Patent ID: 8026830

Claim:
An automatic meter reading device, comprising: a processor adapted to receive utility usage data from a utility usage measurement device; a meter interface, coupled to the processor, adapted to interface with the utility usage measurement device and provide the utility usage data to the processor; a communication unit coupled to the processor and to a wired network, wherein said communication unit is adapted to receive data services, send the utility usage data and provide the data services via said wired network; and a transceiver unit coupled to the communication unit, wherein the transceiver unit is adapted to receive the data services from the communication unit and provide the data services wirelessly to an end user device, and wherein said transceiver unit is configured to send the utility usage data through a path to a provider via the Internet, wherein the path comprises wireless delivery of the utility usage data directly to at least one other automatic meter reading device or directly to a community access point, wherein the transceiver unit is configured to receive second utility usage data from a second automatic meter reading device and send the second utility usage data through the path to the provider, wherein the second automatic meter reading device is linked to a second residence different from a residence linked to the automatic meter reading device, and wherein the data services comprise at least one of high-speed internet access, Internet phone service, or television service.