Mobile network back-up for fixed meter reading networks
First Claim
1. A utility meter interface circuit for use in an automatic meter reading network, wherein the utility meter interface circuit is adapted for installation at a metering site, wherein the utility meter interface circuit is configured to transmit a first plurality of radio frequency signals during a reporting interval within each 24-hour period, wherein said first plurality of radio frequency signals are transmitted in a condition for reception by a fixed network receiver, and wherein the utility meter interface circuit is also configured to transmit a second plurality of radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by a mobile network receiver;
- the utility meter interface circuit comprising;
a CPU for executing instructions in a stored control program;
wherein the CPU is configured to control transmission and reception of radio frequency signals according to instructions in the stored control program; and
the utility meter interface circuit further comprising;
a radio frequency modulation section for modulating meter data signals into RF signals for transmission; and
a radio frequency demodulation section for demodulating data from RF signals from device within a network; and
wherein the said utility meter interface circuit is configured to periodically check for a back-up condition, and upon occurrence of the back-up condition, the utility meter interface circuit repeatedly transmits the second plurality of radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by the mobile network receiver until a next reporting interval for transmitting the first plurality of radio frequency signals to the fixed network receiver.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a metering site transceiver (12 or 15) with the ability to operate in a mobile back-up network (26) to signal utility consumption data that would otherwise be transmitted to a fixed receiver (30) in a fixed network AMR system. A mobile collection back-up capability allows a vehicle collection system (26, 27) to be used to read the remote meters (11, 14) in the fixed network, when a gateway (30) is detected as not communicating with the site transceiver (12 or 15).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A utility meter interface circuit for use in an automatic meter reading network, wherein the utility meter interface circuit is adapted for installation at a metering site, wherein the utility meter interface circuit is configured to transmit a first plurality of radio frequency signals during a reporting interval within each 24-hour period, wherein said first plurality of radio frequency signals are transmitted in a condition for reception by a fixed network receiver, and wherein the utility meter interface circuit is also configured to transmit a second plurality of radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by a mobile network receiver;
- the utility meter interface circuit comprising;
a CPU for executing instructions in a stored control program; wherein the CPU is configured to control transmission and reception of radio frequency signals according to instructions in the stored control program; and
the utility meter interface circuit further comprising;a radio frequency modulation section for modulating meter data signals into RF signals for transmission; and a radio frequency demodulation section for demodulating data from RF signals from device within a network; and wherein the said utility meter interface circuit is configured to periodically check for a back-up condition, and upon occurrence of the back-up condition, the utility meter interface circuit repeatedly transmits the second plurality of radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by the mobile network receiver until a next reporting interval for transmitting the first plurality of radio frequency signals to the fixed network receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- the utility meter interface circuit comprising;
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11. A method of installation and operation of a metering site transceiver at a utility metering site for communication in a fixed meter reading network, and upon detection of certain conditions, for communication in a mobile meter reading network, the method comprising:
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a metering site transceiver receiving metering signals from a metering device that has been installed and has started up metering consumption of a utility; the metering site transceiver being responsive to the metering signals for transmitting a first plurality of radio frequency metering data signals in a condition for reception by a fixed network receiver within a reporting interval within each 24-hour period; and the metering site transceiver then checking for a back-up condition, and upon detection of the back-up condition, the metering site transceiver transmitting a second plurality of radio frequency metering data signals in a condition for reception by a mobile receiver; and wherein after an acknowledgment has been received during installation and startup the back-up condition consists essentially of not receiving a message at the metering site transceiver from the fixed network receiver for a present number of days. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification