Metering system and method of operation
First Claim
1. A mobile metering device for vehicles, comprising:
- a current transformer;
a meter electrically coupled to said current transformer;
a controller electrically coupled to said meter, said controller having a memory device and a processor;
a plurality of communications devices electrically coupled to said controller and adapted to transmit data using a first or second wireless carrier; and
a housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle, wherein the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices are mounted within the housing;
wherein the processor is responsive to executable computer instructions that determine if the first and second wireless carriers are available and that select one of the first or second communications device in response to receiving a signal from the meter;
wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A metering system for measuring the electrical power used to charge a vehicle is provided. The metering system includes an electrical meter operably coupled to a conductor connected to the vehicle and an electrical outlet. A controller receives signals from the meter to record the measured electrical consumption. The controller includes a plurality of communications devices for communicating with different communications carriers. In one embodiment, the controller selects one of the communications devices based on availability and a desired criterion. The selected communications device then transmits the measured electrical power consumption to a utility provider. In one embodiment, the metering system is mobile.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A mobile metering device for vehicles, comprising:
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a current transformer; a meter electrically coupled to said current transformer; a controller electrically coupled to said meter, said controller having a memory device and a processor; a plurality of communications devices electrically coupled to said controller and adapted to transmit data using a first or second wireless carrier; and a housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle, wherein the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices are mounted within the housing; wherein the processor is responsive to executable computer instructions that determine if the first and second wireless carriers are available and that select one of the first or second communications device in response to receiving a signal from the meter; wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of providing mobile metering of a vehicle, comprising:
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providing a current transformer; coupling a meter to said current transformer; coupling a controller having a memory device and a processor to said meter; coupling a plurality of communications devices to said controller, the communications devices adapted to transmit data using a first or second wireless carrier; mounting the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices within a housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle; using the processor to determine if the first and second wireless carriers are available; and using the processor to select one of the first or second communications device in response to receiving a signal from the meter; wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A mobile metering device for a vehicle, comprising:
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a connector; a current transformer operably coupled to said connector; a meter electrically coupled to said current transformer; a plurality of communications devices adapted to transmit data using a first and second wireless carrier; a controller electrically coupled to said meter and said plurality of communications devices, said controller having a memory device and a processor responsive to executable computer instructions to determine the availability of each of said plurality of communications devices to transmit data; and a housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle, wherein the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices are mounted within the housing; wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification