System and method for automatic meter reading with mobile configuration
First Claim
1. A remote configuration system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising:
- at least one transceiver; and
a plurality of endpoint devices, wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with at least one reader;
wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a utility reading in a first communication with each of the plurality of endpoint devices and receive therefrom a reading response in a second communication, wherein the transceiver is adapted to determine whether each of the plurality of endpoint devices supports a pre-defined configuration control parameter. and wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to receive data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports the pre-defined control parameter, and is adapted to request a third communication of a data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports an acknowledgement in a fourth communication.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic meter reading (AMR) system and a method of operating an AMR system are disclosed. The AMR system stores and transfers consumptive data, demand data, and data archives. The system and method can also provide a demand reset to reduce or eliminate the need to physically visit a remote endpoint device, for example a residential utility meter, to directly connect to the endpoint device for the collection of data. The system and method provide two-way wireless communication between at least one reader and a plurality of remote endpoint devices and are adapted for use with mobile readers. The AMR system and method therefore provide efficient and reliable storage and transfer of data, including high volumes of data, at mobile read rates.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A remote configuration system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising:
-
at least one transceiver; and
a plurality of endpoint devices, wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with at least one reader;
wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a utility reading in a first communication with each of the plurality of endpoint devices and receive therefrom a reading response in a second communication, wherein the transceiver is adapted to determine whether each of the plurality of endpoint devices supports a pre-defined configuration control parameter. and wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to receive data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports the pre-defined control parameter, and is adapted to request a third communication of a data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports an acknowledgement in a fourth communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A demand reset system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising:
-
at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one transceiver includes ageo-coded location information database of plurality of endpoint devices;
wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communication device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with the at least one transceiver;
wherein the database includes geo-coded locations of a subset of the plurality of endpoint devices, wherein the subset supports a demand reset, wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a read and demand data from a first endpoint device in the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices in a first communication when the transceiver determines that it is in communications range of the first endpoint device in the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices, to receive a read and demand data from the first endpoint device in a second communication, and to send an acknowledgement to the first endpoint device in a third communication, and wherein the first endpoint device is adapted to reset the demand data and send an acknowledgement to the at least one transceiver in a fourth communication.
-
-
7. A demand reset system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising:
-
at least one transceiver; and
a plurality of endpoint devices, wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with at least one transceiver, wherein a subset of the plurality of endpoint devices supports demand reset, and wherein each of the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices further comprises a timer having a maximum duration defining a current cycle;
wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a read and demand data from a first endpoint device in the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices in a first communication, and wherein the first endpoint device is adapted to send current demand data to the at least one reader in a second communication, start the timer, save the current demand data to an archive register, and reset the current demand data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for resetting demand data in a plurality of utility meters, wherein at least one transceiver and a plurality of endpoint devices are adapted to exchange two-way wireless communications, and wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter, the method comprising the steps of:
-
requesting demand data from at least one endpoint device by the transceiver;
receiving demand data from the at least one endpoint device;
requesting a demand reset from the endpoint device by the transceiver; and
receiving a demand reset acknowledgement by the transceiver from the endpoint device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of remotely configuring at least one utility measurement device of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, the utility measurement device including a radio frequency (RF) device adapted to exchange wireless communications with at least one transceiver, the method comprising:
-
transmitting a configuration command to the radio frequency device of the utility device; and
receiving a response to the configuration command at the at least one transceiver, wherein the received response is registered as an acknowledgement at the transceiver from the utility device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of remotely configuring at least one utility measurement device of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, the utility measurement device including a radio frequency (RF) device adapted to exchange wireless communications with at least one transceiver, the method comprising:
-
transmitting a configuration command to the RF device of the utility device; and
configuring the RF device with a special algorithm adapted to provide a back up capability to the utility device such that historical data is temporarily stored in a storage register for a pre-defined time upon receipt of the configuration command. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification