Data collector for an automated meter reading system
First Claim
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1. A data collector, comprising:
- an electronic utility meter that collects and stores billing data related to a commodity consumption; and
a network communication device for communicating with downstream utility meters and to a remote location that processes said billing data,wherein said data collector communicates wirelessly with said downstream utility meters to read and store billing data contained in said downstream utility meters,wherein said data collector communicates said billing data to said remote location for processing,wherein said data collector commands said downstream utility meters to perform billing-related functions, andwherein said data collector notifies said downstream utility meters to store a copy of current billing data and reset a peak demand at a predetermined time.
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Abstract
The invention includes an electronic utility meter, a data collector/meter and a method for communicating data in an automated meter reading system. The inventive method includes communicating data with a network and a first electronic utility meter, and communicating the data with the first electronic utility meter and one or more other meters.
399 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A data collector, comprising:
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an electronic utility meter that collects and stores billing data related to a commodity consumption; and a network communication device for communicating with downstream utility meters and to a remote location that processes said billing data, wherein said data collector communicates wirelessly with said downstream utility meters to read and store billing data contained in said downstream utility meters, wherein said data collector communicates said billing data to said remote location for processing, wherein said data collector commands said downstream utility meters to perform billing-related functions, and wherein said data collector notifies said downstream utility meters to store a copy of current billing data and reset a peak demand at a predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing a utility meter in a data collector, comprising:
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collecting and storing billing data related to a commodity consumption; communicating wirelessly with downstream utility meters to read and store billing data contained in said downstream utility meters; communicating said billing data to said remote location for processing; commanding said downstream utility meters to perform billing-related functions; notifying said downstream utility meters to store a copy of current billing data; and resetting a peak demand at a predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification