Method and system for reading intelligent utility meters
US6333975A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A meter reading system preferably includes an external modem module (EMM), a hub and a data collection system. The EMM communicates with one or more utility meters and, as such, is preferably selected on the basis that it incorporates a communication format that is compatible with the communication format of the utility meter such that the utility meter does not require modification to be communicatively coupled to the EMM. The EMM obtains meter data from the utility meter and converts to a radio frequency communication format. The radio frequency formatted data is then transferred to the hub. The hub then translates the radio frequency data into an analog or digital telephone communication format, which is then transferred to the data collection system for use by the utility as desired, e.g. utility billing, tracking, control, etc. The data collection system need only recognize one communication format rather than attempting to accommodate numerous message formats such as wires, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or radio frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.