Bi-directional protocol

A protocol for utility meter interrogation comprising a data write portion comprising:

• a. assembling a password transmission sequence having a synchronization string and a message including identification indicia for a select utility meter and a password to activate a select data access level within the select utility meter;
• b. wirelessly transmitting the password transmission sequence a first time to at least one utility meter including the select utility meter;
• c. wirelessly transmitting the password transmission sequence a second time to the select utility meter following the first transmission to confirm the password transmission sequence;
• d. assembling a command transmission sequence having the synchronization string and a message including the identification indicia and a write command configured to cause the select utility meter to store data in a memory location of the select utility meter corresponding to the data access level activated with the password;
• e. wirelessly transmitting the command transmission sequence to the select utility meter following the second transmission;
• and
• f. wirelessly transmitting the command transmission sequence a second time to the select utility meter following the third transmission to confirm the command transmission sequence.

A utility meter having a remote communication interface for communicating with an interrogation device comprising:

• a. a metering device for measuring a utility parameter and having an output providing measurement indicia;
• b. a control system and memory associated with said metering device to receive measurement indicia, said memory having a plurality of partitions and passwords associated with said partitions;
• and
• c. a communication electronics associated with said control system adapted to communicate with an interrogation device;
• d. said control system adapted to:
• i. communicate with the interrogation device via said communication electronics using a select protocol to transmit information stored in said memory and store information transmitted from the interrogation device in said partitions;
• and
• ii. require receipt of one of the associated passwords from the interrogation device to store data in a corresponding one of said partitions.

An interrogation device for interrogating utility meters using wireless communications comprising:

• a. a control system;
• and
• b. communication electronics associated with said control system adapted to wirelessly communicate with utility meters using a select protocol, said control system adapted to:
• i. provide a synchronization string for indicating a start of a message transmitted to a utility meter,
• ii. provide a basic command for indicating the presence or absence of an extended command included in the message;
• iii. provide identification indicia for a select utility meter;
• iv. provide message length indicia for indicating an amount of data included in the message when an extended command is present;
• v. provide message type indicia for indicating utility meter and message type wherein the message type indicia indicates a meter type selected from the group consisting of gas, electric and water;
• vi. provide an extended command corresponding to the message type indicia when an extended command is present;
• vii. provide data associated with the extended command, if necessary, when an extended command is present;
• vii. assemble a transmission sequence to include the synchronization string followed by the basic command followed by the identification indicia and, if an extended command is present, followed by the message length indicia followed by the message type indicia followed by the extended command followed by the data, if necessary, into a transmission sequence;
• and
• ix. transmit the transmission sequence to a utility meter.

An interrogation device for interrogating utility meters using wireless communications comprising:

• a. a control system;
• and
• b. communication electronics associated with said control system adapted to wirelessly communicate with utility meters using a select protocol, said control system adapted to:
• i. assemble a password transmission sequence having a synchronization string and a message including identification indicia for a select utility meter and a password to activate a select data access level within a select utility meter;
• ii. wirelessly transmit the password transmission sequence a first time to at least one utility meter including the select utility meter;
• iii. wirelessly transmit the password transmission sequence a second time to the select utility meter following the first transmission to confirm the password transmission sequence;
• iv. assemble a command transmission sequence having the synchronization string and a message including the identification indicia and a write command configured to cause the select utility meter to store data in a memory location of the select utility meter corresponding to the data access level activated with the password;
• v. wirelessly transmit the command transmission sequence to the select utility meter following the second transmission;
• and
• vi. wirelessly transmit the command transmission sequence a second time to the select utility meter following the third transmission to confirm the command transmission sequence.