Radio frequency automated meter reading device
First Claim
1. A device for connecting to a meter, comprising:
- an interface module adapted to coupled to said meter having a rotating disk, said interface having an optical transmitter directing optical energy to the rotating disk, the interface module sensing a rotating marker on said disk and generating a first signal indicating the direction of disk rotation;
a controller receiving said first signal, said controller generating a data signal indicative of a measured quantity and generating profile data;
a wireless transmitter, responsively coupled to said controller, modulating said data signal and transmitting said modulated data signal at a fixed predetermined RF frequency at a user selectable first predetermined time interval adapted to reduce interference without requiring external polling;
a profile module that obtains and stores the profile data at profile time intervals being substantially longer than the first predetermined time interval, wherein the device is operable from an internal power source; and
an output port for outputting profile data to a reading unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio frequency automated meter reading (AMR) device for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric, gas and water service. The present invention intermittently transmits utility product consumption as a modulated RF signal, and does not require complex polling and bi-directional communication. Data is obtained and formatted for transmission and is adapted to be received by a remote receiving device having an RF receiver. The present invention is adaptable to water meters, gas meters and electric meters, and has an IR programming module facilitating remote programming and diagnostic procedures. In the case of water and gas meters, an internal lithium battery provides an operational life of up to ten years. In the case of the electric meter, power is tapped directly from the electric service.
208 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device for connecting to a meter, comprising:
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an interface module adapted to coupled to said meter having a rotating disk, said interface having an optical transmitter directing optical energy to the rotating disk, the interface module sensing a rotating marker on said disk and generating a first signal indicating the direction of disk rotation;
a controller receiving said first signal, said controller generating a data signal indicative of a measured quantity and generating profile data;
a wireless transmitter, responsively coupled to said controller, modulating said data signal and transmitting said modulated data signal at a fixed predetermined RF frequency at a user selectable first predetermined time interval adapted to reduce interference without requiring external polling;
a profile module that obtains and stores the profile data at profile time intervals being substantially longer than the first predetermined time interval, wherein the device is operable from an internal power source; and
an output port for outputting profile data to a reading unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneePine Tree Holdings, Inc.
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Original AssigneeDatamatic, Ltd. (R&P Print)
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InventorsHolowick, Erwin
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Primary Examiner(s)WONG, ALBERT KANG
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Application NumberUS09/419,743Time in Patent Office1,620 DaysField of Search340/870.02, 340/870.03, 340/870.06, 340/870.07, 340/870.11, 375/220, 702/61, 702/62US Class Current340/870.02CPC Class CodesG01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility m...G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed ...G08C 19/12 in which the signal transmi...Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling tec...Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specia...
