Abstract: An automated meter reading system, communication and control for automated meter reading, a meter data collector, and associated methods are provided. The system includes at least one utility meter, at least one meter sensor interfaced with the utility meter, a meter data collector positioned adjacent the utility meter and positioned to receive data from the at least one sensor, and a remote automatic meter reading control center positioned to receive data from the collector such as through RF or other types of communication to gather and process usage reading data. Meter usage data is obtained by the collector from the meter sensor, date and time stamped, and stored in the collector until directly transmitted to the control center or a substation if within range and not blocked or impeded by a physical structure or other obstacle. If the collector is not in range, then the data is forwarded to another collector associated with a location closer to the control center or substation.

Abstract: Methods of performing automated meter reading and processing meter data, are provided. A method can include collecting utility usage data by each of a plurality of meter data collectors, determining by a remote host computer a preferred polling sequence route responsive to a strength of communication signal between the remote computer and each of the plurality of meter data collectors and between each of the plurality of meter data collectors, polling each of the plurality of meter data collectors by the remote host computer with the preferred polling sequence, and transmitting utility usage data to the remote host computer from each of the plurality of meter data collectors along the same preferred polling sequence route responsive to the polling by the host computer.

Abstract: An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors is provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless mesh communications network characterized by having a varying frequency mode of operation. The system also includes a host computer in communication with the meter data collectors either directly or through multiple field host data collectors, which can be connected to the host computer through a wide area network. The system also includes a meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer adapted to manage the mesh communication network that is adapted to vary the frequency mode of at least portions of the mesh communication network between a fixed frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to enhance network performance.

Abstract: An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors, program product, and associated methods are provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless communications network. The system also includes a host computer in communication with the meter data collectors either directly or through multiple field host data collectors which can be connected to the host computer through a wide area network. The system also includes a meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer to manage the communication network. The meter data collector program product is adapted to analyze signal strength between nodes and to dynamically adjust the power level settings of the individual nodes to enhance network performance.

Abstract: An automated meter reading system, communication and control for automated meter reading, a meter data collector, and associated methods are provided. The system includes at least one utility meter, at least one meter sensor interfaced with the utility meter, a meter data collector positioned adjacent the utility meter and positioned to receive data from the at least one sensor, and a remote automatic meter reading control center positioned to receive data from the collector such as through RF or other types of communication to gather and process usage reading data. Meter usage data is obtained by the collector from the meter sensor, date and time stamped, and stored in the collector until directly transmitted to the control center or a substation if within range and not blocked or impeded by a physical structure or other obstacle. If the collector is not in range, then the data is forwarded to another collector associated with a location closer to the control center or substation.

Abstract: An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors is provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless mesh communications network characterized by having a varying frequency mode of operation. The system also includes a host computer in communication with the meter data collectors either directly or through multiple field host data collectors, which can be connected to the host computer through a wide area network. The system also includes a meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer adapted to manage the mesh communication network that is adapted to vary the frequency mode of at least portions of the mesh communication network between a fixed frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to enhance network performance.