Gateway-based ami network
AssigneeItron, Inc.
InventorMATTHEW JOHNSON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methodology provide communications between a utility consumption meter and a utility provider at least in part by way of Internet Protocol (IP) based communications. A gateway device, coupled via either wired or wireless communications links to a utility consumption meter, serves as an interface between the utility consumption meter and a central utility provider server. Communications between the gateway and the central utility provider server are by wired or wireless IP-based communications. At least a portion of the IP-based communications may be by way of public broadband networks operated by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), thereby avoiding the installation of specifically purposed collection infrastructure.
Claims22
An Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), comprising:
- a gateway;
- at least one utility consumption measuring device coupled for communications with said gateway;
- an Internet Protocol (IP) based communications network;
- and
- at least one utility central facility server coupled for communications over said network,
- wherein said gateway is coupled for IP-based communications with said network whereby data may be exchanged between said at least one utility central facility server and said at least one utility consumption measuring device.
A gateway, comprising:
- a meter interface, configured for communications with at least one utility consumption measuring device;
- a microprocessor;
- a memory associated with said microprocessor;
- and
- a network interface, configured for Internet Protocol (IP) based communications with an IP based communications network;
- wherein said microprocessor is configured to direct data flow among said memory, said meter interface, and said network interface.
A method of providing communications between a utility consumption measuring device and a utility provider without requiring the installation of specifically purposed collection infrastructure, comprising:
- coupling a utility consumption measuring device to a gateway for Internet Protocol (IP) based communications with an Internet Service Provide (ISP);
- and
- coupling a utility provider central facility server to the ISP via an Internet Protocol (IP) based communications network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.