Patent ID: 6246677
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: G01D,G08C,H02J,Y02B,Y02E,Y04S

Abstract:
An automatic meter reading data communication system for obtaining commodity utilization data from a commodity meter, said automatic meter reading data communication system comprising:an interface management unit removably attachable to the exterior of the commodity meter, the interface management unit including a sealed housing enclosing a digital encoder having an input positionable to obtain commodity utilization data from the commodity meter through the sealed housing, the interface management unit including software programmable to interpret the commodity utilization data based upon the type of commodity meter to which the interface management unit is attached;a gateway node located remotely from interface management unit and communicating with the interface management unit over a two-way wireless local area network; andwherein said gateway node communicates with a utility service provider over a two-way fixed common carrier wide area network.