Reader for utility meter
View Patent ↗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 ).
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.