Security system and method for revenue class electricity meter
First Claim
1. A revenue-class electricity meter comprising:
- a sensing portion that couples to an electrical power line and that is responsive to electricity in the power line, said sensing portion providing a digital output indicative of the electricity in said power line;
a processor;
a revenue-related program code segment adapted to run on said processor, said revenue-related code segment comprising revenue-related meter functions that generate revenue-related data stored in a memory of said meter; and
a configurable non-revenue-related program code segment adapted to run on said processor, said non-revenue-related program code segment comprising non-revenue-related meter functions, wherein said non-revenue-related code segment permits user-modification of said non-revenue-related functions;
a security program code segment adapted to run on said processor to permit modification of said revenue-related data, said security program including a function that receives an input code, compares the input code to a stored code in a memory of the meter, and unlocks restrictions preventing modification of said revenue-related data if said input code matches said stored code and wherein said non-revenue-related program code segment permits modification of said non-revenue-related functions independent of said security program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A security system for programmable revenue class electricity meters. Each programmable revenue class electricity meter includes a metering portion or stage that couples to a power line. The metering portion is responsive to and senses the electricity in the power line and provides a digital output. The programmable revenue class electricity meter includes a processor that runs programming that records, calculates, and/or stores data relating to the electricity sensed by the metering portion. In particular, the programming records, calculates, and/or stores revenue-related data that can be used for calculating charges for the electricity. The programming can be changed by authorized persons to modify the types of data that can be measured, calculated, recorded, displayed, communicated, and/or stored for any desired purpose and in particular for revenue-related purposes. Modification of the programming and access to information is limited to authorized persons by means of the security system. The security system includes security system programming in the meter that checks for a code word that is required to be input prior to any changes to the revenue-related programming can be effected. The security system programming compares the input code word to a code word stored in the meter and unlocks restrictions on modification of the revenue-related programming if the input code word matches the stored code word.
129 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A revenue-class electricity meter comprising:
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a sensing portion that couples to an electrical power line and that is responsive to electricity in the power line, said sensing portion providing a digital output indicative of the electricity in said power line; a processor; a revenue-related program code segment adapted to run on said processor, said revenue-related code segment comprising revenue-related meter functions that generate revenue-related data stored in a memory of said meter; and a configurable non-revenue-related program code segment adapted to run on said processor, said non-revenue-related program code segment comprising non-revenue-related meter functions, wherein said non-revenue-related code segment permits user-modification of said non-revenue-related functions; a security program code segment adapted to run on said processor to permit modification of said revenue-related data, said security program including a function that receives an input code, compares the input code to a stored code in a memory of the meter, and unlocks restrictions preventing modification of said revenue-related data if said input code matches said stored code and wherein said non-revenue-related program code segment permits modification of said non-revenue-related functions independent of said security program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 26, 27)
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8. In combination:
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(1) a revenue-class electricity meter comprising; a metering portion that couples to an electrical power line and that is responsive to electricity in the power line, said metering portion providing a digital output indicative of the electricity in said power line; a processor; a first program run on the processor and responsive to the digital output of the metering portion, said first program having revenue-related functions that generate revenue-related values and non-revenue-related functions that generate non-revenue-related values using configurable program modules; and a slot coupled to said processor for receiving a programming key; and (2) a programming key adapted to be installed in said slot, said programming key including a memory having a code expression stored therein and preventing modification of said revenue-related functions in the absence of said code expression and said non-revenue-related functions being capable of being modified irrespective of the presence of said code expression.
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9. A security system for a plurality of revenue-class electricity meters, wherein each of said plurality of revenue-class electricity meters comprises:
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a sensing portion that couples to an electrical power line and that is responsive to electricity in the power line, said sensing portion providing a digital output indicative of the electricity in said power line; a processor; a first program run on the processor and responsive to the digital output of the sensing portion memory, said first program including a first code segment adapted to provide at least one revenue-related function that generates at least one revenue-related value and a second, configurable non-secure code segment that provides at least one non-revenue-related function that generates at least one non-revenue-related value, said second code segment configured to permit user-modification of at least one non-revenue-related function; a second program adapted to modify said first program, said second program including a function that checks for the presence of a function code and prevents modification of the revenue-related functions of said first program in the absence of said code, the non-revenue-related functions being configurable by a user irrespective of the presence of said code; a slot coupled to said processor for receiving a programming key; and a programming key adapted to be used in each revenue-class electricity meter of said plurality of revenue-class electricity meters, said programming key providing said code. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a plurality of revenue-class electricity meters, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first program run on a processor in said plurality of revenue-class electricity meters responsive to the digital output of a metering portion of a memory, said first program providing revenue-related functions that generate revenue-related values and configurable non-revenue-related functions that generate non-revenue-related values, and locking said first program to prevent modification of said revenue-related functions in the absence of a key; providing a key, said key unlocking said first program to permit modification of said revenue-related functions and said non-revenue-related functions being capable of being configured irrespective of the presence of said key; obtaining access to an interior of a housing of a revenue-class electricity meter; installing said key; operating a program to modify revenue-related values in the programming of the revenue-class electricity meter, wherein said program checks that the key has been installed; removing the key from said revenue-class electricity meter; and closing the housing of the revenue-class electricity meter to prevent access to the interior thereof. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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20. In combination:
a revenue-class electricity meter comprising; a metering portion that couples to an electrical power line and that is responsive to electricity in the power line, said metering portion providing a digital output indicative of the electricity in said power line; a processor; a first program run on the processor and responsive to the digital output of the metering portion, said first program adapted to provide revenue-related functions that generate revenue-related values and non-revenue-related functions that generate non-revenue-related values using configurable program modules; and a key code, wherein said revenue-related functions are locked to prevent modification thereof in the absence of said key code and said non-revenue-related functions being capable of being modified irrespective of the presence of said key code. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A security system for a plurality of revenue-class electricity meters, wherein each of said plurality of revenue-class electricity meters comprises:
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a sensing portion that couples to an electrical power line and that is responsive to electricity in the power line, said sensing portion providing a digital output indicative of the electricity in said power line; a processor; a key code adapted for use in each revenue-class electricity meter of said plurality of revenue-class security meters; a first program run on the processor and responsive to the digital output of the sensing portion memory, said first program including a first code segment adapted to provide at least one revenue-related function that generates at least one revenue-related value and a second, configurable non-secure code segment that provides at least one non-revenue-related function that generates at least one non-revenue-related value, said second code segment permitting user-modification of said at least one non-revenue-related function; and a second program adapted to modify said first program, said second program including a function that checks for the presence of a key code and prevents modification of said at least one revenue-related function of said first program in the absence of said key code, the at least one non-revenue-related function being configurable by a user irrespective of the presence of said key code. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification