Patent ID: 7930392
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: G01D,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method for collection of meter reading data at a data collection computer through a wide area network from at least one receiver communicating in a local area fixed network with a plurality of meter reading devices, the method comprising: addressing at least one receiver through a wide area network at a receiver network address, wherein the receiver communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices located within a geographic area served by a utility; receiving a data file through the wide area network from the receiver that includes meter data from a plurality of meter reading devices that have previously communicated with the receiver; reading a meter reading device identifier for each of the meter reading devices from the data file and automatically setting up a database including organizing the meter reading device identifier in the database in association with the receiver network address and in association with the meter data for each respective meter reading device; storing meter data from each of the meter reading devices in the database for retrieval by at least one of: a receiver address, the meter reading device identifier and a time and date of collection; and wherein setting up the database includes setting up a plurality of receiver records such that the data collector addresses each of a plurality of receivers at scheduled times, according to a reading schedule, and wherein the meter data is stored in the database by a time and date of collection.