The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 22, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 12, 1997
Nelson E Knight, Terrell, TX (US);
David M Banks, Dallas, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A system for remote automatic monitoring and recording of utility meter readings which comprises an electronic meter reader (EMR) for accumulating meter counts from a plurality of utility meters, a data concentrator which collects accumulated meter counts from the EMR, a telephone interface for placing a first data call from the EMR to the data concentrator over an available telephone line, a billing computer connected to the data concentrator, and a modem for placing a second data call including the accumulated meter counts from the data concentrator to the billing computer utilizing standard telephone service. The EMR connects the EMR to three telephone lines, and determines whether each of the plurality of telephone lines is available for placing a data call. The data concentrator sends configuration data to the EMR at the conclusion of a data call. The configuration data includes a telephone number for the data concentrator, and a time delay period before placing a subsequent data call from the EMR to the data concentrator. The EMR places the accumulated meter counts in data packets and transmits the packets to the data concentrator. The meter counts may also be transferred from the EMR to the data concentrator over a data link.