System and method for implementing handover of a hybrid communications module
First Claim
1. A process for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication between a fixed position energy device in proximity to at least one of the multiple networks and a head end server to facilitate communication of energy-related data therebetween comprising:
- receiving instructions at a fixed position communications module that establish rules for the communications module to control switching communications to or from the energy device associated with the communications module from a first network via a first transceiver at the fixed position of the communications module to a second network via a second transceiver at the fixed position of the communications module, which rules cause periodic scanning by said second transceiver to determine a desirability of using the second network to provide communications of said energy-related data; and
instructing by the communications module, upon a determination of the desirability of using the second network to provide communications of said energy-related data, the first transceiver to cease communications with the energy device and instructing the second transceiver to initiate communications with the energy device to facilitate communication of energy-related data to or from the energy device and the head end server;
wherein the established rules provide a desired progression for switching communications based on financial cost-effectiveness from the first network, where financial cost of communication is usage-based, to the second network, where financial cost of communication is not usage-based;
wherein the energy related data includes at least price information for communication to the energy device; and
wherein the first network is cellular-based and the second network is mesh node-based.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and process for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication between an energy device, e.g., meter, in proximity to at least one of the multiple networks and a head end server to facilitate communication of energy-related data therebetween is described. The system includes a communications module associated with the energy device for controlling the switching between networks and/or the directing of energy-related data communications over different networks in accordance with data type.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A process for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication between a fixed position energy device in proximity to at least one of the multiple networks and a head end server to facilitate communication of energy-related data therebetween comprising:
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receiving instructions at a fixed position communications module that establish rules for the communications module to control switching communications to or from the energy device associated with the communications module from a first network via a first transceiver at the fixed position of the communications module to a second network via a second transceiver at the fixed position of the communications module, which rules cause periodic scanning by said second transceiver to determine a desirability of using the second network to provide communications of said energy-related data; and instructing by the communications module, upon a determination of the desirability of using the second network to provide communications of said energy-related data, the first transceiver to cease communications with the energy device and instructing the second transceiver to initiate communications with the energy device to facilitate communication of energy-related data to or from the energy device and the head end server; wherein the established rules provide a desired progression for switching communications based on financial cost-effectiveness from the first network, where financial cost of communication is usage-based, to the second network, where financial cost of communication is not usage-based; wherein the energy related data includes at least price information for communication to the energy device; and wherein the first network is cellular-based and the second network is mesh node-based. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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8. A process for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication between multiple energy devices in proximity to at least one of the multiple networks and a head end server to facilitate communication of energy-related data therebetween comprising:
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receiving instructions at a communications module that establishes rules at the communications module to control a predetermined preferential switching of communications to or from the multiple energy devices associated with the communications module from a first network to a second network; and instructing by the communications module, upon an occurrence of a trigger generated according to the rules of the communications module, a first transceiver of a first network, which first transceiver is located at a fixed location, to cease communications with the multiple energy devices and instructing a second transceiver of a second network, which second transceiver is located at a fixed location, to initiate communications with the multiple devices to facilitate communication of energy-related data to or from the multiple energy devices and the head end server; wherein the established rules provide a desired progression for switching communications based on financial cost-effectiveness from the first network, where financial cost of communication is usage-based, to the second network, where financial cost of communication is not usage-based; wherein the energy related data includes at least price information for communication to the energy device; and wherein the first network is a cellular-based and the second network is a mesh node-based. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A system for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication of energy-related data comprising:
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a communications module at a fixed location including; a first submodule controlling a first transceiver at the fixed location of the communications module for communicating with a first network using a first network protocol, and a second submodule controlling a second transceiver at the fixed location of the communications module for communicating with a second network using a second network protocol; an energy device located at a fixed position and associated with the communications module, wherein the energy device tracks energy-related data that is available to the communications module for communications thereby; and a server for receiving energy-related data from the communications module via at least one of the first and second networks; wherein the communication module receives instructions that establish rules for the communications module to control switching communications to or from the energy device from the first network to the second network, wherein the established rules provide a desired progression for switching communications based on financial cost-effectiveness from the first network, where financial cost of communication is usage-based, to the second network, where financial cost of communication is not usage-based; wherein the energy related data includes at least price information for communication to the energy device; and wherein the first network is cellular-based and the second network is mesh node-based. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A communications module at a fixed location for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication of energy-related data to and from a fixed position energy device associated with the communications module comprising:
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a first submodule controlling a first transceiver at the fixed location of the communications module for communicating energy-related data via a first network using a first network protocol when a first predetermined condition is met; and a second submodule controlling a second transceiver at the fixed location of the communications module for communicating energy-related data via a second network using a second network protocol when a second predetermined condition is met, wherein said second predetermined condition includes a receipt of instructions that establish rules to cause periodic scanning by said second transceiver after said first predetermined condition is met, to determine availability of the second network to provide communications of said energy-related data, and if determined to be available, causes said second transceiver to provide communications of said energy-related data via said second network; wherein the established rules provide a desired progression for switching communications based on financial cost-effectiveness from the first network, where financial cost of communication is usage-based, to the second network, where financial cost of communication is not usage-based; wherein the energy related data includes at least price information for communication to the energy device; and wherein the first network is cellular-based and the second network is mesh node-based. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification