Remote metering
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote metering system comprising:
- a plurality of remote meters each of which includes an antenna, a transmitter for transmitting meter signals via the antenna, a receiver connected to the antenna for receiving and filtering an incoming radio frequency signal, and a carrier signal detection circuit which is connected to receive the filtered radio frequency signal and which is operable to detect the presence or absence of a carrier signal, and to prevent activation of the transmitter in response to the presence of a carrier signal, or to activate the transmitter in response to the absence of said carrier signals;
a plurality of concentrator units arranged for direct RF communication with respective groups of remote meters to receive respective meter data therefrom; and
a central control unit arranged for communicating with the plurality of concentrator units for receiving meter data from the plurality of concentrator units, wherein the remote meters in a meter group are operable to initiate communication with the corresponding concentrator unit during respective predefined time periods; and
wherein the receiver is provided with a local oscillator signal by the transmitter (116), the transmitter (116) output being isolated from the antenna (120) during such provision of the local oscillator signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A meter for use in a radio frequency remote metering system comprises an antenna; a transmitter for transmitting meter signals via the antenna; a receiver connected to the antenna for receiving and filtering an incoming radio frequency signal; and a carrier signal detect circuit which is connected to receive the filtered radio frequency signal and which is operable to detect the presence or absence of a carrier signal, and to prevent activation of the transmitter in response to the presence of the carrier signal, to activate the transmitter in response to the absence of the said carrier signal.
28 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A remote metering system comprising:
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a plurality of remote meters each of which includes an antenna, a transmitter for transmitting meter signals via the antenna, a receiver connected to the antenna for receiving and filtering an incoming radio frequency signal, and a carrier signal detection circuit which is connected to receive the filtered radio frequency signal and which is operable to detect the presence or absence of a carrier signal, and to prevent activation of the transmitter in response to the presence of a carrier signal, or to activate the transmitter in response to the absence of said carrier signals;
a plurality of concentrator units arranged for direct RF communication with respective groups of remote meters to receive respective meter data therefrom; and
a central control unit arranged for communicating with the plurality of concentrator units for receiving meter data from the plurality of concentrator units, wherein the remote meters in a meter group are operable to initiate communication with the corresponding concentrator unit during respective predefined time periods; and
wherein the receiver is provided with a local oscillator signal by the transmitter (116), the transmitter (116) output being isolated from the antenna (120) during such provision of the local oscillator signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A remote metering system comprising:
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a plurality of remote meters each of which includes an antenna, a transmitter for transmitting meter signals via the antenna, a receiver connected to the antenna for receiving and filtering an incoming radio frequency signal, and a carrier signal detection circuit which is connected to receive the filtered radio frequency signal and which is operable to detect the presence or absence of a carrier signal, and to prevent activation of the transmitter in response to the presence of a carrier signal, or to activate the transmitter in response to the absence of said carrier signals;
a plurality of concentrator units arranged for direct RF communication with respective groups of remote meters to receive respective meter data therefrom; and
a central control unit arranged for communicating with the plurality of concentrator units for receiving meter data from the plurality of concentrator units, wherein the remote meters in a meter group are operable to initiate communication with the corresponding concentrator unit during respective predefined time periods;
wherein the receiver is provided with a local oscillator signal by the transmitter (116), the transmitter (116) output being isolated from the antenna (120) during such provision of the local oscillator signal; and
wherein, if the remote meter is an electricity meter, the antenna is provided by power supply lines, or, if the remote meter is a water meter, the antenna is provided by the sensor lines of the meter.
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11. A remote metering system comprising:
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a plurality of remote meters each of which includes an antenna, a transmitter for transmitting meter signals via the antenna, a receiver connected to the antenna for receiving and filtering an incoming radio frequency signal, and a carrier signal detection circuit which is connected to receive the filtered radio frequency signal and which is operable to detect the presence or absence of a carrier signal, and to prevent activation of the transmitter in response to the presence of a carrier signal, or to activate the transmitter in response to the absence of said carrier signals;
a plurality of concentrator units arranged for direct RF communication with respective groups of remote meters to receive respective meter data therefrom; and
a central control unit arranged for communicating with the plurality of concentrator units for receiving meter data from the plurality of concentrator units, wherein the remote meters in a meter group are operable to initiate communication with the corresponding concentrator unit during respective predefined time periods;
wherein the receiver is provided with a local oscillator signal by the transmitter (116), the transmitter (116) output being isolated from the antenna (120) during such provision of the local oscillator signal; and
wherein each remote meter is an electricity meter, the antenna of each meter being provided by the supply lines of the meter.
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Specification