Battery saving two-way communication circuit and system and method for automatic meter reading
First Claim
1. An automatic meter reading system comprising:
- a meter-side unit to receive a meter signal from a meter; and
a collector to receive the meter signal from the meter-side unit and forward a collector signal to the meter-side unit in response to the meter signal, wherein the meter-side unit is configured to remain in a sleep mode for a predetermined amount of time, the meter-side unit being configured to enter a wake mode after the predetermined amount of time and forward the meter signal to the collector in response to the wake mode and wherein the meter-side unit is configured to receive the collector signal.
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Abstract
A battery-powered two-way long range automatic meter reading system and method that increases battery longevity. The system includes a meter side unit (MSU) transceiver that acquires utility data, a centralized data collector (Collector) that gathers data from the MSU, and a repeater to facilitate long-range transmission by shuttling radio signals around physical or geographic transmission barriers. The MSU includes a circuit to monitor the passage of time and apply power to a transmitter in response to a predetermined elapsed period of time. The MSU transceiver monitors a predetermined radio channel for traffic. In response to the predetermined radio channel being essentially clear of signal traffic, the MSU sends utility data to the collector. The MSU scans for a reply from the collector. In response to the collector having control data to transmit to the MSU, the collector transmits this control data in response to receiving a transmission from the MSU. The MSU is configured to enter a sleep mode. In response to receiving commands from the collector, the MSU is configured to perform the commands.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. An automatic meter reading system comprising:
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a meter-side unit to receive a meter signal from a meter; and
a collector to receive the meter signal from the meter-side unit and forward a collector signal to the meter-side unit in response to the meter signal, wherein the meter-side unit is configured to remain in a sleep mode for a predetermined amount of time, the meter-side unit being configured to enter a wake mode after the predetermined amount of time and forward the meter signal to the collector in response to the wake mode and wherein the meter-side unit is configured to receive the collector signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method automatically reading a meter, the method comprising:
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remaining in a sleep mode for a predetermined sleep cycle to conserve a supply of power in a meter-side unit operably connected to the meter;
entering a wake mode in response to an elapse of the sleep cycle;
transmitting a meter signal from the meter-side unit to a collector in response to entering the wake mode; and
transmitting a collector signal from the collector to the meter-side unit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 51)
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38. A computer readable medium on which is embedded computer software comprising a set of instructions for executing a method of automatically reading a meter, the medium comprising:
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instructions that cause a computer to remain in a sleep mode for a predetermined sleep cycle to conserve a supply of power in a meter-side unit operably connected to the meter;
instructions that cause a computer to enter a wake mode in response to an elapse of the sleep cycle;
instructions that cause a computer to transmit a meter signal from the meter-side unit to a collector in response to entering the wake mode; and
instructions that cause a computer to transmit a collector signal from the collector to the meter-side unit. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification