Multifunction data port providing an interface between a digital network and electronics in residential or commercial structures
First Claim
1. A method for detecting power problems with a utility provider distribution system using a multifunction data port, the multifunction data port comprising a plurality of interfaces for connecting to a utility user'"'"'s premises and a communication network, the method comprising:
- a) installing the multifunction data port at the utility user'"'"'s premises, the utility user'"'"'s premises are connected to utility user'"'"'s electric power lines and to the Internet, the multifunction data port comprising an embedded computer, a network interface, and a house interface;
b) configuring the computer to provide communication interface between the communication network and devices located within the utility user'"'"'s premises;
b) using the computer for continuously obtaining power measurements including Voltage and current data on the utility user'"'"'s electric power lines in real time;
c) storing the obtained power measurements in the computer;
d) using the computer to calculate the harmonic distortion data in the power line using fast Fourier analysis;
e) transmitting the calculated data from the computer to the utility provider via network interface;
f) based on the calculated data, determining whether the utility user is responsible for creating excessive electrical noise;
g) charging the user higher fees when it is determined that the utility user is responsible for creating the excessive electrical noise.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunction data port is located in or attached to the utility meter or the meter box. The installation or removal of the data port requires opening the meter seal. The data port interface can provide broad band access to a digital network and the Internet. It can provide the utility customer with a secure computer terminal for commerce and telecommunications. It can provide the electric utility load management and time of use metering of electrical power.
128 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting power problems with a utility provider distribution system using a multifunction data port, the multifunction data port comprising a plurality of interfaces for connecting to a utility user'"'"'s premises and a communication network, the method comprising:
-
a) installing the multifunction data port at the utility user'"'"'s premises, the utility user'"'"'s premises are connected to utility user'"'"'s electric power lines and to the Internet, the multifunction data port comprising an embedded computer, a network interface, and a house interface; b) configuring the computer to provide communication interface between the communication network and devices located within the utility user'"'"'s premises; b) using the computer for continuously obtaining power measurements including Voltage and current data on the utility user'"'"'s electric power lines in real time; c) storing the obtained power measurements in the computer; d) using the computer to calculate the harmonic distortion data in the power line using fast Fourier analysis; e) transmitting the calculated data from the computer to the utility provider via network interface; f) based on the calculated data, determining whether the utility user is responsible for creating excessive electrical noise; g) charging the user higher fees when it is determined that the utility user is responsible for creating the excessive electrical noise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A multifunction data port for detecting power problems with a utility provider distribution system using a multifunction data port, comprising:
-
a utility meter for measuring utility usage, the utility meter having a housing; a computer located in the housing and coupled to said utility meter, a network interface for connecting the computer to a communication network; and a house interface for connecting the computer to devices located internal to a utility user'"'"'s premises, wherein the computer is configured to; provide communication interface between the communication network and devices located within the utility user'"'"'s premises; continuously obtain power measurements including Voltage and current data on the utility user'"'"'s electric power lines in real time; store the obtained power measurements in the computer; calculate harmonic distortion data in the power line using fast Fourier analysis; transmit the calculated data from the computer to the utility provider via the network interface; charge the user higher fees when it is determined that the utility user is responsible for creating excessive electrical noise. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification