Systems and Methods For Monitoring and Transmitting Utility Status Information Via A Universal Communications Interface
First Claim
1. A method for transmitting a status message containing the current status of an utility meter, comprising:
- receiving an input signal from the utility meter;
determining whether the input signal reaches a preset value;
in response to determining that the input signal has reached a preset value, initiating a status message;
determining a type of output device in communication with a universal communications interface;
in response to determining the type of output device in communication with the universal communications interface, formatting the status message to match a signal format associated with the type of output device in communication with a universal communications interface; and
transmitting the status message to an output device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring utility meter status, and transmitting a status message via an output device in communication with a universal communications interface in the event that the utility meter status meets a predetermined condition. The voltage level of a utility meter is monitored through a voltage input interface. A digital signal representing the voltage level is transmitted to a microprocessor. The microprocessor monitors the digital signal for a predetermined condition. Once a predetermined condition is met, the microprocessor transmits a status message to a universal communications interface connected to at least one output device. The status message is converted to the signal format employed by the output device and the converted status message is passed to the output device. The output device may then transmit the status message to a remote receiver.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for transmitting a status message containing the current status of an utility meter, comprising:
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receiving an input signal from the utility meter;
determining whether the input signal reaches a preset value;
in response to determining that the input signal has reached a preset value, initiating a status message;
determining a type of output device in communication with a universal communications interface;
in response to determining the type of output device in communication with the universal communications interface, formatting the status message to match a signal format associated with the type of output device in communication with a universal communications interface; and
transmitting the status message to an output device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for monitoring a utility status, comprising:
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an utility meter, operative to transmit a utility status;
an input interface, operative to receive the utility status from the utility meter;
a microprocessor, operative to monitor the utility status received by the input interface and further operative to generate a status message based on the utility status;
a universal bus, operative to relay the status message from the microprocessor;
a universal communications interface, operative to;
receive the status message from the universal bus, determine a type of output device connected to a slot, and format the status message to match a signal format transmittable by an output device; and
wherein the slot is operative to receive the output device, and wherein the slot is connected, by a data path, to the universal communications interface. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A system for monitoring a utility meter, comprising:
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an analog-to-digital converter, operative to receive a utility status from the utility meter, the analog-to-digital converter further operative to convert the utility status from an analog waveform to a series of digital packets;
a microprocessor, operative to monitor the utility status received by the input interface and further operative to generate a status message based on the utility status;
a universal bus, operative to relay the status message from the microprocessor;
a universal communications interface, operative to receive the status message from the universal bus, further operative to determine the signal format of an output device upon receipt of the output device by a slot, and further operative to convert the status message from an original format to a format transmittable by an output device; and
wherein the slot is operative to receive the output device, and wherein the slot is connected, by a data path, to the universal communications interface.
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Specification