Distributed meter reading terminal
First Claim
1. A distributed meter reading system for use with multiple endpoints forming at least a portion of a utility distribution infrastructure, wherein each of the multiple endpoints collects information associated with at least consumption of a utility or other resource, the system comprising:
- a portable computing device including;
a processor;
an operating system executed by the processor;
an application configured for managing utility consumption information collected by the multiple endpoints, wherein the application accesses capabilities of the processor and executes in association with the operating system; and
a storage component for storing aspects of the managed information, wherein the storage component is coupled to the processor;
a portable interface device configured to operate independently of the portable computing device, the interface device including;
an endpoint communication component configured to communicate with at least some of the multiple endpoints in a vicinity of the interface device; and
at least one user interaction component; and
a short-range wireless link for establishing communication between the portable computing device and the interface device, wherein the portable computing device and the interface device are coupled exclusively via the wireless link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed meter reading terminal provides meter communication capabilities. For example, an operator may approach one or more meters with a portable first portion of a distributed meter reading apparatus. Communication is established between the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus and the one or more meters so that data can be collected from the one or more meters. Communication is then established between the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus and a second portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus, which may also be portable and which may include processing capabilities that allow for the management of collected data. The collected data is then transferred from the first portion to the second portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus. The first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus and the second portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus may otherwise operate independently.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A distributed meter reading system for use with multiple endpoints forming at least a portion of a utility distribution infrastructure, wherein each of the multiple endpoints collects information associated with at least consumption of a utility or other resource, the system comprising:
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a portable computing device including;
a processor;
an operating system executed by the processor;
an application configured for managing utility consumption information collected by the multiple endpoints, wherein the application accesses capabilities of the processor and executes in association with the operating system; and
a storage component for storing aspects of the managed information, wherein the storage component is coupled to the processor;
a portable interface device configured to operate independently of the portable computing device, the interface device including;
an endpoint communication component configured to communicate with at least some of the multiple endpoints in a vicinity of the interface device; and
at least one user interaction component; and
a short-range wireless link for establishing communication between the portable computing device and the interface device, wherein the portable computing device and the interface device are coupled exclusively via the wireless link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. At an interface device of a distributed meter reading system, a method for collecting information from endpoints of a utility distribution system, wherein each of the endpoints tracks the consumption of a utility or other resource, the method comprising:
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receiving an instruction to collect information from one or more endpoints;
collecting the information from the one or more endpoints in accordance with the instruction, wherein the collecting includes communicating with the one or more endpoints, and wherein the collecting is performed via a portable interface device; and
transmitting, via a communication link, the collected information to a portable computing device for processing, wherein the portable computing device and the interface device are coupled exclusively via the communication link, and wherein the interface device and the portable computing device otherwise operate a majority of their functions independently of each other. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for gathering and using information from meters in a utility distribution system, wherein each of the meters tracks the consumption of a utility or other resource over time, the method comprising:
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approaching one or more meters with a first portion of a distributed meter reading apparatus, wherein the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus is portable;
establishing communication between the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus and the one or more meters;
collecting data from the one or more meters using the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus;
establishing a communication between the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus and a second portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus, wherein the second portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus is portable, and includes processing capabilities that allow for the management of collected data; and
transferring the collected data to the second portion of a distributed meter reading apparatus, wherein the first portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus and the second portion of the distributed meter reading apparatus otherwise operate independently. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable medium containing a message for facilitating the collection of utility consumption data from one or more utility meters, the message comprising:
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first information identifying a first device capable of at least facilitating input and output with a user and with a second device;
second information identifying the second device including an operating system and computing capabilities, wherein the second device is remote to the first device and together with the first device forms a distributed meter communication entity; and
data facilitating a connection between the first device and the operating system of the second device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A distributed meter reading system comprising:
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at a portable first portion of a distributed apparatus;
means for receiving an instruction to collect information from one or more endpoints of a utility distribution system, wherein each of the one or more endpoints tracks the consumption of a utility or other resource;
means for collecting the information from the one or more endpoints in accordance with the instruction, wherein the collecting includes communicating with the one or more endpoints; and
means for communicating with a portable second portion of the distributed apparatus; and
at the second portion of the distributed apparatus;
means for communicating with the second portion of the distributed apparatus via a communication link between the first portion of the distributed apparatus and the second portion of the distributed apparatus;
means for receiving information collected by the first portion of the distributed apparatus; and
means for processing the received information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification