Methods of performing automated meter reading and processing meter data
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a technology of automated meter reading and meter data, applied in the field of utility meters, can solve the problems of correspondingly most expensive utility companies, and achieve the effects of reducing costs, adding value, and enhancing servi
Inactive Publication Date: 2008-02-28
ENERGY TECH GROUP
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[0016] In view of the foregoing, Applicant has recognized a need to automate and transform the process of metering electricity, gas, water, steam, and the like, while reducing costs, adding value, enhancing service, and decreasing time of collection.
Problems solved by technology
When utilities such as gas, electricity, or water are most expensive to the customer, they are also correspondingly most expensive to the utility company.
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[0048] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.
[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-15E, an embodiment of the present invention provides a distributed network system 30 including a multifunction collector or controller 41, a utility meter e.g., electric 72, water 74, gas 76, or other usage, and an at least one sensor (not shown), e.g., an encoder, interfaced with the meter. The sensor is positioned in electrical communica...
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Abstract
Methods of performing automated meter reading and processing meter data, are provided. A method can include collecting utility usage data by each of a plurality of meter data collectors, determining by a remote host computer a preferred polling sequence route responsive to a strength of communication signal between the remote computer and each of the plurality of meter data collectors and between each of the plurality of meter data collectors, polling each of the plurality of meter data collectors by the remote host computer with the preferred polling sequence, and transmitting utility usage data to the remote host computer from each of the plurality of meter data collectors along the same preferred polling sequence route responsive to the polling by the host computer.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation application which claims the priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 779,429, filed on Feb. 13, 2004, titled Automated Meter Reading System, Communication and Control Network for Automated Meter Reading, Meter Data Collector, and Associated Methods, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which claims priority to and the benefit of provisional patent application U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 447,815, filed Feb. 14, 2003, titled Automated Meter Reading System, Communication and Control Network for Automated Meter Reading, Meter Data Collector, and Associated Methods, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to the field of utility meters. More particularly, the present invention relates to automatic equipment, systems, networks, and software for remote reading of utility meters, such as electric, gas, water, or steam...
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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
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