Automated meter reading system

• US 7,248,181 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ICH Intellectual Capital Holdings
• Original Assignee: Datamatic, Ltd. (R&P Print)
• Inventors: Patterson, Tim, Holowick, Erwin, Derry, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US11/144,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20050225455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.03, 340/870.29, 340/870.27, 340/870.05, 340/870.3
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• 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: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/12 in which the signal transmitted is frequency or phase of ac
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• 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 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• 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: 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

The present invention achieves technical advantages as an AMR device and system adapted to couple to utility meters and operate under Part 15 of the FCC Rules. The device and system also includes a data profile module.

Claims

1. An automated meter reading (AMR) system, comprising:

an interface module adapted to couple to a meter measuring a quantity of delivered product and providing a first signal indicative of the measured quantity, the module including a wireless transmitter modulating and transmitting the first signal as an RF signal at a transmission interval of less than about every 30 seconds, adapted to facilitate readings by a field operator walking or driving in close proximity to the system, at a power level no greater than 1 mW and at a frequency in an unlicensed frequency band, adapted to reduce interference in the unlicensed frequency band; and

a profile module operatively coupled to the interface module and having a transceiver and a controller receiving the first signals, the profile module creating and storing usage profile data as a function of the measured quantity, wherein the usage profile data is generated at a profile data interval and is adapted to be obtained by a remote user via the transceiver.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the profile data interval is user selectable.

3. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the profile data interval is substantially longer than the transmission interval.

4. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the modulated first signal at a fixed frequency.

5. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the profile data interval is adapted to be selectively adjusted by a field technician.

6. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to be wirelessly polled by a remote user via the transceiver.

7. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the interface module includes an internal battery and operates therefrom.

8. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the transceiver is an IR transceiver.

9. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the first signal is transmitted at a user selectable transmission interval.

10. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the first signal is transmitted without requiring external polling and without the assistance of a wireless communications network.