초록 ▼

An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors is provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless

An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors is provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless mesh communications network characterized by having a varying frequency mode of operation. The system also includes a host computer in communication with the meter data collectors either directly or through multiple field host data collectors, which can be connected to the host computer through a wide area network. The system also includes a meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer adapted to manage the mesh communication network that is adapted to vary the frequency mode of at least portions of the mesh communication network between a fixed frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to enhance network performance.

대표청구항 ▼

That claimed is: 1. An automated meter reading network system comprising: a plurality of utility meters each located at a separate customer site; a plurality of sensors each interfaced with and positioned adjacent a separate one of the plurality of utility meters to thereby sense utility usage data

That claimed is: 1. An automated meter reading network system comprising: a plurality of utility meters each located at a separate customer site; a plurality of sensors each interfaced with and positioned adjacent a separate one of the plurality of utility meters to thereby sense utility usage data from each of the plurality of utility meters; a plurality of meter data collectors each positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of utility meters and in communication with at least one of the plurality of sensors interfaced with the separate one of the plurality of utility meters to collect the utility usage data from each of the plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of meter data collectors including a radio frequency telemetry module to transmit the utility usage data and also positioned in radio frequency communication with at least one other of the plurality of meter data collectors; a plurality of field host data collectors each positioned spaced apart from the other ones of the plurality of field host data collectors and each in radio frequency communication with a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors to request and collect utility usage data from the plurality of meter data collectors, and each of the plurality of field host data collectors having a memory to store the collected utility usage data, a combination of the plurality of field host data collectors and the plurality of meter data collectors at least partially in cross-radio frequency communication to thereby define a mesh communication network having a radio frequency mode, each of the plurality of field host data collectors and the plurality of meter data collectors defining a communication node in the mesh communication network, each one of the plurality of communication nodes adapted to communicate with other ones of the plurality of communication nodes in the mesh communication network to thereby reduce line-of-site communication problems between each of the plurality of communication nodes; a host computer positioned remote from the plurality of field host data collectors and the plurality of meter data collectors, in communication with each of the plurality of field host data collectors and each of the plurality of meter data collectors to provide instructions thereto, and in communication with the plurality of field host data collectors to request and receive the utility usage data and having a memory to store and process the collected utility usage data; and meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer comprising a set of instructions adapted to manage the mesh communication network, and adapted to vary the radio frequency mode between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode, to thereby enhance mesh communication network performance, the fixed radio frequency mode selected to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference, the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode selected to circumvent substantial network interference when encountering substantial network interference. 2. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 1, wherein the collected utility usage data for each of the plurality of meter data collectors is stored in a database of utility usage readings defining a consumption file, and wherein the utility usage data is stored in the consumption file in batch format by the plurality of field host data collectors to enhance utility usage data processing and customer billing. 3. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 1, wherein the meter data collector program product is adapted to detect and recognize utility electric power interruption through at least one of analyzing the utility electric power usage data and detecting an interruption in transmission of electric utility meter usage data, to thereby provide electric utility managers near real-time customer outage data and to thereby negate customer outage reporting requirements. 4. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 1, wherein the meter data collector program product is adapted to detect utility water leakage, a continuous leak indicated by detection of water flow in approximately 100% of sampled utility meter data intervals. 5. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 1, wherein the meter data collector program product is adapted to populate an interactive customer web page with meter near real-time data, responsive to receipt by the host computer of respective near real-time customer usage data, the customer web page providing the customer near real-time feedback on current energy usage and near real-time utility meter-read verification, to thereby reduce billing disputes and customer service overhead costs. 6. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 1, wherein a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors includes an internal power module adapted to connect directly to a tap in associated electric utility meter; wherein electric power for the subset of the plurality of meter data collectors is obtained by connecting the internal power module to the associated electric utility meter; and wherein the meter data collector program product provides tamper detection to the subset of the plurality of meter data collectors by detecting loss of power to each respective meter data collector. 7. An automated meter reading network system comprising: a plurality of sensors each interfaced with and positioned adjacent a separate one of a plurality of utility meters positioned at a customer site to thereby sense utility usage data from each of the plurality of utility meters; a plurality of meter data collectors each in communication with at least one of the plurality of sensors to collect the utility usage data, each including a radio frequency telemetry module to transmit the utility usage data, and each one of the plurality of meter data collectors positioned spaced apart from and in cross-radio frequency communication with a subset of the other ones of the plurality of meter data collectors to thereby define a mesh communication network having a radio frequency mode; a host computer positioned remote from and in communication with the plurality of meter data collectors to receive the utility usage data and having a memory to store and process the utility usage data; and meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer comprising a set of instructions adapted to manage the mesh communication network, and adapted to vary the radio frequency mode of at least portions of the mesh communication network between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode, to thereby enhance mesh communication network performance, the fixed radio frequency mode selected to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference, the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode selected to circumvent substantial network interference when encountering substantial network interference. 8. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of field host data collectors each one positioned spaced apart from the other ones of the plurality of field host data collectors and in radio frequency communication with a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors to collect utility usage data from the plurality of meter data collectors, and each one of the plurality of field host data collectors having a memory to store collected utility usage data therein, a combination of the plurality of field host data collectors and the plurality of meter data collectors at least partially in cross-radio frequency communication to thereby further define the mesh communication network and to thereby reduce line-of-site communication problems between each of the plurality of meter data collectors and the host computer. 9. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, wherein a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors each include an output relay to provide at least one of the following: remote disconnect of an associated utility and utility load curtailment control. 10. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, wherein a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors each include an output relay to provide at least one of the following: remote disconnect of an associated utility and utility load curtailment control, to thereby enhance customer energy management. 11. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, wherein a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors includes an internal power module adapted to connect directly to a tap in an associated electric utility meter; wherein electric power for the subset of the plurality of meter data collectors is obtained by connecting the internal power module to the associated electric utility meter; and wherein the meter data collector program product provides tamper detection to the subset of the plurality of meter data collectors by detecting loss of power to each respective meter data collector. 12. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, wherein the meter data collector program product is adapted to detect and recognize utility electric power interruption through at least one of analyzing the utility electric power usage data and detecting an interruption in transmission of electric utility meter usage data, to thereby provide electric utility managers near real-time customer outage data, and to thereby negate customer outage reporting requirements. 13. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, wherein the meter data collector program product is adapted to detect utility water leakage, a continuous leak indicated by detection of water flow in approximately 100% of sampled utility meter data intervals. 14. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 7, wherein the meter data collector program product is adapted to populate an interactive customer web page with meter near real-time data, responsive to receipt by the host computer of respective near real-time customer usage data, the customer web page providing the customer near real-time feedback on current energy usage and near real-time utility meter-read verification, to thereby reduce billing disputes and customer service overhead costs. 15. An automated meter reading network system as defined in claim 8, wherein the collected utility usage data for a subset of the plurality of meter data collectors is stored by at least one of the plurality of field host data collectors in an associated database of utility usage readings defining a consumption file, and wherein the utility usage data is stored in the consumption file in batch format by the at least one of the plurality of field host data collectors to enhance utility usage data processing and customer billing. 16. A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data defining a field host data collector, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the field host data collector, cause the field host data collector to perform the following operations: receiving collected utility usage data from a plurality of meter data collectors each positioned adjacent at least one of a plurality of utility meters, the plurality of meter data collectors forming a mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode adapted to vary between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode; sending instructions to the plurality of meter data collectors to enter the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to circumvent substantial network interference in response to encountering substantial network interference; storing the collected utility usage data for each of the plurality of meter data collectors in a database of utility usage readings defining a consumption file associated with the plurality of meter data collectors and located in memory of the field host data collector; and sending the consumption file from the field host data collector to a host computer to thereby store and process the collected utility usage data. 17. A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operation: receiving an indication of interference in a mesh communication network; and sending instructions to a plurality of meter data collectors to vary a radio frequency mode of the mesh communication network between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to enhance mesh communication network performance, the instructions to select the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode when substantial network interference is detected, the instructions to select the fixed radio frequency mode to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when no longer encountering substantial network interference. 18. A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations: sending instructions to a plurality of meter data collectors to thereby switch a radio frequency mode of at least a portion of a mesh communication network from a fixed frequency mode having a first frequency to a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode having a plurality of the preselected frequencies in response to detection of network interference from a narrow-band noise signal; determining a second frequency not affected by the narrow-band noise signal in response to the frequency hopping; and sending instructions to the plurality of meter data collectors to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of the at least a portion of the network from the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to the fixed frequency mode, the fixed frequency mode utilizing the determined second frequency. 19. A computer readable medium that is readable by a host computer collecting utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters having utility meter sensors in communication with a first plurality of communication nodes forming a mesh communication network having a variable frequency mode, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the host computer, cause the host computer to perform the following operations: polling the first plurality of communication nodes in the mesh communication network to determine a strength of communication signal between the host computer and each of a second plurality of communication nodes, each of the first plurality of communication nodes also adapted to communicate with each other in response to the polling to thereby determine a strength of the communication signals between each one of the first plurality of communications nodes and another one of the first plurality of communication nodes, each of the first plurality of communication nodes also adapted to transmit utility meter usage data; determining an existence of substantial network interference indicated by an intermittent signal between adjacent nodes; and sending instructions to the first plurality of communication nodes to vary the radio frequency mode between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode in response to signal strength determination between nodes to thereby enhance mesh communication network performance, the fixed radio frequency mode selected to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference, the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode selected to circumvent substantial network interference when encountering substantial network interference. 20. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 19, further comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the host computer, cause the host computer to perform the following operations: sending instructions to the first plurality of communication nodes to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of at least a portion of the network from a fixed frequency mode having a first frequency to a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode having a plurality of the preselected frequencies in response to detection of network interference from a narrow-band noise signal; determining a second frequency not affected by the narrow-band noise signal in response to the frequency hopping; and sending instructions to the first plurality of communication nodes to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of the at least a portion of the network from the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to the fixed frequency mode, the fixed frequency mode utilizing the determined second frequency. 21. A computer readable medium that is readable by a host computer collecting utility usage data, positioned remote from a plurality of meter data collectors, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the host computer, cause the host computer to perform the following operations: requesting utility usage data from each of a plurality of meter data collectors forming a mesh communication network, each meter data collector positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of utility meters to collect utility usage data therefrom, the mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode adapted to vary between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode; receiving a strength of a communication signal between each of the plurality of meter data collectors; determining a preferred polling sequence route in response to the strength of a communication signal between the each of the plurality of meter data collectors to thereby form a preferred communication sequence path; providing instructions to the plurality of meter data collectors to vary the radio frequency mode between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode in response to detection of substantial network interference along the preferred polling sequence route to enhance mesh communication network performance, the instructions to select the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to circumvent substantial network interference when encountering substantial network interference, instructions to select the fixed radio frequency mode to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference; polling each of the plurality of meter data collectors with the preferred polling sequence; and receiving utility usage data from each of the plurality of meter data collectors along the preferred polling sequence route in response to the polling. 22. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 21, wherein the operations of polling and determining are periodically performed to update the preferred polling sequence route over time, the preferred communication sequence path maximizing a number of meter data collectors in the communications path. 23. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 21, further comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the host computer, cause the host computer to perform the following operations: providing instructions to the plurality of meter data collectors to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of at least a portion of the network from a fixed frequency mode having a first frequency to a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode having a plurality of the preselected frequencies in response to detection of network interference from a narrow-band noise signal; determining a second frequency not affected by the narrow-band noise signal, in response to the frequency hopping; and providing instructions to the plurality of meter data collectors to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of the at least a portion of the network from the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to the fixed frequency mode, the fixed frequency mode utilizing the determined second frequency. 24. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 21, wherein the host computer is a first computer in communication with a second computer positioned to form a network communication node defining a field host data collector, and wherein the computer readable medium further comprises a set of instructions that, when executed by the field host data collector, cause the field host data collector to perform the following operations: receiving collected utility usage data from the plurality of meter data collectors; storing the collected utility usage data for each of the plurality of meter data collectors in a database of utility usage readings associated with the plurality of meter data collectors and located in memory of the field host data collector to define a consumption file, the utility usage data stored in batch format in the consumption file to enhance utility usage data processing and customer billing; and sending the consumption file from the field host data collector to the host computer to thereby store and batch process the collected utility usage data. 25. A computer readable medium that is readable by a host computer collecting utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters having utility meter sensors in communication with a plurality of communication nodes forming a mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations: determining a communication sequence to each of the plurality of communication nodes in response to a determined strength of a communication signal between each of the plurality of communication nodes to define a preferred communication sequence path from the host computer to each of the plurality of communication nodes; and providing instructions to the plurality of communication nodes to thereby vary the radio frequency mode of the network between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode in response to detection of substantial network interference along the preferred communication sequence path to enhance mesh communication network performance, the fixed radio frequency mode selected to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference, the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode selected to circumvent substantial network interference when encountering substantial network interference. 26. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 25, further comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations: updating the preferred communication sequence path to allow the preferred communication sequence path to vary over time, the preferred communication sequence path maximizing a number of communication nodes in the communications path for at least a portion of the mesh indication network. 27. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 25, further comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations: providing instructions to the plurality of communication nodes to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of at least a portion of the network from a fixed frequency mode having a first frequency to a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode having a plurality of the preselected frequencies in response to detection of network interference from a narrow-band noise signal along the preferred communication sequence path; determining a second frequency not affected by the narrow-band noise signal, in response to the frequency hopping; and providing instructions to the plurality of communication nodes to thereby switch the radio frequency mode of the at least a portion of the network from the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to the fixed frequency mode, the fixed frequency mode utilizing the determined second frequency. 28. A computer readable medium that is readable by a computer collecting utility usage data, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the following operations: initiating polling of a first plurality of communication nodes in a mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode adapted to vary between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode, each of the plurality of communication nodes individually attempted to be polled to thereby determine a strength of communication signal between a host computer and each of a second plurality of communication nodes, each of the first plurality of communication nodes also attempting to communicate with each other in response to initiating polling to thereby determine a strength of communication signal between each one of the first plurality of communications nodes and another one of the first plurality of communication nodes; determining a communication sequence to each of the first plurality of communication nodes in response to the determined strength of the communication signal between the host computer and each of the second plurality of communication nodes and the determined strength of the communication signal between each one of the first plurality of communication nodes and another one of the first plurality of communication nodes to define a preferred communication sequence path from the host computer to each of the first plurality of communication nodes; periodically performing polling and determining to update the preferred polling sequence path over time, the preferred communication sequence path maximizing a number of communication nodes in the communications path for at least a portion of the mesh communication network; and providing instructions to the plurality of communication nodes to vary the radio frequency mode between the fixed radio frequency mode and the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode in response to detection of substantial network interference along the preferred polling sequence path to enhance mesh communication network performance, the instructions to select the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to circumvent substantial network interference when encountering substantial network interference, instructions to select the fixed radio frequency mode to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference. 29. A method of collecting utility usage data from a plurality of utility meters having utility meter sensors in communication with a plurality of communication nodes forming a mesh communication network having a variable radio frequency mode, the method comprising the steps of: determining a communication sequence to each of the plurality of communication nodes in response to a determined strength of communication signals between each of the plurality of communication nodes to define a preferred communication sequence path from the host computer to each of the plurality of communication nodes; and varying the radio frequency mode of the network between a fixed radio frequency mode and a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode, to enhance mesh communication network performance, the fixed radio frequency mode is selected to provide message broadcasting across at least portions of the network when not encountering substantial network interference, the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode is selected to circumvent substantial network interference when substantial network interference is detected. 30. A method as defined in claim 29 further comprising the steps of: updating the preferred communication sequence path to allow the preferred communication sequence path to vary over time, the preferred communication sequence path maximizing a number of communication nodes in the communications path for at least a portion of the mesh indication network. 31. A method as defined in claim 29, further comprising the steps of: switching the radio frequency mode of at least a portion of the network from a fixed frequency mode having a first frequency to a frequency hopping spread spectrum mode having a plurality of the preselected frequencies, in response to detection of network interference from a narrow-band noise signal; determining a second frequency not affected by the narrow-band noise signal, in response to the frequency hopping; and switching the radio frequency mode of the at least a portion of the network from the frequency hopping spread spectrum mode to the fixed frequency mode, the fixed frequency mode utilizing the determined second frequency.