SMARTSYNCH, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120293383 | FORWARD THROW ANTENNA UTILITY METER - Systems and methods are provided for a utility meter assembly including a plurality of meter components configured for measuring and collecting data, and including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a network; a faceplate, with meter reading information displayed on the front; an exterior cover; and an internal dipole antenna situated within the exterior cover. The internal dipole antenna is typically situated away from the meter components, so as to minimize interference by the meter components. The internal dipole antenna is typically tuned for optimal matching impedance in an 850 MHz or 1900 MHz receiving band, so that the desired receiving band Standing Wave Ration (SWR) is achieved, and also a specified minimum radiated power threshold is maintained. | 11-22-2012 |
20120154228 | METHODS FOR SIMULATING INTERNAL ANTENNAS IN TELEMETRY DEVICES - Systems and methods are described for simulating an internal antenna within a telemetry device. The simulator device includes a housing having at least one opening, wherein the housing is configured to accommodate close proximity placement of the telemetry device. The simulator device also includes a simulator or test antenna within the housing that corresponds to an internal antenna within a housing of the telemetry device. The simulator device further includes a radio frequency (RF) connector coupled to the simulator housing, for connection to a communication device. The simulator device also includes a fastening mechanism to secure the simulator device over the telemetry device so that the simulator antenna is adjacent to the internal antenna. The proximity of the simulator antenna to the internal antenna provides simulator device RF characteristics that simulate internal antenna RF characteristics. | 06-21-2012 |
20120098710 | Forward Throw Antenna Utility Meter with Antenna Mounting Bracket - A utility meter assembly comprising: a plurality of meter components configured for measuring and collecting data, the meter components including a transceiver operative for communications over a network; a faceplate, configured such that meter reading information is displayed on the front of the faceplate; an exterior cover configured to enclose the meter components and the faceplate, wherein the faceplate is forward of the plurality of meter components; an internal dipole antenna that is situated in a space defined between the faceplate and the exterior cover toward the front of the utility meter assembly; and a mounting bracket that supports the internal dipole antenna. The combined sub-assembly of the mounting bracket and the internal dipole antenna is typically situated away from the meter components, so as to minimize interference by the meter components, and thus achieve improved communications properties measured in isotropic sensitivity and radiated power. | 04-26-2012 |
20120038328 | Systems and Methods for Charging Super Capacitors - Systems and methods are provided for charging a super capacitor bank. One method provides for determining a charge voltage for the super capacitor bank, providing a charging current, limiting the charging current according to a corresponding worst case temperature within the super capacitor bank operating temperature range, limiting the charge voltage according to the worst case temperature, and turning off the charging current once the super capacitor bank is charged. One system provides a super capacitor bank for storing energy providing specified power demand to a circuit, a current charger providing charging current to the super capacitor bank, the charging current limited in accordance with a corresponding worst case temperature within the super capacitor bank operating temperature range, a voltage sense circuit to detect the super capacitor bank voltage, and a control to disconnect the current charger from the super capacitor bank once the super capacitor bank is charged. | 02-16-2012 |
20110273308 | Systems and Methods for Auto-Configuration of a Generic Data Device on a Wireless Network - Systems and methods are provided for the automatic configuration of digital utility meters. One embodiment provides for pre-producing digital devices, the digital devices comprising integrated module components, configured for communication with a data management system via a wireless network and further configured for monitoring capability, producing a list file associated with the digital devices and including identities for each integrated module component, activating a digital devices using the wireless network, and distributing deployment information to the digital device from at least one configuration server via the wireless network, including customer data for configuring the digital device and for registering the digital device with a transaction management system. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273307 | Systems and Methods for Auto-Configuration of a Generic Data Device on a Wireless Network - Systems and methods are provided for the automatic configuration of digital utility meters. One embodiment provides for pre-producing digital devices, the digital devices comprising integrated module components, configured for communication with a data management system via a wireless network and further configured for monitoring capability, producing a list file associated with the digital devices and including identities for each integrated module component, activating a digital devices using the wireless network, and distributing deployment information to the digital device from at least one configuration server via the wireless network, including customer data for configuring the digital device and for registering the digital device with a transaction management system. | 11-10-2011 |
20110248685 | INDUCTIVE CHARGING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE COMPONENTS - According to aspects of the present invention, systems and methods are provided for faster charging of electrical energy storage components such as supercapacitors while maintaining the safety limits. In one or more exemplary embodiments, a flyback transformer is used to provide constant energy charging to the supercapacitor several times faster than in conventional systems or methods, due to the high frequency output of the flyback transformer, while not exceeding the power output rating of the power supply. According to one embodiment, a cycle-by-cycle energy transfer limit is used to charge one or more supercapacitors. | 10-13-2011 |
20110235368 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVERSION OF HIGH VOLTAGE AC TO LOW VOLTAGE DC USING INPUT VOLTAGE GATING - A method and apparatus for conversion of high voltage AC to low voltage high current DC without using high voltage capacitors or transformers. A single switch is used to perform both the functions of pre-regulation and switching conversion. An input voltage detector determines when the input power AC is below a predetermined voltage limit. A threshold voltage generator provides a threshold voltage corresponding to the output voltage. A voltage comparator coupled to the input voltage detector and threshold voltage generator enables a pulse generator to activate the switch to gate a number of pulses of the input power below the predetermined voltage limit at predetermined frequency to a transformer. The converter regulates its output voltage by changing the input voltage threshold at which it starts switching, instead of using PWM or other known regulation technique. | 09-29-2011 |
20110149544 | ANTENNA FOR WIRELESS UTILITY METERS - An integrated antenna and electromagnetic (EM) noise shield apparatus for use with a radio frequency communicating device and EM noise generating electronic equipment housed within a generally cylindrical outer glass enclosure or bezel of wireless utility meter. A flexible printed circuit (PC) board has an upper region and a lower ground plane region. A radiating element is defined on the PC board in the upper region. A metal ground plane component has a first portion having the shape of a circle segment and a second orthogonal portion. The ground plane component is mechanically fixed and electrically connected to the ground plane region of the PC board, with the orthogonal second portion being proximate to and shielding the radiating element. The ground plane component and the ground plane portion of the PC board define an electromagnetic shield for electromagnetic emissions between EM noise generating electronic equipment housed within said outer bezel and the radiating element. | 06-23-2011 |
20100305891 | METHODS FOR READING DATA IN A UTILITY METER - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to read energy-related data in a power meter. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes the step of sending a request message to an on-premise processor, directing the on-premise processor to read energy-related data from a power meter, using an 802.11 X-based wireless protocol. The method further includes the step of retrieving energy-related data stored in a memory of the power meter by the on-premise processor, using the 802.11 X-based wireless protocol, and the step of receiving a response message sent at a host processor, communicated from the on-premise processor, using the 802.11 X wireless protocol. The method further includes the step of recording the energy related data in a data structure in memory of the host processor, along with a date and time information. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305772 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING POWER LOADS - In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a system for managing power loads. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a management host processor storing a plurality of records associated with a plurality of power meters, that is operatively connected to a distribution network capable of sending and receiving messages of a first protocol. An on-premise processor is co-located with at least one of the plurality of power meters, and is operatively connected to the distribution network, for receiving messages of the first protocol from the management host processor. The on-premise processor includes an 802.11X-based wireless communications link interface for sending and receiving messages of a second protocol. A power load controller is associated with the power load and operatively communicates with the on-premise processor using 802.11X-based wireless communications to send and receive messages of the second protocol from the on-premise processor. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305771 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A POWER LOAD - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for controlling a power load. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a processor capable of receiving a signal from a sensor, where the signal is related to an ambient temperature of the sensor. The processor is further capable of generating a control signal. The system further includes an 802.11X-based transceiver that is operatively connected to the processor and capable of communicating data received from an antenna to the processor. The system further includes a switch that is operatively connected to the processor, receiving the control signal from the processor, for switch controlling activation of a power load. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302064 | METHOD FOR DEACTIVATING A UTILITY METER - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to deactivate a utility meter. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes the step of reading a first status indicator associated with the utility meter in a memory of a utility meter management host processor, and the step of determining if the status of the utility meter is active. The method further includes the step of sending a first deactivation request message from the utility meter management host processor to an on-premise processor, and the step of deactivating the utility meter. The method further includes the step of sending a first acknowledgement deactivation message from the on-premise processor to the utility meter management host processor, and the step of recording, in the memory of the utility meter management host processor, a date and an activation status indicator associated with the utility meter. | 12-02-2010 |
20100199747 | GAS METER READING SYSTEM - A gas meter reading system is provided that allows automated meter reading capability to be incorporated with sealed mechanical type gas meters. The reading system is mounted to the window of the meter adjacent to the measurement dial. The reading system senses the rotation of the dial and provides data, such as a pulse, that may be recorded by an external source. A method of detecting for leaks with a gas meter having a reading system is also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
20090129133 | Devices and Methods For Converting Alternating Current (AC) Power to Direct Current (DC) Power - Methods, circuit designs, systems, and devices for the conversion of high voltage alternating current (AC) to low voltage, high current direct current (DC) are described. An exemplary apparatus includes a rectifier for receiving a high voltage AC line power input and for outputting a full wave, high voltage DC, a gating component coupled to the rectifier for receiving the high voltage DC output by the rectifier, wherein the gating component is configured to gate the high voltage DC by turning on at a zero crossing level and turning off when the high voltage DC exceeds a preset voltage threshold and wherein the output of the gating component is an intermediate voltage DC capped by the preset voltage threshold, and a DC-DC converter coupled to the gating component for receiving the intermediate voltage DC output by the gating component, wherein the DC-DC converter is configured to step down and smooth out the intermediate voltage DC to a desired high current, low voltage DC output. | 05-21-2009 |
20090055032 | Systems and Methods For Remote Power Management Using 802.11 Wireless Protocols - Systems and methods are disclosed for using 802.11 based wireless protocols in various energy management applications wherein a host controller uses various types of communication networks to distribute information to an on-premise processor that in turn uses 802.11 based wireless protocols to communicate with various types of end devices, such as utility meters. Various forms of communication are defined between the end device, the on-premise processor, and the energy management host for accomplishing power load control, including determining when to activate or deactivate a load, requesting permission to activate a load, reading usage data, activating or deactivating a meter, and determining rate schedules. A flexible scheme allows control to be shifted to be resident in various entities. The architecture is applicable not only for power load control, but other control type and metering devices. | 02-26-2009 |
20080316087 | Simulator For Internal Antennas in Telemetry Devices - Systems and methods are described for simulating an internal antenna within a telemetry device. The simulator device includes a housing having at least one opening, wherein the housing is configured to accommodate close proximity placement of the telemetry device. The simulator device also includes a simulator or test antenna within the housing that corresponds to an internal antenna within a housing of the telemetry device. The simulator device further includes a radio frequency (RF) connector coupled to the simulator housing, for connection to a communication device. The simulator device also includes a fastening mechanism to secure the simulator device over the telemetry device so that the simulator antenna is adjacent to the internal antenna. The proximity of the simulator antenna to the internal antenna provides simulator device RF characteristics that simulate internal antenna RF characteristics. | 12-25-2008 |
20080303488 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING SUPER CAPACITORS - Systems and methods are provided for charging a super capacitor bank. One method provides for determining a charge voltage for the super capacitor bank, providing a charging current, limiting the charging current according to a corresponding worst case temperature within the super capacitor bank operating temperature range, limiting the charge voltage according to the worst case temperature, and turning off the charging current once the super capacitor bank is charged. One system provides a super capacitor bank for storing energy providing specified power demand to a circuit, a current charger providing charging current to the super capacitor bank, the charging current limited in accordance with a corresponding worst case temperature within the super capacitor bank operating temperature range, a voltage sense circuit to detect the super capacitor bank voltage, and a control to disconnect the current charger from the super capacitor bank once the super capacitor bank is charged. | 12-11-2008 |