Systems for in the field configuration of intelligent electronic devices

• US 20020120723A1
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Hyatt, Geoffrey T., Hancock, Martin A., Dagg, Jordon M., Hirschbold, Markus F., Forth, J. Bradford, Lightbody, Simon H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,085,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/10 using digital techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/656 while running
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A system for modifying the functionality of intelligent electronic devices installed and operating in the field is disclosed. Each of the intelligent electronic devices operates with a software configuration to monitor electrical energy. A copy of the software configurations may be maintained in a database. Changes to the operation of one or more of the intelligent electronic devices may be made as a function of modifications to the database.

Claims

1. A method of modifying the operation of an intelligent electronic device installed in the field, the method comprising:

operating the intelligent electronic device with a software configuration to monitor electrical energy;

accessing a virtual meter site via a network;

selecting modifications for the software configuration with the virtual meter site; and

revising the software configuration with the virtual meter site as a function of the selected modifications.

2. The method of claim 1, where revising the software configuration comprises:

generating an update;

transferring the update over the network to the intelligent electronic device; and

applying the update to the software configuration.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating revision of the software configuration with an email message.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating revision of the software configuration with the intelligent electronic device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein initiating revision is performed as a function of a predetermined schedule.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating revision of the software configuration with the virtual meter site.

7. The method of claim 6, where initiating revision comprises triggering the initiation of the revision with activities of a user of the virtual meter site.

8. The method of claim 1, where selecting modifications comprises selecting modifications from a selection list on a display page.

9. The method of claim 1, where selecting modifications comprises answering a series of interrogatories on an interactive page.

10. The method of claim 9, where revising the software configuration comprises modifying the software configuration as a function of the answers.

11. The method of claim 1, where revising the software configuration comprises adding a module to the software configuration.

12. The method of claim 1, where revising the software configuration comprises at least one of adding and modifying a framework within the software configuration.

13. The method of claim 1, where revising the software configuration comprises revising the firmware within the software configuration.

14. The method of claim 1, where revising the software configuration comprises:

accessing a software design tool over the network; and

modifying the software configuration with the software design tool.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising monitoring continuously with the intelligent electronic device.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising saving the second software configuration in the intelligent electronic device.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

modifying the second software configuration with the intelligent electronic device to generate a third software configuration;

operating the intelligent electronic device with the third software configuration; and

initiating transfer of the third software configuration over the network to the database.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising monitoring continuously with the intelligent electronic device.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein communicating over the network to modify the copy of the first software configuration comprises performing verification to ensure authority to access the first software configuration.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein generating a first software revision comprises generating an update, the update comprising at least one of a modified version of the first software configuration, a modified framework for the first software configuration, modified firmware for the first software configuration and an enabling mechanism for the first software configuration.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein communicating over the network to modify the copy of the first software configuration comprises identifying the intelligent electronic device by an identifier.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

requesting the first software configuration from the intelligent electronic device;

transferring the first software configuration over the network; and

verifying that the first software configuration matches the copy of the first software configuration.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein updating the first software revision comprises notifying a system administrator of the pending update.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein communicating over the network to modify the copy of the first software configuration comprises performing modifications with a virtual meter site.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising communicating over the network with a browser.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein operating the intelligent electronic device further comprises:

applying power to the intelligent electronic device;

executing a first portion of a software configuration stored in the intelligent electronic device;

retrieving a second portion of the software configuration from elsewhere in the network as a function of instructions within the first portion of the software configuration; and

combining the first and second portions of the software configuration to form the first software configuration.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising continuously monitoring with the intelligent electronic devices.

30. The method of claim 28, transferring the update comprises initiating the transfer with the intelligent electronic device.

31. The method of claim 28, transferring the update comprises initiating the transfer with the virtual meter site.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein transferring the update comprises simultaneously transferring the update to each of the intelligent electronic devices.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the update comprises at least one of a modified version of the software configuration, a modified framework for the software configuration, modified firmware for the software configuration and an enabling mechanism for the software configuration.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein initiating the creation of an update comprises:

accessing a database for the intelligent electronic devices over the network as a function of the identifier;

modifying the database over the network; and

generating the update as a function of the modification to the database.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein accessing the virtual meter site comprises accessing a server over the network.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising accessing the server with a browser.

37. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving status messages over the network during the transfer of the update and the modification of the software configuration.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein transferring the update comprises:

transferring the update over the network to a master intelligent

electronic device; and

transferring the update over the network to the intelligent electronic devices with the master intelligent electronic device.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein transferring the update comprises:

transferring the update over the network to a translation device; and

transferring the update over the network to the intelligent electronic devices with the translation device.

40. The method of claim 28, further comprising accessing via the network a stored log of information indicating the status of the acts of transferring the update and modifying the software configuration for each of the intelligent electronic devices.

41. The method of claim 28, further comprising;

evaluating the modification to the software configuration of at least one intelligent electronic device via the network; and

communicating over the network to revert to the software configuration operating in the at least one intelligent electronic device prior to modification of the software configuration.

15. A method of modifying the configuration of an intelligent electronic device installed in the field, the method comprising:

operating the intelligent electronic device with a first software configuration to monitor electrical energy;

communicating over a network to modify a copy of the first software configuration stored in a database;

generating a first software revision as a function of the modification;

initiating transfer of the first software revision over the network to the intelligent electronic device;

updating the first software configuration with the first software revision to create a second software configuration; and

operating the intelligent electronic device with the second software configuration.

28. A method of modifying the functionality of a plurality of intelligent electronic devices installed and operating in the field, the method comprising:

accessing a virtual meter site via a network;

specifying an identifier for the intelligent electronic devices;

initiating the creation of an update to a software configuration of each of the intelligent electronic devices with the virtual meter site;

transferring the update to the intelligent electronic devices over the network; and

modifying the software configuration in each of the intelligent electronic devices with the update.

42. A method of adding functionality to an intelligent electronic device installed and operating in the field, the method comprising:

specifying functionality to be added to the intelligent electronic device with a user interface;

selecting payment for the functionality using the user interface; and

upgrading the functionality of the intelligent electronic device.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising receiving pricing information from a server over a network.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising receiving pricing information from the intelligent electronic device.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein specifying functionality comprises transferring a request for the specified functionality over a network to a server.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein specifying functionality comprises:

transferring a software configuration currently in operation in the intelligent electronic device over a network to a server;

comparing the software configuration to a datafile;

modifying the datafile as a function of the functionality specified; and

generating pricing information as a function of the modification.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein upgrading the functionality comprises transferring an update over a network to the intelligent electronic device.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein upgrading the functionality comprises accessing an enabling mechanism within the intelligent electronic device.

49. The method of claim 42, further comprising performing a billing process over a network with a server.

50. The method of claim 42, wherein selecting payment for the functionality comprises;

transferring billing information over a network to a server; and

authenticating the billing information.

51. A method of maintaining integrity of data collection in an intelligent electronic device operating in the field to monitor electrical energy, the method comprising:

a) operating a first intelligent electronic device at a location to monitor electrical energy;

b) operating a second intelligent electronic device at the location to monitor electrical energy;

c) transferring data collected by the first intelligent electronic device over a network to a database;

d) terminating the operation of the first intelligent electronic device to perform maintenance of the first intelligent electronic device;

e) activating the first intelligent electronic device following the maintenance to monitor electrical energy at the location;

f) transferring data collected by the second intelligent electronic device to the database; and

g) transferring data from the first intelligent electronic device and data from the second intelligent electronic device over the network from the database to the first intelligent electronic device.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein c) comprises transferring data to the database located within the second intelligent electronic device.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein c) comprises transferring data to the database located within a server communicatively coupled with the network.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein f) comprises transferring data over the network to the server.

55. The method of claim 51, further comprising removing the second intelligent electronic device from service.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein b) comprises:

transferring a software configuration operating in the first intelligent electronic device over the network to the second intelligent electronic device; and

operating the second intelligent electronic device with the software configuration.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein b) comprises electrically replacing the first intelligent electronic device with the second intelligent electronic device.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein e) comprises electrically replacing the second intelligent electronic device with the first intelligent electronic device.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein g) comprises combining within the database data transferred from the first intelligent electronic device to the database with data transferred from the second intelligent electronic device to the database.

60. The method of claim 51, wherein g) comprises combining within the first intelligent electronic device data transferred from the first intelligent electronic device to the database with data transferred from the second intelligent electronic device to the database.

61. The method of claim 51, wherein a) further comprises:

applying power to the first intelligent electronic device;

executing a first portion of a software configuration stored in the first intelligent electronic device;

retrieving a second portion of the software configuration from elsewhere in the network as a function of instructions within the first portion of the software configuration; and

executing the first and second portions of the software configuration within the first intelligent electronic device.

62. A system for modifying the functionality of an intelligent electronic device previously installed in the field and operating, the system comprising:

a server computer, the intelligent electronic device in communication with the server over a network, the intelligent electronic device operated with a software configuration stored therein; and

a storage device in communication with the server, the storage device comprising a database, wherein a copy of the software configuration is stored in the database, the server is operable to modify the operation of the intelligent electronic device as a function of modifications to the database.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the server comprises a network server operatively communicating with a master server, the network server operable to generate display pages to create a virtual meter site and the master server operable to maintain the database.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein the server comprises a second intelligent electronic device operatively communicating over the network.

65. The system of claim 62, further comprising a browser coupled to the server, the browser operable to access the database.

66. The system of claim 62, wherein the software configuration comprises firmware and frameworks.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the server is operable to perform modifications to the firmware and frameworks as a function of selections lists selectable by a user.

68. The system of claim 62, wherein the network comprises an Intranet.

69. The system of claim 62, wherein the network comprises an Internet Protocol based network.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the network further comprises an Internet.

71. The system of claim 62, wherein the intelligent electronic device comprises a watt-hour meter.

72. The system of claim 62, wherein the intelligent electronic device comprises a var-hour meter.

73. The system of claim 62, wherein the software configuration is stored in a memory of the intelligent electronic device comprising volatile memory and non-volatile memory, wherein a first portion of the software configuration is stored in the non-volatile memory and a second portion of the software configuration is stored in the volatile memory.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the second portion of the software configuration is transferable over the network from the database to the intelligent electronic device as a function of instructions within the first portion of the software configuration.

75. The system of claim 62, wherein the server is operable to modify the operation of the intelligent electronic device with an update transferable over the network to the intelligent electronic device.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the update comprises a modified software configuration.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein the update comprises a modification to the software configuration.

78. The system of claim 75, wherein the update comprises an enabling mechanism.

79. The system of claim 75, wherein the update comprises an email message.

80. The system of claim 75, wherein the update comprises a datafile.