公开(公告)号：US20180087943A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-29

申请号：US15714839

申请日：2017-09-25

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： George Iliev ,  Kenneth Charles Rigdon ,  Johann de Jager

IPC: G01F1/68

CPC classification number: G01F1/68 ,  G01D4/004 ,  G01F1/00 ,  G01F1/66 ,  G01F15/046 ,  G01F15/063 ,  G01F15/0755 ,  G05D7/06 ,  H04Q9/00 ,  H04Q2209/40 ,  H04Q2209/60 ,  Y02B90/242 ,  Y04S20/322

Abstract: Techniques for the design and operation of an efficient battery-powered meter are described herein. A metrology unit of the meter may be at least partially located in the gas flow of a pipe, and measures gas flow rate data according to a static flow sensor. The metrology unit calculates raw gas-volume data using at least the flow rate data as input. The metrology unit measures gas temperature to produce gas temperature data, and adjusts the raw gas-volume data, based at least in part on the gas temperature data, to produce corrected gas-volume data. The metrology unit accumulates the corrected gas-volume data over multiple minutes, hours or even days, and then sends the accumulated corrected gas-volume data to an index unit of the meter. By accumulating the data over time, fewer data transmissions are required. The index unit may send the accumulated the accumulated corrected gas-volume data to a utility server.

公开(公告)号：US09268391B2

公开(公告)日：2016-02-23

申请号：US13839223

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Johann de Jager

IPC: G06F1/32 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H02J9/00

CPC classification number: G06F1/3234 ,  H02J7/007 ,  H02J9/005

Abstract: A power management device is adapted to reduce power consumption, particularly in battery-powered applications such as within a node in a utility network (e.g., in a gas, water, or other utility application). In one example, a low-current voltage regulator provides power to a processor during low-power “sleep” states. A high-current voltage regulator provides power to the processor, metrology devices and/or a radio during “awake” states. A buck-boost device may provide power to a transmitter during radio frequency (RF) transmissions. A max device may determine a greater of voltages output by a battery and the buck-boost device, and use the higher to power the high-current voltage regulator. The power management device may include a state machine, which may include several states and operations to perform within each state. In one state, the processor enters a sleep state prior to recovery of battery voltage after a transmission state.

Abstract translation: 电力管理装置适于降低功率消耗，特别是在电池供电的应用中，例如在公用事业网络（例如在气体，水或其他实用应用中）的节点内。 在一个示例中，低电流电压调节器在低功率“睡眠”状态期间向处理器供电。 高电流电压调节器在“清醒”状态下为处理器，计量设备和/或无线电提供电力。 升压装置可以在射频（RF）传输期间向发射机提供电力。 最大装置可以确定由电池和降压 - 升压装置输出的较大的电压，并且使用较高的电压为高电流电压调节器供电。 电源管理设备可以包括状态机，其可以包括在每个状态内执行的几种状态和操作。 在一种状态下，在传输状态之后，处理器在恢复电池电压之前进入睡眠状态。

公开(公告)号：US11356944B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US15984559

申请日：2018-05-21

Applicant: ITRON, INC.

Inventor： Johann de Jager ,  Christopher Lloyd Osterloh

IPC: H04W52/02 ,  H04W88/06

Abstract: A data collection device capable of communicating with an endpoint device over a network comprises a first communication means for low data rate messaging, a second communication means for high data rate messaging, and a controller configured to send a wake-up command including a request for data to the endpoint device at a low data rate via the first communication means, the wake-up command requiring the requested data to be transmitted at a high data rate, and receive the requested data from the endpoint device at the high data rate via the second communication means. When transmission via a high data rate is not required, data may be transmitted to the data collection device at the low data rate via the first communication means. The wake-up command may involve a regularly scheduled request for data, an unscheduled request for data, and/or an alarm event. Various methodologies are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20170171815A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-15

申请号：US14969137

申请日：2015-12-15

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Johann de Jager ,  Christopher Lloyd Osterloh

IPC: H04W52/02

CPC classification number: H04W52/0216 ,  H04W52/0274 ,  H04W88/06 ,  Y02D70/1262 ,  Y02D70/1264 ,  Y02D70/142 ,  Y02D70/146 ,  Y02D70/22 ,  Y02D70/26

Abstract: An endpoint device capable of communicating with a data collection device comprises a first communication subsystem for low data rate messaging, a second communication subsystem for high data rate messaging, and a controller in communication with the first and second communication subsystems, where the first communication subsystem may be used as a primary means of communications with the data collection device, and the second communication subsystem may be used as needed for high data rate communications with the data collection device. The controller may turn on the second communication subsystem for scheduled or unscheduled transfer of data at a high data rate, in response to receiving a wake-up command from the data collection device, in response to receiving an alarm event at the endpoint device, etc. A wake-up command may include a request for data between scheduled data transfers, a parameter change request, etc. Various methodologies are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US10533882B2

公开(公告)日：2020-01-14

申请号：US15714839

申请日：2017-09-25

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： George Iliev ,  Kenneth Charles Rigdon ,  Johann de Jager

IPC: G01F1/68 ,  G01F1/00 ,  G05D7/06 ,  H04Q9/00 ,  G01D4/00 ,  G01F15/04 ,  G01F15/06 ,  G01F1/66 ,  G01F15/075

Abstract: Techniques for the design and operation of an efficient battery-powered meter are described herein. A metrology unit of the meter may be at least partially located in the gas flow of a pipe, and measures gas flow rate data according to a static flow sensor. The metrology unit calculates raw gas-volume data using at least the flow rate data as input. The metrology unit measures gas temperature to produce gas temperature data, and adjusts the raw gas-volume data, based at least in part on the gas temperature data, to produce corrected gas-volume data. The metrology unit accumulates the corrected gas-volume data over multiple minutes, hours or even days, and then sends the accumulated corrected gas-volume data to an index unit of the meter. By accumulating the data over time, fewer data transmissions are required. The index unit may send the accumulated the accumulated corrected gas-volume data to a utility server.

公开(公告)号：US20180270755A1

公开(公告)日：2018-09-20

申请号：US15984559

申请日：2018-05-21

Applicant: ITRON, INC.

Inventor： Johann de Jager ,  Christopher Lloyd Osterloh

IPC: H04W52/02 ,  H04W88/06

CPC classification number: H04W52/0216 ,  H04W52/0274 ,  H04W88/06 ,  Y02D70/1262 ,  Y02D70/1264 ,  Y02D70/142 ,  Y02D70/146 ,  Y02D70/22 ,  Y02D70/26

Abstract: A data collection device capable of communicating with an endpoint device over a network comprises a first communication means for low data rate messaging, a second communication means for high data rate messaging, and a controller configured to send a wake-up command including a request for data to the endpoint device at a low data rate via the first communication means, the wake-up command requiring the requested data to be transmitted at a high data rate, and receive the requested data from the endpoint device at the high data rate via the second communication means. When transmission via a high data rate is not required, data may be transmitted to the data collection device at the low data rate via the first communication means. The wake-up command may involve a regularly scheduled request for data, an unscheduled request for data, and/or an alarm event. Various methodologies are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US09980222B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-22

申请号：US14969137

申请日：2015-12-15

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Johann de Jager ,  Christopher Lloyd Osterloh

IPC: G08C17/00 ,  H04W52/02 ,  H04W88/06

CPC classification number: H04W52/0216 ,  H04W52/0274 ,  H04W88/06 ,  Y02D70/1262 ,  Y02D70/1264 ,  Y02D70/142 ,  Y02D70/146 ,  Y02D70/22 ,  Y02D70/26

Abstract: An endpoint device capable of communicating with a data collection device comprises a first communication subsystem for low data rate messaging, a second communication subsystem for high data rate messaging, and a controller in communication with the first and second communication subsystems, where the first communication subsystem may be used as a primary means of communications with the data collection device, and the second communication subsystem may be used as needed for high data rate communications with the data collection device. The controller may turn on the second communication subsystem for scheduled or unscheduled transfer of data at a high data rate, in response to receiving a wake-up command from the data collection device, in response to receiving an alarm event at the endpoint device, etc. A wake-up command may include a request for data between scheduled data transfers, a parameter change request, etc. Various methodologies are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20140281624A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13839223

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: ITRON, INC.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Johann de Jager

IPC: G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G06F1/3234 ,  H02J7/007 ,  H02J9/005

Abstract: A power management device is adapted to reduce power consumption, particularly in battery-powered applications such as within a node in a utility network (e.g., in a gas, water, or other utility application). In one example, a low-current voltage regulator provides power to a processor during low-power “sleep” states. A high-current voltage regulator provides power to the processor, metrology devices and/or a radio during “awake” states. A buck-boost device may provide power to a transmitter during radio frequency (RF) transmissions. A max device may determine a greater of voltages output by a battery and the buck-boost device, and use the higher to power the high-current voltage regulator. The power management device may include a state machine, which may include several states and operations to perform within each state. In one state, the processor enters a sleep state prior to recovery of battery voltage after a transmission state.

Abstract translation: 电力管理装置适于降低功率消耗，特别是在电池供电的应用中，例如在公用事业网络（例如在气体，水或其他实用应用中）的节点内。 在一个示例中，低电流电压调节器在低功率“睡眠”状态期间向处理器供电。 高电流电压调节器在“清醒”状态下为处理器，计量设备和/或无线电提供电力。 降压 - 升压装置可以在射频（RF）传输期间向发射机提供电力。 最大装置可以确定由电池和降压 - 升压装置输出的较大的电压，并且使用较高的电压为高电流电压调节器供电。 电源管理设备可以包括状态机，其可以包括在每个状态内执行的几种状态和操作。 在一种状态下，在传输状态之后，处理器在恢复电池电压之前进入睡眠状态。