Interface between meter and application (IMA)
First Claim
1. A utility meter for use within an advanced metering system operating relative to a network and having other utility meters, user interfaces, and central collection functionality, comprising:
- metrology for monitoring the consumption or production of a commodity;
at least one communications module configured to effect bi-directional communications between said utility meter and other networked devices using an open standard meter communication protocol; and
an interface for permitting transmission of information between said metrology and one or more operational applications associated with said utility meter, said interface functioning as a device driver for said utility meter that is capable of interfacing with a user interface and central collection functionality.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing an interface between a meter in an advanced metering system and an application running on such a system. The interface operates effectively as a device driver to translate communication protocols so that plug-n-play functionality (interchangeability) may be provided for meters provided from various venders in an open operational framework, such as for ANSI standard C12.22 meters. The interface provides a plug-in based library that interfaces between the user interface and a data collection engine that is designed to optimize data collection functionality. Optimization is achieved, at least in part, by providing data request processing separately from response processing. Separate response processing allows for the possibility of unsolicited messages being processed for later association with other possible jobs.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A utility meter for use within an advanced metering system operating relative to a network and having other utility meters, user interfaces, and central collection functionality, comprising:
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metrology for monitoring the consumption or production of a commodity;
at least one communications module configured to effect bi-directional communications between said utility meter and other networked devices using an open standard meter communication protocol; and
an interface for permitting transmission of information between said metrology and one or more operational applications associated with said utility meter, said interface functioning as a device driver for said utility meter that is capable of interfacing with a user interface and central collection functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of permitting transmission of information between utility meter metrologies and one or more operational applications associated with a utility meter, said method comprising steps of:
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providing a network including central collection functionality and a plurality of end devices;
configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and each of the plurality of end devices using an open standard meter communication protocol; and
providing an interface at each of the plurality of end devices that is capable of interfacing with a user interface and central collection functionality. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An advanced metering system, comprising:
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a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices;
a network including central collection functionality comprising a collection engine, said network being configured for bi-directional communications between said central collection functionality and each of said plurality of end devices, said bi-directional communications occurring at least in part based on an open standard meter communication protocol; and
an interface at selected end devices for permitting transmission of information between said metrology devices associated with each of said selected end devices and one or more operational applications associated with each of said selected end devices, said interface functioning as a device driver for each of said selected end devices, and configured for interfacing with a user interface and central collection functionality. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification