智慧電網(Smart Grid)是本世紀各國紛紛投入的產業，而智慧電表(Smart Meter)又是智慧電網的關鍵產品，既然是關鍵產品，當然難逃專利的追殺。
2011.11.1.美國德州的TransData在威斯康辛州西部聯邦地院，控告美國威斯康辛州的電力及照明公司Wisconsin Power & Light Company 涉嫌在電表的設計上侵犯該公司的3項專利技術。
TransData成立於1969年，主要從事光電等能源使用的計量裝置研發，在電表的產品已發展至第6代，供應給全球超過30個國家以及全美前50大電力公司使用。
自2010.10.以來，TransData 已提起了9項訴訟，大多集中在2011年，至11月已連續控告了美國本土7個地方的電力公司。
本案的系爭專利有：US6,181,294 、 US6,462,713及US6,903,699。
US6,181,294
Title : Antenna for electric meter and method of manufacture thereof
Filing Date : 1998.3.17.
Issue Date : 2001.1.30.
Abstract :
For use with an electric meter chassis having a dielectric housing protruding therefrom, an antenna for allowing electric meter circuitry within the chassis to communicate wirelessly through the dielectric housing and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) antenna elements, located within the dielectric housing and adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation and (2) a balance circuit, coupled to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to act as an antenna and couplable to an unbalanced output port of a wireless communication circuit, that balances an impedance of the unbalanced output port thereby to balance the antenna.
US6,462,713
Title : Antenna for electric meter and method of manufacturing thereof
Filing Date : 2001.1.25.
Issue Date : 2002.8.8.
Abstract :
For use with an electric meter chassis having a dielectric housing protruding therefrom, an antenna for allowing electric meter circuitry within the chassis to communicate wirelessly through the dielectric housing and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) antenna elements, located within the dielectric housing and adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation and (2) a balance circuit, coupled to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to act as an antenna and couplable to an unbalanced output port of a wireless communication circuit, that balances an impedance of the unbalanced output port thereby to balance the antenna.
US6,903,699
Title : Wireless communication device for electric meter and method of manufacture thereof
Filing Date : 2002.10.7.
Issue Date : 2005.6.7.
Abstract :
For use with an electric meter chassis having a dielectric housing protruding therefrom, a wireless communication device that permits information to be communicated to and from the electric meter and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of: (1) a communication circuit within the chassis coupled to electric meter circuitry, and (2) an antenna element within the dielectric housing, the antenna element coupled to the communication circuit.
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