Utility Meter with Communication System Diplays

• US 20080088475A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Landis+Gyr AG (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc. (Landis+Gyr Group AG)
• Inventors: Martin, Warren
• Granted Patent: US 8,188,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• 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: G01R 22/06 by electronic methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/066 Arrangements for avoiding or indicating fraudulent use
• 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 utility meter comprises a measurement circuit configured to measure commodity consumption and provide consumption data. A memory in the meter is configured to store meter data including the consumption data. The memory includes a plurality of memory segments, each of the plurality of memory segments protected by a different password. The meter further comprises a receiver configured to receive a memory request and an associated password from a source external to the utility meter. A controller in the meter is configured to grant or deny the memory request depending upon the associated password received from the source external to the utility meter.

Claims

1. A utility meter comprising:

a measurement circuit configured to measure consumption and provide consumption data;

a memory configured to store meter data including the consumption data, the memory comprising a plurality of memory segments, each of the plurality of memory segments protected by a different password;

a receiver configured to receive a memory request and an associated password from a source external to the measurement circuit; and

a controller configured to grant or deny the memory request depending upon the associated password received from the source external to the measurement circuit.

2. The utility meter of claim 1 further comprising a meter display configured to display the meter data according to a standard meter display routine.

3. The utility meter of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to interrupt or override the standard meter display routine when the memory request is accepted and the memory request includes an associated display instruction that is different from the standard meter display routine.

4. The utility meter of claim 3 wherein the display instruction includes an instruction to display data received from the source external to the measurement circuit.

5. The utility meter of claim 3 wherein the display instruction includes an instruction to display data already stored in the memory.

6. The utility meter of claim 5 wherein the data already stored in the memory includes remote communication information.

7. The utility meter of claim 3 wherein the controller is configured to return to the standard meter display routine following a predetermined time after communication with the source external to the measurement circuit ends.

8. The utility meter of claim 1 wherein passwords associated with the plurality of memory segments are stored in one segment of the plurality of memory segments.

9. The utility meter of claim 1 wherein metrology data is stored in one segment of the plurality of memory segments.

10. The utility meter of claim 1 wherein AMR data is stored in one segment of the plurality of memory segments.

11. The utility meter of claim 1 wherein the source external to the measurement circuit is a source external to the utility meter.

12. A method of operating a utility meter, the method comprising:

a) providing a memory including a plurality of memory segments, wherein each of the plurality of memory segments is associated with a different password;

b) receiving a request for access to one of the plurality of memory segments at the utility meter from a source external to the utility meter, wherein the request for access to one of the plurality of memory segments includes an associated password; and

c) accepting or denying the request for access to one of the plurality of memory segments depending on the associated password.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the request for access to one of the plurality of memory segments includes an associated display instruction that is different from a standard meter display routine.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of interrupting or overriding the standard meter display routine in order to execute the associated display instruction when the memory request is accepted.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of returning to the standard meter display routine after a predetermined time.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the associated display instruction includes an instruction to display data already stored in the memory.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the data already stored in the memory includes remote communication information.

18. The method claim 12 wherein passwords associated with the plurality of memory segments are stored in one segment of the plurality of memory segments.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein metrology data is stored in one segment of the plurality of memory segments.

20. The utility meter of claim 12 wherein AMR data is stored in one segment of the plurality of memory segments.