METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING FROM AN AUTOMATIC METER READER
First Claim
1. In a system where an automatic meter reader device communicates with a host at a remote location using a communication line that is shared with at least one other user, the improvement comprising (A) means for collecting information about the times when said communication line is used by said at least one other user;
- (B) means for analyzing said information to determine time periods when said communication line is less likely to be used by said at least one other user; and
(C) means for directing said automatic meter reader device to communicate with said remote location during said time periods.
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Abstract
In a system where an automatic meter reader device communicates with a host at a remote location using a communication line that is shared with at least one other user, conflicts between the use of the communication line by the automatic meter reader and/or by the host are minimized. When the line is used by other users, information about the times they use the line is collected. That information is analyzed to identify time periods when the communication line is less likely to be used by the other users. The automatic meter reader and the host are then directed to communicate with each other during those time periods.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a system where an automatic meter reader device communicates with a host at a remote location using a communication line that is shared with at least one other user, the improvement comprising
(A) means for collecting information about the times when said communication line is used by said at least one other user; -
(B) means for analyzing said information to determine time periods when said communication line is less likely to be used by said at least one other user; and
(C) means for directing said automatic meter reader device to communicate with said remote location during said time periods. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a system where an automatic meter reader device reads electrical power usage and communicates about said usage to a host at a remote location using a telephone line that is shared with at least one other user, the improvement comprising
(A) means for collecting information about the time and date when said communication line is used by said at least one other user; -
(B) an algorithmic pattern recognition processor for analyzing said information to determine time periods when said communication line is less likely to be used by said at least one other user; and
(C) means for directing said automatic meter reader device and said host to communicate with each other only during said time periods. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of communicating between an automatic meter reader and a remote location over a communication line that is shared with at least one other user comprising
(A) collecting information about the times of day when said communication line is used by said at least one other user; -
(B) analyzing said information to determine time periods when said communication line is less likely to be used by said at least one other user; and
(C) directing said AMR device to communicate with said remote location during said time periods. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification