WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ENABLED METER AND NETWORK

• US 20080132185A1
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: F2VS Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kenneth W. Garrard
• Inventors: Elliott, Karl E., Garrard, Kenneth W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/115.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/04 Network management architectures or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/34 Signalling channels for network management communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• 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
• 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 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A meter enabled for wireless communication and a wireless communication network are disclosed. A meter enabled for wireless communication comprises a metering device, a wireless communication system and an interface between the two. Meter data can be read, and the meter can be controlled via communication with a wireless network using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol A self-configuring wireless network is also disclosed. The wireless network includes a number of vnodes, and one or more VGATES. The vnodes are devices that are enabled for wireless communication using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. Vnodes are operative to form ad hoc piconet connections. The one or more VGATES comprise computer network gateways that are enabled for wireless communication using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. Thus, the VGATES enable the wireless array of vnodes to communicate with a private or public computer network to transmit data or receive commands. The network may also communicate with a VNOC system. VNOC is a universal communications adapter that enables the wireless array of vnodes to communicate (either directly or through a VGATE) with a central control facility via various wireless or wired communication media.

Claims

1-65. -65. (canceled)

66. A wireless communication-enabled meter, comprising:

a metering device configured to generate meter-related data;

a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a self-configuring wireless network; and

an interface that facilitates communication between the metering device and the transceiver, the interface including a configuration module that stores the identity of the metering device and executes a self-configuration cycle to establish connectivity with the wireless network,

wherein upon establishing connectivity, the wireless network is capable of accessing the meter-related data.

67. The meter of claim 66, wherein the meter-related data comprises measured usage information, monitoring information, and/or control information capable of controlling the metering device.

68. The meter of claim 66, wherein the transceiver and self-configuring wireless network operate in accordance with a wireless transmission protocol.

69. The meter of claim 66, wherein the self-configuration cycle is executed upon initialization and/or upon a detected disruption in connectivity.

70. The meter of claim 66, wherein the configuration module stores information regarding the identities and/or location of at least one other wireless communication-enabled meter associated with the self-configuration wireless network.

71. The meter of claim 66, wherein the configuration module stores routing information regarding at least one other wireless communication-enabled meter associated with the self-configuration wireless network.

72. The meter of claim 66, wherein the configuration module is configured to execute a polling procedure to poll at least one other wireless communication-enabled meter associated with the self-configuration wireless network.

73. The meter of claim 66, wherein the configuration module is configured with encryption capability to encrypt communications between the metering device and the self-configuration wireless network.

74. A wireless module for use with a metering device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate meter-related data with a self-configuring wireless network; and

an interface that facilitates communication between the metering device and the transceiver, the interface including a configuration module that stores the identity of the metering device and executes a self-configuration cycle to establish connectivity to the wireless network.

75. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the meter-related data comprises measured usage information, monitoring information, and/or control information and/or control information capable of controlling the metering device.

76. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the transceiver and self-configuring wireless network operate in accordance with a wireless transmission protocol.

77. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the configuration module stores information regarding the identities and/or location of at least one other wireless module associated with the self-configuration wireless network.

78. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the configuration module stores routing information regarding at least one other wireless module associated with the self-configuration wireless network.

79. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the self-configuration cycle is executed upon initialization and/or upon a detected disruption in connectivity.

80. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the configuration module is configured to execute a polling procedure to poll at least one other wireless module associated with the self-configuration wireless network.

81. The wireless module of claim 74, wherein the configuration module is configured with encryption capability to encrypt communications between the wireless module and the self-configuration wireless network.

82. A self-configuring wireless network, comprising:

(i) a network cluster, comprising;

a first sub-network including at least one self-configuring virtual node; and

a second sub-network including at least one self-configuring virtual node,

wherein the first and second sub-networks are communicatively coupled to each other via a wireless communication link between the respective at least one self-configuring virtual nodes, and

(ii) a virtual gate being communicatively coupled to the first and/or second sub-networks and configured to provide a communication access point between the network cluster and at least one external network.

83. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the respective at least one virtual nodes are configured to execute a self-configuration cycle to establish connectivity with a portion of the network cluster.

84. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the self-configuration cycle is executed upon initialization and/or upon a detected disruption in connectivity.

85. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the respective at least one virtual nodes stores information regarding the identities and/or location of the at least one virtual nodes and other nodes of the network cluster.

86. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the respective at least one virtual nodes include a routing table that comprises routing information about the at least one virtual nodes and other nodes of the network cluster.

87. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the respective at least one virtual nodes are configured to execute a polling procedure to poll the at least the at least one virtual nodes and other nodes of the network cluster.

88. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the respective at least one virtual nodes are configured with encryption capability to encrypt communications between the at least one virtual nodes and other nodes of the network cluster.

89. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the virtual gate comprises a computer network gateway.

90. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the virtual gate stores geographic location of all virtual nodes within a pre-specified distance of the virtual gate.

91. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 82, wherein the respective at least one virtual nodes communicate under a wireless transmission protocol.

92. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 91, wherein the wireless transmission protocol employs at least one multiplexed communication channel such that each multiplexed channel employs a different transmission frequency.

93. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 91, wherein a first protocol channel is used for upstream communication and a second protocol channel is used for downstream communication.

94. A virtual network operations entity associated with a self-configuring wireless communication network containing at least one self-configuring virtual node, said virtual network operating entity comprising:

a communication interface configured to accommodate a plurality of communication protocols to facilitate communications between the self-configuring wireless communication network and at least one external network;

an event naming module configured to identify pre-specified events;

an event database configured to store information regarding the pre-specified events;

an event management module configured to process and manage occurrences of the pre-specified events; and

a communication management module configured to manage communication of the pre-specified events between the self-configuring wireless communication network and the at least one external network.

95. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising a configuration management module that specifies one or more of interface information, protocol information, and pre-specified services.

96. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising a security management module that manages security of communications between the self-configuring wireless communication network and at least one external network.

97. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising an error and recovery management module that manages detection of, and recovery from, communication errors.

98. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising a replication redundancy management module that replicates attribute information regarding the self-configuration wireless communication network.

99. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising a billing module that tracks and bills usage of services provided by the self-configuring wireless communication network.

100. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising an audit and logging module.

101. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, further comprising a publication and subscription management module that manages the publication of the occurrences of the pre-specified events.

102. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, wherein the communication interface facilitates remote monitoring of at least one node of the self-configuring wireless communication network.

103. The virtual network operation entity of claim 94, wherein the communication interface includes a customer interface.

104. The virtual network operations entity of claim 103, wherein the customer interface comprises a web browser interface, electronic mail interface, a customized Internet Protocol application interface, a telephone interface, a modem interface, and/or a paging device interface.

105. The virtual network operations entity of claim 94, wherein the communications interface includes a network interface.

106. The virtual network operations entity of claim 105, wherein the network interface comprises a Bluetooth interface, a cellular communication interface, a satellite communication interface, an Internet interface, a power distribution network interface, and/or any interface configured to operatively communicate with any other public or private network.

107. A self-configuring wireless network, comprising:

(i) a network cluster, comprising;

a first sub-network including at least one self-configuring virtual node; and

a second sub-network including at least one self-configuring virtual node,

wherein the first and second sub-networks are communicatively coupled to each other through a communication link between the at least one self-configuring virtual node of the first sub-network and the self-configuring virtual node of the second sub-network;

(ii) a virtual gate being communicatively coupled to the first and/or second sub-networks and configured to provide a communication access point between the network cluster and at least one external network; and

(iii) a virtual network operations entity configured to facilitate communications between the network cluster and at the least one external network.

108. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the at least one virtual nodes are configured to execute a self-configuration cycle to connect themselves with a portion of the network cluster.

109. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the at least one virtual nodes include a routing table that comprises routing information about the at least one virtual nodes and other nodes of the network cluster.

110. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual gate comprises a computer network gateway.

111. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual gate wirelessly communicates with the at least one external network.

112. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual gate communicates with the at least one external network via wired communication.

113. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual gate comprises an intelligence module that stores geographic location of all virtual nodes within a pre-specified distance of the virtual gate such that the location of a specific virtual node may be is determined from the virtual gate.

114. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity comprises:

a communication interface configured to accommodate a plurality of communication protocols employed during communications between the network cluster and the at least one external network;

an event naming module configured to identify pre-specified events;

an event database configured to store information regarding the pre-specified events;

an event management module configured to process and manage occurrences of the pre-specified events; and

a communication management module configured to manage communication of the pre-specified events between the network cluster and the at least one external network.

115. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises a configuration management module that specifies one or more of interface information, protocol information, and pre-specified services.

116. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises a security management module that manages security of communications between the self-configuring wireless communication network and at least one external network.

117. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises an error and recovery management module that manages detection of, and recovery from, communication errors.

118. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises a replication redundancy management module that replicates attribute information regarding the self-configuration wireless communication network.

119. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises a billing module that tracks and bills usage of services provided by the self-configuring wireless communication network.

120. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises an audit and logging module.

121. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the virtual network operations entity further comprises a publication and subscription management module that manages the publication of the occurrences of the pre-specified events.

122. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the communication interface facilitates remote monitoring of at least one node of the network cluster.

123. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the communication interface includes a customer interface.

124. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 123, wherein the customer interface comprises a web browser interface, electronic mail interface, a customized Internet Protocol application interface, a telephone interface, a modem interface, and/or a paging device interface.

125. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 107, wherein the communications interface includes a network interface.

126. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 125, wherein the network interface comprises a Bluetooth interface, a cellular communication interface, a satellite communication interface, a MicroBurst interface, an Internet communication application interface, an OrbComm interface, a GSM interface, and/or a Cellemetry interface.

127. A method of configuring a self-configuring virtual node, comprising:

executing a self configuration cycle to initialize connectivity with an associated first wireless sub-network;

periodically polling other virtual nodes of the first wireless sub-network;

executing the self-configuration cycle to establish connectivity with a second wireless sub-network if the initial connectivity with the first wireless sub-network fails or if connectivity with the first wireless sub-network has been subsequently disrupted.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the self configuring cycle is based on a set of transmission rules comprising connecting only with a sub-network having a virtual node, specifying a maximum number of node hops that can be used to reach a communication point, and/or connecting to a sub-network having the smallest number of node hops to the communication point.

129. The method of claim 127, further comprising programming the virtual node to include information regarding the geographic location of the closest communication point.

130. The method of claim 127, further comprising programming the virtual node with information regarding the identities and/or location of other virtual nodes associated with the first and/or second wireless networks.

131. The method of claim 127, further comprising programming the virtual node with routing information regarding other virtual nodes associated with the first and/or second wireless networks.

132. The method of claim 127, further comprising programming the virtual node with encryption capability to encrypt communications.

133. A method of configuring a network containing a plurality of virtual nodes including at least one self-configuring virtual node and at least one virtual gate, said method comprising:

broadcasting a request for the virtual gate;

storing a route to the virtual gate in a routing table based on a response from a virtual node;

storing transport-agent parameters for access to the virtual gate in the routing table if a message is received from the virtual gate; and

configuring a metric indicating proximity to the virtual gate.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the metric comprises 0 if the access to the designated virtual gate comprises a direct link.

135. The method of claim 133, further comprising:

receiving a request message from a path-seeking virtual node; and

transmitting a response to the path-seeking virtual node request message comprising availability as a path to the designated virtual gate and the metric.

136. The method of claim 135, wherein the path seeking virtual node is an unconfigured virtual node.

137. The method of claim 135, wherein the path seeking virtual node is a configured virtual node searching for a more efficient path.

138. The method of claim 136, wherein storing a route to the virtual gate based on the response received from the virtual node comprises:

receiving a response from a plurality of virtual nodes;

choosing a first configured virtual node to be a gateway based on metric and transport-agent parameters; and

transmitting an acknowledgement to the first configured virtual node.

139. A self-configuring wireless network, comprising:

a first network including a plurality of self-configuring, individually addressable virtual nodes in which individual virtual nodes are independently operative to;

(a) initiate and establish a wireless communication connection with any other self-configuring virtual node associated with the first network during a self-configuration process,

(b) store information regarding the identities and/or location of other self-configuring virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection,

(c) generate data and transmit the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection, and

(d) receive data from virtual nodes and forward the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection; and

a virtual gate communicatively coupled to the first network and configured to provide a communication access point between the first network and at least one external network.

140. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 139, further comprising:

a second network including a plurality of self-configuring, individually addressable virtual nodes in which individual virtual nodes are independently operative to;

(a) initiate and establish a wireless communication connection with any other self-configuring virtual node associated with the second network during a self-configuration process,

(b) store information regarding the identities and/or location of other self-configuring virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection,

(c) generate data and transmit the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection, and

(d) receive data from virtual nodes and forward the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection; and

wherein the first network communicates with the second network via a wireless communication connection between at least virtual node associated with the first network and at least one virtual node associated with the second network.

141. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 140, wherein the self-configuration process is executed upon initialization of the self-configuring virtual nodes and/or upon a detected disruption in connectivity between the self-configuring virtual nodes.

142. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 141,

wherein in response to a disruption in the first network, at least one of the self-configuring virtual nodes of the first network establishes connectivity and becomes associated with the second network during its self-configuration process, and

wherein in response to a disruption in the second network, at least one of the self-configuring virtual nodes of the second network establishes connectivity and becomes associated with the first network during its self-configuration process.

143. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 140, wherein the individual self-configuring virtual nodes are further configured with the capability to maintain a routing table that comprises routing information, at any given instant in time, about other virtual nodes with which the individual nodes have established a communication connection.

144. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 140, wherein the individual self-configuring virtual nodes are further configured with the capability to execute a periodic polling procedure to poll other self-configuring virtual nodes with which the individual nodes have established a communication connection and check for messaging information.

145. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 140, wherein the individual self-configuring virtual nodes are further configured with the capability to encrypt communications with other self-configuring virtual nodes with which the individual nodes have established a communication connection.

146. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 139, wherein the virtual gate comprises a computer network gateway.

147. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 139, wherein the virtual gate stores geographic location of all self-configuring virtual nodes within a pre-specified distance of the virtual gate.

148. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 140, wherein the self-configuring virtual nodes communicate in compliance with a wireless transmission protocol.

149. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 148, wherein the wireless transmission protocol employs at least one multiplexed communication channel such that each multiplexed channel employs a different transmission frequency.

150. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 148, wherein the wireless transmission protocol employs a first protocol channel for upstream communication and a second protocol channel for downstream communication.

151. A virtual network operations entity associated with a self-configuring wireless communication network that includes a plurality of self-configuring, individually addressable virtual nodes in which individual virtual nodes are independently operative to (a) initiate and establish a wireless communication connection with any other self-configuring virtual node in the network during a self-configuration process, (b) store information regarding the identities and/or location of other self-configuring virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection, (c) generate data and transmit the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection, and (d) receive data from virtual nodes and forward the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection, said virtual network operating entity comprising:

a communication interface configured to accommodate a plurality of communication protocols to facilitate communications between the virtual nodes of the self-configuring wireless communication network and at least one external network;

an event naming module configured to identify pre-specified events;

an event database configured to store information regarding the pre-specified events;

an event management module configured to process and manage occurrences of the pre-specified events; and

a communication management module configured to manage communication of the pre-specified events between the self-configuring wireless communication network and the at least one external network.

152. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising a configuration management module that specifies one or more of interface information, protocol information, and pre-specified services.

153. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising a security management module that manages security of communications between the self-configuring wireless communication network and at least one external network.

154. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising an error and recovery management module that manages detection of, and recovery from, communication errors.

155. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising a replication redundancy management module that replicates attribute information regarding the self-configuration wireless communication network.

156. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising a billing module that tracks and bills usage of services provided by the self-configuring wireless communication network.

157. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising an audit and logging module.

158. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, further comprising a publication and subscription management module that manages the publication of the occurrences of the pre-specified events.

159. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, wherein the communication interface facilitates remote monitoring of at least one self-configuring virtual node of the self-configuring wireless communication network.

160. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, wherein the communication interface includes a customer interface.

161. The virtual network operations entity of claim 160, wherein the customer interface comprises a web browser interface, electronic mail interface, a customized Internet Protocol application interface, a telephone interface, a modem interface, and/or a paging device interface.

162. The virtual network operations entity of claim 151, wherein the communications interface includes a network interface.

163. The virtual network operations entity of claim 162, wherein the network interface comprises a Bluetooth interface, a cellular communication interface, a satellite communication interface, an Internet interface, a power distribution network interface, and/or any interface configured to operatively communicate with any other public or private network.

164. A method of implementing a self-configuring individually addressable virtual node, comprising:

providing the virtual node with instructions to execute a self-configuration process in order to independently initiate and establish a wireless communication connection with other virtual nodes associated with a first network;

enabling the virtual node to store information regarding the identities and/or location of the other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection;

enabling the virtual node to generate data and transmit the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection; and

enabling the virtual node to receive data from virtual nodes and forward the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection.

165. The method of claim 164, wherein the self configuring process is based on a set of transmission rules comprising specifying a maximum number of node hops that can be used to reach a communication point, and/or connecting to a sub-network having the smallest number of node hops to the communication point.

166. The method of claim 164, further comprising providing the virtual node with instructions to execute a periodic polling procedure to poll other self-configuring virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection and check for messaging information.

167. The method of claim 164, further comprising executing the self-configuration cycle to establish connectivity with a second network if the initial connectivity with the first network fails or if connectivity with the first network has been subsequently disrupted.

168. The method of claim 165, further comprising providing the virtual node with instructions to include information regarding the geographic location of the closest communication point.

169. The method of claim 164, further comprising providing the virtual node with instructions to identify and store routing information regarding other virtual nodes associated with the first and/or second network.

170. The method of claim 164, further comprising providing the virtual node with instructions to encrypt communications.

171. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 164, further comprising providing the virtual node with instructions to communicate in compliance with a wireless transmission protocol.

172. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 171, wherein the wireless transmission protocol employs at least one multiplexed communication channel such that each multiplexed channel employs a different transmission frequency.

173. The self-configuring wireless network of claim 171, wherein the wireless transmission protocol employs a first protocol channel for upstream communication and a second protocol channel for downstream communication.

174. A method of implementing a self-configuring wireless network containing a plurality of self-configuring, individually addressable virtual nodes and at least one virtual gate, said method comprising:

providing the virtual nodes with instructions to execute a self-configuration process in order to independently initiate and establish a wireless communication connection with other virtual nodes;

enabling the virtual nodes to store information regarding the identities and/or location of the other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection;

enabling the virtual nodes to generate data and transmit the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection;

enabling the virtual nodes to receive data from virtual nodes and forward the data to other virtual nodes with which the node has established a communication connection;

providing the virtual nodes with instructions to broadcast a request for the virtual gate;

providing the virtual nodes with instructions to store a route to the virtual gate in a routing table based on responses from other virtual nodes;

storing transport-agent parameters for access to the virtual gate in the routing table if a message is received from the virtual gate; and

storing a metric indicating proximity to the virtual gate.

175. The method of claim 174, wherein the metric comprises 0 if the access to the designated virtual gate comprises a direct link.

176. The method of claim 174, further comprising:

receiving a request message from a path-seeking virtual node; and

transmitting a response to the path-seeking virtual node request message comprising availability as a path to the designated virtual gate and the metric.

177. The method of claim 176, wherein the path seeking virtual node is an unconfigured virtual node.

178. The method of claim 176, wherein the path seeking virtual node is a configured virtual node searching for a more efficient path.

179. The method of claim 174, wherein storing a route to the virtual gate based on the response received from the virtual nodes comprises:

receiving a response from a plurality of virtual nodes;

choosing a first configured virtual node to be a gateway based on metric and transport-agent parameters; and

transmitting an acknowledgement to the first configured virtual node.