Method and apparatus for all-purpose, automatic remote utility meter reading, utility shut off, and hazard warning and correction
DCFirst Claim
1. Utility monitoring apparatus comprising:
- utility usage metering means;
utility usage reporting means;
utility hazard detection means;
utility hazard reporting means; and
confirmation means, wherein said confirmation means comprise;
data transmission means for sending information from a local utility meter to a remote computer;
data reception means for the reception of said information within said remote computer;
confirmation transmission means within said remote computer for the transmission by said remote computer of confirmation information to said local utility meter confirming reception of said information from said local utility meter; and
confirmation reception means within said local utility meter wherein said data reception means include means for repeated transmission of data in the event said data reception means fail to detect reception of message, and to give notice of a need for repair if repeated data transmissions are not successful.
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Abstract
Apparatus for routine monitoring and automatic reporting of electrical power and gas utility usage also provides means for detecting and reporting to the relevant utility companies, fire department, and other emergency responders the development of local hazards on premises at which one or more utility usage meters are installed, including the occurrence of a fire, a gas leak, or any other circumstances such as medical emergencies that demand fast response. Such reporting can include automatic reporting of both zero or excess electrical current draw or zero or excess gas usage. The system is clock driven, fully programmable, and expandable to such other types of sensors as would detect and report on such circumstances as the presence of noxious materials as in a chem/bio attack. A permanent record of all reported events is made.
91 Citations
45 Claims
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1. Utility monitoring apparatus comprising:
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utility usage metering means; utility usage reporting means; utility hazard detection means; utility hazard reporting means; and confirmation means, wherein said confirmation means comprise; data transmission means for sending information from a local utility meter to a remote computer; data reception means for the reception of said information within said remote computer; confirmation transmission means within said remote computer for the transmission by said remote computer of confirmation information to said local utility meter confirming reception of said information from said local utility meter; and confirmation reception means within said local utility meter wherein said data reception means include means for repeated transmission of data in the event said data reception means fail to detect reception of message, and to give notice of a need for repair if repeated data transmissions are not successful. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of reporting utility usage comprising:
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providing utility usage monitoring means to establish utility usage data; providing utility usage data processing means; providing means for transmitting said utility usage data from said utility usage data processing means to a remote data receiving apparatus; providing access means to said means for transmitting said utility usage data in the event said means for transmitting said utility usage data is found to be in use; transmitting confirmation from said data receiving apparatus to said utility usage processing means of the reception of said utility usage data; and repeating said transmission of said utility usage data to said data receiving apparatus a predetermined number of times in the event said confirmation is not received by said utility usage processing means; and
in the event said transmission of said utility usage data to said data receiving apparatus is not thereby successful, initiating the identification and repair of any malfunction in said utility usage monitoring means, utility usage data processing means, and said means for transmitting said utility usage data from said utility usage data processing means to a remote data receiving apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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Specification