A METHOD AND APPARATUS HAVING TIME DEPENDENT SLEEP MODES

摘要

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).