초록 ▼

A system of multiple remote meter interfaces (RMI)s and multiple base stations. Each base station concentrates meter reading information received from several RMIs and passes the concentrated information up through a wide area network to a central office. Each RMI may be field installed to communica

A system of multiple remote meter interfaces (RMI)s and multiple base stations. Each base station concentrates meter reading information received from several RMIs and passes the concentrated information up through a wide area network to a central office. Each RMI may be field installed to communicate with only one base station. Each base station maintains an identification (ID) list having its own base station ID and the RMI IDs for the RMIs with which the base station is enabled to communicate. To install or reinstall a particular RMI without communicating with the central office, a field installer tool operated by a field installation or repair person establishes communication with the base station using the base station ID, then directs the base station to add the RMI ID for the particular RMI to the ID list.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for field installation of a particular one of multiple remote interfaces to a particular one of multiple base stations, comprising steps of:transmitting an installation signal in one or more installation signal bursts, said installation signal including a base st

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for field installation of a particular one of multiple remote interfaces to a particular one of multiple base stations, comprising steps of:transmitting an installation signal in one or more installation signal bursts, said installation signal including a base station identification (ID) corresponding to said particular base station and a particular remote interface ID corresponding to said particular remote interface, said particular base station programmed to recognize only certain recognizable remote interface IDs corresponding to certain recognizable ones of said multiple remote interfaces, respectively, and said base station ID;decoding signal energy for said installation signal at said particular base station;recognizing said base station ID in said installation signal; anddesignating said particular remote interface ID as one of said recognizable remote interface IDs for designating said particular remote interface as one of said recognizable remote interfaces, thereby enabling communication with said particular remote interface.