System and method for automatic meter reading with mobile configuration

• US 7,116,243 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Osterloh, Christopher L., Schleich, Michael, Nagy, Christopher, Sanders, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/929,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20050068194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.11, 340/637, 705/401, 705/34, 705/180
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• 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

Abstract

An automatic meter reading (AMR) system and a method of operating an AMR system are disclosed. The AMR system stores and transfers consumptive data, demand data, and data archives. The system and method can also provide a demand reset to reduce or eliminate the need to physically visit a remote endpoint device, for example a residential utility meter, to directly connect to the endpoint device for the collection of data. The system and method provide two-way wireless communication between at least one reader and a plurality of remote endpoint devices and are adapted for use with mobile readers. The AMR system and method therefore provide efficient and reliable storage and transfer of data, including high volumes of data, at mobile read rates.

Claims

1. A remote configuration system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising;

at least one transceiver; and

a plurality of endpoint devices, wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with at least one reader;

wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a utility reading in a first communication with each of the plurality of endpoint devices and receive therefrom a reading response in a second communication, wherein the transceiver is adapted to determine whether each of the plurality of endpoint devices supports a pre-defined configuration control parameter

and wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to receive data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports the pre-defined control parameter, and is adapted to request a third communication of a data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports an acknowledgement in a fourth communication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication further comprises a clock synchronization frame.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration control parameter comprises one of a group consisting of a demand reset;

time of use bins;

seasonal bins and remote disconnection of the meter.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request demand data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports a demand reset and to receive the demand data, wherein the demand reset initiated by the endpoint devices is based on internal clocks serving as watchdog timers.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the transceiver is adapted to acknowledge receipt of the demand data from each of the plurality of endpoint devices that supports a demand reset.

6. A demand reset system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising:

at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one transceiver includes a geo-coded location information database of plurality of endpoint devices;

wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communication device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with the at least one transceiver;

wherein the database includes geo-coded locations of a subset of the plurality of endpoint devices, wherein the subset supports a demand reset,

wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a read and demand data from a first endpoint device in the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices in a first communication when the transceiver determines that it is in communications range of the first endpoint device in the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices, to receive a read and demand data from the first endpoint device in a second communication, and to send an acknowledgement to the first endpoint device in a third communication,

and wherein the first endpoint device is adapted to reset the demand data and send an acknowledgement to the at least one transceiver in a fourth communication.

7. A demand reset system for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system comprising:

at least one transceiver; and

a plurality of endpoint devices, wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter and adapted to communicate via RF with at least one transceiver, wherein a subset of the plurality of endpoint devices supports demand reset, and wherein each of the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices further comprises a timer having a maximum duration defining a current cycle;

wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a read and demand data from a first endpoint device in the subset of the plurality of endpoint devices in a first communication, and

wherein the first endpoint device is adapted to send current demand data to the at least one reader in a second communication, start the timer, save the current demand data to an archive register, and reset the current demand data.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein if the second communication with the first endpoint device fails, the at least one transceiver is adapted to request read and demand data from the first endpoint device in a third communication, and wherein the first endpoint device is adapted to send the demand data from the archive register to the at least one transceiver in a fourth communication if the third communication occurs during the current cycle.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one transceiver is adapted to request a new demand read from the first endpoint device during the current cycle, the first endpoint device adapted to generate and send the new demand read to the at least one reader.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint device is adapted to restart the timer after sending the new demand read.

11. A method for resetting demand data in a plurality of utility meters, wherein at least one transceiver and a plurality of endpoint devices are adapted to exchange two-way wireless communications, and wherein each of the plurality of endpoint devices comprises a radio frequency (RF) communications device operably connected to a utility meter, the method comprising the steps of:

requesting demand data from at least one endpoint device by the transceiver;

receiving demand data from the at least one endpoint device;

requesting a demand reset from the endpoint device by the transceiver;

receiving a demand reset acknowledgement by the transceiver from the endpoint device;

determining whether the endpoint device supports demand reset;

if the endpoint device supports demand reset, requesting demand data from the endpoint device by the transceiver; and

receiving a demand data reset confirmation by the reader from the endpoint device.

12. A method of remotely configuring at least one utility measurement device of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, the utility measurement device including a radio frequency (RF) device adapted to exchange wireless communications with at least one transceiver, the method comprising:

transmitting a confirmation command to the RF device of the utility device;

downloading the historical data from the storage register upon receiving a configuration command from a mobile collector; and

configuring the RF device with a special algorithm adapted to provide a back up capability to the utility device such that historical data is temporarily stored in a storage register for a pre-defined time upon receipt of the configuration command.