TIME-DIVIDED COMMUNICATIONS IN A METERING SYSTEM

• US 20100188258A1
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Matthew, Cornwall, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A method, system, and related apparatus for performing time-divided communications in a metering environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, an endpoint (e.g., ERT) is provided that implements a method for communicating messages with a remote device. Generally, the method includes causing the endpoint to transmit a standard meter reading message within a predefined frequency band. Then, after waiting a predetermined amount of time, a receiver on the endpoint is activated to listen for a message transmitted by the remote device. While the receiver on the endpoint is activated, the endpoint may receive a command from the remote device without being required to transmit an additional standard meter reading message.

Claims

1. An endpoint operative to perform a method for exchanging time-divided communications with a remote device, the method comprising:

within a predefined frequency band, transmitting a standard meter reading having data defined in accordance with a metering protocol;

after a period of time defined in the metering protocol has elapsed, activating a receiver to listen for a message on a designated channel that is known by the remote device; and

receiving a message from the remote device having a command to execute instructions, wherein the endpoint is configured to receive the command without being required to transmit a second standard meter reading to the remote device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising

in response to receiving the message, activating a receiver for a second time after a period of time defined in the metering protocol to listen for a message on a designated channel that is known by the remote device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the designated channel is identical to the channel utilized for transmitting the standard meter reading.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the designated channel is different than the channel utilized for transmitting the standard meter reading.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the designated channel is identical to the channel utilized for transmitting the standard meter reading.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the designated channel is different than the channel utilized for transmitting the standard meter reading.

5. A system for performing time-divided communications over a shared communication medium, the system comprising:

a collector capable of monitoring a set of transmission channels for data indicative of a standard meter reading, receiving a standard meter reading over a channel that is being monitored, and determining whether to issue a command to a endpoint that generated the standard meter reading; and

a endpoint for transmitting a standard meter reading over the channel, activating a receiver to listen for a message transmitted over a designated channel once a pre-determined amount of time from the transmission of the standard meter reading has elapsed, and receiving a message on the designated channel transmitted by the collector.