Method of obtaining a reading of a utility meter

• US 20030156041A1
• Filed: 05/02/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fluentt Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Fluentt Technology LLC
• Inventors: Hill, David Lee Jr., Taisto, Gregory T., Schneider, Steven J., Harrison, Sidney Mack
• Application Number:
  US10/137,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20030156041A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method is provided of obtaining a reading of a utility meter. The method includes the steps of connecting a control circuit to the utility meter and transmitting a first data packet to the control circuit. The data packet requests the control circuit to read the utility meter. The utility meter is read in order to obtain a meter reading and a second data packet is constructed from the meter reading. The second data packet is transmitted to a central server which generates a utility bill in response to the second data packet.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a reading of a utility meter, comprising the steps:

connecting a control circuit to the utility meter;

transmitting a first data packet to the control circuit, the data packet requesting the control circuit read the utility meter;

reading the utility meter to obtain a meter reading; and

constructing a second data packet from the meter reading.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step:

generating a utility bill in response to the second data packet.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of interconnecting the control circuit to a telephonic network and wherein the first data packet is transmitted to the control circuit over the telephonic network.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein telephonic network is selected form the group consisting of:

wire-line, wireless data service, internet layers using an internet protocol, wireless terminal forward control channel, and wireless terminal reverse control channel.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

connecting a telephony device to the control circuit;

connecting the telephony device to the telephonic network; and

connecting a peripheral device to the telephony device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the peripheral device has the ability to transmit and receive data over the telephonic network using the telephony device and wherein the control circuit controls receipt and transmission of the data by the peripheral device over the telephonic network using the telephony device.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of:

a conventional telephone;

a wireless, broadband device;

a second utility meter;

a cordless telephone;

a security system;

an electrical control panel interface;

industrial equipment;

or a billing system interface.

2. The method of claim 2 comprising the additional step of:

transmitting the second data packet to a server.

9. A method of obtaining a reading of a utility meter, comprising the steps:

generating a first data packet for a selected utility meter, the first data packet requesting a reading of the selected utility meter;

operatively connecting a control circuit to the selected utility meter;

transmitting the first data packet to the control circuit over a first telephonic network;

reading the selected utility meter to obtain a meter reading in response to receipt of the first data packet by the control circuit;

constructing a second data packet from the meter reading; and

transmitting the second data packet to a server over a second telephonic network; and

generating a utility bill in response to the second data packet.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first telephonic network is the same as the second telephonic network.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein first telephonic network is selected form the group consisting of:

wire-line, wireless data service, internet layers using an internet protocol, wireless terminal forward control channel, and wireless terminal reverse control channel.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein second telephonic network is selected form the group consisting of:

wire-line, wireless data service, internet layers using an internet protocol, wireless terminal forward control channel, and wireless terminal reverse control channel.

13. The method of claim 9 comprising the additional steps of:

operatively connecting a telephony device to the control circuit;

operatively connecting the telephony device to the first and second telephonic networks; and

operatively connecting a peripheral device to the telephony device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the peripheral device has the ability to transmit and receive data over the first and second telephonic networks using the telephony device and wherein the control circuit controls receipt and transmission of the data by the peripheral device over the first and second telephonic networks using the telephony device.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of:

a conventional telephone;

a wireless, broadband device;

a second utility meter;

a cordless telephone;

a security system;

an electrical control panel interface;

industrial equipment;

or a billing system interface.

16. The method of claim 9 comprising the additional step of allowing a user access to the server over a network such that the user may review the utility bill.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the network is the internet.

18. A method of obtaining a meter reading, comprising the steps of:

connecting a control circuit to the utility meter, the utility meter being at a first location;

transmitting a request to the control circuit to read to utility meter from a second location;

reading the utility meter to obtain the meter reading; and

transmitting the meter reading to desired location over a communications network.

19. The method of claim 18 comprising the additional step of generating a utility bill in response to the meter reading.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein communications network is selected form the group consisting of:

wire-line, wireless data service, internet layers using an internet protocol, wireless terminal forward control channel, and wireless terminal reverse control channel.

21. The method of claim 18 comprising the additional steps of:

operatively connecting a telephony device to the control circuit;

operatively connecting the telephony device to the communications network; and

operatively connecting a peripheral device to the telephony device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the peripheral device has the ability to transmit and receive data over the communications network using the telephony device and wherein the control circuit controls receipt and transmission of the data by the peripheral device over the communications network using the telephony device.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of:

a conventional telephone;

a wireless, broadband device;

a second utility meter;

a cordless telephone;

a security system;

an electrical control panel interface;

industrial equipment;

or a billing system interface.

24. The method of claim 18 comprising the additional step of allowing a user access to the desired location over a second network such that the user may review the utility bill.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the second network is the internet.