Automated Topology Discovery and Management for Electric Meters

• US 20140317258A1
• Filed: 02/26/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glen M. Riley
• Original Assignee: Glen M. Riley
• Inventors: Riley, Glen M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,755,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/47 Methods for determining the topology or arrangement of meters in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A method for automated topology discovery and management of meter nodes in a power grid is described. In the discovery mode any of the meter nodes is able to act as a proxy for a data concentrator to sort out the topology, and to determine the best path for communicating between a concentrator and each of the meter nodes.

Claims

1. A method for discovering the topology of electric meter nodes connected by electrical power lines comprising:

broadcasting over the power lines a first message requesting one or more of the meter nodes to respond;

examining one or more responses to the first messages and selecting from the response one or more meter nodes to act as first proxies;

sending second messages from the one or more first proxies over the power lines requesting one or more meter nodes to respond;

examining one or more response to the second messages and selecting from the responses one or more meter nodes to act as second proxies; and

creating a table of meter nodes including which proxies, if any, are used to reach each meter node.