Patent ID: 8279080

Claim:
A remote water meter monitoring system comprising: a water meter body coupling a water supply source to a water customer; a flow meter contained within the water meter body that is configured to measure a bidirectional flow rate of water through the water meter; a power supply system including at least one battery, at least one capacitor, at least one rectifier circuit, and a power generator, wherein the power generator is powered by a flow of water through the water meter body; a controller communicatively coupled to the water meter body and power supply system; and at least one antenna connected to the controller; and wherein the controller is a microcontroller within a wireless mote; wherein the controller is coupled to the flow meter and configured to calculate water consumption based on signals received from the flow meter; and wherein the controller is configured to perform steps comprising: awaking from a sleep state; checking battery charge levels and adjusting a charging cycle in response to available power; preparing a data packet for transmitting water consumption data to a collector; listening for a routing beacon from a collector; transmitting the prepared data packet; resetting a timer; and returning to a sleep state.