Methods and Apparatus Related to an Adapter Between a Premise Network and an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Network

• US 20110035510A1
• Filed: 08/04/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Alexander, Roger K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,533,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/18 Remote displaying of utility meter readings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• 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 described herein can include a first node within an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. The first node can be configured to be installed within a portion of a meter device. The system can also include an adapter configured to function as a second node within the AMI network. The adapter can be configured to translate a signal defined based on a platform of a premise network into a signal defined based on a platform of the AMI network. The adapter can be configured to be a meter-independent device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first node within an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network, the first node configured to be installed within a portion of a meter device; and

an adapter configured to function as a second node within the AMI network, the adapter configured to translate a signal defined based on a platform of a premise network into a signal defined based on a platform of the AMI network, the adapter configured to be a meter-independent device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal defined based on the platform of the premise network is a first signal defined based on the platform of the premise network, the signal defined based on the platform of the AMI network is a first signal defined based on the platform of the AMI network,

the adapter is configured to translate a second signal defined based on the platform of the AMI network into a second signal defined based on the platform of the premise network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to be disposed outside of the meter device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to receive or request meter information related to the meter device from the first node.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is a nearest neighbor to any first node within the AMI network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to communicate via the AMI network independent of the first node.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first node is configured to be a hierarchical peer within the AMI network relative to the adapter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is a first adapter, the premise network is a first premise network, the signal defined based on the platform of the AMI network is a first signal defined based on the platform of the AMI network,

the system further comprising:

a second adapter configured to function as a third node within the AMI network, the second adapter configured to translate a signal defined based on a platform of a second premise network into a second signal defined based on the platform of the AMI network, the platform of the first premise network being incompatible with the platform of the second premise network.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the AMI network is a wireless network.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the AMI network has a different protocol than a protocol of the premise network.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first node includes an AMI network module that has a MAC address and network interface address value different than a MAC address and network interface address value of a premise network module included in the adapter.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the premise network is a home area network (HAN).

13. An apparatus, comprising:

an adapter including an AMI network module and a premise network module, the adapter being meter-independent,

the adapter being configured to function as a node within an AMI network via the AMI network module,

the premise network module configured to handle signaling between a platform of a premise network and a platform of the AMI network.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the adapter is configured to function as at least one of a source device or a destination device within the AMI network.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the adapter includes an application module configured to facilitate communication between the AMI network module and the premise network module.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the AMI network module includes a first wireless transceiver portion, and the premise network module includes a second wireless or wired transceiver portion different from the first wireless transceiver portion.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the premise network module is a node within the premise network.

18. A processor-implemented method comprising:

translating signaling between a platform of a premise network and a platform of an AMI network including information originated by the AMI network control system;

defining a routing table for AMI routing based on routing information received from a plurality of nodes defining the AMI network;

defining connectivity with a premise device or plurality of premise devices based on information collected through communications with premise devices; and

requesting, from a meter-associated node from the plurality of AMI nodes, meter information related to a meter device including the node from the plurality of AMI nodes.

19. The processor-implemented method according to claim 18, further comprising performing a calculation related to a pre-paid account.

20. The processor-implemented method according to claim 18, further comprising receiving account information related to the premise network.

21. The processor-implemented method according to claim 20, further comprising calculating a value based on the account information and the meter information;

and send the value to a node of the premise network.