Water utility meter transceiver

• US 7,443,313 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2005
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc. (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Hunt Techonologies Incorporated (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Inventors: Davis, James S., Heitert, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong; Albert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yacob; Sisay
• Application Number:
  US11/072,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 340/870.2, 340/401, 340/539.26, 137/870.4, 137/15.03, 137/296, 732/01, 324/156
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless 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 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• 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 water meter transceiver coupled to a water meter has a head portion that houses a processor having a transceiver. The transceiver transmits water utility consumption data received from the water meter. A stem is coupled to the head portion and has a hollowed portion for containing a power source that is coupled to the processor. The stem may include threads to receive a nut that positions the head portion to a lid of a water meter container. The stem may include a switch that is coupled to the processor and configured to activate when the nut is coupled to the stem. If the nut is removed without authorization, the switch reports such, thereby causing the processor to execute a predetermined action, such as communicating an alert or disabling the water meter so as to prevent theft of the water utility.

Claims

1. A water meter transceiver coupled to a water meter, comprising:

a relatively low profile head portion configured to house a processor having a transceiver configured to transmit water utility consumption data received from the water meter and configured to receive wireless communications from other transmitting devices;

a stem section coupled to the head portion, the stem section having a hollowed portion configured to contain a power source that is coupled to the processor, the stem section having threads on a portion of the outer surface of the stem section;

a nut configured to couple to the stem section according to the threads on the stem section and threads on a portion of the nut; and

a switch positioned in the stem section and coupled to the processor, the switch configured to activate when the nut is coupled to the stem section.

2. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein the stem section extends through a water meter container lid so that the head portion remains above ground and the stem section extends into the water meter container interior.

3. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein the head portion is coupleable to an outer surface of a water meter container such that the stem section extends through an opening in the outer surface and the nut is coupleable to an inner surface of the water meter container when coupled to the stem section extending within the water meter container.

4. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:

logic in the processor configured to wirelessly communicate an alert message when the nut is moved on the stem section sufficiently to allow the switch to change state.

5. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:

logic in the processor configured to wirelessly communicate an alert message when the nut is moved on the stem section sufficiently to allow the switch to change state if an authorized access instruction is not received by the processor within a predetermined time before or after the switch changes state.

6. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:

logic in the processor configured to disable water flow through the water meter when the nut is moved on the stem section sufficiently to allow the switch to change from an activated state to a deactivated state.

7. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:

logic in the processor configured to disable water flow through the water meter when the nut is moved on the stem section sufficiently to allow the switch to change from an activated state to a deactivated state if an authorized access instruction is not received by the processor within a predetermined time before or after the switch changes state.

8. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery encapsulated in a sealed module, the battery being electrically coupled to the processor.

9. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the hollow section of the stem section is exposed when the nut is fully threaded on the stem.

10. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein the processor activates the transceiver to retransmit messages received from other transceivers, the messages containing water utility consumption data for another water meter.

11. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein the stem section extends through a member inside a container so that the nut couples to one surface of the member and the head portion couples to a second surface of the member, wherein the transceiver is below ground.

12. A method for wirelessly transmitting water utility consumption information, comprising the steps of:

powering a processor with a power source, the processor electrically coupled to a transceiver and configured in a head section of a housing device, the power source configured in a stem section of the housing device, the stem section coupled to the head section and configured to receive a securing device that positions the head section in a predetermined position above ground level and at least a portion of the stem section below ground level;

receiving data from a water meter corresponding to water utility consumption; and

transmitting the data received from the water meter with the transceiver in the head section if a switch in the stem section that is electrically coupled to the processor and in physical communication with the securing device is in a predetermined state.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

transmitting an alert signal if the securing device is removed from physical communication with the switch and no authorization instruction is received by the processor within a predetermined time before or after the securing device is removed from physical communication with the switch.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

outputting an instruction directing the termination of water flow through the water meter if the securing device is removed from physical communication with the switch and no authorization instruction is received by the processor within a predetermined time before or after the securing device is removed from physical communication with the switch.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the head section is configured with a low profile relative to the ground level.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the securing device attaches to the stem section according to threads on the stem section and the securing device.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the securing device attaches to the stem section according to an adjustable locking relationship between the stem section and the securing device.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the securing device attaches to the stem section according to an adjustable tension device that holds the securing device in a position relative to the stem section.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein a portion of the securing device is positioned against an inner surface of a lid and a portion of the head section is positioned against an outer surface of the lid.

20. A system for communicating water utility consumption, comprising:

a top section configured to house processing electronics and a transceiver, the transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit messages received from the processing electronics and to wirelessly retransmit messages received from other transceivers;

a stem section coupled to the top section having a power source compartment and a switch for detection of the presence of a securing device coupled to the stem section, the securing device configured to position a material between the top section and the securing device; and

a passage for the routing of a communication path between the processing electronics and the water meter.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the switch communicates the detection of the removal of the securing device to the processing electronics, the processing electronics configured to implement a predetermined action in response to said communication from the switch.