RF meter reading system

Claim 2

A radio-frequency meter reading system, comprising: (a) a radio-frequency transmitter; (b) encoder means associated with said radio-frequency transmitter for collecting data from a meter; and (c) a bi-phase modulator means for modulating the data from said encoder means into an information signal which is transmitted by said radio-frequency transmitter, said information signal representing a first logical value of said data with a first logical level signal and a second logical value of said data with a second logical level signal and said information signal including a synch signal, a start signal, a message signal, and a verification signal; wherein said start signal comprises a signal which contains neither said first logical level signal nor said second logical level signal.

Claim 3

The radio-frequency meter reading system of claim 1, further comprising: (a) a radio-frequency receiver containing means for receiving said information signal from said radio-frequency transmitter; (b) means for decoding said information signal into said data; (c) means for identifying said start signal; and (d) means for verifying receipt of valid data from said radio-frequency transmitter.

Claim 4

The radio-frequency reading system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said encoding means comprises a microprocessor.

Claim 5

The radio-frequency reading system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first logical level signal has a first frequency, said second logical level signal has a second frequency, and said start signal is at a fixed value.

Claim 6

The radio-frequency reading system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said information signal is emitted at periodic intervals.

Claim 7

The radio-frequency reading system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said periodic intervals are at irregular intervals.

Claim 8

The radio-frequency reading system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter is battery powered.

Claim 9

The radio-frequency reading system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said verifying means performs a cyclic redundancy check on said data.

Claim 10

A radio-frequency receiver for receiving an information signal from each of a plurality of radio-frequency transmitters, comprising: (a) an antenna for detecting said information signal from each of said radio-frequency transmitters; (b) means for receiving said information signal and for synchronizing a decoding unit to a frequency of a synch signal contained within said information signal; (c) means for identifying a start signal within said information signal; and (d) said decoding unit for decoding said information signal into data; said information signal representing a first logical value of said data as a first logical level signal and a second logical value of said data as a second logical level signal; wherein said decoding unit determines that said information signal is from only one of said radio-frequency transmitters when said start signal is received without having either said first logical level signal or said second logical level signal.

Claim 11

A radio-frequency receiver for receiving an information signal from each of a plurality of radio-frequency transmitters, comprising: (a) an antenna for detecting said information signal from each of said radio-frequency transmitters; (b) means for receiving said information signal and for synchronizing a decoding unit to a frequency of a synch signal contained within said information signal; (c) means for identifying a start signal within said information signal; and (d) said decoding unit for decoding said information signal into data; said information signal representing a first logical value of said data as a first logical level signal and a second logical value of said data as a second logical level signal; wherein said decoding unit determines that said information signal is from only one of said radio-frequency transmitters when said start signal is received without having either said first logical level signal or said second logical level signal.

Claim 12

The radio-frequency receiver as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said radio-frequency transmitters are associated with a respective utility meter and said data decoded from said information signal indicates a reading of said utility meter.

Claim 13

The radio-frequency receiver as set forth in claim 9, wherein said decoding unit comprises a microprocessor.

Claim 14

The radio-frequency receiver as set forth in claim 9, further comprising means for receiving a verification signal and for verifying that said data is valid data based upon said verification signal.

Claim 15

The radio-frequency receiver as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a memory for storing said data from each of said radio-frequency transmitters.

Claim 16

The radio-frequency receiver as set forth in claim 9, wherein said receiving means automatically adjusts a gain of said information signal.

Claim 17

A radio-frequency meter transmitting apparatus, comprising: (a) a radio-frequency transmitting antenna; (b) encoder means associated with said radio-frequency transmitting antenna for collecting data from a meter; and (c) a bi-phase modulator means for modulating the data from said encoder means into an information signal which is transmitted from said radio-frequency transmitting antenna, said information signal representing a first logical value of said data with a first logical level signal and a second logical value of said data with a second logical level signal and said information signal including a synch signal, a start signal, a message signal, and a verification signal; wherein said start signal comprises a signal which contains neither said first logical level signal nor said second logical level signal.

Claim 18

A radio-frequency meter transmitting apparatus, comprising: (a) a radio-frequency transmitting antenna; (b) encoder means associated with said radio-frequency transmitting antenna for collecting data from a meter; and (c) a bi-phase modulator means for modulating the data from said encoder means into an information signal which is transmitted from said radio-frequency transmitting antenna, said information signal representing a first logical value of said data with a first logical level signal and a second logical value of said data with a second logical level signal and said information signal including a synch signal, a start signal, a message signal, and a verification signal; wherein said start signal comprises a signal which contains neither said first logical level signal nor said second logical level signal.