RECONFIGURABLE MOBILE MODE AND FIXED NETWORK MODE ENDPOINT METERS
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of endpoint meters that gather and transmit meter data, at least some of the endpoint meters operating in a fixed network mode in which the endpoint meters communicate with each other to form a fixed wireless network, and at least some other of the endpoint meters operating in a mobile mode wherein the endpoint meters transmit meter data to a mobile device, the mode in which each endpoint meter operates being reconfigurable; and
a mobile device that receives meter data from endpoint meters operating in said mobile mode.
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Abstract
A meter data collection system in which endpoint meters are reconfigurable to operate in either a mobile mode or a fixed network mode is disclosed herein. While operating in the mobile mode, the endpoint meters transmit their meter data to a mobile device such as a “walk by” or “drive by” data collection device. While operating in the fixed network mode, the endpoint meters communicate with each other and with a central node to form a fixed wireless network. The endpoint meters may include a transceiver that enables the endpoint meters to transmit and receive data to and from the mobile device or other nodes in the fixed wireless network. The endpoint meters can be quickly and easily transitioned from operation in the mobile mode to operation in the fixed network mode (or vice versa) without changes to the endpoint meter hardware and without substantial re-configuration of the endpoint meters.
103 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of endpoint meters that gather and transmit meter data, at least some of the endpoint meters operating in a fixed network mode in which the endpoint meters communicate with each other to form a fixed wireless network, and at least some other of the endpoint meters operating in a mobile mode wherein the endpoint meters transmit meter data to a mobile device, the mode in which each endpoint meter operates being reconfigurable; and a mobile device that receives meter data from endpoint meters operating in said mobile mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10)
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6. An electrical energy meter comprising:
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a transceiver for wireless communication; and a processor that executes instructions that cause the meter to operate in a selected one of a first mode in which the meter communicates with other meters via its transceiver to form a fixed wireless network and a second mode in which the meter communicates via its transceiver with a mobile device, the selected mode in which the meter operates being reconfigurable. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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11. A method of operating an endpoint meter comprising:
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operating the endpoint meter in a first mode in which the endpoint meter transmits meter data to a mobile device; receiving a command to switch operation of the endpoint meter from the first mode to a second mode in which the endpoint meter communicates with other meters to form a fixed wireless network; and responsive to the command, operating the endpoint meter in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating an endpoint meter comprising:
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operating the endpoint meter in a first mode in which the endpoint meter communicates with other meters to form a fixed wireless network; receiving a command to switch operation of the endpoint meter from the first mode to a second mode in which the endpoint meter transmits meter data to a mobile device; and responsive to the command, operating the endpoint meter in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification