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. 25, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 03, 1999
Brian T. Brunn, Lakeville, MN (US);
John W. MacConnell, Spokane, WA (US);
Laurent Maleysson, St. Etienne, FR;
Eric W. Lofstad, Eagan, MN (US);
Itron, Inc., Spokane, WA (US);
Abstract
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.