One way automatic meter reading system

• US 7,057,525 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenure Development Limited
• Original Assignee: Kenure Development Limited
• Inventors: Giles, Terence George, Steele, Kenny
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Hung Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/220,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20030020632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,924 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/10.41, 340/870.03, 340/870.18, 455/517
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/08 Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A meter interface unit for use in a one way automatic meter reading system comprises first means for frequently transmitting a short burst transmission suitable for reception by a hand held or mobile receiver, and second means for transmitting narrow band data messages suitable for reception by a fixed network first tier receiving station. The receiver at the first tier receiving station has means for suppressing the short transmissions to prevent interference with the slow busts from the second transmitting means. Repeated packet collisions between the short bursts are avoided by randomly varying the time period between the short bursts.

Claims

1. A meter interface unit comprising:

means for connection to a utility meter which is to be read in a one way automatic meter reading system, wherein the interface unit is not provided with any means for receiving signals;

a first means configured to frequently transmit a short burst (t) transmission suitable for reception by a hand held or mobile receiver; and

a second means configured to transmit narrow band data messages suitable for reception by a fixed network first tier receiving station.

2. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second transmitting means operate on the same radio channel.

3. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means is adapted to vary the time period between each successive short burst transmission.

4. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the time period is T+n×

t where T is a base time period t is the duration of a short burst transmission and n is a random number.

5. A receiver for use in a fixed network first tier receiving station for receiving signals transmitted by the second transmitting means of a meter interface unit as claimed in claim 1, comprising means configured to detect the presence of a short burst transmission and suppressing the transmission before the received signal passes through a narrow band filter.

6. A receiver as claimed in claim 5, wherein a high-speed detector is configured to control a monostable which opens a gate to prevent a short burst transmission reaching a second IF stage of the receiver.

7. A receiver as claimed in claim 5, wherein the suppression is implemented by digital signal processing means.

8. A meter interface unit comprising:

a utility meter connection configured to connect to a one way automatic meter reading system;

a first transmitter configured to frequently transmit a short burst (t) transmission suitable for reception by a hand held or mobile receiver; and

a second transmitter configured to transmit narrow band data messages suitable for reception by a fixed network first tier receiving station.

9. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the interface unit is not provided with any means for receiving signals.

10. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second transmitters operate on the same radio channel.

11. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first transmitter is adapted to vary the time period between each successive short burst transmission.

12. A meter interface unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the time period is T+n×

t where T is a base time period t is the duration of a short burst transmission and n is a random number.

13. A receiver for use in a fixed network first tier receiving station for receiving signals transmitted by the second transmitter of a meter interface unit as claimed in claim 8, comprising:

a detector configured to detect the presence of a short burst transmission and suppress the detected transmission before the received signal passes through a narrow band filter.

14. A receiver as claimed in claim 13, wherein a high-speed detector is configured to control a monostable circuit which opens a gate to prevent a short burst transmission reaching a second IF stage of the receiver.

15. A receiver as claimed in claim 13, wherein the suppression is implemented by a digital signal processor.