Fixed network for an automatic utility meter reading system

US8791834B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Neptune Technology Group LLC · US

Inventors

• Jim Brennan · Tallassee, US
• David Hamilton · Auburn, US
• Mohammed Ali · Montgomery, US
• Joe Cely · Tallassee, US
• Quentin Easterling · Tallassee, US
• John Bilodeau · Tallassee, US
• Ed Poorbaugh · Montgomery, US
• Burt Carter · Tallassee, US
• Richard Kynard · Olathe, US
• Warren Wynn · Tallassee, US
• Dan White · Tallassee, US
• David E. Pettit · Chandler, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2014
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y04S20/30
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A fixed network for automatically reading a utility meter system has been developed. The network includes multiple meter interface units (MIUs) that each collect data from a designated utility meter. The collected data is transmitted to a primary data collector. The network includes multiple data collectors and each MIU identifies its own primary data collector based on signal quality between the collector and the MIU. The network includes a central host computer that is used to receive the collected data from the primary data collectors.