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Method and system for monitoring and transmitting utility status via universal communications interface

  • US 6,954,814 B1
  • Filed: 06/09/2000
  • Issued: 10/11/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring and transmitting utility status via a universal communications interface, comprising:

  • an input interface operative to receive a utility status signal from a utility meter;

    a processor functionally coupled to the input interface for receiving the utility status signal from the input interface and operative to generate a status message based on the utility status signal;

    a universal communications interface, local to the utility meter, functionally coupled to the processor and configurable for communicating with a plurality of different types of communication devices, each different type of communication device operative to communicate with a receiving device via one of a plurality of different communication mediums;

    a slot functionally coupled to the universal communications interface and configured to interchangeably connect one of the plurality of different types of communication devices;

    wherein the processor communicates with the universal communications interface to determine which one of the plurality of different types of communication devices is connected to the slot; and

    wherein the processor formats the status message into a format compatible with the connected communication device and transmits the formatted status message to the universal communications interface for transmission to the connected communications device.

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