Automated meter reader having high product delivery rate alert generator

• US 20050110656A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICH Intellectual Capital Holdings
• Original Assignee: Datamatic, Ltd. (R&P Print)
• Inventors: Patterson, Tim, Holowick, Erwin, Derry, Kenneth J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,315,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• 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 adapted to couple to utility meters and detect an excess rate of product delivery and responsively generate an alert indicative of this excess rate. Advantageously, the alert is provided to a remote device to provide notice of an abnormal condition, such as a leak which could produce flooding, or customer exceeding an allowed delivery rate, such as during conservation periods.

Claims

1. A device for coupling to a meter measuring product delivery, comprising:

an interface module adapted to couple to the meter, the interface module providing a first signal indicative of the product delivery; and

a profile module having a transmitter and a controller receiving the first signal, the profile module creating and storing usage profile data as a function of the product delivery, wherein the profile module has a threshold, the transmitter responsively sending an alert to a receiver physically remote from the device upon detecting a parameter of the product delivery corresponds to the threshold.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the product delivery parameter is a rate of the product delivery, wherein the alert indicates the product delivery rate is at least a predetermined rate.

3. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the parameter is a rate of a fluid delivery.

4. The device as specified in claim 3 wherein the fluid is water.

5. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

6. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein the wireless transmitter operates in an unlicensed frequency band.

7. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein the transmitter has a power level no greater than 1 mW.

8. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein the transmitter sends the alert without requiring external polling by a physically remote device.

9. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein the transmitter operates without the assistance of a wireless communications network.

10. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the threshold is user selectable.

11. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the transmitter is adapted to send data representative of the product delivery parameter at an interval, wherein the alert is transmitted less frequently than the interval.

12. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the device alert is adapted to be reset remotely from the device.

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

14. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein the transmitter transmits the alert at a fixed frequency.

15. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein the transmitter transmits the alert as a spread spectrum signal.

16. The device as specified in claim 12 wherein the device alert is adapted to be reset by a field technician.

17. The device as specified in claim 3 wherein the alert is adapted to be communicated to a public utility.

18. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the parameter is a rate of electricity delivery.

19. The device as specified in claim 18 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter operating in an unlicensed frequency band and having a power level no greater than 1 mW, and transmits the alert without requiring external polling or the assistance of a wireless communications network.

20. The device as specified in claim 19 wherein the alert is adapted to be communicated to a public utility.