Airborne Data Collection

Abstract

A meter reading system for communicating with Automated Meter Reading meters. The system includes an airborne platform and a meter data collection system disposed on the airborne platform. The meter data collection system includes antennas, with each of the antennas pointing in a different direction, one from another, and each antenna generally pointing downward when the airborne platform is airborne. The antennas receive meter data from the meters. The meter data collection system also includes transceivers, one each of the transceivers associated with and in signal communication with one each of the antennas. The transceivers receive the meter data through the antennas. A first computer is in signal communication with the transceivers and receives the meter data from the transceivers.

1 . A method for reading Automated Meter Reading meters within a geographical area, the method comprising:
 flying an airborne platform over the geographical area, and   receiving meter data from the meters with a plurality of antennas disposed on the airborne platform.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting a visual display of a terrain above which the airborne platform is traveling, with indications on the display of a set of meters to be read, where the indications for those meters that have been read are presented with a first formatting and the indications for those meters that have not been read are presented with a second formatting that is different from the first formatting. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of flying the airborne platform further comprises flying the airborne platform at an altitude of up to about five thousand feet above the geographical area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of flying the airborne platform further comprises flying the airborne platform at a speed of up to about two hundred miles per hour. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of flying the airborne platform further comprises flying the airborne platform in a grid pattern covering the geographical area until all of the meters have been read. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving information, in regard to a set of meters to be read, into a first computer on the airborne platform from a second ground-based computer before flying the airborne platform, and   sending the information and meter data that has been read, from the first computer to the second computer after landing the airborne platform.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the meter data includes at least one of a meter reading, a meter identification, a meter type, a date stamp, a time stamp, a date when last read, a time when last read, handshake protocols, and a status indication. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the antennas to produce beam footprints with no significant gap between them and with no significant overlap between them.