AMI NETWORK WITH WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT HOTSPOT ACCESS
First Claim
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1. A network, comprising:
- a cell relay;
a central facility including a management system; and
a local area network coupling said cell relay and said central facility,wherein said cell relay includes WiFi functionality configured to provide communications with at least said central facility.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing communications functionality between a utility central facility and a field worker. A WiFi Hotpoint is associated with a cell relay in an Advanced Metering System (AMS). Field workers using WiFi enabled communications devices may securely receive information including work orders from the utility central facility via the WiFi connection, thereby reducing or eliminating need for the worker to visit the utility central facility.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A network, comprising:
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a cell relay; a central facility including a management system; and a local area network coupling said cell relay and said central facility, wherein said cell relay includes WiFi functionality configured to provide communications with at least said central facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cell relay, comprising:
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a first communications channel for communicating utility consumption related data to a central facility; and a WiFi enabled communications channel for communicating information from a central facility to field worker proximate said cell relay. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for providing communications capabilities between a network central facility and a remote field worker, comprising:
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establishing a network including network components corresponding to a central facility, a cell relay and at least one consumption measuring device; establishing a first communications channel to provide communications among the network components; establishing a second, wireless communications channel for the cell relay; and configuring the second communications channel to provide communications between the central facility and a worker proximate the cell relay. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification