COLLECTING UTILITY DATA INFORMATION AND CONDUCTING RECONFIGURATIONS, SUCH AS DEMAND RESETS, IN A UTILITY METERING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method in a device, comprising:
- receiving a first request for a demand reset from a utility data collector system;
based on receiving the first request, performing the requested demand reset and setting a demand reset hold-off timer; and
in response to a subsequent request for a demand reset received before the demand reset hold-off timer has expired, refraining from performing the subsequently requested demand reset.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a data collection system having a utility data collector configured for remotely collecting utility data, a system includes one or more endpoints. Each endpoint has a utility meter, memory for storing at least utility consumption data from the utility meter, and a radio for transmitting a communication message to the utility data collector. The radio establishes a communication link between the endpoint and the utility data collector, and provides consumption data when a wireless communication channel quality test determines an adequacy of communications from the endpoint and the utility data collector (e.g. using RSSI). The utility meter sets a hold-off timer or other validity check and only performs subsequently received reset requests or other reconfigurations if the timer has expired or the validity check is valid. Other features are also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method in a device, comprising:
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receiving a first request for a demand reset from a utility data collector system; based on receiving the first request, performing the requested demand reset and setting a demand reset hold-off timer; and in response to a subsequent request for a demand reset received before the demand reset hold-off timer has expired, refraining from performing the subsequently requested demand reset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method in a device, comprising:
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receiving a first reset request message from a utility data collector; performing a first requested reset, wherein the first requested reset requests reconfiguration of at least a portion of the device; receiving a second reset request message; and performing a validity check and performing a second requested reset only if the validity check is acceptable. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method in a device, comprising:
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in response to receiving a demand reset request from a utility data collector system, determining if a hold-off timer has expired; and when the hold-off timer has expired prior to receiving the demand reset request; reading demand data from a first memory location, storing the demand data in a second memory location, deleting the demand data from the first memory location, and resetting the hold-off timer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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memory for storing utility demand data, the utility demand data comprising peak demand data; a hold-off timer, the hold-off timer expiring at a pre-determined time after a demand reset is performed; a receiver for receiving a message from a utility data collector system, the message comprising at least one of a demand data request and a demand reset command; and a processor configured to, in response to the demand reset command; determine if the hold-off timer expired prior to receiving the demand reset command, and when the hold-off timer expired prior to receiving the demand reset command, perform the demand reset. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification