Method and apparatus having time dependent sleep modes

• US 5,461,558 A
• Filed: 04/18/1994
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bane, Ronald L., Barlow, James M., Patsiokas, Stelios J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Application Number:
  US08/228,764
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 364/140, 364/143, 364/145, 364/483, 364/492, 340/870.02, 340/870.03, 379/106, 379/107, 455/49.1, 455/53.1, 455/54.1, 455/67.1, 455/68, 455/70
• US Class Current: 700/16
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0248 dependent on the time of the day, e.g. according to expected transmission activity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A remote meter reading system (10) includes a group of meter interface units in which each meter interface unit (12) operates between periods of activity and inactivity. The meter interface unit has stored first (400) and second (500) operational schedules, and a third schedule (600) which is used to determine whether to use the first (400) or second (500) schedule. The first (400) and second (500) schedules inform controller (26) when to provide a control signal to power control circuit (27) in order to stop the flow of battery energy from battery (25) to communication unit (24). Thereby, conserving valuable battery energy during those periods of time when the meter interface unit (12) is not likely to be interrogated by meter reading device (15).

Claims

1. A battery saving method for use in a battery powered meter interface unit which operates between an operational state and a battery saving state, the meter interface unit having a battery, the battery saving method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining day of cycle information;

(b) selecting an operational schedule from among a plurality of operating schedules based on the day of cycle information which has been determined in step (a);

(c) determining the time of day;

(d) determining using the selected operational schedule whether the meter interface unit should be placed in the battery saving state or in the operational state during the time of day which has been determined in step (c); and

(e) placing the meter interface unit in the battery saving state if it is determined in step (d) that the unit should be in the battery saving state.

2. A battery saving method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises the sub-step of:

(e1) disconnecting the battery supply from a select portion of the meter interface unit.

3. A battery saving method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step (b) comprises the sub-steps of:

(b1) comparing the day of cycle of determined in step (a) to information stored in a daily schedule;

(b2) using the information in the daily schedule to determine which from among the plurality of operating schedules to select.

4. A battery saving method as defined in claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

(f) repeating steps (c) and (d); and

(g) placing the meter interface unit in the operational state if it is determined in step (f) that the unit should be in the operational state.

5. A battery saving method as defined in claim 4, wherein step (g) comprises:

re-establishing the connection of the battery supply to the select portion of the meter interface unit if it had been previously disconnected.

6. A battery saving method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises determining the date of operation using a real-time dock.

7. A meter interface unit operable between an operational state and a battery saving state in which a select portion of the meter interface unit is placed in a battery saving condition, the meter interface unit comprising:

a battery;

a memory section having a plurality of operating schedules stored in the memory section;

a controller for determining day of cycle and time of day information, the controller in response to the day of cycle determined, selects an operating schedule from among the plurality of operational schedules stored in the memory section;

a power control circuit responsive to the controller for selectively connecting and disconnecting the battery from the select portion of the meter interface unit; and

the power control circuit electrically disconnects power from the battery to the select portion of the meter interface unit if it is determined by the controller, based on information provided by the selected operating schedule and on the time of day information provided by the controller, that it is time to place the meter interface unit in the battery saving state.

8. A meter interface unit as defined in claim 7, wherein the select portion of the meter interface unit which is selectively placed in battery saving state comprises a radio frequency transceiver.

9. A meter interface unit as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

a date schedule stored in the memory section; and

the date schedule is used by the controller to determine which from among the plurality of operational schedules to use on a particular date.

10. A remote meter reading system, comprising:

a meter interface unit operable between an operational state and a battery saving state, the meter interface unit including a radio frequency transceiver which is placed in a battery saving condition when the meter interface unit is in the battery saving state, the meter interface unit comprising;

a battery;

a memory section having a plurality of operating schedules stored in the memory section;

a controller for determining day of cycle and time of day information, the controller in response to the day of cycle determined, selects an operating schedule from among the plurality of operational schedules stored in the memory section;

a power control circuit responsive to the controller for selectively connecting and disconnecting the battery from the radio frequency transceiver; and

the power control circuit electrically disconnects power from the battery to the radio frequency transceiver if it is determined by the controller, based on information provided by the selected operating schedule and on the time of day information provided by the controller, that it is time to place the meter interface unit in the battery saving state; and

a meter reading device, comprising;

a radio frequency transceiver for communicating with the meter interface unit.

11. A remote meter reading system as defined in claim 10, wherein the meter reading device upon establishing a communication link with the meter interface unit can modify the day and time of day information provided by the controller.

12. A remote meter reading system as defined in claim 10, wherein the memory section and controller are integrated into a microprocessor.