HIGH SPEED UTILITY BACKHAUL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20120050064A1
• Filed: 08/27/2010
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digi International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Digi International Inc.
• Inventors: Husney, Jordan
• Granted Patent: US 8,847,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2827 Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality

Abstract

A local area utility network includes a utility, a low-speed backhaul between the utility and a utility provider, and a high-speed broadband network interface module in the utility coupling the utility directly to a broadband network. A plurality of utilities is coupled via a wireless mesh home area utility network. The low-bandwidth backhaul is operable to communicate at least one of billing, pricing, and load control events to a utility provider, and the high-speed broadband network connection to a home automation system.

Claims

1. A local area utility network, comprising:

at least one utility;

a low-speed backhaul between the utility and a utility provider; and

a high-speed broadband network interface module in the utility coupling the utility directly to a broadband network.

2. The local area utility network of claim 1, wherein the high-speed broadband network interface module comprises at least one of an Ethernet network interface and a WiFi network interface.

3. The local area utility network of claim 1, wherein the at least one utility comprises at least one of an air conditioner, a water heater, a ventilation system, a heat system, and lighting.

4. The local area utility network of claim 1, wherein the at least one utility comprises at least one of a water meter, a gas meter, and an electric power meter.

5. The local area utility network of claim 1, wherein the low-speed backhaul is operable to communicate at least one of billing, pricing, and load control events.

6. The local area utility network of claim 1, wherein a plurality of utilities are coupled via a wireless mesh home area utility network.

7. The local area utility network of claim 1, wherein one or more of the utilities are coupled via high-speed broadband network connection to a home automation system.

16. The building utility of claim 1, wherein the high-speed broadband network interface module comprises at least one of an Ethernet network interface and a WiFi network interface.

17. The building utility of claim 1, wherein the utility comprises at least one of an air conditioner, a water heater, a ventilation system, a heat system, and lighting.

18. The building utility of claim 1, wherein the utility comprises at least one of a water meter, a gas meter, and an electric power meter.

19. The building utility of claim 1, wherein the utility is coupled to at least one other utility via a wireless mesh home area utility network

20. The building utility of claim 1, wherein the utility is coupled via the high-speed broadband network connection to a home automation system.

8. A method of communicating in a local area utility network, comprising:

sending low bandwidth data via a low-speed backhaul between at least one utility and a utility provider; and

sending high bandwidth data via a high-speed broadband network interface module in the utility coupling the utility directly to a broadband network.

9. The method of communicating in a local area utility network of claim 8, wherein the high-speed broadband network interface module comprises at least one of an Ethernet network interface and a WiFi network interface.

10. The method of communicating in a local area utility network of claim 8, wherein the at least one utility comprises at least one of an air conditioner, a water heater, a ventilation system, a heat system, and lighting.

11. The method of communicating in a local area utility network of claim 8, wherein the at least one utility comprises at least one of a water meter, a gas meter, and an electric power meter.

12. The method of communicating in a local area utility network of claim 8, wherein the low-speed backhaul is operable to communicate at least one of billing, pricing, and load control events.

13. The method of communicating in a local area utility network of claim 8, wherein a plurality of utilities are coupled via a wireless mesh home area utility network

14. The method of communicating in a local area utility network of claim 8, wherein one or more of the utilities are coupled via high-speed broadband network connection to a home automation system.

15. A building utility, comprising:

a low-speed backhaul between the utility and a utility provider; and

a high-speed broadband network interface module in the utility coupling the utility directly to a broadband network.