Universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system
First Claim
1. A method of operating a universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system having a transponder unit and a reader/interrogator unit, capable of passing radiated electromagnetic signals between each other:
- the transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing a transponder data stream;
having an internal clock, a tamper signal, a leak detection algorithm, a pulse and usage counter, a stored serial number, and internal flags;
the interrogator unit capable of providing an interrogation signal, responding to the transponder data stream, internally storing the transponder data stream and responding to software and hardware interrupts;
having a read trigger, an emulation protocol selector, a communication port, a programmable oscillator and programmable gain amplifiers, a selectable multi-tapped antenna loop, a received data display, and flags;
comprising the transponder unit steps of;
a) listening for an interrupt in a low powered quiescent mode;
b) recognizing an interrupt;
c) waking up to logically process the interrupt;
d) determining the form of the interrupt, and,if the interrupt is a software interrupt, then jumping to step (e);
if the interrupt is an external interrupt, then jumping to step (h);
e) incrementing the internal clock every four hours;
f) checking for tamper and leakage, andif the tamper signal is present, then setting a tamper flag;
if leakage is detected, then setting the leak flag;
g) returning to step (a);
h) determining the type of external interrupt, andif the interrupt is an external usage input, then jumping to step (i);
if the interrupt is an external interrogation signal then jumping to step (m);
i) arming the usage detection circuit;
j) awaiting the usage pulse;
k) processing and storing the pulse count in the usage counter, andl) returning to step (a);
m) synchronizing to the interrogation signal;
n) counting the pulse content of the interrogation signal;
o) determining the type of interrogator;
p) setting the emulation response to match the type of interrogator;
q) polling the usage counter and serial number;
r) converting usage count and serial number to a matched emulation data stream;
s) transmitting the matched emulated transponder data stream;
t) resetting software and flags; and
u) returning to step (a).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A utility usage data gathering system that is universally capable of operating with any other portion of another usage gathering system is disclosed. The system comprises of major portions, the universal transponder or actual device that accumulates utility usage and will universally relay accumulated usage to any reader/interrogator, and the universal reader that will universally read its own transponder or any other transponder. The system is based on standard micro-electronic chips and uses the same chips and logic in both the reader/interrogator and transponder. Each portion of the system, when polled by a foreign device, will determine what communication protocol is required and will respond to collect or transmit utility usage data in the proper protocol. Both portions of the apparatus use switchable multi-tapped antennae, capable of universal matching in order to transceive the modulated electromagnetic wave which contains the utility usage data.
172 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of operating a universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system having a transponder unit and a reader/interrogator unit, capable of passing radiated electromagnetic signals between each other:
- the transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing a transponder data stream;
having an internal clock, a tamper signal, a leak detection algorithm, a pulse and usage counter, a stored serial number, and internal flags;
the interrogator unit capable of providing an interrogation signal, responding to the transponder data stream, internally storing the transponder data stream and responding to software and hardware interrupts;
having a read trigger, an emulation protocol selector, a communication port, a programmable oscillator and programmable gain amplifiers, a selectable multi-tapped antenna loop, a received data display, and flags;
comprising the transponder unit steps of;a) listening for an interrupt in a low powered quiescent mode; b) recognizing an interrupt; c) waking up to logically process the interrupt; d) determining the form of the interrupt, and, if the interrupt is a software interrupt, then jumping to step (e); if the interrupt is an external interrupt, then jumping to step (h); e) incrementing the internal clock every four hours; f) checking for tamper and leakage, and if the tamper signal is present, then setting a tamper flag; if leakage is detected, then setting the leak flag; g) returning to step (a); h) determining the type of external interrupt, and if the interrupt is an external usage input, then jumping to step (i); if the interrupt is an external interrogation signal then jumping to step (m); i) arming the usage detection circuit; j) awaiting the usage pulse; k) processing and storing the pulse count in the usage counter, and l) returning to step (a); m) synchronizing to the interrogation signal; n) counting the pulse content of the interrogation signal; o) determining the type of interrogator; p) setting the emulation response to match the type of interrogator; q) polling the usage counter and serial number; r) converting usage count and serial number to a matched emulation data stream; s) transmitting the matched emulated transponder data stream; t) resetting software and flags; and u) returning to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
- the transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing a transponder data stream;
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2. A method of operating a universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system having a transponder unit and a reader/interrogator unit, capable of passing radiated electromagnetic signals between each other:
- the transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing a transponder data stream;
having an internal clock, a tamper signal, a leak detection algorithm, a pulse and usage counter, a stored serial number, and internal flags;
the interrogator unit capable of providing an interrogation signal, responding to the transponder data stream, internally storing the transponder data stream and responding to software and hardware interrupts;
having a read trigger, an emulation protocol selector, a communication port, a programmable oscillator and programmable gain amplifiers, a selectable multi-tapped antenna loop, a received data display, and flags;
comprising the interrogator unit steps of;a) listening for an interrupt in a low powered quiescent mode; b) recognizing an interrupt; c) waking up to logically process the interrupt; d) determining the form of the interrupt, and, if the interrupt is a hardware interrupt, then jumping to step (e); if the interrupt is a software interrupt, then jumping to step (h); e) looking at the selector switch to determine the emulation protocol; f) jumping to step (h); g) looking at the software command to determine emulation protocol; h) generating the required emulation protocol; i) setting the programmable oscillator frequency to the chosen emulated interrogation signal; j) selecting the appropriate windings on the multi-tapped antenna loop; k) setting the proper system programmable gain; l) sending the correct emulated interrogation signal; m) waiting for the transponder data stream response; n) reformatting the transponder data stream; o) storing the reformatted transponder data stream; p) displaying the received transponder data; q) retransmitting the received data to the communication port; r) resetting internal logic and flags, and s) returning to step (a).
- the transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing a transponder data stream;
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3. A method of operating a universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system having a foreign transponder unit and a universal reader/interrogator unit, capable of passing radiated electromagnetic signals between each other;
- the foreign transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing transponder data streams;
the universal interrogator unit capable of providing interrogation signals, responding to the transponder data streams, internally storing the transponder data streams, having a read trigger capable of providing a start read signal, and necessary communication ports or displays for transferring or reading stored transponder data streams;
comprising the interrogator unit steps of;a) waiting for the start read signal; b) transmitting an interrogation signal to the foreign transponder; c) waiting for the transponder data stream; d) determining the type of transponder and the corresponding pattern of interrogator unit response; e) generating the required emulation protocol; f) transmitting the emulated interrogation signal; g) waiting for the transponder data stream response; h) permanently storing the transponder data stream for later retrieval or display; and i) returning to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
- the foreign transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing transponder data streams;
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6. A method of operating a universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system having a foreign transponder unit and a universal reader/interrogator unit, capable of passing radiated electromagnetic signals between each other;
- the foreign transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing transponder data streams;
the universal interrogator unit capable of providing interrogation signals, responding to the transponder data streams, internally storing the transponder data streams, and having a read trigger capable of providing a start read signal, a protocol table and associated protocol flag, and necessary communication ports or displays for transferring or reading stored transponder data streams;
comprising the interrogator unit steps of;a) waiting for the start read signal; b) transmitting an interrogation signal to the foreign transponder; c) waiting for the transponder data stream response; d) determining if the transponder data stream response is valid; e) if the data stream is valid, skipping to step (j); f) if the data stream is invalid, clocking the transponder data stream; g) comparing the clocked transponder data stream to the protocol table to determine the type of transponder; h) generating required emulation protocol; i) skipping to step (b); j) permanently storing the transponder data stream for later retrieval or display; and k) returning to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- the foreign transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing transponder data streams;
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14. A method of operating a universal send/receive utility usage data gathering system having a foreign transponder unit and a universal reader/interrogator unit, capable of passing radiated electromagnetic signals between each other;
- the foreign transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing transponder data streams;
the universal interrogator unit capable of providing interrogation signals, responding to the transponder data streams, internally storing the transponder data streams and responding to software and hardware interrupts having a read trigger capable of providing a start read signal, a protocol table and associated protocol flag, a programmable oscillator and programmable gain amplifiers, a selectable multi-tapped antenna loop, necessary communication ports or displays for transferring or reading stored transponder data streams;
the protocol table containing a combination of unlicensed (emulated) and licensed protocols whereby the licensed protocols will provide true protocols, comprising the interrogator unit steps of;a) waiting for the start read signal; b) transmitting an interrogation signal to the foreign transponder; c) waiting for the transponder data stream response; d) determining if the transponder data stream response is valid; e) if the data stream is valid, skipping to step (n); f) if the data stream is invalid, clocking the transponder data stream; g) comparing the clocked transponder data stream to the protocol table to determine the type of transponder; h) setting the protocol flag; i) setting the programmable oscillator frequency to the chosen interrogation signal; j) selecting the appropriate windings on the multi-tapped antenna loop; k) setting the proper system programmable gain; l) generating required emulation protocol or true protocol, as determined by the protocol flag; m) skipping to step (b); n) permanently storing the transponder data stream for later retrieval or display; and o) returning to step (a).
- the foreign transponder unit capable of generating internal software interrupts, responding to external usage pulse interrupts and interrogation signal interrupts, and providing transponder data streams;
Specification