System and method for using a utility meter
First Claim
1. A gateway for managing the flow of information to and from a building, comprising:
- an outside line, wherein said outline line facilitates the delivery of a utility and of a communication; and
a meter, wherein said meter provides for an electronic address;
a database, wherein said database is remote from the building, and wherein said database provides for storing of said electronic address and an occupant record associated with said electronic address;
wherein said outside line connects a utility provider to said meter; and
wherein said communication is transmitted to a third party.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system or method for using a utility meter that is electronically addressable and serves as a communications gateway for other devices. There are numerous potential advantages to the use of addressable utility meters, and systems can incorporate one or more of those potential advantages. Emergency alerts can be sent and received through such meters. Emergency response personnel can use the information stored by the utility company in conjunction with the meter to rapidly identify the occupants of a residence or other building. Vacant properties can be monitored. E-commerce fraud can be reduced by using the addressable meter to authenticate the identity of purchasers and/or sellers. Theft of digital content from cable, satellite, and other sources can be reduced through remote monitoring. Messaging services could utilize the communication lines between meters and broader networks.
157 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gateway for managing the flow of information to and from a building, comprising:
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an outside line, wherein said outline line facilitates the delivery of a utility and of a communication; and
a meter, wherein said meter provides for an electronic address;
a database, wherein said database is remote from the building, and wherein said database provides for storing of said electronic address and an occupant record associated with said electronic address;
wherein said outside line connects a utility provider to said meter; and
wherein said communication is transmitted to a third party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for providing an ancillary service using a utility meter, comprising:
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a provider subsystem, wherein said provider subsystem provides for a meter, a server, a database, and a link between said server and said meter, wherein said database resides on said server, wherein said meter is associated with an electronic address, and wherein said database provides for storing said electronic address and an occupant record associated with said electronic address; and
a service subsystem, wherein said service subsystem provides for at least one of a plurality of ancillary services.
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10. A method for providing a communications link to a home, comprising:
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associating an occupant record with an electronic address in a meter utilized for measuring the delivery of said utility to said home, and creating a link between the meter and a server, wherein said link provides for exchanging a plurality of communications between the meter and the server, wherein the link further provides for the transmission of a utility to the home. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification