Transferable meter licenses using smartcard technology
First Claim
1. A method of enabling enhanced utility meter functionality via smartcard transaction, said method comprising the following steps:
- providing a smartcard reader interfaced with a utility meter and with a peripheral computer (PC);
engaging a smartcard into the smartcard reader and activating a PC-based transfer application on the PC;
performing external authentication between the smartcard and the PC;
communicating between the PC and the meter to enable selected enhanced functional meter features; and
decrementing a license counter provided in conjunction with the smartcard.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A metering system is provided including a smartcard reader and peripheral computer in communication with a metering apparatus. A smartcard with memory, microprocessor, and license counter may then be engaged with a smartcard reader in the metering system to effect meter license transactions. The license transactions may be purchased by a user either to enable enhanced functional meter features via a meter upgrade process or to disable functional meter features via a meter downgrade process. Such features are typically enabled or disabled by respectively either providing or restricting access to selected portions of the meter firmware. Since both upgrades and downgrades can be effected at a utility meter, the smartcards provide transferable meter licenses. Advantages of the disclosed smartcard technology facilitate secure and reliable license transactions. Such advantages more particularly result from data encryption techniques when communicating with a smartcard and a random communication protocol implemented between smartcard and utility meter modules.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A method of enabling enhanced utility meter functionality via smartcard transaction, said method comprising the following steps:
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providing a smartcard reader interfaced with a utility meter and with a peripheral computer (PC);
engaging a smartcard into the smartcard reader and activating a PC-based transfer application on the PC;
performing external authentication between the smartcard and the PC;
communicating between the PC and the meter to enable selected enhanced functional meter features; and
decrementing a license counter provided in conjunction with the smartcard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of disabling enhanced utility meter functionality via smartcard transaction, said method comprising the following steps:
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providing a smartcard reader interfaced with a utility meter and with a peripheral computer (PC);
engaging a smartcard into the smartcard reader and activating a PC-based transfer application on the PC;
performing external authentication between the smartcard and the PC;
communicating between the PC and the meter to disable selected enhanced functional meter features; and
incrementing a license counter provided in conjunction with the smartcard. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of utilizing a smartcard to transfer a functionality license to a utility meter, said method comprising the following steps:
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interfacing a smartcard with a utility meter;
interrogating a license counter on the smartcard to ensure a proper license count exists before transferring the desired functionality;
providing a secure communication path between the smartcard and the utility meter; and
transferring information between the smartcard and the utility meter to enable or disable selected utility meter functions. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A smartcard for use with utility meter license transfers, said smartcard comprising:
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memory configured to store files with information corresponding to license transactions;
a microprocessor configured to process data transferred to and from said smartcard;
an interface port configured to connect and communicate with a smartcard reader; and
an enclosure for housing said memory and said microprocessor in a modular configuration. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A smartcard reader configured to interface with a utility meter such that meter license transactions can be effected, said smartcard reader comprising:
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a first interface port configured to connect and communicate with a smartcard; and
a second interface port configured to communicate with a utility meter. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A metering system capable of providing upgraded or downgraded functionality, wherein the metering system functionality is enabled or disabled via meter functionality licenses, said metering system comprising:
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a metering apparatus for electronically measuring or distributing a utility product;
at least one communications port provided in conjunction with said metering apparatus such that communication with processing components of the metering apparatus is enabled;
a peripheral computer configured to communicate with said metering apparatus via said at least one communication port; and
a smartcard reader connected to and in communication with said peripheral computer, said smartcard reader configured to receive a smartcard such that meter system functionality can be enabled or disabled. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification