System and method for communication between remote locations
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A system for a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices from a remote location comprising:
- control means for at least receiving data;
a plurality of metering devices, with each said plurality of metering devices comprising means for transmitting data associated with an amount of usage of a utility, wherein said plurality of metering devices are arranged in a defined number of metering groups, with each said metering group comprising a selected number of plurality of metering devices operably connected together; and
a defined number of concentrator, with each said concentrator being operably connected to the control means and one meter group, with each said concentrator being operably connected to one metering group by at least one power line, wherein each said concentrator comprises relay means for receiving data from one metering group over said at least one power line and transmitting data corresponding to the data received from said one metering group for receipt by said control means, to identify the amount of usage of a utility associated with each of the plurality of metering deviceswherein said concentrator further comprises a metering device and includes means for monitoring an amount of usage of a utility.
15 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system transmits data between a plurality of locations. The communication system is suitable for use by a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices from a remote location. The communication system in accordance with use by a utility provider to monitor metering devices comprises a control for at least receiving data, a plurality of metering devices arranged in a defined number of metering groups for transmitting data associated with an amount of usage of a utility, and a defined number of concentrators, each operably connected to the control and one metering group for transmission of data between the control and plurality of metering devices.
354 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices from a remote location comprising:
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control means for at least receiving data; a plurality of metering devices, with each said plurality of metering devices comprising means for transmitting data associated with an amount of usage of a utility, wherein said plurality of metering devices are arranged in a defined number of metering groups, with each said metering group comprising a selected number of plurality of metering devices operably connected together; and a defined number of concentrator, with each said concentrator being operably connected to the control means and one meter group, with each said concentrator being operably connected to one metering group by at least one power line, wherein each said concentrator comprises relay means for receiving data from one metering group over said at least one power line and transmitting data corresponding to the data received from said one metering group for receipt by said control means, to identify the amount of usage of a utility associated with each of the plurality of metering devices wherein said concentrator further comprises a metering device and includes means for monitoring an amount of usage of a utility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices comprising the steps of:
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providing a control means for transmitting and receiving data at a desired location; providing a plurality of metering devices at locations remote from said desired location of said control means, with each said plurality of metering devices comprising means for receiving and transmitting data; providing a defined number of concentrator, with each said concentrator being operably connected to the control means and one meter group comprising, a selected number of said plurality of metering devices defining said metering group being operably connected together by at least one wire and data is transmitted between said selected number of said plurality of metering devices of said metering group over said at least one wire, wherein each said concentrator comprises communication means comprising means for receiving data from said control means and transmitting data corresponding to said data received from said control means to said metering group and means for receiving data from said metering group and transmitting data corresponding to said data received from said metering group to said control means; transmitting data from said control means for receipt by a predetermined concentrator for instructing at least one metering device to identify a usage amount of a utility; transmitting said data from said predetermined concentrator corresponding to said data transmitting from said control for receipt by said at least one metering device within a predetermined metering group; transmitting data from said predetermined concentrator corresponding to said data transmitted from said at least one metering device for receipt by said control means; wherein said concentrator further comprises a metering device and includes means for monitoring an amount of usage of a utility. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A concentrator having means for relaying communication between a plurality of metering devices and at least one control station comprising;
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concentrator comprising a meter and means for monitoring an amount of usage of a medium; LAN means for receiving data from said plurality of metering devices over a local area network; WAN means for transmitting data associated with both said plurality of metering devices and said monitoring means over a wide area network to said at least one control station; and a housing comprising a meter receiving said monitoring means, said LAN means and said WAN means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A communication system for transmitting data between a plurality of locations comprising;
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control means for receiving and transmitting data; a concentrator comprising, a meter and means for monitoring an amount of usage of a medium, having a relay means in communication with said control means; and
a plurality of servicing means, comprising at least one meter, in communication with said relay means for transmitting data to and receiving data from said control means via said relay. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification