Badger Meter, Inc.

Kelly Laughlin-Parker

Mark M Lazar

John A Olson

Ryan M Beverung

Michele R B Malinowski

Joseph L Stauber

Ronald D Benson

Eric M Metzger

Theresa Saadeh

Randy Schultz

Christopher D Hielsberg

Jeffrey Schreiner

John Fillinger, Jr

Syed Mateen

Jr Fillinger

A method and apparatus is disclosed for prioritizing the processing of messages sent between site transceivers () at utility meter data origination sites () and gateway transceivers () in a fixed meter data collection network. To reduce message processing time, priorities are assigned for processing messages destined for mobile gateways, messages sent to assigned gateways, and messages sent to any gateway after not receiving an acknowledge signal from an assigned gateway. The gateway transceiver also has four receivers for processing four respective messages on four different frequency channels to further reduce processing time and to conserve power usage at the site transceivers.

Apparatus and method for priority addressing and message handling in a fixed meter reading network

A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting a transmission power level of a transceiver () at a utility meter data origination site (). A power level of transmission at the site transceiver () is adjusted to an optimum level if an acknowledgement is not received from a network gateway () in response to data transmissions from the site transceiver (). Also, for each unsuccessful transmission period, the amount of metering data is increased in the next transmission period to make up for the failed communication tries. Upon establishing communication with the gateway (), the site transceiver () can receive commands from the gateway () that further adjust its power level of transmission to optimize reception at the gateway from a large plurality of utility meter data origination sites () within a geographical area served by the gateway (). The gateway () communicates utility metering data through a wireless network (), such as WIFI, GPRS, POE or CDMA to a data collection center () for data processing and billing operations.

Apparatus and method for establishing communication from remote sites in a fixed meter reading network

A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a metering site transceiver (or) with the ability to operate in a mobile back-up network () to signal utility consumption data that would otherwise be transmitted to a fixed receiver () in a fixed network AMR system. A mobile collection back-up capability allows a vehicle collection system () to be used to read the remote meters () in the fixed network, when a gateway () is detected as not communicating with the site transceiver (or).

Mobile network back-up for fixed meter reading networks

The invention provides a method and circuitry for transmitting signals in a frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum, AMR network using mobile receivers operating at greater than 1 milliwatt and providing data profiling data to be read out through an I/O port or transmitted over the RF network, which may use one-way or two-way communication.

High power AMR transmitter with data profiling for mobile networks

The invention provides a method and circuitry for programming an AMR transmitter to operate in different modes. The device can be programmed as to any one or all of the following parameters: transmission power according to the physical environment of the installation; power level and modulation type for drive-by or fixed network application; and frequency of data transmission to conserve battery life. A laptop computer or other type of programming device communicates through an optical IR port to enter these parameters.

AMR transmitter with programmable operating mode parameters

A combined utility meter and meter register assembly () is disclosed in which a housing () for both a utility metering element and a meter register has no visual readout or display of metering data. Metering data is signaled through a data port () or an antenna () to external equipment. The meter register is provided by electronic circuitry () that is placed in an upper cavity () in the housing part () that is then closed by a cover () or a body of sealing material. A label () can be placed over the closure informational purposes. An additional embodiment of the housing is also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Kelly Laughlin-Parker