Apparatus And Method For Priority Addressing And Message Handling In A Fixed Meter Reading Network

A gateway transceiver for use in a fixed automatic meter reading network, the gateway transceiver comprising:

• a gateway transceiver circuit including means for receiving an incoming message from a site transceiver at a gateway fixed transceiver, including meter reading data from a meter reading device associated with the site transceiver, and the gateway transceiver circuit being programmed to execute a program of instructions, including instructions for each of the following operations:
• checking the message for a first gateway address of a mobile gateway;
• and upon not detecting the first gateway address, then checking the message for a second gateway address of a gateway to which the site transceiver associated with the meter reading device is assigned;
• and upon not detecting the second gateway address, then checking the message for a global gateway address;
• and
• whereupon detecting the first gateway address for a mobile gateway, the gateway transceiver circuit skips further processing of the incoming message;
• whereupon detecting the second gateway address from a meter reading device indicating that the meter reading device is assigned to this gateway, and if so, the meter reading data in the message is stored in memory and a reply message is transmitted if necessary to a site transceiver associated with the meter reading device;
• and
• whereupon detecting a global gateway address, a further check is made to determine if the that the meter reading device that transmitted the message is assigned to this gateway, and if so assigned, the meter reading data in the message is stored in memory and a reply message is transmitted if necessary to a site transceiver associated with the meter reading device, and if not so assigned, then data in the message is stored in memory to record that the message was received, but a reply message is not transmitted.

A method of communications between a gateway fixed transceiver and a plurality of transceivers located at respective utility meter data origination sites, the method comprising:

• transmitting radio frequency signals from a site transceiver at one of the utility meter data origination sites in a first message to be received by the gateway fixed transceiver, wherein said first message includes an address of a gateway transceiver assigned to the site transceiver;
• listening at the site transceiver for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver;
• and
• upon not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a defined time period,
• transmitting radio frequency signals from the site transceiver in one or more retries of the first message for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver;
• and
• listening at the site transceiver for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver;
• and
• upon not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a second defined time period or within a number of retries at the utility meter data origination site,
• transmitting radio frequency signals from a site transceiver at one of the utility meter data origination sites in a third message including a global transceiver address to be received by one of a plurality of gateway transceivers in a fixed network.

A utility meter interface circuit, comprising:

• means for transmitting radio frequency signals from a site transceiver in a first message to be received by a gateway fixed transceiver, wherein said first message includes an address of a gateway transceiver assigned to the site transceiver;
• means for receiving an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver;
• and
• upon the means for receiving not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a defined time period,
• said means for transmitting, further transmitting radio frequency signals in one or more retries of the first message for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver;
• and
• upon means for receiving not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a second defined time period or within a number of retries at the utility meter data origination site,
• said means for transmitting, further transmitting radio frequency signals in a third message including a global transceiver address to be received by any one of a plurality of gateway fixed transceivers in a fixed network.