Patent ID: 8144027

Claim:
An automated wireless meter reading system, comprising: a camera unit adapted to be connected to a meter and with an image sensor positioned to take an image of a meter reading area, the image sensor normally operating in a sleep mode; a radio with the camera unit and configured to wirelessly transmit meter data from the camera, the radio constructed to wake up from time to time and send a request signal; a receiver unit constructed to wirelessly receive the meter data from the camera unit's radio and to send an acknowledge signal to the radio only when meter data is needed; a wide area connection with the receiver unit for communicating the meter data to a central location; a battery providing all power to operate the camera unit, image sensor, and the radio; and wherein the image sensor is powered only in response to the radio receiving the acknowledge signal and wherein the camera unit operates to provide the wireless meter readings from time to time for a period of more than two years prior to depletion of the battery.