Data transfer system and method for communicating utility consumption data over power line carriers
US6300881A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S10/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Utility consumption data is provided over power line carrier links to local nodes and routed through a network of local nodes over peer-to-peer line-of-sight RF links to a utility service provider. Backhauler nodes combine the utility consumption data from the local nodes within a coverage region for routing to the utility service provider. Consumer nodes include sensing elements for measuring the utility consumption data, and switching elements for connecting or disconnecting the utility from a consumer location. Messages are sent through the network requesting the utility consumption data and for activating the switching elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.