Transmitting Utility Usage Data via a Network Interface Device
First Claim
1. A system for transmitting data about utility usage, the system comprising:
- a power line;
a utility meter in communication with the power line and configured to provide utility usage data;
a network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication through a single medium with the utility meter, the network interface device comprising;
a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network; and
an isolation device for providing an interface between the power line and the DSL modem; and
a DSL distribution point in communication with the local loop;
wherein the network interface device is configured to;
receive, at the isolation device, the utility usage data from the utility meter; and
transmit the utility usage data to the DSL distribution point via the local loop, such the utility usage data can be transmitted from the DSL distribution point to a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor and bill utility usage based on the utility usage data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provides devices, systems and methods that overcome certain deficiencies in the prior art. One exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises an integrated system for providing video and data services to a customer premises. The integrated system comprises a digital broadcast satellite receiver, a data source, and an integrated network interface device. The integrated network interface device can be coupled to the receiver and/or the data source, and the integrated network interface device can be configured to receive video information from the receiver and data (e.g. Internet Protocol data) from the data source. In accordance with certain embodiments, the integrated network interface device can further be configured to distribute the data to the customer premises via a first internal transport medium and/or distribute the video information to the customer premises via a second internal transport medium. In one aspect, network interference devices can be attached to an external wall of customer premises.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting data about utility usage, the system comprising:
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a power line; a utility meter in communication with the power line and configured to provide utility usage data; a network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication through a single medium with the utility meter, the network interface device comprising; a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network; andan isolation device for providing an interface between the power line and the DSL modem; and a DSL distribution point in communication with the local loop; wherein the network interface device is configured to; receive, at the isolation device, the utility usage data from the utility meter; and transmit the utility usage data to the DSL distribution point via the local loop, such the utility usage data can be transmitted from the DSL distribution point to a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor and bill utility usage based on the utility usage data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication with a first transport medium and a second transport medium, the network interface device being configured to:
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receive utility usage data from one or more utility meters via the one or more first transport media; and transmit the utility usage data via the second transport medium for reception by a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor utility usage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of transmitting utility usage data, the method comprising:
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providing communication between a network interface device and one or more first transport media, wherein the network interface device comprises a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located at a customer premises; providing communication between the network interface device and a second transport medium; receiving, at the network interface device, utility usage data from one or more utility meters via the one or more first transport media; and transmitting the utility usage data from the network interface device, via the second transport medium and for reception by a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor utility usage.
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Specification