Water utility meter transceiver
First Claim
1. A water meter transceiver coupled to a water meter, comprising:
- a relatively low profile head portion configured to house a processor having a transceiver configured to transmit water utility consumption data received from the water meter and configured to receive wireless communications from other transmitting devices;
a stem section coupled to the head portion, the stem section having a hollowed portion configured to contain a power source that is coupled to the processor, the stem section having threads on a portion of the outer surface of the stem section;
a nut configured to couple to the stem section according to the threads on the stem section and threads on a portion of the nut; and
a switch positioned in the stem section and coupled to the processor, the switch configured to activate when the nut is coupled to the stem section.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water meter transceiver coupled to a water meter has a head portion that houses a processor having a transceiver. The transceiver transmits water utility consumption data received from the water meter. A stem is coupled to the head portion and has a hollowed portion for containing a power source that is coupled to the processor. The stem may include threads to receive a nut that positions the head portion to a lid of a water meter container. The stem may include a switch that is coupled to the processor and configured to activate when the nut is coupled to the stem. If the nut is removed without authorization, the switch reports such, thereby causing the processor to execute a predetermined action, such as communicating an alert or disabling the water meter so as to prevent theft of the water utility.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A water meter transceiver coupled to a water meter, comprising:
-
a relatively low profile head portion configured to house a processor having a transceiver configured to transmit water utility consumption data received from the water meter and configured to receive wireless communications from other transmitting devices;
a stem section coupled to the head portion, the stem section having a hollowed portion configured to contain a power source that is coupled to the processor, the stem section having threads on a portion of the outer surface of the stem section;
a nut configured to couple to the stem section according to the threads on the stem section and threads on a portion of the nut; and
a switch positioned in the stem section and coupled to the processor, the switch configured to activate when the nut is coupled to the stem section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for wirelessly transmitting water utility consumption information, comprising the steps of:
-
powering a processor with a power source, the processor electrically coupled to a transceiver and configured in a head section of a housing device, the power source configured in a stem section of the housing device, the stem section coupled to the head section and configured to receive a securing device that positions the head section in a predetermined position above ground level and at least a portion of the stem section below ground level;
receiving data from a water meter corresponding to water utility consumption; and
transmitting the data received from the water meter with the transceiver in the head section if a switch in the stem section that is electrically coupled to the processor and in physical communication with the securing device is in a predetermined state. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A system for communicating water utility consumption, comprising:
-
a top section configured to house processing electronics and a transceiver, the transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit messages received from the processing electronics and to wirelessly retransmit messages received from other transceivers;
a stem section coupled to the top section having a power source compartment and a switch for detection of the presence of a securing device coupled to the stem section, the securing device configured to position a material between the top section and the securing device; and
a passage for the routing of a communication path between the processing electronics and the water meter. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification