IP Library Granted Patent US 8,374,228
Granted Patent B2
US 8,374,228 · App. 12/340,272 · Granted Feb 12, 2013

Geographic locating remote endpoint monitor device, system, and methodology thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,374,228
App. No.
12/340,272
Granted
Feb 12, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A remote endpoint monitor device includes a remote endpoint device including a meter, a position locator, a frequency selector, and a communication unit. The meter is configured to measure a service parameter to provide a measured service parameter value. The position locator is configured to determine a position of the remote endpoint device. The frequency selector is configured to select a transmission frequency device based on the determined position. The transmitter is configured to transmit service information data including the service parameter value at the transmission frequency selected by the frequency selector. A method of a remote endpoint monitor device includes measuring a service parameter, determining a position of the remote endpoint device, selecting a transmission frequency of the remote end point device, and transmitting service information data at the transmission frequency. Thus, the remote endpoint monitor device is capable of handling an automatic frequency switchover without direction provided externally.

Claims (44)

1. A monitoring system, comprising:

a remote endpoint device including

a meter that measures a parameter and prepares endpoint information based on the measured parameter,

a position locator configured to determine a position of the remote endpoint device,

a frequency selector configured to select a transmission frequency of the remote endpoint device based on the position determined by the position locator, and

a transmitter configured to transmit the endpoint information at the transmission frequency selected by the frequency selector; and

a base station configured to receive the endpoint information transmitted by the transmitter and to transmit the received endpoint information to a communication network,

wherein the endpoint information includes a present value of the measured parameter and a data field showing changes since a previous time when the parameter was measured.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication network includes a wide area network (WAN) or a local area network (LAN).

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein

the frequency selector includes a database including geographic locations associated with geographic boundaries that separate different operating areas of communication governed by a licensing body or license agreements.

4. The monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the transmitter is further configured to transmit the endpoint information separated by a pseudo-random amount of time.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the meter includes a water, gas, or electric utility meter; and the endpoint information includes a utility parameter measured by one of the utility meters.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the endpoint information includes a number of difference terms providing a history of the measured parameter; and

the number of difference terms is based on a system requirement.

7. A remote endpoint device, comprising:

a meter that measures a parameter and prepares endpoint information based on the measured parameter,

wherein the end point information includes a present value of the measured parameter and a data field showing changes since a previous time when the parameter was measured;

a position locator configured to determine a position of the remote endpoint device;

a frequency selector configured to select a transmission frequency of the remote endpoint device based on the position determined by the position locator; and

a transmitter configured to transmit endpoint information at the transmission frequency selected by the frequency selector.

8. The remote endpoint device according to claim 7 , wherein

the frequency selector includes a database including geographic locations associated with geographic boundaries that separate different operating areas of communication governed by a licensing body or license agreements.

9. The remote endpoint device according to claim 7 , wherein:

the transmitter is further configured to transmit the endpoint information separated by a pseudo-random time interval.

10. The device according to claim 7 , wherein:

the meter includes a water, gas, or electric utility meter; and

the endpoint information includes a utility parameter measured by one of the utility meters.

11. The device according to claim 7 , wherein:

the endpoint information includes a number of difference terms providing a history of the measured parameter; and

the number of difference terms is based on a system requirement.

12. A method of transmitting information, comprising:

measuring a parameter;

preparing endpoint information based on the measured parameter, the endpoint information including a present value of the measured parameter and a data field showing changes since a previous time when the parameter was measured;

determining a position of a remote endpoint device;

selecting a transmission frequency of the remote endpoint device based on the position determined by the determining; and

transmitting the endpoint information at the transmission frequency selected by the selecting.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the remote endpoint device includes a water, gas, or electric utility meter, the method further comprising:

transmitting the endpoint information including a utility parameter measured by one of the utility meters.

14. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:

transmitting the endpoint information to including a number of difference terms providing a history of the measured parameter, wherein the number of difference terms is based on a system requirement.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 19, 2016
From: SENSUS USA INC.; SENSUS WORLDWIDE LIMITED; SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC; SMITH-BLAIR, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038474/0337 →
RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 19, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SENSUS USA INC.; SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC; SMITH-BLAIR, INC.
Reel/Frame 038474/0418 →
RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 19, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SENSUS USA INC.; SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC; SMITH-BLAIR, INC.
Reel/Frame 038474/0258 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 20, 2014
From: M&FC HOLDING, LLC
To: SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC
Reel/Frame 032945/0823 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2011
From: SENSUS USA INC.; M&FC HOLDING LLC (N/K/A SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC)
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026429/0896 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 12, 2011
From: SENSUS USA INC.; M&FC HOLDING LLC (N/K/A SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC)
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026429/0487 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2011
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (F/K/A CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON), AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: M&FC HOLDING, LLC (N/K/A SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC); SMITH BLAIR, INC.; INVENSYS METERING SYSTEMS--NORTH AMERICA INC. (TO BE RENAMED SENSUS METERING SYSTEMS--NORTH AMERICA INC.); SENSUS USA INC.; AXONN, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 026426/0431 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 4, 2009
From: SENSUS USA INC.; M&FC HOLDING, LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE
Reel/Frame 023196/0086 →