MULTIFUNCTION DATA PORT PROVIDING AN INTERFACE BETWEEN A DIGITAL NETWORK AND ELECTRONICS IN RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES

• US 20090102680A1
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BOH Technology, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: BOH Technology, L.L.C.
• Inventors: ROOS, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US12/344,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102680A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/12 Billing, invoicing, buying or selling transactions or other related activities, e.g. cost or usage evaluation

Abstract

A multifunction data port is located in or attached to the utility meter or the meter box. The installation or removal of the data port requires opening the meter seal. The data port interface can provide broad band access to a digital network and the Internet. It can provide the utility customer with a secure computer terminal for commerce and telecommunications. It can provide the electric utility load management and time of use metering of electrical power.

Claims

1. An interface, connected between a communications network and a utility user'"'"'s structure, for use with a utility meter, wherein the utility meter collects utility usage information associated with the utility user'"'"'s structure, comprising:

a computer coupled to the utility meter for receiving the utility usage information and for providing an interface between the communications network and a device located inside the utility user'"'"'s structure, wherein the computer is configurable to allow the utility user to control the device.

2. The interface of claim 1, wherein the communications network is operable to communicate information between a utility company and the computer.

3. The interface of claim 1, wherein the communication network is selected from the group consisting of:

fiber optic cable, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, electric power lines, and wireless transmission media.

4. The interface of claim 1, wherein the device located inside the utility user'"'"'s structure is selected from the group consisting of:

an air conditioner, a heater, and a hot water heater.

5. The interface of claim 1, wherein the computer is configurable to detect a power outage and inform the utility company of the location of the utility user'"'"'s structure.

6. The interface of claim 5, wherein the computer is configurable to notify the utility user that the utility company has been notified of the power outage.

7. The interface of claim 1, wherein the utility meter has a housing and the computer is located inside the housing.

8. The interface of claim 1, wherein the computer is located outside of the utility user'"'"'s structure.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications network is operable to communicate information between a utility company and the computer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network is selected from the group consisting of:

fiber optic cable, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, electric power lines, and wireless transmission media.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the device located inside the utility user'"'"'s structure is selected from the group consisting of:

an air conditioner, a heater, and a hot water heater.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is configurable to detect a power outage and inform the utility company of the location of the utility user'"'"'s structure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the computer is configurable to notify the utility user that the utility company has been notified of the power outage.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the utility meter has a housing and the computer is located inside the housing.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is located outside of the utility user'"'"'s structure.

9. A method of interfacing a communications network and a device located inside a utility user'"'"'s structure with a utility meter, wherein the utility meter collects utility usage information associated with the utility user'"'"'s structure, comprising:

providing an interface between the communications network and a device located inside the utility user'"'"'s structure with a computer coupled to the utility meter, wherein the computer is configurable to allow the utility user to control the device.