Methods and systems for meter reading and high speed data transfer

• US 20060044158A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BOH Technology, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: BOH Technology, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Pinson, Dudley B., Paschal, Jonathan, Womble, Phillip C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,026,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A secure automatic meter reading (“AMR”) method and apparatus which utilizes a microprocessor and a bidirectional broadband connection to access the Internet and can form a wireless distribution network is provided. In addition to AMR, this connection and the network can provide high speed data transmission for other devices and services. As a result of the methods and apparatuses of the present inventions, legacy utility infrastructure and communications equipment can be integrated into a data transmission and collection network and remotely monitored without the costs associated with deploying service personnel or more costly equipment and services.

Claims

1. A device for providing data services, in conjunction with a utility usage measurement device, comprising:

a processor, coupled to the utility usage measurement device, the processor adapted to receive utility usage data from the utility usage measurement device;

a communication unit, coupled to the processor, adapted to send utility usage data and provide data services; and

a transceiver unit, coupled to the communication unit, the transceiver unit adapted to provide the data services wirelessly.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory unit, coupled to the processor, adapted to store the utility usage data.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch, coupled to the processor and the utility usage measurement device, adapted to turn on and off a utility.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface for performing diagnostic and configuration functions on the device.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the communication unit is an Internet communication device.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the transceiver unit is an Internet communication device.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the transceiver unit is a PCMCIA radio device.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the utility usage measurement device is a power meter.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the utility usage measurement device is a water meter.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the utility usage measurement device is a gas meter.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the data services comprise high-speed internet access.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the data services comprise Internet phone service.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the data services comprise television service.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the data services comprise security system service.

15. A device for providing data services, in conjunction with a utility usage measurement device, comprising:

a processor, coupled to the utility usage measurement device, the processor adapted to receive utility usage data from the utility usage measurement device; and

a transceiver unit, coupled to the processor, the transceiver unit adapted to send utility usage data and provide data services wirelessly.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

a memory unit, coupled to the processor, adapted to store the utility usage data.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

a switch, coupled to the processor and the utility usage measurement device, adapted to turn on and off a utility.

18. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

an interface for performing diagnostic and configuration functions on the device.

19. The device of claim 15 wherein the transceiver unit is an Internet communication device.

20. The device of claim 15 wherein the transceiver unit is a PCMCIA radio device.

21. The device of claim 15 wherein the utility usage measurement device is a power meter.

22. The device of claim 15 wherein the utility usage measurement device is a water meter.

23. The device of claim 15 wherein the utility usage measurement device is a gas meter.

24. The device of claim 15 wherein the data services comprise high-speed internet access.

25. The device of claim 15 wherein the data services comprise Internet phone service.

26. The device of claim 15 wherein the data services comprise television service.

27. The device of claim 15 wherein the data services comprise security system service.

28. A method for providing data services to a communication device coupled to a utility usage measurement device, the utility usage measurement device adapted to measure the usage of utility service provided by a utility provider, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a data service to the communication device;

transporting usage data from the communication device to the utility provider; and

providing the data service to a user of the communication device.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the data service comprises high-speed Internet access.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the data service comprises Internet phone service.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the data service comprises television service.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the data service comprises security system service.

33. A method for utility consumption measurement comprising:

transmitting, by a utility provider, a request for utility consumption data;

receiving, by a device adapted for receiving data services wherein the device is coupled to a utility usage measurement device, the request for utility consumption data;

obtaining, by the device adapted for receiving data services wherein the device is coupled to a utility usage measurement device, utility consumption data; and

transmitting, by the device adapted for receiving data services wherein the device is coupled to a utility usage measurement device, the utility consumption data to the provider.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the utility consumption data is transmitted periodically.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the utility consumption data is power usage data.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein the utility consumption data is water usage data.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein the utility consumption data is gas usage data.