Utility meter providing an interface between a digital network and home electronics
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A utility meter interface apparatus connected between a utility company and a utility user'"'"'s structure, said utility meter interface comprising:
- a utility meter for measuring utility usage, said utility meter having a housing; and
a computer located in said housing and coupled to said utility meter, said computer providing an interface between a communication network and a device located internal to said utility user'"'"'s structure.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A utility meter interface apparatus is connected between a utility company and a home. The utility meter interface includes a utility meter for measuring utility usage and a computer located external to the home. The computer is connected to the utility meter and provides an interface between a communication network and a device located inside the home. The computer may be adapted to communicate with the device over the home'"'"'s internal wiring.
258 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A utility meter interface apparatus connected between a utility company and a utility user'"'"'s structure, said utility meter interface comprising:
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a utility meter for measuring utility usage, said utility meter having a housing; and a computer located in said housing and coupled to said utility meter, said computer providing an interface between a communication network and a device located internal to said utility user'"'"'s structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A utility meter interface apparatus comprising:
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an electric power meter; a base adapted to mate with a meter box; a meter enclosure containing said electric power meter and mounted to said base, said meter enclosure forming a seal with said base; and a computer located within said meter enclosure and coupled to said electric meter, said computer comprising; a first interface for communicating with a communication network; and a second interface for communicating with a device located within a respective utility user'"'"'s structure, said second interface being coupled to said first interface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A utility meter interface apparatus comprising:
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an electric power meter; and a computer coupled to said electric meter, said computer comprising; a network interface for communicating with a communication network; a structure interface for communicating with a device located within a respective utility user'"'"'s structure, said structure interface being coupled to said network interface; a video processor coupled between said network interface and said structure interface; a descrambler coupled between said video processor and said structure interface; a modem processor coupled between said network interface and said structure interface; a voice processor coupled between said network interface and said structure interface; a meter interface coupled between said network interface and said structure interface, said meter interface also being coupled to said electric power meter; and a personal computer interface coupled between said network interface and said structure interface, said personal computer interface also being coupled between each of said video processor, said modem processor, said voice processor, said meter interface and said structure interface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 26)
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23. A method of providing an interface between a communication network and a device located within a utility user'"'"'s structure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a utility meter for measuring utility usage, said utility meter having a housing; adapting said utility meter with a computer coupled to said utility meter, said computer being located in said housing; and configuring said computer to provide said interface between said communication network and said device located within said utility user'"'"'s structure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of providing an interface between a communication network and a device located within a utility user'"'"'s structure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a utility meter for measuring utility usage; adapting said utility meter with a computer coupled to said utility meter; configuring said computer to provide said interface between said communication network and said device located within said utility user'"'"'s structure; and configuring said computer to descramble a video signal, said video signal being received over said communication network.
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37. A utility meter interface apparatus comprising:
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a utility meter; and a computer coupled to said utility meter, wherein said computer is configured to provide an interface between a communication network and a device located within a utility user'"'"'s structure, and wherein said computer is configured to descramble a video signal, said video signal being received over said communication network.
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Specification