US5986574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for communication between remote locations
Assignee: Acoustic Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-16
•
Granted: 1999-11-16
•
Expires: 2017-10-16
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence J. Colton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q9/00; G; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G08; G08C; G08C15/00; G08C15/06; G08C17/00; G08C17/02; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/12; H02J13/13; H02J13/1321; H02J13/1323; H02J13/1331; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002; H02J13/1311; H04Q2209/00; H04Q2209/30; H04Q2209/40; H04Q2209/60; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/30; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/121; Y04S40/124; Y04S40/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
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 devices wherein said concentrator further comprises a metering device and includes means for monitoring an amount of usage of a utility.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
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 devices wherein said concentrator further comprises a metering device and includes means for monitoring an amount of usage of a utility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means further comprises means for transmitting data associated with a desired function of said plurality of metering devices, wherein each said plurality of metering devices further comprises means for receiving data associated with the desired function, and wherein said relay means further comprises both means for receiving data from said control means associated with the desired function of said plurality of metering devices and means for transmitting data corresponding to said data received from said control means to said one metering group.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
48 words
A system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said relay means comprises LAN means for receiving data from said one metering group over a local area network and WAN means for transmitting data for receipt by said control means over a wide area network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said WAN means comprises means for transmitting said data as radio frequency signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 4, further comprising switching means in communication with and transmitting data between said concentrator and said control means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices comprising the steps of: 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.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices comprising the steps of: 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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of providing a defined number of concentrators further comprises the step of providing each said defined number of concentrators as a metering device further comprising means for monitoring an amount of usage of a utility and a housing for receiving said monitoring means and said communication means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
58 words
A method according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein said steps of transmitting data from said predetermined concentrator for receipt by said at least one metering device and transmitting data from said at least one metering device for receipt by said predetermined concentrator further comprises the step of transmitting data over a local area network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of transmitting data over a local area network comprises the step of transmitting data over at least one wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said step of transmitting data over at least one wire comprises the step of transmitting data over at least one power line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said steps of transmitting data from said control means for receipt by said predetermined concentrator and transmitting data from said predetermined concentrator for receipt by said control means comprises the step of transmitting data over a wide area network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of transmitting data over a wide area network comprises the step of transmitting data as wireless signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of transmitting data as wireless signals comprises the step of transmitting radio frequency signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of transmitting data over a wide area network further comprises the steps of transmitting data as signals over a wire medium and exchanging data between signals transmitted over a wire medium and signals transmitted over a wireless medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of transmitting data further comprises the step of transmitting data formatted according to a Consumer Electronics Bus protocol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
A concentrator having means for relaying communication between a plurality of metering devices and at least one control station comprising; 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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
97 words
A concentrator having means for relaying communication between a plurality of metering devices and at least one control station comprising; 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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
A relay according to claim 16, wherein the WAN means further comprises means for receiving data from said at least one control station over said wide area network and said LAN means further comprises means for transmitting data over said local area network to each of said plurality of metering devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
A relay according to any one of claims 16 and 17, wherein said LAN means further comprises means for receiving and transmitting data over a wire operably connected via at least one power line to said plurality of metering devices.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A relay according to claim 18, wherein said WAN means further comprises means for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A relay according to claim 16, wherein said housing defines an inner surface into which said monitoring means, said LAN means and said WAN means are mounted and retained, and wherein said medium comprises a utility.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A relay according to claim 20 further comprising means for processing and storing data associated with both said monitoring means and said plurality of metering devices, and with said processing means being mounted in said housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A relay according to claim 21 further comprising means for exchanging data transmitted between said local area network and said wide area network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
A communication system for transmitting data between a plurality of locations comprising; 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.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
A communication system for transmitting data between a plurality of locations comprising; 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.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A communication system according to claim 23 wherein the data communication between the concentrator and the service means is formatted according to a Consumer Electronic Bus protocol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A communication system according to claim 23, wherein said servicing means is in communication with said relay means over a local area network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A communication system according to claim 25, wherein said servicing means and said relay means are operably connected via at least one power line.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A communication system according to claim 25, wherein said relay means is in communication with said control means over a wide area network.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control system according to claim 27, wherein said relay means communicates with said control means over said wide area network by radio frequency signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
A communication system according to claim 28, wherein said servicing means comprises a meter, said meter comprising means for monitoring and means for transmitting data corresponding to said monitoring means via said local area network to said relay means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
A communication system according to claim 29, wherein said relay means comprises a meter, said meter comprising means for monitoring, means for receiving said data from said servicing means over said local area network, and means for transmitting data corresponding to said monitoring means and said data received from said servicing means to said control means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A communication system according to claim 30 further comprising switching means in communication with and transmitting data between said relay means and said control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB629098A
Cited
US3445814A
Cited
GB1140251A
Cited
GB1121719A
Cited
GB1172344A
Cited
US3656112A
Cited
US3705385A
Cited
US3719928A
Cited
US3820106A
Cited
US3683343A
Cited
US3688271A
Cited
US3706930A
Cited
US3693155A
Cited
US3702460A
Cited
US3747104A
Cited
GB1400477A
Cited
US3815119A
Cited
US3914757A
Cited
US3900842A
Cited
US3925763A
Cited
US3855503A
Cited
US3911415A
Cited
US4040046A
Cited
US3973240A
Cited
US3944723A
Cited
US3944932A
Cited
US3967264A
Cited
US3942168A
Cited
US3942170A
Cited
US3952285A
Cited
US3980954A
Cited
US4085287A
Cited
US4135181A
Cited
US4101834A
Cited
US4190800A
Cited
US4109204A
Cited
US4161720A
Cited
US4107656A
Cited
US4204195A
Cited
US4204194A
Cited
US4130874A
Cited
US4135101A
Cited
US4131881A
Cited
US4276644A
Cited
US4199761A
Cited
US4188619A
Cited
US4250489A
Cited
US4178482A
Cited
US4429299A
Cited
US4349879A
Cited
US4264960A
Cited
US4302750A
Cited
US4254402A
Cited
US4322842A
Cited
US4517562A
Cited
US4513415A
Cited
US4375100A
Cited
US4361766A
Cited
US4301445A
Cited
US4310805A
Cited
US4308619A
Cited
US4307464A
Cited
US4298986A
Cited
US4270206A
Cited
US4396915A
Cited
US4315251A
Cited
US4300126A
Cited
US4323882A
Cited
US4344180A
Cited
US4393501A
Cited
US4518822A
Cited
US4400811A
Cited
US4427968A
Cited
US4599598A
Cited
US4455655A
Cited
US4504831A
Cited
US4446462A
Cited
US4462109A
Cited
US4475217A
Cited
US4641322A
Cited
US4584685A
Cited
US4628313A
Cited
US4641325A
Cited
US4937569A
Cited
US4881070A
Cited
US4833618A
Cited
US4749992A
Cited
US4749992B1
Cited
US4862493A
Cited
US5268666A
Cited
US5590179A
Cited
US5406249A
Cited
US5452291A
Cited
US5495239A
Cited
US5602744A
Cited
US5699276A
Cited
US5748104A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-15 | 2003-05-17 | 2003-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | 2007-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-15 | 2011-05-17 | 2011-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |