Automatic meter reading module
First Claim
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1. An automatic meter reader module for a utility meter having an inner cavity of a given volume, comprising:
- a printed circuit board (PCB) on which is mounted on-board circuitry and detection equipment configured to detect utility consumption metered by the utility meter; and
a transmission device operatively coupled to the PCB, the transmission device being configured to transmit data indicative of utility consumption;
wherein the PCB is configured to mount within the inner cavity of the utility meter without increasing the given volume of the inner cavity.
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Abstract
An automatic meter reader module is provided that is adapted to be retrofitted or installed in a new or existing utility meter. The module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which is mounted on-board circuitry and detection equipment configured to detect utility consumption metered by the utility meter. A transmission device operatively coupled to the PCB is configured to transmit data indicative of utility usage. The PCB is configured to mount within an inner cavity of the utility meter.
69 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An automatic meter reader module for a utility meter having an inner cavity of a given volume, comprising:
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a printed circuit board (PCB) on which is mounted on-board circuitry and detection equipment configured to detect utility consumption metered by the utility meter; and
a transmission device operatively coupled to the PCB, the transmission device being configured to transmit data indicative of utility consumption;
wherein the PCB is configured to mount within the inner cavity of the utility meter without increasing the given volume of the inner cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A utility meter comprising:
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a meter housing;
a mechanical index assembly configured to mount to the meter housing and to define an inner cavity of a given volume bounded by the meter housing and the mechanical index assembly; and
an automatic meter reader module configured to mount within the inner cavity without increasing the given volume, the module being operatively connected to the mechanical index assembly and configured to detect utility consumption. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An automatic utility meter system comprising:
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a plurality of utility meters each having an inner cavity of a given volume;
a plurality of automatic meter reader modules, each configured to mount within an inner cavity of a respective utility meter without increasing the given volume of the inner cavity, each automatic meter reading module being configured to detect utility consumption and transmit data indicative of utility consumption over a transmission footprint; and
a central data collection point positioned in the transmission foot print and configured to collect transmission data from a respective automatic reader module. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification