SECURE COLLECTOR DIAGNOSTIC PORTAL ACTIVATION
First Claim
1. A method for controlling user access to a collector in an AMR/AMI network, the network also including at least a head end and an RF LAN through which the head end communicates with the collector, comprising:
- associating a WiFi radio with the collector;
transmitting a message from the head end to enable the WiFi radio;
transmitting a message via the RF LAN to turn on the WiFi radio;
providing a user access device capable of communicating with the WiFi radio; and
verifying possession by a user of a valid username/password combination associated with the collector via transmissions from the user access device through the WiFi radio.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for providing communications with an Automatic Meter Reading/Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMR/AMI) collector device. The collector is provided with a WiFi radio that is enabled for operation from an AMR/AMI head end and turned on in response to a transmission coming from a physical device via the AMR/AMI RF LAN. A user device is granted access to the collector data only upon validation by the collector of multiple credentials that are separately presented to the collector. The credentials come from the physical device in the form of device type and device identification, and from the user device in the form of a valid security certificate and username/password combination.
7 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for controlling user access to a collector in an AMR/AMI network, the network also including at least a head end and an RF LAN through which the head end communicates with the collector, comprising:
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associating a WiFi radio with the collector; transmitting a message from the head end to enable the WiFi radio; transmitting a message via the RF LAN to turn on the WiFi radio; providing a user access device capable of communicating with the WiFi radio; and verifying possession by a user of a valid username/password combination associated with the collector via transmissions from the user access device through the WiFi radio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An AMR/AMI network, comprising:
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a head end; an RF LAN; a collector configured for communications with said head end via said RF LAN; and a WiFi radio associated with said collector and configured to provide communications between said collector and a WiFi enabled device, wherein said collector is configured to permit access to said WiFi radio only upon validation of plural separately submitted credentials. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A collector for use in an AMR/AMI environment, comprising:
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a Radio Relay or Cell Controller Unit (Radio Relay/CCU), said Radio relay/CCU including data collection components and network communications components; and a WiFi radio coupled with said Radio Relay/CCU for communications with at least said data collection components and an external user access device, wherein said Radio Relay/CCU is configured to require separately presented valid credentials via said network communications components and said WiFi radio before permitting access via said WiFi radio to said data collection components. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification