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So they call it the "Internet of Things/IoT?"

3D printed enclosures from 1996
My original drawing showing a cloud for consumer interconnect - done on 3/23/1995
Another drawing showing a cloud for the CIM - Consumer Interconnect Medium - done on 3/22/1995

Here's a link to that document done in March of 1995:
Cool... I always wondered what it was.
Always good (two decades later) to have marketing geeks, Gartner's Magic Quadrant, and their marketturds tell Mike, Doug, Larry, Barry, my wife and I what we were working on back then ...

Back then, even Bryant Gumbel and and Katie Couric
on The Today Show had no clue what an @ symbol was used for:
https://www.today.com/video/-what-is-internet-katie-couric-bryant-gumbel-are-puzzled-62308421624


These are pics and info from early 1995/1996 of the device that is described in Patent 6,208,266
 
The image on the left is an excerpt from one of the first patent drafts done in 1995. Note the statement I wrote:
 "The reader is cautioned to not limit this to what   is   widely   known   as   the   Internet/Information Superhighway. Unlike     these     primitive     wide-band  technologies, UMPNET is not dependent on conformance to  TCP/IP  or  other  protocols ....  "
Wow... "Information Superhighway" remember that media sound bite?

Click here for a PDF of that original document
Note the date - 5/9/1995 8:03:00 AM
Here's Doug and I in my basement in Pittsburgh in early 1996 wondering what we were going to call this thing. I'm so glad that things like trade magazines and tech segments on stuff like the Today Show are so keen on sound bites.

You can see the confusion in our faces... no wonder we made no $$$ on it.

Love my Steve Jobs haircut... my co-founder Mike was afraid that my long hair (link to pic here) would scare investors... so this is what I ended up with.

My wife was pissed. Haven't cut it since...

In the photos you can see all the test leads and debug wires.  When we had it all wired  up to logic analyzers and scopes during development of the firmware, my wife came down and asked "I thought it was wireless?"
Thru various incarnations in 1994 and 1995, Mike couldn't seem to stick with a name.

Here's some early names/logos my wife came up with; at first centered around utility telemetry (what they now call smart meters)
:

My son back in early 1996 - he too didn't know what to call it...

3D printed enclosures on the bench.
About mid-1996, we realized this would be more than just a tool for utilities/smart meters. So we changed the name to AMNET. Here's the first logo I did:

Then Technologies changed to Datacomm -
I then changed it to this:

Yea - an "at" symbol. But the board members - the one's we got from that Harvard Club thing - thought it was stupid. So they changed it to this:

So fucking original... eh? The creativity is astounding.
And here's an interesting tidbit of info concerning the "@" symbol - from wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_sign
"The earliest yet discovered symbol in this shape is found in a Bulgarian translation of a Greek chronicle written by Constantinos Manasses in 1345. Held today in the Vatican Apostolic Library, it features the @ symbol in place of the capital letter alpha "Α" in the word Amen. Why it was used in this context is still a mystery. The evolution of the symbol as used today is not recorded. "
Eventually the name got changed again and I did another logo:
Here's one of the first conventions that my co-founder and Doug went to...

On the right - the water tank that killed all the fish they had in it on day 2 of the convention, due to the use of the wrong pipe cement.
On the left - Mike and I

On the right - the IoT's baby pic. I talked to Doug recently and he still has it. He mentioned it's starting to kinda melt around the electronic inards.

I recall after the presentation at the Harvard Business Club that Doug had to fly to Canada with it.

He had an interesting time at airports - even before 9-11 they were leary of things like this. Recall no one had really seen a 3D printed anything, let alone one with various electronics in it.

"And yes honey - it really is wireless..."

You can see the diagnostic leds blinking thru the translucent black 3D SLA..
In fact, we were using Iowa Thin Film (now Powerfilm) flexible solar panels, as well as various wind turbines to recharge the RMP - one of which is a vertical turbine from Finland.   https://www.windside.com/ (lots of knock off now on Schmoogle).

We were Green before there was Green. So man-bun,  JAVA-jockey cool... actually, our coders used C and assembly. Barry mentioned getting "C Sick" 'cause the compilers for uC's back then weren't the best...
"Real men code in assembly"
To the right are a few more enclosures that were 3D printed between 1995 and 1998 and the actual injection molded parts.

The tall, dildo looking things are radomes for the CP antenna. This was used as the lead photo in the patent and in the Patent Gazette.

Unlike the ones shown above that were done in AutoCAD ver 11 (one of the first to support solid modeling - I'd been doing surface models in prior versions of ACAD) these models were done in Solidworks 95 - 98. I was one of "Sourworks" (as one of their VAR's calls it) first customers back in 1995. I still have a 96 install CD (back when it fit on a CD)
Click for larger image
Here's a close up ... the 3D prints are in the foreground...

The yellow enclosure was used for the EMR .

Note the resolution of the printing back then.  The black lid next to it is a cross sectioned IJ part.

The gray dildo is a urethane casting of a 3D SLA done in 1996.  In the back left is the actual IJ modeled part that was extended for  containing a larger lithium thionyl chloride battery pack.
Click for larger image



Citations From Other Patents:

Pretty cool that as of this writing, these are the patents that reference it.

As stated on https://www.epo.org/en/service-support/faq/searching-patents/patent-management-and-valuation/what-are-good-indicators  :
"The number of forward citations is often used as a strong indicator of patent value. A forward citation is a reference to the patent to be evaluated in a later document. An analysis of such citations produces a network of links called a patent citations network which is used in evaluation. The number of times a patent is cited indicates its scientific importance and therefore its value."

Then there's this - from https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/941/wipo_pub_941.pdf


Here's the official 133 USPTO Patent query REF/6208266 listings:
As of 2020-10 - - these are for fully granted patents.

1 10,687,194 Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device 
2 10,655,999 Valve meter assembly and method 
3 10,444,033 Meter reading device and system 
4 10,356,687 Wireless network protocol systems and methods 
5 10,168,181 Meter reading device and system 
6 10,149,129 Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device 
7 10,039,018 Systems and methods for recovering an out-of-service node in a hierarchical network 
8 9,934,670 Infrastructure monitoring system and method 
9 9,909,680 Mechanical stop for actuator and orifice 
10 9,861,848 Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods 
11 9,860,820 Wireless network protocol systems and methods 
12 9,849,322 Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods 
13 9,830,629 Systems and methods for conveying utility information 
14 9,799,204 Infrastructure monitoring system and method and particularly as related to fire hydrants and water distribution 
15 9,691,263 Systems and methods for monitoring conditions 
16 9,621,966 Monitoring control system and control method 
17 9,615,226 System and method for transmitting an emergency message over an integrated wireless network 
18 9,612,132 Optimized data collection in a wireless fixed network metering system 
19 9,571,582 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices 
20 9,565,620 Dynamic routing in a mesh network 
21 9,515,691 System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network 
22 9,494,249 Mechanical stop for actuator and orifice 
23 9,443,417 Systems and methods for conveying utility operator data 
24 9,439,126 Wireless network protocol system and methods 
25 9,430,936 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices 
26 9,383,225 Apparatus and method for reading gauges and other visual indicators in a process control system or other data collection system 
27 9,379,907 Multichannel intelligent electronic device with advanced communication capabilities 
28 9,282,029 System and method for transmitting an emergency message over an integrated wireless network 
29 9,202,362 Infrastructure monitoring system and method 
30 9,129,497 Systems and methods for monitoring conditions 
31 9,118,779 System and method for inbound call billing 
32 9,111,240 System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network 
33 9,104,917 Metering information collection 
34 9,046,390 Image sensing meter reading probe 
35 8,982,856 Systems and methods for facilitating wireless network communication, satellite-based wireless network systems, and aircraft-based wireless network systems, and related methods 
36 RE45,401 Internet surveillance system and method 
37 8,964,708 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices 
38 8,941,509 Multiple and interchangeable meter reading probes 
39 8,931,505 Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods 
40 8,930,571 Systems and methods for controlling communication between a host computer and communication devices 
41 8,924,588 Systems and methods for controlling communication between a host computer and communication devices 
42 8,924,587 Systems and methods for controlling communication between a host computer and communication devices 
43 8,855,569 Systems and methods for dynamic squelching in radio frequency devices 
44 8,833,390 Valve meter assembly and method 
45 8,823,509 Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods 
46 8,787,246 Systems and methods for facilitating wireless network communication, satellite-based wireless network systems, and aircraft-based wireless network systems, and related methods 
47 8,688,405 Remote monitoring systems and methods 
48 8,666,357 System and method for transmitting an emergency message over an integrated wireless network 
49 8,625,496 Wireless network system and method for providing same 
50 8,525,692 Techniques for limiting demand from an electricity meter with an installed relay 
51 8,489,063 Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device 
52 8,462,060 Embedded antenna apparatus for utility metering applications 
53 8,458,312 Distributed intelligent systems and methods therefor 
54 8,446,884 Dual-mode communication devices, methods and systems 
55 8,410,931 Mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods 
56 8,379,564 System and method for monitoring remote devices with a dual-mode wireless communication protocol 
57 8,355,486 System and method for inbound call billing 
58 8,330,669 Remote antenna coupling in an AMR device 
59 8,320,302 Over the air microcontroller flash memory updates 
60 8,299,975 Embedded antenna apparatus for utility metering applications 
61 8,284,107 RF local area network antenna design 
62 8,242,932 Remote sensing system 
63 8,233,471 Wireless network system and method for providing same 
64 8,223,010 Systems and methods for monitoring vehicle parking 
65 8,212,667 Automotive diagnostic data monitoring systems and methods 
66 8,203,463 Wakeup and interrogation of meter-reading devices using licensed narrowband and unlicensed wideband radio communication 
67 8,183,995 Systems and methods for modifying power usage 
68 8,180,595 Portable data acquisition system 
69 8,171,136 System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network 
70 8,140,414 System and method for controlling a utility meter 
71 8,085,309 GPS enhanced camera for transmitting real-time trail data over a satellite/cellular communication channel 
72 8,073,384 Optimization of redundancy and throughput in an automated meter data collection system using a wireless network 
73 8,064,412 Systems and methods for monitoring conditions 
74 8,031,650 System and method for monitoring remote devices with a dual-mode wireless communication protocol 
75 8,024,724 Firmware download 
76 8,013,732 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices 
77 8,000,314 Wireless network system and method for providing same 
78 7,994,994 Embedded antenna apparatus for utility metering applications 
79 7,940,901 Remote management of products and services 
80 7,756,086 Method for communicating in dual-modes 
81 7,742,430 System for automated management of spontaneous node migration in a distributed fixed wireless network 
82 7,702,594 System and method for automated configuration of meters 
83 7,697,492 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices 
84 7,683,932 Storage apparatus and control method 
85 7,650,425 System and method for controlling communication between a host computer and communication devices associated with remote devices in an automated monitoring system 
86 7,623,155 GPS enhanced camera for transmitting real-time trail data over a satellite/cellular communication channel 
87 7,585,449 Sensory system and method thereof 
88 7,545,285 Load control unit in communication with a fixed network meter reading system 
89 7,495,578 Multipurpose interface for an automated meter reading device 
90 7,480,501 System and method for transmitting an emergency message over an integrated wireless network 
91 7,460,931 Method and system for improving the efficiency and reliability of a power grid 
92 7,432,823 Tamper detection apparatus for electrical meters 
93 7,427,927 In-home display communicates with a fixed network meter reading system 
94 7,424,527 System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network 
95 7,397,907 Multi-function general purpose transceiver 
96 7,385,524 Automated meter reading, billing and payment processing system 
97 7,327,998 System and method of providing a geographic view of nodes in a wireless network 
98 7,312,721 Data collector for an automated meter reading system 
99 7,310,052 Wireless meter-reading system and methods thereof 
100 7,308,370 Using a fixed network wireless data collection system to improve utility responsiveness to power outages 
101 7,308,369 Ensuring automatic season change demand resets in a mesh type network of telemetry devices 
102 7,304,588 Monitoring technology 
103 7,301,476 Dynamic self-configuring metering network 
104 7,295,128 Smoke detection methods, devices, and systems 
105 7,263,073 Systems and methods for enabling a mobile user to notify an automated monitoring system of an emergency situation 
106 7,262,709 System and method for efficient configuration in a fixed network automated meter reading system 
107 7,239,250 System and method for improved transmission of meter data 
108 7,187,906 Method and system for configurable qualification and registration in a fixed network automated meter reading system 
109 7,185,287 Wireless deployment / distributed execution of graphical programs to smart sensors 
110 7,176,807 System for automatically enforcing a demand reset in a fixed network of electricity meters 
111 7,170,425 System and method for creating multiple operating territories within a meter reading system 
112 7,145,474 Dynamic self-configuring metering network 
113 7,142,106 System and method of visualizing network layout and performance characteristics in a wireless network 
114 7,137,550 Transmitter for accessing automated financial transaction machines 
115 7,126,494 Remote access to electronic meters using a TCP/IP protocol suite 
116 7,103,511 Wireless communication networks for providing remote monitoring of devices 
117 7,102,533 Automatic meter reading system and method using telephone line 
118 7,088,972 Distributed data transmitter 
119 7,079,810 System and method for communicating with a remote communication unit via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 
120 7,075,903 Reduced power consumption in a communication device 
121 7,031,963 Green ice printout sorting and delivery program 
122 7,020,178 Microprocessor decoder frequency hopping spread spectrum communications receiver 
123 6,996,096 Communication apparatus and a method of controlling a communication apparatus 
124 6,963,738 Method for evaluating a communication link, terminal and system therefor 
125 6,897,743 Electronic apparatus with two quartz crystal oscillators utilizing different vibration modes 
126 6,888,876 Frequency hopping spread spectrum communications system 
127 6,845,177 Method and apparatus for monitoring an analog meter 
128 6,819,226 Systems and methods for energy storage in land-based telemetry applications 
129 6,816,538 Frequency hopping spread spectrum decoder 
130 6,741,165 Using an imaging device for security/emergency applications 
131 6,694,286 Method and system for monitoring the condition of an individual machine 
132 6,553,418 Energy information and control system 
133 6,411,678 Internet based remote diagnostic system 



So here's the Google listing from 2017, including applications  
(190 lines copy/paste - according to Excel)
Referenced by
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US8031650 Oct 4, 2011 Sipco, Llc System and method for monitoring remote devices with a dual-mode wireless communication protocol
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US8073384 Dec 6, 2011 Elster Electricity, Llc Optimization of redundancy and throughput in an automated meter data collection system using a wireless network
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US8171136 May 1, 2012 Sipco, Llc System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network
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US8183995 May 22, 2012 Jackson Kit Wang Systems and methods for modifying power usage
US8203463 Jun 19, 2012 Elster Electricity Llc Wakeup and interrogation of meter-reading devices using licensed narrowband and unlicensed wideband radio communication
US8212667 Jul 3, 2012 Sipco, Llc Automotive diagnostic data monitoring systems and methods
US8223010 Jul 17, 2012 Sipco Llc Systems and methods for monitoring vehicle parking
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US8299975 Oct 30, 2012 Itron, Inc. Embedded antenna apparatus for utility metering applications
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US8330669 Dec 11, 2012 Itron, Inc. Remote antenna coupling in an AMR device
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US8379564 Feb 19, 2013 Sipco, Llc System and method for monitoring remote devices with a dual-mode wireless communication protocol
US8410931 Apr 2, 2013 Sipco, Llc Mobile inventory unit monitoring systems and methods
US8446884 May 21, 2013 Sipco, Llc Dual-mode communication devices, methods and systems
US8458312 Jun 4, 2013 Us Beverage Net Inc. Distributed intelligent systems and methods therefor
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US8666357 Mar 4, 2014 Sipco, Llc System and method for transmitting an emergency message over an integrated wireless network
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US8787246 Jul 22, 2014 Ipco, Llc Systems and methods for facilitating wireless network communication, satellite-based wireless network systems, and aircraft-based wireless network systems, and related methods
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US8833390 Sep 16, 2014 Mueller International, Llc Valve meter assembly and method
US8855569 Oct 7, 2014 Mueller International, Llc Systems and methods for dynamic squelching in radio frequency devices
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