Method and system for collecting and transmitting data in a meter reading system

• US 7,230,972 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Cornwall, Mark K., Delamater, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/838,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 375/134, 375/130, 340/870.02
• US Class Current: 375/134
• 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

A method for improving gap coverage in data collection in an automatic meter reading system is disclosed that reduces overall system cost while improving data collection. A transceiver in the system receives data from a plurality of meter modules via encoded reader transmitters (ERTs, or endpoints) and transmits the received data to a central utility database that assigns a unique identification code for each of the meter modules in the system. Data collected via the endpoints is transmitted to the central utility database and correlated with identification codes in the utility database to determine which endpoints did not respond. A data collection error is assigned to the endpoint from which data is not received by the central utility database and a receiver module is then positioned adjacent the endpoint assigned the data collection error to improve data collection.

Claims

1. A low cost receiver (LCR) module for use in an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, the LCR module comprising:

a receiver board;

an antenna mounted on the receiver board for receiving wireless signals;

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the antenna and mounted on the receiver board; and

a decoder circuit in electrical communication with the antenna and mounted on the receiver board, wherein the decoder circuit comprises a low noise amplifier circuit electrically coupled to a filter circuit, a variable attenuation circuit, and to a linear detector, wherein the decoder circuit operates without a local oscillator and is operable to pass received signals to the at least one processor from the antenna.

2. The LCR module of claim 1, wherein the decoder circuit further comprises a fast Fourier transform (FFT) engine.

3. The LCR module of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor includes a microcontroller and a signal processor, wherein the microcontroller directs data and commands to and from the signal processor.

4. The LCR module of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor further includes a host computer interface adapted for communicative coupling with a host computer;

and

wherein the at least one processor includes a microcontroller that directs data to and from the host computer via the host computer interface.

5. The LCR module of claim 1, wherein the signal processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP).

6. The LCR module of claim 5, wherein the DSP further comprises a correlator programmed to detect and compare data.

7. The LCR module of claim 6, wherein the wireless signals comprise frequency modulated signals, and wherein the LCR further comprises a high-speed analog-to-digital converter operable to feed signals to the DSP from the decoder circuit.

8. A receiver module for use in an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, the receiver module comprising:

a receiver board;

an antenna adapted to receive wireless signals;

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the antenna and mounted on the receiver board; and

a decoder circuit in electrical communication with the antenna and mounted on the receiver board, wherein the decoder circuit and comprises a low noise amplifier circuit electrically coupled to a filter circuit, a variable attenuation circuit, and to a first analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, wherein the decoder circuit operates without a mixer and is operable to pass received signals to the at least one processor from the antenna.

9. The receiver module of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP).

10. The receiver module of claim 8, further comprising a linear detector circuit coupled to a second A/D converter, wherein the first A/D converter comprises a low-speed A/D converter in electrical communication with the linear detector circuit to feed the at least one processor, and wherein the second A/D converter comprises a high-speed A/D converter electrically coupled to the at least one processor.

11. The receiver module of claim 8, wherein the first A/D converter comprises a high-speed A/D converter, and wherein the RF signals comprise frequency modulated signals.

12. The receiver module of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor and the first A/D converter collectively perform an operation that is a digital equivalent to mixing.

13. The receiver module of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor further includes a host computer interface adapted for communicative coupling with a host computer that is programmed to process utility meter endpoint information received by the receiver module.

14. The receiver module of claim 8, further comprising:

a linear detector circuit in electrical communication with the decoder circuit, wherein the linear detector circuit is selectively utilized for detecting an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.