Network-enabled, extensible metering system

• US 7,046,682 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Ardalan, Sasan, Carpenter, Richard Christopher, Scoggins, Sean Michael, Kelley, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/798,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 370/252, 370/253, 370/522, 370/524, 370/466, 370/467, 370/395.52, 340/870.02, 340/870.11, 340/870.07, 379/106.03, 379/106.01
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2213/10 using simultaneously two or more different transmission means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/147 for predicting network behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

To allow meter data users to have access to needed information and at the same time address the rapidly shifting requirements of the deregulated marketplace, a new business model, apparatus and system are provided. A common metering device measures raw data and a system composed of independent services or applications collect and process raw metered data and then make that data available to interested parties. This new model removes the dependence upon an automatic meter reading (AMR) system provider, as the sole provider, by creating a system to enable a competitive environment where services (applications, information, networking, etc.) rather than systems are selected and paid for on a leased or pay-per-use basis. One example of such a networked-based, extensible metering system comprises a network server, a wide area network coupled to the network server, and a plurality of network-enabled meters coupled to the network. The meters collect data and the network server provides at least one metering application to the meters. In addition, the meters may be programmed to communicate via a predefined protocol and to deliver a protocol interface to a storage medium on the network, which enables the network to provide the protocol interface to users or applications requiring information from the meters and the users/applications to communicate with the meters to access the required information.

Claims

1. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of networked servers executing a network of interoperable services including a directory service that comprises a plurality of networked device or application interface locations;

(b) a TCP/IP network coupled to the networked servers; and

(c) a network-enabled meter coupled to the TCP/IP network;

wherein the meter provides services and data to a networked device or application using an associated networked device or application interface location and receives new services from the networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter is programmed to publish its interface data to the directory service.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter includes a network communicating device.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the directory service provides interface data for the meter to a meter data user (MDU), whereby the MDU is provided with services and data by the meter through an interface associated with the interface data.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises an intranet.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises a wide area network.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the directory service is accessible to a meter data user (MDU) and provides interface data to the MDU.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein applications reside on a storage medium on the network and are upgradeable on the network.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein applications are activated on the meter on a real-time basis.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein multiple meter data users can access the same or different services and/or data for the same meter.

12. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter consists of a reduced set of internal hardware and firmware required for traditional metering devices.

13. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising embedded network-enabling adaptors to allow legacy metering devices to interface with network-level users and applications.

14. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising communications adaptors to allow protocol-dependent communication between users and applications and the network-enabled meter.

15. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the meter is programmed to communicate via an interface associated with an interface location, and delivers interface data to a storage medium on the network, whereby the network is able to provide the interface data to a user or application requiring information from the meter and the user or application is enabled to communicate with the meter to access the required information;

wherein the directory service is enabled to provide the interface data to a meter data user (MDU), whereby the MDU is provided with metered data by the meter and the MDU is provided with metering applications by the server;

wherein applications reside on the network and are upgradeable on the network;

wherein applications are activated on the meter on a real-time basis;

wherein multiple MDUs can access the same or different applications and/or data for the same meter; and

further comprising communications adaptors to allow protocol-dependent communication between users and applications and the network-enabled meter.

16. A networked-based, extensible metering system, comprising a wide area network comprising a plurality of networked servers executing a network of interoperable services including a directory service that comprises a plurality of networked device or application interface locations, and a plurality of network-enabled meters coupled to the network;

wherein the meters collect data and the meters are programmed to communicate data and services via a service interface to a networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location and receive new services from the networked device or application using the associated networked device or application interface location and to deliver interface data to a storage medium on the network, whereby the network is able to provide the interface data to users or applications requiring information from the meters and the users or applications are able to communicate with the meters to access the required information through an interface associated with the interface data.

17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein applications reside on the network and are upgradeable on the network.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein applications are activated on the meters on a real-time basis.

19. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein multiple meter data users (MDUs) can access the same or different services and/or data for the same meter.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, further comprising communications adaptors to allow protocol-dependent communication between users and applications and the network-enabled meters.

21. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the directory service provides interface data for an application to at least one of the meters, whereby the at least one meter is provided with data and services by the application through an interface associated with the interface data.