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:
Feb. 07, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 26, 2003
John Walter Macconnell, La Canada, CA (US);
John Walter MacConnell, La Canada, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
One aspect of the present invention provides a meter reading system. The meter reading system includes an endpoint device and a reader. The endpoint device is configured to operably couple to a utility meter and includes a receiver, a control block, and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to periodically turn on for a first time period to measure a signal strength. The control block is configured to keep the receiver turned on for a second time period if the measured signal strength is at least equal to a threshold value so as to enable the receiver to receive a subsequent wake-up message. The transmitter is configured to transmit an endpoint signal in response to the wake-up message. The reader is configured to transmit the wake-up message and to receive the endpoint signal.