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US 7,119,713 B2Granted
Dynamic self-configuring metering network
AssigneeElster Electricity, LLC
InventorsKenneth C. Shuey, Rodney C. Hemminger, Robert T. Mason, Jr., Eugene W. Hodges
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instructions to the level one meters to scan for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the level one meters. The collector registers meters that respond as level two meters.
Claims25
A system for collecting metering data, comprising:
- a collector meter, said collector meter comprising electrical circuitry for gathering meter data, wireless communication electronics for sending and receiving data, a processor for implementing instructions, and memory for storing data;
- a first plurality of meters, each meter in said first plurality comprising electrical circuitry for gathering meter data, wireless communications electronics for sending and receiving data, a process for implementing instructions, and memory for storing data;
- a second plurality of meters, each meter in said second plurality comprising electrical circuitry for gathering meter data, wireless communications electronics for sending and receiving data, a process for implementing instructions, and memory for storing data;
- wherein each of said first plurality of meters communicates with said collector meter, is registered in a subnet with said collector meter, and became registered in said subnet after responding to a broadcast request from said collector meter, and
- wherein each of said second plurality of meters communicates with one of said first plurality of meters, is registered in said subnet with said collector meter, and became registered in said subnet after responding to a broadcast request from one of said first plurality of meters.
2 more elements
A method for configuring a metering network, comprising:
- at a collector meter, broadcasting a request that meters respond;
- at a first meter, receiving the request that meters respond and communicating a response;
- at the collector meter, receiving the response from the first meter;
- at the collector meter, if the signal strength of the response exceeds a threshold, registering the first meter;
- at the collector meter, communicating instructions to the first meter to broadcast a request that meters respond;
- at the first meter, broadcasting a request that meters respond;
- at a second meter, receiving the request that meters respond and communicating a response to the first meter;
- at the first meter storing data identifying the second meter and the signal strength of the response from the second meter;
- at the collector meter, receiving the data identifying the second meter and the signal strength of the response from the second meter;
- and
- at the collector meter, if the signal strength of the response from the second meter exceeds a defined threshold, registering the second meter.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.