Metering system and method of operation

Abstract

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.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An electrical metering device, comprising:
 an electrical power input;   an electrical power output electrically coupled to the input, the output being adapted to operably couple with a vehicle.   a meter operably coupled between the input and the output;   a controller electrically coupled to the meter;   a first communications device electrically coupled to the controller, the first communications device adapted to transmit data using a first wireless carrier; and   a memory device electrically coupled to the meter;   
       wherein the controller contains a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for storing data in the memory device indicative of electrical power consumption by the vehicle in response to a first signal from the meter. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , 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. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a second communications device electrically coupled to the controller, the second communications device adapted to transmit data using a second wireless carrier. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , 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. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a display operably coupled to the controller, 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 the display. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the controller is further responsive to executable computer instructions for receiving a transponder signal from a second external source and transmitting a second signal on the selected carrier. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the display is operably coupled to an in-vehicle computer system. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the controller further comprises a GPS device that records the coordinates of the vehicle when electricity flows through the meter. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the controller transmits the coordinates with the electrical power usage data. 
     
     
         31 . An electrical metering device, comprising:
 an electrical power input;   an electrical power output electrically coupled to said input;   a meter operably coupled between said input and said output;   a first communications device adapted to transmit data using a first wireless carrier;   a second communications device adapted to transmit data using a second wireless carrier; and   a controller electrically coupled to the meter, the first wireless device and the second wireless device, the controller having a processor electrically coupled to a memory device, and wherein the controller contains a processor 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.   
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for negotiating a rate with the selected wireless carrier and retrieving electrical consumption data from the memory device. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the first wireless carrier comprises a radio frequency carrier, satellite, CDMA cellular, or GSM cellular. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the second wireless carrier comprises a cellular carrier. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 31 , further comprising a display operably coupled to the controller, 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 the display. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the display is operably coupled to an in-vehicle computer system. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein said electrical metering device may be transported by a single person. 
     
     
         38 . A method of charging a vehicle containing batteries, comprising:
 coupling a meter between a vehicle and an electrical outlet;   receiving an authorization code;   inputting the authorization code into a charging device;   measuring an amount of electrical power provided to the vehicle in response to receiving the authorization code;   storing data about the measured amount of electrical power;   determining whether a first wireless communications carrier is available; and   transmitting the stored data using the first wireless communications carrier.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 determining whether a second wireless communications carrier is available; and,   transmitting the stored data using the second wireless communications carrier when the first wireless communications carrier is not available.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising communicating with an onboard vehicle diagnostic system associated with the vehicle. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising communicating with an in-vehicle computer system. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising displaying the authorization code on an in-vehicle computer system. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 receiving a first signal from an external transponder; and   transmitting a second signal on first wireless communications carrier in response to the first signal.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the authorization code is received via an SMS message.