Network-enabled, extensible metering system
First Claim
1. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of networked servers executing a network of interoperable services including a directory service that comprises a plurality of networked device or application interface locations;
(b) a TCP/IP network coupled to the networked servers; and
(c) a network-enabled meter coupled to the TCP/IP network;
wherein the meter provides services and data to a networked device or application using an associated networked device or application interface location and receives new services from the networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To allow meter data users to have access to needed information and at the same time address the rapidly shifting requirements of the deregulated marketplace, a new business model, apparatus and system are provided. A common metering device measures raw data and a system composed of independent services or applications collect and process raw metered data and then make that data available to interested parties. This new model removes the dependence upon an automatic meter reading (AMR) system provider, as the sole provider, by creating a system to enable a competitive environment where services (applications, information, networking, etc.) rather than systems are selected and paid for on a leased or pay-per-use basis. One example of such a networked-based, extensible metering system comprises a network server, a wide area network coupled to the network server, and a plurality of network-enabled meters coupled to the network. The meters collect data and the network server provides at least one metering application to the meters. In addition, the meters may be programmed to communicate via a predefined protocol and to deliver a protocol interface to a storage medium on the network, which enables the network to provide the protocol interface to users or applications requiring information from the meters and the users/applications to communicate with the meters to access the required information.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of networked servers executing a network of interoperable services including a directory service that comprises a plurality of networked device or application interface locations; (b) a TCP/IP network coupled to the networked servers; and (c) a network-enabled meter coupled to the TCP/IP network; wherein the meter provides services and data to a networked device or application using an associated networked device or application interface location and receives new services from the networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising a wide area network comprising a plurality of networked servers executing a network of interoperable services including a directory service that comprises a plurality of networked device or application interface locations, and a plurality of network-enabled meters coupled to the network;
- wherein the meters collect data and the meters are programmed to communicate data and services via a service interface to a networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location and receive new services from the networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location and to deliver interface data to a storage medium on the network, whereby the network is able to provide the interface data to users or applications requiring information from the meters and the users or applications are able to communicate with the meters to access the required information through an interface associated with the interface data.
- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Specification