Richard D Devries

US Patent:

7154938, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

Dec 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/335553

Inventors:

Scott Cumeralto - Spokane WA, US
Richard Devries - Spokane WA, US
Gary Larson - Waseca MN, US

Assignee:

Itron, Inc. - Liberty Lake WA

International Classification:

H04B 1/00

US Classification:

375150, 375132, 375135, 375146, 34087002

Abstract:

The RF communications system of the present invention wirelessly communicates data without encountering undue interference problems with other devices and complies with rules governing unlicensed, spectrum-sharing devices. In an example embodiment, a transmitter device includes a digital subsystem powered by a power supply that processes data from another device and a radio frequency (RF) sub-system that transmits the processed data using a frequency hopping scheme. The RF sub-system includes a microprocessor arrangement that ON-OFF keys a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and provides a frequency-hopping scheme. The VCO is coupled to a signal frequency spreading arrangement that spreads the signal to a predetermined transmission bandwidth, wherein the frequency spreading occurs during an ON state of the ON-OFF keying and the transmission bandwidth exceeds a reception bandwidth at which the signal will be decoded.

US Patent:

7317404, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Jan 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/036170

Inventors:

Scott Cumeralto - Spokane WA, US
Richard DeVries - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

Itron, Inc. - Spokane WA

International Classification:

G08B 23/00

US Classification:

34087002, 34087003, 702 60, 705412

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for collecting and displaying real-time utility consumption data and an estimate of utility costs from various utility metering modules upon request by the consumer within the comfort of their own home or business. According to one aspect of the invention, a utility display module is in communication with a utility end point device that monitors and displays consumption of a utility (water, gas, and/or electricity). The source of the data received by the module may be generated by utility meter transmitters that are attached to the various utility delivery end points or meters. In a related embodiment, a repeater may be used with a battery powered energy display module to make the module transportable.

US Patent:

20060038700, Feb 23, 2006

Filed:

Aug 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/209344

Inventors:

Scott Cumeralto - Spokane WA, US
Richard DeVries - Spokane WA, US

International Classification:

G08C 15/06

US Classification:

340870020

Abstract:

A sleeve repeater includes a meter sleeve mount and a meter ring mount. The meter sleeve mount interfaces to a utility meter and includes an antenna that is electrically coupled to internal sleeve repeater circuitry. The meter ring mount interfaces with the meter sleeve mount and is attachable to a desired surface to provide a mounted support to the meter sleeve mount and the utility meter. The sleeve repeater includes an antenna that may be internal or external to the meter sleeve mount. An external antenna is preferably enclosed with a dome for protection. The sleeve repeater is able to collect utility meter data from its proximate meter and from a plurality of remotely located repeaters. The sleeve repeater is able to transmit the collected data to collector or other intermediate devices so that the data may reach the head end of an AMR system. A decorative embodiment is available.

US Patent:

20080180274, Jul 31, 2008

Filed:

Nov 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/985337

Inventors:

Scott Cumeralto - Spokane WA, US
Richard DeVries - Spokane WA, US

International Classification:

G08B 23/00

US Classification:

34087002

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for collecting and displaying real-time utility consumption data and an estimate of utility costs from various utility metering modules upon request by the consumer within the comfort of their own home or business. According to one aspect of the invention, a utility display module is in communication with a utility end point device that monitors and displays consumption of a utility (water, gas, and/or electricity). The source of the data received by the module may be generated by utility meter transmitters that are attached to the various utility delivery end points or meters. In a related embodiment, a repeater may be used with a battery powered energy display module to make the module transportable.

US Patent:

20110210862, Sep 1, 2011

Filed:

Apr 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/092492

Inventors:

Scott Cumeralto - Spokane WA, US
Richard DeVries - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

ITRON, INC. - Liberty Lake WA

International Classification:

G08C 15/06

US Classification:

34087002

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for collecting and displaying real-time utility consumption data and an estimate of utility costs from various utility metering modules upon request by the consumer within the comfort of their own home or business. According to one aspect of the invention, a utility display module is in communication with a utility end point device that monitors and displays consumption of a utility (water, gas, and/or electricity). The source of the data received by the module may be generated by utility meter transmitters that are attached to the various utility delivery end points or meters. In a related embodiment, a repeater may be used with a battery powered energy display module to make the module transportable.

US Patent:

20170234698, Aug 17, 2017

Filed:

May 3, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/585894

Inventors:

- Liberty Lake WA, US
Richard Nolan DeVries - Spokane Valley WA, US
Stephen Johnson - Spokane WA, US

International Classification:

G01D 4/00
H04Q 9/00

Abstract:

An intelligent receptacle (or receptacle device) enables individually monitoring and/or controlling consumption of utility service by one or more loads through a supply outlet that is associated with the receptacle device. A client device may enable a user to remotely control a provision of the utility service from the supply outlet through the receptacle device. Furthermore, a utility metering device may include a virtual metering device instance that is configured to collect utility consumption data associated with the supply outlet from the receptacle device and help calibration or synchronization of utility consumption readings of the receptacle device.

US Patent:

20150139218, May 21, 2015

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/398945

Inventors:

- Liberty Lake WA, US
Richard Nolan DeVries - Spokane Valley WA, US

International Classification:

H04W 56/00
H04W 24/08

US Classification:

370350

Abstract:

A system and method manages a stream of data to receive a data packet among a set of potentially colliding data packets. The stream of data is monitored with a first detector level to recognize a potential first data packet having a bit sequence that matches a known bit sequence. In response to a recognition of a potential first data packet by the first detector level, the stream of data is monitored with a second detector level to recognize a potential second data packet having a bit sequence that matches a known bit sequence while the first detector level is engaged with the potential first data packet.

US Patent:

20140277783, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/828837

Inventors:

- Liberty Lake WA, US
Richard Nolan DeVries - Spokane Valley WA, US
Stephen Johnson - Spokane WA, US

Assignee:

ITRON, INC. - Liberty Lake WA

International Classification:

G06F 1/28

US Classification:

700286

Abstract:

An intelligent receptacle (or receptacle device) enables individually monitoring and/or controlling consumption of utility service by one or more loads through a supply outlet that is associated with the receptacle device. A client device may enable a user to remotely control a provision of the utility service from the supply outlet through the receptacle device. Furthermore, a utility metering device may include a virtual metering device instance that is configured to collect utility consumption data associated with the supply outlet from the receptacle device and help calibration or synchronization of utility consumption readings of the receptacle device.