Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing network congestion in a smart utility meter system

摘要

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing network congestion in a smart utility meter system are provided. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, a first communications interface for communicating with a first network; providing, for the utility meter, a second communications interface for communicating with a second network different from the first network; receiving or generating, by the utility meter, information having a destination; selecting either the first communications interface or the second communications interface; and delivering the information to the destination via the selected communications interface.

主权项

1. A utility meter, comprising: a first communications interface for communicating with a destination via a first network, wherein the destination is at least one of a computer or another utility meter that is coupled to a wide area network (WAN), and wherein the first network is a neighborhood area network (NAN) in communication with the WAN; a second communications interface for communicating with the destination via a second network different from the first network, wherein the second network is a home area network (HAN) or a local area network (LAN) having a routing device in communication with the WAN; and at least one processor in communication with the first and second communications interfaces, the at least one processor configured to: receive or generate information for delivery to the destination; select the first communications interface when the first network is at least one of: a normally utilized network for delivering data to the destination, is available for use, or is uncongested; or select the second communications interface when the first network is at least one of: not available for use and is congested; and transmit the information to the destination via the selected communications interface.