Utilities and communication integrator
First Claim
1. A usage and data collection unit for data of electrical power service provided to at least one consumer, comprising:
- a sensor obtaining data including the amount of current flowing from a distribution transformer to the consumer for use;
a data accumulator storing electrical usage data for power service provided to the consumer from the distribution transformer;
a data transmitter transmitting stored electrical data readings to a data collection facility based on power service provided to the consumer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system measures electrical energy usage and combines the measured energy usage with other utility commodity usage for communication and data collection. The system is capable of metering electrical power utility services to residential homes and apartments or other users and combining electrical usage and other utility metering functions for utilities for multiple utility end users. The system thus integrates and communicates the results of utility usage, and eliminates the need for an individual electric metering device for each end user. The system serves as a single metering data collection point for multiple utilities and facilitates interactive communication technologies between the utility service delivery points and utility consumers or consumer devices. The system also includes a plurality of meter ports and a memory for storing meter data from each metered user. The UCI provides for injection of broadband signals onto the service conductors from multiple broadband sources.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A usage and data collection unit for data of electrical power service provided to at least one consumer, comprising:
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a sensor obtaining data including the amount of current flowing from a distribution transformer to the consumer for use;
a data accumulator storing electrical usage data for power service provided to the consumer from the distribution transformer;
a data transmitter transmitting stored electrical data readings to a data collection facility based on power service provided to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of collection of utility usage data of electrical power service provided to at least one consumer from a secondary distribution transformer, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining data indicating the amount of power flowing from the distribution transformer to the consumer for use;
storing the obtained electrical energy usage data of power service provided to the consumer from the distribution transformer;
transmitting the stored electrical energy usage data to a data collection facility based on power service provided to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A unit for monitoring of performance of electrically powered devices receiving energy from an electric utility, comprising:
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a data accumulator storing performance data provided thereto by a monitor in at least one of the devices; and
a data transmitter transmitting stored performance data to a data collection facility of the utility for monitoring performance of the devices.
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38. A method of monitoring performance of electrically powered devices receiving energy from an electric utility comprising the steps of:
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storing performance data provided by a monitor in at least one of the devices; and
transmitting stored performance data to a data collection facility of the utility for monitoring performance of the devices.
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39. A unit for enabling demand side management of electrical energy usage at an energy consumer'"'"'s facility comprising:
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a signal receiver for incoming control signals over power delivery conductors from an electrical power provider;
a processor for transferring the incoming control signals from the signal receiver over service conductors to control electrical energy consumption at the energy consumer'"'"'s facility.
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40. A method of enabling demand side management of electrical power consumption at an energy consumer'"'"'s facility, comprising the steps of:
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receiving incoming control signals over power delivery lines from an electrical energy provider;
transferring the incoming control signals from the signal receiver over service conductors to control electrical energy consumption at the energy consumer'"'"'s facility.
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41. A communication system for transferring telecommunications signals through service conductors of an energy consumer'"'"'s facility, comprising:
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a communications module receiving a signal from the telecommunications media; and
a signal injector transferring the received signal from the communications module onto the service conductors of the energy consumer.
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42. A method of transferring telecommunications media through service conductors of an energy consumer'"'"'s facility, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a signal from the telecommunications media; and
transferring the received signal from the communications module onto the service conductors of the energy consumer.
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43. A communication system for two-way communication of signals between a consumer and a services provider furnishing services to the consumer over a distribution network:
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a communications module for receipt and transmittal of the communications signals between the service provider and the consumer; and
a signal transfer module for exchanging the communications signals between the service conductors and the communications module.
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44. A method of two-way communication of signals between a consumer and a service provider furnishing services to the consumer over service conductors of an energy distribution network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving the communications signals between the service provider and the consumer; and
exchanging the communications signals between the service conductors and the communications module.
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45. A unit for remote control of electrically powered devices receiving energy from an electric utility at an energy user'"'"'s facility comprising:
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a signal receiver for remote control signals for control of the electrically powered devices;
a processor for transferring the received remote control signals from the signal receiver over electrical service conductors to control the electrically powered devices at the energy consumer'"'"'s facility.
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46. A method of remote control of electrically powered devices receiving energy from an electric utility at an energy user'"'"'s facility, comprising the step of:
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receiving remote control signals for control of the electrically powered devices;
transferring the received remote control signals over electrical service conductors to control the electrically powered devices at the energy consumer'"'"'s facility.
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Specification