PATENT OF THE WEEK – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING REMOTE DEVICES

The SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING REMOTE DEVICES was invented by Thomas David Petite and Richard M Huff on the 6th of September 2011, bearing patent number US8013732B2.

This present invention generally relates to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.