Automated meter reader having time synchronization circuit

• US 20060158347A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pine Tree Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pine Tree Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Roche, Thomas W., Holowick, Erwin
• Application Number:
  US11/315,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158347A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/12 in which the signal transmitted is frequency or phase of ac
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired 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 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

An automated meter reading (AMR) device adapted to be synchronized by a signal provided by a remote device. The AMR device may be synchronized to a standardized clock, such as the automatic clock provided by NIST out of Boulder Colo. USA on station WWVB. Advantageously, this external clock re-synchronizes the internal clock of the AMR device to compensate for clock drift, such as caused by differences in crystal oscillation.

Claims

1. A device for coupling to a meter measuring product delivery, comprising:

an interface module adapted to couple to the meter, the interface module providing a first signal indicative of the product delivery; and

a module having a transmitter and a controller receiving the first signal, the module creating and storing usage profile data as a function of the product delivery, wherein the controller has a clock adapted to be synchronized by a remotely provided synchronization signal.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the remotely provided synchronization signal is based on a standardized clock.

3. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the synchronization signal is based on an atomic clock.

4. The device as specified in claim 3 wherein the synchronization signal is based on the atomic clock generated by NIST.

5. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

6. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein the wireless transmitter operates in an unlicensed frequency band.

7. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein the transmitter has a power level no greater than 1 mW.

8. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein the transmitter sends the alert without requiring external polling by a physically remote device.

9. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein the transmitter operates without the assistance of a wireless communications network.

10. The device as specified in claim 7 wherein the device includes an internal battery and operates therefrom.

11. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein the transmitter transmits the alert at a fixed frequency.

12. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein the transmitter transmits the alert as a spread spectrum signal.

14. A method of operating an automated meter reading (AMR) device, comprising the steps of:

coupling the AMR device having a transmitter, a controller and a controller clock to a meter measuring product delivery; and

synchronizing the controller clock using a synchronization signal received from a physically remote device.

13. The device as specified in claim 15 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter operating in an unlicensed frequency band and having a power level no greater than 1 mW, and transmits the alert without requiring external polling or the assistance of a wireless communications network.

15. The method as specified in claim 14 wherein the remotely provided synchronization signal is based on a standardized clock.

16. The device as specified in claim 15 wherein the synchronization signal is based on an atomic clock.

17. The device as specified in claim 16 wherein the synchronization signal is based on the atomic clock generated by NIST.

18. The device as specified in claim 14 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

19. The device as specified in claim 18 wherein the wireless transmitter operates in an unlicensed frequency band.

20. The device as specified in claim 19 wherein the wireless transmitter has a power level no greater than 1 mW.

21. The device as specified in claim 18 wherein the wireless transmitter sends data indicative of the measured product delivery without requiring external polling by a physically remote device.

22. The device as specified in claim 18 wherein the wireless transmitter operates without the assistance of a wireless communications network.

23. The device as specified in claim 20 wherein the AMR device includes an internal battery and operates therefrom.

24. The device as specified in claim 19 wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the alert at a fixed frequency.

25. The device as specified in claim 19 wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the alert as a spread spectrum signal.

26. The device as specified in claim 14 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter operating in an unlicensed frequency band and having a power level no greater than 1 mW, and transmits the alert without requiring external polling or the assistance of a wireless communications network.