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Method and system for reading intelligent utility meters
| Details |
Inventors: Brunn, Brian T.; MacConnell, John W.; Maleysson, Laurent; Lofstad, Eric W.;
Assignee: Itron, Inc. (Spokane, WA)
Primary Examiner: Chan; Wing F.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.
A meter reading system preferably includes an external modem module (EMM), a hub and a data collection system. The EMM communicates with one or more utility meters and, as such, is preferably selected on the basis that it incorporates a communication format that is compatible with the communication format of the utility meter such that the utility meter does not require modification to be communicatively coupled to the EMM. The EMM obtains meter data from the utility meter and converts to a radio frequency communication format. The radio frequency formatted data is then transferred to the hub. The hub then translates the radio frequency data into an analog or digital telephone communication format, which is then transferred to the data collection system for use by the utility as desired, e.g. utility billing, tracking, control, etc. The data collection system need only recognize one communication format rather than attempting to accommodate numerous message formats such as wires, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or radio frequency. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed: 1.
A system for communicating with a plurality of utility meters, comprising: plurality of communication means for communicating with at least one of said plurality of utility meters, for obtaining utility meter data and, if the obtained utility meter data is not in a first system communication format, for translating said utility meter data into said first system communication format; translation means communicatively coupled to said plurality of communication means, for receiving said utility meter data that is only in said first system communication format and for translating the received utility meter data into a second system communication format; and data collection means communicatively coupled to said translation means, for receiving and collecting utility meter data that is only in said second system communication format.
2.
The system of claim 1, further comprising relay means for relaying utility meter data in said first system communication format from at least one of said plurality of communication means to said translation means.
3.
The system of claim 1, wherein each of said utility meters has a pre-determined utility meter communication format and wherein said plurality of communication means are selected on the basis of said plurality of communication means including a communication format that is equivalent to said pre-determined utility meter communication format.
4.
The system of claim 1, wherein said data collection means is for transmitting messages to said translation means in said second system communication format and wherein said translation means is for translating said messages from said data collection means into said first system communication format and for transmitting messages to at least one of said plurality of communication means in said first system communication format.
5.
The system of claim 4, wherein said data collection means is for sending a message in said second system communication format to effect calibration of said translation means
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Cell Phones 
