GATEWAY-BASED AMI NETWORK

• US 20110255548A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: JOHNSON, MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US12/761,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255548A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• 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 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

Apparatus and methodology provide communications between a utility consumption meter and a utility provider at least in part by way of Internet Protocol (IP) based communications. A gateway device, coupled via either wired or wireless communications links to a utility consumption meter, serves as an interface between the utility consumption meter and a central utility provider server. Communications between the gateway and the central utility provider server are by wired or wireless IP-based communications. At least a portion of the IP-based communications may be by way of public broadband networks operated by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), thereby avoiding the installation of specifically purposed collection infrastructure.

Claims

1. An Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), comprising:

a gateway;

at least one utility consumption measuring device coupled for communications with said gateway;

an Internet Protocol (IP) based communications network; and

at least one utility central facility server coupled for communications over said network,

wherein said gateway is coupled for IP-based communications with said network whereby data may be exchanged between said at least one utility central facility server and said at least one utility consumption measuring device.

2. An AMI as in claim 1, wherein said gateway is couple for wireless communications with said network.

3. An AMI as in claim 1, wherein said gateway is couple for wired communications with said network.

4. An AMI as in claim 1, wherein said gateway is configured for communications with a plurality of consumption measuring devices.

5. An AMI as in claim 4, wherein said gateway is configured for wireless communications with said plurality of consumption measuring devices.

6. An AMI as in claim 4, wherein the gateway is configured for wired communications with said plurality of consumption measuring devices.

7. An AMI as in claim 1, wherein said gateway is coupled for two-way IP-based communications with said network.

8. An AMI as in claim 1, wherein said gateway comprises a utility consumption measuring device interface, a network interface, a microprocessor, and a memory associated with said microprocessor, with said microprocessor configured to direct data flow among said memory, said utility consumption measuring device interface, and said network interface.

9. A gateway, comprising:

a meter interface, configured for communications with at least one utility consumption measuring device;

a microprocessor;

a memory associated with said microprocessor; and

a network interface, configured for Internet Protocol (IP) based communications with an IP based communications network;

wherein said microprocessor is configured to direct data flow among said memory, said meter interface, and said network interface.

10. A gateway as in claim 9, wherein said meter interface is configured for wireless communications with at least one utility consumption measuring device.

11. A gateway as in claim 9, wherein said meter interface is configured for wired communications with at least one utility consumption measuring device.

12. A gateway as in claim 9, wherein said network interface is configured for wireless communications with an IP based communications network.

13. A gateway as in claim 9, wherein said meter interface is configured for wired communications with an IP based communications network.

14. A gateway as in claim 9, wherein said microprocessor is configured to direct two-way data flow.

15. A method of providing communications between a utility consumption measuring device and a utility provider without requiring the installation of specifically purposed collection infrastructure, comprising:

coupling a utility consumption measuring device to a gateway for Internet Protocol (IP) based communications with an Internet Service Provide (ISP); and

coupling a utility provider central facility server to the ISP via an Internet Protocol (IP) based communications network.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein coupling between the utility consumption measuring device and gateway is conducted wirelessly.

17. A method as in claim 15, wherein coupling between the utility consumption measuring device and gateway is conducted by wired communication.

18. A method as in claim 15, further comprising transmitting via the gateway utility consumption measuring device configuration instructions from the utility provider central facility server to a utility consumption measuring device.

19. A method as in claim 15, wherein coupling a utility consumption measuring device to a gateway comprises coupling a plurality of utility consumption measuring devices to a gateway.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein coupling a plurality of utility consumption measuring devices comprises coupling a plurality of like type utility consumption measuring devices.

21. A method as in claim 19, wherein coupling a plurality of utility consumption measuring devices comprises coupling a plurality of diverse type utility consumption measuring devices.

22. A method as in claim 15, wherein the gateway comprises:

a meter interface, configured for communications with a utility consumption measuring device;

a network interface, configured for Internet Protocol (IP) based communications with an IP based communications network;

a microprocessor; and

a memory associated with such microprocessor, which microprocessor is configured to direct data flow among the memory, the meter interface, and the network interface.