SYSTEM FOR SENDING UTILITY METER ALERTS
First Claim
1. A utility meter comprising:
- a communications stack embedded in the utility meter, wherein the communications stack is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being exceeded.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems for sending utility meter alerts in response to a predetermined threshold condition being met at the utility meter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the utility meter has a communications stack embedded therein, and the communications stack is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met. In another embodiment, a server is communicatively connected to a utility meter, and the server is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met at the utility meter. In either embodiment, the alert can comprise an email, a Short Message Service (SMS), a voice alert, or an instant message. Examples of predetermined threshold conditions that could trigger an alert include total energy consumption, peak energy consumption or total currency, e.g., dollars, spent at the location of the utility meter for a set consumption period.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A utility meter comprising:
a communications stack embedded in the utility meter, wherein the communications stack is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
a server communicatively connected to a utility meter, wherein the server is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met at the utility meter. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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at least one of; a utility meter; and a server communicatively connected to the utility meter, wherein at least one of the utility meter or the server is configured to; store predetermined threshold data; store utility reading data gathered by the utility meter at a location of the utility meter; compare the utility reading data and the predetermined threshold data to determine whether the utility reading data exceeds a predetermined threshold in the threshold data; and send an alert through a network in response to the utility reading data exceeding the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification