Systems and Methods for Auto-Configuration of a Generic Data Device on a Wireless Network

• US 20110273308A1
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SmartSynch Incorporated (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Henderson, John C., Garrison, Brian R., Aune, Mark Kristian
• Application Number:
  US13/187,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20110273308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for the automatic configuration of digital utility meters. One embodiment provides for pre-producing digital devices, the digital devices comprising integrated module components, configured for communication with a data management system via a wireless network and further configured for monitoring capability, producing a list file associated with the digital devices and including identities for each integrated module component, activating a digital devices using the wireless network, and distributing deployment information to the digital device from at least one configuration server via the wireless network, including customer data for configuring the digital device and for registering the digital device with a transaction management system.

Claims

1. A method for automatic configuration of digital devices, comprising steps of:

pre-producing a plurality of digital devices, comprising integrated module components, configured for communication with a data management system via a wireless network and further configured for monitoring capability;

producing a list file, the list file associated with the plurality of digital devices and including identities for each integrated module component;

activating a digital device, from the plurality of digital devices, using the wireless network; and

distributing deployment information to the digital device from at least one configuration server via the wireless network, the deployment information including customer data for configuring the digital device and for registering the digital device with a transaction management system.

2. The method of claim 1, the pre-producing initiated by a request from a customer for the digital devices.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising creating a customer profile, the customer profile including customer identification, encryption keys and destination addresses.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting a plurality of module components that are necessary for manufacture of the digital devices.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising committing to manufacture of the digital devices that integrate the plurality of module components.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital devices are telemetry devices.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital devices are meters.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital devices are electric meters.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring capability includes power monitoring functions.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating is responsive to a request from a customer for activation of at least one integrated circuit card ID (ICCID).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein an associated 15-digit mobile station integrated services digital network (MSISDN) identification number is transmitted to a customer in an activation file and imported to the at least one configuration server.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the distributing deployment information uses parallel configuration servers.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the distributing deployment information uses standard interfaces.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the distributing deployment information uses customized interfaces.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising, retrieving the customer data and status information from the digital device to the at least one configuration server.

16. The method of claim 1, the distributing deployment information further comprising requesting configuration data from the at least one configuration server.

17. A system for automatic configuration of digital devices, comprising:

a pre-production server configured for receiving a first request for the digital devices from a customer, creating a customer profile, submitting a second request for module components, and committing to manufacture the digital devices integrating the module components;

a device manufacture server configured for associating the module components with respective end-users;

an activation server configured for activating the digital devices via a wireless network; and

a configuration server for distributing deployment information corresponding to the digital devices.

18. A system for automatic configuration of digital devices, comprising:

a pre-production server configured for receiving a first request for the digital devices from a customer, creating a customer profile, submitting a second request for module components, and committing to manufacture the digital devices integrating the module components;

a device manufacture server configured for associating the digital devices with respective end-users;

an activation server configured for activating the digital devices via a wireless network; and

a configuration server for distributing deployment information corresponding to the digital devices.