Method and system for controlling path redundancy in the acquisition of utility meter data
US8188886B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.