METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING COMMODITY NETWORKS THROUGH RADIOFREQUENCY SCANNING
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a component of a network for a commodity, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a monitor at a predetermined location, said monitor including a radio receiver;
using the radio receiver to receive radiofrequency waves from a supervisory device associated with the component of the network;
demodulating the radiofrequency waves and converting them into a digital data stream;
separating the digital data stream into discrete data packets;
processing the discrete data packets to determine information about the commodity relative to the component; and
communicating the information about the commodity to an interested party.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the method and system of the present invention, a monitoring device (or monitor) is positioned at a predetermined location for monitoring a pipeline or other component of a network for supply, transfer, or demand of a commodity. A radio receiver of the monitor is used to receive radiofrequency waves from one or more supervisory (or control) devices associated with the network. Then, the radiofrequency waves are demodulated and converted into a digital data stream. The digital data stream is then separated into discrete data packets, with reference being made to a database in order to identify and decode the discrete data packets. The discrete data packets are then processed to determine information about the commodity relative to the component, such as the flow rate of the commodity through a pipeline. Such information is then communicated to interested parties.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a component of a network for a commodity, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a monitor at a predetermined location, said monitor including a radio receiver; using the radio receiver to receive radiofrequency waves from a supervisory device associated with the component of the network; demodulating the radiofrequency waves and converting them into a digital data stream; separating the digital data stream into discrete data packets; processing the discrete data packets to determine information about the commodity relative to the component; and communicating the information about the commodity to an interested party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for monitoring a pipeline for a commodity, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a monitor at a predetermined location, said monitor including a radio receiver; using the radio receiver to receive radiofrequency waves from a supervisory device associated with the pipeline; demodulating the radiofrequency waves and converting them into a digital data stream; separating the digital data stream into discrete data packets; processing the discrete data packets to determine information about flow of the commodity through the pipeline; and communicating the information about the flow of the commodity through the pipeline to an interested party. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A monitor positioned at a predetermined location relative to a component of a network for a commodity, comprising:
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a radio receiver that (i) receives radiofrequency waves from a supervisory device associated with the component of the network, (ii) demodulates the radiofrequency waves, and (iii) outputs a digital data stream; a microprocessor that (i) receives the digital data stream from the radio receiver, (ii) executes computer-readable instructions stored in a memory component to separate the digital data stream into discrete data packets, and (iii) outputs the discrete data packets; and a communication means that (i) receives the discrete data packets from the microprocessor, and (ii) transmits the discrete data packets to a central processing facility for subsequent processing of the discrete data packets to determine information about the commodity relative to the component. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification