초록 ▼

A reader (1) for a utility meter is disclosed. The reader (1) is capable of receiving data, in a variety different communication protocols, by either inductive coupling or by radio frequency transmission. The reader (1) is a hand-held device which comprises an inductive read nozzle (2), a RF module,

A reader (1) for a utility meter is disclosed. The reader (1) is capable of receiving data, in a variety different communication protocols, by either inductive coupling or by radio frequency transmission. The reader (1) is a hand-held device which comprises an inductive read nozzle (2), a RF module, a display (4), a keypad (5), a trigger switch (6), a handle (7), a communication port (8), a battery charging interface (9), a memory and a microprocessor. The reader (1) is capable of storing utility usage data in memory and/or downloading utility usage data to a computer through the communication port (8).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for reading a utility meter, comprising: means for receiving data by radio frequency transmission from a utility meter; means for inductively receiving data from the meter; and means for switching between the means for receiving data by radio frequency tran

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for reading a utility meter, comprising: means for receiving data by radio frequency transmission from a utility meter; means for inductively receiving data from the meter; and means for switching between the means for receiving data by radio frequency transmission and means for inductively receiving data, wherein the switching means includes: a programmed reading route; and software configured to switch between the means for receiving data by radio frequency transmission and means for inductively receiving data according to the pre-programmed reading route. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the utility meter includes a water meter. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising keypad for entering data representative of meter readings. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of meter readings. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data display for displaying data from a meter reading. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communications port for communicating with an external computer. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an RF module for transmitting a signal which causes utility meters operably proximate the RF module to begin transmitting data. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 10. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a keypad for entering data representative of meter readings. 11. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of meter readings. 12. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of meter readings. 13. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a data display for displaying data from a meter reading. 14. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a data display for displaying data from a meter reading. 15. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a data display for displaying data from a meter reading. 16. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a communications port for communicating with an external computer. 17. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a communications port for communicating with an external computer. 18. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a communications port for communicating with an external computer. 19. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a communications port for communicating with an external computer. 20. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an RF module for transmitting a signal which causes utility meters operably proximate the RF module to begin transmitting data. 21. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an RF module for transmitting a signal which causes utility meters operably proximate the RF module to begin transmitting data. 22. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an RF module for transmitting a signal which causes utility meters operably proximate the RF module to begin transmitting data. 23. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an RF module for transmitting a signal which causes utility meters operably proximate the RF module to begin transmitting data. 24. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an RF module for transmitting a signal which causes utility meters operably proximate the RF module to begin transmitting data. 25. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 26. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 27. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 28. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 29. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 30. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an RF module for interrogating a predetermined utility meter by transmitting a signal which includes an identification number for the predetermined utility meter. 31. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 32. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 33. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 34. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 35. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 36. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 37. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an RF module for providing an RF link to an external computer for downloading readings to the external computer. 38. An apparatus for reading a utility meter, comprising: a RF receiver configured for receiving a data transmission from a utility meter; an inductive component configured for inductively receiving data from a utility meter; a processor electrically associated with said RF receiver and said inductive component; a memory electrically associated with said processor, said memory configured to store reading route data; a power source electrically associated with at least one of said processor, said RF receiver, said inductive component and said memory; and wherein said processor is configured to select one of (a) said RF receiver and (b) said inductive component based on said reading route data. 39. An apparatus for reading a utility meter as in claim 38, wherein said reading route data includes expected reading data and wherein said processor is further configured to issue a tamper warning based on a comparison between newly received meter data and said expected reading data. 40. An apparatus for reading a utility meter as in claim 38, further comprising a communication port configured for at least one of (a) downloading data from the apparatus to external digital device, (b) transferring data to said apparatus from a external digital device, (c) reprogramming said apparatus, and (d) upgrading firmware. 41. An apparatus for reading a utility meter as in claim 38, further comprising a visual indicator for indicating the status of a data transfer. 42. An apparatus for reading a utility meter as in claim 41, further comprising a sound generator for indicating the status of a data transfer. 43. An apparatus for reading a utility meter as in claim 38, further comprising a transmitter electrically associated with said processor, said transmitter configured for providing an RF link to an external digital device. 44. An apparatus for reading a utility meter as in claim 43, wherein said processor is further configured to automatically transfer meter data to an external device when the processor determines the amount of free storage capacity for said memory has reached a predefined value.