{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531311","patent":{"patent_number":"US-8531311","title":"Time-divided communications in a metering system","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2009-01-29T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2013-09-10T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G01D"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A method, system, and related apparatus for performing time-divided communications in a metering environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, an endpoint (e.g., ERT) is provided that implements a method for communicating messages with a remote device. Generally, the method includes causing the endpoint to transmit a standard meter reading message within a predefined frequency band. Then, after waiting a predetermined amount of time, a receiver on the endpoint is activated to listen for a message transmitted by the remote device. While the receiver on the endpoint is activated, the endpoint may receive a command from the remote device without being required to transmit an additional standard meter reading message."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Time-divided communications in a metering system","description":"A method, system, and related apparatus for performing time-divided communications in a metering environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, an endpoint (e.g., ERT) is provided that implements a met","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531311","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531311","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Time-divided communications in a metering system\" (US-8531311). https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531311","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531311","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-8531311","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T13:23:26.204Z"}