Utility meter with external signal-powered transceiver
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- a) receiving an external signal into a transceiver of a utility meter;
b) obtaining first bias power from the external signal;
c) obtaining first meter data from the external signal;
d) providing the first bias power to a non-volatile memory;
e) storing the first meter data into the non-volatile memory; and
f) performing commodity consumption measurements within the utility meter based at least in part on the first meter data.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive an RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.
37 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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a) receiving an external signal into a transceiver of a utility meter;
b) obtaining first bias power from the external signal;
c) obtaining first meter data from the external signal;
d) providing the first bias power to a non-volatile memory;
e) storing the first meter data into the non-volatile memory; and
f) performing commodity consumption measurements within the utility meter based at least in part on the first meter data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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a) receiving an external RF signal into a transceiver within a utility meter;
b) obtaining first bias power from the external RF signal;
c) providing the first bias power to the non-volatile memory;
d) retrieving meter-related data from the non-volatile memory;
e) transmitting an outgoing signal to a device external to the utility meter, said outgoing signal including the meter-related data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification