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:
Aug. 26, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2005
Christopher L. Osterloh, Waseca, MN (US);
Benjamin L. Anderson, Janesville, MN (US);
Mark K. Cornwall, Spokane, WA (US);
Jeffrey L. Delamater, Liberty Lake, WA (US);
Christopher L. Osterloh, Waseca, MN (US);
Benjamin L. Anderson, Janesville, MN (US);
Mark K. Cornwall, Spokane, WA (US);
Jeffrey L. Delamater, Liberty Lake, WA (US);
Itron, Inc., Liberty Lake, WA (US);
Abstract
An automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a plurality of utility meter endpoints, each of which includes a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter adapted for transmitting endpoint information. A plurality of transceivers are adapted to read endpoints located throughout a designated coverage area, and each transceiver adapted to receive endpoint information from utility meter endpoints located within a corresponding portion of the designated coverage area. A central storage arrangement is adapted to communicate with each of the transceivers and to store endpoint information in a central database. The AMR system also includes a low cost receiver (LCR) having a communications range that defines a gap-filling coverage area. The LCR is adapted to automatically forward received endpoint information to the central storage arrangement.