Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a fixed or mobile reader and an endpoint interfaced to a utility meter. The fixed or mobile reader is capable of communicating with the endpoint via RF communication. The fixed or mobile reader sends a message to the endpoint that includes a response mode direction which directs the endpoint to respond to the reader via either a mobile network mode or a fixed network mode.

Abstract: A dual source real time clock (RTC) synchronization system and method for implementation within automatic meter reading (AMR) systems that provide system-wide device time synchronization while minimizing power consumption by battery-powered devices. In one embodiment, a microcontroller-implemented RTC counts elapsed seconds from a pre-determined system timestamp using a low-speed, low-accuracy crystal. To maintain accurate time and synchronization, a second source is used to compensate for the low-speed, low-accuracy crystal. This second source comprises a high speed, high-accuracy clock in one embodiment. This dual source RTC system can synchronize the endpoint device to within one second of an external reference time signal. Time during communications, thereby providing a relatively low-cost, reduced power consumption synchronization system and method.

Abstract: In a system for automatic meter reading of utility meters, a utility supply measuring system may include one or more collector units, wherein each one of the collector units accesses a supply of a utility, wherein the accessing occurs in addition to receiving meter reading data from a telemetry device, such as a telemetry device coupled to a utility. In accessing the supply of the utility, the collector unit component may itself be at least loosely coupled to a utility supply, or may communicate with a device that monitors quality, such as an outage detector. A method for transmitting utility supply data for such communications may include continuously transmitting a PN sequence code over a single channel.

Abstract: In an AMR system, a reader wirelessly communicates with both battery-powered receivers and electrically-powered receivers; each receiver being operably connected to a utility meter. Each battery-powered receiver has a bubble-up period of X seconds while each electrically-powered receiver has a bubble-up period of Y seconds. The reader reads the electrically-powered receivers every W minutes, however, only (Y/X)*100% of the battery-powered receivers are bubbled up during this read time. The result is a (1?(Y/X))*100% reduction in falsing of battery powered meters producing a great savings in battery life.

Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system and a method of operating an AMR system are disclosed. The AMR system stores and transfers consumptive data, demand data, and data archives. The system and method can also provide a demand reset to reduce or eliminate the need to physically visit a remote endpoint device, for example a residential utility meter, to directly connect to the endpoint device for the collection of data. The system and method provide two-way wireless communication between at least one reader and a plurality of remote endpoint devices and are adapted for use with mobile readers. The AMR system and method therefore provide efficient and reliable storage and transfer of data, including high volumes of data, at mobile read rates.

Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a fixed or mobile reader and an endpoint. The endpoint is interfaced to a utility meter and the fixed or mobile reader is capable of communicating with the endpoint via RF communication. In this system the fixed or mobile reader sends a message to the endpoint that includes a response mode direction; the response mode direction from the reader tells the endpoint to respond to the reader either in a mobile network mode or a fixed network mode.

Abstract: An automatic meter reading system that includes a head end controller and an endpoint that is interfaced to a utility meter. The head end controller and the endpoint communicate via RF communication. The endpoint includes an internal clock that synchronizes itself to a clock countdown signal. The clock countdown signal is generated by the head end controller through use of sequence inversion keying.