Methods and system for utility network outage detection

• US 20080183339A1
• Filed: 05/17/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc. (Itron, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pace, James, Hughes, Sterling, Vaswani, Raj
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/297
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• 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

The present invention provides a system including a utility network including a product distribution pathway for delivering a product, a plurality of electronic utility devices associated with the utility network to monitor at least one parameter associated with the product distribution pathway, and a management processor in communication with the devices and operable to poll at least a subset of the electronic utility devices in response to an input to evaluate performance of one of the utility network and the system in response to information relating to the at least one parameter. The evaluation can include a rule-based analysis of one of the parameter and the information relating to the parameter.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a utility network including a product distribution pathway for delivering a product;

a plurality of electronic utility devices associated with the utility network to monitor at least one parameter associated with the product distribution pathway; and

a management processor in communication with the devices and operable to poll at least a subset of the electronic utility devices in response to an input to evaluate performance of one of the utility network and the system in response to information relating to the at least one parameter, the evaluation including a rule-based analysis of one of the parameter and the information relating to the parameter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices includes at least one of broadband communication capability, IPv6 communication capability, and frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication protocol capability.

3. The system of claim 1, where at least one of the electronic utility devices can act as an agent of the management processor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the management processor and an agent of the management processor includes at least one of broadband communication capability, IPv6 communication capability, and frequency-hopping spread spectrum, modulation, direct-sequence spread spectrum modulation, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing modulation capability.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the agent of the management processor is a gateway terminal associated with the utility network and in two-way communication with the management processor across a wide area network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor includes a distributed hierarchy.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem in a pre-designated area of the utility network and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem in a pre-designated area of the utility network.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on giving a weighting to a subset of the electronic utility devices reporting a problem, and wherein at least one of the weighting and the subset of electronic utility devices is predetermined.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the weighting is based on at least one of a location of the electronic utility devices in the utility network, a characteristic of the electronic utility device, and software loaded on the electronic utility device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on reliability of electronic utility devices reporting problems, and wherein the management processor is operable to establish the reliability of at least some of the plurality of electronic utility devices based on prior poll responses or lack of responses.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is adaptable based on prior information reported to the management processor.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on the subset of electronic utility devices responding to polling or not responding to polling.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on electronic utility devices that are reachable by at least one of the management processor and an agent of the management processor.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is based on one of relative topological and geographical proximity of unreachable electronic utility devices.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to establish a confidence level for at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices based on responses to polling.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to receive an imminent failure warning from at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to slot communications from the plurality of electronic utility devices to prevent loss of data packets, and wherein the communications slotted include an imminent failure warning from at least one of the subset of electronic utility devices.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to compare the information relating to the at least one parameter with predetermined criteria relating to performance of the utility network, and wherein the management processor is operable to poll at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices in response to the comparison to determine whether there is a problem associated with the utility network that includes at least one of a local service outage, a network-wide service outage, an equipment malfunction, and a power failure at the electronic utility device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to compare the information relating to the at least one parameter with a variable performance threshold criterion to determine whether there is a performance problem associated with the utility network.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to determine reachability of the electronic utility devices and to poll electronic utility devices neighboring an unreachable electronic utility device to determine whether there is a performance problem associated with one of the utility network and the unreachable electronic utility device.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the subset of electronic utility devices are located in a geographic region of the utility network.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the input is an internally generated time-based input.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the input is a customer telephone call.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the input is generated by one of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the input includes at least one of an IPv6 packet having a header and payload information, an IPv4 packet having a header and payload information, and a non-TCP/IP packet having a header and payload information.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic utility device includes an internal power source, and wherein the input is generated when the electronic utility device is operated using power from the internal power source.

99. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor includes a plurality of distributed interactive processors.

28. A method of monitoring a utility network, the method comprising:

monitoring at least one parameter associated with performance of the utility network with a plurality of electronic utility devices associated with a product distribution pathway of the utility network;

communicating information relating to the at least one parameter to a management processor;

polling at least some of the electronic utility devices in response to an input to determine whether there is a performance problem associated with the utility network; and

performing a rule-based analysis of one of the parameter and the information relating to the parameter.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting IPv6-formatted data.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising using at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem to establish the rule.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem in a pre-designated area of the utility network and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem in a pre-designated area of the utility network.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the rule is based on giving a weighting to a subset of the electronic utility devices reporting a problem, and wherein at least one of the weighting and the subset of electronic utility devices is predetermined.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising using reliability of electronic utility devices reporting problems to establish the rule, and comprising using prior poll responses to determine a reliability for the at least some of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising using previously reported information to adapt the rule.

36. The method of claim 28, further comprising using the information received from or gathered about a subset of the plurality of electronic utility devices being polled to establish the rule.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the subset of electronic utility devices corresponds to a geographic region of the utility network.

38. The method of claim 28, further comprising defining the rule based on electronic utility devices that are reachable and using relative proximity of unreachable electronic utility devices to establish the rule.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the management processor learns from information received in response to polling.

40. The method of claim 28, further comprising determining a confidence level for the at least some of the plurality of electronic utility devices based on poll responses.

41. The method of claim 28, transmitting an imminent failure warning from at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices to the management processor.

42. The method of claim 28, further comprising slotting communications from the plurality of electronic utility devices to prevent loss of data packets, and wherein the communications slotted include an imminent failure warning from at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

43. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving poll responses from electronic utility devices regarding non-responding electronic utility devices before ordering corrective action.

44. The method of claim 28, further comprising determining reachability of the plurality of electronic utility devices and polling devices neighboring an unreachable electronic utility device to determine whether there is a performance problem associated with one of the utility network and the unreachable electronic utility device.

45. The method of claim 28, further comprising comparing the parameter with predetermined criteria relating to performance of the utility network to determine whether there is a problem associated with the utility network that includes at least one of a local service outage, a network-wide service outage, an equipment malfunction, and a power failure at the electronic utility device.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising polling the electronic utility devices in response to the comparison.

47. The method of claim 28, wherein determining whether there is a performance problem includes comparing the information relating to the at least one parameter with a variable performance threshold criterion.

48. The method of claim 28, wherein the input is one of an internally generated time-based input and a customer telephone call.

49. The method of claim 28, wherein the input is generated by one of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

50. The method of claim 28, wherein the input includes at least one of an IPv6 data packet having a header and payload information, an IPv4 packet having a header and payload information, and a non-TCP/IP packet having a header and payload information.

51. The method of claim 28, where at least one of the electronic utility devices acts as an agent of the management processor.

52. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting at least one of IPv6-formated data, IPv4-formatted data, and non-TCP-IP packet protocol formatted data from the management processor.

53. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting data from one of the management processor and an agent of the management processor using at least one of broadband communication capability, IPv6 communication capability, IPv4 communication protocol capability, capability.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the agent of the management processor is a gateway terminal associated with the utility network and in two-way communication with the management processor across a wide area network.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein communicating information includes communicating across a wireless local area network utilizing one of frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication protocol, direct sequence spread spectrum, and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing modulation.

56. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting the input from one of the plurality of electronic utility devices when the electronic utility device is operating using an internal power source.

57. The method of claim 45, further comprising adapting the rule in response to the comparison.

100. The method of claim 28, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting normal functioning in a pre-designated portion of the utility network and a number of electronic utility devices reporting normal functioning in a pre-designated portion of the utility network.

101. The method of claim 28, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a no problem condition and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a no problem condition.

102. The method of claim 28, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting an indication of normal operation and a number of electronic utility devices reporting an indication of normal operation.

103. The method claim of claim 28, wherein polling at least some of the electronic utility devices in response to the input includes polling the at least some of the electronic utility devices to determine whether there is a performance problem associated with neighboring electronic utility devices.

104. The method of claim 28, wherein the input is a recognition that an electronic utility device has not transmitted data for a pre-determined period of time.

58. A software program stored in machine readable code and used to manage a utility network, the utility network including a product distribution pathway and a plurality of electronic utility devices associated with the product distribution pathway, the electronic utility devices monitoring at least one parameter associated with performance of the utility network and communicating information relating to the parameter to a management processor, the software comprising:

a control module for evaluating the performance of the utility network based on the parameter; and

program code operable to poll at least a subset of the electronic utility devices in response to an input to confirm whether the information relating to the parameter indicates a problem associated with the utility network.

59. The software program of claim 58, where at least one of the electronic utility devices can act as an agent of the management processor.

60. The software program of claim 58, wherein one of the control module and an agent of the management processor includes one of broadband communication capability, IPv6 communication capability, and frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication protocol capability.

61. The software program of claim 60, wherein the agent of the management processor is a gateway terminal associated with the utility network and in two-way communication with the management processor across a wide area network.

62. The software program of claim 60, wherein the control module communicates with the plurality of electronic utility devices across a wireless local area network utilizing one of frequency-hopping spread spectrum modulation, direct sequence spread spectrum modulation, and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing modulation.

63. The software program of claim 58, wherein at least one of the electronic utility devices includes one of IPv6 communication capability and frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication protocol capability.

64. The software program of claim 58, wherein the control module is operable to perform a rule-based analysis of one of the at least one parameter and the information relating to the parameter.

65. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem.

66. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on reliability of electronic utility devices reporting problems.

67. The software program of claim 66, wherein the control module is operable to establish the reliability of at least some of the plurality of electronic utility devices based on prior poll responses.

68. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is adaptable based on prior information reported to the management processor.

69. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on the subset of electronic utility devices responding to polling.

70. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on electronic utility devices that are reachable.

71. The software program of claim 70, wherein the control module is operable to learn based on responses to polling.

72. The software program of claim 70, wherein the control module is operable to establish a confidence level for at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices based on polling responses.

73. The software program of claim 70, wherein the control module is operable to receive an imminent failure warning from at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

74. The software program of claim 70, wherein the control module is operable to slot communications from the electronic utility devices to prevent loss of data packets, and wherein the communications slotted include an imminent failure warning from at least one of the electronic utility devices.

75. The software program of claim 70, wherein the control module is operable to compare the information relating to the parameter with predetermined criteria relating to performance of the utility network.

76. The software program of claim 70, wherein the program code is operable to poll at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices in response to the comparison to determine whether there is a performance problem associated with the utility network.

77. The software program of claim 70, wherein the control module is operable to receive poll responses from the electronic utility devices regarding non-responding electronic utility devices before ordering corrective action.

78. The software program of claim 70, wherein the input is one of an internally generated time-based input and a customer telephone call.

79. The software program of claim 70, wherein the input is generated by at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices.

80. The software program of claim 70, wherein the electronic utility device includes an internal power source, and wherein the input is generated when the electronic utility device is operated using power from the internal power source.

81. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem.

82. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices reporting a problem in a pre-designated area of the utility network and a number of electronic utility devices reporting a problem in a pre-designated area of the utility network.

83. The software program of claim 64, wherein the rule is based on giving a weighting to a subset of the electronic utility devices reporting a problem, and wherein at least one of the weighting and the subset of electronic utility devices is predetermined.

96. The method of claim 83, further comprising determining the subset of electronic utility devices to be polled according to a rule-based analysis of the at least one parameter associated with the product distribution pathway.

97. The method of claim 83, further comprising using a rule-based analysis of the at least one parameter associated with the product distribution pathway to determine a time to poll the subset of electronic utility devices.

84. A method of managing performance problems in a utility network, the method comprising:

polling a subset of a plurality of electronic utility devices associated with a product distribution pathway of the utility network for information relating to at least one parameter associated with performance of the polled utility meters; and

determining whether there is a performance problem from the information received in response to polling.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein determining whether there is a performance problem includes comparing the information received in response to polling to predetermined performance criterion.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein the performance problem includes at least one of a local service outage, a network-wide service outage, an equipment malfunction, and a power failure at the electronic utility device.

87. The method of claim 84, further comprising ordering corrective action if a performance problem is determined, the corrective action being based upon a set of configurable response rules.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein the predetermined performance criterion is based on at least one of a percentage of electronic utility devices having a performance problem and a number of electronic utility devices having a performance problem.

89. The method of claim 84, wherein determining whether there is a performance problem includes comparing the information received in response to polling to predetermined performance criterion and collecting additional information from at least one of the plurality of electronic utility devices if the information received in response to polling does not match the predetermined performance criterion.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising comparing at least one of information received in response to polling and the additional information to a plurality of performance criterion to determine the performance problem.

91. The method of claim 84, wherein the polling is performed in accordance with a performance determination rule, and wherein determining whether there is a performance problem includes comparing the information received in response to polling to the performance determination rule.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising polling other electronic utility devices if a performance problem is determined, the performance determination rule specifying the other electronic utility devices to be polled.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the other electronic utility devices to be polled correspond to a geographic region of the utility network.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the other electronic utility devices to be polled correspond to a predetermined subset of electronic utility devices.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the other electronic utility devices to be polled includes electronic utility devices without internal power sources.

98. A system for monitoring a utility grid, the system comprising:

an interface for communicating with a communications network overlying the utility grid and including a plurality of utility nodes in communication with the utility grid, wherein the utility grid deliverers a product;

at least one processor for processing instructions and communicatively coupled to the communications network interface;

a communications module operable to transmit queries to the utility grid through the communications network interface to at least one of the plurality of utility nodes and receive query responses received from the communications network interface from the at least one of the plurality of utility nodes, and

an outage detection module operable to evaluate performance of at least one of the utility grid and the network in response to a comparison of information included in the query responses and predetermined criteria relating to the performance of the at least one of the utility grid and the network.