| abstract |
A hand-held meter reader for reading utility meters such as gas, water or electricity meters can receive data by radio frequency transmission from a meter and can also receive data inductively from a meter, thus allowing it to read many types of meter. The reader can communicate using a variety of protocols. The reader may automatically switch between radio and inductive reading. The reader may transmit a signal which causes all meters in range to transmit data in a time staggered manner, in turn according to ID number or according to a generated random number. The reader may interrogate selected meters by transmitting an identification number in the interrogation signal. An RF link to a computer for downloading data may also be provided. The computer may be in a vehicle and the meter reading route may be stored in the computer which then provides information on the next meter to be read to the reader. The route may alternatively be stored in the reader. |