METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND DISPLAYING CONSUMPTION DATA FROM A METER READING SYSTEM

• US 20110210862A1
• Filed: 04/22/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Cumeralto, Scott, DeVries, Richard
• Application Number:
  US13/092,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20110210862A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• 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 and an apparatus for collecting and displaying real-time utility consumption data and an estimate of utility costs from various utility metering modules upon request by the consumer within the comfort of their own home or business. According to one aspect of the invention, a utility display module is in communication with a utility end point device that monitors and displays consumption of a utility (water, gas, and/or electricity). The source of the data received by the module may be generated by utility meter transmitters that are attached to the various utility delivery end points or meters. In a related embodiment, a repeater may be used with a battery powered energy display module to make the module transportable.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An apparatus for collecting and displaying monitored status data for use by a user of a device, said apparatus comprising:

communication circuitry configured to receive transmitted monitored status data from a vehicle adapted to monitor electrical and mechanical operations of the vehicle;

a display adapted to display the transmitted monitored status data to the user;

control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the transmitted monitored status data to a user; and

power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuitry and display.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the monitored electrical and mechanical operations comprise at least one selected from the group of fluid levels, maintenance related functions, electrical and mechanical sensors, warranty recalls, and general health of the vehicle.