Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system collects readings from multiple or individual meters or sets parameters in individual or multiple meters using the Short Message Service (SMS) in digital cellular networks. The individual meters incorporate interfaces to the SMS network so that parameters within the meter can be read and written to/from external devices that also interface to the SMS network. Communications gateways incorporate a single interface to the SMS network, which a set of non-SMS-enabled meters can access via a local area network (LAN).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a frequency hopping spread spectrum transceiver. The transceiver includes a microcontroller; a transmitter having a voltage controlled oscillator, a direct digital synthesizer, and a power amplifier; and a receiver having an amplifier, a mixer, an IF amplifier, a demodulator, and a data slicer. When transmitting, the transmitter communicates a preamble over a predetermined number of preamble channels, and thereafter communicate groups of data bytes that each comprise a subset of the data message over a predetermined sequence of data channels. When receiving, the receiver investigates the predetermined number of preamble channels to search for the preamble, each of the predetermined number of preamble channels being associated with a predetermined number of data channels in each sequence of data channels.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for verifying an installation of an meter, for example, an electric power meter. The inventive method includes identifying the electric power meter to a central computer using a mobile computing device. The electric power meter receives computer-executable instructions from the central computer via the mobile computing device, and transmits meter information (e.g., power consumption readings, meter identification information, and meter location) to the central computer. The meter information received from the central computer is compared with meter information available at the electric power meter. The comparison may be accomplished visually by reading the meter and comparing the readings with the information received on the mobile computing device. Also, the comparison may be accomplished automatically by the mobile computing device based on the information it receives from the central computer and the information it receives from the electric power meter.

Abstract: A presently-preferred embodiment of an electrical-energy meter comprises a base adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface, a current sensor assembly comprising a plurality of contact blades extending through the base and adapted to electrically contact a conductor of electrical energy, and a current transformer mechanically coupled to the base and electrically coupled to the contact blades. The electrical-energy meter further comprises a circuit board assembly comprising a main circuit board electrically coupled to the current transformer and the contact blades. The electrical-energy meter also comprises a circuit-board support member comprising a rim portion fixedly coupled to the base, and a first bracket adjoining the rim portion. The first bracket has a first and a second leg each extending away from the rim portion and the base and each being adapted to securely engage the main circuit board.

Abstract: A preferred process comprises providing a pre-formed, substantially transparent window for a cover of an electrical-energy meter, and molding the cover from a molten resin that, when solidified, is substantially opaque. Molding the cover from a molten resin comprises causing a portion of the molten resin to contact a periphery of the window and allowing the portion of the molten resin to cool and thereby solidify so that the portion of the molten resin, upon solidifying, is molded over the periphery of the window and thereby seals and secures the window to the cover.

Abstract: A presently-preferred embodiment of an electrical-energy meter comprises a base adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface, a current sensor assembly comprising a plurality of contact blades extending through the base and adapted to electrically contact a conductor of electrical energy, and a current transformer mechanically coupled to the base and electrically coupled to the contact blades. The electrical-energy meter further comprises a circuit board assembly comprising a main circuit board electrically coupled to the current transformer and the contact blades. The electrical-energy meter also comprises a circuit-board support member comprising a rim portion fixedly coupled to the base, and a first bracket adjoining the rim portion. The first bracket has a first and a second leg each extending away from the rim portion and the base and each being adapted to securely engage the main circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a frequency hopping spread spectrum transceiver. The transceiver includes a microcontroller; a transmitter having a voltage controlled oscillator, a direct digital synthesizer, and a power amplifier; and a receiver having an amplifier, a mixer, an IF amplifier, a demodulator, and a data slicer. When transmitting, the transmitter communicates a preamble over a predetermined number of preamble channels, and thereafter communicate groups of data bytes that each comprise a subset of the data message over a predetermined sequence of data channels. When receiving, the receiver investigates the predetermined number of preamble channels to search for the preamble and tests the received bits to insure that the preamble and a start frame delimiter have been properly received to synchronize the receiver with the transmitter.

Abstract: An electronic meter incorporates a TCP/IP protocol suite and an HTTP server to provide two-way access to the meter data. Alternatively, the TCP/IP protocol suite may be incorporated into a gateway serving multiple meters connected through a power line or wireless two-way network. The gateway may incorporate an HTTP server for accessing data from multiple meters and for transmission of data to individual meters. Other aspects of the disclosed system include the use of a common gateway interface for remote access to meter data and to set meter parameters using HTML forms in HTTP browsers; remote reading and setting of multiple meter parameters using a TCP/IP protocol suite; a TCP/IP protocol suite implemented in designated nodes in a CEBus LAN with remote access through TCP/IP to routers and brouters and to individual meters on the LAN; and an SLIP-PPP enabled gateway for remote TCP/IP access through a serial interface to a single or multiple meter parameters.

Abstract: A communications module that permits remote meter reading of a utility meter via a wireless modem that communicates using data packet networks along a communications system, such as ARDIS. The communications module is a microprocessor-based transmitter/receiver which receives data collection requests from a system server, initiates data collection from a utility meter, and reports the data back to a host computer system residing, for example, at a central office. Preferably, session-based communication using the meter protocol is implemented between the communications module and the meter, and packet switching is used between the communications server and the communications module through the network.

Abstract: A preferred process comprises providing a pre-formed, substantially transparent window for a cover of an electrical-energy meter, and molding the cover from a molten resin that, when solidified, is substantially opaque. Molding the cover from a molten resin comprises causing a portion of the molten resin to contact a periphery of the window and allowing the portion of the molten resin to cool and thereby solidify so that the portion of the molten resin, upon solidifying, is molded over the periphery of the window and thereby seals and secures the window to the cover.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electronically displaying metered electrical energy are disclosed. A first processor receives voltage and current signals, determines electrical energy and generates an energy signal representative of the electrical energy determination. A second processor receives the energy signal and generates a display signal representative of electrical energy information. A display receives the display signal and displays the electrical energy information. In a first embodiment, it is preferred for the first processor to determine units of electrical energy and the rate at which the units are determined. The second processor generates a display signal representative of the units and the rate. The second processor may also generate a disk signal representative of an equivalent rate of disk rotation in relation to the rate at which the units are determined and energy flow direction information for display. A converter may also be provided for converting an electrical output signal to light.

Abstract: An electronic energy meter and its package is described in which the meter package has a reduced number of parts, and the main circuit board assembly has the metering electronics on board, thereby eliminating the need for flying leads and point-to-point wiring within the package. The energy meter includes a first enclosure portion, a circuit board assembly for performing metering functions, a partial terminal block, and a second enclosure portion. The first and second enclosure portions are mateable with each other to form a meter package, in which the circuit board assembly and partial terminal block are at least partially contained within the meter package.

Abstract: An electronic meter incorporates a TCP/IP protocol suite and an HTTP server to provide two-way access to the meter data. Alternatively, the TCP/IP protocol suite may be incorporated into a gateway serving multiple meters connected through a power line or wireless two-way network. The gateway may incorporate an HTTP server for accessing data from multiple meters and for transmission of data to individual meters. Other aspects of the disclosed system include the use of a common gateway interface for remote access to meter data and to set meter parameters using HTML forms in HTTP browsers; remote reading and setting of multiple meter parameters using a TCP/IP protocol suite; a TCP/IP protocol suite implemented in designated nodes in a CEBus LAN with remote access through TCP/IP to routers and brouters and to individual meters on the LAN; and an SLIP-PPP enabled gateway for remote TCP/IP access through a serial interface to a single or multiple meter parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electronically displaying metered electrical energy are disclosed. A first processor receives voltage and current signals and determines electrical energy. The first processor generates an energy signal representative of the electrical energy determination. A second processor, connected to said first processor, receives the energy signal and generates a display signal representative of electrical energy information. A display is connected to receive the display signal and displays the electrical energy information. In a first embodiment it is preferred for the first processor to determine units of electrical energy from the voltage and current signals and to generate an energy signal representative of the determination of such units and the rate at which the units are determined. In another embodiment the first processor meters multiple types of electrical energy and generates energy signals. A first converter is provided for converting an electrical output signal to light.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the delivery of data between a first signal transmitter/receiver device and a second signal transmitter/receiver device. Data is dynamically sized into at least one data packet having a data packet size that is no greater than an operational maximum data packet size capable of being transferred between the first wireless signal transmitter/receiver device and the second wireless signal transmitter/receiver device. At least one data packet is transferred from the first signal transmitter/receiver device to the second signal transmitter/receiver device until all data has been delivered.

Abstract: An automated meter reading system is provided. The system includes a host server interfaced to a plurality of nodes where each node communicates with a number of utility meters. The system selects a group of noninterfering nodes and uses an RF broadcast from the host server to initiate the reading of meters and the uploading of meter data provided by those meters to the nodes and, ultimately, to the host server. The system also has a number of gateways that communicate with a plurality of nodes, grouped to form sets of noninterfering gateways. In this embodiment, the system selects a set of noninterfering gateways and uses an RF broadcast from the host server to initiate the reading of meters and the uploading of meter data provided by those meters to the nodes and, ultimately, through the gateways to the host server. A method for using an outbound RF channel to automatically read meters is also provided.

Abstract: A communications module that permits remote meter reading of a utility meter via a wireless modem that communicates using data packet networks along a communications system, such as ARDIS. The communications module is a microprocessor-based transmitter/receiver which receives data collection requests from a system server, initiates data collection from a utility meter, and reports the data back to a host computer system residing, for example, at a central office. Preferably, session-based communication using the meter protocol is implemented between the communications module and the meter, and packet switching is used between the communications server and the communications module through the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a power outage within an energy meter and alerting a remote central computer about the outage using call-in reporting via modem (35) within the meter to a telephone number designated for outage reporting. A primary battery cell or pack (55) is placed inside the meter (40) to operate the modem (35) when line power is lost. The modem (35) switches from a line power source in the meter (40) to the battery source (55) when an outage is detected and is to be reported to the remote central computer as an outage call. The battery source (55) is switched off when the outage is completed or aborted. The number of retries to call to report the power outage and the time period between retries is programmable.

Abstract: The phase shift in an electronic energy meter is compensated for by obtaining temperature and frequency readings in the meter and using these readings in a digital signal processor (DSP) residing within the electronic energy meter. The frequency and temperature compensation is performed to each phase calibration and the result is stored in the DSP. To reduce the possible influence of noise in the system, the compensated DSP values are filtered to provide a smoothing of the data.