James P Barlow

US Patent:

54615585, Oct 24, 1995

Filed:

Apr 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/228764

Inventors:

Stelios J. Patsiokas - Plantation FL
Ronald L. Bane - Stone Mountain GA
James M. Barlow - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G05B 1101
G08C 1506
H04R 116

US Classification:

364145

Abstract:

A remote meter reading system (10) includes a group of meter interface units in which each meter interface unit (12) operates between periods of activity and inactivity. The meter interface unit has stored first (400) and second (500) operational schedules, and a third schedule (600) which is used to determine whether to use the first (400) or second (500) schedule. The first (400) and second (500) schedules inform controller (26) when to provide a control signal to power control circuit (27) in order to stop the flow of battery energy from battery (25) to communication unit (24). Thereby, conserving valuable battery energy during those periods of time when the meter interface unit (12) is not likely to be interrogated by meter reading device (15).