RELATIVE TIME SYSTEM
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and device are provided for obtaining, from each endpoint device, meter reading data where the meter reading data are recorded and managed based on a relative time clock in each endpoint device. The relative time clock may be a simple inexpensive clock that tracks minutes and triggers recording of meter reading data for a particular hour at the end of that hour. In that embodiment, a collection system sends an endpoint device a request that includes a requested time that is converted into a relative time so that the endpoint device can understand the request. Since each recorded interval is generated based on a relative time maintained by the clock in the endpoint device rather than an absolute (real) time, the endpoint device does not need to maintain accurate date/time or to read meter reading data from the utility meter based on a real date/time.
2 Citations
23 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components for collecting meter reading data from an endpoint device, the computer-executable components comprising:
- a calculating component for calculating the consumption of a utility service over relative time meter readings; and
a consumption collection component operative to;
obtain an order request for an endpoint device;
cause the calculating component to convert an order time into a relative time that is used by the endpoint device to retrieve a correct set of recorded intervals;
generate a request including the converted relative time;
transmit to the endpoint device the generated request;
receive from the endpoint device a response to the transmitted request, wherein the response includes the correct set of recorded intervals; and
process the response to extract data relevant to the order request. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
- a calculating component for calculating the consumption of a utility service over relative time meter readings; and
Specification