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AssigneeEnergy Technology Group, Inc.
InventorJon A. Boaz
Estimating the term…
An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors is provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless mesh communications network characterized by having a varying frequency mode of operation. The system also includes a host computer in communication with the meter data collectors either directly or through multiple field host data collectors, which can be connected to the host computer through a wide area network. The system also includes a meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer adapted to manage the mesh communication network that is adapted to vary the frequency mode of at least portions of the mesh communication network between a fixed frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to enhance network performance.
An automated meter reading network system comprising:
An automated meter reading network system comprising:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data defining a field host data collector, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the field host data collector, cause the field host data collector to perform the following operations:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operation:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a host computer collecting utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters having utility meter sensors in communication with a first plurality of communication nodes forming a mesh communication network having a variable frequency mode, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the host computer, cause the host computer to perform the following operations:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a host computer collecting utility usage data, positioned remote from a plurality of meter data collectors, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the host computer, cause the host computer to perform the following operations:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a host computer collecting utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters having utility meter sensors in communication with a plurality of communication nodes forming a mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations:
A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations:
A method of collecting utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters having utility meter sensors in communication with a plurality of communication nodes forming a mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from
Using a distributed architecture: using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems: for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
Selecting
Term ended 6 Mar 2025 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of utility meters. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems, automated equipment, networks, program products, and related methods for remote reading of utility meters.
2. Description of Related Art
So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as it may include other effective embodiments as well.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automated meter reading network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is schematic view of an automated meter reading network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, embodiments of the present invention incorporate an automated meter reading network system 30 that advantageously provides for both automated data acquisition and energy management. Generally, the automated meter reading network system 30 can support bi-directional communications with a network of meter data collectors 41 with the capability of collecting digital and analog input data, as well as functional control via a digital output board or relay. The meter data collectors 41 can be located at a customer location, such as, for example, mounted to a residence or other building structure 40, and can each be connected to all utility meters at the customer's location. The meter data collectors 41 can monitor utility usage data through, for example, multiple digital or analog inputs and/or multiple encoded inputs; and can transmit that data to a host computer 61, preferably located at a utility's central office 60, via a preferably 902-928 mega-hertz and/or 2.4 gigahertz combination fixed frequency/frequency hopping mesh network 32. The meter data collectors 41 preferably utilize a medium to high range radio frequency (RF) transceiver 44 capable of communications of 1600 meters or approximately one mile with field host data collectors 51, 51′ that connect the network 32 to a wireless, cable, fiber, or telephony wide area network 80. The field host data collectors 51, 51′, which can be another meter data collector 41, can reside at a municipality infrastructure level such as a sub-station, pump station, or municipal office or other remote center 50. The field host data collectors 51, 51′, can collect utility usage data from the surrounding field host data collectors 51, 51′, remotely positioned meter data collectors 41, or other intermediate collectors, and can transmit, preferably in batch format, that utility usage data either when requested by the host computer 61 or periodically at a predetermined interval.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, in an embodiment of the present invention, an automated meter reading network system 30 includes a plurality of utility meters, e.g., electric 72, water 74, gas 76, steam 78, and/or other usage, generally distributed either at a very large customer site or throughout a plurality of smaller customer sites 40. Each of the utility meters 72, 74, 76, 78, is preferably interfaced with and positioned adjacent one or more usage sensors, e.g., sensors 73, 75, 77, 79, which sense utility usage data from the respective utility meters 72, 74, 76, 78. A plurality of multifunction meter data controllers or collectors 41 are each preferably positioned adjacent one or more of the utility meters 72, 74, 76, 78, and are in communication with the respective utility meters 72, 74, 76, 78, through the respective utility usage sensors 73, 75, 77, 79, to collect the utility usage data from each of the plurality of sensors 73, 75, 77, 79. Each meter data collector 41 can include provisions for collecting 20 or more utility usage inputs and can be provided with a digital output board or relay 48 to provide for external device control. Each meter data collector 41 preferably includes a radio frequency telemetry module 44 or other wireless communication means, known to those skilled in the art, to transmit the utility usage data.