초록 ▼

A network of fixed RF transmitter modules, an RF repeater module and an RF collector module are located within a multi-unit facility for collecting water usage data from a plurality of water meters associated with the units within the facility and for uploading to a central billing center. Each wate

A network of fixed RF transmitter modules, an RF repeater module and an RF collector module are located within a multi-unit facility for collecting water usage data from a plurality of water meters associated with the units within the facility and for uploading to a central billing center. Each water meter is coupled to a single RF transmitter module. Each RF transmitter module reads the water meter multiple times per day and transmits the data over a 418 MHZ carrier. One of a plurality of transceivers coupled to the RF repeater module receives the data and directs it to a storage medium in the RF repeater module. The RF repeater module temporarily holds the data and then repeats it on the RF carrier. The RF collector module receives the data through a transceiver coupled thereto. The data is stored in a storage medium of the RF collector module for retrieval by the central billing center.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An automatic system for collecting water usage data from a plurality of water meters and uploading the data to a central location, each of the plurality of water meters determining the water usage of a single water consuming unit, each meter having a unique meter ID, the automatic system comprisi

1. An automatic system for collecting water usage data from a plurality of water meters and uploading the data to a central location, each of the plurality of water meters determining the water usage of a single water consuming unit, each meter having a unique meter ID, the automatic system comprising:a) at least one RF transmitter electrically coupled to at least one water meter, the at least one RF transmitter comprising a power source, a first microcontroller, means for generating an RF carrier and means for transmitting the RF carrier, the first microcontroller addressing the at least one water meter, collecting the water usage data stored in the at least one water meter and encoding the water usage data for transmission over the RF carrier; and b) an RF collector proximally located to the at least one RF transmitter, the RF collector comprising a power source, a second microcontroller, means for receiving the RF carrier and means for communicating with the central location, the second microcontroller decoding the water usage data transmitted over the RF carrier, confirming that the collector is configured to receive the water usage data associated with a particular meter and storing the data in memory for retrieval by the central location.