Efficient Firmware Update in a Narrow Bandwidth System
First Claim
1. A method of updating firmware in a plurality of endpoints configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automated meter reading (AMR), comprising:
- sending an announcement of a firmware update to the plurality of endpoints configured as the AMI for AMR;
multicasting the firmware update a plurality of times, as indicated by the announcement;
receiving indications of missing blocks from a plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update; and
sending missing blocks to the plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update according to the indications.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An advanced metering infrastructure may be configured for automated meter reading, such as of utility (electric, natural gas, etc.) meters. Within a network, a data collector communicates with, and receives meter data from, a plurality of endpoints. Firmware on the endpoints may be updated by transmission, from the data collector, of a new firmware image. In one example, the data collector sends an announcement of a firmware update to the plurality of endpoints. At a time indicated by the announcement, the data collector multicasts the firmware update a plurality of times. The data collector then receives indications from a plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update. In response, the data collector sends missing blocks to the plurality of endpoints according to the indications.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of updating firmware in a plurality of endpoints configured as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for automated meter reading (AMR), comprising:
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sending an announcement of a firmware update to the plurality of endpoints configured as the AMI for AMR; multicasting the firmware update a plurality of times, as indicated by the announcement; receiving indications of missing blocks from a plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update; and sending missing blocks to the plurality of endpoints that did not successfully receive all blocks of the multicast firmware update according to the indications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data collector, comprising:
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a firmware update module, configured to multicast blocks of a firmware image to endpoints within an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) configured for automated meter reading (AMR); a missing blocks checking module, configured to determine which blocks of the firmware image were not received and which endpoints did not receive them; and a missing blocks replacement module, configured to send the blocks not received to the endpoints which did not receive them. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An endpoint, comprising:
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a processing unit configured to execute one or more modules; a metrology module, configured to receive metering information from at least one meter associated with the endpoint and to transmit the metering information upstream within an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) configured for automated meter reading (AMR); a firmware block assembly module, configured to receive and assemble firmware blocks into a firmware image; a firmware inventory module, configured to detect missing blocks of the firmware image; and a missing blocks request module, configured to disclose identities of the detected missing blocks, the disclosure made in response to transmission of the metering information upstream. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification