Satellite-based low power resource meter reading systems and methods

A utility monitoring device, the device comprising:

• a utility resource meter interface,
• a satellite communication module,
• a controller communicatively connected to the utility resource meter interface and the satellite communication module, the controller including a low power state and an operational state and configured to execute computer-readable instructions to:
• at a predetermined time, automatically enter the operational state;
• interrogate an associated utility resource meter to obtain a reading;
• and
• communicate the reading to a remote computing system via the satellite communication module based on a persistent satellite connection preference;
• and
• return to the low power state;
• wherein the persistent satellite connection preference avoids requiring renegotiation of a direct satellite connection between the satellite communication module and a predetermined satellite of a satellite communications network prior to communicating the reading.

A water monitoring system comprising:

• a water usage monitoring device communicatively connected to a water meter the water monitoring device including:
• a water meter interface,
• a satellite communication module,
• a controller communicatively connected to the water meter interface and the satellite communication module, the controller including a low power state and an operational state and configured to execute computer-readable instructions to:
• at a predetermined time, automatically enter the operational state;
• interrogate an associated water meter to obtain a reading;
• and
• communicate the reading to a remote computing system via the satellite communication module based on a persistent satellite connection preference;
• and
• return to the low power state;
• wherein the persistent satellite connection preference avoids requiring renegotiation of a direct satellite connection between the satellite communication module and a predetermined satellite of a satellite communications network prior to communicating the reading.

A method of monitoring usage of a utility resource, the method comprising:

• activating a utility monitoring device from a low power state to an operational power state;
• interrogating one associated utility resource meter to obtain a reading;
• receiving a reading from the one associated utility resource meter;
• and
• communicating the reading via a satellite communication module based on a persistent satellite connection preference;
• and
• returning the utility monitoring device from the operational power state to the low power state;
• wherein the persistent satellite connection preference avoids requiring renegotiation of a direct satellite connection between the utility monitoring device and a predetermined satellite of a satellite communications network prior to communicating the reading.