RECONFIGURABLE MOBILE MODE AND FIXED NETWORK MODE ENDPOINT METERS

摘要

A meter data collection system in which endpoint meters are reconfigurable to operate in either a mobile mode or a fixed network mode is disclosed herein. While operating in the mobile mode, the endpoint meters transmit their meter data to a mobile device such as a "walk by" or "drive by" data collection device. While operating in the fixed network mode, the endpoint meters communicate with each other and with a central node to form a fixed wireless network. The endpoint meters may include a transceiver that enables the endpoint meters to transmit and receive data to and from the mobile device or other nodes in the fixed wireless network. The endpoint meters can be quickly and easily transitioned from operation in the mobile mode to operation in the fixed network mode (or vice versa) without changes to the endpoint meter hardware and without substantial re-configuration of the endpoint meters.