System and method for automatic meter reading with mobile configuration

• US 20070013549A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Osterloh, Christopher, Schleich, Michael, Nagy, Christopher, Sanders, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• 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 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

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a data request from a transceiver to an endpoint device;

receiving data from the at least one endpoint device in response to a data request;

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating a new billing cycle and clearing out a date register upon collecting a reading from the meter.

4. 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.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration command includes a request for demand data and the receipt of the command is equivalent to and acknowledgement at the transceiver.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration command is selected from the group consisting of a demand reset, time of use bins, seasoned bins and remote disconnection of the meter.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the configuration command includes transmitting a wake up tone to the radio frequency device.

8. 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.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein further comprising:

clearing the storage register after the pre-defined time expires and initiating a new billing cycle.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein historical data is temporarily stored without initiating a reset in a billing register nor initiating a new billing cycle.