Method of reducing power consumption in a remote meter reading system

A method of providing power management for a remotely accessible meter having a meter interface unit, comprising:

• periodically activating the meter interface unit of the meter upon a signal from a timer;
• monitoring the communication channel for a first time period to detect communication activity;
• when communication activity is detected within the first time period, placing the meter interface unit in an activated mode for a second time period to receive communication signals;
• and
• when communication activity is not detected within the first time period, placing the meter interface unit in an inactivated mode and reducing power consumption.

A method of reducing power consumption for a remotely accessible meter having a meter interface unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• periodically activating the meter interface unit to monitor a communication channel for a first time period to detect whether there is communication activity;
• operating in a message monitoring mode when communication activity is detected within the first time period, including the steps of:
• monitoring the communication channel for a second time period to detect a message addressed to the meter interface unit;
• placing the meter interface unit in an activated mode for a third time period when a message addressed to the meter interface unit is detected within the second time period;
• placing the meter interface unit in an inactivated mode for a fourth time period to receive communication signals when a message to inactivate is addressed to the meter interface unit within the second time period;
• and
• placing the meter interface unit in an inactivated mode when a message addressed to the meter interface unit is not detected within the second time period;
• placing the meter interface unit in an inactivated mode when communication activity is not detected within the first time period;
• and
• reducing the power consumption of the meter when the meter interface unit is in an inactivated mode.

A remotely accessible meter operable in reduced power consumption mode, comprising:

• a meter interface unit having a wireless transmitter and having an inactivated mode;
• timer means for providing a periodic activation signal to the meter interface unit to place the meter interface unit in an activated mode;
• means for monitoring the communication channel for a first time period to detect communication activity when the meter interface unit is in an activated mode;
• means for operating in a message monitoring mode when communication activity is detected within the first time period, comprising:
• means for monitoring the communication channel for a second time period to detect a message addressed to the meter interface unit;
• means for placing the meter interface unit in an activated mode for a third time period to receive communication signals when a message addressed to the meter interface unit is detected within the second time period;
• means for placing the meter interface unit in an inactivated mode when a message addressed to the meter interface unit is not detected within the second time period;
• and
• means for placing the meter interface unit in an inactivated mode when communication activity is not detected within the first time period;
• means for reducing the power consumption of the meter when the meter interface unit is in an inactivated mode.