Mobile automatic meter reading system and method
First Claim
1. An automatic meter reading communication network for collecting data generated by a plurality of metering devices located within a geographic area, comprising:
- a plurality of fixed-location endpoint devices, each endpoint device coupled to a respective metering device and having a low-power consumption wireless transceiver adapted to receive command and control signals on a control channel defined in a frequency band and to transmit data signals representative of at least a portion of the data generated by the metering device and signals representative of a state of the endpoint device on one of a plurality of data channels defined in the frequency band;
at least one mobile receiving device adapted to selectively enter and exit the geographic area and having a wireless transceiver adapted to transmit command and control signals on the control channel and receive data signals transmitted by the plurality of endpoint devices on the plurality of data channels, wherein the control channel and the plurality of data channels are simplex communication channels.
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Abstract
A system and method for collecting data generated by a plurality of metering devices located within a geographic area. The mobile automatic meter reading system provides two-way simplex communication capabilities between a mobile receiving device and a plurality of endpoint devices on a plurality of communication channels. The mobile collector device efficiently and accurately communicates with and receives data from the endpoint devices while moving throughout a localized geographical area. Aspects of the invention thereby improve the effectiveness of automatic meter reading systems.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An automatic meter reading communication network for collecting data generated by a plurality of metering devices located within a geographic area, comprising:
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a plurality of fixed-location endpoint devices, each endpoint device coupled to a respective metering device and having a low-power consumption wireless transceiver adapted to receive command and control signals on a control channel defined in a frequency band and to transmit data signals representative of at least a portion of the data generated by the metering device and signals representative of a state of the endpoint device on one of a plurality of data channels defined in the frequency band;
at least one mobile receiving device adapted to selectively enter and exit the geographic area and having a wireless transceiver adapted to transmit command and control signals on the control channel and receive data signals transmitted by the plurality of endpoint devices on the plurality of data channels, wherein the control channel and the plurality of data channels are simplex communication channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In an automatic meter reading communication network, a method for collecting data generated by a plurality of metering devices located within a geographic area using a plurality of fixed-location endpoint devices, each endpoint device coupled to a respective metering device, the method comprising:
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providing each endpoint device with a low-power consumption wireless transceiver adapted to receive command and control signals on a control channel defined in a frequency band and to transmit data signals representative of at least a portion of the data generated by the metering device and signals representative of a state of the endpoint device on one of a plurality of data channels defined in the frequency band;
causing at least one mobile receiving device having a wireless transceiver to selectively enter and exit the geographic area, while the at least one mobile receiving device is in the geographic area, transmitting command and control signals from the at least one mobile receiving device on the control channel and receiving data signals transmitted by the plurality of endpoint devices on the plurality of data channels, wherein the control channel and the plurality of data channels are simplex communication channels.
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Specification