Abstract: A mobile interrogator can be used in a system for hybrid employment of fixed network and mobile network communications. The system includes communication nodes. At least some of the communication nodes operate in a fixed network mode using one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols. At least some other of the communication nodes operate in a mobile mode in which they transmit meter data to a mobile device using one or more mobile communication protocols. The mobile device is configured to communicate with the mobile mode communication nodes using the one or more mobile communication protocols and to communicate with the fixed network mode communication nodes using the one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols. As a result, the performance of both fixed and mobile networks can be improved. A hybrid system can be realized that provides a utility company with advantages of both fixed and mobile networks.

Abstract: A metering device may be configured to communicate with other devices in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. For example, a metering device may be configured to communicate with a collection device. To enable such communications, a collection device may send a wake-up-tone and/or a request message to a metering device. Based on the request message, a metering device may send data to the collection device. Metering communication networks may be mobile and/or fixed. For example, a mobile collection device may use a wireless signal to interrogate a metering device to retrieve data from the metering device.

Abstract: A metering device may be configured to communicate with other devices in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. For example, a metering device may be configured to communicate with a collection device. To enable such communications, a collection device may send a wake-up-tone and/or a request message to a metering device. Based on the request message, a metering device may send data to the collection device. Metering communication networks may be mobile and/or fixed. For example, a mobile collection device may use a wireless signal to interrogate a metering device to retrieve data from the metering device.

Abstract: A mobile interrogator can be used in a system for hybrid employment of fixed network and mobile network communications. The system includes communication nodes. At least some of the communication nodes operate in a fixed network mode using one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols. At least some other of the communication nodes operate in a mobile mode in which they transmit meter data to a mobile device using one or more mobile communication protocols. The mobile device is configured to communicate with the mobile mode communication nodes using the one or more mobile communication protocols and to communicate with the fixed network mode communication nodes using the one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols. As a result, the performance of both fixed and mobile networks can be improved. A hybrid system can be realized that provides a utility company with advantages of both fixed and mobile networks.

Abstract: A method, collection device, and automatic meter reading (AMR) system for locating stolen utility meters use a set of identifiers, such as transponder serial numbers, to build a route of utility meters that have been reported as having been stolen. When each mobile collection device's daily routes are prepared, the route of stolen utility meters is added to the other routes for which the mobile collection device is ordinarily tasked with collecting meter read data. As the mobile collection device traverses its daily routes, it collects meter read data for the stolen utility meters along with the meter read data for its other routes. The route of stolen utility meters is unloaded from the mobile collection device along with the other daily routes when the read process is finished. The route of stolen utility meters may contain information that may assist the utility company in locating the stolen utility meters.

Abstract: A method, collection device, and automatic meter reading (AMR) system for locating stolen utility meters use a set of identifiers, such as transponder serial numbers, to build a route of utility meters that have been reported as having been stolen. When each mobile collection device's daily routes are prepared, the route of stolen utility meters is added to the other routes for which the mobile collection device is ordinarily tasked with collecting meter read data. As the mobile collection device traverses its daily routes, it collects meter read data for the stolen utility meters along with the meter read data for its other routes. The route of stolen utility meters is unloaded from the mobile collection device along with the other daily routes when the read process is finished. The route of stolen utility meters may contain information that may assist the utility company in locating the stolen utility meters.

Abstract: Novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect pyrokinin neuropeptide family which possess biological activity mimicking that of the naturally occurring neuropeptides are disclosed. By addition of a hydrophobic moiety to an active portion of the pyrokinin peptides, analogs are produced which exhibit an overall amphiphilic nature and which are capable of penetrating the insect cuticle while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting the reproductive, developmental, and/or digestive processes normally regulated by pryrokinins in insects.

Abstract: Novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect kinin neuropeptide family which possess biological activity mimicking that of the naturally occurring neuropeptides are disclosed. By substituting a sterically hindered amino acid which is compatible with a turn conformation, for the Xaa.sup.2 amino acid of the insect kinin C-terminal pentapeptide (i.e. Ser, Pro, or Ala), analogs are produced which exhibit resistance to degradation by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting the diuretic and/or myotropic activity in insects.