Wireless data programmer for electronic utility registers and meters

• US 8,188,885 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Badger Meter Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Badger Meter Incorporated
• Inventors: Beverung, Ryan M., Brandt, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/235,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20100073191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• 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 handheld, key-operated programmer device (10) for transferring data to and from an electronic meter register. Communication between the device (10) and the electronic register takes place over a wireless optical interface (20). The device (10) is configured through a USB port (14) using a personal computer. Operations between the device (10) and the meter register include cycling the meter register display, clearing a totalizer, resetting alarm conditions, and retrieving stored configuration data. A swipe with a magnet is no longer necessary to cycle through the display. The device is battery-powered and can be embodied in a key fob.

Claims

1. A programmer device for transferring data to and from a utility meter register, the comprising:

a first data port for wireless transfer of configuration data to the meter register and wireless transfer of status data from the meter register;

a second data port for transfer of configuration data from a personal computer and status data to the personal computer;

at least one microcontroller for controlling transfer of data through the first data port and through the second data port; and

wherein the device includes four keys for controlling the operation of the device and can be held in a palm of one hand of a user and operated using a thumb of the same hand.

2. The programmer device of claim 1, wherein programmer device can signal a meter register through the first data port to cycle through various displays on the meter register.

3. The programmer device of claim 2, wherein the programmer device has a key labeled “

display”

for actuating signaling of the meter register through the first data port to cycle through a plurality displays on the meter register.

4. The programmer device of claim 3, wherein the programmer device has a key labeled “

program”

for actuating signaling of the meter register through the first data port to transfer configuration data to the meter register.

5. The programmer device of claim 4, wherein the programmer device has a key labeled “

read”

for actuating the signaling of the meter register through the first data port to read status data from the meter register.

6. The programmer device of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the first data port communicates according to an IrDA standard for wireless communication.

7. The programmer device of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the second port communicates through a universal serial bus (USB).

8. The programmer device of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the device is powered solely by a battery.

9. The programmer device of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein programmer device is embodied in a key fob.