Fixed network for an automatic utility meter reading system
First Claim
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1. A method of communicating data for a utility meter reading system, comprising:
- measuring the actual usage of a metered commodity with a utility meter over a first time period;
dividing the first time period into a plurality of intervals;
defining data representative of said measured actual usage as a fractional or percentage value of said measured actual usage over each of said plurality of intervals; and
transmitting said actual usage and said defined data over a communications network.
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Abstract
A fixed network for automatically reading a utility meter system has been developed. The network includes multiple meter interface units (MIUs) that each collect data from a designated utility meter. The collected data is transmitted to a primary data collector. The network includes multiple data collectors and each MIU identifies its own primary data collector based on signal quality between the collector and the MIU. The network includes a central host computer that is used to receive the collected data from the primary data collectors.
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14 Claims
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1. A method of communicating data for a utility meter reading system, comprising:
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measuring the actual usage of a metered commodity with a utility meter over a first time period; dividing the first time period into a plurality of intervals; defining data representative of said measured actual usage as a fractional or percentage value of said measured actual usage over each of said plurality of intervals; and transmitting said actual usage and said defined data over a communications network. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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2. A method of communicating data for a utility meter reading system, comprising:
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defining data collected from a utility meter by a meter interface unit as fractional or percentage value of usage over a predetermined period of time, wherein said data is defined digitally by a predetermined number of bits providing a data resolution; distinguishing between a non-zero value of usage less than the lowest non-zero value within the data resolution and an actual usage of zero; and transmitting said defined data from said meter interface unit over a communications network. - View Dependent Claims (3, 9, 10)
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11. A method of communicating data for a utility meter reading system, comprising:
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collecting data from a utility meter with at least one designated meter interface unit (MIU) where the data comprises utility usage defined as a fractional or percentage value and wherein the data is defined digitally by a predetermined number of bits providing a data resolution; distinguishing between a non-zero value of usage less than the lowest non-zero value within the data resolution and an actual usage of zero; transmitting the data via a communication link between an MIU and a data collector; and transmitting the data from the data collector to a central host computer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification