Satellite-based low power resource meter reading systems and methods
US9173011B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring a utility resource are disclosed. One system includes utility resource usage capture components connected to a utility resource management computing system via a satellite communications network. Each of the utility resource usage capture components includes a utility resource meter interface and a satellite communication module. The utility resource meter interface is configured to communicate with different types of utility resource meters from different manufacturers. Each of the utility resource usage capture components has a low power state and an operational state, and is configured to automatically enter the operational state, interrogate an associated utility resource meter, communicate the reading via the satellite communication module, and return to the low power state. The utility resource management computing system stores information regarding a location of each of the utility resource usage capture components and receives and stores readings from each of the utility resource usage capture components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.