Abstract: An installation system and device, and an installation method, are provided for installing a telemetry device on a mount surface. In general, the installation system includes a telemetry device and an installation device. The installation device includes a mounting bracket, at least one attachment device, a mounting device, and at least one orientation device. The attachment device may be configured to mount the mounting device to the mount surface. The mounting device may include a mounting plate and a mating aperture for mounting the telemetry device to the mounting bracket. The orientation device may be associated with any one of a plurality of orientation apertures defined in the mounting device to secure the telemetry device to the mounting bracket and to fix an orientation of the telemetry device.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus demodulate and decode a plurality of AM and FM arriving signals, which permit, for example, a utility data-collecting unit to concurrently receive and decode transmitted signals of legacy transmitters as well as more recent FM based transmitters, or signals arriving from hybrid systems configured to transmit both AM and FM.

Abstract: A method for improving gap coverage in data collection in an automatic meter reading system is disclosed that reduces overall system cost while improving data collection. A transceiver in the system receives data from a plurality of meter modules via encoded reader transmitters (ERTs, or endpoints) and transmits the received data to a central utility database that assigns a unique identification code for each of the meter modules in the system. Data collected via the endpoints is transmitted to the central utility database and correlated with identification codes in the utility database to determine which endpoints did not respond. A data collection error is assigned to the endpoint from which data is not received by the central utility database and a receiver module is then positioned adjacent the endpoint assigned the data collection error to improve data collection.

Abstract: A method for improving gap coverage in data collection in an automatic meter reading system is disclosed that reduces overall system cost while improving data collection. A transceiver in the system receives data from a plurality of meter modules via encoded reader transmitters (ERTs, or endpoints) and transmits the received data to a central utility database that assigns a unique identification code for each of the meter modules in the system. Data collected via the endpoints is transmitted to the central utility database and correlated with identification codes in the utility database to determine which endpoints did not respond. A data collection error is assigned to the endpoint from which data is not received by the central utility database and a receiver module is then positioned adjacent the endpoint assigned the data collection error to improve data collection.