System and method for providing universal additional functionality for power meters

• US 20070185666A1
• Filed: 02/01/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EI Electronics LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Electro Industries/Gaugetech
• Inventors: Kagan, Erran
• Granted Patent: US 7,477,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/60
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/04 Resetting-mechanisms, e.g. for indicating members
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for providing an additional option function to existing functionality of a meter device configured for measuring parameters of energy is provided. The meter device is coupled with an option device for exchanging data between the meter and the option devices along at least one data path, including exchanging initialization data provided by the option device between the meter device and the option device, wherein the initialization data is useable by the meter device for configuring at least one of the meter device and the option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the option device. The data exchanged between the meter and the option devices are processed by at least one processor. Upon the coupling of the devices and the exchanging of the initialization data, the meter device is operated with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device.

Claims

1. An option device for coupling with a meter device that is configured for measuring parameters of energy, the option device comprising:

at least one component for providing an option function;

at least one storage device for storing initialization data useable by the meter device for configuring at least one of the meter device and the option device to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the option device;

at least one connector for coupling with the meter device for exchanging data with the meter device along at least one data path, the exchanged data including the initialization data; and

at least one processor for at least one of processing data exchanged between the meter and the option device and communicating with the at least one component;

wherein upon coupling the at least one connector with the meter device, the meter device operates with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device, wherein the meter device is of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy.

2. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said option device is packaged as a kit including at least a first and second option device;

the at least one component of the first and second option devices provide first and second option functions respectively;

the at least one connector of the first option device is coupled with the meter device for operating with the meter device for adding the first option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and

the at least one connector of the second option device is coupled to the meter device for at least one of (a) simultaneously with the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device with the meter device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and

(b) replacing the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device instead of the first option function.

3. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one connector of the option device is coupled to the meter device while the meter device is operating.

4. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the initialization data includes identification data identifying the option device, and the meter device uses the identification data to configure the meter device to operate with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

5. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the initialization data includes at least one of a gain factor and an offset factor corresponding to the gain of the option device useable by the meter device for calibrating at least one of the meter device and the option device to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

6. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the initialization data includes executable instructions for execution by a processor of the meter device for facilitating operation of the meter device with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

7. The option device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an interface device disposed along at least one data path of the at least one data path for providing an interface between the at least one processor and the meter device for at least one of facilitating the exchange of data therebetween and providing protection to at least one of the meter device and the processor.

8. The option device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the interface device comprises at least one parallel/serial conversion device for at least one of converting data having a serial format into data having a parallel format, and converting data having a parallel format into data having a serial format.

9. The option device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the interface device comprises isolator circuitry for electrically isolating the meter device from the option device.

10. The option device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the isolator circuitry provided along a path between the at least one processor and a connector of the at least one connector of the meter device for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

11. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one connector includes a first and second connector, wherein the first connector couples with the meter device for exchanging the initialization data between the at least one storage device and the meter device and the second connector couples with the meter device for exchanging data between the at least one processor and the meter device.

12. The option device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connector of the at least one connector is the second connector, and wherein the path provided between the at least one processor and the meter device passes through the second connector for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

13. The option device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the isolator circuitry is provided in the option device.

14. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one connector exchanges data with the meter device along the at least one data path via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

15. The option device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the communication protocol is selected from at least the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

16. The option device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.

17. An option device for coupling with a meter device that is configured for measuring parameters of energy, the option device comprising:

at least one component for providing an option function;

at least one storage device for storing initialization data useable by the meter device for configuring at least one of the meter device and the option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the option device;

a first connector for coupling the at least one storage device with the meter device for exchanging the initialization data between the at least one storage device and the meter device; and

a second connector for coupling at least one processor and the meter device for exchanging data there between;

wherein the at least one processor processes data exchanged between the meter device and the at least one processor and communicates with the at least one component; and

wherein upon coupling the first connector with the meter device, the meter device operates with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device, wherein the meter device is of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy.

18. The option device in accordance with claim 17, wherein isolator circuitry is provided along a path established between the at least one processor and circuitry of the meter device and passing through the second connector for electrically isolating the meter device from the option device.

19. The option device in accordance with claim 18, wherein the isolator circuitry is provided in the option device.

20. The option device in accordance with claim 18, wherein the first connector couples to the meter device via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

21. The option device in accordance with claim 20, wherein the communication protocol is selected from at least the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, Internet communication protocols.

22. The option device in accordance with claim 18, wherein the option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.

23. A method for providing an additional option function to existing functionality of a meter device configured for measuring parameters of energy, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an option device from at least one option device;

coupling the meter device of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy with the selected option device providing an option function;

exchanging data between the meter and the selected option devices along at least one data path, comprising the step of;

exchanging initialization data provided by the selected option device between the meter device and the selected option device, wherein the initialization data is useable by the meter device for configuring at least one of the meter device and the selected option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the selected option device;

processing the data exchanged between the meter and the selected option device; and

operating the meter device with the selected option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device upon exchanging initialization data and coupling the meter device with the selected option device.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

uncoupling the meter device and the selected option device;

coupling the meter device with another option device from the at least one option device providing another option function;

exchanging data between the meter and the another option device along at least one data path, comprising the step of;

exchanging initialization data provided by the another option device between the meter device and the another option device, wherein the initialization data is useable by the meter device for at least one of the meter device and the another option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the another option device;

processing the data exchanged between the meter and the another option device; and

operating the meter device with the another option device for adding the another option function to the existing functionality of the meter device upon exchanging initialization data and coupling the meter device with the another option device.

25. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of operating the meter device before performing the coupling step.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the initialization data includes identification data identifying the selected option device and the configuring step includes using the identification data to configure the meter device to operate with the selected option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the initialization data includes at least one gain factor corresponding to the gain of the selected option device.

28. The method according to claim 23, wherein the initialization data includes executable instructions for execution by a processor of the meter device, and the configuring step includes using the executable instructions.

29. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of converting data exchanged from at least one of data having a serial format into data having a parallel format, and data having a parallel format into data having a serial format.

30. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of electrically isolating the meter device from the selected option device along at least one data path of the at least one data path.

31. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of electrically isolating the meter device from the selected option device comprises the step of providing isolator circuitry along a path established between at least one processor and circuitry of the meter device.

32. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

coupling the meter device with another option device providing another option function;

exchanging data between the meter and the another option device along at least one data path, comprising the step of;

exchanging initialization data provided by the another option device between the meter device and the another option device, wherein the initialization data is useable by the meter device for configuring the at least one of the meter device and the another option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the another option device;

processing the exchanged data; and

operating the meter device with the another option device for adding the another option function to the existing functionality of the meter device upon exchanging initialization data and coupling the meter device with the another option device.

33. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of exchanging data along the at least one data path provides for exchanging data via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the communication protocol is selected from at least the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

35. The method according to claim 23, wherein the selected option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.

36. A method for providing an additional option function to existing functionality of a meter device configured for measuring parameters of energy, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an option device from a plurality of option devices;

coupling the meter device of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy with the selected option device providing an option function;

exchanging data between the meter and the selected option device along at least one data path, comprising the step of;

exchanging initialization data provided by the selected option device between the meter device and the selected option device, wherein the initialization data is useable by the meter device for configuring at least one of the meter device and the selected option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the selected option device and meter device;

electrically isolating the meter device from the selected option device along at least one data path of the at least one data path;

processing the data exchanged between the meter and the selected option device; and

operating the meter device with the selected option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device upon the exchanging of the initialization data and coupling the meter device with the selected option device.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the step of exchanging data along the at least one data path provides for exchanging data via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the communication protocol is selected from at least the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

39. The method according to claim 36, wherein the selected option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.

40. A meter device configured for measuring at least one parameter of energy comprising:

at least one input line for receiving energy for measuring at least one parameter thereof;

circuitry for processing the received energy;

at least one connector configured for interchangeably coupling the meter device with a plurality of option devices, including an option device providing an option function for exchanging data therebetween, the exchanged data including initialization data provided by the option device; and

at least one processor for using the initialization data for configuring at least one of the meter device and the option device to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the meter device and the option device;

wherein upon coupling the option device to the at least one connector, the at least one of the meter device and the option device is configured in accordance with the initialization data and the meter device is operated with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device.

41. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the at least one connector is uncoupled from the option device and the at least one connector is coupled to another option device providing another option function;

wherein upon coupling the another option device to the at least one connector the at least one of the meter device and the another option device is configured to be in condition to operate with the at least one of the another option device and meter device in accordance with initialization data provided from the another option device, and the meter device is operated with the another option device for adding the another option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

42. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the meter device is operated with the another option device for adding the another option function to the existing functionality of the meter device instead of the option function provided by the option device.

43. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the at least one connector is coupled to the option device while the meter device is operating for measuring the at least one parameter of the energy.

44. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the initialization data includes identification data identifying the option device, and the meter device uses the identification data to configure the meter device to operate with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

45. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the initialization data includes at least one parameter value, and the at least one of the meter device and the option device uses the at least one parameter value to configure the at least one of the meter device and the option device to operate with the at least one of the at least one of the meter device and the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

46. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the initialization data includes executable instructions for execution by the at least one processor, and the at least one processor executes the executable instructions for configuring the at least one processor to operate with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

47. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, further comprising at least one parallel/serial conversion device for at least one of converting exchanged data having a serial format into data having a parallel format, and converting exchanged data having a parallel format into data having a serial format.

48. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the at least one connector includes a first and second connector, wherein the first connector couples with the option device for transmitting the initialization data from at least one storage device of the option device to the meter device, and the second connector couples with the option device for exchanging data between at least one processor of the option device and the meter device.

49. The meter device in accordance with claim 48, further comprising isolator circuitry coupled to the second connector for electrically isolating the meter device from the at least one processor of the option device.

50. The meter device in accordance with claim 49, wherein the isolator circuitry provided along a path between the at least one processor and a connector of the at least one connector of the meter device for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

51. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the at least one connector exchanges data via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

52. The meter device in accordance with claim 51, wherein the communication protocol is selected from at least the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

53. The meter device in accordance with claim 40, wherein the option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.