Uni-directional protocol

• US 6,304,191 B1
• Filed: 03/30/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Meter Company
• Original Assignee: American Meter Company
• Inventors: Campbell, David E., Kiser, Eric T.
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/281,707
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.14, 340/870.16, 375/130, 375/140, 375/141, 375/146, 370/252, 370/310, 370/338, 370/349, 370/503
• US Class Current: 340/870.14
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 25/00 Arrangements for preventing or correcting errors; Monitoring arrangements

Abstract

The present invention provides a unidirectional protocol for communicating data from a plurality of utility meters and a meter adapted to carry out this protocol. The meters are adapted to monitor and measure the respective utility parameters which may include those for gas, water, electric or other utilities, and wirelessly download the information to a meter reading device. The protocol basically includes a synchronization pattern followed by the desired information. For a valid transmission, the synchronization pattern and subsequent data are provided in a first transmission sequence, which is immediately repeated after the end of the first sequence. Preferably, a bit is toggled during the retransmission of the transmission sequence for security.

Claims

1. A protocol for a remote automatic meter reading system having a plurality of meters associated with communication electronics adapted to wirelessly communicate with a remote meter reader to collect meter information, the protocol comprising:

a. providing a synchronization string including a synchronizing string for synchronizing a transmission signal and a start string for indicating a start of data being transmitted;

b. providing meter identification indicia for uniquely identifying a transmitting meter;

c. providing measurement indicia representing a parameter measured by the transmitting meter;

d. assembling a transmission sequence in a select order to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the measurement indicia;

e. transmitting the transmission sequence;

f. modifying the transmission sequence for security; and

g. transmitting the modified transmission sequence immediately following the transmission of the transmission sequence.

2. The protocol of claim 1 further including the steps of:

a. providing version indicia representing a hardware of software version of the transmitting meter; and

b. providing a serial number for the transmitting meter,

the assembling step assembling the transmission sequence to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the version indicia followed by the serial number followed by the measurement indicia.

3. The protocol of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing meter type indicia, the assembling step assembling the transmission sequence to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the measurement indicia followed by the meter type indicia.

4. The protocol of claim 1 further including the steps of:

a. providing version indicia representing a hardware or software version of the transmitting meter;

b. providing a serial number for the transmitting meter; and

c. providing meter type indicia,

the assembling step assembling the transmission sequence to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the version indicia followed by the serial number followed by the measurement indicia followed by the meter type indicia.

5. The protocol of claim 1 wherein the transmission steps include on/off keying the data transmission sequences at a single frequency.

6. The protocol of claim 1 wherein the transmission steps include turning a carrier frequency on or off to provide a significant transition and providing a first interval between transitions for a first logic level and a second interval between transitions for a second logic level.

7. The protocol of claim 1 wherein the transmission steps include randomly transmitting the consecutive transmission sequences to substantially avoid simultaneous communications with other meters.

8. The protocol of claim 1 wherein the synchronizing string is 1111111110000001 and data transmitted in the transmission sequence does not include a string of 000000.

9. The protocol of claim 1 wherein the modifying step includes toggling a bit in the latter transmission sequence.

10. The protocol of claim 9 wherein the transmission sequence differs from the modified transmission sequence by only one bit.

11. The protocol of claim 1 further including the steps of:

a. providing version indicia representing a hardware or software version of the transmitting meter;

b. providing a serial number for the transmitting meter; and

c. providing meter type indicia;

the assembling step assembling the transmission sequence to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the version indicia followed by the serial number followed by the measurement indicia followed by the meter type indicia, the modifying step consisting of toggling a bit in the transmission sequence.

12. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the transmission sequence differs from the modified transmission sequence by only one bit.

13. The protocol of claim 12 wherein the transmission sequence differs from the modified transmission sequence by only one bit in the meter type indicia.

14. A protocol for a remote automatic meter reading system having a plurality of meters associated with communication electronics adapted to wirelessly communicate with a remote meter reader to collect meter information, the protocol comprising:

a. providing a synchronization string of 1111111110000001 for synchronizing a transmission signal and indicating a start of data being transmitted;

b. providing meter identification indicia for uniquely identifying a transmitting meter;

c. providing version indicia representing a hardware or software version of the transmitting meter;

d. providing a serial number for the transmitting meter;

e. providing measurement indicia representing a parameter measured by the transmitting meter;

f. providing meter type indicia;

g. providing division indicia correlating the measurement indicia with the parameter;

h. providing meter status indicia;

i. assembling a transmission sequence in a select order to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the version indicia followed by the serial number followed by the measurement indicia followed by the meter type indicia followed by the division indicia followed by the status indicia;

j. transmitting the transmission sequence;

k. modifying the transmission sequence for security by toggling a bit in the meter type indicia; and

l. transmitting the modified transmission sequence immediately following the transmission of the transmission sequence.

15. A utility meter adapted to wirelessly communicate with a remote meter reader to collect meter information comprising:

a. a meter for measuring a utility parameter and having an output providing measurement indicia;

b. a control system and memory associated with said meter to receive measurement indicia and assemble data into a transmission sequence; and

c. a transmitter associated with said control system adapted to transmit the transmission sequence;

d. said control system and memory adapted to;

i. provide a synchronization string including a synchronizing string for synchronizing a transmission signal and a start string for indicating a start of data being transmitted;

ii. provide meter identification indicia for uniquely identifying a transmitting meter;

iii. provide measurement indicia representing a parameter measured by the transmitting meter;

iv. assemble a first transmission sequence in a select order to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the measurement indicia;

v. transmit the first transmission sequence via said transmitter;

vi. modify the first transmission sequence for security to provide a second transmission sequence; and

vii. transmit the modified second transmission sequence immediately following the transmission of the first transmission sequence via said transmitter.

16. The utility meter of claim 15 firther wherein said control system and memory are further adapted to:

a. provide version indicia representing a hardware or software version of the transmitting meter;

b. provide a serial number for the transmitting meter;

c. provide meter type indicia; and

d. assemble the first transmission sequence to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the version indicia followed by the serial number followed by the measurement indicia followed by the meter type indicia, the modifying step consisting of toggling a bit in the transmission sequence.

17. The utility meter of claim 15 wherein the synchronizing string is 1111111110000001 and data transmitted in the transmission sequence does not include a string of 000000.

18. The utility meter of claim 15 wherein said transmitter and said control system provide on/off keying the data transmission sequences at a single carrier frequency.

19. The utility meter of claim 15 wherein said transmitter and said control system turn a carrier frequency on or off to provide a significant transition and provide a first interval between transitions for a first logic level and a second interval between transitions for a second logic level.

20. A utility meter adapted to wirelessly communicate with a remote meter reader to collect meter information comprising:

a. a meter for measuring a utility parameter and has an output providing measurement indicia;

b. a control system and memory associated with said meter to receive measurement indicia and assemble data into a transmission sequence; and

c. a transmitter associated with said control system adapted to transmit the transmission sequence;

d. said control system and memory adapted to;

i. provide a synchronization string of 1111111110000001 for synchronizing a transmission signal and indicating a start of data being transmitted;

ii. provide meter identification indicia for uniquely identifying a transmitting meter;

iii. provide version indicia representing a hardware or software version of the transmitting meter;

iv. provide a serial number for the transmitting meter;

v. provide measurement indicia representing a parameter measured by the transmitting meter;

vi. provide meter type indicia;

vii. provide division indicia correlating the measurement indicia with the parameter;

viii. provide meter status indicia;

ix. assemble a transmission sequence in a select order to provide the synchronization string followed by the meter identification indicia followed by the version indicia followed by the serial number followed by the measurement indicia followed by the meter type indicia followed by the division indicia followed by the status indicia;

x. transmit the first transmission sequence via said transmitter;

xi. modify the first transmission sequence for security to provide a second transmission sequence; and

xii. transmit the modified second transmission sequence immediately following the transmission of the first transmission sequence via said transmitter,

wherein data transmitted in the transmission sequences does not include a string of 000000.