RF METER READING SYSTEM

• US 20090224940A1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Cornwall, Mark K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,948,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.30
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• 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 2209/883 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
• 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

A meter reading system of the present invention enables transmission of data between utility meter endpoints and readers. In a first embodiment, the endpoint provides a short message providing its identification to the reader and immediately enters a listen mode. If the reader hears the short message, it can immediately respond and request additional information from the endpoint. If the reader does not hear the short message or does not request additional information during the endpoints listening period, the endpoint enters a sleep mode until its next transmission time. In another embodiment, the endpoint transmits an SCM via AM communication to the reader. The reader can then request additional information and the endpoint can respond with the information via two-way FM communication. In another embodiment, the endpoint is capable of transmitting interval data to the reader via either AM or FM communication.

Claims

1. An automatic meter reading system, comprising:

a reader; and

a plurality of utility meter endpoints, wherein each of said plurality of endpoints transmits a standard consumption message (SCM) via an AM transmission and wherein said endpoint immediately goes into a two-way, FM receive/transmit mode upon completing the transmission of said SCM, wherein upon said reader receiving said SCM and desiring additional information from said endpoint, said reader requests said information via a two-way, FM communication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said reader includes a narrow band receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said reader comprises a digital signal processing (DSP) radio, and wherein a receive bandwidth of said DSP radio is set by a DSP firmware.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said reader directs a bubble rate of each of said plurality of utility meter endpoints.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said reader directs said bubble rate to slow after said reader has read each of said plurality of endpoints.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a repeater, wherein said repeater provides intermediate communication between said reader and said plurality of endpoints, and wherein said repeater communicates both with AM and two-way, FM receive/transmit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises a fixed network system or a mobile system.

8. A method for transmitting data in a utility meter reading system having a reader and an endpoint, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a standard consumption message (SCM) via an AM transmission by said endpoint;

switching said endpoint into a two-way, FM receive/transmit mode upon transmitting said SCM;

receiving said SCM with said reader,

requesting additional information from said endpoint with said reader via two-way FM communication between said reader and endpoint.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said reader includes a narrow band receiver.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said reader comprises a digital signal processing (DSP) radio, and wherein a receive bandwidth of said DSP radio is set by a DSP firmware.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of directing the bubble rate of said endpoint with said reader via two-way FM communications.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of directing comprises directing said bubble rate to slow after said reader has read said endpoint.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing intermediary communication between said endpoint and said reader via a repeater, wherein said repeater communicates in both AM and FM.

14. A mobile daily interval meter reading system, comprising:

an endpoint, wherein said endpoint is capable of transmitting in either AM and FM and wherein said endpoint saves a plurality of intervals of utility meter data;

a reader, wherein said reader listens for said endpoint, and upon hearing said endpoint said reader transmits a command to the endpoint to send a predetermined number of intervals over a predetermined communication channel or channels.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said predetermined number of intervals are sent by said endpoint to said reader at a transmission rate of between 20,000 and 33,000 bits per second.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said reader is capable of transmitting additional commands to said endpoint, wherein said additional commands are selected from:

a command to reset registers, a command to send time of use data, and a command to tell the endpoint to sleep for a predetermined amount of time.