초록 ▼

A metering system for measuring the electrical power used to charge a vehicle is provided. The metering system includes an electrical meter operably coupled to a conductor connected to the vehicle and an electrical outlet. A controller receives signals from the meter to record the measured electrica

A metering system for measuring the electrical power used to charge a vehicle is provided. The metering system includes an electrical meter operably coupled to a conductor connected to the vehicle and an electrical outlet. A controller receives signals from the meter to record the measured electrical consumption. The controller includes a plurality of communications devices for communicating with different communications carriers. In one embodiment, the controller selects one of the communications devices based on availability and a desired criterion. The selected communications device then transmits the measured electrical power consumption to a utility provider. In one embodiment, the metering system is mobile.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mobile metering device for vehicles, comprising: a current transformer;a meter electrically coupled to said current transformer;a controller electrically coupled to said meter, said controller having a memory device and a processor;a plurality of communications devices electrically coupled to s

1. A mobile metering device for vehicles, comprising: a current transformer;a meter electrically coupled to said current transformer;a controller electrically coupled to said meter, said controller having a memory device and a processor;a plurality of communications devices electrically coupled to said controller and adapted to transmit data using a first or second wireless carrier; anda housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle, wherein the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices are mounted within the housing;wherein the processor is responsive to executable computer instructions that determine if the first and second wireless carriers are available and that select one of the first or second communications device in response to receiving a signal from the meter;wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another. 2. The mobile metering device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of communications devices include a plurality of wireless communications devices and at least one device adapted to communicate using an OBD-II protocol. 3. The mobile metering device of claim 2, wherein said plurality of wireless communications devices includes a first communications device adapted to transmit and receive signals using a IEEE 802.11 protocol. 4. The mobile metering device of claim 3, wherein said first communications device is adapted to transmit and receive signals from a vehicle computer system. 5. The mobile metering device of claim 3, wherein said plurality of wireless communications devices includes a first communications device adapted to transmit in a frequency range of 3 to 40 GHz, a second communications device adapted to transmit in a frequency range of 30 KHz to 300 MHz, and a third communications device adapted to transmit in a frequency range of 30 to 300 MHz. 6. The mobile metering device of claim 1, further comprising a battery electrically coupled to said meter and said controller. 7. The mobile metering device of claim 1, wherein the mobile metering device can be transported by a single person. 8. A method of providing mobile metering of a vehicle, comprising: providing a current transformer;coupling a meter to said current transformer;coupling a controller having a memory device and a processor to said meter;coupling a plurality of communications devices to said controller, the communications devices adapted to transmit data using a first or second wireless carrier;mounting the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices within a housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle;using the processor to determine if the first and second wireless carriers are available; andusing the processor to select one of the first or second communications device in response to receiving a signal from the meter; wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising communicating using an OBD-II protocol with one of said plurality of communications devices. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating wirelessly with at least one of said plurality of communications devices. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting and receiving signals with a vehicle computer system with one of said plurality of communications devices. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of wireless communications devices includes a first communications device, a second communications device, and a third communications device. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting in a frequency range of 3 to 40 GHz with said first communications device;transmitting in a frequency range of 30 kHz to 300 MHz with a second communications device; and,transmitting in a frequency range of 30 to 300 MHz with a third communications device. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling a battery to said meter and said controller. 15. The mobile metering device of claim 14, wherein the mobile metering device can be transported by a single person. 16. A mobile metering device for a vehicle, comprising: a connector;a current transformer operably coupled to said connector;a meter electrically coupled to said current transformer;a plurality of communications devices adapted to transmit data using a first and second wireless carrier;a controller electrically coupled to said meter and said plurality of communications devices, said controller having a memory device and a processor responsive to executable computer instructions to determine the availability of each of said plurality of communications devices to transmit data; anda housing configured to fit in a trunk of a vehicle, wherein the current transformer, the meter, the controller, and the plurality of communications devices are mounted within the housing; wherein the mobile metering device is configured to be moved from one vehicle to another. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said plurality of communications devices include at least one device complaint with IEEE 802.11 protocols, at least one device complaint with CDMA compliant cellular protocols, at least one device complaint with IEEE 802.15.4 protocols, and at least one device compliant with a Bluetooth protocol. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one of said plurality of communications devices is a satellite communications device that transmits data on a frequency range of 3 to 40 gigahertz. 19. The device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions that determine if the first and second wireless carriers are available and select one of the first or second communications device in response to receiving a signal from the meter. 20. The device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for selecting the first or second wireless carrier and transmitting a first signal indicating said electrical consumption data using the selected carrier. 21. The device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for determining if the first wireless carrier is available, negotiating a rate using the first wireless carrier, retrieving electrical consumption data from the memory device, and transmitting a second signal indicating the electrical consumption data. 22. The device of claim 16, the controller being further responsive to executable computer instructions for receiving an authorization code signal from a first external source and displaying the authorization code on a display and for receiving a transponder signal from a second external source and transmitting a second signal on a selected wireless carrier.