Telemetry
First Claim
1. A data gathering unit comprising a transceiver for the communication of information between the data gathering unit and a central data collection unit, means for transmitting data in response to a signal received via the transceiver, means for extracting power down time information from the signal received via the transceiver and means for subsequently interrupting the power supply to the transceiver for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remote telemetry metering system, includes one or more battery-powered metering units and a central data collection unit, each including a radio transceiver. The central data collection unit transmits a signal including power down time information and transmits instructions, which is received by each metering unit. Each metering unit extracts the power down time information and transmits instructions from the signal and, if appropriate, transmits data in response to the data transmit instructions; this data being collected by the central data collection unit. The metering units then interrupt the power supply to their transceivers for a period of time which is dependent upon the power down time information. The central data collection unit delays, for a slightly longer period of time before transmitting a further signal via its transceiver, at which time the power supply to the transceiver of each metering unit has already been resumed. By allowing the metering units to power down to a quiescent state under the control of the central data collection unit, flexibility is ensured and power consumption minimized.
24 Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A data gathering unit comprising a transceiver for the communication of information between the data gathering unit and a central data collection unit, means for transmitting data in response to a signal received via the transceiver, means for extracting power down time information from the signal received via the transceiver and means for subsequently interrupting the power supply to the transceiver for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information.
- 8. A data collection unit comprising a transceiver for the communication of information between the data collection unit and one or more remote data gathering units, means for transmitting via the transceiver a signal including power down time information and means for delaying for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information before transmitting a further signal via its transceiver.
- 12. A telemetry system comprising one or more remote data gathering units and a central data collection unit, in which each remote data gathering unit and the central data collection unit includes a transceiver for the communication of information between the remote data gathering units and the central data collection unit, the central data collection unit comprises means for transmitting via its transceiver a signal including power down time information, each remote data gathering unit comprises means for extracting the power down time information from the signal received via its transceiver and means for subsequently interrupting the power supply to its transceiver for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information, and the central data collection unit further comprises means for delaying for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information before transmitting a further signal via its transceiver, at which time the power supply to the transceiver of each remote data gathering unit has already been resumed.
- 17. A method of collecting data from one or more remote data gathering units each including a transceiver for the communication of information, means for extracting power down time information from a signal received via its transceiver and means for subsequently interrupting the power supply to its transceiver for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information, the method comprising transmitting a signal to each remote data gathering unit including power down time information to be extracted and delaying for a period of time dependent upon the power down time information before transmitting a further signal to the remote data gathering units, at which time the power supply to the transceiver of each remote data gathering unit has already been resumed.
Specification