Patent · US Active

Versatile radio packeting for automatic meter reading systems

US8923287B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
64References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 2010
Grant dateDec 30, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 12, 2033

Classification

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

Abstract

An automatic meter reading (AMR) system utilizes versatile radio packets that are recognizable by AMR system receivers capable of receiving conventional interval data message (IDM) radio packets. A versatile radio packet includes a packet preamble portion, a packet body portion, and a packet validation portion. The packet preamble portion has a frame synchronization bit sequence that is recognizable by existing or conventional encoder-receiver-transmitter (ERT)-compatible AMR system receivers, such as a bit sequence equal to 0x16A3. The packet preamble portion also has a packet type identifier field and a packet length field. The packet body portion includes at least an endpoint serial number field and a message, where at least the message has a variable length. Optionally, the message includes a message type identifier field and a message value field that can have a plurality of sub-fields. The AMR system may use message type identifiers optionally present in the versatile radio packets to filter, or discriminate between, certain message types at the reader level. Versatile radio packets can enable endpoints and other devices in the AMR system to transmit a variety of new informat…

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