Systems and methods for providing remote monitoring of electricity consumption for an electric meter
First Claim
1. A communication device adapted for use in an automated monitoring system for providing remote monitoring of commodity consumption, the automated monitoring system comprising a data controller in communication with a plurality of commodity meters via a wireless communication network and in communication with a host computer via a wide area network, the communication device comprising:
- a data interface configured to receive data related to the commodity consumption measured by the commodity meter;
memory comprising a unique identifier corresponding to the commodity meter;
logic configured to receive the data related to the commodity consumption measured by the commodity meter, retrieve the unique identifier corresponding to the commodity meter, and generate a transmit message comprising the unique identifier and the data related to the commodity consumption measured by the commodity meter and configured such that the transmit message may be received by the data controller via the wireless communication network and such that the data controller may identify the commodity meter;
a wireless transceiver configured for communication over the wireless communication network and configured to provide the transmit message to the wireless communication network and receive messages from the wireless communication network; and
logic configured to receive a transmit message from another communication device and retransmit the received transmit message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing remote monitoring of electricity consumption is provided. Briefly described, in one embodiment the system may comprise a plurality of electric meters, a plurality of communication devices having a unique address and defining a wireless communication network, and a site controller. Each of the plurality of electric meters may be configured to measure the electricity consumption of a load attached to the electric meter. Each of the plurality of communication devices may be associated with one of the plurality of electric meters and configured to receive data related to the electricity consumption of the electric meter data and generate a transmit message using a predefined communication protocol being implemented by the wireless communication network. The transmit message may comprise the unique identifier and the data related to the electricity consumption of the electric meter. The site controller may be configured for communication with the wireless communication network and configured to receive the transmit message from one of the plurality of communication devices, identify the electric meter associated with the transmit message, and provide information related to the transmit message to a wide area network for delivery to a host computer.
193 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A communication device adapted for use in an automated monitoring system for providing remote monitoring of commodity consumption, the automated monitoring system comprising a data controller in communication with a plurality of commodity meters via a wireless communication network and in communication with a host computer via a wide area network, the communication device comprising:
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a data interface configured to receive data related to the commodity consumption measured by the commodity meter;
memory comprising a unique identifier corresponding to the commodity meter;
logic configured to receive the data related to the commodity consumption measured by the commodity meter, retrieve the unique identifier corresponding to the commodity meter, and generate a transmit message comprising the unique identifier and the data related to the commodity consumption measured by the commodity meter and configured such that the transmit message may be received by the data controller via the wireless communication network and such that the data controller may identify the commodity meter;
a wireless transceiver configured for communication over the wireless communication network and configured to provide the transmit message to the wireless communication network and receive messages from the wireless communication network; and
logic configured to receive a transmit message from another communication device and retransmit the received transmit message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A communication device adapted for use in an automated monitoring system for providing remote monitoring of commodity consumption events, the automated monitoring system comprising a data controller in communication with a plurality of commodity meters via a wireless communication network and in communication with a host computer via a wide area network, the communication device comprising:
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a data interface configured to receive data related to the commodity consumption events detected by the commodity meter;
memory comprising a unique identifier corresponding to the commodity meter;
logic configured to receive the data related to the commodity consumption events detected by the commodity meter, retrieve the unique identifier corresponding to the commodity meter, and generate a transmit message using predetermined communication protocol, the transmit message including the unique identifier and the data related to the commodity consumption events detected by the commodity meter and configured such that the transmit message may be received by the data controller via the wireless communication network;
a wireless transceiver configured for communication over the wireless communication network and configured to provide the transmit message to the wireless communication network and receive messages from the wireless communication network; and
logic configured to receive a transmit message from another communication device and retransmit the received transmit message. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A site controller adapted for use in an automated monitoring system for providing remote monitoring of commodity consumption, the automated monitoring system comprising a site controller in communication with a plurality of communication devices coupled to commodity meters via a wireless communication network and in communication with a host computer via a wide area network, the site controller comprising:
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a processor configured to execute instructions;
memory comprising instructions executable by the processor related to remote monitoring of commodity consumption;
a wireless transceiver configured for communication over the wireless communication network and configured to receive one or more transmit messages repeated by one or more communication devices prior to receipt by the site controller, wherein the one or more transmit messages include commodity consumption measured by a commodity meter and a unique identifier corresponding to the communication device that originated the transmit message; and
logic contained in memory and executable by the processor to generate outbound messages to one or more recipient communication devices such that the route of communication includes one or more communication devices that repeat the outbound message to the recipient communication device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification