Embedded antenna apparatus for utility metering applications
First Claim
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1. An antenna apparatus for embedded positioning relative to an external surface of a utility meter having a communications module, said antenna apparatus comprising:
- a body of dielectric material for providing an integral structural portion of the utility meter, said body of dielectric material characterized by respective inner and outer surfaces relative to the utility meter;
a patterned radio frequency (RF) antenna formed on the inner surface of said body of dielectric material, said patterned RF antenna configured to transmit and receive RF signals associated with a communications module of the utility meter; and
an electrical connection formed with said patterned RF antenna for association with the communications module of a utility meter.
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Abstract
An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An antenna apparatus for embedded positioning relative to an external surface of a utility meter having a communications module, said antenna apparatus comprising:
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a body of dielectric material for providing an integral structural portion of the utility meter, said body of dielectric material characterized by respective inner and outer surfaces relative to the utility meter; a patterned radio frequency (RF) antenna formed on the inner surface of said body of dielectric material, said patterned RF antenna configured to transmit and receive RF signals associated with a communications module of the utility meter; and an electrical connection formed with said patterned RF antenna for association with the communications module of a utility meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electronic device with radio frequency (RF) communication components integrated therein for achieving improved RF communication capabilities, said electronic device comprising:
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an RF communications module configured to process and relay data signals transmitted and received by said electronic device; a dielectric substrate forming a casing component for said electronic device; at least one predefined portion of metallization layered on said dielectric substrate, said at least one predefined portion of metallization forming a functional antenna element for said RF communications module; and a connective element connected to said at least one predefined portion of metallization for providing an electrical connection between said functional antenna element and said RF communications module. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification