Automatic meter reading system with multitasking control
First Claim
1. An application program stored in an operational medium and providing a single control center computer with call handling and customer account processing capabilities, the computer having a plurality of modems for connection to telephone lines to receive meter data from automatic meter reader devices, having a microprocessor, having first program memory locations for storing an operating system program, having second program memory locations for storing the application program and having a plurality of data memory locations for storing received meter data, wherein the stored application program comprises:
- groups of servicing instructions stored in the operational medium for executing respective servicing activities related to a plurality of customer accounts for customers of utility services which are metered;
communication instructions stored in the operational medium for transfer of received meter data from the modems to the memory locations for storing received meter data; and
means stored in the operational medium and operable with the microprocessor and the operational system program for executing the communications instructions and portions of the groups of servicing instructions in a time-interleaved and time-controlled execution cycle in which the received meter data is transferred from the modems to the data memory locations within the execution cycle of the application program while accomplishing periodic execution of the servicing activities over a plurality of execution cycles of the application program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A meter reading system is provided in which a plurality of modems are connected to telephone lines and to a single computer which is operated through a stored program to sequentially perform portions of communication activities and portions of servicing activities in time-interleaved relation and in rapid sequence. The communication activities include receiving meter data from and sending of control data to automatic meter readers. The servicing activities include maintenance of customer account records storage of received meter data and various other activities. The system further includes provisions for sending wake-up tone signals to automatic meter readers.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An application program stored in an operational medium and providing a single control center computer with call handling and customer account processing capabilities, the computer having a plurality of modems for connection to telephone lines to receive meter data from automatic meter reader devices, having a microprocessor, having first program memory locations for storing an operating system program, having second program memory locations for storing the application program and having a plurality of data memory locations for storing received meter data, wherein the stored application program comprises:
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groups of servicing instructions stored in the operational medium for executing respective servicing activities related to a plurality of customer accounts for customers of utility services which are metered; communication instructions stored in the operational medium for transfer of received meter data from the modems to the memory locations for storing received meter data; and means stored in the operational medium and operable with the microprocessor and the operational system program for executing the communications instructions and portions of the groups of servicing instructions in a time-interleaved and time-controlled execution cycle in which the received meter data is transferred from the modems to the data memory locations within the execution cycle of the application program while accomplishing periodic execution of the servicing activities over a plurality of execution cycles of the application program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A control center computer having a microprocessor arranged for connection to a plurality of modems, each modem receiving meter data through a telephone line from an automatic meter reader device, and having memory locations for storage of meter data, having first program memory locations for storage of an operating system program, having second program memory locations for storage of an application and having an application program stored in the second program memory locations for execution under the control of the microprocessor, wherein the application program comprises:
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servicing groups of instructions for executing a plurality of servicing activities related to a plurality of customer accounts; communication instructions for transfer of received meter data from the modems to the memory locations for storage of meter data; and program means for controlling the execution of the communications instructions and portions of the servicing groups of instructions in a time-interleaved and time-controlled execution cycle such that execution of the servicing groups of instructions is apparent to a user of the control center computer, while the reception and transfer of meter data is transparent to the user of the control center computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A control center computer comprising:
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a microprocessor; modem means arranged for connection to at least one telephone line to receive meter data from any of a plurality of automatic meter readers; memory locations accessible by the microprocessor for storing the received meter data; and stored application program means executable by the microprocessor, said program means further comprising; i) communication instructions for effecting communication activities to transfer received meter data from the modem means to the memory locations, ii) servicing instructions for executing servicing activities including maintenance of customer account records separate from the communication activities, and iii) program means for controlling the execution of the communications instructions and servicing instructions in a time-interleaved and time-controlled execution cycle of the application program in which the received meter data is transferred from the modems to the memory locations within the execution cycle while accomplishing periodic execution of the servicing activities over a plurality of execution cycles of the application program. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A stored application program for control of a control center computer having a microprocessor arranged for connection to a plurality of modems, each modem receiving meter data through a telephone line from an automatic meter reader device, and having memory locations for storage of meter data, having a stored operating systems program, and having application program memory locations for storage of the application program, wherein the stored application program comprises:
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servicing routines of instructions for executing a plurality of servicing activities related to a plurality of customer accounts; communication instructions for transfer of received meter data from the modems to the memory locations for storage of meter data; and means for controlling the execution of the communication instructions and portions of the servicing routines in a time-interleaved and time-controlled execution cycle such that execution of the servicing routines is apparent to a user of the control center computer, while the reception and transfer of meter data is transparent to the user of the control center computer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification