Systems and methods for wirelessly communicating with utility meters and utility meters using the same

摘要

A communications and control system for use with a utility meter includes a first wireless communications subsystem for exchanging messages with a central facility via a cellular communications network. The first wireless communications system is operable to send messages including meter data generated by the utility meter to the central facility and receive utility control messages from the central facility for controlling the provision of a utility monitored by the utility meter. A second wireless subsystem communicates within a wireless mesh network of compatible wireless subsystems operating in conjunction with a set of utility meters for exchanging the meter data with a selected compatible wireless subsystem within the mesh network.

主权项

1. A utility meter comprising:
metrology circuitry operable to provide metrology data for an end user; a cellular communications network subsystem for exchanging messages with a utility provider via a cellular communications network, the cellular communications network subsystem operable to exchange messages with the utility provider using a SMS messaging protocol and using an internet protocol (IP) messaging protocol, wherein a selection between the SMS messaging protocol and the IP messaging protocol is based on one or more of a message type, an amount of data being transferred, and a frequency of messages; and at least one RF subsystem, the at least one RF subsystem operable to communicate with a utility network via a proprietary communication protocol, the at least one RF subsystem further operable to communicate with a home automation network via a standard communication protocol, wherein the utility meter is operable to receive a first plurality of messages from the utility provider via the cellular communications network, communicate with the utility network via the proprietary communication protocol, and communicate with the home automation network via the standard communication protocol, and wherein the utility meter is operable to transmit a second plurality of messages to the utility provider based on the metrology data, the communications with the utility network, or the communications with the home automation network.