Transmitting utility usage data via a network interface device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for transmitting data about utility usage, the system comprising:
- a power line;
a utility meter in communication with the power line and configured to provide utility usage data;
an IP-compatible home security system configured to provide home security data;
a network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication through a single medium with the utility meter, and with the IP-compatible home security system, the network interface device comprising;
a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem located in the network area of the network interface device which is physically accessible only to personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network;
a web server; and
an application programming interface (“
API”
) located in the consumer area of the network interface device which consumer area is physically separated from the network area of the network interface device by the housing, and which consumer area of the network interface device is physically accessible to a customer and to the personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider for receiving configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises for configuring operation of the network interface device; and
a DSL distribution point in communication with the local loop;
wherein the network interface device is configured to;
receive the utility usage data from the utility meter;
receive the home security data from the IP compatible home security system;
transmit the utility usage data to the DSL distribution point via the local loop, such the utility usage data can be transmitted from the DSL distribution point to a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor and bill utility usage based on the utility usage data; and
transmit the home security data to the DSL distribution point via the local loop, such the home security data can be transmitted from the DSL distribution point to a network, to allow the customer to monitor and control home security functions remotely.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tools and techniques for transmitting utility usage data. In some cases, the tools receive utility usage data provided by a utility meter and transmit that data for reception by a utility provider. In particular cases, the utility usage data may be received at a network interface device. The network interface device might, in some instances, include a broadband modem, such as a digital subscriber line modem, which can be used to transmit the utility usage data to the utility provider.
349 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting data about utility usage, the system comprising:
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a power line; a utility meter in communication with the power line and configured to provide utility usage data; an IP-compatible home security system configured to provide home security data; a network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication through a single medium with the utility meter, and with the IP-compatible home security system, the network interface device comprising; a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem located in the network area of the network interface device which is physically accessible only to personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network;a web server; and an application programming interface (“
API”
) located in the consumer area of the network interface device which consumer area is physically separated from the network area of the network interface device by the housing, and which consumer area of the network interface device is physically accessible to a customer and to the personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider for receiving configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises for configuring operation of the network interface device; anda DSL distribution point in communication with the local loop; wherein the network interface device is configured to; receive the utility usage data from the utility meter; receive the home security data from the IP compatible home security system; transmit the utility usage data to the DSL distribution point via the local loop, such the utility usage data can be transmitted from the DSL distribution point to a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor and bill utility usage based on the utility usage data; and transmit the home security data to the DSL distribution point via the local loop, such the home security data can be transmitted from the DSL distribution point to a network, to allow the customer to monitor and control home security functions remotely. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for transmitting data about utility usage, the system comprising:
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a first transport medium; a utility meter configured to provide utility usage data and in communication with the first transport medium; an IP-compatible home security system configured to provide home security data and in communication with the first transport medium; a network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication with the first transport medium and a second transport medium, the network interface device comprising a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem located in the network area of the network interface device which is physically accessible only to personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network, a web server and an application programming interface (“
API”
) located in the consumer area of the network interface device which consumer area is physically separated from the network area of the network interface device by the housing, and which consumer area of the network interface device is physically accessible to a customer and to the personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider for receiving configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises for configuring operation of the network interface device, the network interface device configured to;receive the utility usage data via the first transport medium; receive the home security data via the first transport medium; transmit the utility usage data via the second transport medium for reception by a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor utility usage; and transmit the home security data via the second transport medium for reception by a customer to allow the customer to monitor and control home security functions remotely; wherein the network interface device comprises a web server and an application programming interface (“
API”
) for receiving configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises for configuring operation of the network interface device.
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10. A network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located on the exterior of a customer premises in communication with a first transport medium and a second transport medium, the network interface device being configured to:
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receive utility usage data from one or more utility meters via the first transport medium; receive home security data from a home security system via the first transport medium; transmit the utility usage data via the second transport medium for reception by a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor utility usage; and transmit the home security data via the second transport medium for reception by a customer to allow the customer to monitor and control home security functions remotely; wherein the network interface device comprises a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem located in the network area of the network interface device which is physically accessible only to personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network, a web server and an application programming interface (“
API”
) located in the consumer area of the network interface device which consumer area is physically separated from the network area of the network interface device by the housing, and which consumer area of the network interface device is physically accessible to a customer and to the personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider for receiving configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises for configuring operation of the network interface device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of transmitting utility usage data, the method comprising:
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providing communication between a network interface device comprising a housing defining at least a network area and a physically separated consumer area, said network interface device being located at a customer premises and a first transport medium, wherein the network interface device comprises an application programming interface (“
API”
);providing communication between the network interface device and a second transport medium; providing the network interface device with a digital subscriber line (“
DSL”
) modem located in the network area of the network interface device which is physically accessible only to personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider in communication with a local loop of a public switched telephone network, further providing a web server and an application programming interface (“
API”
) located in the consumer area of the network interface device which consumer area is physically separated from the network area of the network interface device by the housing, and which consumer area of the network interface device is physically accessible to a customer and to the personnel authorized by a telecommunication service provider for receiving configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises for configuring operation of the network interface device;receiving, at a network interface device web server and via the API, configuration information from a control point through a web interface wherein the control point is located at the customer premises; configuring operation of the network interface device in accordance with the configuration information; receiving, at the network interface device, utility usage data from one or more utility meters via the first transport medium; receiving, at the network interface device, home security data from one or more home security systems via the first transport medium; transmitting the utility usage data from the network interface device, via the second transport medium and for reception by a utility provider, to allow the utility provider to monitor utility usage; and transmitting the home security data from the network interface device, via the second transport medium for reception by a customer to allow the customer to monitor and control home security functions remotely.
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Specification