US 2014/0055283 A1 · MULTIPLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE METER READING PROBES

Abstract

A characteristic of a first utility meter is detected with a first probe head, and a characteristic of a second utility meter is detected with a second probe head. The characteristic of the first utility meter is dependent on a usage of a first utility metered by the first utility meter, and the characteristic of the second utility meter is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered by the second utility meter. Information related to the characteristic of the first utility meter is communicated from the first probe head to a communication unit, and information related to the characteristic of the second utility meter is communicated from the second probe head to the communication unit. A message is also sent from the communication unit indicating the usage of the first utility or the usage of the second utility.

Claims37

Dependent claims

An apparatus to monitor one or more utility meters comprising:

a communication unit comprising a processor, a communication interface coupled to the processor, and a probe interface coupled to the processor;
and
a meter monitoring probe comprising a probe head coupled by a cable to a probe connector capable to mate with the probe interface;
wherein the probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a utility metered, and send information related to the characteristic to the processor;
and
the processor is capable to receive the information from the probe head and send a message related to the usage of the utility over the communication interface.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple and interchangeable meter reading probes

Life of this patent

Multiple and interchangeable meter reading probes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37