Collection system with a hybrid node performing both fixed network and mobile communications
First Claim
1. A system for hybrid employment of fixed network and mobile network communications for utility meter data collection, the system comprising:
- a plurality of communication nodes, at least some of the communication nodes operating in a fixed network mode in accordance with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system techniques using one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols, and at least some other of the communication nodes operating in a mobile mode in which they transmit meter data to a mobile collection device in accordance with automated meter reading (AMR) system techniques using one or more mobile communication protocols; and
the mobile collection device configured to communicate with the at least some other of the communication nodes operating in the mobile mode using the one or more mobile communication protocols, the mobile collection device further configured to communicate with the at least some of the communication nodes operating in the fixed network mode using the one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols,wherein the mobile collection device substitutes for a fixed network collection device when the fixed network collection device is down for maintenance or is otherwise not operable, and wherein the mobile collection device takes on a network identifier and an encryption method of the fixed network collection device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile interrogator can be used in a system for hybrid employment of fixed network and mobile network communications. The system includes communication nodes. At least some of the communication nodes operate in a fixed network mode using one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols. At least some other of the communication nodes operate in a mobile mode in which they transmit meter data to a mobile device using one or more mobile communication protocols. The mobile device is configured to communicate with the mobile mode communication nodes using the one or more mobile communication protocols and to communicate with the fixed network mode communication nodes using the one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols. As a result, the performance of both fixed and mobile networks can be improved. A hybrid system can be realized that provides a utility company with advantages of both fixed and mobile networks.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system for hybrid employment of fixed network and mobile network communications for utility meter data collection, the system comprising:
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a plurality of communication nodes, at least some of the communication nodes operating in a fixed network mode in accordance with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system techniques using one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols, and at least some other of the communication nodes operating in a mobile mode in which they transmit meter data to a mobile collection device in accordance with automated meter reading (AMR) system techniques using one or more mobile communication protocols; and the mobile collection device configured to communicate with the at least some other of the communication nodes operating in the mobile mode using the one or more mobile communication protocols, the mobile collection device further configured to communicate with the at least some of the communication nodes operating in the fixed network mode using the one or more fixed wireless network communication protocols, wherein the mobile collection device substitutes for a fixed network collection device when the fixed network collection device is down for maintenance or is otherwise not operable, and wherein the mobile collection device takes on a network identifier and an encryption method of the fixed network collection device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification