Automated meter reading communication system and method

• US 7,525,423 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Kline, Paul A., Berkman, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US11/763,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 340/538, 340/538.15, 340/310.11, 340/310.16, 340/870.02, 340/870.11, 324/126, 324/127, 375/259
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5433 Remote metering
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/544 Setting up communications; Call and signalling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

An automated meter reading power line communications system is provided, which may include, in one embodiment, measuring the utility usage of a first customer premises to provide first utility usage data, storing the first utility usage data in memory of a first device, wirelessly transmitting the first utility usage data from the first device, receiving the wirelessly transmitted first utility usage data at a second device coupled to a medium voltage power line, and transmitting the first utility usage data over the medium voltage power line.

Claims

1. A method of communicating utility usage data, comprising:

wirelessly receiving first utility usage data of a first customer premises;

storing the first utility usage data in a memory;

wirelessly receiving second utility usage data of a second customer premises;

storing the second utility usage data in the memory; and

transmitting the first utility usage data and the second utility data over a medium voltage power line.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first utility usage data comprises electric power usage data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first utility usage data comprises water usage data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first utility usage data comprises gas usage data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating data for one or more consumer devices.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a communication priority to at least some data received.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising wirelessly transmitting a request for utility usage data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first utility usage data and second utility usage data are different types of utility usage data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first utility usage data is wirelessly received in a frequency range of about 902-928 megahertz.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first utility usage data is wirelessly received via a communication that comprises a substantially compatible IEEE 802.11 protocol.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a notification over the medium voltage power line when utility usage data is not received as anticipated.

12. A method of providing communicating utility usage data, comprising:

measuring utility consumption of a first customer premises to provide first utility data for the first customer premises at a first device;

measuring utility consumption of a second customer premises to provide second utility data for the second customer premises at a second device;

wirelessly transmitting the first utility data from the first device to a third device;

wirelessly transmitting the second utility data from the second device to the third device;

receiving the first utility data at the third device;

receiving the second utility data at the third device; and

transmitting the first utility data and the second utility data over a medium voltage power line.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first utility data comprises electric power usage data.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first utility data comprises water usage data.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first utility data comprises gas usage data.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the third device is configured to communicate over the low voltage power line that supplies power to a customer premises.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the third device includes a routing device that is configured to route received data.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising, at the third device, according a communication priority to at least some data received.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising wirelessly transmitting a request for utility data from the third device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first utility data and second utility data are different types of utility data.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the first device and second device measure power received from different distribution transformers.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein in the first utility data is wirelessly received in a frequency range of about 902-928 megahertz.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein the first device forms at least part of a utility meter.

24. The method of claim 12, wherein the first utility data is wirelessly received via a communication that comprises a substantially compatible IEEE 802.11 protocol.

25. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting a notification over the medium voltage power line when utility data is not received as anticipated.

26. The method of claim 12, wherein the third device is configured to wirelessly communicate via a plurality of frequency bands.

27. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing the first utility data in a memory of the first device; and

storing the second utility data in a memory of the second device.

28. A device for communicating utility usage data of a plurality of customer premises, comprising:

a memory;

a processor in communication with said memory;

a wireless transceiver in communication with said processor, said transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of remote utility devices and to receive utility usage data from the plurality of utility devices;

said transceiver configured to communicate via a plurality of frequency ranges;

an upstream modem in communication with said processor;

a memory storing program code; and

wherein said program code is executable to cause said processor;

to store utility data received from the plurality of meter devices; and

cause said upstream modem to transmit the stored utility data to an upstream device.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of utility devices comprises a plurality of power meters.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of utility devices comprises a plurality of water meters.

31. The device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of utility devices comprises a plurality of gas meters.

32. The device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of utility devices comprises at least two meters configured to measure different utilities.

33. The device of claim 28, wherein said program code is executable to cause said processor to accord a communication priority to at least some data received.

34. The device of claim 28, wherein said program code is executable to cause said processor to cause said wireless transceiver to transmit a request for utility usage data.

35. The device of claim 28, wherein the device is configured to communicate user data to one or more consumer devices disposed in one or more of the plurality of customer premises.

36. The device of claim 28, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive utility usage data in a frequency range of about 902-928 megahertz.

37. The device of claim 28, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive utility usage data via a communication that comprises a substantially compatible IEEE 802.11 protocol.

38. The device of claim 28, wherein said program code is executable to cause said processor to cause said upstream modem to transmit a notification over the medium voltage power line when utility usage data is not received as anticipated.

39. The device of claim 28, wherein said upstream modem is configured to communicate over a medium voltage power line.