Wireless broadband communications network for a utility
First Claim
1. A communications network for use by a utility for communication, command, and control of the utility'"'"'s commodity distribution system comprising:
- apparatus obtaining information and data concerning each customer'"'"'s usage of the commodity supplied by the utility, operation of the utility'"'"'s distribution system to supply the commodity to the customers, and distribution of the commodity throughout the system;
means processing the information and data from each source thereof to provide an up-to-date overview of the system and its operation, to identify any current problems within the system, and to identify possible future problems within the system which may occur within a predetermined period of time; and
,to provide system management with reports on the current status of the system, ways of alleviating any current problems identified within the system, and steps which can be taken to forestall any identified possible future problems.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications network (12) for use by a utility (10) for communication, command, and control of the utility'"'"'s distribution area for gas, water and electrical services including the utility'"'"'s distribution system, security, workforce, and asset management. The network includes apparatus for obtaining information and data concerning usage of the electricity, gas, or water by each of the utility'"'"'s customers, the operation of installations throughout the system, and how electricity, gas, or water is being distributed throughout the system. The information and data from each source (16) is processed to provide an up-to-date overview of the system and its operation to the utility'"'"'s management and operating personnel. This includes identification of any current problems, including distribution or security, within the system, and asset monitoring and management to identify possible future problems which may occur within a predetermined period of time. Reports generated as a result of processing the information and data, besides providing current status information, also provide management and operating personnel with information as to ways of alleviating any current problems identified within the system, and steps which can be taken to forestall possible future problems which are identified.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A communications network for use by a utility for communication, command, and control of the utility'"'"'s commodity distribution system comprising:
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apparatus obtaining information and data concerning each customer'"'"'s usage of the commodity supplied by the utility, operation of the utility'"'"'s distribution system to supply the commodity to the customers, and distribution of the commodity throughout the system; means processing the information and data from each source thereof to provide an up-to-date overview of the system and its operation, to identify any current problems within the system, and to identify possible future problems within the system which may occur within a predetermined period of time; and
,to provide system management with reports on the current status of the system, ways of alleviating any current problems identified within the system, and steps which can be taken to forestall any identified possible future problems.
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2. A multi-tier communications network for use by a utility for communication, command, and control of the system comprising:
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a first tier including apparatus obtaining information and data concerning usage by each customer of a commodity supplied by the utility, operation of the utility'"'"'s distribution system, and the distribution of the commodity throughout the system; a second tier to which the information and data gathered from customer facilities within a defined geographic area comprising a portion of the first tier is communicated, the second tier including a data collection means within each geographic area which receives and collects the information and data; and
,a third tier to which the information and data gathered by each data collection means is communicated, the third tier including a network operations center for collecting and evaluating all the information and data from the system to determine a current operational status of the utility'"'"'s distribution system. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification