Network-enabled, extensible metering system

• US 20060209844A1
• Filed: 05/11/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raymond Kelley, Richard Christopher Carpenter, Sasan Ardalan, Sean Michael Scoggins
• Original Assignee: Raymond Kelley, Richard Christopher Carpenter, Sasan Ardalan, Sean Michael Scoggins
• Inventors: Ardalan, Sasan, Carpenter, Richard Christopher, Scoggins, Sean Michael, Kelley, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 7,505,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.520
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2213/10 using simultaneously two or more different transmission means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/147 for predicting network behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

To allow meter data users to have access to needed information and at the same time address the rapidly shifting requirements of the deregulated marketplace, a new business model, apparatus and system are provided. A common metering device measures raw data and a system composed of independent services or applications collect and process raw metered data and then make that data available to interested parties. This new model removes the dependence upon an automatic meter reading (AMR) system provider, as the sole provider, by creating a system to enable a competitive environment where services (applications, information, networking, etc.) rather than systems are selected and paid for on a leased or pay-per-use basis. One example of such a networked-based, extensible metering system comprises a network server, a wide area network coupled to the network server, and a plurality of network-enabled meters coupled to the network. The meters collect data and the network server provides at least one metering application to the meters. In addition, the meters may be programmed to communicate via a predefined protocol and to deliver a protocol interface to a storage medium on the network, which enables the network to provide the protocol interface to users or applications requiring information from the meters and the users/applications to communicate with the meters to access the required information.

Claims

1. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising:

(a) a network server;

(b) a TCP/IP network coupled to the network server; and

(c) a network-enabled service-oriented meter coupled to the TCP/IP network;

wherein the meter provides services and receives new services through a service interface to a networked service-oriented device or application.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database coupled to the network, wherein the meter is programmed to communicate via a predefined protocol, and delivers a protocol interface to the database, whereby the network is able to provide the protocol interface to a user or application requiring information from the meter and the user or application is able to communicate with the meter to access the required information.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter includes a network communicating device.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an applications programming interface (API) whereby a meter data user (MDU) is provided with services by the meter through the service interface.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an applications programming interface (API) whereby a meter data user (MDU) is provided with metering applications by the server.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises an intranet.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises a wide area network.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database server accessible to a meter data user (MDU).

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein applications reside on a storage medium on the network and are upgradeable on the network.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein applications are activated on the meter on a real-time basis.

12. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein multiple meter data users can access the same or different services for the same meter.

13. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter consists of a reduced set of internal hardware and firmware required for traditional metering devices.

14. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising embedded network-enabling adaptors to allow legacy metering devices to interface with network-level users and applications.

15. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising communications adaptors to allow protocol-dependent communication between users and applications and the network-enabled meter.

16. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter is programmed to communicate via a predefined protocol, and delivers a protocol interface to a storage medium on the network, whereby the network is able to provide the protocol interface to a user or application requiring information from the meter and the user or application is enabled to communicate with the meter to access the required information;

further comprising an applications programming interface (API) whereby a meter data user (MDU) is provided with services by the meter and the MDU is provided with metering applications by the server;

wherein applications reside on the network and are upgradeable on the network;

wherein applications are activated on the meter on a real-time basis;

wherein multiple MDUs can access the same or different services for the same meter; and

further comprising communications adaptors to allow protocol-dependent communication between users and applications and the network-enabled meter.

17. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising a network server, a wide area network coupled to the network server, and a plurality of network-enabled service-oriented meters coupled to the network;

wherein the meters provide services and receives new services through a service interface to networked service-oriented devices or applications;

wherein the meters are programmed to communicate via a predefined protocol and to deliver a protocol interface to a storage medium on the network, whereby the network is able to provide the protocol interface to users or applications requiring information from the meters and the users or applications are able to communicate with the meters to access the required information.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, further comprising an applications programming interface (API) whereby a meter data user (MDU) is provided with services by a meter through the service interface and the MDU is provided with metering applications by the server.

19. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein applications reside on the network and are upgradeable on the network.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein applications are activated on the meters on a real-time basis.

21-22. -22. (canceled)