METERING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION
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Accused Products
Abstract
A metering system for measuring the electrical power used to charge a vehicle is provided. The metering system includes an electrical meter operably coupled to a conductor connected to the vehicle and an electrical outlet. A controller receives signals from the meter to record the measured electrical consumption. The controller includes a plurality of communications devices for communicating with different communications carriers. In one embodiment, the controller selects one of the communications devices based on availability and a desired criterion. The selected communications device then transmits the measured electrical power consumption to a utility provider. In one embodiment, the metering system is mobile.
66 Citations
44 Claims
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1-21. -21. (canceled)
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22. An electrical metering device, comprising:
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an electrical power input; an electrical power output electrically coupled to the input, the output being adapted to operably couple with a vehicle. a meter operably coupled between the input and the output; a controller electrically coupled to the meter; a first communications device electrically coupled to the controller, the first communications device adapted to transmit data using a first wireless carrier; and a memory device electrically coupled to the meter; wherein the controller contains a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for storing data in the memory device indicative of electrical power consumption by the vehicle in response to a first signal from the meter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An electrical metering device, comprising:
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an electrical power input; an electrical power output electrically coupled to said input; a meter operably coupled between said input and said output; a first communications device adapted to transmit data using a first wireless carrier; a second communications device adapted to transmit data using a second wireless carrier; and a controller electrically coupled to the meter, the first wireless device and the second wireless device, the controller having a processor electrically coupled to a memory device, and wherein the controller contains a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for selecting the first or second wireless carrier and transmitting a first signal indicating said electrical consumption data using the selected carrier. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of charging a vehicle containing batteries, comprising:
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coupling a meter between a vehicle and an electrical outlet; receiving an authorization code; inputting the authorization code into a charging device; measuring an amount of electrical power provided to the vehicle in response to receiving the authorization code; storing data about the measured amount of electrical power; determining whether a first wireless communications carrier is available; and transmitting the stored data using the first wireless communications carrier. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification