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Multifunction data port providing an interface between a digital network and electronics in residential or commercial structures

a multi-functional, data port technology, applied in the field of data ports, can solve the problem that no prior art discloses a utility meter or data por

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-04-23
BOH TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a data port with associated electronics to perform various functions, including providing an interface between a digital services network and home electronics. The data port is secure and sealed, and does not require rewiring or special wiring. It also provides conventional meter capabilities in conjunction with associated electronics and broadband access to digital networks. The invention allows for secure banking and Internet browsing capability. The data port has a standard electric power meter and associated electronics within a meter enclosure, which includes a computer with network and house interfaces, and may also include a meter interface for remote meter reading. The network interface may communicate with the house's internal wiring and home electronics via wireless signals. The invention provides a multifunction data port device that overcomes the limitations of prior art."

Problems solved by technology

None of the prior art discloses a utility meter or data port which provides an interface between a digital service network and home electronics.

Method used

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  • Multifunction data port providing an interface between a digital network and electronics in residential or commercial structures
  • Multifunction data port providing an interface between a digital network and electronics in residential or commercial structures
  • Multifunction data port providing an interface between a digital network and electronics in residential or commercial structures

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first embodiment

[0046]FIG. 1 shows 110 a data port 165 according to the invention connected to a standard meter box 114 and an electric meter 110. An electric company 120 provides electrical service to a house 130 over external power lines 128 suspended by utility poles 124. Alternatively, the electric company 120 may provide electric service to the house 130 via power lines buried under the ground.

[0047]According to the invention, electric company 120 provides a digital service over a network communication line 160, which may be, for example, fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, wireless, power lines or twisted pair cable. The data port 165 provides an interface between the digital service network and the internal house wiring 134. Internal house wiring 134 may include, for example, power lines, telephone lines, and television coaxial cables. An electronic interface device 150 can plug into a wall outlet 138 to access said digital service network. Device 150 may, for example, provide video, multimedi...

third embodiment

[0058]FIG. 3 shows associated electronics for a data port 370 connected to an electric meter 380 through a meter interface 384 according to the invention with a detailed block diagram of said data port, comprising a signal processing computer-router 398 which comprises and provides an interface between an electric company 320, a digital services provider 360 and a house 330. The data port 370 may be located in the electric meter case (not shown) or may be located at a distant location from the meter 380 and in communication with said meter through meter interface 384. The electric company 320 and / or the ISP 360 provides digital data services via network wireless transceiver device 361 and over fiber optic cables 364, coaxial cables 366, and twisted pair cables 368, or directly over power lines 328. The computer router 398 is coupled to the digital data services 360 through network interface 372.

[0059]Network interface 372 provides a remote wireless transceiver device 362 to communic...

fourth embodiment

[0075]FIGS. 4a and 4b show a side and a front view, respectively, of the data port 470 in an electric meter enclosure 412 according to the invention wherein a connection is made to a communication line 460&436.

[0076]Electric meter-data port 410 has a meter enclosure 412, which encloses standard electric power meter 480 and associated electronics of the data port 470. Meter enclosure 412 forms a seal with meter seal ring 418 to provide protection from the elements and is mated with standard meter box 414 and by the seal 418 is sealed to the meter box 414. External power lines or conduit 428 enter the sealed meter box 414 from the top (or any angle or direction) and power is supplied to a house 330 through a power conduit 433 also coupled and / or connected to the data port 470 which said conduit is shown exiting the meter box 414 from the side.

[0077]Associated electronics 470 are coupled to communication line 460 through a cable 465. Electric meter enclosure 412 provides a stress relie...

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Abstract

A multifunction data port is located in or attached to the utility meter or the meter box. The installation or removal of the data port requires opening the meter seal. The data port interface can provide broad band access to a digital network and the Internet. It can provide the utility customer with a secure computer terminal for commerce and telecommunications. It can provide the electric utility load management and time of use metering of electrical power.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application for a U.S. patent is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 667,408, filed Sep. 21, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of now abandoned U.S. national phase patent application Ser. No. 09 / 508,998, filed Jun. 15, 2000, based on international application number PCT / US1997 / 016426, filed Sep. 17, 1997, from which priority is claimed; and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 155,069, filed Sep. 21, 1999. The present application incorporates by reference the foregoing patents and applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention is related to a data port and, more particularly, to a multifunction intelligent data port having a computer interface between a digital service network and a utility user's home electronics. The invention further relates to remote utility meter reading and remote load management, as well as telecommunications, Internet access...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G08C15/06
CPCG01D4/008G06Q20/102G06Q50/06Y04S10/54Y04S20/50Y04S50/12Y02B90/247Y04S10/50Y02B90/20Y04S20/30
Inventor ROOS, CHARLES E.
Owner BOH TECH
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