초록 ▼

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 fo

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of communicating utility consumption data using a network of local nodes (40) arranged within a coverage area (12) wherein adjacent local nodes within the coverage area communicate over RF links (52), a plurality consumer nodes (44) within the coverage area whe

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of communicating utility consumption data using a network of local nodes (40) arranged within a coverage area (12) wherein adjacent local nodes within the coverage area communicate over RF links (52), a plurality consumer nodes (44) within the coverage area wherein each consumer node is coupled to one of the local nodes by a power line carrier link (53), and a backhauler node (50) located within the coverage area and coupled to local nodes adjacent to the one local node by RF links (52), the method comprising the steps of:determining utility consumption data for consumer location (45) associated the consumer nodes;transferring the utility consumption data over the power line carrier links to the local node associated with the consumer node;routing the utility consumption data over the RF links through the network of local nodes to the backhauler node;the backhauler node combining the consumption data from several of the local nodes for delivery to a utility service provider (58);at a first consumer node, transmitting a consumer data message over a first power line carrier link to a first local node associated with the first consumer node, the consumer data message including a destination address of a second consumer node;routing the consumer data message through the network of local nodes based on the destination address to a second local node, the second local node associated with a second consumer node; andtransmitting the consumer data message over a second power line carrier link to the second consumer node, the second consumer node providing the at least a portion of the consumer data message to a consumer location associated therewith;receiving a second utility consumption request data message at a local node identifying a mobile unit;determining a location of a mobile unit within the first coverage area;routing the second data message to a local node near the location; andtransmitting the utility consumption data to the mobile unit from the local node by a line-of-sight RF link.