Read-Ahead Techniques for Data Logging
First Claim
1. A method of gathering data, comprising:
- configuring a portable device with a list of endpoints, the list of endpoints including an individual association between one or more endpoints in the list of endpoints and one or more commands, the commands commanding that data be sent to the portable device;
cycling power to a radio in the portable device;
receiving messages, over the radio, from endpoints in the list of endpoints, the messages including an endpoint identification (ID) and consumption data from the endpoint;
transmitting a command to each endpoint from which a message is received, and for which a command exists in the list of endpoints, the command being associated with the endpoint ID by the list of endpoints; and
receiving from an endpoint a response to the transmitted command.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Radio messages may be transmitted by endpoints delivering utility consumption data. A portable unit may traverse a route among the endpoints and obtain the consumption data. If the endpoints are sufficiently grouped, communication between the portable unit and a plurality of endpoints may be possible in a same power cycle to a radio of the portable unit while the portable unit is at a single location. In a two-way communication environment, the portable unit may send commands to a plurality of endpoints during a single power cycle, which may result in responses from the plurality of endpoints during the same power cycle. Such communications may be performed with endpoints that are ahead of a current endpoint on the route being traversed, and may constitute read-ahead data. Read-ahead data reduces power cycles to the radio, because when the portable unit reaches an endpoint on the route whose data has previously been read, a power cycle is not required.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of gathering data, comprising:
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configuring a portable device with a list of endpoints, the list of endpoints including an individual association between one or more endpoints in the list of endpoints and one or more commands, the commands commanding that data be sent to the portable device; cycling power to a radio in the portable device; receiving messages, over the radio, from endpoints in the list of endpoints, the messages including an endpoint identification (ID) and consumption data from the endpoint; transmitting a command to each endpoint from which a message is received, and for which a command exists in the list of endpoints, the command being associated with the endpoint ID by the list of endpoints; and receiving from an endpoint a response to the transmitted command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions, comprising instructions for:
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downloading a list of endpoints into a portable device, the list of endpoints including an association between one or more endpoints in the list of endpoints and a command, the command commanding that data be sent to the portable device; cycling power to a radio in the portable device; receiving, on the radio at the portable device, messages from endpoints on the list of endpoints; obtaining a command from the list of endpoints, the obtained command associated with an endpoint from which a message was received at the portable device; transmitting the command to the endpoint associated with the message received at the portable device; and receiving a response to the transmitted command from the endpoint. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of gathering data, comprising:
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configuring a portable device with a list of endpoints, the list of endpoints including an association between one or more endpoints in the list of endpoints and a command, the command commanding that data be sent to the portable device; cycling power to a radio in the portable device; receiving messages from endpoints when the radio is powered on, the messages including an endpoint identification (ID) and consumption data; transmitting a command to each endpoint from which a message is received and for which a command exists in the list of endpoints; and receiving responses from the endpoints to which a command was sent, the responses including additional consumption data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification