Multi-wan module
AssigneeItron, Inc.
InventorsThomas Benjamin Smith, Joseph Pontin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a wide area network (WAN) module including plural radios, a power supply, and a switch configured so that one and only one of the radios may receive power at any one time. The switch may be electronically or manually operable; if electronically operable, the module may include a processor and a universal serial bus (USB) port for receiving power switching instructions. The WAN module may be incorporated into utility consumption measuring (metering) devices which may correspond to components in a consumption measurement and reporting automatic meter reading (AMR) system.
Claims22
A wide area network (WAN) module, comprising:
- at least two radios, each radio configured to wirelessly transmit information;
- a power supply;
- and
- a switch, said switch configured to direct operating power from said power supply to a selected one of said at least two radios,
- whereby only one of said at least two radios may receive operating power at any one time.
A utility consumption measuring device, comprising:
- a utility consumption measuring component;
- and
- a wide area network (WAN) module including at least two radios, a power supply, and a switch;
- wherein said switch is configured to direct operating power from said power supply to a selected one of said at least two radios,
- whereby only one of said at least two radios may receive operating power at any one time.
A system for transmitting utility consumption information to a central office, comprising:
- a plurality of utility consumption measuring devices, each utility consumption measuring device including a utility consumption measuring component and a wide area network (WAN) module,
- wherein said WAN module in selected of said plurality of utility consumption measuring devices includes at least two radios, an associated power supply, and an associated switch, and
- wherein said switches are configured to direct operating power from said respectively associated power supply to a selected one of said at least two radios,
- whereby only one of said at least two radios for a particular WAN module may receive operating power at any one time.
A method comprising:
- under control of a utility consumption measuring device:
- measuring utility consumption data;
- controlling a switch to direct operating power from a power supply of said utility consumption measuring device to a selected one of at least two radios of a wide area network module of said utility consumption measuring device, such that the switch supplies operating power to only one of said at least two radios at any one time;
- and
- transmitting utility consumption information to a central office via the selected one of the at least two radios.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.