Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110077037 | METHODOLOGY AND APPARATUS FOR VALIDATING NETWORK COVERAGE - Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for validating network coverage (i.e., desired functionality) of newly installed network devices. Per use of presently disclosed technology, equipment installers may confirm both one and two way communications abilities of newly installed network devices as well as receive network diagnostic related data to assist them in the equipment installation process. Validation of communications operation may be initiated by any of the newly installed equipment, a handheld device, or via mobile device communications. | 03-31-2011 |
20110078093 | TELEMETRY SYSTEM - Disclosed are apparatus and related methodologies for transmitting data in a gas AMI network. Data may be transmitted bi-directionally between selected endpoint devices and data collection devices to central or head end equipment. Transmitted data may include parameter updating data for selected endpoint devices, and collected data from selected endpoint devices. Endpoint physical area conditions may be monitored for selected of the endpoint devices including monitoring for and reporting of physical changes in the area surrounding cathodic protection systems. The present concepts may be extended to implementation in conjunction with water and electricity metering environments. | 03-31-2011 |
20110273305 | SECURE COLLECTOR DIAGNOSTIC PORTAL ACTIVATION - Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for providing communications with an Automatic Meter Reading/Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMR/AMI) collector device. The collector is provided with a WiFi radio that is enabled for operation from an AMR/AMI head end and turned on in response to a transmission coming from a physical device via the AMR/AMI RF LAN. A user device is granted access to the collector data only upon validation by the collector of multiple credentials that are separately presented to the collector. The credentials come from the physical device in the form of device type and device identification, and from the user device in the form of a valid security certificate and username/password combination. | 11-10-2011 |
20120176253 | DATA COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL IN AN AUTOMATIC METER READING SYSTEM - Automatic meter reading (AMR) systems and methods in which readers communicate with endpoints interfaced to utility meters. In operation, the reader and the endpoint communicate with one another via radio frequency (RF) communication according to a communication protocol. Aspects of the invention are directed to packetization, command and control, and messaging arrangements. | 07-12-2012 |
20130174249 | SECURE LOCK FUNCTION FOR AN ENDPOINT - Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing secure control over stored metrology parameters. A random number key is generated and associated with identifiable information such as a serial number associated with a device. The random number and identification information are stored in a database separate and remote from the device. Alteration of the stored metrology parameters are permitted only upon use of the random number as a key to unlock the device. | 07-04-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130293391 | Limited Data Messaging with Standards Compliance - Techniques for limited data messaging with standards compliance are described herein. A network may be configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automatic meter reading (AMR). A plurality of endpoints (EP) may each be associated with a meter configured to measure consumption of a resource, such as electricity or natural gas. The plurality of EPs may communicate consumption data to a data collector (DC), which transfers the data to a central office. In one example, network traffic and battery power consumption of the EPs may be reduced if each endpoint packages data as a compact array, having minimal data formatting and tagging. A class object associated with each EP and stored at the DC allows the DC to interpret the compact array. Based on this interpretation, the DC is able to reformulate the data as a COSEM (or other standards-based object) for transmission to the central office. | 11-07-2013 |
20130294237 | PRIORITIZED REPORTING OF METERING DATA - A utility company may schedule when and how endpoints report resource consumption data based on relative priorities of endpoints or the customers associated therewith. By associating endpoints with one of multiple different quality of service (QoS) levels, and sending each endpoint a reporting schedule based on its respective QoS level, the utility company may configure prioritized reporting of resource consumption data by endpoints of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) with automatic meter reading (AMR). | 11-07-2013 |
20130297771 | COORDINATED COLLECTION OF METERING DATA - Collection of resource consumption data may be coordinated by designating, for each endpoint in a utility communication network, a single data collector to be responsible for reporting resource consumption data of the respective endpoints to a head-end computing device. If the head-end computing device does not receive resource consumption data from one or more endpoints, the head-end computing device may request the missing resource consumption data from one or more secondary or tertiary data collectors that receive resource consumption data from the one or more endpoints. Additionally, if a data collector is missing resource consumption data from an endpoint during a reporting period, upon receiving resource consumption data from the endpoint during a subsequent reporting period, the data collector may request the missing resource consumption data. | 11-07-2013 |
20140029415 | Relaying Information for an Unreliably Heard Utility Node - Data of a utility node that is unreliably heard may be relayed through another utility node. In some examples, utility nodes of a star network may attempt to transmit data to a collector, a repeater, a relay, a router, or a mobile device. When it is determined that a utility node is unable to reliably transmit data, a relay relationship may be established so that data of the unreliable utility node is relayed through the network. | 01-30-2014 |
20140258544 | PRIORITIZED REPORTING OF METERING DATA - A utility company may schedule when and how endpoints report resource consumption data based on relative priorities of endpoints or the customers associated therewith. By associating endpoints with one of multiple different quality of service (QoS) levels, and sending each endpoint a reporting schedule based on its respective QoS level, the utility company may configure prioritized reporting of resource consumption data by endpoints of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) with automatic meter reading (AMR). | 09-11-2014 |
20150036532 | VERIFICATION OF CONNECTION OF METERS TO NETWORK - To determine network coverage of a device within a network a user may send an instruction to the device using a mobile configuration tool of a mobile device. Upon receiving the instruction, the device of which the network coverage is to be determined may broadcast a message using a standard protocol, and listen to one or more responses from other devices in the network. In response to receiving the one or more responses, the device at issue may relay the one or more responses, or a processing result of the network coverage (determined based on the one or more responses) to the mobile configuration tool for display to the user. The user may determine whether the network coverage of that device meets one or more network coverage criteria and, if not, may take some corrective action. | 02-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080283472 | SUPERCRITICAL WATER OXIDATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS - A method for oxidizing an organic material includes the steps of (a) forming a preoxidation mixture comprising the organic material and water, and (b) causing the preoxidation mixture to react with a liquid oxidizer in a continuous flow reactor supercritical conditions for water, including a pressure of at least 3206 psia and a temperature of at least 705° F., to form a post-oxidation mixture containing condensible material and non-condensible material, wherein substantially all of the organic material has been oxidized. | 11-20-2008 |
20090139391 | APPARATUS FOR REMOVING TOXIC MATERIAL FROM TOXIC WEAPON PROJECTILES - An apparatus useful in the removal of toxic materials from toxic weapon projectiles has a base, a projectile retaining container and a ram. The projectile retaining container has a projectile retainer opening, a ram opening and a drain opening. The projectile retaining container is adapted to retain a toxic weapon projectile in the projectile retainer opening. The ram is adapted to extend into a toxic weapon projectile disposed within the projectile retaining container to crush the projectile's burster well and to thereby release toxic materials to the drain opening in the projectile retaining container. The ram alternatively includes high pressure water nozzles for breaking up any coagulant particles and for thoroughly rinsing the interior side walls of the toxic weapon projectile. | 06-04-2009 |
20090267349 | Production Processes, Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses - The present disclosure provides production processes that can include exposing a carbon-based material to liquid media to form hydrocarbon fuel. Waste to fuel conversion processes as well as waste material processing reactors are provided that can be configured to convert waste to fuel. Heat exchangers, power generation processes and combustion turbine exhaust apparatus are also provided. Fuel generation processes and generation systems are provided. Reaction media conduit systems as well as processes for servicing reactant media pumps coupled to both inlet and outlet conduits containing reactant media, are also provided. | 10-29-2009 |
20100176040 | SUPERCRITICAL WATER OXIDATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS - A method for oxidizing an organic material includes the steps of (a) forming a preoxidation mixture comprising the organic material and water, and (b) causing the preoxidation mixture to react with a liquid oxidizer in a continuous flow reactor supercritical conditions for water, including a pressure of at least 3206 psia and a temperature of at least 705° F., to form a post-oxidation mixture containing condensible material and non-condensible material, wherein substantially all of the organic material has been oxidized. | 07-15-2010 |
20120215042 | Production Processes, Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses - The present disclosure provides production processes that can include exposing a carbon-based material to liquid media to form hydrocarbon fuel. Waste to fuel conversion processes as well as waste material processing reactors are provided that can be configured to convert waste to fuel. Heat exchangers, power generation processes and combustion turbine exhaust apparatus are also provided. Fuel generation processes and generation systems are provided. Reaction media conduit systems as well as processes for servicing reactant media pumps coupled to both inlet and outlet conduits containing reactant media, are also provided. | 08-23-2012 |
20140157610 | High Speed Metrology with Numerically Controlled Machines - Systems, apparatuses and methods are described for integrating an electronic metrology sensor with precision production equipment such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. For example, a laser distance measuring sensor is used. Measurements are taken at a relatively high sample rate and converted into a format compatible with other data generated or accepted by the CNC machine. Measurements from the sensor are synchronized with the position of the arm of the machine such as through the use of offsets. Processing yields a detailed and highly accurate three-dimensional map of a workpiece in the machine. Applicable metrology instruments include other near continuously reading non-destructive characterization instruments such as contact and non-contact dimensional, eddy current, ultra-sound, and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) sensors. Various uses of measurements include: multiple component matching, correction of machine drift, closed loop control of machines, and verification of product tolerances via substantially complete serialized dimensional quality control. | 06-12-2014 |
20140273170 | Algae Pond Circulation - Systems, apparatuses and methods for circulating and agitating algae ponds or reservoirs are described. Inflatable or floatable masses resident in the algae ponds are cyclically or rhythmically moved thereby causing propagating waves to advance along ponds. Waves encourage increased equilibrium of oxygen and carbon dioxide between ambient air and growth medium and thereby improved growth of algae and increased production of biomass. With relatively little energy input, large quantities of algae or biomass may be grown in relatively large ponds and on an economically viable commercial scale. | 09-18-2014 |