TELEMETRY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A telemetry system for transmitting data related to operational conditions and utility usage between user locations and a centralized data collection facility, said system comprising:
- a plurality of endpoint devices associated with respective locations of utility usage, for transmitting utility usage data associated with its respective location;
at least one telemetry device respectively associated with selected of said endpoint devices, for monitoring for preselected operational conditions at such telemetry device and transmitting data related thereto;
a main communications network;
at least one collector, for communications with said endpoint and telemetry devices and said main communications network; and
a head end processor for communications with said main communications network, such that utility usage data and operational conditions data are collected and communicated to said head end processor via said main communications network.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and related methodologies for transmitting data in a gas AMI network. Data may be transmitted bi-directionally between selected endpoint devices and data collection devices to central or head end equipment. Transmitted data may include parameter updating data for selected endpoint devices, and collected data from selected endpoint devices. Endpoint physical area conditions may be monitored for selected of the endpoint devices including monitoring for and reporting of physical changes in the area surrounding cathodic protection systems. The present concepts may be extended to implementation in conjunction with water and electricity metering environments.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A telemetry system for transmitting data related to operational conditions and utility usage between user locations and a centralized data collection facility, said system comprising:
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a plurality of endpoint devices associated with respective locations of utility usage, for transmitting utility usage data associated with its respective location; at least one telemetry device respectively associated with selected of said endpoint devices, for monitoring for preselected operational conditions at such telemetry device and transmitting data related thereto; a main communications network; at least one collector, for communications with said endpoint and telemetry devices and said main communications network; and a head end processor for communications with said main communications network, such that utility usage data and operational conditions data are collected and communicated to said head end processor via said main communications network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A bidirectional gas AMI telemetry network for transmitting data related to operational conditions and gas usage between user locations and a centralized data collection facility, said telemetry network comprising:
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a plurality of endpoint devices for monitoring and transmitting gas usage data associated with its respective location; a plurality of telemetry devices, respectively associated with selected of said endpoint device locations, for monitoring at least one preselected physical condition at such telemetry device and transmitting data related thereto; a WAN; a plurality of data collection devices, for bidirectional communications with selected of said endpoint and telemetry devices and said WAN; and a centralized data collection facility in bidirectional communication with said WAN, for receiving and processing gas usage data and physical condition data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for gathering data for utility measurements and data for operational conditions at utility usage points, comprising:
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transmitting utility usage data from a plurality of endpoint devices associated with respective locations of utility usage; monitoring for preselected operational conditions at selected of such utility usage locations, and creating data for such monitored conditions; transmitting the utility usage data and monitored conditions data to at least one collector; and communicating such data to a head end processor via such collector and a main communications network, such that utility usage data and operational conditions data are collected and communicated to a central location for processing, to permit efficient monitoring of utility usage and associated conditions by a utility provider. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification