DEVICE TIME ADJUSTMENT FOR ACCURATE DATA EXCHANGE
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting time of a device wherein the device is configured to obtain meter reading data from a corresponding meter, and to transfer the obtained meter reading data to a collection system, the method comprising:
- receiving a current reader time from the collection system;
determining a difference between the current reader time and a device time of the device;
if the difference is not less than a threshold for adjusting time, delaying adjustment of the device time until the difference becomes less than the threshold;
if the difference is less than the threshold;
adjusting the device time to the current reader time;
after adjustment of the device time;
detecting a triggering event for recording meter reading data; and
upon detection, recording meter reading data along with an indication of the adjustment of the device time.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The clock of an endpoint device is adjusted to a collection system time in a meter reading system where the endpoint device is employed to read and record meter reading data for calculation of consumption data. Specifically, the meter reading data are recorded as a fixed number of intervals in such a way that the calculation of consumption data can be requested by indication of the number of intervals and the start interval. In one aspect, the endpoint device time is adjusted to an external clock to calculate accurate consumption while the process for adjusting the endpoint device time does not result in creating very short/long intervals, nor updating the meter reading data that have been already logged and stored in the endpoint device.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting time of a device wherein the device is configured to obtain meter reading data from a corresponding meter, and to transfer the obtained meter reading data to a collection system, the method comprising:
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receiving a current reader time from the collection system; determining a difference between the current reader time and a device time of the device; if the difference is not less than a threshold for adjusting time, delaying adjustment of the device time until the difference becomes less than the threshold; if the difference is less than the threshold; adjusting the device time to the current reader time; after adjustment of the device time; detecting a triggering event for recording meter reading data; and upon detection, recording meter reading data along with an indication of the adjustment of the device time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for transferring accurate meter reading data to a collection system, the apparatus operable to:
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receive a reader time from the collection system; determine a difference between the reader time and a device time of the clock; delay a device time adjustment as long as the difference is as great as a threshold for adjusting the device time; if the difference is less than the threshold, adjust the clock to the reader time; and after the clock is adjusted; detect a triggering event for recording meter reading data; and upon detection, record meter reading data along with an indication of the device time adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components for adjusting a device time to calculate accurate meter reading data, the computer-executable components comprising:
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a recording component for; storing a set of recorded intervals, wherein a recorded interval is generated to include the meter reading data collected at a time interval and maintaining a fixed number of recorded intervals; a calculation component for calculating the consumption of a utility service over a specified number of time intervals; an adjustment component operative to; determine a difference between the current reader time and the device time of an endpoint device; delay adjustment of the device time until the difference is less than a threshold; and if the difference is less than the threshold; adjust the device time to the current reader time; detect a start of a time interval in accordance with the adjusted device time; and upon detection, record meter reading data along with an indication of the adjustment of the device time. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification