Patent · US Expired

Automatic adjustment of bubble up rate

US7298288B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
18References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 2005
Grant dateNov 20, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY04S20/30
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of operating an RF communicator adapted for an automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes maintaining the communicator in a low-power standby mode and automatically responding to bubble-up events that are spaced apart by time durations. The step of responding includes initiating the RF communicator to exit the standby mode and enter into an active operating mode, and thereafter return to the standby mode. A time duration between successive bubble-up events is automatically adjusted. One method of automatically adjusting a bubble up rate includes automatically setting the bubble-up rate to a relatively higher rate during a time of relatively high expectation of an occurrence of a communication attempt, and automatically setting the bubble-up rate to a relatively lower rate during a time of relatively low expectation of an occurrence of a communication attempt.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.