing the removal of an electricity meter from a meter socket and generating a tamper signal when such removal is detected. The tamper detection circuit includes a control unit having an energy storage device that is charged during normal operation of the electricity meter. When power is interrupted to the electricity meter, the control unit applies a charging voltage to a voltage regulating device within the electricity meter. The voltage regulating device can be charged only when the electricity meter is installed within the meter socket. After applying the charging voltage to the voltage regulating device, the control unit senses whether the voltage regulating device has been charged. If the voltage regulating device has not been charged, the control unit indicates that the meter has been removed from the meter socket.

Electronic tamper detection circuit for an electricity meter

A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life. The system is used in a variety of applications including remote monitoring and mobile communications.

Enhanced wireless packet data communication system, method, and apparatus applicable to both wide area networks and local area networks

A remote power meter monitoring system using spread spectrum transmitters, fast frequency shift keying, spread spectrum receivers and a computer. The spread spectrum transmitter uses a chip code generator, preamble register, address register data register and oscillator coupled to a microprocessor to transmit information in a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. The spread spectrum receiver acquires synchronization of the spread spectrum signal using a microprocessor to despread and detect the transmitted information, which relates to data from a power meter.

Wireless alarm system

A method utilizing intentionally generated in-band frequency harmonics to compensate for frequency error and frequency drift in a voltage controlled oscillator of a receiver, thereby eliminating the frequency synthesizer and RF divider required in conventional designs. The method includes modulating the intentionally generated frequency in a predetermined manner so that a receiver can identify the intentionally generated frequency and includes the use of plural frequency harmonics for use in a curve fitting technique to correct frequency error in the voltage controlled oscillator.

Growing community of inventors

New Orleans, LA, United States of America

H Britton Sanderford, Jr